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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 11/553,071, filed Oct. 26, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to portable lighted structures. In particular, the present invention is directed to stage platforms and structures having lighting integrated therein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Known staging systems typically include complicated and/or large individual components and require assembly of the components with threaded bolts or screws. Portable structures, such as stages or platforms, must be capable of breaking down into relatively small units that can be loaded onto trucks or airplanes for transport. Use of conventional connections, such as threaded bolts or screws increases the complexity of assembly and disassembly, further increasing the time and labor required for the assembly and disassembly. In addition, the portable structures must be capable of assembly in a short amount of time, by personnel having little or no technical skill. The above benefits must be provided while providing a platform that is capable of supporting a large amount of weight, such as the weight of theatrical performers and their associated equipment. 
         [0004]    Stages incorporating lighting or video elements have found increasing use in theatrical performances. Portable stages that incorporate lighting or video have additional components that require intensive labor and/or time to erect and/or disassemble. In addition, the increased weight from the components and the complexity of the installation of additional lighting components into support components create additional burdens for maintaining support of the structure and makes assembly and disassembly of the stage more difficult. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a portable platform structure incorporating lighting and/or video elements that is easily assembled and disassembled with little or no technical skill, having a stable structure, where the structure does not suffer from the drawbacks of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    One aspect of the present invention includes a portable light-emitting stage component of a stage assembly. The portable light-emitting stage component includes a deck supported by a support portion. The support portion includes at least one light-producing element, a first side, a second side substantially parallel the first side, a first end connected to the first side and the second side, and a second end substantially parallel the first end, the second end being connected to the first side and the second side. The at least one light-producing element is arranged and disposed to direct light through the deck. The first side includes a first rotatable latch member, and the first side and the axis of rotation of the first rotatable latch member are substantially coplanar or substantially parallel. The first rotatable latch member includes a first hook. The second side includes a first receiving member comprising a first post. Additionally, the support portion includes a protrusion protruding from a side or end selected from the group consisting of the first side, the second side, the first end, and the second end. 
         [0007]    Another aspect of the invention includes a method for erecting a portable light emitting stage. The method includes positioning a first stage component adjacent a second stage component. Each stage component has a deck supported by a support portion. The support portion also has at least one light producing element arranged and disposed to direct light through the deck. The stage component also has at least one connector arranged and disposed to releasably connect adjacent support portions to form a substantially planar surface area made up of a plurality of deck. The method includes engaging the connector of the first stage component with the connector of the second stage component to clampingly secure the stage components together. 
         [0008]    An advantage of the present invention is that stages incorporating lighting or video may be easily assembled and disassembled with little or no technical skill. 
         [0009]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the stages incorporating lighting or video may be disassembled into small components which may be fitted into cargo spaces of tractor-trailers or aircraft. 
         [0010]    Still another advantage of the present invention that the connections between stage components incorporating lighting or video do not require the use of threaded bolts or screws. 
         [0011]    Still, another advantage of the present invention that the stage incorporating lighting or video may be assembled by hand with little or no assistance of tools. 
         [0012]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows an elevational perspective view of a stage component according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows the connections between stage components according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a cutaway view of a stage component according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows a cutaway view of a stage component according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows an elevation perspective view of a stage assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a cutaway view of a stage assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a portable light emitting stage component  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Stage component  100  includes a deck  103  supported by a support portion  105 . Deck  103  is preferably a rigid transparent material capable of supporting the weight of performers and/or equipment related to a theatrical performance. Suitable materials for fabricating the deck  103  include, but are not limited to, plexiglass, glass, polymeric and other substantially rigid transparent or semi-transparent material. Although  FIG. 1  shows the support portion  105  and the deck  103  as having a substantially rectangular geometry, the present invention is not limited to a rectangular geometry and may include any geometry that may be formed into a stage. Further, the deck  103  may be substantially planar or have features such as bulges, slopes or textures, as desired to produce the desired visual effect for the stage. The support portion  105  includes light producing elements  107 . Light producing elements  107  preferably include light sources capable of emitting sequenced lights. Sequenced lights include a plurality of light sources that are controlled to display varying intensity and/or color of light. In a preferred embodiment, the sequenced lights include light emitting diodes (LEDs) controlled to provide images, including moving images. A plurality of light producing elements  107  may be positioned adjacent to each other to increase the surface area onto which images are displayed (see, for example,  FIG. 5 ). The light producing elements  107  are preferably in communication with each other and controlled by a single or a series of controllers, which coordinate the display provided. The light producing elements  107  may be connected to each other and/or the controller by any suitable means, including, but not limited to, wired or wireless connections. While not so limited, the deck  103  is preferably maintained at a position above the light producing elements  107  that provides a gap sufficient to provide cooling for the light producing portion and to provide an aesthetically pleasing view of the display provided by the light producing elements  107 . Stage component  100  includes connectors  109  for connecting the stage component  100  to adjacent stage components  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the connectors  109  have mating components, wherein connector  109  may include either a latch member  111  or a receiving member  113 . The latch member  111  includes a feature that engages with receiving member  113  in order to clamp together and retain the adjacent stage components  100  in position, to form a substantially planar surface comprising a plurality of decks  103 , while providing sufficient support at the junction between stage components  100  to carry loads that include theatrical performers and/or the equipment related to a theatrical performance. The features of the latch member  111  and/or receiving member  113  may include any geometry that provides clamping sufficient to provide a connection that retains adjacent stage components  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the features of the latching member  111  include a semi circular hook shaped member. The features of the receiving member  113  shown in  FIG. 1  include a cylindrical post arranged in an opening, which is configured to receive the hook shaped member feature of the latching member  111 . 
         [0021]    In addition to connectors  109 , the stage component  100  of  FIG. 1  includes protrusions  115  at ends of the support portion  105  of stage component  100  that, in conjunction with connectors  109 , engage adjacent protrusions and provide additional support. The protrusions  115  are configured to engage mating protrusions  115  to substantially retard relative movement between adjacent stage components  100  and to provide additional support for the interface between adjacent stage components  100 . In one embodiment of the invention the protrusions  115  may be configured without connectors  109  and may be disattachably engaged so as to provide sufficient support to the connection between adjacent stage components  100  to support the weight of performers and/or the equipment related to a theatrical performance. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows stage component  100  of  FIG. 1 , wherein an adjacent stage component  200  (shown in broken lines) having connectors  109  (shown in solid lines to illustrate relative positioning) are positioned with respect to connectors  109  of stage component  100 . Latch members  111  are rotatable in direction  203 , wherein the rotation facilitates engagement of the features of latch member  111  with features of receiving member  113 . While  FIGS. 1 and 2  show latch member  111  as being rotatable and receiving member  113  as being substantially static, either or both of the latch member  111  and receiving member  113  may be movable to provide the desired engagement between the latch member  111  and the receiving member  113 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a stage component  100  according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. As in the stage component  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , the stage component  100  shown in  FIG. 3  includes a deck  103  supported by a support portion  105 . The support portion  105  includes light producing elements  107 . Light producing elements  107  preferably include light sources capable of emitting sequenced lights. A plurality of light producing elements  107  may be positioned adjacent to each other to increase the surface area onto which images are displayed (see, for example,  FIG. 5 ). Stage component  100  includes connectors  109  for connecting the stage component  100  to adjacent stage components  100 .  FIG. 3  includes the deck  103  and the light producing elements  107  in broken lines in order to better illustrate the arrangement of connectors  109  and support portion  105 . The arrangement of support portion  105  and deck  103  shown in  FIG. 3  has the advantage that the arrangement provides a large continuous surface area of deck  103  that allows transmission of light from light producing elements  107 . The assembly of a plurality of stage components  100 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , permits the formation of a large substantially continuous surface on which theatrical performers and/or equipment related to a theatrical performance may be supported. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the features of the latching member  111  on support member  105  in this embodiment includes a U-shaped loop member. The features of the receiving member  113  shown in  FIG. 3  includes a hook shaped member, which is configured to receive the U-shaped loop member feature of the latching member  111 . Protrusions  115  shown in  FIG. 3  are configured to engage adjacent stage components  100  and provide vertical support by engaging protrusions present on the adjacent stage component  100 . Although not shown in  FIG. 3 , the protrusions  115  may further include connectors  109  or other devices suitable for connecting or retaining the stage components  100 . The present invention is not limited to a single light producing element  107 , nor the particular arrangement of deck  103  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention. As in the stage component  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the stage component  100  shown in  FIG. 4  includes a deck  103  supported by a support portion  105 . However,  FIG. 4  includes an alternate arrangement of deck  103  and support portion  105 . This embodiment includes the advantage of increased support across the surface of the deck  103 , while providing significant surface area across the deck through which the light producing elements  107  may direct light. In addition, surface  400 , which extends above the deck may further include light producing elements  107  or other lighting devices to further provide desirable lighting on the stage component. A plurality of light producing elements  107  may be positioned adjacent to each other to increase the surface area onto which images are displayed (see, for example,  FIG. 5 ). The support portion  105  includes a side surface  403  and an end surface  405 . Stage component  100  includes a first set of connectors  109  for connecting the stage component  100  to adjacent stage components  100  along side surface  403  of the support portion  105  for connecting adjacent stage components  100  in a side-by-side arrangement. In addition, the stage component  100  includes a second set of connectors  109  on end surface  405  for connecting adjacent stage component  100  in an end-to-end arrangement.  FIG. 4  includes the deck  103  and the light producing elements  107  in broken lines in order to better illustrate the arrangement of connectors  109  and support portion  105  and is not limited to a single light producing element  107 , nor the particular arrangement of deck  103  shown. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first set of connectors  109  on the side surface  403  includes latching member  111  having features including a U-shaped loop member. The first set of connectors on the side surface  403  also includes a receiving member  113  having a hook shaped member, which is configured to receive the U-shaped loop member feature of the latching member  111 . The second set of connectors on the end surface  405  includes latching member  111  having features including a semi circular hook shaped member. The second set of connectors on the side surface  403  also includes a receiving member  113  having a cylindrical rod shaped member, which is configured to receive the semi-circular hook shaped member feature of latching member  111 . Any combination of types and placement of connectors  109  may be utilized that provides a clamping engagement and supports adjacent stage components  100 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a stage assembly  500  made up of a plurality of stage components  100  assembled to provide a substantially continuous surface area made up of decks  103 . Any number of stage components  100  may be utilized in forming stage assembly  500 . In addition, the geometry of stage components  100  may be any geometry that may be fastened together with connectors  109  to form a stage assembly  500 . The stage assembly  500  may be self-supporting or may have spatially located placed support members (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). In another embodiment of the present invention, the stage assembly  500  may be fastened to a frame (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) that is configured to permit actuation of the stage assembly  500 . In this embodiment of the invention, the stage assembly may be lifted, inverted, rotated, or actuated with any other combination of movements that provide a visually desirable stage display. 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway view of a stage assembly  500 , wherein a plurality of stage components  100  are positioned adjacent to one another and connectors  109  are engaged with one another. In the end-to-end connection arrangement, stage components  100  are positioned in direction  603  with end surfaces  405  adjacent one another. Connectors  109  are placed in latching engagement to retain the stage components  100  in place adjacent to one another. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , connectors  109  disposed at end surfaces  405  include latching member  111  having a pull pin connector feature that engages a mating receiving member  113  having an opening (not shown) to form the latching engagement. In the side-to-side connection, stage components  100  are positioned in direction  605  with side surfaces  403  adjacent one another. Connectors  109  are placed in latching engagement to retain the stage components  100  in place adjacent to one another. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , connectors  109  disposed at side surfaces  403  are latching member  111  having a U-shaped loop member feature configured to engage a mating receiving member  113  having a hook member feature. The assembly of the stage can be repeated to create the desired stage size. Components of varying sizes and geometries may be connected together in the arrangement shown to provide a visually pleasing display. 
         [0029]    The connectors  109  of the present invention may include a connector mechanism, such as draw latches, pull pin connectors, coffin locks, and any other quickly disconnected system that is capable of connecting the component units together with a quickly disconnectable clamping engagement with sufficient support to function as a decking or wall system. 
         [0030]    In addition to the embodiments shown and described above, the decking portion  103  and the support portion  105  may also have geometries, attached devices or features that interlock separate stage components  100  to provide additional support and ease of positioning during assembly. The component units are preferably sized for easy disassembly and transport. In a preferred embodiment, the component units are configured to a size that fits within the cargo hold of a 747, or similar aircraft. In addition, the stage components  100  are arranged and/or discreetly labeled in order to provide quick assembly, while providing suitable support and providing the desired display for the decks  103 . 
         [0031]    While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Summary:
A portable light-emitting stage component including a deck supported by a support portion comprising at least one light-producing element, a first side, a second side substantially parallel the first side, a first end connected to the first side and the second side, and a second end substantially parallel the first end, the second end connected to the first side and the second side. The at least one light-producing element directs light through the deck. The first side includes a first rotatable latch member comprising a first hook. The first side and the axis of rotation of the first rotatable latch member are substantially coplanar or parallel. The second side includes a first receiving member comprising a first post. The support portion includes a protrusion protruding from a side or end selected from the group consisting of the first side, the second side, the first end, and the second end.