Improvements in Apparatus for Theatrical Purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Oct., 1896-Accepted, 27th Feb., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Theatrical Purposes.
I GEORGE AUGUSTUS OLIVER CONQUEST of 89, Tulse Hill, S.W. Theatrical
Manager, 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 relates to apparatus for use on the stage in connection with figures
intended to be raised in the air and to he moved in an appropriate manner. This
apparatus is especially intended for use in connection with pantomimes, ballets and
the like in which "fairies," "angels" etc. are employed amongst the characters, but
may be employed for any other public performance.
In carrying out my invention I propose to employ a series of wires connected to
the figures to be supported and moved. For each figure a series of three wires is
provided, a central one connected preferably to the upper part of the person, serving
to raise the figure from the ground, and two others connected to the lower part of
the body serving to tilt the figure in any required direction. When two or more
figures are required to be raised at the same time and to go through the same motions,"
all the wires are preferably connected to one weight having a wire or chain passing
over suitable pulley's or drums. On winding up the wire by means of the drum the
figures are raised simultaneously from the stage to the required height, the central
wire supporting the weight. The two side wires are preferably slightly slack and
pass over pulleys carried on the ends of levers. To the end of the lever wires or
chains are connected passing over pulleys and hanging down to the stage so that
they can be operated by a person in the wings. On pulling one of these connections
the figure is tilted and at the same time pulled to one side, but on pulling both the
wires leading to any given figure the latter is tilted without turning so that any
desired position can be taken up. To move the figures side ways runners or
travellers are employed carried on horizontal wires, and provided with rollers between
which the suspending wires pass. These runners are provided with wires or
connections hanging down to the stage allowing them to be tilted or slidden in
either direction.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the complete apparatus,
Figs. 2 to 6 show the runners or travellers employed to give horizontal motion to
the figures, and
Fig. 7 is a detail view of the weight and connections.
Fig. 1 shows the apparatus arranged for two figures, but any suitable number
may be employed with several rows of the same or a different arrangement of
figures. The apparatus is carried by the framework of the building, the main
part being carried by the cross beams at the roof or by special means or supports
of any ordinary description. The figures A are provided with the central wire B
connected to the upper part of the figure about the neck, suitable bands being
carried by the figure. These central wires pass over the pulleys carried by the
beam D at the upper part of the apparatus, passing thence over the pulleys C¹ to
the weight E at the side of the stage or in the wings.. The side wires B are both
connected to the figure at about the waist and extending at a slight angle at each
side, and pass over the pulleys F thence over the pulleys C' being also connected to

page_text: the weight E. The main support is given to the figure by the central wires, the side
ones being preferably slightly slack excepting when specially operated.
To raise the figures from the ground the wire frame or other connection G is
employed connected to the lower end of the weight E and passing over pulleys or
drums g and g' and placed within convenient reach of the operator. The wire or
connection is pulled or wound up so as to draw the weight down and raise the
figures to the required height. In the arrangement shown in the drawings the two
figures would be raised simultaneously as the connection for both passes to the same
weight.
To prevent the weight twisting the arrangement shown in detail in Fig. 7 is
employed, guide lines e being provided passing through eyes or lugs e' at the sides
of the weight.
The pulleys F over which the lines B¹ pass are carried on levers or arms fhinged
at the end to the beam D, or to any other convenient support. To the ends of
these hinged arms two sets of wires H and H are connected passing over the
pulleys h and ' to the drums K and K' on which they can be partly wound. To
these drums the wires k and are connected passing over the pulleys k² and hanging
down to the stage. On pulling either of these wires one of the drums K or K will
be turned a distance corresponding to the pull winding up the wires belonging to it
and raising a pair of levers carrying the outer or inner side wires turning both
figures simultaneously in the same manner. On pulling one connection both figures
are turned to the wings and on operating the other they are turned to the centre,
the movements being thus quite symmetrical. On pulling both wires k and k¹ the
two sets of side wires B' will be actuated and the figures tilted. The hinged arms
are shown in Fig. 1 in their raised position in dotted lines.
To move the figures sideways the arrangement shown in detail in Figs. 2 to 6 is
employed, supporting wires or lines L being stretched horizontally from side to side
of the apparatus out of sight of the audience.
On these wires the slides or
travellers M are carried adapted to move into any desired position on the said wire.
These travellers carry the rollers m shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 a set of two rollers
being employed for each of the wires B and B each wire passing between two
rollers. The rollers are grooved or provided with flanges between which the wires
pass effectually preventing the latter escaping from the proper position.
To operate the runners the two sets of wires N and N are employed passing over
the pulleys n at one side and connected respectively to the outer and inner ends of
each of the runners. The wires N and N' also pass through the blocks or sheaves O
and O' placed respectively at the centre and side of the apparatus and fixed to the
supporting wires L. These sheaves are also suspended by the wires o from the top
of the apparatus assisting to support the wires L. On pulling one of the sets of
wires N and N' by the connections hanging down to the stage, the ranners or
travellers are pulled towards the wings or to the centre of the stage, moving the
figures in the required direction.
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.) In an improved apparatus for stage purposes intended for application to
floating or suspended figures, the combination with a central wire connected to each
figure, two side wires also connected to the figure at a lower point, a weight to which
these wires are attached and connections for operating them, of movable pulleys
over which the side wires pass, wires attached to the said pulleys and connections
to the said wires, allowing the side wires to be raised or lowered independently of
the central one, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(2.) In an improved apparatus for stage purposes in connection with floating or
suspended figures, the combination with a central wire attached to each figure at
the upper end, two side wires connected to the figure at a lower point, pulleys over
which the wires pass, a weight to which they are connected and connections by

page_text: which the figures can be raised or lowered, of hinged or pivoted arms having pulleys
over which the side wires pass, wires connected to the said arms and connections
by which the wires can be operated and the hinged arms raised or lowered
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(3.) In an improved apparatus for stage purposes to be used in connection with
floating or suspended figures, the combination with a central wire and two side
wires connected to each figure, pulleys over which the wires pass. a weight to
which they are attached and connections allowing them to he actuated, of hinged
arms carrying pulleys supporting the side wires, wires attached to the said arms,
drums over which the wires pass and upon which they can be wound, and connections
to the said drums adapted to turn thein substantially as described and shown and
for the purposes specified.
(4.) In an improved apparatus for stage purposes in connection with floating or
suspended figures, the combination with a central and two side wires connected to
the figures, pulleys over which the wires pass, a weight to which they are connected,
and connections allowing them to be actuated, of horizontal travellers through
which the wires pass, supports for the same and connections by which they can be
moved into any desired position, substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
(5.) In an improved apparatus for stage purposes for use with floating or
suspended figures, the combination with three wires connected to each of the said
figures, pulleys over which the wires pass, and means by which they can be actuated,
of horizontal travellers, supporting wires on which the travellers can run, grooved
wheels or rollers in the said travellers between which the wires supporting the
figures can pass, connections to each traveller and sheaves with pulleys over which
these connections pass, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(6.) The improved apparatus for stage purposes intended for use in connection
with floating or suspended figures, allowing them to be moved into any desired
position, and in a symmetrical manner, substantially as described and shown in the
accompanying drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 21st day of October 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.