Improved Construction of Flying Apparatus for Use on Stages of Theatres and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Construction of Flying Apparatus for Use on Stages of
Theatres and the like.
I, GEORGE KIRBY, of 137, Waterloo Road, London, Carpenter, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows; -
This invention relates to improved construction of flying apparatus for use
on stages of theatres and the like, and principally for lifting artistes to the desired
position in the flies or other parts of a stage.
For the purpose of my invention, I employ, say, six drums fitted together, or
a drum having six separate winding portions and fix same on one axle riding in
suitable bearings fitted at any desired part of the stage but preferable at the
upper part of one side. Around each drum is wrapped a separate cord or rope,
those from the two outer drums being connected with' an india rubber cord held
to the ground by a shackle or pulley; the ropes from the next two inner pulleys
on either side are run over pulleys fitted at any desired part of the gridiron,
flies, or ceiling of the stage and are provided with catch hooks or other devices
at their ends for securing to the belt or other part of the dress of an artiste to
be lifted or swung; the two centre pulleys have the ropes wrapped in opposite
directions and are used for revolving the drums in either direction according
whether the artistes have to be raised or lowered.
The india rubber cord or cords may be of any strength and same is determined
by the weights of the artistes to be lifted and also acts as a counterpoise to the
weight of the artiste.
In action, one of the centre drum ropes is acted upon by, say, two men on the
stage, and the artiste or artistes are lifted to the desired position, the rubber cord
by contraction assisting, the artistes being held suspended with very little effort
on the part of the men, and when the artistes have to be lowered, the other centre
rope is operated on, the weight of the artistes in lowering assisting the men to
stretch the rubber cord and so prevent a too sudden downfall.
The invention is applicable for every purpose where a person is required to be
lifted to occupy a certain elevated position on the stage and is especially suitable
for lifting artistes to trapezes and also for pantomine work.
1
1000
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said George Kirby.

page_text: Improved Construction of Flying Apparatus for Use on Stages of
Theatres and the like.
I, GEORGE KIRBY, of 137, Waterloo Road, London, Carpenter, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
This invention relates to improved construction of flying apparatus for use
on stages of theatres and the like, and principally for lifting artistes to the desired
position in the flies or other parts of a stage.
My invention is represented on the annexed sheets of drawings in which
Figure 1, shows a stage of a theatre with apparatus applied for lifting a single
person or artiste, and for which a lifting and lowering can be mechanically
effected, any side swing motion being accomplished by the artiste in starting,
as found convenient.
Figure 2 stage effect for two artistes, the apparatus being available for each
one separately, or for combined lift of both artistes, either or both of whom can
effect the side swing as desired.
Figure 3 represents stage effect for a single artiste, by which such artiste can
be raised and lowered mechanically, and also be carried suspended from side to
side from any height between the stage proper and of the fly curtain, as to be
within sight range of the audience.
Figure 4 perspective elevation of the clamp by which an artiste can be secured
to the end of the suspension rope or wire.
The figures on Sheet 2 of the drawings show more in detail the apparatus as
by my invention for the raising and lowering and side swing or side travel
appliances.
Figure 5, end elevation of rope drums and bearings.
Figure 6 plan of same for a single artiste.
Figure 7 plan of drums for two artistes.
Figure 8 plan of drums for a single artiste and for side travel while elevated.
Figure 9 detail of traveller by which the artiste can be moved across the stage
by attendants at the side and out of sight of the audience.
The invention consists of four, five, or six drums A, B, C, D, E, F, or it may
be one drum having a combination of winding surfaces, fixed on one axle G
riding in bearings H fitted at any desired part of the stage, but preferably, at
the upper part of one side, as at Figures 5 and 6. Around each drum is wrapped
a separate cord or rope I, J, K, L, M, N, those from the two outer drums A, F,
(Figure 7) being connected with india rubber cords I, J, held to the ground by
a shackle or pulley; the ropes J, M, from the next two inner pulleys B, E, on
either side are run over pulleys P, Q, see Figure 2, fitted at any desired part of
the gridiron, flies, or ceiling of the stage, and are provided with a catch hook
or device, such as the clamp R, Figure 4, at their end for securing to the belt
or other part of the dress of an artiste to be lifted or swung; the two centre
pulleys C, D, have the ropes wrapped in opposite directions and are used con-
nected by the bight S for revolving the drums in either direction according whether
the artistes have to be raised or lowered.
The india rubber cord or cords I, J, may be of any strength and same is
determined by the weights of the artistes to be lifted and also acts as a counter-
poise to the weight of the artiste.

page_text: Where a traveller is employed, such as I show at Figure 9, I arrange the drum
as shown at Figure 8, and wind the ropes J, M, on their respective drums B, E,
in opposite directions for one half of the travel of the artiste, and I rove the
suspension rope M over the lower pulley P of a triangle shaped runner T sup-
ported upon a stretched rope or rail U by the rollers V, V, so that the frame T
can be pulled by the rope J to one side and by the weight of the artiste assisted
by the operator to the other, the rope J being rove round a fixed positioned
pulley at the opposite side of the stage at which the drums are fitted, thus an
artiste being required to descend the stage from one side and ascend to the other
side, say, from left to right, the ropes J, M, would be wound in an opposite
direction, so that during the descending motion the rope J would be pulling the
traveller T along, and the rope M would be unwinding for lowering the artiste
to, say, the centre of the stage, the rope M having at this moment completely
unwound itself, so that for the ascending motion of the artiste, the two ropes
would move together in the same direction. This action would be reversed
should the artiste desire to move from right to left.
In practice, I prefer that the attendant be upon a raised platform Y, seen at
Figures 1, 2, and 3, as to be clear of actors or stage assistants passing along the
side wings of the stage.
In action, the drum rope S is acted upon by, say, two men on the stage, and
the artiste or artistes are lifted to the desired position, the rubber cord by con-
traction assisting, the artistes being held suspended with very little effort on
the part of the men, and when the artistes have to be lowered, the rope is operated
on in the reverse direction, the weight of the artistes in lowering assisting the men
to stretch the rubber cord and so prevent a too sudden downfall.
I am aware that appliances have been used for raising and swinging artistes
above the stage in theatres during fairy and pantomime performances, therefore
I make no claim to originality to the idea for so doing, but I have found that
by my invention I make the apparatus very compact, the manipulation easy,
and give greater command over the movements imparted to the artistes with fewer
attendants than with any existing method or apparatus.
The invention is applicable for every purpose where a person is required to be
lifted to occupy a certain elevated position on the stage, and is especially suitable
for lifting artistes to trapezes, and also for pantomime work:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The combination of drums fixed on an axle, two of which drums have ropes
reversely wrapped and connected for giving off and taking on respectively to
ensure rising and lowering of artistes in theatrical stage effects, as described
and shown.
2. In theatrical stage operations of artistes, the construction of flying apparatus
arranged and operating in the manner set forth and as indicated by the annexed
drawings.
3. In apparatus for raising, lowering, or moving artistes on and over stages
of theatres and the like, the combination of a number of drums or winding portions
on one axle ropes encircling said drums; and india rubber cords connecting
one or more ropes with a fixed part of the stage, the ropes being wound according
to their various functions, as and for the purpose specified.
4. An apparatus for raising, lowering, or moving artistes on or over stages of
theatres and the like, consisting of the requisite number of drums or winding
portions on one axle arranged in suitable bearings for affixture to some part of
a stage; two of said drums carrying a rope or ropes for action of all the drums
by the attendants, other drum or drums carrying the rope or ropes to which the
artiste or artistes is or are attached, the remaining drum or drums carrying a

page_text: rope or ropes connected to an india rubber cord or cords for assisting the raising
and checking the lowering of the artistes, substantially as set forth.
The 31st day of December 1898
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said George Kirby.