SELF SUPPORTING AND PORTABLE AERIAL RIGGING STRUCTURE FOR AERIALISTS

Abstract

Presented is a rigging structure with a mechanical advantage of being lifted and suspended above the ground surface using one or more pulley block and tackle systems and/or winch systems. The rigging structure includes a pivoting head portion, four legs, and four feet. The head portion includes a central shaft held between a pair of holders. Each of the holders includes a pair of legs connecting arms. Each of these legs connecting arms is connected to a first leg section and one or more second leg sections and finally to feet to form the legs. The bottom of the legs or feet is interconnected using metal or non-metal wires for preventing any buckling effect due to load attached to the rigging structure. The bottom of the legs are connected by pulling first pair of legs towards second pair or legs or vice versa using pulley block and tackle system capable of exerting required pull force.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT DOCUMENTS

This patent application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/243,766, entitled “self-supporting and portable aerial rigging structure for aerialists,” filed 14 Sep. 2021, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to rigging systems and in particular to a self-supporting and portable rigging structure using the mechanical advantage to be raised and suspended above the ground surface using one or more pulley block and tackle systems and/or winching systems.

BACKGROUND

Aerialists (E.g., Aerial dancers, acrobats, gymnasts) often combine their incredible strength with mesmerizing movements to dance or perform various moves through the air. Most of the aerial performances are performed on silks, Lyra, trapeze, hammocks, or a custom apparatus of the performer's choice.

Many of the pre-existing three-legged and four-legged aerial rigging structures are known to have height adjustment capability. Mostly, head portions and legs connecting arms formed on the head portion of such structures are fixed. After connecting the legs to the legs and connecting arms at the bottom of the head portions of such structures, the users are required to manually lift the positions of the legs or feet by sighting up each leg to straighten the legs as needed. This requires a lot of effort from users, the involvement of many people, and also requires the users to move around the rigging structures several times to get the rigging structures assembled correctly in the desired position. Due to having the fixed head portion and legs connecting arms, such known structures cannot be raised, assembled, and suspended above the ground surface using available mechanical advantages such as winching systems or similar mechanical systems.

Thus, what is required is a self-supporting, mechanized, and portable rigging structure using the mechanical advantage to allow the rigging structure to be raised, assembled, and suspended above the ground surface using one or more pulley block and tackle systems and/or winches.

SUMMARY

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a rigging system or a novel rigging structure that's portable and easy to set up and disassemble.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a self-supporting and portable rigging structure that can be raised, assembled, and suspended above the ground surface with lesser manpower and effort.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a rigging structure with provisions on all the feet for interconnecting the legs of the rigging system together using a metal or non-metal wire so as to reduce or prevent buckling effect on the legs when the system has a load suspended from it.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a rigging structure that's safe and versatile and can be installed or configured in a variety of venues where performances need to be performed with ease. The proposed rigging structure is designed to support almost all kinds of props or equipment suitable for performing a variety of acts or for performances by aerial artists, gymnasts, acrobats, and others. The invention is also useful for training acrobats, divers, circus performers, stunt skiers, dancers, and the like, it is primarily intended for use in training aerialists and is accordingly described in that context.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a rigging structure of the present invention in a fully configured and raised configuration, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrates side views of the rigging structure of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrates a top view and a front perspective view of a head portion of the rigging structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a mechanism for interconnecting two leg pieces, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates the head portion mounted on supporting stands while initializing a setup/installation process for the rigging structure, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 a schematic diagram illustrating a simplified side view of the rigging structure with a set of legs being pulled together using a pulley block and tackle system in order to raise up the rigging structure, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 a schematic diagram illustrating a simplified side view of the rigging structure with a set of legs being pulled together using a winch system in order to raise up the rigging structure, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 8A-8C shows an exemplary process followed for raising up the rigging structure using two pulley block and tackle systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of components or processes, which constitutes a self-supporting and portable rigging structure and method of installation or setting up of the said rigging structure. Accordingly, the components or processes have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific component level details and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “one example”, “another example”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The words “comprising”, “having”, “containing”, and “including”, and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

The self-supporting and portable rigging structure and method of setting up the structure, and mechanical advantage of the system of being able to be raised, assembled, and suspended above the ground surface using pulley block and tackle systems and/or winch systems will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, particularly FIGS. 1-8.

Referring to accompanying figures, particularly to FIGS. 1-4, the rigging structure 100 of the present invention, in general, comprises a pivoting head portion 102, a plurality of legs 104, and a plurality of feet 106, each connected to one end of the legs 104.

According to an embodiment, the head portion 102 comprises a central shaft 108 held between a pair of holders 110a, and 110b. Each of the holders 110a, 110b comprises a pair of opposing plates 111a, 111b, a pair of legs connecting arms 112a, 112b, each rotatably connected over a rod 110c configured in between the pair of opposing plates 111a, 111b, a pair of connecting side plates 113a, 113b, each rotatably connected over the rod 110c and adapted for holding the leg connecting arm 112a, 112b in specific angular position.

As particularly seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the central shaft 108 includes a first end 108a and a second end 108b. The central shaft 108 may be made of any suitable metal able to sustain the load mounted thereon. The load 300 herein refers to different equipment or props and the performers, dancers, etc. using the equipment/props. The load 300 is connected to a central eyebolt 108c directly or using one or more carabiners 302 or similar connectors. In example, the central shaft 108 comprises a centrally located rotating/swivelling eyebolt 108c. The rotatable eyebolt 108c helps in mounting of the load or any props/equipments directly on it as seen in FIG. 1 without requiring any kind of additional swivelling equipments. In another embodiment, instead of rotating eyebolt 108c, the shaft 108 may have a fixed eyebolt. In addition to the central eyebolt 108c, the shaft 108 may comprise connectors 108d on either side of the eyebolt 108c to allow connectivity for other props or equipments as needed. In an example, the user can use pulley systems and mount the pulleys on these connectors 108d to perform some specific aerial acts.

As further seen, the first end 108a of the shaft 108 is passed through the opposing plate 111a of the holder 110a, and is received by the opposing plate 111b. Likewise, the second end 108b of the shaft 108 is passed through the opposing plate 111a of the holder 110b, and is received by the opposing plate 111b. Further, each of the holders 110a,110b includes the legs connecting arms 112a, 112b, with each of the legs connecting arms 112a, 112b being rotatably mounted over the rod 110c to provide support to the shaft 108. These legs connecting arms 112a, 112b located on each of the holders 110a, 110b are angularly held in position using the side plates 113a, 113b. Further, each of the side plates 113a, 113b is rotatably mounted over the rod 110c. The side plates 113a, 113b include provisions to retain the legs connecting arms 112a, 112b in position or in angle and don't let the arms 112a, 112b to get displaced or slide in different positions. In order to facilitate this further, the legs connecting arms 112a, 112b are also connected to the side plates 113a, 113b using one or more fasteners such as screws, nut and bolts. Each of the side plates 113a, 113b are also connected to the opposing plates 111b using suitable fasteners. Further, each of the side plates 113a, 113b, the opposing plates 111a, 111b, the leg connecting arms 112a, and 112b comprises holes that allow these components to functionally interconnect with each other using the rods 110c. Each of the rods 110c is retained in place between the pair of opposing plates 111a, 111b using suitable fasteners. As can be understood from the mechanical construction of the head portion 102, the head portion 102 acts as pivoting point for the rigging structure and the legs connecting arms 112a, 112b along with the side plates 113a, 113b are rotatable sidewise as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3B. This helps in sliding pair 1 legs and pair 2 legs towards and away from each other possible using pulley block and tackle systems and/or winching systems.

Each of the plurality of legs 104 consists of multiple leg sections interconnecting each other. Depending upon the desired height for the rigging structure 100 above the ground surface, the user may require interconnecting two, three, four, or five leg sections for setting up each of the legs 104. However, it should be understood that each of the plurality of legs 104 should consist of same number and/or like configuration of the leg sections. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rig system 100 is shown with a maximum height say 15 or 16 feet. Each of the legs 104 includes a first leg section 104a that connects to the foot 106, and one or more second leg sections 104b that connects to the first leg section 104a. The first leg section 104a may include a cleat 104e for tying off ropes. The first leg section 104a may be angled at one end so that it can properly connect to the foot 106. The mechanism for interconnecting two leg pieces together is depicted in FIG. 4. To elaborate, each of the leg sections preferably have two parts, a first part 105a and a second part 105b. The first part 105a incorporates holes 105c and the second part 105b incorporates push buttons 105d. As in example, the part 105b of the leg section 1 is inserted under the part 105a of the leg section 2. The insertion is done by pressing the push buttons 105d of the leg section 1. When the buttons 105d on the part 105b of the leg section 1 is slidably inserted inside the part 105a of the leg section 2, the buttons 105d get into the holes 105c locking the two leg sections together. The same buttons and holes configuration is used in all the leg sections to interconnect with each other. Although in the shown example, the rigging structure 100 includes five leg sections 104a, 104b. One of the leg sections 104a, 104b may require just presence of holes or the buttons instead of both according to some embodiments. It should be understood that one can use lesser or more number of leg sections for constructing each leg 104 depending upon desired height of the rigging structure 100.

FIGS. 5-8 together with FIG. 2A and 2B demonstrates about the process of assembling or setting up of the rigging structure 100 by interconnecting various components and/or parts and a mechanical advantage of the structure 100 being able to be raised, assembled and suspended above the ground surface using one or more pulley block and tackle systems and/or winches.

The process of setting up or installation of the system 100 (as best seen in FIG. 1) starts with the use of the head portion 102. For the ease of installation, the head portion 102 is lifted and temporarily mounted over a pair of support stands 202 as shown in FIG. 5. Although, a pair of stands 202 is shown in use, it should be understood that one can use even a single support stand 202 that's appropriately designed to support the head portion 102. Further, it is also possible to use more than two support stands according to some other embodiments. It should be understood that the design and structure of the support stands do not form part of the invention. Once the head portion 102 is mounted on the stands 202, the user can then connect one or more second leg sections 104b to each of the legs connecting arms 112a, 112b of the head portion 102 by rotating the head portion or the holders 110a, 110b over the stands 202. Upon connecting the second leg sections 104b to the legs connecting arms 112a, 112b, the first leg section 104a is connected to the second leg sections 104b. The first leg section 104a of each of legs 104 is then finally connected to the feet 106 in order to form the complete legs 104. The rigging structure 100 of the present invention includes four such legs, each pair (pair 1 and pair 2) on one side.

Once the legs 104 are connected to the head portion 102, the rigging structure 100 is then taken off the stands 202 and made to stand on a substantially flat surface on ground or stage or like location in its initial position according to one embodiment. In another embodiment, the rigging structure 100 may be taken off the stands 202 automatically during the pulling of the legs 104. When taken off the stands 202 and made to stand on the ground, each pair of legs 104 (denoted as pair 1 and pair 2 in FIG. 2B) of the rigging structure 100 are oriented at a distant location from each other resulting in lower height of the rigging structure as seen in FIG. 8A. This height may not always be desirable for performing aerial acts or dance or aerial activities. Also, an essence of this invention is interconnecting the legs 104 of the rigging structure 100 together using a metal or a non-metal wire 109 so as to reduce or prevent buckling effect occurring on the legs 104 while the load 300 is attached to it. To attain to the interconnectivity between the legs 104 and to increase the height of the rigging structure 100 to a desired level above ground, it becomes essential for each pair of legs (pair 1 and pair 2) to be pulled towards each other in order to bring the rigging structure 100 to an intermediate or final position as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C respectively so as to connect the legs 104 together using the metal or a non-metal wires 109a-109d for stability. As an essence of this invention, the structure 100 acts as a pivoting system. To elaborate, while the pair 1 legs are pulled towards pair 2 legs then pair 2 legs remains pivoted. Likewise, when the pair 2 legs are pulled towards pair 1 legs, pair 1 legs remain pivoted, and this raises the structure 100 in height.

FIG. 8A, in particular shows, the metal wire 109a with two ends laid on the ground, and two pulley block and tackle systems, namely 4:1 pulley block and tackle system and 2:1 pulley block and tackle system. The 4:1 pulley block and tackle system is preferably deployed for connecting to one end of the metal wire 109a and the foot of the leg 104 (one of the pair 1 legs). Another 4:1 pulley block and tackle system (present on opposing side and not visible) can be deployed connecting to one end of another metal wire 109b (not seen) and the foot of the leg 104 (one of the pair 1 legs not visible). The users are able to pull one end of the rope from the 4:1 pulley block and tackle systems to pull the legs 104 (pair 1 legs) together towards pair 2 legs. The pair 2 legs at this point acts as pivot and do not move. This raises the structure 100. Likewise, 2:1 pulley block and tackle system is preferably deployed connecting to another end of the metal wire 109a and the foot of the leg 104 (one of pair 2 legs). Another 2:1 pulley block and tackle system (present on opposing side and not visible) can be deployed connecting to another end of the metal wire 109b (not seen) and the foot of the leg 104 (one of pair 2 legs). The users are able to pull one end of the rope from the 2:1 pulley block and tackle systems to pull the legs 104 (pair 2 legs) towards pair 1 legs. The pair 1 legs at this point acts as pivot to raise the structure 100.

FIG. 8B shows the setup configuration once the users have pulled the pair 1 legs simultaneously towards the pair 2 legs using the 4:1 pulley block and tackle systems, which facilitates connecting the one end of the metal wires 109a, 109b to the feet of the pair 1 legs. FIG. 8B also shows the 4:1 pulley and tackle system removed from the rigging structure 100 once the operation of pulling of the pair 1 legs is completed. FIG. 8B also shows increases height of the rigging structure 100 affected by the pull of the pair 1 legs. Likewise, the un-operated 2:1 pulley block and tackle system is then operated to further increase the rigging structure's height to a maximum level as shown in FIG. 8C, which then allows connectivity between the pair 2 legs to the remaining end of the metal wires 109a, 109b. Once the metal wires 109a,109b connect the pair 1 legs to pair 2 legs, additional metal wires 109c, and 109d can be used to connect each of the pair 1 legs together, and each of the pair 2 legs together respectively. The movement of pair 1 legs and pair 2 legs towards each other is facilitated by wheels present on the feet 206 of the legs 104. The wheels may be configured to be removed once the rig system is set up fully. Further, although for the purpose of this example shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, 4:1 and 2:1 pulley block and tackle systems are shown in use. It should be understood that based on desired force and heaviness of the rigging structure 100 one can use various other pulley block and tackle configurations. In some embodiment, one may implement the system without use of any pulley block and tackle system. In the context of the present invention, a pulley block and tackle system refers to combination of one or more single or double pulleys and a rope. Suitable pulleys available in the market can be used to form desired pulley block and tackle system that can provide desirable pulling force.

FIG. 6 is mainly similar to intermediate position of the rigging structure shown in FIG. 8B with the 2:1 pulley block and tackle system in use. As seen, the rigging structure 100 is set up on the ground, the metal wire 109a and metal wire 109b (not seen) are connected to the feet 106 of the legs 104 (pair 2 legs) at their one end, and the other end of the metal wires 109a, 109b are connected to one end of the 2:1 pulley block and tackle system (using a carabiner or like connector). The use of 2:1 pulley block and tackle system is shown here as an example and one skilled in the art should understand that any other pulley block and tackle configuration can be used depending upon the pull force required for pulling the legs 104. The 2:1 pulley block and tackle systems (there are two such systems, one for each of the pair 1 legs) is further connected to the feet of the legs 104 (pair 1 legs). During operation, the users (preferably two users) hold one end of the 2:1 pulley block and tackle systems and then pull the rope, which then applies a force on the other end of the rope connected to the metal wires 109a, 109b and pulls the pair 2 legs towards pair 1 legs. Now referring to FIG. 7 shows a similar set up of the rigging structure 100, however instead of using the 2:1 pulley block and tackle system or any pulley block and tackle systems, the system 100 of FIG. 9 deploys a winch system 400 mounted on the legs 104 for raising the rig's height. In contrast to FIG. 6, the one end of the wires 109a, 109b is connected to a retractable strap of the winch systems 400. Although only one winch system is visible, it should be understood that there are two winch systems in order to pull pair 2 legs together towards pair 1 legs. Once the one end of the wires 109a, 109b is connected to the retractable strap of the two winch systems 400, the users can rotate handles of the respective winch system to wind in or retract the strap within the winch system 400 which then forces the connected pair 2 legs to move towards the pair 1 legs. The winching systems are devices used to wind a cable or a rope or a strap in or out and are well known conventional devices and thus the details pertaining to the winch system 400 is omitted from the description.

Description and details for some of mechanical components such as carabiners, locking pins, fasteners, and others is intentionally omitted as their uses and functionalities should be obvious to the person skilled in the art and to keep the draft concise. Different parts, components forming the rigging structure of the present invention can be made using known mechanical techniques and can be made in various different sizes and using variety of materials. Thus, although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. The rigging structure (100) comprising:

a plurality of legs (104), each consists of multiple leg sections (104a, 104b) interconnecting each other;

a plurality of feet (106), each connected to one end of the legs (104);

a head portion (102) having a central shaft (108) held between a pair of holders (110a, 110b); wherein the holders (110a, 110b) include a pair of legs connecting arms (112a, 112b) connected to the legs (104);

wherein the bottom of the legs (104) is interconnected using wires for preventing any buckling effect due to the load attached to the structure (100);

wherein the head portion (102) acts as a pivoting point for the structure (100) and legs connecting arms (112a, 112b) and side plates (113a, 113b) of the holders (110a, 110b) are rotatable sidewise;

wherein the bottom of the legs (104) is connected by pulling first pair of legs of the plurality of legs (104) towards the second pair of legs of the plurality of legs (104) or vice versa using a pulley block and tackle system.

2. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the holders (110a, 110b) comprises a pair of opposing plates (111a, 111b), the pair of legs connecting arms (112a, 112b), each rotatably connected over a rod (110c) to provide support to the shaft (108) and configured in between the pair of opposing plates (111a, 111b), the pair of connecting side plates (113a, 113b), each rotatably connected over the rod (110c) and adapted for holding the leg connecting arm (112a, 112b) in a required angular position.

3. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central shaft (108) is further comprised of a centrally located eyebolt (108c) that helps in mounting the load or any props/equipment.

4. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein a first end (108a) of the shaft (108) is passed through the opposing plate (111a) and is received by the opposing plate (111b), and a second end (108b) thereof is passed through the opposing plate (111a) and is received by the opposing plate (111b).

5. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the eyebolt (108c) is but not limited to a rotating eyebolt, a swivelling eyebolt or a fixed eyebolt.

6. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the eyebolt (108c) is additionally provided with connectors (108d) on either side thereof to allow connectivity for props or equipment as needed.

7. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legs connecting arms (112a, 112b) are connected to the side plates (113a, 113b) using one or more fasteners such as screws, nuts, and bolts.

8. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the each of the legs (104) includes a first leg section (104a) that gets connected to the foot (106) and one or more second leg section (104b) that gets connected to the first leg section (104a).

9. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first leg section (104a) further includes a cleat (104e) for tying off ropes.

10. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first leg section (104a) is angled at one end for connecting to the foot (106).

11. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the leg sections (104a, 104b) is adapted to have a first part (105a) incorporating holes (105c) and a second part (105b) incorporating push buttons (105d).

12. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second part (105b) of a leg section 1 is inserted under the part (105a) of a leg section 2 by pressing the push buttons (105d) of the leg section 1.

13. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the buttons (105d) get into the holes (105c), when the buttons (105d) on the second part (105b) of the leg section 1 is slidably inserted inside the part (105a) of the leg section 2.

14. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal wire (109a) with two ends laid on the ground is provided with 4:1 and 2:1 pulley block and tackle systems.

15. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein one of the 4:1 pulley block and tackle systems is deployed for connecting to one end of the metal wire (109a) and the foot of the leg (104) and another 4:1 pulley block and tackle system is deployed for connecting to one end of another metal wire (109b) and the foot of the leg (104).

16. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the user is allowed to pull one end of the rope from the 4:1 pulley block and tackle systems to pull the legs (104) (pair 1 legs) together towards the pair 2 legs for raising the structure (100).

17. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein one of the 2:1 pulley block and tackle systems is deployed for connecting to another end of the metal wire (109a) and the foot of the leg (104) and another 2:1 pulley block and tackle system is deployed for connecting to another end of the metal wire (109b) and the foot of the leg (104).

18. The structure (100) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the user is allowed to pull one end of the rope from the 2:1 pulley block and tackle systems to pull the legs (104) (pair 2 legs) towards pair 1 legs that raises the structure (100).

19. A method for installing the system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises steps of:

temporarily mounting and lifting the head portion (102) over at least one pair of a support stands (202);

forming the plurality of legs (104) and connecting to the head portion (102);

taking the structure (100) off the stands (202) and making the structure (100) to stand on a substantially flat surface;

orienting each pair of legs (104) at a distant location from each other resulting in a lower height of the structure (100);

interconnecting the legs (104) together using the wire (109) to reduce buckling effect occurring on the legs (104) while the load (300) is attached; and

increasing the height of the structure (100) to a desired level above ground by pulling the pair of legs 1 or 2 towards each other.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein forming the plurality of legs (104) further comprises steps of:

connecting one or more second leg sections (104b) to each of the legs connecting arms (112a, 112b) of the head portion (102) by rotating the head portion (102) of the holders (110a, 110b) over the stands (202);

connecting the first leg section (104a) to the second leg sections (104b); and

connecting the first leg section (104a) of each of legs (104) to the feet (106).