Abstract: A portable tow system includes a drive system for removable mounting to a first anchor point, a flywheel system for removable mounting to a second anchor point distal from the first anchor point, and a tow strap for connecting a drive wheel of the drive system to a flywheel of the flywheel system. One or more persons or objects can be removably attached or connected to the tow strap. The drive system includes a motor for causing the drive wheel to rotate, which rotation causes the tow strap to rotate, such that the person(s) or object(s) connected thereto may be pulled from the first anchor point to the second anchor point or vice versa.

Abstract: A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like in a performance environment. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overload sensor and/or a slack line detector. The system may be provided in the form of a point hoist. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc. Additional features include various cable management systems and trim adjustment mechanisms for use with the hoist system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support arrangement for supporting a load at an elevated position, particularly where the load can then be used for its intended purpose at an elevated position and where the weight of the load is supported. The support arrangement comprises a support structure and a weight balancing device supported by the support structure for balancing the weight of a load, the weight balancing device having a first line extending therefrom and having a distal end for engaging with a load, where the first line is extendable and retractable from the weight balancing device to enable balancing of the weight of the load at a desired elevation.

Abstract: A support unit for the fastening of a diverting roller to a support structure can be used for supporting a car in an elevator installation. The support unit has two yoke beams and a bearing for the diverting roller. The yoke beams are arranged parallel to one another for fastening to the support structure. On the support unit there are at least two restraint devices that are fastened to the yoke beams and which project into the intermediate space between the yoke beams such that, in the event of failure of the bearing, the restraint devices form a stop to prevent the diverting roller from moving in a support direction under the action of the support force. The support unit is stable, is of simple construction and is of space-saving design.

Abstract: A combined lifting burn fencing equipment is disclosed herein. The combined lifting barn fencing equipment includes a barn movably mounted in a first annular groove in the periphery of stage, a lifting mechanism that drives the barn to lift up and down, a fence movably mounted in a second annular groove of the barn, and a hoisting mechanism that drives the fence to lift up and down. The lifting mechanism is mounted at the bottom of the first annular groove. The hoisting mechanism is mounted at the top of the gate above the stage. The barn is mounted a bedplate. The barn descends to the first annular groove or rises to the above of the stage driven by the lifting mechanism.

Abstract: A rink divider raising and lowering system is configured to raise and lower a rink divider utilizing a plurality supports secured to existing trusses that supports a roof of an ice rink. The rink divider system includes a plurality of cables have a first end attached to the rink divider and a second end that engages a hoisting mechanism. Each of the plurality of supports has a pulley attached thereto wherein one of the plurality of cables engages the one of the pulleys such that the rink divider can be moved in a substantially vertical plane from a raised position to a lowered position utilizing the hoisting mechanism.

Abstract: An arbor apparatus for use in a counterweight rigging system includes a support structure for supporting counterweight bricks in stacked arrangement. The arbor apparatus can be front-loading with left side, back and right side supports. The arbor apparatus can include a plurality of shelf members spaced apart in a longitudinal direction between the top and bottom ends. The arbor apparatus can also include a gate mechanism. The arbor apparatus can be implemented as a retrofit to existing manual counterweight rigging systems.

Abstract: A drive unit for at least one traction means, especially in stage machinery, with a winding drum comprising at least one take-up region, on (each of) which a traction means is received which can be wound up or unwound, characterised in that axially adjacent to the take-up region there is a cylindrical drive region disposed on the winding drum, on which is received a belt-shaped drive means that can be wound up or unwound and which can be wound up onto a drivable drive drum, generating a drive torque acting on the winding drum, or can be unwound from the drive drum, releasing the winding drum.

Abstract: A lift system having a modular backbone with two or more backbone sections being attached end to end to form the backbone. Also, a lift system with end to end modular attachment, using universal joints, between motor assembly(ies), shaft section(s), drum assembly(ies) and/or shaft end sections. Also, a lift assembly with a backbone having longitudinally adjustable lift component attachment hardware, such as an elongated slot with lips suitable for engaging a nut tooth.

Abstract: A vehicle and screen assembly is provided for theme park rides to create a ride-through screen experience. The assembly includes a vehicle for carrying passengers that includes a top or roof assembly with first and second sets of magnetic elements on an exterior surface of the top assembly, with each of the sets having a like pole oriented outward from the exterior surface. A screen assembly is included with first and second planar screen segments that are pivotably mounted adjacent to each other so as to hang or be positioned in a plane that is transverse to a track traveled by the vehicle. The screen segments include magnetic elements with exposed poles that match the outward facing pole of the corresponding sets of magnetic elements on the vehicle. The screen segments magnetically levitate away from the top assembly when the vehicle passes through the screen assembly without touching the vehicle.

Abstract: A spreader plate assembly intended for use with an arbor carriage includes two congruent rectangular plates, one overlying the other. Each plate has two spaced apart notches disposed on one long side and a circular bore near one of the short sides. The plates are connected in mirror-reversed position relative to one another by a fastener inserted through the bore in each plates, thereby pivotably connecting them and enabling them to be moved relative to one another between an open and a closed position. In the closed position, the two spaced apart notches of each plate straddle two spaced apart vertical rods of the arbor carriage.

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: A cable winch hoisting device for theatrical stages, whereby a plurality of elongated, rod-like holding girders are suspended on cables, and these holding girders are adjustable in height by varying the free cable length between the cable suspension and the holding girder, which determines the position of the respective holding girder. The holding girders are adjustable in height between two end positions without any mutual interference in the clearance spaces which do not overlap with one another and are provided for the holding girders. At least two cables which are uniformly adjustable by the same cable-operating device act on the holding girders and are distributed over the length of the girders. The cable-operating devices are each electrically driven cable drums. The cables acting on the same holding girder can be wound up side by side onto the cable drum of the respective cable-operating device with the same change in free cable length, which determines the position of the holding girder.

Abstract: A stage element movement assembly includes a first cable in a tunnel below the stage deck and extending in a first path in a first direction. A first dog is secured to the first cable for movement therewith in the tunnel, and an engagement member is engaged with the first dog and will extend upwardly through a slot in the stage deck for engagement with the stage deck for engagement with the stage element to be moved. A second cable is provided for disposition in a tunnel below the stage deck in a second path in a direction at an angle to the direction of the first cable and crosses below the first cable. Linearly spaced cable guide rollers on opposite sides of the cable crossing cause the cable to move downwardly to pass below the first cable and thereafter be moved upwardly to the plane of its original path. Engagement elements are secured to the cable in spaced relationship and a crossing dog having spaced engagement elements are engaged with the engagement elements on the second cable.

Abstract: In a theatrical rigging system, a number of motors can be placed on platforms which can move upon rails to be connected to different theatrical rigging elements. The motors can be randomly attached to operate different overhead hanging devices.

Abstract: A modified theatrical counterweight apparatus (10) in a double or single purchase counterweight system (12) consists of an improved counterweight arbor carriage (50), for holding a plurality of improved counterweights (56). The improved counterweights (56) are stored on two elongate arbor bars (48), which when released will slide down into the improved counterweight arbor carriage (50). The improved counterweight arbor carriage (50) when obtaining the proper amount of the improved counterweights (56), will now slide down the elongate arbor bars (48) to raise a piece of scenery (34) with a batten (36) up from a stage (14), via lift lines (38) and an operating line (42).

Abstract: An apparatus for use in performing levitation type illusions in which the performer appears to be raised and moved about in apparent defiance of gravity. The performer is safely supported within a novel harness assembly which, in turn, is supported by a pair of wire arrays made up of a plurality of fine wires which are substantially invisible to the audience. Each of the support wires is spring loaded so as to evenly distribute the weight of the performer among the support wires which make up the arrays. The harness assembly is connected to the wire arrays in a manner that permits several degrees of movement by the performer during lifting and movement relative to the stage so that the movements by the performer appear smooth, natural and graceful.