Abstract: A film guide for a movie camera having an image window which is arranged in a recording beam path of the movie camera, a gripper platform which is supported on the image window, between whose mutually facing film planes a film channel is formed through which a movie film is moved by a film transport mechanism, and a spacing window which is connected to the gripper platform. The spacing window is supported on the image window in such a manner that the film channel narrows to form a film gap between the mutually facing film planes of the image window and the spacing window.

Abstract: A film trap and gate assembly for use in a motion picture projector is described. The film trap includes an image aperture and a first and second trap rail assembly. The film trap further includes a stripper plate having an angled stripper blade attached to an attachment flange. The stripper blade is attached to the attachment flange at an at least one degree angle, preferably biased towards the trap body. The film gate includes a projection aperture and a first and second gate rail assembly. A film tensioning assembly is attached to the gate body, the film tensioning device having a deformable body disposing at least two tensioning rollers, and an adjustable tensioning device. When assembled, the film trap and gate assembly forms a film movement channel to guide the film past an illumination source, while reducing the contact between the film strip and the film trap and gate assembly.

Abstract: A film trap and gate assembly for use on a motion picture projector. The film trap includes an image aperture and a first and second trap rail assembly. The film trap further includes a stripper plate having an angled stripper blade attached to an attachment flange. The stripper blade is attached to the attachment flange at an at least one degree angle, preferably biased towards the trap body. The film gate includes a projection aperture and a first and second gate rail assembly. A film tensioning assembly is attached to the gate body, the film tensioning device having a deformable body disposing at least two tensioning rollers, and an adjustable tensioning device. When assembled, the film trap and gate assembly forms a film movement channel to guide the film past an illumination source, while reducing the contact between the film strip and the film trap and gate assembly. Consequently, the number of showing of a motion picture film is substantially increased.

Abstract: A film trap and gate assembly for use on a motion picture projector. The film trap includes an image aperture and a first and second trap rail assembly. The film trap further includes a stripper plate having an angled stripper blade attached to an attachment flange. The stripper blade is attached to the attachment flange at an at least one degree angle, preferably biased towards the trap body. The film gate includes a projection aperture and a first and second gate rail assembly. A film tensioning assembly is attached to the gate body, the film tensioning device having a deformable body disposing at least two tensioning rollers, and an adjustable tensioning device. When assembled, the film trap and gate assembly forms a film movement channel to guide the film past an illumination source, while reducing the contact between the film strip and the film trap and gate assembly. Consequently, the number of showing of a motion picture film is substantially increased.

Abstract: A film trap and gate assembly for use on a motion picture projector. The film trap includes an image aperture and a first and second trap rail assembly. The film trap further includes a stripper plate having an angled stripper blade attached to an attachment flange. The stripper blade is attached to the attachment flange at an at least one degree angle, preferably biased towards the trap body. The film gate includes a projection aperture and a first and second gate rail assembly. A film tensioning assembly is attached to the gate body, the film tensioning device having a deformable body disposing at least two tensioning rollers, and an adjustable tensioning device. When assembled, the film trap and gate assembly forms a film movement channel to guide the film past an illumination source, while reducing the contact between the film strip and the film trap and gate assembly. Consequently, the number of showing of a motion picture film is substantially increased.

Abstract: A film guide for a movie camera 1 with a distance window 5 positioned in the shooting path of rays 3 of the movie camera 1, whereby this distance window 5 has a picture gate 52 and a platen 7a, between which the movie film 6 is moved. At least the upper surface of the platen 7a facing the movie film 6 is formed in a ray-absorbing or non-reflecting way.

Abstract: A system and method for registering the frames of film with respect to an aperture in a motion picture projector. A registration reference mark is applied to each frame corresponding to the location of the frame on the film. When the film is intermittently stopped in the projector's film gate, the registration reference mark is read to determine the location of that frame relative to the immediately preceding frame. If the frame in the gate is misregistered, the gate is moved to correctly register the frame prior to projection. By properly registering the frames, the “jitter”and “weave” associated with conventional projectors is eliminated and resolution of the projected film image is enhanced.

Abstract: A rotary gate for digitally scanning frames of a motion picture film has a motor drive wheel and a coaxially spaced free wheel which support and engage sprocket holes in the film. The free wheel has no connection to the driven wheel other than the film which rotates the free wheel as it is driven by the drive wheel for advancing the film through the gate. A light source and sensor are provided on opposite sides of the film for illuminating the film and digitally scanning motion picture frames. Sprockets on the drive wheel are profiled to stabilize the film laterally while it is advanced for scanning of each frame. A fixed disc with a smooth track my be substituted for the free wheel for supporting the film.

Abstract: A linear motor driven film gate for a motion picture telecine and methods for operation. A housing associated with a telecine optical block is operative to support and transport a single film frame in a precisely controlled linear motion past a telecine scanning aperture for scanning. An entry guide sprocket on the telecine receives the film from a feed spool, stabilizes the film, and directs the film across the aperture. A pin assembly carrying precision milled registration pins on a film transport carriage engages with the film sprocket holes in a path perpendicular to the film plane. After the registration pins are engaged with the sprocket perforations, a precision linear motor with integrated optical position encoder pulls a single frame across the scanning aperture. When a single frame has passed by the aperture, the linear motor stops, and the registration pins are removed from engagement with the film. The linear motor then returns to an initial position to engage a subsequent frame of film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flattening photographic film at the time of picture-taking involves applying a force-field to a photographic film made responsive to said force field to attract it against a reference surface. The force field may be electric, magnetic, AC, DC, or a combination of these.

Abstract: An apparatus for constraining a moving web of photographic film includes a first frame (84); a pair of oppositely facing, substantially parallel edge guides (148, 156, 158) supported by the first frame, each edge guide comprising a serpentine contact surface (160) with a central portion (162) for engaging an edge surface of a web moving between the edge guides; a second frame (70, 186, 248); a pair of film deflectors (262, 264) supported by the second frame; and a mechanism (74-96, 180-238) for relatively positioning the two frames with the film deflectors at least partially engaging the film with the serpentine contact surface, the mechanism being selectively adjustable to vary the deflection of the web toward the serpentine path, so that webs of different types of photographic film can be constrained for bar code reading.

Abstract: The improved film clamp comprises a base plate having an aperture defined therethrough and over which a film strip is positioned in a plane; a platen having a flat surface and an aperture defined therein and mounted to said base plate with the apertures of said base plate and said platen aligned with each other when the platen is clamped to the base plate; and flexible gripping means positioned around the periphery of the aperture of either said platen, said base plate or both, each of said flexible gripping means including a locating section arranged so as to be inserted into locating slots provided around the periphery of the aperture of either said platen, said base plate or both, said locating slots being, when said base plate and said platen are clamped together, substantially perpendicular to the plane of the film strip and a gripping section angled with respect to said locating section outward from the aperture(s) so as to grip and tension said film strip between said base plate and said platen when th

Abstract: An improved film trap for a motion picture projector. The film trap includes a runner assembly having first and second runner elements each having a reduced thickness. The reduced thickness of the first and second runner elements enables the first and second runner elements to contact a first side of the filmstrip such that only a portion of the filmstrip which includes the sprocket holes is contacted by the first and second runner elements. The film trap further includes first and second pressure bands having a reduced thickness substantially equivalent to the first and second runner elements thickness. The first and second pressure bands urge the filmstrip against the first and second runner elements by contacting a second side of the filmstrip such that only a portion of the filmstrip which includes the sprocket holes is contacted by the first and second pressure bands.

Abstract: A film scanner is disclosed which comprises a dynamic film gate. The gate includes a pair of rollers for supporting the film at an imaging station and a pair of drive belts which clamp the film against the rollers. The belts are driven to advance the film through the imaging station. An integrating cylinder located above the film gate produces a line of light on the film, and light transmitted through the film in imaged onto a linear CCD image sensor. In order to insure that the end of the film is held flat at the imaging station, movable guides are provided to selectively engage the film adjacent the line of light on the film.

Abstract: A pressure plate assembly is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis horizontally displaced from the assembly and vertically responsive to movement of a cam. A pair of rods, nested within an underlying aperture plate assembly during imaging, lifts the film during transport and permit horizontal sliding of a film strip into the film transport compartment from without.

Abstract: A film guide mechanism for use in rolling loop film transport mechanisms minimizes film wear and permits higher film speeds on the order of 30 frames per second. The film is sandwiched in its path of travel between a driven inlet drive sprocket and a shock double capstan, the inlet drive sprocket having a plurality of teeth that mate with perforations along each edge of the film and that also mate with grooves in the shock double capstan that is in turn frictionally driven by the driven inlet drive sprocket. The driven inlet drive sprocket and the shock double capstan are slightly concave in shape to prevent contact between these components and the central emulsion area of the film.

Abstract: A transparent contoured support plate for use in a printing gate is disclosed which comprises a transparent glass or plastic plate having a smoothly contoured raised central area. This contoured raised area is intended to support the central area of a flexible photographic material, the edges of which are constrained by a mount having an open aperture.

Abstract: A film pressure plate comprising a plate having a large number of projections with their tops smoothly curved, to press the film without scratching it to hold it flat in the focal plane of the camera. The plate has leaf springs to press it against the film and is integrally molded of plastic.

Abstract: Two pairs of pivotable flap clamps are arranged on a copy master stage in the area of its exposure window, each pair having flaps respectively disposed above and below the master plane. The pairs of flaps are driven by means of an electromagnet and can be symmetrically opened and closed relative to the master plane. In their closed state, the flaps hold the copy master on two opposing sides with their front edges. Additionally, spring elastic hold-down strips are provided to hold the copy master on its lateral sides. By means of the bilateral clamping of the copy masters with the two pairs of flap clamps, an absolutely flat position of the copy master is obtained. The positioning device is particularly suitable for processing copy masters in which short strips of film or individual images are spaced apart on a carrier strip.

Abstract: A camera has a film transport device for gradually advancing a one-edge perforated light sensitive film over a picture gate with a support face, and a device for illuminating a mark on the film and including an opening which is formed in the support face at a side of a not perforated edge of the film and forms first edges on the support face and a second edge which faces toward a picture gate and lies deeper than the first edges.

Abstract: A photographic film cassette having a bowed spring yieldably biasing a pressure pad for supporting a film strip so that the latter is held in sliding engagement with a fluid processor nozzle. Spring support members formed on the cassette housing wall support opposing ends of the bowed spring so as to longitudinally position it, as well as engage other spring portions during spring deflection to prevent overstressing of the spring. The invention embodies a method of preventing overstressing of the deflected bowed spring while facilitating an increase in the spring force after a preselected deflection thereof.

Abstract: A projector for motion picture film includes a servo motor which is controlled to advance film frame by frame to a projection station. A capstan on each side of the projection station is controlled to maintain film loops of substantially constant size and an associated reel motor delivers film to and takes film from each capstan. Each associated capstan and reel motor are controlled so as to maintain substantially constant tension on the film. A film guide defines the projection station and also includes provision for masking peripheral areas of each frame. Each capstan and an associated pinch roller are designed so as to eliminate creeping of film from between the two. A circuit for controlling the reel motors is arranged to permit fast winding of film directly from one reel to the other with an automatic braking feature.

Abstract: A modular film transport and control mechanism for selectively advancing either regular 8mm or super 8mm perforated motion picture film through a projection gate is provided. The module comprises a film transport shuttle having a film engaging claw biased for engagement with the perforations of the film, a rotatable drive cam in operative engagement with the shuttle to reciprocally move the claw along horizontal and vertical paths to advance the film through the projection gate, and a pivotally mounted projection mode shifter interposed between the shuttle and the cam to transmit the desired horizontal motion from the cam to the shuttle, and selectively movable between at least two positions along a surface of the cam to change the mode of operation from normal projection to still projection. A control linkage connected to the shifter permits manual selection of the desired operating mode. The module also comprises a rotatable shutter mounted on a common shaft with the shuttle drive cam.

Abstract: An aperture assembly is described for use in a motion picture camera, parularly a camera using film cartridges and requiring an aperture assembly with a very thin profile. The aperture assembly includes a thin metal base plate to provide strength for the assembly and for alignment of aperture components thereon. The aperture components include a thin molded aperture piece and a pair of thin molded cartridge alignment shoulders, all mounted on one side of the base plate. The base plate and the aperture piece both have aligned exposure windows through which the film is exposed and aligned slits for receiving a shuttle tooth for advancing the film. Each of the cartridge alignment shoulders has an internal groove communicating with a slit in the base plate for receiving a shuttle foot. A shuttle and a side tension member for use with the aperture assembly are also described.

Abstract: A motion picture projector having various functions such as, projecting and rewinding, all of which can be selectively performed by a single control knob, and including an intermittent-drive film advancing mechanism which comprises a pull-down structure, a compound cam of an up-and-down cam wheel and an in-and-out cam disk, and first and second cam followers arranged between the pull-down structure and the compound cam to be consecutively operated so that the pull-down claw enters the perforations of the film and moves it in a forward direction always by the length of a frame and at a desired frequency through a film gate mechanism. The film gate mechanism consists of a film guideway, a resilient thin aperture plate self-biased to move away from the film guideway and defining an actual projection aperture, and a movable film gate member arranged on the opposite side of the aperture plate from the guideway and biased to urge the aperture plate for guidance and support of the film against the guideway.

Abstract: The aperture selector mechanism for dual film projectors provides a change-over lever deplaceable between a upper (unlocked) and a depressed (locked) position, resilient means biasing the said lever in the upper (unlocked) position, first deplaceable means cooperable with the change-over lever to releasable lock the lever in the depressed, (locked) position and to release the lever when a super-8 film spool intermediale hub is cooperatively received in the drive spindle of the dual film projector and second deplaceable means preventing the standard 8 film spool intermediale hub to be cooperatively received in the said drive spindle of the dual film projector when the lever is in the upper (unlocked) position.