Improvements in the Mechanism of Theatrical Stages and Means for Operating the Scenery and Producing Scenic and Stage Effects.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Mechanism of Theatrical Stages and Means
for Operating the Scenery and Producing Scenic and Stage
Effects.
I WALTER PFEFFER DANDO, Theatrical Engineer, of R. D'Oyly Carte's New.
Theatre, Cambridge Circus, Shaftesbury Avenue, in the County of Middlesex, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to mechanism used in connection with theatrical stages and
means for operating the scenery and producing scenic and stage effects so that
scenery may be changed with great facility and precision and freedom from "jerks"
and with but small expenditure of manual labour and whereby scenic effects can be
produced which are impracticable with the appliances as hitherto used in theatres.
According to my invention I provide systems of wire ropes pulleys and counter-
weights so arranged that the scenes can be manipulated with great ease facility and
steadiness so that if desired the whole of the back scene and set scenes can be
operated together to give the effect of the scene as a whole rising or falling
together.
Moreover I supersede the system technically known as "bracing" or "gimbleting "
that is supporting set scenes by braces or struts which are screwed into the stage
which is objectionable and a source of danger to the persons engaged on the stage.
In the system known as the chariot and pole system a wide opening across the
stage is required and this is frequently left open and is then obviously a source of
danger to dancers or others, engaged on the stage and its closure is effected by strips
of wood with L iron clips on top projecting above the stage level and so not only
being dangerous to dancers and others but also causing a clattering noise when
jumped upon and often springing from their position and so leaving an opening in
the stage. Moreover these "cuts" have to be prized open by means of a lever which
is very inconvenient in practice. These defects I have overcome and I have also
improved the form and construction of the "chariots" "poles" and "runners," and
reduced the width of the opening in the stage for the pole. I have also provided
means for perfectly closing the opening without any iron or other projection above
the stage.
I have also greatly improved the construction and arrangements for working
"sloats" and set scenes.
The metal rope which I employ is preferably flexible steel wire rope which being
practically free from any stretch or shrinkage enables me to set and regulate the
66 sloats" and scenes with an accuracy impossible with the old system of "sloats" and
scenes worked by hempen ropes.
My invention also includes means for producing rumbling sound to resemble
thunder, the fall of structures and other noises known as stage crashes and
the like.
.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the several
figures on the annexed sheets of drawings, the same letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 represents a transverse section of the working arrangements of the entire
stage from cellar to "gridiron " looking towards the auditorium. The other figures
show various parts and details drawn to larger scales. Figure 2 shows one half of
gridiron or top part of the stage from which is suspended the scenery
"batten" and the like. Figure 3 shows one half of the part beneath the stage known
the "
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page_text: ""
as the mezzanine. Figure 4 is a side sectional view thereof, and Figure 5 is a
sectional plan. Figures 6 to 10 shew the arrangement of one of the "sloats" and
tongues for carrying the "rise and sink scene (D Figure 1). Figure 6 being a
front view. Figure 7 a side view. Figure 8 a sectional plan of the upper part and
Figures 9 and 10 front and side views of the lower part. Figures 11, 12 and 13,
show the arrangement of slot in the stage (for the pole supporting the side wings to
project through or for other purpose) and the means for closing it. Figure 11 being
a cross section. Figure 12 a plan, and Figure 13 a longitudinal section. Figures 14
and 16 are cross sections and Figure 15 a longitudinal section shewing means for
opening and closing what are known as "carpet cuts" in the stage. Figures 17 to 20
shew detailed views of the pulleys shewn in the main figures, and they are marked
with corresponding letters of reference. Figure 21 shows a front view and cross
section of an adjustable arrangement for attaching the wire ropes to the scene battens
or for like purposes. Figures 22 and 23 shew means for suspending a batten or
ceiling piece at any angle. Figures 24 to 27 shew arrangements of the counter-
weights and their carriers.
"
Figure 1 represents a general view in section of the entire stage from "cellar" to
gridiron " looking towards the auditorium showing every working portion of the
stage, A being the stage level, and a the main joists in which the "sliders "work in
the grooves a'. These parts may be of the ordinary construction and require no
particular description here. A' represents the proscenium opening.
The stage
is supported on upright standards U with the joists J which may be either of metal,
such as steel or iron, or of wood, M is the first mezzanine, M¹ the second mezzanine,
M² the third mezzanine. L the cellar level, F the first "flies," F¹ the second" flies,"
F2 the third flies." B and B are bridges communicating from the flies on the one
side of the stage to the flies on the opposite side of stage, G is the "gridiron." Cand C¹
are the "prompt" and 0 P counterweight boxes leading from the "gridiron " to
the cellar below, in which work the counterweights W resting on the counterweights
iron Wand connected to the scenes by the wires Rr for counterweighting or partly
counterweighting the scenes and so assisting in the raising of them. I have shown
two scenes S attached to the battens B2 B and operated by the wires marked R
and r but it is to be understood that the same arrangements may be repeated to
accommodate any number of scenes. The wire ropes R are attached to the batten B²
and each pass over a pulley P (shewn separately in Figure 17) and then around the
sheaves of a pulley P* (shewn separately in Figure 20) and thence over the sheaves of
a pulley P (shewn separately in Figure 18) and down into the shaft C where they
are attached to the counterweight carrier W carrying adjustable counterweights W.
The power rope R' is attached to the centre of the batten B2 and is led over a sheave
of the pulley P2 and then over one of the pulleys at P¹ down to the fly F. By
pulling upon this rope the counterweights W run down and by means of the wire
ropes R the scene is evenly raised. The rope R also leads from the fly F and passes
over the other of the pulleys P₁ over the pulley P and thence is attached to the
counterweight so that by pulling on this rope the counterweights are raised and the
ropes R R run out and the scene is evenly lowered. The arrangement is shewn
repeated with regard to the other scene shewn the pulleys being similarly lettered and
the respective ropes being lettered pl². For clearness of illustration the pulley for
these wires corresponding to that marked P2 is shewn in a lower position than the
pulley P2 and is marked P³. The various pulleys may be arranged at any suitable
level if there be not room for them side by side.
To distinguish the rope by which the raising is effected from the rope by which the
lowering is effected one of the ropes may have a coloured strand woven into it or
be otherwise distinctively marked to indicate its particular purpose.
The scenes or any desired number of them can be operated from either of the flies
on either side as may be most convenient. It will be readily understood that each
scene can be so accurately counterbalanced by the counterweights W that one man
can with great ease and regularity of movement raise and lower any of the scenes by

page_text: working the rope R' or R2. By carrying all the counterweight wires and working
lines to the centre of the gridiron over the centre pulleys (Por. P³). I obviate the:
use of the "long line and short line" system hitherto employed. The two counter-
weight wires farthest from the centre pulley (P3 or P³) are of the same length and the
two other counterweight wires are also of the same length. It will therefore be
evident that the two counterweight lines at the two ends of the batten will exert an:
equal strain. To fully explain and illustrate the principle of this important part of my
invention I have given in Figure 2 the sectional view drawn to a larger scale of half
the gridiron the parts shewn being marked with the same letters of reference as are
those employed for Figure 1. I do not limit myself to the number of pulleys shewn
which will be in accordance with the width of the scenery or stage property it is
desired to raise or lower. Referring again to Sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings
D is the framed "rise and sink "scene fixed to the tongues T₁ of the "sloats" working
in the "sloats" T. The tongues T' with the scene D fixed thereto, are raised or
lowered by the action of the flexible wire ropes to attached at one end to the ends of
the tongues at T and at the other ends to the drum d. The parts T¹ and D) are
balanced or partly balanced by the counterweights crunning in the shaft as shewn and
attached to one end of the wire rope we which passes over the pulleys p'p' and is
connected at its other end to the drum d. The drum d is revolved by the power
wire w² attached to the said drum and to the crab K by revolving which the tongues T..
of the "sloats" T with the scene D attached are raised or lowered as required. The.
counterweights c will be regulated by the weight of the scene D. It is shewn as being
assisted in being raised by the said counterweights but they may, by passing the
wire w¹ over the drum in the reverse direction. be used to assist in rapidly lowering
the scene D the manual power being exerted to raise both the counterweights and the.
scene D after which the handle of the "crab" K will be thrown out of gear and the
scene can be very rapidly lowered and governed in its lowering by the brake with
which the crab is provided. It is only necessary to provide a coupling bar d¹ (see
Figures 4 or 5) which will fit on the squares of the spindle of the druins d, to raise or
sink a number of scenes simultaneously in a parallel line. Figures 3, 4 and are
larger views of these parts marked with the letters of reference used to denote the
same parts in Figure 1 and Figures 6 to 10 shew details of the. working and
construction of these counterweighted "sloats." The parts being marked with the
same letters as those used in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 require no further description.
*
The chariots" N have grooved wheels n (Figure 1) running on rails n' fixed to a
timber n² bolted between the "sloat" joists J (see Figure 4). The said chariots carry
the poles O which support in a hinged shoe fitted at the bottom of the pole or otherwise
the "chassis" or "wings" as shewn at O'. The stage is provided with a transverse.
slot as shewn at fin Figures 11 and 12 the part of the poles O which passes through
these slots having their width arranged at right angle to the width at their upper part
so that the slots may be narrow. The wing O¹ mounted as described can be readily
and easily pushed across the stage as far as required and will stop and remain in any
position to which it has been brought.
The method by which I close the opening f is shewn in detail in Figures 11, 12
and 13. are checks preferably of oak against which the top of the chariot and side of
the pole works. The opening when not in use I fill in by means of fillers g made of
lengths preferably of oak and having two steel pins gl running on top of the cheeks f
and travelling in the continuous slots formed by the undercuts in the adjacent
portions of the stage flooring. The oak fillers g can be moved or put in place very
readily as the said adjacent portions of the stage flooring are provided with vertical
openings h¹ opening into the sloth and corresponding with the pins gl on the fillers g
which pins g¹ are each kept in position by a screw v. The two openings h' and two
pins being the same distance apart by getting the two screws opposite the
openings h¹ the filler can be easily and quickly lifted out or put into its place and
pushed along, thus allowing of another similar filler being inserted and pushed along
and so on.
1
The slot is by this means readily filled up, as the piece of scenery, or

page_text: "
stage property" travels noiselessly across the stage on the chariot in the first
"mezzanine" and without the audience being able to see any opening in the stage.
Figures 14, 15 and 16 shew details of a novel contrivance by which I open and
close what is theatrically known as a "carpet cut." The usual method is to push up
the hinged piece A² with a stick or rod. I obtain better results and perfect regularity
as follows. The hinged flap when closed, is shewn in full lines and its position when
open, is shewn in dotted lines in Figure 14. The lever b is fixed by a set screw b' to
the shaft which works in the bracket d fixed to the joist a by bolts as shewn, a
crank e fixed to the shaft 62 by a set screw e² works through a staple piece e³. By
bringing the lever 6 from its normal position as shewn in full lines in Figure 16 to the
position shewn in dotted lines it is obvious that the lever b will actuate the shaft b² and
work the crank e so that the hinged flap A² will be raised the required height to allow
a carpet or stage cloth" to be drawn off the stage down the opening, or the stage
cloth can be wound upon a roller, fixed sufficiently low to clear the handle of the lever.
The shaft 62 may be of any length, and have any number of cranks e and brackets d
which will be regulated by the length of the "carpet cut."
*
Figure 21 shews in front view and transverse section the detailed construction of
the attachments I by which the ropes R are secured to the scene batten B². The
attachment I is placed between the two-pieces constituting the batten and its under
edge is turned under in both directions at i to give additional support to each piece.
Screws pass through the said pieces of the batten and attachment I. The rope R has
a loop or eye-at the end through which passes a bolt 3 secured by nuts in either of the
holes to adjust the rope.
Figures 22 and 23 shew details of construction of an adjustable apparatus for
suspending a batten or "ceiling piece" at any angle required. The screw k is carried
in a frame attached to the ceiling piece and upon this screw a nut k' is mounted to
which the suspending chain is attached there may be any number of these frames and
attachments along the length of the ceiling piece. By turning the screw k the nut k¹
is caused to travel therealong and cause the ceiling piece to hang at any angle as
shewn in dotted line in Figure 22. A chain may be used at the end of the wire rope
for suspending the ceiling piece as shewn in Figure 22 or a spring hook may be used
as in Figure 23.
Figures 25, 26 and 27 shew details of the counterweight iron W and the shape of
the weights which may be used although I do not confine myself to the particular
shape of weights. I have shewn them as having a slot to entering the hole w so that
they can be slipped sideways upon the narrow part w of the iron and then be passed
down when the larger part of the iron comes in line with the hole w³. I prefer to use
a weight as at w at top to act as a guide to keep the weight iron I in a vertical
position when passing up and down in the box C. I also use a weight cast as shewn
in Figures 26 and 27 with leg pieces w³ on one weight taking into recesses w³ in the
other weight. Any rattling noise may be prevented by the rubber disc a inserted
between the weights and kept in position by the weight immediately over it keeping
it engaged with the studs as shewn.
If I cannot arrange for counterweight boxes C the whole distance from the gridiron
to cellar level as shewn in Figure 1 I may use a counterweight iron with a single
purchase pulley Y arranged as shewn in Figures 26 and 27 by which means I gain on
the counterweight wires say half the distance travelled by the counterweights W.
The means generally employed for producing what is technically known as stage
thunder consists in shaking by manual labour sheets of iron which are suspended
against a wall, or in rolling iron spheres over a floor situated above the proscenium.
The effects produced by these means are very unreal and as the effects to be produced
by these means depend on manual labour there can be no reliance that the noise will
be produced at the required moment.
According to my invention the noise producing device is under the control of the
promptor and can be operated by him without leaving his box and several peals can
be produced in succession. Figure 28 represents in vertical section and Figure 29

page_text: in front elevation an arrangement of apparatus according to my invention for
producing rumbling sound resembling thunder reports of artillery firing, the falling
of structures and other noises known as "stage crashes."
In carrying out this part of my invention I provide in any suitable part of the
building preferably near the roof or on the gridiron a box or receptacle 1 having a
sloping or inclined bottom or platform 2 the lower end of which communicates with
any suitable sound producing device such for example as a shoot trough or trunk 3
arranged vertically or at any suitable angle and provided in the interior with abut-
ments 4 or with a zig-zag passage or both.
In the inclined box or receptacle 1 I provide at suitable distances apart and in
advance of one another hinged flaps or frames 5 capable of opening towards the
lower or outlet end of the box but retained in their closed position by means of hooked
levers or catches 6 engaging bars or projections 7. Behind each of the flaps or
frames (5) is placed one or more balls or other suitably shaped blocks (8) of metal
wood or other suitable material.
In order to release the balls or the like so that they may enter the trough or
trunk 3 the retaining catch 6 must be disengaged from the bar or projection 7 and in
order that this may be effected from the promptors box or other place situated at a
distance from the receptacle 1 I provide each of the hinged catches 6 with a tail 9 and
in proximity thereto is an arm 10 hinged at its lower end to the box 1 and carrying
at its upper end a weighted head 11. This arm 10 is maintained in its vertical or
approximately vertical position by a hinged or spring detent 12 engaging a
projection 13 on the arm 10 so that a very small amount only of power is required to
disengage the said arm and may if desired be effected by a cord or wire connected to
the detent 12 and conducted over or around suitable guide pulleys to the promptors
box or other desired part of the building, or it may be operated by any suitable
pneumatic arrangement. 1 prefer however to release the arms 10 by means of
electricity for which purpose an electro-magnet 14 is provided in proximity to each
arm and may be excited as required by the promptor or other person in charge, by
push buttons or contacts in the usual manner. When either of the magnets are
excited the detent 12 in proximity thereto will be attracted and brought out of
engagement with the projection 13 whereupon the arm 10 will overbalance and cause
its head 11 to strike the tail 9 of the lever catch 6 and thereby raise the hooked end
of the lever out of engagement with the flap or frame 5. The flap then being
unrestrained, the balls previously retained thereby will roll past it down the inclined
platform 2 into the shoot or trunk 3 and in their passage through the said trunk
produce the desired rumbling sound.
According to the arrangement shewn, it is necessary to release the flaps or frames 5
in successive order from the lower one to the top one, as all of the balls have to pass
to the entrance to the trunk by the same passage; it is obvious however that there
may be provided if desired a separate passage for each ball retaining device so that
either may be operated at will without regard to order. The releasing mechanism and
magnets are preferably enclosed in a casing 15 as shewn.
I do not confine myself to the particular shapes of the several parts shewn in the
drawings nor to any particular sizes or placement of the parts which will be regulated
by the proportions of the theatre and the weight of the scenery and the like to
be moved. The material from which the various parts are made will also vary
according to circumstances.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that
what I claim is :-
1. For operating the scenes or equivalent moveable devices of theatrical stages
the use of wire ropes pulleys and counterweights substantially as hereinbefore
described.
2. For operating the scenes on theatrical stages the ropes (R) attached to the
scenes and passing over pulleys P and thence over pulleys P2 and P* to a counter-

page_text: weighting device in combination with ropes R1 R2 2 arranged for raising and
lowering the scenes substantially.as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 1
and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
3. For raising and lowering scenes from a theatrical stage, the combination with
the sloats T and their sliding tongues T¹ carrying the scenes, of counterbalance
weights C connected to the tongues by wire ropes w w passing round drums d, and a
wire rope w² for connecting the drum to a crab or equivalent hauling device or
devices substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
4. For simultaneously raising and lowering two or more scenes from a theatrical
stage, the combination of the sloats T and their tongues T' carrying the scenes,
counterbalance weights e connected to the tongues by wire ropes w w¹ passing round
drums d and a wire rope or wire ropes w² connected to one or more of the drums d
and to a crab K or equivalent hauling device or devices and rods d' or equivalent
coupling device for connecting the drums d together substantially as hereinbofore
described.
.
5. The arrangement of fillers 9 provided with pins gl and engaging in grooves
and substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and shewn in
Figures 11, 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.
" carpet
6. The arrangement constituting a device for opening and closing a
cut" substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in Figures 15 and 16 of the
accompanying drawings.
7. The arrangement for adjusting ceiling pieces or battens to any desired angle
substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in Figures 22 and 23 of the
accompanying drawings.
8. The arrangement of counterweights to prevent rattling substantially as
hereinbefore described and shewn in Figures 26 and 27 of the accompanying
drawings.
9. For producing rumbling sounds such as hereinbefore described a chamber or
receptacle for containing balls or other suitable forms of wood iron or other suitable
material in combination with means for releasing or discharging at a distance from
the receptacle the said balls or the like as required into a shoot or trunk provided
with projections or into other suitable sound producing device substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 28 and 29 of the accompanying
drawings.
10. The arrangement and combination of parts as a whole for operating theatrical
stage scenery and producing scenic and stage effects substantially as herein before
described and shewn in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th dose of Octolam 1800