Improvements in Apparatus for Making or Exhibiting Zoëtropic and similar Pictures.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Mar., 1897-Accepted, 15th May, 1897
Improvements in Apparatus for Making or Exhibiting Zoëtropic
and similar Pictures.
I, THEODORE REICH of 63 Maitland Park Road Haverstock Hill, in the
County of London, Photographer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement
of apparatus for making or exhibiting zoëtropic and similar pictures.
Various apparatus are known by means of which a series of pictures of some
moving object (representing various stages of the movement) are shown or produced.
In many cases these pictures are by means of the same optical arrangements that
are used in magic lanterns thrown onto a screen. They are generally photographs
made on a long strip or band of celluloid or other transparent material which band
is gradually passed between a suitable source of light and the magic lantern lens.
In making the pictures the lens used is a rapid photographic lens suitable for
taking instantaneous pictures and there is no illuminant within the apparatus. In
either case mechanism is required for the purpose of moving the band by successive
steps of eveu duration, the band remaining stationary for a definite time between
one movement and the next.
The object of my invention is to improve the said mechanism so that the
periodical movement of the strip or band may be effected without jar or concussion
and yet precisely, both as to time and extent. I also improve the means by which
the light is cut off from the lens during those moments during which the band
travels, the light being unobstructed whilst the band is stationary.
The first mentioned part of the mechanism I will herein after call the feed
motion, that last referred to the diaphragm-mechanism.
The feed motion may be arranged as follows:-
On the driving spindle of the whole mechanism I provide a slotted crank. With
this slotted crank engages a crank pin fixed on a disc at the other side of which,
diametrically opposite to the crank pin, a guide pin is fixed. The guide pin
engages with a guide slot in a suitable part of the frame work.
The guide pin and crank pin, together with the guide slot and slotted crank are
so arranged that, when the main shaft revolves the disc receives a compound rotary
and reciprocating movement presently more fully referred to. The disc is surrounded
by an annular extension on a reciprocating bar the annular extension of the bar
acting in conjunction with the disc as the strap co-acts with an excentric. The bar
is guided at both ends so as to move in a straight line. When the disc herein above
referred to rotates the disc and bar move up and down also.
On the face of the disc (close to the crank pin) is provided a cam surface that
acts on the lower end of a lever hinged to the bar herein above described. The
cam is so arranged that, when the disc is at one part of its movement the lever is
raised, and during another part of the movement the bar is forced back by a spring
acting thereon. The upper part of the lever has teeth or pins that engage with
perforations in the edge of the strip or band. The strip passes over a suitable
system of guide rollers.
These parts constitute the feed mechanism and are so arranged that when the bar
and lever are at the top of their stroke the lever seizes the strip, pulls it down

page_text: whilst travelling downwards, releases it at a suitable point in its downward stroke
and the strip then remains stationary until the lever has arrived at the top of its
stroke again.
In some cases however I may cause the feed motion to work the rollers instead
of acting on the strip itself. In that case I provide an excentric on the main
driving spindle which excentric causes to and fro motion of a push bar, the move-
ment of the push bar is controlled by a link attached thereto and the feed roll
carries teeth or pins to shift the strip.
The diaphragm which I employ is fan-shaped and has reciprocating motion so as
alternately to cover and uncover the lens. It is worked by suitable intermediary
gearing receiving power off the main driving shaft. Or I may use a rotating
diaphragm of circular shape with a slot of suitable length cut therein and this may
be driven either off the main spindle or off the feed rollers.
London, 3rd June 1896.
BERNHARD DUKES,
226 High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Apparatus for Making or Exhibiting Zoëtropic and
similar Pictures.
I, THEODOR REICH of 63 Maitland Park Road, Haverstock Hill, Photographer,
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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement of
apparatus for making or exhibiting zoëtropic and similar pictures.
Various apparatus are known by means of which a series of pictures of some
moving object (representing various stages of the movement) are shown or produced.
In many cases these pictures are by means of the same optical arrangements that
are used in magic lanterns thrown onto a screen. They are generally photographs
made on a long strip or band of celluloid or other transparent material which band
is gradually passed between a suitable source of light and the magic lantern lens.
In making the pictures the lens used is a rapid photographic lens suitable for
taking instantaneous pictures and there is no illuminant within the apparatus. In
either case mechanism is required for the purpose of moving the band by successive
steps of even duration, the band remaining stationary for a definite time between
one movement and the next.
The object of my invention is to improve the said mechanism so that the
periodical movement of the strip or hand may be effected without jar or concussion
and yet precisely, both as to time and extent. I also improve the means by which
the light is cut off from the lens during those moments during which the band
travels, the light being unobstructed whilst the band is stationary.
The first mentioned part of the mechanism I will hereinafter call the feed motion,
that last referred to the diaphragm-mechanism.
The feed motion may be arranged as follows:-
On the driving spindle of the whole mechanism I provide a slotted crank. With
this slotted crank engages a crank pin fixed on a disc at the other side of which,
diametrically opposite to the crank pin, a guide pin is fixed. The guide pin
engages with a guide slot in a suitable part of the frame work. The guide pin and
crank pin, together with the guide slot and slotted crank are so arranged, that,
when the main shaft revolves, the disc receives a compound rotary and reciprocating
movement presently more fully referred to. The disc is surrounded by an annular

page_text: extension on a reciprocating bar the annular extension of the bar acting in
conjunction with the disc as the strap co-acts with an eccentric. The bar is
guided at both ends so as to move in a straight line. When the disc hereinabove
referred to rotates, the disc and bar move up and down also.
On the face of the disc (close to the crank pin) is provided a cam surface that
acts on the lower end of a leve hinged to the bar hereinabove described. The
cam is so arranged that when the disc is at one part of its movement the lever is
raised and during another part of the movement the bar is forced back by a spring
acting thereon. The upper part of the lever has teeth or pins that engage
with
perforations in the edge of the strip or band.
The strip passes over a suitable system of guide rollers.
These parts constitute the feed mechanism and are so arranged that when the
bar and lever are at the top of their stroke the lever seizes the strip, pulls it down
whilst travelling downwards, releases it at a suitable point in its downward stroke,
and the strip then remains stationary until the lever has arrived at the top of its
stroke again.
In some cases however I may cause the feed motion to work the rollers instead
of acting on the strip itself. In that case I provide an eccentric on the main
driving spindle which eccentric causes to and fro motion of a push bar, the movement
of the push bar is controlled by a link attached thereto and the feed roll carries
teeth or pins to shift the strip.
The diaphragm which I employ is fan-shaped and has such motion as alternately
to cover and uncover the lens. It is worked by suitable intermediary gearing
receiving power off the maindriving shaft. Or I may use a rotating diaphragm of
circular shape with a slot of suitable length cut therein this may be driven either
off the main spindle, or off the feed rollers.
In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the construction of my
improved apparatus as used for taking pictures of the kind hereinbefore
referred to.
In these drawings the same letters indicate the same parts in all the figures.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one form of my improved mechanism,
Fig. 2 is an elevation at right angles to Fig. i showing the mechanism and a
portion of the casing enclosing the same.
Fig. 3 illustrates a detail of construction.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of another form of my improved mechanism, and
Fig. 5 is an elevation of the same taken at a right angle to Fig. 4.
In Fig. 1 A is a handwheel serving to impart motion to the whole mechanism.
It drives the main spindle A' either by toothed gear as shown in Fig. 1, or by
friction gear as illustrated in Fig. 4. On the main spindle A¹ is fixed a bevel wheel B
which drives a bevel pinion C mounted on the same vertical spindle as the pinion C
gearing with the bevel wheel D. The wheel D ruus loose on its spindle; it carries
a sleeve D' to which is fixed the shutter E. This may be a small segment of a
circle as shown in Fig. 1, or a complete disc with one or more slits therein as
shown in sectiou in Fig. 2.
F is the photographic lens; it is supported by arms or brackets Fone at each
side of the frame N which carries the mechanism. In the framework N there is an
aperture N over which the film G passes.
The film G has holes G at its edges the purpose of which will presently
appear.
On the main driving spindle A', at the side opposite to the driving wheel, I may
provide an excentric to drive the feed motiou but in the drawings I have shown a
crank dise; the pin H of the same actuates the push bar or connecting rod I at the
end whereof is provided a pawl J engaging with teeth on the periphery of the film,
roller, or drum L. The link J' suspended from the arbor of the roller L ensures
correct motion of the bar or connecting rod I. Jis a spring which retains the
pawl J in engagement with the teeth on the roller or drum L.
The film: & passes over the aperture N¹ suitable guides being provided therefore

page_text: it is then caught by the pins or studs set in the periphery of the roller L at both
sides. From the guides on the frame N to the roller L it is guided by a ribbon O
of velvet or other suitable material one end of which is fixed to the frame N just
below the guide, the other being attached to the roller O¹ having a ratchet wheel
and pawl at its end so that the ribbon may be tightened as required.
It is evident that when the hand wheel A is turned motion is imparted to the
connecting rod I (through the crank-pin H) and thence by pawl J to the
roller L.
Now in order to ensure absolutely exact motion of the roller I provide two
locking pawls therefore the one, M is of the usual kind and mounted above (see
Fig. 2) it prevents the roller travelling too far when set in motion. The other M
is mounted between the main driving spindle and the roller L. It is seen in Fig. 1
together with a little eccentric M on the main driving spindle by means of which
said pawl is operated. It is also shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, but is best seen
in Fig. 3 which is a detail view of the same (seen from the left of Fig 1).
The object of this pawl M' is to prevent premature motion of the roller L as this
pawl holds the roller until raised by the eccentric M².
As the film G might in some cases tend to cling to the pins L' I provide a
plate K as wide as the rollers and having slots to permit the pins to pass. This
plate is curved, hinged to its support and pressed against the roller, between it and
the film, by a spring K. The operation of this apparatus is as follows: The
film G, has perforations G at its edge the distance between these perforations
corresponding to that between the pins L¹.
The film is carried by a roller that may be enclosed in any suitable light-proof
receptacle and thence pass into the casing P of the apparatus through the aperture P',
or the roller may be accommodated within the casing P. From P' the film passes
through the guide or guides on the frame N, past the aperture N' to the ribbon O,
is seized by the pins L' and carried forward to a receiving roller that may be
mounted and driven in any convenient way, say for instance nounted behind and
slightly above the roller L and driven by a cord pulley off the main driving
wheel A. The shutter E revolves constantly, the roller L (and with it the film)
moves only during that period during which the shutter cuts off the light from
the film.
The modification represented in Figs. 4 and 5 is constructed as follows:
A is the driving wheel, A' the main-spindle, for which a suitable bearing is
provided in the bracket a. The main spindle A' carries a slotted crank b in the
slot whereof works the pin c fixed on the disc d; on the opposite side
of the disc d a guide pin e is fixed sliding in a slot el of the framing. The
disc is surrounded by a circular band terminating below and above in the rod d¹
the upper part of this rod having arms d². The rod is guided by cheek pieces d³
and its arms d2 by similar pieces so that the rod, arms and parts mounted
thereon are free to move up and down but not laterally.
By these means the rotary motion of the crank b is transformed into rectilineal
reciprocating motion of the bar d' and its arms d².
On the bar d¹ is mounted a lever having pins extending through and working
in slots provided therefor in the framing. These pins fare free to engage with
the holes G¹ in the film G. A spring tends to force the upper part of the leverf
back taking the pins f1 out of engagement with the perforations G.
On the face of the disc da cam surface e2 is provided which forces the lower
part of lever back, throwing the upper part forward so that the pins engage
with the perforations G of the film G. The motion so regulated that the lever f
by its pins seizes the film when at the top of its stroke, carries it downward,
releases it on arriving at the lower end of its stroke, leaving the film stationary
again seizing it when reaching the top.
The shutter is so timed as to uncover the lens during the up stroke of the lever,
covering it whilst the lever is carried downward by the bar d' on which it is
mounted.

page_text: If desired the film may in this arrangement also be carried over suitable guide.
rollers but whilst in the arrangement first described the feed motion actuates the
drum L and thereby the film, the feed motion with this construction acts directly
on the film.
In the drawings I have shown the apparatus as it appears when used for making
pictures.
In order to exhibit pictures made with the assistance of this apparatus the lens
is removed. a suitable magic-lantern lens is substituted therefor and a suitable.
source of light piaced behind the film.
The casing P, it will be readily understood is so made as to admit of ready change
of lenses and fittings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :
1.) In an apparatus for making or exhibiting zoëtropic and similar pictures the
feed motion consisting of a push bar or connecting rod I transmitting motion
from a crank dise to the feed roller, the motion of said bar being controlled by a
link J' and communicated to the feed roller by a pawl J. as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
of the drawings.
2.) In an apparatus for making or exhibiting zoëtropic and similar pictures
hereinabove specified the film roller or drum L having teeth on its periphery and
pins L' for seizing the film, the said roller being secured against untimely motion
by the pawls M and M' all arranged and operating as set forth and shown in Figs. 1
to 3 of the drawings.
3.) In an apparatus for making or exhibiting zoëtropic and similar pictures the
feed motion consisting of a slotted crank b, disc d, bar d¹ d, guide pin e (working
in slot e), cam surface e, lever f with pins thereon, all combined as shown in
Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings and operating as hereinabove specified.
4.) An apparatus for making or exhibiting zoëtropic and similar pictures
constructed and operating as set forth and shown in Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
5.) An apparatus for making or exhibiting zoëtropic and similar pictures
constructed and operating as set forth and shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of March 1807
BERNHARD DUKES,
226 High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.