US1609961A

US1609961A - Tobies

Info

Publication number: US1609961A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1926-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 1943-12-07

Description

BEST AVAILABLE COP:

Dec. 7 1926. 4 1,609,961

W. C READEKER MOTION PI GTURE MACHINE Filed Jan. 22. 1925 INVENTOR r ll'llllllllllll 1 Wzllzam (73 410? i 'atented Dec. 7, 1926.

UNETED STATES BEST AvAitABLE COP.

PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM C. READEKER, 0F NEJV YORK, N. Y.. ASSIGNOR 'I'O CLAREMONT LABORA- TORIES, ING. OF NE'W YORK. N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MOTION-PICTURE MACHINE.

Application filed January 22. 1925. Serial No. 3,897.

This invention relates to motion picture machines and more particularly to a machine of the intermittent film feeding type such as that shown in my pending application for patent, Ser. No. 499,658, filed September 10, 1921, which has matured into Patent 1,542,- 401). June 16, 1925.

It is one of the objects of my present improvementsto reduce the numbenof parts in a mechanism of this kind and provide a. more con'ipact arrangement thereof whereby production costs are reduced to a minimum and it becomes possible to mount or arrange such mechanism within a case or housing of small dimensions. v

It is another object of my invention to provide simple, efiiectiveand automatically operating means for eliminating fire hazard in the operation of such machines by prcventingv the possible ignition of the film.

More particularly, in. one embodiment of the present improvements I provide a. light shutter fixed upon the actuating shaft of the film feeding mechanism which is also operatively' connected with and driven by a suitable motor, said shutter serving as a combined driving and fly wheel for the actuating shaft." This wheel is provided with diametrically opposed openings and is interposed. between the a 'erture of the film gate and the source of lig t so that the solid portions of the wheel'between said openings intersect'the light beam during periods of intermittent movement of the film. At one side of this wheel or light shutter, a fire screen is loosely mounted on the shaft and is yieldably conuected'with'said wheel whereby the screen is normally: held in position over the openings in said wheel. Upon-rotation of saidwheel at or above a normal operating speed, the fire screen, due to its inertia, assumes a position between said openings so that it will not obstruct the passage of'the light beam therethrough.

It is one of the detail objects of the invention to providean improved means whereby relative displacement between-the openings in the light shutter and the fire screen at speeds below the normal operating speed is,

resisted, said means assisting the yieldable connecting means between the fire screen and the light shutter in maintaining the light screen in its normal position.

The invention also has for an additional object to provide an automatically acting brake device for retarding the closing movement of the tire screen under the action of said spring.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the improved form, construction and arrangement of the several parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims.

.ln the drawing wherein I have illustrated one simple and practical embodiment of my present llHpIOVBIIlEDtS and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure l is a vertical sectional view illustrating so much of the operating mechanism of the machine as will enable the present in'iprovements to be clearly understood;

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1, showing the fire screen in its normal position;

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the position of the fire screen in the operation of the machine; and

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4- of Figure of the present explanain Figure 1 of the drawhaving an aperture 6 through which a beam of light is projected from a suitable light source (not shown). The film indicated at F is intermittently ted past this openingat one side of the gate plate 5 by means of a cam actuated feed mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 7, which is fully described and claimed in'detail in my co-pending application above referred to.

The film feeding mechanism is actuated by a cam 8 fixed on one end of a shaft 9 journaled in a suitable supporting frame 10. Upon this shaft between the film feedingmechanism and the light source there is fixed a light shutter 1 As herein shown, this shutter is in the form of a wheel having a peripheral belt receiving groove 12 to receive a driving belt connected with the shaft of an operating motor. Thus it will he understood that the light shutter 11 also serves as a combined driving and fly wheel for the shaft 9.

The wheel 11 is provided at diametrically For the purposes tion, I have shown ings. a film gate opposite points with the sector shaped openings 13. It will be noted that the plane of rotation of the-wheel 11 intersects the path of the light bezim through the aperture 6 and it will therefore be understood that in each revolution of the wheel, the projection of the light beam through said aperture 1s twice interrupted by the solid portions of the wheel between the openings 13 thereof. These )GllOClS of interruption of the projection or the light beam through said aperture corresponds with the periods of interruption in"tl1c movement of the film 'F. and duri-ni' the intervals between these interrupted movements, while the film is station ary. one of the openings 13 traverses the path of the light beam so that. said beam is projected through the aperture and the film and thereby projects the image from the film unon the-display screen.-

.\5 is well known, moving picture film is very inflammable audit is usual to provide lire screen such machines which pi-re'ntsthe'play of the light beam upon thescrecn' during such time as the machine isn'aot being operated, and minimizes the possibility or'igmtic of the film. In the present T'proiid'e a novel form an d constriction nffi'r'efscreen which is automatically'positioncd orer the openings 13 in t.he"'liglit shutter wheel 11 when said wheelis stationary or is rotating at relativelylow-speeds. In a preferred einbodiznent this screen is iiiitho form or a thin sheet-nieta'l' member having spaced sector shaped-wings 14 corresponding to the shape of the openings 13 in the wheel 11. These wings att-heir inner ends arefixed to a disc or ccllar '15' "liicl1' loosely surrounds the sl'aft" 9' and-"is dispose'd within a cup or d'riz' *16fixd to th'e frame 10. The collar 15 is "provided with a-'-plura lit.y fof radially disposed 'cylindrical'pockets' which loosely receive the tumbler Inembers 15, the outer en s'nf whicli are rounded or convex and dapted'for frictional -engagement with tlie"'inn'er' 'faceof the circnlnferential wall of'the'dru'm 16; Each blade or wing 1d of the tire screen is provided "upon one of its 'lat'einl'iongitndinal edges with a flange 17 which is obliquely inclined inwardly at an acute angle from the plane of said wing" emu-us the 'whc'l 11-. r end eta contractile spring 18 is fixed t the 5sec of the wheel 11 and the other end'o'f said spring is attached tothe flange 17 throne of the wings 'or blades 14. This spring normally acts to hold said flange on the latterhlade against astop pin 19 progccjting fronrtlie faceof the wheel 11 and as seen in Figure 2 of the drawings, in this normal position of the fire screen, the blades .4- the cot are positioned over-um respective openings 13 in said wheel.

'In-tl re operat-ion of the machine for the rojection of pictures from the film F, when the shutter or wheel ll is rotated at.- or above BEST AVAILABLE COP.

a normal operating speed, the fire screen loosely mounted on the shaft 9, due to its inertia, tends to retain a relatively stationary position so that the spring 18 is gradually expanded. The relative movement between the screen and the wheel 11 is retarded due to air resistance acting against the flanges 17 on the wings or blades 2? and by frictional contact between the tumblers l5 and the base of the drum 15. it will be readily understood that the air which exerts pressure against theouterfaces of the inclined flanges 17 tends to shift the fire screen axially along; the shaft 9 and thus urges the collar 15 of said screen against the collar 16. Thus the screen is retained in normal position when the spring 18 starts to expand after the wheel has acquired a predetermined normal operating speed. This frictional resistance to the rotation of the fire screen with the shntterismaterially increased by reason of the frictional braking action of the radially movable llll'l'lblEl'i-j 15 against the annular wall of the fixed drum 16. Accordingly, the tendency of the spring 18 to contractand more the tire screen from its normal position after the shutter has acquired the predetermined operating speed, is effectually overcome so that such shutter will rotate relative to the fire screen to dispose the openings 13 thereof in posi tions substantially between the spaced blades or .wings 14 of said the shutter. However, it will be apparent that runner relative movement between the the screen Bland wheel 11 will be limited by engagement of one edge of one of the' .bla'cles 14 the pin.l9, thus precluding the.p o'ssibi1ity' of the blades '14: m'oi 'in'g past th'ej, position shown in Figure 3 and over the openings 13 at veryhigh operating'fspeeds of the wheel 11. Upon stoppii'i'g the'op'eration of the machine, if the speed of rotation of the wheel 11 decreases below a normal operating speed, the fire screen is returned to its normal position bythejspring ltl and the Wings 01' blades thereof are again positioned over the openings 13 in said 'wheel as will be readily understood. From the foregoing; description considered in co'nnectionwrith tliehceompanying drawings, the construction and manner of operation of my presentimprovements Wlll be clearly understood. It will first be observed that by eliminating the separate drive wheel for the actuating shaft!) and combining this drive wheel with the fly wheel and light shutter I have reduced the number of necessary parts so that the mechanism is more compact and can be mounted and arranged in a very limited-space; Also it will be seen that the improved fire screen is entirely automatic in its action so that whenever it becomes necessaryito stop the operation of the machine, the openings 1,609,961 BEST AVAILABLE COP.

through the shutter wheel are immediately closed without requiring any manual operation upon the part of the operator. Owing to the extremely simple form of this fire screen it will be appreciated that the same will not materially add to the manufacturing and selling cost of such machines.

I have herein illustrated and described an embodiment of the invention which I have found to be very satisfactory in practical operation, nevertheless it is to be understood that the device might be incorporated in various other alternative structures, and I accordingly reserve the privilege of adopting all such legitimate changes as may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In combination with film feeding mechanism and an actuating shaft therefor,

a drive wheel fixed on said shaft between said mechanism and a source of light and intersecting the ath of the light beam, said wheel vhaving. spaced openings therein through which the light beam isintermittcntly projected in the rotation :of the wheel, and means yieldingly. connected. with said wheel normally closing. said. openings, said means and the wheel automatically moving relative to eachother when the wheel acquires a predetermined. rotative speed toadmit ofthe passage of the light beam throulgh said openings.

2. n combination with film feeding mechanism and .anactuating shaft therefor, a drive wheel fixed on said shaft between said mechanism and a source of light and intersecting the path of the light beam, said wheel having spaced openings therein throughwhich the light beam is 'intermit tently projected in the rotation of the wheel,

and means rotating with saidv wheel and normally covering: the openings therein, said means being constructed and arranged whereby relative rotationtakes place between said means and the wheel upon rotation of. the wheel at or above a normal operating speed to position said means out of. obstructing relation to said openings andthereby pervrnit of the projection of the light beam through said-openings during. the operative rotation of said wheel.

3. In, combination with a film feeding mechan sm and an actuating shaft therefor,

.-' alight shutter fixed upon said shaft between said mechanism and a source of light and intersecting the path ofthe light beam, a fire screen mounted at one side of said shutter for rotationwith respect thereto, and yielda-ble means connecting said fire screen to the shutter for movement as a unit therewith, said means yieldably resisting relative rotation of said shutter and fire screen to retain said screen in; a normal position obstructing the projection of the light beam past said shutter but permitting of such relative rotation when the shutter is rotated at or above a normal operating speed whereby the light beam is intermittently projected past said shutter in such rotationthereof.

-t. in combination with mechanism for intermittently feeding a motion picture film past a light aperture and an actuating shaft there for, a. drive wheel fixed upon said shaft between the light aperture and the source of light and intersecting the path of the light beam, said drive wheel having spaced openings therein, a fire screen loosely mounted upon said shaft for rotation with respect to said wheel, yieldable means connectin said fire screen with the wheel for rotation as a unit. therewith and retaining said fire screen in anormal position over said openings, said means permitting of such relative rotation when said wheel is rotated at or above a normal-operating speed whereby the fire screen is automatically positioned out of obstructing relation to said openings during the continued unitary movement of the fire screen. and said wheel,j and. additional means supplementing the action of said yieldablemeans inxresisting the movement of the fire screen to the latterposition.

5. In combination with, mechanism for. intermittently feedingaanotion picture film pasta light aperture andan. actuating. shaft therefor, a drive wheel fixedupon said shaft between the light aperture and. they source of light and intersecting the path of the light beam, said drive. wheel having spaced openings therein, a fire screen loosely mounted upon said shaft for rotation with respect to said wheel, yieldable means connecting said fire screen with the wheel for rotation as a unit therewith and retaining said fire-screen in a ,normal' position over said openings, said means permitting of such relative rotation when said wheel isrotated at or above a normaloperating speed whereby the fire ;-screen is automatically positioned out of obstructing relation tosaidopenings during the continued. unitary movement of the fire screen and said wheel, said the screen including spaced blades and means on each of said blades for the impingement of air therewith to supplement theresistanee of said yieldable means tothe relative rota-- edge of each otsaiid bla'des extending radi- 'al'l-yof' the wheel for the impingement of air stance of thereagainst to supplel'nent the r rotation saij'd'yieldable means to the relative ()fllllflhlll and tire screen.

- 7'. In c'oml'nnat- )l} with mechanism for intermittently feeding a'motion picture film past a} light aperture and an actuating shaft therefor,- a drivewheel fixed upon said shaft betweenthe light aperture and the source of light and intei' sect ing the path of the light beam-,- said drive wheel having spaced opening's thereii'na fire" screen loosely mounted upon said shaft for rotation with respect to said wheel; yiel'dable means connecting said fire screen witlifthewheel for rotation a unit therewith and retaining said fire screen in a norinal'position over said openings, said means permitting of such relative rotation when said wheel isrota-ted at or above a normal operating speed \"vher'e'hy the fire screen is automatically positioned out of obstructing relati'onto said" openings duringt he continued unitary movement of the fire screen and s'a i d whee'l flange on one edge of each of said blades extending radially of the wheel. for the impingement of air thereaga-inst to supplement the resistance of said yieldable means to the relative rotation of the wheel and fire, screen, and a stop on said wheel with which one of the blades of the fire screen is adapted to c ag'e to limit relative rotation of'the fire screen in both directions \i-ith'resp'ect to said wheel 8. In combination with means for intermittently f'eedinga motion picture film past a light aperture and an actnatin; shaft therefor, a drive wheel fixed on said shaft between the aperture and the source of light and intersecting the path of the light beam, said wheel having spaced openings therein. a fire screen loosely n'iou'nted on said shaft for rotative, movement relative to the wheel, fieldahle means connecting the fire-screen to said wheel and normally retaining the the screen over said openings for rotation as a unit with the wheel, said yieldablc means permitting of the relative rotation of said wheel and fire screen when the wheel is rotated at or above a normal operating speed whereby said openings will be unobstructed by the fire screen, and additional coacting means for applying an additional frictional resistance to such relative rotation of the wheel and fire screen.

9. Incombination with. means for intermittently feeding a motion picture film past a light aperture and an actuatingshaft therefor, a drive wheel fixed on said shattbetween the aperture and thesource of light and interz xa-tirigthe path of the light beam, said wheel having spaced openings therein, a fire screen loosely mounted-on said shaft for rotative movementrelative to the wheel, yiclrlalyle means connecting t-lie fire screen to said wheel and normally retaining the fire screen over said'openings for rotation as unit with the wheel; said yield'abl'e" means permitting of? the relative rotation of said wheel and fire screen when the wheelis rotated at or abovea normal operating speed whereby said openings will be unobstructed by t-hcfire screen, said fire'screen consisting of spaced blades each having flaiigeortone edge extending radian of the wheel wherely ad'ditionalair resistanceis offered to the relative rotation of the fire screen andwheel and additional frictionally' coacting parts providinga further resisting influencc to size-h relative rotation.

10. In combination with the mechanism for intermittently feeding a notion picture film pasta light aperture and an actuating shaft therefor, a drivewheel fixed upon said shaft between said" aperture and a source of light and intersecting the path of the; light beami said wheel having spaced openings therein, a fire screen atone side of' said wheel consisting of spaced blades,"a c0llar loosely mounted on said-shaft to which said blades are secured, yield-able means connectingsaid firej screen with the wheel for unitary rotation therewith but permittingof a relative rotatio'nofsaid wheel and fire screen whenthe' wh'el'isrotated at'or above a normal operating speed whereby said openings will he unobstructed by the fire screen, an obliquely inclined flange on one edge of each of said blades extending towards the wheel whereby additional air resistance is offered to snch relati'\-'e rotation of the wheel and fire screen, a fixed part in opposed relation to said collar, the impingement of air against said flanges urging said collar into frictional relation with said part to ai'vply further resistance against such relative rotation of the wheel and fire screen, said yieldable means returning the ffire screen to a normal. position over said openings to obstruct the passage of the light beam therethrough, and stop means for limiting the relative rotative movement of said wheel and fire screen in both directions.

11. In combination with a film feeding mechanism. and an actuating shaft therefor, alight shutter fixed upon said shaft between said mechanism and a source of light and intersecting the pathof the light beam, at fire screen mounted at one side of said shutter for rotation with respect thereto and normally intersecting the path of the light beam and means resisting relative rotation 1,609,961 BESTAVA'ILABLE COP. 5

of the shutter and fire screen to retain said screen in its normal position until the shutter has acquired a predetermined operating speed and thereafter permitting rotation of the shutter relative to the fire screen for the projection of the light beam past the shutter in the continued rotation thereof.

'12. In combination with a film feeding mechanism, and an actuating shaft therefor, a light shutter fixed upon said shaft between said mechanism and a source of light and intersecting the path of the light beam, a fire screen mounted at one side of said shutter for rotation with respect thereto and normally intersecting the path of the light beam, means resisting relative rotation of the shutter and fire screen to retain said screen in its normal position until the shutter has acquired a predetermined operating speed and thereafter permitting rotation of the shutter relative tothe fire screen for the projection of the light beam past the shutter in the continued rotation thereof, said means including a centrifugal brake device automatically acting to frictionally resist rotation of the fire screen with said shutter.

13. In combination with a film feeding mechanism, and an actuating shaft therefor, a light shutter fixed upon said shaft between said mechanism and a source of light and intersecting the path of the light beam, a fire screen mounted at one side of said shutter for rotation with respect thereto and normally intersecting the path of the light beam, means resisting relative rotation of the shutter and fire screen to retain said screen in its normal position until the shutter has acquired apredetermined operating speed and thereafter permitting rotation of the shutter relative to the fire screen for the projection of the light beam past the shutter in the continued rotation thereof, said means including a fixed brake drum, and.

means carried by the fire screen and automatically coacting with said brake drum to frictionally resist rotation of the fire screen with said shutter.

14. In combination with a film feeding mechanism, and an actuating shaft therefor, a light shutter fixed upon said shaft between said mechanism and a source of light and intersecting the path of the light beam, a fire screen mounted at one side of said shutter for rotation with respect thereto and normally intersecting the path of the light beam, means resisting relative rotation of the shutter and fire screen to retain said screen in its normal position until the shutter has acquired a predetermined operating speed and thereafter permitting rotation of the shutter relative to the fire screen for the projection of the light beam past the shutter in the continued rotation thereof, a fixed brake drum, a collar fixed to the fire screen and positioned within the said drum and a plurality of radially movable tumblers carried by said collar adapted to be projected by centrifugal force into frictional coacting engagement with the wall of said drum to resist rotation of the fire screen with said shutter.

In testimon that I claim the foregoing as my invention. I have signed my name hereto.

WILLIAM C. READEKER.