Abstract: A load bearing, thermally insulating panel for use to cover an ice surface is made up of a plurality of modular, polymeric floor members having a structural dense body structure and a flat upper wall over which a vehicle can travel. Each floor member has an undersurface with integral, downwardly projecting, load distributing, support pillars within a floor member-surrounding, downwardly projecting marginal wall. A polymeric foam insulative layer of substantially lesser density than said floor member and substantially lesser thermal conductivity is molded within the floor member surface surrounding the pillars to fill the space around the pillars and the space between the pillars and marginal wall.

Abstract: A gauntlet athletic sled for use by football trainers has a sled frame with spaced apart side sections defining a runway between them from a front end to a rear end. A front to rear extending series of readily removable, position adjustable inflated resilient arms project from the side sections laterally into the runway to create a predetermined obstacle path simulating the arms and hands of would be tacklers, which must be deflected aside to permit passage of the runner down the pathway. The varied pressure of arm inflation controls the resistance to passage of the runner proceeding down the runway.

Abstract: A load bearing, thermally insulating panel for use to cover an ice surface is made up of a plurality of modular, polymeric floor members having a structural dense body structure and a flat upper wall over which a vehicle can travel. Each floor member has an undersurface with integral, downwardly projecting, load distributing, support pillars within a floor member-surrounding, downwardly projecting marginal wall. A polymeric foam insulative layer of substantially lesser density than said floor member and substantially lesser thermal conductivity is molded within the floor member surface surrounding the pillars to fill the space around the pillars and the space between the pillars and marginal wall.

Abstract: An orchestra shell tower and tower transporter system has a plurality of shell towers comprising an acoustic central panel hingedly connected along its side edges to acoustic wing panels. A generally horizontally rearwardly extending tripod-shaped open base is fixed to the lower end of the central panel and counterweights both the central panel and the wing panels. Vertically adjustable dependent legs with stage engaging members are provided on the tower. A tower transporter has a forwardly extending tripod-shaped open base supported on caster wheels and configured to be received within the base of each of the shell towers. Vertically movable lifters on the transporter base have receptors for engaging the legs of each of the tower shells in lifting relationship and actuatable motors are provided on the transporter for raising and lowering the lifters, and thereby the tower engaged by the transporter for supporting the tower in a raised position for travel.

Abstract: An acoustic shell tower module of sound enhancing character assemblable with other such towers to form an orchestral shell, has a first sound enhancing panel mounted on a generally horizontally rearwardly extending counterweighting base. A second sound enhancing panel is mounted for vertical telescoping movement from a storage position, generally horizontally aligned with the first panel, upwardly to a raised position in which it extends above the first panel to form a sound reflecting and enhancing upper extension thereof, and a system is provided for easily raising and lowering the second panel and retaining it in raised position.

Abstract: A staging system for construction of a portable performance stage having support units for supporting one or more of the deck panels. The support units having two or more, and preferably four, panel locator pins. One of the locator pins is a stationary pin. The others are capable of being pivoted to a retracted position.

Abstract: A fold and roll platform assembly having a pair of platform panels, and support units for supporting the platform panels on an underlying support structure. Each support unit has a locator pin mounted on a frame for movement from a retracted position to an upwardly extending position for engagement in a hole in a platform panel to locate the panel. The locator pin can be retracted into a recess provided in the frame.

Abstract: A staging and seating understructure which provides a base frame for a multiplicity of support panels. The base frame consists of a series of vertical cross frames, usually having different levels, each cross frame being connected to another cross frame by collapsible gates at each end which fold inwardly to allow movement of the cross frames close toward each other wherein the entire base frame assembly may be stored compactly.

Abstract: A stage panel support assembly including four corner stanchions or posts permanently cross braced in one transverse direction and connected in a longitudinal direction by double jointed arms centrally pivoted at an apex on a base frame upright. A cross brace joins respective arms at points spaced from the apex. The corner stanchions are movable from a storage position above the base frame to the operative position spaced from the base and in a vertical position relative to a supporting surface. Projections at the top of the stanchions cooperate with removable horizontal panels which further stabilize the structure in operative position.

Abstract: A staging system including curtains, for use particularly around a portable stage unit, which includes movable support towers. A base on each tower is arranged to interlock with an adjacent base for convenience in transporting and compact storage. Horizontal trusses are provided to intergage endwise and be supported on and between support towers. For operative use the trusses are supported on the top elements of the towers. For storage, trusses or tubular supports are mounted on side support elements of the adjacent towers. The trusses or tubular supports have rails or slots, respectively, for supporting stationary and movable curtains to enclose a stage unit.

Abstract: A structural load-bearing portable panel for staging, choral risers and the like having a high impact corner construction to resist the shock and dragging forces to which the corners are subjected when being assembled, disassembled, transported and stored. A molded or extruded corner element interfits with and is retained mechanically by the side edge pieces which have a recess to receive wing extensions on the corner elements. The corner elements are backed by the core material in the panel which is a lamination of surface elements and coring reinforcement. Each corner element can have a recess normal to the plane of the panel to receive structural support legs or the like.

Abstract: A structural connection for staging panels and the like in which an open-ended socket receives at one end a projection of a structural element such as a leg. The projection has detent projections to be received in a groove in the socket. A locking element is movable into the other end of the socket to engage the detent projections and retain them in the receiving groove until the locking element is retracted.

Abstract: A portable and foldable platform stage assembly has two support panels movable from a collapsed position with panels closely adjacent each other to an operative position with the panels in a single plane, the inner edges in substantial contact. Roller wheels move from a storage position when the panels are in operative position to a floor contacting position when the panels are collapsed for storage or movement. Outer legs move from a storage position to a vertical operative position when the panels are shifted to operative position. A central support frame pivotally supports the inner edges of the platform panels in the two positions with shaped spaced support links which provide positive support in the operative position and adapt to a receiving position when the panels are moved to storage positions.