US1808603A - Moving picture recording and projection apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 2, 1931. M. R. Huc: 1,808,603

MOVING PICTURE RECORDING AND PROJECTION APPARATUS Filed March 19. 1927 5 sneets-snet 1 n,Zzaezz for M. R. HUC

June 2, 1931.

MOVING PICTURE RECORDING AND PROJECTION APPARATUS Filed Hatch 19. 1927 5 Sheng-Sheet 2 June 2, 1931.- M, R, HUC 1,808,603

MOVING PICTURE RECORDING AND PROJECTION VAPPARATUS Filled March '19. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zzvayzow 7/farce2l f Hue,

@ww @WQ June 2, 1931. M, R, HUC 1,808,603

IIOVING PICTURE RECORDING AND PROJECTION APPARATUS Filed March 19. 19,27 5 Sheets-Sheet' 4 June 2, 1931. M R HUC; 1,808,603

MOVING PICTURE RECORDING AND PROJECTION APPARATUS Filed urcn 19, 1927 5 sheets-sheet 5 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MARCEL REMY HUC, OF TOULOUSE, FRANCE MOVING PICTURE RECORDING AND PROJECTION APPARATUS The present invention relates to moving picture recording and projection apparatus and more especially to apparatus of the type designed to record on or to projectJ from a film moving at an uninterrupted, uniform speed.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which there is a minimum of lost motion between the parts designed to operate in accurate timed relation to one another.

Another object is to provide means for isolating each negative from the one adjoining during the entire period of exposure or projection.

Still another object is to provide means for centering the image without shifting the objective.

An additional object is to provide means for preventing traction on the film as it passes over the speed regulating sprockets, thereby insuring a perfectly7 uniform speed past the projecting orifice.

A further object is to provide a new and compact form of oscillating shutter.

Still further objects will appear in the course of the detailed description which will now be given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an optical diagram illustrating the principle of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view, partially in section; of one form of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows an elevation of a timing cam forming part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section of one form of mechanism designed to actuate a moving aperture of the type shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section through a second form of mechanism of the type shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 shows, in section, another form of mechanism for centering as that shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a side View, partly in section, of a second form of the invention;

Fig. 8 shows a section taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 illustrates, in section; a variant of the apparatus shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a partial section taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

Referring' to Figs. 1 to 6, there is shown a film 1 arranged to move in the direction 2 over a guiding surface 3 provided with a fixed aperture 4 greater than the height of a single negative (approximately equal to the height of two). A light source 6 sends light through condenser 7 which concentrates a luminous cone on aperture 4. Guiding surface 3 is in the form of a cylinder having its axis 8 on the side of surface 3 opposite source 6. An optically finished refiecting surface 9 is rotatably mounted to turn on a shaft coinciding with axis 8.

Assuming the film to be moving past aperture 4 with an angular velocity a and that reflecting surface 9 turns in the direction of arrow 10 with a velocity of a, then virtual image 11 of the portion of the film passing aperture 4 will appear stationary to a spectator placed in the cone of luminous rays refiected from surface 9, while, at the same time the virtual image of the edges of the aperture will appear to the spectator to be moving before the unmovable virtual image of the film 11 at speed a in the direction of arrow 2.

By interposing an objective 12 in the path of the luminous cone refiected from surface 9, a real stationary image 13 of the film can be obtained.

From the preceding, it will be seen that the present apparatus can be used with the usual type 0f interchangeable objectives having different focal lengths which permit the production of an image of any desired size on a screen arranged at any given distance.

It will be noted that the height of fixed aperture 4 was given as being greater than that of a single negative. In projecting from the film, portions of the negatives adjacent the one desired would therefore be shown with the one being projected and means must therefore be provided for isolating each negative from those adjoining during the interval of projection. To this end7 an oscillating aperture 14 (Fig. 2) is provided which moves at the speed of the film and frames each negative as it makes an excursion past xed aperture 4. The real image of this isolated negative, as received on screen 13, is seen in its proper orientation only when the spectator is behind said screen, the latter being, supposedly, translucent. Since most screens are arranged to be viewed by diffusion i. e. from the same side as the projecting apparatus, means must be provided for correcting the image. This may be simply accomplished by reflecting the beam coming from surface 9 from a second reflecting surface 15. After this second reflection the beam may be made to traverse objective 12 and, falling on screen 13, will give a real, unmovable and properly oriented image.

When it is desired to project, the film is set in motion in a downward direction. As soon as a negative arrives at a position where its upper border coincides with the upper edge of fixed aperture 4, movable aperture 14 frames the negative and begins to descend therewith. At the same time surface 9 begins to rotate in the direction of arrow 10 at one half the angular velocity of the film and the shutter uncovers the objective. During the period that the film remains framed by moving aperture 14, surface 9 continues to rotate. l/Vhen the upper border of the film has descended a distance A (which is less than the height of the negative) below the upper edge of fixed aperture 4, the shutter again covers the objective and movable aperture 14 and surface 9 come to rest. This phase corresponds to that of actual projection (or to the recording period where the apparatus is used to register a scene).

During the period that the objective remains covered by the shutter, aperture 14 ascends and surface 9 rotates in the direction opposite to arrow 1 0. This return movement is accomplished progressively by means, to be described later, which prevent shock and during the interval of time required by the upper edge of the negative to traverse the distance B-A, B designating the height of the negative. This interval, which corresponds to the period of non-exposure, is smaller the closer the ratio approaches unity.

The height of fixed aperture 4 should be at least that of a negative plus distance A. The opaque edges of aperture 14 forming the frame for the moving negative should each have a height at least equal to A.

As soon as aperture 14 and surface 9 arrive at their initial position they are ready to repeat the foregoing operations with a second negative; then with a third, and so on indefinitely.

The alternate rotation of surface 9 in opposite directions may be accomplished yin a variety of ways. The mechanisms shown here are of the cam actuated type and comprise a cam 16 keyed to the film actuating shaft 17, said cam actuating a roller 19 attached to the end of a lever 18 moving against the action of a spring 20. Lever 1S oscillates surface 9. l

Where, as in the present construction, the cam is mounted on the film actuating shaft, the former is given the profile shown in Fig. 3. a, c, (Z, c, represent the period of exposure and e, 7, a, the period of non-exposure. Angles a and represent the angular distances corresponding to a, c, d, e, and to e, f, a respectively. The period of non-exposure may be made any small fraction of the period of exposure by diminishing the value of the ratio If it is desired to eliminate the shutter from the present apparatus, it is only necessary to choose a cam, giving a ratio which is very small. The visual sensation experienced by the spectator will then become identical with the one obtained by the combination of a shutter with a ratio which is relatively large.

In prior apparatus of the type herein described it has been customary to mount the cam and the toothed film actuating drum on separate shafts. Since the film actuating mechanism is usually arranged to advance the film at the rate of four negatives, per, revolution of the film engaging drum, the prior art devices had to provide means for rotating the cam shaft four times for each revolution of said drum. This multiplication was generally obtained by the use of "gears having the proper` multiplying ratio.

But these geared systems suffer from the disadvantage inherent in all geared systems i. e. that they cannot be operated without lost motion. In the present type of apparatus, this lost motion is fatal to proper operation since it destroys the exact synchronism necessary between the motion of the film and the movement of surface 9. By employing a cam having four successive surfaces giving the timing relation shown by the cam illustrated in F ig. 3 and by mounting said cam directly on the shaft carrying the toothed film actuating drum (Fig. 2), the geared system of multiplication with its inherent lost-motion is done away with, and an exact timing relation is assured between the film and reflecting surface 9.

Proper timing of the motion of movable aperture 14 may be obtained by making use of cam 16, as control, or, as will be shown later, by the use of an auxiliary cam mounted on shaft 17. The timing mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 4 includes an apertured cylindrical surface mounted on the extremity of an arm 22 rigidly connected to a sleeve 23 loosely mounted on shaft 8. Sleeve 23 is formed with a toothed portion 24 functioning as a pinion which meshes with planetary gear 25 rotatably mounted on a shaft 26 rigidly connected to crank 27 which is keyed onto shaft 8. Gear 25 also meshes with a toothed surface 28 concentric with shaft 8, said toothed surface being rigidly connected to frame 29 serving as a journal for shaft 8.

Vith this timing mechanism, aperture 14 may be made to descend with an angular velocity twice that of the rotating surface 9 i. e. at the same velocity of the descending film. The ascending movement of the aperture is accomplished progressively and without shock in the same manner as described in connection with the reversing movement of in Fig. 5, arm 22 is driven by a bevel (rear 33 rotatably mounted on shaft 34 whic is integral with a sleeve keyed to shaft 8. Toothed surface 28 of Fig. 4 is here replaced by fixed bevel gear 31, and pinion 24 by bevel gear 32.

Means are provided in the present machine for insuring the exact centering of each negative in movable aperture 14 despite irregularities in the pitch of teeth of the film. This means comprises (Fig. 2) an idler, rotatably or not mounted on a shaft 35, journalled on the end of an arm 36 pivotally mounted on fixed shaft 37. Means (not shown) are provided for fixing arm 36 in any position of angular adjustment. Arm 36 may be adjusted by means of handle 38 or in any other manner desired. It may be held in position by providing a frictional fit of arm 36 on'shaft 37 or by any convenient locking arrangement. The surface of the idler is, preferably, made slightly concave so as to limit the wear on the film to the lateral edges. From the foregoing, it will be evident, that by adjusting the position of the idler, any

negative may be exactly centered in movable aperture 14.

A second form of centering mechanism is shown in Fig. 6 and is designed to be operated by the mechanisms mounted on shaft 17 Here, cam 16 is rigidly attached to shaft 17, while toothed drum 21, which actuates the film, may be adjusted to occupy any angular position relatively to said shaft. To this end, a nut 39 is made integral with drum 21 and engages with a screw 40 of long pitch carried by a slotted sleeve 41 arranged to slide along a pin fixed on shaft 17. Sleeve 41 carries a pair of shoulders 42 which embrace an arm 43 rigidly mounted on a nut 44 which may be displaced longitudinally along screw 45 by rotating cra-nk 46. It will be at once evident that manipulation of crank 46 will produce a slight angular displacement of sprocket 21 on its shaft i. e. will alter the angular relation of cam 16 and said sprocket and will, therefore, center the moving negative in aperture 14.

Ordinarily the winding-up roll 47, provided in machines of this type, serves to draw the film over sprocket drum 21, but since the roll exerts an irregular traction, it tends to throw the perforations in the film out of alignment with the teeth of the drum thus giving the film a jerking motion and producing a trembling movement of the image on the screen. To prevent such action taking place, a supplementary toothed drum 48 is interposed between the wind-up roll 47 and toothed drum 21. Drums 48 and 47 are interconnected by a chain 48 or other form of drive which insures an identical speed for both of these elements. The film is then arranged to belly loosely between the two drums. All traction on the film beyond drum 21 is thus eliminated and the film speed is controlled completely by said drum.

Any convenient means may be employed for rotating the shutter in timed relation to shaft 17. Shutter may, for example be driven by a train of geared elements 62, 63, 64.

The form of apparatus shown in Figs. 7 to 11 is designed to provide a simpler arrangement of elements than that described in connection with Fig. 2.

The optical system has been modified here so as to eliminate the reflecting prism 15 which is costly and which requires the use Of objectives of long focal length, which latter must frequently be supplemented by an additional optical system for enlarging the image on the screen. It suffices to reverse the face of the film being exposed and to move in the suitable sense the latter upwardly instead of downwardly to accomplish the simiplification desired, since the projected image then has the desired orientation on the screen.

A further simplification in this machine is the elimination of drum 48.

Finally, an arrangement is shown for adapting the machine directly to existing forms of arc and incandescent lamps.

These various simplifications are obtained by assembling the operating elements in the following way Condenser 7 provides a luminous cone 50 which is reflected at 52 onto a segment 5 of film 1 passing over a fixed aperture 4 formed in hollow cylinder 53. A reflecting surface 9 is rotatably mounted on shaft 8 located on the axis of cylinder 53. Movable aperture 14 isolates each negative in the manner described in connection With Fig. 2. rlhe image re'- flected by surface 9 is projected through objective 12 onto a suitably arranged screen. The film coming from its reel,-Which latter is provided with a suitable braking mechanism for preventing a jerking motionpasses through a passage following the contour of cylinder 53 over aperture 4 and is taken up by an idler mounted on a shaft 35 and adj ustab-ly supported on arm 36 in a manner described in connection With Fig. 2. The film then passes over toothed drum 21,- Which is here provided with a spring actuated film guiding member 54,--bellies out of contact with drum 21 at 56, then is made to reengage With the teeth of said drinn by means of a second spring actuated guide 55. Guide 55 is, preferably, in the form of an idler pulley and serves to guide the film to Wind-up reel 47 which is rotated in any appropriate Way. Drum 21, in this form of apparatus, functions in the same Way as the combined drums 21 and 48 in Fig. 2. Reflecting surface 9 is mounted on shaft 8 Which is oscillated by arm 18 Whose extremity 19 presses against cam 16 under the action of spring 20. Movable aperture 14 is supported on shaft 58 which is oscillated by arm 59 Whose extremity is held in contact by spring 60 With a cam 61 mounted on shaft 17. Shaft 17, by means of gears 62, 63, controls the rotation of shaft 64 Which turns shutter 65. Vith this arrangement reflecting surface 9 and movable aperture 14 are completely independent.

In the device shown in Fig. 10, shutter 65 and its driving elements 62, 63, 64, are replaced by an oscillating shutter 66 mounted on a shaft 67 concentric with shafts 8 and 58. Shutter 66 is oscillated by an arm 68 bearing against a cam 69 of appropriate contour keyed to shaft 17. Shutter 66 masks movable aperture 14 during the interval of non-projection and uncovers the latter during the projection period.

The optical system may be isolated from the mechanical system by means of enclosures 70 and 71 and the Whole apparatus lubricated by a force pump or by gravity.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen, that a compact, simple and extremely precise apparatus is provided for continuous projection (or registration) of film moving at uniform velocity.

The invention is not to be understood as being limited to the particular constructions described. Thus, the film actuating mechanism described in connection vvith Fig. 7 i. e. with a single toothed drum, may be substituted in the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, or the special optical system of Fig. 7 transferred to the modificationin Fig. 2, or the special shutter shown in Fig. 10 adapted to either of the apparatuses shown in Figs. 2 or 7, etc. etc., Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lt is further to be understood that devices equivalent to those shovvn may be substituted for those described. Thus any appropriate reflecting surface, plane or otherwise formed, and made up of silvered, or platinized surfaces or of totally reflecting prisms may be employed to accomplish the function of surfaces 9 and 15; lms exposed in apparatus of the type described may be projected in the same form of apparatus using only an oscillating reflecting surface 9 (the surface 15 being then unnecessary) When employing the projecting system illustrated in Fig. 2, and running the film through the apparatus Without turning the film over during projection (this being necessary only With film recorded in cameras of current design) When employino' the form of apparatus shovvn in Fig. 7; an oscillating reflecting system (prism or mirror) may be provided instead of the one shown, in which the reflecting surface is so actuated that the beam of light coming from the condenser is reflected so as to follow the movement of aperture 14 lduring the interval of projection; etc; etc.

What I claim is 1. A film manipulating apparatus comprising in combination a fixed cylindrical film guiding surface having an aperture formed therethrough, a film storage reel, a film Windup reel, a rotatable shaft located intermediate said reels, a cam mounted on saidv shaft, a toothed drum mounted on said shaft, framing means adapted to isolate a picture unit of the film passing in front of the aperture of the film guiding surface, a reflecting surface positioned so as to intercept light coming from said aperture, and means operable by rotation of the cam for oscillating said framing means and said reflecting means about a common axis at different angular velocities.

2. A film manipulating apparatus comprising in combination a fixed film guiding surface having an aperture formed therethrough, means for moving a film past said aperture at a substantially uniform velocity, framing means adapted to isolate a picture unit of the film passing in front of said aperture, means for oscillating said framing means in the direction of the height of said aperture, a rotatable reflecting surface located so as to intercept light traversing said aperture, an objective positioned to receive light reflected from said reflecting surface, shutter means, a rotatable shaft, and means associated with said shaft for driving the framing means, the rotatable reflecting surface and the shutter in a predetermined time relation to the film speed.

3. A film manipulating apparatus comprising in combination a fixed film guiding surface having an aperture therethrough, a

film storage reel, a film Wind-up reel, a rotatable shaft located lintermediate said reels, a cam, a toothed ,film actuating drum and a bevel gear each mounted on said shaft, framing lmeans adapted to isolate a picture unit of the film passing the aperture in the film guiding surface, a reflecting surface positioned to intercept light traversing` said aperture, means operable by rotation of the cam for oscillating said framing means and said reflecting means about a common axis at different velocities, a shutter and means associated With the bevel gear for driving said shutter.

4. A film manipulating apparatus comprising in combination a fixed film guiding surface having an aperture therethrough, means for moving a film at a substantially uniform velocity past said aperture, framing means adapted to isolate a picture unit of the film passing said aperture, reflecting means positioned to intercept light traversing said aperture, a film storage reel, a lm Wind-up reel, a rotatable shaft mounted intermediate said reels, a toothed film actuating drum, a pair of cams and a bevel gear each mounted on said shaft, a shutter, and means operable by the elements mounted on the shaft to move the framing means, the refleeting surface, and the shutter in a predetermined time relation.

5. A lm manipulating apparatus comprising in combination a fixed cylindrical lm guiding surface having an aperture formed therethrough, a film storage reel, a film Wind-up reel, a rotatable shaft mounted intermediate said reels, a cam system and a toothed drum mounted on said shaft, framing means adapted to isolate a picture unit of the film passing the aperture in the cylindrical film guiding surface, a reflecting surface positioned so as to intercept light traversing said aperture, a shutter mounted between said framing means and said reflecting surface, and means operable by rotation of the cam system to oscillate the framing means, the reflecting surface and the shutter, about a common axis in a predetermined time relation.

6. In combination, a film supply reel, a guide having a projecting aperture formed therein, a toothed film actuating drum, a pair of guide elements positioned to apply the film at two spaced points on the periphery of said drum, a Wind-up reel, a iilm mounted to move from said supply reel in front of said projecting aperture, then into contact With said drum at two diierent points under the action of said guide elements, so as to form a loose loop of film, and finally onto said Wind-up reel, and means for rotating saidirum continuously at a uniform rate of spee 7 In combination, a film supply reel, a cylindrical guide having a projecting apermy hand.

MARCEL REMY HUC.

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