1. No category

May 28, 1929-
M. H. GREENEWALT _ '
1.714.504
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LIGHT AND C‘OLOR PLAYERS
Filed July 16, 1925
4 Sheets-Sheet
533
l
4
l
INVENTOR
BY
M #LM ~
'
ATTORNE 3’
-
May 28, 1929.
'
M. H. GREENEWALT
1314.504
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LIGHT AND COLOR PLAYERS
Filed July 16, 1925
4 Sheets-Sheet
2
INVENTOR
@7144,“
'BY
@W V-M
ATTORNEYS
May 28, 1929-
M. H. GREENEWALT
1,714,504
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LIGHT AND COLOR PLAYERS
Filed July 16, 1925
4 Sheets-Sheet
3
INVENTQR
BY
,
-
TTORNEYS
/
May 23, 1929-
M. H. GREENEWALT
1,714,504
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LIGHT AND COLOR PLAYERS
Filed July 16, 1925
4 sheets-sheet 4
14 I
IzvezzYS?
1,114,504 ‘'4
Patented May 28, 1929.
UNITED STATES
PATENT OFFICE.
MARY HALLOCK GREENEWALT, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LIGHT AND COLOR. PLAYmS.
Application ?led Ju1y_16, 1925. _ Serial No. 44,639.
My invention relates to apparatus for em to register andthe production of the e?ects
ploying light and its color as a means of ab he wishes to produce.
stract and emotional expression in timed
Another object of my invention is to-pro
succession and particularly to control means vide a control system for a light and color
55
player that will be highly ?exible, easily
operated, and that will permit of easily and
tions by means of timed variations of light quickly varying the timing of the successive
5 for such apparatus.
'
Broadly, it is my desire to express emo
and color in a manner analogous to that em
impulses within wide limits as may be re
60
ployed in the art of music. Such expression quired by the abstract use and character of
10 may be either for its own sake, or it may be
the composition being played by the opera
as an accompaniment to another expression
such as that made by words in poetry, notes
in music, or pantomine or dancing. \Vhen
employing light and color as a vehicle for
15 expression we must consider not only the
tor.
Another object of my invention is to pro
vide a control system for a light and color
65
player that shall permit of ?exible control
of the increase or decrease of the intensity
operating characteristics of the light source of the respective light sources while the
and of the mechanism controlling, modi color proportions thereof are under simul
fying, and actuating the same, but we must taneous selective consideration and timed
70
consider also the hysiological action and re control. '
~
Another object of my invention is to pro
20 ceptivity of the uman eye, the vehicle by
which the audience receives the impressions. vide a central control station'for a plural
We must consider particularly the time lag ity of spaced sources of light and color that
between the rece tion and the effective reg shall permit of a uni?ed control thereof to 75
istration of a lig t impulse when designing the end that a unity of impression may be
25 any mechanism tobe employed in such a created thereby on the audience.
light and color player. This mechanism In practicing my invention I provide a
must erinit of bringing under the orderly plurality of light sources, preferably in
jurisdiction of the light pla er artist’s will candescent lamps, that may respectively
such factors as intensity 0 the light, the give light of one color only or that may
30 changing manner of handling the increasing have‘ combined therewith means for se
quantities of the light intensity as the lectively varying the color and the color
brightness increases, the color thereof, man timing of the individual light sources.
ner of rogression, convenience and suita
Electric means is provided for each light
80
bility oia timing, and many others.
35
source to vary its intensity and remotely lo
One of the objects of my invention is to cated devices control each of the electric
provide a control system for a light and means. A master regulator controls the
color player that will permit the operator to energy input into all of the light sources
selectively vary the intensity and the color subject at the moment to intensity play, and
of the spatial illumination in' progressive is actuated by a remote ?uid-controlled elec
90
40 and timed relations.
tric means.
Another object of my invention is to pro~ ' This application as ?led is identical with
vide a control system that will permit the
applicant’s prior application 657,731 ?led
?exible and orderly control of light and col August 16,1923, as a division of application
or capable of following that scope of time 252,133 ?led August 30, 1918, now Patent
45 variation suggested in its range by the scope 1,481,132.
’
‘
of time variation found in the recurrent
In the drawings,
pulse and the manner of ampli?cation rep
Figure 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic
resented by the respiration of the human view of a lighting system within the scope
being with the least possible physical eifort of my invention in‘ which light sources,
50 on his part, and with the least possible in
which may compriseelectric lamps, are con
t'erference of mechanism_ and consequent trolled by a perforated sheet such as is em
time lag between the expression of his wish ployed in mechanical, -music players; the
95
100
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1,714,504
sheet so employed having perforations An exhaust conduit for the plurality of
therein through the instrumentality of bellows is indicated by the numeral 53.
which, acting in connection with properly An electric means for regulating the volt
co-operative means, instantaneous control age supplied to the light sources 11, 12 and
of the lighting means is effected.
13 comprises a yoke 54 of magnetic material,
Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a the magnetization of which is effected by a
control system which I emplo to produce coil 56. A movably mounted coil 56 is lo
the desired lighting e?'ects wit or without cated intermediate the poles of theyoke
color accompaniment, and with or without 54 and is mounted on a suitable shaft 57
10
the accompaniment of music, and,
supported in any suitable or desired manner
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view, mainly in to permit the coil 56 to have a turning move
cross section, of a portion of a piano, organ, ment relatively to the magnetic poles of the
or other key~played instrument, having yoke 54. Asmall pinion 58 is mounted on
15
means whereby atmospheric coloring in va the outer end of the shaft 57 and meshes
rious intensities or shades may be produced. with a co-operating gear wheel 59 that is 80
Fig. 4 shows the combination of various suitably mounted to permit of its being
parts of my invention.
’
turned by an indicating lever 60 the free
Fig. 5 shows the automatic control of il end of which moves in front of a suitably
graduated scale 61. The position of the coil
' lumination intensities.
20
Fig. 6 shows the automatic control of a 56 relatively to the yoke 54 determines the
25
Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of sources that are being energized, and a move
the drawing, a plurality of light sources 11, ment of the coil 56 by the arm 60 through
12 and 13 are there diagrammatically repre; the co-operating gear wheel and pinion pro
sented as a single incandescent lamp each. I vides a means of varying the light intensity
desire it to be understood, however, that of the energized light sources.
any number of light sources are to be under
so
85
voltage applied to the respective light
color screen.
90
I A plurality of conductors 62 and 63, that
stood as being included thereunder, and that are connected to a suitable source of supply
these individual or collective light sources of electric energy, are provided for supply
may be located in any suitable or desired current -to the light sources 11, 12 and 13, to
95
spatial relation relatively to each other to the solenoids 39, 41, 42 and 43, and. to the
the audience or to the space to be illumi
nated.
Means for automatically controlling these
35
voltage regulator comprising the yoke 54
and the coils 55 and 56.
lVhen the aperture 21 in the sheet 14 regis
light sources and the color varying means ters with the aperture 25 of the tracker
with which they may be manned, one form board the bellows 52 is caused to expand,
100
of which, shown in Fig. 3, will be herein thereby operatively engaging the circuit clos
after more particularly referred to, com ing means 47, energizing the solenoid 43, '
prises a_ perforated sheet 14 common to the plunger or core of which moves upward
mechanical, music players passing over a ly and turns the ratchet disc 34 by the pawl 105
tracker board 15, the sheet 14 having the 38. This causes a turning movement of the
‘ usual spaced perforations 16 therein for con contact bridging member of the switch 29.
trolling the musical notes or tones produced causing it to engage two contact terminals
by the instrument. In addition to the per and closing the main circuit. When the
foration 16 the sheet 14 is provided with aperture 17 in the sheet registers with the 110
rows of spaced apertures 17, 18, 19 and 21, aperture 22 of the tracker board the bellows
designed to co-oper'ate with a plurality of 48 expands and on its expansive movement
apertures 22, 23, 24 and 25 of the tracker actuates the circuiteclosing means 44 to its
board 15, whereby the control of the in closed position, thereby energizing the sole
50
tensity of the light may be e?ccted or as is noid 39 causing the core thereof to move up
more particularly shown in Fig. 5.
1
Each light source whether single or col
lective may be controlled by a rotary switch
26, 27, 28 and 29 between the contact points
of which resistance elements may be includ
115
wardly. This upward movement of the core
causes the pawl 35 to actuate the ratchet disc
31, thereby causing a turning movement of
the contact bridging member of the rotary
switch 26 and energizing the lamp 11. It is
ed similarly to the individual resistances obvious that regulating resistances may be
shown in Fig. 2, these switches comprising included in or cut out of the circuit in sub
notched discs 31, 32, 33 and 34 that are re stantially the same mariner and that the
60
spectively actuated by ratchet pawls 35, 36, color ?ltering means may also be actuated
37, and 38 operatively connected to the cores automatically as shown in Fig. 6.
When the apertures 18 or 19 of the sheet
of magnetic solenoids 39, 41, 42 and 43.
The coils of the respective solenoids are con 14 register with the complemental apertures
trolled by co-operating contact members 44, 23 or 24 in the tracker board, the operation
65
45, 46 and 47 that are respectively actuated of the several elements to energize the re
and controlled by bellows 48, 49, 51 and 52. spective light sources 12 and 13 is the same
130
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1,714,504
' as that e?ected by the ‘registration of the‘ 71 and 72 respectively, that may be located
apertures 17 and 22. When it is desired to close to the light sources to be controlled.
interrupt the maincircuit the rotary switch and at a distance from the control switches.
29 must be given a suitable turning move When the switch 65, for instance, is moved
ment and this may be effected by providing in one direction to close a circuit, the corre
an aperture 64 at the end of the sheet de
sponding motor 69 runs in one direction thus
signedvto register with the aperture 25 of the driving a sliding contact 73 and cutting in or
tracker. board and move the bellows 52 to out the desired amount of resistance in a
cause the circuit-closing means 47 to actuate resistance element 74 co-operating there
10 the solenoid 43 to effect a turning movement with. lVhen the same switch is moved in
of the contact bridging member of this the opposite direction the motor is ener
' switch.
From the above it is evident that gized to run in the opposite direction, and
any number of apertures 17, 18, 19. or 21 the movement of the sliding contact 73 is
may be provided in the sheet to automatical~ likewise reversed. This mechanism provides
15
1y cause the energization or the de-energiza
tion' either wholly or partially of any num
ber of light sources in the particular se
a means for increasing or decreasing the il
80
lumination value of the current traversing
the respective lamps, thereby varying the
' quenc'e or at the particular time desired. It is intensity of the light emitted. and it may .
20
alsolobvious that the electrical mechanism is be noted that each lamp may be thus indi
entirely disconnected after the ?nal aper vidually controlled. Any other equivalent
ture 64eifects the operation of the main ro means may, however, be employed instead of
tary switch 29.
.
the motors.
-
_
85
._
\Vhile I have illustrated electric lamps as
Supply circuit conductors 62 and 63 rep
the sources of light it will be understood resent the source of current supply for the
25
that other .forms of light producing elements electrical circuits and the equipment shown,
may be employed under the control of the and the numeral 7 5 indicates a voltage regu
~ actuating mechanism which co-operates with lator or other similar device capable of vary
30
the apertured sheet. It is also to be under ing the voltage supplied to the light sources,
stood that I do not desire to be limited to such current traversing devices may, it is
the particular mechanism shown as it is il understood, be sealed with light intensity in
lustrative only.
-
Fig. 2 illustrates diagrammatically a sys
95
dication as shown in Fig. 1.
The master regulator 7 5 is controlled in
' tem of control for a plurality of light sources its operation by a reversing motor 76 that
11, 12 and 13.' It is understood of course, is in turn remotely controlled by the revers- '
35
40
that any desired number and arrangement ing switch 68. The motor 7 6 is operatively
of lights is intended to be represented b connected to the master regulator through
the individual light sources here illustrate , a' disc drive capable of- wide spatial travel
it being understood that due to the nature of suited to the wide range of detailed light
light, the scale for the ‘same shown in Fig. 1 intensities comprising a friction wheel 77
beginning at the absolute of darkness may operatively mounted‘on the motor shaft and
100
traverse by degrees ?rst the light of. one engaging a co-operating friction disc 78 se
source only, the degrees of its scale bright cured to an'integral part of the master reg
ness increase, registering progressively, com ulator 75. The master regulator may be of
pounded increases of light quantities. The any suitable or desired type and construction
lamps 11, 12 and 13 may be of any size and .and may be of the type having a stationary
may be of different color or they may be and a movable coil whose positions relatively
combined or operated with means for selec to each other determine the current poten~
tively varying the color of illumination ef cies supplied to the circuit controlled‘ there
45
110
fected thereby by automatic means, Fig. 6, by. It may be located in any suitable or de
or as will be hereinafter more particularly sired place as preferred or required.
A ?uid pressure pump 79-may be provided
I referred to one form being shown in Fig.
50
3 and Fig. 4.
‘
115
and equipped with a manually-operable
A plurality of reversing switches 65, 66, valve 81 which may be located at any suit
67.and 68 may be located in closely spaced‘ able point preferably adjacent to the revers
relation relatively to each other and to the ing switches hereinbefore described and re
relative positions of the fingers and thumbs mote from the master regulator. The valve
of the hand, similar to the tilting tablets of 81 controls the position of the friction disc
‘an organ, the object being to provide 77 that may be caused to move relatively to
switches having movements, to close one cir the face of the disc 78 by supplying ?uid
60 cuit and the other.to open this circuit and under pressure to either side of a piston 82
close another-circuit of lamps or other con in a chamber 83. This ?exible control may
nections of the mechanism. Any suitable be designed to allow of timing the light and
design effective to accomplish these objects color variations within that limited horizon
may be-employed. The reversing switches of attention covered by the timingv range of
are adapted to control reversible motors 69, a metronome, the flexibility allowing fur
120
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1,714,504
theremore a muscular control shading of
entranceof any light modifying character
such measurable time which to those con carried by it before the lamp is carried by
versant in the rhythmic arts may be felt as a roll 88 from which it is unwound and ex
expressive modi?cations of the above said tends to a second roll 89 upon which it‘ is'
10
measurable time.
lVith the hereinbefore described mecha
wound. The roll 89 may be positively 70
driven-from the roll 88 by a suitable train
nism a change in speed of the turning move
of gearing 91, 92, 93, 94;, 95, 96 and 97 gear—
ment- of the movable coil of the master regu ing points of which may co-operate with the
lator can be obtained by movement of the marginal marking of the color modifying
valve 81, which valve is under the control means to allow of timing the spatial move 75
of the operator; It is evident that the ment of said means. The roll 88 is posi
motors 69, 71 and 72 may have their speed tively driven by a chain or belt 98 from a
of operation varied by any suitable means, wheel 99 which maybe actuated by any suit
either electrical or by means similar to that “ able driving means such as an electric motor
1.5 connecting the driving motor with the 99a or any other appropriate prime mover.
master regulator. It is also evident that the A ?uid control means 101, suited to sensitive
actuating and controlling mechanism of the variousness of muscular co-ordination con
master regulator permits of varying the rate trol, here illustrated as a‘bellows which may
of change between wide spatial limits where
be adapted to automatic color control, is pro
20 by the operator of such a mechanism through vided to permit of obtaining a. selective con 85
‘the ampleness of the motion required by trol of the speed of the wheel 99 and there
muscular control of individual gradations, fore of the timing of the various color por
_
commensurate with the wide number of tions actuated thereby.
As hereinbefore stated the illustrations of
' darkness and brightness gradation and the
25 wide range of emotional values is able to de-. the light sources are diagrammatic only, and
termine the speed with the niceties of mus any desired number of individual light
90
cular co-ordinations with which changes in sources are to be understood as being com~
intensity of light are effected. The con
trol aggregate provides a ?exibly-controlled
30 means for regulating the light intensity and
the interaction of timing the intensity de
gree to the moment'of the intensity succes
13 which may be colored or may be manned
with the color varying means shown in Fig.
3 in connection with lamp 85. As the mech
95
anism and the control system embodying my
invention are to be employed in auditoriums
Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, I’ may locate the lamps in any convenient lo
I have there illustrated a relatively ‘simple cations _as may be determined by the con
sion.
35
prised by the respective lamps 11, 12 and
'
100
means such as may be readily attached to an ?guration of the room itself or by the spatial
organ 84 or other instrument or any operat lighting effects that I may wish to obtain.
40
The control system hereinbefore described
ing spot by means of which a color ?ooding
or shading of space may be effected, by dis and ’ embodying my invention provides a
posing within or prefarably adjacent to, the means under the control of‘ the performer for
instrument suitable lighting means, a re?ec varying the intensity of the light emitted
tor, and a colored screen which may be mar by the li?ht sources, and further provides
ginally ruled comprising a translucent sheet a means For varying the energy supplied to
passing in front of the light source. Fur all of the light sources simultaneously, there
ther means by which the colored screen on by making it possible to merge light-color
which the color sections may be merged at successions, based on aesthetic rhythm, byv
their demarcating points for a smooth or means ofdiscrete portions or parts of light
105
110
irregular bridging of one color to another _color, color-shade, color-tint, as ‘desired,
and may be colored in a predetermined se
through a one-to-one consonance for aggre
50 quence to suit any pre-determined emotional gate con?uent e?ects. These variations in
succession may be moved simultaneously intensity suitably sealed as shown in Fig. 1
with the progress of a timing such as is may be accompanied by a variation in the
used by the rhythmic arts as played by the colors by the means illustrated in Fig. 3,
performer is provided and is effective to give Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 of the drawing, thereby
the desired light di?'usion, with or without placing the control of light and color effects
coloration associated with the music, or the in a given space completely under the con
mechanism may be employed to give such trol of timing the interaction of the intensity
color ?ooding without the accompaniment of degree to the intensity progression and tim
f the-music.
60
65
A“
.r
115
120
ing the color modi?cation to both of a per
An electric lamp 85 is here diagrammati former. ' The wide range of control obtain
cally represented backed by a reflector 86 able‘ by the hereinbefore described means
and having a colored ?lm“ 87 passing in permits of the performer varying the timing
front thereof. The ?lm which may be mar within'relatively wide limits and of co-or
ginally marked at equal distances or other dinating it even to the pulse and rhythm of
wise as shown as a help to timing the desired the human body, thereby making it possible
125
130
5.
1,714,504
vto create or e?ect the greatest possible im from independently of the means corre~
pression upon an audience.
sponding to the other source, and power op
Various modi?cations may be made here erated means inde endent of either of the
~in without departing from the spirit and preceding means or simultaneously vary
scope of my invention, and all such modi ing the intensities inv said ?eld of light from
30
?cations are intended to be covered by vthe both sources, all three means being simul—
appended claims.
I claim as my invention: .
- taneously operable.
.
-
3. A light-color player including at least
‘ . 1. A light-color player including at least two sources of light of different colors ar 35
10
15
20
two sources of light of di?'erent colors ar
ranged to illuminate a common ?eld, oper
able means corresponding to each of said
sources for producing a graded variation of
ranged to illuminate a common ?eld, power
operated means corresponding to each of
said sources for producing a graded varia
tion of the intensity in said ?eld of the light
the intensity in said ?eld of the light there therefrom independently of the means cor 40
from independent of the means correspond— responding to the other source, power op
ing to the other source, and means independ erated means independent of either of the »
ent of either of the preceding means for si preceding means for simultaneously varying
multaneously varying the intensities insaid the intensities in said ?eld of light from both
?eld of ‘light from both sources, all three sources, all three means being simultaneously
means being simultaneously operable.
operable, and remote controlling devices for
2. A- light-color player including at least all of said means.
two sources of light of different colors ar
In testimony of which invention, I have
ranged to illuminate a common ?eld, oper hereunto set my hand, at Philadelphia,
able means corresponding to each of said Penna., on this 13th day of June, 1925. .
sources for producing a graded variation of,
the intensity in said ?eld of the light there-.
MARY HALLOCK GREENEVVAL’I‘.
45