Modular portable system

A method for assembling a modular portable stage system comprising the steps of:

• (a) selectively positioning at least four modular vertical support members according to a selectively predetermined floor plan for the portable stage system;
• (b) selectively positioning at least five modular horizontal support members according to the selectively predetermined floor plan, at least four of the horizontal support members being positioned between at least two of the vertical support members and least one of the horizontal support members being positioned only between two other horizontal support members;
• (c) utilizing at least ten universal connector mechanisms to connect the vertical support members and horizontal support members together as a frame support structure for the portable stage system without the use of any tools, at least eight of the universal connector mechanisms being utilized for detachably coupling one of the vertical support members to one of the horizontal support members in a slidably interlocking manner and at least two of the universal connector mechanisms being utilized for detachably coupling two of the horizontal support members in a slidably interlocking manner, and
• (d) supporting a plurality of modular deck panels on the frame support structure,
• such that the frame support structure is assembled by slidably interlocking together the vertical support members and the horizontal support members using the universal connector mechanisms so that each deck panel will be supported on the frame support structure by at least two horizontal support members.

A modular portable stage system comprising:

• a plurality of modular deck panels;
• at least four modular vertical supports;
• at least four modular horizontal members support means, each of the horizontal members being connected between at least two of the vertical supports or between two other horizontal members such that the horizontal members provide direct vertical support to the deck panels;
• and
• at least eight universal connector means, each of the universal connector means for detachably coupling one of the vertical supports to one of the horizontal members in a slidably interlocking manner or for detachably coupling two of the horizontal members together in a slidably interlocking manner, and including:
• a male fitting permanently connected to the vertical support or the horizontal member comprised of a generally vertically-oriented convex arcuate surface and a pair of opposed engagement margins supported by a support wall, all of which are integral with and extend horizontally from the vertical support or the horizontal member;
• and
• a female receptor permanently connected to the horizontal member comprised of a generally vertically-oriented concave arcuate surface corresponding in shape to the generally vertically-oriented convex arcuate surface of the male fitting and a pair of opposed engagement tabs supported by a base, all of which are integral with and extend horizontally from the horizontal member,
• such that the female receptor is positioned above the male fitting and slidably interlocked onto the male fitting to create the universal connector means.

A vertical support member for connecting with other like vertical support members and a plurality of horizontal support members that form a frame support structure for a stage or flooring system, the vertical support member comprising:

• a generally tubular leg portion having a plurality of generally longitudinal ribs defined around either the inner or outer longitudinal surface of the tubular leg, the ribs defining a plurality of continuous, longitudinal channels therebetween and each rib having a lower mating surface at the lowermost end of the tubular leg portion;
• an extension leg means for slidably mating with the tubular leg portion in a concentric manner and having a plurality of longitudinal rib portions defined around the opposite of the longitudinal surfaces on which the ribs are defined on the tubular leg portion for slidably engaging one or more corresponding longitudinal channels in the tubular leg portion, each rib portion having a plurality of generally vertical ribs defining a plurality of non-continuous rib section having an upper mating surface and being separated from adjacent longitudinal rib portions by at least one longitudinally spaced apart circumferential grooves;
• and
• collar means operably connected to the tubular leg portion for selectively rotating about the tubular leg portion and the extension leg portion,
• such that the extension leg portion can be slid upward or downward along the longitudinal channels until the lowermost end of the tubular leg portion is positioned at one of the circumferential grooves whereat the collar means can selectively rotating about the tubular leg portion so that the lower mating surface of the ribs of the tubular leg portion are supported by the upper mating surfaces of the rib sections of one of the rib portions of the extension leg portion.

A modular horizontal support member for a frame support structure of a portable stage system that when assembled can support a plurality of modular deck panels, the horizontal support member comprising:

• an upper and a lower longitudinal peripheral member;
• a load bearing support panel integrally interposed between the upper and lower longitudinal peripheral members;
• and
• a pair of side fittings integrally attached, one at each end, between the upper and lower longitudinal peripheral members, each side fitting presenting an exterior surface adapted to mate with a compatible fitting on a vertical support member of the portable stage system.