US 4,226,510 AGranted

Sound module for motion picture cameras

AssigneePolaroid Corporation

InventorThomas A. Svatek

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A sound module for motion picture cameras of the type adapted to receive a multi-purpose cassette in which separate photographic film and audio tape strips are commonly wound on cassette-contained supply and takeup spools but directed through separate paths between the spools, such paths including distinct photographic and audio or sound stations. The module carries a complete complement of sound recording components including a transducing head, a capstan drive and motor for advancing a run or loop of the sound tape past the transducing head and an organization of fixed and movable sound tape guiding members by which the positional relationship of the tape and the transducing head is accurately controlled. All components of the module are ultimately supported by a single supporting plate secured to the internal camera chassis structure by vibration damping means. The module is also associated with camera control functions in a way such that cassette insertion and removal from the camera is unimpeded by sound module carried components.

Claims14

Dependent claims

In a motion picture camera adapted to receive a multi-purpose cassette containing a photographic film strip and a separate audio tape, the camera having a body to support components operative to advance the film strip incrementally past a photographic station for the exposure of the film strip to successive image frames, a sound module to establish an audio station separate from said photographic station and for recording sound signals on the audio tape, said sound module comprising:

a mounting plate;
vibration damping means to secure said mounting plate to the camera body;
a transducing head having a tape engaging face;
a head housing to rigidly support said transducing head;
means to secure said head housing to said mounting plate;
an audio tape drive capstan rotatably supported by said mounting plate;
means for rotatably driving said capstan;
a pinch roller pivotally supported by said mounting plate for movement between a retracted position spaced from said capstan and an operative position against said capstan;
a tape guide shoe slidably supported by said head housing for movement between a retracted position spaced from said transducing head and an operative position in close proximity to the face of said transducing head;
a fixed tape guide supported by said head housing adjacent to said transducing head for positioning the audio tape transversely in relation to said transducing head;
yieldable means for biasing said pinch roller and said guide shoe toward the respective operative positions thereof;
and
cam means for moving said pinch roller and said guide shoe to the respective retracted positions thereof.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.