Abstract: In a microfilm reader-printer working according to the rotational principle one of the fixed deflecting mirrors (11, 12) by which the image is to be projected on an exposure area (13) is made and arranged in a flexible manner. A deflecting device (14) formed by a magnet coil (15) and a pusher rod (16) is continually bending one of the deflecting mirrors (11, 12) during the exposure of the base material in such a way that an image is produced that is free from distortions.

Abstract: A lens sleeve designed to float in a lens holder. A focussing device with a servomotor and an eccentric fixed directly at the lens sleeve, with said eccentric gripping below a collar of a lens guided in the lens sleeve.

Abstract: A transport mechanism for film cards having two rocker levers supported on a pivoting lever that can swivel around a shaft, with the rocker levers being capable of pivoting around a rocker lever shaft. The two rocker levers, in turn, support two opposite discs, one of which is driven by a motor. A gripping motion of the discs is brought about by provision of guide grooves located on the rocker levers, with each groove accommodating a stationary pin. Through provision of an intermediate carrier, the upper disc is fixed to the upper rocker lever in a manner that it can pivot around a horizontal axis which is at right angles to the rocker lever shaft. Therefore the upper disc can be tilted in the respective direction of transport.

Abstract: A swivel arm featuring a cantilever capable of swiveling about a vertical pillar. Said pillar can be fixed at a desk by means of a locating plate and a clamping arm. A board with straight guides holding a carrying frame, the latter being designed as a cage and being vertically movable, is mounted at the free end of the cantilever and can be pivoted about a vertical pin. Said carrying frame serves to accommodate the appliance to be held by the swivel arm. The cantilever consists of a rectangular hollow section and of a supporting plate capable of being extended from it in a telescope-type manner. Guiding of the supporting plate in the rectangular hollow section is effected via upper rails, extension rails and further upper rails, similarly to a drawer.

Abstract: A microfilm reader with a lens holder moved independently of a lighting unit at right angles in relation to the beam path by means of a drive unit. This renders it possible to correctly position any of a plurality of lenses arranged side by side in the lens holder in relation to the frame to be projected. Given that the lighting unit and the lens holder are capable of moving independently of each other, it is furthermore possible to shift the lighting unit into a position above the respective frame to be projected to obtain an image that is optimally illuminated.

Abstract: In a device for transporting flat objects from one station to another the stations are opposite each other, in the same plane, at an obtuse angle. The one station can be a film card holder, the other station a film card magazine. Since the two stations are not in line, a gap is provided between them. At the narrowest side of the gap a transport mechanism is located for transporting the objects.

Abstract: The lens holder of a lens focussing device is axially movable in a lens sleeve supported on a film holder on which it can slide. The rim of a focussing wheel is accommodated in the space between the collar of the lens and the top face of the lens sleeve. The rim thickness increases uniformly along half its periphery. This results in a relative movement of the lens holder and the lens sleeve when rotating the focussing wheel. The focussing wheel is axially deformable. Notwithstanding the focussing wheel being firmly mounted, this provision allows limited axial movement of the lens sleeve, rendering it possible for the lens sleeve to follow the course of the upper plate of the film holder.

Abstract: Guide rails having a guide section greater in width than in height with rectangular cross-section are provided for a cross-slide guide. Arcuate guide surfaces of sliding pads embrace the guide section in such a manner that they make contact with the two upper longitudinal edges of the guide section and a lower portion of the sliding pads reaches under the guide section with clearance between the two parts. This provision allows the sliding pads to slide smoothly along the guide section and to follow the direction of the guide rails.

Abstract: A transfer device to transport a film card from a film platform of a microfilm reading machine to a cassette and in the reverse direction has a transport device which has two mutually opposite rotary disks which are approachable towards each other like the jaws of tongs. This transport device is capable of moving towards the film card, so that the film card passes between the disks. One of the disks is driven so that the film card is transported as soon as it passes between the disks. Due to the arrangement of a pair of disks, the transport device is extremely flat so that it can withdraw a film card from a cassette without the need for it to be slid into the induction region of the transport device by means of, for example, a ram.

Abstract: A control panel for a microfiche reader includes an alphabetic keyboard having a plurality of buttons arranged in parallel rows and a numeric keyboard carrying numeral index images. Each row of the buttons is provided with an index carrier carrying a plurality of indicia. Each of this indicia corresponds to a row of images extending along one of the coordinate axes. These index carriers are switched to a plurality of positions to thereby align the respective indicia with the associated button which is pushed to locate the row of images in which the individual image to be retrieved is located. The second keyboard is thereafter used to locate the individual image in the row of images found by the first keyboard.