Improvements in Kinetographic Apparatus.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Aug., 1898-Accepted, 22nd Apr., 1899
Improvements in Kinetographic Apparatus.
We, FRANK MCMILLAN, Manufacturer, and ALVAH CURTIS ROEBUCK, Manu-
facturer, both of Nos. 39 and 41, West Randolph Street, Chicago, Cook County
State of Illinois, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to particularly
described and ascertained in the following statement:—
The present invention relates to that class of kinetographic apparatus in which,
a series of pictures upon a transparent film is employed to produce the appearance
of objects in motion.
A principal object of the present improvement, is to provide a simple and
efficient arrangement and connection between the film operating drum, and the
shutter by which the passage or projection of the light through the film is con-
trolled, so that a positive intermittent rotary motion is imparted in a positive
manner to the one, while the other is held at rest in a like positive manner, and
vice versa, so that the beams of light will be projected through the pictured film.
only when the same is in a stationary condition, and such light beams cut off
from the film while the same is moving to the next picture of the series.
Other auxiliary objects of the present improvement being to provide simple and
convenient means for rewinding the film, so as to be ready for re-use; for con-
fining the film upon the holding wheel; for guiding the film. in front of the light
opening of the apparatus; for adjusting the intermittent, gearing of the feed
roller and shutter, to take up wear and consequent lost motion in the parts, as
well as other detail features of construction whereby the usefulness and conven-
ience of the apparatus is increased, and as will hereinafter more fully appear
and be more particularly pointed out in the claims.
We attain such objects by the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1, is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the present improve-
ments.
Figure 2, a detail rear elevation of the same.
Figure 3, an enlarged detail longitudinal section at line X-X Figure 4.
Figure 4, enlarged detail horizontal section at line - Figure 3.
Figure 5, an enlarged detail sectional elevation of the holding reel.
Figure 6, an enlarged detail side clevation of the eccentric adjustment for
the shaft of the film feeding roller.
;
Figure 7, a horizontal sectional elevation of the same.
Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts in the several views.
Referring to the drawings, 1, represents the main casing of the present apparatus,
having a rectangular box shape, the front thereof being closed by a removable
plate carrying the objective mount 2, while the rear thereof is closed by a plate
formation having a light opening 3, therein; central with the axis of the objective.
Within the casing 1, is arranged horizontally a revolving shutter, the hori-
zontal axis of rotation of which is at right angles to the axis of the objective 2:
said shutter consisting of a pair of concentrically arranged segmental blades 4,
ה

page_text: that are secured at one end to a carrying disk 5, that may be of the nature of a
gear wheel as shown, and which is journalled by means of a carrying arbor, in
the end wall of the casing 1, as shown in Figure 4. A continuous rotary
motion is imparted to the shutter, by means of a countershaft 6, provided with
a gear wheel 7, meshing with and driving the counterpart gear wheel 5, on
the journal arbor of the shutter; the countershaft 6, is in turn is operative con-
nection by means of a pinion 8, and gear wheel 9, with a driving shaft 10, that
1s usually operated by hand.
In
11, is the film feeding roller, of any usual construction and provided, with
the usual peripheral spurs adapted to engage the usual series of spaced orifices
in the margin of the pictured film, to effect a positive feed of the same.
the present improvement the journal shaft of the feeding roller 11, is provided
with an intermittent gear wheel 12, the periphery of which is formed with alter-
nating radial recesses 13, and marginal convex depressions 14, usually four in
number of each; the said gear wheel 12, has operative connection with the coun-
tershaft 6, by means of a pair of studs 15, arranged diametrically opposite each
other on a disk on said shaft, usually the gear wheel, as shown, such studs
being adapted to engage, in turn, in the radial recesses 13, of the gear wheel 12,
and impart an intermittent one quarter revolution to the same and to the film
feeding roller 11; in the interval between such intermittent actuation of the
film feeding roller, the same is positively held in a stationary condition by the
engagement of one of the concentrically arranged rim section 16, on the side of
the gear wheel 7, in the adjacent convex marginal recess 14, of the gear wheel 12
In the present improvement the above described mechanism will be assembled
in such a manner, that the shutter will close off the passage of the light through
the casing during the interval of time in which the actuating movement of the
film feeding roller is being effected; the movement of the shutter to permit the
passage of the light, occuring while, the film and the film feeding roller are at
rest.
17, is the film holding reel, which in the present improvement comprises a
central shaft 18, adapted to loosely receive a spool 19, upon which the film is
wound, a disk 20, fixed near one end of said shaft, and. a disk 21, at the other
and free end of said shaft, and removably attached thereto, by its hub portion
screwing upon the screw threaded outer end of said shaft, as illustrated in Figure 5.
In the present construction the shaft 18, is carried upon one end of a radial
arm 22, the other end of which has pivotal connection with a pivot lug on the
top of the casing 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, so that a radial adjustment of
the reel can be effected as required, the parts being held to the required adjust-
ment by means of a set screw 23, screwing through the aforesaid pivot lug and
bearing upon the pivot arbor of said radial arm 22.
24, is a loose tension roller, journalled at the outer end of a spring arm that
extends outward from the central reel and shaft 18, and over which, roller 24,
the film passes and is directed into the guide passage therefor in the main casing,
as hereinafter set forth.
25, are vertically extending ribs on the outer surface of the rear plate forma-
tion of the casing 1, such ribs having a parallel arrangement at each end of
the light opening 3, in said plate formation, and acting as guides for the
pictured film in its passage past the light opening 3, to prevent any lateral
movement or shifting of the film.
26, is the film confining and guiding plates of the present improvement, hinged
is a vertical direction at one edge of the casing by means of a pintle rod 27,
fixedly attached to the pintle eyes on the said plate 26, and adapted to turn in
the pintle eyes 28, of the main casing. Said pintle is also adapted to have an
endwise movement in a vertical direction in the pintle eyes 28, of the casing,
so as to effect a vertical adjustment of the film confining plate 26, and bring
the light opening 29, therein, in proper position, with relation to the axis of
the objective, as well as with relation to the series of pictures upon the film.

page_text: Such adjustment is effected by means of a hand nut 30, screwing upon the
screw threaded upper end of the pintle 27, and having bearing against the upper-
most pintle eyes 28, of the main casing, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
31, are vertically extending ribs on the inner surface of confining plate 26,
having a parallel arrangement at each side of the light opening 29 therein, these
ribs are so arranged as to lay inside the ribs 25, on the main casing, and form
vertical guide tracks for the margin of the film, which margin is held in contact
with said tracks by the spring fingers 32, attached to the casing 1, as shown.
33, are spring fingers projecting down from the lower ends of the confining
plate 26, and adapted to the guide and hold the film to its engagement with the
film feeding roller 11.
The hinged arrangement of the confining plate 26, as above described, permits
of a ready insertion of the film into place in the apparatus, as well as ready
access to the same when required, and such plate will be provided with a suitable
fastening, such for instance, as the turn armi 34, to secure said plate in its closed
position.
In the present improvement the countershaft 6, is extended out at the far
side of the main casing, and is provided with a fly wheel 35, and a rewinding
reel 36, for the convenient rewinding of the film after the same has passed
through the apparatus, so as to be ready for use.
37, is an idle roller at the lower and forward ends of the casing, over which
the film passes as it comes from the feeding roller 11.
In the present improvement the casing 1, is adjustably secured to a vertical
column 38, by means of a set screw 39, passing through a hub or collar on the
bottom of the casing as shown, and said column, is in turn secured in a vertically
adjustable manner in the hub or collar portion of the base 40, by means of a
set screw 41, such construction being intended to permit of the ready and con-
venient vertical adjustment of the apparatus to fit different sizes of magic lanterns,
and the like, in the use of the present apparatus in connection therewith.
The journal shaft 42, of the film feeding roller 11, is of a tubular nature
and turns on a fixed shaft 43, that at each end is fixedly connected to eccentric
lushing 44, arranged in the side walls of the casing 1, so that by the rotary
adjustment of said bushings the required fit between the intermittent driving
gearing of the film feeding roller 11, is readily and quickly effected.
45, are set screws for holding the eccentric bushings 44, to their required
adjustment.
The present invention is more specially adapted to display pictures already
formed on a film, it is evident however that with very slight changes and addi-
tions, the present apparatus could be employed for taking a series of pictures
photographically.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare what
we claim is:
1
1. In a kinetographic apparatus, the combination with the main casing, of a
revolving shutter formed by a pair of concentrically arranged plates secured to
an end carrying disk or gear, a film feeding roller, a countershaft geared with
the shutter to impart a continuous motion thereto, and with the film feeding
roller to impart an intermittent rotary motion thereto, and means for guiding
the film to said roller, substantially as set forth.
2. In a kinetographic apparatus, the combination with the main casing, of a
revolving shutter formed by a pair of concentrically arranged plates secured to
an end carrying disk or gear, a film feeding roller, a countershaft geared witly
the shutter to impart a continuous motion thereto, and with the film feeding
roller to impart an intermittent rotary motion thereto, a driving shaft, gear and
pinion connection between the driving shaft and the countershaft, and means
for guiding the film to said roller, substantially as set forth,

page_text: 3. In a kinetographic apparatus, the combination with the main casing, of a
revolving shutter, a film feeding roller, and a countershaft geared with the
shutter and with the film feeding roller the said countershaft being extended
at the rear end of the casing and provided with a rewinding drum, substantially
as set forth.
4. In a kinetographic apparatus, the combination with the main casing, of a
revolving shutter, a film feeding roller, a countershaft geared with the shutter
and with the film feeding roller, a holding reel, a pivotal arm pivotally connecting
said reel to the casing, a pivot lug on the casing and a set screw holding said
arm to its pivotal adjustment, substantially as set forth.
5. In a kinetographic apparatus, the combination with the main casing, of a
revolving shutter, a film feeding roller, a countershaft geared with the shutter
and with the film feeding roller, a holding reel, a pivotal supporting arm therefor,
a tension roller, and a radial elastic supporting arm therefor, substantially as set
forth.
'
6. In a kinetographic apparatus, the combination with the main casing, of a
revolving shutter formed by a pair of concentrically arranged plates secured to
an end carrying disk or gear, a film feeding roller, a countershaft geared with
the shutter to impart a continuous motion thereto, and with the film feeding
roller to impart an intermittent rotary motion thereto, a film confining plate
hinged to the casing by a vertical hinge, and provided with a light opening in
line with the objective, and means for effecting a vertical adjustment of said
plate, substantially as set forth.
7. In a kinetographic apparatus, the combination with the main easing, of a
revolving shutter, a film feeding roller, a countershaft geared with the shutter
and with the film feeding roller, a vertical column, a base, and means for secur-
ing the parts in vertical relation to each other, substantially as set forth.
8. In a
kinetographic apparatus, the combination with the main casing, and
the film feeding roller, of a stationary shaft forming a bearing for said roller,
eccentric, bushings supporting said shaft, and means for securing said bushings
at their adjustment, substantially as described.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1898.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicants,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.