PORTABLE CURTAIN RETRACTION DEVICE AND SYSTEM

• US 20080314528A1
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tait Towers Manufacturing, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tait Towers Incorporated
• Inventors: DAVIS, Adam, TAIT, Michael, FAIRORTH, James
• Granted Patent: US 9,598,897 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/84.02
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 5/0325 using electrical or electronical drive, detecting or controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/36 with vertical lamellae ; Supporting rails therefor

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.

Claims

1. A portable barrier retraction device comprising:

a drive motor having an addressable drive motor control, the drive motor control being capable of being connected in a serial arrangement with one or more other addressable drive motor controls; and

the drive motor being 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 being configured to retract or deploy a barrier;

wherein the drive motor provides selective rotation in response to an addressed signal from a controller.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the retraction assembly includes a detachable drum having a rotatable shaft in rotational communication with the drive motor.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the barrier is attached to the drum.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the lines are retractable in a manner that forms a festoon pattern in the barrier during retraction.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the barrier is a theatrical curtain.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the retraction assembly comprises a plurality of spools, wherein the spools each retract or deploy the line in response to the rotation of a shaft.

7. A portable barrier retraction system comprising:

a barrier having at least one line disposed adjacent thereto,

a controller capable of providing an addressed signal;

at least one barrier retraction device detachably affixed to a support frame, the barrier retraction device comprising;

a drive motor having an addressable drive motor control, the drive motor control being connected in a serial arrangement with one or more other addressable drive motor controls; and

the drive motor being in rotational communication with at least one retraction assembly configured to retract or deploy the line in response to rotation of the drive motor, the line being configured to retract or deploy the barrier;

wherein the drive motor provides selective rotation in response to an addressed signal from a controller.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the retraction assembly includes a detachable drum having a rotatable shaft in rotational communication with the drive motor.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the barrier is attached to the drum.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the lines are retractable in a manner that forms a festoon pattern in the barrier during retraction.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the barrier is a theatrical curtain.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the retraction assembly comprises a plurality of spools, wherein the spools each retract or deploy the line in response to the rotation of a shaft.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the barrier, the at least one barrier retraction device and the frame disassemble into components that are capable of being stored in the cargo hold of a transport vessel.

14. A method for assembling a portable stage comprising:

providing a support frame;

attaching at least one portable barrier retraction device to the support frame, the portable barrier retraction device having a drive motor having an addressable drive motor control, the drive motor control being capable of being connected in a serial arrangement with one or more other addressable drive motor controls; and

the drive motor being 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 being configured to retract or deploy a barrier;

wherein the drive motor provides selective rotation in response to an addressed signal from a controller;

attaching the barrier to one of the barrier retraction device or the support frame;

connecting the barrier retraction devices into a network with a cable; and

providing a controller capable of providing addressed signals and power to the motor control via the cable.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting addressed signals to preselected motor controls to set the desired length of the lines.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the support frame has a non-linear geometry.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the attaching includes positioning the barrier retraction devices along preselected areas of the support frame.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the attaching includes attaching a detachable drum on the barrier retraction device.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the connecting includes inserting the cable via connectors into a motor controller of the barrier retraction device.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the portable retraction devices are interchangeable.