The international photographer (Jan-Dec 1933)

September, 1933 The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Eleven Sound Track Mechanism By Jay Cleis Kroesen, S.M.P.E. {Patent Serial No. 573,709) To the Editor, International Photographer: In pursuance of our recent exchange of letters in regard to new inventions appertaining to motion pictures, I am attaching hereto a copy of my patent number 1,917,653, issued July 11, 1933. This is one of a group of patents issued or about to be issued for the accomplishment of several things, some of which will make possible the substitution of two sound tracks, where one is now used and making possible the use of the present projectors with but minor changes in the parts now supporting the telescope lens, whereby one sound track will be used for the sound as at present and the remaining track for the automatic operation of change-overs without mutilating the film, operating the switchboard and dimmers, signals, and what have you in the theatre. The diagonal sound track registrations may also be used to good advantage with 16 mm. film as is explained in the patent paper attached, and will permit a wider sound track on 35 mm. film which, to my way of viewing the situation, will permit the reduction in width of the recording aperture and permit the lengthening of the same. It will also permit the use of double sound track in the correlation of light with sound by operating the switchboard dimmers while sound is operating for prologues, etc. When used for music as supplied for dances in small communities the picture photograph may be entirely omitted and, a series of sound tracks adjacent to each other may be had over the entire width of the film and, by this method, a large number of sound tracks may be had on a single film width. By the use of the endless film with the standard method of cut-over, any length of film may be used without changing the gear ratio of the special sound projector; for example, 15 sound tracks on 35 mm. film is or might be possible or 360 feet of 35 mm. film for one hour of music, voice, lecture, etc., 1800 feet for 5 hours, etc. Of course, there are numerous applications to which this could, with the additional patents about to be issued, be made, such as better sound reproduction during printing of positives, etc. The fact remains that a better and higher utilization of film is desirable where frequencies are registered and more light is required and to this end I feel I am accomplishing some headway and, of course, the change in aperture dimensions by the reduction in width and lengthening of the aperture, will be of some advantage in quality of sound, etc. Jay C. Kroesen. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved motion picture film having an improved sound track thereon. It is another object of this invention to provide an improved motion picture film having a sound track whose components are angularly disposed with respect to the direction of travel of the film. _ Yet another object of this invention is the provision of improved motion picture film having a sound track of variable width. It is also an object of this invention to provide such improved him having a sound track of variable width adapted for use for standard 16, 25, 35, 50 and 70 millimeter films, etc. Yet a further object of this invention is the provision of an improved sound track for motion picture films which is adapted to be consolidated so as to form a track of varying depth which is further adapted to be printed on small size tracks for standard 35 millimeter him. A further object is the provision of an improved sound aperture mechanism for a sound camera. Yet another object of this invention is the provision of an improved method for reproducing, recording and printing sound on film. * * * As intimated hereinabove difficulty has been experienced in recording and reproducing sound on film due to the fact that the physical elements of the sound tracks and associated apertures now in use are such that the possible upper and lower registers of sounds are not now capable of being reproduced. * * * A desirable angularity for the sound track elements is 45 degrees from the angle or direction of travel of the film proper, although other angles may be used up to substantially 90 degrees. * * * Referring more specifically to the drawing there is shown, in Figure 1, a motion picture film, designated by the numeral 10 and having a sound track area 11, of standard dimensions. In Figure 2 the sound track area remains the same for any given size of film, but due to the angularity of the component elements 13, they are appreciably increased over the corresponding elements 14 of the standard horizontal track, so that an appreciable inciease in the effect of track width, as indicated generally by the numeral 15, is secured. Referring more specifically to Figure 3, there is shown a plurality of right angles having a common base 20. By superimposing on this common base 3, right triangles making 1,917,653 July 11, 1933. J. C KROESEN SOUND TRACK MECHANISM Filed Nov. 7, 1931 J&pJ // 1 g&x ^%?6' gz&y ^&.$. INVENTOR ATTORNEY5 30, 40 or 60 degree angles with the base respectively, it will be seen that the hypothenuses of the several triangles are successively longer than the base. For a 45 degree angle, therefore, the increase in the length of the aperture over that afforded by its strictly horizontal aperture is approximately 40 per cent. As the angle is increased the effective length or width of the sound track is also increased until, as the angle approaches 90 degrees as a maximum the sound track element approaches infinity in length. Referring to Figures 4 and 5 there is shown a standard sound film having a track 30 in which the elements are of variable width, as in Figure 4 or in Figure 5, the elements 31, while of variable width, are still diagonally dispersed with respect to the direction of travel of the film, and are appreciably longer than the horizontal elements. The aperture mechanism, comprising a rotable sheath 40, having an aperture plate 41, containing an aperture 42 of any desired dimensions, is adapted to be rotated by means of a micrometer screw adjustment 43 controlled by suitable knob or handle 44. Such a device permits the obtaining of any desired angularity of the aperture in a single sound camera or reproducing head, and also permits various moving picture producers to effect a standard angularity for their (Turn to Page 37) Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.