Improvements in Photographic Film Rolls and Roll Holders.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Film Rolls and Roll Holders.
I, JOHN EDWARD THORNTON, of Rokeby, Oldfield Roc.., Altrincham, Cheshire,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The purpose of this invention is to provide a simple cheap and reliable means
for measuring off the lengths of film in a roll holder as the band is wound from
off one roller on to another; and to indicate the movement and position of each
section of the band of film; and to provide an improved film roll.
:
Hitherto measuring and indicating have been effected either by passing the
band over a measuring roll turned by friction of the moving band, and provided
with suitable gearing and indicating devices outside the roll holder case, and
with pricking or other marking devices inside the case for the purpose of mark-
ing the divisions between each picture section; or by viewing the moving band
through a slot or hole in the case, or through a non actinic window therein, the
film band itself, or an opaque band superimposed thereon, being provided with
suitable marks, numbers, punched holes, or other means of marking it off into
measured sections.
Objections in use are found with each of these systems; for instance, where
the film is marked or pricked between each exposure when in the roll holder,
the markings do not always correspond with the outside measuring indicator,
consequently when the film band is cut up the pictures are often cut in two
because of the defective marking; where the film band is provided with holes
or marks to be viewed through a slot or hole in the roll holder case, the edge
of the band is spoiled by light fog and wasted; and where the marks are made
on an opaque fuperimposed paper or similar band, extreme care is necessary
when cutting up the film to ensure the marks on the opaque band coinciding
exactly with the ends of the pictures.
'
My invention overcomes all these objections, and enables me to get accurate
spacing of the band into picture sections; accurate registration of these lengths
with the exposure opening in the roll holder case; perfect markings or indica-
tions on the film band itself to show where it must be cut between each expo-
sure; and finally a light tight daylight roll without using a superimposed opaque
band longer than the film band, thus obtaining a smaller film roll.
In carrying out my invention I use in the first case a spool or bobbin of the
ordinary construction, having flanges on each end and a slit or other means for
secufing the band to the spool.
The film band itself has attached to each end a length of opaque or non actinic
paper sufficient to make several turns around the roller, or the end of the film
band itself is made opaque by a suitable paint, or by coloring the film itself, or
by covering it with opaque paper.
Between each picture section of the film band, and continued in the opaque
extensions thereof, I perforate the film with short slots (say about a quarter of
an inch by one sixteenth of an inch) and about midway from each edge of the
blind.
The roll holder case is provided with the usual pair of friction rollers-one at

page_text: either end of the measuring board-and suitable bearings for the film spool and
film reel These friction rollers are. slightly recessed or grooved about their
centres thereby reducing their diameter at that point. Around these two rollers
I pass an endless band of tape or other suitable material which fits into the
roller recesses and into a groove in the face of the measuring board, the tape
also passing behind the board out of the way.
1
The tape is provided with two (or more if desirable) projections, such for
instance as metal clips, which are attached firmly to the tape at distances corre-
sponding with the perforations in the film band, and of such size as to fit easily
into the said perforations.
Outside the case a numbered indicating dial or other suitable counting device
is placed, being operated by a rocking shaft or lever, or equivalent, which in
turn is intermittently moved or operated by the raised projections on the
measuring tape as the latter is moved by the band.
In charging the roll holder the spool is first inserted, the end of the band
drawn over the measuring board and attached to the reel, all as is well known,
but care is taken to see that two of the projections on the measuring tape
engage with two holes in the band, and that the indicating dial is properly set;
the roll holder is then ready for use.
Upon turning the winding key the band and the tape move in unison, and
as the end of each picture section arrives at its proper place the counting indi-
cator is moved a step forward.
In addition to the counting indicator aforesaid, I may use a gong, striker, or
other audible alarm to indicate when a fresh section has been wound off.
Instead of using a wooden spool or reel with metal flanges on the ends, I may
form. the whole out of one piece of sheet metal, cardboard, paper, or the like,
suitably shaped, bent, spun, and jointed up.
Instead of using a flange spool of the usual form having flanges fastened to
the ends of the central shaft of the spool, I may use a plain shaft only, and
prevent light entering. between the laps of the film at the ends of the roll by
any of the following methods.
The edges of the band may be slightly turned over and the film laid between ;
or both the band and the film may be turned over together; or the band may
have ribs formed in it near the edges which form tongues and grooves fitting
into each other; or both the film and the band together may be so ribbed; or
the film itself may have a narrow strip at each edge rendered opaque, so that
when tightly wound. in its opaque band the whole presents a solid or opaque end.
All these methods prevent light reaching the film so. long as it is tightly
rolled, but should the laps be allowed to slaken unduly light may get in. To
overcome this objection I place a clip or swinging arm across the roll, it being
turned down at the ends and thereby forming centres for the spool to turn in.
This clip is so. arranged that when the roll is full it presses tightly upon the
back thereof, and prevents any slackening but allows the band and film to be
withdrawn. By making the clip a spring one it can automatically adjust itself
to the varying diameter of the roll and thereby prevent ingress of light at all
times; or for the same object the clip may carry a spring pad.
By making the ends of this clip as large or larger than the diameter of the
film roll, they will serve as caps to exclude light from the roll.
If desired this clip can be so constructed as to form bearings for the reel to
turn in, and be held in or secured to the roll holder in any suitable manner.
Roll holders have hitherto been made with wooden cases to which the bearings
or fittings were attached. or else the bearings have been formed in a heavy
metal frame inserted in the case. I prefer to construct my roll holder of
aluminium which is exceeding light, stiff, and cheap, and I finish it off to
imitate polished mahogany or other woods, or it may be covered with leather.
Dated this First day of September 1899.

page_text: I, JOHN EDWARD THORNTON, of Rokeby, Oldfield Road, Altrincham, in the
County of Chester, Manufacturer, 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 is designed to provide an improved film or film band for photo-
graphic cameras and improved holder for the nims and mechanism for indicating
the position of the films in the camera during exposure and for insuring that
proper or desired section of the film band shall be exposed each time.
It will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1. Elevation of roll holder or camera from the back with the back
removed.
Fig. 2. Longitudinal section of same.
Fig. 3. Transverse section or sectional plan of same.
Fig. 4. Plan.
Fig. 5. Enlarged sectional detail of the operating handle.
Fig. 6. Extended plan of the film band.
Fig. 7. Extended plan of a modified form of same.
Fig. 8. Is a side elevation partly in section of the spool or reel A and holder B
in which it rotates.
Fig. 9. is an elevation from the back showing the holder B.
Fig. 10. An end elevation of Fig. 8.
Fig. 11. Is a perspective view of the same spool or reel A and holder Bas in
Fig. 8.
Fig. 12. Is a transverse section enlarged through the reel A.
Fig. 13. Is a side elevation partly in section of spool or reel A and holder B
showing a modification.
Fig. 14. Is an end elevation of Fig. 13.
Fig. 15. Is a side elevation partly in section showing another modification..
Fig. 16. Is an end elevation of Fig. 15.
Fig. 17. Is a longitudinal section on line X-X Fig. 16.
Fig. 18. Is a part side elevation partly in section showing another modification.
Fig. 19. Is a side elevation showing a further modification.
Fig. 20. Is a sectional plan of same on line Y-Y Fig. 19.
Fig. 21. Is a perspective view of the same spool or reel and holder as that
shown in Fig. 19.
Fig. 22. Transverse section enlarged shewing modified formation of the spool
or reel.
Hitherto indicating and measuring have been effected either by passing the
band over a measuring roll turned by friction of the moving band and provided
with suitable gearing and indicating devices outside the roll holder case and
with pricking or other marking devices inside the case for the purpose of mark-
ing the divisions between each picture section; or by viewing the moving band
through a slot or hole in the case or through a non-actinic window therein, the
film band itself or an opaque band superimposed thereon, being provided with
suitable marks, numbers, punched holes, or other means of marking it off into
measured sections.
Objections in use are found with each of these systems; for instance, where
the film is marked or pricked between each exposure when in the roll holder the

page_text: markings do not always correspond with the outside measuring indicator, con-
sequently when the film band is cut up the pictures are often cut in two because
of the defective marking; where the film band is provided with holes or marks
to be viewed through a slot or hole in the roll holder case, the edge of the band
is spoiled by light fog, and wasted; and where the marks are made on an opaque
superimposed paper or similar band, extreme care is necessary when cutting up
the film to ensure the marks on the opaque band coinciding exactly with the
ends of the pictures.
In carrying out the invention I provide a reel or spool A set in holder B to
carry the film or film band E.
The film band E is made opaque at both ends e to protect the central part
from light when rolled up in either direction upon the reel A. This is effected
by applying a suitable paint or pigment thereto or by colouring the film or by
coating it with a coloured or opaque paper made to adhere thereto.
It is to be understood that the film substance extends the full length includ-
ing the parts e as I am aware that film bands have been made with opaque
paper extending beyond the ends but not coated upon or covering the ends and
such does not form any part of my present invention.
Two reels and holders A and B with the film E stretched between them are
fitted into the roll holder or camera as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 the film E passing
over the measuring plate Fat each end of which are guide rollers G over which
the film E travels and which are rotated by the film.
Around the rollers G I place an endless band H of tape or other suitable
material which fits into a recess formed in the rollers and along a groove in the
face of the measuring plate or board F.
The endless band H is provided with projections h (one two or more as desired)
such as metal pins or clips fixed firmly thereto at distances apart corresponding
to the size of the picture.
Between each picture section of the film band E (see Fig. 6) (and also in the
opaque ends thereof) the film is perforated with short slots preferably near
the centre and of a size to receive the projections which when in position fit
easily thereinto. The movement of the film E as it is drawn from one reel A
to the other carries round with it the friction rollers G and the endless band H
with the projections h, and the projections h engaging with the perforations e¹
in the band ensure that the two shall always move together.
The projections h on the band H engage with a wheel or pinion K on a shaft k
on the outer end of which is a pinion L operating an indicating and measuring
device with pointer m which shows exactly the position of the film and the
number of picture sections thereon that have been exposed.
The reels A are rotated by a key N (see Figs. 4 and 5) and a ratchet n pre-
vents the turning or rotation in a backward direction.
The reels A are preferably made as shown in Fig. 12 from two pieces of sheet
metal bent to D shape and attached together to make a cylindrical tube. The
D shaped pieces are bent with two flat inner sides the edges or joints of the
metal being placed at the outsides a a¹. In order to form the slit or slot D the
length of the spool through which to pass the end of the film both ends at d
are enlarged or otherwise the centre part is indented so that when the two parts
are brought together the slit D is formed between them.
In the modification shown in Fig. 22 the spool A' is made from a single piece
of sheet metal bent to the shape shown in Fig. 22 with the two edges a³ ³
turned into the interior and left sufficiently far apart to form the slot or slit I)¹
between them. The slit D2 at the opposite side is formed by a saw cut which
does not sever the ends d¹.
The slot D or D¹ shown in either of the Figs. 12 or 22 is constructed with
internal walls d, which serve as guides for the film paper passing through from
side to side, so that the paper or film can be threaded through easily without
meeting with any obstruction, as has been the case hitherto with tubular spools

page_text: with a saw cut at each side. The two inner walls also serve the purpose of
engaging with a slotted key at one end, or with a tension device, friction brake,
or the like, or other mechanism that it may be desirable to connect therewith.
The slotted key or other device is pushed on to the rib formed by the junction
of the two walls, so that both will be rotated together.
The spool or reel A may be made with a flange C to prevent the penetration
of light to the film when wound thereon, as shown in Fig. 8, or it may be made
without such flange, the ends of the holder B serving for the same purpose as
in Figs. 13, 15, and 19.
The spool or reel A is mounted to rotate in a holder B made of sheet metal
with ends 6 turned up at right angles to form the bearings for the spool or reel.
The ends of the spool are passed through apertures made in the holder ends b
and these serve to hold together the two D shaped pieces forming the spool
barrel.
The ends of the spool may be expanded into the holes or apertures in the
holder ends to retain them in position.
The spool is preferably made a fairly tight fit in the apertures or bearings in
the holder ends, to bring sufficient friction to bear upon the rotating spool as
to enable the ordinary friction brake of the usual roll holder to be dispensed
with. The spool may however be permitted to rotate freely and a friction brake
be applied in the ordinary way.
The back of the metal holder is fluted or grooved with grooves to stiffen or
strengthen it and the ends are made with similar grooves which engage with
projections in the roll holder or camera box and serve as guides to direct the
holder into its proper place or position therein. The end grooves are placed
in a different plane in the two ends to ensure the holder always being fitted into
the roll holder or camera with the top end uppermost.
In Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 the spool A is shown with the flanges C.
In Figs. 13 and 14 the spool A is shown fitted into the holder B withouț flanges,
the ends 6 of the holder serving the same purpose.
In Figs. 15. 16 and 17 the spool A is shown fitted into the holder B without
flanges, the ends being dished and the outer edges of the ends being provided
with a rim b3 to strengthen or stiffen them.
In Fig. 18 a similar construction is shown to that described in Figs. 15 to 17,
but without the rim or flange b³.
It is to be understood that a flange similar to b³ may be applied to either of
the preceding forms of holder ends b.
In Figs. 19, 20 and 21 the holder B₁ for the spool is formed of the two longi-
tudinal strips 64 65 attached to the ends 66.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A film or film band for photographic cameras with the ends of the film
itself rendered black opaque or non-actinic substantially as and for the purpose
described.
2. A film holder or carrier constructed with a travelling band operated by the
film band and retained in correct register therewith by projections which fit
into perforations in the film band and a pinion or wheel operated by such pro-
jections and gearing with an indicating and measuring mechanism on the out-
side of the camera substantially as described.
3. Indicating and measuring apparatus for photographic films constructed and
arranged substantially as described and shown with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 of
the drawings.
4. A holder for photographic films constructed with a spool or reel of sheet
metal supported in a sheet metal frame having ends provided with apertures into
which the spool ends are fitted free to rotate therein substantially as described.

page_text: 5. A spool or reel for photographic films comprising in its construction two
D shaped pieces of metal substantially as described.
6. A spool or reel and holder for the photographic films constructed substan-
tially as described and shown with reference to either of the Figs. 8 to 22 of
the drawings.
100
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.