Patent GB-677633-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to means for facilitating the joining of kinematograph films
IPC: G03D15/04
Filed: 1949-01-27
Abstract: 677,633. Splicing kinematograph film. RIGBY, Ltd., R., and RIGBY, R. A. Jan. 27, 1950 [Jan. 27, 1949; Feb. 17, 1949], Nos. 2283/49 and 4386/49. Class 98 (ii). A device for cleaning the end surfaces of broken film lengths, preparing said surfaces for joining, and joining the ends, comprises a base 10, Fig. 1, with a flat bed 12 formed with film-holding pins 20 and two parallel transverse channels 26 on each side of which a film clamp 16 is arranged, and a pivoted tool-guiding bar 14 adapted to be swung down on to the bed and to be moved through its own width along its pivot, the channels being spaced apart by substantially the width of the bar. With the bar resting on one film end in register with one of the channels, a tool guided along the bar prepares one film end; after moving the bar along its pivot into register with the other channel the other film end is similarly prepared; the film ends are then joined in correct overlapping relationship and pressed by the bar until the join unites. A tool for preparing film ends for use with the device comprises a reversible body piece 28, Fig. 3, having guide surfaces for slidably engaging the bar, and having a film cutting roller 32 on one end to co-operate with the edges of the channels to cut the film ends by a scissors action, and an emulsion filing or scraping tool 36 on the other end. To splice a broken film, one of the broken ends is led over the bed 12 from the right in Fig. 1, emulsion side up. The sprocket holes are engaged by the pins 20, and the film is held flat by means of clamps 16 pivoted on axle 22. Bar 14 is moved to the left and swung down on the film. The cutting tool is then slid with a flat surface in contact with the bar 14 so that the roller 32 co-acting with the edge of the left-hand channel 26 trims off the end of the film, which is then removed. Roller 32 is bevelled so that the cutting edge does not reach the bottom of the channel 26. The other end of the film is led over the bed 12 from the left and held in place, bar 14, still in its left-hand position is swung down and the cutting 'tool slid along the bar in reversed position to remove the emulsion from the film end. The bar is then moved to the right and the film end is trimmed. The cleaned portion is coated with cement, the first film end is replaced on the bed to overlap the cemented end, and bar 14 is lowered to hold the ends together until the joint is firm. The file 36 is fixed to the end of the body 28 of the cutting tool by screws 38 passing through slightly oversized bores, so that the file may be adjusted and clamped in position; alternatively the file is held in a slot in the body through which the screws extend. The edges 18 of the bed 12 may be cut away, and pins 20 may be provided to fit different sizes of kinematograph film, and may fit removably in holes provided in the bed. A spacing piece may be fitted over axle 22 to hold bar 14 in either of its extreme positions thereon. The body 28 of the cutting tool and bar 14 may have interengaging grooves and extensions, and the bar may be spring-urged either towards or away from the bed 12. The body 28 of the cutting tool may be cut away next to the file 36, and may carry a brush for removing the filings. The base 10 may have a pocket 40 for the tool may be fastened to a bench or rest on rubber feet, and may be fastened to a cable entering through a hole 44.