Improvements in Cinematographic Cameras and Projecting Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cinematographic Cameras and Projecting
Apparatus.
We, FILOTEO ALBERINI, Draughtsman, ANCHISE CAPPELLETTI, Mechanic, and
LIONELLO GANUCCI-CANCELLIERI, Gentleman, all of 47, Via Alfani, Florence,
Italy, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present application for patent for this chrono-photographic apparatus is
exclusively for the idea and for the system, which are essentially new and
original, for winding off the photographic films, and upon which none of the
apparatus of this kind which are at present known are based.
In these apparatus the photograms follow each other in succession (that is
to say in a single series) right throughout the length of the photographic film,
the width of which is occupied by the surface of each photogram and by two
lateral margins in which are formed the perforations which serve to regulate
the intermittent isochronous advances of the travel of the said film.
On the contrary, in the present apparatus, the photograms succeed each other
in horizontal series (that is to say normal to the long side of the film) and parallel,
and their quantity is determined by the proportion between the width of the
film and the space occupied by each photogram. This difference is essential
and very important, and at the same time that it affords great facility in the
manipulation of the films (their length being in this way greatly reduced) it
also enables a great economy in the wear of the films to be effected, because the
photograms of each series are produced without the least interval between them,
and consequently the perforated edges are 2 for each series, instead of two
perforated edges for each photogram, as is the case in other apparatus of this
kind.
The application of this idea may be effected by any suitable apparatus, which
may be varied according to circumstances, and which may be susceptible of
improvement; the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings will serve
to illustrate an example of the manner of application.
The operation of the apparatus compared with that of those known up to
the present is principally characterised by a double synchronous and intermittent
displacement of the film: one of them is horizontal, the other is vertical. The
first serves to take or to proiect one series, the second commences another one.
So that, when the apparatus is in operation the parts which serve for this purpose,
will impart to the film a forward intermittent horizontal displacement, and, at
the end of the travel, they will stop for a period sufficient to enable the other
parts to displace it in a vertical direction, to the necessary extent, and then
start again for effecting the return horizontal movement.
At the same time. that is to say when the film is stationary, a suitable shutter
allows the passage through the lens of the rays of light serving to act upon the
above mentioned film.
The said apparatus may be employed for the taking of chrono-photographic

page_text: phases of moving pictures, the subsequent projection of positive photographs on
screen, and for the printing of positive photographs.
In the drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus,
Fig. 2 a transverse section, and
Fig. 3 also a transverse section.
The same letters indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
The mechanism of this apparatus consists in a crank A placed outside the
case, and which by the rotary movement which is imparted thereto by hand or
any other motive power, actuates the toothed wheel, 15, which in its turn drives
the drums N, N¹, which are fixed to the shafts B. The wheel B also drives
the drum C of the fly-wheel C. To the shafts B are secured the eccentrics D), D',
which, for 3 of their circumference are formed of a screw thread, and for 2/3 by
a part parallel to the bases of the cylinder which constitutes the eccentric, and
which in their rotation serve to impart an intermittent to and fro, movement to
the frame P which slides on the axis I.
On the lower side of this frame P, either on one side or the other, are fixed
seven small revolving cylinders, a, a, a, in the space between which the screw
thread and parallel part of the eccentrics D, D', run truly, and in this way
produce eight movements with as many intervals of rest in the same time.
The eccentrics S, S', which are on the opposite extremities of the shafts B',
at the end of the travel of the frame P come in contact with the stops R, R¹,
and effect the shifting of the said frame P on the rail O, which is situated below,
and consequently cause the eccentrics ) D', to act alternately in the spaces and
the full parts. The frame P carries with it the cylinder E, which at its
extremities carries conical projections h, h, h, serving to engage with the holes
pierced in the edges of the photographic film.
To the axis I is fixed a toothed wheel F which, in combination with the arm
of lever H and the projection H' fixed to the driving wheel B at the end of each
travel of the frame P, effects the displacement of the cylinder E to the extent
of At the other extremity of the axis I is attached the double disc p, which
by friction imparts movement to another disc r, to the centre of which is fixed
the axis upon which the printed film winds.
The unprinted film, which starts from the cylinder 7, follows the course
indicated by the arrows, and receives its impression before the plate V by
the light through the lens t. To the frame P are also attached the film carrier Z
which serve to keep the film stretched in its passage before the plate V. At
the horizontal extremity of the right-angled lever L there is a stop L' and
corresponding notch », and the other lower extremity engages with the eccentric M
which transmits thereto a to and fro movement with intervals of rest which are
due to the double screw thread and parallel part which are formed in this
eccentric. The relation between the toothed wheel B and the drums N, N¹
being 1 to 8, in two complete revolutions of this wheel, the frame P, with the
cylinder E, the carrier and the drums holding and receiving the film, which
are attached thereto, will have made a forward and backward intermittent move-
ment upon the axis I, between which movements the film has been fed one step
longitudinally, and, at the same time, the opening of the stop L', will have
passed before the plate V as many times as the frame P has stopped.
The small case incloses the whole of the mechanism when the apparatus
is to serve for taking photographic exposures: it must be removed when the
apparatus is to be employed for the projection of positives.
When the apparatus is to serve for reproduction the reel 7, which contains
the film, is placed above by means of a horizontal axis supported upon two
lateral arms (not shown). The receiving reel is completely removed and the
film is allowed to fall freely or into a small box.
It will be readily understood that for this purpose a source of light must be
placed at the back part of the apparatus, and that the lens must be replaced by
another more suitable for such purpose.

page_text: In the apparatus described and shown in the drawings, series of S photograms
each have been taken; the dimensions of each photogram are 14 x 10 millimetres.
As compared with phases of other similar apparatus an economy of 90% in
money is therefore effected in the wear of the film, and a reduction of 1920 in
its length. It is for this reason that the use of this apparatus is placed within
reach of everyone, both from the point of view of economy, as well as for
technical purposes.
But the dimensions and the quantities of the photograms may vary according
to circumstances and requirements.
Dated this 5th day of September 1899.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cinematographic Cameras and Projecting
Apparatus.
We, FILOTEO ALBERINI, Draughtsman, ANCHISE CAPPELLETTI, Mechanic, and
LIONELLO GANUCCI-CANCELLIERI, Gentleman, all of 47, Via Alfani, Florence,
Italy, 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 apparatus for taking, projecting,
and printing series of pictures.
This chronophotographic apparatus is intended to render possible the arrange-
ment of a series of photographic pictures with an alternating direction in the
travel of the photographic film, the whole operation for winding and guiding
the film taking place on a movable frame, which receives the necessary movement
for the travel of the film from the main shaft, which travel is effected every time
directly from the main shaft at the termination of one of the transverse move-
ments. In other similar apparatus, the photograms follow each other through-
out the whole length of the film, the width of which is occupied by the surface
of each photogram, whilst in our apparatus they succeed each other in horizontal
series (that is to say normal to the edge of the length of the film), and parallel
and the number of photograms for each series is determined by the relation
between the width of the film and the field covered by each photogram.
The application of this idea may be carried out by means of a suitable
mechanism, which may vary according to circumstances, and which may be
susceptible of improvement; we give an example of this system of application
in the apparatus represented in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1
is a longitudinal view, Fig. 2 a transverse section, and Figs. 3, 4 and 5 supple-
mentary sections to that shown in Fig. 2. The same letters and numbers
indicate the same parts in the different figures.
The mechanism of this apparatus is composed of a crank a, which by means
of the rotary movement imparted thereto either by hand or by any motive power
actuates the toothed wheel b, with which gear the pinions c, d, e. The pinions c, d,
transmit the rotary movement to the shafts f, g, to which they are connected.
and the pinion e transmits it to the regulating fly wheel h. On the middle of
these shafts f, g, are fixed in the same position two tangential or intermittent
endless screws i, j, with a single thread, and having their helices the one opposite
to the other. These two tangential screws are called intermittent because their
thread passes for one-third transversely and for two-thirds normally with the

page_text: line of the shafts f, g. Between the two centres of these latter and above is
situated the main shaft k, in the length of which there is a groove 7. Upon this
shaft slides the movable frame m, on the under part of which and on the two sides
are situated eight revolving cylinders n which gear alternately with the said
tangential screws. The under part of the said frame m terminates in its centre
in a projection o intended to slide alternately in the two grooves which are
situated beneath.
At one of the ends of the shafts f, g, and in opposite positions are situated
eccentrics r, r, which at each end of the travel of the frame m force the frame
itself to engage alternately with the small cylinders in the tangential screws
above described. On the shaft k also travels the cylinders which is situated
between the sides of the frame m, which has edges at its bases and which is
provided with six small pins at each end, the object of which is to engage with
the holes pierced in the edges of the photographic film and to regulate its
tension with exactitude. In the inside the cylinders is provided with a web
which engages in the said groove of the shaft k. At the side of this cylinder
are mounted a plate and counter-part plate having a rectangular opening
kept in place by means of the knobs which slide between the two bars a, y,
fixed to the uprights of the frame of the apparatus. To the lower bar y is
fixed an objective carrier 1 which terminates at its back side in a rectangular
opening serving to limit the size of each photogram. To this same bar y at its
centre is pivoted the bell crank lever 2, the horizontal arm of which terminates in
an obturator 3 provided with an opening 4, whilst the vertical arm carries a
revolving part 5 which is caused to engage in the grooves of the pulley 6, situated
beneath, and which is attached to the shaft f already mentioned. These grooves
run parallel for two-thirds of their course and for the other third transversely
to the central intersection, so that the pulley, in its rotary movement, compels
the bell crank to make an oscillating movement, with pauses at the ends.
At one end of the main shaft k, and consequently quite close to the toothed
wheel b, is fixed a small wheel having six teeth 7. A projection 8 fixed to the
driving wheel b, at each revolution of the latter encounters a tooth of the small
wheel above mentioned, so as to cause it to be displaced one-sixth; with it are
displaced the main shaft and the cylinder with pins s. Inside and near to
its periphery the driving wheel b carries a flange 9 which at the point 10 is
recessed to a given extent. A lever with forked arms 11 centred to the upright =
carries at its two ends a small revolving roller; one of these two small rollers,
marked 12, bears in the space between two of the teeth of the small wheel 7, the
other, marked 13, bears against the flange 9, so that in a complete revolution
of the driving wheel b, the projection 8 will encounter one of the teeth of
the small wheel 7, so as to cause it to make one-sixth of a turn, thus effecting a
displacement of the lever 11, the small roller 12 of which will be disengaged from
the teeth by the fact that the other roller 13 will have reached the recess at
point 10 of the said flange 9. Immediately the point 10 has passed, the roller 12
will again engage the space between two successive teeth of the wheel 7, whilst
the other, 13, will be slightly depressed by the flange 9, so that the toothed
wheel will find itself unable to move.
The pulley 14, fixed to the other end of the main shaft k, by means of a cord
21 transmits the movement to a second pulley 15 to which is connected the
pinion 16 serving to receive the photographic film already exposed to the light.
The pinion 17 carries the photographic film intended to receive the impression;
this film passes from this pinion between the plate and the counterpart ; after-
wards engages the small pins of the cylinders, and by making a bend over the
support 18 proceeds to engage the said receiving pinion 16.
When once the apparatus is put in operation so that the frame m is situated
at the end of its travel and taking as a basis one revolution of the driving
wheel b, which is in the proportion of one to eight to the pinions c, d, all the
other parts will operate as follows:---

page_text: 1. The tangential intermittent screws i, j, will make eight revolutions and con-
sequently the frame m which engages with the small cylinders in the forward
tangential screw, will make a forward intermittent travel.
2. The pulley 6 also will make eight revolutions producing as many passages
of the obturator 3 behind the objective 19 and consequently a series of eight
photographic impressions will be produced on the film. The position between
the tangential screws i, j, and the pulley 6 is arranged so that when they turn
freely on the frame m, the latter will produce the travel of the obturator 3.
3. At the eighth turn of the shaft f the eccentric r will encounter the frame m
and will displace it to the extent that will suffice to cause it to engage with the
other tangential screw, which, as has been stated, having its helicoidal thread
opposed to that of the forward screw, will compel the frame to make an inter-
mittent backward travel.
4. At the same time as the said passage of the frame m is effected, the cylinder
with pins
s will be displaced for one sixth, and this in regard to the movement
already described produced by the projection 8, the small toothed wheel 7, and
the lever 11. With such a perfect connection of the parts described, and by
actuating the apparatus provided with a photographic film of any length, upon.
such film there will be produced as many continuous series of photographic
pictures as the film can receive.
In the apparatus described and shown in the drawings series each of eight
photograms have been adopted, but this number may vary as much as desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
An apparatus based on a new system of impressing the film for photograms in
series parallel to each other and normal to the longest side of the ribbon film,
such apparatus being constructed and operating substantially in the manner
described and as shown in the drawings.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.