Permanent outdoor stage for home use

Abstract

The disclosed invention is a permanent, low-profile outdoor stage that resulted from achievement of objectives to build a home-based site for developing performing artists to practice their art. The stage's performance floor simulates floor-features on which users normally carry out training, recitals and competitions. Between practice sessions the stage can be left uncovered and unattended without being damaged by environmental elements while still retaining its desired original structural and functional qualities. The stage's novelty pertains to composition of its performance floor that is made of matte-finished high-density polyethylene, and the process by which this surface is anchored to the stage's rigid base. The stage is functionally spacious, strong and safe. This stage's novel performance floor, its potential extended utility, its durability against outdoor environmental conditions, and its carefree maintenance combine to make the invention unique in its field.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 602,931 filed on May 12, 2017.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention (referred to in the proceeding narrative as “current invention”) relates to performance stages or platforms designed for permanent placement and use outdoors in a home setting by developing performing artists.2. Description of Prior Art[0003]The utility of prior art (Pat. Application No. JP3185536U, and Pat. No. CN205502649U, U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,241, U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,596, U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,425, U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,004 A, U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,586 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,592) separately addresses topics pertinent to the current invention such as surface qualities of stage floors, an outdoor ambience for a stage performance, and the value of weatherable materials for outdoor floors. While prior art creations may serve purposes they address, they are not suitable f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a stage that is sturdy, mobile, and safe for users. It offers a flat and smooth surface that allows users to practice and compete in a spacious and challenging environment. The stage is designed to withstand harsh natural conditions and harm to users' body or performance-related wear is prevented. It is suitable for outdoor practice without the need for constant maintenance. The load-limit of the stage is defined by its capacity to support the combined weight of ten adults with no perceptible signs of stress to the stage's structure.

Problems solved by technology

While prior art creations may serve purposes they address, they are not suitable for an individual performance stage or platform designed for permanent placement and use outdoors in a home setting so young, developing dancers or like performing artists can practice their art.

This performance stage is designed to serve multiple performers and is not intended for individual use at home.

However, this prior art is designed for tap dancers, to the exclusion of other performing artists.

Being susceptible to outside environmental elements, this platform would not last if placed in an outdoor setting on a permanent basis.

These modules are designed to be placed on top of another floor surface, not suitable for dancing.

Both Mitchell's and Vershum's prior art disclosures focus on the use of weatherable floor coverings suitable for outdoor use, rubber in one case and plastic in the other, but do not specifically address the utility of using these coverings for a stage to be placed outdoors on a permanent basis for personal use at home.

Such obtrusions would prevent full expression of performance-related body movements of users and present potential safety issues, especially regarding footwear.

While prior art creations are imaginative and suitable for purposes intended, they do not serve the purpose addressed by the current invention.

However, such venues can be costly, require time-consuming travel, and are conditioned by scheduling availability, often leading to inconvenient and irregular rehearsals.

Relative to these requirements, commonly available outside venues only partially meet desired needs as a practice site.

Concrete surfaces, such as driveways, sidewalks, or stoned patio and poolside areas provide a flat surface, are enduring and require minimal upkeep, but do not possess other performance-related qualities found at users authentic practice sites.

The roughness and rigidity of concrete or stoned surfaces inhibit routines and imaginative movements of performers and damage delicate footwear.

Wooden decks made of weather-resistant lumber and painted to resist outside environmental elements are flat, sturdy and enduring, but present too many obtrusive seams and warp or splinter over time, hindering performance-related body movements and presenting safety issues.

Clearly, depressions and protrusions in a performance floor are considered flaws that must be mitigated.

Glue that holds laminated wood together when chronically exposed to moisture breaks down, causing the wood to warp, crack, delaminate and splinter.

However, such floors are made of weather-affected parts that dictate they be used outdoors only on a temporary basis.

However, prior art does not include an outdoor dance stage that is designed for personal use and permanent placement outside the home, that possesses surface qualities like those at authentic sites where users are taught, have recitals or compete, and that can endure outdoors long-term without concern for day-to-day upkeep.

Images