US2602196A - System for handling moving picture sets - Google Patents

Description

July 8, 1952 F. E. PELTON SYSTEM FOR HANDLING MOVING PICTURE SETS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. l, 1947 SHOP HND DOCK RLIIS TER SHOP CHRPA'NTER SHUI ha conrkfssn @As ENG/'NE ALIGNMENT MOTOR July 8, 1952 F. E. PELToN 2,602,196

SYSTEM FOR HANDLING MOVING `PICTURE xSETS Filed Aug. l, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllllllllllllllh... ll/II,

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MMM v' N July 8, 1952 F. E. PELToN- l 2,602,196

SYSTEM FOR HANDLING Mov1NG P1cTuRE sms Filed Aug. l. 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Eed E. Felton July 8, 1952 F. E. PELTON SYSTEM FOR HANDLING MOVING PICTURE SETS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. l, 1947 Fig; 7/57 JUIYS, 1952 F. E. PELToN 2,602,196

SYSTEM FOR HANDLING MOVING PICTURE SETS 6 Sheets-Shea?l 5 Filed Aug. l, 1947 Fred E. lDelton July 8, 1952 F. E. PELToN SYSTEM FOR HANDLING MOVING PICTURE SETS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. l, 1947 1 l YUTNC.

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woe/wiet www Fred ERlton Patented July 8, 1952 UNITED' STATES PATENTv OFFICE SYSTEM ,FOR HANDLING vMOVING PICTURE SETS y Fred'. Pelton, Los Angeles, Calif.; Felice D. Pel- -ton,executrix of said Fred E. Pelton, deceased, assignor to Mobile Sets, Inc., a corporation of .California Application August 1, 1947, SerialNo. 765,611

'which has become abandoned.

' At the present time, the method of 4preparing sets for shooting pictures in 'a motion picture studio requires the vprovision of Ia `large number of sound proof stages `on which the sets, in Whole Vor in part, are constructed. During the construction of the set, the set is scafolded for light platforms,ror such light platforms are suspended from trusses and lamps are placed on the light platforms and electrically connected. The set is then dressed with ythe necessary rugs, draperies, furniture, electrical 'iixtures hand props, greens, backings, etc.

In present set installations, electrical lighting vand. dressing takestplace directly on Vthe sound proof stageand mayinterfere with vany shooting activities on the stage at that time. Likewise, the settings are necessarily rearranged or repair-edi directly on the sound proof stage which Vlikewise interferes with shooting the picture; hence, it Ihas been necessary tog-provide a rela- Vtively 'large number of` sound proof stages so as Ytopermt preparation activities to proceed on several stages While shootingl takes/place on the other stages, and the shooting'units'are scheduled 'from' stage to stage during la work day if the sets required are on other stages. "installed or workrdone `on it,'on astage-Where a 1f a set must be unit is shooting, this work must be done at night or delayed until the stageiis not in use for active shooting. This condtiongarises veryjfrequently rvin present day motionv picture studios andas V'studio operation, rfrom the'timesetsiare Aconstructed until.'tliey yare eventual-ly struckt and salvaged, they go'throughma-ny or all"o'f'jthe /follovving activities: v

1. Fabrication and sub-'assemblyingshops. 2. Construction and 'installation on stages.A 3. Dressing. Y, f 4. Scaffolding for overhead lamps 2 5. Electrical rigging. 6. Shooting. 7. Hold (a) intact for rushes (dailies) (b) and fold (c) for retakes (d) as a standing set.

8. Prop strike.

94. Electrical strike.

10. Set strike.

11. Salvage.

Under this present day method lof operation, only about one-third .of ther-stage space time is used -for shooting; the balance ofthe time and other Vactivities (excluding items 1 `and 11) are taking place on the stages.

Present day stages for motion picture `photography and sound record-ing are relativelyexpensive structures. They are sound proof, ventilated `or air conditioned, lined with acoustic materials and connected to generator rooms with heavy copper cables, and yet-only in shooting are these special requirements necessary. As a result, a studio, to operate with any reasonable degreeoi eiliciency, vmust have from'21/2 to.3 times as many stages as there are companies shooting.

Another object of the present invention is to provide motion picture and television studios which are relatively inexpensive to build and which :produce substantial-savings when in operation.

Still another object of the Vpresent invention is to provide a system and facilities permitting streamlined operations and the Ause of assembly line principles in the constructionand operation yof sets used in motion picture and' television studios.

Yet a further object ofthepresent invention is toY provide an improved set handling system in which practically all of the sets for the production oia motion picture may be propelled in advance without interfering with the sets currently shooti-ng. A

Yet a further object of vthe present invention is tofprovide an improved set -handling system in which .the necessity for-constructing and installing sets immediately adjacent VVto the stages in which they are subsequently shot is obviated, in which -case sound translation 'between the VWork and shoparea .and the stage or shooting area 'is obviated and the necessity for controlling noise and isolating the shop `floors is made unnecessary. v.

Yet a 4further object of Athe present invention is to provide an improved motion picture and television studio incorporati-ngI Yrneans- `limiting costly delaying on stageconstruction -andset dressings, obviate the present time@consuming electrical light scaffold? fri/gg-i-r-lg` after the -set has been prepared, and the wasted days of1 set,

prop, and electrical strikingk (decommissioning).

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved set handling system in which a complete set after shooting may be removed from the stage in a very short time without the necessity for striking in the stage.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel system for `handling motionV picture and television sets which provides for building work sets as well as changing, renewal or repair thereof, apart from the sound proof stages on which the photography is actually accomplished.

A further object I" the present invention is to provide a system for handling motion picture sets which will permit construction and preparation of, and/or any change in the sets at central workshops and movement thereof to and from the sound stages with a minimum of interference either with respect to the sets themselves or to the photographing or recording of the picture.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a system for handling motion picture sets which is simple and compact in arrangement, inexpensive to construct, and which lends itself to a maximum saving in time, effort and expense in the production of motion pictures.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved set handling system in which sets are erected in position, are never thereafter moved and travel along their rails to the stages under weather-proof ceilings.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus inra motion picture or television studio wherein a movable ceiling arranged to support platforms with lights thereon is mounted over the stage, which mayl be lowered to the stage floor for convenient handling without the necessity of expensive andtime consuming rigging. inasmuch as each set, progressing through the successive stages from carpenter shop to final dressing with furniture, comprises a predetermined position in the stage in accordance with the present invention, these lights may be accurately installed and positioned well in advance.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for use in motion picture and television studios wherein the overhead lamps may be properly positioned in a predetermined position within the stage for shooting sets before their arrival. Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved set handling system in which sets are built on mobile platforms that later become part of the floor of a sound stage.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a set handling system in which stage and shop space is used eiciently and in particu- `lar such that practically the entire stage area is available for mobile platforms.

' Yet a further object of the present invention is `to provide an improved set handling. system in which any particular platform upon which a set is built may be held indefinitely outside of the stage, and used in other productions, or later in the same production.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved set handling system in which means are provided for reversing the position of platforms upon which sides are built end for end whereby such platforms may be oriented 180 and may enter the stage with either end forward.

Yet` a furthery object of the present invention is to provide an improvedV set handling system in which shop space is used efficiently and in particular to providea system wherein empty platforms always may be placed opposite the work shops so that the sets can be built directly on the platform without additional handling.

- Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for handling motion picture sets in which a particular set may be built in advance and transported to any stage and placed in any order which may be required or dewherein their relative V`positions may be established in any desired order.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to lprovide an improved set handling system in which stage space is `used eiiiciently and in par- -ticular to provide a system wherein a stage may be used if any lplatform is ready with its set, regardless of where the platform may be stored awaiting its turn in the stage.

Still a further objectof the present invention is to provide an improved set handling system in which more than one movable platform may be used for additional sets in a stage without the ,necessity of striking the sets originally in the stage whereby any reasonable number of sets may be built and installed in advance of shooting time.

Yet a further object `of the present invention is to provide an improved set handling system including mobile platforms upon which sets are built on which craftsmen of different trades such as carpenters, painters and the like are not required to work near a fixed position of the platform but in accordance with the present invention, work shops are segregated by crafts and sized accordingly to the requirements of the craft so that platforms may be brought to any shop and transferred between shops.

Other objects and advantageous features of this invention may be had from vthe following description and one embodiment thereof may be seen in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and wherein: l y

Figure 1 is a schematic layout of a motion picture or television studio incorporating the present invention wherein my novelmethod and system may be practiced.V Y

Figure 2 is a View in perspective of a portion of the studio arrangement shown schematically in Figure 1 and shows one of the mobile platforms thereof` in the process of being transferred from the mobile carrier into a sound stage.

Figure 3 is a view in side yelevation and partly in section showing an empty mobile platform on its mobile carrier adjacent stages and corresponds approximately to a view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 when the carrier is moved into corresponding position.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Figure 3 and ralso line 4-4 of Figure 4A. y l

lIA-IA of Figure 4.

Figure 5 .is a longitudinal section through a portion ofacarrier anda portion of `a mobile platform in its normal stored position'in a shelter where' it projects a slight distance into'the `tracked carrier streets with the clutch member thereon in clutch engaging position zand shows the manner in which the platform may bemoyed `onto its carrier. y

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken substantially on the IlinevG--IS of Figure 5.

Figure 7 isa sectional view taken substantially on the line 'I-l of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view similarto thesectionalview shown in Figure 6 but withA the clutch yelement on the platform raised out of chain engaging position.

Figure 9 is a sectional View on the line 9-9 of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a view similar to the view shown in Figure 6 and shows the manner in which the clutch engagingelement is automatically pivoted out of harms way under the following Yconditions: when the platform projects a small distance out of a landing zone, Vand the clutch eletaken substantially ment is inadvertently left in its lowermost position and the movable carrier moves past such clutch element.

Figure 11 is a perspectiveview of a portion `of a motion picture or television stage shown in Figures 1 and 2 and' shows the manner in which the grid-like false ceiling upon which light rplatforms may be releasably secured, may be raised and lowered.

Figure v121 is a sectional viewshowing more specifically the manner in which the false ceiling shown in Figure 11 may be lowered and elevated.

Figure 13 is a schematic representation ofthe operating mechanism carried on themobile carrier and driving locomotive.

Figureliis a schematic layout of a modied system of handling motion picture sets also embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in section, showing particularly the transfer and directing means Vfor the mobileunits and is 'taken substantially on the line I5---I5 of Figure 14.

While the system and apparatus disclosed herein are 'described in specific relationship tov motion picture studios, the'description is'. exemplary of the manner in which the system and apparatus may find utility in television studios. It is therefore understoodtliat unless 4specifically limited to a motion picture studio or to a television studio theI claims appended vhereto vare applicable to both types of studio. f

It is understood that while the preferred'. syssound stages, three shop and/or dock areas, three tracked streets, two carriers and locomotives, a generator room*V and forty-nine shelters, the particular requirements of a specic motion picture or television studio embodying the present invention may necessitatey more or Aless of "each of vthe above items. i

In accordance with the present invention many ofy the kdifliculties of operation are overcome and the cost of construction, lighting, dressing and operatingfthesets is. materially reduced. .Likewise, the work is grea-tly expedited and improved efficiency' obtained. One or a number vof sound proofstages [U1-maybe'positionednearforgrouped around a central plant which includes such nectem and 'apparatus-disclosed herein embody six f essary adjuncts to motion picture products! as air conditioning apparatus, light. and powerplants or control equipment and workshops I I wherethe stage settings areproduced, changed or repaired. 5 Mobile floor units or platforms I2 are provided to form-the set area of the stage floor, themobile filoor units I-2 being such that one or more may be'used to form a single stage for picture shooting purposes. Tracks and transfer means interconnecting the workshops and the sound proof stages are provided on which the mobile floor units may be selectively moved from Workshop to ractual receiving building in which the pictures lare producedyor vvice versa, as desired. By such an arrangement there is provided 'a system for handling motion picture sets wherein the 'great majority of all of the Aactivities or work `on the sets other than the actual picture shooting and -recording can be accomplished away from the lsound proof stage and interference with the'c'ontinuity of picture shooting and recording is reduced to an absolute minimum.

Studios built in accordance with the teachings and apparatus disclosed herein obviate the inherent disadvantages residing in present day conventional studios. Following the teachings of the present invention, the great majority of the man hours of the non-shooting operations are performed off the stage where subsequently the shooting takes place. This is accomplished in the preferred embodiment of the present invention by building sections of the stage floors as movable platforms and transporting `these platforms from shop to stage and from stage to stage on what I term herein as carriers I'Il which run on railroad type of tracks. These movable platforms roll into what I term herein as shelters I8 adjacent to all of the workshops lwhere they become extensions of shop floors. The sets are built directly on the platforms and need be handled but once in the assembly process.

Basically the preferred embodiment of the present system incorporates completely roofed-in craft shops II, property departments I3, stage shelters I6, work shop shelters I8, property deshelters I6, I8, I9 when temporarily out of use.

In accordance with certain phases of the 'present invention, the sets I5. are built on .the stage floor constituting at least one mobile platform which is movable to a position outside the stages.

Instead of hauling dozens of wall, oor and ceiling units to the stages in small groups, or supplying the stages with building materials for set construction, sets are built, erected vand completed at the shops II under Vgood 'working'conditions with convenient 'power machinery and accessible supplies. The sets I5 remain onthe platform I2, .which are moved from place to place as they undergo the variousoperations of set activ-ities.

The previously enumerated `activities comprisving. 11 in number may be performed vin accordance kwith the system shown in Figures 1-'13 embodying 'thefpreferred lform ofthe present intem herein described.

vention as outlined immediately below where the titles correspond to such previously enumerated activities. Y Y i 1.-Fa'b1z'catzon andv sab-assembly in. shops Fabrication of the setsvr I in thershops II is in accordance with present day practice.' But, the full assembly -is made on the mobile Vplatforms I2 while they are in shelters I8 adjacent to the `various shops. A mobile `platform l2 `(empty or partially filled) is transferred via a carrier I'I to one of the shelters adjacent the carpenter shop. The structure ofthe set is built in a predetermined position on the platform I2 and all of the carpentry is completed. If there is a` small plaster job on the set, the plasterers may work on the set while it is adjacent to the carpenter shop, but if there is a large amount of plastering, the platform may be moved to one of the shelters at theplaster shop. This same principle will apply to painting. However, if the painting isla spray job, the platform I may be transferred to the paint Shop where .one o r more of the shelters is equipped for spraying. Y

Since the platforms I2 lit accurately into all stages I0, sets that require two or more platforms for their structure may be built in sections which may meet in line when eventually placed in position on the stage. y

The allocation of platforms I2 to shop shelters I8 may be made according to the volume of construction activity in any particular craft, but normally the system operates on an assembly line principle starting with carpentry and ending with painting.

With intelligent planning a reasonably constant labor force, in each craft can handle the work, since the pressure of stage space for shooting activities versus stage space for construction activities is practically eliminated.

2,-Constractton and installation on stages Except when it is impracticable to build certain kinds of sets on the platforms at theshops, this operation is entirely eliminated in the sys- (Note: These instances ,arerare; typical cases would be farm yards, ice rinks, etc. For this type of set, platforms would be moved to the stage for the final construction work.) Y

. 3.-Dressing After the construction work on the set I5 has been completed, the platform I2 upon which it is 4mounted is moved to one of the property department shelters IS for dressing. This assumes that props are stocked in the property department, or have beenassembled there in advance.

After this operation the set is ready for inspection by the director, and the platform is held in one of the. shelters I6, I8, I9 awaiting dispatching to the stage. (Note: if rented props are used, they may not be in the property department at the time the set is first available for dressing, but props may be placed on the set while it is in a storage shelter vor after the set is transferred to the stage.)

4 and 5. scayozatng for overhead lamps ana electrical rigging These operations may be done on the stage at night between the time the old outgoing set is removed and beforethegshootingcall for the new incoming setthe next morning. Normally, there are 14 or 15 hours available each night for these operations." Since thev "position of the incoming set I5 von any platform'. I2 is .iiXed, and the position of that Vplatform in the stage is specified, the scaffold and lamp arrangement can be predetermined and the crewsmay proceed with their'work before the incoming yset is actually in position, using the false ceiling construction 20 .shown in Figures 11 and 12. Y

'Referring to Figure 11, suspended' from the roof trusses of the stage I0 are elevating scaffold grids or false ceiling 'construction 20, there Abeing one grid for each platform position. The scaffold grids 20 vmaybe raised and'lowered between the stage doorV and theV overhead roof trusses.' f

Before the outgoing set isremovedfrom the stage, thefloor lamps and any other-miscella neous equipment may be transferredto the stage shelves 29 and the grid structure 20'is hoisted clear of the outgoingjset. y

To scaffold and rig'the incoming set, thegrid structure 20 is lowered to a convenient level above the stage floor, permitting the crew to work on the stage floor, thus eliminating Vthe necessity of some ofthe crew going aloft.-

The beds and legs of scaffolds -22 are attached and braced to the grid structure 20 in a semipermanent manner, as for example, by bolts and nuts, and the lamps 2I are placed in position on the scaifolds, all while the scaifoldrbeds rest on the-stage floor. Generally, the lamps 2I are not removed from their scaffold beds when the beds are rearranged for the incoming set.

The grid structure Z, completewith scaffolds and lamps, is then hoisted out of the path of the incoming set. After the platform I2, having the set I5 mounted V.thereon in predetermined position, is rolled into Vposition,.the grid structure 2i) is lowered to. the proper height above the setwalls,v and, Vif xdesired, vsway braced to the stage walls. Y f Y During the night-the grip crew .may likewise hang or place any new backings required and the electricians may place the appropriate lights.

Shooting` proceeds just as it does under the present methodof operationbut subject to cast commitments, scenes may be shot in continuity without material extra expense. Ifseveral sequences are to be Vshot in the same. set, `the set may be stored?, intact in anyone of the shelters I6, I8, I9 between sequences and scheduled back to the stage. A

'L -Hola cof intact for rushes; (t) ma fold; (c)

for'retakes; (d) as a standing set Whenever anyof these operations is required and current stage space is needed, the set I5 on its platform I 2 may be removed from thefstage I0 andV transferred toa shelter I6, I 8,Y I9.

. Bq-Prop .strike Prop strikes normally take place after the set I5 -isl removed from the stage I0, either when the vplatform I2 is in a shelter I6, I8, I9' or when the platform is adjacent to the property department. Y

9.-Electrz'cal strike This operation has been described under activv Ihe overhead lamps 2I (Figure 11V) may be removed, if desired.

10. and 11.-S'et strike anzlsvztlvage` vIhiscompletes the Vcycle and produces empty platform'spacevfoi-,theA next cycle.A Y f i If there are no set elements to be -saved,l the platform I2 is rolled to the salvage yard and cleared of the set. However, when set elements areY to be saved, they may, be segregated and later returned to the scene docks, either by truck or via the platformsY :,I2-.

Dimensions and stage floor construction The size of the mobile platform I2 is of great importance. Its dimensions are the key dimensions of the studio. The size of the platform I2 controls the size of the shelters I6, I8, I9, the turntables 23, the carrier Il, the tracked streets 24, 25, 26 and indirectly the size ofthe stages III. After careful research, the most useful size platform for a typical studio was determined to be a rectangle 60 x 80! in dimension, and the most useful stage, vone which houses three platforms with their 80' sides adjoining.

Each stage I has a permanent floor shelf 29v which surrounds the platform area of the stage except at the large entrance doors. This shelf 29 is 20' or more in width and is built at a height `flush with the upper surface or iioor of the platforms I2. The stage floor area lbetween the shelves 29 contain the rails on which the platforms I2' travel in and out of position in the stage I0.

The 'shelf area gives added space to the platform area and is used for camera angle foregrounds, entrances and exits, and for backing area. In addition the shelves 29:!may be used for storage of miscellaneous equipment such as floor lamps, spare scaffolding, portable dressing rooms, grip equipment, prop equipment, make-up equipment, etc.

Adding the area of the shelves 29 to the area of the platform-s I2, the dimensions of a three platform stage become 120 (204-804-20) wide by 200 (60+60-{60+20) long. ASpecial stages housing 4 or more platforms may be built.

Stage doors Each stage has a large mechanically operated door 30 in one or both end walls,-to permit the translation of platforms I2 in and out of the stage I0. These doors are 80' wide with a height consistent with the height Aof the trusses. Normally the door opening should clear a set 30' high.

Platform construction The carrier I'I is a welded steel frame 65 x 80 mounted on twenty-four wheels 32, which roll on four tracks 33, 34, 35, 36. Across the top of this steel frame comprising carrier I1 are six standard railsA 31 identical in height, gauge and size with the rails i'nrall the stages III and in all the 'shelters I6;"I81,.lkallarranged for registry with andy rotation thereon ofthe car wheels 3|. of platforrn ,I2

On the carrier I1` are. male alignment wedges 38 whichare arranged tocooperate ,with` the stationary female locating devices to adjust'the carrier into exact position, ensuring perfect alignment of the carrier rails 3l with therails di! in the stages and shelters. Y

While I have shown the male alignment devices mounted` on the carrier,` and the female locating devices mounted at the entrance to stages and shelters, these cooperating Vdevices are preferably located with the male alignment wedge on the locomotive vit` arranged to entery the female locating device, whichis disposed Iin andl at the middle of the carrier streets in predetermined position with respect to the stage and shelter openings, in whichcase only one alignment wedge and locating device is necessary. K Engaging device'and Zink: chain beit Incased at the middle of eachrof the sides of the platform I2 is an. engaging' device orclutch member 4I which enables the platform I2r to belocked to a Vdriven link chain belt 42 mounted for guided movement in vthe'middle ,of the carrier I'I in aV direction perpendicular to the path of travel of the carrier. III. This ,belt

42 may be drivenY in conventional mannerV by a 4 reversible geared compressed air. motor'43 as indicated in Figure'13 which` may belco'ntrolled Y by valves 44 on the control board II'L5ron loco motive 46 arranged'integrallywiththe 'carrier I'I and on one end thereof.v translate the platform I2 60' off either sideof the carrier Il. Thus, it can move aY platform i2 in and out of all shelters I6, I8, I9 andin and out of the first position vin all stages Il). ,I n.

order to move a platform from position I toY positions 2 and 3 in a stage, a similar driven link chain belt 4l is required in the middle-of the stage floor in positiony 2. form stage requires two such beltsy4I, oney each in positions 2 and 4. These belts 41 may be. driven in either direction by a similar prime mover' mounted in stage I 0. i

The locomotive The carrier I1 is coupledy vto the locomotive lilil which runs on the two inboard rails 34, 35 of the 4 track systems 33, 34, 35, 36in the oarrirstreets 24, 25, 26. One power unit' 48, a large gas-"-driven ,air compressor, supplies power to operate the locomotive motor 53 through control 'valve 54 to cause propulsion of drive wheels on rails 34, 35,

the air brake system 49 (Figure 13) for carrier I1 throughair brake valve 5.0, the air motor 43 which operates the link chain belt 42', and the pistons 5I of the alignment motor or wedges 38 which is controlled by valve 52. As explained previously, as an alternative construction, only one alignment motor or wedge 38 may be mounted on the locomotive for cooperation with a centrallyv the turntable cross at Hence, after every quarter turn, the tracks in the carrier streetsvand This belt 42 may-l A four or live; plat on the turntable are in line. The turntables 23 may be driven by electric or air motors and its ro- Y tation may be controlled by vautomatic stop mechanism. i

The clutch r engaging device 4| shown specically in Figures -11 mounted on each end of a platform I2 embodies important features ofthe present invention. The device 4I is arranged to selectively engage cooperating lugs 55 carried on the endless belt 42 as indicated'in Figure 9 whereby the belt may drive the connected platform I2.

Device 4| has a vertically movable dog carrier element 56 slidably mounted in a vertical guideway 51 with a pivoted dog element 58 at its lower 'end for engagement with the cleat on lug 55 on belt 42. The carrier element 55 and attached dog element 58 may be maintained in an elevated position by a manually operable over center mechanism comprising:V a manually operable control wheel 59 having its shaft G0 journalled for rotation in the housing 6I with` a crank element 62 on shaft pivoted to one end of thrust rod 53 which has its other end pivoted on the slidable dog carrier 56, downward movementrof carrier 55 from its raised position shown in Figure 8 being prevented by engagement of lthe rod 63 with the,

carrier face E4. Downward motionof the carrier 56 from its lowermost position shown in Figure 6 is prevented due to engagement of shaft 6G with the curved face65 on the carrier 55.

Thus, the dog member 58 may be moved fromv its lowermost position shown in Figure 6 to its raised retracted position shown in Figure 8 by turningv the control handle 59 through a distance of approximately 120 and in such case, the dog member 58 remains in its raised position until the control handle 59 is rotated in a reverse direction to an extent where the pivot point defined by the connection of crank member 62 with rod 63 passes its over center position in which case the carrier 63 and attached dog 58 may fall by gravity into clutch engaging position. This required reverse movement of handle 59 is relatively small as is evident from an inspection of Figures 6 and 8.

The dog element 58 is pivoted on its carrier 55 about an axis substantially parallel to the direction of the travel of belt 42 to allow the dog 58 to be brushed aside'byvthe belt guard 58 as indicated in Figure 10 when inadvertently or intentionally the dog member 58 is left in its lowermost position wherein it may be engaged by the chain '42 as the carrier I'I upon which it is mounted travels in the direction indicated by the arrow 6l. This is important since as shown in Figure 5, the platform I2, when in any one of the shelters, has an end overhanging above the path of movement of the carrier I'I whereby the dog element 58 may be dropped into position over the belt 42. This overhanging end of the platform, of course, is not in the pathv of movement of a similar platform on the carrier. For this reason .the transverse length of the carrier is somewhat longer than the platform as indicated in Figure 3 to provide clearance.'

It is noted that when the dog element 58 is dropped into position over belt 42 it is not essential that the engaging cleator lug 55 on belt 42 be directly under it since the dog members are provided with the cam surfaces 58A which when the belt 42 travels under` it causes the dog 58 and attached carrier 55 to move upwardly into the guideway 51 from where it subsequently falls by gravity forces onto and over such lug 58 as such lug is propelled into registry position shown in Figure 9.

stage by thechain drive 41 which may be of identicalconstruction and driven by similar means as is the chain 42` .on the carrier. Thus, when a platform is moved into a sound stage both chain drives 42 and41 are operated in succession., in

thatY order, to lmove the platform completely within the sound stage. These chain drives are, of course, operated in succession, in reverse order, in movement of arplatform' out of a stage onto a carrier. Y

The system shown in Figure 1 may be operated with two carriers and sufficient platforms to fill all but ve or six shelters, the shelters empty at any particular time being useful vin platform transferring operations.

Anotherimportant feature of the present invention is the false ceiling structure 20 shown in Figures 11 and 12. This ceiling structure 20 may be raised upon operation of the up pushbutton 69 which'serves to automatically raise and stop theV structure 20 in .accordance with apparatus well understood in the electrical elevator art. Such apparatus mayinclude flexible `cables 'I9 having one of their ends attached to the structure 20 and passing over pulleys 'II mounted onl the stationaryv ceiling structure 12 and having l'their other end wound ona drum 'I3 which is driven by the electricV motor '14, the motor I4 being controlled by the up button 69,'the down button 15, and the stop button 16.

When the down button 'I5 is pressed, the grid-like false ceiling 20 is lowered to a point above the stage floor to allow craftsmen standing on the stage `floor 'to attach the scaffolding 22 onto the cross? members comprising the grid structure 20` and also tocorrect position of the lamps 2 I. This may be done when the platforms I2 are outside of the stage.l

The height of the mobile platform I2 mounted on the carrier I'I determines the height of the stage shelves, the shop floors and the dock oors. This height may be 32" above the carrier track level. The rails 31 on the carrier, in the stages and in the shelters, may be 161/2 above the carrier track level. f

The tracks in the carrier streets 24, 25, 2on which the carrier II travels are laid with no gradient, and are imbedded in the pavement so that there are no obstacles to pedestrain orl vehicle traffic. The entire area of the stages, shops, shelters and tracked streets is under cover. Thus sets with rtheir furnishings are protected from` the weather as they are transported around the studio. The regular traffic streets which serve the stages, shops and docks, are elevated 32 above the carrier track level, and are ramped down where they cross the carrier streets,

Bccl'cr projection Street' fronts If a number of sections of streetA fronts are built on the ends of several platforms-these platforms may be arranged in different' order orturned end for end before they are placed in position in the stage.

Thus many combinations of the same fronts may be used for different street scenes.

`This same principle may be employed for outdoor shootingl by extending the track system onv the back lot.

Shallow tanks Water-tight sidev boards and floors may be built on any platform and the. whole area. used as a shallow tank. Miniature water sets can be built at the prop shop andthe water introduced after the platform. is in the stage. If stageconditions are not' required, miniatures may be shot while in their shelters at the prop' shop.

Pitsv and tanks Stage pits and tanks now can be utilized more' vention vshould have enough mobile platforms to ll each stage three times. Thus, whiley onethird of the platforms, maybe tied up on the shooting stages, the other two-thirds are outside of the stages undergoing the various other operations at the shelters. this number of platforms produces stage floor space for set activities equivalent to that of. a conventional studiov with three times as many stages. However, only one-third of the platforms are housed in expensive sound proof structures; the other two thirds are housed vin shelters whose cost per square foot is less than one-half of the stage cost per square foot. In such a studio there is a saving in capital investment of 1/3- of the stage costl of the comparable conventional studio. Y l

' The cost of the shops and other buildings in the studio described herein has been eliminated from this comparison because` the same shops and other buildings are required under both systems. However, in the system embodying the present invention, since the platforms become shop iloor extensions, many of the shop areas can be materially reduced, resulting in further savings in capital investment.

The modified system illustrated in Figures 14, 15 consists of a series of sound proof stages IOI to |08 and a power and air conditioning building |09, all placed alongside a shop and industrial area consisting of shops H and III and storage docks H2, the sound stages and the shops Vor work area being interconnected by a rail and turntablev system which permits the selective shifting of mobile units H4, hereinafter more fully'described, from any of the shops or storage docks to any of the sound stages, or vice versa. Another sound proof stage may be substituted for ther power and air conditioning building ifdesired.

As shown in Figure 14, the system for handlin motion picture sets is such that a single or any Iny practical operationv number of sound stagesV may be increased or reduced in-number as, desired; forexample, to increase thenutnberv oi'v sound stages, a series of such stages could be placed along the ends of the entire work and storage area as illustrated by the dotted lines H5, and the number of sound stages could4 be further increased by placing additional sound stages alongthe lower side of the complete setup. Y

vThe track system interconnecting the work and storage area and sound stages consists of a plurality of tracks A to J, inclusive, extending transversely of theA entire work and storage areas and' each track ending within the area of a sound stage. Associated with each of the individual tracks, A. to J, inclusive, is a turntable H6 at the one side ,of the industral area and a turntable I I1 at the opposite side of the industrial area. The track Eis aligned with the power and air conditioning building 109, but does not enter such building, and has a turntable I I6 at one end thereof and a turntable II'I at the opposite end thereof. The turntables H6 are interconnected by a track H8 extending normal vtothe tracks A to kJ, inclusive, and the'turntables II'I are interconnected by a track H9 also extending normal to tracks A tol J, inclusive. In lieu of turntables, other direction changing devices may be used.

The mobile iioox units H4 are provided with suitable wheels to enable them to travel over the tracks hereinbefore described, and the Vturntables H6 and II'I are preferably of such size as to carry two of the mobile oor units at one time. However, this may be varied in different installations. These movable hoor units also are preferably of such size that they may be combined in various combinations of numbers of floor units to fit any orV all sound stages and sets; that is, only one of the mobile floor units may be necessary for a certain stage or set, or two or more may be required to be combined for a particular stage or set. Y

In the particular arrangement shown, the two storage docks H2 are located at the opposite sides of the work and storage area, and intermediate the storage docks H2 are the shops I I0and III. As indicated, the shop H0 may contain the carpenter shop, grip department and the electrical department, with the shop IH having therein the property department, the prop making department and the plaster and paint department. This arrangement of the various departments in the shops H0 and III may be varied tolsuit the particular/installation. As shown, the storage docks II 2 and the shops H0 and III are provided with ledges or runways |20 along their sides, such ledges |20 being of suiiicient height to provide for easy access from the ledges to the level of the mobile units. In they same manner the sound stages I 0I to |08, inclusive, are provided with similar ledges or runways I2I on each side of the 'tracks running thereinto so that a level iioor completely across the sound stage building may be provid/edv by the ledges and the mobile units.

By this invention a routing system is provided whereby the sets may be completed, vchanged. or repaired wholly apart from the sound stages, and,

thus, any tying up Aof the ysound stages'for a period of' time or interference with use of the sound stages in any manner for the making of of the system tov any other part. Assuming that a set is to be built completely,'a single or any number of mobile units required may be taken from the tracks A, C, E, G or J, which may provide for storage space for the mobile units, or, if desired, a passageway from one transverse track to another, and may be started, for example, in the carpenter shop contained in the shop |29, the mobile unit or units lill being shifted from one track to another to nally arrive within the shop Il by the use of any suitable `propelling or drawing means land the turntables i I8 or H7. From the carpenter shop containedin' the shop HQ, and wherein the set is started to be constructed, the mobile units may be moved progressively through the grip department and electrical department in shop I l and then transferred tothe'shop Hl by means Yofrtheturn-v tables H6 or il'lV and the tracks |18- and H9;

where the partially completed sets on the mobile units may vbepassed through the property department, thelprop' making department and the plaster and paint' department, or any other departments provided so,l thatthe mobile unit or units will emerge from the shops in suchv condition as to form a complete set; By the use ofthe turntables H6 and IH and the tracks Ato J, inclusive, the complete set then may be shifted to the assigned sound stage Il to |98, inclusive, or a part of the complete set may be moved to one sound stage vand a part to another sound stage if such separation is required in the taking of `a picture. H6 and Ill and the tracks A to J, inclusive, all or any part of a set may be removed fromrany sound stage and shifted to the shops for change or repair, leaving the remainder of the set within the sound stage and usable to what/ever extent possible.

After the sets have served their purpose, or if the sets areY not required for a period of time, they may be shifted from the sound stages on which they have been used to the storage docks H2, or to the tracks A, C, E, G and J, and left there until such time as they are needed again, or the sets may be moved into the shops l Ill and l l I for disassembly and salvage or other disposal.

Referring to the drawings and to the preceding description, it will be seen that there is provided a system for handling motion picture sets embodying numerous novel and advantageous features. This system provides for theutilization of the sound stages to their fullest advantage without interference by reason of the manufacture of sets therein or the repai1l or change of such sets, and also provides for shifting the sets so that no sound stage need be held up by reason of having a set therein'which is not in use, but must be held over for a later date.

While the particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modications as fall within the true spirit and scope of carrier, an endless belt on said carrier movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the By the same use of the. turntables;

path of movement of said carrier, power means on said carrier arranged to propel said belt, and

- ing means including a dog member on said platform mounted both for vertical movement into engagement with said belt and also for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to the ydirection of movement of said carrier whereby said dog member may be moved out of harms way.

2.2The structure dened in claim 1, wherein said dog member is pivotally connected to a manually operable mechanism mounted on the platform. i

'3. The arrangement set Vforth in claim 1 in which trackmeans support and guide the movement of .said carrier, a stage disposed adjacent said track means, prime mover means on said stage for engaging and moving a platform onto and off said carrier, said platform having an end raised suiciently above' said carrier whereby said carrier may move underneath said platform whilesaid platform is in position on said stage.

4. In a system of the character' described for erecting motion picture and television sets, a mobile carrier, first track means supporting and guiding said carrier, a platform, second track means supporting and guiding the movement of said platform on said carrier, a stage mounted adjacent said first track means, cooperating guide means in said stage, said second track means on said carrier being Aalignable with said guide `means on said stage, iirst prime mover means on said carrier for propelling said carrier on said Vfirst track means', second prime mover means on said carrier for moving said platform on 'said carrier, said -second prime mover means including an endless belt on said carrerand movable transversely thereof, a dog member on said platform, manually operable clutch means on said platform forI moving said'dog member into engagement with said endless belt, said dog member rbeing mounted both for vertical movement into engagement with said belt and also for pivotal movement about an Aaxis perpendculart'o the direction of movement of said carrier'whereby said dog member may be moved out of harms way, and turntable means in communi-cation 'with the rst'mentioned track means for orienting said carrier on saidplatform whereby the platform mayY be` moved into said stage in proper oriented direction.

FRED E. PELTON.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES Vrainure Number Name Date 1,404,926 Burnham Jan. 31, 1922 1,585,373 Carletti May 18, 1926r 1,797,325 Chaudoir Mar. 24, 1931 1,877,193 Norton Sept. 13, 41932 1,923,741 Murdock Aug. 2'2, 1933 2,292,284 Ogden Aug. 4, 1942 2,311,131 Rudolph Feb. 16, 1943 2,321,253 Schellentrager June 8, 1943 2,345,706 Kurnit Apr. 4, 1944 2,391,173 Loftus et al Dec. 18, 1945 2,483,817

VEhinger Oct.44, 1949

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