Rapidly deployable stage system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a rapidly deployable stage system, including a primary stage unit, a secondary stage unit including a container for transporting a pair of stage buggies and a pair of video buggies. The primary stage unit includes remotely actuated lateral supports that enable self-unloading of the primary stage unit from a standard semi-truck trailer, remotely steerable wheel units that controllably move the primary stage unit to a desired location, a remotely actuated main stage that pivots into an in-use position, and a remotely actuated roof assembly that is positioned above the main stage when in an in-use position. Each buggy is remotely controllable to move out of the container into an in-use position.

1 . A rapidly deployable stage system, including:
 a primary stage unit having a main frame with a volume, when in a stowed configuration, that is approximately the same as a volume of a standard cargo container; and   a secondary stage unit including a container having a volume that is approximately the same as a volume of a standard cargo container, a pair of stage buggies configured for storage in the container, and a pair of video buggies configured for storage in the container;   wherein the primary stage unit includes remotely actuated lateral supports that enable self-unloading of the primary stage unit from a standard semi-truck trailer, remotely steerable wheel units that controllably move the primary stage unit to a desired location, a remotely actuated main stage that pivots into an in-use position, and a remotely actuated roof assembly that raises and extends to a position above the main stage when in an in-use position; and   wherein each stage buggy is remotely controllable to move out of the container into an in-use position wherein a platform of the stage buggy supplements the main stage, and each video buggy is remotely controllable to move out of the container into an in-use position wherein a display mounted to the video buggy is positioned substantially vertical relative to the main stage.   
     
     
         2 . The stage system of  claim 1 , further including a primary stage unit remote control including a transmitter configured to transmit signals to the primary stage unit to remotely actuate the lateral supports, remotely steer the wheel units, remotely actuate the main stage, and remotely actuate the roof assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The stage system of  claim 1 , further including a local control panel mounted to the primary stage unit including a transmitter configured to transmit signals to the primary stage unit to activate a generator mounted to the primary stage unit, and actuate the lateral supports. 
     
     
         4 . The stage system of  claim 3 , wherein the local control panel further includes a level button, activation of which transmits a signal to a controller of the primary stage unit causing the controller to control the lateral supports through an auto-leveling sequence which adjusts the positions of the ground-engaging legs, as necessary, to cause the primary stage unit to assume a substantially level orientation. 
     
     
         5 . The stage system of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral supports include a pair of front lateral supports and a pair of rear lateral supports, each front lateral support including a horizontal support having one end pivotally attached to the main frame of the primary stage unit and another end connected to a vertical support housing a ground-engaging leg, and each rear lateral support including a support housing mounted to the main frame, a telescopically movable lateral arm, and a vertical support connected to the lateral arm and housing a ground-engaging leg. 
     
     
         6 . The stage system of  claim 5 , further including a remote control having a plurality of manual inputs which permit an operator to transmit signals to the primary stage unit causing the lateral supports to engage the ground or move to a stowed position. 
     
     
         7 . The stage system of  claim 1 , wherein each wheel unit is mounted within a support structure of the main frame, and includes a pair of wheel supports each supporting a wheel, and a vertical drive unit that raises and lowers the wheels through an opening in a floor of the support structure. 
     
     
         8 . The stage system of  claim 7 , further including a remote control having a plurality of manual inputs which permit an operator to transmit signals to the primary stage unit causing the vertical drive unit to raise and lower the wheels, causing the wheels to rotate in a forward direction and a reverse direction, and causing the wheel units to turn, thereby enabling steering of the primary stage unit to a desired location. 
     
     
         9 . The stage system of  claim 7 , wherein each wheel unit is rotatably mounted within the support structure to enable steering of the primary stage unit. 
     
     
         10 . The stage system of  claim 9 , wherein each wheel unit is rotatable independently of the other wheel unit to provide 360 degree steering of the primary stage unit and minimize damage to the surface over which the primary stage unit travels. 
     
     
         11 . The stage system of  claim 5 , wherein the main stage is mounted to a lift mechanism housed within the main frame configured to pivot the main stage between a stowed position and the in-use position, and raise and lower the main stage to a desired elevation. 
     
     
         12 . The stage system of  claim 11 , wherein the main stage includes a forward panel, a rearward panel, and an intermediate panel disposed between the forward panel and the rearward panel, the forward panel telescopically extending away from the rearward panel as the main stage pivots from the stowed position to the in-use position. 
     
     
         13 . The stage system of  claim 11 , wherein the main stage further includes a plurality of horizontal supports connected at one end to a forward edge beam and pivotally connected at another end to a support truss coupled to the lift mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The stage system of  claim 11 , further including a remote control including a transmitter configured to transmit signals to the primary stage unit to pivot the main stage between a substantially vertical stowed position and a substantially horizontal in-use position, to raise and lower the elevation of the main stage, and to tilt a forward edge of the main stage below a rearward edge of the main stage when the main stage is in the in-use position. 
     
     
         15 . The stage system of  claim 14 , wherein the lift mechanism is configured to permit tilting of the main stage in the in-use position by approximately 30 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The stage system of  claim 11 , wherein the lift mechanism includes a plurality of support trusses connected to the main stage, a lift truss connected to the support trusses, and a plurality of lift uprights mounted to the main frame of the primary stage unit. 
     
     
         17 . The stage system of  claim 16 , wherein each lift upright includes a pair of vertical columns and a hydraulic actuator coupled to a hydraulic control system housed within the primary stage unit, movement of the hydraulic actuator causes movement of the vertical columns, which moves the lift truss, the support trusses, and the main stage. 
     
     
         18 . The stage system of  claim 11 , wherein the lift mechanism is configured to support a load of approximately three tons. 
     
     
         19 . The stage system of  claim 1 , wherein the roof assembly includes a pair of telescopic support columns mounted to the main frame, each support column including a plurality of telescopically movable nested sections and supporting an extension support structure. 
     
     
         20 . The stage system of  claim 19 , wherein the roof assembly is configured to support a load of approximately three tons. 
     
     
         21 . The stage system of  claim 19 , wherein the extension support structure includes a plurality of roof joists that support a plurality of roof panels, the roof joists being telescopically movable substantially perpendicular to the support columns between a stowed position and the in-use position. 
     
     
         22 . The stage system of  claim 21 , further including a remote control having a plurality of manual inputs which permit an operator to transmit signals to the primary stage unit to retract and extend the support columns and to retract and extend the roof joists. 
     
     
         23 . The stage system of  claim 21 , wherein each support column includes a hydraulic cylinder which drives the movement of the nested sections. 
     
     
         24 . The stage system of  claim 21 , wherein each support column includes a measurement system for synchronizing movement of the support columns. 
     
     
         25 . The stage system of  claim 21 , wherein each roof joist includes a plurality of joist sections that support a corresponding plurality of roof panels such that when roof joists are extended to the in-use position, roof panels adjacent a forward edge of the roof assembly overlap adjacent roof panels disposed nearer to the support columns to permit rain to run toward a rearward edge of the roof assembly without falling onto the main stage. 
     
     
         26 . The stage system of  claim 21 , further including a plurality of lighting bars extending between the roof joists adjacent a forward edge of the roof assembly, and a plurality of lights mounted to the lighting bars for illuminating portions of the main stage. 
     
     
         27 . The stage system of  claim 26 , wherein at least some of the lights employ LED lighting technology. 
     
     
         28 . The stage system of  claim 1 , wherein the primary stage unit further includes a hydraulic control system and a generator for powering the hydraulic control system, lighting equipment associated with the primary stage unit, audio equipment associated with the primary stage unit, and video equipment associated with the primary stage unit. 
     
     
         29 . The stage system of  claim 1 , wherein the primary stage unit further includes a foldable rear screen mounted to a pair of columns supporting the roof assembly. 
     
     
         30 . The stage system of  claim 29 , wherein the primary stage unit further includes a video signboard mounted to a forward edge of the roof assembly, the video signboard being configured to provide high resolution textual displays approximately two feet tall. 
     
     
         31 . The stage system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary stage unit includes remotely actuated lateral supports that enable self-unloading of the secondary stage unit from a standard semi-truck trailer. 
     
     
         32 . The stage system of  claim 31 , wherein the secondary stage unit includes a combustion engine mounted in the container for powering a hydraulic actuator that actuates the lateral supports. 
     
     
         33 . The stage system of  claim 32 , further including a local control panel mounted to container including a transmitter configured to transmit signals to the activate the engine and to actuate the lateral supports. 
     
     
         34 . The stage system of  claim 31 , wherein the lateral supports include a pair of front lateral supports and a pair of rear lateral supports, each of the front and rear lateral supports including a a support housing mounted to the container, a telescopically movable lateral arm, and a vertical support connected to the lateral arm and housing a ground-engaging leg. 
     
     
         35 . The stage system of  claim 1 , wherein the container further includes front of house sound and lighting control equipment. 
     
     
         36 . The stage system of  claim 1 , wherein the stage buggies are stored in the container in a collapsed configuration supported on a floor of the container and the video buggies are stored in the container in a collapsed configuration suspended from a ceiling of the container. 
     
     
         37 . The stage system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the buggies includes a frame, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame, an engine, and a receiver/controller for receiving signals from a remote control and controlling movement of the buggy. 
     
     
         38 . The stage system of  claim 37 , further including a remote control including a transmitter configured to transmit signals to select a buggy to control, to start or stop the engine of the buggy, to cause the buggy to move forward or backward, to cause the wheels of the buggy to turn left or right, and to cause the receiver/controller to execute an auto-leveling sequence. 
     
     
         39 . The stage system of  claim 37 , wherein each stage buggy includes a pair of scissor lifts mounted to the frame and supporting a platform frame carrying the platform. 
     
     
         40 . The stage system of  claim 37 , wherein each stage buggy includes a pair of leveling outriggers mounted to the frame and including ground-engaging legs for supporting and leveling the stage buggy. 
     
     
         41 . The stage system of  claim 40 , wherein each ground-engaging leg includes a pressure sensor that provides a signal to the receiver/controller indicating that the leg has engaged the ground. 
     
     
         42 . The stage system of  claim 40 , wherein each receiver/controller includes a gravity sensor that indicates an angle of the platform in an X direction and a Y direction. 
     
     
         43 . The stage system of  claim 40 , wherein the platform is configured to be positioned by remote control in an X direction, a Y direction, and an angular direction theta when the ground-engaging legs support the stage buggy. 
     
     
         44 . The stage system of  claim 37 , wherein each video buggy includes a pair of scissor lifts mounted to the frame and supporting an upper frame carrying the display. 
     
     
         45 . The stage system of  claim 37 , wherein each video buggy includes a pair of leveling outriggers mounted to the frame and including ground-engaging legs for supporting and leveling the stage buggy. 
     
     
         46 . The stage system of  claim 45 , wherein each ground-engaging leg includes a pressure sensor that provides a signal to the receiver/controller indicating that the leg has engaged the ground. 
     
     
         47 . The stage system of  claim 37 , wherein each video buggy frame includes an upper frame that defines an interior volume for receiving the display, and a pair of actuators connected between the upper frame and the display for hydraulically pivoting the display from a stowed position substantially within the interior volume and an in-use position substantially perpendicular to the upper frame. 
     
     
         48 . The stage system of  claim 47 , wherein the display includes an upper half and a lower half, and is foldable onto itself about a substantially central axis into a folded configuration, the display being in the folded configuration when in the stowed position. 
     
     
         49 . The stage system of  claim 48 , wherein the display moves from the folded configuration to a substantially planar configuration as it is hydraulically pivoted from the stowed position to the in-use position. 
     
     
         50 . The stage system of  claim 47 , wherein each video buggy further includes a pair of speakers that are configured for hydraulic pivoting by the actuators from a stowed position in the interior volume of the upper frame to an in-use position substantially perpendicular to the upper frame. 
     
     
         51 . A rapidly deployable stage system, including:
 a primary stage unit having
 a frame, 
 a plurality of lateral supports connected to the frame for supporting the primary stage unit, 
 a pair of wheel units connected to the frame for moving the primary stage unit, 
 a lift mechanism, 
 a main stage floor configured to be lifted and tilted by the lift mechanism, 
 a roof assembly mounted to support columns that extend vertically and including joists that extend substantially laterally, and 
 a remote control configured to operate the lateral supports, the wheel units, the lift mechanism and the roof assembly; and 
   a secondary stage unit having
 at least one stage buggy having an engine and an adjustable platform configured to expand the area of the main stage floor, 
 at least one video buggy having an engine and a display, and 
 a remote control configured to operate the stage buggies. 
   
     
     
         52 . The stage system of  claim 51 , wherein the primary stage unit, when in a stowed configuration, has a volume that is approximately the same as a volume of a standard cargo container, and the secondary stage unit includes a container having a volume that is approximately the same as a volume of a standard cargo container. 
     
     
         53 . The stage system of  claim 51 , further including a local control panel mounted to the primary stage unit including a transmitter configured to transmit signals to the primary stage unit to activate a generator mounted to the primary stage unit, and actuate the lateral supports to perform self-unloading of the primary stage unit. 
     
     
         54 . The stage system of  claim 53 , wherein the local control panel further includes a level button, activation of which transmits a signal to a controller of the primary stage unit causing the controller to control the lateral supports through an auto-leveling sequence which adjusts the positions of ground-engaging legs of the lateral supports, as necessary, to cause the primary stage unit to assume a substantially level orientation. 
     
     
         55 . The stage system of  claim 51 , wherein each wheel unit is mounted within a support structure of the frame, and includes a pair of wheel supports each supporting a wheel, and a vertical drive unit that raises and lowers the wheels through an opening in a floor of the support structure. 
     
     
         56 . The stage system of  claim 55 , wherein the remote control of the primary stage unit includes a plurality of manual inputs which permit an operator to transmit signals to the primary stage unit causing the vertical drive unit to raise and lower the wheels, causing the wheels to rotate in a forward direction and a reverse direction, and causing the wheel units to turn, thereby enabling steering of the primary stage unit to a desired location. 
     
     
         57 . The stage system of  claim 51 , wherein the remote control includes a transmitter configured to transmit signals to the primary stage unit to cause the lift mechanism to pivot the main stage floor between a substantially vertical stowed position and a substantially horizontal in-use position, to raise and lower the elevation of the main stage floor, and to tilt a forward edge of the main stage floor below a rearward edge of the main stage floor when the main stage floor is in the in-use position. 
     
     
         58 . The stage system of  claim 51 , wherein each support column of the roof assembly includes a plurality of telescopically movable nested sections supporting an extension support structure including the joists. 
     
     
         59 . The stage system of  claim 51 , wherein the roof joists support a plurality of roof panels, and are telescopically movable substantially perpendicular to the support columns between a stowed position and the in-use position. 
     
     
         60 . The stage system of  claim 58 , wherein each support column includes a hydraulic cylinder which drives the movement of the nested sections. 
     
     
         61 . The stage system of  claim 51 , wherein the primary stage unit further includes a hydraulic control system and a generator for powering the hydraulic control system, which in turn powers the lateral supports, the lift mechanism, the roof assembly, and lighting, audio, and video equipment associated with the primary stage unit. 
     
     
         62 . The stage system of  claim 51 , wherein the secondary stage unit includes remotely actuated lateral supports that enable self-unloading of the secondary stage unit from a standard semi-truck trailer. 
     
     
         63 . The stage system of  claim 62 , wherein the secondary stage unit includes a combustion engine for powering a hydraulic actuator that actuates the lateral supports. 
     
     
         64 . The stage system of  claim 51 , wherein the at least one stage buggy is stored in a container in a collapsed configuration supported on a floor of the container and the at least one video buggy is stored in the container in a collapsed configuration suspended from a ceiling of the container. 
     
     
         65 . A method for rapidly deploying a stage system, including the steps of:
 using a first control unit to deploy lateral supports of a primary stage unit to engage the ground and lift the primary stage unit off of a trailer;   using the first control unit to deploy and control wheel units mounted to the primary stage unit to move the primary stage unit to a desired location;   using the first control unit to deploy a main stage of the primary stage unit into an in-use position by pivoting and raising the main stage; and   using the first control unit to deploy a roof assembly of the primary stage unit into an in-use position by moving a plurality of roof panels vertically relative to the main stage and telescopically extending the roof panels substantially horizontally relative to the main stage.   
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , further including the steps of:
 using a second control unit to deploy lateral supports of a secondary stage unit to engage the ground and lift the secondary stage unit off of a trailer;   using a third control unit to activate an engine of a stage buggy stored in a container of the secondary stage unit and steer the stage buggy out of the container and into a desired position relative to the primary stage unit such that a platform of the stage buggy expands an area of the main stage; and   using the third control unit to activate an engine of a video buggy stored in the container and steer the video buggy out of the container and into a desired position relative to the primary stage unit such that a display of the video buggy is adjacent the main stage.   
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein all of the steps are performed in less than one hour.