US929678A - Apparatus for exhibiting moving pictures. - Google Patents

Description

J. E. LOQKWooD. APPARATUS FOR EXHIBITING MOVING PICTURES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 1905.

Patented Aug. 3, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. E. LooKwoon. APPARATUS FOB. BXHIBITING MOVING PICTURES. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 28, IMA-)5.

929,678. Patented Aug. 3, 1909.

a SHEETS-SHEET z.

. J. E. LOGKWOOD. APPARATUS FOR EXHIBITING MOVING PICTURES.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 2a, 1905.

929,678.. Patented Aug. 3, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

QDOQQQQQ v To all whom it may further to eiiectually formed on the` endless hibiting moving lamp; and further in i Josnrnn. LocKwooD, or nn'riioi'ajiiicniein.

APPARATUS FOR vEXHllBI'IING,MOVING- PICTURES.

Application filed June 28, 1905.

Specification of Letterslateiit.

Patented Aug. e, 1909. seriaiimseuzo. I

concern:

Be it known thatI, Josnrii E. Loo'iiwoon, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State lof' Michigan, a citizen of the United' States, and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Exhibiting Moving Pictures, of which the following 1s a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Theinvention relates to apparatus for exictures, and has for its object the obtaining vof a compact arrangement of mechanism adapted to be placed in a relatively small cabinet, and at the same time to exhibit a relatively large icture; uard against ignition of the photographic firm by the heat lof the thel peculiar construction, arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter set forth. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side eleva tion of the cabinet with the panels removed to show the mechanism therein; Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the cabinet, taken in a lane at right angles to Fig. 1; Fiv. 3' is a; iagram of the electrical circuits,;il ustrating 1n perspective the coin-controlled starting mechanism, the iilrn-(m'ntrolled stopping mechanism, and the governing mec anism for controlling the illumination oi the film; Fig. 4 is a plan of the lamp-circuit-controlling governor; Fig. 5 is asect'ioii through the light-'condensing and picture-projecting lenses. j

'Ihe apparatus is of that type 'in Which a series of pictures successively exhibited are film Whichin the operation of the device is intermittently actuf ated to register with the objective lens.

the cabinet containing the ap Itis a primary object ol" the invention to obtain as large a picture as possible and at the same time to restrict the dimensions of aratus so as to. fioor and Wall occupy acomparatively sma ace;'furthermoreit is particularly desir-"f able to limit the lWidth .of the cabinet, as machines lof this'ch'aracter.arel nusually are'A ranged side by side `and consequently the. narrower the cabinet,the greater the number of machines that can be placed in an exhibitionroom. These objects I have attained in the present construction,fiirst, by

have invented certain newy an arrangement in WhichV the picture rays projected ticalllyl7 double upon their course before reaching t e screen; second by an Iarrangement*of the observation opening so upon the 'screen is'viewed across the rays passing from the projector screen; third by the arrangement .of a -darl chamber in which that portion of the 'cabinet ccntaining the the path of film actuating mechanism and the proj ector,`

so as to utilize the height of the cabinet in placeof increasing the Width to obtain the necessary `length ofp'ath for the rays; iinally, b an arrangement in which the endlessjected rays are all arranged in symmetrical relation to a common central vertical plane. The width of the cabinet may bel considerabl reduced over the dimension of depth,

from the film arecaused to prac-l tbf the the screen is located above j that the picture ii m, the projector and the path of the p rog i which, as has been above stated, is a de sired object..

The film upon rinted is usually formedof celluloid which 1s highly inflammable and inv order to obtain a good picture, a highly concentrated light is'focuse'd upon this film. heat rays, Which are concentrated as Well as the light would quickly ignite the film if any one portion of Were permitted to remain in the path of the light. This danger I have guarded against by rovidin means for automatically controlling the 'light so as top prevent it from illuminating, excepting when the s 'eed of the iilni is above a predetermined vsafe imit. j

Another feature oi' my invention is the construction by which the endless film is re?- lieved from strain due to intermittent feed,- ing. lThis com rises a storage boxF having parallel side Wa ls but slightly farther a art than the Width of the iilm, together with eed rolls for continuously feeding the film into and out from opposite ends of said box and at a perfectly 'est for the exhibition of videtintermittently by feedingv a small portion'ief the film intermediate the two constant feed mechanisms,y While expansion loops on o 'posits sides 'ci this intermittently fed portion give and take from the constant feed.

. In detailedeoiistruction, A is the cabinet,

Which the pictures are Thus the uniform speed. The intervall of" each picture is prorico Within which is arranged the chamber B containing the light condenser C, lamp D and objectlens E. Above this chamber B is a dark chamber F, which is preferably of substantially cylindrical being formed in the lower wall thereof and in registration with the object lens.

G is the storage box for the endless film which is arranged below the chamber B within the cabinet. The film passes downward into this box from of Fig. 1 and is fed out and upward at the l'eft hand side thereof. Y

H is a feed roll or sprocket which is located adjacent to the box G and feedsv the film thereinto, and I is a similar sprocket for drawing the film out from the box, the latter wheel being arranged adjacent to the casing of the condenser C. These two wheels H and I are, during the operation of the apparatus, driven at a constant and uniform speed through themedium of sprocket chains J, J connecting themv to v.a common shaft K. This shaft in turn is driven through the medium of gear wheels L from ashaft M which is connected to a motor N by a suitable drive connection O. Between the feed Wheels I and H the film passes across the path of the light through guides P.

Q is a feed wheelwhich is intermittently actuated from the shaft M by suitable mechanism such as the star wheel or Geneva movement R. Thus whenever the motor is running, the film will be constantly fed into and out from the box G and the small portion of the film between the light and projector lens will be intermittently operated to successively arrest the pictures in registration with the lens. v

S is a loop'in the film .between the' feed wheel I and guide P, and S is a similar loop between the guide'P and the portion of the film leading to the feed wheel H. `These loops are of sufcient size to compensate for the change from the uniform to the intermittent feed. y

Between the loop S and the feed wheel H, the film is passed over a'feedwheel T which isconnected with a gear'train T operating a centrifugal governor T2. This governor controls, as will be hereinafter described, an electric switch by means of which the current for the electric lamp D is supplied or cut out. Inasmuch as the wheel T is driven solely through the medium of the film, it is obvious that any breakage in the film or stoppage due to any cause will arrest saidwheel and thereby arrest movement of the governor. The arrangement is such that when the governor is not running or is runningat too low -a speed, the electric lamp will be cut out of circuit, so as to .prevent heating of' the film across the path of its rays.

The machine is preferably coin-controlled and to this end is provided with starting and shape, the light vorifice the .right hand side.

stopping mechanism of the' following construction U is a coin chute, U is a pivotal latch having an arm thereof extending in the path of the coin chute and adapted to be rocked by the impact of the coin.

U2 is a switch arm which is normally-locked by the latch U but when released closes with a contact U4, thereby closing an electric circuit. `to the, motor. N and also includes in series therewith the electro-magnet a which controls a switch b.

c is a shunt about the coils of the magnet a which includes a switch d controlled by the governor T2, this switch being normally closed when the governor is stationary or running below the required speed. The switch b controls a branch electric circuit e which includes the lamp D, and the arrangement is such that when the shunt c is closed and the switch b consequently opened, no current is supplied to the lamp D when the motor circuit 1s established. As soon, however, as the shunt c is opened by the action of the governor, the magnete will be energized, closing the switch b and sending current through the branch e so as to illuminate the lamp D.

Vith the construction as just described, it will be understood that the motor is started and consequently the film is driven whenever a coin is inserted in the chute U and actuates the latch U as has been described. To stopv the film after it has com leted its circuit, mechanism is provided of tige followin construction is an electric switch, the movable memberV of which carries an anti-friction roll V2. V3v is a guide through which the picture film passes and which is cut away at V4 to ermit the'roll V2 to bear against the film. he distance between the movable and stationary contacts of the switch V is such that a movement of the roll V2 equal to the thickness of the film will cause the'closing of the Thiscircuit leads fromthe switch U2.-y

switch and this is accomplished `at the completion of the circuit j the latteras at V5. Thus when the slot V5 passes the roll V2, the contact V is permitted to close with the stationary contact 'of thev switch and thereby close an electric circuit. This electric circuit is a branch of -th'e main circuit including the coils of an electro-magnet U5 which when energized actuates an arof the lm by slotting.

mature U-upon the contact arm U2 and restores the latter to its open position where it is locked by the reng'agement lof the latch U The branch circuit f for the magnet U5 includes,.in addition to the switch V, a suitable resistance such asf In order to facilitate the engagement ofthe film with the guide V3, the latter is referably formed in two hinged sections, whlch are normally held together by a spring latch V".

The contact arm V is actuated by a suitable s ring such as V7 and the distance between t e cont-acts may be accurately adjusted by suitable -means such as the adjusting screw Vs engaging the stationary contactl memn ber V9.

` Y which is arranged within the dark chamiight,

- on the screen may ture portion, and

As'has been stated, the light from the object lens asses through an orifice in the bote 1 tom of tie chamber At the top of this chamber and directly in the path of the light is arranged a mirror X, which. is secured to a bracket X', preferably by the screw X`Z which permits of a slight rotary adjustment. The an le at which this mirror is set is such as to i rei ect the light downward against a screen ber F on one side thereof', preferably ad acent to the light orifice E. Diametrically this screen Y 'is an observation Z through which the picture thrown be viewed. As shown, the arrangement is such that the light entering through the orice E first passes completely across the dark chamber F. and is then relected back to the screen Y by the mirror- X soV that the length of the rays and consequently the size of the picture is considerably increased. It will be further observed that reflected light from the screen, in pass-A ing to the observation opening Z, crossesthe path of the light passing from the orifice E to the mirror X. Thus the comparativelysmall space within the dark chamber F is utilized to its fullest extent in obtaining a large picture and proper viewing distance therefor'.

In the complete operation of the machine,

the coin is iirst inserted in the chute U which trips the latch U', causing the switch U2 to close the circuit. This closes the electric circuit through the motor N, which immediately starts and communicates motion through the connection O to the shaft M and from the latter to the shaft K and s rocket chains J, J', which drive the feed w eels H and I at constant and uniform speed. the same time, the star wheel R communicates intermittent movement to the feed wheel Q which feeds the ortion of the lilm between the loops vS, S', Iby a ste by s te movement. The portion of the'` lin whic i is drawn by the feed wheel H communicatesV movement to the wheel T, gear train T and governor T2 and as soon as the motor has attained its normal speed, the o eration of this governor in throwing outwar the weights g Vwill withdraw the contact disk g from the l contacts d and will break the shunt c. This will energize the magnet a rwhich will close the switc 1 b and cause the illumination ofthe lamp D. To provide time for the operation of this mechanism andthe throwing on ofthe a blank portion is arranged in the lilm intermediate the opposite ends of the picbefore this blank portion opposite opening I the stoppage light orihce, this will simultaneously stop- -tor and which is fact that the Slam contained within t is passed the light will be thrown thereon.

In the following operation the -individual pictures will be successively registered with the light opening until the entire series has asse As soon as the blank portion of the ilm is again reached, the slot V5 will come into registration with the roller contact V2, permitting the movement of the contact. arm V to close the switch V which, as already described, encrgizes ing the contact arm where the motor circuit is o ened, w ile the rengagement of the latch with said contact arm will hold the circuit open. The slot V5 is made very short and as the motor is not stopped instantaneously the film is rotated far enough by the inertia of the motor to move the slot out of engagement with the roller V2, therebyraising the contact arm V and opening the switch. To avoid burning of the metallic contacts on theV switch arm U2 and contact U4, a pair of auxiliary carbon contacts U7, U8, are provi in contact until after the separation of the metallic members, thus avoiding arcing between the latter. 1

From the operation of the governor T2 as described, it will be understood that the light D is not turned on until the iilm has attained its normal operating s eed, and the velocity at which the film trave s is such that the concentrated heat and light rays cannot roduce any material f, however, a break in the film should cause of that portion opposite the U? to its initial osition the governor, closing the shunt c and energizing the magnet a so that the switch b will be o ened and the current cut out from the lamp To further guard against the possibility of igniting the inflammable film, I have provided a'ventilating apparatus means of which the air heated by the lamp and in the projector is withdrawn and discharged from the cabinet. As shown, this comprises a rotary fan R2 driven by themeconnect'ed to the casing R3 surrounding the lamp and containing the light condenser. The lower plortion of this casing is provided with a lig t-trapped air inlet orifice R4 and the fan is connected with a conduit R5 for discharging'the hot air out of the cabinet. Thus the temperature within the chamber'B is the danger point.

It is to be observedl that the arrangement of the parts of the apparatus is such that practically =all of the mechanism is within the intermediate ranged above the ilm storage. chamber and beneath the dark chamber.' mized in this arrangement by reason of the land light eondensenare e loop of the endless. m

led which remain heating of the' lm. y

prevented from rising to chamber B, being arf;

Spacev is econoextending from the points of feeding in and out of .the storage chamber.. It is further to be observed that by krojecting the picture rays upward to the re ector, returning them downward to the screen at. one side of the projector,.and then observing them from the op osite side, the height and depth of the ca inet is utilized, while the width may be diminished to the Width of the screen.

What I claim as my invention isr 1. In an apparatus for exhibiting pictures, the combination with means for projecting divergent picture light rays, of a dark chamber across which the path of said raysY extends, a reflector for returning the rays across said dark chamber, and a screen opposite said reflector upon which the picture is thrown, said dark chamber having an observation opening on the opposite side thereof from said screen. v

2. In an apparatus for exhibiting pictures, the combination with means for projecting divergent picture light rays, of a dark chainber across which the path of said rays extends, a reflector for returning the said rays across said dark chamber and a screen oppositetto said reflector and adjacent to the starting point of said rays upon which the .icture is thrown, said chamber having an o servation opening upon the opposite side thereof, through across the path of the unreflected rays.

3. In an apparatus for exhibiting pictures, the combination with -means for projecting divergent picture light rays, of a dark chamber having an orifice therein through which said light rays are projected, a reflector diametrically opposite said orifice for returning the light rays across said chamber and a screen opposite said reflector and at one side of said light orifice, upon which the picture is thrown, said dark chamber having an observation opening diametrically opposite said screen and on the opposite side of the light orifice for the entering rays, whereby the picture is viewed across the path of the unr reflected rays.

4. In an apparatus for exhibiting moving pictures, the combination with a source of ht and a condenser therefor, of means fori moving a picture film across the path of the concentrated light, and speed control-led means in the path of the film and actuated thereby for controlling the source of light.

5. In an apparatus for exhibiting moving pictures, the combinationwith a source of ight, of means 'for moving a picture film across the path of the light and speed controlled means in the path of the film and aciultlted thereby for controlling the source of ig t,

6. In an apparatus for exhibitingmoving pictures, the-combination with a source of hght, of means for moving a picture film which the picture may be viewedl at a predetermined velocity and for cutting out the light upon the dropping of the vcloci ty below the limit predetermined.

7. In an apparatus for exhibiting moving pictures, the combination with a source of light, of means for moving a picture film across the path of the light, means actuated by the movement of the film for controlling the movement of said film, and a governor controlling said electric circuit actuated by the movement of said film.

8. In an apparatus for exhibiting moving pictures, the combination with a light, of mechanism actuated by the movement of a picture film, a circuit closer controlled by the speed of said mechanism, and an electric circuit controlled by said circuit closer and contrflling the cutting in and the cutting out of said light. f

9. In an apparatus for exhibiting moving pictures, the combination with a source of ight, of mechanism for feeding a portionof a picture film at normally constant speed, mechanism actuated by the constantly moving portion of said film, an electric circuit controlling the cutting in and the cutting out of said light, anda circuit closer for said circuit controlled by the s eed of said inechanism actuated by said 10. In an apparatus for exhibiting moving ictures, the combination with an electric iight, of an electric motor for feeding a picture film, circuits for said motor and` lamp in multiple, a circuit closer for said lamp circuit, an electro-magnet for closing said lamp circuit closer in series with said motor circuit, a shunt around said magnet, and means operated by said film for opening said shunt when said film is traveling at a predetermined velocity and for closing the shunt when said velocity is not maintained.

l 1. Inan apparatus for exhibiting moving ictures, the combination with an electric amp, of an electric motor for actuating a picture Vfilm, electric circuits for said lamp and motor in multiple, a circuit closer common to both the motor and lamp circuit, a circuit'closer for said lamp circuit, an electromagnet in the main circuit for operating said lamp circuit closer, and timing mechanism actuated by said motor adapted in its operation to open said circuit closer for the main circuit. y

l2. In an apparatus for exhibiting moving pictures, the combination with an electric amp, of an electric motor for feeding a picture film across the path of the light, electric circuits forsaidlamp and motor in multiple, acircuit closer common to said motor and lamp circuits, a latch for holding said circuit closer normally open, means for tripping said chamber therein in which the unused ortion Y .fan for withdrawin with said latch.

lchambeniilm actuating mechanism within 1 wardly into the casing for said site side of said chamber from said reflector and upon which the picture is thrown.-

18. In an apparatus for exhibiting moving l pictures, a cabinet having a com artment containing the film-actuating and ight rol jecting apparatus, and a superposed ark chamber into which the picture rays are pro- 'ected and containing the picture screen.

19. In an apparatus for exhibiting moving pictures, a ca inet containing a chamber for the mechanism `and a superposed dark chamber, a light and condenser anda projector having a loop oi" the iilm therein from a'point arranged within the lower chamber and of entrance to the point of leaving the storage adapted to project the picture rays dark chamber, a reflector l for returning the rays within the dark chamber, and a screen upon which the picgture is an o latch to permit of thev automatic 'closing of said circuit closer, a circuit closer for thell lamp circuit, an electro-magnet in the main circuit for operating said amp circuit closer, and timing mechanism actuated by said mo- `tor adapted during its operationto reopen said circuit closer and rengage the same 13. In an apparatus for exhibiting moving ictures the combination with a cabinet,'o f a of a film is stacked, asuperposed c amber the superposed chamber, a lam vand light condenser arranged within said oop, and a rojector for directing thepicture rays upcast, said dark chamber having servaward, asupeosed dark cha 4ber into which tion opening on the opposite side thereof the rojecte rays pass, a reilector for refrom saidscreen.

20. The combination of' a projector, a speed controlled governor connected therewith, a contact connected with said governor and opened and closed by variations in the speed thereof, and an electriclamp in cinmunication with said contact and controllable thereby for illuminatingsaid projector.

21. 'lhacombination of ya lampg'a icture "projector provided with a movable m and actuating said film, and

'turning the rays, and a screen upon which the picture is cast Within said dark chamber.

14, In an apparatus for exhibiting moving' pictures, the combination with a cabinet containing the picture film and its actuating mechanism, of a iam and condenser within said cabinet, an inc osing casing, and mechanically-driven means for ventilating said cabinet.` v

15. In an apparatus for exhibiting moving ictures, the combination with a cabinet aving a picture iilmV therein, vof a lam and condenser within said cabinet, an. inciosin lamp and condenser, an means for ejecting the heated air within said casing to'without the cabinet.

16.' Inan apparatus for exhibiting moving pictures, the combination with a cabinet aving a picture film therein, oi a light and a light condenser therein, an inclosing casing for said lamp and condenser,l and a rotary the heated air from arging it without said nected with said means and controllable by movements thereof forxextinguishing sai lamp. 'f

22. The combination of jector provided with means a movable film, a governor connected with said projector and having a speed related 'to that of said iilm, a lamp for illuminating said film, and means controllable by the speed of said governor'for extinguishing said lampwhenever the speed of said film drops below a predetermine limit.

In testimony whereof I affix my in presence of tWo witnesses.

d picture p rofor supporting' said casing and disc cabinet.

signatur 17. In an a paratus for exhibiting pictures the com mation with means for rojectirig divergent picture light rays, of a ark j JOSEPH E LOCKWOOD chamber across which the path of the rays Witnesses: extends, a reflector for returning the rays 'EDWARD D. AULT,

across thechamber, and a screen on an oppo- JAMES P. BARRY.

mechanism including a 'speed governor con-

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