Patent GB-656297-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to cinematograph film splicing machines
IPC: G03D15/04
Filed: 1948-09-06
Abstract: 656,297. Kinematograph film - splicing machines. CAUNTER, R. ST. J., and LEGG, O. Sept. 6, 1948, No. 23406. [Class 98 (ii)] A film-splicing machine of the kind having in combination a base member having mounted on a common shaft thereon two pairs of plates for clamping the ends of the film to be joined, the adjacent edges of two of the plates having cutters for severing the film, pins mounted on the plates for positioning the films for trimming and cementing, and means for clamping the plates to hold the ends of the films together while the cement dries, a reversible element separate from the plates formed with projections at one end for engagement with one size of film and projections at the other end for engagement with another size of film, the projections being capable of projecting through apertures in the plates, and means on the upper surface of the lower plates for co-operating with the projections for positioning the films. As shown, the shaft 2 supported in brackets 3 secured to the base-plate 1 has pivoted thereon four plates 4, 5, 6 and 7 arranged in pairs. The plate 4 is biassed into the upper position and the plate 5 into the lower position by the spring 6a. Mounted below the plate 7 is a stop 8, and pivoted on the plate 7 is a cam 9 engaging under the head of the stop 8 to limit upward movement of the plate 7 when the cam is in the locking position, and locking the plate 7 to the plate 5. The cam 9 is spring-loaded to the locking position. The plate 5 carries a pivoted clamp 12 spring-biassed to the position shown. The clamp 12 has a cam surface 16 and a U- shaped end 17 for clamping the plates 4, 5 together. Mounted beneath the plates on a bracket 18 is a removable positioning U-shaped element 19 carrying projections 20 on both its upper and lower edges respectively, one of the sets of projections 20 projecting through the slots 22 and 22a in the plates 7 and 5 and slots 29 and 30 in the plates 4 and 6 to engage in the film perforations. The two sets of projections correspond to two different sizes of film. One size of film is further positioned by the walls 23, 24 of grooves 25, 26 in the plates 7 and 5 and the larger size is positioned by the pins 27, 28. The adjacent edges of the plates 4, 5, 6 and 7 are formed as cutting edges for trimming the ends of the films. A scraper, as described in Specification 656,330, carried when not in use in the clip 33, may be reciprocated along a guide on the top surface of the plate 6 to remove the emulsion. The depth of cut of the scraper is adjusted by a setting device 42 on the plate 1 having a stop 43, the scraper being rested on the top surface 44 and the blade lowered until it contacts the stop 43. On moving the hinged pressure clamp 45 into operative position, it engages the cam surface 16 of the clamp 12 to move the latter clamp out of operation. A container for cement is placed in the recess 49. The operative parts are lettered or numbered so that as each part is operated the next higher letter or number becomes visible on the next part to be operated. In operation, the plates 4 and 6 are lifted, one film is positioned on the plate 5, the plate 4 is lowered and clamped by the clamp 12, the plates 4 and 5 are raised, the other film is positioned on the plate 7, the plate 6 is lowered, the end of the film on the extension of the plate 7 is scraped and cement is spread thereon, the plates 4, 5 are lowered and the ends of the films are trimmed by the cutting edges of the plates, and the films are clamped together by the clamp 45. When the films are joined, the clamp 45 is opened and the plate 7 slightly raised to disengage the film from the pins 20. The spread of cement may be limited by the grooves 52. The plate 6 may be provided with a leaf spring engaging the film to prevent it moving during splicing.