TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to stage and amphitheater machinery. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for adjusting the width of a proscenium.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A proscenium may be defined as an arch or frame in a theatre, through which audiences may observe the theatre stage and performances taking place on a theatre stage. Width and height of a proscenium opening may be adjusted based at least in part on audiences' line of sight, hall capacity, geometric dimensions of the hall, and particular applications of the hall. To this end, proscenium arches or frames may be built with proscenium bridges and tormentors on each side of the proscenium frame to allow for adjusting the proscenium opening. For example, the proscenium bridge may be raised or lowered to adjust the height of a proscenium opening and lateral tormentors may be opened or closed to adjust the width of a proscenium opening. There is a need for systems and methods to allow for dynamically adjusting a proscenium opening even during a theatrical performance.

SUMMARY

[0003] This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of the present disclosure and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. The proper scope of the present disclosure may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description and the drawings.

[0004] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to an exemplary proscenium width adjustment mechanism. An exemplary proscenium width adjustment mechanism may include an upper rail assembly that may be mounted on a proscenium ceiling, a light tower that may be moveably mounted to an exemplary upper rail assembly. An exemplary light tower may extend from below an exemplary upper rail assembly away from an exemplary proscenium ceiling. An exemplary light tower may be configured to move along an exemplary upper rail assembly. [0005] An exemplary proscenium width adjustment mechanism may further include a mounting mechanism that may be configured to moveably mount an exemplary light tower to an exemplary upper rail assembly. An exemplary mounting mechanism ,ay include at least two wheels that may be coupled to and moveable along an exemplary upper rail assembly. Two exemplary wheels may be interconnected by an axel, where an exemplary axle may further be connected to an exemplary light tower.

[0006] An exemplary proscenium width adjustment mechanism may further include an actuating mechanism that may be coupled between an exemplary upper track assembly and an exemplary light tower. An exemplary actuating mechanism may be configured to actuate a translational motion of an exemplary light tower along an exemplary upper track assembly. An exemplary actuating mechanism may include a main chassis that may fixedly be attached to a top end of an exemplary light tower. An exemplary main chassis may be movable with an exemplary light tower. An exemplary actuating mechanism may further include a motorized pulley that may be configured to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of an exemplary motorized pulley in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. An exemplary actuating mechanism may further include a first cable that may be attached from a first end of an exemplary first cable to an exemplary motorized pulley and from an opposite second end of an exemplary first cable to a first end of an exemplary upper track assembly. An exemplary first cable may be configured to be wound around an exemplary motorized pulley in a first winding direction. An exemplary actuating mechanism may further include a second cable that may be attached from a first end of an exemplary second cable to an exemplary motorized pulley and from an opposite second end of an exemplary second cable to a second end of an exemplary upper track assembly. An exemplary second cable may be configured to be wound around an exemplary motorized pulley in a second winding direction. An exemplary second winding direction may be opposite to an exemplary first winding direction.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary actuating mechanism may be configured to actuate a translational motion of an exemplary light tower by rotating an exemplary motorized pulley in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.

[0008] An exemplary proscenium width adjustment mechanism may further include a lower guide rail that may be mounted on a stage floor below an exemplary proscenium ceiling. An exemplary lower guide rail may extend on a plane parallel to a plane of an exemplary upper track assembly. An exemplary lower guide rail may follow a curved path aligned with a curved path followed by an exemplary upper track assembly.

[0009] An exemplary light tower may extend below an exemplary proscenium ceiling between an upper end of an exemplary light tower and a lower end of an exemplary light tower. An exemplary mounting mechanism may be attached to an exemplary upper end of an exemplary light tower. An exemplary mounting mechanism may be configured to mount an exemplary upper end of an exemplary light tower to an exemplary upper track assembly. An exemplary lower end of an exemplary light tower may be slidably coupled to an exemplary lower guide rail.

[0010] An exemplary light tower may further include at least one slider that may extend downward from an exemplary lower end of an exemplary light tower. An exemplary slider may be configured to be slidably received within and slidably moveable along an exemplary lower guide rail.

[0011] An exemplary upper track assembly may include a pair of parallel curved rails that may be braced to each other utilizing a plurality of cross beams. Each exemplary curved rail of exemplary parallel curved rails may include a U-shaped profile that may be adapted to receive a respective wheel of exemplary wheels of an exemplary mounting mechanism. Each respective wheel of exemplary wheels of an exemplary mounting mechanism may be moveable within a respective curved rail of exemplary parallel curved rails.

[0012] An exemplary second end of an exemplary first cable may be attached to a first cross beam of an exemplary plurality of cross beams. An exemplary first cross beam of an exemplary plurality of cross beams may be located at an exemplary first end of an exemplary upper track assembly.

[0013] An exemplary second end of an exemplary second cable may be attached to a second cross beam of an exemplary plurality of cross beams. An exemplary second cross beam of an exemplary plurality of cross beams may be located at an exemplary second end of an exemplary upper track assembly.

[0014] An exemplary mounting mechanism may further include at least one flange connector. An exemplary flange connector may be coupled to an exemplary axle from one end by utilizing a bearing and an exemplary one flange connector may further be coupled to an exemplary top end of an exemplary light tower from an opposite end. [0015] An exemplary second end of an exemplary first cable may be attached to an exemplary first cross beam of an exemplary plurality of cross beams by utilizing a first coupling mechanism. An exemplary first coupling mechanism may include a first cylinder that may be attached to an exemplary first cross beam of an exemplary plurality of cross beams. An exemplary first coupling mechanism may further include a first spring-loaded shaft that may be movably disposed within an exemplary first cylinder, where a distal end of an exemplary first spring-loaded shaft may extend out of an exemplary first cylinder. An exemplary first cable may be attached to an exemplary distal end of an exemplary first spring-loaded shaft.

[0016] An exemplary first cylinder may include a first elongated portion with a first diameter that may be extended along a longitudinal axis of an exemplary first cylinder, a second elongated portion with a second diameter that may be extended along an exemplary longitudinal axis of an exemplary first cylinder, where an exemplary second diameter may be larger than an exemplary first diameter, and an annular shoulder between an exemplary first elongated portion and an exemplary second elongated portion, where a plane of an exemplary shoulder may be perpendicular to an exemplary longitudinal axis of an exemplary first cylinder. [0017] An exemplary first spring-loaded shaft may include a first elongated shaft that may be extended between a proximal end of an exemplary first elongated shaft and an exemplary distal end of an exemplary first spring-loaded shaft, a first compression spring with a first end and a second end, where an exemplary first compression spring may be mounted around and engaged with an exemplary first elongated shaft. An exemplary first compression spring may be mounted within an exemplary second elongated portion of an exemplary first cylinder engaged from an exemplary first end to an exemplary annular shoulder. An exemplary first spring- loaded shaft may further include a first radially extended portion that may be attached to an exemplary proximal end of an exemplary first elongated shaft, where an exemplary first radially extended portion may be engaged to an exemplary second end of an exemplary first compression spring.

[0018] An exemplary second end of an exemplary second cable may be attached to an exemplary second cross beam of an exemplary plurality of cross beams by utilizing a second coupling mechanism. An exemplary second coupling mechanism may include a second cylinder that may be attached to an exemplary second cross beam of an exemplary plurality of cross beams. An exemplary second coupling mechanism may further include a second spring- loaded shaft that may be movably disposed within an exemplary second cylinder, where a distal end of an exemplary second spring-loaded shaft may extend out of an exemplary second cylinder. An exemplary second cable may be attached to an exemplary distal end of an exemplary second spring-loaded shaft.

[0019] An exemplary second cylinder may include a first elongated portion with a first diameter that may be extended along a longitudinal axis of an exemplary second cylinder, a second elongated portion with a second diameter that may be extended along an exemplary longitudinal axis of an exemplary second cylinder, where an exemplary second diameter may be larger than an exemplary first diameter, and an annular shoulder between an exemplary first elongated portion and an exemplary second elongated portion, where a plane of an exemplary shoulder may be perpendicular to an exemplary longitudinal axis of an exemplary second cylinder.

[0020] An exemplary second spring-loaded shaft may include a second elongated shaft that may be extended between a proximal end of an exemplary second elongated shaft and an exemplary distal end of an exemplary second spring-loaded shaft, a second compression spring with a first end and a second end, where an exemplary second compression spring may be mounted around and engaged with an exemplary second elongated shaft. An exemplary second compression spring may be mounted within an exemplary second elongated portion of an exemplary second cylinder engaged from an exemplary first end to an exemplary annular shoulder. An exemplary second spring-loaded shaft may further include a second radially extended portion that may be attached to an exemplary proximal end of an exemplary second elongated shaft, where an exemplary second radially extended portion may be engaged to an exemplary second end of an exemplary second compression spring.

[0021] An exemplary motorized pulley may include a pulley, a gear box, and a motor that may be coupled to an exemplary pulley by utilizing an exemplary gear box. An exemplary motor may be configured to drive a rotational motion of an exemplary pulley about an exemplary longitudinal axis of an exemplary pully. An exemplary gear box may be configured to transfer the rotational motion of an exemplary motor to an exemplary pulley in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present disclosure, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a proscenium width adjustment mechanism, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an upper portion of a proscenium width adjustment mechanism, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a mounting mechanism, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a first wheel assembly, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a lower end of a light tower, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an actuating mechanism, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of an actuating mechanism, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 6B illustrates a top-view of an actuating mechanism, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 6C illustrates a side-view of an actuating mechanism, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of a coupling mechanism , consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0033] FIG. 7B illustrates a sectional side view of a coupling mechanism , consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0034] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present disclosure, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following discussion.

[0035] The present disclosure is directed to exemplary embodiments of a proscenium width adjustment mechanism that may be utilized for adjusting a width of a proscenium in a venue such as an amphitheater. An exemplary width adjustment mechanism may include two symmetrical mechanisms each mounted on a respective lateral side of a proscenium. Each mechanism of exemplary two symmetrical mechanisms may include a light tower, which is a braced structure upon which lights and other set equipment may be mounted. Each exemplary mechanism may further include an upper track assembly that may be attached to or otherwise be hung from a ceiling of an exemplary venue and a lower guide rail formed or mounted on a stage floor below exemplary ceiling of an exemplary venue. An upper end of an exemplary light tower of each respective mechanism may be moveably coupled to an exemplary upper track assembly by utilizing a mounting mechanism, while a lower end of an exemplary light tower may be slidably engaged with an exemplary lower guide rail.

[0036] Each mechanism of exemplary two symmetrical mechanisms of an exemplary width adjustment mechanism may further include an actuating mechanism that may be mounted on an exemplary top end of an exemplary light tower, where an exemplary actuating mechanism may be moveable with an exemplary light tower. An exemplary actuating mechanism may include two cables that may be attached to each respective end of an exemplary upper track assembly and each cable may further be wound around a motorized pulley of an exemplary actuating mechanism. An exemplary actuating mechanism may be configured to drive a translational movement of an exemplary light tower along an exemplary upper track assembly by winding and unwinding exemplary cables. In other words, an exemplary actuating mechanism may be configured to drag an exemplary light tower along upper track assembly by winding and unwinding respective cables around an exemplary motorized pulley of an exemplary actuating mechanism.

[0037] In exemplary embodiments, such back and forth movement of each respective light tower on each respective lateral side of an exemplary proscenium may allow for increasing or reducing a width of an exemplary proscenium of a stage. Such motorized actuation of respective light towers as was discussed in previous paragraph may allow for changing a width of an exemplary proscenium in a fully automated manner. What follows is detailed descriptions of embodiments of one of the two symmetrical mechanisms for simplicity.

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a proscenium width adjustment mechanism 100, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, mechanism 100 may include an upper track assembly 102 that may be mounted on or otherwise hung from a proscenium ceiling and a lower guide rail 104 that may be mounted on a stage floor 108 below the proscenium ceiling. In an exemplary embodiment, upper track assembly 102 and lower guide rail 104 may include curved guide rails that may run parallel with each other. In other words, lower guide rail 104 may extended along a curved path on a plane parallel to a plane on which upper track assembly 102 may be extended. In an exemplary embodiment, the curved path defined by upper track assembly 102 may be aligned and parallel with the curved path defined by lower guide rail 104.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, mechanism 100 may further include a light tower 106 that may be mounted between upper track assembly 102 and lower guide rail 104. In an exemplary embodiment, a top side of light tower 106 may be moveably mounted onto upper track assembly 102. In an exemplary embodiment, light tower 106 may be configured to be moveable back and forth along upper track assembly 102 in a direction shown by arrow 112. In an exemplary embodiment, an opposing lower side of light tower 106 may moveably engage lower guide rail 104 such that any unwanted lateral movement of the lower side of light tower 106 relative to lower guide rail 104 may be prevented. In other words, lower guide rail 104 may be configured to guide the movement of light tower 106 along the curved path defined by upper track assembly 102 and lower guide rail 104. In an exemplary embodiment, mechanism 100 may further include an actuating mechanism 110 that may be coupled to light tower 106 and may be configured to drive a translational motion of light tower 106 along the curved pathway defined by upper track assembly 102 and lower guide rail 104 in a direction shown by arrow 112. Consequently, mechanism 100 may be configured to allow for automatically adjusting a width of a proscenium by moving light tower back and forth along upper track assembly 102, which will be discussed further in the following paragraphs.

[0040] It should be understood that in order to adjust the width of a proscenium, a pair of width adjustment mechanisms structurally similar to mechanism 100 should be mounted at both sides of a proscenium to allow for symmetrically reducing or increasing the width of a proscenium from both lateral sides of a proscenium. Here, for simplicity, only the mechanism of one side is illustrated and referred to as width adjustment mechanism 100.

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an upper portion of proscenium width adjustment mechanism 100, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, upper track assembly 102 may be mounted onto or hung from a ceiling of a stage or proscenium, which is not illustrated or labeled for simplicity. In an exemplary embodiment, upper track assembly 102 may include two parallel curved rails (114a, 114ft) that may be braced to each other by a plurality of brace beams, such as cross beams (116a and 116ft). In an exemplary embodiment, light tower 106 may be mounted onto upper track assembly 102 by utilizing a mounting mechanism 118 that may allow for light tower 106 to be moveably coupled to parallel curved rails (114a, 114ft).

[0042] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of mounting mechanism 118, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, mounting mechanism 118 may include at least one wheel assembly, such as a first wheel assembly 120a and a second wheel assembly 120ft that may be coupled to parallel curved rails (114a, 114ft) and may be moveable along parallel curved rails (114a, 114ft).

[0043] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of first wheel assembly 120a, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, first wheel assembly 120a may include a pair of wheels (122a, 122ft) that may be connected by an axle 124. In an exemplary embodiment, each wheel of pair of wheels (122a, 122ft) may be attached to and rotatable with a respective end of axle 124. For example, wheel 122a may be attached to and rotatable with a first end 126a of axle 124 and wheel 122ft may be attached to and rotatable with an opposing second end 126ft of axle 124. In an exemplary embodiment, each curved rail of parallel curved rails (114a, 114ft) may include a U-shaped profile that may be adapted to receive a respective wheel of pair of wheels (122a, 122ft). For example, first wheel assembly 120a may be mounted between parallel curved rails (114a, 114ft) such that wheel 122a may be rotatably disposed within the U-shaped profile of curved rail 114a and wheel 122ft may be rotatably disposed within the U-shaped profile of curved rail 114ft.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, first wheel assembly 120a may further include a pair of connecting flanges, a first connecting flange 128a and a second connecting flange 128ft that may be rotatably coupled to axle 124 by utilizing two respective bearings. In an exemplary embodiment, a lower end of each respective flange of first connecting flange 128a and a second connecting flange 1286 may be attached to a top end of light tower 106.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, second wheel assembly 1206 may be structurally similar to first wheel assembly 120a and may be similarly coupled between parallel curved rails (114a, 1146). In an exemplary embodiment, second wheel assembly 1206 may similarly include a first connecting flange 130a and a second connecting flange 1306 that may similarly be utilized for attaching second wheel assembly 1206 to a top end of light tower 106 as was described in previous paragraph in connection with first wheel assembly 120a. In an exemplary embodiment, such coupling of first wheel assembly 120a and second wheel assembly 1206 to parallel curved rails (114a, 1146) of upper track assembly 102 may allow for first wheel assembly 120a and second wheel assembly 1206 to be moveable along upper track assembly 102. In addition, such coupling of first wheel assembly 120a and second wheel assembly 1206 to the top end of light tower 106 by utilizing first and second connecting flanges (128a-6, 130a- 6) may allow for light tower 106 to be moveable along upper track assembly 102 as well.

[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a lower end 134 of light tower 106, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, due to the height of light tower 106 and the long distance between upper track assembly 102 and the stage floor, when light tower 106 is moving along upper track assembly 102 by utilizing mounting mechanism 118, light tower 106 may experience unwanted lateral movements. As mentioned before, in an exemplary embodiment, a lower end of light tower 106 may be engaged with the stage floor by utilizing a slider mechanism that may include a couple of sliders (132a, 1326) fixedly attached to lower end 134 of light tower 106 that may be slidably received within lower guide rail 104. In an exemplary embodiment, each slider of couple of sliders (132a, 1326) may include a protruded member that may extend downwardly from lower end 134 of light tower 106 and may be slidably disposed within lower guide rail 104. In an exemplary embodiment, such coupling of sliders (132a, 1326) within lower guide rail 104 may limit the movements of lower end 134 of light tower 106 to a translational movement along the curved path defined by lower guide rail 104. In other words, such coupling of sliders (132a, 1326) within lower guide rail 104 may allow for lower end 134 of light tower 106 to follow the translational movement as the top end of light tower 106 along upper track assembly 102.

[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an actuating mechanism 500, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, actuating mechanism 500 may be structurally similar to actuating mechanism 110. FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of actuating mechanism 500, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6B illustrates a top-view of actuating mechanism 500, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6C illustrates a side-view of actuating mechanism 500, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, actuating mechanism 500 may include a main chassis 502 that may be fixedly attached to the top end of light tower 106 and may be moveable with light tower 106. In an exemplary embodiment, main chassis 502 may include a braced profile structure with flange connections (504a-504 ), where flange connections may be utilized for bolting main chassis 502 to the structure of light tower 106. In other words, main chassis 502 may be directly mounted on light tower 106 and may be moveable with light tower 106. In an exemplary embodiment, actuating mechanism 500 may further include a pulley 506 and a pair of cables, a first cable 508a and a second cable 5086 that may be wound around pulley 506.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, actuating mechanism 500 may further include a motor 510 that may be coupled to pulley 506 by utilizing a gearbox 512. In an exemplary embodiment, rotary motion of motor 510 may be transformed into rotary motion of pulley 506 through gearbox 512. In other words, motor 510 may be configured to drive a rotational movement of pulley 506. In an exemplary embodiment, gearbox 512 may be configured to transfer the rotational movement of motor 510 to pulley 506 in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions. As used herein, rotational movement of pullet 506 may refer to rotational movement of pulley 506 about a longitudinal axis 518 of pulley 506 in a rotational direction 520, which may be either clockwise or counterclockwise. In an exemplary embodiment, longitudinal axis 518 of pulley 506 may be perpendicular to the direction of back and forth translational movement of light tower 106 along upper track assembly 102.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 2, in an exemplary embodiment, a first end of first cable 508a may be attached to pulley 506 and an opposing second end 514 of first cable 508a may be attached to a cross beam of upper track assembly 102, such as cross beam 116a on one end of upper track assembly 102. In an exemplary embodiment, a first end of second cable 5086 may be attached to pulley 506 and an opposing second end 516 of second cable 5086 may be attached to a cross beam of upper track assembly 102, such as cross beam 1166 on an opposing end of upper track assembly 102. In an exemplary embodiment, such coupling of first cable 508a and second cable 508/? between pulley 506 and respective ends of upper track assembly 102 may allow for moving or otherwise dragging actuating mechanism 500 back and forth along upper track assembly 102 by rotating pulley 506 in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions. Due to such coupling of first cable 508a and second cable 508/?, responsive to rotational movement of pulley 506, one of first cable 508a and second cable 5086 may be wound around pulley 506 and the other one may be unwound. For example, referring to FIG. 5, responsive to pulley 506 rotating in a clockwise manner about longitudinal axis 518, first cable 508a may be unwound from around pulley 506, while second cable 508ft may be wound around pulley 506. [0051] In an exemplary embodiment, second end 514 of first cable 508a may be connected to cross beam 116a by utilizing a first coupling mechanism 522a and second end 516 of second cable 508ft may be connected to cross beam 116ft by utilizing a second coupling mechanism 522ft. In an exemplary embodiment, first coupling mechanism 522a and second coupling mechanism 522ft may further be configured to apply pretension forces on respective first cable 508a and second cable 508ft to keep first cable 508a and second cable 508ft extended during the translational movements of light tower 106, as will be discussed.

[0052] FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of a coupling mechanism 700, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7B illustrates a sectional side view of coupling mechanism 700, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, coupling mechanism 700 may be structurally similar to first coupling mechanism 522a and second coupling mechanism 522ft. In an exemplary embodiment, coupling mechanism 700 may include a spring-loaded shaft 702 that may be movably disposed within a cylinder 704. In an exemplary embodiment, a first end of a cable, such as first cable 508a or second cable 508ft may be attached to a distal end 706 of spring-loaded shaft 702.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, coupling mechanism 700 may further include an attachment member 701 that may be configured to attach coupling mechanism 700 to a cross beam of upper track assembly 102, such as cross-beam 116a or cross-beam 116ft. In an exemplary embodiment, attachment member 701 may include an extended member attached to coupling mechanism 700 by a flange connection 703 and may include a pin hole 705 that may allow for pivotally coupling attachment member 701 to a cross beam of upper track assembly 102, such as cross-beam 116a or cross-beam 116ft. [0054] In an exemplary embodiment, spring-loaded shaft 702 may assume linear translational movement along a main axis 708 of cylinder 704 in response to forces exerted on spring-loaded shaft 702 by a cable, such as first cable 508a or second cable 508ft. In an exemplary embodiment, spring-loaded shaft 702 may be loaded by spring 710, such that spring 710 may exert an inward pretention on spring-loaded shaft 702 in a direction shown by arrow 720. In an exemplary embodiment, cylinder 704 may include a first cylinder portion 712 with a first diameter and a second cylinder portion 714 with a second diameter integrally formed with each other. In an exemplary embodiment, first diameter of first cylinder portion 712 may be smaller than the second diameter of second cylinder portion 714 and consequently a shoulder 716 may be formed where first cylinder portion 712 and second cylinder portion 714 meet. In an exemplary embodiment, first cylinder portion 712 may be elongated along a longitudinal axis of cylinder 704 and second cylinder portion 714 may be elongated along the longitudinal axis of cylinder 704. In an exemplary embodiment, shoulder 716 may include an annular shoulder, the plane of which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of cylinder 704.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, spring-loaded shaft 702 may further include a radially- extended portion 718 at an opposing distal end of spring-loaded shaft 702, where radially- extended portion 718 of spring-loaded shaft 702 may be disposed and moveable within second cylinder portion 714. In an exemplary embodiment, spring 710 may be disposed within second cylinder portion 714 between shoulder 716 and radially -extended portion 718 of spring-loaded shaft 702. In an exemplary embodiment, shoulder 716 may be configured to function as a stop upon which spring 710 may be compressed in response to spring-loaded shaft 702 being pulled outward by a cable, such as first cable 508a or second cable 508ft in a direction opposite the direction shown by arrow 720. In other words, responsive to a translational motion of spring- loaded shaft 702 in a direction opposite the direction shown by arrow 720, radially-extended portion 718 of spring-loaded shaft 702 may push and thereby compress spring 710 upon shoulder 716.

[0056] In exemplary embodiments, such configuration of spring-loaded shaft 702 and the inward pretention exerted on spring-loaded shaft 702 by spring 710 may help prevent slacking of a cable, such as first cable 508a or second cable 508ft under their own weight. In other words, such configuration of spring-loaded shaft 702 and inward pretention exerted on spring- loaded shaft 702 may help keep first cable 508a or second cable 508ft under constant tension. [0057] The embodiments have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

[0058] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.

[0059] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

[0060] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0061] Moreover, the word "substantially" when used with an adjective or adverb is intended to enhance the scope of the particular characteristic, e.g., substantially planar is intended to mean planar, nearly planar and/or exhibiting characteristics associated with a planar element. Further use of relative terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, “down”, and “side-to-side” are used in a relative sense to the normal orientation of the apparatus.