Patent ID: 7562863

Claim:
A rigging system for being secured to a structural support member of a theatre and for actuating a theatrical load into motion by actuating at least one cable(s), the rigging system comprising: a frame; a head block attached to the frame, the head block having at least one head sheave, with each of said at least one head sheave(s) being adapted to redirect a respective cable of the at least one cable(s); a winch motor mounted to said frame, the winch motor comprising a motor shaft which is adapted to be driven into rotation with respect to said frame by operation of said winch motor; and a winch drum comprising a winch drum exterior surface and shaped to define an axis of rotation and an angular winding direction about the axis of rotation, wherein: said winch drum exterior surface is shaped to wind and/or unwind the at least one cable(s) redirected by said at least one head sheave(s) when said winch drum is rotated in the winding direction, said winch drum is constrained with respect to said motor shaft so it is driven to rotate in the winding direction by rotation of said motor shaft, and said winch drum is constrained with respect to said frame and said winch motor so that said winch drum is adapted to be able to move in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation with respect to said frame and said winch motor as the at least one cable(s) are wound and/or unwound around said winch drum exterior surface.