Locking Mechanism for Use With Staging System

Abstract

A staging system includes a locking mechanism that enables adjacent staging modules to be locked together in multiple positions to form a stage. The locking mechanism is able to be operated from above the stage.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A staging system, comprising: 
 a stage having a plurality of modules adjacent one another; and,    means for locking together adjacent modules of said plurality of modules in multiple positions, said means for locking being operable from above said stage.    
   
   
       13 . The staging system according to  claim 12 , wherein said means for locking together said adjacent modules is formed as an integral part of each module of said plurality of modules.  
   
   
       14 . The staging system according to  claim 12 , wherein said means for locking together said adjacent modules includes separate elements attached to each module of said plurality of modules prior to joining said adjacent modules together.  
   
   
       15 . The staging system according to  claim 12 , further comprising means for activating said means for locking together said adjacent modules, said means for activating being accessible via a gap between said adjacent modules.  
   
   
       16 . The staging system according to  claim 12 , wherein said means for locking together said adjacent modules accommodates, and rectifies, discrepancies in heights of said adjacent modules upon activation.  
   
   
       17 . The staging system according to  claim 12 , wherein said means for locking together said adjacent modules closer together upon activation.  
   
   
       18 . The staging system according to  claim 12 , wherein said means for locking together said adjacent modules is effected via rotation around a horizontal axis of at least one shaped flange.  
   
   
       19 . The staging system according to  claim 12 , wherein said means for locking together said adjacent modules does not protrude from an edge of a module of said plurality of modules when not in use.  
   
   
       20 . The staging system according to  claim 12 , wherein said means for locking together is entirely retractable when an outer extremity of a module of said plurality of modules is not activated.