An Improved Machine or Apparatus for Projecting Kinetoscopic Pictures.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Jan., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 13th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 18th Dec., 1897
An Improved Machine or Apparatus for Projecting Kinetoscopic
Pictures.
I, THEODORE VAN HEEMSTEDE OBELT of 140 Rokin, Amsterdam, in the Kingdom
of Holland, Engineer, do hereby declare' the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to an improved mechanical device or apparatus to be
employed in combination with a projecting lantern for projecting upon a distant
screen enlargements of the minute photographic pictures of the strip or film of a
Kinetoscope.
As is now almost generally known a Kinetoscope consists of a long narrow strip of
thin celluloid upon which has been taken in rapid succession minute photograhhic
images of a moving subject, the said strip being then so arranged upon suitable
rollers and guides as to rapidly pass a given point within a case or frame, and by the
aid of a light and suitable lens the said pictures were reflected upon a transparent
surface which, when viewed through an aperture provided for the purpose, gave to
the observer an exact reproduction of every movement of the subject so photographed,
thereby creating what are generally termed animated pictures.
To still further increase the said optical illusion methods and means have been
devised for projecting the pictures upon the said strip or film on to a screen, and to
increase the size of the said pictures from " to 1" to 12 feet or more square, and to
effect this Satisfactorily it has been found necessary to devise mechanical means
having a stop movement in order that each picture upon the film or strip may be at
rest for an infinitisimal portion of a second in order that the human eye may
interpret the details of the picture, and my present invention consists in improved
mechanical means for conveying the said strip or film past the exposure aperture, and
for more effectually arresting and holding the same stationary for the desired length
of time and at the moments when the said pictures are immediately facing the said
aperture.
33 66
The machines or apparatus hitherto employed for effecting the said projections
have been known as the "Cinematographe," "Cineamatascope,' Animatograph" etc,
but it is my intention that the machine or apparatus constituting my invention shall
be commercially known as the " Vitascope."
My invention consists of a suitable stand or base upon which is mounted a
projecting lantern of ordinary construction adapted to receive any form of lamp for
illuminating purposes, and provided at its front with a suitable condenser.
The strip or length of celluloid or film upon which the photographs appear, and
which are to be projected, is wound upon a reel or spindle and placed within a box or
chamber adapted to receive the same, and mounted upon an arm or its equivalent,
projecting from the said lantern, the end of the outer convolution of the said strip or
film being passed through a suitably arranged aperture in the said case, and from
this led in a downward direction through a suitable guide and past an adjustable
exposure aperture arranged upon an upright, and facing the condenser of the lantern,

page_text: and from this the said strip or film is led beneath and partly around a revolving
drum having upon its periphery two rows of teeth or projections which engage with the
usual two rows of holes in the said strip or film, which serve to carry the said strip
over suitable guides to be collected and deposited where required. Suitable springs
and other attachments may be provided where and how required for guiding and
conveying the said strip or film."
The said drum is mounted upon a shaft carried in suitable bearings, and upon the
same shaft is mounted a star wheel which receives partial rotation intermittently by
the means of pins or studs upon the back of a mitre wheel which engage between its
members, the outer ends of the said members being so formed as to be held stationary
by a disc upon the said nitre wheel when its pins or studs are not in contact there-
with. The said intermittent rotary motion imparted to the said star-wheel and the
shaft upon which it is mounted, imparts a corresponding motion to the before
mentioned drum, each movement of which would move the said strip or film a
distance equal to one of the photographs thereon, and the duration of the cessation
or rest of the said Star-wheel and drum represents the portion of a Second of time at
which the said strip would be Stationary and the picture facing the exposure aperture
would be projected.
The said mitre wheel is mounted upon a shaft preferably above and parallel with
the shaft of the star wheel, and receives motion at a high speed from a suitable
motor adjacent thereto, or may be rotated by hand. Upon the back of the film
guide plate, or in some other convenient position is mounted a Stud which carries a
mitre wheel in gear with the first named mitre wheel, to which is attached a circular
disc, a portion of which is opaque or nearly so while the remainder is open or cut
away, such opaque or partly opaque portion serving as a shutter for obscuring the
light at the moment the Strip or film is being moved.
A suitable lens is provided for projecting the said pictures upon a distant Screen,
with means for focussing the said lens and placing the same in and out of use.
Dated the 14th day of Juny 1807
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Buildings London E.C Agent for the applicant.
An Improved Machine or Apparatus for Projecting Kinetoscopic
Pictures.
I, THEODORE VAN HEEMSTEDE OBELT of 140 Rokin. Amsterdam, in the Kingdom
of Holland, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
My invention relates to an improved mechanical device or apparatus to be
employed in combination with a projecting optical lantern for projecting upon a
distant screen enlargements of the minute photographic pictures of the strip or film
of a Kinetoscope.
As is now almost generally known a Kinetoscope consists of a long narrow strip,
of very thin sensitized celluloid, upon which has been taken, in rapid succession, a
series of minute photographic images of a moving subject, the said strip being then
so arrange upon suitable rollers and guides as to rapidly pass a given point, within
a case or frame, and by the aid of a powerful light and a suitable lens the said
pictures are reflected upon a transparent surface, which, when viewed through an
aperture provided for the purpose, gives to the observer an exact reproduction of every

page_text: movement of the subject so photographed, thereby creating what are generally termed,
animated pictures.
To still further increase the optical illusion, methods and means have been devised
for projecting the pictures taken upon the said strip or film, on to a distant screen,
and to increase the size of the pictures from one inch square or thereabouts to twelve
or more feet square, and to effect this satisfactorily it has been found necessary to
devise mechanical means, having a stop movement or intermittent motion, in order
that each picture upon the said film or strip may be at rest. (level with the lens of the
lantern.) for an infinitesimal portion of a second, in order that the human eye may
grasp and the brain interpret the details of the picture, and my present invention
consists of improved mechanical means for conveying the said strip or filin past the
exposure aperture and for more effectually arresting and holding the same stationary
for the desired length of time, at the moment when the pictures thereon are
immediately facing the said aperture, and in line with the lens and the condensor
of the lantern.
"
"
The machines or apparatus hitherto employed for effecting the said enlarged.
"Cineamatoscope
projections, have been known as the "Cinematographe
Cinimatograph etc. but it is my intention that the machine or apparatus
constituting my invention shall be commercially known as the "Vitascope."
65
"
For the purposes of rendering.the following description of my invention and the
manner of its working perfectly clear, I have hereunto appended three sheets of
drawings, of which :-
Figs 1 and 2 Sheet 1 are opposite side elevations of my complete apparatus, while
Figs 3 and 4, sheet 2 are plan and end elevation respectively of the same, the latter
as viewed from left to right of Fig 1, or right to left of Fig 2.
Figs 5 and 6 sheet 3 are enlarged views of a portion of the mechanical parts of
Fig 2, illustrating the movements that actuate the intermittent motion of the strip
or film.
Figs 7 and 8 are elevations of Figs 5 and 6 respectively, as viewed from right to
left, and are also enlarged opposite views of the mechanisin shewn in Fig 4.
Fig 9 is a detached view of the double grooved roller forming part of the said
mechanism and shewn more graphically in action in Figs 5 and and hereinafter
explained.
Fig 10 is an enlarged detached view of the toothed drum that imparts motion to
the sirip or film, also hereinafter fully explained.
'
Similar letters of reference are used throughout the several views to denote the
same or like parts.
My invention consists of a suitable stand or base A, preferably of wood, upon
which is mounted and fixed a projecting lantern B, of ordinary construction, adapted
to receive any type of lamp for illuminating purposes, and provided at its front with a
suitable condensor C.
The strip or length of celluloid or film D, upon which the said photographs
appear, and which are to be projected upon the distant screen, is wound upon a reel
or spindle, and may or may not be placed within a preferably circular box or chamber
adapted to receive the same. To the body of the lantern B, or upon the standard
erected upon the base A, is fixed one or a pair (preferably a pair) of arms D¹, in each
of which is provided one or more slots a, and in these are lodged the two ends of the
spindle carrying the said strip or film D, as indicated by dotted outline in Figs 1
and 2, and if such roll of film or strip is contained within a box or chamber, as
previously suggested, a suitable aperture would be provided in the said box or
chamber through which the outer convolution of the said roll would be passed, but
irrespective of whether such box or chamber be employed or not, the outer
. convolution of the said roll is led from the place of its suspension in a downward
direction through a suitable guide formed by a plate E, fixed upon or adapted to form
part of a vertical plate F, fixed upon a wood or other base G, mounted upon the
stand A, and in E a preferably rectangular aperture is provided, which coincides
with a like shaped aperture c in the plate F, the two said apertures collectively

page_text: constituting the exposure aperture, which is in line with the condensor C, and
between these the strip or film D is led.
The before mentioned vertical plate F has a return vertical side F¹, which forms
one bearing for the centre of a spindle H, one end of which is borne by an upright J,
fixed upon the base G, and upon the opposite end of the said spindle is mounted and
fixed a metallic or other drum K, having upon its periphery two rows of equidistant
teeth or projections d, of the same distance apart as the usual holes or perforations e,
in the strip D and after passing down through the before inentioned guide the said
strip passes behind and under the said drum, while the teeth or projections d engage
with the holes or perforations e, in D, as illustrated by Fig 4. The said film or
strip D is then led over a reel or roller L. (Fig 9) carried in a frame f, pivotally
mounted upon brackets h, fixed upon the base G, and provided with a cross bar g,
upon which impinges a spring, the tension of which operates to keep the roller L
in contact with the film passing up the front of the drum K, suitable grooves k, being
formed in the said roller or reel to provide a clearance for the teeth or projections d
upon K. The said frame f also carries a curved plate l, or any suitable equivalent
therefor, which serves as a guide for the said film after passing over the roller L,
(as shewn in Figs 1 and 2) so that this may accumulate after use in any convenient
place in front of the apparatus, or into a bag or box provided for its reception.
Fig 5 shows the roller L in contact with the drum K, in which position it may be
retained by the outer end or horizontal portion of the spring J pressing upon the
bar I, while Fig 6 shows the roller L, thrown out of contact with the drum K, which
is necessary or convenient when first placing in position the initial end of the film
or strip D, and while the frame f is in this position, it is there retained by the vertical
portion or the curve in the spring passing upon the bar
g as shewn.
The upright or standard J, also carries a spindle M, one end of which may be
borne by, and passes through the plate F1, and carries an arm N, having a return end
carrying a roller n, which impinges against the film or strip D, as this enters the
guide E, by the tension of a spring o, and this roller may also be thrown out of
action at will, as indicated by dotted outline in Fig 1.
Upon the shaft M, between F, and J, is mounted and fixed a mitre wheel O,
carrying a circular disc P, the outer periphery of which is normally in free, but
rubbing contact with the concave ends of the members a' of a star wheel R, mounted
and fixed upon the spindle H (Fig 5) while upon the wheel O outside the disc P, and
diametrically opposite to each other, are two pins or studs carrying loose rollers or
wheels P, adapted to engage between the said members a¹ of the star-wheel, as shewn
in Fig 6, so that the said star wheel and the shaft H, and consequently the drum K
are intermittently partially rotated twice to each revolution of the mitre wheel O,
and each movement of the star wheel serves to partially rotate the drum K, a distance
just sufficient to pull down the strip or film D a distance equal to the depth of one
of the pictures thereon.
The disc P, has suitable recesses or apertures at each side of the rollers p, to
form a clearance for the corners of the members a¹, of the star wheel R, as the
rollers p enter and leave the recesses between the said members as illustrated by
Figs 5 and 6.
The outer end of the spindle or shaft M carries a groove wheel or pulley S, or any
suitable equivalent therefor, by means of which a constant rotary motion (from an
adjacent motor or other available source of energy) may be imparted to the spindle
or shaft M, or a handle may take the place of the wheel S, when the apparatus is
manipulated by hand.
The plate F, carries a stud 8, upon which is mounted a mitre wheel T, (in gear with
the mitre wheel 0,) and a circular metallic or other disc or shutter V, in fixed contact
with the wheel T, so as to revolve therewith, and by reason of the diameter of the
wheel T, being exactly half that of the wheel O, the said dise or shutter V is caused
to revolve twice to every revolution of the wheel O. The said disc or shutter V is
opaque or solid for about one third of its entire area, the remainder being cut away
or open, or may be entirely dispensed with if desired, and the wheel T is so geared

page_text: with the wheel O, that the opaque or solid portion of T, is facing and covers the
apertures b, c (as shewn at Fig 8) at the moment that the film is travelling, which
serves to obstruct the passage of the light through the film or strip, and so deceive
the eyes of the observer, that such movement of the film or change of picture is
taking place, the open or cut away portion of the said shutter being facing the
apertures c, b, while the picture is being shewn, as illustrated by Fig 7.
Upon the base G, is mounted a metallic or other angle piece W, the vertical
portion of which has pivotally mounted thereon a frame X, carrying a suitable
adjustable lens Y, the said frame permitting the said lens to be placed facing the
apertures b, c, when in use as shewn in Figs 1 and 2, and by dotted outline in
Fig 4, or thrown aside when not in use as shewn in Figs 3 and 4, suitable studs t and t¹
being provided upon W, upon which the said frame X may rest in either position.
The horizontal portion of the frame W has a slot v (Fig 3) through which pass thumb
screws w, engaging with holes in the base G, which serve to retain the said frame in
position, and by means of these and the said slot, the lens may be placed nearer to
or further from the apertures b, c. in the process of focussing the light upon the
screen, the accuracy of such focussing being more perfectly attained by the means
of the usual rack and pinion upon the lens.
Assuming that the roll of film or strip D has beeen placed in position upon the
arms D', and from these the outer end has been led down through the gnide and
under the drum K, and up between this and the roller L on to and over the guide b.
and that the roller L is in the position illustrated by Figs 1, 2 and 5, and that the
lens has been placed in position for use, and the focus properly adjusted, the operator
would set in rapid motion the shaft M' by either of the means stated, and the mifre
wheel and disc P thereon, and at each half revolution of the wheel (the one or
the other of the rollers p would engage between the members a¹ of the star wheel R,
as at Fig 6, and move this in the direction of the arrow (Fig 5) until the said roller
had passed clear of the said member, when the next or following member would be
perfectly vertical, and would be held at rest in that position by reason of the
periphery of the disc P engaging therewith, until the next roller comes round and
engages with the said vertical member, when this would be moved in like manner.
The manner of thus imparting intermittent motion to the said star wheel and the
shaft H, and holding these at rest between each said movement is clearly illustrated
by Figs 5 and 6, and the same intermittent motion and rest of the star wheel being
conveyed through the shaft H, to the drum K, a downward pull followed by a like
period of rest coincidental with the drumm K, would be imparted to the film or
strip D, and the duration of such rest of the film would be the moment of exposure
and projection of the figure then facing the aperture 6 c, and as the duration of rest
of the said star wheel, druin and film is twice that of the time occupied for each
movement of these, hence the reason that one third the area of the shutter V is
opaque, while two thirds is cut away. The movements of the shutter and the manner
of its operation will be fully understood from the explanation already given.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
nvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
laim is:-
1st. The herein described apparatus for projecting Kinetoscopic picture upon a
listant screen, in combination with a projecting lantern and suitable lens subzatially
s berein set forth and shewn by the appended drawings.
2nd. In a Vitascope or apparatus for projecting Kinetoscopic pictures upon a
istant screen, the combination of an angle plate or frame such as,F, F¹, and a
tandard such as J, mounted upon a wood or other base such as GA, and adapted to
arry a revolving shutter such as V, and a mitre wheel such as T, the latter in gear
ith a mitre wheel O, having a disc P, both mounted upon a shaft M rotated by
ny convenient means, the said wheel O carrying a pair of rollers such as p, adapted
periodically engage between the members a¹ of a star wheel R, and impart.
termittent notion thereto, the said star wheel being mounted upon a shaft H

page_text: carrying a drum such as K having teeth or projections such as d adapted to engage
with perforations or holes such as e in a strip or film D, upon which a series of
Kinetoscopic photographs have been made, the said strip being wound upon a spindle
suspended above the apparatus, and led therefrom (through suitable guides formed
by the plates F and E) past an aperture or apertures b c, to and under the said
drum K and therefrom over a roller L and guide 1, carried by a frame such as f,.
pivotally mounted upon standards h, upon the base G, and maintained in active and
in-active positions by the means of a spring such as j, the whole connected combined
and operating in combination with a projecting lantern such as B, and a suitable
lens such as Y, carried in an adjustable frame such as X, pivotally mounted upon
an angle piece W, adjustably mounted upon the base G, substantially as herein
described and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 13th day of November 1897.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Bldgs London E C Agents for the Applicant.