A New or Improved Illusion Apparatus.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1889-Accepted, 28th Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Illusion Apparatus.
We ALFRED EBENEZER COCKMAN, of 4 Pasley Road, Walworth, Conjurer and
GEORGE DE MELVEN, of 2 Wheatsheaf Lane, South Lambeth, Conjurer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to apparatus for use in a performance wherein by an optical
illusion a living person is made to appear as though divided at the waist, the bust or
upper part of the body alone being visible and appearing to be supported upon a stool
or pedestal on a suspended platform or wholly above the platform without in either
case apparent means of concealment for the lower part of the performer.
The invention consists essentially in a trick platform so constructed as whilst
apparently too thin for the purpose to afford space for the concealment of the lower
part of the performer and in certain adjuncts thereto whereby the illusion is carried
out more effectually as hereafter described.
The platform is provided with an internal chamber projecting at the middle of the
lower side of the platform and is so covered as to be practically invisible to the
spectator. At the centre of the upper side of the platform is an aperture leading to
the chamber, said aperture being surrounded by a coaming or vertical flange which
fits close around the waist of the performer. The platform has a removable segment
or gate by which the performer is enabled to insert the legs and lower part of the
body into the chamber in the platform, and which is inserted in place after the
performer has entered. In order to make the bust appear as though resting upon a
pedestal upon the platform, a frame constructed in two or more parts is applied
around the raised flange or coaming above referred to, said frame having externally
the appearance of a pedestal and being in strong contrast with the platform which is
wholly covered with black velvet, whilst the pedestal is white or other color.
Suitable draperies, preferably of black velvet, are provided in rear of the suspended
platform in order to facilitate the illusion, and in order to make it more effectual gear
is provided whereby the suspended platform may be rotated in sight of the audience
so as to bring all sides of the bust into view.
By removing the frame representing the pedestal, the bust appears to be floating
above the platform without visible support, the coaming or flange around the aperture
in the platform being covered with black velvet, and becoming confounded to
the eye of the spectator, with the covering of the platform and the drapery in
the rear.
In rear of the apparatus is provided a pair of doors covered preferably with black
velvet and having a space between them when closed sufficient to allow the performer
to enter and take his or her position on the platform without being seen by the
audience; a bright colored scarf being placed in front of the platform between its
suspension rods to hide the performer in entering.
Dated this 10th day of September 1888.
A
COCIZMAN

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Illusion Apparatus.
We, ALFRED EBENEZER COCKMAN, of 4, Pasley Road, Walworth, Conjurer, and
GEORGE DE MELVEN, of 2, Wheatsheaf Lane, South Lambeth, Conjurer, 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:
Our Invention relates to apparatus for use in a performance wherein, by an optical
illusion, the bust or upper part of the body of a living person is alone visible and
is made to appear as though supported upon a stool or pedestal resting on a
suspended platform, or as floating wholly above the platform without in either case
any possible means of concealment for the lower part of the person being apparent to
the spectator.
The Invention consists essentially in a trick platform so constructed that, although
apparently too thin for the purpose, it will afford space for the concealment of the
lower part of the performer; it also comprises certain adjuncts thereto whereby the
illusion is carried out more effectually, as hereafter described.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification in which figure 1 is a vertical central section taken from front to back
through the suspended trick platform and stage. Figure 2 is a plan of the stage and
platform. Figures 3, 4, and 5 shew details. The same letters of reference indicate
like parts in all the figures.
The platform A is suspended like a scale pan and is provided with an internal
chamber B the bottom of which projects at the middle of the underside of the platform
and is covered with black velvet so as to be practically invisible to the spectator being
in shadow and against a dark background. At the centre of the upper side of the
platform is an aperture communicating with the chamber B said aperture being
surrounded by an upstanding coaming or flange a which fits close around the waist of
the performer. The platform has a removable segment or gate C which when removed
leaves a sufficient gap to allow the performer to insert the legs and lower part of the
body into the chamber B such segment being inserted in place after the performer has
entered so as to make the platform appear to be complete. In order to make the bust
appear as though resting upon a pedestal upon the platform a frame D constructed in
two parts is applied around the flange or coaming a said frame having externally the
appearance of a pedestal and having its sides colored white so as to be in strong
contrast with the platform A. The upper and under surfaces of the platform and the
flange or coaming a are wholly covered with black velvet, the edges of the platform
only being white so as to convey the impression that it is only a thin slab. Suitable
draperies preferably of black velvet are provided at E in rear of the suspended
platform, in order to facilitate the illusion and in order to make it more effectual
gear is provided whereby the part of the suspended platform upon which the
performer rests may be rotated in sight of the audience so as to bring all sides of the
bust into view.
By removing the frame D representing the pedestal, the bust will appear to be
floating above the platform without visible support the coaming or flange a around
the performer's waist being undistinguishable by the eye of the spectator. The rear
part D' of the pedestal is in one with the removable gate or segment C and is of such
width as to be concealed by the performer when the front part D is removed, the
performer then facing the spectators. The front part D is provided with a velvet
curtain d sliding on guide rods d' and forced by springs d to lie across and cover the
aperture in the top of the part D so that when the latter is withdrawn from around
the flange a it will be apparently taken from beneath the bust of the performer and
the curtain d will be instantly thrown across the aperture so that when the top
of the pedestal is presented to view it will appear to be solid or without any aperture
in it.

page_text: The stage is provided with a pair of doors at F F covered with black velvet and
having between them when closed a gap, as at f, sufficient to allow the performer to
pass through, such gap being invisible to the spectator against the background E. In
order that the performer may enter the platform without being seen by the audience a
bright colored scarf is temporarily hung in front of the platform by being attached
to its suspension rods.
The platform is suspended by a vertical_pivot G from an overhead support and with
this pivot is geared by bevel gear h a shaft H by which motion is transmitted for the
purpose of rotating the platform in sight of the spectators. To heighten the illusion
the bottom of the chamber B on which the performer is seated is made separate from
the platform and of circular form in plan and is supported within the lower part
of the platform in such a way that it may be independently rotated. For this
purpose its upper edge is toothed and a pinion i mounted in the platform gears
with it, said pinion being operated by a shaft I having a squared end which is
temporarily inserted in the pinion and is turned by an assistant concealed by the back-
ground E.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The herein described suspended trick platform in combination with the
removable gate or segment and the removable pedestal frame, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
2. The herein described suspended trick platform constructed as described in
combination with means of revolving the bottom part of the platform on which the
performer rests and also with means of revolving the entire platform, substantially as
specified.