US1957202A - Motion picture controlling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 1, 1934. omo 1,957,202

MOTION PICTURE CONTROLLING APPARATUS Original Filed May 26, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR s 6 ATTORNEY WITNES 2 May 1, 1934.

C. DOINO MOTION PICTURE CONTROLLING APPARATUS Original Filed May 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSW INVENTOR ATTORNEY May 1, 1934.

C. DOINO MOTION PICTURE CONTROLLING APPARATUS Original Fi led May 26, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR ATTORNEY May 1, 1934. c DQINO 1,957,202

MOTION PICTURE CONTROLLING APPARATUS Original Filed May 26, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Patented May 1, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTION PICTURE CONTROLLING APPARATUS Carmine Doino,

Brooklyn, N. Y.

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in motion picture controlling apparatus.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a means whereby two motion picture projecting machines may be automatically controlled to successively operate during the showing of a moving picture composed of a number of separate film reels to prevent any interruption or break in the picture and to eliminate the necessity of an operator being on hand to watch the machines and manually operate the control switches at the proper instant to shut off one machine and start up the other.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a controlling apparatus in which one projecting machine is prepared for operation as the film in a second projecting machine nears the limit of its unwinding, and which sets the first mentioned machine in actual operation upon 5:9 the complete unwinding of the film in the second machine to prevent any lapse between the showing of the film reels.

A further object is to provide a plurality of electric circuits and switches which are automatically controlled by the film as to positively operate at certain specified times to light the are light of one machine before the complete unwinding of a film in another machine, and for successively starting the first mentioned machine in operation and simultaneously extinguishing the are light and stopping the second mentioned machine when the film strip is completely unwound.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in certain. novel construction and combination and arrangement of parts, the essent al. features of which are hereinafter fully described, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a pair of moving picture projecting machines and the control mechanism therefor.

Figure 2 is a side elevation with part of the upper film magazines broken away and shown in section.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the control box.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a detail vertical sectional view on the line 7-'7 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the automatic film control switch.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the several electric circuits.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of my invention.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, the numerals 10 and 11 represent two moving picture projecting machines of the usual well-known construction, both of which are identical in construction and include upper film magazines 12 and driving electric motors 13. Each upper film magazine 12 has a control switch 14 therein which comprises a switch housing 15 having contacts 16 and 17 successively engageable by a pivoted switch arm 18. The free end of the switch arm carries a roller 19 which rests by gravity upon the rolled film strip 20 wound upon a film reel 21 contained within the upper magazine. When the film in one machine nears its end during unwinding, the switch arm successively engages the contacts 16 and 17 for closing respective circuits 22 and 23 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

Mounted upon a wall or other suitable support is a switch box 24 containing a three pole knife switch 25 to which the three conductor feed wires lead and which supply 110 volt current to the various circuits although the current to the several electro-magnetic devices to be hereinafter explained is stepped down by a transformer 26 contained within a cabinet 27 also mounted upon a supporting wall.

Mounted upon the cabinet 2'7 is a gravity drop switch 28 which includes a shaft 29 journalled in suitable bearings and having a leaf spring contact 30 thereon for engagement with a stationary contact 31. A weighted arm 32 is fixed to the shaft 29 and is disposed exteriorly of the cabinet so as to be manually movable to a raised or set position where it is held by a pivoted catch 33 which is so disposed as to be under the influence of an electro-magnet 34. The electro-magnet 34 is arranged in the circuits 22 with the contacts 16 and gravity switch arms 18 of the switches 15 of the two projecting machines. The contacts 30 and 31 are arranged in electric circuits 35, with the arc lights 36 of the respective projecting machines, while pilot lights 37 are also arranged in these circuits and mounted in the cabinet to visibly indicate to an attendant which circuit is in operation. Windows are provided in the outer side wall of the cabinet to expose the pilot lights to view.

Also mounted within the cabinet is a main switch 38 which includes a rotary make and break roller 39 having a contact 40 for successive engagement with stationary contacts 41 arranged in the respective light circuits 35 and which constantly engage a stationary contact 42 which is connected with one pole of the three pole switch 25 and through which the respective light circuits are closed. The roller 39 also carries a contact 43 which successively engages stationary contacts 44 of the respective motor circuits 45 of which the contact 42 serves as a part and with which the contact 43 constantly engages.

The make and break roller 39 is controlled by a gravity drop 45 which includes a weighted arm 46 disposed exteriorly of the cabinet and which is mounted on a shaft 4'? on which a gear 48 is fixed. The arm 46 is operatively connected to the shaft by a ratchet mechanism 49 by which rotation may be imparted to the shaft upon the dropping of the arm, but which allows the arm to be manually lifted to a set position without disturbing the shaft or the make and break roller which is connected therewith through a gear 50 meshing with gear 48. The gear 50 is fixed to the roller 39 as clearly shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. Upon dropping of the arm 46, the roller will turn one-half revolution to alternately engage the sets of contacts 41 and 44 disposed on opposite sides of the axis thereof, whereby to control the light and motor circuits of the respective projecting machines.

For the purpose of breaking the light circuit of one of the machines upon the starting of the motor of the other machine without disturbing the light of the started machine, I provide a switch 51 controlled by the dropping of the arm 46, which switch is arranged in the circuits 35 and includes stationary contacts 52 adapted to be bridged by the forked end of a lever or pivoted switch arm 53, the free end of which extends beyond the front wall of the cabinet into the 7 set position as shown in Figure 1.

path of downward movement of the arm 46. The forked end of the lever being heavier than the opposite end causes the same to normally bridge the contacts 52 to close the circuits which are broken upon dropping of the arm 46.

The arm 46 is held in a raised position by a pivcted catch 54 which is subjected to the action of an electro-magnet 55 when energized and which electro-magnet is arranged in the circuit 23 with the contacts 17 and switch arms 18 of the respective machines.

In Figure 9 of the drawings, I have shown the fire screens or shutters 56 which are under the influence of electro-magnets 56 arranged in circuits 57 with the contacts 1'? and switch arm 18 which automatically drop the shutters to a position into the path of the light rays when the film is completely unwound. The shutter of the machine wlich is running is already up, so that it only affects operation of the shutter of the machine to be started.

In operation, assume that the parts are in the position shown in Figure 9 of the drawings wherein the knife switch 25 is closed and the switch 38 is set to operate the projecting machine 11. The switch arm 18 is being held from engagement with either of its co-acting contacts 16 and 17 by reason of the diameter of the film contained on its reel while the gravity drop switches are in a The machine 10 is prepared for operation by placing a film reel in the upper magazine and threading the same in the usual manner, and which reel is presumed to be a continuation of the reel contained within the machine 11. The motor circuit 45 and light circuit 35 of the machine 11 is closed to cause operation of the machine while the same circuits of the machine 10 are open by reason of the position of the contact roller 39. Now, as the film nears the end of its unwinding in the machine 11, the diameter decreases to a size whereby the arm 18 moves into engagement with the contact 16 which closes the circuit 22, energizing the electro-magnet 34 which operates the catch 33 to release the arm 32 to effect engagement of the contacts 30 and 31 which closes the light circuit 35 to light the arc light 36 of the machine 10 to prepare the machine for instant operation as soon as the entire film in the machine 11 is unwound. When the film in the machine 11 is fully unwound, the arm 18 moves into engagement with contact 17 which closes the circuit 23, thus energizing the electro-magnet 55 which operates the catch 54 to release the drop arm 46, thus turning the contact roller 30 one-half revolution to cause the contacts 40 and 43 to move to reverse positions to close the motor and light circuits of the machine 10 and open the same circuits of the machine 11, whereupon the machine 10 is rendered operative and machine 11 inoperative. As the arm 46 drops, it strikes the forked switch arm 51 to break the circuit 35 to extinguish the arc lights of the machine 11, as the lamp of the machine 10 is receiving its current through the circuit closed by contacts 40 and 41. imultaneous- 1y with the engagement of the arm 18 with contact 1'7, the circuit 5'7 is closed, causing energizing of the electro-magnet of the machine 10 to allow the fire shutter 56' to drop to a position out of the path of the light rays of the are light of that machine, it being understod that the fire shutters are moved to obstructing position into the path of light by an operator. It will now be evident that the machine 16 is running whereupon the drop arms 32 and 46 are manually lifted back into raised position and the machine 11 prepared for operation upon the complete unwinding of the film in the machine 10. The switching off of one machine and the switching on of the other machine is automatic at the proper time to prevent any interruption between the showing of two or more film reels, and by the use of this invention, an operator is not compelled to be on the alert to actuate switches at the proper time. The duties of an operator will only necessitate the setting of the drop switches, fire shutters and the insertion and removal of film reels from the machine.

In Figure 10, I have shown a modified form of my invention in which all of the parts are automatic in that the gravity drop switches are eliminated and in lieu thereof, I employ separate solenoids 34 in the respective circuits 22 controlled by the engagement of the switch arm 18 with the contacts 16. These solenoids actuate contacts 30 which bridge the spaced contacts 31 in the respective circuits to turn on the arc lights 36. These solenoids serve the same purpose as the magnet 34 in the preferred form.

In lieu of the gravity drop switch 38, I provide a double acting solenoid 55' having separate windings arranged in the circuits 23 and which solenoid has contacts 43 and 40' on opposite ends of its sliding core for respective engagement with set contacts 42' and 44', and 42" and 41, arranged in the motor and light circuits 45 and 35.

Upon the energizing of the respective windings of the solenoid the circuits of the respective machines may be controlled, thus dispensing with the necessity of an attendant setting the drop switches as provided in the preferred form. The other parts of the apparatus are the same in the modified form as in the preferred form, and like reference numerals refer to similar parts.

While I have described what I deem to be the most desirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that many of the details may be varied without in any way departing from the spirit of my invention, and I therefore do not limit myself to the exact details of construction herein set forth nor to anything less than the whole of my invention limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In combination with a pair of motion picture projectors adapted to alternately function and each including a film magazine having a reel of film thereon, an arc-lamp, a film driving motor, and electric circuits respectively for said lamp and motor, a film follower mounted in the film magazine of each projector, a switch controlling the arc-lamp circuits of both projectors, means for retaining the last-named switch in open position, each film follower having a two-position switch, an electric release for the first said switch and actuated by the switch of either film follower in the first position of the same, a make and break contact roller controlling the lamp and motor circuits of both projectors and movable to two positions to close the lamp and motor circuits of one projector and open those of the other and vice versa, a gravity drop arm operatively connectcd with the make and break contact roller, a stop normally maintaining said gravity drop arm elevated, and an electro-magnet positioned to retract said stop and release the gravity drop arm to reverse the position of the make and break contact roller, said magnet having its circuit controlled to be energized by the film follower switches in their second position.

2. In combination with a pair of motion picture projectors adapted to alternately function and each including a film magazine having a reel of film thereon, an arc-lamp, a film driving motor, and electric circuits respectively for said lamp and motor, a film follower mounted in the film magazine of each projector, a switch controlling the arc-lamp circuits of both projectors, means for retaining the last-named switch in open position, each film follower having a two-- position switch, an electric release for the first said switch and actuated by the switch of either film follower in the first position of the same, a make and break contact roller controlling the lamp and motor circuits of both projectors and movable to two positions to close the lamp and motor circuits of one projector and open those of the other and vice versa, a gravity drop arm operatively connected with the make and break contact roller, a stop normally maintaining said gravity drop arm elevated, and an electro-magnet positioned to retract said stop and release the gravity drop arm to reverse the position of the make and break contact roller, said magnet having its circuit controlled to be energized by the film follower switches in their second positions, the gravity drop arm having a ratchet connection with the make and break contact roller to permit its restoration to elevated position without rotation of the make and break roller.

3. In combination with a pair of motion pic ture projectors adapted to alternately function and each including a film magazine having a reel of film thereon, an arc-lamp, a film driving motor, and electric circuits respectively for said lamp and motor, a film follower mounted in the film magazine of each projector, a switch controlling the arc'lamp circuits of both projectors, means for retaining the last-named switch in open position, each film follower having a two-position switch, an electric release for the first said switch and actuated by the switch of either film follower in the first position of the same, a make and break contact roller controlling the lamp and motor circuits of both projectors and movable to two positions to close the lamp and motor circuits of one projector and open those of the other and vice versa, a gravity drop arm operatively connected with the make and break contact roller, a stop normally maintaining said gravity drop arm elevated, and an electro-magnet positioned to retract said stop and release the gravity drop arm to reverse the position of the make and break contact roller, said magnet having its circuit controlled to be energized by the film follower switches in their second positions, the first position of the film follower switches being reached after the unwinding of the film to a predetermined point and the second position after the complete unwinding of the film.

4. In combination with a pair of motion picture projectors adapted to alternately function and each including film magazine having a reel of film thereon, an arc-lamp, a film driving motor, and electric circuits respectively for said lamp and motor, a film follower mounted in the film magazine of each projector, a switch controlling the arc-lamp circuits of both projectors, means for retaining the last-named switch in open position, each film follower having a two-position switch, an electric release for the first said switch and actuated by the switch of either film follower in the first position of the same, a make and break contact roller controlling the lamp and motor circuits of both projectors and movable to two positions to close the lamp and motor circuits of one projector and open those of the other and vice versa, a gravity drop arm operatively connected with the make and break contact roller, a stop normally maintaining said gravity drop arm elevated, and an electro-magnet positioned to retract said stop and release the gravity drop arm to reverse the position of the make and break contact roller, said magnet having its circuit controlled to be energized by the film follower switches in their second positions, the first position of the film follower switches being reached after the unwinding of the film to a predetermined point and the second position after the complete unwinding of the film, the gravity drop a m having a ratchet connection with the make and break contact roller to permit its restoration to elevated position without rotation of the make and break roller.

5. In combination with a pair of motion picture projectors for alternate functioning and each having a magazine having a reel of film, arc-lamps for the respective projectors, electric circuits in which said lamps are included, a driving motor for each projector and a circuit in which each motor is included, a film follower mount-ed in the magazine of each projector and bearing on the reel of film, a two-position switch associated with each film follower, the first position being assumed after the film has unwound to a predetermined point and the second position after the film has completely unwound, a

reversible switch controlling the lamp and motor circuits of both projectors and jointly closing the lamp and motor circuit of one while opening the corresponding circuits of the other and vice versa, and lamp circuit controlling means to energize the lamp of the inactive projector independently of the motor thereof, the last said means being controlled by the film follower switches in their first position and said reversing switch controlled by the film follower switches in their second positions.

6. In combination with a pair of motion picture projectors adapted to alternately function and each including afilm magazine having a reel of film thereon, a source of light, a film driving motor and electric circuits respectively for said source of light and motor, a film follower mounted in the film magazine of each projector, a switch controlling the circuits of the sources of light of both projectors, means for retaining the last named switch in open position, a two position switch associated with each of said film followers, an electric release for the first said switch actuated by the switch of either film follower in the first position of the same, a make and break contact roller controlling the circuits of the source of light of the motor of both projectors and movable to two positions to close the circuits of the source of light and motor of one projector and upon those of the other and vice versa, a drop arm operatively connected with the make and break contact roller, means normally maintaining said drop arm elevated, and means arranged to operate said last mentioned means and effect a release of the drop arm to reverse the position of the make and break contact roller.

7. In combination with a pair of motion picture projectors adapted to alternately function and each including a film magazine having a reel of film thereon, a source of light, a film driving motor and electric circuits respectively for said source of light and motor, a film follower mounted in the film magazine of each projector, a switch controlling the circuits of the sources of light of both projectors, means for retaining the last named switch in open position, a two position switch associated with each of said film followers, an electric release for the first said switch actuated by the switch for either film follower in the first position of the same, a make and break contact roller controlling the circuits of the source of light of the motor of both projectors and movable to two positions to close the circuits of the source of light and motor of one projector and upon those of the other and vice versa, a drop arm operatively connected with the make and break contact roller, means normally maintaining said drop arm elevated, and means arranged to operate said last mentioned means and effect a release of the drop arm to reverse the position of the' make and break contact roller, said last mentioned means including an electric circuit arranged to be energized by the film follower switches in their second position.

8. In combination with a pair of motion picture projectors adapted to alternately function and each including a film magazine having a reel of film thereon, a source of light, a film driving motor and electric circuits respectively for said source of light and motor, a film follower mounted in the film magazine of each projector, a switch controlling the circuits of the sources of light of both projectors, means for retaining the last named switch in open position, a two position switch associated with each of said film followers, an electric release for the first said switch actuated by the switch of either film follower in the first position of the same, a make and break contact roller controlling the circuits of the source of light of the motor of both pro jectors and movable to two positions to close the circuits of the source of light and motor of one projector and upon those of the other and vice versa, gravity operated means operatively connected with the make and break contact roller, means normally maintaining said gravity operated means inoperative, and means arranged to render said last mentioned means operative to effect a release thereof to reverse the position of the make and break contact roller.

9. In combination with a pair of motion picture projectors adapted to alternately function and each including a film magazine having a reel of film thereon, a source of light, a film driving motor and electric circuits respectively for said source of li ht and motor, a film follower mounted in the film magazine of each projector, a switch controlling the circuits of the sources of light of both projectors, means for retaining the last named switch in open position, a two position switch associated with each of said film fol,- lowers, an electric release for the first said switch actuated by the switch of either film follower in the first position of the same, a make and break contact roller controlling the circuits of the source of light of the motor of both projectors and movable to two positions to close the circuits of the source of light and motor of one projector and upon those of the other and vice versa,

gravity operated means operatively connected r

Images