Motorised winch for moving stages and stage accessories

Abstract

 A motorised winch (4) for moving stages and the like, comprising a drum (12) mounted so as to rotate around a first rotation axis (X-X) and fitted with helical recesses (20), which house at least one hoisting rope (24) partially wound around the drum (12). An output end (28) of the rope translates parallel to the first rotation axis (X-X) during the rotation of the drum (12) depending on the pitch of the helical recesses (20), and is directed, coming out of the drum (12), perpendicular to it. The winch (4) comprises at least one rope guide device (36) which receives said output end (28) and guides it towards the elements to be moved. Advantageously, the drum (12) rotates around the first rotation axis (X-X) but does not translate parallel to it, while the rope-guide device (36) is fixed to a carriage (48) operatively connected to motor means and is synchronised with the translation of the output end (28) of the rope (24). This way the perpendicular position of the output end (28) to the first rotation axis (X-X) during winding and/or unwinding of the rope from the drum (12) is ensured.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a motorised winch for stages, in particular for moving stages and stage accessories such as stage curtains.

[0002] In particular, it is known of in the sector of stage moving to use motorised winches comprising a drum which the ropes are wound onto. Such ropes are operatively connected to the stage elements to be moved.

[0003] The motorised winches of the prior art have some drawbacks. In particular, there is a thread cavity on the drum which receives the rope as it is gradually wound around it. This way the rope is always neatly received /guided by the relative thread of the drum and prevented from moving backwards from said drum.

[0004] In order to always ensure the guidance of the rope during the winding/unwinding movement of the ropes from the drum, it is important to ensure that these do not have an angular deviation from the thread cavity or seat.

[0005] The solutions of the prior art thus provide for synchronising the rotation movement of the drum with an equivalent translation movement thereof which compensates any angular deviation of the ropes.

[0006] Such solutions of the prior art have numerous drawbacks. In fact, the drum is an extremely heavy element to move; consequently the combined rotatory/translatory movement of the drum requires very powerful motors and thus a high level of consumption.

[0007] In addition, the solutions of the prior art are cumbersome given that the length and thus the overall space occupied by the motorised winch will be at least double the axial length of the drum.

[0008] As a result the solutions of the prior art have drawbacks and disadvantages in terms of running costs, weights and overall dimensions.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to propose a motorised winch for stages which overcomes the drawbacks cited in relation to the prior art.

[0010] Such drawbacks and limitations are resolved by a motorised winch according to claim 1.

[0011] Other embodiments of the motorised winch according to the invention are described in the subsequent claims.

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly comprehensible from the description given below of its preferred and non-limiting embodiments, wherein:

[0013] figure 1 shows a perspective view of a motorised winch according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] figure 2 shows a cross-section view of the motorised winch in figure 1;

[0015] figure 3 shows a cross-section view of the motorised winch in figure 2, along the cross-section plane III-III in figure 2;

[0016] figure 4 shows a side view of the motorised winch in figure 2, from the side of the arrow IV in figure 2;

[0017] figure 5 shows a cross-section view of the motorised winch in the figure, along the cross-section plane V-V in figure 2.

[0018] The elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described below will be indicated using the same reference numerals.

[0019] With reference to the aforementioned figures, reference numeral 4 globally denotes a motorised winch, in particular for moving stages and stage accessories such as for example stage curtains. The term stage accessories is to be understood in a broad sense; consequently the motorised winch of the present invention may be used to move, that is raise, lower, move sideways and the like, any type of stage accessory such as for example a stage curtain, a backdrop, but also architectural elements of the stage such as daises, partitions and the like.

[0020] The motorised winch 4 comprises an outer casing 8 preferably fitted with attachment points for the attachment of said winch. The motorised winch may be positioned in a horizontal or vertical direction depending on the type of application and space available.

[0021] The motorised winch 4 comprises a drum 12 fitted so as to rotate on supports 14 and operatively connected to motor means 16 for the rotation of the same around a first rotation axis X-X.

[0022] The supports 14 of the drum 12 may be of any type; for example the supports 14 are roller bearings.

[0023] The motor means 16 are for example electric motors but hydraulic, pneumatic motors and the like may be used.

[0024] As mentioned above, the first rotation axis X-X may be either horizontal or vertical depending on how one wishes to install the motorised winch 4 and/or available space.

[0025] The drum 12 is an elongated cylindrical body; preferably axial-symmetric to said first rotation axis X-X; the drum 12 is provided with helical recesses 20, having a pitch, which house at least one rope 24 for moving the stage and /or stage accessories.

[0026] The helical recesses 20 are continuous; in other words consist of at least one continuous recess which winds in a coil around the outer side wall of the drum 12; said recess is of such as size as to receive at last partially the rope 24 so as to guide it in its winding/unwinding movement from the drum 12. For example the helical recesses 20 are a concave, substantially semi-circular shape, counter-shaped to the circular cross-section of the rope 24 housed and guided therein.

[0027] As mentioned, the rope 24 is partially wound around the drum 12 and provided with an output end 28 destined to be operatively connected to the elements to be moved. In other words, the output end 28 is the end of the rope coming out of the drum 12 so as to be able to be mechanically connected to the elements to be moved or in any case to elements suitable to move elements external to the motorised winch 4.

[0028] The output end 28 translates parallel to the first rotation axis X-X during the rotation of the drum depending on the coil pitch of the helical recesses 20.

[0029] In other words, for each turn of the drum 12, corresponding, depending on the direction of rotation, to a winding or unwinding of the rope 24, the output end 28 translates parallel to the first rotation axis X-X, by a portion equal to the pitch of the helical recess 20 of the drum 12.

[0030] In addition, the output end 28 is directed, in output from the drum 12, on a plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis X-X of said drum, in a tangent direction Y-Y. In other words, in order to facilitate the winding and unwinding of the rope 24 on the drum 12, the output end 28 and thus the rope itself coming out of the drum 12 must be oriented perpendicular to it. This way the risk of the rope 24 drifting or derailing from the relative helical recesses 20 is prevented.

[0031] Preferably, the output end 28 is pressed by a constraint, for example in the shape of a guide roller 30, which makes the output end 28 return radially towards the first rotation axis of the drum 12. In other words, as illustrated for example in figure 3, the output end 28 is radially deviated inwards , that is towards the first rotation axis X-X so as to impose a continuous contact between the rope 24 and the helical recesses 20.

[0032] Preferably, at the first lateral end 32 the drum 12 is operatively connected to motor means 16 by mechanical couplings of the known type.

[0033] Advantageously, the drum 12 rotates around the first rotation axis X-X, moved by the motor means 16, and is axially fixed in such a way as not to translate parallel to the first rotation axis X-X.

[0034] The motorised winch 4 further comprises at least one rope guide device 36 suitable for receiving said output end 28 and guiding it towards the elements to be moved.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the rope guide device 36 comprises a feedback pulley 40 suitable to receive the rope in an entrance direction parallel to the tangent direction Y-Y, that is, perpendicular to said first rotation axis X-X, and to deviate it in an output direction parallel to the first rotation axis X-X.

[0036] The feedback pulleys 40 are fitted so as to rotate on special pins 44 and rotate idle on them.

[0037] Advantageously, the rope-guide device 36 is fixed to a carriage 48 operatively connected to motor means and synchronised with the translation of the output end 28 of the rope 24 so as to ensure the perpendicular position of the output end 28 to the first rotation axis X-X.

[0038] In other words, so as to ensure the perpendicular position of the output end 28 to the drum 12, the rope guide device 36 and relative carriage 48 translate in a synchronised manner with the output end 28; in yet other words, with each turn of the drum 12, both the output end 28 and the rope guide device 36 with relative carriage 48 translate by the same distance, equal to the pitch of the helical recesses 20, parallel to the first rotation axis X-X and in the same direction, depending on whether there is a winding or unwinding of the rope 24 from the drum 12.

[0039] Preferably the motor means of the rope guide device 36 are the same as those of the drum 12.

[0040] The motorised winch 4 comprises movement transmission means 52 which synchronise the translation of the output end 28 with the translation of the rope guide device 36 so as to maintain the perpendicular position between the output end 28 of the rope 24 and the first rotation axis X-X.

[0041] For example the transmission means 52 comprise a control device 56 operatively connected to the drum 12 by gears and/or pulleys 60 for example positioned on a second lateral end 64 of the drum 12, opposite said first lateral end 32.

[0042] Said control device 56 guides the rope guide device 36 so as to follow the axial position of the output end 28 of the rope 24.

[0043] For example the control device 56 may consist of a rack which bears at least one rope guide device 36 and which in turn receives the synchronised movement of the drum 12 by means of the gears or pulleys which may, for example, comprise a pinion which engages with said rack.

[0044] According to a further embodiment, the control device 56 is a power screw 68 fitted so as to rotate around a second rotation axis W-W parallel to the first rotation axis X-X.

[0045] Said power screw 68 is axially fixed, that is to say does not translate parallel to the second rotation axis W-W.

[0046] Preferably, a nut 72 is fitted on said power screw 68, the nut 72 being integral with the rope guide device 36 so as to guide its translation movement. In other words, the nut 72 has the same pitch as the power screw 68. The rotation of the power screw 68 thus generates a translation, parallel to the second rotation axis W-W, of the rope guide device 36 and of the carriage 48 given that these cannot in turn rotate parallel to said second rotation axis w-W.

[0047] Preferably, the motorised winch 4 comprises a plurality of ropes 24 wound on the same drum 12, each provided with its own rope guide device 36, wherein the rope guide devices 36 are mechanically connected to the same carriage 48; said carriage 48 translates following the free ends of the ropes 24 so as to ensure the perpendicular position of the respective output ends 28 in relation to the drum 12.

[0048] Preferably, said carriage 48 is fitted with a nut 72 which engages in the power screw 68 fitted so as to rotate around the second rotation axis W-W parallel to the first rotation axis X-X, wherein the power screw 68 is axially fixed.

[0049] Preferably, the power screw 68 is positioned inside the carriage 48, that is crosses at least partially a casing of said carriage 48.

[0050] Preferably, the output ends 28 of the ropes 24 converge in a multi-groove rope collector pulley 76 and are sent from these to the elements to be moved. The multi-groove pulley 76 is preferably contained inside the outer casing 8.

[0051] Substantially, the rope guide devices 36 and the relative carriage 48 translate, parallel to the first rotation axis X-X, by a maximum stroke 80 equal to the length or extension of the helical recesses 20.

[0052] As may be seen from the description, the motorised winch according to the invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks presented of the prior art.

[0053] In particular, the motorised winch according to the present invention has reduced dimensions and weight compared to the solutions of the prior art. In fact the drum is axially fixed and does not need to be translated during winding/unwinding of the ropes.

[0054] The overall dimensions of the winch are limited since the drum does not translate axially. As a result the dimensions of the motor means can also be limited, leading to a reduction of weights and costs.

[0055] The winch is compact, light and has lower maintenance costs.

[0056] Moreover the system proves safe in that the parts moving axially, namely the rope guides and the carriage are contained inside the outer casing of the motorised winch; consequently the moving parts are protected from the outside.

[0057] A person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variations to the motorised winches described above so as to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, while remaining within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Motorised winch (4), in particular for moving stages and stage accessories such as stage curtains, comprising

- a drum (12) mounted so as to rotate on supports (14) operatively connected to motor means (16) for the rotation of the same around a first rotation axis (X-X),

- the drum (12) being provided with helical recesses (20), having a pitch, which houses at least one rope (24) for moving the stage and /or stage accessories,

- said rope (24) being partially wound around the drum (12) and provided with an output end (28) destined to be operatively connected to the elements to be moved,

- wherein said output end (28) translates parallel to the first rotation axis (X-X) during the rotation of the drum (12) according to the pitch of the helical recesses (20), and wherein the output end (28) is directed, coming out of the drum (12), perpendicular to the first rotation axis of the drum (X-X),

- wherein the winch (4) comprises at least one rope guide (36) suitable for receiving said output end (28) and guiding it towards the elements to be moved, characterised by the fact that

- the drum (12) rotates around the first rotation axis (X-X) and is axially fixed in such a way as not to translate parallel to the first rotation axis (X-X),

- the rope-guide device (36) is fixed to a carriage (48) operatively connected to motor means and synchronised with the translation of the output end (28) of the rope (24) so as to ensure the perpendicular position of the output end (28) to the first rotation axis (X-X) during winding and/or unwinding of the rope from the drum (12).

2. Motorised winch (4) according to claim 1, wherein the motor means (16) of the rope guide device (36) are the same as those of the drum (12).

3. Motorised winch (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the winch comprises movement transmission means (52) which synchronise the translation of the output end (28) with the translation of the rope guide device (36) so as to maintain the perpendicular position between the output end (28) of the rope (24) and the first rotation axis (X-X).

4. Motorised winch (4) according to claim 3, wherein said transmission means (52) comprise a control device (56) operatively connected to the drum (12) by means of gears and/or pulleys (60), said control device (56) guiding the rope guide device (36) so as to follow the axial position of the output end (28) of the rope (24).

5. Motorised winch (4) according to claim 4, wherein the control device (56) is a power screw (68) fitted so as to rotate around a second rotation axis (W-W) parallel to the first rotation axis (X-X), said power screw (68) being axially fixed.

6. Motorised winch (4) according to claim 5, wherein a nut (72) is fitted on said power screw (68), the nut (72) being integral with the rope guide device (36) so as to guide its translation movement.

7. Motorised winch (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein a plurality of ropes (24) wound on the drum (12) are envisaged, each provided with its own rope guide device (36), wherein the rope guide devices (36) are mechanically connected to the same carriage (48), wherein the carriage (48) translates synchronously following the output ends (28) of the ropes (24).

8. Motorised winch (4) according to claim 7, wherein the carriage (48) is fitted with a nut (72) which engages in a power screw (68) fitted so as to rotate around a second rotation axis (W-W) parallel to the first rotation axis (X-X), said power screw (68) being axially fixed.

9. Motorised winch (4) according to any of the claims from 5 to 8, wherein the power screw (68) is positioned inside the carriage (48).

10. Motorised winch (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the output ends (28) of the ropes (24) converge in a multi-groove rope collector pulley (76) and are sent from these to the elements to be moved.

Drawing