Abstract: An improved arrangement for releasing a theatrical fire curtain is described having a mechanical coupling including a gear means which is automatically disengaged upon the occurrence of combustion to enable a fire curtain to descend and cover a proscenium opening.

Abstract: Theatrical equipment including riggings sets, light fixtures and the like are supported from a batten which is elevated and lowered relative to a stage floor by a plurality of ropes. The ropes are coupled to the batten and depend from a rectilinear array of rotary bodies mounted aloft. A mechanical coupling device intercouples the rotary bodies for providing simultaneous rotation of the bodies. An electrically energized drive device is also mounted aloft and is coupled to the array for causing rotation of the bodies. A locking device is mounted aloft and engages the coupling device for selectively enabling and inhibiting rotation. The ropes are coupled to the rotary bodies for causing ropes of different bodies to travel in laterally opposite directions for offsetting potential lateral movement of the batten. A plurality of rectilinear arrays of rotary bodies is provided which extends between a proscenium wall and a rear stage wall.

Abstract: An improved resilient support for a floor is described. A rigid support means is positioned between a base platform surface and the floor for rigidly supporting the floor above the base surface. A pneumatic support means is also positioned between the base platform surface and the floor for vertically displacing and resiliently supporting the floor above the rigid support. Control means cause the pneumatic support means to alternatively seat the floor on the rigid support means in order to provide a rigid support or to raise the floor above the rigid support in order to provide a resilient floor support. The control means is adapted for establishing a desired floor resiliency by varying operating pressure of the pneumatic support means.