Patent GB-1207122-A (GB)
Title: Photocopying apparatus
Inventor: KEEBLE JOHN
IPC: G03B9/08
Filed: 1966-09-29
Abstract: 1,207,122. Photo-copying apparatus. SIDNEY R. LITTLEJOHN CO. Ltd. Sept.28, 1967 [Sept.29, 1966; Sept.19, 1967], Nos.43654/66 and 42702/67. Heading G2A. A photo-copier comprises an original holder pivotable between a vertical position and a horizontal position, a lens carriage 226 (Fig. 10) and a photo-sensitive film carriage 227 both of which are independently adjustable along an overhead track on a beam 222 with respect to the original holder, ther being extendable bellows units 228,229 between the film carriage and the lens carriage and between the lens carriage and a stationary partition 231, lamps 232 being adjacent the partition. The lens carriage 226 carries at least two lenses the selection of the lens to be used, the automatic focusing thereof, and the aperture setting thereof in dependance on the variations of light intensity and original copy density being controlled from a console 217 which is situated adjacent the original holder. The original holder Fig. 8, (not shown) is pivoted to a horizontal position for loading, a counter balanced hinged glass frame (59 being liftable to insert an original only when the holder has been locked in a horizontal position. While the frame (59) is raised, the holder cannot be moved from the horizontal, and once the holder is so moved, the frame (59) cannot be moved from out of contact with the rest of the holder. The original is held in position by the glass frame (59) and by suction. As shown (Fig. 1), two lenses 1, 2 are mounted on a linearly movable carrier plate 3, movement being obtained from a motor and gearbox 8 which drives a cam 9. A rod 11 slides through a block 10 on the cam 9, movement of the rod 11 moving the plate 3 from one end position to the other. The movement of the plate 3 is automatically effected when a predetermined magnification is set on the console of the photo-copier. Where three lenses are mounted on the plate 3, the rod 11 is increased in length. Gears (16, 17) Fig.3, (not shown) are associated with the aperture setting system of the lenses, the gears meshing with other gears (18, 19) on a common shaft which in turn is rotated in associated with the aperture setting system of the lenses, the gears meshing with other gears (18, 19) on a common shaft which in turn is rotated in association with a central pivot (23). The positioning of the lens and film carriages on the overhead track causes the pivot 23 to rotates thus setting both lens apertures, although only one lens is on the optical axis of the copier. The aperture ratio maybe changed by setting a lever (26). The lens carriage is also provided with a shutter 234, operated by rotary solenoids, a filter mechanism 235 and mirror assemblies 237 and 238. Unexposed film is carried in a light tight chamber (Fig.7) housing several cassettes. Each cassette is placed on a rod having a toothed pinion (47) Fig.6, (not shown) at each end, the pinions running on racks (48) to guide the cassettes so as to align rollers 46 thereof with rollers 49 of the chamber. Trapping film between the rollers 46, 49 causes a ring 51 to contact a switch 52 and complete a circuit to a signal lamp. The film selected (from the three cassettes in the chamber) is guided by means 53 on to a platen 54, 244 (Fig. 10) where it is held by suction. If desired, the film may be cut in this position. To set the platen and obtain the correct length of film, the platen and associated framework X is caused to rise from a position in which a rack 57 just touches a switch Y by a motor and gearbox U until the length of platen 54 equivalent to the required film length is positioned centrally about the optical axis. A motor T is now operated to drive the rack 57 downwards, this motion driving pinions 56 and causing the selected film to emerge from its cassette. This motion continues until a stop CC is reached and the switch Y operated to stop the motor T.