Patent GB-303444-A (GB)
Title: Automatic photographing machines
IPC: G03B17/53
Filed: 1928-12-17
Abstract: 303,444. McCowan, D. A. Jan. 3, 1928, [Convention date]. Coin-freed apparatus.- A cabinet apparatus is described for automatically producing and delivering a photograph of the sitter, sensitized discs being used. The compartment 2, Fig. 1, of the cabinet, which is portable, is fitted with a seat 3, which when used closes contacts 7 and lights the lamps 6 fitted with reflectors 5. The operation of the apparatus may be wholly automatic after the insertion of a coin. The sensitized discs are contained in cylindrical cartons 15, Figs. 1 and 7, fitting on Hanged openings 13 in the cover 12 of a flanged plate 10 having a single delivery opening 18. Between the cover 12 and base 10 is a feed disc 16 with circular openings and just slightly thicker than the sensitized discs. The feed disc 16 is coupled to a shaft 17 which, when rotated, causes a disc to be delivered through the opening 18 into a shoot 19, Fig. 1, which delivers the disc into one of a series of peripheral pockets 23, Fig. 8, on a vertical wheel 20, Fig. 1, mounted on a horizontal shaft 25 geared at 26 to the shaft 17. The pockets are formed by curved blocks 24, between the spaced flanges 22 of the wheel. One of these pockets is in alignment with the camera lens, and after an exposure the wheel is rotated and the disc falls through a. shoot 57 sensitized surface upwards, into one of a series of shaped recesses 58 in a horizontal wheel 59, Figs. 1 and 4, on a table 60. The wheel 59 is mounted on a vertical shaft 61 rotated through gearing 62, 38 synchronously with the operation of the shaft 17 from the prime mover belt 40 driven from the motor 39. During the rotation of the wheel 59 the disc is developed, washed and dried. The table 60 has an annular channel 63 with end drainage holes 65, and an opening 64 through which the finished photograph falls to the delivery shoot 66. During the rotation of the wheel 59 the projecting periphery of the disc first rocks a lever 68, Figs. 1 and 10, thereby opening a spring-closed valve 70 so that developing liquid stored in a container 72 flows through the pipes 71, 73 on to the disc. The disc next rocks similar lever 74, Figs. 1 and 11, and opens a spring-closed valve 75, so that water fills the small container 76, and issues through the restricted opening 77 on to the disc. Compressed air through a nozzle 78 causes the water to spray over the disc and wash off the developer. Thereafter the disc passes beneath a cylindrical tube 79, Fig. 12, through which air is forced either by a blower 80, or by an air compressor 93, Fig. 1, the air being heated by a heating element 82. The further rotation of the wheel 59, Fig. 4, brings the disc over the delivery opening 64. The operating mechanism. On insertion of a coin in the opening 84, Fig. 13, a leaver 85 operates a switch 86, to break the circuit through the electromagnet B, Fig. 16, of a time relay switch C which is thereby reset. The switch 86 is reclosed when the coin passes, and the relay then closes the circuit D to the motor through the main switch E and drives the belt 40, Figs. 1 and 14. The coin has fallen between two members 48, 51. Figs. 13 and 14, moved in a guideway 46. The member 51 abuts against a cam 50 on a shaft 35, and the member 48 abuts against a pivoted lever 43, one end of which is connected to a shutter-operating rod 54, the other end being forked and carrying rollers 45 abutting against a cam disc 36 slidably mounted on the shaft 35. The cam disc, is normally retracted by a spring 41 from engagement with a pawl 32 mounted between spring-controlled rocking members 31. The pawl 32, when rocked by the cam 36, rotates a toothed wheel 30 on a shaft 29 geared at 28 with the vertical .shaft 17 operating the, disc feed mechanism. On rotation of the shaft 35 from the pulley 40 through reduction gearing 38 and bevel gearing 37, the cam 50 moves the slide 51, coin, and slide 48 within the guideway 46 to rock the lever 43, thereby operating the shutter rod 54, for an exposure. The movement of the lever 43 also forces the cam 36 into position to rock the pawl 32 and rotate the shaft 29, thereby operating the shafts 17, 25 and rotating the wheel 20 to deliver the exposed disc into the shoot 57 and on to the wheel 59, which is being rotated through gearing 62, Fig. 14. Also the disc 16, Fig. 7, on the shaft 17, is rotated to deliver another disc into the wheel 20. The slide 48 is returned by a second coin 52 and the slide 51 by a spring-controlled crank lever. On this return movement the coin drops into a receptacle. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect.. 91 (3) (a) comprises also alternative developing means and alternative operating means. Alternative developing means. For developing, the exposed disc may be delivered from the wheel 20 through a shoot 87, Fig. 17 (Cancelled), to a developing tank 88, in which is arranged an endless chain conveyer 89 provided with arc-shaped fingers 89<1> to pick up the disc and return it. to the top and discharge it into a washing tank 90 also provided with an endless conveyer 91. The disc is then directed to a shoot 92 leading to the drier and delivery shoot. Alternative operating means. Instead of a wholly automatic mechanism, the switch 86 and the slide members 48, 51 may be operated manually to make the exposure and start the motor. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.