An Improved Apparatus for Taking and Projecting "Chrono- photographic Views."
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Oct., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 1st July, 1898-Accepted, 13th Aug., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Taking and Projecting "Chrono-
photographic Views."
We, ALBERT ELKAN and JACQUES STERNBERG, both of 95, Boulevard Beau-
marchais, Paris, in the Republic of France, Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
66
*
"
The subject of this invention is an improved camera for taking and projecting
instantaneous or (what may be termed) "chrono-photographic" views (also known
as a cinematograph" camera).
The main advantage of our chrono-photographic camera is the extreme
simplicity of its construction, and hence, its low cost and the great ease and per-
fect reliability of its operation; all of which renders the camera pre-eminently
suitable for amateur photographers, unlike most cameras of this class, hitherto
known, which are fit to be used solely by professional men.
The improved camera mainly consists of a drum (barrel or roller) formed of two
solid side pieces or cheeks, mounted upon a sleeve. The said cheeks are toothed
on their perimeters, besides one of the cheeks is provided with a series of small
circularly arranged projections on its outer surface, so that it affords a species
of gearing for an endless screw or worm to engage in; which worm serve to
transfer intermittent rotating motion to the roller. This endless screw, is con-
stituted by a groove bounded by two cheeks. For nearly the whole of its length
this groove is parallel to its side-cheeks, the only exception being at a point
where it forms a screw-thread, so that, supposing a tooth of the drum happens
to be engaged in the groove at the time, the next following tooth of the drum
will take up the same position in the groove when the screw-thread comes into
contact with the said first-mentioned tooth; in other words the object of the screw
thread is to enable the first tooth to leave and the second tooth, to enter, the said
groove, which effect, naturally, can only be produced by a slight rotary movement
of the roller. Hence it follows that if continuous rotary motion be imparted to
the endless screw the roller or drum will thereby receive an intermittent rotary
motion about its own axis, the periodical breaks or stoppages occurring whenever
one of the teeth of the drum enters upon and continuing while it remains in, the
straight portion of the groove; while the periodical movements of the said roller or
drum take place whenever one of the said teeth of the drum engage in the screw-
thread.
The endless screw has an extension whereon a quadrant-shaped screen is secured
by means of a set-screw. The quadrant shaped screen is so wedged or fastened on
the extension of the screw or worm that it conceals the opening, which receives
the object lens, precisely as it takes the roller or drum to perform its slight move-
ment whilst one of its teeth is in gear with the screw-thread of the worm, whereas
it leaves the said opening fully exposed, so long as the roller or drum remains
stationary, that is to say, so long as any one of its teeth is situated in the recti-
linear portion of the worm.
}

page_text: It follows that, whether images be cast on a screen or photographic views be
taken, the film will in all cases be kept motionless during the process of either
projections or photographic impression as the case may be.
In taking negatives, an objective is inserted in the above mentioned opening,
as will be readily understood, after which the case of the apparatus is closed at
the back.
If, however, it be desired to project positive images upon a screen (or the like),
a projection-glass is placed in the said opening, and the case is opened at the
back, so that the film may be acted upon by the source of light located behind
the camera.
Obviously, in taking negative impressions, it is absolutely necessary to shut out
the light from the film-band. This film-band is therefore placed above the camera
in a light-proof or dark case or compartment and passes through the camera, into
a second dark compartment. The spindle of the endless screw or worm protrudes
through the rear wall of the camera and is provided with a pulley, and project-
ing boss, whereon a hand-wheel may be mounted. When the hand wheel is
placed on the projecting spindle-end, positive motion may be imparted to the worm
by turning such hand wheel. By this means a rather moderate rate of speed is
ensured, which is utilized in the manner presently to be explained whenever
positive plate requires being impressed by a negative.
Both in the taking of negatives and the projection of positives, it is necessary
that the worm or screw should revolve at a higher rate of speed. To this end,
the hand wheel is removed from the spindle end, whereon it was first secured,
and is transferred on to a spindle or pivot stationed at a suitable point of the
case, so that the hand-wheel may transmit its rotary motion to the endless screw
by means of a strap or other flexible driving medium, passing around the pulley;
whereby a considerable multiplication of speed will be obtained.
When a negative has been taken, and developed by the well-known methods,
the next operation to be proceeded with is the preparation of positive copies from
such negative, for purposes of projection. Hitherto this production of positive
images has necessitated, the employment of somewhat complicated apparatus,
very delicate in their operation and giving but imperfect results at best. Now
this camera is so arranged as to enable positive copies to be obtained in a very
simple manner. To this end, two spools are placed in a tightly closed compart-
ment surmounting the camera. Upon one spool, there is wound the negative
film, while the film-band intended to receive the positive copies is wound upon
another spool. The two bands, adhering to each other are inserted into the
camera; then a source of light is placed in front of the opening, or simply day-
light is admitted, and the hand-wheel mounted on the spindle, is turned, whereby
both film bands are set in motion simultaneously, and the film located behind the
negative, is thus successively impressed; after which it is only necessary to
remove it from the receptacle into which it drops and to finish it by the usual
means to make it ready for the subsequent gyratory motion.
In order to facilitate the admission of the film band in starting, the part of the
camera against which the film rests, is hinged. The end of the film is inserted
through a slot provided in the top part of the camera and, by lifting the hinged
portion, the film is placed against a fixed path which is simply provided with two
grooves affording a passage for the teeth of the cheeks of the drum or roller.
The moment the teeth, passing through the said grooves or slots, enter the perfora-
tions of the film, the extremity of the same is passed through the outlet by hand,
in the downward direction; then the hinged part of the camera is turned down
again and the camera is started.
Thus it will be seen that the adjustment of the film in the requisite position is
greatly simplified in this improved device. During the operation the film rests
upon a stationary piece and is in contact only with the teeth of the roller.
When a projection has been made, it is well known that the film which has
just passed through the camera drops down in a loose heap, and it is essential

page_text: that means should be provided for rapidly winding it on a spool. To this end, a
small bobbin provided with slot may be secured on to the aforesaid spindle end.
Into the said slot the end of the film-band is inserted as it issues from the camera,
when it may be wound on the bobbin very quickly by turning the handle disposed
in the manner above set forth.
From the foregoing it will be seen that there remains in the case which sur-
rounds the several parts of this improved cinematograph, a series of free spaces
which we make use of for the location of rollers, so as to have a regular photo-
graphic camera on that side of the main apparatus, for taking views on films
moving along, as in the well-known roller-frames. Here we have, therefore, a
combination of a cinematograph and an ordinary roller frame camera.
The improved apparatus is furthermore fitted with an automatic punching.
device, actuated by the spindle of the endless-screw and by a cam of such a
shape as to impart a reciprocating movement to the punching lever, at the pre-
cise moment when the film is at rest; the said lever being provided with punches
at adapted to perforate the film at stated periods of time.
It has already been shown in the foregoing description that the film is securely
maintained in position during its movements in a rigid channel; and hence it
follows that it may move with equal freedom in either direction, as the only
moving part, wherewith it is in contact, is the drum or roller of which it only
touches the external teeth.
The apparatus may be operated either by hand or by any suitable mechanical
appliance as will be readily understood.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,.
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.
An Improved Apparatus for Taking and Projecting Chrono-
photographic Views.
We, ALBERT ELKAN and JACQUES STERNBERG, both of 95, Boulevard Beau-
marchais, Paris, in the Republic of France, Engineers, 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 subject of this invention is an improved camera for taking and projecting
instantaneous or (what may be termed) "chrono-photographic" views (also known
as a cinematograph" camera).
66
The invention will, however, be best understood by reference to the accompany-
ing drawings, wherein a camera, constructed in accordance therewith, is repre-
sented by way of example, and in which:
Figure 1 is a cross-section of the camera;
Figure 2 is longitudinal section thereof;
Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are detail views illustrating the method of feeding along
the films in the camera, and
Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 are further detail views.
"
The main advantage of our chrono-photographic camera is the extreme
simplicity of its construction, and, hence, its low cost and the great ease and per-
fect reliability of its operation; all of which renders the camera pre-eminently
suitable for amateur photographers, unlike most cameras of this class, hitherto
known, which are fit to be used solely by professional men.
The improved camera mainly consists of a drum (barrel or roller) A formed of
two solid side-pieces or cheeks a a¹, mounted upon a sleeve B. The said cheeks a a¹

page_text: are toothed on their perimeters as at b, Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, besides, the
cheek a¹ is provided with a series of small circularly arranged projections on its
outer surface, so that it affords a species of gearing for an endless screw or worm D
to engage in, which worm serves to transfer intermittent rotary motion to the
roller A. This endless serew, shown in Figures 1 and 9 is constituted by a groove d
bounded by two cheeks d¹. For nearly the whole of its length this groove is
parallel to its side-cheeks d¹, the only exception being the point E where it forms
a screw-thread; so that, supposing the tooth C₁ (for example) of the drum A
happens to be engaged in the groove d at the time, the next following tooth C₂
will take up the same position in the groove when the screw thread E comes into
contact with the said tooth C₁; in other words, the object of the screw thread E
-which is clearly shown in Figure 1 is to enable the tooth C₁ to leave, and the
tooth C₂, to enter, the said groove d, which effect, naturally, can only be produced
by a slight rotary movement of the roller A. Hence it follows that if continuous
rotary motion be imparted to the endless screw D, the roller or drum A will thereby
receive an intermittent rotary motion about its own axis, the periodical breaks or
stoppages occurring whenever any one of the teeth Centers upon and continuing
while it remains in the straight portion of the groove; while the periodical move-
ments of the said roller or drum A take place whenever any one of the teeth C
engages in the screw thread E.
The endless screw D has an extension F whereon a quadrant-shaped screen f is
secured by means of a set-screw f¹. The screen f is so wedged or fastened on the
extension F of the screw or worm D that it conceals the opening G, which receives
the object lens, precisely as long as it takes the roller A to perform its slight
movement, whilst one of its teeth is in gear with the screw thread E; whereas it
leaves the said opening G fully exposed, so long as the roller or drum A remains
stationary, that is to say, so long as any one of its teeth is situated in the recti-
linear portion of the worm D.
It follows that, whether images be cast on a screen, or photographic views be
taken, the film will in all cases be kept motionless during the process of either
projection or photographic impression, as the case may be.
In taking negatives, an objective is inserted in G as will be readily understood,
after which the case H is closed at the back.
If, however, it be desired to project positive images upon a screen (or the like),
a projection-glass is placed in G, and the case is opened at the back I so that the
film may be acted upon by the source of light located behind the camera.
Obviously, in taking negative impressions, it is absolutely necessary to shut
out the light from the film-band. This film-band is therefore placed above the
camera in a light-proof or dark case or compartment h. It passes through the
camera as shown in Figure 1, and drops, at h, into a second dark compartment.
The spindle of the endless screw or worm protrudes through the rear wall H
of the camera and it carries a pulley at I, and projecting end at J, whercon a
hand-wheel may be mounted. When the hand wheel is placed on the pro-
jecting spindle end J, as shown in Figure 1, positive motion may be imparted to
the worm by turning such hand wheel. By this means a rather moderate rate of
speed is ensured, which is utilized in the manner presently to be explained when-
ever a positive plate requires being impressed by a negative.
Both in the taking of negative and the projection of positive, it is necessary
that the worm or screw D should revolve at a higher rate of speed. To this end
the hand wheel j is removed from the spindle end J, whereon it was first secured,
and is transferred on to a spindle or pivot stationed at a suitable point of the
case, so that the hand wheel j may transmit its rotary motion to the endless screw
by means of a strap or other flexible driving medium j¹, passing around the
pulley I; whereby a considerable multiplication of speed will be obtained.
When a negative has been taken, and developed by the well-known methods,
the next operation to be proceeded with is the preparation of positive copies from
such negative, for purposes of projection. Hitherto this production of positive

page_text: images has necessitated the employment of somewhat complicated apparatus, very
delicate in their operation and giving but imperfect results at best. Now this
camera is so arranged as to enable positive copies to be obtained in a very simple
manner. To this end, two spools are placed in a tightly closed compartment h
surmounting the camera. Upon one spool, K, there is wound the negative film,
while the film-band intended to receive the positive copies is wound on the other
spool K. These two bands, adhering to each other as indicated in Figure 1, are
inserted into the camera; then a source of liglit is placed in front of G, or simply
daylight is admitted, and the hand-wheel mounted on the spindle J, is turned,
whereby both film-bands are set in motion simultaneously, and the film K,
located behind the negative K, is thus successively impressed; after which it is
only necessary to remove it from the receptacle into which it drops and to finish
it by the usual means to make it ready for the subsequent gyratory motion.
In order to facilitate the admission of the film band in starting, the part L of
the camera, against which the film rests, is hinged at 1. The end of the film is
inserted through a slot provided in the top-part of the camera, and, by lifting
the portion L, the film is placed against a fixed path M (Figure 4) which is simply
provided with two grooves in affording a passage for the teeth of the cheeks a a¹
of the drum or roller A. The moment the teeth, passing through the said grooves
or slots m, enter the perforations of the film, the extremity of the same is passed
through the outlet N by hand, in the downward direction; then the part L of the
camera is turned down again and the camera is started.
Thus it will be seen that the adjustment of the film in the requisite position is
greatly simplified in this improved device. During the operation the film rests
upon a stationary piece M and is in contact only with the teeth 6 of the roller A.
When a projection has been made, it is well known that the film which has
just passed through the camera drops down in a loose heap; and it is essential
that means should be provided for rapidly winding it on a spool. To this end, a
small bobbin (Figure 10) slotted at Q, may be secured on to the spindle end J.
Into the slot Q, the end of the film band is inserted as it issues from the camera,
when it may be wound on the bobbin very quickly by turning the handle j, dis-
posed in the manner illustrated in Figure 2.
From the foregoing it will be seen that there remains in the case which sur-
rounds the several parts of this improved cinematograph, a series of free spaces
which we make use of for the location of the rollers R R¹, so as to have a regular
photographic camera on that side of the main apparatus, for taking views on films
moving along, as in the well known roller frames. Here we have, therefore, a
combination of a cinematograph and an ordinary roller-frame camera.
The improved apparatus is furthermore fitted with an automatic punching
device S actuated by the spindle of the endless screw and by a cam T of such
a shape as to impart a reciprocating movement to the punching lever S, at the
precise moment when the film is at rest; the said lever S being provided with
punches at ss adapted to perforate the film at stated periods of time.
It has already been shown in the foregoing description that the film is securely
maintained in position during its movements in a rigid chaunel; and hence it
follows that it may move with equal freedom in either direction, as the only
moving part, wherewith it is in contact, is the drum or roller A, of which it only
touches the external teeth.
The apparatus may be operated either by hand or by any suitable mechanical
appliance as will be readily understood.
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:
The novel "chrono-photographic" camera (or "cinematograph") for taking and
projecting instantaneous photographs, mainly characterized by:
(1) A plate the outer perimeter of which has a straight groove extending over

page_text: nearly the whole of its length and having screw-threads formed in certain parts
of it, which joint the straight portions; such plate being combined with a drum
or roller fitted with two side-pieces or cheeks one of which carries studs or pins.
which, owing to the screw thread formed in the groove of the plate, enter such-
groove each in succession, so that the continuous motion of the plate imparts a
periodical or step-by-step motion to the roller and cheeks.
(2) A drum or roller with two side-pieces or checks, operated by a grooved
plate, substantially as stated in the preceding claim; the cheeks or sides of the
said roller having their outer peripheries fitted with sharp teeth, which during
the step-by-step motion of the roller, engage in the perforations of the film and
thereby feed it along; the teeth of the said cheeks being for this purpose adapted
to pass through slots provided in a stationary plate or sheet of metal, against
which the film rests as it moves along.
(3) The devices for operating the grooved plate, consisting of a-removable händ
wheel adapted to be mounted either upon the spindle of the plate direct or at any
suitable point on the camera-case, when its motion is transmitted to the said
spindle of the plate by means of a flexible driving medium (such as a strap or
cord).
(4) The combination, with the apparatus hereinabove claimed, of a rod pro-
vided with two sharp points or punches, which, under the action of the roller and
cheeks, receives reciprocating motion whereby it is enabled to perforate the film,
as described.
(5) The combination, with the apparatus claimed above, of a roller-frame, with
a view to utilizing such apparatus as an ordinary camera, as described.
Dated thin 1nt of T... 10no
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.