STAGE DECK

Abstract: Stage decking comprising a number of modular units each of which comprises a deck (1) and a base (2) in the form of a collapsible framework. The decks of the staging are connected to the bases and to each other by connectors (20, 8) mounted internally within the deck. The connectors (20) are screw connectors and the connectors (8) comprise jaws (11, 12) mounted in channels of the decks and movable between retracted positions within the channels and extended positions for locking engagement with channels in adjacent decks.

Description: STAGE DECK This invention relates to stage decking. Portable stages are generally used in hotels, schools, exhibitions and the music industry, when a permanently installed stage (for example in a theatre) is not a viable option. Portable stages comprise a number of modular units each comprising a top (or deck) and a base (legs or a frame). The deck is connected to the base and to adjoining decks by independent fixings such as bolts or purpose-designed connectors. The larger the stage area the more stage decks and bases are required. The method of fixing the decks to the bases and then to each other requires a large number of individual bolts or connectors. These require additional storage space and may be damaged or lost. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved form of stage decking which, in particular, does not involve loose connectors. According to the invention there is provided stage decking comprising at least one stage deck and base and connectors for connecting the deck to the base and to another stage deck characterised in that the said connectors are mounted internally within the deck. Conveniently all the connectors are operable by a common tool, for example an Allen key which is available as an off-the-shelf product. Preferably, at least some of the connectors are screw connectors. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the connectors for connecting the deck to the base are of this form although connectors of other forms may be used for this purpose. Preferably the connectors for connecting the deck to another stage deck comprise connector elements having formations arranged for interlocking engagement with formations on the other deck. In a preferred embodiment the elements are jaws which have formations arranged to engage in channels. These formations are preferably provided on elements which are movable between a retracted position inside the deck and an extended position in which they engage with the formations of the other deck. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of part of a preferred embodiment of stage decking according to the invention, FIGURE 2 is a plan view showing the manner in which parts of the stage decking are aligned and connected to one another, FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 are similar partial sectional views of one of the decks showing one of the connectors for joining the deck to an adjacent deck, in different positions, FIGURE 6 is a partial sectional view of a deck showing one of the connector elements of the deck for joining the deck to a base together with its associated screw connector element, FIGURE 7 is a plan view of one of the corner pieces of the deck, FIGURE 8 shows one of the connector elements provided on the upper part of the base, FIGURE 9 shows one of the connector elements provided on the lower part of the base, FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of part of another embodiment of stage decking according to the invention, FIGURE 1 1 is a plan view of one of the corners of the deck of this second embodiment, FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of one of the corners of the stage decking, and FIGURES 13 and 14 are partial sectional views showing one of the connectors of the second embodiment for joining the deck to an adjacent deck in different positions. The stage decking as shown in FIGURES 1 to 9 of the drawings comprises a number of rectangular decks 1 and a number of bases 2. Each deck comprises upper and lower panels 3,4, for example of plywood or plastics sheet, which are spaced apart with an outer frame, for example of aluminium extrusions, and a core, for example of polypropylene, honeycomb or similar material, bonded between them to provide a light, rigid integral structure. The top of the deck can be covered in carpet or vinyl as required. The stage decks can be built in a variety of modular sizes: 2m x 1 m, 1 m x 1 m, 0.5m x 1 m as well as special shapes such as triangles. Each base 2 comprises a number of lengths of metal tubing 5 joined together by a series of connector elements 6 located in a common upper plane of the base and a series of connector elements 7 located in a common lower plane of the base. The connector elements 6,7 provide pivotal connections for the tubes 5 so that the base is movable between a collapsed position and an erected position as shown in FIGURE 1 . To assemble the decking each deck 1 is attached to a base 2 by connector elements mounted within the deck and the deck and base assemblies are then aligned as shown in FIGURE 2 and brought together whereupon the decks are connected together by connectors 8 mounted within the decks. FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 show one of the connectors 8 mounted in a deck 1 a which is to be joined to a deck 1 b. The outer frame 9 of each deck has an outwardly facing channel 10 and the connectors 8 are mounted in these channels. Each connector is in the form of a cleat and comprises two jaws 1 1 ,12 movable between a retracted position shown in FIGURE 3 through an intermediate position shown in FIGURE 4 and an extended position shown in FIGURE 5 in which they project from the side of the deck and engage in the opposite channel 10 of the adjacent deck 1 b. Such movement is produced by a grub screw 13 mounted in an internally screw-threaded bush 14 which is mounted in the deck, the screw being prevented from falling out of the bush by a retaining spring (not shown). The screw 13 has a pointed inner end arranged to engage a cam face 15 formed on the upper jaw 12 whereby when the screw is turned in one direction it acts on the cam face to cause the jaws initially to move in a sideways direction so that they enter the channel 10 in the deck 1 b. The pointed end of the screw then engages an abutment 16 on the upper jaw and causes the jaws to move apart so that hooked portions of their outer ends engage behind the edges of the channel 10 in the deck 1 b to lock the decks together. The jaws are provided with a rounded portion 17 on the upper jaw engaged in a part-circular recess 18 in the lower jaw which enables them to pivot relative to one another under the action of the screw 13. The jaws are moved against the action of a spring 19 in the form of a Neoprene cylinder which, when the screw 13 is turned in the opposite direction, acts to move the jaws back from the extended position into the retracted position. The connector elements mounted within each deck for attaching the deck to a base comprise cylindrical elements 20 (FIGURE 6) mounted in vertical apertures 21 formed in corner pieces 22 located between the upper and lower panels 23 of the deck, these corner pieces extending into adjacent mitred ends of the aluminium extrusions forming the outer frame of the deck so as to connect the extrusions together. Each corner piece may have three such apertures as shown in FIGURE 7 to enable the deck to be attached to bases of slightly different sizes. As shown in FIGURE 6, each element 20 has a downwardly facing screw-threaded bore and the lower panel 23 is formed with an opening aligned with this bore so that a screw connector 24 can be screwed into the bore. The upper end of the element 20 is formed with a hexagonal recess 20a to receive an Allen key A for turning the element 20, the upper panel 23 being formed with an opening to permit access to the recess. The screw connector 24 comprises two end parts 25,26 formed respectively with a right-hand thread and a left-hand thread, these parts having a flange 27 between them. The connector elements 6a at the upper corners of each base are of the form shown in FIGURE 8 and have a central bore 28 which receives the upper end of the associated tube 5, this tube being internally screw- threaded to receive the lower end part 26 of a screw connector 24 which is then tightened up by the Allen key A to secure the deck to the base. The connector elements 7a at the lower corners of each base are of the form shown in FIGURE 9 and have an internally screw-threaded bore which can receive the upper end of a threaded guide (not shown) of the associated tube to connect the element to an upper element 6a of a further base. Thus, this enables the height of the deck to be increased by mounting one or more bases beneath the base to which the deck is attached. The embodiment shown in FIGURES 10 to 14 comprises a number of rectangular decks 30 and a number of bases 31 of a similar construction to those of the first embodiment. In this case each deck 30 is connected to the associated base by connectors 32 provided at the corners of the deck. Each connector comprises an upstanding pillar 33 formed with a circumferential groove which is arranged to be inserted into an aperture in the opposed corner of the deck. Mounted inside the deck at each corner between the upper and lower panels thereof is a cam 34 turnable by an Allen key A which is inserted through an opening in the upper panel to engage a hexagonal recess 35 in the cam. The cam is turnable between a position in which the pillar can be inserted into and withdrawn from the aperture in the deck, and a position in which it engages in the circumferential groove in the pillar so as to lock the deck to the base. The decks of the staging of this embodiment are joined together by connectors 36 in the form of cleats. Each connector is housed within the outwardly opening channel of the frame 37 of the deck and comprises two jaws 38 which project from the channel. These jaws are movable relative to one another between a closed position as shown in FIGURE 13 and an open position as shown in FIGURE 14, such movement being permitted by a curved tongue 39 provided on the lower jaw which engages in a curved recess 40 of the upper jaw. The jaws are urged into the closed position by a spring (not shown) and can be moved against the action of this spring to the open position by a screw (not shown) mounted in the deck. The jaws 38 project from the channel in the outer frame of the deck and have enlarged outer portions 38a so that, in order to connect a deck 30a to a deck 30b as shown as in FIGURE 13, the outer ends of the jaws are first introduced into the opposed channel of the deck 30b, whereupon the screw is turned to open the jaws and cause the enlarged portions 38a of the jaws to engage behind the edges of the channel whereby the two decks are locked together.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . Stage decking comprising at least one stage deck and base and connectors for connecting the deck to the base and to another stage deck characterised in that the said connectors are mounted internally within the deck. 2. Stage decking as claimed in Claim 1 in which all the connectors are operable by a common tool. 3. Stage decking as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which at some of the connectors are screw connectors. 4. Stage decking as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the connectors for connecting the deck to the base are screw connectors. 5. Stage decking as claimed in Claim 1 , 2, 3, or 4 in which the connectors for connecting the deck to another stage deck comprise connector elements having formations arranged for interlocking engagement with formations on the other deck. 6. Stage decking as claimed in Claim 5 in which the elements are jaws which have formations arranged to engage in channels. 7. Stage decking as claimed in Claim 6 in which the said formations are provided on elements which are movable between a retracted position inside the deck and an extended position which they engage with the formations of the other deck. 8. Stage decking as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the connectors for connecting the deck to the base are cam elements mounted within the deck and engagable with upstanding pillars on the base.

Inventors: LARNER PAUL RICHARD, LARNER, PAUL, RICHARD
Applicants: LARNER PAUL RICHARD, LARNER, PAUL, RICHARD
Application year: 2001
Main classification: E04H3
IPC codes: E04H3