Means for Taking and Reproducing Kinetoscopic Pictures.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 30th April, 1897-Accepted, 24th July, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Means for Taking and Reproducing Kinetoscopic Pictures.
WILLIAM FRIESE GREENE Photographer 39 King's Road Chelsea S.W., JOHN ALFRED
PRESTWICH Engineer 744 High Road, Tottenham London N., do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention has reference to improvements for taking and projecting moving
pictures on the screen, either by a single lens & film or two or more lenses, & one
or more films.
In carrying out our invention we employ a mechanical motion made on the
following principle. A disc is mounted on one end of a spindle about which it
revolves. On this disc is mounted another spindle forming a kind of long crank pin,
which has its centre a distance from centre of disc equal to about one quarter the
distance it is required to pull the film at each period, the throw of this spindle will
therefore be half the pull of the filin required.
On this spindle is mounted a drum whose circumference is preferably equal to two
lengths, the film is to be pulled each period. This drum is so geared by an epicyclic
train that as the disc revolves one revolution, carrying the drum with it, the drum
revolves half a revolution on its own axis in the opposite direction. As an instance
if a fixed gear wheel is placed having its axis on the axis of the disc spindle, & the
drum spindle has a gear wheel twice the size & they are geared together by an
intermediate wheel, which runs on a pin fixed to the disc, this will give the desired
motion, the disc forming the arm of the epicyclic train.
Now suppose the drum to be in the top position & film hanging down vertically
towards the ground. If the dise be revolved half a revolution, when the drum will
be at the bottom position, if the drum were not geared it would wind up as much
film as would go half round the drum as it revolves, with the disc, but one half of
this is lost by the centre of the drum coming down to the bottom position, which
distance is equal to half the distance required to be pulled each period, but the drum
being geared to turn half a revolution in the opposite direction while the disc
revolves one, as the disc revolves the said half, the drum will revolve a quarter
revolution on its own axis & thus unwind the film the length of half the distance to
be pulled each period, & thus the film will really not be pulled at this half
revolution.
On the other half revolution the film will be pulled up half the required distance
by the drum revolving on its own axis, & half, by the centre moving upwards half
the distance.
The drum may be pinned to fit perferations made in the film, or rollers may be
made to run next the drum & so arranged by an epicyclic train, that they always
travel with axices in the same relation with the axis of the drum.
Another motion can be made as follows: A rocking arm is pivoted at one end &
on this pivot is a gear wheel. On the rocking arm is also mounted two grar wheels
preferably in a straight line. On the middle one is mounted a pinned drum & on
the third one is a crank pin that works in a slot as it revolves, to give rocking
motion to the arm. Thus when the arm is travelling in one direction, though the

page_text: drum is revolving it will not draw the film but when the arm is travelling in the
other direction the drum will draw the film & also the action of the arm in coming
down, carrying drum with it.
A simple form of motion for small machines may be made thus.
The film is wound off the delivering roll by two pinned rollers that run continuously
but is slack in between them. It passes between pressure plates which are
opposite the apertures for exposing & projecting; it then passes past two small rollers
which are placed a convenient distance from one another. To give the intermittent
motion to the film another roller is provided mounted on a rocking arm which presses
the film out of the straight line & thus leaving slack for one pinned roller to draw up
while the other pinned roller draws off film from the delivering roll & forms slack on
the other side of the pressure plates, to be drawn through at the correct instant by
the rocking arm. The arm & roller are reciprocated by means of a slot & crank which
slot is provided with a sliding block to take crank pin. In a larger machine the film
is first wound on a cylinder or drum which is provided with a brake; it is then passed
over a roller which is geared & draws off the amount of film required to form a slack
for a motion hitherto explained, to draw through pressure plates opposite which are
the apertures for exposing or projecting. It is then wound on another cylinder.
Any convenient form of shutter can be used, such as a disc or a travelling band with
spaces in it & arranged to expose the lens at the correct time. When two lenses are
to be used, the motion is so made as to draw the film the length of two pictures, so
that one part of the film is drawn past the first lens each time without being exposed
or projected, but when passing the second lens the part of the film exposed by the
first lens is not exposed but only that part that was unexposed. One is exposed while
the other is being changed.
The spindles of the various rollers, motions etc. may be arranged to run in the
same direction & at the same speed & each spindle being provided with a crank & all
connected together by a plate or frame which may be balanced & thus avoid using
gear wheels for this purpose. Instead of giving an intermittent motion to the film, it
may be run at a constant speed & the lens reciprocated in such a manner that its
axis always lies in a radius from centre of the screen.
It would be made to travel at the same speed as film when travelling in the same
direction & return say at double the speed.
The part of film that would be missed can be arranged to be exposed by another
lens as hitherto explained.
To enable films to be changed without the aid of a darkroom, attached to the ends
of the film may be a length of flexible material preferably of nonactinic colour such
black or red paper, or the ends of the film may be coloured nonactinic colour.
The whole is then wound on a drum, the paper or other material or coloured end
protecting the film from action by light. In starting it through machine the
paper is partly unwonnd & all light excluded, when film is run through machine &
exposed & then on to another drum & when finished winds the paper or other
material or coloured end at other end of film, round it, to protect it while it is taken
out.
Ruby glasses may be fitted to enable operator to see when film is finished or an
index which follows the lessening diameter of drum as film is wound off.
Dated this 4th day of August 1896.
WILLIAM FRIESE GREENE.
J. A. PRESTWICH.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Means for Taking and Reproducing Kinetoscopic Pictures.
We, WILLIAM FRIESE-GREENE of 39 King's Road, Chelsea, London, S.W.
Photographer and JOHN ALFRED PRESTWICH of 744 High Road, Tottenham, London, N.
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 :-
This invention relates to improved means for taking and for reproducing
kinetoscopic pictures, that is to say, for taking and for projecting upon a screen in rapid
succession a number of transparent photographs of animated scenes or of a moving
object in such a manner as to produce upon the screen an exact picture of the
animated scene or noving object which was photographed in the first instance.
In carrying out our invention we use a strip of transparent sensitive film on which
we take a series of photographic negatives-in rapid succession.
For the purpose of reproduction the series of photographic negatives on the
film is printed, to form transparencies or positives, on to another strip of film.
The apparatus used in photographing can also be adapted for printing the positives
by running the negative and the film on which the positive is to be made, through
the apparatus together in contact with each other. The photographing apparatus
can also be adapted for projecting by inserting a condenser at the back of the
apparatus, but we prefer to use a separate apparatus which may contain two or more
lenses and apertures for projecting the pictures on to the screen, the lenses being
arranged to converge, so that the pictures projected by the two or more lenses shall
fall in the same place and position on the screen. The result of this will be to
produce a picture on the screen during the greater part, or the whole of the time,
that the continuous film is running through the apparatus, and thus avoid the
interval of momentary darkness due to the shutting off of the light while a fresh picture
is being drawn into position which causes an unpleasant sensation to the eyes.
feature of the invention is a mechanical motion for imparting the requisite movement
to the film.
A
In order that this invention may be more clearly understood, reference is made to
the accompanying illustrative drawings in which,--
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a side elevation and a front elevation (on a larger
scale than Figures 3 and 4) of the mechanical movement for the purpose of giving
the necessary intermittent motion to the film.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the improved apparatus used for photographing, the
door or side being removed.
Figure 4 is a plan of the same showing the partition 19 in section on the line a-a
of Figure 3.
Figures 5 and 6 are respectively a side elevation and a plan on a larger scale of the
roller 18 to illustrate the mode of fastening the film to the same.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of a projecting apparatus.
Figure 8 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figures 9, 9 are diagrammatic representations of the negative and positive films
respectively, showing the order of the pictures on the films.
Referring to the photographing apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 6, 1 is a disc
which revolves with its co-axial spindle 2 in a fixed bearing 3. The disc carries a pin 4
on which can revolve a drum 5 which is driven by means of an epicyclic train of wheels,
the first or dead wheel 6 being fastened to the end of the bearing 3 centrally to the
disc 1. This wheel 6 gears with a wheel 7 which is fixed on a spindle 7 carried by
the disc 1 on which also fixed a wheel 8 gearing with a wheel 9 to which the drum 5
is attached.
The drum 5 is fitted with a circular peripheral row of pins 10 which engage in

page_text: perforations provided in the two longitudinal edges of the film 11 which passes over
the drum as indicated in Figures 3 and 4.
The distance of the pin 4 from the centre of the disc 1 and the ratio of
the train of wheels is so proportioned as to give the required amount of
"draw" of the film for each revolution of the disc 1. If for example, the draw
required for each revolution of the disc 1 be equal to half the circumference of
the drum 5, then the distance of the pin 4 from the centre of the disc 1 should be
preferably about equal to one fourth the amount of draw and the ratio of the train of
wheels would be one half, which would cause the drum 5 to revolve half a revolution
on its own axis while the disc revolves one revolution. Assuming the drum to be in
the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the film (not shown in those figures) to
be hanging down vertically towards the ground and the disc 1 be revolved half a
revolution until the drum is in the bottom position, then if the drum were not geared
as shown but were fixed to the pin 4 it would wind up half its own circumference but
half that is lost by the drum descending from the top to the bottom position, so the
drum would only draw the film a distance from the ground equal to one quarter of
its circumference. But the drum 5 being geared to turn half a revolution on its
own axis in the opposite direction while the disc 1 turns one revolution the drum
will make one quarter of a revolution while the disc 1 turus one half revolution.
This turning of the drum through a quarter of a revolution will unwind a length of
film equal to one quarter the circumference of the drum 5 so that the film will not be
drawn from the ground but will remain stationary.
During the other half revolution a length of filin will be drawn equal to the distance
through which 'the pin 4 rises and which is equal to one quarter the circumference of
the drum 5 in addition to the length of film equal to one quarter of the circumference
of the drum 5 which will be drawn by the drum turning about the centre of the disc
half a revolution and unwinding for a quarter of its circumference by turning a
quarter of a revolution on its own axis. Thus for half a revolution of the disc 1 the
film will not be drawn, but it will be drawn an amount equal to half the circumference
of the drum, during the other half revolution of the disc. 12 is a counterweight on
the disc 1 to balance the drum 4.
Internal gear wheels or other gears may be used if desired in place of those
illustrated, to accomplish the same result. By providing means for turning the dead
wheel 6 the film can be adjusted and brought into correct position either while the
apparatus is stationary or is working, this being desirable when no pins are provided
on the drum 5 and there are no perforations in the film.
13 (Figure 3) is a roller on which the roll of film 11 is mounted. From this
roller the film passes through friction plates 14 which are adapted to open on
a hinge 15 to receive the film. From these the film passes round a guide
roller 16 over the drum- 5 of the movement shown separately in Figures 1
and 2, then under the shield 17 and is finally rewound on a roller 18. The film 11
is guided in position sideways by the partition 19 and strips, 20, 20 on the door.
The several rollers are driven by means of gut cords 21, 21 passing over grooved
pulleys 22, 23, and 24, 25. Pulley 22 is mounted on spindle 26 which runs in a
bearing 27. To this spindle is fitted the handle 28 by which the apparatus is
worked. The pulley 22 drives the pulleys 23 and 24 which are fixed on the same
shaft by means of a gut cord 21. The pulley 24 drives pulley 25 which is fastened on
the spindle 2 of the disc 1. Thus the required number of revolutions of disc 1 is
obtained by one revolution of the handle 28.
The aperture through which the film is exposed, is provided in the friction plates 14
opposite to the lens 29 which is adapted to be covered by the disc shutter 30 that is
revolved by skew gear wheels 31, 31, the edge of disc i being cut to constitute the
wheel 31. On turning the handle 28 the disc 1 is turned by means of the gut cord
pulleys which also turn the roller 18 on which the film is rewound. This roller 18 is
on the same spindle as the pulleys 24 and 25 and is pressed against the boss 32 of
pulley 25 by the spring washer 33 which allows the roller 18 to slip so as to
accommodate it to the varying diameter of the roller as the film is wound on.

page_text: Referring to the enlarged views (Figures 5 and 6) of the roller 18 illustrating the
mode of fastening the end of the film, 34 is a spring wire let. into a recess in the
roller 18 and under which the end of the film is clipped.
The exposure is made during the time the film is stationary between the friction
plates 14 through an aperture cut in the disc shutter 30 revolving between the lens 29
and the film and exposing the aperture in the friction plates 14.
Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a negative film or strip of negative.
photographs taken by means of this apparatus, the photographs being taken in regular
numerical order of succession as indicated by the divisions numbered 1 to 20 &c.
The positive film or strip of positive photographs for use in this apparatus for the
purpose of reproduction when the apparatus is fitted with a condenser (not shown) is
simply a print from the negative film, the positive photographs remaining in the same.
regular numerical order of succession as indicated in Figure 9.
We however prefer for the purpose of reproduction on a screen to employ, as
already hereinbefore stated a special form of apparatus fitted with two or more sets
of lenses and shutters and appurtenant mechanism, the lenses being arranged to
converge, so that the pictures projected on to the screen shall always fall into the
same place and position on the screen.
One arrangement of a projecting apparatus of this kind having two sets of lenses
with appurtenant parts arranged one above the other is illustrated by Figures 7 and 8.
In this arrangement the film 11 is wound on the bobbin 35 which runs on a pin 3.5ª.
From this bobbin the film passes through friction plates 36 round the guide roller 37,
round the drum 5" of the movement. 1a, round the guide roller 38, through friction
plates 39, round the roller 40, round the drum 5b of movement 1b, round roller 41,
and is then rewound on bobbin 42.
Apertures 36 and 39 are provided in the friction plates 36 and 39 and the pictures
are projected by the condensers 43 44 and lenses 29ª, 29. The apertures are opened
and closed alternately by the shutters 30, 30 which are driven by skew
gearing 31, 31 (Fig. 8). The two movements 1, 1b are geared and driven by the
gear wheel 45 by means of a handle 45. A gut cord pulley 46 is fastened to the
wheel 45 and drives the gut cord pulley 47 which drives the winding up bobbin 42
the gut slipping to accommodate the varying diameter of the bobbin as the film is
wound on.
The movements 1 and 1h each draw a length of film equal to two pictures at each
revolution. Movement. 1 for instance is drawing film through friction plates 36, the
aperture 36 being covered by the shutter 30, while the film is stationary in the
friction plates 39, the aperture 39 being uncovered by shutter 30, and exposure and
projection of the picture taking place through said aperture. When the movement. 1b
begins to draw film through friction plates 39 the aperture 39 is closed by shutter 30
and the motion la gives off film on the lower side while the film in friction
plates 36 is stationary, the aperture 36 being uncovered by the shutter 30.
As the movements 1, 1b draw a length of film equal to twice the size of a picture,
half only will be exposed through the aperture 36. The part that is unexposed by
this aperture is exposed through the aperture 39 when said part reaches said
aperture.
The pictures on the film are printed so that they will be exposed in their correct
order alternately at the apertures 36 and 39. This can be accomplished in a separate or
the same apparatus by passing the negative film (Figure 9) and the film on which
the positives are to be printed twice through the apparatus together, in contact, light
being projected through one aperture only. The negative film is then shifted along
the positive film after the first run through the apparatus, a distance equal to the
ength of the path of the film between the two apertures 36 and 39 plus the length
of one picture.
Figure 9 (which has been already referred to) shows the order of succession of the
negative pictures on the negative filin as taken directly from the animated scene or
moving object to be reproduced, and Figure 9 shows one example of the order of
succession of the positive pictures on the positive film for use with the double lens

page_text: exhibiting apparatus shown in Figures 7 and 8, the order of succession being indicated
by corresponding numbers. In the example shown in Figure 9* the length or path
of the film between the centres of the two apertures 36 and 39 is assumed to be
equal to the united lengths of seven pictures. In Figure 9 the numerals also
indicate the order in which the several pictures are projected on to the screen,
the odd numbered pictures being projected through the upper aperture 36",
and the even numbered pictures being projected through the lower aperture 39".
The arrangement is such that the centre of say, the picture being projected on
to the screen through one aperture is coincident with the centre of said aperture,
whilst the next picture to be projected on to the screen through the other aperture is
being drawn down.
The several apparatus herein before described may be variously modified without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, in the case of a film having
no perforations in or near its edges, the driving pins on the drawing drum 5 of the
filin drawing movement may be dispensed with, and the film can then be held against
the drum by means of rollers which are carried by another epicyclic train of wheels in
such a manner as to cause the axis of the said rollers to be always in the same
relative positions to the axis of the drawing drum 5.
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 apparatus for taking or for exhibiting photographs in rapid succession, a film
drawing device comprising a drum mounted on a crank pin driven by an epicyclic
train of wheels substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In apparatus for taking or for exhibiting photographs in rapid succession and in
which a length of films is employed, formed with a film-drawing device comprising a
drum with pins to engage with the film perforations the said drum being mounted on
a crank pin and driven from a continuously revolving shaft by means of an epicyclic
train of wheels, constructed, arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated more particularly in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
drawings.
3. In apparatus for taking and for exhibiting photographs in rapid succession and in
which a length of film is employed without driving perforations, a film drawing device
comprising a drum mounted on a crank pin and driven from a continuously revolving
shaft by means of an epicyclic train of wheels in combination with rollers carried by
a second epicyclic train of wheels for pressing the film in contact with the drum,
constructed, arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. In film-drawing devices such as are specified in the preceding claims, making the
dead wheel of the driving epicyclic train of wheels capable of being turned by hand
for the purpose of adjusting the filin as required, substantially as herein before
described.
5. For exhibiting photographs in continuous and rapid succession from a length of
film, an apparatus comprising two sets of lenses, shutters, and film drawing devices
with appurtenant mechanism, constructed, arranged and operating substantially
as herein before described and illustrated more particularly with reference to Figures 7
and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
6. For use with a double lens exhibiting apparatus of the kind specified in the last
preceding claim a positive film bearing the positive pictures arranged in the alternate
order of succession substantially as described and illustrated more particularly with
reference to Figure 9*.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.