US2378416A - Combination sound and picture device - Google Patents

Description

June y19, 1945. R.-M. LIKE COMBINATION soUND AND PICTURE DEVICE I' Filed April 14, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l Arme/rex June 19, 1945. l Y R. M. LIKE 2,378,416

' COMBINATION SOUND AND PICTURE DEVICE l Filed Aprii 14, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 2' June 19, 1945; R. M. LIKE 2,378,416

COMBINATION SOUND AND PICTURE DEVICE` 22 Egfr '5 June 19, 1945. l R. M, UKE l 2,378,416

COMBINATION SOUND AND PICTURE DEVICE Filed April 14, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @y l ,4free/xix Patented June 19, 1945 asians COMBINATION soUNn AND norm nnvrcn Ralph M. Like, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 14, 1941, Serial No. 388,353

y 12 Claims.

This invention relates to combination sound and picture devices.

Generally, the invention contemplates a means whereby pictures on lm may be synchronized with sound. More specically, the invention em- 'bodies either a record or a iilm upon which is recordedpsound of some character, which has a direct relationship to pictures on a iilm. Where a record is used, the same is so combined with mechanism causing film movement that the pictures on the iilm may be projected in synchronism with sound accompaniment.

At the present time, there is on the market apparatus commonly called a juke box. Most cafes provide one or more of such apparatus. This apparatus has incorporated therein a plurality of records upon which is sound, usually a dance orchestra with voice. Preselector means permit the selection of any record within the apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to provide means wherebyI upon the selection of a given recordl and by the term "record Imean voice, instrumentality, or otherwise, said sound will be accompanied by a moving picture having some relationship to the sound such as, for instance, the orchestra in the act of playing the music which is being emitted from the record, together with the voice.

My invention is equally applicable for home use with ordinary phonographs which have been modied to allow projection of the moving picture on a suitable screen.

As an example of an embodiment of my invention, I propose to utilize a case of comparatively small dimension, in any event of not much larger dimension so far as diameter is concerned, than a or 12 inch record. This case is shallow, as a rule not more than one-half inch in depth, and within said case is motion` picture film. The record directly overlies the case and is secured thereto. Through suitable mechanism within the case, pictures on the film are maintained in synchronism with the sound on the record, to the end that if the record andr` case are properly positioned upon a turntable, the picture may be projected upon a screen, with sound accompaniment. Thus, in place of providing in the usual juke box," for instance, a stack of records, a stack of devices of the character of the present invention is substituted.

An object of the present invention is the provision of means for reproducing sound with moving picture accompaniment of small dimension, fool proof in construction, positive in operation,

simple oi' structure. inexpensive in cost of manufacture, and which is more appealing both to the observer and listener.

Anotherv lobject is the provision of a case adapted to house film movement mechanism and a film to be moved thereby, which iilm is preset to be in synchronism with sound accompaniment.

With the above mentioned` and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction, association, and relative arrangement of parts, members and features, all as shown in certain embodiments in the accompanying drawings, described generally, and .more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet equipped with mechanism of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of lrn movement mechanism incorporated in the invention,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale, on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 4--4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan and partially sectional view of certain of the film movement mechanism and means for reproducing sound,

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 6--8 oi Figure 5, and,

Figure 7 is a wiring diagram of synchronizing mechanism which may be incorporated in the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, I have shown by way of illustration in Figure 1, a cabinet I provided with my combination sound and picture device 2, a player arm 3, the usual loud speaker opening 4, and a screen 5. The usual turntable is removed, leaving the spindle which is adapted to carry my improved device which, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, includes a record 8 supported over a case l. When the device is in operation, the tone arm 3 has the needle of the reproducer carried by the arm in the record groove, and as music is emitted through the loud speaker opening 4, a picture is projected upon the screen 5. This picture has direct relationship to the music or other sound emitted by the loud speaker.

In Figures 2 to 5, inclusive, I have shown iilm movement mechanism within the case 1. Speciiically, the case 1 includes a base 8 and a circular enclosing side wall 8. 'I'he case is providedwith a central bore I (see Figure 3). A sleeve bearing II provided with a flange I2 is positioned in said central bore, the said flange being stepped or shouldered at I3 so as to overlap a portion of the under surface of the base of the case (see Figure 3, at I4). The base and the shouldered portion of the flange may be conveniently held together by means of screws I5. An enlarged annular plate I6 is provided with a central boss or hub I1. This boss or hub is carried on the periphery of the bearing II. Centrally of the plate I6 is an annular bearing plate I8 secured thereto by screws I9. Secured beneath the plate I6 is a ring gear 20. The boss I1 is provided with spaced pins constituting a sprocket 2 I. The ring gear 20, together with the sprocket 2I, is adapted to drive film mechanism as hereinafter described.

The general arrangement of the film and its mechanism for moving the same is depicted in Figure 2, wherein is provided a continuous strip of film 22, While I'do not confine my invention to film of any particular size, still in the embodiment shown, 8 millimeter is used. 8 millimeter film has 80 frames per foot and, accordingly, for the playing of the average sound record, 33 feet of film is housed within the case 2. To accomplish this housing, I have found it expedient to arrange the film in a certain manner so that it may be moved continuously. Thus, I have provided at 23 and 24 two rolls of lm carried by a plurality of annularly arranged spools 25, which are secured by means 26 to the base 8 of the case. These rolls of film are substantially diametrically disposed, as shown. Guide spools for the film are secured to the case at 21, 28, 29, 3U, 3|, and 32. Secured to the flange I2 are three identical equidistantly spaced radially adjustable plates 33. each plate carrying a spaced pair of pad rollers 34 and 35. These pad rolle'rs lie adjacent the periphery of the sprocket 2l, and maintain the film perforations in engagement with the pins of sprocket 2i. The film 22 is passed through a gate, designated generally as 36. This gate includes a trough 31 secured to the side wall 9 in any manner, such as by the rivets 38. Facing the trough is a pressure plate 39 adapted to hold the film Within the trough and likewise exert a pressure thereagainst. Rearward of the pressure plate is a pressure plate inclusive.

support 40, comprising a curved plate 4I substantially corresponding in curvature to the curvature of the pressure plate and provided with a base piece 42. The base piece is secured to the base 8 by means of screws 01 other means 43. The plate 4I on its rear surfaces carries a spaced pair of spring fingers 44 and 45, each finger having a `bent end extremity 44 and 45'. The bent end extremities are passed through openings 46 and 41 (see Figure 4), in the plate 4I, and engage the rear surface of the pressure plate to urge said pressure plate within the confines of the trough 31. The pressure exerted against the pressure plate by the spring fingers is conveniently regulated by adjusting the pressure plate support, it being observed that the base 42 is provided with a pair of elongated slots 48 to permit adjustment relative to the screws 43 carried by base 8. The side wall 9 is provided with an aperture 49 and apertures coaxial with the apertures 49 are formed in the gate trough at 50, the pressure plate at 5I, and pressure plate support at 52. Immediately rearward of the aperture 52 is a triangular prism 53. The base 8 is provided with an aperture 54 immediately below one face of the prism. It is intended that a. light ray shall pass through aperture 54 and be reflected by the prism through the apertures 43 to 52, This prism is suitably supported by a bracket 55, secured to the pressure plate support by the same screws 56 Ias secure the arms 44 and 45.

A bearing stud or post 51 provided with a flanged base is secured to base 8 in any suitable manner, such as by screws 56. Carried on the stud is a. boss 59, one end of which is provided with a pinion 60 and the opposite end is provided with a shutter 6I and a cam 62. The cam and the shutter may be cut from the same piece of metal, although it is obvious that they may be separate members. The pinion, cam, and shutter are conveniently held in position by a lock screw 63 threaded within the bearing stud or post 51. The teeth of the pinion are adapted to engage the teeth of the ring gear 20, as illustrated in Figure 3. As shown, the two diametrical segmental wings 64 and 65 of the shutter 6I are adapted to pass over the aperture 54 in the base 8. Adapted to rest upon the flat surface 66 included between the cam and the wings of the shutter and likewise enclose said cam, is a yoke or cam cage 61. Said yoke is provided with an arm 68 having a bent end extremity 69 secured in any approved manner, as by means 10, to a leaf spring 1 I This leaf spring is secured between two posts 12 and 13 carried by the base 8 of the case. One end of the leaf spring is fixedly secured to one post, to-Wit, the post 12, while the opposite end of said spring has an elongated loop 14 to permit movement of the loop relative to the post 13. The yoke or cam cage 61 is provided with a spaced pair of film movement pins 15 and 16. Said pins 15 and 16 project through elongated cut-away portions in the pressure plate support and are adapted to engage perforations of the film. Arm 68 is held in position by a stirrup 11 secured to the base 8.

Having selected a given film 22 to be placed within the case 1, the film is threaded by passing the same between the trough 31 and pressure plate 39 in such a manner that loops are permitted at 18 and 19, whereupon the film passes spool 21 onto the roll of film shown at 23, around said roll, past spool 29, in contact with the teeth of the sprocket 2I, being held so positioned by the pair of pad rollers, as shown at 80, thence onto roll 23. After several coils of the film pass around rollers 25, the film passes around the roller shown at 8|, is turned substantially at right angles so as to pass over the edges of the roll of film by a finger-type bracket 82 carried by base 8, thence around spool 3|, and again brought into engagement with sprocket 2I by the pair of pad rollers shown at 83. The film is then passed about spool 32, again fiattened or turned at right angles to the edges of theroll of film 24 by the single bracket arm 84 similar to arm 82, thence around the spool shown at 85. The lm is then run around the several spools which hold the roll of film from inside to outside,- finally engaging the sprocket 2I, being held in engagement therewith by the pad rollers shown at 86.; thence past spool 30 `around the outside of the roll, past spool 28 toA again form the loop at 18 for passage through the gate. In this Way, the film is made continuousand for continuous play.

Over the case and acting as a cover therefor is the record 6. This record is secured to members I6 and I8.

The record, as has been before stated, is adapted to have some definite sound relationship to the fllm to be projected. As is usual, the record has case. as best shown in Figures 2 and 41 at 202.'

lan initial needle groove leading to the concentric if sound grooves which permits the record to be properly started when the needle of the reproducer is placed in the groove. In the present instance, the film with the pictures on the frames isA so synchronized that the picture commences when the sound commences. Hence. if the record and the film are properly synchronized or pre-set, the film will always stop when thel record ceases to actuate the reproducer.

In the specification, as it proceeds, I have described means for positively synchronizing the film relative to the record, as well as showing and describing means whereby the picture may be viewed on the screen 5, together with a system which may be utilized for sound on the film.

The cabinet I is provided with a mount adapted to hold a focusing lens IOI forward of and co-axial with the aperture 49. Forward of the focusing lens |0I is a mirror |02L carried at at 45n angle relative to the axis of the lens through the medium of a suitable support |03 mounted on the cabinet. Immediately above the mirror IOI and secured to the inside of the cabinet cover |04 is a mirror |05. 'I'he cover is adapted to be placed at a 45 angle so as to reflect any image 4 therefrom onto screen 5, This screen is mounted upright, as shown in Figure 1.

, Secured within the cabinet I and below the top |06 thereof is a bracket |01 carrying an electric bulb |08 and a reflector |08. In the path of the light rays emitted by the bulb and diill) This arm carries a switch arm 203 provided with a pair of contact points 204 and 205. Dependent upon the swing of arm the contacts 204, 205 will engage one cr the other of contacts 208, 201.

The wiring diagram is as follows:

Lines 208 and 200 lead to a source of current supply. Line 200 includes a switch 2I0 and botn lines 208 and 208 are in circuit with the primary 2I| of a transformer. and the secondary 2I2 of the transformer is in circuit with the switch arm y203, as by lines 2|3 and 2|4. A further tap from the secondary 2I2 has connection with a pair of electro-magnets 2I5 and 2I8, as by lines 2 I1, 2|0 and 2I9. A line 220 from yelectromagnet 2 I8 connects with switch arms 22| and 222, and separate lines lead from the switch contacts 223 and 224,' contact 224 connecting with lines 2I3 and 2|4, and contact 223 with line 225 connecting with switch contact 208. Line 228 connects with the electro-magnet 2I5 and with contact 201. A swing armature 221 carries a contact 228 which, dependent upon movement of said armature, may engage contact 223. Contact 229 has a line 230 connected to motor 23| and a second line 232 from said motor 'connects with line 208 at 233. A line 234 is in circuit with the armature 221, and line 209. I may shunt an incandescent bulb 235 about the motor 23|.

The use of the circuit just described will be set forth in the statement of operation.

rected by the reflector is a condenser lens assembly I I0. Light is adapted to be passed through the condenser lens, through aperture 54 to strike the reflecting surface of the prism 53, thence reflecting the light rays through the several apertures 40 to 52, inclusive, and through the film, through the focusing lens IOI where the image bearing light rays are reflected by the mirrors |02 and |05 onto the screen 5. The top |08 carries a projecting stud III adapted to be received 'within an opening ||2 in the base 8 of the case for the purpose of centrallyy positioning the aperture 54 in the axis of the condenser lens ||0 and for holding the case against rotative movement. As is customary where records are used, a spindle I|3 is adapted to be driven by a. motor. The spindle has a reduced diameter portion I|4 and the bearing is adapted to surround the reduced diameter portion and rest on the shoulder or ledge II5. The spindle is keyed or otherwise secured to the member I8 at IIB, whereby when the spindle is rotated, the member I8 is rotated, which in turn will cause rotation of the record 8 and of the hub I1. Rotation of the hub I1 causes rotation of the sprocket 2| and produces film movement. As the record rotates, the ring gear 20 secured to plate I 8 rotates pinion 60 to in turn rotate the shutter 6I and the cam 62, which actuates the yoke or cam cage 81 in such a manner as to cause the film movement pins to engage perforations of the film and move the same in the direction of the arrows II1 and ||8 through the gate 38.

I have provided means whereby the film may be synchronized with sound. This means is illustrated fragmentarily and diagrammatically in Figure '1. Specifically, I notch the film 22 at 200 for approximately three frames in 8 millimeter film. I provide a swing lever 20| which may be secured by suitable supports to the base 8 of the I have shown a means which may be utilized when a sound track is on the film. This means is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, wherein I loop the film 22 and pass .the same between two guide rollers 300 and 30|. `The film is passed between a trough 302 and a pressure plate 303 in a manner similar to the passage of the film through the gate 38. The trough and pressure plate are provided with apertures 304, 305, respectively, as is likewise the side wall 9 at 308. All apertures are concentric.

A sound lens unit 301 is fastened transversely in the top |08 of the cabinet and immediately below said sound lens unit, and secured to the cabinet by means of a bracket, is an exciter lamp 308. 'I'he base 8 is provided with an aperture 300 in the axis of the lens unit 301, and positioned axially of the lens and aperture is a prism 3 I0 supported in any approved manner within the case 2. Positioned forwardly of the aperture 308 and secured to the top |08 is a photoelectric cell 3| Connections with an amplifying unit and with the loud speaker in the cabinet are effected in the usual manner.

The operation, uses and advantages of the invention are as follows:

If we assume that some form of sound reproducing device is used of the character generally shown in Figure 1, one of the .complete devices which includes the case 2 housing the mechanism and the continuous strip film within the case together with record 8 overlying the case, the mere starting of the motor within cabinet I and placing the tone arm 3 in proper position is all that is necessary to reproduce sound, together with an accompanying motion picture which appears on the screen 5. The picture on the film is pre-set, and it is evident that as the spindle rotates that the record is rotated, the sprocket 2| driven, as is likewise pinion 80 by ring gear 20. The pinion in turn rotates the shutter 8| and the cam 82 actuates the cam cage or yoke 61. As the yoke is rocked backwardly and to the side and forwardly, the pins'15 and 18 engage perforations in the film and move the lm through the gate. After the record has been played through, the motor will be stopped by an automatic stop in the usual manner, and the film will come torest. Ordinarily, when sound and nlm movement are synchronized, roller 400 carried by arm 20| (see Figure 1) will be received within the notch 200. When the roller is in this position, contact 20| engages contact 20S.

Switch arms 22| and 222 are normally open. When switch arm 2|0 is closed, electric current from a source of f supply will ilow through lines 208 and 200 and energize the primary winding 2 Il of the transformer. To start the turntable and likewise film movement, switch arm 22| is closed to contact 223, whereby a circuit is established through the secondary of the transformer 2| 2 through lines 2|3 and 2H, switch arm 203, the two contacts 204, 206, lines 225, 220, 2|9, 2|1, thus energizing electro-magnet 2 I6, which draws the armature 221 under spring tension toward the y'pole of the electro-magnet sufiicient to cause contact 228 to engage contact 229. As the lm and turntable are both moving, the roller 400 moves from the notch 200 to position the roller on the edge of the film, which will swing arms 20| and 203 to cause contact 205 to engage coni tact 201, thus completing an electrical circuit through electro-magnet 215. The switch arm 22| may move from contact 223, the contacts 228 and 229 being in electrical connection so that the motor continues to drive the spindle and likewise cause movement of the lm until such time as the roller 400 again drops into notch 200, whereupon the device ceases to operate, the motor and the nlm stopping movement. In this particular, it will be observed that when contacts 228 and 229 coengage that an electrical path is completed through motor 23| by reason of line 234 having connection with line 209, armature 221, line 230, motor 23|, and line 232 with line 208. As stated, when the roller 400 drops within the notch 200 to swing the arms 20|, 203, the circuit is broken through contacts 205 and 201, and to reestablish the circuit, the starting switch 22| must be closed. The starting switch is 1ndmentarily closed, being actuated to an open position by means of a tension spring. If we suppose that after playing the record part way through, it is desired to discontinue the playing, obviously this could be accomplished by opening the switch 2|0. However, if an attempt was made to play the record from the commencement, the film would be out of synchronism with the sound. It, therefore, becomes necessary to re-synchronize the lm with the sound. To do this, switch 2|0 may be closed, the roller 400 will be riding on the edge of the iilm, and contacts 205 and 201 will be in engagement. Switch arm 222 is closed to contact 221. This will complete an electrical path through line 2M, line 220 to electro-magnet 216, line 2|9, electro-magnet 2|5, through lines 2|1, 2|8 and 22B, which, of course, draws the armature 221 toward the poles of said electro-magnets to close contacts 228 and 229. The record may or may not be played, but in any event, the spindle will rotate to drive the film until such time as the roller 400 drops within the notch 200, whereupon current is cut off to the motor 23| by the electro-magnets 2I5 and 2|6 being deenergized, permitting the armature 221 to move and break the contacts 22B and 229. The sound record and the iilm are now in synchronism.

The sound on the lm is conventional, and

utilizes a photo-electric cell 3| l, shownY in Figure 6'.

The deviceis very compact and occupies small space and the cases, together with records or sound on the nlm may be stacked on a record player or pre-selector type record player. Any modified type of pre-selector type of record player may move the case, together with its record, onto a turntable or spindle in the usual manner, and as the nlm is pre-set with the sound, a motion picture is exhibited on any suitable screen with sound accompaniment.

I claim:

1. A device of the character disclosed, compri-sing a case having a base and a curved side wall, a spaced set of guide spools within said case, a sprocket centrally of said case and a film gate and iilm movement mechanism adjacent the side wall of the-case, a continuous strip lm passed around said spaced set of guide spools, sprocket and threaded through said gate, and common means for rotating the sprocket and film movement mechanism, in combination with a sound record overlying the said case adapted to be driven synchronously by the last named means, the sound on said record having a direct relationship to the pictures on said strip lm.

2. A device of the character disclosed, cornprising a case having a base and a curved side Wall, a spaced set of guide spools within said case, a sprocket centrally of said case and a film gate and film movement mechanism adjacent the side wall of the case, a continuous strip film passed around said spaced set of guide spools, sprocket, and threaded through said gate, common means for rotating the sprocket and film movement mechanism, in combination with a sound record overlying the said case adapted to be driven synchronously by the last named means, the sound on said record having a direct relationship to the pictures on said strip lm, and means for synchronizing the picture record on said film with the sound on said record.

3. The combination with drive mechanism, of a unit comprising a. case and a sound record for detachable connectionwith said drive mechanism, said sound record overlying the case and secured thereto; said case having a base with a curved side wall, a sprocket centrally of said case, a lm gate mechanism secured to the case, an endless lm within the case and threaded through said gate mechanism and around said sprocket; said drive mechanism simultaneously actuating the gate mechanism and said sprocket to cause film movement; said sound record adapted to be driven by said drive mechanism simultaneously with iilm movement, the sound on said record having direct relationship to pictures on the iilm.

4. A unit for reproducing sound and pictures comprising a sound record and a case, said case having a movable part and a stationary part, said sound record overlying said case and being secured to the movable part thereof, the remainder of said case being adapted to be held stationarily while said sound record and said movable part rotate, said case containing a moving picture film and means for feeding said nlm, said film being mounted upon the stationary part of said case and means present actuated by said movable part of said case for driving said lm feeding means. 5. A unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said case is narrow and iiat, and contains means for presetting said film relative to the sound on said sound record.

6. A unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein the stationary part of said case contains a film gate and said film feeding means includes means for causing said film to move past said gate.

7. The combination with drive mechanism, of a unit comprising a case and a sound record, said case having a movable part and a stationary part, said unit being detachably connected to said drive mechanism, said sound record being mounted upon said case and being secured to the movable part thereof, the remainder of said case comprising said stationary part containing a moving picture film andlm feeding means, said drive mechanism actuating the film feeding means and also rotating said sound record.

8. The construction set forth in claim 7 Wherein the remainder of said case has a sleeve bearing through which the drive mechanism extends.

9. The construction set forth in claim 7 wherein the remainder of said case has a sleeve bearing through which the drive mechanism extends and wherein the movable part of said case is supported upon a hub rotatably mounted upon the exterior surface of said sleeve bearing.

10. The combination with drive mechanism, of a unit comprising a case and a sound record, said case having a movable part and a stationary part, said unit being detachably connected to said drive mechanism, said sound record being mounted upon said case and being secured to the movable part thereof, the remainder of said case comprising said stationary part containing a moving picture film and lm feeding means, said drive mechanism actuating the film feeding means and also rotating said sound record, the remainder of said case having a sleeve bearing through which the drive mechanism extends, the movable part of said case being supported upon a hub rotatably mounted upon the exterior surface of said sleeve bearing, said hub having exterior sprocket teeth constituting a part of said iilm feeding means.

11. The combination with drive mechanism, of a unit comprising a case and a sound record, said case having a movable part'and a stationary part, said unit being detachably connected to said drive mechanism, said sound record being mounted upon said case and being secured to the movable part thereof, the remainder of said case comprising said stationary part containing a moving picture film and film feeding means, said drive mechanism actuating the film feeding means and also rotating said sound record, the remainder of said case having a sleeve bearing through which the drive mechanism extends, the movable part of said case being supported upon a hub rotatably mounted upon the exterior surface of said sleeve bearing, said movable part having a ring gear secured thereto constituting a drive for a part of said film feeding means. c

12. The combination with drive mechanism, of a unit `comprising a case and a sound record, said case having a movable part and a stationary part, said unit being detachably connected to said drive mechanism, said sound record being mounted upon said case and being secured to the movable part thereof, the remainder of said case comprising said stationary part containing a moving picture. film and film feedingA means, said drive mechanism actuating the film feeding means and also rotating said sound record, the remainder of said case having a sleeve bearing through which the drive mechanism extends, the movable part of said case being supported upon a hub rotatably mounted upon the exterior surface of said sleeve bearing, said hub having exterior sprocket teeth constituting a part of said film feeding means, Said movable part having a ring gear secured thereto constituting a drive for a part of said film feeding means.

RALPH M. LIKE.

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