IP Library Granted Patent US 7,703,499
Granted Patent B2
US 7,703,499 · App. 11/677,804 · Granted Apr 27, 2010

Portable curtain retraction device and system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,703,499
App. No.
11/677,804
Granted
Apr 27, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A portable barrier retraction device and system for retracting and deploying barriers, such as theatrical curtains. The portable barrier retraction device for retracting and deploying barriers, such as theatrical curtains. The device includes a rotatable shaft in rotational communication with a first drum. The device further includes a detachable rotatable second drum rotational communication with the first drum. The second drum further including at least one spool configured to retract or deploy at least one line in response to rotation of the second drum.

Claims (33)

1. A portable barrier retraction device comprising:

a first drum;

a rotatable shaft in selective rotational communication with the first drum;

a clutch configured to disengage the first drum from the rotatable shaft;

a detachable rotatable second drum in rotational communication with the first drum, the second drum comprising a first spool configured to independently retract or deploy a line in response to rotation of the second drum and a second spool configured to independently retract or deploy a second line in response to rotation of the second drum;

wherein the shaft selectively imparts rotation to the second drum by selectively imparting rotation to the first drum.

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

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the barrier is a theatrical cuff am.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the barrier retraction device provides asymmetrical deployment of the barrier.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the rate of retraction or deployment may be increased or decreased.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second drum is attached to the barrier.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second drum further includes a locking device, wherein the locking device selectively prevents rotation of the second drum and the spool.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first drum and the second drum comprise a geared arrangement.

9. A portable barrier retraction system comprising:

a barrier having at least one line disposed adjacent thereto,

at least one barrier retraction device having:

a first drum;

a rotatable shaft in selective rotational communication with the first drum;

a clutch configured to disengage the first drum from the rotatable shaft;

a detachable rotatable second drum in rotational communication with the first drum, the second drum comprising a first spool that independently retracts or deploys a line in response to rotation of the second drum and a second spool configured to independently retract or deploy a second line in response to rotation of the second drum;

wherein the shaft selectively imparts rotation to the second drum by selectively imparting rotation to the first drum; and

a support frame into which the first drum and second drum are independently mounted.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the lines attach to the barrier in a location along the surface of the barrier that permits retraction of the barrier.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the lines are retractable in a manner that forms a festoon pattern in the barrier during retraction.

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

13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the barrier retraction device provides asymmetrical deployment of the barrier.

14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the rate of retraction or deployment may be increased or decreased.

15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first drum and the second drum comprise a geared arrangement.

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

17. The system of claim 9 , wherein the shaft is arranged in a circular geometry.

18. The system of claim 9 , wherein the shaft comprises a plurality of segments rotatably coupled together.

19. The system of claim 9 , further comprising a driver configured to rotate the shaft.

20. The system of claim 9 , 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 an aircraft.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2024
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS AGENT
To: TAIT TOWERS MANUFACTURING LLC
Reel/Frame 069175/0282 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2024
From: TAIT TOWERS MANUFACTURING LLC; THINKWELL GROUP, LLC
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069084/0065 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2019
From: TAIT TOWERS MANUFACTURING LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048747/0250 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2019
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: TAIT TOWERS MANUFACTURING LLC
Reel/Frame 048745/0408 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 22, 2019
From: TAIT TOWERS MANUFACTURING LLC
To: HIGHBRIDGE PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 048414/0714 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2018
From: TAFT TOWERS MANUFACTURING LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046801/0622 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2015
From: TAIT TOWERS, INC.
To: TAIT TOWERS MANUFACTURING, LLC
Reel/Frame 036986/0138 →
ASSIGNMENT FOR SECURITY -- PATENTS Recorded Apr 1, 2015
From: TAIT TOWERS MANUFACTURING LLC
To: HIGHBRIDGE PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 035354/0033 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS Recorded Apr 1, 2015
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TAIT TOWERS MANUFACTURING LLC
Reel/Frame 035354/0118 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 3, 2013
From: TAIT TOWERS, INC.
To: TAIT TOWERS MANUFACTURING, LLC
Reel/Frame 031334/0657 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 3, 2013
From: TAIT TOWERS MANUFACTURING LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 030341/0216 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2012
From: TAIT, MICHAEL; FAIRORTH, JAMES; DAVIS, ADAM
To: TAIT TOWERS, INC.
Reel/Frame 029498/0093 →