Patent Abstract:
A portable stage having at least a transport configuration and a deployed configuration is disclosed. The portable stage includes a chassis having wheels rotatably attached thereto and a main floor panel attached to the chassis. First and second deployable floor panels are pivotally attached to the main floor panel, and a deployable canopy is attached to the chassis. The deployable canopy is stored between the first and second floor panels when the portable stage is in its transport configuration. When the stage is deployed, the main floor panel, first floor panel and second floor panel form a main stage, and the canopy is large enough to cover the main stage.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to portable stages and, more particularly, to portable stages that may be towed by a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A variety of portable stage structures, which may be towed by vehicles, have been developed. Many of these portable stage structures include a transport configuration (i.e., a position the stage is in when it is being towed) and a deployed position (i.e., a position the stage is in when it is in use). Further, many portable stage structures include a floor (comprised of foldable floor panels) and a canopy (comprised of foldable canopy panels) for covering the floor when the floor and canopy are in their deployed positions. 
     In prior systems, in order to ensure that the canopy covered the floor when both the floor and the canopy were deployed, canopy panels were designed to fold over their floor panels when the stage was in its transport position. In such systems, because the canopy panels were exposed during transport, the canopy panels were designed to be extremely durable, preventing the canopy panels from being lightweight. Instead, canopy panels tended to be heavy and bulky, adding to the overall weight of the portable stage. 
     It would be desirable to design a portable stage having a canopy and a floor, wherein (1) the canopy includes canopy panels and the floor includes floor panels, (2) the canopy is large enough to cover the floor when the floor and canopy are in their fully-deployed positions, and (3) the canopy panels are designed to be folded between the floor panels when the stage is in its transport position. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to reduce the overall weight of the stage by constructing the canopy panels from a lightweight material, since the canopy panels would no longer be fully-exposed during transport of the stage. 
     In many portable stages, hydraulic systems are used to convert portable stages from their transport configuration to their fully-deployed configuration. For example, many portable stages use hydraulic systems to move their canopies from their transport configuration to their fully-deployed configuration. Unfortunately, however, hydraulic systems suffer from a number of drawbacks. Specifically, for example, hydraulic systems are highly susceptible to damage when exposed to extreme temperatures. Furthermore, hydraulic systems may leak and are relatively complex. Even further, hydraulic systems require an onboard or remote power source, which may not always be available or reliable. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop a mechanical, as opposed to hydraulic, system capable of deploying a portable stage from its transport configuration to its fully-deployed configuration. Specifically, it would be desirable to develop a mechanical system for deploying a canopy. Even more specifically, it would be desirable to develop a mechanical system which permits a single individual to deploy a canopy from its transport configuration to a deployed configuration. Further, it would be beneficial to develop a mechanical system which permits a canopy from being taken from a parallel configuration relative to a stage floor to an angled configuration relative to the stage floor for drainage, lighting and/or acoustical considerations. 
     Many portable stages are supplied with supports that are permanently attached to the flooring of the stage to support the stage when it is fully deployed. Supports which are permanently attached to the floor of the stage may make storage and transport of the flooring somewhat cumbersome. In addition, the supports may become damaged during transport or deployment. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a floor support mechanism that is removably attached to the flooring and which makes transport and storage of the flooring more convenient and less susceptible to damage. In addition, it would be desirable to provide flooring and a corresponding floor support mechanism that is safe during set-up, tear-down and transport of the stage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is designed to overcome the aforementioned problems and meet the aforementioned, and other, needs. 
     A portable stage having at least a transport configuration and a deployed configuration is disclosed. In one embodiment, the portable stage includes a chassis having wheels rotatably attached thereto and a main floor panel attached to the chassis. First and second deployable floor panels are pivotally attached to the main floor panel, and a deployable canopy is attached to the chassis. The deployable canopy is stored between the first and second floor panels when the portable stage is in its transport configuration. When the stage is deployed, the main floor panel, first floor panel and second floor panel form a main stage, and the canopy is large enough to cover the main stage. 
     In another embodiment, the portable stage includes a chassis having wheels rotatably attached thereto and a main floor panel attached to the chassis. First and second deployable floor panels are pivotally attached to the main floor panel, and a deployable canopy is attached to the chassis. The canopy includes a main canopy panel, a first canopy panel and a second canopy panel, wherein said first and second canopy panels are pivotally connected to the main canopy panel and wherein the first and second canopy panels respectively have first and second spring pins. The main canopy panel includes first and second canopy panel securement plates which cooperate with first and second spring pins to both lock the canopy in its transport configuration and place the canopy in a semi-deployed configuration. 
     In yet another embodiment, the portable stage includes a chassis having wheels rotatably attached thereto and a main floor panel attached to the chassis. First and second deployable floor panels are pivotally attached to the main floor panel, and a deployable canopy is attached to the chassis. First and second stabilizer beams are pivotally attached to the chassis and are stored under the main floor panel when said portable stage is in its transport configuration. The first and second stabilizer beams may be deployed by being pivoted out from under the main floor panel. Gas struts may be used to position the stabilizer beams. Furthermore, first and second stabilizer beams include apertures for correspondingly receiving stabilizing pins located on first and second floor panels to secure first and second floor panels once they have been deployed. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the portable stage includes a chassis having wheels rotatably attached thereto and a main floor panel attached to the chassis. First and second deployable floor panels are pivotally attached to the main floor panel. The portable stage also includes a deployable canopy having a main canopy section, which may be lifted relative to the main floor panel. First, second, third and fourth sleeves are fixedly secured to the chassis, wherein the first, second, third and fourth sleeves respectively receive first, second, third and fourth extension beams which are secured to the main canopy panel. The first, second, third and fourth extension beams permit the main canopy panel to be parallel to the main floor panel when in a transport configuration and tilted relative to the main floor panel when in a deployed configuration. 
     Other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the portable stage of the present invention in its transport configuration; 
     FIG. 1B illustrates a first side view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 1C illustrates a second side view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 1D illustrates a front view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 1E illustrates a rear view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 2A illustrates a partial sectional view of FIG. 1A illustrating two of the stabilizer beams when the portable stage is in its transport configuration; 
     FIG. 2B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating deployment of the stabilizer beams; 
     FIG. 2C is a partial view along line  2 C— 2 C illustrating a gas strut connected between the chassis and a stabilizer beam, wherein the gas strut is used to position the stabilizer beam; 
     FIG. 2D illustrates a partial perspective view of a stabilizer jack which is used to support the stage when the stage is in its deployed configuration; 
     FIG. 3A illustrates a partial perspective view of the portable stage of FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 3B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the portable stage of the present invention illustrating three of the four floor panels in their deployed configuration; 
     FIG. 3C illustrates a partial perspective view of the first and second floor panels, wherein the floor panel joiner bar is not attached to both the first and second floor panels; 
     FIG. 3D illustrates a partial perspective view of the first and second floor panels, wherein the floor panel joiner bar is attached to both the first and second floor panels; 
     FIG. 3E illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the portable stage of the present invention with the four floor panels deployed and the canopy in its transport configuration; 
     FIG. 4A illustrates a partial perspective view along lines  4 A— 4 A of FIG. 3E illustrating second canopy panel securement plate, first spring pin release wire, first spring pin assembly and first canopy pivot shaft; 
     FIG. 4B illustrates a first side view of FIG. 4A showing the canopy panel securement plate when the first canopy panel is in its transport configuration; 
     FIG. 4C illustrates a first side view, similar to FIG. 4B, of the canopy panel securement plate when the first canopy panel is in an intermediate position; 
     FIG. 4D illustrates a second side view, opposite the first side view of FIGS. 4B and 4C, of the canopy panel securement plate when the first canopy panel is in a semideployed position; 
     FIG. 4E illustrates a first side view, similar to FIGS. 4B and 4C, of the canopy panel securement plate when the first canopy panel is in a fully-deployed configuration; 
     FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the canopy lifting mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention, with the flooring, stabilizer beams and the chassis removed; 
     FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of the canopy lifting mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention, with the flooring, stabilizer beams and chassis removed; 
     FIG. 5C illustrates a cutaway view of a sleeve and an extension beam for one embodiment of the present invention with a stanchion located within both the sleeve and the extension beam; 
     FIG. 5D illustrates a partial perspective view of one embodiment of an extension beam for the canopy lifting mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5E is a top view, similar to FIG. 5B except that the chassis has not been removed, of the canopy lifting mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the preferred position of bell crank assembly relative to chassis; 
     FIG. 5F illustrates a perspective view of a bell crank assembly for the canopy lifting mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5G illustrates a perspective view of a winch for the canopy lifting mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5H illustrates a perspective view of a pulley mount for the canopy lifting mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of a floating pivot for one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the floating pivot is pivotally attached to an extension beam; 
     FIG. 6B is a phantom view similar to FIG. 6A; 
     FIG. 6C is a phantom view similar to FIG. 6B, which illustrates two possible positions of many possible positions of the floating pivot; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the portable stage of the present invention in its fully-deployed configuration; and, 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the portable stage of the present invention in its fully-deployed configuration. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiment illustrated. 
     FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of the portable stage  10  of the present invention wherein the portable stage  10  is in a transport configuration. Similarly, FIGS. 1B,  1 C,  1 D and  1 E are first side, second side, front and rear views, respectively, of the portable stage  10  in a transport configuration. With reference to FIGS. 1A-1E, the portable stage  10  includes a trailer portion  20  and a stage portion  30 , wherein the stage portion  30  is integrated with the trailer portion  20 . 
     The trailer portion  20  includes a chassis  22 , wheels  24  and a trailer tongue  26 . The wheels  24  are rotatably mounted to the chassis  22 , as is common with towable trailers. The trailer tongue  26  is mounted to the chassis  22  to permit the portable stage  10  to be towed by a vehicle (not shown). Preferably, the components of the portable stage  10  are lightweight, allowing the portable stage  10  to be towed by a sport-utility vehicle or a pick-up truck. For example, many components may be made with 6061 aircraft aluminum or other lightweight materials. 
     The stage portion  30  includes a floor assembly  100 , a floor deployment assembly  200 , a canopy assembly  300 , and a canopy lifting assembly  400 . The floor assembly  100  includes main floor panel  102 , first floor panel  104 , second floor panel  106 , third floor panel  108  and fourth floor panel  110 . The main floor panel  102  is preferably fixedly attached to chassis  22  and preferably spans over the entire top surface area of chassis  22 . The main floor panel  102  has first side  112 , second side  114 , first end  116  and second end  118 . 
     The first and second floor panels  104 ,  106  are preferably hingeably attached to main floor panel  102  along first side  112  of the main floor panel  102 . Preferably, the combined length of first and second floor panels  104 ,  106  is approximately equal to a distance from the first end  116  to the second end  118  of main floor panel  102 . Furthermore, a first dowel  120 , preferably having a length approximately equal to the distance from the first end  116  to the second end  118  of main floor panel  102 , is advantageously used to form part of the hingeable connection between main floor panel  102  and first and second floor panels  104 ,  106 , which assists the first and second floor panels  104 ,  106  in being in alignment with one another when deployed. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the remainder of the hingeable connection is conventional. 
     Similarly, the third and fourth floor panels  108 ,  110  are preferably hingeably attached to main floor panel  102  along second side  114  of the main floor panel  102 . Preferably, the combined length of third and fourth floor panels  108 ,  110  is approximately equal to a distance from the first end  116  to the second end  118  of main floor panel  102 . Furthermore, a second dowel  122 , preferably having a length approximately equal to the distance from the first end  116  to the second end  118  of main floor panel  102 , is advantageously used to form part of the hingeable connection between main floor panel  102  and third and fourth floor panels  108 ,  110 , which assists the third and fourth floor panels  108 ,  110  in being in alignment with one another when deployed. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the remainder of the hingeable connection is conventional. 
     The floor deployment assembly  200  preferably includes first stabilizer beam  202 , second stabilizer beam  204 , third stabilizer beam  206 , fourth stabilizer beam  208 , fifth stabilizer beam  210 , sixth stabilizer beam  212 , seventh stabilizer beam  214  and eighth stabilizer beam  216 . Each of the stabilizer beams  202 - 216  are preferably pivotally connected to chassis  22  by their respective first ends  218 A- 218 H (only first end  218 A of first stabilizer beam  202  is identified in FIG.  1 B). Further, each of the stabilizer beams  202 - 216  preferably has a stabilizer jack  220 A- 220 H (only first stabilizer jack  220 A is identified in FIG. 1B) either integral with, or connected to, its respective second end  222 A- 222 H (only second end  222 A of first stabilizer beam  202  is identified in FIG.  1 B). 
     Preferably, pairs of stabilizer beams (e.g., first and second stabilizer beams  202 , 204 ; third and fourth stabilizer beams  206 ,  208 ; etc.) are designed to be folded under the main floor panel  102  when the portable stage  10  is in its transport configuration. Furthermore, preferably, one of the stabilizer beams in the pair of stabilizer beams is designed to fold over the other stabilizer beam. Safety cables (not shown), which are attached to the chassis  22  in a conventional manner, are preferably used to ensure that the pairs of stabilizer beams remain folded under the main floor panel  102  during transport of the portable stage  10 . 
     FIGS. 1E and 2A illustrate a pair of stabilizer beams (e.g., first and second stabilizer beams  202 ,  204 ) which are folded under main floor panel  102 . When deploying the first and second stabilizer beams  202 ,  204 , the safety cable (not shown) is disconnected and the first and second stabilizer beams  202 ,  204  are pivoted so that they are perpendicular to first side  112  of main floor panel  102 . FIG. 2B illustrates first and second stabilizer beams  202 ,  204  in their deployed configuration. Preferably, each of the stabilizer beams  202 - 216  have a corresponding gas strut  222 A- 222 H connected between each of the stabilizer beams  202 - 216  and the chassis  22  to assist in positioning the stabilizer beams  202 - 216  at a 90 degree angle relative to the first side  112  or second side  114  of the main floor panel  102 . Gas strut  222 A is shown in FIG.  2 C. 
     As shown in FIG. 2D, the stabilizer jack  220 A of first stabilizer beam  202  includes a pad  224 A with a telescoping leg  226 A. A pin  228 A is used to coarsely adjust the telescoping leg  226 A using a preset number of apertures  230 A in the leg  226 A. When deploying the first stabilizer beam  202 , after the first stabilizer beam  202  has been positioned, the pin  228 A is removed from the first stabilizer jack  220 A. The pad  224 A is then placed as close to the ground as possible and the pin  228 A is replaced in one of a preset number of apertures  230 A in the leg  226 A. A handle  232 A, which used to finely adjust the telescoping leg  226 A, is then rotated until the pad  224 A contacts the ground. 
     A similar process is repeated for each of the other stabilizer beams  204 - 216 , as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In fact, the preferred configuration of the other stabilizer beams  204 - 216  is similar to that described in connection with FIG.  2 D. Accordingly, for brevity and to avoid confusion, the specifics of each of the other stabilizer beams will not be described herein. 
     In order to ensure that the portable stage  10  is level, the stabilizer jacks located at the four corners of the portable stage  10  (e.g., first, fourth, fifth and eighth stabilizer jacks  202 ,  208 ,  210  and  216 ) are raised by their handles first. First and second level bubbles  234 ,  236 , preferably located on a fixed portion of the canopy lifting assembly  400  (see FIG.  3 A), may be used to ensure that the floor assembly  100  is level both front-to-back and side-to-side. Third and fourth level bubbles  238 ,  240 , which also may be used to ensure that the floor assembly  100  is level, are preferably located on a fixed portion of the canopy lifting assembly  400  near the corner of the main floor panel  102  which is diagonal to the corner shown in FIG.  3 A. Once the stage has been leveled, the handles of the remaining stabilizer jacks are rotated such that they bear part of the load but without causing the floor assembly  100  to become uneven. 
     FIG. 3A (in addition to illustrating the level bubbles  234 ,  236 ) illustrates a first ( 242 A) of four floor panel locking members  242 A- 242 D and illustrates the first floor panel  104 . The first floor panel locking member  242 A shown in FIG. 3A is pivotally connected to a fixed portion of canopy lifting assembly  400 , so that it pivots to an approximately vertical position once it is detached from the first floor panel  104 . A bolt is fixed to the side of first floor panel  104  and a nut is used to fix the panel locking member  242 A to the panel  104  so that the first floor panel  104  is held in a vertical configuration during transport. Similar components are used for the second, third and fourth floor panels  106 ,  108 ,  110 , as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
     FIG. 3A also illustrates a first stabilizing pin  244 A and a first weight distribution foot  246 A. The first stabilizing pin  244 A is designed to be received by aperture  248 A (see FIG. 2D) in first stabilizer beam  202  to assist in stabilizing first floor panel  104  relative to stabilizer beam  202 . First weight distribution foot  246 A distributes some of the weight of the first floor panel  104  onto the first stabilizer beam  202 . First weight distribution foot  246 A also operates as a shim between first floor panel  104  and stabilizer beam  202 . Preferably, first weight distribution foot takes the form of a cylindrically-shaped rubberized material. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, there are similar components for the other stabilizer beams. For brevity and clarity, the components which correspond with the other stabilizer bars will not be discussed. 
     To illustrate the final steps in deploying the floor assembly  100  of the portable stage  10 , FIG. 3B provides a perspective view of the portable stage  10  when three of the four floor panels are in their deployed configuration. 
     After all four of the floor panels are placed in their deployed configuration, the present invention provides a mechanism for joining floor panels on the same side of the main floor panel  102 . Specifically, FIG. 3C illustrates a partial perspective view of the first and second floor panels  104 ,  106 , wherein first floor panel joiner bar  250 A is attached to second floor panel  106 . FIG. 3D is a view similar to that of FIG.  3 C and illustrates a partial perspective view of the first and second floor panels  104 ,  106 , wherein the first floor panel joiner bar  250 A is used to join the first and second floor panels  104 ,  106 . A second floor panel joiner bar  250 B (not shown) is similarly used to join third and fourth floor panels  108 ,  110 . 
     FIG. 3E illustrates a perspective view of the portable stage  10  with the floor assembly  100  deployed and the canopy assembly  300  in its transport configuration. The manner of deploying the canopy assembly  300  will be discussed starting with reference to FIG.  3 E. 
     The canopy assembly  300  includes a main canopy panel  302 , a first canopy panel  304  and a second canopy panel  306 . The first and second canopy panels  304 ,  306  are deployed in a series of steps and then the canopy assembly  300  is lifted to its fully-deployed position. 
     In order to deploy the first and second canopy panels  304 , 306 , the canopy assembly  300  is raised off of the main floor panel  102 , while the first and second canopy panels  304 ,  306  otherwise remain in their transport configuration. The purpose of raising the canopy assembly  300  off of the main floor panel  102  is to provide clearance from the main floor panel  102  so that the first and second canopy panels  304 ,  306  may be rotated from their transport configuration to their deployed configuration. The first canopy panel  304  is rotated about first canopy pivot shaft  308  (see also FIG.  3 A), while second canopy panel  306  is rotated about second canopy pivot shaft  310 . 
     To raise the canopy assembly  300  off of the main floor panel  102 , winch handle  403  is rotated a sufficient number of times to permit rotation of the first and second canopy panels  304 ,  306  about their respective canopy pivot shafts  308 ,  310  without obstruction by the main floor panel  102 . 
     The main canopy panel  302  has first through eighth canopy panel securement plates  312 A- 312 H attached to (preferably, integral with) it. Each of the canopy panel securement plates  312 A- 312 H has a corresponding securement plate deployment aperture  314 A- 314 H (see securement plate deployment aperture  314 B for second canopy panel securement plate  312 B in FIG.  4 C). Further, each of the canopy panel securement plates  312 A- 312 H has a corresponding latch pin  313 A- 313 H hanging from it by a corresponding latch pin chain  315 A- 315 H. The securement plate deployment apertures  314 A- 314 H, in combination with the latch pins  313 A- 313 H, are used to hold first and second canopy panels  304 ,  306  in a deployed position. Preferably, second, third, sixth and seventh canopy panel securement plates  312 B,  312 C,  312 E,  312 F correspondingly have first, second, third and fourth spring-pin receiving apertures  316 ,  318 ,  320 ,  322 , which are used to hold first and second canopy panels  304 ,  306  in their transport configuration. FIG. 4B (with reference to FIG. 4C) shows spring-pin receiving aperture  316  being used to hold first canopy panel  304  in its transport configuration. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3E and 4A, first canopy panel  304  includes first and second spring-pin assemblies  324 ,  326  (only spring-pin assembly  324  is shown in FIG.  4 A), while second canopy panel  306  includes third and fourth spring-pin assemblies  328 ,  330 . First through fourth spring-pin assemblies  324 ,  326 ,  328 ,  330  each includes corresponding first through fourth spring pins  332 ,  334 ,  336 ,  338 , which are biased so that they are extended (spring pin  332  is shown in FIG.  4 D). A first spring-pin release wire  340  extends between the first spring-pin assembly  324  and the second spring-pin assembly  326  (see FIGS.  3 E and  4 A), and is used to retract first and second spring pins  332 ,  334 . Similarly, a second spring-pin release wire  342  extends between the third spring-pin assembly  328  and the fourth spring-pin assembly  330 , and is used to retract the third and fourth spring pins  336 ,  338 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, first and second spring-pin release wires  340 ,  342  are exaggerated in length in FIG. 3E (i.e., they are drooping) so that they may be more easily seen. 
     First through fourth spring-pin assemblies  324 ,  326 ,  328 ,  330  are aligned so that their respective spring pins  332 ,  334 ,  336 ,  338  are correspondingly aligned with first through fourth spring-pin receiving apertures  316 ,  318 ,  320 ,  322  when the first and second canopy panels  304 ,  306  are in their transport configuration. Accordingly, the spring pins and corresponding apertures hold the first and second canopy panels  304 ,  306  in place. 
     When deploying the first and second canopy panels  304 ,  306 , spring pins are used to assist a user in getting the first and second canopy panels  304 ,  306  into a semi-deployed configuration (see FIG.  4 D). It should be noted that each canopy panel is separately placed into its semi-deployed configuration. 
     Specifically, with respect to first canopy panel  304 , a user pulls the first spring-pin release wire  340  thereby respectively retracting first and second spring pins  332 ,  334  from first and second spring-pin receiving apertures  316 ,  318 . A force is then exerted by the user in an outward and upward direction, causing first canopy panel  304  to rotate about first canopy pivot shaft  308 . While the first canopy panel  304  is being rotated, the first spring-pin release wire  340  is released by the user, causing the first and second spring pins to respectively extend (or abut) against second and third canopy panel securement plates  312 B,  312 C (see, e.g., FIG.  4 C). The first canopy panel  304  is rotated until first and second spring pins  332 ,  334  are respectively advanced past outer edges  344 ,  346  of second and third canopy panel securement plates  312 B,  312 C. When this occurs, first and second spring pins  332 ,  334  become fully-extended. Subsequently, the first canopy panel  304  is released and the first canopy panel  304  remains in a semi-deployed configuration (shown in FIG. 4D) due to first and second spring pins  332 ,  334  engaging outer edges  344 ,  346  of second and third canopy panel securement plates  312 B,  312 C. A similar procedure is followed to semi-deploy the second canopy panel  306 , as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
     To fully-deploy the first canopy panel  304 , first canopy panel  304  includes first through fourth canopy panel deployment apertures  348 A- 348 D (second canopy deployment aperture  348 B is shown in FIG.  4 C), which correspond with first through fourth securement plate deployment apertures  314 A- 314 D. Similarly, to fully-deploy the second canopy panel  306 , second canopy panel  306  includes fifth through eighth canopy panel deployment apertures  348 E- 348 H, which correspond with fifth through eighth securement plate deployment apertures  314 E- 314 H. 
     With reference to the first canopy panel  304 , a user simply lifts the first canopy panel  304  to its fully-deployed position and respectively inserts latch pins  313 A- 313 D into both canopy deployment apertures  348 A- 348 D and securement plate deployment apertures  314 A- 314 D (see FIG.  4 E). Advantageously, the first and second spring pins  332 ,  334  do not prevent the first canopy panel  304  from being extended to its fully-deployed position, but does prevent it from dropping below its semi-deployed position without pulling the first spring-pin release wire  340 . Furthermore, the above-described technique allows a single individual to fully-deploy the canopy panels. 
     Now the canopy lifting mechanism  400  will be described. FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the canopy lifting mechanism  400  of the portable stage  10 , with the flooring, stabilizer beams and chassis removed for ease of understanding. Similarly, FIG. 5B is a top view of the canopy lifting mechanism  400  of the portable stage  100 , with the flooring, stabilizer beams and chassis removed for ease of understanding. 
     With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the components of the canopy lifting mechanism  400  include a winch  402  having a handle  403 ; first, second, third and fourth sleeve members  404 A- 404 D; first, second, third and fourth extension beams  406 A- 406 D; first, second, third and fourth stanchions  408 A- 408 D (second stanchion  408 B is shown more clearly in FIG.  5 C); first, second, third an fourth stanchion pulleys  410 A- 410 D (second stanchion pulley  410 B is shown more clearly in FIG.  5 C); a bell crank assembly  412 ; first and second pulley mount assemblies  414 A,  414 B; winch cable  416  (shown in red in FIG.  5 B); first extension beam cable  418 A (shown in blue in FIG.  5 B); second extension beam cable  418 B (shown in green in FIG.  5 B); third extension beam cable  418 C (shown in aqua in FIG.  5 B); and fourth extension beam cable  418 D (shown in magenta in FIG.  5 B). In addition, the canopy lifting mechanism  400  includes first sleeve pulley  420 A, second sleeve pulley  420 B (shown in FIG.  5 C), third sleeve pulley  420 C and fourth sleeve pulley  420 D. 
     With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, first, second, third and fourth sleeves  404 A- 404 D are attached to chassis  22  via attachment members  422 , which are attached to sleeves (preferably by welding) or are integral with the sleeves. Among other things, screws and bolts may be used to attached attachment members  422  to chassis  22 . 
     First, second, third and fourth extension beams  406 A- 406 D are sized to be received within first, second, third and fourth sleeves  404 A- 404 D, respectively. Furthermore, first, second, third and fourth extension beams  406 A- 406 D are connected to main canopy panel  302 . Among other things, screws and bolts may be used to attach extension beams  406 A- 406 D to the main canopy panel  302 . 
     Accordingly, the first, second, third and fourth sleeves  404 A- 404 D are all fixed relative to the chassis  22  (and hence relative to main floor panel  102 ). Similarly, the first, second, third and fourth extension beams  406 A- 406 D are all fixed relative to the main canopy panel  302 . Since first, second, third and fourth extension beams  406 A- 406 D lie within the first, second, third and fourth sleeve members  404 A- 404 D, as extension beams  406 A- 406 D are raised within the sleeve members  404 A- 404 D, the main canopy panel  302  is lifted relative to the main floor panel  102 . 
     FIG. 5D illustrates a partial perspective view of one of the extension beams (e.g., second extension beam  406 B) of the canopy lifting mechanism  400  of the portable stage. As shown in FIG. 5D, the second extension beam  406 B is a generally rectangular hollow tube. Furthermore, the second extension beam  406 B has a first end  430 B (which extends out of sleeve  404 B in FIG. 5A) and a second end  432 B (shown in FIG.  5 D). The first end  430 B of the second extension beam  406 B extends from the second sleeve  404 B when inserted therein and is connected to the main canopy panel  302 . The second end  432 B of the second extension beam  406 B is inserted into second sleeve  404 B and has a protrusion  434 B that extends therefrom. Protrusion  434 B is where second extension beam cable  418 B is attached. As will be described in further detail below, the second extension beam cable  418 B runs along the inside of a first corner  490 B of second extension beam  406 B (along the outside of the second stanchion  408 B, which is not shown in FIG.  5 D), around the second stanchion pulley  410 B (not shown in FIG. 5D) and along the second corner  492 B of second extension beam  406 B. Ultimately, second extension beam cable  418 B connects with protrusion  434 B. 
     FIG. 5C illustrates a cutaway view of a sleeve and extension beam (e.g., second sleeve  404 B and second extension beam  406 B) of the present invention with a stanchion (e.g., second stanchion  408 B) located within both the sleeve and the extension beam. FIG. 5C illustrates the cooperation of the second sleeve  404 B (shown in black), second extension beam  406 B (shown in green), second stanchion  408 B (shown in blue), second stanchion pulley  410 B (shown in blue), second sleeve pulley  420 B (shown in black) and second extension beam cable  418 B (shown in red). 
     Preferably, second stanchion  408 B is a generally cylindrical hollow tube. Furthermore, the second stanchion  408 B has a first end  438 B and a second end  439 B. The first end  438 B of the stanchion  408 B has stanchion pulley  410 B attached thereto, while second end  439 B of the stanchion  408 B is attached to second sleeve  404 B. More specifically, second end  439 B of the stanchion  408 B is inserted into second extension beam  406 B (which has been inserted into second sleeve  404 B). The second end  439 B of the stanchion  408 B is then attached to second sleeve  404 B, preferably by screws and bolts. Importantly, the bolts used to attach the second stanchion  408 B to the second sleeve  404 B limit the downward travel of the second extension beam  406 B, which lies in between second sleeve  404 B and second stanchion  408 B. 
     With reference to FIGS. 5C and 5D, the second extension beam cable  418 B enters the second sleeve  404 B via an opening (not shown) and runs around second sleeve pulley  420 B, which directs second extension beam cable  418 B towards first corner  490 B. The second extension beam cable  418 B runs along first corner  490 B (i.e., from the second end  439 B of the stanchion  408 B to the first end  438 B of the stanchion  408 B) between stanchion  408 B and extension beam  406 B. At the first end  438 B of stanchion  408 B, the second extension beam cable  418 B is threaded through pulley  410 B, which directs second extension beam cable  418 B to the second corner  492 B (i.e., opposite corner) of the second extension beam  406 B (see also FIG.  5 B). The second extension beam cable  418 B then runs from first end  438 B of the stanchion  408 B down to the second end  439 B of stanchion  408 B, along second corner  492 B, between stanchion  408 B and extension beam  406 B. The second extension beam cable  418 B is then attached to protrusion  434 B at the second end  432 B of extension beam  406 B. Accordingly, when a force is exerted which pulls the second extension beam cable  418 B through the opening near the bottom of the sleeve  404 B, the second extension beam  406 B is forced upward. The remaining sleeve members and their associated components operate similarly and, therefore, will not be described. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 5E, which is a top view (similar to FIG. 5B) illustrating the preferred position of bell crank assembly  412  relative to chassis  22 . Specifically, the bell crank assembly  412  is shown to be pivotally mounted to the underside of chassis  22 . 
     The present invention allows for the canopy to be tilted relative to the main floor panel for acoustical, lighting and drainage purposes (among other things). Specifically, the front end of the canopy (e.g., first canopy panel  304 ) is raised to a height above the main floor panel  102  which is greater than the back end of the canopy (e.g., second canopy panel  306 ). Reference is made to FIGS. 5A-5H and FIGS. 6A-6C to show the various components of the canopy lifting mechanism  400  and to show how the canopy assembly  300  is tilted using a single winch  402 . 
     FIG. 5F is a perspective view of bell crank assembly  412 . With reference to FIGS. 5B and 5F, bell crank assembly  412  is preferably pivotally attached to underside of chassis  22  at bell crank pivot  450 . The bell crank assembly  412  has a first end  452  and a second end  454 . Importantly, the distance D 1  from bell crank pivot  450  to first end  452  is longer than the distance D 2  from bell crank pivot  450  to second end  454 . The difference between D 1  and D 2  allows the canopy assembly  300  to be tilted when raised using a single winch  402 . 
     Winch  402  has winch cable  416  that extends around a pulley  450  at first end  452  of bell crank assembly  412  and then anchors back on the frame of the winch  402 . This effectively creates what is known as a two-part line. First and second extension beam cables  418 A,  418 B run around pulleys in pulley block  414 A and around pulleys  456  at first end  452  of bell crank assembly  412 , and are anchored at pulley block  414 A. Similarly, third and fourth extension beam cables  418 C,  418 D run around pulleys in pulley block  414 B and around pulleys  458  at second end  454  of bell crank assembly  412 , and are anchored at pulley block  414 B. 
     When one turns the winch  402  by winch handle  403 , the winch  402  takes up the winch cable  416  causing the bell crank assembly  412  to pivot about bell crank pivot  450  as the first end  452  of the bell crank assembly  412  moves towards winch  402 . Since the bell crank pivot  450  is not centered between the first and second ends  452 ,  454  of the bell crank assembly  412 , the first end  452  of the bell crank assembly  412  will move a greater distance than second end  454  of bell crank assembly  412 . Accordingly, first and second extension beams  406 A,  406 B (i.e., the beams for the front end of canopy) will be raised higher than third and fourth extension beams  406 C,  406 D (i.e., the beams for the back end of the canopy), since proportionately more cable will be drawn by the first end  452  of the bell crank assembly  412  relative to the second end  454  of the bell crank assembly  412 . 
     As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the connection between the extension beams and the main canopy panel must be a pivoted connection, since the front end is raised higher than the back end. An accommodation must also be made for the variation in distance between the first end  430 A of first extension beam  406 A and the first end  430 D of fourth extension beam  406 D. Likewise, an accommodation must also be made for the variation in distance between the first end  430 B of the second extension beam  406 B and the first end  430 C of the third extension beam  406 C. 
     FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a floating pivot  900 A, which accommodates the variations in distance between the first end  430 B of the second extension beam  406 B and the first end  430 C of the third extension beam  406 C. (There is a similar floating pivot  900 B, which accommodates the variations in distance between the first end  430 A of the first extension beam  406 A and the first end  430 D of the fourth extension beam  406 D.) Specifically, FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the floating pivot  900 A, wherein floating pivot  900 A is pivotally attached to third extension beam  406 C. (Similarly, a floating pivot  900 B is pivotally attached to fourth extension beam  406 D.) FIG. 6B is a phantom view similar to FIG.  6 A. FIG. 6C is a phantom view similar to FIG. 6B, which illustrates two possible positions of the floating pivot  900 A. 
     In addition to being pivotally attached to third extension beam  406 C, the floating pivot  900 A is attached to main canopy panel  302 . Accordingly, when main canopy panel  302  is tilted relative to main floor panel  102 , floating pivot  900 A pivots about its pivotal connection to third extension beam  406 C as will be understood from viewing FIG.  6 C. Similarly, when main canopy panel  302  is tilted relative to main floor panel  102 , floating pivot  900 B pivots about its pivotal connection to fourth extension beam  406 D. 
     As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a two-part line allows the effective length of travel of the first and second ends  452 ,  454  of the bell crank assembly  412  to be doubled with respect to linear cable take up at the extension beams  406 A- 406 D. 
     It should be noted that small nylon tabs (not shown) may be placed on the inside walls of the sleeve near its first end and on the outside walls of the extension beam near its second end. The nylon tabs act as a bearing surface to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the tubes. 
     Although such components are well known, FIG. 5G is provided to illustrate a perspective view of winch  402  and FIG. 5H is provided to illustrate a perspective view of pulley mount  414 A,  414 B. Once the portable stage has been fully-deployed, it may look similar to the illustration shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
     It should be understood that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention. Specifically, among other things, the invention is not intended to be limited to a portable stage with four hinged floor panels, two rotatable canopy panels, eight pivotal stabilizer beams and four pivotal locking members. Instead, more or less floor panels, canopy panels, stabilizer beams and locking members may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, variations to these or other components may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     While an effort has been made to describe some alternatives to the preferred embodiment, other alternatives will readily come to mind to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not intended to be limited to the details given herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4