Tower Shuttle for Mobile Stage Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile performance stages require significant labor and time to assemble and disassemble, often causing damage to the stage deck and towers, and there is a need for a system that minimizes labor, time, and wear on components.
Innovation Solution
A tower shuttle system featuring a connection post with a socket joint mounted on a caster cart, allowing a single operator to easily position and secure structural towers without damaging the stage deck, using a ball-and-socket interconnection for directional movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple laborers manually drag and raise stage towers, then the stage can be assembled, but the stage deck and towers suffer damage and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tower-erecting apparatus as an intermediary device between the laborers and the stage towers. This apparatus includes a base platform with ball-socket connections that receive tower bases, allowing towers to be raised and positioned without directly dragging them across the stage deck. The intermediary apparatus absorbs the mechanical stress and prevents direct contact between the towers and the deck surface, thereby eliminating damage while maintaining assembly capability.
2Productivity
If four laborers are used to raise the stage roof, then the assembly can be completed, but labor costs and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tower-erecting apparatus is designed to be self-sufficient in performing the tower-raising function. The base platform with ball-socket connections automatically guides and secures the towers as they are positioned, eliminating the need for multiple laborers to manually coordinate the raising process. The apparatus itself provides the mechanical advantage and positioning capability, reducing the human effort from four laborers to a minimal number of operators who simply guide the towers into the apparatus.
3Loss of time
If traditional manual methods are used to position towers, then assembly can be completed, but significant time and labor resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The tower-erecting apparatus is segmented into modular components: a base platform with multiple ball-socket connection points, individual socket joints for each tower, and a caster-equipped cart for mobility. This segmentation allows the apparatus to be compact when not in use (folding the cart legs and positioning components) and rapidly deployed when needed. The modular design enables quick setup and teardown, reducing the time loss associated with assembling and storing the apparatus itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable, transformable structure utilizing a tower shuttle apparatus for converting the structure from a closed, transportable unit to an open, stationary unit. The tower shuttle includes a connection post, including a socket joint, connected to a shuttle cart on casters. The socket joint is capable of receiving a ball connection at the base of a structural tower affixed to the transformable structure. This connection allows a single operator to fully assemble a mobile performance stage or other transportable, transformable structure with ease and with no damage to the stage deck. The tower shuttle allows the towers to be moved into position no matter the required direction.