USRE22706E - Amusement apparatus - Google Patents

Description

J. H. M MAHON ET AL Re. 22,706

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Jan. 8, 1946. i

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 27; 1937 INVENTORS I JOHN HMQMAHQN Am'nua w mLu-ze a qTTORNEY I Jan. 8, 1946. I J. H. MCMAHON ETAL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Opt. 27, 1937 INVENTGRS JOHN H. McMAHON ARTHUR \ALMILLER BY v H ATTQRNEY J 8 19 6. J. H. MCMAHON ET AL 22,706

AMUS EMENT APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 27, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 :E'IELE a7 INVENTORS JOHN H. FICMAHON ARTHUR W. MILLER ab w ATTORNE AMPLIFIER 43 PEOJECTOQ um F wl I l l s I Jan; 8, 1 946; I MCMAHON ETAL Re. 22,706

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 27, 19:57 4 sheetssheet 4 INVENTORS JOHN H. cMAHON ARTHUR .MlLLER BY I gAT onnzY Reissued Jan. 8, 1946 AMUSEMENT APPARATUS John H. McMahon, El Cerrit'o, and Arthur W. Miller, Albany, Calif.

Original No. 2,189,638, dated November 21-, 1939,

Serial No. 171,236, October 27, 1937;

Application for reissue September 17, 1941, Serial No.

25 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic coin-operated devices used for public amusement.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus which will simultaneously exhibit and reproduce a visual and a related audible program.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character described which permits a selection of any one of a plurality of programs.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and efficient mechanism for effecting the selection of the various programs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the class referred to which simplified to a point where the skill of service men attending it need not be of a high o specialized order.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will be specifically set forth in the detailed description of the invention hereunto annexed. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the particular species thereof shown and described, as various other enibodiments thereof may be employed within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of our invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus. The plane of section in which the view is taken is indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the apparatus. the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the connection between the various electrical components of the apparatus.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the apparatus. The plane of section is indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of one of the selector relays.

Figure '7 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 6 with the protecting cover for the switch removed.

Describing the invention in detail, the apparatus comprises a cabinet 8 having side walls 9, a top II, a bottom floor l2, and a front panel consisting of a lower perpendicular portion l3 and a rearwardly inclined upper portion I4. On the inner surface of the panel portion I3 is mounted a dynamic sound reproducer I6 and an aperture II in the panel overlying the reproducer provides a vent for the sound waves emanating from The plane of section is indicated by the diaphragm. The usual "sheet of fabric I 8 is placed within the aperture ll to prevent entry of dust particles into the magnetic gap of the speaker. In an aperture 19, in the panel portion l3, above the speaker aperture I1, is the usual coin-operated program selector 2| having a coin chute 22, a plurality of push buttons 23 by means of which various programs may be selected, and card holders 24 which contain the title and other information relative to the programs which will be seen and heard by depressing the push-buttons. In the upper inclined portion I4 of the panel is a relatively large rectangular opening 25 in which is mounted a motion picture screen, which may be made of the particular type of fabric generally used for exhibiting daylight movies but which is preferably a sheet of frosted glass 21 secured to the cabinet by a frame 28.

Mounted substantially centrally of the cabinet floor I2 is a pedestal having a centrally bored hub 29 supported on legs 3| which are secured, by screws 32 passing through a flange 33 forming an integral part of the legs, to the cabinet. Fixedly secured at one end in the bore of the hub 29, and extending upwardly axially of the latter, is a tubular post 34 upon which is journaled the hub 35 of a turntable. A thrust bearing 31 is provided between the lower end of the hub 36 and the upper end of the hub 29 to assist free rotation of the former hub on the post 34. Spaced equidistantly around the periphery of a flange 38, formed at the upper end of the hub 36, and se cured thereto by means of bolts 39, are a plurality of brackets 4| each having a downwardly and outwardly sloping upper surface 42 upon which is mounted a motion picture projector unit 43. As will be pointed out later, each projector unit is a duplicate of the others and includes the usual light source, projecting lens and film actuating mechanism, so that each unit may project a different film.

The slope of the surfaces 42 is such that, as each projector unit is moved into the position of the projector unit shown to the left of Figure 2, the light beam 44 therefrom will be directed on to the surface of a mirro 46, supported by a frame 41 secured at its ends to the side walls 9 of the cabinet and extending across the back 01 the latter, which will reflect the beam on to the rear surface of the screen 21 as indicated by the dotted lines 48. This construction, by folding the light beam, permits sufficient "throw of the beam to produce a picture of about 16 by '22 inches on the screen 21 with a depth of the cabinet of ap roximately 2 /2 feet; Each profilm past a photoelectric cell 58 and the exciter lamp 59 therefor which translate the sound track on the film into a train of electrical impulses, over guide rollers GI and 62 and back into the repeater through an opening 63 in the cover thereof. The usual projection lamp 64 and driving motor 66, indicated in the wiring diagram of Figure 4 but not shown' in the other figures, are

provided in each of the projectors 43. Mounted on each projector, by means of a bracket 61, is a block 6-8 of insulating material having fixed thereto, as is best shown in Figure 3, a plurality of spring metal contact arms 69 which extend toward the axis of the post 34 and rest against the periphery of a drum II of insulating material which is fixedly attached to the upper end of the post 34 by means of a nut I2. Embedded in the periphery of the drum 'II are a plurality of metallic contact segments I3, onefor each of the contact arms contained on each block 68. Four of these contact segments are connected by wires, not shown, running downwardly through the hollow post 34, with an amplifier 14 which provides audio-frequency energy to actuate the speaker I6, and the remaining two contact segments carry current to energize the lamp 64 and motor 66 of the projector.

Means is provided for rotating the turntable to position a selected one of the projectors 43 to cast its light beam onto the reflecting mirror 46. Secured to the lower end of the turntable hub 36 is a worm gear I6 meshing with a worm 11, best shown in Figure 5, which is fixed for rotation with a shaft I8 journaled in a bracket I9 mounted on a portion, preferably the legs 3|, of the fixed pedestal. The shaft I8 is connected, through a flexible coupling 8|, with the shaft of a motor 82 which is mounted on a bracket 83 secured by screws 84 to the cabinet fioor I2. A bracket 86, secured to and extending from the 1 motor bracket 83, supports a solenoid brake 81 which is secured to the motor shaft and whose function will be described presently. An arm 88, having at its distal end a cam 89, is secured to and rotatable with the worm gear I6 so that the cam will move past the ends of armatures 9| of solenoid switches 92 mounted in spaced relation around the pedestal on a flange 93 formed integrally with the pedestal. One of the solenoid switches is shown in detail in Figures 6 and 7 and comprises an insulating sleeve 94 in which the armature 9| is axially slidable, a pin 96 secured in the sleeve being provided and working in a keyway 91 in the armature to prevent rotation of the latter with respect to the sleeve. Wound on a portion of the sleeve 94 is an actuating coil 98 and around the coil is an iron shell 99 forming part of a ferro-magnetic circuit which also consists of an iron plate I8I secured by screws I82 to a flange I03 at one end of the shell 99 and a divided sleeve I84 which is formed as an integral part of the shell at the opposite end of the latter and is positioned closely adjacent the armature 9| being insulated therefrom by the insulating sleeve 94. One end of the armature is bored out to frictionally receive and retain an insulating bushing lflli whichis centrally. bored and into which is pressed the shank I0'I of a switch saves blade I08. This switch blade, when the armature is moved axially, is adapted to enter between and engage spaced contacts I09 which are mounted on an insulating disk I I l secured to the shell 99. A cover I I2 is adapted to frictionally telescope over the end of the shell 99 so as to protect the switch against dirt and damage. It will be seen that, when the coil 98 is energized, the armature 9| will move to the left, being impelled by the flux in the magnetic circuit, which will project the end of the armature into the path of movement of the cam 89 and simultaneously'close the switch comprising the contacts I09 and the blade I08. As the worm gear 16 rotates, the cam will contact the end of the armature causing the latter to move to the right to its normal position and opening the switch. What occurs when the switch is opened and closed will be described presently.

Referring to the'wiring diagram of Figure 4, a pair of power leads H3 and H4 are provided, which are connected to a suitable source of alter nating current, the former lead being connected to one end of the primary winding IIB of a stepdown transformer I I1, continuing through branched leads IIB to one contact I09 of each of the solenoid switches 92, through a lead II9 to a brush contact bearing against a metallic disk I2I and through a lead I22 to one contact of a relay I23. The disk I2l is a timing device which limits the operating time of each projector 43 being driven, through a suitable gear system I24, by a synchronous induction motor I26. A small segment I21 of insulating material is provided in the periphery of the disk upon which normally rests a brush contact I28. The ratio of the gearing I24 is dependent on how much film is contained in the repeater magazines 49. Since the feeding speed of 16 m./m. sound film is approximately A 35 feet per minute the disk would complete one revolution in a minute if the magazine contained 35 feet of film, one revolution in two minutes if the magazine contained 70 feet of film, and so forth. It is, of course, necessary that each magazine contain the same length of film in order that the timer will operate properly with each projector.

The power lead 4 is connected to the opposite end of the primary winding of the transformer III, through a branch lead I29 to one terminal of the motor 82, and to one end of the actuating coil I3I of the solenoid brake 81. A branch lead I32, also a continuation of the power lead II 4, connects with one of the power input terminals of the amplifier I4 and an extension lead I33 connects the latter terminal with one input terminal of the motor I26. Another extension lead I34 connects the lead I32 with one of the contact segments 13 which connects with a contact arm 69 and a lead I36 connected to one contact of both the projection lamp 64 and the projector driving motor 66. The other terminals of the lamp and motor are connected to. a lead I31 which is attached to another of the contact arms 69 and is engageable by another of the contact segments I3, and a lead I38 connects the latter contact segment with the other power input terminal of the amplifier. A continuation lead I39 of the lead I38 connects with the brush contact I28 of the timer and with a terminal of each of the motor I26 and the relay I23.

The coin-operated selector switch 2I is provided with a low voltage input lead I4I, which connects with one end of the secondary winding I42 of the transformer III, and with five leads-'- I which connect. respectively, with one end of each of the coils 93 of the selector relays 92. The other end of each coil is connected to a common lead I which runs to the other end of the secondary winding of the transformer III. The

- rupted. A lead I46 connects the lead I4I with one terminal of a relay I41 associated with and operable by the solenoid brake I34, a lead I43 connects the other terminal oi this relay with the actuating coil of the relay I23, and a lead I49 connects the other end of the coil of the relay I23 with the lead I. The relay 1 closes vionly when the brake 81 of the motor 82 is released, the brake being normally set by the coil spring II when the motor is inactive.

In operation, assuming that the program represented by the uppermost pushbutton No. 1 is selected, a coin is inserted in the slot 22 which unlocks the pushbuttons and allows the one selected to be depressed. This establishes contact within the selector switch which permits current to flow from the lead I II through the upper lead I43, through the coil of the selector relay furthest to the right, and back to the transformer secondary winding I42, via the lead I. This, as was described above, causes the armature 91 of the relay to be projected into the path of movement of the cam 89 and bridges the contacts I09. As soon as the latter contacts close, circuit is established through the lead I I3, the continuation lead H8. and the common lead I52, which connects with a contact of each relay 92, to the motor 82 and to the solenoid brake coil I3I connected in parallel with the latter. The circuit continues through the lead I29 back to the other power lead I I4. As soon as the motor is energized, the solenoid brake will be released and the relay I41 will close. .The motor 82 will now continue to rotate until the cam 89 engages the protruding armature 9| whereupon the armature will be depressed and the contacts IIIB simultaneously opened thereby breaking the motor circuit, de-energizing the coil of the solenoid brake and allowing the brake. under the influence of the spring I 5| to stop the motor practically instantaneously. This will have brought the projector unit 43 containing the film desired to be seen into correct position permitted current to flow, from the secondary winding of the transformer, through the lead I46, the aforementioned relay contacts, the lead I48, the coil of the relay I23, the lead IE9, and the lead I back to the transformer. This caused the relay I23 to close which allowed current to flow from the power lead II 3 through the leads H9 and I22, through the closed contacts of the relay I23, through the lead I39 to the motor I26, to the contact brush I28 and to the lead I33 connected to one or the contact segments I3. The other high voltage contact segment I3, the amplifier input terminal, and the other terminal of the motor I23 are permanently connected to the other power lead III as before described. The established circuits have caused the motor I23 to run,

the amplifier I! to be energized, which allows a the amplifier tubes to be heated to emission temperature, and the high voltage contact segments I3 to he energized .so that as soon as the projector is brought into position and the contact arms '69 thereof engage the contact segments "I3 the lamp 64 will be lighted and the motor 86 will be started. The indexing of the projector into position will also establish contact between the exciter lamp 59 and the leads I53 which may carry direct current or high frequency alternating current, the latter being supplied by an oscillator within the amplifier, and will establish connection between the photoelectric cell 58 and the signal input terminals of the amplifier through the leads 154. The amplifier signals taken from the sound track of the film will be red to the speaker I5 through the amplifier output leads I56. Leads 151, also from the amplifier, provide current for the field coil of the speaker.

When the selected projector unit has been indexed into position and the motor 82 stops, the relay I41 will open as will the relay I23. The opening of the latter relay will not, however, break the circuits to the projector and amplifier which it previously established for the reason that the motor I25, which was also energized when the relay I23 closed, in operating for a short interval of time rotated the disk I2I so that the brush contact I28 moved off of the insulating segment I21 thereby bridging the relay contacts and maintaining the flow of current to the amplifier, the projector and the motor I26 after the contacts of the relay I23 opened. This maintenance of the circuits will continue during the time necessary for the disk I2I to complete one revolution to bring the insulating segment I2I under the contact. brush I23 whereupon the supply of current from the lead I I9, which is part of the power lead H3, will be interrupted causing the de-energization of the projector, amplifier and timing motor I26. This completes one cycle of operation of the apparatus and conditions it for the selection of another program which latter may be accomplished by depositing a coin in the slot 22 and depressing one of the other pushbu'ttons 23, whereupon the entire cycle of operation described above will be repeated.

The amusement apparatus of our invention just described is quite compact, as will be noted, thereby requiring but little floor space for its installation and rendering it desirable in small places of amusement where there is very little available space. The apparatus is comparatively trouble-free being constructed sufllciently rugged to withstand greater than ordinary rougliiisage. In addition to these desirable features, 'there are no complicated cam motions, as in other like devices, which are likely to slip and require the services of highly skilled and paid mechanics to correct.

We claim:

1. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet, 8. picture screen in said cabinet, a pedestal mounted in said cabinet, said pedestal having a post rising therefrom and an annular flange surrounding said post, a turntable journaled on said post, a plurality of picture projectors carried by said turntable, a worm gear on said turntable, a worm journaled on said pedestal and meshing with said worm gear ,a motor in said cabinet operatively connected to rotate said worm, worm gear and turntable to move successive picture projectorspast a position below said picture screen, a plurality of electricswitches mounted on said pedestal flange and connected to contrcl the operation of said motor, means carried by said turntable to engage and actuate a selected one of said switches to fix a selected oneof said pictureprojectors in said position below the picture screen to project light rays away from said screen, and means in said cabinet and disposed in the path of said projected light rays for intercepting said light rays and directing them towardsaid screen.

2. Anamusement apparatus comprising a cabinet, a picture screenin said cabinet, a pedestal mounted in said cabinet, said pedestal having a post rising therefrom'and an annular flange surrounding said'post, a turntable'journaled on said post, a plurality of picture projectors carried by said turntable, a; worm gear'on said turntable, said worm gear having fixed thereto and extending therefrom an arm provided with a cam surface movable when said'worm gear is rotated in an arcuate path about the axis of said post, a worm journaled on said pedestal and meshing with said worm gear, a motor in said cabinet operativeiy connected to rotate said worm, worm gear and turntable to move successive picture projectors past a position below said picture screen, a plurality of electric switches mounted on said pedestal flange and connected to start and stop said motor, each of said switches comprising an operating element extendible into the path of movement of said cam surface when the switch is closed and retractible by engagement of the cam surface therewith, during movement of the latter, to open said switch, said closing and opening of a selected switch respectively starting the rotation of the turntable and stopping. said rotation at a predetermined point to fix a selected picture projector in said position below the picture screen to project light rays in a direction awa from said screen, and an element having a light reflecting-surface thereon mounted in said cabinet in the path of said projected light rays for directing said light rays toward said picture screen.

3. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen,- a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as to be movable past. said screen,

a motor for imparting movement to said support: selective control means for said motor, said control means including independently operable selective motor disabling means operable by movement of said support for arresting movement of the motor in such manner as to place a preselected projecting unit in operative projecting relation with respect to said screen.

4. An amusement apparatus comprising-a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as to be movable past said screen,

a motor for imparting movement to said support, a pluralityof independently operable selector devices controlling said motor, there being one selective device for each projecting unit, and means for selectively operating any pre-selected selector device tostart the'motor, each of said selector'devices including independently operable motor disabling means operable by rotative movement of the support for temporarily dis-.

abling the pre-selected selector device in a mannor to place a pre-selected projecting unit in operative projecting relation with respect to said screen.

5. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet, a light reflecting medium within the cabinet," 9, picture screen supported by the cabinet and so positioned as to intercept light reflected from the reflecting medium, arotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as tobe movable past said light reflecting medium, a motor for imparting movement tosaid support, selective control means for saidmotor, said control means including independently operable selective motor disabling means operated by movement of the support for arrestingmovement of the motor in such manner as to place a pre-selected projecting unit in operative projecting relation with respect to said light reflecting medium. 6. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinot provided with a picture screen, a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as to be movable past the screen, a motor for imparting movement to said support, a plurality of switches each having means for controlling the motor circuit and each including an independent motor-disabling means there being one switch for each picture projecting unit, selective means for energizing any pro-selected: switch and simultaneously setting said motor disabling means, means carried by said rotatable support for engaging and operating the selected disabling means in such manner as to stop the motor with a pre-selected projecting unit in operative projecting relation with respect to said screen.

'7. An amusement apparatuscomprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as to be movable past the screen,

a motor for imparting movement to said support,

unit associated with the pre-selected solenoid. switch is in operative projecting relation with respect to said screen. i

8. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabi-.

net having a picture screen, a pedestal within said cabinet having a fixed post rising therefrom, a

turn table joumaled on said post, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units. carried by said turn table in such manner as .to

be movable past said screen, a motor for impart-,1.

ing movement to said support, means for selectively operating said motor, said means including a plurality of selector devices supported by said pedestal, there being one selector device for each projecting unit, each selector device having anindependent selectively operable motor-dis abling member, and means movable with said tum table for actuating the motor disabling member of any pre-selected selector device in such. manner as. to deenergize the motor place a preselected projecting unit in operative projecting relation with respect to said screen.

9. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in. such manner to be movable past said screen, a motor for imparting movement to said support, selective control means for said motor, said control means including independently operable. selective motor disabling means operable by movement of said support for arresting. movement of the motor in such manner as to place a preselected projecting unit in operative projecting relation. with respect to said screen, and means controlled by said support and operable by movement thereof for operating the pre-selected pro-- jectlng unit for a limited. time after its position with respect to said screen.

An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a rotatable support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said support in such manner as to be movable past said screen, a motor for imparting" movement to said support, selective control means: for said motor, said control means including independently operable selective motor disabling means operable by movement of said support for arresting movement of the motor in such manner as to place a pre-s'elected projecting unit in operative projecting relation with respect to said screen, a selector switch including a. plurality of fixed members each controlling the operation of a picture projecting unit and a complemental movable switch member secured to and rotative with said support, said selector switch having means for selectively operating a ore-selected projecting unit for a limited time while said unit remains in its pre-selected position.

11. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a fixed support within the cabinet, a turn table rotatably mounted. upon said support, a plurality of independently operable picture projecting units carried by said turn table in such manner as to be movable past said screen, each unit. including an operating motor, a motor for imparting movement. to said turn table, a plurality of turntablemotor controlling. switches mounted on. said support, there being one switch for each projecting unit, a cam rotatable with said turn table, selective means for closing the circuit to the respective motor controlling switches through any preselected switch, each of the last mentioned switches including means for projecting a motordisabling extension. into the path of said cam. when said circuit is. closed,, said extension having means. to break the circuit to the motor when engaged by said cam, so that a pre-selected projecting unit is positioned. in operative relation. to said screen, a. second selectivev switch for controlling the circuits to the projecting unit motors, said last mentioned. switch including. a movable member which. is rotatable. with said turn table and individual fixedv contact members, one for each projecting unit motor, said fixed contacts being so relatively positioned that as a pre-selected turn table motor switch. is disabled, a circuit is simultaneously closed to the motor of. the pre-selected projecting unit, and means for breaking the last mentionedcircuit after alimited time.

12. An. amusement apparatus comprising. a cabinet, it screen in. said cabinet, a movable carriage adapted to support a plurality of film handling units each threaded with a film strip program, carriage operating means operatively connected to said carriage and for moving the same to bring any one of said film strip programs into operative position with respect to said screen, an operating circuit for said carriage operating means and including a plurality of contactors each corresponding to a film program on said carriage, a control means including a plurality of control circuits each corresponding to a film'program, and each including a. manually operable member for completing the control circuit and operating the contactor corresponding to" the film program desired, and means on said carriage relatively located thereon to open the contactor in said operating circuit corresponding to a selected film program and for stopping said carriage operating means with said selected film program in projecting position with respect to said screen.

13. An amusement apparatus comprising acabinet, a screen in said cabinet, a movable carriage adapted to support a plurality of film handling units each threaded with a film strip program, carriage operating means operatively connected to said carriage and for moving the same to bringpleting the control circuit and operating the con-' tactor corresponding to the film program desired,

a holding circuit in parallel with all of said control circuits. and including a maintaining switch operated by a holding coil connected in said operating circuit, and means on said carriage relatively located thereon to open the contactor in said operating circuitcorresponding to a selected film program, for de-energizing said holding coil to open said maintaining switch in the holding circuit, and for stopping said carriage operating means with said selected film program in projecting position with respect to said screen.

4. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet, a screen therein, amovable carriage adapted to support a plurality of film handling units each threaded with a film program and movable to bring any one of. said programs into projecting position with respect tosaid screen, a motor operatively connected t'osaid carriage and for moving the same, a motor operating circuit adaptedto beenergized to operate said motor and move another film program into projecting positionwith. respect to said. screen, a projector circuit ineluding a light source for illuminating a film program, and a contactor means operated by movement of said carriage and adapted to energize said projector circuit when a film program is inprojecting position.

15. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet, a screen therein, a movable carriage supporting a plurality of film handling units each threaded with a film program, a, motor operatively connected. to said carriage and for moving the same. to bring any one of said film handling units into operative position with respect to said screen, a motor operating circuit for energizing said motor selectively to move said carriage, film moving means for advancing a film. through said film handling units, and a contactor means operated by movement of said. carriage and rendering operative the film moving means for advancing only the film in that unit which is in operative position with respect to said screen.

16. An amusement apparatus comprising a single projection screen and a single sound amplifier, a movable carriage adapted to support a plurality of film handling units each threaded with a film strip program, carriage operating means operatively connected to said carriage and for moving the same to bring any one 01 said film strip programs into operative position with respect to said screen and said amplifier, an operating circuit for said carriage operating means and including a plurality of selectors each corresponding to a film program on said carriage, a, control means including a plurality of control circuits each corresponding to a film program and selector, and each including a manually operable member for completing the control circuit and operating the selector corresponding to the film program desired, means for operating'the selected film handling unit, and means preventing such operation unless the selected film handling unit is in operative position.

17. An amusement apparatus comprising a projection screen. a movable carriage adapted to support a plurality of film handling units each threaded with a film strip program, carria e operating means operatively connected .to said carriage and for moving the same to bring any one of said film strip pro rams into operative posir tion with respect to said screen, a transformer having a primary windin and a secondary winding, a line'voltage operating circuit for said carria e operating means. i cluding a lurality of selectors each corres on in to a film pro ram and including the primary windin 01' said transformer. and a control means including a plurality of control circuits all connected to the secondary windin of said transformer. each control circuit corresponding to a film rogram and each including a manually operable member for completing the control circuit and operating the selector corres onding to the film pro ram desired.

18. An amusement ap aratus com rising a cabinet. a li ht proiection screen member t ereon, a movable carriage sup orting a pl ralitv of film handling units each threaded with a film strip pro ram. proiection means including a light source and for pro ecting a picture image from a film strip onto sa d screen. re roducing means including an amplifier and for reproducing a sound record also on said film stri a carriage operating means operatively connected to said carr a e for moving the same to brin any one of said film strip programs into operative position with respect to said screen and said amplifier. an operating circuit for said carria e operating means and including a plurality of selectors each corres onding to a program on said carria e, an operating control means including a plurality of control circuits each corresponding to a film strip program, each including a coil for closing the corresponding selector in said operating circuit, and each including a manually operable switch for completing the control circuit corresponding to the program desired, means on said carriage relatively located thereon to operate and open the selector in said operating circuit'corresponding to a selected program to stop said carriage with the selected film strip program in projecting position, and an amplifier circuit energized by completion of said operating circuit and includin maintaining means to continue such energization after said operating circuit has been interrupted.-

19. An amusement apparatus comprising a; cabinet, a light projection screen member thereon, a movable carriage supporting a plurality of film handling units each threaded with a film strip program, projection means including a light' source and for projecting a picture image from afilm strip onto said screen, reproducing means including an amplifier and for reproducing a sound record also on said film strip, a carriage operating I means operatively connected to said carriage for moving the same to bring any one of said film strip programs into operative position with respect to said screen and said amplifier, an operating circuit for said carriage operating means and including a plurality of selectors each corresponding to a program on said carriage, an operating control means including a plurality of control circuits each corresponding to a film strip program, each including a coil for closing the corresponding selector in said operating circuit, and each including a manually operable switch for completing the control circuit corresponding to the program desired, means on said carriage relatively located thereon to operate and open the selector in said operating circuit corresponding to a selected program to stop said carriage with the selected film strip program in projecting position, and a contactor means operated by movement of said carriage and rendering operative the projection means and reproducing means for projecting and reproducing the selected program.

20. A multifilm motion picture projector providing a viewing aperture and comprising a movable carriage for supporting a plurality of more than two motion picture film handling units each of which is adapted to carry a film strip and each including a film rewinding mechanism, said carriage simultaneously carrying a plurality of more than two film strips, a carriage operating means for moving said carriage to bring any one of said more than two film strips into operative position relative to said aperture, a selector means responsive to manual operations corresponding to each of said plurality of more than two film strips and for controlling said carriage operating means so that a selected one of said plurality of more than two film strips is operatively positioned and fixed in projecting position relative to said aperture, and film feeding means operated in timed relation to said positioning and fixing of said selected film strip and for advancing and rewinding only the single film strip so selected and positioned.

21. A multiform motion picture projector providing a viewing aperture and comprising a movable carriage for supporting a plurality of film handling units each of which is adapted to carry a film strip program, means for moving said carriage to bring said film strip program individually into operative position relative to said aperture, a

plurality of manually operable devices each cor responding to each film program, means responsive to the operation of any one of said manually operable devices for interrupting the movement of said carriage when the film program corresponding to the selected manually operable device is in operative position relative to said aperture, and means operated in timed relation to said interruption for advancing the selected film program with respect to said aperture. I

'22. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet including a screen and at least one light source for illuminating said screen, a movable carriage for supporting a plurality oi film handling units each of which is adapted to carry a film strip program, means for moving saidcarriage to bring said film strip programs individually into operative position relative to said screen, a plurality of manually operable devices each corresponding to each film program, means responsive to the operation of any one of said manually operable devices for interrupting the movement of said carriage when the film program corresponding to the selected manually operable device is ln operative position relative to said screen, and means responsive to said interruption for advancing the selected film program with respect to said light source and said screen.

23. An amusement device comprising a cabinet; a screen mounted in said cabinet; a plurality of magazines each containing an endless film strip and each having fixedly associated therewith a light gate past which said film may be moved; film engaging members associated with each magazine and adapted to guide said endless film strip within said magazine and past said gate; a magaa zinc carriage upon which said magazines are mounted; carriage operating means adapted to move said magazines so as to bring their respective associated light gates successively into operative relationship with said screen; a plurality of manually selectable control circuits, one for each magazine; means responsive to the manual selection of any such control circuit for interrupting the operation of said carriage operating means when the light gate associated with the magazine corresponding to the selected control circuit is positioned in operative position to said screen; means responsive to such positioning of saidlight gate andmagazine for supplying light to pass through the selected light gate and the film strip therein to said screen; and means responsive to such positioning for actuating said endless film strip.

24. An amusement device comprising a cabinet; a screen mounted in said cabinet; a plurality of magazines each containing an endless roll of film and each having fixedly associated therewith a light gate past which said film may be moved; film engaging members associated with each magazine adapted, when actuated, to draw the film from said roll, move the same past said gate and return the same to said roll; a magazine carriage upon which said magazines are mounted; carriage operating means adapted to move said magazines so as to bring their respective associated light gates successively into operative relationship with said screen; a plurality of manually selectable control circuits, one for each magazine; means responsive to the manual selection of any such control circuit for interrupting the operation of said carriage operating means when the light gate associated with the magazine corresponding to the selected control circuit is positioned in operative relationship to said screen; means responsive to such positioning of said light gate and magazine for supplying light to pass through the selected light gate and its film to said screen; and means responsive to such positioning for actuating said film engaging members.

25. A multifilm motion picture projector providing a viewing aperture and comprising a movable carriage for supporting a plurality of more than two motion picture film handling units each of which is adapted to carry a film strip and each including a film rewinding mechanism, said carriage simultaneously carrying a plurality of more than two film strips, a carriage operating means for moving said carriage to bring any one of said more than two film strips into operative position relative to said aperture, a selector means responsive to manual operations corresponding to each of said plurality of more than two film strips and for controlling said carriage operating means so that a selected one of said plurality of more than two film strips is operatively positioned andfixed in projection position relative to said aperture, a film feeding control means responsive to movement of said carriage and positioning of a selected film strip in said projecting position, and film feeding means controlled by said film feed- I ing control means and for advancing and rewinding only the single film strip so selected and positioned.

' JOHN H. McMAHON.

ARTHUR W. MILLER.

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