Patent GB-347155-A (GB)
Title: Device for synchronization between one or more kinematographic projection apparatus and one or more phonographs or other sound producing apparatus
IPC: G03B31/00
Filed: 1929-10-16
Abstract: 347,155. Gramophones associated with kinematographs. SOC. D'ETUDE ET DE CONSTRUCTION D'INSTRUMENTS DE MUSIQUE, 30 bis, Rue Cauchy, Paris. Oct. 16, 1929, No. 31448. Convention date, June 19. Void [Published under Sect. 91 of the Acts]. [Class 40 (ii).] In the production of sound from records and other sound-producing apparatus, such as bells, whistles, drums, &c., in association with kinematograph projectors, starting, stopping and synchronization of the various apparatus is controlled by a perforated control band or strip traversed at constant-speed throughout the duration of a projection session and controlling feelers for actuating relays which open and close switches in the circuits of synchronous motors driving the various apparatus. Provision is made for restoring synchronism automatically when disturbed by the starting up of a motor of one of the apparatus, and hand control for adjusting synchronism is also provided. The control strip 1, Fig. 1, with the necessarycontrol slots and having sprocket apertures is drawn from a reel 2 and over a slotted runway 4 with turn-up cover 5 by a sprocket drum 10 normally driven at a uniform speed by a synchronous motor and delivering the strip to a take-up reel 15. The strip controls pivoted feelers 8, movable with, but insulated from, spring-controlled bell-cranks, which press the feelers against the strip and constitute one element of contacts 8a .. 8h, Fig. 5, by which relays 33, 34 .. 42 controlling switches 33<1> .. 421 in the circuits to the various apparatus are excited. When the feeler controlling contact 8a is permitted to rise by the passage of a slot in the strip, relay 33 is excited to close the switch 33<1> connecting the mains 30 to a three-phase motor 32 for driving a kinematograph. When the feeler controlling contact 8b can rise, relay 34 operates a switch 34<1> to cut out the motor 17 driving the control strip and also opens a switch 34<11> to isolate all the circuits to the sound-amplifier 43 common to the various gramophones 44, 45, 46 when the control strip is arrested. The feelers controlling the contacts 8c, 8d and thereby the relays 36, 37 act respectively to start and stop the motor 35 driving a gramophone. The feelers controlling the contacts 8e .. 8h operate to connect the output from different gramophones 44, 45, 46 to the amplifier 43. The motor 17 for driving the control strip drives the sprocket drum 10 through a flexible coupling 58, Fig. 7, and reduction gear in a casing 18, this gear comprising a worm on the coupling shaft, a worm wheel gearing therewith and carrying a bevel pinion geared through a sun pinion, on an arm fixed to the shaft 62, with a bevel pinion connected to a pinion gearing with a wheel fixed to the shaft 67 carrying the drum 10. As the gears, apart from the sun pinion, on the shaft 62 are loosely mounted, longitudinal adjustment of the control strip can be effected by means of a handle fixed on the shaft 62. Loss of synchronism at starting up of the synchronous motor 32 driving a kinematograph is corrected automatically by providing an electromagnet 54, Fig. 6, in circuit with the relay 33 controlled by the contacts 8a, which electromagnet when excited rocks an armature 51 to release a notched disc 49 driven frictionally from the motor 32 and clears a contact 56 in a circuit containing an electromagnet 57 and a feeler contact 8i. If used, a synchronizing perforation in the control strip permits closing of the contact 8i, the electromagnet 57 rocks an armature 77 whose spindle 72, Fig. 7, carries arms 73, 75, and teeth on the arm 75 engage a wheel 68 on the shaft 67 of the driving drum 10 for the control strip so that it is arrested until the notched disc 49 has completed a revolution, when the armature 51 can re-engage it and open the contact 56. When this occurs, the armature 77 is no longer attracted and the wheel 68 is released so that the control strip resumes its movement and is in synchronism with the kinematograph. The arm 73 carries teeth which normally engage a wheel 70 fixed to the shaft 62 and carrying a handle. Loss of synchronism during running can be corrected by depressing a spring-lifted knob 80 to rock the armature 77 so that the arm 73 releases the wheel 70 without the arm 75 locking the wheel 68, whereupon the shaft 62 can be adjusted by means of the handle to regain synchronism. The gramophone records 82, Fig. 10, may be supported in a dished holder 81 formed with an upstanding inner ring 83 engaging the hole in the record and with an outer flange 85 having a turnedover rim 87 to embrace an annular cover 84. A finger 89 on the cover facilitates correct positioning of the record, and a slide 90 may be fitted below the cover to support the stylus in starting position.