US3022373A

US3022373A - Electronic line scan and recording machine with oscillating cylinder

Info

Publication number: US3022373A
Application number: US736612A
Authority: US
Inventors: Samuel W Levine; Reuben J Autere
Original assignee: Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corp
Current assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corp
Priority date: 1958-05-20
Filing date: 1958-05-20
Publication date: 1962-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 1979-02-20

Description

Feb. 20, 1962 s. w. LEVINE ETAL 3,022,373

ELECTRONIC LINE SCAN AND RECORDING MACHINE WITH OSCILLATING CYLINDER Filed May 20, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 5'. W Lew/v5 v 5- ,QJ. Hun-11E BY m A ORNEY Feb. 20, 1962 s. w. LEVINE ETAL 3,022,373

ELECTRONIC LINE SCAN AND RECORDING MACHINE WITH OSCILLATING CYLINDER Filed May 20, 1958 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 5'. W. Z EV/NE 67 Fig. 4 Q J. flare/-25 BY W fl W ORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 3,022,373 Patented Feb. 20, 1962 This invention pertains generally to an apparatus for the electrical reproduction of images, and more specifically to such an apparatus in which the reproduction may selectively be an enlargement or a reduction of the original image, and in a selectable ratio in either case.

While not limited thereto, the inventive concept of the present invention will be described in connection with the art of photoelectric engraving and recording machines. The particular type of photoelectric machine to which this invention is most applicable usually comprises a pair of rotary drums having a common source of motive power for achieving synchronous rotary motion of the two drums. One of the drums includes means for releasably securing thereto a sheet or the like which bears the image to be reproduced. Mounted adjacent this drum for sliding motion parallel to the axis thereof is a photoelectric transducer which serves to scan the image and produce electrical signals corresponding to the image information. The other drum includes means for releasably securing thereto a sheet of recording material. Mounted adjacent this second drum for sliding motion parallel to the axis thereof is an output transducer which is electrically connected to the photoelectric pick-up transducer to receive signals therefrom and which serves to record the image on the recording sheet on the second drum. The nature of the recording device is a matter of choice, 'and may comprise a heated stylus for vertical relief engraving of the recording sheet, a source of light and a light valve for photographic reproduction, or any other suitable means.

In order to provide synchronous motion of the two transducers axially of the two drums, a common drive means for the transducers is connected to the aforementioned motive power source. This common drive means may conveniently take the form of an endless belt of some suitable relatively inextensible material such as steel, the belt being secured to the two transducers and passing over and extending between a pair of pulleys or wheels at least one of which is rotated by the motive source. Such an apparatus forms the subject matter of U.S. Reissue Patent Number Re. 23,914 to I. A. Boyajean and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. As disclosed in this prior patent, suitable means may be provided for inserting a screen signal in the information supplied to the output transducer whereby a half-tone reproduction is achieved.

As disclosed in the aforementioned patent, the apparatus is limited to a fixed size ratio between the copy or original image and the reproduction thereof, unless for example, one of the drums and a drive wheel were replaced by similar parts of dilferent size.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the electrical reproduction of images wherein the size ratio between the original copy and the reproduction thereof is variable.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for the electrical reproduction of images wherein the degree of enlargement or reduction between the original copy and the reproduced image is smoothly and continuously variable between the limits of maximum enlargement and maximum reduction.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the electrical reproduction of images which includes novel means interconnecting the copy cylinder and the reproduction cylinder for elfecting variable-ratio operation therebetween.

In accordance with a preferred form of the present invention, the above and other objects are achieved by means of a variable-ratio drive interconnecting the two transducers, and a variable-ratio motion-translating means which translates the continuous rotary motion provided for one of the cylindrical drums into related oscillating rotary motion for the other drum. The input to the variable-ratio motion-translating means is taken from the source of continuous rotary motion provided for one of the cylinders, and is applied to cam means in a first translating means. A cam-follower associated with the cam means is mounted for reciprocal linear motion, and is so driven by the cam means. Means are provided'on the cam-follower for pivotally securing thereto a lever arm, which arm serves to transmit the reciprocal linear motion to a rack member which is also mounted for reciprocal linear motion. Associated with the rack member and driven thereby is a pinion which i mounted for rotary motion with the second drum and which provides oscillating rotary motion corresponding to the reciprocal linear motion of the rack member. An adjustable fulcrum is provided for the lever arm, and the position of the fulcrum may be adjusted to effect a selected ratio of motion transmission between the cam follower and the rack member. By means of this adjustment, enlargement or reduction of the original copy may be achieved in a direction circumferential of the cylinders and to a selected degree in either case. In other words, and stated more succinctly, a desired reproduction ratio is achieved between the image on the copy cylinder and the reproduction on the continuously rotated recording cylinder by effecting an oscillating scan of the copy cylinder (rather than a continuous but variable-speed rotary scan as in the prior art devices), with the amplitude of oscillation corresponding to the desired ratio of reproduction.

With the above considerations and objects in mind, the invention itself will now be described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example and not of limitation, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention, showing the operative relationship between the several components thereof.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the first translating means of the variable-ratio motion-translating means, taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a similar view of the second translating means of the variable-ratio motion-translating means taken on line 44 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a pair of

cylindrical drums

10 and 12 are shown with their

respective axles

14 and 16 in substantial alignment.

Drums

10 and 12 are mounted for rotation about their axles by means of bearings not shown. Each of the

drums

10 and 12 includes means for releasably securing thereto a sheet of suitable material, In the case of drum 10, the sheet material to be held around the periphery of the drum is the original or copy material. The recording material is secured to the periphery of drum 12. Any suitable means for releasably securing such sheet material around the drums may be utilized, and one example of such means is the slotted portion 11 in each drum surface which allows the edges of the sheet material to pass toward the center of the drum to be gripped by means similar to those shown and described in the copending application to Reuben I. Autere et al., Serial Number 559,023, filed January 13, 1956 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Two

transducer assemblies

18 and 20 are shown adjacent drums and 12, respectively, and each is mounted for linear reciprocal movement along guide bars 22 which are substantially parallel to

axles

14 and 16. A motor 24, which may be of any suitable type, has an output shaft 26 with a worm 28 secured thereto. The worm 28 engages worm gear 36 which is secured to a continuation of shaft 16. Thus when motor 24 is energized, shaft 16 is rotated continuously through worm 28 and worm gear 30.- Also affixed to the continuation of shaft 16 is a Worm 32 which engages and drives a worm gear 34 which is secured to a shaft common with worm 36. A worm gear 38 engages and is driven by worm 36, and is secured to a shaft to which is also aflixed a pulley or drive wheel 40. An endless belt 42, which is preferably of some relatively inextensible material such as steel, passes over and extends between wheel-40 and a matching wheel 44. One of the reaches of belt 42 i secured totransducer assembly 20 as shown, so that the latter is pulled along rods 22 as wheel 40 is rotated.

A housing 46 encloses both a variable-ratio drive means which interconnects the transducer assemblies 18 and 2i), and a variable-ratio motion-translating means which translates the continuous rotary motion applied to drum or cylinder 12 into oscillating rotary motion for drum 10. The variable-ratio drive means between the two transducer assemblies receives its input from the rotation of Wheel 44, and supplies an output at wheel or pulley 48 in accordance with the setting of the knob 52. The particular form of this variable ratio drive is a matter of choice in the design of the reproducing machine, and may conveniently be of the type shown and described in the copending application of Charles Doran, Serial Number 740,645, filed June 9, 1958, now Patent No. 2,978,536 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The variable-ratio motion-translating means between the two cylinders is the subject matter of the present inven-' tion, and will be described in detail below. With respect to the description of FIG. 1, it will suflice to state that the amplitude of the oscillatory movements of cylinder 10 is determined by the setting of a control knob 53, which may conveniently be attached to a shaft which is coaxial with that of knob 52. As will better be understood later in the description of this invention, these two control knobs may, if desired, be combined into one with but a single shaft to effect concomitant control over both variable-ratio transmissions.

Passing over and extending between

wheels

48 and 50 is a second endless belt 54, one of the reaches of which is secured to photoelectric pickup transducer means 18 so as to pull the latter along bars 22 as drive wheel 48 is rotated.

With the exception of the variable-ratio transmissions included within housing 46, the structure described so far herein is for the most part closely similar to the apparatus forming the subject matter of the aforementioned Boyajean patent, and the operation thereof, aside from the variable-ratio drive function, is substantially that of the Boyajean apparatus. The electrical circuitry is shown in an abbreviated schematic form herein, mostly to indicate the fact of electrical continuity between the photoelectric pick-up transducer 18 and the recording or reproducing transducer 26 through amplifier 56. The detail of such circuitry are shown and described in the Boyajean patent, and further description in this specification will not be had sincesuch circuitry forms only an incidental part of the invention herein disclosed.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the variable-ratio motiontranslating means of the invention is shown in detail. Afiixed to shaft 16 are two cams 58 and 60, which rotate with shaft 16 and form a part of a first translating means generally indicated at 62. A cam-follower member 64 is mounted for reciprocal linear motion by means of a plurality of rotary wheels 66 or the like. Wheels 66 are mounted by means not shown for rotation about their respective axles 68, and are grooved or otherwise shaped at their peripheries so as to constrain cam follower 64 to motion only in its own plane, i.e., in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane of the sheet of the drawing. Mounted on cam follower 64 are one or more cam follower rollers, one of which is seen in FIG. 2 at 70. Roller 70 is mounted by a suitable bearing for rotary motion with respect to arm 72 which is secured to cam follower member 64, and is continuously in contact with tie cam surface of cam 60, as will be more readily understood in connection with FIG. 3.

A lever arm 74 is pivotally connected to cam follower 64 by a suitable pivot joint which may take the form shown at 76 wherein a small amount of axial play is permitted. At a point remote from joint 76 another pivot joint 77 serves as an adjustable fulcrum for lever arm 74. Pivot 77 is mounted on or forms a part of a slidable plate or the like 78, which is mounted for sliding movement with respect to lever arm 74 as by guide rods 86 or the like which are secured to housing 46. The particular form of joint 77 is a matter of choice in design, so long as it affords pivoting action along with freedom to slide along lever arm 74. The means for adjusting the positioning of fulcrum 77 may conveniently take the form of a lead screw 82 or the like which is appropriately engaged with a threaded aperture in plate 78 so as to cause the plate to travel along screw 82 as the latter is rotated. In order to effect rotation of screw 82, a pair of bevel gears 84 or the like are provided, and shaft 86 is connected to control knob 53 on the exterior of housing 46. As knob 53 isrotated, screw 82 is correspondingly rotated, and fuicrum 77 thereupon slides along lever arm 74 to be positioned at a point corresponding to a desired ratio of transmission of the reciprocal linear motion of cam follower 64 to the second translating means 88.

The end of lever arm '74 which is remote from cam follower 64 is pivotally attached to a rack member 9'6 of the second translating means 88. Rack member 90 is mounted for reciprocal linear motion as by guide rods 9.2 which are secured by means not shown to housing 46 so as to constrain rack member 9 to motion in only its own plane, i.e., in a plane which is perpendicular to the sheet of the drawing. The point of attachment of lever arm 74 to rack member is indicated as pivot joint 94-, which may be the same as pivot 76.

Rack member 99 carries at one edge thereof a rack 96 which engages a pinion 98 mounted on shaft 14 of drum l0, shaft 14 passing through the wall of housing 46 as indicated at rotary bearing 1%.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side elevation is seen of the first translating means of the variable-ratio motiontranslating means, showing in more detail the cam members 58 and 60. One of these cams must serve as the main drive member for causing linear motion of cam foliower 64 in one direction, similar motion in rack memher 96 and corresponding oscillating rotary motion in drum it). The other cam serves as the return drive for returning the aforementioned elements to their original positions for repetition of the cycle. Either of the cams 58 and 60 may assume the role of themain drive element in the apparatus as shown, since the two cams are identical in shape; the choice as to which drives and which returns merely determines or is determined by the direction of rotation of shaft 16.

As. shown, the cam surfaces of both cam members 58 and 60 describe Archimedean spirals, that is, the plane curve generated by a point moving away from or toward a fixed point at a constant rate while the radius vector from the fixed point rotates at a constant rate. Thus, the amplitude of linear displacement of cam follower member 64 bears a linear relationship to the amplitude of rotation of shaft 16, in that equal increments of rotational displacement of shaft 16 result in equal increments of linear displacement of cam follower 64., A small segment, of

course, of the cam is occupied by the quick-return portion of the cam surface, which extends from the point of maximum radius to that of minimum radius. It will be understood that while two identical cams 58 and 60 are shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus of the invention may employ but a single cam of this type as the drive element, utilizing a spring or other suitable means as the quick-return'element. In most applications where accuracy is important in the reproduction, it has been found advantageous, however, to employ a pair of cams, each providing a positive drive in its respective direction of travel of the cam follower. It should be stated here as an additional alternative that a combination of a spring bias and a pair of cams may also be employed. This is accomplished by providing one cam similar to those shown in FIG. 3, along with a spring to bias the cam follower against the cam so that the former closely follows the latter at all times except perhaps during the quick-return. To provide a positive drive at this point, a small cam segment is employed, the cam surface of which closely approximates only the quickreturn portion of the first-mentioned cam. Thus, the cam follower moves under the influence of both cams during the quick-return time, while at all other times it is controlled by the one drive cam and the associated spring bias. In the form shown by way of explanation herein in FIG. 3, cam follower rollers 70 and 102 are continuously in contact with their respective cams on and 58. Since the wheels or rollers 66 are mounted upon fixed axes, the cam follower is constrained to move reciprocally, from right to left and back as seen in FIG. 3, upon rotation of shaft 16 and the two cams secured thereto.

FIG. 4 shows the second translating means in greater detail, the rack member 90 being mounted for sliding motion along two guide rods 92 which constrain the movement of the rack member to reciprocal translation from right to left and back as seen in FIG. 4. The guide rods 92 of course, may be replaced by rollers similar to rollers 66 of FIG. 3, and conversely the rollers 66 of FIG. 3 might equally well be replaced by the guide rods 92 of FIG. 4. As previously stated, guide rods 92 are secured to a stationary portion of the apparatus not shown. Afiixed to the top of plate or rack member 90 is a rack 96 which engages a pinion 98 for effecting oscillating rotation of the latter upon linear reciprocation of the former, thus providing oscillating rotation to the axle 14 of drum 10.

In most instances, the diameter 'of the recording cylinder will be predetermined and fixed at some standard size for a given application of the reproducing apparatus. In order, therefore, to provide means for receiving copy larger than such standard size and which is to be reduced to dimensions within such standard recording sheet size, the copy cylinder is preferably of a diameter somewhat in excess of that of the recording cylinder. Specifically, the copy cylinder is sufiiciently large to accommodate the largest piece of copy for which the apparatus is designed. The range of adjustment of fulcrum 77 is defined by limiting positions corresponding to a minimum drive ratio between the two cylinders (representing the extreme in reduction) and some greater selected ratio representing the condition of maximum enlargement.

Referring now to the operation of the apparatus of the invention, the copy material which is to be reproduced placed on copy cylinder and is clamped thereto. A sheetof recording material is placed on drum 12 and secuied thereto. Control knobs 52 and 53 are positioned to correspond tov the desired ratio of reproduction, whether amounting to an enlargement or a reduction. As an incidental feature, by providing separate shafts for

control knobs

52 and 53 and their respective control mechanisms, different ratios of reproduction may be achieved in the two mutually orthogonal copy material directions one of which is parallel to the axis of the copy drum 10. That is to say, by the appropriate setting of knob 52 the desired ratio of reproduction is determined in the direction parallel to the drum axes,,while an entirely different ratio may be selected for the other direction (circumferential of the drums) by means of knob 53. If such flexibility of setting is not desired, knob 53 may be removed along with shaft 86, screw 82 is then rotated by the single shaft of the variable transmission shown in the aforementioned application of Charles Doran, under the control of knob 52. Obviously, the radii of all the cams and the gearing ratio of all the gear trains of the two variable-ratio drive mechanisms would preferably be designed so that adjustment of the single knob 52 results in corresponding increments and decrements in the reproduction ratio in each direction. 7

In the form of the apparatus shown herein, energization of motor 24 causes rotation of shaft 16, resulting in linear displacement of transducer assembly 20 along drum 12 and related motion of transducer assembly 18 under the control of the variable-ratio transmission governed by the setting of knob 52. It will, of course, be understood that any other suitable variable-ratio drive means may be employed in driving the two transducers.

Rotation of shaft 16 also causes rotation of drum 12, as well as of cams 58 and 60. As these two cams rotate through one complete revolution, cam follower member 64 executes one complete cycle of reciprocal linear motion, the cycle comprising a relatively long portion during which cam follower is displaced linearlywith respect to the rotation of shaft 16, and then a'relatively short or quick-return portion during which cam follower 64 is returned to its original position. As shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings, cam follower 64 is in a position which is substantially the midpoint of the linear drive or long portion of its cycle, with lever arm 74 being substantially perpendicular to both cam follower 64 and rack member 90.

As cam follower 64 is thus reciprocated, lever arm 74 is rotated from one extreme azimuthal position to the other, rocking about the adjustable fulcrum provided by fulcrum 77. The particular position of this fulcrum is determined by the setting of control knob 53, which is secured to shaft 86, and which, through bevel gears 84, causes rotation of screw 82 with concomitant positioning of the fulcrum as plate 78 slides on guide rods 80. It should be stated that fulcrum 77 might equally well, for

some applications, he adjustably positioned outside the area defined by carn follower 64 and rack member 90. Thus, lever arm 74 would extend beyond either the cam follower or the rack member to receive the fulcrum at some point therebeyond.

The rocking motion of lever arm 74 creates a related reciprocal linear motion in rack member 90, which slides back and forth on guide rods 92. As the reciprocating motion of rack member 90 takes place, rack 96 executes the same motion, and pinion 98 is oscillated back and forth to a corresponding degree. Since pinion 98 is mounted on shaft 14 with drum 10, the latter also executes the oscillating rotary motion.

The invention has been described above in considerable detail, and particularly with reference to its application to engraving or copying machines which utilize photoelectric pick-up means for sensing the image information in the copy material. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is also applicable to machines of this general nature which employ mechanical or other means as the sensing element. Further, the output transducer may suitably be a hot-wire engraver for plastic sheets, a light valve for photographic recording or any other of several well known recording devices. Hence, the invention is not to be considered to be limited to the particular details given, nor to the specific application to which reference has been made during the description of the apparatus, except insofar as may be required by the scope of the appended claims.

transducer means mounted adjacent each of said drums for sliding motion parallel to the axis of such drum, an electrical circuit connected between said transducer means, means on one of said drums for releasably securing thereto image-bearing sheet, material, means on the other of said drums for releasably securing thereto recording sheet material upon which it is desired to reproduce such images, means for continuously rotating a first of said drums, means for moving the transducer means adjacent said first drum in timed relation to the rotation thereof, drive means interconnecting the transducer means adjacent the second of said drums and said means for moving the transducer means adjacent said first drum, motion-translating means interconnecting said second drum and said means for rotating said first drum, said motion-translating means being adapted to translate the continuous rotary motion of said first drum into oscillating rotary motion for said second drum and comprising first translating means connected to said means for continuously rotating said first drum for translating such rotary motion into related reciprocating linear motion, and second translating means connected between said first translating means and said second drum for translating such reciprocating linear motion into corresponding oscillating rotary motion.

2. An apparatus for the electrical reproduction of images, comprising a pair of cylindrical drums mounted for rotation about their respective axes, image-information transducer means mounted adjacent each of said drums for sliding motion parallel to the axis of such drum, an electrical circuit connected between said transducer means, means on one of said drums for releasably securing thereto image-bearing sheet material, means on the other of said drums for relasably securing thereto recording sheet material upon which it is desired to reproduce such images, means for continuously rotating a first of said drums, means for moving the transducer means adjacent said first drum in timed relation to the rotation thereof, a variable-ratio drive means interconnecting the transducer means adjacent the second of said drums and said means for moving the transducer means adjacent said'first drum, adjustable means for effecting a selected ratio for said drive means, a vaiable-ratio motion-translating means interconnecting said second drum and said means for rotating said first drum, said motion-translating means being adapted to translate the continuous rotary motion of said first drum into oscillating rotary motion for said second drum and comprising first translating means connected to said means for continuously rotating said first drum for translating such rotary motion into related reciprocating linear motion, second translating means connected to said second drum for translating reciprocating linear motion into oscillating rotary motion, a lever arm connected between said first and second translating means for transmitting the reciprocating motion of the first to the second, an adjustable fulcrum on said lever arm, and means for positioning said adjustable fulcrum to efiect a desired ratio of motion transmission between said first and second translating means.

3. An apparatus for the electrical reproduction of images, comprising a pair of cylindrical drums mounted for rotation about their respective axes, image-information transducer means mounted adjacent each of said drums for sliding motion parallel to the axis of such drum, an electrical circuit connected between said transducer means, means on one of said drums for releasably securing thereto image-bearing sheet material, means on the other of said drums for releasably securing thereto recordin sheet material upon which it is desired to reproduce such images, means for continuously rotating a first of said drums, means for moving the transducer means adjacent said first drum in timed relation to the rotation thereof, a variable-ratio drive means interconnecting thetransducer means adjacent the second of said drums-and said means for moving the transducer means adjacent said first drum, adjustable means for efliecting a selected ratio for said drive means, a motion-translating means interconnecting said second drum and said means, for

rotating said first drum, said motion-translating means being adapted to translate the continuous rotary motion of said first drum into oscillating rotary motion for saidsecond drum and comprising first translating means connected to said means for continuously rotating said first drum for translating such rotary motion into related reciprocating linear motion, and second translatingrmeansconnected between said first translating means and. said second drum for translating such reciprocating linear. motion into corresponding oscillating rotary motion.

4. An apparatus for the electrical reproduction of in1- ages, comprising a pair of cylindrical drums mountedfor rotation about their respective axes, image-information transducer means mounted adjacent each of said drums for sliding motion parallel to the axis of such: drum, an electrical circuit connected between said transducer means, means on one of said drums for releasably securing thereto image-bearing sheet material, means on the other of said drums for releasably securing thereto recording sheet material upon which it is desired to re-' produce such images, means for continuously rotating a first of said drums, means for moving the transducer means adjacent said first drum in timed relation to the rotation thereof, drive means interconnecting the transducer means adjacent the second of said drums. and said:

means for moving the transducer means adjacent said first drum, a variable-ratio motion-translating means interconnesting said second drum and said means for rotating said first drum, said motion-translating means being adapted to translate the continuous rotary motion of said first drum into oscillating rotary motion for said second drum and comprising first translating means connected to said means for continuously rotating said first drum for translating such rotary motion into related reciprocating linear motion,- second translating means connectedto said second drum 'for translating reciprocating. linear mOtlOIl' into oscillating rotary motion, a lever arm piv-'- otally connected to said first and second translating means for transmittingthe reciprocating motion of the first t0 the second, an adjustable fulcrum on said lever arm, and:

means for positioning said adjustable fulcrum to efiect a desired ratio of motion transmission between said first and second translating means.

5. An apparatus for the electrical reproduction of images in accordance with claim 4, wherein said first translating means comprises rotary cam means driven by said.

means for continuously rotating said first drum, camfollower means mounted for reciprocal linear motion and driven by said cam means, and means on saidcam-follower for pivotally securing said lever arm thereto.

6. An apparatus for the electrical reproduction of images in accordance with claim 4, wherein said secondv translating means comprises a rack member mounted for reciprocal linear motion, means on said rack member. for pivotally securing said lever arm thereto, a pinion member connected to said second drum and mounted for rotation therewith, said pinion member engaging said rack member and beingdriven thereby upon reciprocallinear motion of said rack member.

7. An apparatus for the electrical reproduction. of images, comprising a pair of cylindrical drumsmounted for rotation about their respective axes, image information:

transducer means mounted adjacent each of said drums for sliding motion parallel to the axis of such drum,

an electrical circuit connected between said transducer means, means on one of said drums for releasably securing thereto image-bearing sheet material, means onthe other of said drums for releasably securing thereto recording sheet material upon which it is desired o produce such images, means for continuously rotating a first of said drums, means for moving the transducer means adjacent the said first drum in timed relation to the rotation thereof, drive means interconnecting the transducer means adjacent the second of said drums and said means for moving the transducer means adjacent said first drum, means for adjusting said drive means for ob taining a selected ratio for said drive means, and motion translating means to translate the continuous rotary motion of said first drum into oscillating rotary motion of said second drum, said motion translating means interconnecting said second drum and said means for rotating said first drum. I

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, in which the motion translating means include means for adjusting the ratio of motion transmission between said first and said second drum.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, in which the motion translating means comprises first translating means for translating the continuously rotating motion of said first drum into reciprocating motion, and second translating means connected between said first translating means and said second drum for translating said reciprocating motion into oscillating rotary motion of said second drum.

10. An apparatus for the electrical reproduction of images, comprising first and second cylindrical drums mounted for rotation about their respective axes, image information'transducer means mounted adjacent each of said drums for sliding motion parallel to the axis of such drum, an electrical circuit connecting said transducers, means on said first drum for releasably securing thereto image bearing sheet material, means on said second drum for releasably securing thereto recording sheet material upon which to reproduce such images, means for continuously rotating said first drum, means for moving the transducer means adjacent said first drum in timed relation to the rotation thereof, a variable drive means interconnecting the transducer means adjacent said second drum and said means for moving the transducer adjacent said first drum, and motion translating means for converting the continuous rotating motion of said first drum to an oscillating rotary motion of said second drum.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, in which said motion translating means is adjustable to obtain dif ferent ratios of motion between said continuously rotating motion of the first drum and the oscillating rotary motion of said second drum.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,189,401 Stephenson July 4, 1916 2,063,614 McFarlane Dec. 8, 1936 2,575,546 Boyajean Nov. 20, 1951 2,875,275 Willcox et al. Feb. 24, 1959