US718763A - Picture-exhibiting device. - Google Patents

Description

."No. 718,763. PATENTED JAN. 20, 1903.

. v A. HOBRMLB. PICTURE EXHIBITING DEVICE.

APPLLOATION FILED JAN. 2s, 19.01. v Ho MODEL. s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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n No. 718,763. PATENTED 11111.20, 1903. A. HOEEMLE. PICTURE EXEIEIIING DEVICE. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII EN. 2s, 1901.

UNiTEn STATES PATENT OEEICE.

ALBERT HOERMLE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE LEO CANDA u MFG. CO., OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

PICTURE-EXHIBITING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '718.763, dated January 20, 1903.

` Application led January Z8, 1901. Serial No. 45,156. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern: and the lens-holder and connected parts en- Be it known thatI, ALBERT HOERMLE, aciti- 'tirely removed. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-seczen of theUnited States,and aresident of Cintion, and Fig. 6 is a top view of the coin-recinnati, Hamilton county, State of Ohio, have ceiving hopper. Fig. 7 is a view similar to 55 invented certain new and useful Improve- Fig. 1, showing certain parts of the mechanments in Automatic Picture-Exhibiting Deism in intermediate position. Fig. 8 isaside vices; and I do declare that the following is a elevation of the operating lever-handle and clear, full, and exact description of the invencertain connected parts operating in conjunction, such as will enable others skilled in the tion therewith. Fig. 9 is a detail View showoo 1o art to which it appertains to make and use ing end of one of the rollers with parts broken the same, attention being called to the accomaway, illustrating manner of attaching picpanying drawings, with the reference-numerture-ribbon. Figs. v10 and 11 show at 'reals marked thereon, which form also a part duced scale, respectively, a .front and end of this specification. elevation of the device complete. 65

This invention relates to automatic picture- The pictures,preferably stereoscopic views,

exhibiting devices which may be set iu operaare contained upon a ribbon 10, which is nortion by payment of a certain coin deposited mally wound around a roller 11, to which also in a designated place, permitting a series of one of its ends is secured. This roller is pictures to be viewed. mounted upon a shaft 12, supported in parts 7o 2o In my device the pictures are on a ribbon of the general frame 13. The other end of attached with its-ends to two rollers placed the ribbon is attached to another roller 14,

I parallel to each other, and upon one of which mounted upon a shaft l5, and also supported rollers the ribbon is normally wound. Mechin parts of the general frame 13. For showanism which may be rendered operative by ing the pictures the ribbon is Wound upon 75 the payment ofa coin or otherwise causes the the exhibiting-roller, being this roller 14, empty roller to rotate,whereby said ribbon is which winding is eected by rotating the wound upon it, `the pictures being viewed same. The ribbon unwinding from roller 11 while passing through the space from one and while passing to the other roller permits roller to the other. At'the end of the operathe pictures to be seen through suitable view- 8o 3o tion and when all pictures have been viewed glasses. The pictures may be illuminated by the other or first roller is caused to rotate, any suitable artificial light. In this case they whereby the ribbon is wound again'upon such are rendered visible by having the ribbon of roller to be ready for the next succeeding extransparent material and a window 21, closed hibition. y with ground glass, placed in the outer hous- 85 In the following specification and particuing and behind the exposed part of the riblarly pointed out in the claims at the end bon. The rotation of the exhibiting-roller is thereof is found a full description of my inby a motor driven by a weight or spring and vention, together with its operation, parts, wound for every exhibition by means of a and construction, which latter is also illuspivotally-supported lever-handle 22, accessi- 9o 4o trated in the accompanying three sheets of ble from the outside. By preference the drawings, in whichactuation of this handle is, however, opera- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device with tively effective for winding the motor only in the inclosing outer case in section'. Fig. 2 is case the proper coin has been previously ina similar view, the plane of view being taken serted through a slot 23 into the coin-chute 95 farther back to show parts partly obscured 24, and is conveyed thereby to a certain poin the preceding view, for which purpose the sition, in which it is capable of and does aid frame of the apparatus is shown in section in transmitting operatively the actuation of and paris nearest the observer in the precedthe handle to the motor. For such purpose ing view are removed. Fig. 3 is a front view the coin is arrested during its descentthrough Ico 5o of the device with the outer case in section. the coin-chute by a stop projecting thereinto Fig.v 4 is a top view, the case also in section and beyond which the coin cannot drop. At

and above this stop part of one of the flat sides of the coin-chute the rear side in this case is removed,rendering the coin-chute open thereat to an extent permitting exit of a coin atwise. Normally, however, this open part of the coin-chute is held closed by the perforated or forked end of an angle-lever 25, pivotally supported on a pin 26 and carrying at its other end a segmental rack 27.

Integrally or otherwise rigidly connected to lever-handle 22 or to a rock-shaft formed in this case by the pivot-pin 26, and so as to move with the lever-handle, is a lever 28, forming at one of its ends a finger 29, so located and curved as to be adapted to pass through an opening in one of the flat sides, the one in front of the coin-chute, which opening is opposite and inline with the opening or space in the end of forked lever 25, 1ying against the open rear side of the coinchnte. The area of these openings and the end of finger 29 are considerably smaller than the area of the smallest coin to be used, so that when the progress of this latter through the coin-chute is arrested by the stop therein the coin will rest between these openings and in a position which closes passage therethrough. In this position the coin is also between the open end of lever 25 and the end of finger 29, as shown in Fig. 1, so that when this fingerin consequence of a handle operat-ion moves against the coin this latter will be pushed rearwardly and out of the coin-chute, moving against and displacing at the same time the forked lever 25, as shown in Fig. 2. This raises the segmental rack 27, and being connected by means of a connectingrod 3l to a spring 32 this latter and the parts connected thereto are at once put under tension. This constitutes the winding of the spring-motor, and, as will be seen, it is made in this case dependent on thc insertion of a coin, which must also be of the proper size corresponding to the denomination intended, so as to be held in and occupy the necessary position, which is between the open end of lever 25 and the end of finger 29. Upon release ofthe lever-handle, this latter together with finger 29 are quickly returned to their original positions by a spring 33. Lever 25 cannot immediately follow in this return movement by reason of the engagement ot' its rack 27 with a pinion 34, which has meanwhile taken place and which engagement causes a separation between said lever and finger 29, whereby the coin is liberated. (See Fig. 7.) The aforementioned stop holding the coin in the coin chute may be simply a closure of this latter; but when either one of a larger or smaller coin-for instance, a nickel ora centare to be used, the coin-chute is merely sufficiently contracted. This contraction is edgewise and sufficient only to stop a nickel, but permitting a cent to freely pass through. In order to stop a cent, I provide a spring-wire 35, connected with its upper end to the coin-chute and its lower end bent and adapted to project through an opening into the coin-chute. When not needed, the end of this wire is simply lifted out of this opening and moved laterally, so as to rest against the coin-chute. (See Fig. Pinion 34 is loosely mounted upon a stud-shaft 3G, and beside it, loosely mounted, there is acogwheel 37, engaging a pinion 38 on shaft 15, upon which the exhibiting-roller 14 is mounted. By means of a customary pawl 39 on wheel 37 and ratchet-wheel 41 on pinion 34 the action of the spring-motor is now transmitted from pinion 34 to cog-wheel 37 and from there reaches finally the exhibitionroller, which now starts to rotate, taking on the ribbon which unwinds from the other roller. The pictures While passing through the space from one roller to the other move through the field of vision and become observable behind the view-glasses. The rotation in reverse direction of pinion 34, which takes place when segmental rack 27 is raised during the winding of the spring-motor, is not transmitted to cog-wheel 37 by reason of the described pawl-and-ratchet connection between the two, which is not operative at that time. This unwinding of the ribbon from roller 11 causes, of course, this latter to rotate, which rotation I utilize to also rotate a sheave 42, mounted upon shaft 12, which rotation causes a cord 43 to wind upon said sheave. This cord passes over a guide-pulley 44 and carries a weight 45 on its other end, which weight is thus raised. The eX- hibiting-roller continues to rotate until segmental rack 27 has resumed its normal position-against a stop 46 when it is out of gear with pinion 34. At that time roller 14 also ceases to rotate and the pictures have all passed. The resistance of the spring not being present any more, weight 45 is free to drop, which it does at once, thereby unwinding the cord from sheave 42. This causes rotation of roller 11, whereby the ribbon is quickly wound back again upon it, so as to be ready for the next exhibition. Roller 14 is free to follow this rotation, since cog-wheel 37is only loosely mounted and not otherwise operatively connected.

In order to have all operations exactly of the same duration, so that the ribbon always comes back to the same starting-point, it is necessary that the extent of motion or number of revolutions While winding upon one roller is equal to the extent of motion while winding again upon the other roller. T0 obtain this, I arrange that cog-wheel 37 makes each time a full revolution, rotating first in one direction and then in the other, coming each time to a dead stop by having a pin 47 on it engaging a stop 48. Since the presence of this pin would prevent cog-wheel 37 from going through a full revolution each time, I provide a pivotal connection for stop 48, allowing it to yield to an extent which equals the thickness of pin 47, to which extent each revolution would otherwise be IOO IIO

short. This yield is limited to the proper distance by limiting the swing of stop 48 between pins 49. (See dotted lines in Fig. 2.)

In order to have the rotation of the exhibition-roller of a speed sufficiently slow for convenient observation of the pictures, 1 retard the same by means of an interposed geartrain contained in a movement-frame 5l, taking its initial start of motion from any of the rotary parts described, preferably from shaft 15, and ending in a fan 52 on shaft 53. Between these two limits there is a number of sets of engaging cog-Wheels and pinions transmitting the motion from shaft 15 to shaft 53. The connection of this gear-train to shaft 15 is by means ot' a ratchet-Wheel 54 engaging a pawl 55 on the first cog-wheel of the geartrain, and which connection is so arranged tha't the rotation of shaft 15 is transmitted to said gear-train only at the time when the former is positively rotated by the springmotor during the exhibition of the pictures; otherwise-that is, at the timewhen roller 14 is rotated by the ribbon while nnwinding from it-this rotation is not transmitted to the gear-train.

It is necessary that all manipulations connected with the winding of the motor and the insertion of the coin, when such is used, are properly performed to insure a complete winding of the spring and to prevent in the latter case the premature release of the coin Where its presence and coaction is made necessary for the winding. Therefore it is arranged that the handle after once started cannot be returned from any intermediate position which'otherwise would release the coin until it has been fully moved 'through the intended range of its movement and as required to completely wind or set under tension the spring ofthe motor. This is accomplished by a pawl-and-ratchet device, the latter in shape of a toothed segment 56, being simply a rearward extension of lever 28, both being snpported and rigidly connected to pivot-pin 26, which forms a rock-shaft and to which leverhandle 22 is also rigidly connected, so that all move together. The complementary pawl, numbered 57, is normally held in engagement with this segmental ratchet and remains so until the lever-handle has been moved through its full stroke, holding it meanwhile against reverse rotation at every intermediate point to which it has been advanced. At the end of thisimovement a projection 58 on it strikes the point of said pawl and throws it out of engagement, by which time segmen` tal rack 27 has been fully raised to the intended extent and main spring 32 is set under tension. The handle may now be released, when spring 33 carries it and the other parts connected therewith quickly to their respec tive normal positions, separating also the end of finger 29 from the forked end of angle-lever 25 and liberating the coin. When so returning to normal positions, a hook-shaped projection 59 at the other upper end of segmental ratchet 56 engages and strikes pawl 57 back of its point, thereby throwing it again in position for ready engagement with the ratchet du ring the next operation of the parts.

To 4hold'pawl 57 in either one of these positions and to prevent it from being' thrown out too far and beyond reach of projection 59,- there is a locking-pawl 6l, having two notches 62, either one of Which is occupied by the heel of pawl 57 and whereby this latteris held in either one of its two positions, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This locking-pawl is pivotally supported and held by means of a spring 63 against the heel of pawl 57, thus being capable of yielding to the motion of the former when its heel slides from one of the notches 62 into the other one, and at the same time it also holds pawl 57 yieldingly in either one of its positions. It is desirable that all these 'manipulations as connected with the winding and setting of the spring be complete before the ribbon, with the pictures, starts to move. To obtain this, the start of operation is made dependent on the return of the handle toits original position, and the means forsuch purpose consist, substantially, of a stop forming an obstruction to the movement of the mechanism and which stop is moved into operative position during the first part of the winding manipulation and remains so until moved out of the way in consequence of the handle arriving in its original position. This feature of the device consists of a stop 64, `being a projection extending from one of the rotating parts, preferably shaft 53, and operating in conjunction with a pivotallysupported trigger 65, which is normally held out of reach of this stop by a spring 66. By means of one of the parts which moves during the winding operation-as, for instance, by means of one end of segmental rack 27, pushing against a pin 67 on this' trigger, as shown in Fig. 2-one end of this latter is raised and swung into engagement with a trip-lever 68, `a notch in which catches a lateral projection on said trigger, which projection may be the other end of pin 67. This movement of the trigger causes its upper end to swing toward shaft 53, so as to come Within the rotary path of stop 64 thereon, thus preventing rotation of said shaft. Since this shaft forms part of the gear-train constituting the speedregulating device, it is clear that this latter becomes effectually locked, and by reason of its pawl-and-rat'chet connection 54 and 55 to shaft 15, which connection is now operative, rotation of the exhibition-roller is also prevented; but for this locking of the movement the parts would start to operate at once as soon as segmental rack 27 has reached its highest point and'before the lever-handle has been returned toits normal position. Such immediate start is, however, prevented bytrip-lever 68, which still holds trigger 65 into the path `of stop 64 and continues to do so until acted upon in a manner to release the trigger. This release is timed to occur at the moment .IOO

IOS

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when the lever-handle is arriving in its normal position and is effected by it or by parts moving withit at the time. For such purpose I use the end of lever 28 ata point where it connects to finger 29 and which end at the last moment and when arrivingin its normal position strikes against the downwardly-turned end of the trip-lever and lifts the same off of pin 67 of trigger 65. Spring 66 pulls now this latter immediately out of the path of stop 64, thus relieving the gear-train and permitting the device to operate. Rack 27 is pulled down by the main spring and roller 14 is positively rotated, taking on the pictures which it unwinds from roller 11. This latter while so rotating winds cord 43 upon sheave 42 on its shaft, thereby raising weight 45. When rack 27 has passed out of gear with pinion 34, then said weight drops at once, positively rotating roller 11, which takes the pictures back from roller 14, both rollers now rotating in directions opposite to their previous rotation.

It is preferable to provide for possibility of removal of the upper roller, for which purpose I have shaft 15 in two sections, held together by any suitable coupling 83.

The connection of the ends of ribbon 10 to the rollers is such as lo permit detachment for interchange and renewal of pictures. For such purpose there are bars S4, one at each end of the ribbon and each provided with buttons S5 at their ends adapted to pass into openings of springcatches 86, which openings communicate with slots to be occupied by the shanks of said buttons.

The whole apparatus is inclosed within an outer casing, access to which is had by means of a door S7, which is simply one of the sides or ends of this casing and is not hinged or otherwise permanently connected to this latter, except at such times when temporarily held thereto by a lock. The mechanism by such parts of its frame next adjacent to this door is permanently connected thereto and access is therefore by simply unlocking this door, moving it away from the casing, the mechanism connected thereto following. This involves a sliding movement of the mechanism within the casing, and since such reqnires a close fit of the parts I make the base of frame 13 adjustable to the clear inside width of the casing, which is done by having a special frame-section 88 for such purpose which is adjustably connected to the other frame.

Having described my invention, I claim as new- 1. A picture-exhibiting device, consisting of an outer case, a ribbon which carries the pictures, bars at each end of this ribbon, buttons at the ends of these bars, two rollers supported with a space between them, each having a spring-catch attached near each of its ends, an opening in the free end of each of these catches adapted to receive the buttons mentioned and whereby the picture-ribbon is detachably secured to the rollers, the length of this ribbon being largely in excess of the space between the rollers, which excess is normally wound upon one of these latter and mechanism to wind this ribbon from one roller onto the other and back again.

2. In a coin-controlled picture-exhibiting device, the combination of a ribbon carrying pictures, rollers spaced apart to which the ends of this ribbon are secured, mechanism whereby this ribbon is wound from one roller onto the other, and means whereby it is normally returned upon the first roller, a frame to which all these parts are secured and whereby they are supported, an outer case which receives this frame, which latter is attached to one of the sides or ends thereof, such end having no permanent connection with the case, so that the same with the frame attached may be removed as a whole by being slid endwise out of the case, a lock whereby this removable end may be temporarily held to the case, an opening in this latter provided with view-glasses through which the pictures may be seen, and an adjustable frame-section 88 to adjust the width of the frame to the inside of the case.

3. A picture-exhibiting device, consisting of an outer case, two rollers supported within, withaspace between them, a ribbon which carries the pictures secured with its ends to each one of these rollers, the length of said ribbon being largely in excess of the space between the rollers, which surplus is normally carried upon one of these latter, an opening in the outer case opposite the space between the two rollers and provided with view-glasses, a spring-motor for rotating the empty roller to wind upon it the ribbon from the other roller, such rotation being at slow speed, so that the pictures become visible while passing behind the view-glasses and means operating automatically and at increased speed for winding the ribbon back again upon the irst roller.

4. A picture-exhibiting device, consisting of an outer case, two rollers supported within, with a space between them, a ribbon which carries the pictures secured with its ends to each one of these rollers, the length of said ribbon being largely in excess ot' the space between the rollers,which surplus is normally carried upon one of these latter, an opening in the outer case opposite the space between the two rollers and provided with view-glasses, a spring-motor for rotating the empty roller to wind upon it the ribbon from the other roller, a lever-handle whereby the same may be wound, a drive-shaf t adapted to be rotated by said spring-motor, an operatively-connected gear-train to control the speed of rotation of said drive-shaft and a stop adapted to lock said gear-train against rotation and hold it so until released by the lever-handle when this latter is returned to its normal position.

5. A picture-exhibiting device, consisting of an outer case, two rollers supported within, with a space between them, a ribbon which IOO IIO

carries the pictures secured with its ends to each one of these rollers, the length of said ribbon beingv largely in excess of the space between the rollers,which surplus is normally carried upon one of these latter, an opening in the outer case opposite 'the space between the two rollers and provided with view-glasses, a spring-motor for rotating the empty roller to wind upon it the ribbon from the other roller, a lever-handle whereby the same may be wound, a segmental ratchet on this latter, a pawl remaining in engagement therewith during the operative manipulation of the leverhandle and preventing return of the same from any intermediate position and means disengaging said pawl after that manipulation to permit return of the lever-handle to its normal position.

6. A picture-exhibiting device, consisting of an outer ease, two rollers supported within, with a space between them, a ribbon which carries the pictures secured with its ends to each one of these rollers, the length of said spring-motor to the drive-shaft, said cogwheel loosely mounted, so as to transmit such action only in one direction, means whereby said cog-wheel is returned to its startingpoint and a pin 47 and a yielding stop 48 for defining such position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT HOERMLE.

Witnesses:

C. SPENGEL, GEO. SUNBY.

Images