Improvements in Automatic Mechanism for Stereoscopic and similar Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by AUGUSTE CHAUVET, Manufacturer, of
42, Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, Paris, France.]
Improvements in Automatic Mechanism for Stereoscopic and similar
Apparatus.
I, GEORGE CROYDON MARKS of 18, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
London, W.C. Engineer and Patent Agent, 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 present invention has reference to improvements in automatic prepayment
mechanism, especially applicable to automatically actuated panoramas and to
revolving stereoscopes where the views are horizontally wound upon a vertical axis
by the means of clockwork movements.
In order that my invention may be more clearly understood I append hereunto
a sheet of explanatory drawings in which:
Figure 1, is a perspective view of my improved mechanism, having the case in
partial section: while Figure 2, represents a vertical section of Figure 1.
My invention consists of a screen of opaque material such as pasteboard or sheet
metal fixed upon a rod or spindle A, which is provided with a spiral spring B,
mounted upon one end thereof, having a constant tendency of turning the said rod
or spindle and thereby causing the screen E, to assume the horizontal position E',
(Figure 2); or in other words-which tends to uncover the sight holes or lenses O,
when movement is produced. The rod or spindle A, is connected by means of the
crank D, to the connecting rod G, which terminates in a hook or diverted end g.
This connecting rod G, moreover, carries another rod C, which when the screen Ĕ,
is lowered arrests the movement of the fly or vane V, and so stops the clockwork
movement.
This clockwork movement is composed of a barrel R, mounted between two
plates, actuating the spindle F, by a toothed rim. Upon the extremity of this
spindle F, which projects slightly on one side beyond the plate, I secure a finger
piece J, which turns with a slow movement, regulated by the fly or vane V, and
strikes the hook or diverted end y, of the connecting rod G, as will be explained
hereafter.
In front of the clockwork movement, I mount a vertical channel or trough T,
open upon its face and terminating at the top in a hopper t, in which coins are
introduced. The channel or trough T, has a longitudinal slot, provided thereon
through which the spring tongue piece L, fixed upon the back of the channel plate,
projects. I prolong this spring tongue at its bottom extremity in a finger piece L',
diverted at right angles to the tongue, which embraces the connecting rod G..
The action of the mechanism is now easy to understand. The screen E, being in
its lowered position and the different parts at their corresponding normal position
as indicated in Figure 1,-a coin is introduced into the slot M, of the stereoscope
case, which enters the hopper t, and slides down the channel or trough T, striking
against the incline surface of the tongue piece which is thereby depressed, and the
diverted piece L', at the back of the channel plate strikes the connecting rod G,
against the action of the spring Z; the tongue L, and the connecting rod G taking
the position indicated in dotted lines at Figure 2. The hook or diverted end g,
thereby disengages the finger piece J; and the spring B, upon the rod or
spindle A, then causes the screen to assume the horizontal position and thereby
uncover the sight holes. At the same time the connecting rod G, carries up the

page_text: diverted rod C, and releases the vane V; and the clock work is put into motion,
and the finger piece J caused to turn in the direction indicated by the arrow, while
the coin descends into the cash box at the bottom of the case, and the tongue L,
resumes its normal position.
The finger piece J, having made a complete circle strikes the out-turned hook g,
of the connecting rod G (which was brought back by the action of the spring Z
after the fall of the coin), which is thereby carried down and the screen brought
into its original position. The rod C, descending at the same time strikes the
vane V, and arrests its motion and the mechanism again assumes the normal resting
position indicated in Figure 1.
During the uncovering of the sight holes the stereoscopic views change by the
action of an independent clockwork movement, and file off before the eyes of the
spectator. The duration of the period is exactly equal to the time taken by
the finger piece J, to make complete revolution upon its axis, and the speed of the
finger piece J, being regulated by the fly or vane V, it is sufficient to give more
or less width to the vanes V, to vary the duration of the opening of the sight
holes.
Thus the stereoscope is actuated by two independent movements, each being
wound up separately by key, weights or any other means.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An automatic prepayment mechanism for stereoscopic views, comprising a
screen fixed upon a spring actuated rod or spindle by which it tends to be uplifted
into an horizontal position. The said rod or spindle being fitted with: (a) a
crank D; and a connecting rod G, terminating at its bottom extremity in a hook
on stop g, which is hooked or retained by a finger piece J, forming part of a clock
movement. (b) A diverted rod C which arrests the clock movement.
2. Automatic mechanism comprising a channel plate T, in which a coin is
introduced and the said coin in passing down depresses a spring tongue L, which
strikes the connecting rod G, in such a way that the finger J, is released, and the
screen E is raised by the action of a spring B, uncovering the sight holes and
releasing at the same time the clock movement which works until the finger piece
completes a circle; when it again strikes the hook or stop g, and so brings down
the connecting rod and screen thereby covering the sight holes.
Dated 7th March 1894.
MARKS & CLERK,
London, W.C., Agents.