Self-leveling platform system, self-leveling supports, and method of assembling a self-leveling platform system

Abstract

A platform system for leveling a stage includes at least two module assemblies, each including at least two receiving members being releasably secured to each other. At least two first supports are engaged and removably secured to the at least two receiving members, at least one receiving member present is not engaged or secured to a first support. Each first support includes an elongate portion, an extendible portion extendible from and lockingly engageable with the elongate portion, a base member removably attached to the extendible portion. A retention system is configured to engage and lockingly secure the extendible portion to form a first support of desired length, and at least one second support releasably connected to a first support and module assembly. The retention system is configured to rapidly extend and lockingly engage the extendible portion, the base member providing self-leveling of each of the module assemblies of the stage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A platform system for leveling a stage, the platform system comprising:
 at least two module assemblies, each module assembly including at least two receiving members and being releasably secured to each other;   at least two first supports engaged and removably secured to the at least two receiving members, wherein at least one receiving member present is not engaged or secured to a first support, each first support comprising:
 an elongate portion; 
 an extendible portion extendible from and lockingly engageable with the elongate portion; 
 a base member removably attached to the extendible portion; and 
 a retention system configured to engage and lockingly secure the extendible portion to form a first support of a desired length; and 
   at least one second support releasably connected to a first support and a module assembly;   wherein the retention system is configured to rapidly extend and lockingly engage the extendible portion and the base member to provide self-leveling of each of the one or more module assemblies of the stage.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including one or more walkout ramps operative to connect to a main platform system. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retention system includes an actuator and a biasing device in communication with the actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the biasing device is configured to bias the actuator into a locked position, thereby lockingly securing the extendible portion of the first support and preventing movement of the extendible portion within the elongate portion of the first support. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator is configured to slide along an axis that forms an angle with a longitudinal axis of the extendible portion, wherein the angle is from about 14 degrees to about 34 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the extendible portion includes a reception system operable to engage the retention system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the reception system includes longitudinally spaced openings, recesses, protrusions, and combinations thereof on an exterior surface of the extendible portion. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the reception system is configured to cooperate with and engage the retention system, thereby locking the extendible portion of the first support in a locked position. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein activating an actuator disengages the retention system from the reception system. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein activating the actuator releases the retention system from the reception system, allowing gravity to extend the extendible portion downward to engage the underlying surface. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base member includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a pivot device operable to rotate the base member relative to a longitudinal axis of the extendible portion. 
     
     
         12 . A method of assembling a platform system for leveling a stage, the platform system comprising:
 providing at least two module assemblies including at least two receiving members;   providing at least two first supports, the first supports comprising:
 an elongate portion including a first end and a second end; 
 an extendible portion operable to extend from the second end of the elongate portion; 
 a retention system; 
 a base member removably attached to the extendible portion; and 
   securing the first end of each elongate portion of the at least two first supports to the at least two receiving members, wherein at least one receiving member present is not engaged or secured to a first support;   varying the length of the at least two first supports by extending the extendible portion from the second end of the elongate portion until the at least two module assemblies of the stage are positioned at a predetermined approximately level horizontal elevation; and   lockingly engaging the extendible portion with the retention system to secure the at least two first supports in an extended and leveled position, the base member engaging an underlying surface.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein varying the length of the at least two first supports includes actuating the retention system includes an actuator assembly secured to the elongate portion and in communication with the extendible portion, the actuator assembly includes an actuator and a biasing device in communication with the actuator, the biasing device configured to bias the actuator into a locked position, thereby lockingly securing the extendible portion of the first support and preventing movement of the extendible portion within the elongate portion of the first support. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the extendible portion includes a reception system operable to engage the retention system. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the reception system is configured to cooperate with and engage the retention system of the actuator, thereby locking the extendible portion of the support in a locked position. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein activating the actuator disengages the retention system from the reception system. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further including retracting the extendible portion back into the elongate portion, lockingly engaging the elongate portion into a storage position.