US1076653A - Theater-stage. - Google Patents

Description

S. M. KEYTE.

THEATER STAGE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1912.

1,076,653, Patented 0ct.21,1913.

Elmvewtoz Sara]? M ffe yie M m I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SARAH M. KEY'I'E, 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

THEATER-STAGE To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SARAH M. KEYTE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Theater- Stages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in theater stages and has for its object the production of a convenient method of handling scenes.

As at present constructed, all theaters are provided with drop scenery, which necessitates a very high space overhead into which the scenery is raised when not in use. This high space is very detrimental to the acoustic properties of the stage, and the principal object of this invention is therefore the production of a method for dropping scenery below the stage, and therefore produce a good background for throwing the sounds and voices from the stage.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of means for facilitating the scenery to be set up during one act for the next succeeding act and scene.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view of a stage constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a central transverse section through the stage. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of one column, showing the manner of supporting the scenery frames. Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of one of the scenery frames.

By referring to the drawings by numerals it will be seen that the stage is. so arranged as to have a closed top having an opening 1 near its front end. The stage is provided upon each side with wings 2, and a plurality of columns 3 are arranged in alinement with the edge of the opening 1. These columns are arranged upon such an angle as to prevent anyone in front of the stage from seeing into the wings of the stage, even though the scenery frames should be lowered to their position below the stage. These columns 3 are preferably placed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the stage. Each of these columns 3 is provided near one edge with a vertically extending Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 23, 1912.

Patented Oct. 21, 1913. Serial No. 721,869.

groove 4-, in which groove is placed a vertically extending guide plate 5 having a projecting tongue engaging the grooved lips carried by the scenery frames 7 These lips 6 are placed at intervals along the sides of the frames so as to reduce the weight of the frames. These frames 7 may be decorated in any desired manner and are preferably provided near their upper and lower faces with latticed portions 8. Eyes 9 are carried by the upper corners of the frame 7 and to these eyes 9 are connected the lifting cables 10. The lifting cables 10 pass through the columns near their upper ends and carry weights 11 at their extreme ends, which weights work in the vertically extending grooves 12 formed centrally of the columns 3. A pulley 13 is carried by each column over which the rope 10 is adapted to travel. for facilitating the easy sliding of the frames 7. By carefully considering Fig. 2 it will be seen that a room 14: is formed under the stage so as to allow the scenery frames, as illustrated in Fig. 4, to drop down below the floor 15 of the stage. It

will thereby be seen that the scenery frames may be drawn up at will to their desired places and then the frames may be lifted in the same fashion as a window sash since the weight 11 may act as a counterbalance, and these frames may be either raised from below or may be raised in any other desired fashion. Of course it should be understood that the floor 15 of the stage is provided with slots 16 for facilitating the dropping of the frames 7 into the basement of room 14:.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the class described comprising upper and lower rooms, a plurality of columns positioned in alinement upon the opposite sides of said upper room, said columns being arranged at an angle of approximately 15", each column being spaced at a determined distance, whereby to prevent a view of the side portions of the said upper room from a position in front of said columns, scenery frames slidably mounted upon said columns for presenting a new View when so desired, said frames adapted to pass into said lower rooms when so desired.

2. A device of the class described comprising upper and lower rooms, a plurality of columns positioned in said upper room, each of said columns provided with a longitudinally extending groove, a guide plate provided with a longitudinally extending tongue, said guide plate positioned in said groove, a frame provided with a plurality of lips, said lips provided With longitudinally extending grooves, said frame slidably mounted Within the grooves formed upon said columns, said llps adapted to slide upon said tongue of said plate, means our-- ried by said columns and attached to said 10 frame for moving said frame, said frame adapted to move down into said lower room.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

SARAH M. KEYTE. \Vitnesses J. A. KEY'I'E, A. lVILLIAMS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). 0.

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