Portable roof and tower system and method for construction

A portable roof and tower system of the type for building, disassembling, moving and reassembling at an intended site a covered stage from component pieces includes a plurality of movable pairs of base blocks positionable at predetermined regular spaced apart locations at the intended site. A plurality of pedestal pairs are removably fastened to each of the base block pairs at close tolerance adjustable spaced apart locations. A plurality of tower section pairs are removably fastened to and vertically extend upwardly from the plurality of base pedestal pairs. A plurality of pairs of head block sections are removably fastened at tops of the plurality of tower section pairs. A roof assembly comprising a plurality of roof trusses is constructed on-site at platform level between the plurality of opposed pairs of the towers. The roof trusses are aligned between opposed pairs of the towers and are lifted via a plurality of cable winches upwardly. The roof trusses are removably fastened to the head blocks with pinned male and female devices for secure rigid support.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to portable roof and tower systems which may 
be disassembled and reassembled on location for temporary stage 
performances; and more particularly, to a roof construction and method in 
which the resulting roof is covered and stably supported from towers. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In recent years, it has become popular to provide musical concerts to large 
audiences, which audiences will not fit into standard concert halls or 
theaters because of space limitations. In the case of popular bands or 
musical performers, such as rock and roll bands or country and western 
singers, such performances have been provided in large sports arenas, such 
as baseball, football, or soccer fields, or other spacious outdoor 
facilities, including beaches or pastures. In order to provide a stage for 
the set-up of musical instruments and for providing a platform for the 
performers, such stages had to be constructed on-site from the ground up. 
Sports facilities, pastures, and beaches which can accommodate the large 
crowds attending the performances, are not normally equipped with the type 
of permanent covered stage from which the performers' equipment, including 
musical instruments, amplified speakers, video screens, lights, 
pyrotechnics, and other special effects, can be suspended and displayed. 
Further, because of the sensitivity of much of the equipment, including 
complex electronic lighting, amplifiers, speakers, video equipment, and 
the like, to weather conditions, the modern stages must be provided with 
adequate stable and secure roof coverage. In order to accommodate the 
complete visual effect of the performance and to allow all aspects of the 
performance to be viewed from the large audience, the roof must be spaced 
a substantial distance above the stage platform. 
In the past, stage roofs have been constructed with the expenditure of much 
time and effort using standard building or scaffolding techniques, which 
to a large extent required extensive bolt tightening or clamping during 
assembly of the support structure and stage walls. There was a 
corresponding bolt loosening and clamp loosening during disassembly. Many 
of the roofs had to be constructed using cranes and workmen atop of the 
scaffolding or stage walls for long periods of time. Complex construction 
procedures at the top of the walls were dangerous and time consuming. 
In recent years, it has been found that roof assemblies could be more 
simply and more safely constructed at ground level or at a stage platform 
level and then raised to above the ground or platform suspended from the 
top of scaffolding with steel cables. Such construction was less 
complicated and less time consuming, but nevertheless, necessarily 
resulted in a less stable roof configuration due to the flexibility of the 
suspension cables. Excessive tension in the cables, in order to reduce 
their flexibility, could cause dangerous overloading both of the cables, 
as well as the stage walls or scaffolding from which the cables were 
supported. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention overcomes many of the drawbacks of the prior stage or 
roof construction systems and methods, by providing a system and method of 
the type for building, disassembling, moving, and reassembling at an 
intended site, a covered roof from component pieces. A plurality of 
movable pairs of base blocks are carefully positioned at predetermined 
regular spaced apart locations at the intended roof site. A plurality of 
pedestals are removably fastenable for support from the top of each of the 
base blocks to form pairs of pedestals at close tolerance adjustable 
spaced apart locations. A plurality of towers are removably fastenable to 
and vertically extending upwardly from the plurality of base pedestals to 
form pairs of spaced apart towers. A plurality of head blocks are 
removably fastenable at the tops of the plurality of towers to form pairs 
of spaced apart head blocks. A roof assembly is constructed on-site at 
ground level or at a stage platform level using a plurality of roof 
trusses aligned and extending between the opposed ones of the pairs of 
towers. The constructed roof assembly is then lifted using a plurality of 
cable winches. Sheaves attached to the head blocks allow ground level 
winch motors to be used. The opposed ends of the truss sections are fitted 
with male or female clevis portions and the head blocks are fitted with 
correspondingly located complementary female or male clevis portions. When 
the roof assembly is raised to its upward position, the male and female 
clevis portions on the trusses and the head blocks are matingly engaged 
for rigid mechanical support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of an assembled roof and tower system 
construction 10 according to the present invention which can be built on 
site from ground level 12. 
A plurality of first base blocks 14 are positioned at spaced apart 
locations from the front to back of the roof and tower system 10. The 
number of base blocks 14 and a predetermined distance between them 
determines the front to back depth of the tower system which supports a 
covered roof. A second plurality of base blocks 16, corresponding in 
number to the plurality of base blocks 14, are positioned at spaced apart 
locations from front to back so that each second base block 16 is also 
spaced to a side and aligned with a base block 14 to form pairs of first 
and second base blocks 14 and 16 which are at regular side to side 
locations. The spaced apart side to side distance between each first base 
block 14 and second base block 16 of each pair determines the width of the 
roof. For example, this may form a main roof and tower structure for 
covering a main stage or performance area. Additionally, for versatility 
and increased roof coverage and equipment protection, a third plurality of 
base blocks 18 may be positioned at regular spaced locations front to back 
and spaced apart a predetermined distance on one side of base blocks 14 
and a fourth set of base blocks 20 may be positioned at regular locations 
front to back and spaced apart a given distance on the other side of the 
plurality of base blocks 16. For example, additional roof and tower 
structures can advantageously form sound wings adjacent to a main roof and 
tower construction for a main stage. The number of base blocks 18 and 20 
need not be equal to the number of base blocks 14 and 16. However, in the 
preferred embodiment, base blocks 18 will form additional pairs of aligned 
base blocks with base blocks 14; and base blocks 20 will form additional 
pairs of aligned base blocks with base blocks 16. Reference to the side 
elevation view of the roof structure 10, as shown in FIG. 2, will 
facilitate understanding of the front to back positioning of the plurality 
of pairs of base blocks formed by aligned pairs of base blocks 14 and 16. 
Returning again to FIG. 1, each of the pairs of the plurality of base 
blocks 14, 16, 18, and 20, will support a plurality of pedestals 22, 24, 
26 and 28. The plurality of pedestals 22 and 24 will form pairs of aligned 
pedestals 22 and 24. The alignment of each of the pedestals on the base 
blocks is carefully adjusted, and then each of the pedestals is secured 
against movement on the top of the base block from which it is supported. 
A plurality of towers 30 are removably attached vertically extending from 
each of the plurality of pedestals 22 and similarly, a plurality of towers 
32 are removably attached vertically extending from each of the pedestals 
24 so that corresponding pairs of towers 30 and 32 result. Also, pedestals 
26 have towers 34 removably attached extending upwardly therefrom and a 
plurality of pedestals 28 have a plurality of towers 36 removably 
fastenable extending vertically therefrom. Thus, a plurality of towers 34 
will form one side pair of towers with at least some of the towers 30 and 
a plurality of towers 36 will form another plurality of side pair towers, 
with some of the towers 32. At the top of pairs of towers 30 and 32, pairs 
of head blocks 38 and 40 will be affixed. Preferably, the head blocks will 
be affixed to the towers while they are in a horizontal orientation before 
they are attached and raised vertically from the pedestals. Similarly, 
head blocks 42 and 44 will be removably affixed to the tops of towers 34 
and 36, respectively. The upper ends of the towers are further steadied 
against front to back swaying using guy wires 79 a, b, c and d (shown in 
FIG. 2) to provide triangular tension support between the towers. 
A covered roof assembly 46 is secured between the plurality of head blocks 
38 and 40. A side roof 48, such as a sound wing roof 48, will be secured 
between the plurality of other side pairs of head blocks 38 and 42. 
Another side roof 50, such as a sound wing roof 50, also may be secured 
between the plurality of side pairs of head blocks 40 and 44. Covered roof 
assembly 46 is constructed of and supported with a plurality of roof 
trusses 52 which extend rigidly secured between opposed pairs of head 
blocks 38 and 40. Similarly, roof assembly 48 used as one sound wing is 
supported with a plurality of roof trusses 54, rigidly secured between 
pairs of head blocks 38 and 42 and roof assembly 50 is supported by a 
plurality of roof trusses 58 removably, yet rigidly connected between head 
block pairs 40 and 44. Thus, a plurality of roof trusses 52 are connected 
at one end to head blocks 38 at connection sites 59 and are connected at 
opposite ends to head block 40 at connection site 60. A plurality of roof 
trusses 54 are connected to head blocks 38 at connection 62 and to head 
block 42 through connection 64. A plurality of roof trusses 58 are 
connected to the plurality of pairs of head blocks 40 and 44 at a 
plurality of connections 66 and 68, respectively. 
Thus, a roof 10 is constructed for covering a desired area, such as a stage 
platform 70. Stage platform 70 may be constructed with scaffolding in a 
standard fashion, except that openings for towers 30, 32, 34 and 36 are 
provided in stage platform 70. Also, background scaffolding 72 may be 
constructed for supporting displays, background scenery, sound equipment, 
or special effect devices, or the like. Similarly, additional side display 
scaffoldings 74 and 76 may be constructed adjacent to a main stage roof 
structure to provide additional displays, such as video screens, public 
address systems, or other special effect displays as desired to enhance 
the performance. Along with fore and aft guy wires 79, the side towers 34 
and 36 are further steadied against side to side swaying using the support 
guy wires 78a, 78b, 78c and 78d to provide triangular tension support. As 
with guy wires 79, the guy wires 78 may be attached as required and in a 
known fashion for providing sufficient stability for the height of the 
towers. 
Additional features will be understood with reference to FIG. 1, in 
connection with FIGS. 2 and 3, in which FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of 
the main roof structure of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic front 
elevation view during construction. In FIG. 2, multiple pairs of base 
blocks 14 and 16, multiple pairs of pedestals 22 and 24, and multiple 
pairs of towers 30 and 32 are shown. A plurality of roof truss sections 
52a, b, c, and d, from which roof assembly 46 is supported, are shown 
connected to the head blocks. In FIG. 3, roof assemblies 46, 48 and 50 are 
shown being constructed at platform level 70 and then raised upwardly with 
winch cables 80 and 82 at opposite ends. Winch cables 80 and 82 are 
preferably drawn upwardly, as by ground level winch motors 81 and 83 
around a plurality of pulleys or sheaves mounted on head blocks 38 and 40, 
respectively. Both pluralities of cables 80 and 82 are preferably drawn 
upwardly at uniform rates of speed so that the pluralities of trusses 52, 
and thus the entire covered roof 46, are drawn upwardly in a horizontal 
orientation without undue tilting. Even weight distribution is maintained 
between a plurality of cables 80 on one side and a plurality of cables 82 
on the opposite side. As will be discussed more fully below, head blocks 
38 and 40 are uniquely constructed with built-in sheaves, preferably 
double sheaves, so that the winch motors 81 and 83 can be located at 
platform level 70 with the cables 80 and 82 extending down through the 
center portion of towers 30 and 32, respectively (as shown with hidden 
lines). 
Prior to raising the roof assembly 46 as a unitary structure, it is 
constructed at platform level 70, preferably having a peak along roof 
ridge pole 86 and roof rafters 88 extending in both directions forward and 
backward from roof ridge pole 86 down to roof trusses 52b and 52a in FIG. 
2. A plurality of tie beams 90 extending from the frontmost tower to the 
rearmost tower inserted through openings in truss 52 and clamped to each 
of the multiple trusses 52. The rafters 88 may be supported with 
vertically extending queen post 92 upward from tie beams 90 or from 
trusses 52b and 52c. Additional struts 96 may also be used. Lighting 
support trusses 94 may be attached through or below trusses 52 as desired 
for suspending lights or sound equipment for any particular performance or 
event. A lightweight waterproof covering, such as a PVC tarp or a 
reinforced sheet of plastic, is supported by the rafters. Preferably, the 
covering is both opaque and waterproof to shield both unwanted sunlight 
and also to prevent rain or other precipitation from directly landing on 
the covered area, such as the stage platform 70 below. This construction 
of the roof advantageously keeps the weight of the structure to a minimum. 
Similarly, side roof assembly 48 and another side roof assembly 50 may also 
be constructed at ground level 12 or at platform 70 and subsequently 
lifted with winch cables 100 and 102 at one side and 104 and 106 at the 
other side. 
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a stage platform 70, showing a plurality of 
towers, including first, second, third and fourth towers 30(a-d), and 
32(a-d). Also, first and second side towers 34(a and b) and 36(a and b) 
extend upwardly through platform 70. Auxiliary base blocks 19 and 21, 
pedestals 27 and 29 and towers 35 and 37 which do not necessarily support 
a roof, may also be constructed. 
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the plurality of first, second, third and fourth 
base blocks and corresponding pedestals. The layout of these bases and 
pedestals are the initial steps in the construction of the roof and tower 
system and must be done substantially accurately through the use of 
appropriate measuring or surveying equipment. Appropriate positioning of 
the base blocks is done with forklifts or other types of equipment capable 
of moving the base blocks which have substantial mass and weight. The 
layout of the base blocks and the accurate location of the pedestals 
thereon is important so that the plurality of roof trusses can be 
removably and rigidly connected to the tops of the resulting towers 
attached to and located by the pedestals. Pinnable clevis connectors are 
preferably used for efficient connection when the entire roof assembly is 
raised up to the head blocks at the top of each of the plurality of 
towers. 
The positioning of the first, second, third and fourth plurality of 
pedestals 22, 24, 26, and 28 will be more fully understood from the 
explanation below for two pedestals 22a and 22b and with reference to 
FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a plan view of two typical base blocks 14a and 
14b of the plurality of base blocks 14, which are typical of all base 
blocks, with two typical pedestals 22a and 22b positioned and fastened 
thereon, which are typical of all pedestals. FIG. 7 is a partial side view 
of a base block 14 and pedestal 22. Each base block 14a and 14b is 
advantageously constructed of a perimeter rim 120 which may be formed of 
plate material, such as plate steel. A bottom plate 122 interconnects the 
perimeter rim 120 and is rigidly fastened thereto as by welding. A top 
support Surface 124 is formed interposed between rim 120. The top support 
surface 124 may be conveniently formed by filling a cavity formed by rim 
120 and bottom plate 122 with reinforced concrete to give the base block 
14 sufficient mass and durability for stably supporting each tower. 
Alternatively, the top support surface of a base block may be formed of a 
plate of steel and the cavity between the top and bottom may be filled 
with sand, water, or another containable heavy material to provide the 
desired mass weight for the base blocks. 
In order to facilitate movement of the substantially massive base blocks 
14, they are formed with forklift channels 126 extending substantially 
therethrough. Further, to facilitate alignment and accurate positioning of 
each pedestal 22a and 22b shown in FIG. 6, the top surface 124 has a cross 
channel 128 formed therein. For example, cross channel 128 can be 
constructed of steel I-beams formed in four corner L-shapes which are 
imbedded into a reinforced concrete material forming top surface 124, or 
otherwise affixed, so that a cross shape open channel 128 remains in top 
surface 124. 
Pedestal 22 is supported on top surface 124 with feet 130, each of which 
are fastened to pedestal 22 for adjusting the height of the pedestal with 
height adjustment means 132 which may be a threaded rod and rotating nut 
arrangement affixed through tubes 133 to pedestal 22. 
Each pedestal 22a and 22b is regularly located a fixed distance from the 
other as determined by horizontal two dimensional truss 140. Truss 140 may 
be clamped to the pedestals 22a at 142a and to pedestal 22b at 142b so 
that the distance and angular orientation or alignment between each of the 
pedestals 22a and 22b is precisely controlled because of the fixed length 
of truss 140. Each pedestal 22a and 22b is laterally movable on top 
surface 124 for fine positioning adjustment. When properly positioned, the 
pedestals are clamped in position using beams 134a and 134b, respectively, 
and threaded rods 136a and 136b therethrough. 
Adjustable nuts on either end of each threaded rod 136 allow it to extend 
from channel 128 to above beam 134 through an elongated opening 138 in 
beam 134 and to be tightened at any desired height, as established through 
the adjustment of feet 130. Cross channel 128 allows the threaded nut and 
rod arrangement 136 to move in either of two directions so that uniform 
clamping is accomplished to fasten pedestals 22 in the precisely desired 
position. 
It will be understood by those skilled in the art with reference to the 
preceding FIGS. 1-5, that pedestals 22a and 22b and base blocks 14a and 
14b form pairs of pedestals and bases with opposed bases 16a and 16b and 
opposed pedestals 24a and 24b, each of which are spaced apart with an 
identical two dimensional truss member 140 so that the alignment and 
spacing of each of the pairs is accurately established. Additional base 
blocks 14c and 14d and pedestals 22c and 22d (shown in FIG. 5) are also 
connected aligned with spacing truss members 140 to provide uniform fore 
and aft spacing of the pedestals. 
It will be noted with reference specifically to FIG. 7 that female clevis 
connector portions 144 extend upwardly from each corner of pedestal 22 in 
order to receive corresponding male clevis portions at the bottom of tower 
sections 30. (The arrangement could be reversed provided mating clevis 
portions result.) Thus, by accurately positioning each of the plurality of 
pedestals 22 and each of the corresponding opposed pedestals 24 of each 
aligned pair of pedestals, as well as the other base and pedestal 
assemblies, each of the plurality of towers 30, 32, 34 and 36 is also 
precisely located. 
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show a front elevation view of a typical tower section 
150, a side elevation view of tower section 150, and a plan view, 
respectively, of a typical tower section 150, according to the invention. 
Preferably, hollow lengths of steel tubing 149 form corners, while welded 
cross braces 151 are used to form a strong lightweight tower 150. A 
plurality of tower sections 150 of selected lengths are connected to form 
towers 30, 32, 34 and 36. The engagement of towers 30 with the pedestals 
22 through female clevis connector portions 144 and male clevis connecting 
portions 146, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, are typical for each tower 30, 32, 
34 and 36. It will further be understood that the height of each tower 30 
can be increased by coupling additional tower sections 150 at clevis 
connecting portions 148 and 146 of each of the tower sections. In the 
embodiment shown, clevis connector portions 144 are female portions and 
the corresponding male connector portions 146. In this arrangement, the 
opposite end clevis connectors 148 are female connecting portions so that 
the height of towers 30 can be conveniently adjusted by adding multiple 
tower sections 150 or different length sections 150 and assembling them 
one to the next through the use of interconnecting male and female clevis 
connections (as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 below) with slip pins 190 
inserted at each corner and through each of the clevis connection 
assemblies. Safety clips 191 are inserted to hold pins 190 in place. 
As shown in FIG. 10, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the tower 
sections corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the pedestals. 
Advantageously, the towers are constructed of steel tubing with welded 
angled cross braces for uniform strength. Advantageously for the 
convenience of assembly, and in particular for connection of the head 
blocks and rigid mechanical connection of the roof truss sections, the 
shape of each tower looking from the top is preferably square shaped. 
In practice it has been found advantageous to determine the height of the 
towers prior to moving the component tower sections 150 to the desired 
roof site. The desired lengths of tower sections 150 may be assembled into 
a plurality of equal height towers and then moved to the site. Where the 
towers are taller than the normal length of a transport vehicle such as a 
truck or train, a plurality of shorter subgroups of tower sections can be 
connected together while the towers are in a horizontal orientation at the 
site. Each assembled tower can be connected to the pedestal at two of the 
clevis connectors and then pivoted about the clevis pins upward into a 
vertical position such that the other two corresponding clevis connectors 
on the pedestal and on the tower can be quickly and detachably connected 
using pins 190 inserted through the corresponding clevis portions 144 and 
146. Clips 191, or equivalent means for securing clevis pins 190, are used 
for safety at all clevis connections. 
FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 are a front elevation view, a side view and a plan 
view, respectively, of a double head block which will be attached to the 
upper end of towers 30 and 32 through interconnecting and pinning together 
of clevis portions 148 with clevis portions 152. While FIGS. 11, 12, and 
13 will be described with respect to head block 38, it will be understood 
that in each position where a double head block is required, i.e., a 
plurality of head blocks 38 or a plurality of head blocks 40, the 
engagement and operation thereof will be substantially similar. Head block 
38 has male clevis connecting portions 154 extending horizontally and 
preferably, in a triangular pattern corresponding to a triangular 
cross-sectional shape of the roof trusses. Conveniently, the three 
triangularly spaced points of the pattern correspond to corners 154a, b, 
and c as shown in FIG. 12. Clevis connecting portions 154 are depicted as 
male portions. In the opposite horizontal direction, clevis connector 
portions 156 extend from similar triangularly spaced points or corners of 
double head block 38. The oppositely directed clevis connecting portions 
156 are female clevis connector portions as more clearly shown in FIG. 13. 
Oppositely directed male and female clevis portions could be used without 
departing from the invention. As will be more fully understood with 
reference to FIGS. 15, 16, and 17 below, clevis connectors 154 are 
designed for engagement with clevis connectors 158 on the horizontal truss 
sections and clevis connecting portions 156 are designed to connect with 
male clevis connecting portions 160 on the horizontal roof truss sections. 
Also shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are cable support sheaves 162 on one side of 
the double head block 38 and cable support sheave 164 on the opposite 
side. Also depicted are cable guidance sheaves 166 on one side and 168 on 
the other side which project inwardly into the tower section so that 
lifting winch cables 80, 82, 100, and 104 are spaced apart from the 
framework of the tower sections so that rubbing of the winching cables 
does not occur when the roof assembly is raised into position for a rigid 
connection between corresponding male and female clevis connector portions 
on the head blocks and roof trusses. 
FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of an end head block, for example, a left 
end head block, which has clevis connector portions 170 extending in one 
horizontal direction. Clevis connector portions 170 are depicted as male 
clevis portions. It will be understood that an oppositely directed end 
head block, or a right end head block, will be positioned with female 
clevis connection portions in an opposite horizontal direction. Thus, a 
pair of opposed end head blocks are positioned on left and right towers. 
The clevis connecting portion on the opposite end head block will be the 
complementary portion, i.e., the female portion for the configuration 
shown in FIG. 14. Again, a cable support sheave 172 is depicted and 
constructed for substantial load bearing capabilities, while a guide 
sheave 174 is provided to space the cable apart from the head block and 
tower structure. 
FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are a front view, a side view, and a bottom view of a 
roof truss subsection 176, respectively. Roof truss subsections 176 can be 
combined with other truss subsections 176 of selected lengths to form any 
number of a plurality of roof support trusses 52, 54 and 58 having a 
desired length. Preferably, the roof trusses are formed of steel tubing 
with welded cross tubes. A similar construction with smaller dimensions 
may be used for tie beams 90 (FIGS. 2 and 3) or for lighting support 
trusses 94 (FIG. 3). Aluminum tubing may also be used for lightweight 
trusses, particularly for lighting support trusses 94. Again, opposite 
ends of each of the triangular roof support truss subsections has either a 
male clevis connector portion 158 or a female clevis connector portion 
160. It will be seen from the arrangement depicted that the system 
advantageously provides male and female connectors at opposite ends of 
each subsection so that convenient construction can be quickly and rapidly 
made without undue on-site rearranging in order to form rigid connections. 
FIGS. 18 and 19 show a standard male/female clevis connection arrangement 
is shown in a front cross-sectional view in FIG. 18 and in a side 
cross-sectional view in FIG. 19. The female connector portion 180 has a 
shaft 182 which may be inserted into an end of a hollow tubing or pipe 
which forms the structure of pedestals, towers, head blocks and trusses. 
The clevis portions are securely fastened to the tubing or pipe as by 
welding. The male portion 184 of the clevis connector similarly has a 
shaft 186 which is inserted into tubing from which the component parts are 
constructed and fastened rigidly thereto. Referring to FIG. 19, during 
assembly the female portion 180 engages the male portion 184 therebetween 
and a pin 190 is inserted through an orifice 188 extending through both 
the male and female portion to accomplish rigid mechanical connection. A 
safety pin 191 is inserted to complete the connection. 
With reference to FIGS. 20 and 21 which show a female portion and a male 
portion, respectively, of a standard rectangular female clevis portion 148 
and male clevis portion 152 of one alternative embodiment of a clevis. It 
will be seen that at the interconnecting corners the female clevis portion 
has a chamfer 192 and the male portion has a chamfer 194 to facilitate 
easy engagement and alignment of the clevises which is important when 
dealing with substantially long tower sections, truss sections, and the 
like. 
With reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, it will be noted that an alternative 
embodiment of a female clevis portion 144 is shown in FIG. 22 in which the 
connection end corners 196 are removed. Similarly, the male portion 146 in 
the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 23 has its corners 198 removed. 
The alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 is preferably used for 
connections between pedestals, such as clevis connectors 134 and tower 
sections such as corresponding clevis connections 146. This facilitates 
connecting two of the four clevis connectors to each pedestal and tower 
when the tower is in the substantially horizontal orientation and then 
pivoting the tower upward about pins 190 engaged through orifices 188 so 
that the entire tower rotates into a vertical position at which the other 
two clevis connectors can be moved into position and pinned. 
FIG. 24 depicts a front cross-sectional view of an assembled circular male 
and female clevis connection. FIG. 25 depicts an end cross-sectional view 
of the clevis connection of FIG. 24. This alternative embodiment for a 
clevis connector is particularly advantageous for connecting horizontal 
truss sections 176, such as at female connector 158 and male connector 160 
of FIGS. 15 and 17. Each female portion 158 has an elongated connector 
shaft portion 200 and male portion 160 has a similarly elongated shaft 
portion 202, both of which are inserted a substantial distance into the 
tubular frame portions of truss sections 176 and are rigidly attached 
thereto as by welding. Horizontal bending of the pipe ends is reduced 
because of the elongated leverage provided by shafts 200 and 202. Also 
uniquely, the resulting circular cross-section of the clevis connection is 
advantageously designed to correspond closely to the size of the tubular 
members of the truss support sections so that circular clamping at any 
desired position can be conveniently accomplished. This is particularly 
advantageous when tie beams 90 and lighting supporting trusses 94 need to 
be affixed to or suspended from the roof truss 52 for purposes of 
providing a flexible and easily modifiable arrangement of lights, 
speakers, and the like for facilitating the performance. 
Thus, what has been disclosed is a unique system, structure, and method of 
construction of a roof. Particularly a stable, secure and rigidly attached 
portable roof and tower system is disclosed which is conveniently 
adaptable to a desired size and configuration and which can be assembled 
on-site with reduced effort and time. Advantageously, a durable roof which 
is rigidly affixed to stable towers can be quickly constructed at 
substantially any desired site and subsequently quickly disassembled and 
moved for construction at another site. 
Other alterations and modifications of the invention will likewise become 
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present 
disclosure, and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed 
herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended 
claims to which the inventors are legally entitled.