Improvements in Apparatus for the Exhibition of Animated Pictures.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Nov., 1898-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1899
CUMILLIM SI LUITIVATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Exhibition of Animated Pictures.
I, GEORGE BARRON, of 57, St. John's Road, Holloway, in the County of Middle-
sex, Mechanic, 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:-
6
This invention relates to machines for exhibiting what are generally known as
animated pictures."
In carrying out this invention, I mount upon an endless band of silk, cotton,
wool, leather, or a combination of any of such substances, a series of photographs
which have been taken consecutively in a cinematograph camera or other like
machine. This ribbon or band I mount upon rollers or spools so as to carry the
pictures before a reflector, of a size suitable to the size of the picture to be shown.
A handle is fitted to one of these rollers or spools, in order that motion may be
imparted to the ribbon. A ratchet-wheel is fitted to one of the spools or rollers-
preferably to that directly below the reflector-and the lower end of an arm which
projects from the said reflector engages with this ratchet-wheel. The reflector is
mounted upon a hinge and stayed by springs: so that when the ratchet-wheel
is turned the reflector is oscillated, thus causing it to reflect light at different
angles, in order that animated pictures may be seen.
And in order that my said invention may be more fully understood, I will now
proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, in
which Fig. I shows a diagrammatic view of the apparatus and Figs. 2 and 3,
details hereinafter referred to.
shows
h shows a
*m is an arm
:
The same letters of reference denote the same part in all the views.
a shows the endless band of pictures, passing over rollers b, c, d, e and f.
a spring, such as a cylinder of indiarubber, for keeping the band a taut.
reflector mounted on a hinge i, and stayed by springs and k.
projecting from the back of the reflector h and engaging with the teeth of the
ratchet-wheel n on the spindle o of the roller b. p is an electric lamp; but this
may be replaced by an aperture in the chamber containing the apparatus, or
by other suitable means for supplying light. q is a tube or funnel through
which the observer sees the pictures reflected, and r an eye-piece, which may be
a magnifying eye-piece.
It will be seen that if a handle is fitted on the spindle o (outside the case of the
apparatus) it will, when turned, set the band a in motion and also oscillate the
reflector, so that the observer, looking down the tube q. sees a picture in motion.
The reflector may be formed by silvering one faces of a convex lens, such as
that shown in front view at Fig. 2 and in end view at Fig. 3 and indicated by
the letter h'.
A coin-freed action of the ordinary kind may be fitted to the apparatus for
the purpose of releasing the spindle o, so that when a coin is dropped in the
receptacle provided, the person inserting such coin can turn a handle, as before-
mentioned, and so set the ribbon and reflector in motion. The machine can be
071
H

page_text: fitted with a stop action regulating the duration of time that the picture shall be
shown a mechanical time-shutter may be used for this purpose.
In order to adapt this invention to a cinematograph, the pictures would be
projected on to a screen instead of being seen through an eye-piece: suitable
magnifying lenses being provided, for this purpose.
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 apparatus for the exhibition of animated pictures: the use of an oscillating
reflector.
2. In apparatus for the exhibition of animated pictures: the means hereinbefore
described of oscillating the reflector.
3. In apparatus for the exhibition of animated pictures: mounting the pictures
on a band of silk, cotton, wool, leather or a combination of any of such substances.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1898.
BROWNE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant, 9, Warwick Court, Gray's Inn, W.C.