STRIP HANDLING APPARATUS

1,259,855. Film-strip handling apparatus. EASTMAN KODAK CO. May 20, 1969 [May 20, 1968], No.25684/69. Headings G2A and G2E. A strip handling apparatus, such as a film reader or cine projector, has automatic threading means for separating the leading end of the strip from the supply roll and securing it to the take-up reel and in addition has a spindle drive mechanism comprising a drive-shaft selectively rotatable in opposite directions and a drive transfer means which operates so that in the winding direction the take-up reel spindle rotates faster than the supply reel spindle and in the rewind direction the drive is disconnected from the take-up spindle and applied directly to the supply spindle. As shown in a film-reader including the threading means described in Specification 1,219,411 driveshaft 59, driven by reversible motor 67, supports helical gears 71, 72 in meshing engagement with corresponding helical gears 73, 74 mounted on supply reel and take-up reel spindles 18 and 19 respectively, for both axial and rotational movement relative thereto so that when drive-shaft 59 rotates in a winding direction the helical gears 73, 74 are pushed downwards allowing castellated attachment 87 to engage pin 88, thus transferring the drive to spindle 19, and similar attachment 96 to disengage pin 97 on spindle 18. In this position a spur gear 75 attached to gear 73 engages gear 77 and the drive is transmitted to spindle 18 via further gears 81, 82 the latter being rotatably mounted on spindle 18 but urged into driving connection with spindle 18 through toothed clutch members 84, 85. On rewinding, the direction of rotation of shaft 59 is reversed and gears 73 and 74 are forced upwards on spindles 18, 19 to disengage the drive from spindle 19 and to apply it directly to spindle 18. A friction brake 89 is provided on take-up spindle 19 and is urged upwards into engagement with deck 11 by spring, 94, the frictional drag being insufficient to prevent winding rotation of take-up spindle 19.