Improvements in Apparatus for Taking and Projecting Photographs.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 25th June, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Taking and Projecting Photographs.
We, WILLIAM VELLETTE MILLER, Machinist, of 583, Avenue E, Bayonne,
in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, and GEORGE PERCIVAL RICE,
Photographer, of 119, Home Avenue, Rutherford, in the County of Bergen and
State of New Jersey, and ELIAS BOUND DUNN, Meteorologist, of 11, Park Place,
in the City of New York (Borough of Brooklyn), in the County of Kings and
State of New York, and all of United States of America, do hereby declare the
nature of our invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The invention relates to vitascopes, cinematographs, kinetoscopes, biographs
and similar machines; and its object is to provide a new and improved apparatus
for taking and projecting photographs arranged to impart a positive intermittent
travelling motion to a film, without danger of vibration of the film while at rest,
so as to insure the production of a perfect picture, the film being positively fed
equal distances without the slightest variation, to insure a complete and full
registration of every picture with the field of the lens.
The invention consists of novel features and parts, and combinations of the
same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a plan view of the improvement;
Figure 2 is a sectional front elevation of the same, on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section of part of the improvement, on the
line 3-3 of Figure 4;
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional front elevation of the same, on the line 4-4
of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a transverse section of the same, on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a similar enlarged view of another part of the improvement, on the
line 6-6 of Figure 1; and
Figure is a longitudinal section of the oscillating and sliding shaft and
adjacent parts.
The film A, made in the form of a continuous sheet, is provided on its sides
with the usual equi-distant apertures A¹, adapted to be engaged by the feed
mechanism, as hereinafter more fully described, for imparting an intermittent
travelling motion to the film, through a slide 13 having an opening B¹ in the
field of the lens, for projecting a picture on a screen, or for making exposures in
the usual manner. The slide B is preferably disposed vertically for the film to
travel in a similar direction through the slide; and the latter is attached to
a tube 1, fitted to slide in a casing 133, secured to the bracket C of the main frame C,
on which the machine is mounted. A rack and pinion movement B4, B5 serves
to impart a sliding motion to the tube 132 in its tubular casing B³, for conveniently
introducing the film into the slide at the time the slide is out of range with
the feed mechanism for the film.

page_text: The feed mechanism consists principally of two wheels D, D¹, placed a suitable
distance apart, and formed with peripheral sprockets D2 adapted to engage
the apertures A in the sides of the film A at opposite sides of the slide opening B',
the said wheels D, D' rotating intermittently in unison, so as to impart an inter-
mittent travelling motion to the film and bring successive spaces of the film into
the opening B¹, and consequently into the field of the lens or other device. The
feed wheels D; D leave a clear space between their opposite faces, for the uninter-
rupted passage of the light to and through the slide opening B', the wheel 1)
being secured to a shaft E, turning at one end in a bearing C, the main body of
said shaft being mounted to turn in a hollow shaft F; while the other wheel D'
is secured on a shaft E' mounted to turn in a bearing C², carried by the frame C.
The two shafts E, E are in alignment with each other, but extend in opposite
directions from their wheels, so as to leave a clear space between the opposite
faces of the wheels, for the purpose mentioned.
The hollow shaft is mounted to turn and to slide longitudinally in suitable
bearings C, C+ carried by the frame C; and on the end of said hollow shaft
adjacent to the wheel D is secured an L-shaped arm G, having its horizontal
member G overhanging the peripheral surfaces of the wheels D, D¹. On the
under side of said member G¹ are formed or secured radially extending teeth G2, G³,
adapted to engage registering notches D3, D4, respectively, formed in the peripheral
surfaces of the wheels D, D', respectively, as will be readily understood by reference
to Figures 3 and 4.
As shown in Figure 3, the wheels D, D¹ are provided with eight such registering
notches D3, D4, but it is evident that a larger or smaller number of notches may
be employed, according to the length of the pictures on the film, it being under-
stood that the arm G engages with its teeth G2, G3 a pair of registering notches,
and then swings and turns the wheels one-eighth of a revolution at a time, to
feed the film in the slide B a corresponding distance; that is, the height of a
picture, so as to bring successive pictures into the opening B¹.
In order to impart a rocking motion to the hollow shaft F and the arm G
carried thereby, said hollow shaft is provided with a downwardly extending arm H,
carrying a friction roller H' in engagement with a cam groove I¹, formed in
the periphery of the cam I, secured to a cam shaft J, journaled in suitable
bearings C held on the frame C. The groove I' in the cam I is so arranged, that
for every full revolution of the said cam, a full, forward and backward stroke
is given to the arm G. The cam shaft J is provided with a gear wheel J¹, in
mesh with a gear wheel K¹ held on a shaft K, journaled in bearings C7 on the
frame C, and the outer end of said shaft is provided with a grooved pulley K³
or other means, connected with other machinery for imparting a continuous
rotary motion to said shaft K, the motion of which is transmitted by the gear
wheels K, J¹ to the cam shaft J. A sliding motion is given to the hollow shaft F
from the cam shaft J, at the time the arm H is at a standstill and the friction
roller H thereof travels through the straight portion of the cam groove I¹. For
this purpose, the hollow shaft F is provided with a collar L, formed in its peri-
phery with an elongated groove L', engaged by a friction roller N¹ carried on
the upwardly-extending member of a three-armed lever N, having its horizontal
member formed with a fork N2 straddling a four-faced cam P, secured on the cam
shaft J. The three-armed lever N is fulcrumed loosely on a shutter shaft O,
carrying the usual shutter 01, having its opening 0 in alignment with the
opening B during the period of rest of the film A, said shaft O and its shutter 01
being driven from the cam shaft J, in unison with the feed mechanism for the film.
The shaft is for this purpose, provided with a gear wheel 02, in mesh with
an intermediate gear wheel 03, in mesh with a gear wheel 0+, secured on the
cam shaft J.
The downwardly extending member of the three-armed lever N is connected
by a link Q with a bolt R, forming a locking device for the wheels D, D¹, during
the period of rest, said bolt having a downwardly extending arm R¹, pivoted

page_text: at R² to the frame C of the machine. The bolt R is provided at its ends with
teeth R, R, adapted to engage a pair of registering notches D3, D* in the
wheels D, D', at the time the said notches are in a lowermost position.
By reference to Figure 2 it will be seen that the three-armed lever receives
a swinging motion from the cam P' on the cam shaft J, so that a sliding motion
given to the hollow shaft F and its arm & in one direction, while the link Q
imparts a rocking motion in the opposite direction to the bolt R. Thus, by this
arrangement, the bolt R and the arm G simultaneously receive motion, for moving
the teeth G2, G3 of the arm G in mesh with a pair of notches D3, D at the top
of the wheels D, D at the time the teeth R, R move out of engagement with a
corresponding pair of registering notches at the bottoms of the wheels D, D¹;
and a
reverse movement takes place when the armi H swings in an opposite
direction, so that the teeth G2, G3 move out of mesh with their notches at the
time the teeth R3, R' move in mesh with the notches at the bottom of the wheels.
As this movement of the teeth of the arm G and that of the locking bolt R takes
place at the same time, it is evident that the wheels D, D¹ are positively locked
against rotation during the period of rest, principally, however, by the bolt R
assisted by the arm G prior to the beginning of the oscillating movement of the
arm and at the end of said movement.
It is understood that when the machine is in motion, the cam I by its connection
with the hollow shaft F, imparts a rocking motion to the latter and to the arm G,
and the other cam P by its connection with said hollow shaft F causes the same
to slide in a longitudinal direction in such a manner that the oscillating and
sliding movements alternate.
Thus, when the several parts are in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2,
the wheels D, D' are at a standstill near the end of the period of rest; and when
the shaft J rotates in the direction of the arrow a (see Figure 2), then the cam P
acts on the three-armed lever N and shifts the shaft F and the arm G in the
direction of the arrow b¹, to move the teeth G2, G3 out of engagement with the
notches D3, D at the top of the wheels D, D' (see Figure 4), and at the same time
shifts the bolt R from right to left in the inverse direction of the arrow 1, to move
the teeth R, R in engagement with a pair of registering notches D³ or D' at the
bottom of the wheels D, D. This takes place during one-fourth of a revolution
of the shaft J, and during which time the friction roller H¹ travels in a straight
portion of the cam groove I', so that the hollow shaft F is not rocked in its
bearing. During the next one-fourth revolution, the lever N remains at a stand-
still, while the cam I imparts a swinging motion to the arm H to swing the arm G
in the direction of the arrow c (see Figure 3), to bring the teeth G2, G3 in align-
ment with the next pair of registering notches D3, D4. During the next one-
quarter revolution the friction roller H¹ travels in the straight part of the cam
groove I, so that the rocking of the shaft F ceases; but during this quarter
revolution, the cam P again acts on the lever H, and swings the same in an
opposite direction, to shift the hollow shaft F in the inverse direction of the
arrow b¹, so as to move the teeth G2, G3 in mesh or engagement with the registering
notches, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3; at the same time the bolt R
is shifted from the left to the right, to move its teeth out of engagement with
the notches D3, D at the bottom of the wheels D, D. During the next quarter
revolution of the shaft J, a swinging motion in the inverse direction of the arrow c¹
is given by the cam I¹ to the shaft F and its arm G, so that the wheels D, D₁ are
now given one-eighth of a turn to feed the film A downward in the slide B, and
bring the next picture into register with the slide opening B¹ The above
described operation is then repeated, that is, upon a further turning of the
shaft J, the bolt R is moved into position for locking the wheels D, D', while
the arm G moves with its teeth out of mesh with said wheels, then swings to the
position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, then moves in mesh with the wheels
while the bolt moves out of mesh with the same, and then the arm is rocked

page_text: back to its former position to again turn the wheels D, D' for again feeding the
film as described.
Now it is evident that by the improvement specified, a positive feeding of
the film takes place, without danger of vibration of the film while at rest, as the
feed mechanism is positively locked in position during the period of rest by the
locking bolt R, and partly by the teeth of the arm G, as previously mentioned.
Furthermore, the film is positively fed equal distances without the slightest vibra-
tion, thereby insuring a full registration of every picture with the lens.
The mechanism described, permits of running the machine at a very high rate
of speed with absolute registration of the pictures with the field of exposure.
It is especially noted that the feed mechanism engages the film at the sides of
the slide opening, so that the film is not loose at the said opening but is locked
at this very point by the feed mechanism during the period of rest, and is bodily
moved at this point by the same means during the period of feeding. As the
feed mechanism is rigidly locked with the film, the latter cannot possibly vibrate
and mar the effect.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with feed
wheels for the film, and a positive mechanism acting directly on the said wheels,
for imparting an intermittent rotary motion to the same, substantially as shown
and described.
2. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with feed
wheels for the film, a positive mechanism acting directly on the said wheels,
for imparting an intermittent rotary motion to the same, and a locking device
operating in conjunction with the said mechanism, and adapted to engage the
said wheels during the period of rest to positively lock the wheels against rotation,
substantially as shown and described.
3. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with feed
wheels for the film, and a positive mechanism acting directly on the said wheels,
for imparting an intermittent rotary motion to the same, said mechanism holding
said feed wheels in a positively locked position prior to imparting movement
thereto, substantially as shown and described.
4. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with feed
wheels for the film, and a positive mechanism acting directly on the said wheels,
for imparting an intermittent rotary motion to the same, said mechanism holding
said feed wheels temporarily in a positively locked position after the end of the
stroke at the beginning of the period of rest, substantially as shown and
described.
5. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with feed
wheels for the film, and a positive mechanism acting directly on the said wheels,
for imparting an intermittent rotary motion to the same, the said mechanism
holding said feed wheels temporarily in a locked position both prior to the begin-
ning of the movement and at the end thereof, substantially as shown and
described.
6. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with feed
wheels, and an arm having an oscillating and sliding movement, and adapted to
engage said feed wheels to impart an intermittent rotary motion to the same,
substantially as shown and described.
7. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with feed
wheels, and an arm having alternate oscillating and sliding movements, and
adapted to engage said feed wheels to impart an intermittent rotary motion to the
same, substantially as shown and described.
8. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with feed
wheels having peripheral registering notches placed equal distances apart, and

page_text: an arm having alternate oscillating and sliding movements, the arm overhanging
the peripheries of the wheels and having teeth adapted to engage and disengage
said notches to impart an intermittent rotary motion to the wheels, substantially
as shown and described.
9. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with an arm
having alternate oscillating and sliding movements, and arranged for alternate
engagement and disengagement with and from the feed mechanism for the film,
to impart an intermittent motion to the same, substantially as shown and
described.
10. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with a notched
wheel, and an arm having alternate oscillating and sliding movements, and formed
with a tooth for alternately engaging and disengaging the notches, to intermit-
tently turn the wheel, substantially as shown and described.
11. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with a
notched wheel, an arm having alternate oscillating and sliding movements, and
formed with a tooth for alternately engaging and disengaging the notches, to
intermittently turn the wheel, and a locking bar operating in unison with the said
arm, to engage and disengage the notches but in a reverse order to the arm,
substantially as shown and described.
12. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with a
notched wheel, an arm having alternate oscillating and sliding movements, and
formed with a tooth for alternately engaging and disengaging the notches, to
intermittently turn the wheels, and a locking bar operating in unison with the said
arm, to engage and disengage the notches but in a reverse order to the arm,
the bar and teeth being simultaneously in engagement with the notches during
part of the sliding motion of the bar and the movement of the arm, substantially
as shown and described.
13. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs comprising a revoluble
cam shaft, a rocking and sliding shaft, an arm carried by the said rocking and
sliding shaft, a film feed mechanism receiving an intermittent rotary motion from
the said arm, an intermediate mechanism between the said cam shaft and the
rocking and sliding shaft, to impart alternate oscillating and sliding motions to
the said rocking and sliding shaft and the arm carried thereby, substantially as
shown and described.
14. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs comprising a feed
mechanism, an oscillating and slidable arm for imparting an intermittent motion
to the said feed mechanism, a driven cam shaft having a plurality of cams, a
shaft mounted to turn and to slide, and carrying said arm, a connection between
one of the cams and the last mentioned shaft, to impart a rocking motion to the
same, and a lever for connecting the second cam with said last-mentioned
shaft, to impart a sliding motion thereto, substantially as shown and described.
15. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs comprising a feed
mechanism, an oscillating and slidable arm for imparting an intermittent motion
to the said feed mechanism, a driven cam shaft having a plurality of cams, a
shaft mounted to turn and to slide, and carrying said arm, a connection between
one of the cams and the last mentioned shaft, to impart a rocking motion to the
same, a lever for connecting the second cam with said last-mentioned shaft, to
impart a sliding motion thereto, and a locking bar connected with the said lever,
and adapted to engage the feed mechanism and lock the same in place during
the period of rest, substantially as shown and described.
16. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with a slide
for the film, and a feed mechanism having an intermittent rotary motion, and
comprising two spaced wheels rotating intermittently in unison for engaging
the film in the slide at opposite sides of the slide opening, substantially as shown
and described.
17. An apparatus for taking and projecting photographs provided with a slide
for the film, and a feed mechanism having an intermittent rotary motion, and

page_text: comprising two spaced wheels rotating intermittently in unison for engaging
the film in the slide at opposite sides of the slide opening, the opposite faces of the
wheels leaving a clear space for the uninterrupted passage of light to and from
the slide opening, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 5th day of March 1898.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.