Drive mechanism for motion picture projector

Claim 2

A drive mechanism for a motion picture projector for selectively effecting forward, reverse or rewind modes of operation, said drive mechanism comprising: an axially extending spindle shaft; drive means for rotating said spindle shaft in one direction; first support means for supporting a supply reel on said spindle shaft for operation in a first plane; second support means for supporting a take-up reel on said spindle shaft for operation in a second plane spaced from said first plane; first axially positionable clutch means movable relative to said drive means for selectively coupling said spindle shaft to said second support means for effecting a forward operational mode, said spindle shaft rotating in said one direction during said forward operational mode; second axially positionable clutch means movable relative to said drive means to a plurality of positions for selectively coupling said spindle shaft to said first support means for effecting a friction drive reverse operational mode in one position and a positive drive rewind operational mode in a different position, said spindle shaft rotating in said one direction during said reverse and rewind operational modes; and actuator means for axially positioning each of said clutch means for establishing the coupling of a particular clutch means to its appropriate support means dependent upon drive mode desired.

Claim 3

The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said actuator means includes a slide engaged with each of said clutch means, and means for controlling the actuation of said slide towards either said first support means or said second support means to effect a desired operational mode.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 further including a brake means for applying a positive braking action to said first and second support means when it is desired to interrupt the rewind operational mode.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first clutch means includes a take-up reel drive member, a friction clutch connected to said drive member, said friction clutch being selectively engageable with said take-up reel to drive said reel, and said drive member having receiving means for connection to said actuator means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first support means comprises a supply reel support, a support drive member fixed to said supply reel support, a ground friction member, and an intermediate friction plate providing a frictional drive engagement between said ground friction member and said supply reel support.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second clutch means includes a supply reel drive member, a series of clutch teeth extending from said drive member to selectively engage said support drive member or said ground friction member depending on the axial position of said drive member, and said drive member having receiving means for connection to said actuator means.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said actuator means includes a slide engaged with each of said drive member receiving means, a slide lever for axially positioning said slide towards either said second support means to establish a forward operational drive mode by engaging said friction clutch with said take-up reel and disengaging said friction clutch teeth of said second clutch means, or towards said first support means to establish a reverse operational drive mode by engaging said clutch teeth of said second clutch with said ground friction member and disengaging said friction clutch from said take-up reel, or to establish a rewind operational drive mode by engaging said clutch teeth of said second clutch with said support drive member and disengaging said friction clutch from said take-up reel.

Claim 9

A drive mechanism for a motion picture projector having a film supply reel and a film take-up reel, said drive mechanism comprising: a. a spindle shaft; b. unidirectional drive means for rotating said spindle shaft; c. a first film reel support for supporting a film supply reel, said first support mounted on said spindle shaft for rotation in a first plane at a fixed axial location on said shaft; d. a first drive plate fixed to said first film reel support, said drive plate having a series of clutch teeth extending therefrom; e. ground friction means engaging said first film reel support to establish a film-weight-sensitive friction coupling therewith; f. a first film reel support drive member selectively axially movable relative to said spindle shaft between a disengaged position and a position to engage said ground friction means or said first drive plate to establish a friction or positive drive mode respectively; g. a second film reel support for supporting a film take-up reel said second support mounted on said spindle shaft for rotation in a second plane at a fixed axial location on said shaft spaced from said first plane; h. a second drive plate providing a drive coupling between said film take-up reel and said second film reel support; i. friction drive means selectively engageable with said second drive plate for providing friction drive of said second film reel support; j. a second film reel support drive member selectively axially movable relative to said spindle shaft between a disengaged position and a position to engage said friction drive means or said second drive plate to establish a friction or positive drive mode respectively; k. means For axially positioning said first and second drive members to a selected position to establish a desired operational drive mode, said first film reel support drive member being disengaged when said second film reel support drive member is in either of its engaged positions and said second film reel support drive member being in its disengaged position when said first film reel support drive member is in either of its engaged positions; and

Claim 10

A drive mechanism for a motion picture projector having a film supply reel and a film take-up reel, said drive mechanism comprising: a. a spindle shaft; b. unidirectional drive means for rotating said spindle shaft; c. a first film reel support for supporting a film supply reel, said first support mounted on said spindle shaft for rotation in a first plane at a fixed axial location on said shaft; d. a first drive plate fixed to said first film reel support, said drive plate having a series of clutch teeth extending therefrom; e. ground friction means engaging said first film reel support to establish a film-weight-sensitive friction coupling therewith; f. a first film reel support drive member selectively axially movable relative to said spindle shaft between a disengaged position and a position to engage said ground friction means or said first drive plate to establish a friction or positive drive mode respectively; g. a second film reel support for supporting a film take-up reel said second support mounted on said spindle shaft for rotation in a second plane at a fixed axial location on said shaft spaced from said first plane; h. a second drive plate providing a drive coupling between said film take-up reel and said second film reel support; i. friction drive means selectively engageable with said second drive plate for providing friction drive of said second film reel support; j. a second film reel support drive member selectively axially movable relative to said spindle shaft between a disengaged position and a position to engage said friction drive means or said second drive plate to establish a friction or positive drive mode respectively; k. means For axially positioning said first and second drive members to a selected position to establish a desired operational drive mode, said first film reel support drive member being disengaged when said second film reel support drive member is in either of its engaged positions and said second film reel support drive member being in its disengaged position when said first film reel support drive member is in either of its engaged positions; and

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for axially positioning said drive members includes: a. a slide connected to each of said drive members to maintain an axial spacing therebetween; b. a first lever connected to said slide for controlling the axial position thereof between a first position where said first film reel support drive member is in its disengaged position and said second film reel support drive member is in its position to engage said friction drive means, a second position where said first drive member is disengaged and said second drive member is positioned to engage said second drive plate, a third position wherein said second drive member is disengaged and said first drive member is positioned to engage said ground friction means, or a fourth position wherein said second drive member is disengaged and said first drive member is positioned to engage said first drive plate; c. a second lever for selectively controlling said first lever to regulate the position thereof to its first or third position; and d. a third lever for selectively controlling said first lever to regulate the position thereof to its second or fourth position.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said brake means includes: a. a series of openings in said first drive plate; b. a series of openings in said second drive plate; c. a brake slide selectively positionable to engage an opening in each of said series of openings to accomplish a braking function on said first and second drive plates; d. a normally closed switch for controlling power in said projector; e. a switch actuator selectively positionable for opening said normally closed switch; and f. means for retaining said brake slide out of engagement with said openings in said first and second drive plates when said retaining means is in a first position, said retaining means being movable to a second position where said brake slide is free to move into engagement with said openings in said first and second drive plates and said switch actuator is moved to its switch opening position.