Granted Patent B2

US 8,789,335 · App. 13/557,768 · Granted Jul 29, 2014

Abstract

Claims (54)

1. A portable structure comprising

a plurality of beams having a first engagement feature; and

a plurality of junction devices having a second engagement feature;

the first engagement features and corresponding second engagement features being rigidly engagable, the rigidly engaged engagement features defining a multi-point connection therebetween;

wherein each multi-point connection includes at least two sets of an individual engagement portion of the first engagement feature of the beam engaging a corresponding individual engagement portion of a corresponding second engagement feature of the junction device;

wherein the engagement features being manually actuatable and self-contained;

wherein articulating linkage being actuatable to achieve rigid engagement between the first engagement feature and the corresponding second engagement feature.

2. The structure of claim 1 , wherein when engaged with one another, at least a portion of at least one of the engagement features between a beam of the plurality of beams and a corresponding junction device of the plurality of junction devices is actuatable between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

3. The structure of claim 2 , wherein the portion of the at least one of the engagement features achieves a fail-safe engagement when in the engaged position.

4. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the junction devices have interlocking frame members.

5. The structure of claim 4 , wherein the interlocking frame members are substantially orthogonally positioned.

6. The structure of claim 5 , wherein the interlocking frame members define a tick-tack-toe profile.

7. The structure of claim 4 , wherein at least two interlocking frame members are substantially identical.

8. The structure of claim 1 , wherein one of the engagement features includes a pair of pins.

9. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the pins of the pair of pins are parallel to each other.

10. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the pins of the pair of pins are offset from each other relative to a facing wall of the junction device.

11. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the beams extend substantially orthogonally relative to one another.

12. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the junction devices have a third engagement feature for engaging substantially vertically oriented beams.

13. The structure of claim 12 , wherein the third engagement feature is configured to secure decking thereto.

14. A method for providing a portable structure, comprising

providing a plurality of beams having a first engagement feature;

providing a plurality of junction devices having a second engagement feature, the first engagement features and corresponding second engagement features being rigidly engagable and self-contained;

directing a first engagement feature of a beam of the plurality of beams and a corresponding second engagement feature of a junction device of the plurality of junction devices into engagement therebetween; and

manually rigidly engaging the corresponding first and second engagement features to form multi-point connections therebetween, wherein each multi-point connection includes at least two sets of an individual engagement portion of the first engagement feature of the beam engaging a corresponding individual engagement portion of a corresponding second engagement feature of the junction device, wherein articulating linkage being actuatable to achieve rigid engagement between the first engagement feature and the corresponding second engagement feature.

15. The method of claim 14 , comprising

repeatedly directing corresponding first and second engagement features into engagement and manually rigidly engaging the corresponding first and second engagement features of respective beams and junction devices to form a first tier;

repeatedly directing corresponding first and second engagement features into engagement and manually rigidly engaging the corresponding first and second engagement features of respective beams and junction devices to form a second tier;

raising the first tier above the second tier;

positioning a plurality of beams between the first tier and the second tier, engagement features of the plurality of beams and corresponding junction devices of the second tier being engaged; and

lowering the first tier, the engagement features of beams of the plurality of beams positioned between the first tier and the second tier and further positioned opposite the second tier being engaged with corresponding engagement features of junction devices of the first tier.

16. The method of claim 15 , comprising providing a plurality of decking for securing to the tiers.

17. The method of claim 15 , comprising securing adjustable cables to junction devices that are substantially vertically positioned relative to each other, the collective first tier and second tier defining a multiple tier assembly.

18. The method of claim 17 , comprising

repeatedly directing corresponding first and second engagement features into engagement and manually rigidly engaging the corresponding first and second engagement features of respective beams and junction devices to form a third tier;

raising the multiple tier assembly above the third tier;

positioning a plurality of beams between the third tier and the second tier of the multiple tier assembly, engagement features of the plurality of beams and corresponding junction devices of the third tier being engaged; and

lowering the multiple tier assembly, the engagement features of beams of the plurality of beams positioned between the third tier and the second tier of the multiple tier assembly and further positioned opposite the third tier being engaged with corresponding engagement features of junction devices of the second tier of the multiple tier assembly.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising

raising the first tier and the second tier of the multiple tier assembly, the engagement features of beams of the plurality of beams positioned between the third tier and the second tier of the multiple tier assembly and further positioned opposite the third tier being disengaged from corresponding engagement features of junction devices of the second tier of the multiple tier assembly;

removing the plurality of beams positioned between the third tier and the second tier of the multiple tier assembly;

lowering the multiple tier assembly adjacent the third tier;

disassembling the third tier;

removing adjustable cables from the multiple tier assembly comprising the first tier, the second tier and the plurality of beams positioned between the first tier and the second tier of the multiple tier assembly;

raising the first tier, the engagement features of beams of the plurality of beams positioned between the second tier and the first tier and further positioned opposite the second tier of the multiple tier assembly being disengaged from corresponding engagement features of junction devices of the first tier;

removing the plurality of beams positioned between the first tier and the second tier of the multiple tier assembly;

lowering the first tier adjacent the second tier;

disassembling the first tier; and

disassembling the second tier.

20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising

raising the first tier, the engagement features of beams of the plurality of beams positioned between the second tier and the first tier consists/and further positioned opposite the second tier of the multiple tier assembly being disengaged from corresponding engagement features of junction devices of the first tier;

removing the plurality of beams positioned between the first tier and the second tier of the multiple tier assembly;

lowering the first tier adjacent the second tier;

disassembling the first tier; and

disassembling the second tier.

Assignments (12)