Year: 1899

page_text: A communication from EUGÈNE HANAU and ERNEST GAUTHIER, both of Paris,
in the Republic of France, Engineers.
1, ARTHUR FREEMORE SPOONER, of 323, High Holborn, in the County of London,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to coin-freed apparatus and to a stereoscopic arrange-
ment disposed in such a manner that the unrolling of two endless connected
pellicles or films is produced automatically by the introduction of a coin, the
mechanism arresting itself when all the pictures of the pellicle have passed before
the eyes of the spectator.
The apparatus consists of a trunk or box in which is lodged all the mechanism
and which carries on its exterior two lenses similar to those of a stereoscope.
Behind these lenses is located a longitudinal box leading to a plate on which
is mounted all the mechanism hereinafter described for moving the pellicles or
endless film bands. These film bands pass, as in all analogous apparatus, over
a suitable number of rollers varying in accordance with the length of the said
bands which are actuated by a train of clockwork mechanism, or by an electro-
motor, or in any other way.
Assuming that clockwork mechanism is employed it carries a flier which serves
to regulate the speed of rotation of the rollers and consequently the film bands.
Tne said mechanism also consists of a click combined with a lever possessing
a stud which controls a grooved cam. This cam is itself keyed on a spindle
which makes only one revolution during the whole unrolling of the film bands.
The said lever is fixed on a spindle which is actuated by means of another lever
by the intermediary of a rod which is supported on a trigger or pusher arranged
on the front of the apparatus. The groove of the said cam is cut in such manner
that it allows the lateral displacement of the said stud carried by the first-
mentioned lever when acted upon by the second lever, and it compels this stud
to return to its first position when the cam has made a complete revolution. In
its return to its initial position the extremity of the first-mentioned lever comes in
the path of the said click, arrests this latter and then stops all the movement of
the motor. The cam spindle has a finger at one of its extremities which,
on the releasing of the mechanism, abandons a square lever, which, contacting
with a spring, gives current to an electric lamp placed in the lantern arranged at
the back of the plate and in the ocular axis. The luminous rays of the lantern
show up the picture, the latter are projected by any appropriate objective, on to a
transparent and rough or other suitable screen which is placed at a convenient
distance from the ocular focus.
The movement of the film bands is carried out in the following manner: -Near
the upper part of the hereinbefore mentioned plate are arranged two primary

page_text: rollers keyed onto one axle, the extremities of which terminate in heads, turning
in adjustable supports. These rollers carry on their circumference some studs
arranged in convenient number for the movement of the film bands. The shaft
receives its rotary movement from the clockwork mechanism by angle pinions
or other suitable gearing.
Under the ocular axis the said plate carries another pair of rollers keyed to
two separate axles but situated in the same plane, ene in prolongation of the other,
which axles are driven by determined angular movements, and alternately inter-
rupted by pauses permitting the observation of the pictures. These movements
of the separate axles are obtained by cams combined with helicoidal wheels and
which receive their rotary movement from the clockwork mechanism by means
of a train of intermediate gear, the last wheel of the train engaging with two
pinions respectively keyed to the said cam shafts.
Below the lower set of rollers are arranged two other rollers keyed onto one
snaft the continuous movement of which is given by the intermediary of a chain
which connects the uppermost and lowermost shafts. The slack of the chain may
be taken up by a hanger roller.
Where the longitudinal casing joins the plate the latter is pierced with two
rectangular openings before which the film bands are displaced, and are kept
supported against the openings by means of two frames, the pressure of which is
regulated by means of springs.
It will be obvious that upon the mechanism being released, the shaft carrying
the uppermost rollers will begin to turn, the film bands, will be brought on in a
continuous manner by the uppermost rollers, which have no other object but to
furnish the length of band sufficient to be quickly placed before the ocular openings
under the movements of alternate rotation of the set of rollers on separate axles;
the lowermost rollers turning at the same time with the uppermost set, and
facilitating the displacement of the bands.
The successive obturations of the stereoscopic pictures at the moment of their
displacements are obtained by means of three cut-away discs placed behind the
plate. These discs have on their peripheries a set of teeth and as the centre one
communicates its movement to the two others by means of two pinions, they all
turn in the same direction. This arrangement of three discs permits the openings
of the ocular focus to obturate alternately from the centre.
The coin-freed mechanism of the apparatus is constructed as follows:-The
receptacle for coins consists of a cylindrical body with its bottom fixed on the
side of the casing by a foot in the interior of the apparatus. In this cylindrical
body are mounted two blocks riding the one on the other at their adjacent ends.
The foremost block possesses the trigger which passes through the side of the
casing and affords the means at the exterior thereof for permitting the displace-
ment of the block by the hand of the operator. After having been operated the
return movement is made under the influence of a suitable spring. The rearward
block is provided with a groove or notch admitting the end of a double lever to
which is connected a rod that controls the first-mentioned lever. This same rear-
ward block possesses a second transverse slot, which, when the block is in its
initial position, is flush with an orifice located in the cylindrical body. The
orifice communicates with the exterior of the apparatus by a chute. The operation
of this receptacle is as follows:-When the piece of money is introduced, it runs
through the chute, traverses the orifices in the cylindrical body, and rearward
block respectively, remaining half engaged in the notch of the rearward block.
Upon now operating the trigger, the coin and the rearward block will be moved,
the double lever will be operated and thus the whole of the mechanism will be
released. The views being at this moment illuminated and passed before the
openings in the plate, it is possible to examine them. When the trigger is aban-
doned, the coin, finding itself free, falls into a box arranged below the receiver.
It is easy to understand that, when the free spaces exist between the ends of the
two blocks, the displacement of the foremost block will have no effect on the

page_text: rearward block unless a coin has been introduced through the opening arranged
on the front of the apparatus.
The animated scenes which this apparatus shows to the spectator are of
absolutely realistic illusion by reason of the relief obtained through the arrange-
ment of two pellicle stereoscopic bands or films unrolling synchronously.
Datad this Lith
1000
improvements relating to com-reed and Stereoscopic Apparatus.
A communication from EUGÈNE HANAU and ERNEST GAUTHIER, both of Paris,
in the Republic of France, Engineers.
I, ARTHUR FREEMORE SPOONER, of 323, High Holborn, in the County of London,
Chartered 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 ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to coin-freed apparatus and to a stereoscopic arrange-
ment disposed in such a manner that the unrolling of two endless connected
pellicles or films is produced automatically by the introduction of a coin, the
inechanism arresting itself when all the pictures of the pellicle have passed before
the eyes of the spectator.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings wherein,
Figure 1 is a back view of the apparatus, one side of the casing being removed.
Figure 2 is a transverse section.
Figure 3 is a view drawn to a larger scale of the plate carrying the rollers that
draw the pellicles.
Figure 4 is a transverse section through the line A-B Figure 3.
Figure 5 shows in sectional elevation the receptacle for the coin, and
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are side, front and plan views respectively of a detail of the
disengaging mechanism of the apparatus.
The apparatus consists of a trunk, casing or box 1 in which is contained all
the mechanism and which carries on its exterior two lenses 2 similar to those of
a stereoscope. Behind these lenses is located a longitudinal box 3 leading to a
plate A on which is mounted all the mechanism hereinafter described for moving
the pellicles or endless film bands 5 and 6. These film bands pass, as in all
analogous apparatus, over rollers 7 the number of which may vary in accordance
with the length of the said bands which are actuated by a train of clockwork
mechanism 8 which may be actuated by a motive weight 9 guided in its descent
by columns 10, or by an electro-motor, or in any other way.
In the drawings the motive weight is shown as an example, and it must be raised
from time to time, by acting on the suspension chain 11 by the aid of a lever or
winch serving to actuate a toothed wheel which carries the chain.
Assuming that clockwork mechanism is employed it carries a flier 12 which
serves to regulate the speed of rotation of the rollers and consequently the film
bands. The said mechanism also consists of an arresting click 13 (Figures 6, 7
and 8) combined with a lever 14 possessing a stud 15 which engages a grooved
cam 16. This cam is itself keyed on a spindle 17 which makes only one revolution
during the whole unrolling of the film bands 5 and 6. The said lever 14 is fixed
on a spindle 18, which is actuated by means of another lever 19 through the inter-

page_text: mediary of a rod 20 which is supported on a trigger or pusher 21 arranged on the
front of the apparatus. The groove of the said cam 16 is cut in such manner
that it allows the lateral displacement of the said stud 15 carried by the lever 14
when acted upon by the lever 19, and it compels this stud to return to its first
position when the cam 16 has made a complete revolution. In its return to its
initial position, the extremity of the lever 14 comes in the path of the click 13,
arrests this latter and then stops all the movement of the motor.
The cam
spindle 17 has a finger 23 at one of its extremities which, on the releasing of the
mechanism, abandons a square lever 24, which, contacting with a spring 25, gives
current to an electric lamp placed in the lantern 26 arranged at the back of the
plate and in the ocular axis 2. The luminous rays of the lantern 26 show up the
pictures, the latter are projected by any appropriate objective, on to a transparent
and rough or other suitable screen 27 which is placed at a convenient distance
in the ocular focus 2.
The movement of the film bands 5 and 6 is carried out in the following
manner: Near the upper part of the plate 4 are arranged two primary rollers 28,
28 Figures 3 and 4 keyed onto a spindle 29, the extremities of which terminate
in heads, turning in adjustable supports 30. These rollers carry on their circum-
ference some studs or pins arranged in convenient number for the movement of
the film bands. The spindle 29 receives its rotary movement from the clock-
work mechanism 8 by angle pinions 31 and 32 or other suitable gearing.
Under the ocular axis 2 the plate 4 carries another pair of rollers 34, 34 keyed
to two separate axles 35, 36 but situated in the same plane, one in prolongation of
the other, which axles are driven by determined angular movements, and alter-
nately interrupted by pauses permitting the observation of the pictures. These
movements of the separate axles 35 and 36, are obtained by cam-grooved wheels 37,
38 combined with pinions 47, 48 and which receive their rotary movement
rom the cloekwork mechanism by means of a train of intermediate gear 39, 40, 41
and 42, the last wheel 42 of the train engaging with two pinions 43, 44 respectively
keyed to the shafts of the said cams 37, 38.
Below the lower set of rollers 34 are arranged two other rollers 45, 45 keyed
on to one shaft 46 the continuous movement of which is given through the inter-
mediary of a chain 49 which connects the uppermost and lowermost shafts 29
and 46 through pinions 50 and 51. The slack of the chain 49 may be taken up by
a hanger roller 52.
Where the longitudinal casing 3 joins the plate 4 the latter is pierced with two
rectangular openings before which the film bands are displaced, and are kept
supported against the openings by means of two frames 53 and 54 the pressure
of which is regulated by means of springs.
It will be obvious that upon the mechanism 8 being released, the shaft 29 will
begin to turn, the film bands 5 and 6 will be brought on in a continuous manner
by the rollers 28, which have no other object but to furnish the length of band
sufficient to be quickly placed before the ocular openings under the movements
of alternate rotation of the set of rollers 34 on separate axles; the rollers 45
turning at the same time with those 28, and facilitating the displacement of the
bands.
Obviously this part of the apparatus could be utilized for the taking of photo-
graphs for subsequent projection.
The successive obturations of the stereoscopic pictures at the moment of their
displacement are obtained by means of three cut-away discs 55, 56 and 57 placed
behind the plate and the first of which discs 55 is fixed on the shaft of the small
intermediary 41. These discs have on their peripheries a set of teeth and as
the centre one 55 communicates its movement to the two others 56 and 57 by
means of two pinions 58 and 59, they all turn in the same direction. This arrange-
ment of three discs permits each view-opening to be shut off alternately.
The coin-freed mechanism of the apparatus is constructed as follows:-The
receptacle for coins 22 consists of a cylindrical body 60 with its bottom fixed

page_text: on the side of the casing by a foot in the interior of the apparatus. In this
cylindrical body 60 are mounted two blocks 61 and 62 riding the one on the other
at their adjacent ends. The block 61 possesses the trigger 21 which passes through
the side of the casing and affords the means at the exterior thereof for permitting
the displacement of the block by the hand of the operator. After having been
operated the return movement is made under the influence of a suitable spring 63
that bears on an abutment 64 traversing the side of the cylinder 60. The block 62
is provided with a groove or notch 65 admitting the end of a double lever 66 to
which is connected the rod 20 that controls the lever 14. This same block 62
possesses a second transverse slot 67, which, when the said block 62 is in its initial
position is flush with an orifice 68 located in the cylindrical body 60. The
orifice 68 communicates with the exterior of the apparatus by a chute 69. The
operation of this receptacle is as follows:- When the piece of money is introduced
through a pierced opening in the side of the casing 1, it runs through the chute 69,
traverses the orifice 68 in the cylindrical body 60, remaining half engaged in
the orifice 67 of the block 62. Upon now operating the trigger 21, the coin
and the block 62 will be moved, the double lever 66 will be operated and thus the
whole of the mechanism will be released. The views being at this moment
illuminated and passed before the openings in the plate 4, it is possible to examine
them. When the trigger 21 is abandoned, the coin, finding itself free, falls
through an outlet 7.1 into a box arranged below the receiver. It is easy to under-
stand that, when the free spaces exist between the ends of the two blocks 61
and 62, the displacement of the foremost block 61 will have no effect on the rear-
ward block 62 unless a coin has been introduced through the opening arranged
on the front of the apparatus.
The animated scenes which this apparatus shows to the spectator are of
absolutely realistic illusion by reason of the relief obtained through the arrange-
ment of two pellicle stereoscopic bands or films unrolling synchronously.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed. as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A chronophotographic stereoscopic apparatus serving to take and to project
animated pictures, combined with an unrolling mechanism actuated by a motive
weight, or by an electro-motor or otherwise, operating only after the introduction
of a coin.
2. The combination of the coin-freed chronophotographic stereoscopic apparatus
as claimed in Claim 1, with an optical arrangement permitting the amplification
at will of the projected pictures on a screen placed in the focus of the stereoscope.
3. The improved coin-freed and stereoscopic apparatus substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 14th day of
1000