Patent GB-831531-A (GB)
Title: Time-lapse cinematographic taking apparatus
IPC: G03B17/24
Filed: 1956-04-19
Abstract: 831,531. Kinematograph apparatus. GOODLIFFE, R. T. July 2, 1957 [April 19, 1956], No. 12024/56. Class 97(1) The various operations required for each exposure in a timelapse kinematographic sequence are effected automatically by apertures or markings on a control band driven by a constant speed motor. In the form shown, Fig. 1, the subject is placed on a table 10 where it may be illuminated by a lamp 15 and photographed by cameras 11, 12 with lenses of different focal lengths. The control unit 16 fed with power through a socket 47 contains a continuously driven. filmband 34 which contains apertures through which switch contacts may engage to control circuits by which power is fed to the cameras when required, through sockets 54, 55. For exposure, the lamp is controlled by contacts in the control unit connected to a socket 66 but energized through a cable 24. During exposure the window curtains are closed by a device 19, energized through a cable 25 but controlled by contacts connected to a socket 67. Fig. 5 shows the circuit comprising a main switch 48, closure of which is indicated by neon lamp N. The band 34 is driven by a sprocket rotated through reduction gearing by a motor 29. It also passes round three other rollers, one of which is spring mounted and controlls the switch 46 which completes the motor circuit only when the band is in position. Two other rollers are adjustable so that bands 34 of different lengths can be accommodated. Closure of the switch 46 also energizes transformers 50, 51. For purposes of test, when no band 34 is in position, the transformers may also be energized by a switch 52. They feed rectifiers 56, 53, which supply current at a voltage to suit, respectively the relays in the control unit and the cameras. The apertures in the band 34 may permit closure, of pairs of contacts 57, 60: 58, 61: 59, 62. Closure of the contacts 59, 62, when the switch S is in the position 1, energizes the relay 70 to close the contacts 71 connected to the lamp-control socket 66. The relay 70 may also be energized by a push-button 89. Similarly the socket 67 controlling the device 19 is connected to the contacts 88 a relay 87 which may be energized by the contacts 57, 60 or by a push-button 90. The operation of the cameras is initiated by closure of the contacts 58, 61 which energizes the relay 68 provided that the relay 70 is energized to close the contacts 69. The contacts 72 of the relay 68 energizes a winding 73 which actuates a clutch to couple a rotary contact 86 to the driving motor. A disc comprising a conducting half 84A and an insulating half 84B is rotatably adjustable to vary the amount of conducting area exposed, from beneath a stationary insulating member 85, to contact by the rotating contact 86. The duration of contact is thus adjustable and hence the time during which a relay 75 is energized to close contacts 76 to feed current to the camera sockets 54, 55. Independent operation of the cameras may be obtained by a pushbutton 91 or a switch 92 in parallel with it, to energize the winding 73 directly. The frequency of operation of the whole system may be reduced by a sub-dividing system 93, which when the switch S is in the position 2, causes the relay 70 to be operated on only a fraction of the occasions when the contacts 59, 62 are closed. Closure of the contacts 69 of this relay is necessary to operate the cameras.