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`EXHIBIT 1001
`STAGE EXHIBIT 1001
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`

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`Feb. 18, 2003
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`Sheet 1 of 14
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`US 6,520,485 B1
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`U.S.Patent
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`Sheet 2 of 14
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`US 6,520,485 B1
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`Feb. 18, 2003
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`Feb. 18, 2003
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`Sheet 5 of 14
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`Sheet 6 of 14
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`Feb. 18, 2003
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`Sheet 9 of 14
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`Sheet 14 of 14
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`US 6,520,485 B1
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`1
`WINCH SYSTEM FOR RAISING AND
`LOWERING THEATRE SCENERY
`
`This invention is based on Disclosure Document No
`
`474944, filed May 30, 2000.
`This invention is directed to raising and lowering obj ects,
`in particular, objects such as theater scenic elements, sus-
`pended from fly sets, by failsafe motorized means.
`BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
`
`Most of the present-day fly systems in theaters are manu-
`ally operated counterweight sets. Each counterweight set
`consists essentially of one pipe batten, somewhat longer
`than the width of the proscenium opening, suspended by
`lines or cables, such as wire ropes, which are spaced
`approximately 8-10 ft apart along its length. Each wire rope
`passes from the suspended pipe batten over a sheave or
`loftblock, which is either mounted on the stage gridiron or
`underhung from the stagehouse roof beam. From the loft-
`blocks all lines lead to a common headblock, mounted at one
`side of the stage and pass over it down to a counterweight
`arbor. The counterweight arbor is typically a steel frame,
`supporting lead, cast iron or steel weights. Counterweight
`arbors are guided by tee tracks, mounted on the stage side
`wall.
`
`An operating rope is tied to the top of each counterweight
`arbor. From there it goes up and over the headblock, then
`down and around a rope tension sheave, (which is located
`below the counterweight usually at stage floor height) and
`up again where it is connected to the bottom of the coun-
`terweight arbor. The operating rope also passes through a
`friction type rope lock, which holds the nearly balanced pipe
`batten and counterweight arbor in position. The pipe battens
`are usually spaced six inches on center, parallel
`to the
`proscenium opening, and are sometimes spaced even closer.
`Wider spacing is used in smaller theaters. The number of fly
`sets in theaters varies. A small high school theater may have
`only 20-25, whereas more than 100 may be used in large
`theaters.
`
`These known systems have disadvantages. Loading and
`unloading counterweights for balancing the loads suspended
`by the pipe battens is time consuming and dangerous. The
`loading and unloading of weights usually happens when the
`batten is at stage level and the counterweight arbor is at
`gridiron level. There have been numerous accidents when
`counterweights were dropped from 60-70 feet above the
`stage onto people standing below operating other counter-
`weight sets.
`In case of unbalance,
`the pipe batten and
`counterweight may run away when the rope lock is opened.
`While some motorized winches have been used in larger
`theaters, they are expensive and often not affordable for
`smaller theaters.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`An object of the present invention is a motorized failsafe
`fly system winch that can be substituted for the manually
`operated counterweight set Anther object of the present
`invention is a motorized failsafe fly system winch that is
`compact and can be economically manufactured.
`A further object of the present invention is a motorized
`failsafe fly system winch which does not require counter-
`weights and which permits elimination and simplification of
`several parts, normally used for similar winches, without
`sacrificing the functioning.
`Yet another object of the invention is a movable winch
`drum and carriage combination for raising and lowering
`
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`theatre scenery which incorporates functions for emergency
`braking, for moving the drum (and its support base) in
`synchronization with relation to the carriage and for driving
`of a limit switch if desired.
`
`A still further object of the present invention is a motor-
`ized failsafe fly system winch which is compact and suffi-
`ciently versatile that it can easily be adapted for mounting
`along the theatre side walls or to a gridiron or to the ceiling.
`The various features of novelty which characterize the
`invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims
`annexed to and forming a part of of this disclosure. For a
`better understanding of the invention, its operating advan-
`tages and specific objects attained by its use, reference
`should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive
`matter in which there are illustrated and described the
`
`preferred embodiments of the invention, and in which like
`reference numerals denote the same or similar components.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a side view of a fly system winch in accordance
`with the invention, shown in one configuration, with the
`base and drum assembly ready for mounting to a facility
`structure;
`
`FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross section of the fly system
`winch in the same configuration as shown on FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the winch taken along
`line 3A—3A of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrating one form of
`overspeed brake and sheave and sheave housing mounting
`on the carriage;
`FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a winch system similar
`to that of FIG. 3 illustrating another form, in this case, a
`drum-type, of overspeed brake and another form of sheave
`and sheave housing mounting on the carriage;
`FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a winch system similar
`to that of FIG. 3 illustrating the use of a disc-type overspeed
`brake;
`FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view taken along the line
`6A—6A of FIG. 5 illustrating disc type overspeed brake
`components;
`FIG. 7 is a side view of a fly system winch according to
`the invention, shown in another configuration, with the
`sheave carriage ready for mounting to the facility structure;
`FIG. 8 is a side view of a fly system winch according to
`the invention, shown in still another configuration, with the
`sheave carriage ready for mounting to the facility structure.
`It differs from FIG. 7, because the sheaves are mounted
`above the carriage;
`FIG. 9 is a side view of a stage gridiron and fly set with
`a fly system winch according to the invention mounted on
`the gridiron and with loftblocks mounted over gridiron
`wells;
`FIG. 10 is a side view of a stage gridiron and fly set with
`a fly system winch according to the invention mounted on
`the gridiron in between the loftblocks, with loftblocks
`mounted over the gridiron wells;
`FIG. 11 is a side view of a stage gridiron and fly set with
`a fly system winch according to the invention mounted on
`the gridiron or on some other structure at stage right with
`loftblocks hung from the overhead steel;
`FIG. 12 is a side view of a stage gridiron and fly set with
`fly system winches accoding to the invention mounted on
`the stagehouse wall, one above and one below the gridiron,
`with loftblocks and headblocks hung from the overhead
`steel;
`
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`FIG. 13 is a side view of a stage gridiron and fly set with
`a fly system winch according to the invention mounted
`below the stagehouse overhead steel at stage right, with
`loftblocks hung from the overhead steel;
`FIG. 14 is a side view of the upper part of a stage house,
`without gridiron, with a fly system winch according to the
`invention and loftblocks hung from the overhead steel.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`As used in this application, a “flyset” typically is the
`combination of a batten, loft blocks (sheaves) and one or
`more support
`lines, for example, a wire cable or rope,
`attached to the batten and engaging a loft block. Typically,
`the number of loft blocks equals the number of support lines.
`A “batten” is the structural member typically supporting a
`scenic element. Typically the batten is a steel pipe, though
`other strip-type structural members can be substituted.
`When the scenery to be raised and lowered is, for example,
`a screen or backdrop extending laterally across the stage, the
`supporting batten typically has a length exceeding the width
`of the proscenium,
`i.e.,
`the stage opening visible to the
`audience, and the batten would typically use 4-7 support
`lines spaced evenly across its top. As used herein, the terms
`“laterally: and “width” refer to the horizontal dimension or
`direction of the proscenium, and the term “vertically” refers
`to the vertical dimension or direction of the proscenium. The
`“stage ceiling” is the ceiling of the stage tower that is above
`and behind the open curtain and not visible to the audience.
`It typically extends, when the scenery is lifted straight up
`and removed from the view of the audience, to a distance
`above the top of the proscenium equal to or greater than the
`height of the scenery. The term “gridiron” refers to a rigid
`structural member typically composed of steel beams that
`forms an open grid structure extending parallel
`to and
`typically 6-7 feet below the stage ceiling out of view of the
`audience and which is capable of supporting various objects.
`“Wells” in the gridiron are larger openings through which
`support wires can be extended to battens or other structures
`beneath.
`
`In a preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to a
`movable winch drum and carriage combination for raising
`and lowering objects such as theatre scenery and which
`incorporates functions for emergency braking, for moving
`the drum in synchronization with relation to a carriage and
`for driving of a limit switch. The winding and unwinding of
`the cables on or off the drum does not change the orientation
`of the cables relative to the facility or theatre. What this
`means is that the scenery typically moves vertically and not
`horizontally.
`One form of fly system winch according to the invention
`is designated 1 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (a longitudinal cross
`section of FIG. 1). It includes a drum assembly 10 compris-
`ing a multi-line grooved cable drum 11, rotatably-supported
`and directly driven at one end through a motorized gear
`reducer 37 and supported at the other end by an anti-friction
`bearing 39. The anti-friction bearing 39 and the motorized
`gear reducer 37 are mounted on a base 30. The cable drum
`II is supported from bearing 39 by an elongated hub, part of
`the cable drum 11 brake end cap 14. The cable drum brake
`end cap 14 also forms the housing for parts of an overspeed
`brake 20, which would engage in case of overspeed drum
`rotation, if caused by the motorized gear reducer 37 or a
`motor brake 38 failure. Under normal conditions, the load on
`the winch 1 is held by the motor or by the motor brake 38,
`which is part of the motorized gear reducer 37. All the above
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`components, i.e., the drum, the drum supports and bearings,
`and the electrical driver (the motorized gear reducer), are
`mounted on base 30.
`
`A carriage 40, with sheave housing 46 and plural sheaves
`47, is slideably mounted via slides 45 on a frame 41 of the
`base 30,
`through linear bearings 35A and 35B (FIG. 3)
`engaging the slides 45. Plural cables 50 pass from the drum
`11 over their respective vertically and horizontally offset
`cable-guiding sheaves 47, over respective loftblocks 63 (as
`shown on FIG. 9) to a pipe batten 64, used for supporting the
`stage sets. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,
`the drum assembly 10 is mounted on base 30, and base 30
`is mounted to the facility structure (not shown in FIG. 1) by
`means of mounting legs 34. When the rotating drum 11
`winds or unwinds the cables in the set of grooves, the cables
`50 travel back or forth in the drum 11 grooves. Therefore, in
`order
`to provide straight cable runs between the
`horizontally-fixed drum assembly 11 and sheaves 47, the
`carriage 40,
`together with the sheaves 47, has to travel
`laterally (parallel to the drum axis) in synchronization with
`and in the same direction as the cable back and forth travel
`
`in the drum 11 grooves. By a “straight cable run” is meant
`that
`the angular orientation between the drum and the
`cable-guiding sheaves is maintained, sometimes referred to
`as “zero fleet angle”. So, for example, when the winch is
`mounted horizontally, the cables are maintained in a vertical
`orientation, and when the winch is mounted vertically, the
`cables are maintained in a horizontal orientation. If mounted
`
`at an angle, then the cable angular orientation is maintained.
`Afeature of this invention is that the cable drum assembly
`10 is used for horizontally moving the carriage 40 together
`with its attached sheaves 47, in relation to base 30, which is
`fixed, in synchronization with the cable 50 back and forth
`travel in the drum 11 grooves. This is accomplished,
`in
`accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
`by an ACME (or ball) screw 51, connected non-rotatably to
`frame 41 of carriage 40 by a fixture 52. A nut 53 is
`non-rotatably mounted to the drum assembly 10 brake end
`cap 14 elongated hub, which hub is hollow so that the screw
`51 can pass, via the hollow hub, inside the drum 11, which
`is also hollow, where the screw 51 is protected when the pipe
`batten with its attached scenery, hung from winch 1, is in its
`up or storage position. The view in FIG. 1 with the screw 51
`extending outside the drum occurs when the scenery is in its
`down position. Storing the screw 51 inside the hollow drum
`11 is possible because the drum is not mounted on a separate
`shaft but
`the drum itself forms its own shaft. Another
`
`advantage of this construction is that it also reduces the
`overall length (its long dimension) of the winch 1. Still
`further, another advantage is that the overspeed braking can
`be implemented with the larger diameter hub, which is less
`prone to fatigue and other failures than a smaller diameter
`shaft if the latter were used. The nut 53, being secured to the
`hub, rotates together with the drum assembly and also with
`respect to the screw 51. The pitch of the screw 51 thread is
`equal to the pitch of the drum 11 cable grooves. Therefore,
`the carriage 40 is moved in synchronization with the back or
`forth travel of the cables 50 in the drum 11 grooves. Straight
`cable paths are thus maintained between the drum 11 and
`cable-guiding sheaves 47.
`It will also be understood that, if the object to be raised is
`stored below the stage, its storage position, with the winch
`mounted above the stage, then it would be preferred to store
`the screw in the drum when the cable is unwound from the
`drum.
`
`A sprocket 54 can also be readily mounted on the cable
`drum 11 brake end cap 14 for driving a limit switch 56
`
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`through a chain 55. An encoder (not shown) can also be
`mounted into the limit switch 56 or in the motorized gear
`reducer. This construction can be used to limit the axial
`movement of the drum relative to the frame 41, as well as
`used to establish the up and down limits of the travel,
`in-between limits of the travel, and to sense the speed.
`Looking now at FIG. 2, the grooved cable drum 11 can be
`constructed of one tubular member 12, one drive end cap 13
`and one brake end cap 14, all welded together. One suitable
`material for the cable drum would be aluminum. The end
`
`caps 13 and 14 can be castings and would incorporate all the
`weld preps and interfacing details as part of their geometry.
`The drive end cap 13 supports one end of the drum 11 from
`the motorized gear reducer 37. A brake 20 and end cap 14
`support the other end of drum 11, using the anti-friction
`bearing 39, thus no separate shaft is required for supporting
`and rotating the drum 11. Other materials than aluminum can
`be used for the drum 11. Likewise one-piece construction of
`the drum 11 is possible while maintaining the functional
`features described herein.
`
`The base 30 can comprise one horizontal member 33,
`brake end vertical member 31 and drive end vertical member
`32. The brake end vertical member 31 and drive end vertical
`
`member can be aluminum castings, incorporating all mount-
`ing interfaces for motorized gear reducer 37, anti-friction
`bearing 39, overspeed brake 20 and outer ring 26, and linear
`bearings 35A and 35B. An additional roller assembly (not
`shown) can be mounted on the base 30, if required, for
`preventing the cables from jumping the drum 11 grooves.
`This roller assembly can be spring loaded and may incor-
`porate sensors.
`The vertical members 31 and 32 incorporate the geometry
`for all weld preparations necessary for welding them to the
`horizontal member 33, which can be made of aluminum
`tubing. The mounting legs 34 can be fastened to the base 30
`for mounting it to the facility structure. While aluminum
`construction is described herein, other materials and other
`means for constructing the base 30, or connecting its com-
`ponents to each other, can be used.
`As shown on FIG. 1 the carriage 40 frame 41 is L-shaped
`comprising a horizontal member 41A and a vertical member
`41B. The sheave housing 46 is mounted at one side of the
`carriage 40. The sheaves 47 are rotatably mounted into
`sheave housing 46 through bearings and shafts 48. Spacers
`49 can be used to tie the two sides of the sheave housing 46
`together for increased stability and to prevent the cables 50
`from jumping the sheave grooves. The carriage 40 is slide-
`ably connected to base 30 through slides 45, which are
`rigidly fastened to the frame 41. The slides 45 engage linear
`bearings 35A and 35B, mounted into the top portions of the
`base 30 vertical members 31 and 32.
`FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view 3A—3A taken on FIG. 1
`
`and FIG. 2 and showing one arrangement of the carriage 40,
`including frame 41, sheave housing 46, slides 45 and
`sheaves 47. In this configuration the sheaves and housing are
`mounted at right angles to frame 41. If horizontal separation
`of cables 50 is required, the entire winch 1 can be mounted
`in tilted position. This is easily accomplished by simply
`rotating the entire winch in a manner similar to that shown
`in FIG. 4 CCW a small angle about the drum axis, which tilts
`the multiple sheaves 47 so that they are tilted as shown in
`FIG. 4 and thus their respective cables 50 horizontally
`separated when viewed in a plan view from the top of FIG.
`3.
`
`FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are cross sectional views similar to that
`
`of FIG. 3 but showing another possible arrangement of the
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`carriage 40, including frame 41, sheave housing 46, slides
`45 and sheaves 47, to horizontally separate the cables. In
`these configurations, sheaves 47 are mounted in a sloping
`position with respect to frame 41 and carriage 40. This
`mounting permits horizontal separation of multiple cables
`50 between the sheaves 47 and loftblocks (the horizontal
`separation in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 is in a plane
`perpendicular to the plane of the drawings in those figures)
`so that the cables 50 would not rub against the sides of the
`loft blocks 63, which is accomplished without tilting the
`base 30 and entire winch.
`
`As shown on FIGS. 1 through 8, the slides 45 are mounted
`on the carriage 40 horizontal member 41 A. A cylindrical
`linear bearing 35A, which is self-aligning, engages a cylin-
`drical portion of slide 45. A fiat linear bearing 35B engages
`a flat portion of slide 45. The entire carriage 40 or base 30
`(depending on the winch 1 configuration) can be slideably
`supported, vertically and horizontally, by the two self-
`aligning linear bearings 35A at opposite ends and vertically
`by the one flat linear bearing 35B at one of the ends. This is
`possible, because the base 30 tubular horizontal member 33
`provides torque transfer from overspeed brake 20 to base 30
`drive end vertical member 32 at the end (left end in FIG. 1)
`where the fiat linear bearing 35B can be installed, because
`this is where the normal drum assembly 10 driving torque is
`applied by the motorized gear reducer 37. Since the flat
`linear bearing 35B is free to move horizontally in FIG. 3, in
`a direction perpendicular to its travel (in and out of the plane
`of the drawing of FIG. 3), its use, together with the two
`self-aligning cylindrical linear bearings 35A, eliminates the
`need for precise alignment of slides 45. This self-alignment
`feature derives from the resultant 3-point support of the
`carriage, which causes the carriage to “float” horizontally
`and also have a small amount of vertical movement. This is
`
`an important feature of the invention. If a second flat linear
`bearing 35B is used at the base overspeed brake end member
`31, its purpose would be secondary safety and it can be fitted
`over slide 45 with loose tolerances. Stated another way, the
`cylindrical linear bearing 35A supports the carriage or drum
`in all directions perpendicular to the drum axis (but not
`parallel to the drum axis), whereas the fiat linear bearing
`35B supports the carriage or drum in only one direction
`perpendicular to the drum axis. So, for example, when the
`drum is arranged horizontally, the support is in the vertical
`direction, and when the drum is arranged vertically, the
`support is in the horizontal direction.
`As shown on FIGS. 1-3, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, as a further
`feature of the invention, the drum assembly 10 incorporates
`an overspeed brake 20, with pawls 21, linkages 22, and a
`release detent 23 installed into the drum 11 brake end cap 14.
`This eliminates the need for connecting a separate overspeed
`brake to the drum through shafting and couplings and
`reduces the size of the assembly and the number of com-
`ponent parts. Incorporating several of the components of the
`overspeed brake 20 into the drum assembly, which is made
`possible because of the absence of a separate supporting
`solid drum shaft, also has the advantage of improving safety.
`In case of accidental overspeed, the centrifugal force applied
`on pawls 21 would release the detent 23 and the pawls 21
`would engage the notches 21A in a pawl ring 24,
`thus
`applying the torque from the rotating drum 11 to the pawl
`ring 24. The torque is resisted by friction between the pawl
`ring 24 and a brake lining 25, part of an outer ring 26. The
`outer ring 26 is connected to and supported by the base 30.
`This overspeed brake 20 has features which permit testing
`the braking torque, verifying the pawls 21 release forces,
`and adjusting the release detent 23 pressures without remov-
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`ing the brake 20 components or drum 11 from the base 30.
`Looking at FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the extended hub of the drum
`11 brake end cap 14 has a built in torque test key 15. The
`pawls 21 have threaded holes 27 for mounting a manual
`actuation lever. By screwing the actuation lever (not shown)
`into the mounting hole 27, the pawls 21 can be manually
`engaged into the pawl ring 24 notches. The motor brake 38
`would then be released. A wrench (not shown) can be
`installed around the extended hub of the drum brake end cap
`14 and its key 15. By measuring the force on the wrench, the
`slipping torque between the brake lining 25 and pawl ring 24
`can be determined. The torque can be adjusted by tightening
`or loosening the torque adjustment screws 28 on the brake
`outer ring 26. After adjusting the torque, the pawls 21 would
`be disengaged by use of the manual actuation lever and the
`lever would then be removed.
`
`Similarly, a lever, screwed into its mounting hole 27 in
`pawl 21, can be used,
`together with a force measuring
`device, for measuring the force required to release the pawls,
`which force directly relates to the drum 11 rotational speed.
`The force release can be adjusted by increasing or decreas-
`ing the pressure on release detent 23.
`While a particular drum type brake is shown on FIG. 3,
`other drum or disc type brakes can be incorporated into the
`drum 11 as part of the drum brake end cap 14.
`Another drum type overspeed brake is shown in FIG. 4.
`In this arrangement a single pawl 101 is pivotally mounted
`on base 30. The pawl 101 is connected to a solenoid 103,
`through a linkage bar 104. Brake shoes 106 with brake lining
`107 are pivotally mounted to the drum 11 brake end cap 14
`through pins or shoulder screws 108. The brake shoes 106
`can be forced against a pawl ring 102 by a wedge shaped
`block 109 fastened to the drum brake end cap 14. By
`tightening screws 110, the sloping ends of the block 109 are
`forced against the sloping ends of the brake shoes 106 and
`the brake shoes are forced against the inside face of the pawl
`ring 109. During a lifting or lowering operation, the solenoid
`103 is energized and the pawl 101 is disengaged from
`notches 101A. The pawl ring 102, brake shoes 106, and
`block 109 all mounted to the drum 11 brake end cap 14 and
`are free to rotate with the drum. When the drum rotational
`
`overspeed is sensed electronically, electric power is cut from
`the solenoid 103. The spring 105 forces the pawl 101 against
`the outer surface of the pawl ring 102, and, when the pawl
`ring 102 rotates with the drum 11, the pawl 101 will slide,
`under the force applied by spring 105, into a notch 101A of
`the pawl ring 102 and stop the rotation of pawl ring 102. The
`friction between the pawl ring 102 and the brake lining 107
`will decelerate and stop the cable drum 11. The amount of
`friction generated can be adjusted by tightening or loosening
`the screws 110 forcing the wedge-shaped block 109 against
`the brake shoes 106. Cams, stiff disc springs or other means
`can be used instead of the wedge shaped block 109 for
`forcing the shoe 106 against the pawl ring 102.
`The advantages of the type of overspeed brake described
`in connection with FIG. 4 is that electronic overspeed
`sensing is accurate and when the solenoid 103 deenergizes,
`the pawl 104 is always forced against the pawl ring 102 by
`spring 105. Therefore, when the winch is stopped supporting
`a load and if the motorized gear reducer 37 or motor brake
`38 fails, the drum 111 can only rotate until the pawl 101
`engages under spring 105 pressure the notch 101A in the
`pawl ring 102 for initiating the stopping sequence.
`A disc type overspeed brake modification is shown in
`FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, which is a partial cross sectional view
`taken on FIG. 5, along line 6A—6A, limited to showing the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`8
`drum brake end cap 14, components of overspeed brake 20
`and bearing 39. Abushing 209 is pressed on the drum brake
`end cap 14 hub portion. Friction discs 208 (made of brake
`lining material) and pawl disc 202 are rotatably mounted,
`with respect to the drum brake end cap 14, over the bushing
`209. Apressure plate 206 is slideably mounted on the drum
`brake end cap 14 hub portion. The rotation of pressure plate
`14 can be prevented by keys, splines or by flattened sides of
`the drum brake end cap 14 hub portion, as shown in FIG. 5.
`The pawl disc 202, the friction discs 208, and the pressure
`plate 206 are forced against each other and against the drum
`brake end cap 14 by disc spring 207. A disc spring retainer
`210 is sldeably mounted on the hub portion of the drum
`brake end cap 14. Force is applied to all the above compo-
`nents by nut 211 threaded on the drum brake and cap 14 hub
`portion. The force and the related friction between the drum
`brake end cap 14, pawl disc 202, pressure plate 206 and
`friction discs 208 can be adjusted by tightening or loosening
`the nut 211. Screws 212 can be installed for additional
`
`pressure adjustment. During normal raising or lowering, all
`the above described parts rotate with drum 11. The pawl 201,
`pivotably mounted on base 30, is held at disengaged position
`through linkage 204 by solenoid 203, which is also mounted
`on base 30. When the drum rotational overspeed is sensed
`electronically, electric power is cut from the solenoid 203.
`The spring 205 forces the pawl 201 against the pawl disc 202
`outer rim. When the pawl disc 202 rotates with the drum 11,
`pawl 201 will slide, under the force applied by spring 205,
`into the notch 201A of pawl disc 202 and stop the rotation
`of pawl disc 202. The friction between the pawl disc 202 and
`friction discs 208 shall decelerate and stop the rotation of
`cable drum 11.
`
`The advantages of the disc type overspeed brake shown in
`FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are identical to what is described for the
`
`drum type brake shown in FIG. 4.
`FIG. 7 is a side view of a fly system winch 1 in accordance
`with the invention in another configuration. In the previous
`embodiments, the base 30 is fixed, as is the drum horizon-
`tally. The carriage 40 and sheave assembly 46 is moved
`laterally in synchronization with the back and forth travel of
`the cables 50 in the rotating drum 11 grooves with respect to
`the base member 30.
`In this FIG. 7 configuration,
`the
`carriage 40 is fastened via legs 34 to the facility structure
`(not shown) and the entire drum assembly 10, including its
`base 30 and motorized gear reducer 37, travels horizontally
`relative to the carriage frame 41, which is fixed to the facility
`structure, when winding or unwinding of the cables 50. All
`the parts in this configuration are identical to the parts used
`for the winch configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,
`except that the carriage frame 41 is modified. An additional
`vertical member 41C is added to support the carriage 40.
`This configuration has a functional advantage, because the
`horizontal forces from the cables 50 are not applied to the
`screw 51 as in FIG. 1. In the case of FIG. 7, the only forces
`applied on the screw 51 are the friction forces between the
`linear bearings 35A, 35B and slides 45. Furthermore, since
`the carriage 40 together with sheaves 47 does not move, the
`cables 50 travel rates and travel distances are not affected by
`horizontal movement of the carriage 40 of which there is
`none. This feature permits at least one sheave 47A or more
`sheaves to be mounted on carriage 46 at the other sides of
`the vertical cable 50 runs between the drum 11 and sheaves
`47, so that these cables lead out from the winch 1 in the
`opposite direction (to the left as shown on FIGS. 10 and 14).
`This permits winch 1 to be mounted in between gridiron
`slots instead of at one side, and eliminates the need for
`extending the gridiron and stage house to the side stage
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`the horizontal rigging loads,
`It also contains all
`walls.
`applied by nearly horizontal cable runs above the gridiron,
`within the gridiron structure.
`FIG. 8 is another modification of the winch 1
`
`configuration, similar to that shown in FIG. 7, with the fixed
`carriage 40 and movable drum assembly 10, except that the
`sheave housing 46 and sheaves 47 are mounted to the top
`side of frame 41 horizontal member 41B. With the exception
`of the modified location of sheave housing 46 and base 30
`with respect to carriage 40, the configuration shown in FIG.
`8 maintains all
`the features of the winch configuration
`shown in FIG. 7. The FIG. 8 configuration also permits
`angular lead out of cables, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12,
`without differential cable velocities.
`
`Based on the features described above, and because the
`base 30 horizontal member 33 is narrower than drum 11, the
`fly system winch 1, as shown in