Abstract: An automated damping system including a damping device arranged and disposed to provide variable resistance to a load. The variable resistance provides resistance values corresponding to a displacement position of the damping device. The system includes a damping profile generator that calculates a damping profile and a sensor is arranged and disposed to measure one or more damping affecting properties. The sensor provides the one or more damping affecting properties to the damping profile generator. The damping profile provides the variable resistance based upon the one or more damping affecting properties of the load.

Abstract: A method for assembling a theater and a theater. The method includes assembling a modular auditorium on a surface within a building structure by providing a plurality of nominal inventory portions. Each nominal inventory portions includes a prefabricated base portion, and a prefabricated tier section for assembly to the base portion. The prefabricated base portion is positioned on a ground surface of a public performance space. The prefabricated tier section is fastened to the prefabricated base portion to form a self supporting structure that does not require lateral support from a building structure other than the ground surface.

Abstract: A connector system, ride system and method for connecting and supporting a suspended load. The system includes a suspended carrier having a first connector part and a suspended load support, arranged and disposed to support a suspended load, the suspended load support having a second connector part. A first magnetic coupler is affixed to the suspended carrier and a second magnetic coupler is affixed to the suspended load support. The first magnetic coupler includes a first arrangement of magnets and the second magnetic coupler includes a second arrangement of magnets. The first arrangement of magnets is selectively arranged and disposed to provide alignment and detachable engagement to the magnets of the second arrangement of magnets. The first connector part and the second connector part releasably engage to connect the suspended carrier to the suspended load support and permit transmission of motion, power, signal and at least one utility from the suspended carrier to the suspended load support.

Abstract: A method for assembling a modular auditorium and modular auditorium. The method includes providing a plurality of nominal inventory portions. Each nominal inventory portions includes a prefabricated base portion, and a prefabricated tier section for assembly to the base portion. The prefabricated base portion is positioned on a ground surface of a public performance space. The prefabricated tier section is fastened to the prefabricated base portion to form a self supporting modular auditorium structure that does not require lateral support from a building structure other than the ground surface.

Abstract: There is provided a lifting fixture securable to a lifting machine adapted for lifting/manipulating corresponding tier sections for assembly/disassembly of a modular auditorium including a plurality of tubes connected to a first fixture portion and a second fixture portion, the plurality of tubes adapted to be selectively secured to the lifting machine, the first fixture portion and the second fixture portion including a plurality of lifting interfaces adapted to interface with corresponding lifting interfaces of the corresponding tier sections.

Abstract: A ribbon for an arrangement via which electrical power can be supplied to a load via a suspension member, such as a band or cable, while movement of the load occurs via deliberate winding up of the band or cable onto the drum or sheave or unwinding of the band or cable from the drum or sheave. The ribbon includes an electrical lead portion having one or a plurality of individual electrical leads and a sheath portion. The sheath portion and the electrical lead portion are moveable with respect to each other.

Abstract: There is provided a coordinated view-display device, a system for creating a three-dimensional display, and a process of creating a three-dimensional display. The display device includes a rotatable portion and a plurality of light-emitting elements connected to the rotatable portion. Rotation of the rotatable portion rotates the light-emitting elements and displays a sequence of images corresponding with segmented image data as an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image. The system includes an array arranged and disposed to gather segmented image data and a display arranged and disposed to display a sequence of images corresponding with the segmented image data. The displaying forms an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image. The process includes gathering segmented image data and displaying a sequence of images corresponding with the segmented image data. The displaying forms may provide an illusion of a continuous three-dimensional image.

Abstract: There is provided a modular auditorium including a base portion and a plurality of tier sections assembled to the base portion. Each tier section includes a longitudinal beam, and a first floor portion and a second floor portion cantilevered from opposed regions of the longitudinal beam.

Abstract: A system that comprises a winch apparatus for manipulating loads associated with public performances, such as performances involving performers and staging equipment, and in which one or more ribbons are deployed each of which is windable around, and unwindable from, a drum, a spool, or other take-up device. Also included is a ribbon for an arrangement via which electrical power can be supplied to a load via a suspension member, such as a band or cable, while movement of the load occurs via deliberate winding up of the band or cable onto the drum or sheave or unwinding of the band or cable from the drum or sheave. The ribbon includes an electrical lead portion having one or a plurality of individual electrical leads and a sheath portion. The sheath portion and the electrical lead portion are moveable with respect to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for positioning audience members at locations for viewing an event occurring at an event portion at which a live actor makes a presentation and/or a display is shown. Additionally, the present invention relates to an arrangement having a first venue tray, the first venue tray having a close range event portion at which a live actor can make a presentation and/or a display can be shown and a home row seating section, a second venue tray, the second venue tray having a downrange seating section, a first periphery event portion at which a live actor can make a presentation and/or a display can be shown, and a second periphery event portion.

Abstract: A ride system including a ride vehicle, the ride vehicle being operable to support a ride patron having a display arrangement for displaying a viewing script to the ride patron during a ride event during which the ride vehicle travels along an event path located within a volume.

Abstract: A method of displaying a video display system, assembling a video display system, and a video display system are disclosed. The video display system can include a flexible support, a display device detachably engaged to the flexible support, and a coupling device engaged to the flexible support and the display device at a first location on the display device.

Abstract: A portable support platform system and method for assembling the system are provided. The portable support platform system includes a support platform configured to receive theatrical devices and an orientation member attached to the support platform. The orientation member includes an arcuate surface configured to receive a flexible member. The flexible member is fixably attached to the orientation member at one or more locations along the arcuate surface to permit orientation and movement of the support platform when the flexible members are deployed or retracted.

Abstract: A visual display includes a plurality of display panels. Each of the display panels is secured to a common support device and independently movable relative to an axis associated with the common support device. The display panels are positionable in a first position.

Abstract: A portable barrier retraction device having a drive motor with an addressable drive motor control. The drive motor control is capable of being connected in a serial arrangement with one or more other addressable drive motor controls. The drive motor is in rotational communication with at least one retraction assembly configured to retract or deploy a line in response to rotation of the drive motor. The line is configured to retract or deploy a barrier. The drive motor provides selective rotation in response to an addressed signal from a controller. In addition, retraction systems employing portable retraction devices and methods for assembling the retraction systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A display system, a display process, and an engagement feature are disclosed. The display system includes a first display arrangement, a second display arrangement, and a flexible support extending from the first display arrangement to the second display arrangement. The first display arrangement engages the second display arrangement by movement of the flexible support.

Abstract: An automation and motion control system for the entertainment industry is used to dynamically respond to random or unknown inputs as well as known inputs and to coordinate the movement and operation of the objects, such as theatrical props, cameras, stunt persons, lighting, scenery, drapery, kinetic art sculptures, moving displays or other similar types of devices or items, on a large scale.

Abstract: A suspended flying system having a load suspended by a plurality of flexible support members. The plurality of flexible support members are attached to a first rotational element attached to the load and a second rotational element attached to a support. The system also includes a motor operably connected to the first rotational element providing sufficient motion to the plurality of flexible support members to render the flexible support members visually transparent, the load being movable within a space. A method for suspending a load from visually transparent flexible support members is also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflatable display device is provided. The inflatable display device includes an inflatable support device, and a plurality of illumination sources, each of the illumination sources secured to the inflatable support device. The illumination sources are arranged in a preconfigured pattern on the inflatable support device, the preconfigured pattern resulting in the appearance of a continuous display. Another inflatable display device includes a cast silicon material, and a plurality of illumination sources, the illumination sources positioned within the cast silicon material. The cast silicon material forms an inflatable structure having a predetermined three dimensional configuration. Another inflatable display device includes an inflatable support device, a plurality of illumination sources, each of the illumination sources secured to the inflatable support device, and a control system coupled to the illumination sources.