Improvements in Chrono-Photographic Apparatus.
Year: 1897

page_text: 4
Date of Application, 31st July, 1897-Accepted, 2nd Oct., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chrono-Photographic Apparatus.
I, AUGUSTE RATEAU, of 25, Margaret Street, London, W., Importer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in chrono-photographic apparatus, and
has for its object to provide an apparatus that can be utilised for taking con-
tinuously successive images of an animated scene upon a negative strip, and for
printing upon a sensitized positive strip, and that can be used as a kinetoscope for
viewing the successive images brought before an aperture in continuous succession
or be used for the purpose of projecting the continuously successive images upon
a screen by means of a lantern.
My invention consists in means for rendering the action of a chrono-
photographic apparatus automatic, that can be of easy regulation, and further
consists in certain constructional improvements in a chrono-photographic
apparatus more especially in that which is the subject-matter of British
Patent No. 5026 of 1897, granted to me, all having for their object to render such
apparatus more efficient and serviceable in the various purposes for which it may
be applied.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1
is a side elevation with side cover removed of an apparatus made in accordance
with the present invention, while Figure 2 is a front interior elevation, and
Figure 3 is a part sectional elevation on the lines a b, Figure 2, and Figure 4 a
front exterior elevation, and Figure 5 a part sectional plan on a smaller scale.
In carrying my invention into effect as illustrated in the accompanying drawings
I provide a camera casing A upon the end of which I mount a further casing B¹
containing clock-work mechanism consisting of a spring barrel B, whence motion
is derived, and gear B2 133 134 135, which communicates motion to the way shaft D,
whence in turn motion is derived for feeding the strip and winding upon the
bobbins. The spring of the clock mechanism! B is coiled by means of a key applied
to the extremity of the spindle C, or when it is required to operate the apparatus
manually the key may be applied directly, to the spindle of the wheel B³ for effect-
ing the operation of the spur wheel B' and so to cause the rotation of the shaft D).
Upon the edge of the barrel projections 6 are provided, which upon the rotation
of the barrel B¹ operate against a spring striker, 61, which causes a bell to be struck,
and so the rate of movement and the number of constituent parts of the strip
passing may be recorded. These projections b are provided in series, two or four
of which may project to only a small extent along the periphery of the barrel,
while others may project further inwardly, and others further still, so that on the
spring striker 6 being adjusted to the innermost side position next the casing A,
the bell is struck, as each of the projections pass, while if it be adjusted slightly
further away only a certain number of the projections cause the bell to strike,
while if further still only two or four of the projections operate. These positions
are indicated upon a plate 63 fixed upon the clock-work casing, and a suitable small
operating lever 6' is provided by means of which the spring striker is adjusted.
Motion is communicated to the shaft D from the spur wheel B by the pinion B³.

page_text: Motion of the receiving or winding bobbin F is derived from a pulley G, mounted
upon the shaft. D, by means of a cord H which passes around a sheaf block H¹
suitably held by means of a spring H2 so as to maintain a certain tension of the
cord H, the cord passing by the roller H³ so as to evade contact with the standard I,
the cord H in turn passing around the pulley F1 which communicates motion to
the bobbin, which is superposed thereupon, by frictional contact in the manner
described in the specification of the patent previously referred to. The with-
drawing bobbin E is released on the operation of the machine by means of a
A
lever arm J rigidly secured to a stem J¹ pivotting at j, and upon the plate J³.
brake piece J³ is mounted upon the plate Js, which under the action of the spring J*
which is mounted upon a stem J5 is held in contact with such periphery, but under
the action of the lever arm J which when drawn in the direction of the arrow
by the tension caused from the feeding of the strip slightly depresses the inter-
mediate spring j¹ by which the sudden movement is taken up, and is relieved from
contact with the periphery of the bobbin E, the stop X preventing further com-
pression of the spring j¹. The film passes from the bobbin E round a roller E',
thence to a roller E at the extremity of the lover arm J, thence in turn around a
roller E³ provided alongside the front of the camera casing. The winding or
receiving bobbin F is caused to cease rotation upon the tension of the strip exceed-
ing a predetermined limit by means of a lever arm K, which is rigidly mounted
at the extremity of a stem K¹ pivotting concentrically with the superposed
plate K provided upon the standard I, and upon which the brake K³ is provided.
The plate K is under the action of a spring K which tends to cause the brake K³
to recede from the periphery of the bobbin F, while a spring K³ which connects
the stem K¹ with the plate K2 through the arm k allows of the lever arm being
drawn to a great extent without causing a corresponding movement of the
brake K³, thus obviating any sudden stoppage of the bobbin F, or damage to the
film due to the momentum generated in the moving parts. The strip L passes
from the lower end of the front of the camera casing by the rollers F around the
roller F3 at the extremity of the lever arm K, thence around the roller F4 provided
upon the standard F5 around the bobbin F.
The action of the tension operating release of the bobbin E and the tension
operating brake of the bobbin F is precisely similar as in the case of the apparatus
described in the Specification before referred to.
The backing strip L' is passed around rollers E mounted by each side of the
passage P, suitable recesses A being provided by which the strip may enter the
passage, one being larger than the other to permit of the strip being passed to such
an extent as to allow its opposite edge to drop into the opposite recess. After the
strip has been introduced the larger recess is closed by a spring. The backing
strip thence passes round the rollers F, and thence in turn upon the rollers and
standards A 13
Upon the way shaft D is provided a cam M, whence motion is derived for effect-
ing the continuous forward movement of the strip L by means of a lever N having
one arm n whose extremity carries a pin which works within the groove m, pro-
vided in the cam M, thus causing a vibration of the lever N, and a corresponding
reciprocation of the extremity of the arm n', upon which a reciprocating comb n
is provided. The reciprocating comb n² has mounted at its extremity a series of
teeth n³ of a number corresponding to the number of holes or apertures within the
strip, the extremity of the comb n³ being diverted to form a head n which engages
with a stop O fixed to the camera casing, and which only permits of the disengage-
ment of the teeth n³ from the holes of the strip when such is arrested by the fixed
comb in the manner described in the Specification of the Patent previously
referred to. The head n' of the comb n is held in position by a retaining stop n³
which is suitably mounted as indicated, upon the arm n¹ of the lever N. The
lever N pivots upon the standard F³, and is capable of removal therefrom by means
of a nut N¹.
I prefer to employ two or more grooves m of different shape within the cam M

page_text: for effecting positive vibration or reciprocation of the operating comb n³ so that
one or other may be employed according to requirement.
The teeth n³ of comb 3 work within corresponding grooves P provided in the
front of the camera casing so as to permit of the teeth to enter the holes or
apertures within the strip L and backing strip L' employed. A fixed comb Q is
provided, as to be capable of adjustment by means of a slot q formed in a fixed
plate Q, a nut q¹ binding the comb into any position thereupon. The plate Q¹ is
capable of being removed by unscrewing the thumb nuts Q by which it is
retained. The teeth of the fixed comb Q contact with the roller Q', the strip
being held in a position for facilitating the entry therein of the teeth q³ by means
of a series of collars q' provided upon the roller intermediate of the teeth. The
comb Qis provided with transverse arms Q5 which rest upon india rubber
strips Q upon either side of the recess P, and a handle Q7 is provided upon the
fixed comb Q for manipulation. A backing strip L' is provided for the purpose of
protecting the strip L from wear due to the contact of the teeth of the respective
combs while the forward movement is effected in the same manner as in the
apparatus described in the Specification before referred to.
Motion is communicated to the disc R by means of gearing wheels D¹ D³ the
former provided upon the extremity of the shaft D, while the latter is provided
upon a spindle in parallel upon which is mounted the opaque disc R. The disc R
is provided within a casing A upon the upper side of which a finder A³ is provided,
and upon which is also provided a boss A* carrying the lens or objective which is
in coincidence with the aperture A5 before which the strips are carried forward.
The disc R is provided with segmental slots or recesses R¹, only one being provided
when images are being taken, while two or more may be provided when the images
are being reproduced, the segmental slots being so arranged that for a single
movement or change of the strip projecting at least two stoppages of light prefer-
ably of equal duration and at equal intervals of time shall take place, and this may
be attained in a rotary disc as illustrated in the figures by providing segmental
slots diametrically opposite and of equal length.
When the apparatus is in use for taking images the aperture A³ is closed by
means of an opaque cover A6 held in position by springs A' as illustrated, while
when the apparatus is used for projecting successive images upon a screen such
opaque cover As may be replaced by a translucent cover or a frame and the cover A8
is removed from the side of the camera casing N, and light from a lantern is pro-
jected against the angularly disposed mirror S which reflects the light through
the aperture A5, and so projects the picture on to the screen. The aperture
uncovered by the lid As is capable of being closed by means of a pivotally mounted
cover A³ at intervals as required by means of a handle A10, operated from without.
This is clearly indicated in Figure 1, and also in Figure 5, where an adjustable
mirror S¹ is mounted upon the side of the casing, which upon the cover A being
closed upon the aperture A8 may be carried forward, so that the rays of light may
fall thereupon as indicated, and so be reflected through a lens Ss suitably provided
within a casing S³, the title or description of the views to be shown being inserted
transversely to the light within the slot S, and so this title or description is
transmitted to the screen. On the mirror S₁ being withdrawn however no light is
transmitted, and upon the uncovering of the aperture Aª the light is again reflected
through the aperture A5.
a
For the purpose of effecting the regulation of the speed of rotation I provide
centrifugal governor T with arms T¹ pivotting at t, which upon the rapid rotation
of the governor are caused to separate by centrifugal action, and to cause the collar
or sleeve T to move forward and force back a flat spring T3 of triangular form, as
illustrated, which flat spring operates upon a transverse arm U of spindle U¹,
which is provided within pivotal bearings U U³, a valve arm U* being provided
integrally with such spindle U¹ which by the backward movement of the transverse
arm U is caused to cover an aperture leading from an air pump V, bellows or the
like which is operated from the wheel D³. When the wheel D³ turns by means

page_text: of the rod V¹ motion is communicated to the piston Va which compresses and
exhausts the air alternately in' the cylinder V, part of the air being introduced or
expelled by valves suitably arranged or only by the orifice V in passing through
the pipe Vs. This opening V can be totally or partially obstructed, by the valve
arm U
It is obvious that a bellows may be substituted for the pump. If the speed is
excessive then the centrifugal action causes the arms T¹ to separate, and the
collar T to move back forcing backward the spring T3, and operating the trans-
verse arm U to close the valve U against the action of the spring Us, thereby
diminishing the area of the outlet for air from the pump V, so that the air is
compressed or exhausted in the cylinder, and so resistance offered to rotation.
The extent of movement of the triangular spring T3 may be adjusted by means
of a screw T5 operating a sleeve T which is capable of holding the spring from
any position of its length, so that in virtue of its triangular shape or by reason of
its diminishing thickness from the top downwards the resistance that it offers
increases in proportion as the actuating part is shortened.
Further the regulation of the speed of rotation is capable of being effected by
hand, the spring lever W being caused by means of a projection upon the operat-
ing slide W to force round the valve arm U to close the aperture or orifice V',
so that considerable resistance is offered to rotation, while on further movement
of the slide W³ motion may be stopped by reason of pins d' provided upon the
extremity of the shaft D entering within the recess in the forked extremity of
the slide Wa
It is competent to dispense with the winding and withdrawing bobbins, and pass
the strip through side apertures suitably provided for the purpose as in the
apparatus described in the Specification before referred to.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is:-
-
1. In chrono-photographic apparatus where motion is derived from clock-work
mechanism or other source, means for effecting the regulation of the rate of
movement substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In chrono-photographic apparatus means for effecting the periodic movement
of the strip substantially as described and illustrated.
3. In chrono-photographic apparatus for use in the exhibition of continuously
successive images, means for the reflection of light and for its interception, as also
Deans for reflection from the same source of light for the exhibition of the title
or description of the animated scene to be reproduced or for other purposes,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 of the
drawings.
4. In chrono-photographic apparatus the use of a rotating or oscillating disc in
the exhibition of continuously successive images having a plurality of segmental
slots, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
5. Improvements in chrono-photographic apparatus substantially as and for the
purpose herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
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MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.