US2544644A

US2544644A - Film-strip carrier actuating mechanism for automatic photographic apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2544644A
Application number: US767797A
Authority: US
Inventors: Philip S Allen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-08-09
Filing date: 1947-08-09
Publication date: 1951-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 1968-03-13

Description

P. S. ALLEN FILM STRIP CARRIER ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS March 13, 195.1

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the film-strip carrier.

Patented Mar. 13, 1951 FILM-STRIP CARRIER ACTUATING MECH- ANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Philip s. Auen. Long Beach, Calif.

Application August 9, 1947, Serial No.' '767,797v

f 6 Claims. 1 My invention relates to automatic photographic apparatus of the character embodied in my copending application, Serial No. 648,737, led February 19, 1946, and it has particular reference to the mechanism embodied therein for actuating the film-strip carrier to immerse the previously exposed lm successively into a series of liquid containing vessels for developing and fixing the lm. It is a purpose of my present invention to pro"- 2 Fig. 'I is an enlarged elevational view of the film-strip carrier shown in the preceding views.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a view showing the entire mechanism schematically.

vide a film-strip carrier vactuating mechanism which embodies uid pressure devicesv for reciprocating the carrier in vertical pathsA cori responding to the vessels so that theiilm-strip will be successively immersed and reciprocated in each of the various liquids inthe vessels, and in a sequence to effect the complete development and fixing of the photographs on the film-strip. My invention includes valves for the fluid pressure devices and electro-responsive devices for actuating the valves in a predetermined sequence as defined by a circuit controller to effect the intended operationy of the film carrier. The mechanism is characterized by its mechanical and electrical simplicity, low cost of manufacture and maintenance, and surety of operation to at all times effect the complete development and fixing of the photographs on the lm strip.

I will describe only one form of film-strip carrier actuating mechanism embodying my invention for use in automatic photographic apparatus, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings: v Fig. 1 is a view showing inl vertical Section and partly in elevation' one form of lm-strip carrier .the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional-view taken on the Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the ,valved means for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to the cylinder for reciprocating r actuating mechanism embodying `my invention. .i

Fig. 10 is an enlarged elevational view of the cam wheel of the circuit controller.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring specically to the drawings and par# ticularly to Fig. 1, a housing I5 is provided to contain the mechanism of `my invention,l and to this end it is provided interiorly with a shelf I6 supported on beams I1, while above the shelf I6 is a transverse partition I8l from which part of the mechanism depends. On the shelf I6 is suit'- ably secured a platform I9, and rotatably supported on this platform by means of balls 20 is a table 2 I. This table is normally secured against rotation by means of a latch 22 as in the apparatus embodied in my aforesaid copending application.

The table 2I is provided with a central opening 23, and the wall of this opening as well as the periphery of the platform are provided with

upstandingannular flanges

24 and 25 respectively, which coact to confine on the platform a circular series of vessels V each of which, as best shown in Fig. 2, is of sector formV with its inner and outer end abutting the flanges. A retaining collar 26 of annular form is peripherally provided with a circular series of clamping ugers 21; which engage the upper inner edges ofthe vseveral vessels to coact with the flanges 24 and described hereinafter is supplied to either end of the cylinder and to eitherside of the piston through

hoses

34 and 35, and whereby the rod 32 can be caused to reciprocate in the operation of a carrier K for a nlm-strip 36 illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 7.

The carrier K is mounted on a pair of extensions 31 depending from a cross arm 38, this arm being preferably of the construction shown best in Fig. 2, and provided with suitable openings 38a by which it is mounted for vertical sliding movement on a pair of rods 39. The arm is D- eratively connected to the upper end of the piston rod 32 by a sleeve 48, with a collar 4| pinned to the rod, this connection allowing rotation of the arm on the rod and yet maintaining the arm connected to the rod to be reci-procated thereby. Suitable mechanism is provided for rotating the rods 39 in a step-by-step movement to, in turn, impart a corresponding movement to the arm 38, and whereby the carrier K can be reciprocated vertically in different paths through operation of the piston. This mechanism may comprise a ratchet wheel 42 to which the upper ends of the rod 39 are secured at diametrically opposed points. This ratchet wheel is journalled on a stub axle 43 secured to and depending from the partition |8 (see Fig. 5), ball bearings being employed, and the wheel confined on the axle by means of a nut 44.

Rotatable on the axle 43 is van arm 45, which carries a pawl 46 lpositioned to engage peripheral teeth 42a of the wheel 42 under `swinging movement of the arm to rotate the wheel in a stepby-step movement. The arm 45 is actuated by a link 41 connected to a rod 48` of a piston 49- operating in a cylinder 50.. For steadying the ratchet wheel when at rest andwhilethe carrier K is being reciprocated, a suitablev latchis provided. As shown` in Fig. 3, lthis latchrmay comprise 'a ball 5| pressed into engagement withthe periphery of the wheel 42 by a spring 52 con tained within a cup 53 adjustable within a block 54 by means of a screw 55. The ball engages recesses 56 between the teeth 42a of the wheel 42 so as to steady the wheel as aforedescribed, This ball does not interfere with the normal step-by-step rotation of the wheel under the action of the pawl 46.

Compressed air is adapted to be supplied to the cylinder 58 through a valve mechanism designed generally at M connected to a hose 51. Similarly, compressed air is adapted to be supplied to the

hoses

34 and 35 by a valve mechanism MI, to which the air is supplied by a pipe 58. As shown in Fig. 1 the mechanism M| is suspended from the shelf I6, and beneath the sleeve the

hoses

61 and 58 are connected to a T pipe 59 mounted on and communicating with a conventional form of air compressor C secured on a base 6D. This compressor is adapted to be driven by an electric `motor 6| likewise supported on the base 6U.

The valve mechanism MI isshownin detail in- Fig. 6, and it may comprisea casting 62 se.- cured to the shelf I6 andconstructed to provide a cylinder 63 in which operates a piston valve 64. The valve carries

sealing rings

65 and 66 adjacent the opposite ends thereof, and the casting 62 is formed with

ducts

61 and 68 each leading from the cylinder 63 to the hoses 34- and 35. The entrance ends of these ducts are so 4situated that in one extreme axial position of the piston 64 the cylinder is placed intov communication with one of the ducts, while in the other extreme position the cylinderis placed into communication with the other duct, the'v

sealing rings

64 and 65 serving to block off one duct or the other depending upon the axial position of the piston. The hose 584 is connected Ato the cylinder 63 at a point between A the entranceends of the duct 61 to 68 (see circle in broken lines in Fig. 6) so that compressed air from the compressor will flow into the cylinder 63, around the piston 64 and into one

duct

61 or 68 according as the piston occupies one extreme axial position or the other.

The piston valve 84 is normally urged to the right hand extreme position shown in Fig. 6 by means of a spring 69 interposed between one end wall of the cylinder 63 and the piston valve. This end wall of the cylinder is provided with breather ports 10 to allow free operation of the piston valve, and a screw 1| limits outward movement of the piston valve under the action of the spring 69. The outer end of the piston valve is provided with a stem 12 engaged by a link 13 pivoted as at 14 on ears 15 fixed on the casting 62. The other end cf the link is pivotally connected as at 16 to an extension 11 of the core of a solenoid 18 secured to the casting 62.

In the Operation of this valve mechanism the piston valve 64 is normally urged to the position shown by means of the spring 59, and wherein air is free to iiow from the cylinder 63 into the duct 61 to supply air pressure to thev bottomof the cylinder 28. AWhen the solenoid 18 is energized its core is moved to actuate the link 13 and force the piston valve 64 inwardly to place the cylinder 63 in communication with the duct 66, and whereby compressed air is supplied to the top of the cylinder 33.

The valvemechanism M for controlling supply of compress;d air to the cylinder 5|) and to either side of the piston 49 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4. As here shown, the cylinder is part of a casting 19 securedto the partition |8. Also as a part of the casting 19 isv a valve cylinder 80 communicating with the cylinder 58 through ports 8| and 82. A piston valve v83 provided with sealing rings 84 is operable in the cylinder 88 to control the passage of compressed air through the ports 8| and 82 to either side of the piston 49. As in the valve mechanism Ml the piston valve 83 is urged outwardly by means of a spring 85, breather ports 86 being formed in one end wall of the cylinder 8D to allow free movement of the valve. The valve is provided with a stem 81 engaged by a link 88 pivoted on the casting and pivotally connected to an extension 89 to the core of a solenoid 90.

From the description of the valve mechanism MI it will be clear that the valve mechanism M operates in the same manner to admit compnssed air from the hose 51 through the cylinder 80 to either side of the piston depending upon the position of the piston valve 83.

Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10, I have shown one electrical means by which current can be automatically supplied to thesolenoids 18 and 9|) `to energizethe latter in the sequence necessary toeffectreciprocationof the carrier K in difierent vertical paths. This means comprises electrical circuit D for the solenoid 18 and a circuit E for the solenoid 90, these two circuits having switches S and Sl, respectively, for controlling the supply of current to the solenoids through a current supply circuit F connected in parallzl to lthe circuits D and -Theswitches-S' and-SI are mounted on a frame 9| secured to the shelf -|6, and positioned atopposite sides 0f a wheel 92 Xed to a shaft 93 journalled in the frame and adapted to be driven by a motor (not shown). The wheel 92 has a series of cams 94 on oneside thereof and another series of cams 95 on the oDpO- site side thereof. The switches S andSl have switch opening spring arms V96 'and` 91,A respec- `tively,A with. rollers 98 disposedin the path of movement vof the Acams-94 and 95 so that under rotation of the Wheel 92 the cams will momentarily close the switches. The arrangement ofA these

cams

94 and 95 is shown in Fig. 10 and from the ,legends applied thereto it will be clear as to the functions of the cams in respect to closing and the respective vessel V, andto which postion the lcarrier K has just been moved from an elevated position in which the film strip has just been extended into the carrier following exposure, as

will be understood from the photographic apparatus described in my aforesaid applcation. Under intermittent energization of the solenoid 'I8 compressed airis alternately supplied to first one side and then the other of the piston 33 to effect reciprocation of the carrier into and out of the developing vessel. The carrier K as in the apparatus of my aforesaid application, is provided with a series of diagonally disposed blades or vanes 99 (see Fig. 7) which cause violent agitation of the developing liquid, as well as the other liquids into which the carrier is subsequently immersed, to effect the thorough and complete development, fixing and washing of the film to produce unblemished photographs on the film strip as it is nallv delivered tothe vendee.

Following the aforedescribed reciprocation of the carried K in the developing vessel the solenoid 90 is momentarily energized to actuate the pawl and ratchet mechanism and thus turn the rods 39 to partially rotate the arm 38 when the latter is in elevated position. Thus the carrier K is moved laterally to a position above the vessel immediately next to the vessel containing the developing fluid. Manifestly with continued intermittent energization of the solenoid 28 the carrier K will now be reciprocated into and out of the aforeraid vessel to effect a rinsing of the film strip. This mode of operation of the film carrier is continued throughout the circular series of vessels, it being understood that the carrier K is reciprocated successively in the various vessels until the complete fixing and bleaching, etc. of the film is effected.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of film-strip carrier actuating mechanism embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an automatic photographic apparatus for taking a series of pictures in sequence on a filmstrip; a carrier for the film-strip; mechanism for rotating said carrier in a step-by-step movement about a vertical axis, comprising a ratchet Wheel mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, rods fixed to said wheel at opposite sides of its axis and depending from said wheel, an arm mounted on said rods and extending laterally therefrom, and to which said carrier is secured, a pawl mounted for oscillation about the axis of said ratchet wheel and engaging the teeth of said wheel, and means for actuating said pawl.

2. Inv an automatic photographic apparatus for.

talring--afseries of" picturesv in sequence 'on a nlm strip; a carrier for the lm strip; pneumatic means for reciprocating said carrier; means for rotating a part of said pneumatic means in a step-by-step movement to cause said carrier to be' reciprocated successively in vertical paths; pneumatic means for actuating said rotating means; valved means for supplying air pressure to both of said pneumatic means; and electrical Ameans for so actuating said valved means that said carrier is reciprocateda predetermined number of times in each of said vertical paths.

3. In an automatic photographic apparatus, a film carrier; pneumatic means to reciprocate carrier; means pneumatically controlled to rotate said film carrier sequentially with the completion of movement thereof in one direction; a valved means for each said rotating means and lreciprocating means; a source of pressure supply for said valved means; a solenoid connected to said valved means; an electrical circuit including said solenoids and switches, and rotating means to open and close said switches, respectively to control the reciprocation and rotation of said pneumatic means.

4. In an automatic photographic apparatus, a rotary member mounted to turn on a vertical axis, rods xed to and depending from said member so as to turn therewith, an arm mounted for reciprocation on said rods, a film carrier supported by said arm, means for rotating said membel` in a step-by-step movement to dispose the carrier in predetermined positions, a fluid pressure cylinder fixed beneath said member, a piston operable in said cylinder in line with the axis of said member and to which said arm is connected for reciprocation therewith and rotation relative tbereto, and means for effecting and controlling the operation of said piston so that said arm and carrier will be reciprocated when said carrier is disposed in said predetermined positions.

5. In an actuating mechanism for the film strip carrier of automatic photographic apparatus, a rotary member mounted to turn on a vertical axis, rods mounted on said member to turn therewith, a film strip carrier-supporting element mounted on said rods to turn therewith and reciprocate thereon, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted in line with the axis of said member, a piston operable in said cylinder and to which said element is connected for reciprocation therewith and rotation relative thereto, operating means for turning said member in a step-bV-step movement to dispose said element in predetermined positions, and means operating in timed reation to said operating means, for applying pressure fluid to said cylinder so as to reciprocate said piston and said element when said element is disposed in said predetermined positions.

6. In an actuating mechanism for the nlm strip carrier of automatic photographic apparatus, a rotary member mounted to turn on a vertical axis, a cylinder and piston unit mounted in line with the axis of said rotary member, a film carrier-supporting element mounted on the piston of said unit for reciprocation therewith and rotation relative thereto, means carried by said rotary member on which said element is reciprocable and which will turn with said rotary member, means for turning said rotary member in a step-by-step movement including a piston and cylinder unit, and means for directing pressure fluid to and from said units in such timed relation that the element for supporting the lm carrier will be reeprooated ,following each stepby-step movement of lsaid rotary member.

PHILIP S. ALLEN;

RFRENCES CITED The following references are of record in the vfile o'f this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date ,l

432,903 Sacco July 22, 1890 781,377 Springer Jan. 31, 1905 897,251 Graves 1 Aug, 25, 1908 1,075,905 Drosser Oct. 14, 1913 1,135,111 Hanson ff Apr. 13, 1915 1,233,109 Nesbt July 10, 1917 1,429,270 `Barbe-r Sept. 19, 1922 1,512,804 Roucka Oct. 21, 1924 1,637,154 Mark July 26, 1927 1,825,709 Bacino Oct. 6, 1931 Number Number Y Name' Date Williams Jan. 26, 1932 Dye June 21, 1932 Stout July 12, 1932 Schoenberg Sept. 13, 1932 Kalbeisch et al. May 15, 1934 Stukenborg Dec. 4, 1934 Bullard Sept. 6, 1938 Hunscker Feb. 28, 1939 Ehlers Dec. 10, 1940 Forse July 27, 1943 Weskopf Feb. 8, 1944 Allen July 31, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Apr. 17, 1908 (Addition to 373,782) Germany Mar. 5, 1936