Film trap and gate assembly for a motion picture projector

A film trap assembly for motion picture projectors, comprising:

• a trap body having an image aperture formed therein and having a first and second rail assembly attached thereto;
• said first rail assembly comprising a first trap rail in communication with a first trap guide;
• and
• said second rail assembly comprising a second trap rail in communication with a second trap guide.

A film gate assembly for motion picture projectors, comprising:

• a gate body having an image aperture formed therein and having a first and second rail assembly attached thereto;
• said first rail assembly comprising a first gate rail in communication with a first gate guide;
• and
• said second rail assembly comprising a second gate rail in communication with a second gate guide.

The film tensioning assembly for motion picture projectors, comprising:

• a deformable body;
• at least two tensioning rollers in communication with said deformable body;
• and,
• a tensioning device is communication with said at least two tensioning rollers and said deformable body.

The film trap and gate system motion picture projectors, comprising:

• a film trap comprising a trap body having an image aperture formed therein and having a first and second rail assembly disposed thereon;
• a stripper plate attachable to said trap body, said stripper plate comprising an angled stripper blade in communication with an attachment flange;
• a film gate comprising a gate body having a projection aperture formed therein and having a first and second rail assembly disposed thereon;
• a film tensioning device attachable to said gate body, said film tensioning device comprising a deformable body having an attachment orifice formed therein and in communication with a roller cradle;
• said roller cradle in communication with four tensioning rollers and a tensioning device, said tensioning device in communication with a tensioning screw, wherein the tension applied to the roller cradle by the tensioning device is adjustable by actuating said tensioning screw;
• and,
• a film movement channel disposed between said film trap and said film gate, wherein said film trap engages said film gate thereby forming said film movement channel.

A film trap and gate assembly for motion picture projectors, comprising:

• a film trap having a first and second trap rail assembly, said first trap rail assembly comprising a first trap rail coupled to a first trap guide, and said second trap rail assembly comprising a second trap rail coupled to a second trap guide;
• and
• a film gate having a first and second gate rail assembly, said first gate rail assembly comprising a first gate rail coupled to a first gate guide, and said second gate rail assembly comprising a second gate rail coupled to a second gate guide;
• wherein motion picture film is positioned on said film trap rail and wherein said film trap rail assembly receives said gate rail assembly.

A motion picture projector, comprising:

• a light source;
• a film movement device capable of engaging a portion of motion picture film and moving said film past said light source;
• a film trap and gate assembly capable of receiving said film portion, said film trap and gate assembly comprising a film movement channel, said film movement channel formed from a first member and a second member;
• wherein said film movement channel has a thickness of t and a width of w, and wherein t is greater than the thickness of motion picture film and w is greater than the width of motion picture;
• and,
• a lens system capable of projecting and image onto a projection surface.

A film trap and gate calibration device for use in calibrating motion picture projectors, comprising:

• a device body having a first member and a second member;
• said first member having a thickness of t and a width of w, wherein t is greater than the thickness of motion picture film, and wherein w is greater than the width of motion picture film;
• and
• said second member has a thickness of t, wherein t is less than the thickness of motion picture film.

A method of advancing motion picture film through a motion picture projector, comprising:

• providing a motion picture projector;
• locating motion picture film within said motion picture projector;
• forming a film movement channel with a film trap and a film gate,
• positioning said film within said film movement channel;
• attaching said film to a film drive system;
• and
• moving said film through said film movement channel, wherein said film intermittently contacts said film trap, or said film gate, or both.