Electrical connectors – With supporting means for coupling part – Interfitting with channel or double rail
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-20
2002-12-24
Bradley, P. Austin (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With supporting means for coupling part
Interfitting with channel or double rail
C439S114000, C362S383000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06497586
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to support members used for attachment of lighting and electrical components. More particularly it relates to a structural truss device for use in construction of theatrical lighting and mounting of electrical components such as spotlights, and speakers, over stages used by entertainers. The device provides a combination of an enclosed conduit for routing electrical wires and control wires protected from external harm while inside the interior cavity. The device further provides a track for the adjustable mounting of lights and other heavy stage electrical equipment therefrom along with and a removable sidewall which provides access to the wires communicating through the enclosed conduit. Optional compression bolts may be used to increase compaction on the sidewall in its mountings and to also allow for mounting to support structures or wires if desired.
2. Prior Art
Modern stage productions frequently involve the necessity of overhead lights, sound system equipment, and other electronic equipment used during the production on the stage. With the advent of modern traveling rock bands and theater productions, the stages used for the production in question frequently moves from city to city on a weekly if not daily basis. Consequently the components used for installation of light and sound and other electronic equipment for such productions must provide for easy installation, removal, and reinstallation at frequently changing venues. Even productions that are static in that they do not move still require the installation of many overhead lights and other electrical equipment necessary for a modern theatrical production.
Currently, the installation of lights and sound equipment above stages is accomplished by the mounting of trusses which traverse the stage and are supported by end posts and cables and other conventional manner. The beams used for this type of support generally are round and of a length sufficient to traverse the distance required. The lighting or speakers or other equipment suspended from the beams are generally bolted to the exterior or attached using compression clamps or similar compression type fittings that grip the exterior surface of the support beam.
Since electric components require wires to power them and to control any remote movement aspects such as motors to change the direction of attached spotlights, this wiring must also communicate between the attached components and the power source or remote control device that controls their movement. This wiring is conventionally attached at the exterior of the support beam using plastic ties or rope or other manner to hold the wires to the support beam and out of the viewing area of the stage.
A number of problems arise in this mode of construction and wiring for the heavy devices such as spotlights and speakers used on a modern stage. First, the wiring being mounted on the outside of the support structure is subject to constant damage from abrasion from heavy poles adjacent to the support beam. Further, on stages designed for rapid deployment in venues in different cities, the constant removal and reinstallation of the wires in this manner subjects them to constant risk of damage from abrasion and impact during construction and removal of the stage structure.
Further, problems arise in the mounting of the heavy lighting and sound equipment from the support beams. Generally such heavy components are attached to the support beams using compression fittings such as “C” clamps that grip the support beam and must be tightened to a point that the clamp will not slide or rotate on the support. If the clamp loosens from vibration the light or speaker or other device will become disoriented from its intended direction. Also, the very nature of the intense compression needed to insure a firm mount to the support beam exterior also insures a hard time uninstalling the component due to the force needed to decompress the fitting on the structure. Such a compression mounting also causes delays in the installation of the equipment on new venues due to the time involved in mechanically turning the compression screws or other devices required to achieve a safe and secure mount above the performers.
Additional concerns arise with the connection point of the electrical device to the communicated power source or control device. Generally the high current draw of spotlights require thick wiring for supply and communication of a high amperage power supply to the light. Most such wires terminate at a pin connector which has male and female components to allow connection and disconnection of the light or speaker or other component from the wiring supplying it. These pin connectors are also subject to damage during installation on stage structures that are constantly being installed and dismantled. Further, they are subject to disconnection if the communicating components of the pin connectors are not properly mated and held together during installation.
As such, a need is ever present for an easily installed system of overhead support structures for stage lighting, speakers, and other electrical components mounted overhead in modern stage productions such as rock concerts and plays. Such a system should allow for easy assembly and disassembly for shows that travel to new venues on a constant basis. Such a system should also provide protection from damage to the electrical cables supplying the mounted components. Finally such a system needs to provide a very secure mount to the heavy components mounted upon it, while concurrently providing an easy manner to achieve that mount and to adjust that mount if needed. Additional utility from such a system would be provided by the ability to pre configure the support structure to individual stage construction and thereafter allow very fast installation of the wiring and components using the pre configured support beams and internally mounted wiring and pin connections.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,003 (Shemitz) addresses a universal track mounting system to provide modular construction, however Shemitz does not provide for an easy mount of components on the support structure since in requires a clamp clamps about the entire structure. Further Shemiz makes no provision for the large wiring required by high current drawing stage lighting and similar components and access to such wiring during installation or prefabrication.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,315 (Shen) teaches a structure for clamping of lamps to a support that provides a track for power to the lights however Shen does not provide for the many varying types of speakers, spotlights, and remote control wiring that must be individually communicated to the many components mounted to a stage support truss. Neither does it provide any easy manner to access that wiring if needed.
As such, there exists a need for an easily and inexpensively manufactured system of components that may be readily assembled into a stage lighting and sound system over a stage production. Such a system would provide a protected conduit for the individual control and power supply cables that must communicate with each individually supported lighting, sound, or other device attached to support members. Such a system would provide easy access to the conduit while concurrently providing the weight bearing attributes of the support beam to carry the heavy components used for stage productions. Further such a system would provide for easy assembly and disassembly of the stage lighting and sound systems for productions that change venue frequently, or stages that change shows frequently and thereby require different structures for the different shows being shown on the stage at different times.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Applicants' device is an easily configured and installed system for structural truss system for providing an adjustable mechanical mount using a track for the heavy lighting, sound, and other components used overhead in stage productions.
The system features a track formed upon the
Bradley P. Austin
Harms Donn K.
Nguyen Truc
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