A stage hoist motor assembly includes a first electric motor including a first brake and a second electric motor including a second brake. The first electric motor and the second electric motor are stacked one atop the other within a common plane. A cable winch is rotatable about a winch axis and includes a cable winch shaft that is driven by the first and second electric motors through respective ones of a first drive coupling and a second drive coupling. A width of the motors is less than a width of the winch. Moreover, the motors are stacked one atop the other within a common plane to provide a compact foot print that is favorable to use in performance venue environments.

A stage hoist motor assembly includes a first electric motor including a first brake and a second electric motor including a second brake. The first electric motor and the second electric motor are stacked one atop the other within a common plane. A cable winch is rotatable about a winch axis and includes a cable winch shaft that is driven by the first and second electric motors through respective ones of a first drive coupling and a second drive coupling. A width of the motors is less than a width of the winch. Moreover, the motors are stacked one atop the other within a common plane to provide a compact foot print that is favorable to use in performance venue environments.

A manually operated counterweight hoist including a batten operable to support a load, an arbor operable to support one or more counterweights, a hand line operable to move the batten or the arbor, a brake operable to prevent movement of the arbor and the batten by constricting movement of the hand line, a brake actuator operable to activate the brake, a sensor that measures a speed of the arbor, and a controller including an electronic processor. The controller is operatively coupled to the sensor and the brake actuator. The controller is configured to receive a measurement signal from the sensor, determine whether the speed of the arbor exceeds a threshold based on the measurement signal, and activate the brake actuator when the speed of the arbor exceeds the threshold.

A mechanical coupling for use with a theatrical hoist including a shaft having a body portion and a head portion defining an external hexagonal end with flanked surfaces in a plane parallel to and radial with a centerline of the mechanical coupling, and a liner including an internal hexagonal end corresponding to the external hexagonal end of the shaft. The flanked surfaces of the external hexagonal end are configured to engage with the internal hexagonal end of the liner. The mechanical coupling enables transmission of a moment about an x-axis of the mechanical coupling and enables transmission of forces along a y-axis and a z-axis of the mechanical coupling. The mechanical coupling inhibits transmission of moments about the y-axis and the z-axis of the mechanical coupling and inhibits transmission of forces along the x-axis.

A computer-based method for reproducing a sound quality in a performance space is provided. The method includes accessing a multi-dimensional sound signature, stored in a computer, for an audience location in a first performance space. The method further includes receiving sound data from a sound input device in a second performance space. The method further includes modifying the sound data to match a sound characteristic of the multi-dimensional sound signature. The method further includes transmitting the modified sound data through a sound output device in the second performance space.

A computer-based method for reproducing a sound quality in a performance space is provided. The method includes accessing a multi-dimensional sound signature, stored in a computer, for an audience location in a first performance space. The method further includes receiving sound data from a sound input device in a second performance space. The method further includes modifying the sound data to match a sound characteristic of the multi-dimensional sound signature. The method further includes transmitting the modified sound data through a sound output device in the second performance space.

A virtual reality training system according to an aspect of the invention may include a floor system having a base of a particular length and width, an object member configured to be detachably installed on the floor system, an input unit configured to assign a first position, which corresponds to the position of an object within a virtual reality space having a length and width smaller than or equal to the length and width of the base of the floor system, and a mapping unit configured to compute and output a second position, for installing the object member on the floor system, computed as a position on the floor system corresponding to the first position within the virtual reality space.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a linear manipulator for a programmable stage installation. In one embodiment, the linear manipulator includes a body having an internal longitudinal channel extending parallel to an axis between two channel points, a power conductor positioned inside the channel, a drag band extending parallel to the axis, a motor that drives the drag band, and a wagon. The body further including a longitudinal opening extending between the two channel points, and a pair of rails connected to the body and extending parallel to the axis. The wagon including a pair of rail grippers for slidably engaging the pair of rails, a band connector connected to the drag band, and a power connector. The wagon attaches to equipment to be displaced along the linear manipulator and the power connector connects the equipment with the power conductor.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a linear manipulator for a programmable stage installation. In one embodiment, the linear manipulator includes a body having an internal longitudinal channel extending parallel to an axis between two channel points, a power conductor positioned inside the channel, a drag band extending parallel to the axis, a motor that drives the drag band, and a wagon. The body further including a longitudinal opening extending between the two channel points, and a pair of rails connected to the body and extending parallel to the axis. The wagon including a pair of rail grippers for slidably engaging the pair of rails, a band connector connected to the drag band, and a power connector. The wagon attaches to equipment to be displaced along the linear manipulator and the power connector connects the equipment with the power conductor.

A lift assembly including an article to be lifted between a lowered position and a raised position, a flexible drive element coupled to the article and defining a longitudinal axis, a power mechanism coupled to the flexible drive element, a drum powered by the power mechanism and dimensioned to facilitate winding of the flexible drive element onto the drum, and a cable keeper providing a force on the flexible drive element to bias the flexible drive element toward the drum.