Microfilm copier

Claim 2

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm web, a roll of photosensitive paper, magazines for said microfilm and said paper, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the microfilm to the paper along an optical axis, means for driving said microfilm, means for driving said paper including a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, a variable torque clutch attached to said shaft, an output shaft from said variable torque clutch, and means for engaging said photosensitive paper mounted upon said output shaft, means for correlating the driving of said paper and microfilm at such a rate relative to each other than the image of any point on the microfilm remains stationary on the photosensitive paper for a time sufficient to properly expose said photosensitive paper, means for changing the magnification factor between said microfilm and photosensitive paper and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and the photosensitive paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the photosensitive paper is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 3

A microfilm copier of claim 1 wherein said projecter lamp assembly comprises a projection lamp and a condenser lens which has a smaller than standard dimension parallel to the direction of film travel and standard dimensions in directions perpendicular to film travel.

Claim 4

The microfilm copier of claim 1 wherein the means for changing magnification factor between said photosensitive paper and said microfilm comprises a sliding carriage which has a longitudinal axis in the plane of the optical axis of the microfilm copier whereby the distance between the paper and microfilm is changed.

Claim 5

The microfilm copier of claim 3 wherein said means for changing the distance between said paper and microfilm comprises a jack screw attached at one end to a crank and at the other end to said sliding carriage.

Claim 6

The microfiLm copier of claim 1 wherein said means for changing the magnification factor between said photosensitive microfilm and said paper comprises a plurality of lenses, each lens having a different magnification factor, and means for positioning any one of said plurality of lenses along the optical axis of said microfilm copier at the proper position for focusing an image projected from said microfilm to said paper.

Claim 7

A microfilm copier of claim 5 wherein said means for positioning comprises a drum and a plurality of lenses radially attached to the circumference of said drum, said drum being mounted to rotate about an axis parallel to the optical axis of said microfilm copier and displaced therefrom by such a distance that any one of said plurality of lenses can be placed and registered with said optical axis by rotating said drum.

Claim 8

A microfilm copier of claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of lenses has a smaller than standard dimension parallel to the direction of film travel and standard dimensions in the directions perpendicular to the direction of film travel.

Claim 9

A microfilm copier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said variable torque clutch comprises a first pressure plate affixedly attached to said motor driven shaft, a friction washer in contact with said first pressure plate, a second pressure plate in contact with said friction washer, for compressing said friction washer against said first pressure plate, a plurality of torsion springs for applying pressure to said second pressure plate, an output shaft affixedly attached to said second pressure plate, and means for adjusting the tension on said plurality of tension springs as a function of the output shaft speed to thus vary the torque transferred to the output shaft.

Claim 10

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm web, a roll of image-bearing paper, magazines for said paper and said microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the image-bearing paper to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said image-bearing paper including a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, a variable torque clutch attached to said shaft, an output shaft from said variable torque clutch, and means for mounting said roll upon said output shaft, means for driving said microfilm web, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and paper at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm, means for changing the magnification factor between said microfilm and said paper and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 11

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm web, a roll of image-bearing paper, magazines for said paper and said microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the image-bearing paper to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said image-bearing paper including a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, a variable torque clutch attached to said shaft, an output shaft from said variable torque clutch, and means for mounting said roll upon said output shaft, means for driving said microfilm web, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and paper at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm, means for changing the magnification factor between said microfilm and said paper and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 12

A microfilm copier as claimed in claim 9 wherein said variable torque clutch comprises a first pressure plate affixedly attached to said motor driven shaft, a friction washer in contact with said first pressure plate, a second pressure plate in contact with said friction washer, or compressing said friction washer against said first pressure plate, a plurality of torsion springs for applying pressure to said second pressure plate, an output shaft affixedly attached to said second pressure plate, and means for adjusting the tension on said plurality of tension spring as a function of the output shaft speed to thus vary the torque transferred to the output shaft.

Claim 13

The microfilm copier of claim 8 wherein said means for adjusting tension comprises a plurality of weights in contact with said tension springs, a plurality of shafts radially mounted on the circumference of said output shaft upon which said weights are slidably mounted for radial movement under the influences of centrifugal force, and torque springs for restraining the movement of said weights at lower speeds but not at higher speeds wherein said weights are so positioned relative to said tension springs that said tension springs are more greatly compressed when said weights are near the axis of the output shaft and when said weights travel away from said axis.

Claim 14

The microfilm copier of claim 10 wherein said means for adjusting tension comprises a plurality of weights in contact with said tension springs, a plurality of shafts radially mounted on the circumference of said output shaft upon which said weights are slidably mounted for radial movement under the influences of centrifugal force, and torque springs for restraining the movement of said weights at lower speeds but not a higher speeds wherein said weights are so positioned relative to said tension springs that said tension springs are more greatly compressed when said weights are near the axis of the output shaft and when said weights travel away from said axis.

Claim 15

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm image web, a roll of image-bearing paper, magazines for said paper and microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the paper to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said paper and said microfilm including a motor and drive shaft, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and paper at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm including a speed reducer which comprises a belt connected to said drive shaft, a pulley connected to said belt, a speed reducer input shaft adapted to rotate with said pulley, wherein the ratio of said drive shaft diameter to said pulley diameter is such that said pulley and said input shaft rotate at a speed slower than said drive shaft, a plurality of input pulleys of various diameters connected by a second belt to said input shaft, a plurality of drive gears of uniform diameter, one of each said drive gears being connected to one of said pulley shafts, wherein said pulley shafts are arranged on a circle, an idler gear positioned to mesh with any one of said plurality of drive gears, an idler bracket in which said idler is mounted to said bracket being mounted to pivot about the center of said circle, an output gear which meshes with said idler gear, and an output shaft upon which said output gear is mounted for driving said photosensitive web, means for changing the magnification factor between said paper and microfilm and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 16

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm image web, a roll of image-bearing paper, magazines for said paper and microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the paper to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said paper and said microfilm including a motor and drive shaft, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and paper at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm including a speed reducer which comprises a belt connected to said drive shaft, a pulley connected to said belt, a speed reducer input shaft adapted to rotate with said pulley, wherein the ratio of said drive shaft diameter to said pulley diameter is such that said pulley and said input shaft rotate at a speed slower than said drive shaft, a plurality of input pulleys of various diameters connected by a second belt to said input shaft, a plurality of drive gears of uniform diameter, one of each said drive gears being connected to one of said pulley shafts, wherein said pulley shafts are arranged on a circle, an idler gear positioned to mesh with any one of said plurality of drive gears, an idler bracket in which said idler is mounted to said bracket being mounted to pivot about the center of said circle, an output gear which meshes with said idler gear, and an output shaft upon which said output gear is mounted for driving said photosensitive web, means for changing the magnification factor between said paper and microfilm and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 17

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm web, a roll of image-bearing paper, magazines for said paper and microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the paper to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said paper and said microfilm including a motor and drive shaft, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and paper at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm including a speed reducer, means for changing the magnification factor between said paper and microfilm and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 18

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm web, a roll of image-bearing paper, magazines for said paper and microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the paper to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said paper and said microfilm including a motor and drive shaft, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and paper at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm including a speed reducer, means for changing the magnification factor between said paper and microfilm and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 19

The photo copier of claim 14 wherein said speed reducer comprises a belt connected to said drive shaft, a pulley connected to said belt, a speed reducer input shaft adapted to rotate with said pulley, wherein the ratio of said drive shaft diameter to said pulley diameter is such that said pulley and said input shaft rotate at a speed slower than said drive shaft, a plurality of input pulleys of various diameters connected by a second belt to said input shaft, a plurality of drive gears of Uniform diameter, one of each said drive gears being connected to one of said pulley shafts, wherein said pulley shafts are arranged on a circle, an idler gear positioned to mesh with any one of said plurality of drive gears, an idler bracket in which said idler is mounted to said bracket being mounted to pivot about the center of said circle, an output gear which meshes with said idler gear, and an output shaft upon which said output gear is mounted for driving said photosensitive web.

Claim 20

A microfilm copier comprising: a plurality of single sheets of image-bearing paper, a microfilm web, magazines for said image-bearing papers and said microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the image-bearing papers to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said image-bearing papers so as to sequentially project images of each, means for driving said microfilm, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and papers at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on a paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm, means for changing the magnification factor between said papers and microfilm, means for varying the relative rate between a paper and microfilm when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor, and means for producing cutter marks on the exposed film.

Claim 21

A microfilm copier comprising: a plurality of single sheets of image-bearing paper, a microfilm web, magazines for said image-bearing papers and said microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the image-bearing papers to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said image-bearing papers so as to sequentially project images of each, means for driving said microfilm, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and papers at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on a paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm, means for changing the magnification factor between said papers and microfilm, means for varying the relative rate between a paper and microfilm when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor, and means for producing cutter marks on the exposed film.

Claim 22

The microfilm copier of claim 15 wherein said means for producing cutter marks comprises an exposure plate having a white portion and a black portion said plate being positioned on the opposite side of said single sheets of image-bearing paper from said film, and means for alternately exposing said white and black portions to said film after each single sheet is exposed.

Claim 23

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm web, a roll of photosensitive paper, a magazine for said microfilm including a plurality of support rollers for supporting a roll of film when said microfilm is rolled into a loose loop spliced end to end and said loop is placed in contact with said support rollers, a magazine for said paper, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the microfilm to the paper along an optical axis, means for driving said microfilm, means for driving said paper, means for correlating the driving of said paper and microfilm at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the microfilm remains stationary on the paper for a time sufficient to properly expose said paper, means for changing the magnification factor between said microfilm and paper and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the paper is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 24

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm web, a roll of photosensitive paper, a magazine for said microfilm including a plurality of support rollers for supporting a roll of film when said microfilm is rolled into a loose loop spliced end to end and said loop is placed in contact with said support rollers, a magazine for said paper, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the microfilm to the paper along an optical axis, means for driving said microfilm, means for driving said paper, means for correlating the driving of said paper and microfilm at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the microfilm remains stationary on the paper for a time sufficient to properly expose said paper, means for changing the magnification factor between said microfilm and paper and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the paper is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 25

A microfilm copier comprising: a plurality of single sheets of an image-bearing paper, a microfilm web, magazines for said image-bearing papers and said microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the image-bearing papers to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said image-bearing papers so as to sequentially project images of each, means for driving said microfilm, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and papers at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on a paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm, means for changing the magnification factor between said papers and microfilm, means for varying the relative rate between a paper and microfilm when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor, and a stop for holding said single sheets perpendicular to and centered on the optical axis of said microfilm copier, and means for retractIng said stop, wherein said means for retracting said stop are energized simultaneously with the means for driving said image-bearing single sheets.

Claim 26

A microfilm copier comprising: a plurality of single sheets of an image-bearing paper, a microfilm web, magazines for said image-bearing papers and said microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the image-bearing papers to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said image-bearing papers so as to sequentially project images of each, means for driving said microfilm, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and papers at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on a paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm, means for changing the magnification factor between said papers and microfilm, means for varying the relative rate between a paper and microfilm when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor, and a stop for holding said single sheets perpendicular to and centered on the optical axis of said microfilm copier, and means for retractIng said stop, wherein said means for retracting said stop are energized simultaneously with the means for driving said image-bearing single sheets.

Claim 27

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm web, a roll of photosensitive paper, a magazine for said microfilm, a magazine for said paper including bracket means which allows said paper to be positioned on said magazine when the cover of said magazine is removed whether said magazine is vertically or horizontally disposed, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the microfilm to the paper along an optical axis, means for driving said microfilm, means for driving said paper including, means for correlating the driving of said paper and microfilm at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the microfilm remains stationary on the photosensitive paper for a time sufficient to properly expose said photosensitive paper, means for changing the magnification factor between said microfilm and photosensitive paper and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and the photosensitive paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the photosensitive paper is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 28

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm web, a roll of photosensitive paper, a magazine for said microfilm, a magazine for said paper including bracket means which allows said paper to be positioned on said magazine when the cover of said magazine is removed whether said magazine is vertically or horizontally disposed, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the microfilm to the paper along an optical axis, means for driving said microfilm, means for driving said paper including, means for correlating the driving of said paper and microfilm at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the microfilm remains stationary on the photosensitive paper for a time sufficient to properly expose said photosensitive paper, means for changing the magnification factor between said microfilm and photosensitive paper and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and the photosensitive paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the photosensitive paper is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 29

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm web, a roll of image-bearing paper, a magazine for said paper including bracket means which allows said rolls of image-bearing paper to be positioned on said magazine when the cover of said magazine is removed whether said magazine is veriically or horizontally disposed, a magazine for said microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the image-bearing-paper to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said image-bearing paper, means for driving said microfilm web, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and paper at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm, means for changing the magnification factor between said said microfilm and said paper and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 30

A microfilm copier comprising: a microfilm web, a roll of image-bearing paper, a magazine for said paper including bracket means which allows said rolls of image-bearing paper to be positioned on said magazine when the cover of said magazine is removed whether said magazine is veriically or horizontally disposed, a magazine for said microfilm, a lens and a projector lamp assembly for projecting an image from the image-bearing-paper to the microfilm along an optical axis, means for driving said image-bearing paper, means for driving said microfilm web, means for correlating the driving of said microfilm and paper at such a rate relative to each other that the image of any point on the paper remains stationary on the microfilm for a time sufficient to properly expose said microfilm, means for changing the magnification factor between said said microfilm and said paper and means for varying the relative rate between the microfilm and paper when the magnification factor is changed whereby the microfilm is properly exposed at each magnification factor.

Claim 31

The microfilm copier of claim 1 further including an access door means for threading said microfilm.

Claim 32

The microfilm copier of claim 9 further including an access door means for threading said microfilm.