FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a temporary stage structure and a kit of parts for a temporary stage structure BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Temporary stages are erected for public events such as concerts or sporting events. Known temporary stage or platform structures are typically constructed from standard scaffold components, such as vertical standards, horizontal ledgers and horizontal transom members. An example temporary platform system is the Layher® Event System.

Prior art temporary stage systems can be cumbersome to erect and take down, taking many man hours. Components can be heavy, exceeding a safe single-man lift weight. Components must be of a suitable strength to allow for high capacity loading, for example people standing side-by-side (shoulder to shoulder), which exceeds a design loading for a typical scaffold systems designed to support less people.

Components of prior art systems can also take up a lot of space, which increases storage and transportation costs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved temporary stage structure or kit of parts for a temporary stage structure which goes at least some way towards overcoming one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages, or which provides the industry with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a kit of parts for a temporary stage structure comprising :

four perimeter members to form a perimeter of a framework of the stage structure,

four connectors, each connector to be located at a corner of the framework and adapted to connect ends of adjacent perimeter members,

at least one cross member to span between two opposite perimeter members, and more than one sheet member to cover the framework to form a floor surface of the stage structure, and

fasteners to secure the sheet members to the framework, wherein the fasteners are adapted to secure the sheet members to the framework without passing through the sheet members and/or each fastener bridges across adjacent edges of at least two adjacent sheet members to secure more than one sheet member to the framework.

In some embodiments, each perimeter member comprises an elongate member, a connector half at each end of the elongate member to connect to a respective said connector, and an upwardly open aperture or an upwardly projecting hook partway along the elongate member, and

the cross member comprises an elongate member and a downwardly projecting hook or a downwardly open aperture at each end of the elongate member adapted to be received in a said aperture of a said perimeter member or to receive a said upwardly projecting hook of a said perimeter member.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly consists in kit of parts for a temporary stage structure comprising:

four perimeter members to form a perimeter of a framework of the stage structure,

four connectors, each connector to be located at a corner of the framework and adapted to connect ends of adjacent perimeter members,

at least one cross member to span between two opposite perimeter members, and

more than one sheet member to cover the framework to form a floor surface of the stage structure, and

fasteners to secure the sheet members to the framework, wherein each perimeter member comprises an elongate member, a connector half at each end of the elongate member to connect to a respective said connector, and an upwardly open aperture or an upwardly projecting hook partway along the elongate member, and

the cross member comprises an elongate member and a downwardly projecting hook or a downwardly open aperture at each end of the elongate member adapted to be received in a said aperture of a said perimeter member or to receive a said upwardly projecting hook of a said perimeter member. In some embodiments, the fasteners are adapted to secure the sheet members to the framework without passing through the sheet members and/or each fastener bridges across adjacent edges of at least two adjacent sheet members to secure more than one sheet member to the framework.

In some embodiments, the connectors each comprise:

an elongate member to be arranged vertically and a flange part way along the elongate member, and the connector half of the perimeter member comprises a jaw for receiving the flange, and wherein the connector comprises a wedge to lock the jaw to the flange via a vertical slot through the jaw and a corresponding slot in the flange.

In some embodiments the connector comprises a threaded hole or a threaded stud at an upper end to receive a said fastener.

In some embodiments the fasteners each comprise a threaded member and a flange perpendicular to the threaded member, and the perimeter member and/or the connector comprises a threaded hole for receiving the threaded member, or wherein the fasteners each comprise a flange with a threaded hole, and the perimeter member and/or the connector comprises a threaded stud to be received in the threaded hole of the flange, and wherein the flange has a lateral dimension substantially greater than the diameter of the threaded member.

In some embodiments, the lateral dimension is at least 50mm, or wherein the flange is a disk with a diameter of at least 50mm, or wherein the lateral dimension is sufficient to bridge across adjacent edges of at least two adjacent sheet members to secure more than one sheet member to the perimeter members.

In some embodiments, the perimeter member comprises a vertically arranged tube attached partway along the elongate member of the perimeter member with an open end of the tube forming the upwardly open aperture, or

wherein the cross member comprises a vertically arranged tube attached to an end of the elongate member of the cross member with an open end of the tube forming the downwardly open aperture. In some embodiments, the hook is an ^V L' shaped member with a horizontal leg attached to an end of the elongate member of the cross member and with a vertical leg extending downwards, or

wherein the hook is an ^V L' shaped member with a horizontal leg attached partway along the elongate member of the perimeter member and with a vertical leg extending upwards.

In some embodiments, the kit of parts further comprises at least two sub-cross members, each sub-cross member to span between the cross member and a said perimeter member, and wherein

the cross member comprises an upwardly open aperture or an upwardly projecting hook partway along the elongate member, and

the sub-cross member comprises an elongate member and a downwardly projecting hook or a downwardly open aperture at each end of the elongate member adapted to be received in a said aperture of a said cross member or to receive a said upwardly projecting hook of a said cross member.

In some embodiments, the perimeter members and connectors are adapted for the perimeter members to be arranged at 90 degrees apart and the perimeter members and cross member and/or a sub-cross member are adapted for the cross member and/or sub-cross member to be attached perpendicular to the perimeter members.

In some embodiments, the connectors are adapted to rigidly couple the perimeter members to the connectors to substantially prevent movement therebetween.

In some embodiments, the cross member or sub-cross member and perimeter member are adapted to substantially prevent lateral movement of the cross member or sub-cross member relative to the perimeter member to which the cross member or sub-cross member is to be attached.

In some embodiments, the cross member or sub-cross members and perimeter member are adapted for restricted movement of the cross member or sub-cross member between the perimeter members or the cross member and perimeter member along the longitudinal axis of the cross member or sub-cross member elongate member. In some embodiments, the cross member or sub-cross members and perimeter member are adapted for movement of the cross member or sub-cross member between the perimeter members or the cross member and perimeter member along the longitudinal axis of the cross member or sub-cross member elongate member of between 5mm and 20mm, or 5mm and 15mm or about 10mm.

In some embodiments, each perimeter member comprises a said upwardly open aperture or an upwardly projecting hook partway along the elongate member of the perimeter member on each side of the elongate member of the perimeter member, and

each said connector is adapted to connect four said perimeter members spaced 90 degrees apart,

such that many temporary stage structures may be connected together side- by-side, each adjacent temporary stage structure sharing a said perimeter member and two said connectors.

In some embodiments, the elongate member of the cross member and the elongate member of the perimeter member have the same cross section. In some embodiments, the elongate member of the cross member and the elongate member of the perimeter members has a rectangular box section with the longest side of the box section arranged vertically.

In some embodiments, the elongate member of the cross member and the elongate member of the perimeter member have a cross section that is deeper than the cross section of the elongate member of the sub-cross member.

In some embodiments, the elongate member of the sub-cross member has a square box section.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and claims means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting each statement in this specification and claims that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner. It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner. As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings, in which :

Figure 1 shows a temporary stage according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of a framework of the stage structure of Figure 1 and various sectional or part views of the framework.

Figure 3 shows a perimeter member of the framework and various sectional or part views thereof. Figure 4 shows the perimeter member of Figure 3 and a connector at each end, and the connector separate from the member.

Figure 5 shows various views of another perimeter member of the framework of Figure 2. Figure 6 shows various views and a part end view of a cross member of the framework of Figure 2.

Figure 7 shows various views of a sub-cross member of the framework of Figure 2. Figure 8 shows various views of a fastener of the stage structure of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments are described with reference to the Figures. Throughout the Figures and specification, the same reference numerals may be used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant descriptions thereof may be omitted.

Figure 1 illustrates a temporary stage structure 1. The temporary deck structure comprises a framework 2 and more than one sheet member 3 supported on the framework 2.

As best shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments, the frame work 2 comprises four perimeter members A, B. The perimeter members form a perimeter of the stage structure 1. The perimeter members A, B are connected together at their ends by four connectors 4. The connectors are located at a comer of the stage structure.

The framework 2 also comprises at least one cross member C to span between two opposite perimeter members, for example members B in Figure 2.

The sheet members 3 are secured or attached to the perimeter members and cover the perimeter members and cross member to form a floor surface of the stage structure. Fasteners 5 attach or secure the sheet members to the four perimeter members.

In some embodiments, each perimeter member A comprises an elongate member 10 and a connector half 11 at each end of the elongate member to connect to a respective said connector 4. As best sown in Figure 4, in some embodiments the connector 4 comprises an elongate member 6 which in the assembled stage is arranged vertically, and a flange 7 part way along the elongate member. The connector half of the perimeter member comprises a jaw 11 for receiving the flange 7 as best shown in the enlarged side view ^Λ Ρ' in Figure 4. The connector comprises a wedge 13 to lock the jaw 11 to the flange 7 via a vertical slot through the jaw and a corresponding slot 7a in the flange 7. The jaw and flange with wedge type connection may be configured in a same or similar way to the wedge lock system by Layher®. In some embodiments, the connectors 4 are adapted to rigidly couple the perimeter members A, B to the connectors 4 to substantially prevent movement therebetween. The elongate member 6 of the connector 4 may be adapted to connect to a standard scaffold system. For example, the member 6 may receive or may be received by a vertical standard of a typical scaffold system. In some embodiments, the perimeter member comprises an upwardly open aperture 12, as shown in Figure 3. The aperture 12 is adapted to receive a downwardly projecting hook 14 attached to an end of an elongate member 10 of the cross member C, as best shown in Figure 5. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the perimeter member A, B may comprise an upwardly projecting hook partway along the elongate member 10, and the cross member may comprise a corresponding downwardly open aperture at each end of the elongate member adapted to receive a said upwardly projecting hook of a said perimeter member.

The connection arrangement comprising an upwardly open aperture and a downwardly projecting hook, or conversely an upwardly projecting hook and a downwardly open aperture allows the cross member to be attached in the framework to and between the perimeter members A or B by simply dropping the cross member into place. The perimeter of the framework may be initially built, and then the cross member may be conveniently dropped into place within the framework allowing for easy and quick construction.

In some embodiments the perimeter member comprises a vertically arranged tube 15 (Figure 3) attached partway along the elongate member 10 of the perimeter member A, B with an open end of the tube 15 forming the upwardly open aperture 12. Likewise, where the cross member C comprises a downwardly open aperture, the cross member may comprise a vertically arranged tube attached to an end of the elongate member of the cross member with an open end of the tube forming the downwardly open aperture. The tube 15 may be welded or otherwise attached to the side of the elongate member of the perimeter member or to an end of the elongate member of the cross member. The tube may have a rectangular cross section presenting a rectangular aperture 12.

In some embodiments, the hook 14 comprises an 'L' shaped member with a horizontal leg 14a attached to an end of the elongate member 10 of the cross member C and with a vertical leg 14b extending downwards. Likewise, where the perimeter member A, B comprises an upwardly projecting hook, the hook may be an ^λ 1_' shaped member with a horizontal leg attached partway along the elongate member 10 of the perimeter member A, B and with a vertical leg of the hook extending upwards. The hook 14 may be welded to a channel member 14c that is attached to an end of the elongate member 10 of the cross member C as shown in detail F in Figure 5, for example by bolts as shown. In an embodiment where the perimeter member comprises a hook, the hook may be welded to a side of the elongate member of the perimeter member.

In some embodiments, the cross member C and perimeter member A, B are adapted to substantially prevent lateral movement of the cross member C relative to the perimeter member A, B to which the cross member is to be attached. For example, a width of the hook 14, e.g. a width of the vertical leg 14b of hook 14 may be matched to an internal width of the aperture 12 or tube 15 to prevent sideways movement of the hook relative to the aperture or tube. In some embodiments, the cross member and perimeter members are adapted for restricted movement of the cross member between the perimeter members along the longitudinal axis of the cross member. For example, as best shown in detail L in Figure 2, the length of the elongate member of the perimeter member and the length of the horizontal leg 14a of the hook may be determined to provide a clearance between the vertical leg of the hook 14 and an inside of the aperture 12 or tube 15 so that the cross member can move longitudinally between the perimeter members. The clearance may be for example 10mm, allowing for 10mm of longitudinal movement. The clearance may be 5mm to 20mm, or 5mm to 15mm, or 5mm to 10mm.

In some embodiments, the framework 2 also comprises at least two sub-cross members D. Each sub-cross member D spans between the cross member C and a perimeter member A, B. The sub-cross members are preferably attached within the framework in the same manner as described above for the cross member C, e.g. with a hook 14 and corresponding aperture 12, as shown in the Figures. In preferred embodiments, the perimeter members A, B and connectors 4 are adapted for the perimeter members to be arranged at 90 degrees apart (in plan view, e.g. as shown in Figure 2) and the perimeter members and cross member C and/or a sub-cross member D are adapted for the cross member C and/or sub- cross member C to be attached perpendicular to the perimeter members A, B.

In some embodiments, the elongate member of the cross member C and the elongate member of the perimeter members A, B have the same cross section. For example, the elongate member of the cross member and the elongate member of the perimeter members may have a rectangular box section with the longest side of the box section arranged vertically. In some embodiments the elongate member 10 has a rectangular section with a depth of about 150mm and a width of about 50mm and a wall thickness of about 3mm, for example as shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6. Other cross sections are possible, for example an Ύ section. In some embodiments the elongate member is an aluminium extrusion.

In some embodiments the elongate member 10 of the cross member C and/or the elongate member 10 of the perimeter member A, B have a cross section that is deeper than the cross section of the elongate member 16 of the sub-cross member D. In some embodiments the elongate member of the sub-cross member D has a square box section. In some embodiments the elongate member 16 of the sub- cross member is a 50mm square box section with a wall thickness of about 3mm, for example as shown in Figure 7. Other cross sections are possible, for example an section. In some embodiments the elongate member 16 is an aluminium extrusion.

Two of the perimeter members may have a length of about 2.4m. Two of the perimeter members may have a length of about 1.9m. The lengths may be standard lengths for horizontal ledgers of known scaffold systems. The structure described herein when mounted on scaffolding of sufficient capacity has a working limit of 5kPa. Stresses in the members and connections at the working load limit have been assessed against limits set out in AS/NZS 1664.2: 1997.

In some embodiments, each perimeter member comprises an upwardly open aperture 12 or an upwardly projecting hook 14 partway along the elongate member 10 of the perimeter member A, B on each side of the elongate member 10 of the perimeter member A, B. This allows for cross members to extend from each side of the perimeter member A, B. Each connector 4 maybe adapted to connect four said perimeter members spaced 90 degrees apart. This configuration allows for many temporary stage structures (e.g. as shown in Figure 1) to be connected together side-by-side, each adjacent temporary stage structure sharing a said perimeter member A, B and two said connectors 4. The size of a stage comprising multiple described stage structures is only limited by the number of stage structures provided.

In some embodiments the fasteners 5 attach the sheet members 3 to the framework 2 without passing through the sheet members 3. In some embodiments each fastener 5 bridges across adjacent edges of at least two adjacent sheet members 3 to attach more than one sheet member to the framework 2.

With reference to Figure 8, in some embodiments, each fastener 5 comprises a threaded member 5b and a flange 5a substantially perpendicular to the threaded member, e.g. at an end of the threaded member. The perimeter member A, B and/or the connector 4 and/or the cross member C or sub-cross member D comprises a threaded hole 17 (Figures 3, 4) for receiving the threaded member 5b. For example, the connector 4, as shown in Figure 4, may comprise a top plate or cap 8 attached (e.g. welded) to the elongate member 6 of the connector 4 with a threaded hole 17 through the top plate 8. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the fastener comprises a flange 5a with a threaded hole, and the perimeter member and/or the connector and/or the cross member or sub-cross members comprise a threaded stud to be received in the threaded hole of the flange. The flange may comprise an interface detail 5c for interfacing with a tool, e.g. a hexagonal socket.

The flange 5a has a lateral dimension (e.g. an outer diameter or width) substantially greater than the diameter of the threaded member. The lateral dimension is large enough to bridge over or overlap the edges of adjacent sheet members 3, to clamp adjacent sheets 3 to the framework 2 once the fastener is threaded to the framework. For example, in some embodiments the flange 5a may have an outer width or diameter of is at least 50mm, or at least 75mm, or at least 100mm, or at least 110mm, or about 110 - 115mm. In some embodiments the flange is a disk, e.g. the flange is round.

The fastening arrangement provided by the fasteners 5 comprising a broad flange 5a allows for the sheet members to be easily attached or secured to and removed from the framework in a time efficient manner. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment each sheet member comprises no other components other than a sheet of material, for example a sheet of plywood, e.g. with a thickness of 9 - 25mm. This preferred feature according to some embodiments of the present invention allows for easy stacking of the sheet members for storage and transportation, in a volume efficient configuration. The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.