Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Taking or Displaying a Series of Photographic Images in Rapid Succession.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 23rd May, 1898-Accepted, 9th July, 1898
Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 23rd May, 1898-Accepted, 9th July, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Taking or Displaying
a Series of Photographic Images in Rapid Succession.
We, ERNEST FRANCIS MOY, Electrical Engineer, and GILBERT HOWARD
HARRISON, Draughtsman, both of 3, Greenland Place, Camden Town, in the
County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for taking or displaying a series of photo-
graphic images in rapid succession, for the purpose of suggesting to one or more
beholders the changing effect of motion. Such apparatus, with the film trans-
parencies on which the images are photographically taken, together with the
optical lantern used for projecting the images in greatly magnified proportions
upon a screen, has received various names up to the present time, such as;
animated photographs; biograph; cinematograph, kinematograph and the like,
either for the whole, or for that part of the apparatus by which the film is inter-
mittently moved; but in this present invention we restrict ourselves to that part
of the latter named apparatus by which the photographic transparency or film is
prepared by punching, and fed into or out of the path of the rays of light, either
in photographing the series of images upon the film strip in the first place, or in
displaying the said images upon a suitable screen in the second place.
The aforesaid films are usually punched with holes along the edges at regular
distances apart, and by means of these holes the film is advanced the required dis-
tance and then kept stationary during each operation of exposing the sensitised
film in a camera, when taking the pictures. The same kind of action takes place
is displaying the pictures optically upon a screen, when, as is well known, an
impression of the picture shown dwells for a short time on the retina of the eyes
of the beholders, and this being succeeded by another picture of objects taken at
a very short interval of time after the first named is combined in the mind so as
to produce the effect of continuous motion. It will be apparent, on consideration,
that for both operations-taking the pictures and displaying them-it is desirable
to have as long a proportionate interval of time during the period of rest as
possible, while the change of position of the film, from one point to the next,
should be effected as quickly as practicable. In this way the image
picture may be more defined in photographing it; while in displaying, a stronger
impression is produced upon the retina, and the disturbance in changing from
each picture to the next is considerably reduced. In the latter operation a revolv-
ing shutter is arranged to cut off more or less light, so that the screen is in com-
parative darkness, and owing to our improvements the shutter may be reduced
to a sector of about one fifth of the area of a circular plate, where that form of
shutter is employed, but we do not confine ourselves to any particular class of
shutter.
or
In carrying our invention into effect we mount upon a suitable shaft a circular
roller, in the periphery of which is cut, or otherwise formed, a continuous groove

page_text: which is formed as a cam path. In cutting the groove two opposite portions, at
the greatest distance apart, are for a short distance at right angles to the axial
line of the cam, while the remainder of the .cam path connects the said two por-
tions by two oppositely placed portions each inclined at about an angle of forty-
five degrees to the other portions or to the said axial line. Curves are formed at
the junction of the right angled and inclined angle portions of the cam path, so
that any motion derived therefrom does not present too abrupt a transition at
those points. This cam path is for actuating the feed by which the film strip is
moved from picture to picture, but in addition to the foregoing, the bottom of the
groove is made deeper than the remainder for about one half of its length to form
a secondary cam path.
Two rectangular or square plates are coupled together, one adapted to work in
a slide, the outer or feeding plate carrying four teeth (for example), projecting
back and front, arranged to pass into holes punched in the edges of the film on
one side, and on the other into holes drilled as guide ways in the inner or sliding
plate, being that plate next toward the cam rollers. The outer or feeding plate
is provided with a central stud which projects through a corresponding hole in
the centre of the inner or sliding plate, and is made long enough to pass through
a small hollow stud fixed to the inner or sliding plate and also for its point to
bear upon the bottom of the cam groove. A spring is made to bear upon the
feeding plate, thus keeping the end of the stud hard against the bottom of
the groove while the hollow stud bears on its sides, and the action produced as the
cam roller revolves is to alternately press the teeth forward into the holes of the film,
then to move the plates and the teeth with the engaged film downward far enough
to present a new surface to be acted upon by light, then to remove the teeth from
the film, and return the plates to the starting point, ready for the cycle of opera-
tions to be repeated.
The film is drawn forward by a wheel provided with teeth or sprockets, or in
any other suitable way, as desired. Friction pads bearing on the film are used
to keep it in position during the time it is not affected by the motions above
described, and multiplying gear is used to drive the apparatus at the requisite
speed where hand power is employed, or the said gear may be wholly or partially
dispensed with when driven by an electro motor."
Instead of arranging the coupled plates to work as described above, in which a
spring acts upon the feeding plate, we sometimes reverse the arrangement, adding
a vibrating lever and arranging it in such a manner that the lever withdraws
the teeth from the film by a positive motion thus avoiding damage to the film,
in the event of the spring breaking or failing to act.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1897.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
37 & 39, Essex Street, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Taking or Displaying
a Series of Photographic Images in Rapid Succession.
HOWARD
We, ERNEST FRANCIS MOY, Electrical Engineer, and GILBERT
HARRISON, Draughtsman, both of 3, Greenland Place, Camden Town, 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:-
This invention relates to apparatus for taking or displaying a series of photo-

page_text: graphic images in rapid succession, for the purpose of suggesting to one or more
beholders the changing effect of motion. Such apparatus with the film trans-
parencies on which the images are photographically taken, together with the
optical lantern used for projecting the images in greatly magnified proportions
upon a screen, has received various names up to the present time, such as,
animated photographs; biograph; cinematograph, kinematograph and the like,
either for the whole, or for that part of the apparatus by which the film is inter-
mittently moved; but in this present invention we restrict ourselves to that part
of the latter named apparatus by which the photographic transparency or film is
prepared by punching, and fed into or out of the path of the rays of light, either
in photographing the series of images upon the film strip in the first place, or in
displaying the said images upon a suitable screen in the second place.
The aforesaid films are usually punched with holes along the edges at regular
distances apart, and by means of these holes the film is advanced the required dis-
tance and then kept stationary during each operation of exposing the sensitised
film in a camera, when taking the pictures. The same kind of action takes place
in displaying the pictures optically upon a screen, when, as is well known, an
impression of the picture shown dwells for a short time on the retina of the eyes
of the beholders, and this being succeeded by another picture of objects taken at
a very short interval of time after the first named is combined in the mind so as
to produce the effect of continuous motion. It will be apparent, on consideration,
that for both operations--taking the pictures and displaying them-it is desirable
to have as long a proportionate interval of time during the period of rest as
possible, while the change of position of the film, from one point to the next,
should be effected as quickly as practicable. In this way the image
picture may be more defined in photographing it; while in displaying, a stronger
impression is produced upon the retina, and the disturbance in changing from
cach picture to the next is considerably reduced. In the latter operation a revolv-
ing shutter is arranged to cut off more or less light, so that the screen is in com-
parative darkness, and owing to our improvements the shutter may be reduced
to a sector of about one fifth of the area of a circular plate, where that form of
shutter is employed, but we do not confine ourselves to any particular class of
shutter.
or
In the further description of this invention reference is made to the accom-
panying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of one
form of our improved apparatus; Fig. 2 is a back elevation of the same, with
part of the frame removed to show some of the working parts; Fig. 3 is an
elevation of the opposite side to Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a front or opposite elevation to
Fig. 2, showing a part of the exterior elevation; Fig. 5 is a plan of the apparatus.
Fig. 6 is an elevation, partly in section, of the feeding mechanism and cam for
driving it; Fig. 7 is a similar view of a modified feeding mechanism; Fig. 8
is a front elevation of a modified cam in disc form; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of
the same; and Fig. 10 is a partial section of Fig. 9, with the feeding mechanism
added. The light is projected in the direction of the straight arrows shown in
Fig. 5.
In carrying our invention into effect we mount upon a suitable shaft a circular
roller a in the periphery of which is cut or otherwise formed a continuous groove
formed as a cam path. In cutting the groove two opposite portions (a¹, Figs. 1,
2, 6 and 7), at the greatest distance apart, are for a short distance at right angles
to the axial line of the cam, while the remainder of the cam path connects the
said two portions by two oppositely placed portions of the groove a², each inclined
at about an angle of forty-five degrees to the other portions or to the said axial
line. Curves are formed at the junction of the right angled and inclined angle
portions of the cam path, so that any motion derived therefrom does not present
too abrupt a transition at those points. This cam path is designed for actuating
the feed by which the film strip is moved from picture to picture, but in addition

page_text: to the foregoing, the bottom of the groove is made deeper than the remainder for
about one third of its length to form a secondary cam path, then for about one
sixth of its length it inclines upward to a shallow part which continues one third,
after which the bottom of the groove inclines for the remaining one sixth to the
deep portion. The greatest depth of the groove is generally made about three
eighths of an inch, and the shallowed part one quarter of an inch, and it is capable,
therefore, of imparting motion of one eighth of an inch inwards and outwards.
Two rectangular or square plates of different dimensions are coupled together,
the inner one adapted to work in a slide c³, the outer or feeding plate c carry-
ing four teeth or engaging pins c¹ projecting back, and in front, in order to pass
into holes punched in the edges of the film z on the front side, and on the other
into holes drilled as guide ways in the inner or sliding plate 6, which plate is
placed next to the cam roller a. The outer or feeding plate c is provided with
a central stud d which is made long enough to pass through a small hollow stud e
fixed to the inner or sliding plate 6 and also for its point to bear upon the bottom
of the cam groove. A spring or springs f are made to bear upon the feeding
plate, or upon a lever connected therewith, thus keeping the end of the stud a
hard against the bottom of the groove in the cam path, while the hollow stud e
bears on its sides, and the action produced as the cam roller a revolves is to alter-
nately press the teeth forward into the holes of the film, then to move the plates 7
and and the teeth with the engaged film z downward far enough to present
a new surface to be acted upon by light, then to remove the teeth c¹ from the
film by means of the varying depth of the groove as aforesaid, and return the
plates to the starting point, ready for the cycle of operations to be repeated.
The film zis drawn forward by a wheel g provided with teeth or sprockets or in any
other suitable way, as desired, a second wheel g¹ being required only when a re-
winding attachment is fitted to receive the film, Friction pads h, bearing on the
film, are used to keep it in position during the time it is not affected by the motions
above described, and as guides when the film is moving; and multiplying gear
driven by a handle on a shaft I is used to drive the apparatus at the requisite
speed where hand power is employed, or the said gear may be wholly or partially
dispensed with when driven by an electro motor.
Instead of arranging the coupled plates to work directly upon the studs d and e,
as described above in relation to Figs. 7 and 10, we sometimes reverse the arrange-
ment in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 6. adding a second pair of studs and e¹,
and a vibrating lever j, arranging the feeding device so that the lever withdraws
the teeth from the film by a positive motion, (which may however be assisted by
a spring or springs f, thus avoiding damage to the film in the event of the spring
or springs breaking or failing to act. Furthermore, the said cam roller a may
be modified to form a disc, as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, without departing from
the nature of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In an apparatus for taking or displaying a series of photographic images in
rapid succession, a feeding device actuated by a cam having a main path adapted
to move the said feeding apparatus in an intermittent manner, and a secondary
path adapted by interposed mechanism to concurrently move teeth or engaging
pins backwards and forwards in the said feeding device, substantially in the manner
and for the purpose herein described and shown by the drawings."
2. In the feeding mechanism of an apparatus for taking or displaying a series
of photographic images in rapid succession, a double path cam, one of the said paths
being formed as a continuous groove having two opposite points which approxi-
mately are incapable of imparting motion to the said feeding mechanism and
inclined paths connecting the said opposite points which produce full motion
by suitable means to the said feeding mechanism, and a varying depth of the

page_text: said continuous groove forming the secondary cam path, substantially as and for
the purpose herein described and shown by the drawings.
3. In an apparatus for taking or displaying a series of photographic images
in rapid succession, a feeding device consisting of a pair of plates b and c, engag
ing pins e adapted to move to and fro, a spring or springs f, a hollow stud e and
a stud d working therein arranged and operating to move the said engaging pins
and plates, means for guiding the said pins and plates, and a cam for actuating
the said feeding device substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein
described and shown in the drawings.
4. In the feeding mechanism of an apparatus for taking or displaying a series
ot photographic images in rapid succession, the combination of the double path
cam a, with a sliding plate b, the central stud d and the hollow stud e working
therein, with suitable means such as the engaging pins c¹ adapted to engage with
and withdraw from a film strip z, substantially as and for the. purpose herein
described and shown in the drawings.
5. A feeding mechanism for moving a film strip z, consisting of the parts
indicated in Figs. 1 and 6, arranged and operating in the manner and for the pur-
pose herein described in relation thereto."
L
01
1
1000
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
37 & 39, Essex Street, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicants.