Abstract: A lift system configured to lift an article, the lift system includes a drum that rotates about an axis, a first cable that winds around the drum when the drum rotates about the axis in a first direction to raise the article and the first cable unwinds from the drum when the drum rotates about the axis in a second direction to lower the article. The lift system further includes a motor operable to rotate the drum about the axis in the first direction, an electrical cable configured to supply power from a power source to the article, and a second cable that is coupled to the electrical cable and the second cable pulls at least a portion of the electrical cable from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A track dog with removable parts. Embodiments describe one or more of the following features. In one embodiment, the size of the receiver for the knife shaped piece can be variable. Another embodiment describes an improved technique of holding the cable that is run under the floor. Yet another embodiment describes a device where the cable attachment mechanism are set in a location that line up with the openings in the floor to allow tightening without opening the floor. Another aspect describes a special through hole so that cable can be run through the device, e.g., to connect to another track dog.

Abstract: A channel member, a modular floor structure, and a method capable of positioning an object on a substantially planar surface is disclosed. Movement of a movable band within an interior channel of the channel member permits movement of an object outside of the interior channel.

Abstract: A modular lift assembly configured for attachment between two substantially parallel support beams includes a chassis, at least one lift component attached to the chassis, a telescoping or other adjustable stiffener, and at least one attachment assembly. The chassis has a plurality of grooves formed in one surface thereof. The telescoping or other adjustable stiffener is disposed in at least one of the grooves and engages facing surfaces of adjacent parallel support beams. The attachment assembly is disposed in another of the grooves formed in the chassis for engaging at least one of the adjacent support beams.

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: A Kabuki device to positionally maintain and release a stage setting responsive to electric current from a power source. A box-like body, defining a medial chamber with a slot communicating therewith, carries a solenoid in the chamber. A movable solenoid arm communicates with a spring biased lever arm that pivots on an offset axle to provide mechanical advantage to one end of the solenoid arm. One metal ring interconnected to the stage setting is inserted through the slot and is positionally maintained by a ring support pin carried by the pivoting lever arm. A finger hole defined in one end of the body allows manual manipulation of the lever arm for resetting. Jumper cables having plural electrical leads allow a plurality of devices to be interconnected in series in multiple predetermined groupings.

Abstract: A modular lift assembly configured for attachment between two substantially parallel support beams includes a chassis, at least one lift component attached to the chassis, a telescoping stiffener, and at least one attachment assembly. The chassis has a plurality of grooves formed in one surface thereof. The telescoping stiffener is disposed in at least one of the grooves and engages facing surfaces of adjacent parallel support beams. The attachment assembly is disposed in another of the grooves formed in the chassis for engaging at least one of the adjacent support beams.

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 method for securing a counterweight guiding system in performance rigging in places of entertainment. An elongate guide rail has a cross-section which interlocks with a clip, the clip extending transversely beyond the guide. The guide rail is secured to a support by fastening the clip to the support, the guide itself not requiring any specific fastening points.

Abstract: A mobile scenery arrangement is provided which is easy to assemble and dismantle, and which can easily be transported, stored and used with uniform curtains and a uniform set of back-drops for the same performance. The mobile scenery arrangement includes a tubular construction forming a substantially vertical left side and a substantially vertical right side, the left and right sides being joined to at least one upper front curtain rod and at least one upper rear back-drop rod via corner members. At least one of the ends of the front curtain rod and the rear back-drop rod is provided with a cord-tensioning device arranged to steplessly stretch a cord between the two ends of the rod. The cord is arranged to displaceably carry curtains or a back-drop.

Abstract: A mobile scenery arrangement is provided which is easy to assemble and dismantle, and which can easily be transported, stored and used with uniform curtains and a uniform set of back-drops for the same performance. The mobile scenery arrangement includes a tubular construction forming a substantially vertical left side and a substantially vertical right side, the left and right sides being joined to at least one upper front curtain rod and at least one upper rear back-drop rod via corner members. At least one of the ends of the front curtain rod and the rear back-drop rod is provided with a cord-tensioning device arranged to steplessly stretch a cord between the two ends of the rod. The cord is arranged to displaceably carry curtains or a back-drop.

Abstract: A film to live-action theater includes a screen facing an audience seating area. The screen has exit and entrance openings and movable panels to open and close off the openings. A screen elevator lifts the screen from a lowered position, wherein the entrance and exit openings are concealed behind a stage, to an up position, to allow an actor and/or a prop to move through the openings. The audience views a film presentation projected onto the lowered screen. At a predetermined time, the screen is quickly raised and a live actor and/or a prop move through the screen to a front stage area, on a track. The opening of the door panels is preferably partially concealed through special effects such as fog or lighting. As the film presentation is preferably made with three dimensional film technology, the audience perceives a film-to-live transition.