Patent US3812631A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3812631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stage platform control system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-09-19
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Granted: 1974-05-28
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Expires: 1992-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling the positioning of segmented portions of a theater stage or the like. The stage, including the orchestra pit, is divided into segments, each of which has an independent lift apparatus. The respective lift apparatus are controlled from a console which has the capability of providing control of each lift apparatus individually or, alternatively, interconnecting the drive portions of selected lift apparatus together to a common control module for movement of the corresponding stage segments as a unit.
Inventors
- 👤 W Cruse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:17
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H3/00; E04H3/10; E04H3/22; E04H3/24; E04H3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A stage platform control system for theaters and the like comprising: a plurality of stage segments capable of separate movement relative to each other; a plurality of drive mechanisms individually associated with corresponding stage segments to position said segments on command; a plurality of control means associated with the drive mechanisms for selectively actuating the drive mechanisms, said control means including means for actuating all or less than all of the drive mechanisms concurrently for movement in response to a single set of control signals, said control means including duplicate sets of controls for permitting the Preprogramming of one set of controls during the time the other set of controls is in operative use; and means for alternatively selecting one of said sets of controls for operative use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A stage platform control system for theaters and the like comprising: a plurality of stage segments capable of separate movement relative to each other; a plurality of drive mechanisms individually associated with corresponding stage segments to position said segments on command; a plurality of control means associated with the drive mechanisms for selectively actuating the drive mechanisms, said control means including means for actuating all or less than all of the drive mechanisms concurrently for movement in response to a single set of control signals, said control means including duplicate sets of controls for permitting the Preprogramming of one set of controls during the time the other set of controls is in operative use; and means for alternatively selecting one of said sets of controls for operative use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a first plurality of axis control units individually associated with corresponding ones of the drive mechanisms and a second plurality of master control units capable of selective association with any or all of the axis control units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control means include means for limiting the acceleration, velocity, and limit of travel of the drive mechanisms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including means for automatically controlling associated drive mechanisms in accordance with the condition of the active set of controls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including means for providing a display indicative of position, velocity, direction of movement, and incremental motion of the drive mechanisms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 further including means for providing an indication when a particular drive mechanism associated with a particular control means is in the position corresponding to the setting of the particular control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein each axis control unit includes means connecting said axis control unit to each of the master control units and a switch for selecting one of the master control units for operative association therewith, said switch further including a position for internal operation of the axis control unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 further including means for manually controlling position and velocity of associated drive mechanisms, and means for substituting said manual control means for the automatic velocity controls in the respective control means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the drive mechanisms comprise a plurality of hydraulic actuators individually associated with respective stage segments to develop the force for driving the stage segments, and further including a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid in a system for applying said pressurized hydraulic fluid to said actuators.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the applying means comprises means coupled to the control means for controlling the application of pressurized fluid to the actuators in response to electrical control signals from the associated control means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 further including a pressure transducer responsive to hydraulic system pressure, and means coupled to the transducer for reducing the drive to the hydraulic actuators in response to a reduction in hydraulic system pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 further including means coupled to the transducer for providing an alarm indication in the event of a reduction in hydraulic line pressure below a pre-established minimum level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the means for reducing the actuator drive comprises means for summing signals from the velocity limit stages of the axis control units in active operation and means for comparing the result of said summing operation with a signal from the transducer in order to reduce the actuator drive when the summed signal is less than a predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the stage segments are movable vertically and the drive mechanisms are operable to move the stage segments up and down in response to signals from the control means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein the control means includes means for controlling the drive mechanisms of a plurality of offset stage segments to move said stage segments in unison through the same incremental distance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
A stage control system comprising: a plurality of axes, each including a movable stage segment, an associated driVe mechanism, and hydraulic control means for actuating the drive mechanism from a common hydraulic pressure system; control means for selectively providing control of one or more of said axes; and means for limiting the drive to all axes controlled in common upon occurrence of an overload condition in any one of the axes under common control.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
74 words
A stage control system comprising: a plurality of axes, each including a movable stage segment, an associated driVe mechanism, and hydraulic control means for actuating the drive mechanism from a common hydraulic pressure system; control means for selectively providing control of one or more of said axes; and means for limiting the drive to all axes controlled in common upon occurrence of an overload condition in any one of the axes under common control.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system in accordance with claim 16 further including means for reducing proportionally the drive to all axes upon occurrence of a reduction in hydraulic system pressure.
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) | 1977-05-27 | 1977-11-26 | 1978-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-11-26 | 1982-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | 1986-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |