PERFORMANCE FLOOR ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM

Abstract

A floor assembly for a performance space is disclosed. The assembly has a planar resilient floor board supported above a base board on a primary support system comprising a plurality of resilient (preferably elastomeric) supports. A secondary support system comprises a plurality of fixed support members and a plurality of movable support members. Each movable support member is movable in a direction parallel to the plane of the floor board between a first position spaced from a corresponding fixed support member such that the floor board is unsupported by the support members and a second position in contact with the corresponding fixed support member such that the floor board is supported by the support members. In the first position, the floor board is in a sprung configuration and in the second position, the floor board is in an unsprung configuration. The invention therefore provides a performance floor which is switchable between sprung and unsprung configurations.

Claims

1. A floor assembly for a performance space, the performance space providing a support surface for the floor assembly, the floor assembly comprising: a planar resilient floor board supported by a primary support system comprising a plurality of resilient supports for load-bearing support by the support surface, and a secondary support system comprising a plurality of corresponding pairs of support members, each pair comprising a fixed support member and a movable support member, wherein the movable support member is movable in a direction parallel to the plane of the floor board between a first position spaced from the fixed support member such that the floor board is unsupported by the support members and a second position in contact with the fixed support member such that the floor board is supported by the support members.

2. The floor assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixed and movable support members are made from a non-elastomeric and preferably a non-resilient material.

3. The floor assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixed support member is attached to the underside of the floor board.

4. The floor assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixed support member is formed from a plurality of smaller support pads spaced from each other.

5. The floor assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixed support member is provided with a rounded or angled edge facing the direction of movement of the movable support member.

6. The floor assembly of claim 1, wherein the movable support member is provided with a rounded or angled edge facing the direction of movement of the movable support member.

7. The floor assembly of claim 1, wherein the movable support member is movable in a linear direction parallel to the plane of the floor board.

8. The floor assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of movable support members are mounted on a track and connected so as to be movable together.

9. A modular floor system for a performance space comprising a plurality of interconnected floor assemblies of claim 1.

10. The modular floor system of claim 9, wherein the floor system is configured such that the configuration of the secondary support system of each assembly may be independently set.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a floor assembly for a theatre stage in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention in an unsprung configuration;

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic plan view of the floor assembly of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIGS. 3A and 3B show schematic section views along line 3-3 of FIGS. 1 and 2, in sprung and unsprung configurations respectively;

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a schematic section view along line 4-4 of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a schematic plan view of a floor assembly for a studio in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in an unsprung configuration;

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a simplified schematic plan view of the floor assembly of FIG. 5;

[0035] FIGS. 7A and 7B show schematic section views along line 7-7 of FIGS. 5 and 6, in sprung and unsprung configurations respectively;

[0036] FIG. 8 shows a schematic section view along line 8-8 of FIGS. 5 and 6;

[0037] FIG. 9 shows a schematic plan view of a studio floor comprising the floor assemblies of the second embodiment;

[0038] FIGS. 10A and 10B show schematic plan and sectional views of the track and block system for use with either embodiment of the invention; and

[0039] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a floor assembly in accordance with a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] FIGS. 1-4 show a floor assembly in accordance with a first embodiment, suitable for a theatre stage. The first embodiment is configured to be fully modular and individual floor assemblies can be removed for lifts, traps, etc. without affecting the operation of the adjacent assemblies. In theatres, it will usually be possible to access the stage floor from underneath for repair or maintenance, and therefore each assembly may have its own individual drive motor as discussed below.

[0041] The floor assembly is based on a standard “Liberty” floor assembly manufactured and sold by the applicants. The standard floor assembly 10 comprises a planar, resilient floor board 11 typically made from 18 mm birch plywood board and a base board 12, which may be made from the same material. The floor board 11 is mounted on a plurality of resilient, elastomer blocks 13 as the primary support system, which are typically 50 mm square and 18 mm deep, which in turn rest on a plurality of battens 14, which are typically 18-38 mm in depth and 80 mm wide. In this standard form, through a combination of the material properties of the floor board 11 and the resilient elastomer blocks 13, the floor assembly provides a sprung performance surface.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a secondary support system 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is provided. The system comprises a plurality of fixed or static support members 110 which are attached to the underside of floor board 11 and a plurality of movable support members 120 which are movable along a linear track 130 mounted on base board 12.

[0043] Each fixed support member 110 comprises four support pads 111 arranged in a square with a small gap between each pad. As discussed above, this reduces the stiffening effect on floor board 11 compared to a solid pad of the same area, or allows a larger contact area while not increasing the stiffening effect. In a preferred embodiment, each support pad 111 is 60 mm square and is made from UHMW polyethylene or PTFE.

[0044] Track 130 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 10A and 10B and comprises a generally U-shaped channel 131 providing two flanged rails 132 along which movable support members 120 can slide. Each movable support member has channels 121 having profiles corresponding to the profiles of the flanged rails 132. An externally-threaded rod or lead screw 133 is inserted in an internally-threaded hole 122 in the movable support member 120 such that rotation of the threaded rod 133 moves the support member 120 in a linear direction along the track 130.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, each movable support member 120 is 75 mm×70 mm and is made from UHMW polyethylene or PTFE.

[0046] Referring to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, each floor assembly 10 is provided with six secondary support systems 100, each comprising a track section 130 and three sets (pairs) of support members 110 and 120. Each threaded rod 133 (FIG. 1) is driven by a motor 140 controlled by a drive controller 141. The secondary support systems may be individually controlled, thus allowing a high degree of versatility even within each assembly. In the embodiment shown, the threaded rods of each pair of track sections 130 are connected axially and each pair is driven by a centrally-mounted motor 140.

[0047] The operation of the secondary support system 100 can be understood with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0048] In FIG. 3A, the movable support members 120 are in the first position, spaced horizontally from the corresponding fixed support members 110. Therefore, the secondary support system does not provide any additional support to the floor board 11 and the floor assembly is in a sprung configuration.

[0049] In FIG. 3B, the movable support members 120 are in the second position and are vertically aligned under the corresponding fixed support members 110. Therefore, the secondary support system provides additional support to the floor board 11 and the floor assembly is in an unsprung configuration.

[0050] FIGS. 5-9 show a floor assembly in accordance with a second embodiment, suitable for a studio. Unlike the theatre version, once the floor is installed, it will not be possible to access the secondary support system and therefore a different configuration is desirable as discussed further below. Restrictions on space and cost may also be relevant for this application of the invention.

[0051] The floor assembly is again based on a standard “Liberty” floor assembly manufactured and sold by the applicants. The assembly 10 has the same features as the first embodiment and comprises a planar, resilient floor board 11, base board 12, elastomer blocks 13 and battens 14.

[0052] A secondary support system 200 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is provided. The system comprises a plurality of fixed or static support members 210 which are attached to the underside of floor board 11 and a plurality of movable support members 220 which are movable along a linear track 230 mounted on base board 12.

[0053] Each fixed support member 210 comprises four support pads 211 arranged in a square with a small gap between each pad. As discussed above, this reduces the stiffening effect on floor board 11 compared to a solid pad of the same area, or allows a larger contact area while not increasing the stiffening effect. In a preferred embodiment, each support pad 211 is 60 mm square and is made from UHMW polyethylene or PTFE.

[0054] Movable support member 220 and track 230 are the same in detail as the movable support member 120 and track 130 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. In a preferred embodiment, each movable support member 220 is 75 mm×70 mm and is made from UHMW polyethylene or PTFE.

[0055] Referring to the second embodiment of FIGS. 5-9, each floor assembly 10 is provided with three secondary support systems 200, each comprising a track section 230 and five sets (pairs) of support members 210 and 220.

[0056] In the studio version of the second embodiment, it will not be possible to access the secondary support system once the floor is installed. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, each floor assembly of the studio version is not provided with its own individual drive motor or motors. FIG. 9 shows how the floor assemblies are connected into an array 250 of floor assembly modules. When the floor is installed, the track sections 230 of adjacent assemblies are connected together axially, in parallel. Motors 240 are installed at the ends of each line of assemblies, located in compartments which are accessible for repair or maintenance. A motor may drive more than one line of tracks 230. In FIG. 9, each motor drives six lines of tracks via a system of drive belts, with a motor at each end in a “push-pull” configuration.

[0057] It will be apparent that the second embodiment provides a lesser degree of individual control of the sprung/unsprung configuration of each assembly, although zoning will still be possible to some extent as will be apparent from FIG. 9. The advantages of the invention as discussed above are still achieved however.

[0058] The operation of the secondary support system 200 can be understood with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

[0059] In FIG. 7A, the movable support members 220 are in the first position, spaced horizontally from the corresponding fixed support members 210. Therefore, the secondary support system does not provide any additional support to the floor board 11 and the floor assembly is in a sprung configuration.

[0060] In FIG. 7B, the movable support members 220 are in the second position and are vertically aligned under the corresponding fixed support members 210. Therefore, the secondary support system provides additional support to the floor board 11 and the floor assembly is in an unsprung configuration.

[0061] FIG. 11 shows a floor assembly 10 in accordance with a third embodiment, which is a “universal” assembly suitable for a theatre, studio or any other location. The floor assembly is again based on a standard “Liberty” floor assembly manufactured and sold by the applicants. For clarity, the resilient floor board 11 has been removed in this figure but base board 12, elastomer blocks 13 and battens 14 are shown.

[0062] A secondary support system 300 in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention is provided. The system comprises a plurality of fixed or static support members (not shown) which are attached to the underside of floor board (not shown) and a plurality of movable support members 320 which are movable along a plurality of linear track assemblies 330 mounted on base board 12, similar in operation to the other embodiments. Three secondary support systems 300 are provided on the floor assembly.

[0063] Each fixed support member and each movable support member 320 may have the same configuration or materials as described above for the first or second embodiments.

[0064] The track system in this embodiment comprises a plurality of discontinuous track assemblies 330. This configuration may be employed in the other embodiments also. Each track assembly 330 comprises a generally U-shaped channel section 331 having flanged or rounded rails 332. A carrier 333 is mounted on the rails and configured to slide in either direction along the rails. Movable support member 320 is mounted on carrier 333 and moves with the carrier between the unsprung position and the sprung position in a similar manner to the other embodiments.

[0065] A motor 334 is provided for moving each group of five carriers in the secondary support system, which are interconnected by means of connecting rods 335. In a preferred embodiment, the rod connecting the motor to the first carrier is a threaded rod and the rods between the other carriers are solid and fixed to the carriers so that they do not move or rotate relative to the carriers. This avoids the need to provide a threaded rod along the entire assembly, simplifying the construction. Further connecting rods may extend to adjacent floor assemblies.