Improvements in the Means and Apparatus for Reproducing Animated Scenes by Projection on to Screens or Surfaces.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 15th June, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 28th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 18th Nov.,
1899
Improvements in the Means and Apparatus for Reproducing Animated
Scenes by Projection on to Screens or Surfaces.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of Birkbeck Bank Chambers, Southampton Build-
ings, in the County of London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (as communicated to me
from abroad by Société Internationale d'Etudes Industrielles, of 19, Boule-
vard Malesherbes, Paris, France, an incorporated Company) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to means and apparatus for reproducing upon screens
or other surfaces animated scenes or objects, not resulting from the use of
cinematograph apparatus or the like, but from actual persons or objects in
motion.
By the said means and apparatus one is enabled to project upon a screen or
other surface not only the actual image of a single animated scene or object
but also of two or more such scenes or objects that are quite distinct from each
other, or two or more different views of one and the same animated scene can
be projected on to different screens or on to different parts of the same screen.
By thus enabling two or more different animated scenes to be projected
simultaneously upon one and the same screen or surface, very varied and curious
optical effects can be produced, such as ghost-scenes and the like.
Also, by enabling one or more animated scenes to be prepared while a cer-
tain scene is being projected on the screen the apparatus admits of a rapid
succession of different scenes to be shown without interruption.
The invention is, of course, not limited to the representation of specially
prepared animated scenes or objects, but also of natural scenes, such as the
traffic of a street in proximity to the installation.
The screens on to which the animated scenes are projected may either be
situated in a hall capable of containing a considerable number of persons who
can consequently all witness the representation together, or the screens may
he contained in small closed chambers having one or more sight holes through
which the representations can only be seen by one or more persons, and there may
be a number of such small chambers with screens suitably grouped in relation
to the actual animated scene which is projected on to the several screens.
The sight holes of these small chambers may be closed by slides which are
automatically opened on the introduction of a coin in any known manner.
The essential feature of the invention consists in the employment in combina-
tion with a space or chamber where the actual animated scene is enacted under
suitable illumination of an object lens, preferably of a large size through which
the light rays from the animated scene are projected on to a mirror or reflector
arranged at such an angle that the images, which, as is known, are inverted
in passing through the object lens. are again inverted so as to appear in their
natural position on the screen on to which they are projected by the reflector.
such screen being situated in a chamber adjoining that in which the actual
scene takes place.

page_text: In apparatus heretofore employed for projecting natural scenes on to screens
in dark rooms, a combination of lenses has been employed for projecting the
image in its natural position upon the screen, the inverted image produced on
passing through the object lens being re-inverted by the following lens or
lenses. As the object lens requires to be comparatively small with such an
arrangement the image projected on to the screen is also comparatively small
and very imperfectly illuminated and such an arrangement would consequently
be quite unsuited for the kind of animated representations which the present
invention is intended to provide, where for example persons and objects may
be thrown on to the screen of their natural size.
For this purpose, as before stated a single object lens of large size is
employed, the light rays from which are projected on to a large reflector which
by its inclined position is made to re-invert the image in projecting it on to
the screen.
By this means a very considerable volume of strong light rays can be pro-
jected, giving a vivid image of the full natural colours on the screen, as the
absorption of light rays such as occurs in passing them through a succession
of lenses is to a great extent obviated.
The screen or surface on to which the animated scene is projected may be
variously constituted; thus it may either be translucent, so as to show the
images by transparency or it may be opaque and show the images by reflection.
It may either be a plane or a curved surface, and it may be constituted by the
circular walls of a chamber in the centre of which the spectators are situated,
and scenes may be projected all round such walls by a number of objectives,
thus giving a panoramic effect.
t
Or the enclosed space in which the actual scene is enacted, may be arranged
in the centre of a circular chamber and the scenes projected thence on to the
circular walls, while the spectators are situated in the annular space between the
two. According to other arrangements the space in which the scene is enacted
is situated either below or above or at the side of the chamber containing the
screens, or two or more such spaces may be arranged in combination in the said
different positions.
In the arrangement shewn diagrammatically by way of example on the
accompanying drawings, represents the hall or chamber in which the spectators
are situated, e being a screen onto which animated scenes can be projected
either from the chamber F below, or from the outside at R.
For projecting the images from the chamber F. this may contain a fixed or
revolvable stage GH suitably illuminated on which the scenes are enacted, the
rays of light being transmitted thence through one or more large single
lenses B on to a large reflector m which is placed in such a position relatively
to the lens as to re-invert the images in reflecting them on to a second mirror s,
which reflects them on to the translucent screen e. There may be a number
of lenses B and mirrors m. s, and a corresponding number of screens e or an
extended screen of curved form may be used in combination with a number of
lenses and mirrors suitably arranged relatively thereto.
If instead of projecting animated scenes from the platform G. it be desired
to project scenes from a platform I, a pivotted mirror can be lowered in front
of the platform I so as to reflect the moving images thereon through the lens B
as before.
If on the other hand it be desired to project animated external images on to
the screen from a natural external scene at R, the mirror s is moved from the
position into the position, so as to receive the images transmitted through
the lens T and in reinverting the images into their natural position, to project
them on to the screen e.
It will be seen that by means of the above described arrangement a variety
of different animated scenes can be projected in quick succession on to the
screen or screens proceeding either from the platform GH, or from the

page_text: platform I or from the outside R, according as the reflectors and are mani-
pulated.
In combination with these appliances for producing reflected images of
animated scenes, any known kind of photograph may be used with very good
effect, as the persons moving on the platforms G H or I can make their move-
ments harmonise with the speech given out by the phonograph, and thereby
bring about a perfect illusion. In addition to the above arrangement small
cameras with eyeglasses may be provided at X and Y, also provided with
objective lenses, reflectors and screens operating as above described and having
eye pieces closed by slides that are opened by the insertion of a coin, so as to
enable the spectator to observe the scenes enacted on the platforms G and I.
Dated this 15th day of June 1899.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in the Means and Apparatus for Reproducing Animated
Scenes by Projection on to Screens or Surfaces.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of Birkbeck Bank Chambers, Southampton Build-
ings, in the County of London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (as communicated to me
from abroad by Société Internationale d'Etudes Industrielles, of 19, Boule-
vard Malesherbes, Paris, France, an incorporated Company) 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 means and apparatus for reproducing upon screens
or other surfaces animated scenes or objects, not resulting from the use of
cinematograph apparatus or the like, but from actual persons or objects in
motion.
By the said means and apparatus one is enabled to project upon a screen or
other surface not only the actual image of a single animated scene or object
but also of two or more such scenes or objects that are quite distinct from cach
other, or two or more different views of one and the same animated scene can
be projected on to different screens or on to different parts of the same screen.
By thus enabling two or more different animated scenes to be projected
simultaneously upon one and the same screen or surface, very varied and curious
optical effects can be produced, such as ghost-scenes and the like.
Also, by enabling one or more animated scenes to be prepared while a cer-
tain scene is being projected on the screen the apparatus admits of a rapid
succession of different scenes to be shown without interruption.
The invention is of course not limited to the representation of specially
prepared animated scenes or objects, but also of natural scenes, such as the
traffic of a street in proximity to the installation.
The screens on to which the animated scenes are projected may either be
situated in a hall capable of containing a considerable number of persons who
can consequently all witness the representation together, or the screens may
be contained in small closed chambers having one or more sight holes through
which the representations can only be seen by one or more persons, and there may
be a number of such small chambers with screens suitably grouped in relation
to the actual animated scene which is projected on to the several screens,
The sight holes of these small chambers may be closed by slides which are
automatically opened on the introduction of a coin in any known manner.

page_text: The essential feature of the invention consists in the employment in combina-
tion with a space or chamber where the actual animated scene is enacted under
suitable illumination of an object lens, preferably of a large size through which
the light rays from the animated scene are projected on to a mirror or reflector
arranged at such an angle that the images, which, as is known, are inverted
in passing through the object lens, are again inverted so as to appear in their
natural position on the screen on to which they are projected by the reflector,
such screen being situated in a chamber adjoining that in which the actual
scene takes place.
In apparatus heretofore employed for projecting natural scenes on to screens
in dark rooms, a combination of lenses has been employed for projecting the
image in its natural position upon the screen, the inverted image produced on
passing through the object lens being re-inverted by the following lens or
lenses. As the object lens requires to be comparatively small with such an
arrangement the image projected on to the screen is also comparatively small
and very imperfectly illuminated and such an arrangement would consequently
be quite unsuited for the kind of animated representations which the present
invention is intended to provide, where for example persons and objects may
be thrown on to the screen of their natural size.
For this purpose, as before stated a single object lens of large size is
employed, the light rays from which are projected on to a large reflector which
by its inclined position is made to re-invert the image in projecting it on to
the screen.
By this means a very considerable volume of strong light rays can be pro-
jected giving a vivid image of the full natural colours on the screen, as the
absorption of light rays such as occurs in passing them through a succession
of lenses is to a great extent obviated.
The screen or surface on to which the animated scene is projected may be
variously constituted; thus it may either be translucent so as to show the
images by transparency or it may be opaque and show the images by reflection.
It may either be a plane or a curved surface, and it may be constituted by the
circular walls of a chamber in the centre of which the spectators are situated,
and scenes may be projected all round such walls by a number of objectives,
thus giving a panoramic effect.
Or the enclosed space in which the actual scene is enacted, may be arranged
in the centre of a circular chamber and the scenes projected thence on to the
circular walls while the spectators are situated in the annular space between the
two. According to other arrangements the space in which the scene is enacted
is situated either below or above or at the side of the chamber containing the
screens or two or more such spaces may be arranged in combination in the said
different positions.
In the arrangement shewn diagrammatically by way of example in the draw-
ing accompanying my Provisional Specification / represents the hall or chamber
in which the spectators are situated, being a screen on to which animated
scenes can be projected either from the chamber F below or from the outside
at R.
e
For projecting the images from the chamber F. this may contain a fixed or
revolvable stage GH suitably illuminated on which the scenes are enacted the
rays of light being transmitted thence through one
or more large single
lenses Bon to a large reflector on which is placed in such a position relatively
to the lens as to re-invert the images in reflecting them on to a second mirror s,
which reflects them on to the translucent screen e. There may be a number
of lenses B and mirrors m. s, and a corresponding number of screens e or an
extended screen of curved form may be used in combination with a number of
lenses and mirrors suitably arranged relatively thereto.
If instead of projecting animated scenes from the platform G, it be desired

page_text: to project scenes from a platform I, a pivotted mirror r can be lowered in front
of the platform I so as to reflect the moving images thereon through the lens B
as before.
If on the other hand it be desired to project animated external images on to
the screen from a natural external scene at R the mirror s is moved from the
position into the position so as to receive the images transmitted through
the lens T and in reinverting the images into their natural position, to project
them on to the screen e.
It will be seen that by means of the above described arrangement a variety
of different animated scenes can be projected in quick succession on to the
screen or screens e proceeding either from the platform G H, or from the
platform I or from the outside R, according as the reflectors and s are mani-
pulated.
In combination with these appliances for producing reflected images of
animated scenes, any known kind of phonograph may be used with very good
effect, as the persons moving on the platforms G H or I can make their move-
ments harmonise with the speech given out by the phonograph. and thereby
bring about a perfect illusion. In addition to the above arrangement small
cameras with eyeglasses may be provided at X and Y, also provided with
objective lenses, reflectors and screens operating as above described and having
eve pieces closed by slides that are opened by the insertion of a coin. so as to
enable the spectator to observe the scenes enacted on the platforms G and I.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:—
[
1. The herein described method of projecting animated scenes on screens
or surfaces, by arranging a lens or lenses and a mirror or mirrors, in such a
manner that images of the objects constituting a scene in one apartment in-
verted by the lenses are reinverted by the mirrors and reflected upon suitable
screens or surfaces on which the objects which may be persons appear as in
nature in vivid colours and it may be full size in another apartment or in a
camera.
2. For projecting animated scenes on screens or surfaces the combination of
lenses by which images of objects are inverted with mirrors by which they are
re-inverted and reflected substantially as described.
Dated this 28th day of September 1899.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.