Release device and method of manufacturing, installing and operating the same

Abstract

A release device for vertically adjustable barriers (theatrical curtains, advertising banners, sun control systems, environment altering systems, acoustic control systems or scenic back drops, etc.), with a support assembly (e.g., roll assembly) with first and second roll supporting frame structures and a tensioner extending between the frame structures. The tensioner can be a cable extending parallel to the roll's axis of rotation. The tensioner compensates for gravity induced sagging of the roll (e.g., a multi-sectional roll). The frame structures are suspended with suspension lines that extend down from an overhanging mount and the frames compress the ends of the roll and negate sag in intermediate area of roll. The roll is supported by bearing sets on the frame structures.

1 . A barrier release device, comprising: 
 a barrier support assembly having a first end and a second end;    a first frame structure supporting said first end;    a second frame structure supporting said second end;    a tensioning device extending between said first and second frame structures and positioned at a location spaced from an axis of elongation of said support assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The roll release device of  claim 1  wherein said tensioning device extends parallel to the axis of extension of said support assembly and is supported by said first and second frame structures.  
   
   
       3 . The release device of  claim 2  wherein said support assembly comprise a flexible barrier roll assembly and said tensioning device is spaced from the axis of rotation of said roll assembly by a distance of 1 to 4 feet.  
   
   
       4 . The release device of  claim 1  wherein said tensioning device includes an adjuster for increasing or decreasing the level of tension in said tensioning device.  
   
   
       5 . The roll release device of  claim 1  wherein said support assembly comprises a roll assembly, and said roll assembly, first and second frame structures and tensioning device are arranged such that when said tensioning device is in a tensioned state said roll assembly is in a state of compression.  
   
   
       6 . The roll release device of  claim 5  wherein said roll assembly includes a multi-section support roll having roll sections.  
   
   
       7 . The roll release device of  claim 6  wherein said multi-section roll is comprised of multiple interconnected hollow tubes.  
   
   
       8 . The roll release device of  claim 6  wherein there are at least  3  roll sections and the total length of said roll exceeds 40 feet, and said tensioning device has a substantially parallel arrangement with an axis of rotation of said roll assembly.  
   
   
       9 . The roll release device of  claim 1  wherein said support assembly comprises a roll that is at least 40 feet in length.  
   
   
       10 . The roll release device of  claim 9  wherein there is a maximum deflection in said roll of an inch.  
   
   
       11 . The roll release device of  claim 10  wherein said roll is at least 60 feet in length.  
   
   
       12 . The roll release device of  claim 1  wherein said support assembly comprises a roll assembly which includes a roll comprised of multiple roll sections and means for interconnecting said roll sections.  
   
   
       13 . The roll release device of  claim 12  wherein there are at least 3 roll sections of 5 feet or greater in length and said roll has a length exceeding 40 feet and an unsupported span deflection value of not more than 0.2 inch.  
   
   
       14 . The release device of  claim 1  wherein said support assembly comprises a roll assembly and said release device further comprising a first bearing assembly supported by said first frame structure and in a bearing relationship with a far end portion of the first end of said roll assembly and a second bearing assembly supported by said second frame structure and in a bearing relationship with a far end portion of the second end of said roll assembly.  
   
   
       15 . The roll release device of  claim 14  wherein said first bearing assembly includes a first pair of bearings axially spaced along the far end portion of the first end of said roll assembly and said second bearing assembly comprises a second pair of bearings axially spaced along the far end portion of the second end of said roll assembly.  
   
   
       16 . The release device of  claim 14  further comprising a first shaft and a second shaft, and said roll assembly comprising a roll with said first shaft in bearing contact with said first bearing assembly and supporting a first end of said roll and said second shaft being in bearing contact with said second bearing assembly and supporting a second end of said roll.  
   
   
       17 . The release device of  claim 16  further comprising a first hub and a second hub with said first hub interconnecting said first shaft with the first end of said roller and said second hub interconnecting said second shaft with the second end of said roller.  
   
   
       18 . The release device of  claim 17  wherein said first and second hubs have radial barrier guidance flanges extending radially out from a main body of said hubs.  
   
   
       19 . The roll release device of  claim 14  wherein said roll assembly comprises a plurality of roll sections and a plurality of connector members which interconnect adjacent ends of said roll sections to form said roll.  
   
   
       20 . The release device of  claim 19  wherein at least some of said connector members include a first and a second outer extension dimensioned for receipt within a receiving cavity of an adjacent pair of roll sections and an intermediate annular flange having an outer periphery configured to conform with an outer peripheral configuration of said roll sections.  
   
   
       21 . The release device of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible barrier supported by said support assembly.  
   
   
       22 . The release device of  claim 21  wherein said support assembly comprises a roll assembly and said barrier is a flexible barrier selected from the group consisting of a theater curtain banner, environment control banner, an acoustic control banner and an advertising banner.  
   
   
       23 . The release device of  claim 1  wherein said support assembly is a roll assembly and said release device further comprising driver means in driving engagement with a roll of said roll assembly for inducing rotation in said roll.  
   
   
       24 . The release device of  claim 23  further comprising a flexible textile barrier supported on said roll and having 40 or more feet supported by said roll.  
   
   
       25 . The release device of  claim 1  wherein said support assembly comprises a roll assembly having a roll, and said tensioning device comprises a cable extending into contact with said first and second frame structures at a location spaced from a central axis of rotation of said roll.  
   
   
       26 . The release device of  claim 25  wherein said cable extends between a lower end of each of said first and second frame structures and said roll assembly is supported at a location spaced above the cable.  
   
   
       27 . The release device of  claim 26  further comprising cable tension adjustment means in tensioning communication with said cable.  
   
   
       28 . The release device of  claim 26  wherein said cable is essentially parallel with an axis of rotation of said roll.  
   
   
       29 . The release device of  claim 1  further comprising a first and a second hanger device with each hanger device having a free suspension hanger end and a frame structure connection end, with said hanger end of each of said hanger devices being configured for engagement with a support assembly suspension device.  
   
   
       30 . The release device of  claim 1  wherein said support assembly comprises a roll assembly and said release device further comprising roll device suspension means in a supporting suspension relationship with said first and second frame structures, with said suspension means providing for said tensioning device to place said roll assembly in a state of compression.  
   
   
       31 . The release device of  claim 30  further comprising a first hanger device and a second hanger device, with said first hanger device connected with said first frame structure and said second hanger device connected with said second frame structure and said suspension means includes first and second flexible suspension members with said first flexible suspension member secured to said first hanger device and said second flexible suspension member connected to said second hanger device.  
   
   
       32 . A roll drop device, comprising: 
 a roll assembly having a roll;    means for supporting said roll assembly;    tensioning means for placing said roll in a state of compression.    
   
   
       33 . The roll drop device as recited in  claim 32  wherein said roll is comprised of roll sections having a length of 40 feet or more.  
   
   
       34 . The roll drop device as recited in  claim 33  wherein said roll has a maximum deflection value of an inch or less for a roll length of 40 feet or more.  
   
   
       35 . The roll drop device as recited in  claim 34  wherein said roll has a length of 60 feet or more.  
   
   
       36 . The roll drop device as recited in  claim 32  further comprising a flexible curtain supported on said roll of at least 25 feet.  
   
   
       37 . The roll drop device of  claim 32  further comprising motorized means for rotating said roll.  
   
   
       38 . The roll drop device of  claim 32  wherein said means for supporting said roll assembly comprises a first frame structure and first bearing assembly supporting a first end of said roll assembly and a second frame structure and second bearing assembly supporting a second end of said roll assembly, and said tensioning means includes a tensioning device extending between and in contact with said first and second frame structures at a location spaced from an axis of rotation of said roll.  
   
   
       39 . The roll drop device of  claim 38  wherein said first and second bearing assemblies comprise a pair of bearing member spaced apart axially at each end of said roll assembly.  
   
   
       40 . The roll drop device of  claim 39  wherein said roll assembly comprises first and second shaft members received at opposite ends of said roll and with said first shaft supported by a first of said pairs of bearing members and said second shaft supported by a second of said pairs of bearing members.  
   
   
       41 . A method of adjusting a roll release device, comprising: 
 providing (i) a roll assembly having a roll, (ii) a first frame structure, (iii) a second frame structure, (iv) and an adjustment device extending between said first and second frame structures; and    manipulating said adjustment device so as to negate to some degree a deflection level in said roll.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein adjusting said adjustment device includes tensioning a tensioning device extending between said first and second frame structures at a location removed from a rotation axis of said roll.