Patent GB-909714-A (GB)
Title: Motion picture camera
IPC: G03B1/12
Filed: 1959-02-13
Abstract: 909,714. Cinematograph cameras. CONTINA BUREAUX - UND RECHENMASCHINFABRIK A.G. Feb. 13, 1959 [Feb. 13, 1958], No. 5108/59. Class 97 (1). A cinematograph camera has a single setting member which can set the camera for either single shots or for continuous operation at any of various predetermined speeds, can lock the camera when not in use, and can also be set for the camera to run automatically without direct control by the operator, so that he may photograph himself. The camera is shown generally in cross-section in Fig. 18. The driving mechanism, in this instance a spring motor, is housed in the handle 1, and drives a gear train which operates the film feed for the film carried on spools 2, 3. The setting member is a disc 9, marked around its periphery with a number of frames-per-sec. film speeds, the appropriate one of which is set to an index mark 35. A shaft sleeve 23 connects disc 9 to a further disc 24 which carries a series of pins 25, 26, 27... of different lengths. The appropriate pin coacts with the brake disc 19 of a spring-loaded governor 17, 18 (as in Fig. 3, not shown). The axial position of the brake disc, and hence the speed of the film transport, is determined by the length of the pin; hence this speed can be changed by rotating disc 9 to bring a different pin to bear against the brake disc. A further part 29 of the shaft sleeve 23 connects the setting disc 24 to a control member 30 which consists of a disc having a number of lugs 301 ... 305 round its periphery. Rigidly connected with the gear-wheel 122 forming part of the gear drive is a locking cam 21 (best seen in Fig. 9). The trigger member for operating the camera is a lever 10, and between this and the control disc 30 is disposed a latch member 31, shaped as in Fig. 8. This has an elongated hole 311 for its pivotal mounting, so that besides rotary movement it has also a little vertical play. A slot 315 in the latch 31 receives a lug 101 on the trigger 10. When disc 9 is set to the " stop " position (Figs. 12 and 13, not shown), stop face 312 of the latch 31 engages under the tooth 211 of the locking cam 21, as shown in Figs. 1 and 9, so that rotation of the driving gears 14, 122 is prevented and the transmission locked. The release member 10 is also locked. If dial 9 is now turned to the setting for continuous operation at, say, 16 frames/sec. (Fig. 14, not shown), the trigger member 10 is unlocked, and can be pressed to turn clockwise. This swings latch 31 clear of locking cam 21, which allows the transmission to operate (positions of Figs. 2 and 3, not shown), the latch being retained in this position by engagement of its nose portion 314 with the retaining lug 302. Operation is terminated by releasing the trigger 10 to return to its original position, when it takes the latch member back into the position shown in Fig. 1 to lock once more under the cam 21. When dial 9 is turned to the position for " still " photographs, Fig. 10, none of the retaining lugs 301 &c. engage the nose 314 of the latch 31, so after the latter has been released, it is returned immediately to the position of Fig. 1, the transmission having performed a single revolution only, thus producing a single still. By setting the reading on dial 9 to a subsidiary index mark 36 (Fig. 16, not shown), instead of to the main index mark 35, the latch 31 is restrained from returning to engage under cam 21 in the Fig. 1 position, even after the trigger 10 has been released. Thus the operator may set the camera in position to run automatically so that he can then take pictures of himself.