WO1989005421A1

WO1989005421A1 - Stage light system

Info

Publication number: WO1989005421A1
Application number: PCT/US1988/004277
Authority: WO
Inventors: John R. Richardson; Brian E. Richardson; Bryan H. Hoyer
Original assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
Priority date: 1987-12-02
Filing date: 1988-12-01
Publication date: 1989-06-15
Also published as: EP0355139A4; JPH03501423A; AU2828089A; EP0355139A1

Abstract

A modular stage light system which features a plurality of trusses (10), each containing a number of stage lights (22). Each truss unit has an elongated frame (12) and rows of lights suspended downwardly from the frame. A first rigid lateral member (14) is pivotally connected to a first side (18) of the frame at a hinge joint, and a second rigid lateral member (16) is pivotally hinged to a second side (18) opposite the first. The truss unit has an operation configuration in which the lateral members extend upwardly to expose the rows of lights, and alternately a transportation configuration in which the lateral members extend downwardly to protect the rows of lights. A plurality of removable wheeled legs (66) are attached to the frame and the lateral members are selectively locked to the legs in the transportation configuration. This modular arrangement simplifies transportation of the system.

Description

"Staσe Liσht System"

Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to stage lights, and particularly to a system for grouping stage lights.

Discussion of the Prior Art It has become increasingly common for entertainers to include a lighting system as part of the equipment carried from location tp location during concert tours. Individualized lighting systems, with lights being re¬ motely controlled to pan or to tilt, as well as to change the color and intensity of the beam issuing from the light, permit creating an atmosphere best suited for a style of music and to vary the lighting for particular songs.

The negative aspect of utilizing individualized lighting systems is that the set-up time and takedown time involved with touring equipment is substantially increased. The staging of a musical or theatrical production on a road location frequently requires the installation of dozens, sometimes hundreds, of stage lights. In the past, this effort has been characterized by a maze of support structures, power cables and control signal cables.

The electronics and the lens positioning mechanisms within each light require that the lights be handled carefully. Thus, in transporting lights from one tour stop to another, the lights must be packaged so that they will not be impacted with any significant amount of force. While in operation, stage lights are generally suspended from a number of truss units which are hoisted above a stage. Stage lights are normally mounted on a truss unit so that each stage light may be rotated a complete 360°. Any downward extension of a truss unit would, therefore, affect stage lighting. The truss units provide protection if stage lights are transported while still affixed to the truss units, but since the truss unit does not surround the stage lights, the protection is limited to a single direction in those systems designed to rotate a full 360°.

U.S. Patent No. 4,392,187 to Bornhorst and U.S. Patent No. 4,512,117 to Lange illustrate truss units which support stage lights but which offer only very limited protection. Stage lights must be individually removed from such truss units prior to transportation or further protection must be added to the truss unit.

In recent years, stage lights have been adapted with sophisticated control functions which are sometimes controlled by computers. U.S. Patent No. 3,845,351 to Ballmoos et al. describes how a digital computer may be used to control a plurality of stage lights or floodlights. The computer has a transmission channel for sending analog signals to drive various motors associated with the lights. A similar concept is found in U.S. Patent No. 4,392,187 to Bornhorst wherein various functions of a stage light, including filters, motors, color wheels, panning and tilting mechanisms and the like are controlled by a digital computer feeding commands to a plurality of lights.

U.S. Patent No. 4,388,567 to Yamazaki et al. teaches that a main control device may feed signals to remote lights each having a terminal control device which recognizes simple codes for adjustment of power to the light.

Such prior art computer control increases the quantity of signals which must be communicated to various stage lights, which frequently means that additional wiring or signal channels must be accommodated in the setup and teardown of a musical or theatrical production stage.

Summary of the Present Invention An object of the present invention is to simplify the assembly, transportation, setup and teardown of large numbers of stage lights of the type used in a musical or theatrical production.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truss unit which allows stage lights to direct a light beam about an arc of 360° without interfering with the beam, but. which protectively encases the stage lights during transportation.

The above objects are achieved by the present invention providing a stage light system featuring modular dimorphic truss units, each of which is modular in the sense of being connectable to an electrical signal bus.

The dimorphic truss units have an operational configuration in which a plurality of stage lights are displayed, and have a transportation configuration in which the stage lights are protectively encased. Stage lights are suspended in at least two rows from a truss frame. The truss frame is an elongated, generally flat structure having opposed first and second sides. A lateral member is attached to each side at a hinge joint. The truss frame, the opposed lateral members and a leg assembly combine to protect the stage lights during transportation.

In the operational configuration, the opposed lateral members extend upwardly from the hinge joints. The lateral members may be used as hand rails when the frame is used as a walkway. It is possible to releasably link a number of truss units together if an expansive lighting system is desired.

After completion of a performance, each truss unit is secured into a transportation configuration. Diagonal braces are removed and each lateral member is pivoted at the hinge joint. In a downward reaching position, a lateral member protects a side of the rows of lights. Prior to lowering of the lateral members, a number of legs are joined to the frame member. The legs extend vertically and include horizontal crossbars which protect the underside of the rows of lights. The lateral members are attached to the legs by release pins to maintain the truss unit in a protective, tightly packaged configuration during transportation. Wheels on each leg facilitate moving truss units on and off a stage.

One problem discovered in the design of such a folding assembly is that lights in adjacent rows of lights of a truss unit must be spaced apart a substantial amount to permit panning or tilting from a gimbal mechanism. One solution to this problem would be to significantly increase the width of the truss unit. The present invention, however, mounts each light on a transverse rod for displacement in a sliding motion. The lights are moved to a central position during transportation and are moved outwardly prior to operation. A T-clamp is utilized to retain a light in the desired position.

An advantage of the present invention is that the lighting system may be changed between a protective transportation configuration and an operation configura¬ tion in a very short time by a single technician. Each truss unit provides its own protection for lights during transport and provides a convenient means for suspending the truss unit during a performance. Another advantage is that the area of the unit which must be protected is reduced by the inclusion of sliding rods which allow the lights to be brought into close relation during transport.

Further according to the present invention, a bus architecture allows an indefinite number of trusses to be connected to a remote host computer without increases in electrical cabling between the computer and the trusses. To provide enhanced processing, each truss is equipped with a local group microprocessor for distributed processing of certain commands or operations. Preferably, a single local microprocessor is used for each truss which is physically separated from other trusses. The host controller has an information storage device, such as a disk drive, which is capable of storing a large repertoire of light commands, parameters and data which may be updated during a show. The commands include common commands, long used by stage lights, such as zoom, rotate-in-azimuth, rotate-in-elevation, change beamwidth and the like. The repertoire includes such parameters as the geometric location of a truss in relation to a geometric origin, as well as other geometric constants which are needed for computation, such as coefficients of quadratic equations defining motions, such as around circles and ellipses. Lastly, data such as patching possibilities, command sequences and the like are stored.

Inputs are provided at a host controller console so that in addition to stored information, other commands, parameters and data may be entered interactively. Some of the commands, parameters and data are selected, either by a program or manually and one or more local microprocessors are addressed. Each local microprocessor has a computing capability for converting the commands into signals for driving motors. This is in contrast to the prior art where motor driving signals originated at the host computer. A memory associated with each local microprocessor has a storage capability for storing common motions, sequences and patches which may be utilized in a show. These stored routines may be called by the host computer and parameters or data passed from the remote host computer to the local microprocessor for completing a computation. Each microprocessor then drives an associated group of lights with motor signals to carry out a desired function.

Another advantage of the invention is thus that a minimal amount of wiring is required for communicating control signals from the host computer to each truss in that any number of trusses may be connected to the same host computer without significant increases in wiring.

Another advantage is that stage lights for productions can be set up, torn down and transported more easily than in the past.

Brief Description of the Drawing

Fig. 1 is a side view of a truss unit in accordance with the present invention, shown in an operational con¬ figuration;

- Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 through the truss unit of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the truss unit of Fig. 1 shown in a transportation configuration;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 through the truss unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modular assembly of stage lights connected to a remote host controller; and

Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating divisions of work between a remote host computer and local group processors on board individual trusses in a modular truss arrangement. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a truss unit 10 is shown in an operational configuration. The truss unit 10 includes a frame 12 and opposed lateral (vertical) members 14 and 16 pivotally connected to the frame 12. The frame 12 is constructed of a pair of longitudinally extending beams 18 connected together by a plurality of crossbeams 20. The longitudinal beams 18 and crossbeams 20 are made of a material which can support persons walking upon the frame 12.

Lights 22 are suspended from the frame 12. The lights 22 are arranged in a pair of rows under respective beams 18, with lights in adjacent rows being either staggered or side-by-side, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The lights include a control box 24 and a lamp 26. The mechanical and elec¬ trical components within the control box 24 are omitted for the sake of clarity. The lamp 26 is caused to pan by rotation about an axis defined by shaft 28 which turns a forked lamp retainer 30 (or 118, Fig. 5). Tilting occurs by rotation of the lamp 26 on projections 32 of the forked lamp retainer 30.

The control boxes 24 are attached to a rail 34 and secured in place by retainer pins 36. Control box 24 preferably houses a circuit card having a dedicated processor with memory, input and output circuits. On the one hand, each group microprocessor is connected to each light in its group for transmitting signals and on the other hand, the microprocessor has an input/output connector connected to a data bus 145 as described below. The rail 34 is affixed to a number of brackets 38 having apertures which receive a slide rod 40 connected to the frame 12. Thus, the rails 34 which support the lights 22 are disposed for displacement in a transverse sliding motion on slide rods 40, as indicated by Arrow A of Fig. 2. During operation, the lights 22 must be sufficiently spaced to permit panning and tilting. The rails 34 may be secured in position on slide rods 40 by tightening of T-clamps 42 which press plates 44 together to grasp the slide rods 40, 5 as shown in Fig. 1.

A power connection device 46 is mounted preferably in the center of the frame 12 for the distribution of power to each light 22. A single power line or cable 117 is 0 laced to the power connection device 46, whereafter each light 22 obtains power by connection to the device 46. Spaces along the rail 34 which are not occupied by a control box- 24 are covered by a bracket plate 48. Thus, the control boxes and the bracket plates, all of which are open at 5 their longitudinal ends, combine to form an air duct along the length of the truss. In Fig. 1 one light has been omitted to illustrate the rail 34, but typically the air duct extends longitudinally along the entire truss 10. Thus, a single fan 49 may be mounted at an end of the Q truss 10 to provide air circulation to the components in the control boxes 24, rather than utilizing a separate fan for each control box.

The lateral members 14 and 16 each primarily comprise_^ 5 hollow beams which define elongated sides 50 joined together by perpendicular crossbeams 52 and diagonal crossbeams 54. The lateral members 14 and 16 have ears 56 which are in frictional contact with ears 58 projecting from the frame 12. The ears 56 and 58 of the lateral members and of the 0 frame each have an aperture which receives a hinge pin 60 to define a hinge joint.

The hinging connection of the lateral members 14 and 16 to the frame 12 allows the lateral members to pivot as 5 indicated by Arrow B in Fig. 2. The lateral members 14 and 16 are locked in the U-shaped operation configuration by diagonal braces 62. Both the cross beams 20 of the frame and the lower ends of the diagonal braces 62 have apertures which, when aligned, position the lateral members 14 and 16 at right angles to the frame 12. Pins, not shown, are inserted through the apertures to maintain the truss unit 10 in the operational configuration. The truss unit 10 may then be raised to a desired height by attachment of a chain hoisted cable 64 to the longitudinal beams 18 of the frame. Alternatively, the truss unit 10 may be attached to a ladder lift assembly that is known in the trade to raise the truss unit to various heights.

The truss unit 10 may be utilized to illuminate a musical concert or a theatrical performance. After such use, the truss unit 10 is folded into the transportation configuration shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Prior to lowering lateral members 14 and 16, legs 66 are attached to the frame 12. Each leg 66 includes opposed horizontally- elongated upper brackets 68 which frictionally contact the outward surface of each longitudinal beam 18 of the frame. A ringed pin 70 may be pushed through apertures in an upper bracket 68 and beam 18 to secure the leg 66 to the frame 12. The penetration of the ringed pin 70 is best seen in Fig. 4. The ring portion of the ringed pin facilitates grasping the pin portion during removal.

The truss unit 10 rests upon the vertical supports 72 of the leg. A horizontal crosspiece 74 bridges the vertical supports 72 for stability and, more importantly, to protect the lights 22 which must be brought in closely spaced relation to accommodate insertion of the legs 66. The lights are displaced by releasing T-clamps 42, which permits the lights to be shifted along slide rods 40, after which the T-clamps 42 are again tightened. With the lights 22 in closely spaced relation and with the legs 66 fastened to the frame 12, the lateral members 14 and 16 are lowered to form an inverted U-shaped transportation configuration with the frame 12. Another 5 set of ringed pins 76 is used to maintain the position of the lateral members. The ringed pins 76 pass through aligned holes in right angle brackets 78 of the legs 66 and in the elongated side beams 50 of the lateral members 14 and 16.

1.0

In the transportation configuration, the lights 22 are protected from above by the frame 12, from below by the horizontal crosspieces 74 of the legs 66, and from the sides by the lateral members 14 and 16. Thus, the truss

15 unit may be transported without concern that a force will strike the lights 22 to jar the lens arrangement or the electrical equipment within the lights. Caster wheels 80 are mounted to the legs 66 for ease of truss unit movement along a surface 82.

20

A plurality of truss units 10 may be mounted end-to- end to form a lighting system. As mentioned above, each truss has a local group microprocessor receiving inputs from and providing outputs to a data bus. The data bus

25- joins any number of trusses to a remote computer. Each truss unit is thus adapted to be electrically linked to a remote computer and may be mechanically linked to an adjacent truss unit. The distant ends of each truss unit include bolt holes which receive bolts sufficiently rigid

30 to hold the truss units together. The truss units are then separated after a performance and stacked. In a stacked arrangement, a truss unit that is positioned above another truss unit will be supported by contact of the legs 66 of the upper unit against the longitudinal frame

35 beams 18 of the lower unit. The caster wheels 80 of the upper unit will not be in contact with the lower unit. In operation, a truss unit 10 may be moved from the transportation configuration of Fig. 4 to the operation configuration of Fig. 2 by a single technician. Firstly, the ringed pins 76 which secure the lateral members 14 and 16 to the frame 12 are removed. The lateral members may then be pivoted to an upwardly extending position. With the lateral members 14 and 16 at a right angle to the frame 12, the apertures in the lower ends of the diagonal braces 62 will be aligned with apertures in the cross beam 20 of the frame. Pins projected through the aligned holes will lock the truss unit in a U-shaped operation mode.

A chain-hoisted cable 64 raises the truss unit 10 slightly above the ground surface. In this position, the ringed pins 70 which hold the legs 66 to the frame 12 are extracted and the legs 66 are removed from the truss unit. The T-clamps 42 must be relaxed to allow outward movement of the lights 22. The lights are slid to the outward extreme position along slide rod 40 so that lights in adjacent rows do not interfere with each other during panning or tilting maneuvers of the lights, ant the T-clamps 42 are once again tensioned.

Finally, the truss unit 10 is raised to the desired height for illumination of a performance. Afterward, the truss unit may be returned to a transportation configuration by reversing the above-described procedure.

With reference to Fig. 5, groups 111, 113 and 115 of six stage lights are shown respectively suspended from trusses 121, 123 and 125. Power to the stage lights is supplied from an electrical distribution panel 116 by means of electrical power cables 117. Although individual cables are shown, a power bus could be used. Each stage light is mounted on a gimbal mounting 118 (or 30). The gimbal mounting permits azimuthal rotation (panning) by means of a motor. The mounting also permits elevational rotation (tilting) by means of another motor. Within the housing of each light are other motors which control beamwidth or focus, such as by means of changes in the shape of a reflector, color changes brought about by rotation of optical filters and changes in beam intensity caused by insertion of other filters. All of the above- mentioned motors are operated independently.

Each truss preferably supports the same number of lights, for example 6 or 12. By use of a fixed number of lights per truss, modularity and interchangeability of trusses is enhanced. There is distributed processing be¬ tween a remote processor associated with a host controller or processor 131 and local processors 151, 153, 155 etc., each associated with one of the trusses. The host controller 131 has a control console 133 with associated input/output devices, such as keys 135 and switches 137. Keys 135 may be used for programming, or manual direction while switches 137 may be used like potentiometers, i.e. for continuous functions such as dimming and brightening in the manual mode. Additionally, other inputs may come from track balls 139 which can provide dual potentiometer signals for programming or manual commands. Monitors 141 can be used as output devices to view programming or to review other information stored in the host processor or the local microprocessors. The host 131 is connected to the local microprocessors by a local area network which features an interface 143, including a bus extender and a data bus 145 which is connected to a local group microprocessor on each of the trusses. The local area network may be any of the known varieties which allows a host computer to communicate with other computers with an established protocol. A first local microprocessor 151 associated with truss 121 is connected both to the data bus 145 and to an output bus 152 for feeding microprocessor outputs to each of the stage lights on the truss. Similarly, second and third local microprocessors 153 and 155 are connected to groups of stage lights with respective output buses 154 and 156. Each of the output buses 152, 154 and 156 carries motor control signals from a respective microprocessor to stage lights on the same truss.

With reference to Figs. 5 and 6, the host controller 131 is configured to handle overall functions and direct specific functions, but not execute specific functions which are more efficiently carried out by the local truss microprocessors. In general, the host handles commands, parameters and data for either individual lights or groups. Commands include functions which may be executed directly such as rotations, beam focus and color and intensity changes. Once these commands are issued, little further processing is needed, except to convert the command signals into motor signals which may be done by the local microprocessor. More complicated commands such as rotations may be called by the host but not computed. This is left for the local microprocessors. In order to execute a more complicated command, constants and coefficients are needed. For example, if a lamp is to execute an elliptical panning motion, parameters representing the size of the ellipse must be sent to the local microprocessor. These parameters are the constants and coefficients of the equation of an ellipse. The microprocessor at a truss has a local memory which stores the equation of an ellipse and is able to use the parameters which are transmitted by the host to compute the proper equation and solve it for X and Y motor motions. Another example is the need to aim stage lights based upon a geometric coordinate system. The host processor contains a map of the stage as well as of the truss locations and is able to provide a transformation to the trusses for taking into account the trusses' location when executing commands. The local microprocessor on each truss computes angles based upon geometric coordinants transmitted by the host.

A third example of distributed coprocessor operation is that the host processor may contain data, such as patching lists and tables of light parameters, which can be used in various combinations. For example, some combinations may take advantage of symmetry so that if one stage light is used on the left-hand side of the theater, a counterpart on the right-hand side is similarly used. Often, while symmetrical selection is used, the specific symmetrical pairings may be frequently changed. Additionally, colors, intensities and other light qualities may be subject to frequent change according to a plan. Such changes may be set forth in a patch list, with tables of commands for various lights. A timing list may also be prepared for executing various sequences within a show. The host may transmit this to local microprocessors where local pairings are made from a shorter pairing list after which the commands are executed. By using patch tables and lists, the host processor no longer needs to send instructions to individual lights. Rather, instructions are sent to each group and patched lights are determined at the group level for command routing from the local group microprocessors.

The host controller may be an IBM-AT type of processor with a hard disk drive for a small show. For a larger show, the same computer may be connected to a larger mini¬ computer such as a DEC VAX or the like, having greater computing and storage capability. VAX is a trademark of the Digital Equipment Corporation. The local micro¬ processors 151, 153, 155 which are connected to the local area network may have data storage in ROM devices directly mounted on the board. For adequate cooling of the stage lights, the fan-cooled enclosure 24 of Fig. 2 is preferably used to house such boards. Any number of groups of stage lights, each with its own microprocessor may be connected to data bus 145.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications thereof may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. It is therefore intended that the following claims be interpreted as covering any and all such modifications falling within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A truss unit of the type including an elongated frame having first and second opposed longitudinally extending sides, and including at least one row of lights suspended downwardly along the length of said frame, characterized in that: said truss unit comprises a first rigid lateral member; a second rigid lateral member; first hinge means interconnecting said first lateral member to said first side and second hinge means interconnecting said second lateral member to said second side of said frame for selectively pivoting said first and second lateral members between a downwardly extending transportation configuration and an upwardly extending operation configuration; and locking means for fastening said first and second lateral members relative to said frame to secure said lateral members in an upwardly extending operation configuration, whereby said unit is reconfigurable between a transportation state and an operation state.

2. The truss unit of claim 1 characterized in that: said truss unit comprises two rows of lights.

3. The truss unit of claim 2 characterized in that: said truss unit comprises a plurality of rods disposed transverse to the length of said elongated frame, and in that each row of lights is mounted for sliding displacement along said rods.

4. The truss unit of claim 3 characterized in that: said truss unit comprises a clamping means for securing said rows of lights in selected positions along said rods.

5. The truss unit of claim 1 characterized in that: said truss unit comprises a plurality of legs removably attachable, and selectively lockable, to said frame for configuring said truss unit in said transportation state.

6. The truss unit of claim 5 characterized in that: each said leg has an end with a plurality of wheels distal said frame.

7. The truss unit of claim 1 characterized in that: said locking means comprises a plurality of braces extending diagonally between each of said lateral members and said frame.

8. The truss unit of claim 1 characterized in that: said first and second lateral members each have a vertical dimension greater than the.vertical dimension of said lights.

9. A truss unit of the type including an elongated frame having horizontal first and second sides parallel spaced around the longitudinal axis of said frame, and including a plurality of lights suspended from said frame in at least two rows of lights parallel to said axis, - characterized in that: said truss unit comprises first hinge means connected to said first side; second hinge means connected to said second side; and a first quadrilateral member attached to said first hinge means to pivot relative to said frame and a second quadrilateral member attached to said second hinge means to pivot relative to said frame, said quadrilateral members having a first upwardly extending operation configuration which exposes said lights and a second downwardly depending transportation configuration which protects said lights in the space between said quadrilateral members; and in that each said row of lights is mounted for displacement in a direction perpendicular to said axis.

5 10. The truss unit of claim 9 characterized in that: said truss unit comprises a plurality of rods disposed perpendicularly to said frame axis, and upon which said rows of lights are slidably mounted to permit axially inward motion of said rows of lights into a transportation position 0 and axially outward motion into an operation position.

11. The truss unit of claim 10 characterized in that: said truss unit comprises clamping means for securing said 5 rows of lights to said rods in desired positions parallel to said axis.

12. The truss unit of claim 11 characterized in that: Q each said quadrilateral member is selectively attachable to said legs to secure said quadrilateral member in a transportation position.

5 13. The truss unit of claim 9 characterized in that: said unit comprises a plurality of braces attachable diagonally between said frame and respective quadrilateral members for securing said quadrilateral members in said operation configuration. 0

14. The truss unit of claim 9 characterized in that: said truss unit comprises a plurality of legs removably attachable to said frame perpendicular to said axis, and 5 in that each leg has an end with wheels distal said frame.

15. A truss unit of the type including an elongated frame having first and second sides parallel-spaced about a longitudinal axis of said frame, and including a plurality of lights disposed in at least one row suspended from said frame, characterized in that: said truss unit has an upright U-shaped operation configuration and an inverted U-shaped transportation configuration, and in that said truss unit comprises a first lateral member hinged to said first side for pivotal motion relative to said frame; a second lateral member hinged to said second side for pivotal motion relative to said frame, said lateral members each having a length at least as great as the length of said rows of lights; locking means for fastening said first and second lateral members in an upwardly reaching operation position; and leg means for supporting said frame, said leg means having a height greater than the height of said lights and having means for securing said first and second lateral members into downward positions for transportation.

16. The truss unit of claim 15 characterized in that: said truss unit comprises a plurality of rods perpendicular to said axis from which said rows of lights are slidably suspended.

17. The truss unit of claim 15 characterized in that: said locking means comprises a plurality of diagonal braces connecting said first and second lateral members to said frame.

18. The truss unit of claim 15 characterized in that: each said leg means includes wheels.

19. A stage lighting system of the type including truss means supporting an elongated rail, a power connection device, and a data bus connector, characterized in that: said truss means comprises 5 a local group microprocessor having a modular housing with open ends and supported by said rail, a memory, a data signal input-output terminal connected to said data bus connector, a power input terminal connected to said power connection device, and an output bus; and

10 a plurality of light means each having a control box with a modular housing having open ends and being supported by said rail in alignment with open ends of other modular housings, each said control box being electrically connected to said output bus and to

15 said power connection device; lamp means supported by said control box modular housing; and motor means supported by said control box modular housing and responsive to control currents received via

20 said output bus to adjust the operation of said light means.

20. A stage lighting system as in claim 19 characterized in 25. that: said truss means comprises frame means having longitudinal beams and cross beams, and lateral beams pivotally and lockably connected to said frame means.

30 21. The stage lighting system of claim 19 characterized in that: each said group microprocessor memory stores parameters for motor-associated motions, sequences and patches.

22. A stage lighting system as in claim 19 characterized in that: each said control box includes dedicated processor means having a digital-to-analog converter, and in that each said group microprocessor sends digital control signals via said output bus to selected control boxes which convert said control signals into control currents to adjust the operation of the respective light means.

23. A stage lighting system as in claim 19 characterized in that: said system comprises host controller means including a remote processor; data bus means connected between said host controller means and said -data bus connector; and power distribution means including a power line connected to said power connection device.

24. The stage lighting system of claim 23 characterized in that: said remote processor has a memory which stores commands, parameters and data recognizable by the connected local microprocessors.

25. The stage lighting system of claim 23 characterized in that: said remote processor has a plurality of input devices, each of which affects a function of one or more of said lighting means, at least some functions of all of said lighting means being controllable by said input devices; and in that said remote processor has a memory and signal output means and is capable of transmitting commands in response to operations of said input devices and of said memory.

26. A stage lighting system of the type including truss means supporting an elongated rail, a power connection device, and a plurality of lighting means, characterized in that: said lighting means comprises a control box with a modular housing having open ends and being supported by said rail in alignment with open ends of other modular housings, each said control box being electrically connected to said power connection device, lamp means supported by said control box modular housing, and motor means supported by said control box modular housing and responsive to control currents received via said output bus to adjust the operation of said light means; and in that said truss means comprises a fan having a modular housing with open ends and which is supported by said rail in alignment with an open end of another modular housing.