Patent US3558102A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3558102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Theater stage set control system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-01-10
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Granted: 1971-01-26
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Expires: 1989-01-10
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for determining and controlling the location and movement of properties (props) and portions of the scenery of a stage set by pneumatic means.
Inventors
- 👤 William M Cruse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:55
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63J; A63J1/00; A63J1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for controlling the movement and positioning of various movable items of theater stage scenery comprising: a pressure-responsive device capable of driving a cable in either of two directions in response to selectively applied pressure; means for fastening said cable to an item of movable stage scenery; valve means for selectively admitting fluid under pressure to one end of said pressure-responsive device and to relieve pressure from the other end of said device; valve means for selectively admitting pressure to the other end of said pressure-responsive device and relieving pressure from said one end of said pressure-responsive device; and means for selectively controlling said valve means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for controlling the movement and positioning of various movable items of theater stage scenery comprising: a pressure-responsive device capable of driving a cable in either of two directions in response to selectively applied pressure; means for fastening said cable to an item of movable stage scenery; valve means for selectively admitting fluid under pressure to one end of said pressure-responsive device and to relieve pressure from the other end of said device; valve means for selectively admitting pressure to the other end of said pressure-responsive device and relieving pressure from said one end of said pressure-responsive device; and means for selectively controlling said valve means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises an electromagnetic solenoid and electrical circuitry for selectively energizing the solenoid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system in accordance with claim 2 further including means responsive to the movement of said cable for interrupting the solenoid energizing circuit at a preselected position of the cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a limit switch mechanically coupled to the cable driving device and driven thereby.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for controlling the movement and positioning of various movable items of theater stage scenery comprising: a pressure-responsive device capable of driving a cable in either of two directions in response to selectively applied pressure; means for fastening said cable to an item of movable stage scenery; valve means for alternatively admitting fluid under pressure to one end of said pressure-responsive device and to relieve pressure from the other end of said device, admitting pressure to the other end of said pressure-responsive device and relieving pressure from said one end of said pressure-responsive device, and applying fluid under pressure equally to both ends of the pressure-responsive device; and means for selectively controlling said valve means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for controlling the movement and positioning of various movable items of theater stage scenery comprising: a pressure-responsive device capable of driving a cable in either of two directions in response to selectively applied pressure; means for fastening said cable to an item of movable stage scenery; valve means for alternatively admitting fluid under pressure to one end of said pressure-responsive device and to relieve pressure from the other end of said device, admitting pressure to the other end of said pressure-responsive device and relieving pressure from said one end of said pressure-responsive device, and applying fluid under pressure equally to both ends of the pressure-responsive device; and means for selectively controlling said valve means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the controlling means includes: electromagnetic actuating means mechanically coupled to the valve means; and electrical circuitry for selectively energizing the actuating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system in accordance with claim 5 further including additional valve means connected respectively to opposite ends of the pressure-responsive device for selectively blocking the relief of pressure therefrom to fix the position of said device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system in accordance with claim 7 further including pressure-responsive means for actuating said additional valve means, a third valve means connected to control the application of fluid under pressure to said additional valve means, and means for selectively controlling the third valve means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein both of said valve means controlling means comprise: electromagnetic actuating means mechanically coupled to the respective valve means to be selectively controlled; and electrical circuitry for energizing the electromagnetic actuating means of the respective valve means in unison.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system in accordance with claim 5 further including an adjustable flow control valve in the pressure relief path to each end of said device for limiting the flow of fluid out of said device to a preselected flow rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system in accordance with claim 10 further including a check valve connected in parallel with each flow control valve to bypass the flow control valve only for fluid flowing toward the pressure-responsive device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the pressurized fluid is compressed air and the pressure-responsive device comprises a pneumatic cylinder enclosing a piston attacheD to drive said cable under tension in two opposite directions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-25 | 1974-07-27 | 1975-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-25 | 1978-07-27 | 1979-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-25 | 1982-07-27 | 1983-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |