Improvements in Apparatus for Photographing and Projecting Zoetropic Pictures and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 12th May, 1897-Accepted, 26th June, 1897
PROVISIONAL STEIFICATION.
PROVISIONAL DIDIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Photographing and Projecting
Zoetropic Pictures and the like.
We, JULIUS PESCHEK Electrician of 42 Wellington Road Charlton S.E.
GEORGE HENRY CHARD, Electrician of 8 Lanark Villas, Maida Vale N.W., and
HERRMANN ACKERMANN, Instrument Maker of 3, Gallia Road, Highbury all in
the County of London do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Our invention relates to improved apparatus for the purpose of projecting zoetropic
pictures on to a screen, such pictures preferably being in the form of a long transparent
film of suitable material, having regularly spaced perforations on each edge as
commonly used for such purposes.
We may however so modify our apparatus, as to use in place of the perforations a
series of notches or employ a plain film only. Our improvements refer more
particularly to the mechanism necessary for giving the said film an intermittent
motion, in combination with a suitable shutter, so that the film is moved during the
time the light is cut off from the screen, and is at rest during the time of exposure.
For carrying this into effect we provide a plate carrying a suitable number of pins,
preferably four, which engage in the perforations or notches in the film. This plate
has a motion preferably up and down, and in the direction of the length of the film,
which motion is imparted to it by means of a suitable vibrating arm, acting across the
back of a slide, upon which the plate is carried. The plate is mounted on the slide in
such manner that it is free to move backwards and forwards in a direction at right
angles to its sliding motion, the forward motion being preferably produced by a
suitable spring and the backward motion by the wedge shaped end of the vibrating
arm which works between the slide and a projection on the plate. The slide works on
suitable guiding bars or surfaces immediately behind the casing, over the face of which
the film travels, and the pins on the plate project through the slots formed in the said
casing so as to engage with the film. The vibrating arm is preferably operated at
about the middle of its length by means of an eccentric, while the fulcrum end is
formed with a slide so as to move backwards and forwards on the pivot.
By this means it will be readily understood that an up and down motion is obtained
for operating the slide and plate, while the sideways motion will force the wedge end
of the arm under the projection on the plate, and withdraw it from the same so as to
cause the plate and pins to be moved to and from the film. For the purpose of
regulating the travel of the slide we preferably vary the position of the pivot. The
before mentioned eccentric is mounted upon a shaft carrying a pinion driven from a
suitable large wheel, fixed on a shaft to be operated by hand or power as desired, the
said pinion drives a second wheel mounted on a shaft carrying a disc suitably perforated
to give the necessary exposure of the film at the right time. This disc may be of the
usual form employed as a zoetropic, photographic, or kinetoscopic shutter.
We may also provide on the exterior of the casing, and on the other side of the film
to that adjacent to the plate, a suitable soft, elastic or rubber pad, attached to said
plate, and into which the before mentioned pins may press, or the pins may be omitted
and suitable projections, or a second plate or rubber pad provided to grip the film,
which in such case need not be perforated or notched.

page_text: It will be readily understood that this apparatus may also be employed for taking a
series of photographs for the purpose of producing zoetropic pictures, if suitable
provision be made for protecting the sensitized film from the action of light, except at
the particular part on which the image is thrown during the period of exposure.
In place of the wedged portion of the vibrating arm, we may use a toggle joint or
cam, operated by said vibrating arm, for producing the backwards and forwards motion
of the plate & pins thereto attached, as before described.
Dated this Twelfth day of August 1896.
6. 1. ПАППАР,
Agent for Applicants.
Improvements in Apparatus for Photographing and Projecting
Zoetropic Pictures and the like.
We, JULIUS PESOHEK, Electrician of 42 Wellington Road, Charlton S.E.,
GEORGE HENRY CHARD, Electrician of 8 Lanark Villas, Maida Vale N.W., and
HERRMANN ACKERMANN Instrument Maker of 3 Gallia Road, Highbury, N., all in the
County of London 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 :-
Our invention relates to improved apparatus for the purpose of projecting zoetropic
pictures on to a screen, such pictures preferably being in the form of a long
transparent film, of suitable material, having regularly spaced perforations on each
edge as commonly used for such purposes.
We may, however, so modify our apparatus as to use, in place of the perforations,
a series of notches or employ a plain film only.
Our improvements refer more particularly to the mechanism necessary for giving
the said film an intermittent motion in combination with a suitable shutter so that the
film is moved during the time the light is cut off from the screen, and is at rest during
the time of exposure.
In order that our invention may be more readily understood, we have caused to be
attached hereto one sheet of drawings in which similar letters refer to similar
parts.
Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation of the case or box containing the apparatus
shewing the parts contained in the front of the said case.
Fig. 2 represents a sectional elevation of the case or box containing the apparatus
shewing the parts contained in the back of the said case.
Fig. 3 represents a sectional plan of the case or box and the parts contained
therein.
Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of one form of shutter.
Our apparatus consists of a suitable box or case A having a wooden partition B to
which the apparatus hereinafter described is attached. The said case A is provided
with two hinged lids C and D one on either side. The film E is carried in a suitable
box F, sliding in projecting guides G, H on the top of the case A. The box F is
provided with a hinged lid J through which the roll of film is inserted, the reel being
placed on the pin K. The film passes from the box F, through a slot in the case A, and
behind the plate L. To do this the plate L, which is hinged at M must be opened by
rotating the catch N which is pivotted at O and engages with two buttons or
projections P, P, fixed to the partition B. The film may now be placed in position
and adjusted. R is a small piece of glass, forming the window and kept in position
by the springs S, S, S. A suitable opening is made in the partition B opposite the
glass R and it is at this point that the film is illuminated in any of the usual ways.

page_text: Where the film engages with the pins 6, 6, 6, 6, hereinafter described, we prefer to
fix to the partition B a metal plate T with its two edges turned up to form guides U, U.
which will preferably project through the plate L, suitable openings being provided
for them in the said plate L. The plates T & L will have slots V, V, cut in them to
allow of the movement of the said pins 6, 6, 6, 6. A flat spring W may also be
provided to keep the film in contact with the guide plate T. On the other side of the
partition B to that just described, is fixed the mechanism for producing the intermittent
motion of the film, consisting of a plate X, screwed to the partition B and having four
ears or lugs Y, Y, Y, Y' formed on it. Suitable spindles Z, Z, are screwed into or
otherwise attached to these said lugs, and form guides for the vertically moving
plate 1 which has suitable bosses formed on it, sliding on the said spindles or
guides Z, Z.
The bridge piece 2, has attached to it two pins 3, 3, sliding horizontally in bosses
formed on the plate 1.
The bridge piece 2 may also have attached to it an arm 4, actuating a vibrating
shutter 28, should that form of shutter be desired. If not the arm 4 and other parts
connected with it may be omitted as hereinafter described.
The bridge piece 2 also has attached to it a plate 5, carrying a suitable number of
pins, preferably four, 6, 6, 6, 6, working in two slots 7, 7, formed in the plate X.
Reciprocating motion is imparted to the plate 1, by the lever 8, the end of which is
formed into a slot or fork sliding on the back of the said plate 1. A pin 9 attached to
the plate 1 engages with this slotted end of the said lever 8, to which is also fixed the
wedged shaped piece 10, working against a corresponding piece 11 fixed to the bridge
piece 2. A spiral, or other suitable form of spring 12 is provided on the pin 9 to
return the bridge piece 2 after being pushed out by the action of the wedges 10 & 11
as hereinafter described.
The other, or fulcrum end of the lever 8 is also formed into a slot or fork working
on an adjustable pivot 13, the end of which is screwed so that the said pivot may be
securely fastened to the partition B, after adjustment, by means of the nut 14 and
washer 15. A slot 16 is cut in the partition B to allow of the said pivot being
moved.
The lever 8 is formed at about the middle of its length into an eccentric strap
actuated by the eccentric 17 attached to the spindle 18 to which is also fixed a
flywheel 19 and the toothed pinion 20, driven by the toothed wheel 21 fixed on the
spindle 22. The apparatus is operated through the said spindle 22 by means of a
removable handle 23. One end of each of the spindles 18 and 22 is preferably carried
in a casting 24 having suitable feet screwed to the partition B. The other ends
of said spindles being carried in bushes 25 and 26 respectively, screwed to the said
partition.
A disc 27, with milled edge, is attached to the spindle 18 so that the apparatus may
be actuated as slowly as desired for purposes of examination or adjustment.
Two forms of shutter, either of which may be used with our apparatus, are shewn on
the drawings. One form, a vibrating shutter, is shewn on the drawings in full lines
in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. With this shutter the flywheel will be of a diameter as at 19.
The other form of shutter shewn by dotted lines is of the well known disc type as
hereinafter described.
The vibrating shutter consists of a light metallic frame 28, the opening being filled
in with some light material 29 such as tissue paper in order that the inertia, due to
the high speed of working, may be reduced. The shutter is arranged to cover the
aforementioned opening in the partition, on the other side of which is the glass
window R.
The said frame 28 is hinged to the top of the plate X and has attached to it
bent lever 30 which is operated by a fork in the end of the lever 31, pivotted
at the ear or lug Y. The end of said lever 31 is actuated by the slotted lever 32
oivotted to the foot 33. The end of the arm 4 slides in the said slotted lever the
nd of which is connected by means of a suitable steadying spring 34 to the
partition B.

page_text: It will be readily understood that any horizontal motion of
communicated to the slotted lever 32, to the lever 31, to
shutter 28.
the arm 4 will be
the lever 30 and
The disc shutter consists of a disc 35 in the form of an enlarged flywheel fixed
to the spindle 18 and having a radial slot 36 so that at each revolution of said
disc, the opening in the partition B, by means of which the light passes through the
film, will be exposed and covered in the usual manner employed in well known forms
of zoetrope, kinetoscope and photographic apparatus.
The action of the apparatus is as follows. On turning the handle 23, the wheel 21
will revolve, driving the pinion 20 and eccentric 17, which will cause the wedge end
of the lever 8 to move up and down vertically, with the pivot 13 as a fulcrum, at the
same time that it moves backwards and forwards horizontally.
The vertical movement of the end of the said lever 8 will cause the plate 1 and all
attached to it, to slide up and down.
The horizontal movement of the end of the said lever will cause the wedges 10
and 11 to engage with each other at each forward movement, thus forcing the
wedge 11, bridge piece 2 and all attached to it, away from the plate 1, the return
being effected, after the wedge 10 has been moved back, by the spring 12. Thus it
will be seen that the plate 5, carrying the pins 6, 6, 6, 6, being connected to both
the plate 1 and bridge piece 2 will partake of both movements.
At the same time the arm 4, being connected to the bridge piece 2 will cause
the shutter 28 to open and close as before described.
Thus with regard to the film the cycle of operations will be, starting from a
position such as is shewn on the drawings (in which the shutter has just closed)
that the wedge end of the lever 8 is descending and carrying with it the plate 5
and pins 6, 6, 6, 6, which are engaging with the holes in the film an consequently
pulling said film down. At the end of the stroke of the lever 8, the wedges 10
and 11 will engage with each other, the pins 6, 6, 6, 6, will be moved back to clear
the film, and said film will cease moving. The shutter will have by this time opened
to expose the film to any source of illumination that may be used. The arm 8 will
now be moving upwards, until on reaching the top of its stroke, the shutter will
be closed; the wedges will also be moved apart allowing the pins 6, 6, 6, 6 to
engage with the film and the aforementioned cycle of operations will again
commence.
It will be readily understood that we may also provide on the exterior of the
casing, and on the other side of the film to that adjacent to the plate 5, a suitable
elastic or rubber pad attached to said plate, and into which the before mentioned
pins 6, 6, 6, 6, may press, or the said pins may be omitted and suitable projections,
or a second plate or rubber pad provided to grip the film, which, in such case
need not be perforated or notched. It will be readily understood that this
apparatus may also be employed for taking a series of photographs for the purpose
of producing zoetropic pictures, if suitable provision be made for protecting the
sensitized film from the action of light, except at the particular part on which the
image is thrown during the period of exposure.
In place of the wedged portion of the vibrating arm, we may use a toggle joint
or cam operated by said vibrating arm for producing the backwards and for wards
motion of the plate 5 and pins thereto attached, as before described.
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. In apparatus for photographing and projecting zoetropic pictures and the like,
the plate 5 and pins 6, 6, 6, 6, moved horizontally by a wedge 10 on the lever 8
and vertically by the slotted end of the lever 8 and pin 9, said lever being actuated
by eccentric 17 and spindle 18; and capable of adjustment by means of the forked
end and pivot 13 as and for the purposes herein described.
2. In apparatus for photographing and projecting zoetropic pictures and the like,

page_text: the hinged shutter 28 with bent lever 30 actuated by the lever 31, slotted lever 32
and arm 4 on bridge piece 2 as and for the purposes herein described.
3. In apparatus for photographing and projecting zoetropic pictures and the like,
the combination of the various parts forming a complete apparatus as and for the
purposes herein described.
G. T. HARRAP,
Agent for Applicants.