FIELD

This application relates generally to a truss system for video displays.

BACKGROUND

Video walls and LED (Light Emitting Diode) screens are often suspended from portable truss systems or scaffolds. Because of the enormous weight of video displays, stability is a particular challenge.

One solution is to anchor the truss system with ballast, however, there are a number of drawbacks to this solution. The ballast is typically positioned on the ground, which creates a tripping hazard and extends the footprint of the truss system considerably. The cables tethering the truss system to the ballast raise further hazards and interfere with the technician's ability to access the system for maintenance, assembly, and disassembly. Consequently, technicians have been known to release the ballast during their work, contrary to safety guidelines.

SUMMARY

It is an aspect of the present application to provide a truss system for suspending video displays in front of the truss using conventional and inexpensive components.

The above aspects may be attained by a truss system having a rectangular frame and a rigging plate. The rectangular frame is built from a number of rectangular tubes that together form an interconnected assembly. The rigging plate is attached to the top of the rectangular frame. Part of the rigging plate extends past the rectangular frame, creating an overhang on the front side. This overhanging part of rigging plate includes a number of attachment apparatuses for suspending the video display(s).

In another aspect of the application, the rectangular frame may have two or more support feet. The support feet may be designed to support the combined center of gravity of the truss system and the video display(s).

In a further aspect of the application, the attachment apparatuses may have apertures for attaching the video display(s) to the rigging plate with fasteners.

In a yet further aspect, the attachment apparatus may be a slidable attachment mechanism having a connector that slides along a track. The video display(s) may be suspended from the connector.

In another aspect of the application, the rectangular tubes may be hollow, having cavities within. In order to access the cavities, the rectangular tubes may have openings.

In a further aspect of the application, the rigging plate may have openings that align with the openings in the rectangular tubes. The cavity of the rectangular tubes may be accessible through the openings in the rigging plate.

It is an aspect of the application to provide two or more of the rectangular frames described above that are positioned side-by-side in a truss system. The rectangular frames are built from a number of rectangular tubes that together form interconnected assemblies. Rigging plates are attached to the top of the rectangular frames. Part of each rigging plate extends past the rectangular frame, creating an overhang on the front side. These overhanging parts include a number of attachment apparatuses for suspending two or more video displays. The suspended video displays form a continuous viewing surface.

Neighboring rectangular frames may be removably attached to one another.

In another aspect, the rectangular frames may have two or more support feet. The support feet may be designed to support the combined center of gravity of the truss systems and the video displays.

In a further aspect, the attachment apparatuses may have apertures for attaching the video displays to the rigging plates with fasteners.

In a yet further aspect, the attachment apparatuses may be slidable attachment mechanisms having connectors that slide along tracks. The video displays may be suspended from the connectors.

In another aspect, the rectangular tubes may be hollow, having cavities within. In order to access the cavities, the rectangular tubes may have openings.

In a further aspect, the rigging plates may have openings that align with the openings in the rectangular tubes. The cavity of the rectangular tubes may be accessible through the openings in the rigging plates.

These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

