The Nickelodeon (Feb-Sep 1909)

October, 1909. THE NICKELODEON. lU Important Motion Picture Patents By Austin SherriU IN THE August and September numbers of The Nickelodeon, a review was given of several important motion picture patents bearing upon the patent situation in the motion picture industry in the United States today. Below is given a review of additional patents, control of which is in the hands of the Motion Picture Patents Company, as set forth in its literature. Patent No. 673,329 was issued April 30, 1901, on application of Albert E. Smith, of Brooklyn, New York, and was assigned originally to the American Vitagraph Company. It covers very broadly and seemingly with valid claims, the framing device illustrated in the patent, consisting of two frames, one of which carries the film window and the other of which carries the film gate and the intermittent devices, the two frames being movable with respect to each other. There are six claims, which are given below in full : 1. In a kinetoscope, the combination with a fixed apertured diaphragm, of a frame adapted to carry the picture-film, actuating mechanism for the film, such mechanism being carried by said frame, and means for adjusting the position of the frame, the film and the actuating mechanism with respect to the diaphragm. 2. In a kinetoscope, the combination with a fixed apertured diaphragm, of a frame adapted to carry the picture-film and its actuating mechanism, and means for adjusting the position of the frame with respect to the diaphragm, consisting of a rack secured to the frame, a fixed pinion adapted to mesh with the rack and means for rotating the pinion. 3. The combination in a kinetoscope of a movable frame adapted to carry a picture-film and its propelling mechanism and provided with a rack, with a fixed diaphragm having a light-aperture and a support for said diaphragm, guides adapted to control the direction of motion of the frame and a pinion adapted to actuate the rack and frame. 4. In a kinetoscope, the combination with a fixed diaphragm provided with an aperture adapted to admit of the passage of the light and filmactuating mechanism, of means for adjusting the position of "a picture-carrying film with respect to the aperture, consisting of a movable frame upon which are mounted the film and its said actuating mechanism, said frame being designed to move the film with relation to the diaphragm, guides adapted to control the direction of the movement of said frame and means for producing said movement. 5. In a kinetoscope, a frame adapted to carry the film, propelling mechanism for the film also carried by said frame, a frame adapted to carry the diaphragm and its light-aperture and means for adjusting the relative positions of the two frames and holding them in position after adjustment, the film and the light-aperture being moved one in relation to the other in the frame adjustment. 6. In a kinetoscope, a frame adapted to carry the film and its propelling mechanism, a frame adapted to carry the diaphragm and its light-aperture and means for adjusting the relative positions of the two frames and holding them in position after adjustment, consisting of a rack secured to one frame and a pinion secured to the other and having an operating-handle. Patent No. 673,992 was issued to Thomas Armat, of Washington, D. C, on May 14, 1901. This patent dis closes a film gate made substantially of three parts, two of which are movable upon the fixed part or frame of the gate. Of the two movable parts, one is set under spring tension to maintain a constant tension upon the film as it passes through the gate, while the other is under a stronger spring tension, but is associated with a fourth element adapted to lift it from the film while the film is being moved through the gate. Thus, we have a constant tension under which the film is moved, and an auxiliary spring clip which grips the film and holds it flat in the film window while it is at rest, and while the projection of the image is being made. Fig. 14, accompanying this article, shows Mr. Armat's improved film gate in a perspective view. The operation of the different parts will be understood from the figure, which shows only the frame, the constant tension member and the intermittent tension member, the arm which extends downward at the left being the striker arm, which is engaged by a cam wheel. Fig. 15 shows a side view of the film gate in connection with upper and lower film feed wheels, and the film shift device, as well as the striker wheel for the intermittent tension member of the film gate. Most of the claims are directed toward the detail of improvement in the film gate embodied in the intermittent tension placed upon the film and operated in connection with the film shift or intermittent motion. The upper feed loop also is mentioned, but is not claimed separately from the film gate features. Claim 9 may be taken as a representative specimen of the claims of this patent : 9. The combination with a film or strip and means for imparting movement thereto, of a tension device provided with a yielding member adapted to hold and keep the film taut and prevent flexing or puckering at the point of exposure, a rotatable element adapted to contact with a portion of the yielding member so as to relieve the pressure exerted thereby upon the film, together with means for intermittently moving the film through the tension device, substantially as described. The specification of "a tension device adapted to keep the film taut and prevent flexing or puckering at the point of exposure" is included as a part of each of claims 1, 2 and 3. Claim 4 states that it must be interposed between the feed drums. Claims 5 to 11, inclusive, have the feature of the yielding member as an element, and Claims 12 and 13 include also means for actuating the yielding member to release the film from pressure. Claim 14, the last of the patent, seems to be directed toward one of the types of intermittent movement mechanism. Patent No. 707,934 was issued on August 26, 1902, to E. & T. H. Anthony Company, of New York, as assignees of Mr. Woodville Latham, the patent being