Abstract: A manual theatrical rigging system is motorized to achieve greater control of speed and accuracy, avoiding need to load counterweights, and without sacrifice of standard line-set spacing. Each line set has a wire-reinforced drive belt connected with the associated hand line, and is operated by a geared or gearless motorized winch. A winch support frame supports the motorized winches in a number of rows, with the winches in positions staggered from row to row. The counterweight arbor holds a fixed counterweight. A computerized control panel permits a single operator to manage the entire system of line sets. An overspeed safety brake brakes the line set if the movement exceeds a safe speed.

Abstract: A manual theatrical rigging system is motorized to achieve greater control of speed and accuracy, avoiding need to load counterweights, and without sacrifice of standard line-set spacing. Each line set has a wire-reinforced drive belt connected with the associated hand line, and is operated by a geared or gearless motorized winch. A winch support frame supports the motorized winches in a number of rows, with the winches in positions staggered from row to row. The counterweight arbor holds a fixed counterweight. A computerized control panel permits a single operator to manage the entire system of line sets. An overspeed safety brake brakes the line set if the movement exceeds a safe speed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mounting member for use in a pulley assembly that is generally U-shaped and includes: (i) a side wall portion; (ii) a base portion; and (iii) a stiffness enhancement portion. The side wall portion is one vertical arm of the U-shape and serves to rotationally mount the pulley. The base portion is the bottom of the U-shape and is generally used to mount the to a structure (for example, a beam in a theatre). The stiffness enhancement portion is the other vertical arm of the U-shape and serves at least to enhance stiffness so that higher capacity pulley assemblies with unitary side plate/base plate members may be achieved.

Abstract: The invention is a motorized winch which can be retrofitted into existing manually operated systems that use counterbalancing weights. The counterbalancing weight will be fixed at 50% of the maximum capacity of the set. The winch is rated at 50% of the maximum capacity of the set. By using the winch in a closed loop configuration, it will operate the set at any load from 0 to 100% of its rated capacity, without the need to ever adjust the counterbalancing weights.

Abstract: An arbor guide shoe assembly for slidably interconnecting an arbor top plate or bottom plate with a pair of spaced rails. The guide shoe assembly has a rail contacting channel which defines a plurality of operable rail capturing distances, and an elongate slot for orienting the guide shoe assembly with a plurality of orientations with respect to the counterweight arbor.

Abstract: An arbor guide shoe assembly for slidably interconnecting an arbor top plate or bottom plate with a pair of spaced rails. The guide shoe assembly has a rail contacting channel which defines a plurality of operable rail capturing distances, and an elongate slot for orienting the guide shoe assembly with a plurality of orientations with respect to the counterweight arbor.