US3392420A - Suspension assembly - Google Patents

Description

July 16, 1968 c. A. KLr-:ss 3,392,420

SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f www July 16, 1968 c. A. KLEss 3,392,420

SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l:

INVENTOR. C/Q A. [(55'5' United States Patent O 3,392,420 SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY Carl A. Kless, Whittier, Calif., assgnor to Curran Productions, Hollywood, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Sept. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 484,699 4 Claims. (Cl. 16-87;6)

ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A curtain suspension assembly having a pair of elongated, laterally spaced rail's, and a plurality of curtain carriers supported by and movable along the rails. A master carrier extends upwardly between the rails to be secured to a curtain draw cable, and all the carriers extend downwardly between therails to be coupled to a curtain. Plastic plates on the sides of the carriers prevent metal-to-metal contact between the carriers and the rails, and a cushioning material on the ends of the carriers provides eicient guidance and quiet operation.

Background of the invention The subject invention relates to structure for suspending and moving objects and, more particularly, to an assembly for suspending and moving curtains.

The invention will be specifically described in connection with theatre curtains, although it is not necessarily so limited.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the demand for curtain suspension and handling equipment that could move heavy curtains along curved tracks. Existing systems that were designed to satisfy this demand are rather complicated and,`as a rule, have to be pre-formed at the factory to define the desired curves.

The present invention provides a curtain suspension and moving assembly that is relatively simple in structure, provides for a very reliable operation, and permits the desired curves in the track to be formed on location.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a track structure and a plurality of curtain carriers movable along the track structure. The track structure includes a pair of rails mounted in spaced parallel relationship and jointly defining a pair of substantially vertical bight portions, a first pair of legs extending toward each other from the lower edges of the bight portions and defining a first elongated slit therebetween, and a second pair of legs extending toward each other from the upper edges of the bight portions and defining a second elongated slit therebetween. The plurality of curtain carriers includes a master carrier having a carrier body that extends substantially vertically between the pair of rails of the track structure. This carrier body extends further through the above-mentioned first elongated slit to a first region below the above-mentioned iirst pair of legs. The carrier body has curtain suspension means attached thereto in this first region. The carrier body moreover extends through the second elongated slit to a second region above the above-mentioned second pair of legs. The carrier body has draw cable attachment means connected thereto in this second region. The master carrier further includes at least one wheel rotatably connected to the carrier body and located between one leg of the above-mentioned first pair of legs and a corresponding one leg of the abovementioned second pair of legs. The master carrier in this preferred embodiment moreover includes at least one wheel rotatably connected to the carrier body and located between the other leg of the above-mentioned rst pair of legs and the other leg of the above-mentioned second pair of legs. l

The track structure employed in this embodiment is characterized by great simplicity, since each of the two 3,392,420 Patented July 16, 1968 ICC rails has a simple, substantially U-shaped profile. The spacial arrangement of the rails according to this embodiment is also very advantageous, since it provides a combination of various features presently to be described.

First, the two rails act as guards in that they encloseand protect the wheels of the carriages. At the same time, the rails provide a pair of legs on which the carriage wheels can travel. In addition, the rails provide a further pair of legs which extend above the carriage wheels and which prevent these wheels from jumping track.

Moreover, the two rails provide not only a first slit through which the carriage body may extend, but also a second, upper slit through which parts of the master carrier may extend for the attachment of means for connecting the curtain draw cable. The curtain draw cable thus extends above the two rails and acts on the carrier in a plane located midway between opposite rollers. This promotes the ease of operation and the guiding of the master carrier and the draw cable around curves, as will become more readily apparent as this description proceeds.

The invention also provides a curtain suspension assembly which comprises a curved track structure including a pair of spaced rails, and a plurality of movable curtain carriers. Each carrier includes wheels disposed for movement along the rails in one direction of travel and also in an opposite direction of travel. Each carrier further includes a carrier body for mounting the wheels and suspending a curtain portion. Each carrier body defines a rst sub-stantially vertical edge portion facing in the abovementioned one direction of travel, and a second substantially vertical edge portion facing in the opposite direction of travel. Each carrier body further includes a sheet of a pliable material, such as felt, extending from the above mentioned :first vertical edge to the second vertical edge of the carrier body and defining a first cushion at the first vertical edge and a second cushion at the second vertical edge.

During the operation of the assembly, the carriers, which are lined up along the track, move into contact with one another. Each first cushion of a carrier as defined above then abuts the second cushion of the next adjacent carrier. These cushions dampen the impact of adjacent carriers and reduce undesirable noise.

In some instances it may be found that a sufficiently quiet operation is obtained although cushions are not provided on each and every carrier body. For example, the above mentioned first and second cushions may, if desired, be provided only on alternate carrier bodies. In this case, each cushion on a carrier body will abut an exposed edge of the next adjacent carrier body.

On the other hand, a carrier body is able to exert a certain guiding action on an adjacent carrier body if these bodies are both provided with abutting cushions. This guiding action is due to the friction between abutting cushions of pliable material, which becomes particularly pronounced if felt or a similar fibrous material is used.

The invention and further features thereof will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a schematic perspective View of sections of a stage which employs a curved curtain track;

FIG. 2 is a section of a curtain track assembly according to the invention, as seen along line II-II in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a section along the line III-III in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Thestage 10 shown in FIG. l is of a curved configuration. The track 11 conforms to such configuration so as to move thecurtain 12 accordingly. Of course. the curtain can also be moved along curved paths if the stage is for example rectangular. It will be noted that the track 11 in FIG. 1 describes double bends, such as at 14 and 15. These double bends render the proper movement of the curtain and the guidance of the carriers and cables particularly diicult.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show a curtain suspension and movingassembly 20 which can handle this problem. Theassembly 20 comprises atrack structure 21 and a plurality ofcurtain carriers 22 movable along the track structure.

The track structure includes a pair ofrails 24 and 25 mounted in spaced parallel relationship. The rails jointly deine a pair of substantiallyvertical bight portions 26 and 27, a rst pair oflegs 28 and 29, and a second pair oflegs 30land 31.

Thelegs 28 and 29 extend toward each other from the lower edges of thebight portions 26 and 27 and dene a first elongated slit 33 therebetween. Thelegs 30 and 31 extend toward each other from the upper edges of the two bight portions and define a secondelongated slit 35 therebetween.

Therails 24 and 25 are mounted in the position shown by a plurality ofbrackets 37. Each of these brackets has a base 39 withholes 40 for the mounting of the base 39 to a ceiling by means of bolts or similar fastening devices. A first mountingleg 42 is Welded to and extends downwardly from the base 39.Rail 24 is mounted on theleg 42 by means of a counter sunkscrew 43 and anut 44. A second mountingleg 46 is welded to and extends downwardly from the base 39 to mount the rail 25 by means of a counter sunkscrew 47 and anut 48.

Thecarriers 22 include amaster carrier 50 and a plurality ofsingle carriers 51. The master carrier has a substantially at, plate-like carrier body 53 which extends vertically between the tworails 24 and 25. The carrier body 53 extends through the slit 33 to a region below thetrack structure 21. The carrier body 53 also extends through theupper slit 35 to a region above the two track rails.

In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier body 53 ,is composed of two metal plates orstraps 55 sandwiched between a pair ofnon-metallic plates 56 and 57 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Theplates 56 and 57, which may be of a tough plastic or another wear-resistant but noise-dampening material, effectively cover the sides of thecentral metal straps 55 so as to prevent their contact with therails 24 and 25. This provides for a more quiet operation and prevents damage t-o the outer edges of therail legs 28, 29, 30 and 31. The carriage body 53 can thus engage these rail edges for proper guidance around bends without damage to the carrier or the rails and without undesirable excessive noise.

Each of thestraps 55 has anaperture 59 near its lower edge (see FIG. 3). Swivelmembers 60 engage theplates 55 at these apertures and carrychains 61 on which the curtain is suspended.

Tubular members 63 are welded to the metal straps 55 along the upper edges thereof above theslit 35. These tubular members are capable of receiving a curtain draw cable l64.Screws 65 in lthe tubular members `63 hold the cable in such member so that themaster carrier 50 will be moved back and forth along thetrack 21 if thedraw cable 64 is moved accordingly. If desired, one of thetubular members 63 may receive one end (not shown) of thecable 64, while the othertubular member 63 may receive the other cable end (not shown).

The master `carrier 50 further includeswheels 67 rotatably mounted by thearbors 68 that are attached to the carrier body 53. In the illustrated embodiment, the arbors connect theplates 56 and 57 to thestraps 55 and there are two wheels on either side of the master carrier body. If desired there may be only one wheel on each side, or two wheels on one side and one wheel on the other side. The number of wheels on each side may also be greater than two.

Thelegs 28 and 29 of therails 24 and 25 provide a pair of tracks for the carrier wheels. Theupper rail legs 30 and 31 act as guards and guiding aids in that they prevent the wheels `67 from jumping track. To this end, thebight portions 26 and 27 of `the two rails may be dimensioned such that the clearance betweenwheels 67 andleg portion 30 or 31 is preferably from 3/16 linch down to about 1/16 inch. For ease of operation, thewheels 67 may be mounted on roller bearings (not shown), and may be provided with rubber tires or rims.

A first plurality ofrollers 70, one of which is apparent from FIG. 2 and two of which are shown in FIG. 3, and a corresponding second plurality of rollers 71, are provided for guiding thedraw cable 64. Therollers 70 of the first plurality are spaced along and mounted above therail 24, and the rollers 71 of the second plurality are spaced along and mounted above the rail 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket bases 39 mount therollers 70 and 71 by means ofarbors 72 and 73 so that the roller axes extend vertically. 'Each bracket base 39 thus mounts one of therollers 70 and one of the rollers 71. The draw cable `64 is thus guided and protected against fouling on either side. Near and at bent portions of the track, thebrackets 37 are installed closer together so as to increase their guiding and protective action. The basic simplicity of these brackets and of therails 24 and 25 lends itself to the provision of the desired track bends on location. If desired, therollers 70 and 71 may be moved closer together so as to exercise a closer guiding action on thecable 64 while still permitting thetubular members 63 to pass.

Eachbracket 37 moreover mounts aroller 75 rotatably disposed on anarbor 76. The plurality ofrollers 75 thus provided serves the guidance of the return loop 77 of thedraw cable 64. Fouling of the cable is avoided by providing therollers 75 outside of both mountinglegs 42 and 46. A lug member 79 belowroller 75 protects the return loop 77.

Thesingle carriers 51 are similar in structure to themaster carriers 50, in that they have ametal plate 80 sandwiched between a pair of non-metallic orplastic plates 81 and 82. Theplates 80, 81 and 82 extend through the lower slit 33. Thecenter plate 80 has anaperture 85 provided near the lower edge thereof (see FIG. 3). Aswivel 86 engages theplate 80 at this aperture and carries a short length of chain 88 which, in turn, carries the curtain. Thesingle carriers 51 further include a pair ofarbors 90 which rotatably mount awheel 91 on each side of the single carrier body and mount theplates 81 and 82 on theplate 80. These wheels travel along the track structure in the same manner as thewheels 67 of themaster carrier 50.

Each carrier body has a vertically extendingedge 94 facing in one direction of travel of the carriers and a substantially vertically extending edge 95v facing in the opposite direction of travel. A sheet 97 of a pliable, shock and sound dampening material, such as felt, extends between theplates 80 and 81 from thevertical edge 94 to thevertical edge 95. Asimilar sheet 98 extends between theplates 80 and 82 from theedge 94 to theedge 95.Sheets 97 and 98 form a pair ofcushions 100 and 101 at thevertical edge 94 and a pair ofcushions 102 and 103 at thevertical edge 95.

Thecushions 100 and 101 and thecushions 102 and 103 are connected to theedge portions 94 and 95, `respectively, by an adhesive. If desired, thesheets 97 and 98 may also be glued to theplates 81 and 82, respectively. Felt sheets with an adhesive backing may be used for this purpose.

When during the operation of the assembly adjacent carriers move into mutual abutment, thecushions 100 and 101 of one carrier move into contact with thecushions 102 and 103 of the next adjacent carrier. This dampens shocks and noise. The fact that the cushions are formed by a sheet which extends through the carrier body prevents the cushions from being torn off and lost. It also lends a certain tenacity to the adhesive bond between the edges of the carrier body and the cushions.

It will now be appreciated that the subject invention provides a series of substantial improvements which facilitate the handling of heavy curtains around bends and curves and which provide for an easier installation and a quieter and more reliable operation.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modiications within the spirit and scope of the invention are possible or will suggest themselves.

What is claimed is:

1. A curtain suspension assembly comprising a track structure and a plurality of curtain carriers movable along the track structure, the track structure including a pair of rails mounted in spaced parallel relationship and jointly defining a pair of substantially vertical bight portions, a lirst pair of legs extending toward each other from the lower edges of the bight portions and dening a rst elongated slit therebetween, and a second pair of legs extending toward each other from the upper edges of the bight portions and defining a second elongated slit therebetween, and said plurality of curtain carriers including a master carrier having a carrier body extending substantially vertically between the pair of rails and extending through said rst elongated slit to a first region below the first pair of legs and having curtain suspension means attached thereto in said first region, and through said second elongated slit to a second region above the second pair of legs and having draw cable attachment means connected thereto in said second region, said master carrier further including at least one wheel rotatably connected to said carrier body and located between one leg of said lirst pair of legs and a corresponding one leg of said second pair of legs, and at least one wheel rotatably connected to said carrier body and located between the other leg of said rst pair of legs and the other leg of said second pair of legs, said assembly including a first plurality of rollers and a second plurality of rollers for guiding a draw cable connected to said cable attachment means, the rollers of said rst plurality being spaced along one of said rails and being mounted above said one rail with their axes extending substantially vertically, and the rollers of said second plurality being spaced along the other rail of said pair and being mounted above .said other rail with their axes extending substantially vertically.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, including a third plurality of rollers for guiding a draw cable return loop, the rollers of said third plurality being spaced along the pair of rails and being mounted laterally of the pair of rails with their axes extending substantially vertically.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, including a plurality of brackets for mounting said rails and said rollers, each bracket including a base having a roller of said first plurality and a roller of said second plurality of rollers rotatably mounted thereon, a first mounting leg extending from said base and being adapted to mount the bight portion of one of said rails, and a second mounting leg extending substantially parallel to said first mounting leg and being adapted to mount the bight portion of the other one of said rails.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein each bracket further mounts to one side of said mounting legs a roller for guiding a return loop of a draw cable.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,433,647 10/1922 Phillips 16-96 2,654,114 10/1953 Graber et al. 16-87.6 2,892,419 6/ 1959 King 104--94 XR 3,178,760 4/1965 Kalal et al 16-87.6 1,855,037 4/1932 Vroom 16-87.6 2,812,534 ll/l957 Graber 16-87.6 3,098,520 7/1963 Greenstadt et al 160-346 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. JOSEPH H. MCGLYNN, Assistant Examiner.

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