US2290242A

US2290242A - Selective stage assembly

Info

Publication number: US2290242A
Application number: US390284A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edmund B Kasold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1941-04-25
Filing date: 1941-04-25
Publication date: 1942-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 1959-07-21

Description

July 21, 1942. E. B. KASOLD 9 SELECTIVE STAGE ASSEMBLY Filed April 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3nventor fbMu/m 6? fiirs'oza,

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SELECTIVE STAGE ASSEMBLY Filed A ril 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nventor (Ittorneg.

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Patented July 21, 1942 QFFICE 3 Claims.

ing the scene of a drama, with means whereby these stage units may be consecutively moved through a closed path or circuit in such a manner that they may be individually brought into a position of use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a stage area, a plurality of stage units or sets which are separately movable, and means for guiding the movement of these stage units or sets so that they may be consecutively moved through a circuit and brought individually into the stage area.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stage assembly of the character set forth in the foregoing, including a number of vehicles which are separately movable along a track means defining a closed path or circuit, a portion of which path or circuit is disposed in the rear portion of the stage area, so that as the vehicles are moved through the path or circuit, they will be consecutively brought into the stage area. Accordingly, the scenes or sets assembled on these vehicles will be selectively brought into position for use in the stage carrier with a minimum of delay as compared to the time now spent in setting up scenes on a standard type of theatrical stage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stage assembly wherein a plurality of separate stage units are movable through a circuit so as to be brought into cooperative relation to a stage area, and having means in association therewith whereby each stage unit may be moved forwardly in the stage area. A further object of the invention is to provide a track system on which stage units may be moved into cooperative relation to the rear part of a stage area, the portion of this track system adjacent the stage area be-' ing movable or shiftable so that its movement will result in movement of the supported stage unit in or into the stage area.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a stage arrangement of the character set forth herein wherein any one or more of the separate stage units may be selectively removed from or rearranged in the circuit. For example,

a stage unit may be made up so as to form a set or scene, and then may be moved into the circuit or path to replace a stage unit which has been removed from the circuit.

An important object of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby the sets or stages in the taking of sound pictures or television may be quickly changed and brought into position before the camera or television scanning device.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, of schematic character, showing a preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational View taken as indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a roller and its supporting brackets.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of one of the vehicles comprising a separate, movable, stage unit, shown in plan view in Fig. 1.

In Fig. l I show a plurality of stage elements or units E, individually identified-as units El to E6 inclusive. These stage units E are shown in the form of separate vehicles of segmental form adapted for arrangement in the shape of a hexagon. Each unit E has a platform or floor portion I0 with a long front edge I I, a shorter rear edge l2 and radial end edges I3. To movably support each platform I0, I have shown wheels or rollers M, carried by brackets 15, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, which are secured to radially disposed beams !6 and H, which are in turn attached to the lower portion of the platform. The rollers M, as shown in Fig. 5, are arranged on concentric arcs l8 and I 9, so that when the units E are disposed, as shown in Fig. 1, the wheels will engage inner and outer circular rails 20 and 2|, of channel form, forming a part of a circular track system 22, forming a continuous path or circuit through which the stage units E may be moved so that they will, one at a time, be brought consecutively into a position at the rear of the stage space A.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the stage unit E in full lines, shifted forwardly from the position thereof indicated by dotted lines 23, so that the front edge I! thereof will engage the rear edge 24 of a footlight stage section 25, which is customarily fixed in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, in front of the area 26 occupied by the audience. So that this forward shifting of the stage unit El may be accomplished, sections 28a and 2la of the rails 20 and 2| are mounted on a carriage 21 having a number of supporting means 28, carrying wheels 29, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, which wheels 29 run in channel tracks 30, positioned as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. When the carrier 21 is shifted rearwardly so a to bring the rail sections 20a and Zla into the position thereof indicated by dotted lines 20 and 2i, these rail sections will be aligned with the circular rails 20 and 2|, thereby completing the circular track system, and when the stage units E are moved through the circular path defined by the track system, the corners 3! thereof, will clear the rear edge 24 of the footlight stage section 25.

The stage units E are of such character that sets or scenery may be assembled thereon, and with a minimum expenditure of time, these stage units may be brought into the stage area A. The stage units E are separate, so that they may be removed from the circuit defined by the track system 22 as desired, and may be replaced by other stage units which have been made up prior to the placing thereof in the circuit. As ,a means for removing and replacing stage units E with relation to the circuit,I have shown the track system 22 as comprising a rear carrier 27a similar to the front carrier 27, this carrier 27a being movable on tracks 38a and carrying

rail sections

34 and 35 of the rails 20 and 2|.

Within the area outlined or surrounded by the track system 22, background scenery 3'! may be disposed. For example, such background scenery 3! may represent mountains in the distance, visible to the rear of the stage. Such back- .grounds 3! may be mounted upon a carriage 38 so that it may be moved forwardly on rails 39 which may be aligned, as shown in Fig. 1, with the members 30.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a stage arrangement of the character described, the combination of: means defining a stage space in which. an action is presented; a plurality of separate stage units, each comprising a separately movable vehicle having a platform to serve as a floor in said stage space and on which a set may be assembled; and track means forming a substantially closed path, a portion of which path lies contiguous to the rear portion of said stage space, and through which said stage units may be moved in a circuit so as to be brought consecutively into a. position at the rear of said stage space, a portion of said track means at the rear of said stage space being forwardly shiftable from its normal position relative to the remainder of said track means, so as to move the stage unit thereon forwardly in said stage space.

2. In a stage arrangement of the character described, the combination of: means defining a stage space in which an action is presented; a circular track system disposed to the rear of said stage space, the portion of said track system contiguous to said stage space being forwardly shiftable; and a plurality of stage units each comprising a wheeled vehicle arranged to roll on said track system to a position on said forwardly shiftable portion of ;said track system, whereby each of said stage units may be consecutively brought into cooperative relation'to said stage space and then, by the-forward shi-fting of said portion of said track system, moved forwardly in said stage space to a position of use.

3. In a stage arrangement of the character described, the combination of: means defining a stage space in which an action is presented; a circular track system disposed to the; rear of said stage space, the portion of said track system contiguous to said stage space being forwardly shiftable; a plurality of stage units each comprising a wheeled vehicle arranged to roll on said track system to a position'on said forwardly shiftable portion of said track system, whereby each of said stage units maybe consecutively; brought into cooperative relation 'to said stage space and then, by the forward shifting of said portion of said track system, moved forwardly in.said stage space to a position of use; .and a background set' behind said stage space in the area outlined by said track system.

EDMUND B. KASOLD.