US2348457A - Photographic printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

W. F. DREHS PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1941 5 Sheets-Shee l M E R F W 'May 9, 1944.

M y 9, 1944- w. F. DREHS 2,348,457

PHOTQGRAPHIG PRINTING APPARATUS Filed April 18. 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 i 1944. v w.- F. DREHS 2,348,457

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v I] 1 vuQ/vvi'o n W. F. DR /4s Patented May 9, 1944 PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS William F. 1mm, Reading, Pa.

Application April 18, 1941, Serial No. 389,251

12 Claims.

This invention relates to photographic printing apparatus and is directed to a device of this character for producing successively and rapidly a series of photographic prints from negatives by bringing successive areas of light sensitive photographic sheet material or the like and a light beam from a printing lamp into alignment.

According to the invention it is proposed to provide an apparatus in which a supply of printing paper may be installed initially, and which permits the successive printing of a large number of pictures without the necessity of handling the printing material until the entire series of pictures has been printed.

A particular object of the invention is to provide apparatus for printing pictures from a series of negatives arranged in a row on a strip of film such as commonly used in small, so-called candid, cameras. As many as thirty-six or more prints may be produced in rapid order through the use of the apparatus. The number of prints produced will be limited merely by the size of the apparatus and the size of the prints desired. It is contemplated using the printing apparatus in association with an enlarging printing lamp where the negatives are of small size.

It is another object of the invention to produce a multiplicity of photoprints in orderly, and pref erably spaced, arrangement. Ordinarily, an entire series of pictures will be printed on a single relatively large sheet of photographic printing material. Where the prints are of relatively small size it is convenient to preserve them on a single sheet, but the location of the prints on the sheet produced through the operation of the machine is such that where desired the sheet may be cut into individual prints, or small groups of prints. While the series of prints may be arranged in a single row corresponding to a strip of negatives, the apparatus will preferably be designed also to permit the series of prints to be made in a plurality of rows in a continuous operation.

A further object of the invention is to Provide a photographic printing apparatus for printing a series of pictures from photographic negatives, in which with equal facility each picture may be produced from a different negative or any number of duplicate pictures printed from a single negative.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for printing a series of pictures one after another through movement of a sheet of printing paper to bring successive limited areas thereof into alignment with a photographic lamp wherein movement of the sheet is effected in a step by step manner, and so arranged that the time of movement may be varied. Each print may thus be subjected to exposure for the proper time according to the condition of the negative from which it is produced. Control means is provided which permits the different areas of the ment with the printing lamp for as short or as long a time as desired.

A still further object of the invention is to pro vide a photographic printing apparatus adapted to move a sheet of printing material relative to a printing lamp for the production of prints successively from negatives wherein movement of the printing material may be effected independently of the lamp control and/or independently of movement of difierent negatives into alignment with the lamp.

In carrying out the above and other objects, the invention comprises a printing frame adapted to support photosensitive sheet material for relative movement with respect to a printing lamp, means for effecting movement to bring different areas of the printing material into alignment with the lamp, and control means for the actuating means whereby movement is effected in a step by step manner.

An apparatus according to the invention may be so designed as to be used with any conventional type of photographic printing lamp, and the same may be made in an extremely simple form at relatively low manufacturing cost.

Among the principal novel features of the invention is the provision of a printing frame adapted to support the light sensitive material with mounting means providing for movement of the frame member in a fixed path or paths. Preferably the supporting structure is adapted to provide movement of the frame member in two directions so that the frame member may be moved both longitudinally and transversely to bring different limited areas of the printing material into alignment with a photographic lamp.

The actuating means also constitutes an important feature of the invention, and the same is of a type which will provide for intermittent step by step movement of the frame member.

; Electric motor means may be employed for actuation, in conjunction with the appropriate control mechanism. Weight mechanism or spring mechanism is preferable for actuation purposes in that a single form of control mechanism may be used therewith and there is no need for complicated gearing and clutch mechanism.

A novel control mechanism is utilized which controls the step by step movement of the frame Preferably, the control mechanism will be operable directly by the operator, and for such purpose utilizes key mechanism which will effect movement of the frame member one step upon each manipulation thereof.

One preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. i is a perspective view of a photographic printing apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan viewcorresponding to Fig. I;

Fig. 3 is a view of the base structure as shown in Fig. 2 with the movable carriage mechanism omitted;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 44 of Fig. 2

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal elevation; and

Fig. 7 illustrates diagrammatically a series of prints produced by the apparatus illustrated.

The apparatus shown includes a printing frame F mounted on a carriage L for movement on a supporting frame or base B. Supporting carriage L is a carriage T, the end members i and II of which support a pair of guide rods 12 and II on which carriage L is movable in a path lengthwise of base B. Positioned above the apparatus is shown a printing lamp I of conventional type. The lamp has means associated therewith as shown in Fig. 6 for supporting a photographic negative film strip so that successive negatives on the strip may be brought in registry with the lamp for the projection of an image on successive limited areas of a light sensitive photographic material supported by the printing frame F as the latter is moved on the base B relative to the lamp.

The printing frame F has mounted thereon a framing member in the form of a grid G adapted to overlie the photographic material and provided with a row of windows WI, W2, W3,-

W4, W and W8, which are spaced from each other by portions of the grid and define the size of the picture prints exposed at different times to the light beam of the lamp projected through the negative film strip. Where the negative film strip is of small size, such as used in miniature cameras, it is preferable although not necessary that the lamp I and its lens equipment be of an enlarging type. The size of the windows in the framing member G will be determined by the size print desired and the type of lamp used. The length of the printing frame 1'' will be determined by the number of prints it is desired to produce in a row. The printing material carried by the framing member and underlying the grid will preferably be in the form of a single sheet. In the embodiment illustrated six prints can be produced in a row corresponding to the six successive windows of the framing member G. By moving carriage L along guide rods l2 and I! each of the windows WI to W may be brought successively into alignment with the projected beam from lamp I. Control means is provided for stopping the carriage L with each of the successive windows in registry with the focused beam from the lamp. Of course, the lamp itself will be provided with an oil and on switch (not shown) so that the lamp may be turned ofi during movement of the carriage and flashed on for an exposure period suitable for each individual negative of the film strip. The time of exposure for individual prints may be varied in order to obtain best results, and the control mechanism which determines the time of movement of the carriage II is designed to make this possible.

The control mechanism illustrated includes a series of stops on the under carriage corresponding in number to the row of windows in framing member. G, and means for releasing the upper carriage from its position of rest at each stop so that the carriage. may be moved step by step from one stop to the next. In order that the periods of rest of the printing frame at the different printing stations may be varied in any way desired, it is preferable that the com trol mechanism be of a type directly responsive to the operator of the machine. A key-control arrangement is employed. Such mechanism includes a series of keys Kl, K2, K3, K4 and Kl which, as best shown in Fig. 5, are pivotally mounted in brackets supported by the bottom member ll of carriage T and project through.

slots in the longitudinal carriage wall II. The respective keys carry a series of stops SI, 82, 83, S4 and BI engageable with a stop mounted on carriage L which carries the printing frame. By depressing the various keys the stops SI to S! are released from engagement with S0 and permit carriage L to be moved until the next key-supported stop engages element Bl.

By reference to Fig. 1, it will be understood that movable stop Bl on key Kl will support carriage L with window WI in registry with the lamp. Upon depressing such key, stop sl will release the carriage and permit the same to move until element 80 contacts stop 82 carried by key KI. By depressing the keys successively the carriage can be advanced step by step as before explained. When element 80 has reached stop 85 on the last key K5, window WI will be in registry with the lamp. Upon depressing such key the carriage will be released to bring the last window Wl beneath the lamp, and in such position it will engage a further stationary stop 8| mounted on end member ll of carriage T.

The step by step movement of the printing frame with its supporting carriage L under control of the key mechanism may be effected by hand, but preferably actuating mechanism is provided to accomplish movement and I here use a simple weight device comprising a weight LW attached to a cable I! passing over a pulley l8 mounted on the end member I l of carriage T and connecting with carriage L through an anchor member is as best shown in Figures 2 and 4. To minimize shocking and jarring of carriage L as it is brought to each stop by the weight, it is preferable to provide a shock absorbing spring 20 between the cable and the carriage L.

After the carriage L has reached the final stop S8 under actuation of weight LW it may be reset to its initial position at the right end of the base member manually through a suitable handle H. During such return movement the carriage is preferably arranged so that it may be shifted from the left to the right end of the base member without interference -by stops SIS5. For this purpose the upper ends 2| of the movable stops are beveled, and counterweights 22 are provided on the inner ends of the keys Kl-KI. With this arrangement as element $0 on carriage L reaches each of the stops Sl-SS on its return movement, the keys will be successively depressed so that element so will ride over the top of the key supported stops under the moving force applied to the carriage.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that whereas stops SI-SS are illustrated as the movable stops cooperating with a fixed stop Sll on carriage L, and are operated by a bank of keys Kl-KS corresponding to the number of movable stops, a reverse arrangement can be used different keys determine movement of the printing frame from one station to the next, ,in the reverse arrangement th step by step movement would be controlled by successively depressing a single key.

In order that a relatively large number of prints can be made in a continuous printing operation without making the machine of undue length, it is desirable that the machine operate to produce a plurality of parallel rows of prints instead of merely a single row. Accordingly, the printing frame member is arranged to be movable transversely as well as lengthwise relative to base 13, and control and actuating mechanism is provided.for producing step by step movement transversely.

As before noted, carriage L is supported for lengthwise movement on a lower carriage T. Carriage T extends substantially the entire length of base B but is narrower than the base and mounted for movement transversely of the base as will be understood generally from Figs. 1 and 2. Base B, as best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, is provided with two rails 22 and 23 upon hich ride wheels 24 and 250i carriage T. A further rail 26 is mounted on the base in a central position against the opposite sides of which ride guide rollers 21, mounted in pairs on the bottom l of carriage T, serving to maintain carriage T in proper alignment with base B.

To control transverse movement of carriage T parallel rows of stops TS|TS5 and TSP-.- TSS are mounted on .base member B. Pivot-al y mounted on the sid wall 28 of the lower car-' riage T are a pair of movable stops T80 and TSO' normally positioned in line with the respective series of stops by a common actuating arm 29, as will be understood from Figs. 2. 4 and 5. A spring 30, best shown in 4, yieldingly holds stop TSO against pin 3i, and such pin and spring through lever 29 also function to position stop TSii'. By moving lever 29 to the right in Figs. 2 and 4 when stops T80 and TSO' are in engagement with corresponding stops TS! and TS! on the base B, elements T80 and T80 swing to the left out of engagement with such stops and allow the lower carriage T to move transversely of the base B. When lever 29 is released. spring 30 shifts the stops back to vertical position for engagement with the second pair of stops TS! and T82.

Thus, through successive movements of actuating lever 29, the lower carriage T. together with the upper carriage L and printin frame F, are permitted to move step by step transversely of the base.

Transverse actuation of the carriages, as wel as longitudinal movement of carriage L. may be efiected through weight motor means, but since it is necessary that carriages T and L be capable of movement at difierent times a weight and cable arrangement is employed for transverse movement independent of weight and cable LW and I]. A weight TW is employed anchored to a pair of cables 32 and 33 which pass around a pulley 34 mounted on the end 35 of the base B and thence to a pulley 38. At this point the cables separate, cable 32 passing lengthwise of to connect with the right hand end of carriage T, as shown in Fig. 2, through a shock absorbing spring 38, while cable 33 passes around pulley l6 and connects with the left end of carriage T through spring 39 and'anchoring hook 40. Each time actuating lever 29 releases stops T80 and T80, carriage T is moved by weight TW transversely of the base one step.

The printing frame member. F is relatively broad and the grid (3 is provided with multiple rows of windows including, in addition to row Wl-WO, rows WI-W|2, Wl3-Wi 8, WIS-W24, W25-Wlil, WIl-W38. The step by step transverse movement of carriage T serves to bring one row after another of the windows into alignment with the light beam from the lamp 1.

To simplify working of the machine by the operator, it is desirable that the step by step transversemovement control mechanism be made responsive to longitudinal movement of the upper carriage L lengthwise of the lower carriage T and base B. This is accomplished through providing an arm or flnger 4| on the right end of lever 29 so that as'the upper carriage L is moved from its left end position back to its initial setting at the right end of carriage T, arm 4| will be engaged by carriage L, as will be understood from Figs. 2 and 4, to release stops T80 and TS! so that carriage T will shift transversely to bring the second row of windows into alignment with the lamp. It will be observed that stop SI is so positioned that when it engages stop S0 a space is provided between the right end of carriage L and the end ill of carriage T. When the operator through handle, H returns the carriage to the right, carriage L will move into engagement with a bumper 42 on member l0, and in so doing engage arm 4| and move lever 29 to the right to release the transverse stop mechanism. As soon as the handle is released carriage L will be moved back to the left into position where stop S0 engages stop SI, and in the course of such movement arm 4| i released .to allow actuating lever 29 to move to the left the base and thence around a second pulley 31 15 to bring stops TS!) and T into position for engagement with the next pair of stops of the series TS i--TS5, TSI TS5'.

With the arrangement of the key-control mechanism controlling step by step longitudinal movement of the printing Ira-me supporting upper carriage L under actuation of weight mechanism LW, and the lever actuated control mechanism controlling step by step transverse movement of carriage T together with carriage L under actuation of weight TW in response to resetting movement of carriage L longitudinally, clearly in mind, the operation of the illustrated embodiment of the invention for producing a complete series .of picture prints can be briefly summarized. It will be observed that the grid G is supported by hinges 43 on the upper carriage L. The same is swung upwardly and a sheet of photographic printing paper such as M in Fig. 7 is placed on the printing frame F. Such material is preferably of the same size as the frame F and is supported therein by a series of fingers 44 shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The grid G is then swung downwardly and held firmly against the sheet M by a spring clip 45. It is assumed that the carriages L and T are in the position v illustrated in all the views sothat the portion of the printing material framed by window WI of the grid is aligned with the lamp I. The film strip as shown in Fig. 6 is adjusted to bring a desired negative into registry with the lamp for producing print Pl (Fig. 7). The lamp is then cut on for the proper exposure period and then cut off. Key Kl is then depressed to release stop Si and the carriage moves longitudinally to stop S2 so as to bring window W! of the first row of windows into alignment with the lamp. Usually the film strip N will be adjusted to bring another negative into registry with the lamp before production of print P2 through window W2, but of course if desired print P2 may be. made from the same negative as print Pi where duplicate prints are desired. By successively de keys K2, K3, K4 and K5, the upper carriage is shifted step by step to bring windows W3, W4, W5 and W6 of the first row into alignment with the lamp for the printing of pictures P8, P4, PI and P8. The upper carriage L is now at the left end of carriage T and base 13. The operator thereupon returns the carriage manually to its original setting, and in so doing actuates lever 29 as previously explained and brings the first window W! of the second row into alignment with the lamp for the production of print Pl. By intermittently operating the lamp at each station of the carriage and alternately depressing the successive keys Kl-KI, with or without bringing a new negative into position, the entire second row of prints P1--Pl2 is made. The carriage L is then returned a second time, again causing actuation of lever 29 and producing a shift of carriage T transversely of the base to bring the first window WII of the third row into alignment with the lamp. The third row of pictures Pl3-Pl8 are successively made through windows Wl3Wll under step by step movement of the printing frame, and so on until the fourth row of pictures PIS-P24, the fifth row of prints P24-P3ll, and the sixth row of prints P3IP36 have been made from the negatives of film strip N respectively through the rows of windows Wis-W24, WIL-Wll, and Wl|W36.

The grid G is then raised and the sheet of exposed prints removed. The completed series of prints will be arranged as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 7. and after processing the same may be retained in the form of a single sheet as shown or may be cut apart along the division spaces between the prints.

The apparatus is easily reset after completion of one series of pictures preparatory to the beginning of a further printing operation. This entails transverse as well as longitudinal movement of the carriage L so that the printing frame is shifted from a position with the last window W38 of the last row in alignment with the lamp to the starting position with the first window WI of the first row at the lamp station. As before pointed out the stop means controlling advance of the carriage L on carriage T longitudinally of the base B is inoperative during return so that carriage L can be reset lengthwise to initial position in an uninterrupted move ment. The stop means controlling step by step advance laterally of carriage L with carriage T is also inoperative during resetting so that return laterally can similarly be accomplished in an uninterrupted movement.

Important also, in the embodiment illustrated, resetting transversely and longitudinally can be accomplished in a single rapid operation, and through operation of one resetting means. This is possible by reason of the fact that release lever 29 of the transverse stop control mechanism releases the pivoted stops TSII and PST-as car- Tl pull of both weights. The

30 particularly since all 35 ment of the film strip,

riage L is reset longitudinally and masses arm ll on lever 2!. By reference to Fig. 4, it will be understood that as long as carriage L engages arm 2|, carriage T together with carriage L can be shifted freely transversely in either direction since at such time the series of stops TSl-TBI and TSP-T85 are imperative. The conterweights LW and TW are made no heavier than to insure proper advance longitudinally and transversely during the series of printing operations, and only relatively little force is required to reset carriage L against the operator manipulates thereeettingmechanism,inthiscasethehandle H, and the single operation moves e L longitudinally from its left to its right end position. As such carriage approaches its right end position, lever 29 is actuated to release stops T8. and TBI', and the operator draws 2 carriage L together with carriage T transversely.

When he releases the handle carriage L will shift slightly to the left to engage the first longitudinal stop SI, lever 28 is released, and spring ll brings stops TS. and T into operative position to engage stops TSI and TBI',

and the carriages L and T are then held with the printing frame in its starting position.

The complete operation of producing an entire set of prints may be carried out very rapidly. adjustment of the printing paper is effected through movement of the uw per and lower carriages of the machine. Since movement of the machine is effected through its own control mechanism independently of moveand preferably also indeon and cutting 01! of the lamp, the machine is extremely flexible in operation, permitting single and double prints of successive negatives to be made at will, and permitting the exposure printing time of the lamp to be varied according to the requirements of each individual negative.

Of course, it is to be understood that the printing apparatus may be employed with other types of printing lamps than the one illustrated, and while being particularly suitable for negative film stripe may be employed with negatives in other form. Also, where the prints are to be of the same size as the negatives, the negatives may be superposed directly on the printing paper M on the frame member F beneath grid G and moved therewith into registry with a beam of light from a printing lamp.

The particular control mechanism for the carrlages and the weight actuating means are desirable because of their simplicity and economy of manufacture. It will be evident to those skilled in the art, however, that other forms of actuating and control mechanism may be employed to produce at appropriate times the successive step by step movements of the printing frame F relative to a printing lamp. The invention is therefore not limited to the particular embodiment illustrated, and the scope thereof is to be determined according to the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Photoprintlng apparatus for producing prints from photonegatives successively in row arrangement comprising a supporting frame member for photoprinting sheet material movable in a path past a printing station, a cover member overlying and movable with the frame member having a row of windows for exposing successive areas of the photoprinting material, and means for advancing the frame member pendently of the cut along its path step by step to bring successive windows of the row to printing position at the printing station.

2. Photoprinting apparatus for producing prints from photonegatives successively in row arrangement comprising a base member, a carriage movable along the base member past a printing station, a supporting frame for photoprinting sheet material on said carriage, a cover member carried by said frame having a seriesof windows for exposing areas of the photoprinting material, and means for advancing the carriage step by step along the base member to bring the windows of the supporting frame cover successively to printing position at the printing station.

3. Photoprinting apparatus for prints from photonegatives successively in row arrangement comprising a base member, a supporting frame member for photoprinting sheet material mounted for movement both lengthwise and transversely of the base member, means for advancing the frame member step by step lengthwise in one direction on the base member and for thereafter returning the frame member in the opposite direction to starting position, and means for advancing the frame member step by step transversely of the base member rendered operative to advance the frame member one step transversely in response to the return movement of the frame member lengthwise of the base member. I

4. Photoprinting apparatus for producing prints from photonegatives successively in row arrangement comprising a base member, an undercarriage movable transversely of the base member, an upper carriage supporting a photoprint sheet material frame supported on the undercarriage for movement lengthwise of the base member, means for advancing the upper carriage on the lower carriage step by step lengthwise of the base member, means for advancing the undercarriage, and with it the upper carriage, step by step transversely of the base member, selectively operative control means for timing the step by step advances of one of the carriages relative to the base member, means for resetting said one carriage to starting position, and control means responsive to the resetting of said one carriage to starting position for effecting the advance one step at a time of the other of the carriages relative to the base member.

5. Photoprinting apparatus for producing a series of separate prints from photonegatives successively in a plurality of parallel rows on a single sheet of photosensitive material comprising a printing frame member for housing the photoprinting sheet material mounted for movement relative to a printing station, a cover member carried by the frame member having a. plurality of windows for exposing printing areas of the photoprinting material, and means for advancing the frame member step by step to bring each window thereof successively to printing position at the printing station.

6. Photoprinting apparatus for producing prints from photonegatives successively in a plurality of parallel rows comprising a printing frame member for housing photoprinting sheet material mounted for movement relative to a producing frame member having a plurality of parallel rows of windows for exposing printing areas of the photoprinting material, power operated means for advancing the frame member row-wise to bring successive windows of a row to printing position at the printing station, and power operated means for shifting the frame member transversely of the window rows to bring successive rows of windows into row-wise alignment with the printing station.

'7. Photoprinting apparatus according to claim 6 including stop means for stopping the frame member with each window at the printing station and manually operated key control means for operating the stop means.

'8. Photoprinting apparatus according to claim 6, including a series of stops for stopping the frame member with each window at the printing station, and individual control means for actuating each of thestops.

9. Photoprinting apparatus according to claim 6, including means for resetting the frame rowwise to starting position, and control means for the means for shifting the frame member transversely responsive to operation of said resetting means.

10. Photoprinting apparatus for producing prints from photonegatives successively in row arrangement comprising a carriage member for supporting photoprinting sheet material movable in a path past a printing station, a base member carrying said carriage member, means carried by the base member for advancing the carriage member along its path in one direction intermittently step by step to bring successive areas of the carriage member to the printing station for a printing operation, and means independent of the base member carried by the carriage member for returning the latter in the opposite direction to its initial settling in an uninterrupted movement.

11. Photoprinting apparatus for producing prints from photonegatives successively in row arrangement comprising a carriage member for supporting photoprinting sheet material movable in a path past a printing station, a base member carrying said carriage member, means for biasing the carriage member for movement across the base member, retractable spaced stops carried by one of said members engageable with the other of said members to prevent biased movement of the carriage member, and selectively operative control means for retracting said stops to permit stepwise movement of the carriage member.

12. Photoprinting apparatus for producing prints from photonegatives successively a plurality of parallel rows comprising a printing frame member for supporting photoprinting sheet material mounted for both lengthwise and transverse movement relative to a printing station, biasing means urging the frame member to move lengthwise in one direction and to move transversely in one direction past the printing station, and control means limiting movement of the frame member by the biasing means to a step by step advance both lengthwise and transversely so as to bring successive areas of the photoprinting sheet material into printing position at the printing station.

WILLIAM F. DREHS.

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