| US3924370A | 1975-12-09 | |||
| US3316680A | 1967-05-02 | |||
| US3628628A | 1971-12-21 |
"TF-2100 Tent Flooring Systems Assembly Instructions'.", BILJAX EVENT SOLUTIONS., 18 December 2015 (2015-12-18), XP055370731, Retrieved from the Internet
BILJAX SCAFFOLD AND EVENT SOLUTIONS.: "TF2100 BilJax Video HD 1080p'.", YOUTUBE, 2 October 2015 (2015-10-02), XP054977336, Retrieved from the Internet
| cmmx 1. An apparatus comprising a. unique mo ular platform system •with scaffold understructure for supporting a lear span tent and tent frame wherein the apparatus comprises: a plurality, of scaffold legs wherein each of the scaffold leg has a ground end and a supp©r$r¾ end; a plurality of upright connectors wherein each of the upright connectors is connected to the supporting end of one of the scaffold legs; a plurality of universal beams; a plurality of universal saddles wherein each of the universal beams is connected to two- of the universal saddles; wherein the plurality of universal beams has a distal nd;: and a proximal end; •wherein the distal end Is connected to one of the plurality of upright connectors; and wherein the proximal end Is connected another of the plurality of upright connectors, 2, An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising plurality of platform sections wherein the plurality of universal beams su port tho pluralit : of platform section , 3, An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of the universal beams has a shaped cross-section with opposing lips, and wherein the lips are configured to engage ar¾d support the platform sections. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of clear .span tent legs and each of the upright connectors supports one of the clear span tent legs. 5, An apparatus according to: claim 1 wherein eac of the u ight connectors further comprises a bottom portion configu ed to circumscri e each of the universal beams. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the upright connectors comprises a flat plate supporting an upright portion.. 7. An apparatus according to claim wherein the scaffold system0 is designed to transfer an entire load coming from the platform and the tent 8. .An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the universal beam, saddle and the Tf-2100 platform is designed to transfer platform live load to the scaffold legs. 5 S. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein upright connector will transfer the tent load to the scaffold legs, 10. An apparatus according to claim 1 configured to transfer the0 load of the tent, tent frame, scaffold system and floor understructure to the ground through the plurality of scaffold legs, 1: 1 ;. An apparatus according to claim 1 configured so that the platform sections do not support the tent, tent frame, tent poles and scaffold:5 system. 1 wherein the tent clfeumscribes the apparatus and wherein the tent is configured to keep the interior of the tent and the flooring section dry. 0 13. An apparatus according to claim 1 urther comprising a plurality of modules arranged side by side to form a shelter structure. 14, An apparatus according to qlaim 1 where n the plurality of scaffofd legs have different he ghts -to accommodate construction on uneven ground,. 15, An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the scaffold legs extend below the platform sections. 16, An -apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of the universal beams has a flange attached to each end of the beam and wherein: each flange Is attached on the same side of the beam. 17, An apparatus according to claim 1.6 wherein each flange is welded to each universal beam, 18, A universal beam configured for use in a scaffold system and floor understructure for sypportiog a tent and tent frame,. -wherein the universal beam has a shaped cross-section with opposing lips, and w ere n the l ps are configured to engage and -support the flooring section, 10, A universal saddle configured for use I a scaffold system and floor understructure for supporting a tent and tent frame wherein' the universal -saddle has a U-shaped cross section with opposing lips, and wherein the lips are configured to engage and support the flooring section, 20. An upright connector configured with a geometric projection for attaching to a tent pol . |
This. pplication claims the benefit of U.S. provisional aten!
application: serial no. 82/207,121 filed on August IS, 2015.
This invention relates to a unique modular flooring system fo -clear s an tents and the understructures can be system scaffolding.
Conventional tent, awning and canopy frame structures of readily assemhlable and disassemblable nature are known. They ar -commonly made up of cylindrical tubing and various types of junction elements or connectors; or so-called slip fit or slip-on fittings, commonly termed corner, ridge intermediate, intermediate, three-way crown, four-way crown, six-way crown and eight-way crown fitting,
Often, the prior art systems do not include means for sealing against the weather and other environmental conditions at the joints where the various panels are Joined. Another disadvantage Is that the prior art shelters have to be built on unieve! ground, which, is the normal situation. Unisvel ground poses a number of problems when a number of units have to be added to each other to produce a relatively large- ' she iter.:
Another shortcoming is that the prior art systems are not strong enough to support the tent and tent frame structure.
IMl IOFiHiJ iMIISi
The unique modular ' flooring system with scaffold undersfrucfur of this Invention provides a solution to the problems of the prior art systems. The engineered system of this invention s capable of use with mos dear span lent manufacturer' structures.
Clear span tents and frame sttuetu?es are designed and
manufactured in such a way that, it can be assembled and disassembled In the site. The deer s a tent and structures are temporary structures and they are used in the event rental Industries most of the time. The clear span tent and the structures are designed to setup in a leveled surface. Most of the clear span tent legs (uprights) are pinned to a base plate and tne base plates are secured to a leveled surface. The entire base plates In a particular tent setup have to be in same level. These base plates transfer- entire lead from the tenito the ground or to a floor where the base plants are secured,
Majorit of the time the clear span tents and structures are not used in a leveled; surface, instead it is used in an un!eveled ground l ke golf courts. One or few of the base plates may sit on the ground level but the rest of them are in a different elevation from the ground, in order to get a leveled surface for base plates the customer ha to create a platform, in the rantai ' ndustry there Is no engineered platforms designed to accommodate ciear span tents and structures. So the customers us different staging products or they create a platform with scaffolding, wood and plywood.
The above mentioned poses the following challenges,
1 , Safety of the tent: platform .
•2, These platforms are custom platforms and the load capacities of the platforms are questionable.
3. Transferring the tent base plate reaction and the platform lead to the ground is questionable.
4. Most of the time there is no proper way securing the platform from uplift loads,
5, No proper guide line to assemble a clear span tent en top of - platform. The TF-2100 Flooring system provides solution for all the above challenges becaus It is designed, engineered and manufactured to take different clear span tents and structures.
The engineered system of this Invention solves many of the problems of prior art systems, First : , th sides of the ent extend outside end below beam; connecters. The enclosure system is economical and light weight in construction and provides for depositing ra n water and snow on the ground outboard of the scaffold assembly.
Secondly, the tent and tent frame are supported by scaffold legs which support the engineered system of this invention. The unique platform and the beam invention don't support the tent and tent frame. But. the platform and the beam transfer all the live load to the system scaffold legs. The upright connecters transfe entire tent leg (Upright) toad to the system scaffold leg. The beam of this invention and the upright connecter of this invention togethe transfer entire loads (platform live load, load from the tent and weight of the tent) to the system scaffold leg.
The tent floor can be .8 * from the ground to 15 feet or even more from the ground. As a result, this system may support a tent on very un!evei ground. The load is transferred to the grou d through foe legs,
The components of this system's are universal beam, upright connector, beam connector, platforms, platform filler, universal saddle, and system scaffolding under structure.
Other objects and advantages- of foe present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. upon a: review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings,
I^ ... TH DRAWINGS
Fig, 1 shows the scaffold system of this invention without a platform.. Fig, 2 shows the universal beam in place on a saddle according to this Invention.
Fig, 3 shows the upright connector of this invention. Fig. 4 shows ctear span tent legs and latforms (flooring) in place on the scaffold system of Fig. 1 ,
Fig, S shows the saddle of this Invention,
Fig, 6 show a s de view of the saddle of Fig, S.
5 Fig. 7 shows an end view of tie saddle of Fig, 5.
Fig. 8 shows a side view of the universal beam of this Invention, Fig. 9 shows an end view of the universal ' beam of this nvention.
Fig. 10 shows a side view of the upfighioonnector of Fig. 3, Fig, 11 shows an end view of the upright connecter of Fig. 3,0 Fig, 12 is a bottom view of the platform system shown in Fig. 4.
Fig,. 13 shows e male roto lock used with the platform system shewn in
F;g. 12.
Fig. 14 shows a female roto lock used with the platform: system shown in Fig. 13.
S Fig. 15 shews the elevation of the system of this invention in greater detail.
Fig, 16 is a top view of the universal beam of. this invention. Fig.. 17 Is a side view of the universal beam of this invention. 0
DETAILED ' DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The TF-2100 is the engineered flooring system for the clear span5 tents and the structures. The TF-2100 flooring system consists of system scaffolding (under structures), and ¾ flooring system. The understructere can he any system scaffolding as long as ihey have the right load capacity. Flooring systems consists mainly of the following: items; saddle, universal beam, TF-2100 platform, and the upright connectors. The base plates willD be replaced by the upright connectors.
The upright connectors are specifically designed for this type of tents so the customer has to use the hunt upright connector for the right tent. The TF-2100 flooring system accommodates most of e clear span tents and structures. When you use different manufac ure tent the customer have to use t e specific upright connector for the specified tent. The universal beam., saddle and the TF-2100 plate forms are same for any type of tents.
The TF-210Q flooring system is designed to transfer entire load coming from the platform and the tent will be transferred to the scaffold legs. The untversaf beam, saddle and the TF-2100 platform will transfer platform live load to the legs and the upright connecto will transfer the tent load.
The other advantages of this system are the TF-2100 flooring system Is designed to go low as 8 s elevation to any platform heights. Also, the- tent platform will be the exact size of the tent so the platform will not stick outside the tent. This makes the tent floor ater proof because when It rains, the water will flow from the wall to the ground not to the platform,
Fig. 1 shows the scaffold system of this invention without a platform. Fig. 1 also shows scaffold system 10 inducing universal beam 12, upright connector 14 and saddle 6,
Fig. 1 also shows conventional scaffold components. For example, Fig. 1 shows connecting devices 30, horizonta posts 32 and scaffold legs 34.
Fig. 2 show the universal beam 12 in place on a saddle 18 according to this Invention,
Fig. 3 shows the upright connector 14 of this invention. Upright connector 14 engages universal beam 12,
As shown in Figs. 1 - 3, the TF-2100 flooring system 10 Is designed to transfer entire load coming from the platform and the tent to b transferred to the scaffold legs. Universal beam 12, saddle 16, and the TF- 2100 platform will transfer platform live load to the legs. Upright connecte 14 will transfer the tent load to the scaffold legs.
Fig. -4 s ow clear s ' pan ' t&nt leg and platforms (flooring) in place on the scaffold system of Fig, 1. Fig, 4 shows clear span tent leg 20, TF-2100 pl tforms 22. Fig. S shows saddle 18 of this invention. Saddle 18 includes insert, platform 33, and pin-snap lock shores 35. He jam nut 38 and screw cap 38 •also are shown.
Fig. 8 shows a side ie of saddle 18 of Fig. 5,
Fig. 7 shows an end view of saddle 16 of Fig, 5,
Fig. 8 shows a side view of universal beam 12 of thi invention. Seam 12 also includes flange 50, Flanges SO are secured to upright connector 14 as shown i Figs. 10 and 11 with boll 52 and nut 54.
Fig. 8 shows an end view of universal beam 12 of this Invention.
Fig 10 shows a side view of upright connector 14 of Fig. 3. Upright connector 14 engages universal beam 12.
Connector 14 comprises bottom portion 40 which circumscribes beam 12. Bolts with hex heads and loolc nuts hold Insert 49 in place. Screw ca fiat head sockets 42 also hold insert 49 in place.. Connector 14 also .comprises- flat plate 44 and upright portion 46,
Upright portion 46 engages clear span tent legs 20 as shown In Fig, 4. in one embodiment, tent legs 20 circumscribe upright portion 48 and rests on flat plate 44, The design of upright ' connector may vary depending on the desi n of legs 20.
The upright connectors are specifically designed for this type of tents so the customer has to use the right upright connector for the right tent. The TF-2100 flooring system accommodates most of the clear span tents and structures, When '' y - ' U ' se ' -d{fi : e T¾t '' ma of -c¾ir©- tent the customer have to use the specific upright connector for the specific lent. The universal beam, saddle, and the TF-2100 plate form are same for any type of tents.
Fig, 11 shows an end view of upright connector 14 of- Fig, 3. Housing -48 support upright portion 48.
Fig. 12 is a bottom vie of " the platform s t m: shown in Fig. 4. Male rote looks 60 and female rofo locks 82 also are shown.
Fig. 13 shows male roto lock 60 used wit the scaffold system shown in Fig, 12 Fig. 14 shows female roto lock 82 ' used w th the scaffold system shown- n Fig. 13
Fig, 15 shows the scaffold system of this Invention greater .detail. The platforms of Fig 12 is connected with another plaiiorm same si¾a t¾y roto lock The roto lock. " is not use to connect the platform to the beam. The lock underneath the platform will secure , the platform to the beam. Also shown is jack 33,
Every universal beam is connected -with two universal saddles. Fig, 16 shows universal beams. Other embodiments may Include even mom universal beam connected together to form a chain. At the end you have two upnght connectors connected to the distal end and proximal end of the string.
Figs. 16 and 1? are views of the universal beam In greater detail, inserts 50 are welded to one side of beam 12. ' This makes the beam very special because you eliminate left and right beams. One beam fit all sides.
The other advantages of this system are the TF--2 00 flooring system is designed to go lo as 8" elevation to any platform heights. Also, the tent platform will be the exact size of- the- tent so the platform will not stick outside of the tent. This makes the ten floor water proof because when It mins, the water will flow from the- wall to the ground not to the platform.
The above detailed description of the present invention is given for explanatory purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in. the art that numerous changes and: modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole of the foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and not a limitative sense, the scope of the invention being defined solely by the appended claims.