Sound motion picture camera

Claim 2

A sound motion picture camera comprising: a. a plurality of walls partially defining a cartridge chamber for receiving a film cartridge of the type having an aperture therein to permit sound to be recorded onto a film strip supported by said cartridge along a predetermined path b. a door movable into and out of position relative to said plurality of walls to close a portion of said cartridge chamber; c. sound recording means positionable along said path to contact a portion of said film strip for recording of sound onto said film strip; d. drive means positionable along said film path for driving said film strip past said transducer means; e. guide means positionable along said film path for guiding said film strip past said transducer means; f. detection means positionable along said path for sensing the size of a loop of said film strip which is positioned along said path; g. latching means positionable for releasably latching said door in the position for closing a portion of said cartridge chamber; and h. conditioning means for concurrently moving said transducer means, drive means, guide means, and detection means, from (1) a first condition wherein said transducer means, said drive means, said detection means and said guide means are in close proximity to said path for recording of sound onto said film strip and wherein said latching means latches said door in a position for closing a portion of said cartridge chamber to (2) a second condition wherein at least a portion of said transducer means, drive means, detection means and guide means is separated from said film path by a distance sufficient to permit said film strip to be inserted along said film path or to be removed therefrom and wherein said latching means is ineffective to latch said door in the position for closing a portion of said cartridge chamber.

Claim 3

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 1 wherein said camera further comprises an ejecting member movable into said cartridge chamber for ejecting said cartridge from said cartridge chamber when said latching means is removed from said position for latching said door into position for enclosing said chamber, said ejecting member being positionable responsive to said conditioning means.

Claim 4

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transducer means comprises: a. a support member supported by one of said plurality of walls at a spaced distance from said predetermined path; b. a transducer supported by said support member along said predetermined path for recording sound onto or reproducing sound from said film strip; c. a pressure member for urging said film strip into a cooperation with said sound recording means to assist in recording of sound onto or reproducing sound from said film strip; d. an arm pivotally supported by one of said plurality of walls, said arm supporting said pressure means for movement between, (1) said first condition wherein said pressure member is in close proximity to said film path, and (2) said second condition wherein said pressure member is retracted a spaced distance from said path to permit said film strip to be inserted along said film path or to be removed therefrom.

Claim 5

A sound motion picture camera as sEt forth in claim 3 wherein said drive means comprises: a. a capstan rotatably supported by one of said plurality of walls in close proximity to said film path; b. a pressure roller for cooperating with said capstan snd said film strip for driving said film strip along said film path past said transducer means; and c. a bracket pivotally supported by one of said walls, said bracket supporting said pressure roller for movement between (1) said first condition wherein said pressure roller is in close proximity to said film path, and (2) said second condition wherein said pressure roller is retracted a spaced distance from said film path to permit said film strip to be inserted along said film path or to be removed therefrom.

Claim 6

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 4 wherein said guide means further comprises: a. a support member supported by one of said plurality of walls at a spaced distance from said predetermined path; b. guide members supported by said support member in close proximity to said predetermined path for guiding said film strip along said path past said transducer means; c. film guides positionable in close proximity to said film path to cooperate with said film strip for guiding said film strip along said path; and d. an arm movably supported by one of said plurality of walls, said arm supporting said film guides for movement between (1) said first condition wherein said film guides are in close proximity to said film path, and (2) said second condition wherein said film guides are retracted a spaced distance from said film path to permit said film strip to be inserted along said film path or to be removed therefrom.

Claim 7

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 5 wherein said detection means comprises: a. a loop sensor positionable along said film path for sensing the size of a loop of said film strip which is positioned along said path; and b. an arm pivotally supported by one of said plurality of walls, said arm supporting said loop sensor for movement between, (1) said first condition wherein said loop sensor is positioned along said path, and (2) said second condition wherein said loop sensor is retracted a spaced distance from said path to permit said film strip to be inserted along said film path or to be removed therefrom.

Claim 8

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 6 further comprising latching means for cooperating with said door into position for enclosing said chamber, said latching means being positionable responsive to said conditioning means.

Claim 9

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 7 wherein said camera further comprises an ejecting member movable into said cartridge chamber for ejecting said cartridge from said cartridge chamber when said latching means is positioned by said conditioning means is removed from said position for latching said door into position for enclosing said chamber, said ejecting member being positionable responsive to said conditioning means.

Claim 10

In a sound motion picture camera including a cartridge chamber defined by a plurality of walls and a door which is movable into and out of a closed position wherein it is effective to partially close a portion of the cartridge chamber, the cartridge chamber being adapted to receive a sound film cartridge having an aperture therein which provides access to a strip of film supported by the sound cartridge to permit sound to be recorded on the film, the camera further including sound recording means for recording sound onto the film, guide means for guiding the film past the sound recording means, and drive means for advancing the film past the sound recording means, the improvement comprising: a. pressure means movable between (1) a first position for urging the film toward the sound recording means during recording of sound onto the film and (2) a second position wherein said pressure means is separated from the souNd recording means by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be positioned between the sound recording member and said pressure means or to be removed from therebetween; b. a film guide movable between (1) a first position for cooperating with the guide means to assist in guiding the film past the sound recording means and (2) a second position wherein said film guide is separated from the guide means by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be positioned between the guide means and said film guide or to be removed from therebetween; c. a pressure member movable between (1) a first position wherein it is positioned to cooperate with said drive means to advance the film past the sound recording means and (2) a second position wherein said pressure member is separated from the drive means by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be positioned between the drive means and said pressure member or to be removed from therebetween; d. latching means movable between (1) a first position for latching the door in its closed position and (2) a second position wherein said latching means is ineffective for latching the door in its closed position; and e. control means for concurrently moving said pressure means, film guide, pressure member and latching means toward their respective second positions.

Claim 11

In a sound motion picture camera including a cartridge chamber defined by a plurality of walls and a door which is movable into and out of a closed position wherein it is effective to partially close a portion of the cartridge chamber, the cartridge chamber being adapted to receive a sound film cartridge having an aperture therein which provides access to a strip of film supported by the sound cartridge to permit sound to be recorded on the film, the camera further including sound recording means for recording sound onto the film, guide means for guiding the film past the sound recording means, and drive means for advancing the film past the sound recording means, the improvement comprising: a. pressure means movable between (1) a first position for urging the film toward the sound recording means during recording of sound onto the film and (2) a second position wherein said pressure means is separated from the souNd recording means by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be positioned between the sound recording member and said pressure means or to be removed from therebetween; b. a film guide movable between (1) a first position for cooperating with the guide means to assist in guiding the film past the sound recording means and (2) a second position wherein said film guide is separated from the guide means by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be positioned between the guide means and said film guide or to be removed from therebetween; c. a pressure member movable between (1) a first position wherein it is positioned to cooperate with said drive means to advance the film past the sound recording means and (2) a second position wherein said pressure member is separated from the drive means by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be positioned between the drive means and said pressure member or to be removed from therebetween; d. latching means movable between (1) a first position for latching the door in its closed position and (2) a second position wherein said latching means is ineffective for latching the door in its closed position; and e. control means for concurrently moving said pressure means, film guide, pressure member and latching means toward their respective second positions.

Claim 12

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 9 wherein said control means is coupled to said latching means and said latching means is movable between its first and second positions responsive to movement of said control means between its first position and second positions.

Claim 13

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 9 wherein said latching means is coupled to said control means and is movable to its second position responsive to movement of said control means to its second position, and wherein said pressure means, film guide and pressure member are operatively coupled to said latching means and movable to their respective second positions responsive to movement of said latching means to its second position.

Claim 14

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 11 wherein said improvement further comprises an ejecting member movable between (1) a first position wherein said ejecting member is retracted relative to the cartridge chamber so that a cartridge can be received in the cartridge chamber and (2) a second position wherein said ejecting member is moved into the cartridge chamber and is thereby effective to urge a received cartridge from the cartridge chamber, said ejecting member being operatively coupled to said control means and being movable toward its second position responsive to movement of said control means to its second position.

Claim 15

A sound motion picture camera having a plurality of walls partially defining a cartridge chamber for receiving a film cartridge of the type having an aperture therein to provide access to a strip of film supported by the cartridge along a predetermined film path to permit sound to be recorded onto the film, the camera further having a door which is movable into and out of a closed position relative to said plurality of walls for closing a portion of said film chamber, said camera comprising: a. sound recording means movable between (1) a first condition wherein said sound recording means is in close proximity to the film path for contacting and recording sound onto a portion of the film in the path and (2) a second condition wherein said sound recording means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted along the film path or to be removed therefrom; b. drive means movable between (1) a first condition wherein said drive means is in close proximity to the film path for engaging and driving the film past said sound recording means and (2) a second condition wherein said drive means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted along the film path or to be removed therefrom; c. guide means movable between (1) a first condition wherein said guide means contacts the film for guiding the film along the film path and (2) a second condition wherein said guide means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted along the film path or to be removed therefrom; d. detection means movable between (1) a first condition wherein said detection means is positioned along the film path for contacting the film and sensing the size of a loop in the film and (2) a second condition wherein said detection means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted along the film path or to be removed therefrom; e. latching means associated with the door, said latching means movable between (1) a first condition wherein said latching means is effective to secure the door in the position for closing a portion of the cartridge chamber and (2) a second condition wherein said latching means is ineffective to secure the door in the position for closing a portion of the cartridge chamber; f. an ejecting member movable into said cartridge chamber for ejecting a received cartridge from the cartridge chamber when said latching means is moved to said second condition; and g. conditioning means for concurrently moving said sound recording means, drive means, guide means, detection means and latching means toward their respective second conditions, said conditioning means comprising: i. a slide member slidably secured to said camera, said slide member selectively movable between a first and second condition; ii. first means for effecting conjoint movement of said slide member and said latching means between their respective first and second conditions; iii. second means for effecting conjoint movement of said slide member and said drive means to their respective second condition; iv. third means for effecting conjoint movement of said slide member and said detection means to their respective second condition; v. fourth means for effecting conjoint movement of said slide member and said guide means to their respective second condition; and vi. fifth means for effecting conjoint movement of said slide member and said sound recording means to their respective second condition.

Claim 16

A sound motion picture camera having a plurality of walls partially defining a cartridge chamber for receiving a film cartridge of the type having an aperture therein to provide access to a strip of film supported by the cartridge along a predetermined film path to permit sound to be recorded onto the film, the camera further having a door which is movable into and out of a closed position relative to said plurality of walls for closing a portion of said film chamber, said camera comprising: a. sound recording means movable between (1) a first condition wherein said sound recording means is in close proximity to the film path for contacting and recording sound onto a portion of the film in the path and (2) a second condition wherein said sound recording means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted along the film path or to be removed therefrom; b. drive means movable between (1) a first condition wherein said drive means is in close proximity to the film path for engaging and driving the film past said sound recording means and (2) a second condition wherein said drive means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted along the film path or to be removed therefrom; c. guide means movable between (1) a first condition wherein said guide means contacts the film for guiding the film along the film path and (2) a second condition wherein said guide means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted along the film path or to be removed therefrom; d. detection means movable between (1) a first condition wherein said detection means is positioned along the film path for contacting the film and sensing the size of a loop in the film and (2) a second condition wherein said detection means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted along the film path or to be removed therefrom; e. latching means associated with the door, said latching means movable between (1) a first condition wherein said latching means is effective to secure the door in the position for closing a portion of the cartridge chamber and (2) a second condition wherein said latching means is ineffective to secure the door in the position for closing a portion of the cartridge chamber; f. an ejecting member movable into said cartridge chamber for ejecting a received cartridge from the cartridge chamber when said latching means is moved to said second condition; and g. conditioning means for concurrently moving said sound recording means, drive means, guide means, detection means and latching means toward their respective second conditions, said conditioning means comprising: i. a slide member slidably secured to said camera, said slide member selectively movable between a first and second condition; ii. first means for effecting conjoint movement of said slide member and said latching means between their respective first and second conditions; iii. second means for effecting conjoint movement of said slide member and said drive means to their respective second condition; iv. third means for effecting conjoint movement of said slide member and said detection means to their respective second condition; v. fourth means for effecting conjoint movement of said slide member and said guide means to their respective second condition; and vi. fifth means for effecting conjoint movement of said slide member and said sound recording means to their respective second condition.

Claim 17

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 13 wherein said first means comprises: a. a pin secured to said slide member for contacting a portion of said latching means for moving said latching means toward its first condition responsive to movement of said slide member toward its first condition; and b. a spring member operatively coupling said slide member and said latching means to resiliently urge said latching means toward its second condition responsive to movement of said slide member toward its second condition.

Claim 18

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 14 wherein said second means comprises: an arm supported by said latching means, said arm being positioned for cooperating with said drive means for moving said drive means toward its second condition responsive to movement of said latching means toward its second condition.

Claim 19

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 15 wherein said third means comprises: a tab portion supported by said drive means in position for cooperating with said detection means for moving said detection means toward said second condition responsive to movement of said drive means toward its second condition.

Claim 20

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 16 wherein said fourth means comprises: a bracket operatively coupled to said guide means, said bracket including an arm which is engageable by said drive means for moving said guide means toward its second condition as said drive means is moved toward its second condition.

Claim 21

A motion picture camera as set fOrth in claim 13 wherein said sound recording means comprises: a. a support member supported by one of the plurality of walls and spaced from the film path; b. a transducer supported by said support member along the film path for recording sound onto the film; c. an arm pivotally supported by one of the plurality of walls; and d. a pressure member for cooperating with said sound transducer, said pressure member supported by said arm for movement between said first and second conditions.

Claim 22

A motion picture camera as set forth in claim 18 wherein said drive means comprises: a. a capstan rotatably supported by one of the plurality of walls in close proximity to the film path; b. a bracket pivotally supported by one of the plurality of walls; and c. a pressure roller supported by said bracket for movement between said first and second conditions, said roller being engageable with said capstan and by the film when the drive means is in said first condition whereby the roller is drivable by the capstan and is capable of driving film along the film path.

Claim 23

A motion picture camera as set forth in claim 19 wherein said guide means comprises: a. an arm movably supported by one of the plurality of walls; b. film guides for cooperating with the film for guiding the film along the path, said film guides being supported by said arm for movement between said first and second conditions.

Claim 24

A motion picture camera as set forth in claim 20 wherein said detection means comprises: a loop sensor positionable along said film path for sensing the size of a loop of said film strip which is located along said path, said loop sensor being supported by said arm for movement between said first and second conditions.

Claim 25

In a sound motion picture camera having a plurality of walls and a door partially defining a cartridge chamber which is adapted to receive a sound film cartridge having an aperture therein to provide access to a strip of film supported by the sound film cartridge along a film path in the camera so as to permit sound to be recorded on the film, the improvement comprising: a. transducer means movable from (1) a first position wherein said transducer means is in a position along the film path to (2) a second position wherein said transducer means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted into or to be removed from the film path; b. drive means for driving the film past said transducer means, the drive means being movable from (1) a first condition wherein said drive means is in close proximity to the film path for drivingly engaging the film to (2) a second position wherein said drive means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted into or to be removed from the film path; c. guide means for engaging and guiding the film strip relative to said transducer means, said guide means being movable from (1) a first position wherein said guide means is in close proximity to said film path for engaging the film to (2) a second position wherein said guide means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted into or to be removed from the film path; d. detection means for sensing the size of a loop in the film along the film path, said detection means movable from (1) a first position wherein the detection means is located along the film path to (2) a second position wherein said detection means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film strip to be inserted into or to be removed from the film path; e. latching means movable from (1) a first position for latching the door in a position for partially closing the cartridge chamber to (2) a second position wherein said latching means is ineffective for latching the door closed; and f. conditioning means movable from (1) A first position to (2) a second position for concurrently moving said transducer means, drive means, guide means, detection means and latching means from their first to their second positions.

Claim 26

In a sound motion picture camera having a plurality of walls and a door partially defining a cartridge chamber which is adapted to receive a sound film cartridge having an aperture therein to provide access to a strip of film supported by the sound film cartridge along a film path in the camera so as to permit sound to be recorded on the film, the improvement comprising: a. transducer means movable from (1) a first position wherein said transducer means is in a position along the film path to (2) a second position wherein said transducer means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted into or to be removed from the film path; b. drive means for driving the film past said transducer means, the drive means being movable from (1) a first condition wherein said drive means is in close proximity to the film path for drivingly engaging the film to (2) a second position wherein said drive means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted into or to be removed from the film path; c. guide means for engaging and guiding the film strip relative to said transducer means, said guide means being movable from (1) a first position wherein said guide means is in close proximity to said film path for engaging the film to (2) a second position wherein said guide means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film to be inserted into or to be removed from the film path; d. detection means for sensing the size of a loop in the film along the film path, said detection means movable from (1) a first position wherein the detection means is located along the film path to (2) a second position wherein said detection means is separated from the film path by a distance sufficient to permit the film strip to be inserted into or to be removed from the film path; e. latching means movable from (1) a first position for latching the door in a position for partially closing the cartridge chamber to (2) a second position wherein said latching means is ineffective for latching the door closed; and f. conditioning means movable from (1) A first position to (2) a second position for concurrently moving said transducer means, drive means, guide means, detection means and latching means from their first to their second positions.

Claim 27

A sound motion picture camera as set forth in claim 22, said camera further comprising an ejecting member movable into the cartridge chamber for ejecting a received cartridge from the cartridge chamber in response to movement of said conditioning means to its second position.