Patent GB-173253-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to motion picture and sound reproducing machines
IPC: G03B31/00
Filed: 1920-07-21
Abstract: 173,253. Pollak, J. E., (Webb, H. W., and Safe Deposit & Trust Co.). July 21, 1920. Counters actuated by revolving mechanism; transfer mechanism.-A combined kinematograph and sound-reproducing machine is constructed with two record tables and corresponding adjustable counting mechanism driven from the shaft of the picture projector and arranged so that the counting mechanisms control the starting of each record table in relation to the stopping on completion of the action of the other record table whereby reproduction of a record will not begin until the non-recording grooves of that record have been passed, thus avoiding scratch and effecting continuous reproduction in passing from one record to the other. The motor-driven shaft 2, Figs. 1 and 2a, drives alternately through a cross-shaft 20 and clutches 40, two vertical turntable shafts 21 for the records and also, through worm gear 23 and differential gear 25, 26, a wheel 30 fixed on the shaft 31 of the picture projector. The clutches are operated, for driving the tables alternately, by similar sets of counter mechanism enclosed in a. casing 55 and driven from the projector shaft by a two-lobed cam and link mechanism 80, 79 acting to oscillate a plate 66, Fig. 5, which is fixed on a shaft 56 and drives, through a pivoted pawl thereon, the units disc 62 provided with twenty teeth. This disc drives the tens and hundreds discs 63, 64 successively through pivoted spring pawls carried thereby engaging notched discs or cams 60 fixed on a sleeve 57 secured by a screw 58 to the casing, such pawls engaging teeth on the adjoining counter disc. The plate 66 has another pawl engaging teeth on a " begin " disc 65 carrying a pawl engaging a ratchet-wheel 77 fixed on the sleeve 57 to prevent reverse movement. The counter casing carries shafts 84, Fig. 16, for each counter set supporting pivoted dogs 85, 86, 87, the dogs 85, 87 being inwardly pressed by springs, and a projection 92 on the dog 85 overlapping the dog 86. The dog 85 which is adapted to engage recesses in the discs 62, 63, 64, when such recesses are in alignment, carries a pivoted pawl 93 for engaging a latch on a spring-actuated shifting bar 95 carrying a fork 46 operating the clutch of one record table, a similar bar similarly operated from the other counter set controlling the clutch for the other record table. A number of films corresponding to the records are joined and to end the respective lengths noted on the records as a guide in setting. The film is then arranged on the projector; and the counter for the table which was not last used is set in accordance with the length noted on the record and preferably indicates subtractively. The " begin " dial is then set to allow for the length of the non-recording grooves on the record. On starting the machine, the " begin " disc is driven during the passage of the non-recording grooves by the pawl on the oscillating plate 66, by which time the pawl rides on a support between two teeth into inoperative position, and a cam on the disc has pressed back the dog 87, Fig. 16, so that the cam surface 98 thereon acting on the arm 100 on the clutch-fork bar 95 shifts the bar longitudinally. In this movement a pin 101 on the bar rocks a switch lever 107, Fig. 26, from a stop 117, on a plate 109 on the projector shaft 31, whereby the plate is partially rotated by a friction disc 118 and spring 120 from the projector shaft 31 and operates, through an eccentric 110 and rod 114, a four-pole double-throw switch 115, Fig. 1, to close a circuit through the transmitter and render the record audible. The record is now operating in conjunction with the film, and continues until the recesses in the counter discs, which have been set to suit the record, are aligned opposite the spring dog 85, which then moves inwards to carry the catch 93 clear of the lug 94 on the bar, and allows the dog 86 to move inwards to lift the driving pawls on the oscillating plate of this set of counters out of action. The shifting of the bars 95 unclutches the table of the record last played so that the next record can be applied and its counter set to correspond ready for starting automatically at such a time prior to completion of the record being played as will allow the non-recording grooves to be passed before the other shifting bar, for the table clutch of the record being played is released to declutch that table and throw over the switch.