Stage Edge Indicator Strip for Visibility and Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The edge of a theatre stage is difficult to see, especially during performances, leading to the risk of accidental falls by performers and objects, as existing methods like painted white lines or laser beams are either ineffective or distracting for the audience.
Innovation Solution
A wedge-shaped elongate strip with a base and back that replaces the platform surface, featuring reflecting and light-emitting means to indicate the edge, along with anchoring and attachment features to secure cables and potentially attach a barrier, ensuring visibility only to stage users and preventing falls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a painted white line is used to indicate the stage edge, then the edge is visible to performers on stage, but it is not clearly visible to the audience and may be missed by distracted performers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reflective strip that changes its visual properties based on lighting conditions. During performance lighting, the strip reflects light to appear bright and visible to the audience, while maintaining visibility for performers. The strip material transitions from appearing white/bright under performance lights to appearing dark under ambient lighting, solving the contradiction between audience visibility and performer visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective strip acts as an intermediary element between the stage edge and both performers and audience. It mediates the visibility issue by reflecting performance lighting back toward the audience while maintaining its position as a subtle marker for performers. The strip translates the edge position into a visually adjustable signal depending on lighting conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting is positioned above the stage to illuminate performers, then the stage area is brightly lit, but the stage edge becomes difficult to see and the auditorium becomes shadowy
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective strip exploits the intensity and angle of overhead performance lighting to create visibility contrast. The strip material is designed to reflect a significant portion of the incident performance light back toward the audience area, creating a visible indication of the edge without requiring additional lighting that would illuminate the auditorium.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a vertical dimension to edge indication by positioning the reflective strip at the edge of the stage where it can catch overhead lighting and redirect it. Rather than trying to make the edge itself more visible through horizontal lighting adjustments, the strip creates a new visual plane that intersects with the overhead light paths.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a laser beam is fired across the stage to indicate the edge, then the edge becomes visible, but it may be distracting for the audience and is only suitable for straight edges
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective strip is implemented as a flexible, thin element that can be conformally attached to stage edges of any shape - straight, curved, or irregular. The strip material can bend and follow the contour of the stage edge, providing universal adaptability unlike rigid laser systems or fixed painted lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge indication system is divided into discrete reflective strip segments that can be individually positioned and attached along the stage perimeter. These segments can follow curved paths and be spaced to accommodate various edge geometries, providing modular flexibility for different stage designs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides clear visual warnings to performers and reduces the risk of falls by illuminating the stage edge, even in low light conditions, while anchoring cables and securing objects to prevent accidents without distracting the audience or requiring a power source.
Implementation Method 1
the indicator comprises reflecting means, which may be situated on the further surface
Implementation Method 2
the indicator may comprise light emitting means, such as a fluorescent strip, or a photo luminescent strip
Implementation Method 3
the indicator may comprise light emitting means, such as a fluorescent strip, or a photo luminescent strip
Data Source
AI summary
An elongate strip for indicating a platform edge includes a base for resting on a platform; a back and a further surface. The arrangement is such that with the device resting on a platform, the further surface takes the place of the platform surface and includes an indicator to indicate an edge of the platform.