Improvements in Apparatus for Displaying a Series of Representations of Moving Objects.
Year: 1897

page_text: printed as amended in accordance with the decision of the Comptroller General,
dated the 30th day of March, 1899.
Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 5th July, 1898-Accepted, 5th Oct., 1898
Improvements in Apparatus for Displaying a Series of
Representations of Moving Objects.
I, ARTHUR BENJAMIN LANGHAM, of 2, Dowsett's Avenue, Southend, in the County
of Essex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to an apparatus for displaying a series of representations or
photographs of moving objects in such a manner as to re-produce the effect of the
moving object as seen by the eye of the beholder.
Various devices have been employed for the same purpose but these devices are
either extremely complicated and delicate in operation besides being very costly,
such as the various apparatuses for reproducing what are well known as "animated
photographs," or they are primitive in construction and give only a very short
cycle of changes as for instance in the toy known as the zoetrope.
My invention is designed to give the effect of moving objects in a manner not
unlike that of the zoetrope but differing essentially therefrom in the method of
producing the succession of pictures and in the arrangement, whereby a very much
more extended cycle of movement can be reproduced.
My apparatus consists essentially of a series of photographs or representations
arranged consecutively upon the surface of a band or strip of material adapted to be
revolved over pulleys or the like; the said representations stand normally at right
angles to and transversely across the said band. Means are provided for rotating the
said band in such a manner that it can travel freely at any desired speed and in
either direction past a given point, at which each representation in turn is perceptible
to the beholder in its entirety and cuts off any view of the preceding representations.
I provide a box or cover having at its upper end a suitable aperture through which
the beholder can see the successive images. Within the said box the band is
arranged to rotate over rollers two of which are of considerable diameter whilst the
third roller placed at the top of the system is of such a size that its circumference is
exactly equal to the distance between any four of the representations which are
attached at uniform distances to the revolving band. One revolution of the small
wheel will thus pass four representations before the eye of the beholder. The
apparatus may be conveniently rotated by a crank handle attached to the axle of one
of the large rollers. In place of three rollers as stated I may of course arrange to
use one large and one small roller or other combination as circumstances may render
desirable.
-The photograph or the like may be attached to the moving bands by clips or other
convenient means. Means may also be provided for projecting a strong light through.
each photograph or the like as it arrives at a given point and the image thereby
obtained may be reflected by a mirror or projected on a screen with or without the

page_text: aid of lenses or the like. I may also combine with this apparatus means for throwing
coloured light or lights upon the said images. I may also arrange my apparatus for
binocular or stereoscopic effects. The whole apparatus may be enclosed in a suitable
cover and supported on a stand or otherwise; it may also be adapted to be driven by
hand or by mechanism.
1
Improvements in Apparatus for Displaying a Series of
Representations of Moving Objects.
I, ARTHUR BENJAMIN LANGHAM, of 2, Dowsett's Avenue, Southend, in the County
of Essex, Engineer, 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:-
My invention relates to an apparatus for displaying a series of representations or
photographs of moving objects in such a manner as to re-produce the effect of the
moving object as seen by the eye of the beholder.
My apparatus consists essentially of a series of photographs or representations
arranged in consecutive order upon the surface of a band or strip of material adapted
to be revolved over pulleys or the like; the said representations standing normally at
right angles to, and transversely across, the said band. Means are provided for
rotating the said band in such a manner that it can travel at any desired speed and
in either direction past a given point or points at which each representation in turn
is visible to the beholder in its entirety and at the same time, cuts off any view of the
preceding representations.
In order to make my invention more clear, I will now proceed to describe the same
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated one method
of constructing my apparatus.
In these drawings,
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the apparatus constructed on the four-pulley
system.
Figure 2 is a sectional view of the same apparatus at right angles to Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the adjustable pulley adapted for
use in a three-pulley system machine.
Figure 4 is a view of the friction clutch which forms part of the mechanism.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 shew methods of securing the cards to the band.
Throughout these drawings like parts are indicated by like letters.
A represents the outer casing. B the base of the apparatus. C the dome or cover
provided with windows or lenses or mirrors for reflecting light, (natural or coloured
and moved by the mechanism or stationary) upon the moving pictures and having a
peep-hole or visual aperture D through which the beholder sees the consecutive
series of representations as they are revolved in front of the said peep-hole.
In Figures 1, I have indicated only one such visual aperture D, but it is obvious
that another such aperture may be placed at the opposite side of the apparatus in
such a position as to look directly upon the reverse side of the picture cards, as they
pass the displaying point. I thereby secure the advantage that on one and the same
machine I can display two entirely separate series of pictures, the one mounted on
the one side of the cards and the other on the other side thereof.

page_text: a
I may also arrange a double visual aperture for viewing paired pictures to give
stereoscopic effect for which purpose the apparatus is constructed duplex in its
working parts where requisite.
For the support of the working parts I provide a trame such as E; this may con-
veniently be made in one casting and I do not limit myself to the form shewn, as it
may obviously be varied to suit the convenience of manufacture and according as the
travelling band passes over four or more pulleys or over two or three pulleys only.
In the three-pulley system I may make use of the device shewn in Figure 3 in which
the third pulley instead of being supported in a fixed bearing as in Figure 1, is
supported in slots.
Referring now to the arrangement shewn in Figure 1, the band a may be of any
suitable material which possesses the requisite qualities of flexibility, strength and
convenience for attaching the pictures thereto. Whilst possessing some elasticity it
should not be liable to stretch permanently to any extent. The best material for the
band at present known to me, is a silk or linen fabric coated with india-rubber and
on the surface of which the cards bearing the pictures can be secured by rubber
cement or other suitable means.
The cards or supports b are fixed upon the band so as to stand upright thereon, in
the manner shewn in the drawing. They may be cemented to the surface of the
band by means of a little flap or lug at each side thereof attached to the card and to
the band respectively (see Figure 5), or by a block of wood or the like cemented to
the upper surface of the band and to the card (Figure 6) or by a metal clip having
an upright part folding round the card and a base, the ends of which are lapped over
the edges of the band (Figure 7) or cut to a point and driven through it from under-
neath, or by any other convenient method. The material employed may be ordinary
card-board or stiff paper, or plates of horn, celluloid, wood, metal or other suitable
tough material. The band travels around a series of pulleys such as c, d, e and f.
The pulley c or "Displayer" is of such a size that the space between each card-on
the band is exactly equal to one fourth of its periphery. I thereby secure that each
card is presented at the same angle to the line of vision. The pulley d in the three-
pulley system may be replaced by the pulley d' moving in a slotted bearing and
suitably counterweighted or pressed by a spring to give the desired tension
(Figure 3). The pulley e is the main driving pulley actuating the band and is
preferably so placed that the band passes round nearly one half of its periphery,
whereby a better adhesion is obtained. In order to ensure a perfect grip of the
pulleys and especially of the driving pulley, by the band, I coat them with india-
rubber, velvet or other non-slipping surface, or I score the surface thereof with fine
grooves.
In order to compensate for the stretching of the band and to maintain a certain
tension thereon, the fourth pulley f is supported at the end of the lever f¹ pivoted to
the frame E, the weight of the pulley and of the lever being such as to cause it to
press upon the band with the required force, or the pressure of a spring may be.
employed.
My apparatus is actuated preferably as follows:
The handle is fixed upon the hollow shaft h¹ passing through the casing A.. This.
shaft h¹ connects to the grooved pulley forming part of the friction clutch H shown
in combination in Figure 2 and in detail in Figure 4. The bracket carrying the
springs of the clutch is keyed upon the shaft h...
In the construction shewn in Figures 1 and 2 the turning of the handle g revolves
directly the shaft hand consequently the drum e fixed thereon, by the intervention..
of the friction clutch. I may also interpose transmitting or multiplying gear, bands
or the like between the 'drum shaft and the handle shaft; in the case of band
transmission the friction clutch can be omitted.
"The druin shaft bears the ratchet wheel G with pawl to prevent backward motion...
Or I may place the ratchet on the opposite side of the machine to that shewn in the
drawing and by inserting a pin in the ratchet wheel to engage with the rocking
lever p, dispense with the catch-cam q.

page_text: The apparatus shewn in the drawings is controlled in its operation by means of a
coin-controlled device consisting essentially of the coin shoot o, the rocking lever p,
the cam on the shaft of the main drum e, the sliding plate r, the wedge block s.
The coin-controlled device works as follows:-
The coin is inserted at the inlet o¹. It then passes down through a slightly wider
channel o, either vertical or at such an angle that the coin arrives at the end of its
course with a sufficient impetus to effect the release of the mechanism. At this point
the coin strikes one end of the balanced lever p, the other end whereof is curved or
hooked to engage with the catch-cam or stop 9 on the shaft of the drum e. As soon
as the coin has depressed the fore-end of the lever aforesaid, and raised the hook at
its other end, the main apparatus is unlocked and the machine can be set in motion.
When the performance or operation of the apparatus is ended, the pin x fixed at the
proper point upon the large gear wheel of the apparatus, comes in contact with the
wedge-shaped block s attached to the plate or shutter r sliding upon the aforesaid
lever p. This plate is slotted so that the coil can drop through it, and the end of
the lever is also slotted at one point, somewhat nearer the end thereof than the point
at which the coin first strikes it. The slotted plate is attached to the lever p by a
spring (not shewn in drawing).
When the stop upon the main gear wheel comes in contact with the wedge
blocks, the further motion of the wheel forces the sliding plate outwards against
the pressure of the spring until the two slots coincide. As soon as this takes place
the coin, being no longer supported, falls through the slots into the coin box and the
lever thereby released drops into its original position and locks the mechanism. In
order to repeat the performance of the machine, it is then necessary to insert another
coin.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
If a coin be inserted in the shoot o, it depresses the rocking lever p and disengages
with the cam 9 thereby releasing the mechanism. On the crank handle g being then
turned at the requisite speed the band revolves, and the spectator looking through
the aperture D perceives the moving pictures in front of him. As soon as the cycle
is terminated or as soon thereafter as the machine is regulated for it, the stop x come
in contact with the blocks and liberates the coin. The automatic locking device
then stops the machine and the band ceases to revolve. If the crank handle be,
nevertheless turned after this moment, the friction clutch prevents any injury to the
mechanism. In order to effect another display of the pictures another coin must be
inserted in the slot. I sometimes provide a device for prolonging the operation of
the mechanism after the coin has dropped and I may further provide for lighting a
lamp (electric or otherwise) during the display of the pictures and at that time only;
these features do not form essential parts of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-.
1. In an apparatus for displaying apparently moving pictures, passing each picture
singly and consecutively before the point of vision by means of a small pulley or
"displayer" having its periphery substantially equal to four times the distance
between each consecutive picture, so that the picture in view stands at a suitable
angle with respect to the picture following it.
2. In an apparatus for displaying apparently moving pictures, the methods of
attaching the said picture to the carrying band, substantially as described and illus.
trated in Figures 5, 6, and 7 of the accompanying drawings,
3. In an apparatus such as set forth, preventing the slipping of the band on the
rollers by covering them with india-rubber, velvet or the like or by scoring the
surface thereof with fine grooves.

page_text: of each display or otherwise, the improved apparatus substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 5th day of July 1898.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.