Improvements in Apparatus for the Production of Optical Illusions.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 4th Nov., 1889-Accepted. 11th Jan.. 1890
PROVISIONAL
SDRATLICATION
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in Apparatus for the Production of Optical
Illusions.
I, CHARLES EMILE REYNAUD, of No. 58, Rue Rodier, Paris in the French
Republic, Optician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
The object of this Invention is to produce the illusion of continuous or indefinitely
prolonged motion of the subjects in apparatus of the "Praxinoscope" class patented
by me in the year 1877, under No. 4244, in which, as in the "Zootrope" and other
analogous combinations, the illusion of motion has hitherto been necessarily limited to
a repetition of the same sequence of positions at each rotation of the instrument.
The present improvements may be applied to apparatus carrying either opaque
or transparent pictures, the former illuminated by reflected light for direct view,
and the latter by transmitted light for projection on a screen.
Fig. 1. of the accompanying Drawing shews in elevation a "Direct view
Praxinoscope" (or Zootrope) provided with my present improvements.
Fig. 2. is a plan of the same.
Fig. 3. is a section through y., fig. 2.
In these figures, a. is the Praxinoscope, Zootrope (or analogous apparatus), the
crown or circlet c. of which is pierced with openings c¹ corresponding with the
successive positions of the subject, the number of which positions vary according
to the nature of the latter. In this circlet are set at equal intervals a series of
studs. corresponding with equally spaced holes 1 pierced in the flexible band f,
hereafter referred to.-b. is the spindle on which the Praxinoscope revolves.
d. and e. are two drums, of any required diameter, each turning on a spindle in one
or other direction by hand, clockwork or other motive power.
f, is the flexible band on which are printed or otherwise applied in successive posi-
tions the figures or subjects to be reproduced-the length of the said band being
variable according to the number of positions required. This band, which may be of
any suitable material, either opaque or transparent, according as the pictures are
intended to be illuminated by reflected or transmitted light, is wound on one of the
drums (say d.), passes from thence round a portion of the circlet c., engaging by its
holes with the studs of the latter, and connected by its free end to the second
drum (say e.).
On rotating the drums thus arranged, the band f. is wound from one to the other,
imparting corresponding rotation to the circlet c. by means of the studs c., which gear
with the holes pierced in said band. o. indicates the position of the observer's eye for
direct view.
The "Illusion of Motion" is thus produced, as in the original Praxinoscope and
other like instruments, but with this essential difference that the successive phases of
action of the figures, instead of being limited to those comprised in a single revolution,
may be varied and prolonged to a practically indefinite extent, dependent only on the
length of the flexible band :-thus permitting (for instance) the reproduction of a
continuous Theatre Scene, comprising an almost infinite variety of actors in their
successive positions on the stage.
In the example above described, the rotation of the circlet is produced by the
flexible band, but it will be understood that this arrangement may be reversed or
otherwise modified, as may also be the general details of construction of the apparatus,
the dimensions of which may range between those of a mere toy and those required
for the reproduction of life sized figures.
Dated the 8th day of February 1889.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Production of Optical
Illusions.
I, CHARLES EMILE REYNAUD, of 58 Rue Rodier, Paris, in the French Republic,
Optician, 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 :—
The object of this Invention is to produce the illusion of continuous or indefinitely
prolonged motion of the subjects in apparatus of the " Praxinoscope" class patented
by me in the year 1877 under No. 4244, in which, as in the "Zootrope" and other
analagous combinations, the illusion of motion has hitherto been necessarily limited
to a repetition of the same sequence of positions at each rotation of the instrument.
The present improvements may be applied to apparatus carrying either opaque
or transparent pictures, the former illuminated by reflected light for direct view, and
the latter by transmitted light for projection on a screen.
"
Figure 1. of the accompanying Drawing shews in elevation a "Direct view
• Praxinoscope" (or Zootrope) provided with my present improvements.
Fig. 2. is a plan of the same.
Fig. 3. is a section through ye, fig. 2.
In these figures, a. is the Praxinoscope, Zootrope (or analagous apparatus), the
crown or circlet r. of which is pierced with openings a corresponding with the
successive positions of the subject, the number of which positions vary according
to the nature of the latter. In this circlet are set at equal intervals a series of
studs. corresponding with equally spaced holes z pierced in the flexible hand.
hereafter referred to; h. is the spindle on which the Praxinoscope revolves.
d. and e. are two druins, of any required diameter, each turning on a spindle in
one or other direction hy band, clockwork or other motive power.
is the flexible band on which are printed or otherwise applied in successive
positions the figures or subjects to be reproduced-the length of the said band
being variable according to the number of positions required. This band, which
may of any suitable material, either opaque or transparent, according as the pictures
are intended to be illuminated by reflected or transinitted light, is wound on one of
the drums (say (.), passes from thence round a portion of the circlet c., engaging
by its holes with the studs x. of the latter, and connected by its free end to the
second drum (say e.).
On rotating the drums thus arranged, the band f. is wound from one to the
other, imparting corresponding rotation to the circlet c. by means of the studs ».
which gear with the holes pierced in said band.
o. indicates the position of the observer's eye for direct view.
The Illusion of Motion" is thus produced, as in the original Praxinoscope and
other like instruments, but with this essential difference that the successive phases
of action of the figures, instead of being limited to those comprised in a single
revolution, inay be varied and prolonged to a practically indefinite extent, dependent
only on the length of the flexible band: thus permitting (for instance) the reproduc-
tion of a continuous Theatre Scene, comprising an almost infinite variety of actors in
their successive positions on the stage.
In the example above described, the rotation of the circlet is produced by the
flexible band, but it will be understood that this arrangement may be reversed or
otherwise modified, as may also be the general details of construction of the apparatus,
the dimensions of which may range between those of a mere toy and those required
for the reproduction of life sized figures.
Fig. 1. shews an arrangement in which the two ends of band j. are joined together
to form an endless band, so as to allow of continuous winding in one direction, the two
large druins d. c. shown in the previous figures being replaced by small drums d' d' di
and e ele, the number and diameter of which vary according to the length of the
band, as will be easily understood.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is :-
The means of producing the illusion of continuous or indefinitely prolonged motion
of the subjects in instruments of the "Praxiuoscope," "
class, instead of an illusion limited to a repetition of the same sequence of positions at
Zootrope" or other analagous
each rotation of the apparatus, the whole substantially for the purposes and as herein
set forth, and shewn by the figures of the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 4th day of November 1880.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Associate Agent.