Patent Abstract:
A rigging system adaptor which creates an infinite number of adjustability positions for a line array, wherein the adaptor is particularly well suited for use with a spine frame. The adaptor comprises a main frame having a longitudinally extending body to which a first attachment member, a second attachment member, and a mount are attached. The first attachment member may be fixed onto the main frame via a pair of lateral rods, wherein the lateral rods are oppositely situated from each other relative to the main frame. The second attachment member and the mount may be slidably engaged with the lateral rods such that they can move along the main frame and can be repositioned to meet the specific needs of a user.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an adaptor for a rigging system for a line array. More particularly, the invention relates to an adaptor for a rigging system, wherein the adaptor allows for pan and tilt control of a line array while under load. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Frames for mounting line arrays are well known. One such frame is a front to back spine support frame. Such a frame either has no adjustable support and load points, or such adjustment is for standard increments and does not allow for adjustments to suit a particular need. As support points on conventional frames do not have infinite adjustability, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to alter the pan and tilt control of the line array while under load. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above described deficiencies of the prior art are cured or alleviated by an adaptor specially configured to provide an infinite number of adjustable tilt controls to a line array, wherein the line array has a common front to back spine support frame configuration. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from a reading of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an aerial perspective view of an exemplary rigging system adaptor; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic depicting a side view of the rigging system adaptor depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic depicting a bottom side of the rigging system adaptor depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic depicting a posterior end view of the rigging system adaptor depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic depicting an exemplary apparatus comprising the rigging system adaptor depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIGS. 6-9  is a schematic depicting another exemplary rigging system adaptor; and 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic depicting an exemplary apparatus comprising the rigging system adaptor depicted in  FIGS. 6-9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The rigging system adaptor disclosed herein is specially designed for installation or portable use, and provides infinitely adjustable tilt control to a line array with the common front to back spine support frame configuration. In general, the rigging system adaptor comprises a main frame having a longitudinally extending body. The body terminates at an anterior terminal end and at an oppositely situated posterior terminal end. The body of the main frame further has arranged at respective opposite lateral sides thereof, a longitudinally extending proximal rod and a longitudinally extending distal rod. The adaptor further comprises a first abutment member and a second abutment member both of which are disposed forward of the anterior terminal end of the body of the main frame. 
     The adaptor further comprises a first attachment member which comprises a plate that abuts the posterior end of the main frame, and which is secured to a posterior terminal end of each of the proximal rod and the distal rod. The posterior attachment member further comprises a flange which abuts an underside of the main frame and which extends therefrom. The flange comprises a throughway through which a shackle may be secured to attach the adaptor to a frame. 
     The adaptor further comprises a second attachment member which comprises a sleeve which is disposed around the main frame. The second attachment member further comprises a flange. The flange of the second attachment member comprises a throughway through which a shackle may be secured to attach the adaptor to the frame. The second attachment member further comprises a proximal engagement member which is oriented along a proximal side of the sleeve, and a distal engagement member which is oriented along a distal side of the sleeve, wherein the longitudinally extending proximal rod is received within the proximal engagement member and the longitudinally extending distal rod is received within the distal engagement member. 
     The adaptor further comprises a pair of proximal bolts, wherein the bolts from the pair are arranged on opposite sides of the proximal engagement member and are engaged with the proximal rod; and a pair of distal bolts, wherein the distal bolts from the pair are arranged on opposite sides of the distal proximal engagement member and are engaged with the distal rod. When the pair of proximal bolts and the pair of distal bolts are tightened, the second attachment member is fixed in position; whereas, when the pair of proximal bolts and the pair of distal bolts are loosened, the second attachment member may be moved relative to the main frame to thereby adjust its position. 
     The adaptor further comprises a mount to which a load is attached. In an exemplary embodiment, the mount comprises a sleeve which is disposed around the main frame. The mount further comprises a proximal engagement member disposed on a proximal lateral side of the sleeve, and a distal engagement member disposed on a distal lateral side of the sleeve, wherein the proximal lateral rod is received within the proximal engagement member of the mount, and the distal lateral rod is received within the distal engagement member of the mount. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the mount comprises a sleeve which is disposed between a first and second frame. The first and second frames are disposed around the main frame such that the sleeve of the mount is raised relative to the main frame and to the first and second frames. 
     The adaptor further comprises a pair of proximal bolts, wherein the bolts from the pair are arranged on opposite sides of the proximal engagement member of the mount and are engaged with the proximal rod; and a pair of distal bolts, wherein the distal bolts from the pair are arranged on opposite sides of the distal proximal engagement member of the mount and are engaged with the distal rod. When the pair of proximal bolts and the pair of distal bolts are tightened, the mount is fixed in position; whereas, when the pair of proximal bolts and the pair of distal bolts are loosened, the mount may be moved relative to the main frame to thereby adjust its position. 
     The mount may further comprise a clamping mechanism to further secure the mount to the main frame and/or to secure a load to the mount. In an exemplary embodiment, the clamping mechanism is engaged with the sleeve of the mount. 
     An exemplary rigging system adaptor shall now be described with reference to the figures, wherein it is to be understood that the adaptor shall not be limited to such description, but shall include all obvious modifications and variations thereto as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present description. 
     An exemplary rigging system adaptor  10  comprises a main frame  12 . Main frame  12  comprises a longitudinally extending upper side  14  opposite to a longitudinally extending underside  16 , wherein upper side  14  and underside  16  respectively terminate at an anterior terminal end  13  and  15 , and at a posterior terminal end  17  and  19 . Main frame  12  further comprises a longitudinally extending proximal lateral side wall  18  opposite to a longitudinally extending distal lateral side wall  20 , wherein proximal lateral side wall  18  and distal lateral side wall  20  respectively terminate at an anterior terminal end  21  and  23 , and at a posterior terminal end  25  and  27 . Anterior terminal ends  13  and  15  are attached at an approximate 90 degree angle to anterior terminal ends  21  and  23 , while posterior terminal ends  17  and  19  are attached at an approximate 90 degree angle to posterior terminal ends  25  and  27  to form an anterior end  22  oppositely situated to a posterior end  24 . Directed towards anterior end  22 , upper side  14  and underside  16  each comprises a hole (not shown) formed therein, wherein a bolt  29  may be secured therethrough. 
     Adaptor  10  further comprises a first attachment member  30  which abuts a posterior region of main frame  12 , and a second attachment member  60  which is slidably engaged with main frame  12 . 
     First attachment member  30  comprises a plate  32  which abuts posterior end  24 . More particularly, plate  32  has a front side  34  opposite to a back side  36 , a top side  38  opposite to a bottom side  40 , and a proximal lateral wall  42  opposite to a distal lateral wall  44 . Back side  36  of plate  32  directly abuts posterior terminal ends  17 ,  19 ,  25 , and  27  of main frame  12  such that top side  38  of plate  32  is level with upper side  14  of main frame  12 , such that bottom side  40  of plate  32  extends towards and past underside  16  of main frame  12 , such that proximal lateral wall  42  extends by and past posterior terminal end  25  of proximal lateral side wall  18 , and such that distal lateral wall  44  extends by and past posterior terminal end  27  of distal lateral side wall  20 . Plate  32  further comprises a hole  33  and a hole  35 , wherein each of holes  33  and  35  is formed through front and back sides  34  and  36  of plate  12 . 
     First attachment member  30  further comprises a flange member  46 . Flange member  46  comprises a front side  48  oppositely situated from a back side  50 , wherein front and back sides  48  and  50  terminate at a top side  52  and at a distal lateral side  54 , wherein top side  52  and distal lateral side  54  are approximately perpendicularly situated to one another. Distal lateral side  54  abuts back side  36  of plate  32 , and top side  52  is directed towards underside  16  of main frame  12 . Flange member  46  further comprises a throughway  56  which is formed through front side  48  and back side  50 . 
     Second attachment member  60  comprises a sleeve  62 , a proximal engagement member  74 , a distal engagement member  76 , and a flange member  84 . Sleeve  62  comprises a top wall  64  oppositely situated to a bottom wall  66 , a proximal lateral wall  68  oppositely situated to a distal lateral wall  70 , wherein top wall  64 , bottom wall  66 , proximal lateral wall  68 , and distal lateral wall  70  surround an opening  72 , wherein the anterior portion of main frame  12  is received within opening  72 . 
     Each of proximal engagement member  74  and distal engagement member  76  comprises a generally cylindrical-shaped body  78  which comprises an anterior terminal end  79  oppositely situated to a posterior terminal end  81 . Additionally, body  78  further comprises an exterior side  80  oppositely situated to an interior side (not shown), wherein the interior side surrounds an opening  82 . Exterior side  80  of proximal engagement member  74  and exterior side  80  of distal engagement member  76  are respectively secured lengthwise to proximal lateral wall  68  and to distal lateral wall  70  of sleeve  62  of second attachment member  60 . 
     Second attachment member  60  further comprises a pair of proximal nuts  83  and a pair of distal nuts  85 . A nut from pair  83  is directed towards anterior terminal end  79  of proximal engagement member  74 , and the other nut from pair  83  is directed towards posterior terminal end  81  of proximal engagement member  74 . A nut from pair  85  is directed towards anterior terminal end  79  of distal engagement member  76 , and the other nut from pair  85  is directed towards posterior terminal end  81  of distal engagement member  76 . 
     Flange member  84  of second attachment member  60  comprises a front side  86  opposite to a back side  88 , wherein a throughway  90  is formed between front side  86  and back side  88 . Front side  86  and back side  88  are bordered by a top side  92 , wherein top side  92  is joined to bottom wall  66  of sleeve  62  and extends downwards therefrom. 
     Rigging system adaptor  10  further comprises a mount  100  disposed around main frame  12 . Mount  100  comprises a sleeve  101  having a top wall  102  opposite to a bottom wall  104 , and a proximal lateral wall  106  opposite to a distal lateral wall  108 , wherein an opening  110  is formed between top wall  102 , bottom wall  104 , proximal lateral wall  106 , and distal lateral wall  108 . A threaded hole  112  is formed through proximal lateral wall  106 , and a threaded hole  114  is formed through distal lateral wall  108 , wherein hole  112  is aligned with hole  114 . A clamping mechanism  116  is inserted through holes  112  and  114  to thereby adjustably secure sleeve  101  to main frame  12  and/or to secure a load to mount  100 , wherein clamping mechanism  116  comprises a knob  118  secured to a threaded bolt  120 , and a washer  122  disposed on threaded bolt  120  and between knob  118  and proximal lateral wall  106 , and a nut  124  disposed on threaded bolt  120  and abutting distal lateral wall  108  of sleeve  101 . 
     Mount  100  further comprises a proximal engagement member  126  and a distal engagement member  128 . Each of proximal engagement member  126  and distal engagement member  128  comprises a generally cylindrical-shaped body  130  having an anterior terminal end  133  oppositely situated from a posterior terminal end  135 . Body  130  further comprises an exterior side  132  oppositely situated to an interior side (not shown), wherein the interior side surrounds an opening  134 . Exterior side  132  of proximal engagement member  126  and exterior side  132  of distal engagement member  128  are respectively secured lengthwise to proximal lateral wall  106  and to distal lateral wall  108  of sleeve  101  of mount  100 . 
     Mount  100  further comprises a pair of proximal nuts  129  and a pair of distal nuts  131 . A nut from pair  129  is directed towards anterior terminal end  133  of proximal engagement member  126 , and the other nut from pair  129  is directed towards posterior terminal end  135  of proximal engagement member  126 . A nut from pair  131  is directed towards anterior terminal end  133  of distal engagement member  128 , and the other nut from pair  131  is directed towards posterior terminal end  135  of distal engagement member  128 . 
     Rigging system adaptor  10  further comprises a longitudinally extending proximal lateral rod  140  and a longitudinally extending distal lateral rod  142 , wherein each of rods  140  and  142  comprises a generally cylindrical-shaped body  144  which terminates at an anterior terminal end  146  and at an oppositely situated posterior terminal end  148 . 
     Proximal lateral rod  140  is received within opening  82  of proximal engagement member  74 , within opening  134  of proximal engagement member  126 , and within pair of proximal nuts  83  and pair of proximal nuts  129 ; while posterior terminal end  148  of proximal lateral rod  140  is attached to plate  32  of first attachment member  30  via a screw  150  received within hole  33 . Anterior terminal end  146  of proximal lateral rod  140  is received within a via  162  formed through a plate  160 , and secured thereto via a screw  164 , wherein plate  160  is positioned forward of anterior end  22  of main frame  12 . 
     Similarly, distal lateral rod  142  is received within opening  82  of distal engagement member  76 , within opening  134  of distal engagement member  128 , and within pair of distal nuts  85  and pair of distal nuts  131 ; while posterior terminal end  148  of distal lateral rod  142  is attached to plate  32  of first attachment member  30  via a screw  166  received within hole  35 . Anterior terminal end  146  of distal lateral rod  142  is received within a via  170  formed through a plate  168 , and secured thereto via a screw  172 , wherein plate  168  is positioned forward of anterior end  22  of main frame  12 , and which is in parallel alignment with plate  160 . 
     As would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art from reading the above disclosure, second attachment member  60  and mount  100  may be releasably secured to main frame  12  via the respective use of pair of nuts  83  and  85  and pair of nuts  129  and  131 . When pair of nuts  83  and  85  and pair of nuts  129  and  131  are loosened, respective second attachment member  60  and mount  100  may be moved along main frame  12  thereby changing the position of second attachment member  60  and mount  100  in relation to main frame  12 ; however, when pair of nuts  83  and  85  and pair of nuts  129  and  131  are tightened, respective second attachment member  60  and mount  100  may be secured in place relative to main frame  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary use of rigging system adaptor  10  is in the securement of adaptor  10  to an exemplary line array frame  190  and to an exemplary load  300 . Here, frame  190  comprises a linear beam  191  having a plurality of holes  192  formed therethrough. A U-shaped shackle  400  is inserted through throughway  90  of flange member  84  of second attachment member  60  while the terminal ends of U-shaped shackle  400  sandwich a hole  192 ′ from plurality  192  and are secured thereto via a bolt  500  which is disposed between the terminal ends of U-shaped shackle  400  and hole  240 ′. Additionally, a U-shaped shackle  402  is inserted through throughway  56  of flange member  46  of first attachment member  30  while the terminal ends of U-shaped shackle  402  sandwich a hole  192 ″ from plurality  192  and are secured to frame  190  via a bolt  502  which is disposed between the terminal ends of U-shaped shackle  402  and hole  192 ″. Additionally, load  300  is secured to mount  100 . 
     The position of second attachment member  60  relative to linear beam  191  may be adjusted through the release and tightening of pairs of nuts  83  and  85 , wherein the release allows second attachment member  60  to be slidably engaged with proximal lateral rod  140  and with distal lateral rod  142 , and the tightening of pairs of nuts  83  and  85  locks second attachment member  60  to proximal lateral rod  140  and to distal lateral rod  142 . Additionally, the position of load  300  relative to linear beam  191  may be adjusted though the release and tightening of pairs of nuts  129  and  131 , wherein the release allows mount  100  to be slidably engaged with proximal lateral rod  140  and with distal lateral rod  142 , and the tightening of pairs of nuts  129  and  131  locks mount  100  to proximal lateral rod  140  and to distal lateral rod  142 . 
       FIGS. 6-10  depict an exemplary rigging system adaptor  200 . Rigging system adaptor  200  comprises main frame  12 , first attachment member  30 , second attachment member  60 , proximal lateral rod  140 , and distal lateral rod  142 , all as described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . However, in lieu of mount  100 , adaptor  200  comprises a mount  202 . 
     Mount  202  comprises a sleeve  204  having a top side  206  oppositely situated to a bottom side  208 , a proximal lateral side  210  oppositely situated to a distal lateral side  212 , and an anterior-directed wall  220  oppositely situated to a posterior-directed wall  222 . An opening  216  is formed through anterior-directed wall  220  and an opening  218  is formed through posterior-directed wall  222 , wherein openings  216  and  218  lead into a channel  214  formed through sleeve  204 . Additionally, each of proximal lateral side  210  and distal lateral side  212  has a hole  213  and a hole  215  formed therethrough. 
     Mount  202  further comprises clamping mechanism  116  as described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , wherein clamping mechanism  116  is inserted through holes  215  of proximal and distal lateral sides  210  and  212 , to thereby adjustably secure sleeve  204  to main frame  12  and/or to secure a load to mount  202 . 
     Mount  202  further comprises an anterior frame  224  and a posterior frame  226 . Each of anterior and posterior frames  224  and  226  comprises a respective front wall  228  and  230  oppositely situated to a respective back wall  232  and  234 , and has a respective opening  236  and  238  formed through front walls  228  and  230  and back walls  232  and  234 . Opening  236  divides anterior frame  224  into an upper wall  240  oppositely situated to a lower wall  242 , and a lateral wall  244  oppositely situated to a lateral wall  246 . Similarly, opening  238  divides posterior frame  226  into an upper wall  248  oppositely situated to a lower wall  250 , and a lateral wall  252  oppositely situated to a lateral wall  254 . A hole  256  is formed through lateral wall  244 , a hole  258  is formed through lateral wall  246 , a hole  260  is formed through lateral wall  252 , and a hole  262  is formed through lateral wall  254 . 
     Back wall  232  of anterior frame  224  abuts anterior-directed wall  220  and extends therefrom past bottom side  208  without obstructing channel  214 , while back wall  234  of posterior frame  226  abuts posterior-directed wall  222  and extends therefrom past bottom side  208  without obstructing channel  214 . 
     Main frame  12  is received by and disposed through openings  236  and  238  of respective frames  224  and  226  such that bottom side  208  of mount  202  is disposed on upper side  14  of main frame  12 . Additionally, proximal lateral rod  140  extends through holes  258  and  262  while distal lateral wall  142  extends through holes  256  and  260  to hold mount  202  to main frame  12 , and nuts  255  are used to fix mount  202  to main frame  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an apparatus  300  comprises rigging system adaptor  200 , a line array frame  600 , and a load  700 , wherein rigging system adaptor  200  is used to secure load  700  to line array frame  600 . Line array frame  600  comprises a linear beam  602  having a plurality of holes  604  formed therethrough. A U-shaped shackle  400  is inserted through throughway  90  of flange member  84  of second attachment member  60  while the terminal ends of U-shaped shackle  400  sandwich a hole  604 ′ from plurality  604  and are secured thereto via a bolt  500  which is disposed between the terminal ends of U-shaped shackle  400  and hole  604 ′. Additionally, a U-shaped shackle  402  is inserted through throughway  56  of flange member  46  of first attachment member  30  while the terminal ends of U-shaped shackle  402  sandwich a hole  604 ″ from plurality  604  and are secured to beam  602  via a bolt  502  which is disposed between the terminal ends of U-shaped shackle  402  and hole  192 ″. 
     Load  700  comprises a beam  702  disposed on and secured to a sleeve  704 . Sleeve  704  comprises a U-shaped body  706  comprising a top side  708  flanked on opposite sides thereof by a lateral side  710  and a lateral side  712 . Lateral side  712  comprises a hole  714  formed therethrough, wherein a bolt  716  is positioned within hole  714  and hole  213  of mount  202  to secure load  700  to rigging system adaptor  200 . 
     The position of second attachment member  60  relative to linear beam  602  may be adjusted through the release and tightening of pairs of nuts  83  and  85 , wherein the release allows second attachment member  60  slidably engaged with proximal lateral rod  140  and with distal lateral rod  142 , and the tightening of pairs of nuts  83  and  85  locks second attachment member  60  to proximal lateral rod  140  and to distal lateral rod  142 . Additionally, the position of load  700  relative to linear beam  602  be adjusted though the release and tightening of nuts  255 , wherein the release allows mount  202  to be slidably engaged with proximal lateral rod  140  and with distal lateral rod  142 , and the tightening of nuts  255  locks mount  202  to proximal lateral rod  140  and to distal lateral rod  142 . 
     The invention is an improvement over the devices currently used to lift and support loads. As would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the present disclosure, the rigging system adaptor disclosed herein allows for the infinite adjustability of load and support point positions in X and Y axes, allowing for a myriad of uses and applications without design or manufacturing of new line arrays. It allows for the ability to quickly and easily control any one of the pan, tilt, and height of the line array while the line array is under load. 
     While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1