Improvements in Apparatus for Taking, Printing, and Projecting Successive Photographic Pictures.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Taking, Printing, and Projecting
Successive Photographic Pictures.
CECIL STAFFORD-NOBLE, 15, Theobalds Road, London, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, and FRANCIS LIDDELL, The Firs, Wimbledon Park, in the County of
Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of our invention is to construct a mechanical device for imparting
intermittent motion to a continuous band or tape, such as the film used in photo-
graphic and other optical apparatus, so that it may be made to travel regularly
past a given point in such a manner that its progress may be arrested and detained
at given points, the space between which points has been previously determined,
thus obviating the unevenness noticeable in the action of similar devices.
The mechanism we employ for this purpose consists of a revoluble drum or
cylinder, from the periphery of which project pins or points placed at equal
distances apart, the object of which pins or points is to engage in suitable notches
or perforations in the continuous band or tape.
To this drum or cylinder (hereinafter called the sprocket-wheel) is imparted
a continuous motion, so that the band or tape (hereinafter called the film), may
be made to revolve with the sprocket-wheel and partake of its continuous motion.
Upon the spindle of the sprocket-wheel is mounted an oscillating or rocking
lever, the fulcrum of which is parallel to and identical with the axis of the sprocket-
wheel, to which is imparted (by means of suitable mechanism hereinafter described)
a backward and forward motion.
From this rocking lever projects a pin or stud on which is mounted a roller,
which roller projects laterally over the periphery of the sprocket-wheel, its axis
being parallel to the axis of the sprocket-wheel.
The object of this rocking lever is to arrest and detain the film on its journey
through the machine at given intervals by a succession of rapid backward and
forward movements.
The forward movement of the rocking lever draws the required portion of film,
in the shape of a loop, from the reserve bobbin or spool.
Its backward or return movement (when it is made to travel at the same rate
of speed as the sprocket-wheel) enables the sprocket-wheel to gather up the loop
made by the forward movement of the rocking lever.
Thus it will be seen that although the sprocket-wheel has a continuous rotary
motion, and the rocking lever has an oscillatory motion, yet there is never at any
time any sudden or violent jerk upon the film, for the rocking lever travels on
its return journey at the same rate of speed as the sprocket-wheel and therefore
the periphery of its roller is always engaged with the film, thus obviating the.
danger of tearing the film so common in machines where the loop-making device
alternately engages and disengages with the film.
It will be readily understood that in machines of this class where the loop-

page_text: making device is not always engaged with the film the films are apt to vary in
length when run at a high rate of speed, for the loops being formed by a suc-
cession of sharp blows, the film is subjected to a violent and unequal strain which
it is impossible to control, and the distance apart of the photographs upon the
film is uneven.
In our device the roller of the rocking lever is always engaged with the film
and the strain upon the film being normal throughout its journey no unevenness
is possible.
The mechanism we employ for imparting an oscillatory motion to the rocking
lever is preferably by means of a crank pin projecting from a disc with which
is connected a pitman which slides in a tube fixed to the rocking lever.
As the disc is made to revolve the pitman slides in and out of the tube and
when it is performing one portion of its journey (the crank pin being nearer to
the fulcrum of the rocking lever) a more rapid movement of the rocking lever
is obtained. This is the forward motion above described.
When the crank pin is performing the other portion of its journey (the crank
pin being furthest from the fulcrum of the rocking lever) a slower movement
is obtained. This is the backward motion above described.
From this it will be seen that a differentiation is obtained between the forward
and backward motion of the rocking lever, the object of this being to form the
loop in a lesser space of time than the sprocket-wheel requires to draw the film taut.
A suitable shutter is provided whereby the light is shut off from the film while
the rocking lever is forming the loop, and the sprocket-wheel spindle, the crank
disc, and the shutter are connected by suitable gearing.
A revoluble spindle placed beside the sprocket-wheel carries a drum on which
the film is rewound after it has passed through the machine.
19th June 1897.
CECIL STAFFORD-NOBLE.
FRANCIS LIDDELL.
Improvements in Apparatus for Taking, Printing, and Projecting
Successive Photographic Pictures.
We, CECIL STAFFORD-NOBLE, 15, Theobalds Road, and 19, Mount Pleasant,
Roseberry Avenue, London, W.C., Engineer, and FRANCIS LIDDELL, The Firs,
Wimbledon Park, Gentleman, 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 object of our invention is to construct a mechanical device for imparting
intermittent motion to a continuous band or tape such as the film used in photo-
graphic and other optical apparatus, so that it may be made to travel regularly
past a given point in such a manner that its progress may be arrested at given
points, the space between which points has been previously determined, thus
obviating the unevenness noticeable in the action of similar devices, and for
notching or perforating the edges of the films used as the support for the photo-
graphic pictures usually taken or exhibited by machines of this class.
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 is a side elevation of our improved apparatus and Fig. 2 is a front ele-
vation of the same.

page_text: On a suitable base A are mounted two side frames B, B with cross bars B¹,
adapted to carry the mechanism hereinafter described.
Above the frames BB is arranged a spindle C, carried in the blocks D, with
adjusting screws E, attached to rods F sliding in standards G, fixed to side
frames B B and provided with adjusting screws H. By this means the height
of spindle C may be adjusted to accommodate the spools of film of varying diameter.
Upon one end of said spindle C and rotating freely thereon is placed the spool
of film J, which is to be passed through the machine.
The film K passes from-the spool J downwards through the gate L, consisting
preferably of a rectangular metal frame lined with plush or other suitable soft
material. The said gate L is hinged at M and provided with catch N and
closes over the film K in such a manner as to offer a slight frictional resistance
to the downward motion of said film. The rectangular hole through the gate L
permits the passage of light through that portion of film which is at any moment
standing within the said gate.
Immediately behind the gate L is arranged the shutter O consisting of a short
metal tube with one end closed and attached to the spindle P carried in bearings
in side frames B B. Suitable openings are formed in the tube so as to retain
preferably two equal segments opposite to one another. On rotating the shutter
at a suitable speed it will be readily understood that the segments will intercept
the passage of light through the apparatus for a short period and twice during
each revolution of said shutter.
After leaving the gate L the film proceeding downwards passes partly round
the looping roller Q carried by the rocking arms R which are mounted and move
freely on the same spindle Z that carries the drum X hereinafter described. The
rocking arms R are actuated by the crank disc S, crank pin T and connecting
link U. The crank disc S is attached to spindle V revolving in bearings in
frame W and side frame B to which said frame W is attached by means of
suitable pins.
Instead of the link U connecting crank pin T and rocking arms R, we may
employ a pitman which slides in a tube fixed to said rocking arm. If desired
the looping roller Q may be made in the form of a supplementary sprocket wheel
which may be made to rotate whilst oscillating by means of suitable gearing
connected with spindle Z.
From the looping roller Q the film passes partly round the drum X which
is preferably tubular and provided with suitably shaped small holes Y spaced at
equal intervals around one or more circumferential lines on its periphery.
The drum X is attached to spindle Z carried in bearings in side frames B and
frame W.
The film is held in contact with the drum X by means of a roller 1 driven by
drum X and provided with teeth, pins or projections 2 suitably formed and spaced
to work in the holes Y in the drum X and engage with the perforations in the
film provided that the film has such.
It will be readily understood that our apparatus may be used for perforating
films as any unperforated film which is passed between drum X and roller 1
when they are revolving will be immediately perforated.
In order to more readily perforate films we may employ another roller with
projections specially made for the purpose, the said roller being arranged to take
the place of roller 1.
The roller 1 is mounted on the swinging arm 3 pivoted at 4 and kept against
the drum X and film by a suitable spring 5. A catch or lever 6 may be provided
by means of which the roller 1 may be thrown in and out of gear with drum X.
If desired the teeth, pins or projections may be formed on drum X gearing
into holes in the roller 1.
After leaving the roller 1 the film passes to a spool core or bobbin 7 which
slides on and rotates with the spindle 8.
Motion is imparted to the apparatus through the driving spindle 9 revolving

page_text: Wheel 11 drives toothed wheel 13 attached to drum spindle Z, and wheel 12 drives
the train of toothed wheels 14, 15 and 16.
Wheel 14 is attached to crank disc spindle V.
Wheel 15 is an idle wheel connecting wheels 14 and 16.
Wheel 16 is attached to shutter spindle P.
On the drum spindle Z is fixed the grooved pulley 17 driving the grooved
pulley 18 preferably by means of a suitable continuous spiral spring 19 stretched
over both pulleys.
The grooved pulley 18 is attached to the spool core spindle 8.
It will be readily understood that the pulley 18 may be driven from either of
the other revolving spindles.
It is well known that after passing a film, for purposes of projecting successive
photographic pictures through an apparatus of this description, said film requires
re-winding before it can be used again. For this purpose we may if desired
provide a re-winding attachment as follows-
On the shutter spindle P is fixed a grooved pulley 20 driving the grooved
pulley 21 by means of a suitable continuous spiral spring 22 stretched over both
pulleys. If desired the pulley 21 may be driven from either of the other revolving
spindles.
The grooved pulley 21 is attached to a spindle 23 carried in brackets 24 fixed
to side frames B: A spool core or bobbin 25 slides on and rotates with spindle 23.
The spool of film 26 to be rewound slides on and rotates on the spindle 27 which
is preferably attached to the spindle C by means of the sleeve 28 and the rewinding
is effected as hereinafter described.
It will be readily understood that the whole of the apparatus with the exception
of the handle and film rewinding device may be enclosed in a suitable box or
casing to exclude extraneous light.
The condenser 29 and projecting lens 30 of an optical projecting apparatus are
shewn in Fig. 1 in about the positions they would occupy with relation to the
rest of the apparatus.
The action of the apparatus is as follows.
The spool of film J is placed on spindle C and passed through the apparatus
to the spool core 7 as hereinbefore described.
On turning the handle 10 the various toothed wheels and spindles on which they
are fixed revolve.
The drum X revolving causes the roller 1 to revolve, the projections 2 on which,
engage with the perforations in the film and so draws the said film through the
apparatus to the spool core 7 where it is wound up. At the same time the looping
roller Q is being moved backwards and forwards as hereinbefore described, the
effect of which, the drum X and roller 1- continuously revolving, is firstly, to
form a loop in the film with the result that the required portion of film is drawn
through the gate L from the spool J; secondly, on the return movement of said
looping roller Q that portion of film which formed the loop is drawn through
by drum X and roller 1 without moving the film in the gate or unwinding from
spool J.
The shutter O, continuously revolving is so arranged that when the film is
stationary in the gate the openings in said shutter are opposite the gate and permit
the passage of light through the apparatus, whilst when the film is moving the
segments in shutter are opposite gate and so intercept the light.
The various parts driving the looping roller are so proportioned as to always
keep said looping roller in contact with the film and the looping roller being
also mounted on the same spindle as the drum X, its distance from periphery
of said drum will be constant. It will therefore be readily understood that the
strain upon the film while passing through the apparatus will be normal, uneven-

page_text: ness will be rendered impossible, and the danger of tearing the film reduced to
a minimum.
When a film is to be rewound the spool 26 is placed on spindle and the core 25
on spindle. 23. If desired the rewinding may be done whilst another film is
passing through the other side of the apparatus.
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 either or all of the purposes herein described, a looping device
oscillating from the same centre as the drum upon which the film travels as and
for the purposes herein described.
2. In apparatus for either or all of the purposes herein described, an auxiliary
roller 1 working in connection with the said drum X for moving or perforating
the film.
3. In apparatus for either or all of the purposes herein described the drum X
and roller 1 mounted on a swinging arm 3, pivoted at 4 and with spring 5 as
and for the purposes herein described.
4. In apparatus for either or all of the purposes herein described the combina-
tion of the various parts in one complete apparatus as herein described.
Dated this Nineteenth day of March 1898.
G. T. HARRAP,
Agent for Applicants.