Patent Publication Number: US-11380227-B2

Title: Truss system for video displays

Description:
FIELD 
     This application relates generally to a truss system for video displays. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Video walls and LED (Light Emitting Diode) screens are often suspended from portable truss systems or scaffolds. Because of the enormous weight of video displays, stability is a particular challenge. 
     One solution is to anchor the truss system with ballast, however, there are a number of drawbacks to this solution. The ballast is typically positioned on the ground, which creates a tripping hazard and extends the footprint of the truss system considerably. The cables tethering the truss system to the ballast raise further hazards and interfere with the technician&#39;s ability to access the system for maintenance, assembly, and disassembly. Consequently, technicians have been known to release the ballast during their work, contrary to safety guidelines. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an aspect of the present application to provide a truss system for suspending video displays in front of the truss using conventional and inexpensive components. 
     The above aspects may be attained by a truss system having a rectangular frame and a rigging plate. The rectangular frame is built from a number of rectangular tubes that together form an interconnected assembly. The rigging plate is attached to the top of the rectangular frame. Part of the rigging plate extends past the rectangular frame, creating an overhang on the front side. This overhanging part of rigging plate includes a number of attachment apparatuses for suspending the video display(s). 
     In another aspect of the application, the rectangular frame may have two or more support feet. The support feet may be designed to support the combined center of gravity of the truss system and the video display(s). 
     In a further aspect of the application, the attachment apparatuses may have apertures for attaching the video display(s) to the rigging plate with fasteners. 
     In a yet further aspect, the attachment apparatus may be a slidable attachment mechanism having a connector that slides along a track. The video display(s) may be suspended from the connector. 
     In another aspect of the application, the rectangular tubes may be hollow, having cavities within. In order to access the cavities, the rectangular tubes may have openings. 
     In a further aspect of the application, the rigging plate may have openings that align with the openings in the rectangular tubes. The cavity of the rectangular tubes may be accessible through the openings in the rigging plate. 
     It is an aspect of the application to provide two or more of the rectangular frames described above that are positioned side-by-side in a truss system. The rectangular frames are built from a number of rectangular tubes that together form interconnected assemblies. Rigging plates are attached to the top of the rectangular frames. Part of each rigging plate extends past the rectangular frame, creating an overhang on the front side. These overhanging parts include a number of attachment apparatuses for suspending two or more video displays. The suspended video displays form a continuous viewing surface. 
     Neighboring rectangular frames may be removably attached to one another. 
     In another aspect, the rectangular frames may have two or more support feet. The support feet may be designed to support the combined center of gravity of the truss systems and the video displays. 
     In a further aspect, the attachment apparatuses may have apertures for attaching the video displays to the rigging plates with fasteners. 
     In a yet further aspect, the attachment apparatuses may be slidable attachment mechanisms having connectors that slide along tracks. The video displays may be suspended from the connectors. 
     In another aspect, the rectangular tubes may be hollow, having cavities within. In order to access the cavities, the rectangular tubes may have openings. 
     In a further aspect, the rigging plates may have openings that align with the openings in the rectangular tubes. The cavity of the rectangular tubes may be accessible through the openings in the rigging plates. 
     These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the various examples described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of a truss system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a front view of a truss system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of the truss system. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of the truss system. 
         FIG. 5  shows a partial side view of the truss system. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of another truss system. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the truss system with video displays. 
         FIG. 8  shows a partial perspective view of the truss system with video displays. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An aspect of the present specification provides a truss system for suspending video displays in front of the truss using conventional and inexpensive components. The above aspects may be attained by a truss system having a rectangular frame and a rigging plate. The rectangular frame may be built from a number of rectangular tubes that together form an interconnected assembly. The rigging plate may be attached to the top of the rectangular frame. Part of the rigging plate may extend past the rectangular frame, creating an overhang on the front side. This overhanging part may include a number of attachment apparatuses for suspending the video display(s). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, and 2, and 3 , a truss system  30  is generally shown. The truss system  30  comprises a plurality of interconnected rectangular tubes  31  forming a rectangular frame. In this configuration, the rectangular frame has three sides: two vertical sides  32 ,  33  that are connected by a horizontal beam  34 . The horizontal beam  34  may have a top surface  35 . Optionally, the rectangular frame  30  may have additional cross beams or diagonal support features (not shown). In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the truss system has a height  36  of about 4250 mm and a width  37  of about 6000 mm, however any suitable range of dimensions are within the scope of the present specification. Indeed, any suitable dimensions compatible with suspending video displays from the rectangular frame  30 , as described herein, is within the scope of the present specification. The truss system  30  may additionally have two or more support feet  38 . In  FIG. 1 , the rectangular frame  30  is depicted with two support feet  38  connected to one of the vertical sides  32 ,  33 . The support feet  38  may comprise interconnected rectangular tubes  31 . 
     In some examples, the rectangular tubes  31 , from which various components of the rectangular frame  30  are constructed, to be identical or similar. In the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , the horizontal beam  34  comprises four rectangular tubes  31  each having a length of about 1500 mm, while the vertical sides  32 ,  33  respectively comprise four rectangular tubes  31  having a length of about 1000 mm. However, the rectangular tubes  31  are not limited to those lengths and any suitable lengths are within the scope of the present specification. In some examples, the rectangular frame  30  may comprise one size of rectangular tube. One benefit of building the rectangular frame  30  and support feet  38  with one, or a few, sizes of rectangular tubes is that the rectangular tubes  31  may be interchangeable. This feature may greatly simplify the assembly process and may increase the efficiency of replacing components in the rectangular frame  30 . A rectangular tube  31  may be attachable to another rectangular tube  31  with fasteners received by fastener holes  39 . The rectangular tubes  31  may have a plurality of fastener holes  39 . This configuration may facilitate one rectangular tube to be attached to another rectangular tube at a number of different attachment sites. The configuration may enable multiple rectangular tubes to attach to other rectangular tubes. The attachment between adjoining rectangular tubes may be strengthened with reinforcing plates (not shown). 
     The rectangular tubes  31  may include, and/or be fabricated from, one or more materials including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, metal alloys, carbon fiber, fiber reinforced plastic, and the like. 
     The rectangular tubes  31  may further comprise openings  40  for accessing a cavity of the rectangular frame (not shown). The openings  40  may allow a hand or device to be inserted to tighten or loosen fasteners from the inside of the rectangular tube  31 . Further, the cavity may act as a cable tray for the video displays and the openings may enable access to the cable tray and/or the cables. The openings  40  may have a number of sizes and shapes and should not be limited to that shown in the figures. In some examples, the fastener holes  39  may be positioned concentrically around the openings  40 , such that an opening in one rectangular tube aligns with an opening of another rectangular tube when the two rectangular tubes are attached with fasteners. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the truss system  30  may additionally include one or more rigging plates  41  attached to a top surface ( 35  in  FIG. 2 ). The rigging plate  41  may include one or more screens  42  for concealing connectors or attachment mechanisms. The rigging plate  41  may comprise a number of materials including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, metal alloys, carbon fiber, or fiber reinforced plastic. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a top view of the truss system  30  is shown. The truss system  30  may include two or more support feet  38 . In the figure shown, the truss system  30  has two pairs of support feet  38 . The length  43  of a pair of support feet is about 2240 mm in this particular iteration, however a number of lengths are contemplated. The dimensions of the support feet are generally selected according to the weight and dimensions of the truss system  30  as well as the weight of the suspended video displays. If ballast is used in the system, that may also affect the dimensions of the support feet. 
     One or more rigging plates  41  may be attached to a top surface (shown previously in  FIG. 2 ) of the truss system  30 . In some configurations, the rigging plates  41  are removably attached to the top surface using any suitable fasteners, including, but not limited to, bolts, screws and the like. An overhanging portion (described in more detail below) of the rigging plates  44  may extend past the top surface on a front side  46  of the truss system  30 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , a side view of the truss system  30  is shown. The truss system  30  is depicted with a horizontal beam  34  having a top surface  35 , a vertical side  33 , a second vertical side (not shown), and two support feet  38 . The truss system  30  comprises a plurality of rectangular tubes  31 . Additionally, a rigging plate  41  is removably attached to the top surface  35  of the truss system  30 . An overhanging portion  44  of the rigging plate  41  may extend past the top surface  35  of the truss system  30 . The overhanging portion may include one or more attachment apparatuses  52  for suspending a video display in front of the truss system  30 . In the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , the attachment apparatus  52  comprises a slidable attachment mechanism, however many different types of attachment apparatuses may be used, slidable or otherwise. For example, the attachment apparatuses  52  may comprise holes for accommodating bolts, screws, fasteners, hooks, carabiners, or other connectors. In some examples, as depicted, the truss system  30  includes a screen  42  to conceal the attachment apparatuses  52  when viewed from the front side  46  of the truss system  30 . The screen  42  may further protect the attachment apparatuses  52  from debris. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a partial side view of a portion of the truss system  30  that includes the rigging plate  41 . This view shows the horizontal beam  34  having an opening  40  and a plurality of fastener holes  39 . The rigging plate  41  may be removably attached to the top surface  35  of the horizontal beam  48 . An overhanging portion of the rigging plate  44  may extend past the horizontal beam  34  on the front side  46  of the truss system  30 . 
     The overhanging portion of the rigging plate  44  may include at least one attachment apparatus  52  for suspending video displays. The attachment apparatuses  52  shown are slidable attachment mechanisms, however, as explained above, any suitable number of attachment apparatuses are within the scope of the present specification. The slidable attachment mechanism may be configured to accommodate one or more connectors (shown later in  FIG. 8 ) which may slide along the length of the slidable attachment mechanism. The connectors may be attachable to one or more video displays such that the video display(s) may be suspended from the attachment mechanism. In some configurations, one video display may be suspended from one connector. In other configurations, a video display may be suspended from two or more connectors. In yet further configurations, one connector is attached to a plurality of video displays. The rigging plate may further include a screen  42  to conceal the connectors (shown later in  FIG. 8 ) when the truss system  30  is viewed from the front side  46 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a truss system  58  having multiple rectangular frames  60 ,  62 . The rectangular frames comprise interconnected rectangular tubes  59  (described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 ). A human is depicted adjacent the truss system  58  to show a relative size of the truss system  58  (e.g. which may be large enough to be viewable to a crowd of people viewing video displays attached thereto, from a suitable distance). In this drawing, two rectangular frames  60 ,  62  are shown, however any number of rectangular frames could be included in the truss system  58 . A rectangular frames may be positioned proximal to at least one adjacent rectangular frame. Adjacent rectangular frames may be connected, for example with fasteners including, but not limited to, bolts, nuts, and the like. In some configurations, adjacent rectangular frames may be aligned on an axis. In further configurations, a number of adjacent rectangular frames are aligned on one axis while another number of adjacent frames are aligned on a second axis; in these configurations, a curved horizontal beam for suspending video displays may connect a rectangular frame on the first axis with a rectangular frame on the second axis. 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the truss system  58  from  FIG. 6  with suspended video displays  64 ,  60 . The video displays could be, but are not limited to, rear and/or forward projection units, LED units, or LCD (liquid crystal display) units. The truss system  58  may be configured such that the combined center of mass of the truss system  58  and the video displays  64 ,  60  is supported by the truss system  58 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , forty-two video displays  64 ,  66  are suspended from a rectangular frame  60 ,  62  (e.g. eighty-four video displays in total), however, any number of video displays  64 ,  66  may be suspended from a rectangular frame. In some configurations, a rectangular frame  60 ,  62  may suspend a single video display. A video display  64 ,  66  may be positioned proximal and adjacent to one or more neighboring video display tiles on the same rectangular frame or an adjacent rectangular frame. A video display  64 ,  66  may be secured or connected to one or more neighboring video displays. Further, the video displays  64 ,  66  be positioned on a plane, such that the video displays  64 ,  60  form a continuous viewing surface. 
     In some configurations, including the configuration shown in  FIG. 7 , the combined width of the suspended video displays  64 ,  66  may be approximately equal to the combined width of the respective rectangular frame  60 ,  62  from which the video displays are suspended. In this configuration, the video displays  64 ,  66  may conceal at least the vertical sides  68  of the rectangular frames  60 ,  62  when viewed from the front side  70  (e.g. with a rigging plate  72  etc., adapted accordingly, as described hereafter). The video displays  64 ,  66  of adjacent rectangular frames  60 ,  62  may collectively have a continuous viewing surface. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a partial perspective view of the truss system  58  with suspended video displays  64  is shown. The truss system  58  includes a rigging plate  72  with a portion of the rigging plate  74  overhanging the front side  70  of the truss system  58 . The rigging plate  72  may include one or more attachment apparatuses  76 . In this configuration, the attachment apparatus  76  comprises a slidable attachment mechanism  76 . One or more connectors  78  may be configured to suspend the video displays  64  from the slidable attachment mechanism  72 . The connectors  78  may be configured to connect to one or more video displays  64 . The connectors  78  may be further configured to slide along a track  80  of the slidable attachment mechanism  76 . The rigging plate may further include a screen  82  positioned to hide the slidable attachment mechanism  76  and the connectors  78  from view. 
     The disclosed truss system provides a number of advantages including cost, speed of assembly, versatility, and safety. Because the truss system may not require ballast, the system may be assembled quickly and inexpensively. Additionally, the truss system may reduce or eliminate the need to ship ballast to the assembly site. When using the truss system without ballast, calculations may not be required to determine the appropriate amount of ballast, so there may be fewer opportunities for error. Furthermore, the truss system may be assembled in locations that lack the appropriate ceiling structure to suspend a video wall. Moreover, the truss system may be used without expensive motors to suspend the video displays. 
     In this specification, elements may be described as “configured to” perform one or more functions or “configured for” such functions. In general, an element that is configured to perform or configured for performing a function is enabled to perform the function, or is suitable for performing the function, or is adapted to perform the function, or is operable to perform the function, or is otherwise capable of performing the function. 
     It is understood that for the purpose of this specification, language of “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “one or more of X, Y and Z” can be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XY, YZ, XZ, and the like). Similar logic can be applied for two or more items in any occurrence of “at least one . . . ” and “one or more . . . ” language. 
     The terms “about”, “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, and the like, are defined as being “close to”, for example as understood by persons of skill in the art. In some examples, the terms are understood to be “within 10%,” in other examples, “within 5%”, in yet further examples, “within 1%”, and in yet further examples “within 0.5%”. 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative examples and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more embodiments. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.