Improvements in Kinetoscopic and Cinematograph Apparatus, applicable also to Photographic Apparatus.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Loft 7th June 1800. Accented 20th Sent
1800
Date of Application, 29th Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Loft, 27th June 1900. Accepted 20th Sept.
4800
[Communicated from abroad by GRÉGOIRE BAGRACHOW, of No. 10, Rue Tilly,
Colombes, in the Department of Seine, Republic of France, Gentleman.]
Improvements in Kinetoscopic and Cinematograph Apparatus,
applicable also to Photographic Apparatus.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 6, Lord Street,
Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and
Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in cinematographs and has for its
object to furnish a means of diminishing in a large measure the quivering of the
picture, and to constitute an automatic apparatus which can be operated by the
introduction of a coin, and in which one moving picture may be rendered visible
simultaneously by several persons.
In my arrangement the film which bears the pictures is formed of an endless
band which unrolls horizontally before the cinematograph apparatus proper, so as
to produce a moving picture which is projected in a vertical direction, and which
is then received and divided by means of a suitable optical apparatus in order to
be distributed horizontally towards different peep-holes placed in the frame which
surround the apparatus. Each of these peep holes corresponds to a slot, through
which a coin is introduced to set the apparatus in motion.
In order to effect the release of the apparatus it suffices to introduce a coin in
any one of these openings, but the moving picture is then only visible at the
peep-hole corresponding to the slot into which the said coin has been passed. If
it is desired that this view shall be visible at the same time at several peepholes
it is necessary to introduce simultaneously a coin in each of the slots which
correspond to the said peep holes, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.
The apparatus consists essentially of a tall vertical box containing the cinemato-
graph apparatus proper. The film takes the form of an endless band passing
over a series of small rollers. These rollers are arranged in two parallel ranges
in the interior of the said box. The film is moved by a tooth drum, and guided
or stretched by means of rollers suitably placed, which have for their object to
cause the figures to pass horizontally before a transparent screen lighted from
below intermittently by means of a suitable source of light conveniently arranged.
In order to obtain this intermittent lighting I prefer to employ an obturator
formed of two hollow opaque, concentric cylinders, which pass freely one into
the other, and in the interior whereof is placed a source of light, such as for
instance an incandescence lamp. These cylinders are each perforated with a
rectangular aperture, the dimensions whereof are practically the same as those of
the pictures on the film which circulates in the apparatus. These cylinders
receive each a rotary motion upon their own axis with the same speed, but in
opposite directions, and regulated in such a manner that the meeting of the

page_text: two apertures occurs exactly in face of the transparent screen above indicated, at
the moment when an aperture coincides with the said screen. It must more-
over be explained that the application of this special obturator formed of two
perforated cylinders having one or more lateral, apertures, and revolving one
within the other, is not limited to the present automatic apparatus, but the
same obturator can also be applied to apparatus for producing moving pictures
by projection, or to photographic apparatus used for obtaining the negatives. The
motion of the film is effected by a uniform continuous motion without jerks which
has for a result to considerably diminish the quivering due in great part to
the successive jerks which the film receives in apparatus with intermittent motion.
The apparatus is preferably actuated by means of a little electric motor, and
this motor, as well as the lamp which illuminates the pictures, may be driven either
from an outer source of energy or from a secondary battery placed in the
base of the box or frame.
The pictures are received on their passage before the screen by magnifying
glasses, and are then delivered at a right angle in various horizontal directions
by means of mirrors or of prisms with total reflection. The pictures thus formed
are reversed if necessary by means of a reversing prisin and suitably orientated
so as to present themselves upright before the peep-holes or apertures formed
in the 'sides of the box.
Each aperture corresponds on the one hand to a slot in the wall of the box for
the introduction of a coin, and on the other hand to a releasing mechanism com-
prising a box of suitable form placed to receive the coin, and to retain it for a
certain time. This box is fixed at the end of a movable lever supported on a
horizontal axis, and having a counterweight at its other end, and controlling an
interrupting device which checks the operation of the apparatus, as well as a
shutter which closes the peep-hole.
As soon as a coin has been passed into the box the additional weight thereof
causes the lever, to move upon its axis, and thus completes the electric circuit
for the supply of the lamp and of the motor of the apparatus through the inter-
rupting device above mentioned, whilst at the same time it opens the shutter of
the peep-hole. The cinematograph apparatus itself is thus set in motion, and
it actuates in each of the releasing arrangements by means of any suitable system
of transmission a wheel which is so controlled that it makes exactly one complete
revolution, whilst the film unrolls its whole length. The said wheel possesses
at its side a projection which is designed to act at the required moment, that is
to say, after a complete revolution of the wheel, upon springs which keep the
coin in the box, thus causing the money to fall, and the apparatus to stop, which
is then ready for a new operation.
In order to prevent anyone from placing prematurely another piece of money
in any one of the slots formed for this purpose in the sides of the box, I employ
a cam keyed upon the shaft of the wheel with side spur, and which controls
an apparatus which closes the corresponding slot immediately after the apparatus
is set in motion, and uncovers the said slot at the moment when it stops.
It will be obvious that in order that the moving picture should be rendered
visible at several peep-holes at one time, it is necessary that as many coins be
placed simultaneously in the slots corresponding thereto in order to obtain the
opening of the shutters of the peep-holes.
It is further obvious that the apparatus could be easily modified so as to display
any number of representations of the same picture, which representations may
be visible either directly or by projection.
D
1
200
1000

page_text: Improvements in Kinetoscopic and Cinematograph Apparatus,
applicable also to Photographic Apparatus.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 6, Lord Street,
Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and
Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Civil Engineer,
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 follow-
ing statement;-
حمد
My invention relates to certain improvements in cinematographs, and has for
its object to furnish a means of diminishing in a large measure the quivering of
the picture, and to constitute an automatic apparatus which can be operated by
the introduction of a coin, and in which one moving picture may be rendered
visible simultaneously by several persons.
In my arrangement the film which bears the pictures is formed of an endless
band which unrolls horizontally before the cinematograph apparatus proper, so
as to produce a moving picture which is projected in a vertical direction, and
which is then received and divided by means of a suitable optical apparatus in
order to be distributed horizontally towards different peep-holes placed in the
frame which surround the apparatus. Each of these peep holes corresponds to a
slot, through which a coin is introduced to set the apparatus in motion.
In order to effect the release of the apparatus it suffices to introduce a coin in
any one of these openings, but the moving picture is then only visible at the
peep-hole corresponding to the slot into which the said coin has been passed. If
it is desired that this view shall be visible at the same time at several peep-
holes it is necessary to introduce simultaneously a coin in each of the slots which
correspond to the said peep holes, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.
In the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a view of the whole apparatus partly in section and partly in
elevation.
Figure 2 is a section on a larger scale of the upper part.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the same.
Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 represent different positions of the releasing mechanism
on a larger scale.
Figures 8 and 9 are longitudinal and transverse sections of the obturator.
The apparatus consists essentially of a tall vertical box A containing the cine-
matograph apparatus proper C. The film takes the form of an endless band
passing over a series of small rollers r, r, r,
r1, rl, pl. These rollers
are arranged in two parallel ranges in the interior of the said box A. The film
is moved by a tooth drum, B, (Figure 2) and guided or stretched by means of
rollers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 suitably placed, which have for their object to cause
the figures to pass horizontally before a transparent screen e lighted from below
intermittently by means of a suitable source of light conveniently arranged.
In order to obtain this intermittent lighting I prefer to employ an obturator
formed of two hollow opaque, concentric cylinders band b which fit freely one
into the other, and in the interior whereof is placed a source of light, such as
for instance an incandescence lamp L. These cylinders are each perforated with
a rectangular aperture a, a¹ the dimensions whereof are practically the same as

page_text: , those of the pictures on the film which circulates in the apparatus. These
cylinders receive each a rotary motion upon their own axis with the same speed,
but in opposite directions, and are regulated in such a manner that the meeting
of the two apertures occurs exactly in face of the transparent screen e above
indicated, at the moment when an aperture coincides with the said screen. It
must moreover be explained that the application of this special obturator formed
of two perforated cylinders having one or more lateral apertures, and revolving
one within the other, is not limited to the present automatic apparatus, but the
same obturator can also be applied to apparatus for producing moving pictures
by projection or to photographic apparatus used for obtaining the negatives.
The motion of the film is effected by a uniform continuous motion without jerks
which has for a result to considerably diminish the quivering due in great part
to the successive jerks which the film receives in apparatus with intermittent
motion.
The apparatus is preferably actuated by means of a little electric motor, and
this motor as well as the lamp which illuminates the pictures, may be driven
either from an outer source of energy or from a secondary battery E placed in
the base of the box or frame A, Figure 1.
The pictures are received on their passage before the screen e by magnifying
glasses G, and are then delivered at a right angle in various horizontal directions
by means of mirrors or of prisms with total reflection K. The pictures thus
formed are reversed if necessary by means of a reversing prism M and suitably
orientated so as to present themselves upright before the peep-holes or aper-
tures N, N1, N2 formed in the sides of the box.
Each aperture corresponds on the one hand to a slot f in the wall of the box A
for the introduction of a coin, and on the other hand to a releasing mechanism
comprising a box of suitable form R placed to receive the coin and to retain it for
a certain time. This box is fixed at the end of a movable lever Q supported on
a horizontal axis q and having a counterweight q₁ at its other end, and controlling
an interrupting device which checks the operation of the apparatus, as well as
a shutter which closes the peep-hole.
As soon as a coin has been passed into the box R the additional weight thereof
causes the lever Q to move upon its axis q, and thus completes the electric circuit
for the supply of the lamp L and of the motor of the apparatus through the inter-
rupting device S, whilst at the same time it opens the shutter n, of the peep-
hole N. The cinematograph apparatus itself is thus set in motion, and it actuates
in each of the releasing arrangements by means of any suitable system of trans-
mission a wheel P which is so controlled that it makes exactly one complete
revolution whilst the film unrolls its whole length. The said wheel possesses at
its side a projection p which is designed to act at the required moment, that is
to say, after a complete revolution of the wheel, upon springs which keep the
coin in the box R, thus causing the money to fall, and the apparatus to stop,
which is then ready for a new operation.
In order to prevent anyone from placing prematurely another piece of money
in any one of the slots formed for this purpose in the sides of the box, I employ
a cami T keyed upon the shafts of the wheel P having side spurt, and which con-
trols an apparatus which closes the corresponding slot immediately after the
apparatus is set in motion, and uncovers the said slot at the moment when it
stops.
It will be obvious that in order that the moving picture should be rendered
visible at several peep-holes at one time, it is necessary that as many coins be
placed simultaneously in the slots of corresponding thereto in order to obtain
the opening of the shutters of the peep-holes.
.
It is further obvious that the apparatus could be easily multiplied so as to
display two or more representations of the same picture, which representations
may be rendered visible either directly or by means of reflections from mirrors -
or the like.

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 as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A cinematograph apparatus in which the views are visible to several people
at a time, characterized by an animated picture produced by a cinematograph
proper being taken up and multiplied by means of a given number of lenses
into the same number of distinct pictures which are distributed to different peep-
holes by means of suitable optical devices; the said peep-holes each corresponding
to a releasing apparatus which causes the apparatus to operate on the introduc-
tion of a coin rendering the picture only visible at the peep-holes, in the releasing
mechanism for which the coin has been inserted.
2. An obturator for cinematograph apparatus, which can be applied to apparatus
for kinetoscopic views or for producing animated views by projection, as also
to photographic apparatus for obtaining negatives, the said obturator being
characterised by having two opaque, hollow concentric cylinders placed one inside
the other each having an aperture (or pairs of apertures diametrically opposite)
said cylinders being revolved axially in opposite directions at the same speed.
3. A constructional modification of the apparatus set forth in Claim 1 in which
an endless film unrolls on two series of parallel rollers T
p1 71
and is moved horizontally by a continuous movement without stopping before a
transparent screen intermittently lighted by means of a light placed in the interior
of the two hollow cylinders substantially as described.
4. A constructional modification of the arrangement set forth in Claim 1 in
which the animated picture produced by the cinematograph proper is taken up
by three lenses in order to form three distinct pictures which are distributed
horizontally by means of prisms or mirrors so as to be visible at three peep-holes
respectively placed in at three of the faces of the box; each of these peep-holes
corresponding to a releasing device and to a slot for introducing a coin, sub-
stantially as described.
5. A constructional modification of the apparatus set forth in Claim 1 in which
each of the releasing devices consists of a movable lever (Q) having a box (R)
and actuating the shutter (n) of the peep-hole (N) and also the electric switch (S)
of the lamp (L) and of the motor of the apparatus; said box being freed at the
desired moment from the coin introduced by the action of a projection on a
wheel (P) actuated by the cinematograph apparatus and keyed on the same shaft
as a cam which shuts the slot (f) during the operation, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.