Abstract: The film reader has a substantially cubic housing one wall of which is formed with a projection screen, an intake slot for a film to be projected, a focus control knob and two slots for position control levers movable along mutually normal axes near the screen. The transmission means between a film holder and respective control levers include a longitudinal carriage movable on two guiding tracks along one axis and supporting a transverse carriage for a transverse movement along the other axis. Each lever is pivotable about a fixed pivot point in mutually normal planes and is provided with an equalizing lever cooperating with a pin and slot guide. One control lever has an equalizing elbow lever hinged to a transmission lever extending transversely to the control lever and coupled to one side of the longitudinal carriage. The other control lever is coupled to the transverse carriage which supports the film by means of a closed loop Bowden wire.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein apparatus for positioning rows and columns of microimage frames imprinted on a cassetted filmstrip for projection and display. The filmstrip is longitudinally movable in incremental amounts through an elongated cassette passageway, the passageway having a transverse aperture for permitting projected light to pass through a selected portion of the filmstrip for enlarged and focused microimage display.

Abstract: A device for holding film in a projector is disclosed, in which the film is loosely held between two transparent plates, and air is supplied between one of the transparent plates and the film, so as to clamp the film to the other transparent plate. Thereby the film is gently and positively held, and is also cooled.

Abstract: A film gate for image projection apparatus provides improved structure for directing cooling air across the surfaces of supported film. The outlets of the cooling air conduits are located adjacent edges of supported film and configured and oriented to create Coanda effect attachment of their issuing air streams to the film surfaces.

Abstract: A microfilm cassette for use in an optical projection device in which a film plane is established within the cassette by a film platen supported by the cassette. An additional aspect of this film platen is its support structure which enables it to move transversely with respect to the cassette. A predetermined surface on this film platen is biased against a predetermined surface within the projection device to establish and control the relationship between the film plane and the projection device's optics.

Abstract: An improved filmstrip-carrying cassette, the filmstrip carrying thereon microimages arranged in rows and columns, and a viewer for illuminating, projecting, enlarging and reading on a display screen a selected one of the microimages is provided, using a pair of transparent plates to engage a selected portion of the filmstrip on opposite sides to hold same in a precise focal plane for properly illuminating and projecting the selected microimage. The filmstrip has great width to accommodate multiple rows of microimages, and motor means operate to transport the filmstrip selectively in opposite directions to quickly locate the column in which the desired microimage is located. The cassette is carried by a viewer-mounted carriage that is manually reciprocable along a track, so as to traverse the column in seeking the desired microimage. The transparent plates are separated simultaneously with the energizing of the motor means to permit unfettered movement of the filmstrip.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein apparatus for positioning rows and columns of microimage frames imprinted on a cassetted filmstrip for projection and display. The filmstrip is longitudinally movable in incremental amounts through an elongated cassette passageway, the passageway having a transverse aperture for permitting projected light to pass through a selected portion of the filmstrip for enlarged and focused microimage display. The positioning apparatus includes a first and second transparent plates located in a cassette in the path of projected light on either side of the filmstrip, and an assembly for effecting separation of the first and second plates, the assembly also operable for clamping the selected filmstrip portion between the first and second plates in a filmstrip focusing plane.Cassette on which the first and second transparent filmstrip clamping plates are mounted and a viewer on which the assembly for effecting clamping and separation of the plates is mounted.

Abstract: A pair of glass flats are mounted in a removable carrier frame assembly, which is adapted to be inserted into a microfilm reader/printer. Supports on the carrier frame may be rested upon a front panel of a reader/printer in order to facilitate an alignment and an insertion of the carrier. A solenoid controlled mechanical linkage normally holds the glass flats in an open position except when the film is actually being projected. Then, they close. Signals are sent back to indicate to the reader/printer whether the flats are opened or closed and to control it in response thereto.

Abstract: A device that enables photographic images, black and white or color, to be projected onto a screen by means of a slide projector and have that image rotate, clockwise or counter-clockwise, and at various speeds of rotation, and to be externally controlled to stop and start on a real time manual basis or on an automatic programmed basis. The slide carrier has a motor mounted thereon and interfaces with the projector in the manner of a normal slide carrier as it moves between storage and projector positions. Electrical connection is made through an interconnecting unit to a control box whereby the speed and direction of the slide rotation are controlled.

Abstract: A rotatable slide holder adapted for use in slide projectors is disclosed. The slide holder includes first and second spaced members adapted to grip and maintain a slide to be projected in the space therebetween. Spring loaded screws between the first and second members for rotationally fixing the members relative to one another and for biasing the members toward one another. The first and second spaced members are rotationally coupled to the body of the projector so that the members can rotate about an axis perpendicular to a slide positioned in the space between the members. A drive motor is mounted on the projector body and is coupled to the slide maintaining members for causing their rotation. In a first embodiment of the invention one of the spaced members has a circular cross-section and is formed with four uniformly spaced detents in the outer surface thereof. The drive motor switch is a pantograph, one leg joint of which is positioned to cooperate with the detents.

Abstract: An overhead projector comprises a stage having at least two guide members fixed to its upper surface and movable longitudinally and transversely above a projector body, a file page having a plurality of slide films fitted therein in rows and columns and pairs of reference edges spaced apart at equidistances from crosswise and lengthwise center axes of the file page and adapted to abut against the guide members of the stage for positioning the file page relative to the stage, and positioning means for determining movements of the stage at determined intervals. The slide films in the file page are spaced apart at distances correspondingly equal to the movement distances determined by the positioning means. The projector is capable of correctly positioning a file page relative to the stage with ease after the file page has been rotated or turned upside down for changing over the projection methods of the projector, such as reflection projection and transmission projection.

Abstract: A film winding device for slide projectors of a type using strip films comprising a film housing case capable of being removably fitted to a projector body, a film guide guiding a projected film toward the film housing case, a leading ring mounted rotatably on the end portion of the film guide and capable of leading in the projected film at the tip so as to come to the outside within the film housing case and a roller means arranged so as to be able to positively feed the projected film even in the end portion into the film housing case, whereby the film having finished being projected can be housed successively into the film housing case so as to be projectable without being rewound. In this slide projector, the film to be projected can be easily taken at the tip to the position of the film guide by pushing a button.

Abstract: The projector includes two projection optics systems and two slide gates which move slides acquired from a slide receptacle into and out of a viewing position in all of the projection optics systems. The slide gates are movable between a first position, which is common to both slide gates and in which slides are moved between the slide receptacle and the side gate means, and the second position in one of the projection optics systems. The slides move by gravity from the slide receptacle into the slide gates and by means of a slide lifter from the slide gates back into the slide receptacle. A combination of a scalloped gear matching the depending lugs on the slide receptacle and a stepping motor to control the movement of the gear provides efficient and economical control over the movement of the slide receptacle. The slide gates, the slide lifter, and the slide receptacle gearing are independent of each other in operation, so that they may be activated in any sequence.

Abstract: A roll film reader/printer transports film to a selected photographic area. Transparent areas are also left at any one or more selected locations on the roll film. When it is necessary or desirable to read an image on a separate and discrete film, "card", the roll of film is transported through the reader/printer in order to display a transparent area. There, the separate and discrete film "card" is manually inserted into the reader/printer, over the transparent area on the roll film. Suitable interlock switches disable the roll film transport mechanism while the manually inserted film is in the reader/printer.

Abstract: To facilitate reading by reducing eye movement, reading matter recorded on microfilm is arranged in a column with not more than 26 characters, including spaces, per line. The microfilm record is read with the aid of an apparatus which optically magnifies the record and advances it continuously at a controllable speed in the direction of the column to present successive lines to the eye. Illustrations may be placed at the required position in the text and the reading apparatus is constructed to move a picture rapidly into and out of the viewing position and hold it stationary for viewing.

Abstract: Apparatus whereby a filmstrip operator can conveniently reestablish the engagement between a sprocket and an overdriven filmstrip in a filmstrip projector. The projector operator manipulates a thumb wheel to cause a roller to come into contact with a surface portion of the filmstrip, and to cause the roller to rotate thereby causing longitudinal displacement of the filmstrip in a film track. The trailing edge of the filmstrip is displaced towards the sprocket to facilitate reengagement of the filmstrip with the sprocket.

Abstract: A microfilm reader has a film transport mechanism driven by separate forward and reverse motors. When the forward motor first starts, power may be applied, via a one way clutch, to a capstan in order to automatically thread the film into the reader. A film gate opens as the film approaches it and thereafter closes, after the film is captured therein. A manual override gate control may prop the film gate open, if film is manually fed through the system.

Abstract: The sprocket assembly for periodic advancement of film in a film projector is supported axially between rotated members and is corotative with the members upon increase in axial force therebetween. One of the members is axially restrained and the second member supported for minute axial movement. Force giving rise to the corotation of the members and sprocket assembly is applied to the second member by selective movement of a magnetically attractable element into a magnetic field generated continuously during projector use.

Abstract: A hand-held projector for projecting from a transparency on a film strip and image onto any desired surface. The film strip with a series of transparencies is guided in a casing which has a front peripheral wall portion carrying an objective behind which is situated a light source with the film being guided between the light source and objective. A manually operable member is accessible for feeding the film strip frame by frame along the guide in the casing so that successive transparencies will be projected. Batteries from which energy is derived for the light source are situated in the casing on opposite sides of the light source so that a balanced compact arrangement is achieved.

Abstract: A film carrier device for a microfilm reader includes a rectangular transparent flat base plate having a pair of laterally spaced parallel longitudinally extending guide members located along opposite side top borders of the base plate. The rear inside faces of the guide members diverge rearwardly and have longitudinal grooves extending for the full lengths of their bottoms and the grooves may extend likewise for the full lengths of the guide member inside faces. A transparent cover plate is hinged along its forward edge to the forward border of the base plate and is swingable between a closed position overlying the base plate and a rearwardly upwardly inclined open position. A pair of laterally spaced film stops project upwardly from the base plate proximate its rear portions and a pair of leaf spring film engaging clips are disposed proximate the guide member front ends or proximate the film stops.

Abstract: An improved film handling device or film cartridge designed for permanent mounting on a film strip projector or the like. The device or cartridge includes a base plate pivotally mounted to a sliding carriage and a storage cavity on the top of the base plate. The carriage comprises a tape cassette player and the base plate includes at least a pair of depending arms for slideably mounting a tape cassette. A drive sprocket is mounted on the base plate for engaging and feeding the film through a film gate in the projector. The carriage is movable between a generally forward, film loading position whereat the base plate is pivoted upwardly for easy access and a generally rearward, film feed position which permits the film to be transferred through the film gate. A safety interlock is provided on the cassette to prevent jamming of the film as the carriage is moved between its respective positions.

Abstract: A device for inscribing additional informations on microfilms of a construction, wherein informations already recorded on microfilms are projected on an image screen by means of an enlarging and projecting device, additional informations to be entered on this microfilm are written in on the projected enlarged information images on the screen by a pen through guide means which moves on the projected image on the screen, the additional informations thus written-in on an appropriate portion on the projected image on the screen are reduced by a scale reducing means interlinked with the guide means and which reduces the movement of the guide means, and the thus reduced additional informations are then inscribed on the microfilm by means of write-in needle attached to the scale-reducing means.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading images from an image carrier, such as a microfiche. The apparatus includes a mechanism for holding the image carrier between two glass plates as the carrier is moved across the optical plane of a corresponding optical system. These glass plates are pressed together in the area of the optical axis so as to ensure that the image carrier is held in a flat position when it is being viewed through the optical system. When the holding mechanism is moved to one end position so as to be substantially withdrawn from the reading apparatus, however, one of the glass plates is automatically swiveled out and away from the other glass plate so as to allow an image carrier to either be removed or inserted between the glass plates.

Abstract: An improved frame construction for supporting transparencies for projection by an overhead optical projector, including means for maintaining a transparency in fixed position relative to the projector, and means for selectively adding color to desired areas of the transparency for directing the attention of the viewer, and adding interest to the display. The colored areas may be oriented in either of two mutually perpendicular directions.

Abstract: The device is provided with a lever which is pivotally mounted at one end and is urged in the downward direction by a spring, a slide-carrying shoe being attached at the free end of the lever. The lever has an upwardly curving centre portion which rests on a roller mounted on a disc driven at half-speed by a motor. The device also comprises a slide guide consisting of two prismatic rails, one of which is stationary, while the other is secured to a carriage mounted displaceably in the plane of the slide and capable of being pulled towards the stationary rail by means of a spring. There is a coupling pin on the carriage which is engaged with a control cam provided on the lever-driving disc, the said cam being designed in a manner such that the movable prismatic rail is pulled back only during the downward movement of the slide shoe which moves between the prismatic rails, the said slide being otherwise pressed against the stationary rail under the action of the spring.