Patent GB-190401211-A (GB)
Title: Automatic Arrangement for the Prevention of Fire in Cinematographs or other like Living Picture Machines
Inventor: SCHILLER CHARLES CHRISTIAN
Filed: 1904-01-18
Granted: 1904-12-31
Abstract: 1211. Schiller, C. C., and Roseblade, S. J. Jan. 18. Kinematograph8. - To prevent fire, the breaking of the film is made to close an electric circuit, which extinguishes the projecting-light or automatically releases a fireproof shutter in front of the film, or does both these actions simultaneously. The film is moved by two sprocketwheels, the feeding-wheel P', Fig. 7, being turned by a handle p<6>, and the other being driven by suitable gearing. Before the film passes to the position from which it is projected, it is bent into a loop which is concentric with two metal strips F, E<1> mounted on insulating- blocks G, F', Fig. 2, secured by bolts, which pass through insulating-bushes and nuts to a metal bracket H hinged to an upright P", so that the bracket may be swung back when a film is changed. The metal strips F, E<1> are insulated on the concave and convex side respectively. When a film breaks, the part of it which is being fed forwards is not carried away, and the film forces the strips F, E<1> together, the strip F working on a pivnt F<1>. This contact of the strips F, E<1> completes the circuit to an electromagnet S', shown with the other electric connections in the diagrammatic sketch, Fig. 10. A switch S' is so arranged that, when in the on " position, Fig. 10, a current flows to a projecting- lamp S', in the circuit of which is a resistance S<3>, from the positive terminal S<p> through a pivoted arm S<a>, provided with jaws Sc, electrically connected to the terminals S<n>, S<P>, when the arm is in the position shown. The arm S<a> is acted on by a spring, which tends to move the arm so as to break contact with the terminal S<n>, S<p>, and the arm is normally engaged by a gravity catch S<e> which is loosely connected to the core of a solenoid S<h>, which is in series with the circuit containing the electromagnet S<7> and strips F, E<1> and with a circuit containing an incandescent lamp S', adapted to illuminate the kinematograph during repair. These two circuits are connected to the switch by plugs S<k>, S<m>. The electromagnet S<7>, when energized by contact of the strips F, E<1>, releases the catch of a spring fireproof shutter S<6>, which rises and protects the film. At the same time, the solenoid S<h> is energized and its core acts on the catch S<e>, so as to release the arm S<a>, which moves into contact with springs S<t>, thereby cutting out the projecting-light circuit and short-circuiting the circuit containing the strips F, E<1>, so that no sparking occurs between the strips. The lamp S<4> is illuminated as soon as the strips F, E<1> touch. The circuit to the strips F, E<1> is closed when the bracket H is moved back so as to change a film, and this prevents the projecting-light from being inadvertently cut off should the strips be pressed together. The bracket H is retained in its closed position by a lever catch against the action of a spring R', Fig. 8. In the closed position of the bracket, the circuit to the strips is completed through contacts R<4> and springs R<3> mounted upon an insulated block on the post P<12>. As soon as the bracket is opened to change the film, the circuit to the strips is broken. When the film is driven by an electromotor, the current to the motor may be cut off simultaneously with the extinction of the projecting-light. The fireproof shutter may be used with an ordinary battery.