Patent GB-139820-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for printing photographic films
IPC: G03B27/08
Filed: 1920-03-06
Abstract: 139,820. Kodak, Ltd., (Assignees of Jones, J. G.). May 24, 1918, [Convention date]. Measuring. - Apparatus is described for printing consecutive symbols on the edges of kinematograph films, as for example numbers to show the length of film at any point. The printing-mechanism is contained in a casing B, Fig. 2, and mounted on the cross-shaft 10 in conjunction with a perforating- machine A, so that it can be swung away into inoperative position and held there by a pin 19, Fig. 1, and notched disk 18 on the gear box B. The printing- bed 21 is recessed so that the film 20 runs on narrow supports 22 at the sides, one of which has an elongated printing opening 24, Fig. 15, behind which movable transparent numerals are situated. A series of rollers 25 may be provided to keep the film away from the bed. The numerals 321, Fig. 16, are carried on rings 29, Fig. 19, which have openings 31 and are mounted on the flanges 34 of pinion wheels 35. Each ring carries transparent numbers 321 from zero to nine and, in addition, has a set of interplaced opaque numerals 331 situate at 90 degrees to the corresponding transparent numerals, so that the number being, printed on the film is visible through an opening 58, Fig. 15, in the case B. A number of these numeral disks are mounted side by side in a tubular bearing 37, Fig. 11, under the printing opening 24 and having perforations 38 registering with the numerals. Each of the pinion wheels is in gear with one set of gear wheels 40, Fig. 26, which are stepped in sequence from the driving-shaft 10 coupled with the feed mechanism of the film. Each pinion has a ratchet 41 on one side actuated bv a rocking spring pawl 46 and on one side a pawl shield 42, which has only one depression 43, Fig. 28, and thereby prevents the pawl 46 from actuating the next adjacent ratchet 41 and stepping the next adjacent digit until the depression comes into position opposite the adjacent pawl 46. Also, to obtain the correct sequence of numbering, each pawl further carries a pin 50, Fig. 26, which holds the next adjacent pawl in inoperative position. A series of spring pawls 53, Figs. 15 and 28, prevent backward movement of the ratchets 41. Access may be had to set the wheels 40 and numeral disks by hand through an opening 59 in the casing 60. The pawls 46 are mounted on a common yoke 44 on the shaft 39, Fig. 11, which is reciprocated from the shaft 392 through an arm 393. The numerals are illuminated from a lamp compartment 75, Fig. 11, by means of a masked mirror 80 and a series of stepped mirrors 72 on a fixed block 70 within the tubular bearing 37 carrying the numeral rings. The mirrors 72 are angularlv adjusted by screws. A cylindrical shutter 66, Fig. 14, with slots 64, 65 is concentrically mounted on the block 70, the projecting shaft 67 of which is also intermittingly actuated from the shaft 10. A pressure pad 82, Figs. 1 and 15, is also intermittingly moved on the hinge 83 against the action of a spring to press the film on to the printing opening 24 at the moment of printing. The pressure pad is mounted so that it can be swung away and held in inoperative position. The sequence of movement is obtained from the shaft 10 through bevel gearing 89, 91, Fig. 1, which rotates a stub shaft 92 carrying a cam disk 96. A rod 99 adjustable in length by the coupling 100, carries a forked end 94 engaging the stub shaft 92 and a cross-bar 95, which is kept in engagement with the cam 96 by a spring 98. As the cam disk 96 moves the rod 99 to the right the shaft 392 is rotated counterclockwise through the link 118 and the numbering-disks are thereby stepped. Also a forked arm 120 on the shaft 392 rocks a segment 123 loosely mounted on the shaft 67 and thereby positions a pawl 126 behind the next tooth of a ratchet 127, Figs. 1 and 9, secured to the shaft 67. The ratchet 127 has attached to it by pins 131 a star wheel 130 which functions to rock the arm 133 and the pressure pad 82. When a further length of film has been fed through and the bar 95 drops over the shoulder 97 on the cam-disk, the rod 99 is pulled suddenly to the left by the spring 98. The shock is taken by a dash-pot 102 rigidly mounted by the arms 103, the piston of which is connected to the rod 99. The shaft 392 is given an idle movement clockwise as regards the numbering-device, but the rotation of the arm 120 rotates the ratchet-wheel 127, the shaft 67, and the shutter, to give an exposure. Simultaneously, the star-wheel rocks the arm 133 and the shaft 83 to depress the pressure pad 82. An auxiliary arm 135 on the shaft 392 also engages between consecutive pins 131 connecting the notches 127 and the star-wheel 130 to steady the parts and prevent an overthrow of the ratchetwheel 127 and shutter. The numerals are preferably arranged so as to be printed in decreasing order.