Patent GB-190726231-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or connected with Apparatus for Raising and Lowering Curtains in Music Halls, Theatres, and like places.
Inventor: CONNOR LEO
Filed: 1907-11-27
Granted: 1908-11-12
Abstract: 26,231. Connor, L. Nov. 27. Winches; overwinding, preventing.- Relates to apparatus for raising and lowering curtains in music halls, theatres, &c. Fig. 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 an end elevation, of the apparatus. Fig. 9 is a view of the back of a stage. A rope 1, Fig. 1, is attached to a single terminal piece 2, Fig. 9, to which cords 3 leading from the curtain are connected. The piece 2 carries pulleys 68, and is adapted to move upon sleeves adjustable on the guys 70. The cords 3 pass over fixed pulley 71 and are secured to a drum 75 controlled by pawls 77. The rope 1 passes round a pulley 5. A second pulley 12 is adapted to rotate a shaft 10 by means of an electric motor &c. (not shown). Keyed to the shaft 10 are two clutches 13, 14, connected by a common sleeve, and each adapted to operate a bevel-wheel 15 or 16 mounted loosely on the shaft 10. The wheels 15,16 are in constant engagement with the wheel 17. The wheel 17 is, keyed to a shaft 18 which has a worm 19 gearing with a toothed wheel 20 connected to the pulley 5. Adjacent to the shaft 10 is a slide 21 maintained in a central position by spring plungers 23. A pin 24 is secured to the slide 21, and engages in a groove 25 in the clutch sleeve. Recesses 26, 27 are cut in the slide 21 and below these recesses are two pawls 28, 29, having shoulders 28<a>, 29<a>, which support a plate 30. Springs 31 tend to press the pawls upwards. A lever 33, 34 is pivoted to a standard 36, and carries a roller 37 which, by means of a spring 40, constantly bears upon the rope on the pulley 5. The other end of the lever carries a link 38 connected with an arm 39 mounted rigidly on a shaft 30<a> connected to the plate 30. Assuming that the clutch 13 is for raising the curtain, and clutch 14 for lowering, when the curtain is down and it is desired to raise it, the slide 21 is moved to the right, Fig. 2, whereupon clutch 13 engages with its bevel-wheel 15, and the pawl 28 rises into engagement with the recess 26 m the slide 21. The clutch 13 is thus locked in position. As rope 1 is wound up upon the pulley 5, the roller 37 is moved upwards, and motion is communicated through the links 38 and arm 39 to the shaft 30<a>. The plate 30 is thereby partly rotated and forces the pawl 28 downwards out of the recess 26. The slide 21 being thus released is brought to the central position, with the clutches, by the spring plungers 23. The rotation of the drum then ceases. The lever 33, 34, and link 38 may be adjusted by means of a slot 38<a>, in a U-piece 38<b> connected with the rod 38, and a plate 41 attached to the arm 34, which plate is adjustable by screws 42. The slide 21 may be actuated by cords 26 attached to the slide and passing round pulleys 43. The pawls 28, 29 may be thrown out of action by means of a piece 44, which is attached to a sliding plate 46, and, when drawn outwards, presses down a plate 47 attached to the two pawls, If the curtain is counterweighted, a second pulley may be provided to receive a rope 1<a> attached to the weight. Figs. 4 and 5 show a modification of the clutch-actuating mechanism. An arm 48 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 30<a> which is adapted to move the clutches 13, 14 into gear with the wheels 15, 16. The arm 48 carries pulleys 49; over which pass cords 56 attached to levers 51. The levers 51 have arms 55 which project through the supporting plate 53 and maintain a forked piece 59, keyed to shaft 30<a>, in position. When one of the ropes 56 is pulled, the corresponding lever 51 is raised, and its arm 55 withdrawn from the path of the piece 50. A stop 58 on the cord 56 then comes into contact with the arm 48, and causes it to rotate on the pivot 30<a>, whereupon a stop 48<a> comes into contact with the fork 50 and partly rotates it. This causes the shaft 30<a> to' rotate and move one of the clutches 13, 14 into engagement with its corresponding bevel - wheel. The piece 50 is moved back again into its central position by the link 38 under the operation of lever 34, Fig. 1. A weight 48<b> or a spring returns the arm 48 to the vertical position. Fig. 8 shows another modification of the clutch-actuating mechanism. Stationary arms 60, to the ends of which cords 56 are attached, carry pulleys 49. The lever 61, 62 is rigidly connected to the shaft 30<a>, and is connected through a link 63a to a lever 64, to which a rod 38 is connected. Nuts 66 on the threaded portion of the rod 38 limit the movement of the end of the lever 34. A plate 67, against which the arm 61 rubs, assists in maintaining the clutches in position. When the rope 56 is pulled, the arm 61 and shaft 30<a> are rotated, and the clutches brought into operation. The lever 34 in its motion engages one of the nuts 66, and through the rod 38 throws the clutches out of operation.