Abstract: Disclosed is a film delivery and recovery stabilization system for platter-type movie projection systems which provides a stratum material for dissipating static charge which accumulates within the film media and a plurality of retaining members selectively positioned at the periphery of a spool of film. The retaining members encasing magnetic elements that magnetically attach to a magnetic material which has been placed in a variable number of radial slots in the static dissipating stratum material.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a film platter system involving modifications to a platter system comprising two or more rotary film platters used in the makeup and breakdown of film for motion picture projection in theaters and the like. The system and method involves the use of a tightly wound extended length (e.g., 6,000-7,000 feet) roll of motion picture film. An adapter plate assembly is provided to be used in place of the usual center ring and plug-in control plate used in film platter systems so as to allow a core of the extended length film roll to be suitably secured to one platter for payout to a second platter in making up a film coil (e.g., 12,000 feet) for projection. In addition, a tensioner for use with one or more platters is provided to facilitate breakdown of the film roll into its extended length (e.g., 6,000-7,000 feet) roll for repackaging and shipping to the next theater. A method for make-up and break-down, as well as details of the adapter assembly and tensioner are shown and described.

Abstract: A reel unit for supply and take-up of film from at least one motion picture projector includes an upright support column and a plurality of film platter-support arms that extend generally horizontally from the column at vertically spaced positions. The arms are alternately offset laterally from one another to facilitate access to film on platters below the top arm. Each arm carries a platter drive hub provided with upwardly projecting drive pins that engage in openings in the platter so that the platter can be lifted off the arm. This allows the platters to be interchanged between different arms. Film take-up and pay-out cores can be interchangeably mounted on the platters so that any one platter can serve as a supply platter or a take-up platter irrespective of its position on the column. For the same reason, the column carries, in association with each arm, a set of rollers for guiding film being paid out from a platter on that arm or being wound onto the platter.

Abstract: A digital sound signal reading means 20 is provided in association with a sound drum 13 on which an image film 1 delivered from a cinema film supply unit 50 circumferentially travels to carry out reading and reproduction of digital sound signals recorded in a digital sound signal recording portion 5 of the image film 1. An image film traveling adjustment unit 30 is disposed at least at the position of the preceding stage of the image film traveling path. The image film traveling adjustment unit 30 applies traveling load in dependency upon traveling state of the image film 1 to allow the image film 1 to travel up to the digital sound signal reading means 2 in a stable state thus to allow it to carry out reading and reproduction of digital sound signals.

Abstract: A safety device for the feed out path of film from a platter system includes a plate pivotally or slidably mounted to a support of the platter system, and carrying a roller which is engaged by film on the feed out path. A spring biases the plate toward an inactive position where the platter system operates normally. If a head wrap condition begins, tension increases on the feed out path which moves the plate against the spring to activate a switch which interrupts power to the platter system and to a projector connected to the platter system.

Abstract: A motion picture film shipping and handling unit is adaptable for use on either a platter-type movie projector system or on a reel-type movie projector system. The unit includes two film supporting flanges with a hub located therebetween. A central supporting hub is releasably connected to the hub, and fasteners releasably attach the elements together. A locking ring connects the flanges together and a flexible film winding ring surrounds the locking ring. A packing ring formed of one or more separate annular sections is located between the locking ring and the film winding ring. A handling assembly assists in moving a shipping and handling unit into position adjacent to a platter of a platter-type motion picture projector. Another form of the handling assembly includes a platter system that has the platters thereof mounted on pivots and telescoping arms to move into position to accept film from a vertically oriented film shipping and handling unit. Ramps elevate the shipping and handling unit as necessary.

Abstract: A motion picture film shipping and handling system is adaptable for use on either a platter-type movie projector system or on a reel-type movie projector system. The system includes two film supporting flanges with a collapsible hub located therebetween. A central supporting hub is releasably connected to the collapsible hub, and fasteners releasably attach the elements together. A shipping case contains the flanges and the film in a manner which dissipates impact forces to protect the film and the flanges.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously storing a strip of material in a coil, including a flat platter and a drive for rotating the platter, the coil lying edgewise on the platter and the strip including an incoming strip portion leading to the coil periphery and an outgoing strip portion leading from the coil center, an arrangement for applying the incoming strip portion to the periphery of the coil of the strip on the platter as it rotates, in an even number of substantially straight strip sections joined at curved corners providing alternating even and odd strip sections and applying an inward pressure to the even strip sections to form the even strip sections into concave strip sections.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously storing a strip of material in a coil, such as a multi-hour motion picture theatre film. The apparatus includes a flat platter with drive means for rotating the platter, a cam mounted for rotation with the platter and having a cam track with alternating sections of greater distance and lesser distance from the center of the platter, and means for applying the incoming strip to the periphery of the coil on the platter. The applying means includes a cam follower for engaging the cam track to position the strip in a coil on the platter having inwardly directed rounded cusps with arcuate outer peripheries therebetween. In order to produce or eliminate tension in the strip, a fixed roller is positioned at the arcuate outer periphery for urging the coil inward as the roller contacts the arcuate periphery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously storing a strip of material in a coil, such as a multi-hour motion picture theatre film. The apparatus includes a flat platter with drive means for rotating the platter, a cam mounted for rotation with the platter and having a cam track with alternating sections of greater distance and lesser distance from the center of the platter, and means for applying the incoming strip to the periphery of the coil on the platter. The applying means includes a cam follower for engaging the cam track to position the strip in a coil on the platter having inwardly directed rounded cusps with arcuate outer peripheries therebetween. In order to reduce or eliminate tension in the strip, a roller is positioned at the outer periphery for urging the coil inward as the roller contacts the coil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously storing a strip of material in a coil, such as a multi-hour motion picture theatre film. The apparatus includes a flat platter with drive means for rotating the platter, a cam mounted for rotation with the platter and having a cam track with alternating sections of greater distance and lesser distance from the center of the platter, and means for applying the incoming strip to the periphery of the coil on the platter. The applying means includes a cam follower for engaging the cam track to position the strip in a coil on the platter having inwardly directed rounded cusps with arcuate outer peripheries therebetween. In order to produce or eliminate tension in the strip, a fixed roller is positioned at the arcuate outer periphery for urging the coil inward as the roller contacts the arcuate periphery.

Abstract: An apparatus for the endless projection of a cinematographic film comprises a horizontal, rotatable table (24) and a winding drum (34) positioned in the center of the table. The film (22) to be projected is formed to a film roll (25) surrounding the winding drum (34). An annular body (61) of the winding drum (34) is provided at its outer periphery with a great number of rotatable support rollers (64) having vertical axles (65), for radially supporting the innermost winding of the film roll (25). On the upper side of the table (24) a plurality of horizontal support rollers (40, 41) are arranged, the axles of which are radial to the table (24). The axial length of each horizontal support roller (40, 41) is substantially shorter than the radial dimension of the table (24). The annular body (61) of the winding drum (34) is provided with a radial slit (120), through which the innermost winding of the film roll (25) can be drawn off.

Abstract: Endless strips, of film or the like, arranged in concentric inner and outer coils thereof (at least two, but possibly more) are provided as tightly wound coils with substantially no space between turns of a coil, but with radial space between the coils with a separate carriage element carrying the coils for independent rotation at different speeds but with a common velocity of the outermost turn of the outer coil and innermost turn of the inner coil corresponding to the velocity of a length of strip therebetween (moving through a film projector or other external usage means for the strip). The inner coil preferably rotates faster than the outer coil and is played out completely so that new inner coils are formed from time to time by infeed from the outer coil(s).

Abstract: A protective cover specifically tailored to the shape and needs of motion picture film, more particularly film-supply and film take-up apparatus, and characterized by a canopy of circular shape with overhanging edges, and being made of durable, waterproof, lightweight material. Said cover includes skirt assembly which can be adapted to enclose various apparatuses of varying heights and circumferences, including a means for cover skirt's rapid longitudinal expansion or contraction permitting ready access to film or film-supply and take-up apparatus, together with the ability for continued apparatus and film observation due to skirt being constructed of transparent material, regardless of open or closed position of skirt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading a lengthy tape on a pair of turntables from a plurality of reels. The two turntables are appropriately supported adjacent to each other. The bottom of each turntable supports a large cam having a plurality of indentations defining a multi-lobed path over which a cam follower moves when the turntable is rotated. The cam follower is mounted on one arm of a bell crank of which the other arm supports a pusher member which applies an undulating force to the tape as it is being wound on the turntable. A sensing device is rotatably mounted in the center of each turntable and defines a take-off area for the tape being unwound from the center of the tape supported on the turntable.

Abstract: A turntable is rotated to wind the tape of a taped program thereon in equal lengths per revolution thereof. Each equal winding forces the preceeding windings inwardly on the turntable to assume progressively curving paths as the respective windings recede from the periphery of the turntable. Pressure pads are equally spaced around the periphery of the turntable and rotate therewith. The pressure pads extend radially, and frictionally engage the top edges of the tape windings which follow increasingly curved paths therebetween as the equal windings are forced inwardly by succeeding equal windings. The ends of the tape are connected leaving a portion of the closed loop formed thereby for engagement by associated apparatus and rendition thereby of the taped program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and mechanism of film feeding, traction, shuttering and adjustment in programmable audiovisual apparatus, with rapid frame change, which executes the indexing of one frame to the next one in accordance with a pre-established programmed signal, indexing only one frame at each signal, characterized by apparatus which renders the time taken to effect the frame change imperceptible and also allowing the establishing of all the stages of projection of animation, varying from one static frame at a time, up to the particular frame change speed desired.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for an endless tape includes a stationary reel around which an endless tape is wound and which has a guide path formed over the inner and outer peripheral faces. The tape is led from the innermost side thereof through the guide path to a recording reproducing head and driving mechanism which are provided within the inner peripheral face of the reel and then wound up on the outermost periphery of the tape wound around the reel.

Abstract: A continuous loop film projecting apparatus whereby film from a projector is received on a platter having pneumatic or mechanical means to decrease the friction on the film as a result of the film rubbing against the platter surface. A blower located beneath the platter forces air through a series of holes or jets in the platter, lifting the edge of the film enough off the platter to decrease the tension on the film and help prevent the film from breaking. Instead of forcing air through holes in the platter to lift the film, the platter may have slots extending almost the width of the platter with blades attached to the bottom of the platter underneath the slots, the blades projecting through the slots as a roller on the blade contacts a camming surface.

Abstract: A continuous loop film projecting apparatus whereby film from a projector is received on a platter having pneumatic or mechanical means to decrease the friction on the film as a result of the film rubbing against the platter surface and against itself. A blower located beneath the platter forces air through a series of holes or jets in the platter, lifting the edge of the film enough off the platter to decrease the tension on the film and help prevent the film from breaking. Instead of forcing air through holes in the platter to lift the film, the platter may have slots extending almost the width of the platter with blades attached to the bottom of the platter underneath the slots, the blades projecting through the slots as a roller on the blade contacts a camming surface.

Abstract: This invention provides for the edgewise storage of a filmstrip in the cavity between two concentric drums. The filmstrip is wound into the cavity between the two drums by a feed roller and pressure rollers as the drums rotate synchronously. The feed roller, in conjunction with the pressure rollers, serve to advance the filmstrip through the cavity, thereby providing storage for a considerable length of film. Since the film is pushed through the cavity to the opposite end, and made available there for use, the invention is especially appropriate for applications requiring endless loop filmstrips. The cavity formed by the drums may be of constant diameter (if the drums are cylindrical), arcuate, tapered, etc., depending upon the shapes of the corresponding surfaces of the concentric drums.

Abstract: Tape is wound on edge on top of a turntable and is held in place against the table by equally spaced pressure pads that extend radially to restrict circumferential movement of the tape across the respective radius while permitting movement along the radius. An agitator is mounted adjacent the periphery of the turntable to contact the outer layer of the tape on each side of a pressure pad and moves in an arc while in contact with the tape toward the center of the table and in the direction of the turntable to aid in forming scallops in the tape between adjacent pressure pads. The length of tape applied to the table for each revolution thereof is controlled and is either one of two selected lengths or a length between the two selected lengths. The length is changed in response to the instantaneous length of tape between a feed mechanism and the point of application of the tape to the table.

Abstract: A moving film projector, viewer or an adaptor device therefor comprising a rotatable spindle to receive a let-off spool or reel of film, a rotatable take-up spool or reel and a guide to direct the film in its desired path from the let-off spool, when this is in position on the spindle therefor, past a viewing station at which the film can be viewed or projected, and over the edge of and down towards the center plane of, the take-up spool, the take-up spool having a substantially continuous peripheral side wall towards which the film strip is guided and against which the film is coiled during use.

Abstract: Film cartridge for use in viewing motion picture film having means forming a framework with an index plate with an aperture therein. A continuous length of film having perforations along one edge thereof is carried by the framework. Guide means is provided on the framework for guiding the film over the index plate and past the aperture. Means is provided for advancing the film frame by frame past the aperture. A spool is rotatably mounted on the framework. The spool has a central hub and a film supporting surface extending radially from the hub so that the hub extends away from the surface in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface. The spool has an annular rim spaced from the hub and extending away from the surface and in the same direction as the hub.

Abstract: A turntable is rotated to wind the tape of a taped program thereon in equal lengths per revolution thereof. Each equal winding forces the preceeding windings inwardly on the turntable to assume progressively curving paths as the respective windings recede from the periphery of the turntable. Pressure pads are equally spaced around the periphery of the turntable and rotate therewith. The pressure pads extend radially, and frictionally engage the top edges of the tape windings which follow increasingly curved paths therebetween as the equal windings are forced inwardly by succeeding equal windings. The ends of the tape are connected leaving a portion of the closed loop formed thereby for engagement by associated apparatus and rendition thereby of the taped program.

Abstract: A film transport system for transporting a closed loop of film continuously about a defined pathway incorporating a sub-pathway whereabout multiple film strip segments of the closed loop are transitorily stored in a slidable adjacent face-to-face contact. The system includes a deck, film guide means, film drive means, and a film oscillator subassembly which jogs laterally the film strip segments in the sub-pathway. The oscillator subassembly functions to prevent film seizures in the sub-pathway which tend to occur more frequently as the total film loop perimeter is increased for a substantially constant sub-pathway perimeter.

Abstract: An improved film supply and take-up transport for use with a motion picture projector. At least two horizontal film platters are connected through bearing plates to a single vertical drive shaft. A circular film winding core is selectively positioned concentric with the shaft on one platter. The core engages a mechanism for locking the platter through the bearing plate to the drive shaft for operating the platter in a take-up mode. A motor is controlled to rotate the drive shaft for winding the film onto the core at the same rate that the film is advanced through the projector. Film is supplied to the projector from the center of a film coil on another platter which is coupled through its bearing plate to the drive shaft. An auxiliary motor is intermittently operated to initially accelerate the supply platter when the projector is first started and to control the supply platter speed to maintain a desired film supply rate.

Abstract: Cartridge viewer having means forming a framework with indexing means mounted thereon. The indexing means has an aperture therein and a pair of spaced apart index projections disposed on opposite sides of the aperture. A continuous length of film having perforations along one edge thereof is provided. Guide means is provided for guiding the film over the indexing means and past the aperture. A sprocket engages the film. A drive member is rotatably mounted in the framework and is connected to the sprocket for driving the sprocket and advancing the film past the aperture. Crank means accessible from the exterior of the framework is provided for rotating the drive member. The spool is rotatably mounted in the framework and a portion of the length of film is formed as a roll on said spool with said spool being formed so that the film can be payed out continuously either from the inside of the roll or from the outside of the roll. Optical means is carried by the framework for viewing the film in the aperture.

Abstract: A film cartridge having a film to be projected, a magnetic tape with a sound signal and film feeding signals, a housing for accommodating therein the film and tape separately therein, a reflector for projecting light passing the film and a locking mechanism for locking the film when it is not driven.A cartridge autoslide or player for the film cartridge mentioned as above having a housing with an opening for receiving the cartridge, a light source for projecting light on to the reflector of the film cartridge, an optical device for projecting the light passed through the film onto a screen, a film driving mechanism, a tape driving device and an unlocking mechanism for automatically unlocking the film locking mechanism when the cartridge is inserted into the autoslide.

Abstract: An improved film supply and take-up transport for use with a motion picture projector. At least two horizontal film platters are connected through bearing plates to a single vertical drive shaft. A circular film winding core is selectively positioned concentric with the shaft on one platter. The core engages a mechanism for locking the platter through the bearing plate to the drive shaft for operating the platter in a take-up mode. A motor is controlled to rotate the drive shaft for winding the film onto the core at the same rate that the film is advanced through the projector. Film is supplied to the projector from the center of a film coil on another platter which is coupled through its bearing plate to the drive shaft. A brake is intermittently operated to slow the supply platter below the speed of the drive shaft to maintain a desired film supply rate.

Abstract: Cassette magazine for motion-picture films comprising: a flat container having on a sidewall thereof a longitudinal sliding and exposing opening for the film drawn by conventional means of the projector, and a disc rotably carried in the container and having a control or drive portion thereof which can be accessed to through an opening formed in a sidewall of said magazine, wherein the disc carrying the film roll has on the side facing inwardly of the container a coaxial sprocket, about which the inner turns of the film are arranged; at least one guide roller for the unwound film length; a pressing member of the film against the projection window; at least one guide roller for carrying the projected film towards the external periphery of the film roll and rewinding it on the outer turns of the film roll, guide tabs being provided on the lid and other means for maintaining the film turns at matching condition in the zone about the sprocket.

Abstract: In a continuous film cartridge sound motion picture projector employing a closed loop film which is twisted to cause it to turn over with each passage through the projector, optical sound tracks on the emulsion side of the film are used to modulate a narrow beam of light, and this beam is prefocused on the center of the film while it is pressed against a film positioning element carried by the projector and the modulated beam of light is picked up by a photosensitive element which is carried by the projector and moved into the cartridge upon insertion thereof. This system is made practical by employing a beam of light which has a thickness of from 0.3 - 0.6 mil and which is produced using a single cylindrical lens element to provide a beam having a cone angle which is not more than 25.degree. to provide an adequate depth of focus to accommodate the alternate presentation of the opposite faces of the film when the film is turned over.

Abstract: A mechanism for winding endless bands of film on a hollow hub which is open at one side thereof and has a circumferential rim. The rim is provided with a plurality of apertures and a pivotal arm with a finger thereon engages the film to introduce the same into the hub through one of the apertures to form a loop of film within the hub. A guide cam is mounted on the rim adjacent each aperture for engaging the finger when the latter is offset from the respective aperture to pivot the hub so the finger can be smoothly and directly introduced into the aperture. A drive is obtained through two electro-magnetic clutches by means of one motor. The winding spool turns opposite the unwinding spool, in order to use a clutch as both a brake or a coupling, depending on whether the spool is a winding spool or an unwinding spool.

Abstract: A film cartridge for audio-visual projectors comprising a concavity portion provided in a part of a side wall thereof and capable of cooperating with a sprocket means provided on a projector body to run the endless film in the cartridge, and a groove formed in a part of a peripheral edge thereof to contain a film loop to be formed by a loop setting means provided in the projector body, thereby to simplify the entire structure of the film cartridge.

Abstract: This invention relates to an integrally molded core and platform for an endless array of magnetic tape for use in cartridges. The core is integrally connected to the platform in a one-piece construction. The upper exterior portion of the core is defined by two oppositely facing radii having a common tangent in order to minimize tape drag and hang-up or catching of the tape as it releases from the inside of the spool to be transported to the transducer head.

Abstract: An arrangement for spooling endless band material, particularly for the repeated projection of the full length of cinematograph film required for a complete programme formed as an endless loop, having two double spools each able to carry two film spirals. In a first half of the projection operation Spool 1, Spiral 1, is fed through the projector and taken up as Spool 2, Spiral 1. Simultaneously, Spool 1, Spiral 2, is directly rewound as Spool 2, Spiral 2. Both spools are then reversed and, in the second half of the projection operation, Spool 2, Spiral 2, is fed through the projector and taken up as Spool 1, Spiral 2, and Spool 2, Spiral 1, is directly rewound as Spool 1, Spiral 1. The initial state is re-established and the projection operation is continuously repeatable without rethreading the projector.

Abstract: Cassette for an endless type cinefilm comprises a casing containing therein the film coiled to form windings thereof supported and guided between outer and inner guide rings. The casing has a film gate across which a portion of the film pulled out of the innermost winding of the windings of the film through the outlet cut-out portion of the inner guide ring is moved for the projection or the exposure of the film. After having moved across the film gate, the film is advanced into the inlet cut-out portion of the outer guide ring to merge into the outermost winding of the windings of the film. The casing is provided with an arcuate guide member for the film located outside of the outer guide ring at a position remote from the cut-out outlet portion of the inner guide ring through which the portion of the film is pulled out from the innermost winding of the film.