An Optical Illusion.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 26th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Optical Illusion.
I, LOUIS MORGENSTERN, Artist, 11, York Road, London, S.E., England, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
The optical illusion of suspending a person in mid-air and causing him or her to
move and perform without visible support. I accomplish this object by constructing
or covering all parts of my apparatus, with black velvet or other non-reflecting
material, so that though the performance may be carried on in full light of the
stage, the parts of the mechanism in front of the curtain cannot be seen on account
of their color. The principal frame of this apparatus consists of an inverted
Ushaped structure, having two side members connected on top by a rail; to the
top rail is secured a back rail & between these two rails, and rolling upon wheels is
a truck, consisting of two side bars, a bottom rail, a top rail, a set of four guide
wheels placed onto the upper end of the truck and wheels running in tracks, and
keeping the frame always in its proper position.
In the centre of the truck, I have a standard, being a tube of proper size, upon
which is located an elevating truck, raised and lowered by a winch and a set of
tackle-blocks and rope. The elevating truck consists of two rectangular frames
having grooved guide wheels journaled in said frames, and embracing the said
standard. To one of these sides are secured two bearings through which is passed a
tabular spindle or shaft, to the forward end of which the performer is securely
fastened and buckled by means of a frame or corset (which latter is the subject
matter of a separate Application for a Patent therefore I do not particularly describe
it; it being sufficient to say here, that it consists of a metallic belt formed of two
hinged sections to embrace the performer, and provided with a locking mechanism
to close the belt after the performer has applied the same to his or her body and
suitable guards and straps so applied to said person, that when the belt is
fastened to the outer end of the shaft, the performer may be elevated and revolved
by said shaft).
To the inner end of the shaft is secured a crank-handle by which it is revolved in
its bearings and through the same is passed a rod having on its outer end, a screw-
thread engaging a female thread in the belt, while to the inner end thereof, is
hinged an extension-rod, the extreme end of which is held to the crank by a catch,
to prevent the rod from turning and thereby to disengage the belt from the rod,
which might cause the performer to fall.
From the elevating truck projects a hook, to which is secured the end of the
tackle-block, the rope of which passes over the sheaves, to the drum of the
winch, where the crank enables the lifting of said truck in an obvious manner.
To the face of the frame or truck are secured cross pieces to receive vertical
slats to the top and bottom ends of which are secured shade-rollers over which a
narrow curtain passes, it being understood that the ratchet or locking mechanism of
these spring-rollers, being removed the curtain will wind and unwind upon and
from these rollers, as it is raised or lowered at pleasure.
In this curtain there is an opening through which the spindle passes.
To the face of the rails are secured two metallic plates to produce a slotted
aperture in which the said shaft moves, said plates being located behind the curtain,
and faced toward the audience-side with black velvet, this being also the material
of which the curtains are made. To the rails are journaled two vertical rollers
upon which the curtains wind and unwind (same as mentioned above with the
exception that they roll perpendicular while the other rolls horizontally). On each
outer end of these curtains are further spring rollers which are used only in cases

page_text: where the curtains are so long that each cannot be entirely wound upon its respective
roller. The main frame is covered with black velvet drapery, there being used for
this a lower-piece, an upper piece and two side pieces; the space between, or inside,
this drapery being occupied by the three curtains on the rollers, and producing,
when seen from the audience a perfect-flat surface, it being impossible to distinguish
the several curtains and drapery one from the other; owing to the fact that the
material used is black.
The performer places the metallic corset on his or her body and has it strapped
by means of straps tightly to the central belt, which in turn, is securely fastened
to the end of the spindle; a suitable dress, or jacket covering the metallic
corset.
Now the performer may be raised or lowered, by the before-mentioned winch,
lifting the trunk, and may be revolved by turning the crank handle, thus making it
appear as if they were turning a somersault in mid-air.
To cause the performer to move laterally (from right to left or vice versa), the
frame or truck is moved upon its rail-track in the proper direction, which will cause
the curtains to follow and to wind upon and unwind from their respective rollers,
as the case may be, so that no matter in what position the actor may be placed, the
back-ground always appears the same.
It will now be seen that by a compound vertical and horizontal movement of the
two trucks, the performer may be moved in every direction, while suspended in
mid-air, making the illusion very mystifying and pleasing.
To make the illusion more perfect, the performer may leave their position on the
end of the spindle at any time when standing on the stage, by the operator unscrewing
the rod; when the performer may step forward in a line coinciding with the centre
line of said spindle and retracing their steps backward, they will readily find their
proper position on the spindle, by means of the extension of said rod, guiding them
to the end of said spindle.
The spindle as well as the rods are highly polished, and, since they reflect the
black color of the curtains only, will also appear black, and cannot therefore be
recognized by the audience.
To keep the elevating truck always in position upon the standard, the frame has
a laterally-projecting bar, the forward end of which is provided with guide rollers,
engaging a guide-bar, placed parallel with the standard.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1890.
LOUIS MORGENSTERN.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
An Optical Illusion.
I, LOUIS MORGENSTERN, 11, York Road, London, S.E., Artist, 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 -
Improvements in devices for suspending an actor in mid air without visible
supports and I do hereby declare that the following description of my said
invention, taken in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings, forms a
full, clear & exact Specification which will enable others skilled in the art to which
it appertains to make and use the same.
This invention has general reference to devices for suspending an actor in mid
air without visible supports, and it consists essentially in the novel and peculiar
combination of parts, and details of construction, as to be hereinafter first fully
described and then pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings already mentioned which serve to illustrate my said invention
more fully,
Fig. 1. is a front elevation of my device.

page_text: Fig. 2. is a rear elevation of the same.
Fig. 3. is a transverse sectional elevation on line y, y, of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4. is a side elevation of the suspending shaft and the metallic corset or frame
worn by the actor when performing the act.
Fig. 5. is a side elevation of the device, and Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the
same, the elevating mechanism being omitted in these two figures to avoid crowding
of the parts.
Fig. 6. is a sectional plan on line, x, in Fig. 5.
Like parts are designated by similar letters of reference in all the figures.
I accomplish the object of my invention by constructing my apparatus of a suitable
non-reflecting apparatus or covering same with black velvet, so that although the
performance may be carried on in full light of the stage the parts of the mechanism
in front of the curtain cannot be seen on account of their colour.
The principle frame of this apparatus consists of an inverted U shaped construction
or structure, having two side members A. A¹, connected on the top by a rail B, said
members A A having spikes a, by means of which, and guy rods b, provided with
turn buckles as shown, they are securely erected upon the stage upon which the
performance is to take place.
To the top rail B is secured a back rail B', placed a suitable distance from said
rail B and properly connected therewith by crosspieces 7. Between these rails,
and rolling upon wheels C, is placed a frame or truck, consisting of two side
bars D, D, bottom rail E, and top rail F, a set of four guide wheels, placed on
to the upper end of the truck; and C running in truck C¹, keeping the frame
always in its proper position. Centrally within the frame is located a standard G
being a tube of proper size upon which is located an elevating truck H, raised
and lowered by a winch I and a set of tackle blocks and rope J, all as hereinafter
to be described. The elevating truck consists of two rectangular frames I¹ having
six (more or less) grooved guide wheels I", suitably journalled in said frames I.
and embracing the said standard G. To one of these sides are secured two
bearings i, through which is passed a tubular spindle or shaft, K, to the forward
end of which the performer P, is securely fastened and buckled by means of a frame
or corset L, Fig. 4, which latter being the subject matter of a separate Application
for a Patent, I do not particularly describe, it being sufficient to say here that it
consists of a metallic belt formed of two hinged sections, (to embrace the performer)
and provided with locking mechanism to close same, after the performer has applied
the same to his body, and suitable guards and siraps so applied to said person that
when the belt is fastened to the outer end of the shaft, the performer may be
revolved and elevated by said shaft K. To the inner end of the shaft K Fig. 3.
is secured a crank handle M, by which it is revolved in its bearings i, and through
the same is passed a rod N, having on its outer end a screw thread, engaging with a
female thread in the belt L, while to the inner end thereof. at n is hinged an
extension rod N', the extreme end of which is held to the crank M by a catch m,
to prevent the rod N from turning, and thereby to disengage the belt from the rod,
which might cause the actor to fall.
From the elevating truck H projects a hook i¹, to which is secured the end of
the tackle block J, the rope of which passes over the sheaves to the drum I of the
winch, where the crank h enables the lifting of the said truck in an obvious manner.
To the face of the U shaped frame are secured vertical slats P, P', to the top and
bottom ends of which are secured by suitable bracket d. (Fig. 6) shade rollers R, R',
over which a narrow curtain Q passes, it being understood, that the ratchet or
locking mechanism of these so-called spring shade rollers being removed, the
curtain Q will wind and unwind upon and from these rollers, as it is raised or
lowered at pleasure. In this curtain Q there is an opening y, Fig. 6, through which
the spindle K passes.
To the face of the rails O, O' are secured two metallic plates S, S', to produce a
slotted aperture g' in which the shaft K moves, said plates being located behind the

page_text: curtain Q and faced towards the audience side with black velvet, this being also the
material of which the curtain Q, as well as the two curtains T, T', now to be
described, are made. To the rails 0, 0, are suitably journaled two vertical
rollers U, U', upon which the curtains T, T¹, wind and unwind, there being on
each outer end of these said curtains similar spring rollers V, VI, Fig. 2 & 7, which
latter rollers are used only in cases where the curtains T, T¹, are so long that cannot
be entirely wound upon its respective roller U. When the rollers V, VI, are not
used, the ends of the curtains T, T', are suitably fastened to the uprights A, A', of
the main frame.
The main frame is covered on its front side with black velvet drapery, this
being used for this purpose viz. :- the lower course Z, the upper course Z & the
two side pieces, respectively, the space inside this drapery being occupied by
the three curtains, and producing when seen from the audience, a perfectly flat
surface, it being impossible to distinguish the several curtains and drapery one from
another even in the strongest light, owing to the fact that the material used is a
black without lustre, and hence cannot reflect rays of light falling upon the same.
The actor places the metallic corset L upon his or her body and straps himself by
means of the straps tightly to the central belt, which, in turn is securely fastened to
the end of spindle K. a suitable dress or jacket covering the metallic corset. Now
the actor may be raised and lowered, by the before mentioned winch lifting the
truck H, and he may be revolved by turning the crank handle M, thus making it
appear as if he was turning a somersault in mid-air. To cause him to move laterally
(from right to left or vice versa) the frame D, D¹, is moved upon its rail track in a
proper direction, which will cause the curtains T, T¹, to follow and to wind upon
and unwind from the respective rollers U, U¹, as the case may be, so that no matter
in what position the actor may be placed, the background appears always the same.
It will now be observed that by a compound vertical and horizontal movement of
the two trucks, the performer may be moved in every direction while suspended in
mid air, the illusion being not only perfectly mystifying but highly pleasing. To
make this illusion still more perfect, the actor may leave her fixed position on the
end of the spindle K at any time when standing upon the stage, by the operator
unscrewing the rod N, when he or she may step forward in a line coinciding with
the centre line of said spindle, and retracing her steps backward when she will
readily find her proper position on the spindle, by means of the extension N¹ of
said rod N guiding her to the end of the said spindle. The spindle K as well as
the rods N, and N₁ are highly polished, and since they will reflect the black colour
of the curtains only, will also appear black, and cannot therefore be recognised by
the audience. To keep the elevating truck H always in proper position upon the
Standard G. the frame I'¹ has a laterally projecting bar W, the forward end of
which is provided with guides rollers Xengaging a guide bar Y placed parallel
with the standard G, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Any other mechanism however
may be employed for this purpose without departing from my invention.
In place of the shade rollers before mentioned I may have a frame of black velvet
or other goods, having a horizontal opening at the proper height, and a perpendicular
opening in the centre of frame running up to the horizontal opening from the
bottom of frame; said openings being large enough for the spindle K to pass through
and move freely in.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
(1). In devices for supporting actors in mid air without visible means of support.
the combination of a main frame with a movable frame having an elevating truck
and means for raising and lowering the same, said truck having a spindle provided
with a suitable corset to encircle the performer substantially as shown and
described.

page_text: (2). In devices of the class described, the combination with a fixed main frame
of a movable frame having an elevating truck, and a winch, a spindle to which the
actor is affixed, a curtain through which said spindle passes, and further curtains
adapted to move with said movable frames, as & for the
purpose stated.
(3). In devices of the class described, the combination, with the main frame of
a movable frame, having a winch and an elevating truck, the spindle having its
bearings in said truck, and provided with a crank handle, and the corset, as and for
the purpose stated.
(4). In devices of the class described, the combination, with the elevating truck,
having bearings as described, of a tubular spindle provided with a handle on one
end, and with a corset on the other end, said corset being removably affixed to the
spindle, by the screw threaded rod as and for the object stated.
(5). In devices of the class described, the combination with the fixed main frame,
of the movable frame having guide wheels, as described; the central standard, the
elevating truck with the bearings, the tubular spindle with the corset and the winch
on the movable truck, as and for the purpose set forth.
(6). In devices of the class described, the combination, with the fixed and movable
frames, of an elevating truck and the curtains, the latter being adapted to follow
the movement of the trucks, as and for the purpose set forth.
(7). In devices of the class described, the combination, with the movable frame
having the vertical members D, D' and top and bottom rails; of the rails O, O',
brackets d, curtain rollers R, R¹, and the curtain Q, having an aperture for the
passage of the spindle K, as and for the purpose set forth.
(8). In devices of the class described, the combination with the fixed and movable
frames, of curtains having their rollers vertically arranged and adapted to move
with the movable frame, as and for the purpose set forth.
(9). In devices of the class described, the combination with the fixed and movable
frames; of the curtains T, T¹, having rollers U, U¹, plates S, S', curtain Q and
the rollers R, R', as and for the purpose set forth.
(10) The combination with the tubular shaft, of the corset; the screw threaded
rod, engaging said corset, and the catch for engaging said rod with the crank, as
and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 26th day of November 1890.
E. EATON,
Agent for Applicant.