Folding Truss System With Integrated Entertainment Technology Equipment and Method Thereof
The described system provides a folding and self-contained truss based entertainment technology support system designed for rapid deployment. Embodiments disclose a system incorporating folding truss technology in conjunction with lighting, dimming, power and data distribution systems encompassing a complete and integrated mobile and rapid deployment lighting and lighting support system. Further embodiments describe truss systems used for the rapid deployment, installation and removal of entertainment systems including but not restricted to lighting, sound, video and scenic equipment.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/018,714, filed Jan. 3, 2008, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention generally relate to entertainment technology systems and in particular, to truss systems necessary to install and support entertainment systems including but not restricted to lighting, sound, video and scenic equipment in entertainment environments such as arenas, convention centers, hotel ballrooms, and theatres.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany of the entertainment truss support systems currently used in production applications are of a cumbersome and labor intensive nature, requiring the use of hand tools and skilled labor to assemble using conventional fasteners such as nuts and bolts or pins. Common configurations are the pinned box truss as illustrated in
In prior art entertainment truss support systems, multiple sections of tube truss of varying dimensions and in lengths which commonly range from 1 ft to 10 ft as illustrated in
This assembly process is extremely labor intensive and resource consuming. The process requires skilled technicians at all stages including connecting and securing the trusses, rigging the entertainment technology equipment, and installing and securing the power and data cables. A fault in any of these areas such as an incorrectly tightened fastener or badly secured cable could create a potential safety hazard. Further, because of the need to use the entire space beneath the final truss hang position, which can mean utilizing the entire stage area, the technicians are often under severe time constraints and pressure to vacate that space in order to make it available to other crafts, such as scenic construction, sound, video and other technical components of an entertainment event. Continuous expert and knowledgeable supervision of the entire process is necessary to maintain a safe working environment.
Further, if the floor space beneath the final rigging position is inaccessible for some reason, such as being over a seating area or pre-existing scenery or staging, then rigging prior art truss can be difficult if not impossible to achieve. In such cases the truss may need to be assembled elsewhere on site and is then manhandled into position in a difficult and potentially dangerous manner.
Attempts have been made to improve these systems by transporting the truss sections with their entertainment technology equipment pre-installed such that they can drop down or otherwise fold into their operating positions as shown in
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an improved method and system of installation of truss, entertainment technology equipment, and their power and control in entertainment technology applications that can be completed in a more timely and safe manner and within a reduced floor space.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like features and wherein:
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the FIGUREs, like numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to entertainment technology systems and, in particular, to truss systems necessary to install and support entertainment systems including but not restricted to lighting, sound, video and scenic equipment in entertainment environments such as arenas, convention centers, hotel ballrooms, and theatres.
The disclosed invention provides a structure and method to facilitate the rapid deployment and removal of an entertainment technology truss system designed to support entertainment technology equipment such as luminaires, dimmers, power distribution systems, loudspeakers, microphones, projectors, scenery or other entertainment technology equipment as well known in the art.
In one exemplary embodiment of the invention as illustrated in
The use of hinges to connect the truss sections provides a permanent connection between the truss sections and further allows a dedicated path for cabling to be installed to connect the items of entertainment technology equipment with both electrical power and control data. This cabling may be permanently installed within the truss system and provide links and connections between all sections of truss. As the cabling runs between truss sections it is routed adjacent to the hinges such that it does not interfere with the operation of said hinges and so that no strain or load is placed on the cabling. In the illustrated embodiment such cabling may connect together the power distribution unit 114, dimming systems 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 and the plurality of luminaires 110 such that external connections to system 100 may be limited to a power supply cable and a data control cable.
Truss system 100 may be fitted with wheels or casters 104 such that it is easily moved around a venue or on and off vehicles for transport. Casters 104 may be fixed or removable and may be elevated or recessed. Each truss section may be fitted with a stop or bumper 140, 142, 144, 146, 148 which provides a secure and structurally sound resting point for the adjacent truss section to rest on when the system is folded.
The truss system may be deployed in a number of manners depending on the floor space and venue height available. Two methods will be described; however other installation techniques are possible and the techniques of installation are not a limitation of the invention. We first consider an installation technique for a venue where we have a limited floor space available, but sufficient height. To deploy the truss system in these circumstances the folded system 100 is positioned under a hoist suspension point and the first truss section 128 is connected to a hoist by suspension line 116 as illustrated in
Suspension line 116 may now be raised again and will lift first truss section 128 and second truss section 126 as a single combined unit to the vertical position illustrated in
Similarly suspension line 116 may now be further raised such that fourth truss section 122 is also raised vertically and is secured at point 162 so that four sections are connected as shown in
Although the methodology for five truss sections is disclosed in this embodiment the technique may be extended in further embodiments and any number of hinged truss sections may similarly be deployed and attached to one another, thus extending the overall truss length.
In a further embodiment hinges 150, 152, 154, 156 may be provided with a locking mechanism through a pin, bolt, clamp or other device such that further security is provided to prevent rotation and movement at the hinge points.
We now consider a second installation technique for a venue where we have sufficient floor space available to accommodate the entire length of the truss system but a low height. To deploy the truss system in these circumstances the folded system 100 is positioned under a hoist suspension point and the first truss section 128 is connected to a hoist by suspension line 116 as illustrated in
A second suspension line 117 may now be connected to second truss section 126 and first suspension line 116 and second suspension line 117 raised together such that first truss section 128 and second truss section 126 are raised and third truss section 124 will be rotated to a vertical position around hinge 152 as shown in
A third suspension line 118 may now be connected to fifth truss section 120 which may subsequently be raised until fifth truss section 120 is axially aligned with fourth truss section 122 and can be connected together at point 160 to form the final deployed system as illustrated in
Although three suspension points 116, 117, 118 are here shown on the first, second and fifth truss sections the invention is not so limited and any number, positioning and layout of suspension points may be used in further embodiments of the invention. The installation technique shown in
Although the methodology for five truss sections is disclosed in this embodiment the technique may be extended in further embodiments and any number of hinged truss sections may similarly be deployed and attached to one another, thus extending the overall truss length.
In a yet further embodiment hinges 150, 152, 154, 156 may be provided with a locking mechanism through a pin, bolt, clamp or other device such that further security is provided to prevent rotation and movement at the hinge points when the truss system is deployed. Such locking mechanism may take the applied load and relieve the hinge of the loaded stress.
In all embodiments described herein the entertainment technology items installed in the truss system such as a lighting system comprising luminaires, dimming system and power distribution may subsequently be connected to existing or temporary distribution systems in the venue so as to connect to main data and power distribution. This may, in some embodiments, be accomplished through a single connection for power and a single connection for data providing an extremely simple and rapid installation of the entire system.
The embodiments disclosed provide a means for entertainment technology rigging that is both rapid to deploy and remove, and provide a safe integrated system at all times. The truss may also be installed with a minimum of labor and installation time while causing a minimum of inconvenience to other users of the space.
While the disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as disclosed herein. While the disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1. An entertainment truss system, comprising:
- three or more truss sections, pre-joined with alternately mounted hinge joints;
- where the truss system unfolds and/or folds as it deploys or returns to cartage position.
2. An entertainment truss system of claim 1 where the truss is pre-installed with entertainment technology equipment and associated power distribution and data cabling.
3. An entertainment truss system of claim 2 where the entertainment technology equipment comprises luminaires.
4. An entertainment truss system of claim 1 where at least one of the truss sections is fitted with casters.
5. An entertainment truss system of claim 1 where an unlimited number of further folding truss sections may be added to the system.
6. An entertainment truss system of claim 1 where the truss system is at all times structurally integral.
7. An entertainment truss system of claim 1 where the truss sections are manufactured of aluminum or steel tubing which may be of square or round cross section.
8. An entertainment truss system of claim 1 where;
- the hinge joints are capable of rotating at least 180° so that the truss sections can fold back for stacking;
- the hinge joints are capable of supporting the full load of the truss system including the installed entertainment technology equipment.
9. An entertainment truss system of claim 8 where;
- the hinge joints may be secured in the unfolded, deployed position by a locking mechanism such that said locking mechanism may relieve the hinge joint of the loaded stress.
10. An entertainment truss system of claim 8 where;
- the hinge joints are capable of supporting the full load of the truss system including the installed entertainment technology equipment during deployment.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 2, 2009
Publication Date: Jul 9, 2009
Applicant: (Driftwood, TX)
Inventor: Robert Charles Baxter, JR. (Driftwood, TX)
Application Number: 12/348,055
International Classification: E04H 12/18 (20060101); E04B 1/19 (20060101); E04B 1/344 (20060101); A63J 1/00 (20060101);