US1194517A

US1194517A - lawton

Info

Publication number: US1194517A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1916-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 1933-08-15

Description

S. W. LAWTON.

PHOTO PLAY ORCHESTRAL DIRECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEP T. 28.1915.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

3 $HEETS-SHEET I.

. I I v m Q Jim S. W. LAWTON.

PHOTO PLAY ORCHESTRAL DIRECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-28.1915. I I

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

III-20;

mlrm Om s W; LAWTON.

PHOTO PLAY ORCHESTRAL DIRECTOR. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 28. 1915.

' 3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

. 1 Q 00 Q Q 76 r l ..80 1 1 F7 2% STANLEY W. IiAWTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PHOTO-PLAY ORCHESTBAL DIRECTOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STANLEY, W. LAWTON, a citizen of the United States of America,

- residing at New York, N. Y., have invented .a new and useful Improvement in Photo- Play Orchestral Directors, of which the following is a specification.

It is customary to provide orchestral accompanintent for photo-plays or feature films as they are sometimes called. The ideal accompaniment would of course c'onsist of music composed or adapted especially for the different scenes. Usually it consists of selections or excerpts arranged to correspond in a general way with the character.of the'play and modified in accordance with the skill of the conductor or leader. In any event it is necessary for the leader to be very familiar with the picture and to watch it constantly owing to the very rapidchanges in scenes and irregularity in the rate of movement of the film.

My main object is to provide a system and apparatus for automatically directing the leader and the orchestra in accordance with a previously laid out arrangement corre sponding with the changes in scenes of the play so as to produce the desired efi'ects.

' According to my plan in its preferred form a director chart is prepared of a length corresponding to the length of the play. This chart is marked for selections expression, tempo, changes and special directions at appropriate intervals and may also be marked with a program of suitable music prepared according to the general character of the play. Pegs are then set up in a drum in sequence corresponding to the markings on the chart.

sponding picture changes in order to give the conductor time to make the necexary musical changes.

A special signal device may be provided for any individual, for instance, the drummer or an organist, located at the most convenient place for the individual and oper- Specification of Letters Patent.

The drum is driven synchronouslyfivitlr the film of the Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

Application filed September 28, 1915. Serial No. 53,118.

ated by one of the switches from the machine so as to enable the individual player to produce the proper effect at the proper time without watching the screen. The accompanying three sheets of drawings llustrate certain features of the preferred form of my invention and certain modifications thereof.

Figure 1, is a diagrammatic view illustrating parts of the apparatus and the system. Fig. 2, is a vertical projection showmg the directing and controlling drum and thesignal apparatus, parts being broken away to show the interior construction.

Fig. 3, is a side view of the same showing parts in section. Fig. 4, is a sectional view on the plane of the line 44 of Fig. 2 on a larger scale of part of the apparatus for indicating the sequence of pieces to be played. Fig. 5, is a plan view and partial section on the plane of the line 55 of F ig.- 2. Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of the switch designating panels. Fig. 6, is a detail view of a fragment of the director strip and controlling drum. Fig. 7, is a plane view and section on the .plane of the line 77 of Fig.8 of a modified form of driving. .and speed regulating mechanism. Fig. 8, is

a side view of the same, parts being broken away.'

The mechanism employed may be embodied in different forms, for instance, for

indicating the order or sequence of the different pieces of music to be played, I may use one or more disks such as 1010 bearing consecutive numbers, letters or other indicating devices, such as the numbers 2, 3, etc., 1

(Fig. 2) arranged to rotate within a casing 11 which is provided with windows or openings such as 12-12 through which the opaque numbers on. transparent backgrounds maybe seen whenthe light 14 is lighted.

The disks 10 may be driven intermittently by an electromagnet 15 having an armature 16 pivotally supported and, connected to a pawl member 17 adapted to operate the ratchet 18 connected to or carried by one of the disks 10. The circuit through the light 14 and magnet 15 is controlled by a switch having a spring finger 19 and a pivoted finger 20 adapted to be raised into contact therewith,and a suitable source of cur,- rent such as 21 is provided. Other lights such as 25 may be provided in a casing 26 behind opaque letters, words, or abbreviations for indicating changes in tempo, ex-

pression, such as F. P. VIV. The following is given as a typical set of designations to be employed which, of course, may be suitably abbreviated; \Varning, Play, A tempo, Read cue, Vivace, Allegro, Moderato, Andante, Adagio, Tremolo, Segue, Pianissimo, Forte, Drum, Organ. These designations are preferably arranged behind a dark glass, for instance, ruby or red glass 27, so that they are not noticeable except when a light is shining within the casing behind that particular designation. One or more warning or special lights may be provided as at 29 and 30. Each light is suitably electrically connected to a swltch similar to the one above described. All of the switches are arranged in a casing 31 with suitable designating panels to denote the particular lights or signals to which they are connected. (See Fig. 5).

Beneath the switches is arranged a drum 35 rotatable on a horizontal axis and provided with circumferential rows of recesses, such as 36, directly beneath the diflerent switches. These recesses are adapted to recei e pegs or pins, such as 37, for operating the lower switch fingers 20, and thus closing the different indicating or signal circuits as the pegs pass beneath the fingers 20 and lift them into contact with the fingers 19. The drum 35 is provided with ratchet teeth 38 adapted to be intermittently operated by a pawl 39 carried by the armature 40 of the magnet 41. A spring 42 pulls the armature and pawl away from the magnet. An adjustable back stop 43 may be provided for the armature and pawl. A friction drum 44 and an adjustable brake 45 may be provided to steady the movement of the drum 35 and prevent it from spinning under the impulse of the pawl 39, or from turning backward when the pawl is retracted by the spring 42.

The drum 35 is driven synchronously with the moving picture machine or machines, by means, for instance, such as shown in Fig. 1.] Here the shafts -50 are mechanically driven by or connected with or form part of the moving picture machine mechanism (not otherwise shown). A worm 51 on the shaft 50 meshes with a worm wheel 52 carrying a pin 53. A switch in the circuit with the magnet 41 has a stationary contact 54 and a movable contact 55 adapted to be pressed against it by the pin 53, so as to complete the circuit through the magnet and thus draw over the pawl 39 and intermittently move the drum 35, a suitable source of electric current 56 being profid'ed. A hand switch 57 may be provided for opening the circuit. If two moving picture machines are employed, as are. customary, each will control a switch within the circuit of the magnet 41. In this way the controlling drum 35 will be driven step by step at a rate exactly proportional to the speed of the film of the play being jecting machine.

The record strip 60 is ruled off longitudinally to correspond with the different signals which it is desired to convey. The strip is also ruled transversely, for instance, to correspond with every minute of time and preferably is numbered on the transverse rows, as shown in Fig. 6. This strip is adapted to be secured to the drum 35, for instance, by means of a clip 61' having a hooked end 62 adapted to be inserted in a hole 63 in the drum. The part 64 is adapted to snap over the edge of the drum to assist in holding the clip in place. A guide or ruler 65 may be provided in the casing 31 vertically adjustable abm'e the stri 60 on the drum. Pegs are set up in the iioles 36 in the drum to correspond with the markings on the chart or record strip 60. Preferably, the drum and switches are mounted directly beneath the signal lights at the leaders stand in the pit, but it will be obvious that they might be located at any convenient point, it simply being necessary to connect the switches electrically with the lamps. I j

In the modification shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the drum 35 may be driven for instance, by means of a motor with a suitable regulating mechanism. A friction strap 71 is projected by the proprovided with an adjustable weight 72 for regulating the load on the motor. The pawl 73 is driven through a mechanism shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The worm 74 on the motor shaft meshes with a worm wheel 75 on the shaft with the pinion 76. This pinion meshes with gear 77 on the shaft with the toothed cylinder 78. The pawl 73 is pivoted at 79 and connected by a slotted link 80 to a disk 81 on the shaft 82. On this shaft is arranged a series of gears such as 83 of different diameters. An intermediate gear 84 is adapted to mesh with the toothed cylinder 78 and with any one of the gears 83. This intermediate gear 84 is carried by a hanger 85 which is pivoted to the arm 86 so as to permit it to swing. The arm 86 is hinged on the rod 87 so that it may be slid back and forth to permit the gear 84 to be intermeshed with any one of the gears on the shaft 82. The position shown in Fig. 7 is for the normal speed of operation. If the film or picture is moving more rapidly than the normal rate, the arm 86 and intermediate gear 84 are moved in the direction of the word Fast in Fig. 7 and vice versa in the direction of the word Slow if the picture is moving slower than normal. To hold the arm 86 and intermediate gear in adjusted position I have provided a leg 87 depending from the arm 86 which is adapted to fit into any one ofthe slots 88 in the plate 89, the slots corresponding with the different intermediate gears. In this way it is possible to make the controlling or directing drum above at a greater or less speed to correspond with the rate of movement and changes of the picture.

which can be duplicated and used by any one on a similar directing machine so as to re-' produce in the form of signals for the information of the leader and his men all the modifications and changes in music and tempo, in fact everything which is deemed necessary to give the proper-effect to the picture. With such a machine and record any leader whether familiar with the picture or not can reproduce the proper effect as determined by the expert conductor who origi nally rehearsed the play.

By using the system of lights as herein shown, signals may be given in the regular musical terms so that they cannot be misunderstood by any musician.

Owing to the fact that many pictures contain very brief-1v scenes varying radically in character, it is practically impossible to arrange ordinary music or even to mark it especially so as to correspond with the changes in scenes. By my system however, with a given piece even though it is not especially arranged for a certain series of scenes, it is possible to produce exactly the right effects as the picture proceeds, for instance, right in the midst of an overture or other number,-

if a certain part of the picture requires the orchestra to be playing loud and fast and the scene changes suddenly, perhaps for a half minute only, say to a sad scene requirlng slow and soft music, the machine at the proper instant gives the leader and his men a warning signal followed by a signal indicating the proper change in tempo at the proper time. Similarly the proper-changes in tempo,-etc., are indicated from time to time as required and it is thus possible for the orchestra to play an entire number and to play it in the exact tempo aiid expression to correspond with the changes in the picture. It is thus possible to have the effect of music written by the best composers and produce effects quite as satisfactory as though the music had been actually Written for that particular play. The orchestra is thus guided in play-- ing moving pictures as if they were taking their cues from live performers on the stage.

In case a special production has the music written especially for it, each scene or character in the picture may-havea part of music or motif written especially for it.

Each of these special parts or motifs will be numbered or lettered and the mechanism arranged to display thesenumbers or letters consecutively at the proper times so that the orchestral leader will know when to start the corresponding music, for instance, if the picture play begins with .a ball-room scene the music for this would be say-#1 and the machine would be so arranged as to display #1 at the start. The orchestra accordingly plays the opening dance music until #2 appears whatever length of time required. If the next scene should be a fight or struggle the #2 piece of music would be written accordingly. The machine would then be so arranged as to display the signal for #2 at the proper moment thus producing the desired efiect. #2 piece will then be played until the third signal ap- I pears no matter what length of time required. As soon as the #3 appears with the scene, for instance a death scene requiring soft .and slow music the orchestra will then play the third piece properly arranged until receipt of the signal for the next piece and so on throughout the picture. In this connection it should be noted however that a given signal having been given it is not necessary fort-it to continue visible as the orchestra will continue to play according to the signal received until receipt of achange signal.

Where the music is specially written for I a moving pictureit may not be necessary, to employ the expression and tempo signals which it is described as inclosed in the casing 26. Where the music is made up of excerpts or pieces not especially Written for the picture the expression signals are necessary and the number signals in the casing 11 *(Fig. 2) may be employed if desired or omitted if not necessary.

What I claim is 1. A photo-play orchestral director comprising the combination of a moving picture projecting machine with means driven synchronously therewith, switches operated by said means, and directing indicator means controlled by. said switches in sequence with the progress of the picture.

2. A photo-play orchestral director, comprising the combination with a picture projecting machine, of musicalrdirection indi cating means, operating means therefor, and means for driving said operating means in synchronism with the picture machine. V

*3. A photo-play orchestral director, comprising the combination with a plcture procating means an operating drum, a pawl for moving said drum intermittently, and means for moving said pawl synchronously with the picture changes.

5. In a photo-play orchestral director, the combination of a plurality of indicators, means for automatically operating said indicators to denote changes of musical-directions corresponding with the action of the play and a director chart with markings corresponding with the respective indicator operating means movable with said operating means.

6. In a photo-play orchestral director, the combination of indicating means, a drum, a director slip secured to said drum and having markings to denote sequential changes of musical-directions, and devices carried by said drum and adapted to be set to operate the indicating means in accordance with the markings on said director slip.

7. In a photo-play orchestral director, the combination of a stationary member having a set of markings denoting musical direc tions, a series of indicators, switches therefor mounted respectively adjacent said markings and a member having devices movable past .said switches for operating the same.

8. In a photo-play orchestral director, the

combination of indicating means, a drum having devices for operating said indicating means, a director strip with markings corresponding with said operating devices and a clamp for said strip having a hook for engaging said drum at one edge of said strip and a shoulder for engaging said drum at the opposite edge of said strip.

9. In a photo-play orchestral director, the combination of indicating means, a director strip having markings to denote sequential changes of musical-directions, a movable drum and devices for operating the indicating means carried by said drum and adapted to be set on the drum to correspond with the markings on the director strip.

10. In a photo-play orchestral director, the combination of a picture projecting machine, a movable controlling member operated in synchronism with scenes projected by said machine, a movable indicator, operating means for said movable indicator and control devices for said operating means carried by the movable control member and adapted to be set in different positions thereon.

11. In a photo-play orchestral director, a movable control member, having supporting means on a portion of its surface for arplurality of control elements and a supporting with a picture projecting machine, and pro-- videdwith perforations in one portion of the rim thereof and with a supporting surface alongside said perforated portion, an indicator strip adapted to be'laid on said supporting surface and having markings denoting changes in musical-directions, pegs 'insertible into the perforation in position corresponding to the markings on the director strip, control devices operated by said pegs, and indicating means operated by said control devices.

13. In a photo-play orchestral director, indicating lamps, contact devices for the several lamps, a movable drum, a director strip adapted to be applied to said drum and having markings thereon for musical-, directions and pegs for operating the contact devices adapted to be positioned on the drum tp accord with the markings on the director s 1p.

14. In a photo-play orchestral director, indicating means including a plurality of indicator lam s, and a rotatable indicator 95 disk, control evices for said lamps and indicator disk, a movable drum and control .elements for operating said control devices mounted for adjustment to different positions on said drum.

15. A hotolay orchestral director com prising t e com ination of a moving picture machine, indicating means, a contact-making device controlled by the moving picture machine and electrical connection between said contact-making device and said indicating means whereby consecutive changes of scene are signaled for the orchestra.

16. A photo-play orchestral director comprising the combination of a plurality of moving picture machines, indicating means for signaling consecutive changes of directions for an orchestra and means for coupling any one of said picture machines at will to operate the indicating, means in synchronis'm therewith.

STANLEY W. LAWTON.