Patent Publication Number: US-2022212590-A1

Title: Mobile performance stage

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/946,895, filed Jul. 10, 2020, and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/872,435, filed Jul. 10, 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to performance stages, and more particularly to mobile performance stages. 
     Current mobile stages are very tall as a trailer. Tall trailers having a high profile reduce fuel economy, can hit overhead obstructions, and can blow over on the road in gusty conditions. They can only be moved indoors through full commercial overhead doors, and they cannot be stored in buildings with low overhead doors. The roof systems are heavy, often with fiberglass panels. Hydraulic systems and large steel frames are needed to lift the roof. The heavy stage systems and high profile mean they must be towed by large trucks. The deck wings are usually hinge mounted to the main frame. The deck wings and/or the roof wings are normally stored in a vertical position which increases the height as a trailer. 
     In addition, because current mobile stage roof systems cannot be removed from the trailer system, it cannot be set up as a deck only stage, and it cannot be used as a deck-over trailer. 
     Conventional mobile stages can be used as stage or a trailer. This invention converts to multiple configurations. As a stage this invention can be used as a standard mobile stage or a deck only stage. As a trailer this invention can be used as a low profile trailer, or an enclosed cargo trailer, or a deck-over trailer. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an improved mobile stage apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a mobile performance stage is disclosed. The mobile performance stage includes a performance deck supported by a frame that is carried by a plurality of ground transport wheels. A plurality of deck wing extensions are selectively configurable between a stowed condition, supported atop the performance deck, and a deployed condition, extending from a lateral side of the performance deck. A roof canopy has a main roof element that is dimensioned to cover the performance deck. A plurality of roof wings are selectively extensible from the main roof element between the stowed condition, nested subjacent to the main roof element, and a deployed condition, extending from the main roof element and covering the plurality of deck wing extensions. A plurality of hinged upright frame members are coupled to the frame. A sleeve coupling between the main roof element and the plurality of hinged upright frame members are configured to selectively elevate and lower the roof canopy. 
     In some embodiments, a roof wing support is coupled to each of a first end and a second end of the main roof element. The roof wing support is selectively extensible between the stowed condition and an extended position. In the extended position, the roof wing support retains the plurality of roof wings in the deployed condition. 
     In some embodiments, a multi-bar is removably coupled to the plurality of hinged upright frame members. A ball and a socket coupling may be provided between the sleeve and a proximal end of the multi-bar. A pin may be provided at a distal end of the multi-bar configured to engage with an opening at a lateral edge of the plurality of roof wings. 
     In some embodiments, a ground wheel and a caster are removably coupled to a distal end of multi-bar. The multi-bar may then be removably attached to the main roof element to support the roof canopy in a detached condition from the mobile performance stage. 
     In some embodiments, a plurality of roller track bars are removably coupled to and extending laterally from a side edge of the frame. A wing support leg is disposed at a distal end of each of the plurality of roller track bars. The wing support leg is vertically adjustable to accommodate for a variation in a ground surface on which the mobile performance stage is deployed. 
     In some embodiments a multi-bar is removably coupled between the main roof element and the frame to support the plurality of roof wings in a vertical orientation to form a sidewall of a cargo trailer configuration. 
     In other embodiments, a cable coupled to the sleeve and a winch is configured and operatively attached to the cable to selectively elevate and lower the main roof element. 
     In other aspects of the invention, the mobile performance stage includes a performance deck supported by a frame carried by a plurality of ground transport wheels. A plurality of deck wing extensions are selectively configurable between a stowed condition, supported atop the performance deck, and a deployed condition, extending from a lateral side of the performance deck. A roof canopy has a main roof element dimensioned to cover the performance deck and a plurality of roof wings pivotally coupled to the main roof element. The plurality of roof wings are selectively positioned between the stowed condition, nested subjacent to the main roof element, a deployed condition, extending from the main roof element and covering the plurality of deck wing extensions, and a cargo trailer condition extending between the main roof element and the frame to define a sidewall of a cargo trailer. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view (in direction of travel) of the mobile performance stage in the low profile condition. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the mobile performance stage with the deck wing support tracks extended and supported by adjustable legs. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the mobile performance stage with the deck wings fully extended. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial view showing the multi bar and sliding coupling. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the multi bar lifting one of the support columns. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the lever motion of the multi bar to lift the support column. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the mobile performance stage with all support columns raised, and the roof partially raised. 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view with the roof fully raised. The roof extension wings are partially deployed. The telescoping roof wing supports are shown ready for the roof wings to be attached. 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation of the stage fully set up. The multi bars are in position as support arms between the roof wing and the sliding ball coupling. The heavy fly brackets with support cables between them are shown. 
         FIG. 10  is a detail view of the connection between the roof wing and the heavy fly bracket and the multi bar. 
         FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of the deck only configuration. 
         FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of the mobile performance stage in the cargo trailer mode. The multi bars are the support posts. 
         FIG. 13  is a detail of the clevis used to support the roof wing on the end of the multi bar. 
         FIG. 14  is a detail of the clevis in the reversed position to accept the wheel. 
         FIG. 15  is a front elevation of the roof with the roof wings stored, being supported by the multi bars. The trailer and deck are removed to be used for the deck stage mode. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a system method and apparatus for providing a mobile performance stage. In The mobile performance stage is configurable from a collapsed and condensed transport configuration to an elevated and extended performance stage configuration. The mobile performance stage is also configurable in a cargo transport configuration in which additional equipment may be carried by the trailer within an enclosed spaced. 
     The mobile performance stage converts to a trailer with all of the stage components; deck wings  12 ,  14 , roof wings  24 ,  26 , main roof  22 , and frame stored horizontally directly on top of the main trailer  10  and below the main roof  22 , i.e. in a sandwiched, nested configuration. In the transport configuration, Shown in  FIG. 1 , the towing height of the trailer is reduced from more than 10 or more feet of a typical mobile stage to less than 7 feet. The mobile performance stage of the present invention provides significant height and weight reduction over alternative mobile performance stages. 
     The mobile performance stage includes a trailer mounted performance deck  10  that is supported by a trailer frame and a plurality of ground transport wheels. A first platform wing  12  and a second platform wing  14  are selectively extensible between a stowed condition, resting atop the performance deck  10  and an extended position to provide an elevated performance stage. A plurality of roller track bars  34  are coupled to and extend laterally from a side edge of the trailer frame. A distal end of the roller track bars  34  is supported by a deck wing support leg  28  that is vertically adjustable to accommodate for variations in a ground surface on which the mobile performance stage is established. 
     With the roller track bars  34  positioned as shown in reference to  FIG. 2 , the first platform wing  12  and the second platform wing  14  are slidable over the performance deck  10  and supported by the roller track bars  34  such that an upper surface of the performance deck  10  and the first platform wing  12  and the second platform wing  14  are deployed in a common plane, as seen in reference to  FIG. 3 . The first platform wing  12  and the second platform wing  14  may be carried by rollers  35  to facilitate repositioning between the stowed and the deployed conditions. 
     A column support sleeve  15  is coupled to the frame and disposed at corners of the performance deck  10  and is adapted to receive a lower hinged column support  16 . As seen in the detail view of  FIG. 4 , a locking pin hole  17  is defined in the lower column support  16 . The lower hinged column support  16  is coupled to the column support sleeve  15  at a pivot  18 . The locking pin hole  17  in the lower hinged column support  16  and the upright frame members  20  are configured to receive a locking pin  19  to retain the lower hinged column support  16  and the upright frame members  20  in a vertical orientation. 
     A multi-bar  32  is pivotally coupled to the upright frame members  20 . A ball  37  extends from a sleeve  36  A socket  39  at a proximal end of a multi bar  32  connects the multi-bar  32  to the sleeve  36 . The multi-bar  32  solves several problems of mobile stages. The multi-bars  32  may be used as pry-bars to raise and elevate the upright frame members  20  into place, shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The multi bars  32  are also used as support braces under the left and the right roof wing extensions  24 ,  26 , as seen in reference to  FIG. 9 . The multi-bars  32  may also be used as ground legs to support the main roof  22  when removed from the trailer, as seen in  FIG. 15 . The multi-bars  32  are also utilized as a medium height support column for configuring the mobile performance stage in the cargo trailer mode, shown in  FIG. 12 . The sliding sleeves  36  and ball couplers are used to convert the plane of motion according to the position of the upright frame members  20  to either lift the upright frame members  20  or to elevate and support the roof element  22 . 
     The main roof element  22  is secured to the upright frame members  20  by the sleeves  36  and the ball coupling. A roof wing support  30  is coupled to each of a first end and a second end of the main roof element  22 . The roof wing support  30  may be telescopically adjusted, such that in a stowed condition the roof wing support  30  has a width corresponding to the main roof element  22 . When deployed, the roof wing support  30  retains the first roof wing  24  and the second roof wing  26  in an elevated condition. The roof wing support  30  is adjustable to vary a pitch of one or more of the first roof wing  24  or the second roof wing  26  relative to the main roof element  22 . 
     The roof canopy of the mobile performance stage includes a one-piece main roof  22  element, a first roof wing  24 , and a second roof wing  26 . A hinge assembly  27  couples the first roof wing  24  and the second roof wing  26  to the main roof  22  element. The roof canopy is supported by a plurality of upright frame members  20  removably coupled to the trailer frame and can be easily removed when desired. 
     The roof canopy is raised partly, so the left and the right roof wings  24 ,  26  can be released from the stored position below the main roof element  22  and swung 180 degrees to a fully open condition via straps  45 , where the left and the right roof wings  24 ,  26  are held in place by the multi-bar  32  and roof wing support  20 . Once the deck and roof extension wings  24 ,  26  are fully opened, the entire roof canopy is hoisted using a cable  54  and a winch  52  to lift the roof canopy on the upright frame members  20 , as seen in reference to  FIGS. 7-9 . 
     When the main roof element  22  is removed, such as shown in reference to  FIG. 11 , the trailer and extensible deck wings  12 ,  14  (now approximately 36″ tall) can be moved into place and used where a performance stage is normally used. The main roof element  22 , the first roof wing  24  and the second roof wing  26  may be temporarily stored on site by attachment of a ground support wheel  43  and caster  44  to the multi-bar  32  and coupling the multi-bar  32  with the roof wing supports  30 , such as shown in reference to  FIG. 15 . An example of this is inside a large tent where the roof of the tent may be too low for a conventional stage with the roof canopy installed. The versatility of the multi-bar  32  is provided by removably and reversibly coupling the caster  44  and a clevis  42  with the multi-bar  32 , via a retaining pin  46  received through the multi-bar  32  and an axle pin  48  received through the caster  44  and wheel  43 , as shown in reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     To return from a stage to a trailer the process is mostly reversed, except the deck wings  12 ,  14  are lifted up and rolled back onto the performance deck  10 . A deck recovery system is used. The roof is lowered so the deck extensions can be attached via a linkage. When the roof is partly lifted, the deck wings  12 ,  14  can be lifted, whereby they can be pushed back into place on top of the performance deck  10  of the main trailer using their rollers. 
     Beginning with the trailer leveled, the mobile performance stage may be assembled according to the following steps: 
     1. Roll deck extension wings  12 ,  14  horizontally into position on the roller track bars  34 , supported with the deck wing support legs  28  in place. The first platform wing  12  and the second platform wing  14  drop onto pockets along the edge of the performance deck  10  of the main trailer frame. This creates a wide and flat mobile performance stage deck. 
     2. Lift lower hinged column support  16 ,  20  to a vertical position at each of the four corners of the trailer. 
     3. Connect the lift cable  41  from the post to the roof canopy ( 4  corners). 
     4. Partly raise the roof canopy and disconnect the first roof wing  24  and the second roof wing  26  from their stored position. Rotate the first roof wing  24  and the second roof wing  26  180 degrees outward then secure to the roof wing support  30  in the extended position (above the deck wing from previous step). 
     5. Install any accessories (stage lights/banners/speakers), which may be mounted and carried on a fly bracket  40 . The fly bracket  40  carries a cable  41  which is coupled and tensioned with an eyebolt  50 . When the fly bracket  40  is installed, the clevis  42  at the end of multi-bar  32  couples with a mounting lug  51  extending from the fly bracket  40 . 
     6. Raise the roof canopy to full stage height. 
     7. Secure as needed. 
     8. If the mobile performance stage is to be used as a deck only stage, ground standing frames, provided by the multi-bar  32 , wheel  43  and casters  44  are used to lift the entire roof canopy off of the stage. Then the main trailer with deck wings can be moved and set up at a different location. 
     If cargo (musical gear for instance) needs to be hauled, the lower hinged column supports  16  are removed and replaced by the multi-bars  32 . The roof canopy is then partly lowered, and the roof extension wings  24 ,  26  are stored vertically to form the sidewalls of the cargo trailer. 
     In some embodiments, the invention could also include powered hydraulic systems that are used to raise the roof canopy and move the deck wings  12 ,  14  for set up. However, the complexity of hydraulic systems, and associated frame work are not needed due to the light weight construction and simple mechanical motions. 
     In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the width of this stage will double the width of a trailer. For example, an 8′ wide performance deck  10  carried by the trailer becomes a 16′ wide stage. Alternate designs will be able to make the stage up to 3 times the trailer width to become a 24′ wide stage. The main trailer frame may be formed of welded steel or aluminum frame members. Placement of water tanks within the frame can be used as a drainable ballast. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.