US845731A - Curtain-hoisting apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

MR [Memes PATENTBD FEB: 26, 190?. 1. ESKMJSSON.

CURTAIN HOISTING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED APR. 23. 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

4 IL m 5 513 A SHOLIHH PATENTED FEB. 26, 1907.

T. ESKILSSON. CURTAIN HOISTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APILZS. 1906.

No. 845,731. PATENTED FEB. 26, 1907. T. ESKILSSON. CURTAIN HOISTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23. 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

- S14v0 1 1 to:

WON -14c was 'i i f N0. 845,731. PATENTBD FEB. 26. 1907.

' T. ESKILSSON.

CURTAIN HOISTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.23. 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

INVENTOR 'THEODOR ESKILSSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CURTAIN-HOISTING APPARATUSi;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26, 1907.

Application filed April 23, 1906- Serial No. 313,137

To aZZ whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, THEODOR ESKILSSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, United States of America, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in (urtain-Hoisting Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a hoisting apparatus, and is especially adaptable for use in raisin and lowering curtains 1n theaters.

t consists in novel construction and ar rangement of parts, which will be fully described in the following specification, and the novel features thereof pointed out in claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a stage, showing my improved hoisting apparatus used in conjunction therewith. Fig. 2 is a plan view of some of the parts shown in Fig. i. 3 shows my improved apparatus in side elevation, and Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional viewof an electromagnetic clutch which T use in carrying out my invention. Fig. 6 is end elevation, partly in section, of an electric brake, also used in carrying out my invention. Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partially in section, of an automatic cut-0d or stop-motion switch. Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view of a push-button controller-switch for controlling the apparatus, and Fig. 9 is a wiringdiagram of a preferred form. of electrical circuits.

like characters of reference designate corresponding parts inall of the figures and the specification.

10 designates a stage.

11 is a proscenium.

12, l3, and 14 designate curtains which are adapted to be moved up and down in front of the proscenium. These curtains are connected, by means of ropes or cables 12*, 13, and 14:, to rollers 17, 1'8, and 19, after passing over supporting-sheaves at 15 and guiding-sheaves at 16. The chain-wheels 17 18, and 19 are rigidly connected to the shafts of'the rollers 17, 18', and-19 and arranged to rotate with the rollers. Chains 17 18 and 19 are arranged to pass over these chain-wheels and down to the hoisting apparatus, which I will now describe.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, 20 design ates an electric motor, the shaft 21 of which is arranged to drive a shaft in one direction by being suitably connected to it by means of a belt or chain 22 and to drive a shaft in the opposite direction by being connected to it by gears 23, a counter-shaft 24, and a chain or belt 25. The gears 23 may be so proportioned as to cause the shaft 40 to rotate at the same rate of speed as that of the shaft 30, or, if desired, they may be arranged to cause the rotation of shaft 40 to be greater or less than that of shaft 30. Mounted upon the shafts 30 and 40 are a series of electromagnetic clutches, (designated in the drawings by so, so: 60 60 and 60 One of these magnetic clutches is shown somewhat in detail in Fig. 5. let us, for example, consider this the clutch designated in Fig. 3by 60-. All of these clutches are of substantially the same construction, so that a description of one of them will he suiiicient to fully explain this part of the invention. A magnet member 61 is ri idly mounted upon the shaft 30. This meml". er may be held in place by means of a key 61 and a collar 61 The magnet member 61 is of course composed of a magnetic material, such. as iron. A coil or winding is placed rritlt-in this magnet member, and its terminals 62 and 62 are connected to collector- rings 63 and 64, upon which crushes 63 and 64*- hear. A. secondary memlcer 65 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 36 in close proximity to the magnet memh er 61, and this portion 65 constitutes an arms.- ture for the magnet 61. The parts 61 and 65 may he arranged to be held apart by means of a slip-ring 66, which may be pressed outward loy springs 66. When the parts are thus pressed apart, the magnet memlter 61 will rotate with shaft 36, but the secondary or armature member 65 will remain at rest. To insure this part 65 remaining at rest during certain parts of the operation of this device, a hralre 70 is provided. is shown somewhat in detail in Fig. 6. comprises brake-shoes 71 71, which are mounted upon pivoted levers 72 72 and which are pressed against a portion 67 of the secondary member 65 by means of springs 7 3 73. A in agnet 7 4 is provided for the purpose of releasing this hrake. This magnet comprises a winding 75 and two magnetic cores 76 76, which are connected to the pivoted brake-arms 72 '72, as shown. When a current is passed through the solenoid-winding 75, the magnet 74 is energized thereby, and the cores 76 76 are attracted toward each other against the action of the springs 73 73. This will cause the pivoted brake-arms 72 72 This brake 70 to be moved in such a manner as to release the brake-shoes 71 71 from the portion 67 of the secondary member of the magnetic clutch 60. 1f a current is sent through the winding 62 of the magnet member 65, the latter will be energized thereby and will cause lines of force to be set up in the magnet member. The magnetic path for these lines will be completed through the secondary or armature member 65, and this will cause the latter to be strongly attracted to and drawn, toward the magnet member 61. The two parts 61 and 65 will then have a tendency to move together, and the secondary portion 65 will therefore be driven by the magnet member 61. The electrical circuits are arranged, as will appear later, so that the brake and the magnet member 61 will be energized at the same time. As soon as the current is cut off from the windings 62 and the magnet member will become denergized and the brake will be applied. This will cause the driving force to be removed from the secondary member 65 and the brake to be applied to it, so that the member 65 will come to rest. The secondary member 65 is provided with a groove 68, as shown, for the purpose of receiving a chain which passes partly around this member. The

chain 17 passes over this chain-groove in the.

clutch 60, as is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It has already been pointed out that the chain 17 passes over a chain-pulley 17", which is attached to the roller 17. It then extends down to the clutch 60 and around a portion of the chain-groove in this clutch 60, thence over a portion of an idler 17 thence across a chain-groove in clutch 60*; similar to that just described, and thence down and under a second idler 17, which is rigidly supported to the 'fioor or other portion of the building. The chain 17 thencepasses up to the chainsheave 17. interposed in the portion of this chain which lies between the slteave 17 D and the sheave 17 may be a counterweight 17 arranged to balance or partially balance the weight of the curtain 12, and a turn: buckle 17 arranged to take up the slack in chain 17 In Fig. 7 I have shown an automatic cutoff or stop-motion switch 80. This com prises a base 81, oi slate or other suitable insulating material, two stationary contacts 82 and 83, and a contact-arm 84, which is pivoted at 85 and from which an arm 86 extends. A spring 87 is arranged in such a way that it tends to hold the contactarm 84 in contact with stationary contacts 82 and 83. The arm 86 is placed in the path of travel of the counterweight and is so arranged that when the counterweight approaches the limit of its travel it will strike the arm 86 and cause the pivoted contactarm 84 to be moved out of contact with the stationary contacts 82 and 83. Two of these automatic stop-motion switches may be used in connection with each counterweight and'may be placed in relation to the counterweights and their connected parts, as is shown in Fig. 1. In this case the lower stopmotion switches are shown in their opened position and the upper stop-motion switches are shown in their closed position.

The operation of this device is obvious for it may be seen by referring to Fig. 1 that when the counterweight 17 is at its lowest position it will open the stop-motion switch 80, which is in its path of travel. When the counterweight 17 reaches the upper limit of its travel, it will strike the projecting arm of the stop-motion switch 80, which is there laced in its path of travel and will cause the atter switch to be opened.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a port-ion of a manually-operated switch or push-button device 90. This comprises a base 91, of slate or other suitable insulating material. The push-button 92 at the left-hand portion of this figureis shown in its depressed position, in which case it has compressed a spring 97 and caused a contact-plate 93, which is 0011- nected to but insulated from a stem 97, which is connected to the push-button 92, to be moved into contact with two stationary contacts 93 -and 93 94 designates a stationary bracket to which an arm 9 11 is pivoted at 94 When thepush-button 92 is depressed, as is shown in Fig. 8, the stem or rod 97, to which the push-button 92 and its movab'lep'arts are connected, is in contact with the pivoted arm 94' and is arranged to swing the latter arm about its pivot into the position in which it is shown in the drawing. 95 designates another push-button similar to that just described; but in this case its contact-plate 96 is moved away by spring 98 from the stationary contacts 96" and 96 with which it is adapted to coact. It may be seen that this push-button cannot be de pressed a sufficient amount to allow the contact-plate 96 to be brought into contact with the stationary contacts 96 and 96 as long as the contact-plate 93 is held against the stationary contacts 93 and 93 on account of the relative position of the pivoted arm 94 to the stem 97 and the stem 98". The portion of the push-button device 90, which is shown in Fig. 8, is merely that of one pair of buttons. As many pairsof these buttons as desired may be used in carrying out my invention as the number of curtains or similar devices to be operated by this device.

Referring now to Fig. 9, I will describe the various electrical circuits there shown and at the same time point out the operation of such parts of my invention as has not already been fully described. and designate mains from a suitable source of electrical supply, which after passing through a main-line switch 100 are connected to vasl ow n .directly.connected by a" conductor 101 to one of the brushes of the'armature 26 and to the right-hand portion of the shuntfield 27. The positive main is shown connected by a conductor 1.02 to the left-hand portion of. the shunt-field 27. 103 designates a manually-operated switch, which when closed is arranged to connect a solenoid 104 directly across the two mains. This solenoid is arranged when energized to at tract its core 105 against the action of a dashpot 106 and to move a switch-arm 107 onto and across the contacts of a variable rheostat 108. The armature 26 is connected to the switch-arm 107, so that when the operation just described takes place the motor-armature will receive current from the main lines, which current will be gradually increased as the switch-arm 107 is moved across the contacts of the rheostat 108. The motor may be startedin any desired manner or by any other arrangement 01 parts; but as this constitutes no part of my invention 1 will not describe it more fully.

The push-button device 90 may be situated at any convenient placeas, for example,

near the proscenium of a stage, as is shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 9 it is shown as comprising three pairs of push-buttons. @ne terminal of eachof these buttons is connected by conductors 101 and 101 to the negative main. Now if an operator pushes the button he will complete a circuit thereby from the negative main through the conductor 116, solenoid-winding 1-11 of an electromagnetic relay 110, and to the positive main through conductor 102", which is connected to the other end of this solenoid. The S0l1101( 111 will thereby be energized and will raise its core 112 and a contact-plate 1 13, which is connected to it. The contact-plate 113 will thereby be brought into contact with and will bridge stationary contacts 114 and 115. The contact 111'is connected to the positive main by means of the conductor 102 and. contact 115 is-connected by conductor 117 through stop-motion switch 80, magnet-winding 02, and brake- windings 75 and 75 to the negative main. In this manner the brakes 70 of the clutches 60 and 60 will be released and the magnet member 61 of the clutch 60 will be energized. As this magnet member is positively driven by the motor 20 in one direction the secondary member 65 will now be driven in the same direction and will cause the chain 17 B to be driven thereby in one di rection. This movement of chain 17 will be transmitted through the parts previously described to the curtain 12 and will continue as long as the circuit through the electromagnetic relay 1 10 is completed. This circuit may be broken either by the operator releasing the push-button 95 or by the counterweight 17, striking against and opening stop-motion switch 80. When it is desired to move the curtain 12 in the opposite direction, the operator will press the button 92. A circuit will then be closed through conductor 126 and solenoid-winding 121 otelectromagnetic relay 120. The stationary contacts 124 and 125 will then be connected by contact-plate 123, and a circuit will be completed through the winding of the magnet member of the clutch 60 and through the brake-magnets 7 5 and 75. This clutch 60 is on the shaft 40, and is therefore rotated in the opposite direction and will cause the chain 17 and its connected parts to be driven in the opposite direction to that previously described. This movement will be continued until the current through the clutch 00 and the brakes is discontinued either by releasing the push-button 92 or by the counterweight 17 striking the sto -motion switch 80, which is in circuit wit the winding of clutch 60 and which is at the other end of its path of travel. These operations can be repeated indefinitely withoutstopping the motor 20.

designates a relay, which may be controlled by push-button 95 to energize clutch 60. 14:0 designates an electromagnetic relay, which may be controlled ly push-button 02 to energize clutch 60. designates an electromagnetic relay which may be controlled ly push-button 95" to energize clutch 60, and designates an clectromagnet-relay which may be controlled by push-button 92" to energize clutch 60. It is evident that an y desired number of units may be eontrolled 1y this system, and 1 have selected three to illustrate this use.

The speed of the motor 20 may be variel at will, and it is oft-en desirable to have the motor running at a slow speed for the purpose of obtaining certain eil'ects with dropcurtains. shafts 30 and 10 may run at ditl'crcnt speeds, so that the curtains maybe raised at one rate of speed and lowered at another rate or speed.

This invention has been shown in combination with the curtains in a theater, because this is one of its most advantageous uses. 1t may, however, be arranged to actuate other movable bodiessuch, for example, as dumbwaiters. In fact, it is applicable to nearly any case where it is desired to control, both manually and automatically, a plurality of parts which are to be moved in opposite directions from one common source'of motive power, and therefore 1 do not wish to limit myself to the specific use to which it is shown applied in this application.

1t may be seen that a bar 9 1 between each pair of push-buttons makes it impossible to energize the magnet member of but one of each pairof magnetic clutches at the same i have already shown that the I time.

This s' a desirable feature, as it makes it impossible ror an operator to press two buttons at once which might otherwise interfere with each other.

While I have shown one brake for the secondary member of each clutch, it is evident that it is not necessary to have more than one brake for each pair of clutches.

What I claim is- 1. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a magnetic clutch on each of said shafts, a movable member associated with the clutches and arranged to be moved by one shaft hen one of the clutches is energized and by the other shaft w hen the other clutch is energized, and means for holding the movable member w hen neither of the clutches is energized.

2. A pair of driven shafts, a magnetic clutch for each of said shafts, a portion of each of said clutches being constructed to form a chain-groove, and a driving-chain associated ith the clutches and arranged to be moved in one direction w hen one clutch is energized and in the opposite direction when the other clutch is energized.

3. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a magnetic clutch on each of said shafts, both of said clutches being construct ed to form a chain-groove on their outer peripheries, and a driving-chain arranged to take into the chain-grooves on the clutches and to be moved by one shaft when one of the clutches is energized and by the other shaft when the other clutch is energized.

4. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a magnetic clutch on each of said shafts, a movable member associated ti ith the clutches and arranged to be moved by one shaft when one of the clutches is energized and by the other shaft w hen the other clutch is energized, a brake for holding the movable member, and means for releasing the brake when either of the clutches is energized.

5. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a magnetic clutch on each of said shafts, a movable member associated with the clutches and arranged to be moved by one shaft when one of the clutches is energized and by the other shaft when tl e other clutch is energized, a brake for holding the movable member, electromagnetic means for releasing the brake when either of the clutches is energized, circuits for the clutches and the brake-releasing means, and a manually-operated switch for controlling the'circults.

6. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a magnetic clutch on each of said shafts, a movable member associated with the clutches and arranged to be moved by one shaft w hen one of tleclutcles is energized and by the other shaft w hen the other clutch is energized, a brake for holding the movable member, electromagnetic means for releasing th e brake it hen either of th e clutches is energized, circuits for the clutches and the brakereleasing means, a manually-op erated switch for controlling the circuits, and means in said sw itch for preventing the energization of but one of the clutches at the same time.

7. An electric motor, a pair of shafts connected to be driven thereby, a magnetic clutch for each of said shafts, a movable member associated with the clutches and arranged to be moved in one direction by one shaft when one of the clutches is energized and by the other shaft when the other clutch is energized, a brake for holding the movable member, electromagnetic means for releasing the brake w hen either of the clutches is energized circuits for the clutches and the brakereleasing means, a' manually-o erated switch for controlling the circuits, an means in said s itch for preventing the energization of but one of the clutches at the same time.

8. Adriven shaft, a magnetic clutch, said clutch comprising a magnet memberattached to the shaft and a secondary member loosely mounted upon the shaft; a second driven shaft, asecond magnetic clutch comprising a magnet member attached to the second shaft and a secondary member loosely mounted upon the second shaft; and a movable member associated with saidsecondary members and arranged to be moved in one direction when one of the clutches is energized, and in the opposite direction when the other clutch is energized.

9. A driven shaft, a magnetic clutch, said clutch comprising a magnet member attached to the shaft and a secondary member loosely mounted upon the shaft; a second driven shaft, a second magnetic clutch comprising a magnetic member attached to the second shaft, and a secondary member loosely mounted upon the second shaft; a brake for each of the secondary members and means for releasing both of said brakes when either of the clutches is energized.

10. A driven shaft, a magnetic clutch, said clutch comprising a magnet member attached to the shaft and a secondary member loosely mounted upon the shaft, and a winding; a second driven shaft, a second magnetic clutch comprising a magnet member attached to the second shaft and a secondary member loosely mounted upon the second shaft, and a winding a brake for each of the secondary members, an electromagnet for each brake arranged to release said brakes, and .means for energizingboth brake-magnets and either of the clutch-windings.

11. A driven shaft, a magnetic clutch, said clutch comprising a magnet member attached tothe shaft and a secondary member loosely mounted upon the shaft, and a winding; a second driven shaft, a second magnetic clutch comprising a magnet member attached to "the second shaft and a secondary member loosely mounted upon the second shaft, and a winding; a brake for each of the secondary members, an elec romagnet for each brake arranged to release said brakes, circuits for the clutch-windings and the brake-magnets, a manually-operated switch insaid circuits arranged to control the energization of both brake-magnets and eitherof the clutch-windings.

12. An electric motor, a pair of shafts connected to be driven thereby, a magnetic clutch onone of said shafts, said clutch comprising a magnet member attached to the shaft, a secondary member loosely mounted upon the shaft, and awinding a second magnetic clutch on the other ofsaid shafts, said second clutch comprising a magnet member attached to the second shaft, a secondaiy member loosely mounted upon the second shaft, and a winding; a brake for each of the secondary members, an electromagnet for each brake arranged to release said brakes, circuits for the clutch-windings and the brake-magnets, a manually-operated switch in said circuits arranged to control the energization of both brake-ma nets and either of the clutch-windings, an vmeans in saidswitch for preventlng the energization of but one of the clutch-windings at the same time.

' 13. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a plurality of pairs of magnetic clutches .on said shafts, one ofeach pair of clutches being on one shaft and the other clutch of each pair being on the other shaft, a movable member associated with each pair of clutches and arranged to be moved by one shaft when one of its associated clutches is ener ized and by the other clutch when the other of its associated clutches is energized.

14. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a plurality of pairs of magnetic clutches on said shafts, one of each pair of clutches being on one shaft and the other clutch of each pair being on the other shaft, a movable member associated with each pair of clutches and arranged to be moved by one shaft when one of its associated clutches is energized and by the other clutch when the other of its associated clutches is ener 'zed, a brake for holding each of the mova le members and means for releasing the brake for any of the movable members when either of its associated clutches is energized.

15. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a plurality of pairs of magnetic clutches on said shafts, one of each pair of clutches being on one shaft and the other clutch of each air being on the other shaft, a movable mem er associated with each pair of clutches and arranged to be moved by one shaft when one of its associated clutches is energized and by the other clutch when the bers, electromagnetic means for releasing the brake for any of the movable members when either of its associated clutches is ener ized, circuits for the clutches and the bra re-releasing means, and a manually-operated switch for controlling the circuits. 4

16. A pair of shafts driven in opposite directions, a plurality of pairs of magnetic clutches on said shafts, one of each pair of clutches being on one shaft and the other clutch of each pair being on the other shaft, a movable member associated with each pair of clutches and arranged to be moved by'one shaft when one of its associated clutches is energized and by the other shaft when the other of itsassociated clutches is energized, a brake for holding each of the movable members, electromagnetic means for releasing the brake for any of the movable members when either of its associated clutches is ener ized, circuits for the clutches and thebra e-releasing means, a manually-operated switch for controlling the circuits and means for preventing the energization of but one of each pair of clutches at the same time.

17. An electric motor, a air of shafts connected to be driven there y, a lurality of pairs of magnetic clutches on sai shafts, one of each and the other clutch of each pair being on the other shaft, a movable member associated with each pair of clutches and arranged to be moved by one shaft when one of its associated clutches is energized, and by the other shaft when the other of its associated clutches is energized, a brake for holding each of the movable members, a releasingmagnet for each brake, circuits for 'the clutclies and the brake-magnets, a manu allyoperated switch in the circuits arranged to control the energization of the clutches and brake-magnets, and means in said switch for preventing the energization of .but one of each pair of clutches at the same time.

18. A driven shaft, a magnetic clutch. said clutch c'omprising a magnet member attached to the shaft, and a secondary member loosely mounted upon the shaft; a second driven shaft, a second magnetic clutch comprisin a magnetic member attached to the secon shaft, and a secondary member loosel mounted upon the second shaft; a mova le member, intermediate mechanism associating the movable member with both of said clutches and arranged to cause the movable member to be moved-in one direction when one clutch is energized, and in the opposite direction when the other clutch is energized.

19. A pair of driven shafts, a plurality of pairs of magnetic clutches on said shafts, one of each pair of clutches being on one shaft and the other clutch of each pair being on the other shaft, a plurality of movable bodies, intermediate mechanism associating one of air of clutches being on one shaft each of said movable bodies with each pair of clutches, and so arranged that the movable bodiesare moved by one shaft when one of its associated clutches is energized, and by the other shaft When the other of its associ ated clutches is energized. 20. An electric motor, a pair of shafts connected to be driven thereby, a plurality of pairs of magnetic clutches on said shafts, one of each pair of clutches being on one shaft and the other clutch of each pair being on the other shaft, each of said clutches comprising a magnet member attached to its respective shaft, a secondary member loosely mounted u on its shaft, and a winding; a plurality 0 movable bodies, intermediate mechanism associating each of the movable bodies with the secondary members of one pair of clutches, a brake for each of the secondary members, an electromagnet for each brake arranged to release said brakes, circuits for the clutch-windings and the brake-magnets, a manually-operated switch in the circuits arranged to control the energization of the clutch-windings and the brake-magnets, and means in said switch for reventing the energization of but one of tfie clutch-windings of each pair of clutches at the same time.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THEODOR ESKILSSON Witnesses: I

JosEPH E. CAVANAUGI'I, ELLA TUCH.

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