Patent GB-260393-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to photographic apparatus
IPC: G03B17/53
Filed: 1925-09-16
Abstract: 260,393. Josepho, A. M. Sept. 16, 1925. Coin-freed apparatus. - Consists in automatic apparatus for taking a series of photographs on a flexible sensitized strip which is fed past a lens step by step while a shutter is actuated, after which the exposed strip is passed through a developing tank and is finally ejected from the apparatus, the driving-mechanism effecting the operations being operated by a single electric motor that is stopped on ejection of the strip. The apparatus is described as being coin-freed and fitted inside a cabinet provided with a seat S for the customer. A coin is inserted in a slot T and, while being retained by a plate 1, moves a member 2 to close contacts 2<x>, 3 in the circuit of relays A<x>, B<x>. The relay Ax closes the circuit of the motor F and the relay B<x> closes the circuit of lamps 20 by which the sitter is illuminated and also of electromagnets 16 which clutch a sprocket 13 to a shaft 12 driven by the motor. A chain G passing round the sprocket B drives a pair of mutilated rollers W that feed a strip of film C<x> from a roll C intermittently past a shutter B, opened at each dwell of the film by a rod 40 actuated by pins 41 on one of the rollers W. The distance between the rollers may be adjusted by a screw and nut. On the shaft 24 from which the rollers W are driven a cam 25 is secured and this coacts with a roller r on a lever 26. On the raising of this lever a second lever 27 is moved to close contacts 28, 29 in the circuit of an electromagnet 32 and causes a slide 35 to move into the slot T and prevent the insertion of another coin. A lamp 39 glows when the device is ready to receive a second coin. A contact 50 on the lever 26 also completes the driving-motor circuit through a contact strip 51, so that the motor continues to run even when the relay Ax ceases to act. A further contact strip 52 is passed over an insulating strip 53, and, having sprung behind it at the end of the movement of the lever 26, makes contact first with a strip 55 as the levers 26, 27 return to their initial positions under the action of dashpots 54, 54<x>. An electromagnet 58 moves the plate 1, releasing the coin and breaking the circuit of the relays Ax, B<x>. Next, the strip 52 makes contact with a strip 60 and closes the circuit of an electromagnet 63 through a relay D<x>. The armature 64 is connected by a link 65 to a quadrant 66 driving a rack 68 through a pinion 67. A knife 69 on the rack severs the exposed strip of film and allows it to pass into the developing tank. The armature 64 also depresses a lever 78 to throw a knife switch 74 between contacts 73 in the main motor circuit, so that the motor continues to operate until the finished photograph is delivered, the lever 78 being retained in depressed position by a latch 82. A lever 83 is operated from a link 79 connecting the lever 78 and the blade 74 to open a cock 85 from which wash-water is delivered through a pipe 86. The relay D<x> also closes the circuit of an electromagnet K which releases a plate 90<x>. Tubes L supplying developing &c. solutions are normally pinched between the plates 90, 90x, but on operation of the magnet K they are released to allow a small quantity of the solutions to pass to the tanks. A large casing E contains developing, fixing, and toning tanks 113 - - 117 and intermediate washing-tanks 118 - - 121. Passages P and W<x> leading to a conduit 122 are provided for surplus solution and the wash-water. The strip C<x> is delivered between rollers 94, 95, passes between rubber belts 101, 102 into each tank, returns by a guide 103 between belts on rollers 95, 104, and is diverted by a guide 105 into the next tank. Water from a manifold 124 is sprayed through tubes 125 in the washing-tanks. The rollers 94, 104 are driven by a chain 98 from a pulley driven by the chain H from the motor, and the intermediate rollers 95 are driven from these rollers by rubber bands. The rollers, bands, and guides grip the film by its edges only to avoid damaging the sensitized surface. After the final washing, the film is withdrawn by a band 127 and rollers 128 and is deposited on a conveyer 130 in a casing Ox where it is exposed to air heated by a resistance 137 in a chamber M<x>. The film is ejected at the point P<x>. The motor circuit is broken by a bridge 146 on the end of a shaft 143 driven frictionally from the shaft 12 making a connection between strips 147, 148 in a relay circuit G<x>. The bridge 146 is driven slowly up an inclined insulated piece 149 and drops suddenly on to the strip 148. The relay G<x> closes the circuit of a magnet 154, the armature. 159 of which releases the latch 82 and operates a bell-crank 161 connected to a bell-crank 76 on the supporting spindle 75 of the blade 74, thus opening the motor circuit. If a second coin is inserted before the first exposed strip has been ejected, the operation of the magnet 63 depresses a lever 163 connected to the shaft 143 and so restores the bridge 146 to its original position, leaving the motor free to run until the second strip is ejected. Specification 231,926 is referred to.