US 5,651,405 AGranted

Portable acoustic shell

AssigneeWenger Corporation

InventorsDavid R. Boeddeker, Gary M. Benting, Leslie R. Abraham

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An improved collapsible stage panel assembly having a base, a vertical panel rigidly attached to the base, an intermediate panel pivotally connected to the top of the rigid vertical panel, a canopy panel pivotally connected to the intermediate panel and a kicker panel pivotally connected to the bottom of the rigid vertical panel. The stage panel assembly has a mechanical assisting device between the rigid vertical panel and the intermediate panel to provide a counter balancing force against the combined weights of the intermediate and canopy panels. A second mechanical assisting device extends between the intermediate panel and the canopy panel to provide a counter balancing force against the weight of the canopy panel. An automatic locking device provides for the locking of the intermediate panel in its extended position relative to the rigid vertical panel when the intermediate panel is placed in its extended position. The improved panel assembly allows for easier conversion between the extended configuration of the panel assembly suitable for combination with other such assemblies to form an acoustic reflecting shell and the folded storage configuration where the panels can be nested together for storage in a minimum of space.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A portable, collapsible stage panel assembly being shiftable between a stored disposition and an extended performance disposition and having a plurality of panels, each of said panels presenting a forward directed face for presentation to an audience and a rearward directed face having a plurality of components disposed thereon for assisting in shifting the stage panel assembly between the folded stored disposition and the extended performance disposition, comprising:

a base;
a generally vertical first panel presenting a top margin and a bottom margin and being rigidly attached to said base;
a second panel pivotally connected to said first panel and selectively shiftable between a folded storage position and an extended performance position vertically extending from the top margin of said bottom panel;
a third panel presenting a top margin and a bottom margin and being pivotally connected to said second panel and selectively shiftable between a folded storage position and an extended performance position at an angle relative to said second panel, said third panel having a plurality of support brackets, each of said support brackets presenting a cantilever portion extending beyond the bottom margin of the third panel;
a first mechanical assisting means, operably coupling said second panel to said first panel, for moderating the shifting of said second panel relative to said first panel to assist an operator in extending or storing said second panel and for over-center locking of said second panel in the extended performance disposition;
second mechanical assisting means, having biasing means operably coupling said third panel to said second panel, said biasing means having a first end operably coupled to said second panel and having a second end operably coupled to the cantilever portion of a selected third panel support bracket, the second mechanical assisting means for moderating the shifting of said third panel relative to said second panel to assist an operator in extending or storing said third panel;
a first pivotable control handle operably coupled to said second panel for controlling the shifting of said second panel relative to said first panel between said folded storage position and said extended position, having a first end operably pivotally coupled to said second panel proximate a first side thereof and a second end operably pivotally coupled to said second panel proximate a second side thereof;
and
wherein said first and second mechanical assisting means provide for ergonomic opening and closing of the collapsible stage panel assembly.

6 more elements

A portable, collapsible stage panel assembly comprising:

a base;
a generally vertical first panel presenting a top margin and a bottom margin and being rigidly attached to said base;
a second panel pivotally connected to said first panel and selectively shiftable between a folded storage position and an extended position vertically extending from the top margin of said bottom panel;
a third panel pivotally connected to said second panel and selectively shiftable between a folded storage position and an extended position at an angle relative to the top of said second panel;
a first mechanical assisting means, operably coupling said second panel to said first panel, for moderating the shifting of said second panel relative to said first panel to assist an operator in extending or storing said second panel;
second mechanical assisting means, operably coupling said third panel to said second panel, for moderating the shifting of said third panel relative to said second panel to assist an operator in extending or storing said third panel;
a first control handle operably coupled to said second panel for controlling the shifting of said second panel relative to said first panel between said folded storage position and said extended position;
wherein said first and second mechanical assisting means provide for ergonomic opening and closing of the collapsible stage panel assembly;
and
an automatic locking means for locking said second panel in said extended position when said second panel is lifted with said first control handle said locking means having
at least two first channel frames coupled to a surface of said first panel, said first channel frames having essentially hollow cores;
and
at least two second channel frames coupled to a surface of said second panel, having essentially hollow cores and a slide bolt slidably engaged within each hollow core, said second channel frames being operably aligned with said first channel frames permitting the slide bolts to selectively slide incrementally through said second channel frame cores and operably engage said first channel frames.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/390,744Filed 16 Feb 1995 · continuation in part
Priority: 15 Aug 1994
Granted: 29 Jul 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

E04B 1/8236
Screens ; Arrangements of sound-absorbing elements, e.g. baffles: stage shells
E04H 3/24
Theatres; Concert halls; Studios for broadcasting, cinematography, television or similar purposes: constructional features of stages
E04B
General building constructions
E04H
Buildings or like structures for particular purposes