US766238A - Actuating mechanism for theatrical curtains. - Google Patents

Actuating mechanism for theatrical curtains. Download PDF

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Publication number
US766238A
US766238A US20778504A US1904207785A US766238A US 766238 A US766238 A US 766238A US 20778504 A US20778504 A US 20778504A US 1904207785 A US1904207785 A US 1904207785A US 766238 A US766238 A US 766238A
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curtain
cables
drums
shaft
weight
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US20778504A
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Samuel H Garrett
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ENERGY ELEVATOR Co
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ENERGY ELEVATOR Co
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63JDEVICES FOR THEATRES, CIRCUSES, OR THE LIKE; CONJURING APPLIANCES OR THE LIKE
    • A63J1/00Stage arrangements
    • A63J1/02Scenery; Curtains; Other decorations; Means for moving same
    • A63J1/028Means for moving hanging scenery

Definitions

  • My invention has relation to drop or safety curtains for theaters or other places of amusement, and in such connection it relates more particularly to the raising' and lowering mechanisms for such character of curtains opel'- ative from desired points of the stage, as well as to means for controlling the same from different points of the stag'e.
  • the principal objects of my invention are, first, to provide a drop or safety curtain with means for controlling the ascent and descent from various points or positions of the stage; second, to provide such a curtain with means whereby it may be raised or lowered before attaching the curtain to its counter-weight means to permit of repairs thereto or storage of the same, and, third, to provide a curtain of the character described with raising mechanism and with means for breaking the descent of the curtain under the influence of gravity to thereby bring the curtain in its descent 3o gradually to its lowered position.
  • My invention stated in general terms, consists of actuating' mechanism for theatrical or other curtains constructed and arranged in substantially the manner hereinafter described and claimed.
  • Figure l is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a drop or safety curtain and its actuating' mechanisms, embodying main features of my present invention, looking at the same from the back of the stage. Eig. 2.
  • Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the mechanism shown in Eig. 9., eertain parts being removed for the sake of clearness.
  • Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of one of the main operating-drums, from the cable of which drum the curtain is connected and provided with a safety device to control the extent of unwinding' of the cable from the drum.
  • Fig. 5 is a front elevational view in detail of the 4friction device for controlling the band-brake of the auxiliary operating mechanism for the curtain.
  • Fig. 6 is an cn- 60 larged sectional and elevational view in detail of a device to permit of the movement in one direction only of the main operating-shcave, and
  • Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view in section of a dash-pot arrangement for controlling the gradual stoppage of the curtain in its descent to its lowermost position.
  • the curtain n is shown as suspended in its lowermost position to the rear of the opening fr (illustrated in dotted outline in Eig. l) of the prosceniumwall of a theater or other amusement ediice by means of suitable cables u2, adapted to be wound onto a series of drums u, suitably and securely keyed to the main lifting-shaft of the curtain elevating' and lowering mechanisms of my invention.
  • the cables u are of sufficient length to reach from the drums n to the stage a" to facilitate attaching ordetaching the curtain.
  • the lifting-shaft 5 also has keyed thereto a drum d, upon Awhich is wound a cable CZ, carrying at its end a suitable weight e for balancing the weight of the curtain.
  • the cable d is so arranged upon its drum CZ that when the curtain is raised by the rotation of they lifting-shaft and the cables a2 are wound on their respective drums a3 the cable d' will be is in its raised position the chain c2 will liein a heap at the bottom of the box e.
  • the lower end of the chain e2 is secured to a piston-rod f of a dash-pot f, securely fastened at the bottom of the'box er.
  • the dash-pot f (illustrated in detail in Fig.
  • the curtain-lifting mechanism comprises in addition to the lifting-drums a3.
  • a sheavewheel g mounted upon the lifting-shaft and provided with an endless rope g, adapted to be operated to raise the curtain from the flygallery 7L of the theater.
  • This sheave-wheel g is permitted to turn in but one operative direction by means of the device t'. (Illustrated in detail in Fig. 6.)
  • This device has inclined faces t", between which andthe wheel g are placed rollers 2, adapted to jam against the sides of the rim of the sheave-wheel g when turned in one direction, yet leaving the sheave-Wheel free when turned in a contrary direction to raise the curtain.
  • the sheave-wheel g is loosely mounted upon the shaft I) and is adapted to be locked thereto by means of a friction-clutch k. It will therefore ⁇ be understood that when the sheave-wheel g is locked to the lifting-shaft y Z1 the curtain can only be raised, and when it is desired to lower the curtain it is necessary to disconnect the sheave-wheel g from the lifting-shaft 7).
  • Vthe lever 1 is attached to an endless rope which runs over suitable g'uide-pulleys 71:3 and 704 to such points from which it may be desired to lower the curtain from the stage and fly-gallery.
  • this controlling-rope k2 is shown running to both the fly-gallery and to the stage, so that the curtain can be loW- ered from either point.
  • the curtain t is slightly heavier than the balancing-weight e
  • the pinion m which is adapted to mesh with a pinion m, slidably arf
  • the pinion m is not in engagement with the gear m, (see l Fig. 2;) but
  • the pinion fm is slid along the shaft m2 until it meshes with the ⁇ gear m.
  • On the shaft m2 is mounted a large sheave-wheel m3, provided with an endless rope mi, adapted to be operated from the Hy.- gallery L.
  • the mechanism for operating this band-brake comprises a lever a, pivoted, as at a', and carrying a weight a2, tending normally to release the band-brake from its engagement With the rim ofthe sheave-wheel m3.
  • a cord or rope 0 adapted to raise the lever a to cause the bandbrake to engage the rim of the sheave.
  • the cord 0 is adapted to run over a series of frictionrollers o and to a point in proximity to the iiy-gallery L, from which it is adapted to be operated.
  • a Weight 02 serving to a certain extent to balance the weight a2 on the lever n and acting in conjunction with the weight a2 and friction-rollers 0 to lock the band-brake either in or out of engagement with the rim of the sheave m3.
  • Fig. 4 of the drawings there is illustrated one of the drums a3 for raising the curtain.
  • the lifting-cables t2 are of suiicient length to reach fromthe drums to the stage. Ordinarily, however, only about half of this length is used, and it is possible in case of an accident, such as the breaking of the cable carrying the balanceingweights, that the entire curtain would drop kthe required amount of cable will be permitted to unwind from the drum in the descent of the curtain.
  • a device ot' the character described, comp rising a curtain, a series of cables from which the curtain is suspended, a series of drums upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain, a shaft upon which said drums are mounted, in combination with means for balancing the weight ot' the curtain, comprising a drum mounted upon said shaft and upon which is wound a cable carrying a weight at its free end, said cable being' so arranged as to be unwound when the curtainraising cables are wound on their respective drums.
  • a device ot' the character described comprising a curtain, a series ot' cables from which said curtain is suspended, a series of drums upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain, in combination with means for balancing the weight of the curtain, and means for gradually bringing the curtain to a stop at its lowermost position.
  • a device of the character described comprising a curtain, a series of cables from which said curtain is suspended, a series of drums upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain, in combination with means for balancing the weight of the curtain, and means for balancing the weight of the cables as the same are wound or unwound from their respective drums.
  • a device of the character described comprising a curtain, a series of cables from which said curtain is suspended, a series ot' drums i upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain, a shaft upon which said drums are mounted, means for locking the shaft against rotation to prevent unwinding ot' the cables from their respective'drums, means for unlocking thc shaft to permit the curtain to descend and means for cont-rolling the unlocking means from any desired point.
  • a device ofthe character described comprising a curtain, a series of cables from which said curtain is suspended, a series of drums upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain and means for balancing the weight ot' the curtain, in combination with means for raising the curtain when the balancing means is detached.
  • a device of the character described comprising' a curtain, a series of cables from which said curtain is suspended, a series of drums upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain, a shaft upon which said drums are mounted, in combination with means for raising the curtain when the balancing means is detached, comprising a gearwheel mounted upon the shaft carrying said drums, a pinion normally out ot' engagement with said gear-wheel ⁇ but adapted to be slid into' engagement with the same and means adapted to rotate said pinion.

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  • Curtains And Furnishings For Windows Or Doors (AREA)

Description

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.
ljATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.V
S. H. GARRBTT. AGTUATI-NG MBGHANISM FOR THBATRIGAL CURTAINS APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1904.
NO MODEL.
M LT ...QM KK o @5K Z m w 4 W PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.
S. H. GARRETT. ACTUATING MEOHANISM FOR THEATRIGAL CURTAINS.
APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1904.
2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.
N0 MODEL.
UNITED STATES Patented August 2, 1904.
PATENT OEEICE.
SAMUEL H. GARRETT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ENERGY ELEVATOR COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.
ACTUATING NIECHANISNI FOR THEATRICAL CURTAINS.
SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 766,238, dated. August 2, 1904.
Application filed May 13, 1904.
T rl/ZZ whom it mf/,y concern:
Be it known that I, SAMUEL H. GARRETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Actuating Mechanism for Theatrical Ourtains, of which the following is a specification.
My invention has relation to drop or safety curtains for theaters or other places of amusement, and in such connection it relates more particularly to the raising' and lowering mechanisms for such character of curtains opel'- ative from desired points of the stage, as well as to means for controlling the same from different points of the stag'e.
The principal objects of my invention are, first, to provide a drop or safety curtain with means for controlling the ascent and descent from various points or positions of the stage; second, to provide such a curtain with means whereby it may be raised or lowered before attaching the curtain to its counter-weight means to permit of repairs thereto or storage of the same, and, third, to provide a curtain of the character described with raising mechanism and with means for breaking the descent of the curtain under the influence of gravity to thereby bring the curtain in its descent 3o gradually to its lowered position.
My invention, stated in general terms, consists of actuating' mechanism for theatrical or other curtains constructed and arranged in substantially the manner hereinafter described and claimed.
The nature and characteristic features of my invention will be more fully understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which Figure l is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a drop or safety curtain and its actuating' mechanisms, embodying main features of my present invention, looking at the same from the back of the stage. Eig. 2.
is an enlarged front elevational view of the mam and auxiliary mechanisms for control- Serial No. 207,785. (No model.)
ling the raising and lowering' of the curtain. Eig. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the mechanism shown in Eig. 9., eertain parts being removed for the sake of clearness. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of one of the main operating-drums, from the cable of which drum the curtain is connected and provided with a safety device to control the extent of unwinding' of the cable from the drum. Fig. 5 is a front elevational view in detail of the 4friction device for controlling the band-brake of the auxiliary operating mechanism for the curtain. Fig. 6 is an cn- 60 larged sectional and elevational view in detail of a device to permit of the movement in one direction only of the main operating-shcave, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view in section of a dash-pot arrangement for controlling the gradual stoppage of the curtain in its descent to its lowermost position.
Referring to the drawings, the curtain n is shown as suspended in its lowermost position to the rear of the opening fr (illustrated in dotted outline in Eig. l) of the prosceniumwall of a theater or other amusement ediice by means of suitable cables u2, adapted to be wound onto a series of drums u, suitably and securely keyed to the main lifting-shaft of the curtain elevating' and lowering mechanisms of my invention. The cables u: are of sufficient length to reach from the drums n to the stage a" to facilitate attaching ordetaching the curtain. ln conlined situations-- that is, where the space is limited in which the curtain is located to be raised and lowered-in such instance the cables z2 are attached to a hatten o, secured to the curtain at a point below the top thereof. That portion of the curtain between the batten if and the batten o at the top of the curtain is raised by means of cables of, secured to the batten u" and traveling' over wheclsr/h', loosely mounted on the shaft f. These cables are provided at their free ends with weights u". It will be understood that while the curtain is rising to its uppermost position that portion of thecurtain between the battens a. and c will fold over and permit the other portion to rise. The lifting-shaft 5 also has keyed thereto a drum d, upon Awhich is wound a cable CZ, carrying at its end a suitable weight e for balancing the weight of the curtain. The cable d is so arranged upon its drum CZ that when the curtain is raised by the rotation of they lifting-shaft and the cables a2 are wound on their respective drums a3 the cable d' will be is in its raised position the chain c2 will liein a heap at the bottom of the box e. The lower end of the chain e2 is secured to a piston-rod f of a dash-pot f, securely fastened at the bottom of the'box er. The dash-pot f (illustrated in detail in Fig. 7) comprises a cylinder f2, traversed by a piston f3 and provided at its upper end with a valve fA1 of any suitable construction to control theegress of the air from the upper end of the cylinder. This dash-pot is so arranged A'that the curtain will be brought to a gradual stop at its lowermost position without shock or jar.
The curtain-lifting mechanism comprises in addition to the lifting-drums a3. a sheavewheel g, mounted upon the lifting-shaft and provided with an endless rope g, adapted to be operated to raise the curtain from the flygallery 7L of the theater. This sheave-wheel g is permitted to turn in but one operative direction by means of the device t'. (Illustrated in detail in Fig. 6.) This device has inclined faces t", between which andthe wheel g are placed rollers 2, adapted to jam against the sides of the rim of the sheave-wheel g when turned in one direction, yet leaving the sheave-Wheel free when turned in a contrary direction to raise the curtain. The sheave-wheel g is loosely mounted upon the shaft I) and is adapted to be locked thereto by means of a friction-clutch k. It will therefore `be understood that when the sheave-wheel g is locked to the lifting-shaft y Z1 the curtain can only be raised, and when it is desired to lower the curtain it is necessary to disconnect the sheave-wheel g from the lifting-shaft 7). To operate the friction-clutch, Vthe lever 1 is attached to an endless rope which runs over suitable g'uide-pulleys 71:3 and 704 to such points from which it may be desired to lower the curtain from the stage and fly-gallery. In Fig. 1 this controlling-rope k2 is shown running to both the fly-gallery and to the stage, so that the curtain can be loW- ered from either point. The curtain t is slightly heavier than the balancing-weight e,
This weight Y -ranged on a shaft m2.
vis provided with a band-brake m5.
so that when ythe sheave-wheel g is discon- 6 5 nected from the lifting-shaft b by means of the friction-clutch ,7c the curtain will readily descend by gravity.
When it is desired to attach or detach the curtain for repairs or otherwise, it is necessary to lower the top of the curtain to the stage, and to accomplish this result the balancing-weights must boe disconnected and the dead-weight of the curtain must be handled by the lifting mechanism. 'It would not be possible to raise the curtain by means of the sheave-wheel g and rope g' without the assistance of the balanCing-Weight e. Therefore in order that the curtain mayl readily be handled when the balancing-weight is detached there is provided thel following' auxiliary liftingmechanism: On the end of the lifting-- shaft bis secured a gear-wheel. m, which is adapted to mesh with a pinion m, slidably arf Ordinarily the pinion m is not in engagement with the gear m, (see l Fig. 2;) but When it is desired to use the auxiliary lifting mechanism the pinion fm is slid along the shaft m2 until it meshes with the `gear m. On the shaft m2 is mounted a large sheave-wheel m3, provided with an endless rope mi, adapted to be operated from the Hy.- gallery L. The rim of the sheave-Wheel m3 The mechanism for operating this band-brake comprises a lever a, pivoted, as at a', and carrying a weight a2, tending normally to release the band-brake from its engagement With the rim ofthe sheave-wheel m3. To the outer end of the lever n is secured a cord or rope 0, adapted to raise the lever a to cause the bandbrake to engage the rim of the sheave. The cord 0 is adapted to run over a series of frictionrollers o and to a point in proximity to the iiy-gallery L, from which it is adapted to be operated. At the free end of the cord 0 is secured a Weight 02, serving to a certain extent to balance the weight a2 on the lever n and acting in conjunction with the weight a2 and friction-rollers 0 to lock the band-brake either in or out of engagement with the rim of the sheave m3.
In Fig. 4 of the drawings there is illustrated one of the drums a3 for raising the curtain. As hereinbefore described, the lifting-cables t2 are of suiicient length to reach fromthe drums to the stage. Ordinarily, however, only about half of this length is used, and it is possible in case of an accident, such as the breaking of the cable carrying the balanceingweights, that the entire curtain would drop kthe required amount of cable will be permitted to unwind from the drum in the descent of the curtain.
IOO.
IOS
IIO
Having thus described the nature and objects of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is m 1. A device ot' the character described, comp rising a curtain, a series of cables from which the curtain is suspended, a series of drums upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain, a shaft upon which said drums are mounted, in combination with means for balancing the weight ot' the curtain, comprising a drum mounted upon said shaft and upon which is wound a cable carrying a weight at its free end, said cable being' so arranged as to be unwound when the curtainraising cables are wound on their respective drums.
2. A device ot' the character described, comprising a curtain, a series ot' cables from which said curtain is suspended, a series of drums upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain, in combination with means for balancing the weight of the curtain, and means for gradually bringing the curtain to a stop at its lowermost position.
A device of the character described, comprising a curtain, a series of cables from which said curtain is suspended, a series of drums upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain, in combination with means for balancing the weight of the curtain, and means for balancing the weight of the cables as the same are wound or unwound from their respective drums.
A. A device of the character described, comprising a curtain, a series of cables from which said curtain is suspended, a series ot' drums i upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain, a shaft upon which said drums are mounted, means for locking the shaft against rotation to prevent unwinding ot' the cables from their respective'drums, means for unlocking thc shaft to permit the curtain to descend and means for cont-rolling the unlocking means from any desired point.
5. A device ofthe character described, comprising a curtain, a series of cables from which said curtain is suspended, a series of drums upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain and means for balancing the weight ot' the curtain, in combination with means for raising the curtain when the balancing means is detached.
6. A device of the character described, comprising' a curtain, a series of cables from which said curtain is suspended, a series of drums upon which said cables are adapted to be wound to raise the curtain, a shaft upon which said drums are mounted, in combination with means for raising the curtain when the balancing means is detached, comprising a gearwheel mounted upon the shaft carrying said drums, a pinion normally out ot' engagement with said gear-wheel` but adapted to be slid into' engagement with the same and means adapted to rotate said pinion.
1n testimony whereof 1 have hereunto set my signature in the presence ot' two subscribing witnesses.
SAMUEL H. GARRETT. Vitnesses:
J. VAL'rnn DoUGLAss, THOMAS M. SMITH.
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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3345066A (en) * 1964-07-22 1967-10-03 George C Izenour Scenery handling apparatus
US4303237A (en) * 1980-02-06 1981-12-01 Hoffend Jr Donald A Arrangement for supporting theatrical equipment

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3345066A (en) * 1964-07-22 1967-10-03 George C Izenour Scenery handling apparatus
US4303237A (en) * 1980-02-06 1981-12-01 Hoffend Jr Donald A Arrangement for supporting theatrical equipment

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