US3856389A

US3856389A - Horizontal film editing table

Info

Publication number: US3856389A
Application number: US00465473A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Gardner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-04-30
Filing date: 1974-04-30
Publication date: 1974-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-24

Abstract

A horizontal table film editing machine having a plurality of film carrying plates mounted on vertical-axis spindles powered by individual torquemotors; plate, guide roller, sprocket, picture head, and sound head locations define a plurality of film tracks, with provision for increasing in two stages the number of tracks; parallel-spaced film runs, equal-distance-related from the heads, provide for synchronizing by matching of frames anywhere along the length of the runs; a two-motor film transport provides for driving plural picture tracks and plural sound tracks simultaneously at sound speed, synchronized, or at variable speeds synchronized or unsynchronized, with independent interlocks and forward and reverse capability without unthreading, and with constant tension automatic filmwind feed and take-up.

Description

United States Patent Gardner 2,2 Filed:

21 1 Appl. No. 465,473

[ HORIZONTAL FILM EDITING TABLE- [76] Inventor: Rodney D. Gardner, 2807 St. Paul St., Baltimore, Md. 21218 Apr. 30, 1974 52'1-U.s.ci....; ..f3s2/129,3'52/6, 352 31 -[5l] Int. Cl. G03b 21/00 [58] 'Field of Search 352/129, 6, 25, 31

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I 1,986,053 1 /1935 FI'1SS...-....* 352/129 X 2,297,222 9/1942 Kemnal. 352/129 X 2,692,529 10/1954 Halahan Primary Examiner-Monroe H. Hayes Attorney, Agent, or Firm lohn F. McClellan,

, 51 Dec '24, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A horizontal table film editing machine having a plurality of film carrying plates mounted on vertical-axis spindles powered by individual torquemotors; plate, guide roller, sprocket, picture head, and sound head locations define a plurality of film tracks, with provision for increasing in two stages the number oftracks; parallel-spaced film'runs, equalrdistance-related from the heads, provide for synchronizing by matching of frames anywhere along the length of the runs; a twomotor film-transport provides for driving plural picture tracks and plural sound tracks simultaneously at sound speed, synchronized, or at variable speeds syn-- chronized 0r unsynchronizedywith independent interlocks and forward and reverse capability without unthreadingQand with constant tension automatic filmwind feed and take-up,

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDuEn24mz4 SHEET 7 BF 7 .A j|zovAEfeomi 0 v mPILOTLAMP DC SUPPLY TAKE UP VARIABLE TRANSFORMER FEED A VARIABLE TRANSFORMER f 72 FEEDTORQUE- A MOTOR BRAKE 2l2b 72' TA'KE-UPTOROUE- MOTQRBRAKE I I28/I3O I'NTERLOCK CLUTCH B l|24l|26 HOLDING J w* j@@ L l38/140 SOUND-SPEED a; MOTORCLUTCH |3a'/n4o'\vAR|ABLEsP|-:ED L MOTORCLUTCH VARIABLE SPEED 1 FOOT a. I PEDAL ft 220 2|8 50mg... SPEED j Z AMOTOR A F|G.IO.

HORIZONTAL FILM EDITING TABLE This invention relates generally to film editing machines, and particularly to such machines having horizontal tables mounting plural vertical axis spindles handling wound film. resting on rotating plate supports.

Film editing is the foundation of the art of making motion pictures. Everything in cinema includes a visual statement resulting from an assembly of images, and

scenes of varyinglength, not, usually photographed in correct chronological order or correct length, and comprises a major part in the language of the cinema.

Film editing therefore is cutting and splicing strips of film in the in sequence and time best adapted to unfold the action in correlation with sounds employed.

. In the history of film editing machines the so-called vertical machines requiring film to be mounted on reels having horizontal spindles appeared first, with only one picture-track or one-picture and one-sound track capability. Such machines were noisy, and mechanically cumbersome, with reels driven-by long sewing-machine type round se'ction leather belts,'intermittentcams and basic layout which permits the simplest four-plate ver- FIG. Sis an isometric view of a portion of the trans- I port mechanism of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan diagram similar to that of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 10 is an electrical diagram. The first three Figures illustrate the versatility of the Siori tJBeexpanded, by additi oFcYf units, to six-plate other mechanisms. which tendedto tear film and the main machine on which gradually the finished product was built up. The horizontal-concept editing machines having plates mounted on vertical axis with multiple roll film handling are recent products, mostly imported and relatively expensivewith complicated mechanical and electrical servo motors andbanks of relay switches. n r A large part of the expense has derived from the appreaches taken to meet the considerable requisites of modern film editing machines generally, which ideally include the following --the film image area edited must emerge unblemished'by the editing apparatus;

plural picturetracks and plural sound tracks must be available for single or simultaneous use, soundspeed synchronized or variable'speed synchronized or unsynchronized, with independent interlocks and forward and r eve'r's'e-capability without unthreading, and with constant tension automatic film wind feed, and take-up; I '--silent winding tapered-thickness, open-face plates must be provided, with all film runs visible and accessible throughout; and with independent brake and stop facility; I

--synchronous direct viewing of erect images projected on a screen or screens and manual drive or inching," capability on individual or interlocked tracks for frame-to-frame examination of picture and sound films must be available;

--broad work areas with direct-view fiducial or synchronization marks are requisite.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a horizontal multiple-track film editor which has. an improved, simplified drive system and track inter-.

locking system co-acting with other structure of relatively conventional design'to make available the above advantages.

Other-objects and advantages'of the invention will become more readily apparent on examination 'of the following descriptioniincluding the drawings in which like reference numerals indicatelike parts:

1 sprocket holes. Shotslor scenes-from other rolls of film or sound film-had to be found by handling those other rolls on other machines or by hand before transfer to and to eight-plate-versions. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment 10a of the invention having four plates'and two tracks; showingthe general relation of the parts in the simplest embodiment. Table 20 has legs 22 and top 24 with spaced struts 26 mounting a shelf 28 above, the rear edge. Thetable-top preferably mounts all components except thesyst'emampli-'- fier 30,;-counter 32, and speaker 34 which areon the previous embodiments to an eight plate embodiment table top showing the provision of picture plates at poshelf. All components not needed for moment-tomoment film edi-tingoperations are mounted beneath the table top. Mounted on the tabletop for instant, complete access with elements passing downward through the table top are: 7

(a) .The optical system 36;"

(b) The picture track I;

(c) The sound track II; and

(d) The control panel 38.

Arrangement of the plate assemblies 40 on the table and of the picture and sound film runs according to the present invention is based on a rectangular grid arrangement in which theleft and the right'edge areas of thetable have each three plate-positions in-a row equi-.

spaced on a line parallel withthe ends of the table, designatable from front to black L1, L2 and L3 on the left, and R1, R2 and R3 on the right. In addition, the left-side has a second row designatable from front to backLA',L5,andL6.' Q.

In the four-plate two-track embodiment of FIG.'1 the picture plates are installed at L5, R3 and ,thesound plates at L2, R2.

Synchronizing

marks

42, 44 are straight lines parallel with the ends of the table in the left and right middle areas. The parallelruns of picture film P and sound film S perpendicular to the synchronizing marks have equal distance runs from the'respective picture and sound heads to the mark and can be synchronously marked or keyed easily by customary means, anywhere along the length of theparallel runs.

FIG. 2 illustrates embodiment 10b, the six plate .embodiment having one picture track I and two sound tracks, II and III, is achieved by adding sound plates at the L1 R1 positions, with guide rollers defining a parallel run as described above.

FIG. 3 illustrates progessive expansion through the 10c having two picture and two sound tracks as more particularly detailed in the next Figure.

FIG. 4 illustrates. in diagrammatic form the FIG. 3

- plate'at L5 to a plateat'R3.

.of sound heads sitions L3, L6 respectively wit-h a double-back picture track IV and an optical system 36 identical'tothe first mountedin parallel with the first, side-by-side to the left. The double-back portion of the picture track passes on the front, back and right sides of a portion of the second optical system as will be seen.

Reading from front to back the parallel runs are thus second track, first soundtrack, first picture track, secnd picture track, making the task of remembering the correlation very easy, the first tracks (first sound, first picture) being the inner ones and the second tracks (second sound, second picture) the outer ones.

Optionally an optical reader 46 can be installed and a third sound head can be installed at- 48 in Tract IV, if desired, so that the table can be operated as one- Picture three sound. w

In detail, as to the layout of the basic eight-plate, two

picture-track, two sound-track table illustrated, tracks Ill and II, the'sound tracks normally employed, extend" the length'of thetable, from plate assemblies 40- to L1 to'Rl, and L2 and R2 'respectively. One picture track,

44 for track IV.

The optical system 36 of track IV is parallel-spaced from the track I optical system, and track IV loops from plate position L3 arounda portion of theoptical system (the portion being described later, in reference to FIG.

.6) to plate positon L6, producing by meansof guide rollers 21 film run perpendicular'to synchronizing mark 42 and around the looped portion tothe actual optical axis of optical system 36 measuring the same distance. as the other film runs measure to the optical axis projected of optical system 36.

FIG. 5 diagrams the arrangement of a typical plate assembly 40. Each plate 56 is perforate, has a collar 58 attached, and is tapered in section to a thin edge by a top bevel according tobest currently known practice,

providing the positive, quiet, non-scraping feed and take up important for editing. A torquemotor 60 mounted to the underside of the table as by screws 62 in .tapped holes 64, with the shaft 66 mounting a hub 4 lens 76 onto diagonal reflector 78, through to a'focal point at film F, through a rotating prism 80, a focussing lens assembly '82, through a dove prism 84 held at 45 rotational angle by bracket 86 to achieve proper image erection, onto reflector system 88 in picture head 90 and then onto screen 92 for viewing.

The rotating prism is operated in synchronism with the passing film by means described in reference to the following two Figures.

FIG. 7 diagramsthe elements and inter-connections of the transport mechanism of the eight-plate embodimentof the invention, 10c. of FIG. 3. a g I FIG; 8 correspondingly illustrates portions of the transport'mechanism' of the eight-plate embodiment FIGS. 7 and 8-are therefore described together. The main drive is divided vertically into upper transport section91 and lower transport section 93 and horizontally into a main frame assembly or transport proper 94, attached below the table top with elements protruding upwardly through the table top, and to

auxiliary frame assemblies

96, 98, 100, similarly attached with elements protrudingupwardly also. i

Main frame assembly 94 comprises a vertical backing plate 102 with four

horizontal crossplates

104, 106,

108, 110, fixed in parallel-spaced relation from top to bottom.

Three similar vertical shaft assemblies 112 (Track III,114 (Track II), 116 (Track I), are carried by the main frame parallel-spaced in a row with a portion of each protruding upwardly through clearance in the 68 in .turn having 'a shaft protruding upwardly through a hole in the table, rotatively mounts each plate. Each torquemotor has a conventional electromagnetic brake 72 for stopping and or locking the shaft and plate when desired. 6

- The torquemotors serve to rotate the plates in take up and to retard them when paying out, by an arrange- I ment disclosed later in reference to the drive generally.

Voltage can be varied at will on each pair of the torquemotors as will be seen, greatly adding to the flexibility and versatility of the editing table in use.

I FIG. 6 diagrams the relation of the parts of the optical system 36. I Source 74 attached beneath the table top projects a beamupward through a table aperture and through table top. Each protrusion terminates at the top in a knurled inching knob 1'18, and carries immediately belowv that one of the three drive-sprockets 54 for the respective tracks.

Below the table each shaft passes through a bearing- 120 in the top crossplate of the frame and 'a co-axially aligned bearing 'l'22'in-the second crossplate of the, frame. Between these'first two crossplates each shaft carries an electromagnetic brake rotor 124; the rotors are paired with brake stators 126 fixedto the upper crossplates. I

Between the second and third crossplates each of the shafts terminates in an electro-magnetic' clutch motor 128. The corresponding magnetic clutch stator 130 for each is fixed on the end of one of shaftsl32, 134, 136, mounted in respective co-axiality with the first described shafts, with each journalled in aligned

bearings

137 and 139 in the third and fourth crossplates from the top.

Shafts

134 and 136 bear atthe lower ends interbearing connected magnetic clutch halves 138, 138', fixed to themand associated respective magnetic

clutch halves

140, 140', freely rotative on the shafts and re spectively having affixed to them

chain sprockets

142 and 143.

Reversible synchronous motor 144 bolted vertically to the backing plate with the motorshaft extending downwardly, connects with the chainsprocket on the lower'end of shaft 136 through endlesschain 146 and sprocket 148 on the motor-shaft.

In similar manner, .reversible variable speed motor 150 bolted to the backing plate with the motorshaft down, connects with the chain sprocket on the lower end of shaft 134' through-endless chain 152 and sprocket 154 on the motorshaft. 1 f

- shafts and chain 174.

I ployed."

. Thus-the three co axial shaft assemblies are basically identical except that shaft assembly. 112 is shorter than shaft assemblies 114 and 1-16 andhas at the bottom no clutched motor-connection. t a A fourth shaft assembly 156 '(Track IV)'basically identical to shaft assembly 112 is bolted beneath the table top by means of auxiliary frame assembly 98, similar to frame assembly 94, some distance away from the other shafts and is=permanently connected with shaft l36by means of respective sprockets 158,160 on. the shafts and by chain .162. Shaft assembly 156. 'has a

brake assembly

176, 178, and a

clutch connection

180, 182 to alower shaft 184, in similar manner to shaft assembly 112.

:Shaft 134 is permanently connected to shaft 136 by chain-164 on sprockets 166 and 168'respectively, and

shaft 13 2 is' permanently connected to shaft 134 by means of sprockets 170 and 172 fixed on the respective Through this arrangement and interlock of the-motor switches either

motor

144 or 150 can drive but not both simultaneously,'and the drive turns all four

shafts

132, 134, 136 184 regardless-of-which motor is em-

Rot'ating prisms

80,80 are'driven from shaft assembilies 96 and 100respectiv'ely when-the appropriate clutches are engaged by means of gear sets 186, 188

and 190, 192 affixed to the respective shaft assemblies 156,

l00iand

116, 96.

A further feature apparent in theFigures under consideration is the mechanicalcounter 194, optionally which may advantageously be an AC/DC series wound drivable throughthe table top by means of counter shaft 196 gear set' 198, 200, sprockets 199 and chain 201 on the shaft and countershaftl v two decks, as indicated.

any partial combination of the upper shafts or output shafts for Tracks I, I], Ill and 1V can be operated together at synchro'nous speed or variable speed or can be fre'ewheelcdby the inching knobs or held locked in "position by suitable conventional operation of the clutches, brakes, the torquernotors, and the torquernotor brakes, but that track-to-track synchronism can never beacciclentally lost while the s'procketsdrive the film.

FIG. "9 illustrates? the versatility of plate-to-plate winding of flim F.,'Literally every plate can be opera- 'tively connected with every other plate in "film winding,

in many cases without intervening roller guides; Additionally, Am B winding, in' which film is rewound to i "putt'he emulsion side'in or out on the spool as desired,

is possible in most cases.

*FIG. 10 sch'ematically'diagrams the electrical hookup of the components of the system. i i

s The dotted lines A, B, define a circuit for, onetrack.

-T he circuits for the other tracks are similar. All circuit I components are conventionally wired'for the functions, as indicated.

Main switch 202 controls the main power supply (l20VAC) to the system and-components. A manually variable transformer 204 regulates voltage supplied to all feed torque motors '60 and associated-plate assemblies. A second and similar manually ;variable transport -of the film in former 204f regulates voltage supplied to all take up torquemotors '60 and plate assemblies. The variable voltage provides selective torque for optimum winding and tensioning. With the transport drive in use, moderate drag on the feed assembly'and positive wind on the take up plate assembly assure trouble free film winding.

A double-pole double-throw center-off switch 206,

206' activates and conventionally reverses by lead reversal each of the torquemotors when desired. A single- 'The: off position frees the upper drive shaft and sprocket, permitting the torquemotors -to power-wind the film in either direction.

- The interlocking position energizes electromagnetic transport clutch coupling 128/130, which interlocking function can be accomplished, while the lower transport system (93, FIG. 7) is running,or while stopped. The

operator may interlock any track or combination of tracks in the transport system to achieve synchronous driving ofthose tracks interlocked; Tracks may also be driven interlocked at variable speed using motor .150

worm-gear-head motor. As indicated then, the. trans may be run at sound speedoratvariable speed or stopped at will,

Gang'switch2l0a, 210b, may advantageously: be a three-position rotary switch with threetaps on each of The middle positon holds whatever torquetension voltage on the feed and take-up plate assemblies with established by the setting of

variable transformers

204, 204". a

The left, hand positon applies 120VAC across the feed motor and keeps back-tension normal on the take-up plate assemblythrough the torquemotor 60' circuit variable transformer 204,

power-wind of the film'to the feed plate.

The right hand positionapplies 120VAC across the.

take-up torquemotor 60 and transformer voltage across the feed torque motor 60, causing a power wind the opposite direction, to the take-up plate. t These provisions provide for each track a high speed forwardand reverse-winding capability, when not on interlock to the synchronous or variable speed motors, which provide slower winding speeds.

Double-pole double-

throw switch

212a, 212b, in the right hand position supplies energy through switch v 210a, 210b the rotary switch, and activates the func-- tions determined by the position'of' the rotary switch.

In the lefthand position of

switch

212a, 212b, the rotary switch is tie-energized, and the electromagnetic brakes 72, 72' are energized (VDC, 212b, from DC power supply 224) on each of the feed andtake-up torque motors and associated plate assemblies, causing the film to stop. .Switch 214 selects synchronous speed or variable speed for the transport drive by supplying 9OVDC from causing a reverse .tile vered crossplates for attachmentof wiring to the DC ewer supply to the appropriate clutch- 138/ L40 forv the sound speed motor," 138/ 140 for the variable speed motor.) i Although both the variable speed and the synchro nous or sound speed motors may be turned on at the same time, both clutches cannot be 214, control them;

Single-pole triple-throw center-off switch 216 turns the vari- Fuses '222 are preferably .used to protect against :o'verloads, and a pilot lamp 226 is desirable to indicate system activation. I r

Thelainp circuits are'conventional and not shown. It can be seen that the vertical backing plate and canp'risingly rigidly holding the upperand lower spindles rigidly aligned'with themselves and'the coupling, and

holding the several spindles onit in serial, parallelspaced relationtoclose tolerances, gives open access the commercially available electromagnetic components (which have the usual internal sliprings) and to-the motors; as well as giving adjustment and inspection access toall nents of the film transport section, v v t Obviously many modifications and-variations of the 1 present invention are possible in light or the above teachings, It is; therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise thanas 'spe'cificallydescribed. I What is claimed and desired 'to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

' l. Afilm editing machine comprising: a film transport, including:'a plurality of spindle assemblies, means rotatably supportingsaid plurality of spindle assemblies vertically oriented in series-para]lei-spaced relation,

each' spindle assembly including'an upper spindle and a lower spindle co-axially aligned therewith,.means for selectively retarding rotation of each of said upper spind|es, means for releasibly connecting each upper spindle with the respective lower spindle coaxially aligned therewith, means for coupling in rotation all said lower spindles, a synchronous speed motor, means for releasibly connecting the synchronous speed motor with a first said lower spindle, a variable speed motor, means for releasibly connecting the variable speed v motor with a second said lower spindle; means for manually grasping each of said upper spindles, and a film sprocket proximately below each said grasping means.

2. A film editing machine as recited .in claim 1, and additionally: means for defining respective film tracks associated with plural of said respective film sprockets includiug' first and second plates for each film track, means for rotating all said plates about parallel-spaced v vertical axes, a plurality of roller guides, means for visually indicating synchronization of film when in plural of said tracks; an optical system including a prism,

means for rotating the prism about a vertical axis in of the film transport, although surengaged at the same time because alternative poles of the same switch,

synchronism with rotation of one of said upper spindles, a light beam source positioned for projecting a light beam through a film in a first said film track and thence through said prism, a picture head positioned for receiving and displaying said light beam; a sound head assembly positioned for association with a second film track, means responsive to the sound head, a horithe other compoallel with the ends to back L1, L2 and L3 on the left and R1, R2 and R3- are located at positions L2 zontal table, and'means for supporting said film'transport below the horizontal table with the sprockets thereof and all said plates, roller guides, .visual indicating means, optical system, and sound head assembly in substantially horizontal relation above said horizontal table.

f 3. A film editing machine. as I recited in claim 2, whereinthe means rotatably supporting said plurality of spindle assemblies comprises a vertical backingplate witha plurality of horizontal'crossplates fixed in cantilevered, parallel-spaced relation from top-to-bottomi thereon, withsaid plurality, of spindle assemblies passing through the horizontal cross-plates. Y r

' 4. A film transport as recited in claim 3, wherein first and secondof said crossplate mount at the. top 0f the backing plate the means rotatablysupporting the upper.

spindles, wherein third and fourth of said crossplates therebelow mount the means rotably supporting the lower spindles, wherein the means for selectively retarding each of said upper spindles saidfirst and second crossplates, wherein the means for releasibly connecting each upperv spindle with the respective lower spindle co-axially aligned therewith comprises a respective electromagnetic coupling located between the second and third of said crossplates, wherein the means for coupling in rotation all said lower spindlescomprise a pluralityof respective endless chain members engaging sprockets 'onthe respective lower spindles between'the third and fourth of said crossplates, and wherein the means for releasibly connecting said motors with respective said lower spindles comprise an electromagnetic clutch on each respective lower'spindlebelow the fourth of said'crossplates.

5. A film editing machine as recited in claim 4, wherein the table has left and'right edges, each having three plate positions in arow equi-spaced on a line parof the table, designatable from front on the right, wherein the left edge has a second row of plate positions designatable L4,:L5'and L6'from front to back, thereby forming a rectangular grid of three rows of parallel spaced plate positions, wherein the series of spindles is fixed to the table in a front-to-back direction, wherein the optical system is located on a backportion of the tablewith the direction of light beam projection parallel with the row of spindles,-

wherein the sound head is located forwardly of and in alignment withathe optical system; wherein said first and second platesof a first film track,'are located at positions LSand R3 respectively, .with said first film track passing through a portion of the optical system and through a position for film'engagement with the sprocket of the rearmost spindle assembly.

6. A film editing machine as recited in claim 5, wherein first and second plates of a second film track and R2 respectively, with said second film track passing through a portion of said sound head engagement withthe sprocket of a spindle assembly assembly and through a position for film' 7. A film .editing machine as recited in claim 6,*

wherein a portion of the first track and a portion of the second. film track are parallel-spaced from each other and from an edge of the table, wherein the means for visually indicating synchronization is fixed in perpendicular relation across 'all said film track parallel portions, and wherein the distance from the means for vi- 'sually indicating synchronization along the first said film track to an operative portion of the optical system is equal to the distance along said film track to an operative portion of the sound head assembly.

8. A film editing machine as recited in claim 7, I

wherein a second sound head assembly is provided forwardof and in fore-and-aft alignment with the first said sound head assembly, wherein first and second plates of a third film track are-located at positions L1 and- R1 respectively, with said'third film track-passing through:

a portion of said-soundhead assembly and through a position for film engagement with the sprocket of a spindle assembly proximately forward of the second said spindle assembly.

9. 'A film editing machine as recited in claim 7,- 1 wherein second portions of all'said first and second film tracks are parallel-spaced from each other'and from said edge of the table, wherein a second means for visually indicating synchronization is fixed in perpendicular relation across all said second portions of 7 said film tracks, wherein the distance from the means for visually indicating synchronization along the respective said film track to said respective operative portions is I equahand where the second means for visually indicatingsynchronization is on a side of said operative por- 10 tions opposite to. that of the first said means for visually indicating synchronization.

10. A film editing machine as recited in claim 8, wherein a portion of the third filmtrack is parallelspaced from the parallel-spaced'portions of the first and second film track, and wherein the distance from the means for visually'indicating synchronization along the third film track to an operative portion of the second soundhead assembly is equal to the distance therefrom along the second film track to an operative portion of the first sound head. i

11. A film transport as recited in claim 10, wherein an auxiliary frame assembly is provided'having thereon an additional said spindle assembly and sprocket located lateral to and similar in construction to each of ,the aforesaid spindle assemblies, and similarly affixed in relation to said horizontal table; wherein a second prism is provided, the second prism having means for rotating the prism about a vertical axis in synchronism with rotation of upper spindle of the additional spindle assembly on the auxiliary frame, and means coupling in rotation the lower spindle of said additional spindle as-- sembly with a lower spindle of the first said plurality of spindle assemblies.

12. A' film transport as recited in claim 11, wherein a second said picture head is provided proximately lateral of the first said picture head, wherein first andsecond plates of a fourth film track are located at positions L3 and L6, respectively, with said fourth film track doubling-backaround and through a portion of the optical system and through a position for film engagement with the sprocket of said spindle assembly.'

. UMTE STAT 1s PAT NT 0mm CERTIFICATE 9F CORRECTKUN 128m Dated December 2 197A I Inv en-tor( s) RODNEY D.' GARDNER I It is certified that error appears in the above-idezitified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown balm-1,:

' -'.f3 1311530 ifil t "prwiqc n t .E P1'-I 59 Cdil S i i fi ifHTeLe "11m" and insert fi1m- 7 Col 6 line 39, delete "with" and insert-whih has been- Col. 7 line 63 delete "including" and insert -inc1uding Col 8 line 23, delete crossplate" and insejrt-crossplates--; C01 line 25 delete "rotably" and insert rotatably C01 8 line 27 after "spindles" insert-comprises a respectivel electromagnetic brake located between 5'. Col. 9 1 line 4 after j'fipst" insert-film" i A Signed and'gcalcd this twenty-ninth Day Of July 1975 [SEAL] A ttest:

RUTH c. MASON I c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer (mnmissiunvr qflarenrx and Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT 03m 11s QERTIFICATE G33 CQRRECTIQN Patent N Dated December 2114-, 197

Inventor(s) RODNEY D. GARDNER.

It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below;

' 'Col'.' '3'; line 30, lelete "p "oj e ct" anc1 ins e1 t pr oje ction* c5113; 115551 f'd 'iete "11m" and insert film i C01. 6 line 59 delete "with" and iIlSeTt--\ !hl(lh ha$ been- Col. 7 line 63 delete "including" and insert 1nc1ud1ng Col. 8 -line 23, delete "crossplate" and inse'rt-crossp1ates--;

Col. .8 line 25 delete "rotably" and insert z rotatably Col. 8 line 27 after "spindles" insert--compr1ses a respective electromagnetic brake located between;

Col. 9 line 4 atter "f i r s t" insert-f1l m;

this

twenty-ninth ay Of July 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN I i Arresting Officer ('nmmisxium'r uj'lalcms and Trademarks

Claims

1. A film editing machine comprising: a film transport, including: a plurality of spindle assemblies, means rotatably supporting said plurality of spindle assemblies vertically oriented in series-parallel-spaced relation, each spindle assembly including an upper spindle and a lower spindle coaxially aligned therewith, means for selectively retarding rotation of each of said upper spindles, means for releasibly connecting each upper spindle with the respective lower spindle co-axially aligned therewith, means for coupling in rotation all said lower spindles, a synchronous speed motor, means for releasibly connecting the synchronous speed motor with a first said lower spindle, a variable speed motor, means for releasibly connecting the variable speed motor with a second said lower spindle; means for manually grasping each of said upper spindles, and a film sprocket proximately below each said grasping means.

2. A film editing machine as recited in claim 1, and additionally: means for defining respective film tracks associated with plural of said respEctive film sprockets, includiug first and second plates for each film track, means for rotating all said plates about parallel-spaced vertical axes, a plurality of roller guides, means for visually indicating synchronization of film when in plural of said tracks; an optical system including a prism, means for rotating the prism about a vertical axis in synchronism with rotation of one of said upper spindles, a light beam source positioned for projecting a light beam through a film in a first said film track and thence through said prism, a picture head positioned for receiving and displaying said light beam; a sound head assembly positioned for association with a second film track, means responsive to the sound head; a horizontal table, and means for supporting said film transport below the horizontal table with the sprockets thereof and all said plates, roller guides, visual indicating means, optical system, and sound head assembly in substantially horizontal relation above said horizontal table.

3. A film editing machine as recited in claim 2, wherein the means rotatably supporting said plurality of spindle assemblies comprises a vertical backing plate with a plurality of horizontal crossplates fixed in cantilevered, parallel-spaced relation from top-to-bottom thereon, with said plurality of spindle assemblies passing through the horizontal cross-plates.

4. A film transport as recited in claim 3, wherein first and second of said crossplate mount at the top of the backing plate the means rotatably supporting the upper spindles, wherein third and fourth of said crossplates therebelow mount the means rotably supporting the lower spindles, wherein the means for selectively retarding each of said upper spindles said first and second crossplates, wherein the means for releasibly connecting each upper spindle with the respective lower spindle co-axially aligned therewith comprises a respective electromagnetic coupling located between the second and third of said crossplates, wherein the means for coupling in rotation all said lower spindles comprise a plurality of respective endless chain members engaging sprockets on the respective lower spindles between the third and fourth of said crossplates, and wherein the means for releasibly connecting said motors with respective said lower spindles comprise an electromagnetic clutch on each respective lower spindle below the fourth of said crossplates.

5. A film editing machine as recited in claim 4, wherein the table has left and right edges, each having three plate positions in a row equi-spaced on a line parallel with the ends of the table, designatable from front to back L1, L2 and L3 on the left and R1, R2 and R3 on the right, wherein the left edge has a second row of plate positions designatable L4, L5 and L6 from front to back, thereby forming a rectangular grid of three rows of parallel spaced plate positions, wherein the series of spindles is fixed to the table in a front-to-back direction, wherein the optical system is located on a back portion of the table with the direction of light beam projection parallel with the row of spindles, wherein the sound head is located forwardly of and in alignment with the optical system; wherein said first and second plates of a first film track, are located at positions L5 and R3 respectively, with said first film track passing through a portion of the optical system and through a position for film engagement with the sprocket of the rearmost spindle assembly.

6. A film editing machine as recited in claim 5, wherein first and second plates of a second film track are located at positions L2 and R2 respectively, with said second film track passing through a portion of said sound head assembly and through a position for film engagement with the sprocket of a spindle assembly proximately forward of the rearmost spindle assembly.

7. A film editing machine as recited in claim 6, wherein a portion of the first track and a portion of the second film track are paralLel-spaced from each other and from an edge of the table, wherein the means for visually indicating synchronization is fixed in perpendicular relation across all said film track parallel portions, and wherein the distance from the means for visually indicating synchronization along the first said film track to an operative portion of the optical system is equal to the distance along said film track to an operative portion of the sound head assembly.

8. A film editing machine as recited in claim 7, wherein a second sound head assembly is provided forward of and in fore-and-aft alignment with the first said sound head assembly, wherein first and second plates of a third film track are located at positions L1 and R1 respectively, with said third film track passing through a portion of said sound head assembly and through a position for film engagement with the sprocket of a spindle assembly proximately forward of the second said spindle assembly.

9. A film editing machine as recited in claim 7, wherein second portions of all said first and second film tracks are paralledl-spaced from each other and from said edge of the table, wherein a second means for visually indicating synchronization is fixed in perpendicular relation across all said second portions of said film tracks, wherein the distance from the means for visually indicating synchronization along the respective said film track to said respective operative portions is equal, and where the second means for visually indicating synchronization is on a side of said operative portions opposite to that of the first said means for visually indicating synchronization.

10. A film editing machine as recited in claim 8, wherein a portion of the third film track is parallel-spaced from the parallel-spaced portions of the first and second film track, and wherein the distance from the means for visually indicating synchronization along the third film track to an operative portion of the second sound head assembly is equal to the distance therefrom along the second film track to an operative portion of the first sound head.

11. A film transport as recited in claim 10, wherein an auxiliary frame assembly is provided having thereon an additional said spindle assembly and sprocket located lateral to and similar in construction to each of the aforesaid spindle assemblies, and similarly affixed in relation to said horizontal table; wherein a second prism is provided, the second prism having means for rotating the prism about a vertical axis in synchronism with rotation of upper spindle of the additional spindle assembly on the auxiliary frame, and means coupling in rotation the lower spindle of said additional spindle assembly with a lower spindle of the first said plurality of spindle assemblies.

12. A film transport as recited in claim 11, wherein a second said picture head is provided proximately lateral of the first said picture head, wherein first and second plates of a fourth film track are located at positions L3 and L6, respectively, with said fourth film track doubling-back around and through a portion of the optical system and through a position for film engagement with the sprocket of said spindle assembly.