TRAVERSE, · DROP · AND · THEATRE · CURTAINS
Where curtains, while possessing decorative properties, are also to form a complete or partial screen at will, it is essential that their manipulation be simple and easy. For curtains which travel to and fro on a straight pole while hanging at full length traverse cords are effective. This is accomplished by means of two pulleys, as Figure [126], the pulley marked A being a double pulley and B a single pulley. The curtains are pleated up to the required width so that they just nicely fill the space, and are hooked, pinned or sewn to the rings. Place the pulleys in position even with the outer edges of the curtains and thread a small braided sash cord (well stretched) through the single pulley B; carry the doubled cord over to A and measure the distance, the ends will have to fall below A to bring them within easy reach; allow a couple of feet extra on one of the cords, and cut. Without allowing the cords to shift in the single pulley fasten the short cord to D, the right hand corner of the left curtain, and thread the end through the double pulley.
Fasten the longer cord to the corresponding ring at C on the right-hand curtain and thread it through the other groove of the double pulley. By pulling E (Figure [126]), the shorter cord, the curtains will separate each way from the centre, and as this cord descends the F cord ascends, the cords traveling in the direction of the arrows, and by pulling F the curtains draw together again.
Adjust the cords so that when F, the closing cord, is taut the curtains will meet exactly in the centre of the pole, and also so that E, the opening cord, is a foot higher than F when the curtains are closed.
Finish the cord ends with a weighted tassel, and, as will readily be seen, it is only necessary to pull the higher tassel at any time to alter the position of the curtains.
To insure easy manipulation, it is necessary to have the rings large enough to travel freely upon the pole, and if the curtains are heavy the rings should be provided with small wheels or rollers which run upon the pole. The rings should also be free from any projections that would catch the cord, and the hooks or pins should have the points bent back into the fabric so that the cord cannot get caught thereon.
Fig 126
Fig 127
Fig 129
This method is employed for sun or draught curtains, and sometimes for small concert curtains. Another method of curtain manipulation in which the curtains draw up in drapery form is illustrated by Figure [127]. To accomplish this effect the pair of curtains are pleated to size, as back view Figure [127A]. Spread flat on the floor, and with a cord attached at A, the inside corner of the curtain, a quarter circle is struck from the outside corner to a corresponding position on the front edge of the curtain.
FIG. 127A.
FIG. 129A.
Rings are sewn to this line, and a cord which is attached to B is threaded through the rings, passed over a pulley at C, and across and over a large pulley at D, and brought down to the floor, as E.
A pull on the cord at E now causes the cord to draw up through the rings on the curtain, the material gathering into folds because of its weight, and the release of the cord allows the curtain to swing back again into place. By arranging both curtains in this manner and drawing them simultaneously a pretty draped opening is produced, as Figure [127].
For a heavy pair of curtains, attach the cords, after passing over pulley D, to a counter weight, and either attach a separate cord to the B cord immediately above A, the centre of the curtains, and bring it over D and down to F, so that a pull at F sets the pulley and weight in motion; or arrange as explained later for Figure [129A].
If it is desired that the front edges may draw completely up to the pulley, forming two festoons, as Figure [128], more sweep must be allowed on the front edge than on the top, and can be easily calculated by moving the stationary end of the marking cord out beyond A the distance desired to give the required sag to the bottom edge when drawn up (see X, Figure [127A], and the dotted sweep).
Figure [129] illustrates a drop curtain made after the style of Austrian shades, as explained in the chapter on blinds and shades. The back view (Figure [129A]) shows the method of running the lines to a counter weight, which balances the weight of the curtain and is controlled by two lines—J, leading from the weight to the small pulley F, and down to the floor pulley I; H, the other line, leading from the weight down.
As will be readily seen, this line is continuous from the top of the weight around to the bottom of it, and the curtain is raised by pulling line H, which lowers the weight and is lowered by pulling line J.
Fig 128
Fig 130
Fig 130A
Fig 131
Fig 132
We have used the plans outlined by Figures [127] and [129] for temporary drop curtains forty feet high by eighty feet wide with complete success. The back view of Figure [129A] illustrates the method employed for swinging a temporary drop curtain of these dimensions across a hall that had no curtain facilities, bare walls and rounded ceiling, it being accomplished by three groups of stay lines (B) drawn up through the ceiling, each line adjusted to the proper tension while slightly hoisted, and the curtain itself attached to batten D, which is built up of 1 x 4-inch stuff to aggregate 2 x 4 inches. The top of the curtain remains stationary, the bottom shirring to the desired height, the deep flounce forming a decoration to the bottom edge when in either position.
BRISE-BISES SUSPENDED FROM CURVED RODS AND AUSTRIAN SHADES THAT CURVE TO MEET THEM.
The drawn lines K are attached to the bottom batten C, and are adjusted evenly over the individual pulleys L, and all carried over E and attached to G, the counter weight. To prevent the draught from blowing the curtain out small loops of stiff wire, as M, Figure [129A], are attached to the sides of the curtain, and traverse freely up and down the guide wires A—A.
Should a curtain of this sort be desired as a permanent theatre curtain, it may be prettily made as Figure [130], which is drawn up by means of strips of webbing or leather, which pass through covered metal keepers on the face of the curtain and are attached to the bottom batten.
These pass over pulley wheels at the top, as Figure [130A], and are fastened to a bar counter weight which balances the weight of the movable portion of the curtain, and is put in motion by causing the shaft to revolve in the desired direction. The theatre curtain which rolls from the bottom, as Figure [131], is fastened to a batten at the top and a roller attached to the bottom. The method of constructing the roller is shown in Figure [132]. A sufficient number of six-inch circles of clear pine are procured to allow of one being placed every twelve inches, and these are sheeted round with ¾ × 2-inch strips of clear, straight pine, kiln dried, each piece securely fastened with screws to every circle it touches, and the joins all made where supported by a circle. The whole roll is then wrapped with a strip of coarse canvas plentifully supplied with a solution of hot glue, care being exercised to keep the wrapping uniform and tight.
The roller is made long enough to contain a large spool at each end, and works equally well at the bottom of the curtain, where it rolls up with it, or at the top, where it revolves in brackets and winds the curtain up. The rope which causes the roller to revolve is first wound around the spool a couple of times when the curtain is altogether rolled up, and as the curtain is unrolled, the spools take up a sufficient quantity of rope, so that pulling the rope causes the spool to revolve and the curtain to roll up.
Some of the more recent theatre curtains are stretched on a frame like a picture and rise flat, like the lower sash of a window. They are not difficult of manufacture, but require that the proscenium and fly loft be as high again as the stage opening, and the curtain is arranged with counter weights and side guides, as Figure [129A].
If you consider the batten D of Figure [129A] as the top of the fly loft, and batten C as the top of the curtain, the lines K are correctly placed to raise the curtain until C comes in contact with the pulleys L. The whole frame will have then been drawn up this distance, and it is only necessary to have batten D high enough to permit of the curtain being drawn out of sight.
We show the hand line E on Figures [131] and [127A] to illustrate its position if the curtains should be manipulated by hand without a counter weight, but for permanent curtains the plan of 129 A, with the continuous operating line, will be found much better.
LOUIS XVI
LOUIS XIV