US1154950A - Theatrical appliance. - Google Patents

Description

to; ro eeenee. iiig. moth Containing;

or iehirio. .i 1g, y e n1-1eune et on, weh, piment oii the uit inperti'uent 1 .is h :i window or :ieri l :tro et the ei'unpui `nient i, und eziid eosing is surrotuuled by :i iront ilruine if carrying :i Series of lumps set iu relleetors 5 'which here zur ornamental e'lleet, und also serve us binders to prevent 'the spectators from Seeing; the darkened boothe. An upper panel il of the freine uy be used for :ultertieine or diepluy purpose-re il leeired. A. pair oi :urtuin1-1 i3 draped troni horizontal urine l', piroteil :it il to zuliiuetulili. uboot their i l een the rsprmrzitus: outside ol nd behind the Wiudiw.' Ll., i d ohio out oil" tue View enioept rre-m i moition within e, liinil'el afnigle ti 'QW u" u'ppuluuibl, su; that ige he resti-lifted to 'the tu pin);

1 :t eeeie pretereize are the deh :seeu the ieu muy be'log, whieh :it dee ne ier elernplm zu kind either running; uutmnzitiezilly :ou ope for, orv :my other 1 'o'hieh il' it; deeired to obli! si w indou' Ml Shown oi: the

ot urxtino; before tho ne into useM :ist Vloi: your Antique furnine with sueh ditte is eliown7 Y 'front ot the booth it. i@ o, le, wine1 uuiy comprise ti (anelito/ent lo evenly Seid.

the. Sul

I iooth lighted in l5 loeute'd behind i ot beine; risible :i light diries of eier. the leonie 1a,

reet-ly i' f, i` obyeete phuuly tl li e hitter en d' :hiermee lallithin the darkened compartment 1 is a ler-gre., vertical plete glass 16 'preferably pleeed at en :ingle of forty-five degrees to 'the `windows 2 und 9. The compartment 1 has also n. eide Window or opening 17 behind which is located :t second booth B- uithin which, Shown, is illustrated an cuirly5 or intermediate stage in the develo ment of the typewriter ort,-ns for exemp e, in the year 18833 said booth containing e eheir 10Ll und :i table 11 on which i placed u typewriter machine 12, seid mae ine being of the type in which the Writi'ng, takes place out of Sight beneath the plliten, requiring the hitter to be lifted caelntime the writingr is viewed. rl`he`' booth B is in such position that when lighted by means of a series of lamps 18, the booth unjd its contents will be refieeted in the plait/eglass 16 whieh fornire o mirror, so that the booth B appears to the spectators to be "in the position ooeilpied bythe booth A. The permanently lighted stationery frame 13 is seenthrough the floss 1G et the Seine time the f booth B ie retleeted in the gloss, the booth 90 l being nippurently behind seid f eine. The lights 1S located in the opaque framework f 15.1. are invisible to the speotgrtors.

ln use, the booth A first lighted, the/ boothv B being; entirely dai/rk und invisible/ 95 'troni the iront. A person, preferably dressed in. :i attire f :orreeponding with tl/ie dolo indico-tech seen sitting et the desk 1l writing* with. the quill` pen. As the spectators wnteh this operation, the lights `*are gradually diunned, by ineens hereinafter` reiterred to sind the lmnp.; 1S for the booth B :1re gradually lighted up. As the scene in the booth A is fading from View, o person in the booth B is seen sitting at the desk 1l*L und ope ating theitypewriting machine 12d. During :L portion of this trunsiition period, the persons and apparatus in both booths fare seen at theiszune time apparently in the suine position, end as the booth A tudesd from View the second `scene in the booth B is brought eleurly to View. After the booth B hue been lighted, the booth A nniy be removed` und, third booth C inoved into position. in 'troni ot the window 9. The booth C, us showin eontziins e chair 10" and e deelt 11", on whieh is placed u modern typewriting nuuuine 12b, representing the typewriter nrt in the yezu' 1913. After the booth C has been brought to position in iront of the window S), un operator being sented at the inuehi'ue` the lights 18 are irrerluully diinn'ied und the lumps l5 lighted, eo that 'the booth B end its contente gr-udnully disuppenr, und the booth @is brought into View showing u': person operating the tvpewritingY nmehne 1121* with u speed com nienisurute with the present cle-velo}'nnent ot the ort.

As Shown inFig. 217 the booths A antlfC hand.

are in the form of a carriage mounted ou the Wheels '20 which travel oii ,rails 2l, ibhe booths and C beingr formed into separare coiizpartmene by a wall or pareiion 22. The movement of the carriage mafY he limied in bo'ih direci'ons 'oy slop poele which also serve o accurately positioii the booths behind the window 9. The booth B may be either stationary or mounted to travel to a position indicated by broken lines periai'iiif to its interior from a point outside ol the room l.

Fig. -l illiisrates diagrammaftically an electric lighiig system, adapted for use willi the apparatus shown in Fig. u. he lamps le which illuminate the frame l? in front of the booth A, are. shown a Series of incandescent lamps'arranged in parallel in a circuit-connected through a swi'reh to the posiive and negative mains aad 27 respectively,A through which curreii: is Supplied to the eniire lighting syseiii. The lamps l5 for lighting the booths A and C are conneeted in parallel in a circuit which may be traced from the positive main 2li thromgh one blade of the swiich 28, conductor 29, rheostat arm 30, conductor 3l, lamps l5, oomluctor 32, and through 4loe opposite blade of the switch 28 o the negative main 27. This circuit 'includes a rheoeaz'or liar m'er 33 comprising the arm 30 movable over a series of contacts 3l. to gradually iairw duce into the circuit resistance and ihere by gracluallj.y clim the lamps l5, the arm 30 moving finallyY onto an open contact. 36.. lhiis opening the circuit and cutting oli' current from the lamps 15. u*

The laxiips 13 -lor lighting the side booth l5 are also arranged in parallel in a circuit. connected through a switch 3'? to the maine, said circuit containing a. rheoelfa 3S similar to the rheostat 33, and therefore adaped .for cliiiominig.r flown the lights i8 and oper.- iiigg the Circuit for said lighs. ,he lamps 5 on the front frame 4 are arranged in parallel in a circuit connected lgl'iroiigh a switch 39 So the .ma-ins. :les shown in Fig. 4, the lampe. l5 for the booh A are fully Ilighted7 all off the' resistance 35 being ou out. The ciroui; for theA lamps. i8 is operi at the rheostat 38 so that thebooih. :el is dark. The dimuiersor rheosrats are located close together in convenient position for the operator to manipulate one with each To shift the scene from the booth fr to the booth Bgfllhe rheostat arms are simultaneouslf'y moreel gradually to .the rieh, tl'lerebylgj euting out of one circuit the re sistmce'I of the rheosta'; 38 to light up the lamps. 18, and, al the Same time introilueing in the other circulo.l the resistance oi' the rheosa to dim the lamps l5.

proportioej, aacl the rheosaats so iiiaiiiprl lated, hat lle amount of light combined.

fthe number of Scenes or acts may Eheef Sistemes in the rheosats are prei'erablif' so the lire oi' i9. remains of he hooih A. or n [my such illusion, hmvever,

window l). (li'spellecl by au aciidah eh'eriag the room l through an opening normally vlostwl by a. curtain il. behind the glass lli. .uml either eueririgr the lriz'oh Il or receiving a work-sliee'liron; die ad of the l .'pe\.'riter operator within die hooih in plain View of the spectators.

Fign il mexliiied a Les diagrammaically a. nient in which the Statie :rear el() mounted lio ravel on cai' coiriprieing coiiiparinee 2 ami "4. adapted, lo he liroilghr aller-mieli; iii poelt.' .n before ing; l?, The lmoths .l ariel if may imei e be moimed to swivel on il, said booths consisting of yhated l and 3" reieri-.eilt eoxiipriees a o he siicceeeiveiy prehree being brought ihecl. and while io he oompartiueu o l .o iiermi 'elle car Oto he M ille compartment l opposite elle Wimlow f7, permitting Said comparement in turn to .he lighted 5 illzisratee a 'further iiimlilieation comprising fire booths.. lhe hoor-hh` or come paizmenbe alesig'iiaefl lf2 '35, and f5" may car Li-l adapted to ravel on The comparmeht (leeigiiaeil he mounted on a ruck to more on rails eo parallel with the 'rails 2l. stops 23 limiting *che n'iovemeil. of solo'. compartmen. lll/hea saicl ooriipartnien. L is moved out- "i, lhe compartment 4 if, may he moved up iii from of 'the window l?, ILhe live comparixrients 'zhus heilig; moreel imo posiion for exhihiion in lle order in which they are numbered.

'Willi any of the arrangements shown,

""'he increased inrlelini'ely., .hs lthe stage-Sewing apparatus., for one or more coii'ipartments arpv booth in replaces?. oy

may he changed while the ohers are being exgioilieai., io'etance, in 5 ',ifheu the coiimarmeme anfl so on mele,

mi, so ihat little or iio derstood that the number of compartments or booths may be increased to any desired extent within the scope of my ini'fention.

Variations may be resorted to Within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used Without others` Having thus described my invention.7 lV claim:

l. In an illnsionary apparatus, the com bination of a, darkened room having a window in the front side, a frame surrounding said Window and projecting outwardly therefrom a suilicient distance to materially restrict the range oil vision of an observer looking into saisiv Window, a Window in the rear side of said room in line with the first window, a. stage located behind said last named Window, a plate glass mirror vertically disposed in said room and extending diagonally thereacross between said Winu doivs, a third window' in said room Vsuhstantially at right angles'to the irst-i'iamed windows, second stage behind said lastnamed window, and, apparatus tor succes-V sively lighting said stages, said rear window being ol a and in a position to term a border to limit the range ol VYrievv of each stage.

2. In an illusionary apparetus7 the coinhinati'on ot' a darkened room provided wi th a front Window having a easing ol sullicient depth to materially .restrict the .range ci vision from the' view point of a. spectator and also reduce the amount of light entering said window, rear and side Windows in said room, scenes located behind. said last-named windows, a verticah diagonally disposed mirror in said room invisible to a spectator looking 4through said. front window, and mechanism lor alternatively lighting said scenesj one of said last-tanned Awilulows heing" coiitinuously visible to the spectators during the changing ot the lightinff of the and liorniing a border limi Y and t @ning range et View of each scene as it lighted.,

.ln an illusienary apparatus9 the oom- Window ln 'ing a Gaslini?,v standing.;

enum, said casing having li to reduce the amount of .lig` it entering said window and to restrict range et' View of an observer looking bination of a darkened room provided with a front window having a casing of considerable depth, rear and side Windows in said room, scenes located behind said last-named Windovs, a vertical, diagonally disposed mirror in said room invisibleto a spectator looking through said front Window, mechanism for alternatively lightingsaid scenes, a frame oi translucent material surrounding one of said Windows, and means to transmit light thrdhgh said translucent material, and cause said frame to appear as av continuously illuminated frame surrounding each scene as the latter is lighted.

5.111 an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a darkened room having openings at its front, rear and one side, a stationary booth at the side openings booths movable alternately to a position be hind the rear opening, a diagonal transparent mirror between said front and rear openings, and means for alternately lighting the booths at id rear and side openings.

6. The combination of a darkened compart ment, a stage at the rear of said compartmen t, a second stage at the side of saidlcompartment, said eomlviartment having openings opposite said stages7 a frame surroundhin-ation oi a darkened compartment havingl openings at its side and rear, stages located behind said openings, a t'ront Window, a plate glass extending diagonally across said compartment. so that 'from a, 'viewpoint in 'front olf the window the side stage reflected in the glass ai'ipears in the saine position as the rear s age seen throi'igh the glass, an illuminated frame for said rear stage, to also coperate with the reflection of said side stage, lamps for lighting each of said stages, said lamps hidden from view, and means for gradually lighting the lamps for one stage and simultaneously' gradually dimmingv the lamps `for the other stage While the\illumi nation oli said frame remains constant.

8. ln an illusionary'apparatus, the comlunatica ot a darkened :onlpartment having openings at its side and rear, stages located behind said (menngsj a liront Window, a plate glass extending diagonally across said conn'nirtment so that from ay viewpoint in trent olf the Window the side stage reflected in the glass appears in the saine position as rise-,eac

'and movable alternately into position at said opening, a second openingf in said partinent, a` booth at said secc opening, nicans for successively lighting` id booths,

and a. reflector so positioned tha the booth at the second, openingy appaC `s from the viewpoint of an obscrif'er to be in the saine position as the booth at the first-named opening.

l0. ln an illusionary apjniratus, 'the coin bination of compartment having a opening and a side opening, booths movable alternately into position behind the rear opening, additional booths rn i'able alternately into position opposite the side opening, a reiiector so positioned that 'the side booths appear inthe position of the booth, and means for successively said booths.

1l. ln an illusionary apparatus, the

'bination of a darkened roonr having a reaopening and a side opening, a transparent mirror extending;r across the room between said openings, a car mounted to travel on rails located behind said rear opening, said car divided into compartments forming booths movable alternately into position behind said rear opening, a second car mounted to travel on rails at the side or said renin and divided into compartments forming booths movable alternately into position at said side opening, and means for alternately liglhtingA the booths at the rear and side openings.

12. In an illusionary apparatus, the conihination of a roorn or compartment having a rear opening" and a side opening, a car located'adjacent said room and mounted to travel in a transverse direction, said car be ing partitioned te form a number of booths movable successively into position behind said rear openiiiiig, a booth located at the `side opening ai/idinoi'able in the direction of travel of said Vfirst-named booths into and out ot a pclsition' a djaccnt said opening, an additionalfbooth mounted to travel in a direction. periiiendieular to the direction of travel ot' 'thefother booths into and ont of position opposite said side opening, and means for alternately lighting the booths at said side :find rar openings.

13. In an iilusioi'iary apparatus, the cornbination olif darkened room having an opening the rear thereof and a second opening at the side thereof, afront Win-dow in said renin, a vertical plate glass Inirror exten ing across the room between the front window and said rear opening, a frame surrounding said rear opening, means for lighting said frame with a subdued light, a scene located behind said frame, a series of lamps Den said frame and said scene for lighting fie scene, said lamps being obscured by the frame. a second scene located at the side owning, a second series of lamps for lightsaid second scene, and rheestats connecten respectively in series with said .rst and secon` or' lamps, and each operally 'introduce resistance into frrtdn its circuit and thereby gradually dim and ina'ly darken its series of lamps, said rheobeing' positioned to permit an operator a simultaneously operate them to gradually lit one simultaneously with the dirnbination of a series of objects es successively viewed, carriers objects ranged to bring said 0bjeers alterna-tel, to tivo objective points, a

reflector positi ned to reilect the objects at vve polntsrappear from a given to located in the same position, ly risible illuminated frame to coboth objects, and means to ly lighteach object when at its ob- `.it and simultaneously gradually at the other objective point each object appears to fade and mergeinto the succeeding object, each object appearing to be set in said illuminated trarne. lin an illnsionary apparatus, the combinatien or a transparent mirror, a series of or scenes to be displayed, carriers for said objects arranged to bring the objects successively .into view, the alternate objects ot' series being brought to different objective one of which the 'obon the mirror, and from 1 'eh the light is transmitted ifnirror to the common rien,A o at, hat the objects appear' to come successively into view at the same objective point, a constantly illuminated iframe to ecperate with the alternate objects, and means for gradually lighting each object aft r it is brought to its objective point, and simultaneously reducing the light 'on the preceding object of the series so thataid objects appear to merge one into the other, said illuminated rame being of a size and in a position to appear as a setting for each osaid objects as it 'is brought into View.

lli. an illnsionary apparatv the comrai. on with dar tened compartment hav- Jiront observation opening. and con- 'liagonally arranged glass partipo nt so that the .objectsat spectively atl its rear andone side, and different scenes presented behind said :rear and side openings, of means for alternatelyilln- 1 minating and darkening said scenes to dise rear opening, to constantly border the sanie before the observer deling the appearance therein ofthescenes from bothy the rear and side openings. A

17. lin an illusionary apparatus, the combination with a darkened compartment having' a front observation opening, land con-- taining a diagonally arranged Lglass partition, said con'ipartment having' openings respectively at its rear and one side, and dii"- 'erent scenes presented behind said rear and sideopenings, of means for alternately illu# minating and darkening said scenes to disclose them 'in succession, respectively through, and by retlection from, said glass partition, and a translucent illuminated frame with opaque background at said rear opening, to project sott 'light forwardly' while permitting the scene behind the traine to be darkened, said illuminated traine being constantly in View ot' the observer during' the appearance therein oi the scenes :trein both the rear and side opening".

1S. ln an illnsionary apparatus., the cont bination with a transparent reflector arranged diagonally to the direction of View the observer, of means for supporting; a scene in position to be viewed through said reflector, means for supporting a scene in position-to be seen by reflection on said reilector, at apparently the same position said first-mentioned scene, one ot' said supporting` means movable into position to pei mit a third scene supporting means to take its place, and means for alternately illumi- .notingl and darkening the scenes in succes sion, to alternately present to the observer the scenes viewed through said reti actor and by reflection on said reflector.

19. In an illusionary apparatus, the coinbination with' a glass forming a transparent refieetonand placed diagonally to the direc ,tion of View of the observen of a booth to' contain a scene in position to he .viewed direct-ly through said glass, a second booth in position to contain a scene which may be viewed by the observer by reflection in said glass, so as to appear in the same position as said first-mentioned scene, additional booths to contain additional scenes, Aeach of said first-mentioned booths being movable into position to be replaced by one of said addi-- tional4 booths, and means for alternately illuminating and darkening each scene While Within therange of View of the observer.,

the scenes viewed direct-ly and by reflection bemg'jiliuminated 1n alternation, whereby a series of scenes `contained 1n said booths intanto may be presented. the observer in s11c cession.- and apparently in the same location.

20. ln an illusione bination with a aperture, oif a di aorally armngcd partition in rompartincnt, said t( partnieirt having openings the rear and one eide oir booth at one oit said op n ionnccteafi booths movable ing; tlicnr sucer, on opposite the other oi" said open-- ings, and means for alterno f y lig. booths at the two openm 2l. ln an illusiomxi ppaintus, the con bination with a: connuertinent hating at the t if, o'l" a diagejiriially artlierci n., said compartrear Wall a Window bein l'- e with s `id pa .y and a wiiadow in the side wall et t i s y les ot bootlfis ach har g an open troni; movable to bring; said oooths in sucer ron to an obser-l `ration [.iosition inchino iaiil rear winlow, with th iifoi in si" ,ire the Window ne tl @rein to he i :Mlditional ry apparatus, the cour irtznent haring' a eight ranged glass par nient liayinp;` in its hinrfl d part .l tion and opeilin series olf bool and incliniilfA to fr an observatie opposite said illnininatino' said parti ,on l looking tli'rongfgh said hind or :it 'the booths oi" one position in altern* booths oit the o 'illuminate and da observation posit.

:o pi :c reiiected in the obi-mirror "lit op f he bcdow, lividnal minable, to ooeerration ,in with the iiidiwidual. A and i to i set l y' relie tion in d the side 'winthe rear window, d tr said mirror, a scene niet b dow, a series oi booths each oit a size to accoininodai'e prison er persons and apparatus designed to be presented iii-a scene at said rear window, tracks on which said booths are mounted to travel to permit the booths to be brouht in successioi'i into position. behind said re- `r Window, a second se ries of booths also olf' a si?. persons and,apparatns which may appear in additional scenes designed to be presented in alternation with said .tiret-mentioned scenes, said second series oit booti s movable to bring; tl'iein successively into po: tion at to accommodate 1,154,eeo

said side Window, and means for illuminating and darkening each scene while 1t is at its window, the individual booths of the two series movable to position in alternation to permit a change of scene at either window while a scene is being presented at the other window.

23. In an illusionary apparatus, the combination with Aa stationary compartment provided with a front sight-opening, a side window and a rear window, of a glass mirror placed diagonally in said compartment, between said side window and said rear window, and arranged to reflect objects presented at the side window so that they will appear, when viewed through said opening,

"to be at the rear window, a plurality of booths connected to move together to be Abrought in successlon into position at one of said'windows, each booth being of a size nately illuminating the-views presented at,

the two Windows.-

24. A theatrical apparatus comprising a cabinet having openings in front and rear and also a side opening, theatrical performance booths similar to each other and arranged at said rear and sideopenings, a

transparent reflector arranged diagonally in said cabinet'between the rear and side openings, Vmeans for gradually darkening/one"- booth'and graduallylighting up/'the other booth,. wherebyfthentheatrical performance in one booth may be made to dissolve into the performance in the other booth, one of said booths being movable away from said cabinet, and a third booth movable to posi` tion to take the place of said movable booth.

25. A theatrical apparatus comprising a cabinet having openings in front and rear and also a side opening, theatrical performance booths similar to each other and arranged at said rear and side openings, a transparent reiiector arranged diagonally in said cabinet between the rear and side openings, means for gradually darkening one booth and gradually lighting up the other booth, whereby the theatrical performance in one booth may be made to dissolve into the performance in the other booth, one of said booths being movable away from said cabinet, a third booth movable to positionV to take the place of said movable booth, and means on said cabinet for illuminating either of the movable booths.

26. A theatrical apparatus comprising a cabinet having openings in front-and rear and also a side op; ling, theatrical performance booths similar to each other and arranged at said rear 'and side openings, a transparent reiiector arranged diagonally in said cabinet between the rear and side openings, means for gradually darkening one booth and gradually lighting up the other booth, whereby the theatrical performance in one booth may be made to dis- -solve into the performancev inthe other booth, said cabinet having a vestibule at its front opening to serve as a screen, and lighting means arranged around said vestibule to serve as a binder.

ATJEXDER WAYRICH.

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