Cartridge-loaded motion picture projector

Claim 2

In a cinematographic apparatus for use with film-containing cartridges, particularly in a motion picture projector, a combination comprising a housing defining a cartridge-receiving chamber having an inlet, said housing including a plurality of walls surrounding said inlet and at least one of said walls constituting a pivotable flap tending to assume a predetermined position in which said flap reduces the area of said inlet to less than that necessary for insertion of a cartridge into said chamber so that the insertion of a cartridge into said chamber necessitates a displacement of said flap from said predetermined position and the thus displaced flap bears against the inserted cartridge as a result of its tendency to reassume said predetermined position, said flap being further pivotable to a closing position to thereby at least substantially close said inlet; first biasing means for urging said flap from said closing position; and second biasing means for urging said flap against an inserted cartridge.

Claim 3

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 for use with film-containing cartridges of the type having latching means adjacent to at least one wall of said housing in the inserted position of a cartridge, said last mentioned wall having complementary latching means engaging with the latching means of the inserted cartridge to thereby hold the latter against movement in at least one direction relative to said housing.

Claim 4

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the wall having said complementary latching means is located opposite said flap.

Claim 5

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inlet has a substantially rectangular outline and said walls include a pair of longer and a pair of shorter walls, said movable wall constituting one of said longer walls.

Claim 6

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said walls include a movable wall tending to assume a second predetermined position in which said second movable wall also reduces the area of said inlet to less than that necessary for insertion of a cartridge into said chamber so that the insertion of a cartridge necessitates a displacement of said second movable wall from said second predetermined position and the thus displaced second movable wall bears against the inserted cartridge as a result of its tendency to reassume said second predetermined position.

Claim 7

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said movable wall is adjacent to said flap.

Claim 8

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said movable wall is located opposite said flap.

Claim 9

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said flap consists at least in part of elastomeric material to undergo deformation on movement from said predetermined position as a result of insertion of a cartridge into said chamber.

Claim 10

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further comprising locking means for releasably holding said flap in said closing position.

Claim 11

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said locking means comprises a bolt mounted in said housing for movement between locking and unlocking positions.

Claim 12

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said locking means comprises a locking member mounted in said housing for movement between locking and unloCking positions and means for biasing said member to said locking position.

Claim 13

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said locking means comprises a locking member mounted in said housing for movement between locking and unlocking positions and having handgrip means actuatable to move the locking member between said positions thereof.

Claim 14

In a cinematographic apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said locking means comprises a locking member mounted in said housing for movement between locking and unlocking positions and having an inclined surface extending into the path of movement of said flap from said predetermined position to said closing position so that the flap can dislodge said locking member from said locking position but allows said locking member to reassume said locking position in said closing position of said movable wall.

Claim 15

In a cinematographic apparatus for use with film-containing cartridges, particularly in a motion picture projector, a combination comprising a housing defining a cartridge-receiving chamber having an inlet, said housing including a plurality of walls surrounding said inlet and at least one of said walls constituting a pivotable flap tending to assume a predetermined position in which said flap reduces the area of said inlet to less than that necessary for insertion of a cartridge into said chamber so that the insertion of a cartridge into said chamber necessitates a displacement of said flap from said predetermined position and the thus displaced flap bears against the inserted cartridge as a result of its tendency to reassume said predetermined position, said flap being further pivotable to a closing to thereby at least substantially close said inlet; pivot means provided in said housing and defining a pivot axis for said flap; first biasing means for urging said flap from said closing position, including a lever turnable about said axis and first resilient means for urging said lever from a first position corrresponding to said closing position of said flap to a second position; and second biasing means for urging said flap against an inserted cartridge, including second resilient means reacting against said lever and bearing against said flap to maintain the latter in said predetermined positon in the second position of said lever and in the absence of a cartridge in said chamber.

Claim 16

In a cinematographic apparatus for use with film-containing cartridges, particularly in a motion picture projector, a combination comprising a housing defining a cartridge-receiving chamber having an inlet, said housing including a plurality of walls surrounding said inlet and at least one of said walls constituting a pivotable flap tending to assume a predetermined position in which said flap reduces the area of said inlet to less than that necessary for insertion of a cartridge into said chamber so that the insertion of a cartridge into said chamber necessitates a displacement of said flap from said predetermined position and the thus displaced flap bears against the inserted cartridge as a result of its tendency to reassume said predetermined position, said flap being further pivotable to a closing to thereby at least substantially close said inlet; pivot means provided in said housing and defining a pivot axis for said flap; first biasing means for urging said flap from said closing position, including a lever turnable about said axis and first resilient means for urging said lever from a first position corrresponding to said closing position of said flap to a second position; and second biasing means for urging said flap against an inserted cartridge, including second resilient means reacting against said lever and bearing against said flap to maintain the latter in said predetermined positon in the second position of said lever and in the absence of a cartridge in said chamber.