USRE11926E - a sherwood - Google Patents

Description

neissud Ag. I3, 190|.

No. l|,926.

M. A.V`SHERWU0D. STAGE ILLUSIUN APPARATUS..

(Application led Jan. 22, 1901.)

'5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W/TNESSES A TTOHNEYS Heissued Aug. I3, i90-I.

No. II,926.

M. A. SHERWUDD. STAGE ILLUSIDN APPARATUS.

(Applicqtion Sled Jan. 22, 1901.)

5 Shea'ts-Shui 3L W/ TNE SSE S ATTORNEYS un. n.926. K Raimund Aug. la, lsol. ILA. SHERWOUD.

ySTAI`=|`|E ILLUSIUN APPARATUS.

(Applicltion. Bled Jau. 22, 1901.)

A TTUHNE YS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORGAN A'. SHERVVOOD, OFYWASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

STAGE ILLUSION APPARATUS.

'sPE'cIFIcAmoN forming para of aeissuea Letters Patent No. 11,926, dated August 13, 1901. Original No. 661i426. dated November 8,1900. Application for reissue iil'ed January 22, 1901. Serial No. 44,233.

To all whom it may concern:

Beitknown thatk-MORGANY A. SHERWOOD, of Washington city, in the District of Columbia, have invented anew and Improved Apparatus for Producing Stage Illusions, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved apparatus for producing stage illusions, particularly with respect to fire and flame.

It includes fixed parts which are illuminated, means for producing au air blast or current, a iiexible medium or fabric arranged in the path of such air-blast, and alight so arranged as to cast its rays upon the fabric, so that the latter is supported and waved while apparently in a glow.

The invention further includes means for producinga scenic representation of the burn- -i'ng of a person at thestake, with wonderfully realistic and startling eiect, and also means for producing iire and dame effects in connection with scenic representation in general,and

which are likewise capable of use in other relations.

The details of construction, arrangement,

and operation are as hereinafter describedy 'and claimed, reference being had to accompanying drawings, (five sheetsa) in which- Figure l is a front View of my improved apparatus as in use. Fig. 2 is la plan view of the same. Fig. 3'is a perspective view of a portion of a reback. Fig. 4 is a .perspective view of .a portion of the spark-,box or distributer. Fig. 5 is across-section ofthe same. Fig. 6 is a face view of one of the vstrips or streamers'y employed in representing flame.

Fig.A 7 is a vertical section of the apparatus shown in Figs. land 2. Fig. 8 is aperspenctive view of a fire-log. Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical section of. thetrap' forming part of the apparatus. Fig. IO is a perspective view of the trap proper;- Fig. l1 is a perspective view of a portion of .the'guide for the slidable trap proper. Fig.'12is a perspective view illustrating a particular application of theamesimulating portion ofthe apparatus. Fig. 13l

is a perspectiveview of one form of such por- `tion of the apparatus. section of aportion of the apparatus shown in Figs. 12- and 13. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a modified forin'of the dame-simulating apparatus. Y

Fig. 14 is an enlarged ,tached to ioor.

for a general effect or in connection with l other parts, whereby the scenic representation of burning a person may be produced, which I will now describe.

As shown in Fig. 1, (see also Fig. 7j) the scenic representation is preferably produced behind a rectangular frame a, set vertically and provided with slidable curtains which are drawn apart while the exhibition is in progress. s

A framework A, constructed in any suitable mauner, supports the fixed and movable parts embodying the invention. The individ ual personating the historic or other character whose burning is to be represented'is supported upon a vertical slidable trap B (seegF-igs. 9 and 10) and is secured by cords or chains b, attached to curved arms b', fixed on a supporting-bar b2 in front of the stake, both of which are xed attachments of the trap proper. j The arms b partly embrace the body of the person, and thus afford due supportfor the samed uring the exhibition. The trap B is provided with a back piece b2, (see Figs. 10 and 11,) having T-shaped lugs b, that fit and slide in a corresponding groove c in the fixed guide-bar C, constituting a part or attachment of therigid framework A. The trap B is supported at the requiredmaximum height, as in Figs. 7 and 0, by means of a rope bi, that passes overa pulley bfat the top of guide C, and under a second pulley 67, at-

The said ropel b5 serves as the manual means .for lowering thetrap B as required in the progress of the scenic representation.

It is necessary to the highest artistic etect and complete illusion that a simulation of incandescence and flame shall be produced successively and also simultaneously. To this end I combine the following instrumeny talities: I arrange a iixed ireback D at the IOO theiireback, and also a series of red-globe incandescent lamps d?. For greater safety these parts d' and d2 are placed and supported in a sheet-metal trough. The smoke rises from the pots d' and floats over and among the reback and firelogs,vwhile the lamps cl2 throw a fresh red glow on the adjacent parts. 2o Another transverse row E' of fire-logs is arranged farther back and just in front of the trap B. Still other lire-logs E2 are placed at each side of the trap, and a complete row E3 is located behind the same. `2 5 l locate the movable spark-discharging and flame-simulating agencies (see Figs. 2, 4, and 7) in rear of the rst row of fire-logs E and other flame-simulators in rear of the fourth row E3. In other words, thetlame-siniulating 3o agencies being arranged both infront and rear of the trap B, the person standing on the latter appears tothe observers in front as if surrounded or partly enveloped by real dames. The spark discharging and propelling means are as follows: Across theframework (see Figs. l, 2, and 7) and directly in rear of the front rowfE of lire-logs I arrange a cylinder F, (see Fig. 4,) which is imperforate on one side and composed of coarse wire on the 4o other.

as shown in Fig. 2, that they may be' grasped for 'rotating'the cylinder to cause discharge of small pieces of tin-foil or tinsel whenever itis desired to produce the illusion of incandescent spar-ks arising from the fire. apparent such discharge will occur whenever the wire ganze side is turned underneath more or less, as in Fig. 4, and will bearrested 5o when the same is turned uppermost, as in Fig. 5. The tinsel thus discharged downward by gravity is arrested and carried upward yby means of an air-blast and appears to rise from the lire-logs. The blast is 'preferably produced by the following means: A blower G, Fig. 7, operated by a suitable motor, is located nearby and connected by Iflexible tubes H with the apex of hoods or bonnets I, whose lopen side is held uppermost. These hoods 6o are shown supported in fixed position in the framework A, but adapted for convenientdetachmcnt. When the blower G is operated, the `same forces air through the tubes H, which discharge linto and from the `hoods I as a blast, and carries u p the sparks discharged into the front hood from the rotatable holder F.

This cylinder F is supported by a central shaft or axle whose ends are extended,r

It isv translucent material, such as Sateen or china* silk, the same 'being graduated in ycolor, as illustrated in Fig. G-that is to say, the base or lower portions of the streamers are colored a deep red, as indicated at as, and the middle portion y is lighter or amber-h-ued, while the outer ends z are preferably left uncolored. These streamersare secured to rollers K', that extend across the hoods I and are journaled in suitable'bearin-gs adapted to permit their convenient removal when desired. The ends of the rollers K' are extended, so they may be grasped to rotate them when it is desired to unwind or wind on the streamers K-that is to say, by rotating the rollers K one way the streamers K will be unwound and extended more or less, and being carried up and supported by the blast, as shown in Fig. 7, they curl, twist, and y about in such a manner that when duly illuminated they simulate the appearance of sheets and forks of natural flame so closely as to defy'y detection at a distance of a few feet. The perfection of illusion is attained by use of the red-globed lampsL, arranged behind the streamers and parallel thereto. These lamps being directly opposite the base or lower portions of the streamers, illuminate such portions most strongly and impart to the whole a vivid glow having au entirely realistic effect, so that the streamers appear to be shifting forks, sheets, and masses of flame shooting upward.

I desire it understood that in the broadest aspect ofmy invention I do not restrict myself to the described and preferred means for extending and retracting the streamers K, but propose to employ any which may suit my purpose-namely, to produce the effect of algradually increasing or decreasing combustion and flame.

The apparatus assembled and used as a Whole serves to produce most realistic and startling 'fire and' flame effects and is particularly adapted for the scenic representation of the burning of a person at the stakesay a celebrated or historic personage, such as Joan of Arc. stand upon the trap B, raised at first to its full height, 'as shown in Fig. 1, and be bound bythe cords b to the vertical bar or stake.

The apparent fire is started by graduallyA 4turning the electric current on all or a portended `and the blast turned on. to carry them Vup and cause the wavering or shifting, whereby the visual 'effect of duced.

As the vburning progresses the im personaynatural fiame is pro- The person impersonating her will.

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tor acts her role in a duly artistic and realistic manner, and the trap Bis gradually lowered, so that she appears to sink and die among the flames, Which are also reduced, as desired, by retracting the streamers K.

I illustrate in Fig. 12 one of the applications of the flame-simulating portion of my apparatusthat is to say, one of the pertable hoods I, with its attached lamps L and streamer-carrying rollers K', is held close to a stage entrance erdoor', and the streamers K, carried out by the blast, pass through the door and appear to the audience as genuine fiame. It is obvious the same means may be used with highly-realistic eiectin connection with roofs or other portions of buildings.

In fact, this particular part of the apparatus ha's a wide application in use.

In place of a hood proper I may use a frame I', Fig. 15, which isv more orless open or skeleton-like. I prefer to attach lamps L to a bar Z, as shown in Fig. 15. y Further, I do not restrict myself in all cases to the exact arrangement of parts producing apparent incandescence, but propose toemploy any parts capable of producing a suitable representation.

In practice I use some white-globe lamps among the ruby ones for producing a more lively light effect on the streamers.

1. An apparatus fer producing lire and flame illusion, consisting of fixed parts which are illuminated and appear more er less incandescent, lexible and movable parts arranged adjacent and adapted to simulate dame, means for illuminatingsuch parts, and a blastproducing agent, substantially as shown and described.

2. An apparatus for producing lire and flame illusion, consisting of fixed parts represent-ing combustible material, lights arranged therewith for illumination and production of apparent incandescence, flexible streamers arranged behind such fixtures, lamps for illuminating said streamers, and a blast-producing agent, substantially as shown and described.

3. Au apparatus for producing fire and iiame illusion, consisting ot fixed portions representing wooden logs, means for illuminatingand producingapparentincandescence of such logs, vertically movable or extensible streamers composed of thin,.lght liexible material, arranged behind the logsflamps for illuminating said streamer-s, and a blast-producing agent, substantially as shown and described.

4. An apparatus for producing tire and llame illusion, consisting of a supportingframe, aseries of imitation firelogs,and {lamesimulating devices, a blast-producing agent, a iirebaclc comprising a suitable rigidbacking, a filling including reflecting material having interspersed lamps, and a front through which the filling appears, the said reback being arranged in front of the logs and constructed as described, a series of red lalnps arranged in front of and below the rebacl,

and one ormore smoke-producing devices, 1o-

cated below the fireback, as specified.

5. .An apparatus for producing tire and flame illusion, consisting of iixed objects and lights illuminating them so that theyhavei the appearance of combustible material in a state of incandescence, one or more streamers arranged along with said material, a blastproducing agent, and a vertically-movable dea roller on which the streamer is Wound, and

a support or holder for said roller, substantially as shown and described.

S. A port-able apparatus for producing llame illusion, consisting of a hood open on its upper side, a Iiexible air-pipe connected with the apex of the hood, one1or more colored streamers secured to said frame, and a series of red lamps attached to the frame and arranged in rear of said streamers, as shown yand described.v

9. A portable apparatus for producing dame iliusion consisting of a frame,V one or more colored streamers, and means for exextending' and reti-acting them, one or more colored lamps secured to the frame adjacent to and behind said streamers, a blztst-producing agent connected with the frame, and ilexi-` ble connections between the frame and the blast-operating agent, substantiallyY as shown and described.

10. An apparatus for producing a flame clfect, consistingof llame-simulating agencies, a blast-producing agent, a spark-distributer consisting of a rotatable box arranged over the point of blast discharge, and haring perforated and impert'orate sides, substantially as shown and described.

4 MORGAN A. SHERWUOI).

lVltnesses:

AMos W. HART, Jessi: MIDDLETON.

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