Stage from the Auditorium and for other Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 5th day of April 1888, amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
Stage from the Auditorium and for other Purposes.
We WILLIAM EDWIN HEATH of 46 Fairmead Road Islington Captain Kings
Royal Rifles and WILLIAM GEDDES of 20 Great Marlborough Street St. George's
Merchant do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
In Theatres, Music Halls, a trench is formed below the floor of the cellar at the
back of and close to the proscenium wall and we place therein a roller, above this
another roller is placed round which is wound the fireproof screen.
The screen is of
canvass or woollen fabric absorbent and is carried from the upper roller round and
under the roller in the trough, the trough contains a solution of Tungstate of Soda or
other salt of a like nature to make the screen impervious to the action of fire;
immediately over the rollers is formed a narrow hinged trap extending across the
stage beyond the opening of the proscenium on each side. A fight iron lattice girder
is provided extending the width of the Curtain to form a rigid Curtain rod and to its
lower edge is laced or fastened the fireproof curtain. From the ends of this girder
chains or wire ropes are carried upwards over pulleys of large diameter fixed at the
back of the wall and higher than the opening. To the other extremity of these chains
counterbalance weights are hung exceeding in weight the combined weight of the
curtain and chain. A winch and gear is provided and so fitted to the roller below
the stage that the curtain can be readily wound back over the roller when not in use
thus raising the counterbalance weights to their position where they are retained by a
catch on each side either fixed below the stage or in the flies-this catch can be
operated on from several parts of the house or stage by means of rods or wires which
being moved will release the catch when the curtain instantly rises by the action of
the weights from the cellar trench through the trap in the stage. I receive the
weights on spiral spring buffers. Where a curtain is used after being treated with
the liquid and in a dry state or where an Iron Curtain is used or asbestos, the liquid
trench is dispensed with and one roller only used.
Duted this 10th dow of Santamber 1887

page_text: Stage from the Auditorium and for other Purposes.
CHC
We WILLIAM EDWIN HEATH of 46 Fairmead Road Islington in the County of
Middlesex Captain in the Kings Royal Rifles and WILLIAM GEDDES of 20 Great
Marlborough Street, Saint Georges also in the County of Middlesex Merchant 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:
This Invention has for its object to provide means whereby on the occurrence of a
fire at a Theatre or the like building a fire proof screen or curtain is when released
caused with great facility and rapidity to automatically take such a position ascend so
as to shut off the auditorium from the stage and so prevent the spread of fire from one
part of the building to the other. There are, or may be also combined with the
curtain means whereby it is wetted by water or a fireproof solution or both as
hereinafter fully explained.
According to ene arrangement of this Invention the screen or curtain is for
compactness rolled upon a roller under the stage and according to another arrangement
the curtain is rolled upon a roller above the opening of the proscenium an overhead
or other counterbalance weight in the former instance and the weight of the bar ut
the lower edge of the curtain and of the curtain itself in the latter ease constantly
tending to unroll the screen or curtain and bring raise it into position so as to separate
the auditorium from the stage. The curtain is normally prevented from unrolling by
catches which can be released from any desired part or parts of the building. The
screen or curtain is made of a flexible material or is of flexible structure and it may be
is rolled upon or passed under or round a roller situated in water or in a fire proofing
solution so that as or before the curtain is brought into position raised it is thoroughly
wetted with the water or with this solution.
Or a the curtain or screen may be arranged so that after it has been brought into
position raised in a partially wetted or in a dry state to close the proscenium opening it
is afterwards wetted by a fire proofing solution or with water-such liquid being
poured or ejected upon the curtain or screen by any convenient means. The curtain
for this purpose is made of or partly of, an absorbent material. I prefer to make it of
thick canvas to which is applied a stout layer of asbestos or an additional ply of sponge
cloth or the like.
In order that the invention may be well understood the Invention is further
described more particularly and with reference to the accompanying drawings which
shew what is considered to be the best way for carrying the said Invention into effect
but it is to be understood that the Invention is not limited to the precise details
illustrated. Figures 1 and 2 are sectional elevations at right angles to each other of
an arrangement according to this Invention Figure 2 being drawn to an enlarged
scale in order to shew the parts more clearly. A is a trench or trough formed in or

page_text: resting on the ground and usually below the floor Y of the cellar at the back of and
close to the proscenium wall. In this trench or trough a roller B is placed capable of
turning freely in its bearings. Above this another roller C is placed mounted to turn
freely in bearings and situated parallel to the roller B and round this roller C is
wound the fireproof screen or curtain D. This screen or curtain is made of flexible
and absorbent material such for example as canvas or woollen fabric which may be
treated with tungstate of soda or other fire-proofing matter. I prefer to make it of
absorbent and strengthening materials combined such as canvas or canvas with an
additional ply of sponge cloth or the like at one side and a fire-resisting material such
as asbestos on the other side as shewn respectively at c and a in Figure 3. The
curtain passes from the upper roller C round and under the roller B in the trough A
and then is connected by a light girder to the chains or ropes to which the counter-
balance weight is hung. The trough A contains water or a solution of tungstate soda
or other matter of a like nature to make the screen impervious to the action of fire.
In the stage floor (and also in the lower floor or floors if such exist) at the part
immediately over the roller B is formed a narrow trap y or strip hinged along one side
and opening upwards and extending across the stage beyond the opening of the
proscenium on each side. This strip or trap is opened by the screen or curtain (or its
attachments) as the said screen or curtain is raised. The means for attaching the
screen or curtain to the weight which I prefer to employ consist of a light lattice
girder of metal E extending the width of the screen or curtain to form a rigid curtain
rod or stretcher and to its lower edge is laced or fastened the top edge of the screen
or curtain. This may be effected by short chains or wire ropes e e connected to a
clamping strip d fastened to the edge of the curtain. Fastened to the ends of the
girder E are chains or wire ropes F which are carried upwards over pulleys G
preferably of large diameter mounted so as to turn freely in bearings at the back of
the wall and higher than the opening of the proscenium. To the other extremity of
these chains F a counterbalance weight H is hung of a weight exceeding the
combined weight of the screen or curtain and its attachments sufficiently to ensure
the screen or curtain being raised when released. Figure 1 also shews an addition
which may be used if desired. It consists of a cistern J containing water or a
fireproofing solution and having a valve j in a pipe leading therefrom to a perforated
pipe K running across the stage above the proscenium as shown. Just before the
curtain completes its closure of the proscenium opening the girder E or an attachment
of the curtain comes into contact with the lever j³ opening the valve j and permitting
the liquid from the cistern to be ejected. upon the curtain through the perfora-
The pipe K may
tions in K thus maintaining the curtain well saturated.
be connected to a water main instead of or in addition to being connected
with the cistern J. A winch and gearing or any other suitable device is
provided and so fitted to the roller C that the curtain can be readily wound
back over the rollers on being lowered thus raising the counterbalance weight H
to its normal position where it is retained by a catch either fixed below the stage
or in the flies or elsewhere in such a way that it prevents the weight from operating
the screen or curtain until it is withdrawn. The catch may for example consist of a
spring pin engaging in a recess in the end of the roller C or in the pulleys G-or in
any wheel of the gearing or (as shown in the drawing) by a weighted lever h
ing the weight H. These catches can be operated so as to be withdrawn by chains
wires or the like from any desired part or from several parts of the house or stage
and when the catches are so released the screen or curtain rapidly and automatically
rises through the trap y in the stage owing to the action of the weight H. I prefer
Where a
to receive the impact of the descended weight on a spring buffer I.
screen or curtain is used in a dry state the liquid trench is dispensed with and only
one of the rollers B. C. is necessary.
engag-
Figure 4-illustrates another modification of this Invention wherein the trough A';
supplied with-water or with a fireproofing solution is placed above the opening of the
proscenium and contains the roller Capon which the curtain D is rolled. The cur
tain passes from this roller over the roller B', from which it descends to close the

page_text: prossentum opening.
It is prevented from unrolling by means of a suitable catch
which can be released from any desired part or parts of the building,
Along the lower edge of the screen or curtain is fixed a stiffener d' of a weight
sufficient to ensure (upon the release of the entch) the immediate descent of the said
sereen or curtain. The screen-or-curtain-may be counterbalanced to any extent
required.
This Figure 4 also illustrates an addition which may be used wherein a supply pipe
having a valvej, leads from a trough A' to a perforated pipe-K' and imme-
diately after the descent of the curtain commences the stiffener d² strikes a lever-j
opening the valve j and permitting the fluid from the cistern to be ejected upon the
curtain through the perforations k; thus maintaining the curtain well saturated. This
pipe Kor the cistern A' may also be connected to a water main.
In order to retain the curtain close against the opening of the proscenium wall and
prevent draughts of air opening a passage for smoke or flame around its edges the
arrangements illustrated by Figures 64 and 75 are used and in part illustrated in
Figures 1, 2 and 5 6. Along the edge of the curtain is secured a metal strip or strips
with small bars at intervals as shewn at L in side view in Figure 64 and in plan in
Figure 7 5. Or the bars L may be used without the metal strip or strips. Each pair
of bars L carries at its outer end an axis for antifriction wheels which travel in a
guide M or box (preferable of wrought iron) firmly secured to the proscenium wall
and shewn in front elevation in Figure 2, in side elevation in Figures 1 and 5 6
and in sectional plan in Figure 75. The wheels E at the ends of the girder E are
also caused to travel in the guides or retainers M and bear therein against the
surface n m (Figures 1, 2 and 6) of the guides. To ensure the proper entry of the
friction wheels into the guides M the lower openings of the guides may be trumpet
mouthed as at n. Any motion of the curtain calculated to open a passage around its
edge will be prevented by the antifriction wheels coming into contact with the
face m of their guides and at the same time the opposite edge of the curtain will
be restrained by one of the wheels E¹ coming against its bearing surface m³ in the
guide M.
When the screen or curtain descends it should pass through an opening in the
stage closed by a trap such as is shown at y-which can be opened by hand or by the
eurtain bar or an attachment of the curtain striking a bar or mechanism which opens
the said trap.
According to another arrangement illustrated in sectional plan in Figure 8 7 we fix
on each side of the stage behind the wall and close to the proscenium opening, a
vertical shaft N carrying a metal wing O on the greater portion of its length. These
vertical shafts may be geared to one another at their upper or lower ends by a suitable
horizontal shaft and bevel gearing. When partly rotated on their axes either by
hand or automatically as the curtain or screen completes the closure of the proscenium
opening each wing O is caused to bear against the curtain so as to press it closely to
the proscenium wall and prevent the passage of flame or of smoke around the edges
thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is:-
First. In or for Theatres or other buildings a curtain or screen of flexible material
or structure arranged beneath the stage or floor which curtain or sereen is arranged
so that when released it automatically rises through a trap in the stage or floor to
separate the auditorium from the stage or one part of a building from another part
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. In or for Theatres or other buildings a curtain or sereen of flexible
material or structure which on being released automatically descends and passes
through a trap in the stage or floor to separate the auditorium from the stage or one
part of a building from another part substantially as hereinbefore deseribed.
Third. First. In or for Theatres or other buildings for separating the auditorium
from the stage or one part of the building from another part a curtain or screen of

page_text: flexible material or structure which on being released unrolls and rises er falls in
combination with a container of a fire proofing solution or other liquid through which
the curtain or screen passes or in combination with or without means for ejecting
liquid thereover during its movement into its closed position or after it has moved into
that position or in combination with both the said container of liquid and means of
ejecting liquid substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. In or for Theatres or other buildings the combination with a curtain or
sereen of means for applying a fire proofing solution or water to the curtain or sareen
whilst the said curtain or screen is moved into closed-position or after it has moved
into that position substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fifth. Secondly In combination with a curtain or screen for the purpose described
an arrangement of antifriction rollers and side guards or retainers substantially as
herein before described and illustrated.
Sixth. Thirdly In combination with a curtain or screen for the purpose described
the wings arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
described with reference to Figure 87 of the accompanying drawings.
Seventh. Fourthly In or for Theatres a curtain or screen arranged to act as
hereinbefore described and claimed and made of a combination of canvas or other
absorbent or strengthening material covered with asbestos substantially as herein-
before described.
Eighth Fifthly The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the curtain
or screen and means for operating it as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Sept., 1887
Complete Left, 2nd Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 16th Dec., 1887
Stage from the Auditorium and for other Purposes.
We WILLIAM EDWIN HEATH of 46 Fairmead Road Islington Captain Kings
Royal Rifles and WILLIAM GEDDES of 20 Great Marlborough Street St. George's
Merchant do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In Theatres, Music Halls, a trench is formed below the floor of the cellar at the
back of and close to the proscenium wall and we place therein a roller, above this
another roller is placed round which is wound the fireproof screen.
The screen is of
canvass or woollen fabric absorbent and is carried from the upper roller round and
under the roller in the trough, the trough contains a solution of Tungstate of Soda or
other salt of a like nature to make the screen impervious to the action of fire;
immediately over the rollers is formed a narrow hinged trap extending across the
stage beyond the opening of the proscenium on each side. A light iron lattico girder
is provided extending the width of the Curtain to form a rigid Curtain rod and to its
lower edge is laced or fastened the fireproof curtain. From the ends of this girder
chains or wire ropes are carried upwards over pullies of large diameter fixed at the
back of the wall and higher than the opening. To the other extremity of these chains
counterbalance weights are hung exceeding in weight the combined weight of the
curtain and chain. A winch and gear is provided and so fitted to the roller below
the stage that the curtain can be readily wound back over the roller when not in use
thus raising the counterbalance weights to their position where they are retained by a
catch on each side either fixed below the stage or in the Flies-this catch can be
operated on from several parts of the house or stage by means of rods or wires which
being moved will release the catch when the curtain instantly rises by the action of
the weights from the cellar trench through the trap in the stage. I receive the
weights on spiral spring buffers. Where a curtain is used after being treated with
the liquid and in a dry state or where an Iron Curtain is used or asbestos, the liquid
trench is dispensed with and one roller only used.
Dated this 10th day of September 1887.
W. E. HEATH.
WILLIAM GEDDES.

page_text: Stage from the Auditorium and for other Purposes.
We WILLIAM EDWIN HEATH of 46 Fairmead Road Islington in the County of
Middlesex Captain in the Kings Royal Rifles and WILLIAM GEDDES of 20 Great
Marlborough Street, Saint Georges also in the County of Middlesex Merchant 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 :-
This Invention has for its object to provide means whereby on the occurrence of a
fire at a Theatre or the like building a fire proof screen or curtain is when released
caused with great facility and rapidity to automatically take such a position as to shut
off the auditorium from the stage and so prevent the spread of fire from one part of
the building to the other. There are, or may be also combined with the curtain means
whereby it is wetted by water or a fireproof solution or both as hereinafter fully
explained.
According to one arrangement of this Invention the screen or curtain is for
compactness rolled upon a roller under the stage and according to another arrangement
the curtain is rolled upon a roller above the opening of the proscenium an overhead
or other counterbalance weight in the former instance and the weight of the bar at
the lower edge of the curtain and of the curtain itself in the latter caso constantly
tending to unroll the screen or curtain and bring it into position so as to separate the
auditorium from the stage. The curtain is normally prevented from unrolling by
catches which can be released from any desired part or parts of the building.
screen or curtain is made of a flexible material or is of flexible structure and it may
be rolled upon or passed under or round a roller situated in water or in a fire proofing
solution so that as or before the curtain is brought into position it is thoroughly wetted
with the water or with this solution.
The
Or a curtain or screen may be arranged so that after it has been brought into
position in a partially wetted or in a dry state to close the proscenium opening it is
afterwards wetted by a fire proofing solution or with water-such liquid being poured
or ejected upon the curtain or screen by any convenient means. The curtain for this
purpose is made of or partly of, an absorbent material. I prefer to make it of thick canvas
to which is applied a stout layer of asbestos or an additional ply of sponge cloth or the like.
In order that the invention may be well understood the Invention is further
described more particularly and with reference to the accompanying drawings which
shew what is considered to be the best way for carrying the said Invention into effect
but it is to be understood that the Invention is not limited to the precise details
illustrated. Figures 1 and 2 are sectional elevations at right angles to each other of
an arrangement according to this Invention Figure 2 being drawn to an enlarged
scale in order to shew the parts more clearly. A is a trench or trough formed in or

page_text: resting on the ground and usually below the floor Y of the cellar at the back of and
close to the proscenium wall. In this trench or trough a roller B is placed capable of
turning freely in its bearings. Above this another roller C is placed mounted to turn
freely in bearings and situated parallel to the roller B and round this roller C is
wound the fire proof screen or curtain D. This screen or curtain is made of flexible
and absorbent material such for example as canvas or woollen fabric which may be
treated with tungstate of soda or other fire-proofing matter. I prefer to make it of
absorbent and strengthening materials combined such as canvas or canvas with an
additional ply of sponge cloth or the like at one side and a fire-resisting material such
as asbestos on the other side as shewn respectively at c and a in Figure 3.
The
curtain passes from the upper roller C round and under the roller B in the trough A
and then is connected by a light girder to the chains or ropes to which the counter-
balance weight is hung. The trough A contains water or a solution of tungstate soda
or other matter of a like nature to make the screen impervious to the action of fire.
In the stage floor (and also in the lower floor or floors if such exist) at the part
immediately over the roller B is formed a narrow trap y or strip hinged along one side
and opening upwards and extending across the stage beyond the opening of the
proscenium on each side. This strip or trap is opened by the screen or curtain (or its
attachınents) as the screen or curtain is raised. The means for attaching the screen
or curtain to the weight which I prefer to employ consist of a light lattice girder of
metal E extending the width of the screen or curtain to form a rigid curtain rod or
stretcher and to its lower edge is laced or fastened the top edge of the screen or
curtain. This may be effected by short chains or wire ropes e e connected to a
clamping strip d fastened to the edge of the curtain. Fastened to the ends of the
girder are chains or wire ropes F which are carried upwards over pulleys G
preferably of large diameter mounted so as to turn freely in bearings at the back of
the wall and higher than the opening of the proscenium. To the other extremity of
these chains Fa counterbalance weight H is hung of a weight exceeding the
combined weight of the screen or curtain and its attachments sufficiently to ensure
the screen or curtain being raised when released. Figure 1 also shews an addition
which may be used if desired. It consists of a cistern J containing water or a
fireproofing solution and having a valvej in a pipe leading therefrom to a perforated
pipe K running across the stage above the proscenium as shown. Just before the
curtain completes its closure of the proscenium opening the girder E or an attachment
of the curtain comes into contact with the lever opening the valve j and permitting
the liquid from the cistern to be ejected upon the curtain through the perfora-
tions in K thus maintaining the curtain well saturated.
The pipe K may
be connected to a water main instead of or in addition to being connected
with the cistern J. A winch and gearing or any other suitable device is
provided and so fitted to the roller C that the curtain can be readily wound
back over the rollers on being lowered thus raising the counterbalance weight H
to its normal position where it is retained by a catch either fixed below the stage
or in the flies or elsewere in such a way that it prevents the weight from operating
the screen or curtain until it is withdrawn. The catch may for example consist of a
spring pin engaging in a recess in the end of the roller C or in the pulleys G―or in
any wheel of the gearing or (as shown in the drawing) by a weighted lever h engag-
ing the weight H. These catches can be operated so as to be withdrawn by chains
wires or the like from any desired part or from several parts of the house or stage
and when the catches are so released the screen or curtain rapidly and automatically
rises through the trap y in the stage owing to the action of the weight H. I prefer
to receive the impact of the descended weight on a spring buffer I.
Where a
screen or curtain is used in a dry state the liquid trench is dispensed with and only
one of the rollers B. C. is necessary.
Figure 4 illustrates another modification of this Invention wherein the trough A¹,
supplied with water or with a fireproofing solution is placed above the opening of the
proscenium and contains the roller C¹ upon which the curtain D is rolled. The cur-
tain passes from this roller over the roller B', from which it descends to close the

page_text: proscenium opening. It is prevented from unrolling by means of a suitable catch
which can be released from any desired part or parts of the building.
Along the lower edge of the screen or curtain is fixed a stiffener d of a weight
sufficient to ensure (upon the release of the catch) the immediate descent of the said
screen or curtain. The screen or curtain may be counterbalanced to any extent
required.
This Figure 4 also illustrates an addition which may be used wherein a supply pipe
having a valve, leads from a trough A¹ to a perforated pipe K' and imme
diately after the descent of the curtain commences the stiffener strikes a lever,³
opening the valve j and permitting the fluid from the cistern to be ejected upon the
curtain through the perforations k, thus maintaining the curtain well saturated. This
pipe K or the cistern A¹ may also be connected to a water main.
In order to retain the curtain close against the opening of the proscenium wall and
prevent draughts of air opening a passage for smoke or flame around its edges the
arrangements illustrated by Figures 6 and 7 are used and in part illustrated in Figures 1,
2 and 5. Along the edge of the curtain is secured a metal strip or strips with
small bar at intervals as shewn at L in Figure 6 and in plan in Figure 7. Or the
bars L may be used without the metal strip or strips. Each pair of bars L carries at
its outer end an axis for antifriction wheels which travel in a guide M or box
(preferable of wrought iron) firmly secured to the proscenium wall and shewn in front
elevation in Figure 2, in side elevation in Figures 1 and 5 and in sectional plan
in Figure 7. The wheels E¹ at the ends of girder E are also caused to travel in the
guides or retainers M and bear therein against the surface m³ n (Figures 1, 2 and 5)
of the guides. To ensure proper entry of friction wheels into the guides M the lower
openings of the guides may be trumpet mouthed. Any motion of the curtain cal-
culated to open a passage around its edge will be prevented by the antifriction wheels
7 coming into contact with the face m of their guides and at the same time the
opposite edge of the curtain will be restrained by one of the wheels E' coming against
its bearing surface m¹ in the guide M².
When the screen or curtain descends it should pass through an opening in the
stage closed by a trap such as is shewn at y which can be oponed by hand or by the
curtain bar or an attachment of the curtain striking a bar or mechanism which opens
the said trap.
According to another arrangement illustrated in sectional plan in Figure 8 we fix
on each side of the stage behind the wall and close to the proscenium opening, a
vertical shaft N carrying a metal wing O on the greater portion of its length. These
vertical shafts may be geared to one another at their upper or lower ends by a suitable
horizontal shaft and bevel gearing. When partly rotated on their own axes either by
hand or automatically as the curtain or screen completes the closure of the proscenium
opening each wing O is caused to bear against the curtain so as to press it closely to
the proscenium wall and prevent the passage of flame or of smoke around the edges
thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed wo declare that what we claim is :-
First. In or for Theatres or other buildings a curtain or screen of flexible material
or structure arranged beneath the stage or floor which curtain or screen is arranged
so that when released it automatically rises through a trap in the stage or floor to
separate the auditorium from the stage or one part of a building from another part
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. In or for Theatres or other buildings a curtain or screen of flexible
material or structure which on being released automatically descends and passes
through a trap in the stage or floor to separate the auditorium from the stage or one
part of a building from another part substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third. In or for Theatres or other buildings for separating the auditorium from the
stage or one part of the building from another part a curtain or screen of flexible
material or structure which on being released rises or falls in combination with

page_text: a container of a fire proofing solution or other liquid through which the curtain
or screen passes or in combination with means for ejecting liquid thereover during its
movement into its closed position or after it has moved into that position or in com-
bination with both the said container of liquid and means of ejecting liquid substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. In or for Theatres or other buildings the combination with a curtain or
screen of means for applying a fire proofing solution or water to the curtain or screen
whilst the said curtain or screen is moving into closed position or after it has moved
into that position substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fifth. In combination with a curtain or screen for the purpose described an
arrangement of antifriction rollers and side guards or retainers substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated.
Sixth. In combination with a curtain or screen for the purpose described the
wings O arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose herein before described
with reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.
Seventh. In or for Theatres a curtain or screen arranged to act as herein before
described and claimed and made of a combination of canvas or other absorbent or
strengthening material covered with asbestos substantially as herein before described.
Eighth. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the curtain or
screen and means for operating it as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings.
1007