Automatic control system for programming electrically operated theater equipment

[57] ABSTRACT

An automatic control system for selectively programming electrically operated theater equipment, such as sound equipment, house lights, curtain movement controls, screen size controls, special effects, and a plurality of film projectors wherein the control system includes an electrical circuit for activating equipment to perform its respective function in response to a signal from a counter circuit. The counter circuit is operative to produce a signal at each of a plurality of spaced time increments and the equipment activating circuits have inhibit means for holding the counter at a selected time increment during operation of the selected equipment and the equipment activating circuits have inhibit cancel means built into motor start and picture changeover circuits to prevent inhibit or stopping on these functions. A film break circuit is electrically connected to each of the film projector activating circuits for signaling the respective projector to stop in the event of a film break and a cueing circuit is electrically connected to each of the film projectors and to the counter for restarting the counter in response to a cue signal.

Claims, 14 Drawing Figures

<img file="US3663826A_D0001.tif" />

Patented May 16, 1972

Sheets-Sheet 1

3,663,826

<img file="US3663826A_D0002.tif" />

80_L33r08d

1H9IH

<img file="US3663826A_D0003.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0004.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0005.tif" />

_ I'.'VENTORS.

Rober! J. Schumann, a _β^/αχηα A. Priest * attorneys

Patented May 16, 1972

3,663,826 .7 Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US3663826A_D0006.tif" />

πτητπ ητητΓΓΓπτ ππιϊιϊίΊΐίίΐΊΐϊιϊι

<img file="US3663826A_D0007.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0008.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0009.tif" />

Κ-35Ο r—_ο , , . _ INVENTORS.

*nooarT J. Schumann, ο —_BYWoyne A. Priest ^Ζ ATTORNEYS

Patented May 16, 1972

3,663,826

Sheets-Sheet 5

<img file="US3663826A_D0010.tif" />

ATTORNEYS

Patented May 16, 1972

Sheets-Sheet 4

3.663,826

<img file="US3663826A_D0011.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0012.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0013.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0014.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0015.tif" />

_fai9

<img file="US3663826A_D0016.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0017.tif" />

_ INVENTORS.

Robert J. Schumann, a _B^/ayne A. Pries!

ATTORNEYS

Patented May 16, 1972

3,663,826 •7 Sheets-Sheet ύ

<img file="US3663826A_D0018.tif" />

ηι &lt;υ &lt;ύ nooeri u. ucnumann.c „Wayne A. Priest

250-*

ATTORNEYS

Patented May 16, 1972

3,663,826

Sheets-Sheet 6

<img file="US3663826A_D0019.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0020.tif" />

dlxic INVENTORS. noberT J. Schumann,λ ^ayne A. Priest

<img file="US3663826A_D0021.tif" />

ATTORNEYS

Patented May 16, 1972

3,663,826

Sheets-Sheet 7

<img file="US3663826A_D0022.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0023.tif" />

<img file="US3663826A_D0024.tif" />

_Q , INVENTORS.

nobert J. Ocnumann, a _BYWayne A. Priest »

ATTORNEYS

3,663,826

FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement for a single theater having left and right projectors, 2 and 3 respectively, which are connected to a suitable power source by conductors 4 and 5 respectively. Rectifiers 6 and 7 are electrically connected to the projectors 2 and 3 by conductors 8 and 9 respectively. An inter-machine cable 10 is operatively connected to the projectors 2 and 3 and has suitable electrical conductors (not shown) therein to carry signals for picture changeover and sound changeover between the two projectors and between a respective projector and theater sound, such as for theater music prior to and after a presentation and during intermission. The left and right projectors 2 and 3 are each connected to a control cabinet 11 by cables 12 and 13 respectively. The cables 12 and 13 each have suitable electrical conductors (not shown) therein for carrying signals to the respective projector to effect operation of picture changeover, sound changeover, cueing circuits, projector motors, projector lamps, and the like. A sound cabinet 14 is electrically connected to the control cabinet 11 by a cable 15 having suitable electrical conductors (not shown) therein for completing sound circuits for the theater sound and the projector sound.

FIG. 2 illustrates a counter circuit 16 having a counter and means associated therewith for producing a signal at each of a plurality of uniformly spaced time increments, such as at one second intervals. A drive or counter motor 17 is electrically operated by current through conductors 18 and 19 which are connected to a connector 20. The conductor 19 is connected to an inhibit relay 21, and when the relay 21 is relaxed, the circuit is completed to the counter drive motor 17. In the illustrated relay, one portion of the conductor 19, between the counter motor 17 and the inhibit relay 21 is connected to a common contact 22 and the other portion of the conductor 19, between the connector 20 and the inhibit relay 21, is connected to a normally closed contact 23 with a switch arm engaging the contact 23.

The counter motor 17 is operative to drive a cam (not shown) at a selected speed whereby a limit switch 24 is engaged once on each revolution of the cam, to intermittently complete a circuit to a plurality of stepper switches 25 for advancing each stepper switch 25 successively through a plurality of contacts 26, each of which represent one of the successive time intervals and are electrically connected to the connector 20 by a respective conductor 27 for conveying a time signal, as later described. In the illustrated circuit, the stepper switches 25 are operated in pairs with the conductor 27 for each contact 26 of each stepper switch 25 being connected to the conductor 27 for the contact 26 representing the same time interval for the other stepper switch of the pair.

Power is supplied to each of the stepper switches 25 when the limit switch 24 is moved to a closed position and the circuit coimecting each of the stepper switches 25 passes through the inhibit relay 21 and a reset relay 28. In the illustrated counter circuit 16, a conductor 29 has one end connected to the connector 20 and the other end connected to the switch arm of the limit switch 24 which is movable by the cam of the counter motor 17 to move the switch arm from its normally open contact to its normally closed contact. A conductor 30 extends between the normally closed contact of the limit switch 24 and a common contact 31 in the inhibit relay 21 and a conductor 32 extends between a normally closed contact 33 and a suitably grounded power or stepper coil 34 to complete the circuit through the limit switch 24 and the inhibit relay 21 when the inhibit relay 21 is relaxed.

It is desirable to substantially eliminate sparking during the intermittent movement of the switch arm of the limit switch 24, therefore, a spark suppressor loop 35 has opposite ends connected to the conductors 29 and 30 respectively adjacent the common contact and the normally closed contact respectively of the limit switch 24 and the loop 35 has suitable spark suppressing elements therein, such as capacitors and resistors.

When the reset relay 28 is relaxed, a circuit is complete to each of the stepper switches 25 whereby, when the contacts 26 are successively engaged, a time signal is conveyed to the

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMING ELECTRICALLY OPERATED THEATER EQUIPMENT

The present invention relates to controlling theater equipment and more particularly to an automatic control system for programming operation of electrically operated theater equinment.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide an automatic control system for programming operation of electrically operated theater equipment, such as starting and stopping film projectors, opening and closing curtains, dimming and raising house lights, switching between theater music and film sound, picture and sound changeover between respective film projectors, screen size adjustments, and the like all in response to cooperative operation of equipment activating circuits and a counter circuit; to provide such an auto- 15 matic control system particularly adapted for programming multiple presentations substantially simultaneously; to provide such an automatic control system wherein film break sensing means are mounted on each film projector for stopping same in the event of a film break and each film projector has a cueing circuit for restarting the counter in response to a cue signal; and to provide such an automatic control system which is simple to trouble shoot, economical to manufacture, positive and reliable in operation, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examples certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a general arrangement diagram of an automatic control system for programming electrically operated theater equipment embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram of a counter circuit for the automatic control system.

FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram of a matrix for programming the automatic control system.

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram of projector control circuits.

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram of picture and sound changeover circuits and films and tape sound switching.

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram of curtain movement and house light control circuits.

FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram of screen size control circuits.

FIG. 8 is a wiring diagram of inhibit and cue circuits and inhibit interlocks.

FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram of a reset circuit for the counter.

FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram of a special effects circuit.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a film break sensor.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the film break sensor.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a cue sensor for the cue circuits.

FIG. 14 is an end elevational view of the cue sensor.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates an automatic control system for selectively programming operation of electrically operated theater equipment, such as sound equipment, house lights, curtain movement controls, screen size controls, special effects, and a plurality of film projectors. The automatic control system 1 includes an electrical circuit for activating respective theater equipment in response to a signal from a counter circuit which is operative to produce a signal at each of a plurality of uniformly spaced time increments, such as at one second intervals, and the equipment activating circuits each have inhibit or counter holding means for holding the counter at a selected time increment during operation of the selected equipment. The equipment activating circuits have inhibit cancel means to prevent stopping on critical equipment circuits, such as projector motor start and picture changeover. A film break circuit is electrically connected to each of the film projector activating circuits for signaling the respective projector to stop in the event of a film break and a cueing circuit is electrically connected to each of the film projectors and to the counter for restarting the counter in response to a cue signal.

3,663,826 automatic control system 1 for selectively programming operation of theater equipment, as later described. A suitably grounded power conductor 36 is connected to a normally closed contact 37 in the reset relay 28 and a conductor 38 extends between a common contact 39 and a brush or contact arm 40 of each of the stepper switches 25.

When a coil 41 of the reset relay 28 is energized or activated, the switch arm at the common contact 39 is moved to engage its normally open contact 42 to interrupt the stepper switch ground circuit to prevent the actuation of any equipment caused by movement of the respective brushes or contact arms 40 and energizing the coil 41 completes a circuit to the stepper coil 34 to move the stepper toward the home position or zero count position. In the illustrated circuit, a conductor 43 extends between the conductor 32 and a normally open contact 44 which is engaged by a switch arm connected to a common contact 45 of the reset relay 28. A conductor 46 extends between the common contact 45 and a normally closed contact 47 of an “off-on” switch 48. A conductor 49 extends between a common contact 50 of the “off-on” switch 48 and a common contact 51 of an interrupter switch 52. A conductor 53 extends between the conductor 49 and a normally closed contact 54 of the interrupter switch 52 and has suitable spark suppressing elements therein, such as capacitors and resistors. 25 A conductor 55 extends between the conductor 29 and the conductor 53 to complete a circuit to the stepper coil 34, except when the “off-on” switch 48 moves a switch arm connected to the common contact 50 from the normally closed . _____. -.

contact 47 to a normally open contact 56 thereby interrupting 30 ⁿ°^rmaHy °pen contact 83 is engaged by a switch arm the circuit between the stepper coil 34 and the reset relay 28.

FIG. 3 illustrates a matrix circuit 60 having a plurality of time lines defined by conductors 61 intersecting a plurality of spaced equipment lines defined by conductors 62 whereby time increments and theater equipment are coordinates of the 35 matrix circuit 60. Each intersection of each time line 61 with each of the equipment lines 62 has an aperture or recess (not shown) to receive a diode pin (not shown) for grounding the connection between the respective time line 61 and equipment line 62 for programming operation of theater equip- 40 ment. The diode pins are positioned at intersections of selected time lines 61 and equipment lines 62 defining coordinates representing the desired time increment for each unit of theater equipment thereby programming operation of the equipment in a desired sequence.

The time line conductors 61 are in one layer and the equipment line conductors 62 are in another layer spaced from the conductors 61 and the conductors 62 are transverse to the conductors 61 to form coordinates with a receptacle to receive a diode pin at each coordinate.

In the illustrated matrix circuit, a plurality of conductors 63 are connected to the connector 20 of the counter circuit 16 to convey the time signal to the respective time line 61. Each of the time lines 61 is a conductor and has suitable indicator means therein, such as an indicator light 64, for visually displaying signals representing the time increment and respective time line or conductor 61 energized for activating the equipment when a diode pin is placed at the intersection of the plurality of conductors 71, one for each of the conductors 65, whereby depressing a selected pushbutton 70 completes a circuit between the equipment and the terminal strips 66 and 67 to activate the respective indicator light 69 and to complete a circuit to the terminal strip 67 and to a relay in a circuit for activating the respective equipment, as later described.

The automatic control system 1 is particularly adapted for programming electrically operated theater equipment, such as a plurality of film projectors, sound equipment for the film projectors and for theater sound, house lights, curtain movement controls, screen size controls and special effects, such as oiling the respective projectors at least once during each reel of film, and the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates a left projector circuit 72 for activating and controlling operation of the left projector 2 and a right projector circuit 73 for activating and controlling operation of the right projector 3, particularly adapted for use with a single theater. When film is in the left projector 2, a limit switch 74 is maintained in a closed or grounded position to maintain a grounded connection to a coil 75 of a left motor safety relay 76 through a conductor 77, thereby energizing the left motor safety relay 76. When a diode pin (not shown) is inserted in a left motor start function line 78 at an intersection 79 with a selected counter time line, a ground will be completed through the respective stepper switch contacts 26 and through the left motor safety relay 76 to energize a coil 80 of a left motor start relay 81 through a conductor 82 connected to a normally open contact 83 in the left motor safety relay 76.

which is connected to the left motor start function line 78 when the coil 75 of the left motor safety relay 76 is energized. The left motor safety relay 76 is energized by tension in the film in the left projector 2 which holds the limit switch 74 in an engaged or grounded position thereby energizing the coil 80 of the left motor start relay 81 which applies voltage across a start winding 84 of a motor for the left projector 2.

When the coil 80 of the left motor start relay 81 is energized, a switch arm 85 is moved from a normally open contact to a normally closed contact in the left motor start relay 81 to complete a circuit to a suitable power source 86 thereby effecting the starting of the motor (not shown) for the left projector 2. Also, when the coil 80 of the left motor start relay 81 is energized, a switch arm 87 is moved from a normally open contact to a normally closed contact with the normally closed contact being connected to a suitably grounded conductor and the switch arm 87 being connected to a conductor 88 which is connected to a coil 89 of a left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 thereby completing a circuit to energize the coil 89.

When the coil 89 of the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 is energized, a switch arm 91 is moved from a normally closed contact to a normally open contact with the normally open contact being connected to a suitably grounded conductor and the switch arm 91 being connected to a conductor 92 which is connected to a coil 93 of a left motor run relay 94 to thereby energize the left motor run relay 94. When the coil 93 of the left motor run relay 94 is energized, a switch arm 95 is moved from a normally closed contact to a normally the start winding 84 through conductors 96 and 97 connected to the switch arm 95 and the normally open contact engaged by the switch arm 95 respectively.

It is noted that the left motor start relay 81 is energized for _____j contact 26 connected to the left motor start function line 78. When the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 energizes the coil 93 of the left motor run relay 94, the coil 93 is latched through the left motor run relay 94 and the left motor safety until the end of the film in the left projector 2 or until a’film break occurs in the left projector 2 thereby releasing the limit switch 74 or until a safety switch 98 is opened or turned off thereby unlatching the left motor safety relay 76 by breaking energized time line 61 and the selected equipment line 62 _fin^lrom“ ^orma,,yciosea contact to a normally whereby the diode nin comnletes a circuit tn the retentive ⁶⁰ °P^{en c}°ntact to complete a circuit to the power source 86 and whereby the diode pin completes a circuit to the respective equipment, as later described. A plurality of conductors 65, one for each of the equipment lines 62, extend between terminal strips 66 and 67 and each of the conductors 65 is conline 62, as indicated at 68, and each conductor 65 has suitable contact 26 connected tn the left _mntn, .t.w L· 70 indicator means therein, such as an indicator light 69, for visually displaying signals representing the equipment then operating.

Each of Λ. equipment lines « „„ mem„ ₇₀ therewith for manually activating the respective equipment and for activating the respective visual display 69 representing the manually activated equipment. In the illustrated circuit, a pushbutton 70 is positioned in each of the equipment lines 62 ___________________ _lcla and suitable power is connected to the terminal strip 66 by a 75 the circuit through the conductor 77 to the coil 75.

3,663,826

In the illustrated circuit, when the coil 93 of the left motor run relay 94 is energized, a switch arm 99 is moved from a normally closed contact to a normally open contact which is connected to a suitably grounded conductor and the switch arm ⁹⁹ *s connected to a conductor 100 which is connected to a switch arm 101 in the left motor safety relay 76. The switch arm 101 is moved from a normally closed contact to a normally open contact when the coil 75 is energized and the normally open contact is connected to a conductor 102 which is connected to the conductor 92 which extends between the switch arm 91 and the coil 93 thereby completing a latching circuit between the left motor safety relay 76, left motor run relay 94, and the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90.

The projector start and run portion of the right projector circuit 73 is substantially similar to the projector start and run portion of the left projector circuit 72 previously described except for the wiring to effect the latching of a right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103, a right motor run relay 104 and a right motor safety relay 105.

In the illustrated circuit, a switch arm 106 in the right motor ^{20 jector 2}· ^The holding circuit to the switch 136 through the run relay 104 is connected to a suitably grounded conductor · and is moved from a normally closed contact to a normally open contact when the right motor run relay 104 is energized by energizing the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 --------------------- vuu uo uiroug after starting the motor for the right projector 3. The normally ²⁵ ductors 130 and 137 is also broken when the switch open contact engaged by the switch arm 106 is connected to a conductor 107 which is connected to a normally open contact 108 in the right motor safety relay 105 which is engaged by a switch arm 109 when the right motor safety relay 105 is energized. The switch arm 109 is connected to a conductor 110 which is connected to a conductor 111 which extends between a coil of the right motor run relay 104 and a normally open contact 112 of the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 which is engaged by a switch arm 113 when the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 is energized by starting the motor for the right projector 3. The switch arm 113 is connected to a suitably grounded conductor, thereby latching a coil of the right motor run relay 104 through the right motor safety relay 105 and the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 until the end of a reel of film in the right projector 3 or until a film break occurs thereby relaxing a limit switch 114 on the right projector 3 or until a safety switch 115 is turned to an open or off position thereby unlatching the right motor safety relay 105.

The left projector circuit 72 includes left lamp circuits 119 for turning a projector lamp (not shown) on and off in response to programming with the diode pins in the matrix circuit 60. When a diode pin is inserted in a left lamp “on” function line 120 at the intersection 121 with a selected time line, a 50 circuit is completed to energize a coil 122 of a left lamp “on” relay 123. When the coil 122 is energized, a switch arm 124 in the left lamp “on” relay 123 is moved from a normally closed contact to a normally open contact to complete a circuit to energize a rectifier contactor relay and to complete a holding 55 circuit through a left lamp “off” relay 125 and a left lamp safety relay 126. A coil 127 of the left lamp safety relay 126 is energized by film in the left projector 2 engaging the limit switch 74 to complete a circuit with the coil 127 through a conductor 128 which is connected to the conductor 77. When 60 the coil 127 of the left lamp safety relay 126 is energized, a switch arm 129 is moved from a normally closed contact to a normally open contact which is connected to the switch arm 124 in the left lamp “on” relay 123. A conductor 130 is connected to a switch arm 131 in the left lamp “off” relay 125 and 65 the switch arm 131 engages a normally closed contact in the left lamp “off” relay 125 when a coil of the left lamp “off” relay 125 is relaxed and the normally closed contact is connected to the switch arm 124 by a conductor 132 thereby latching the left lamp “on” relay 123 and the left lamp safety 70 relay 126 through the left lamp “off” relay 125.

Energizing the left lamp “on” relay 123 and the left lamp safety relay 126 completes a circuit to a rectifier for the lamp in the left projector 2. In the illustrated circuit, a conductor 133 extends between a rectifier 134 and a coil 135 of a rectifi- 75 er contactor relay for moving a switch 13« for activating the rectifier 134. The coil 135 is energized by energizing the left lamp on relay 123 and in the illustrated circuit, a conductor 137 extends between the switch arm 129 in the left lamp safety relay 126 and the coil 135 to thereby energize the coil 135 when the left lamp “on” relay 123 and the left lamp safety relay 126 are energized. The holding circuit for the switch 136 is defined by conductors 138 and 139 which are connected to spaced contacts of the switch 136 and to the normally open contact engaged by the switch arm 124 and to the normally closed contact engaged by the switch arm 131 respectively.

The lamp in the left projector 2 may be turned off by a diode pin in a left lamp “off” function line 141 at an intersection 142 with a selected time line in the matrix circuit 60 which completes a circuit to energize a coil 143 of the left lamp “off” relay 125 thereby moving the switch arm 131 out of engagement with its normally closed contact to break the connection with the rectifier 134 for the lamp for the left pro---- — vtuvUKU ιιιϋ conductors 139, 132 and 138 is broken when the switch arm 131 in the left lamp “off” relay 125 is moved out of engagement with its normally closed contact in response to energizing the coil 143. The circuit to the coil 135 through the con— -- — ------..1 Arm 131 is moved by energizing of the coil 143 of the left lamp “off” relay 125 thereby relaxing the switch 136 to turn off the lamp for the left projector 2.

v ^AfUmbreak which allows the left limit switch 74 to move to break the circuit to the coil 127 of the left safety relay 126 or manually operating the safety switch 98 is operative to relax or release the left lamp safety relay 126. When the coil 127 is relaxed, a switch arm 144 engages a normally closed contact ₃₅ to complete a circuit to a warning lamp 145 positioned on a suitable control panel (not shown) to thereby indicate the nonoperating condition of the lamp for the left projector 2.

A lamp for the right projector 3 is operated by a right lamp circuit portion 146 of the right projector circuit 73 which is 40 identical in operation to the left lamp circuit portion 119 of the left projector circuit 72.

Both the left lamp circuits 119 and the right lamp circuits 146 have suitable switches therein for manually turning the respective projector lamps on and off and for selecting manual &gt; or automatic operation. The switches in the left lamp circuits 119 will be described and it is to be understood that the switches in the right lamp circuits are identical. In the illustrated circuits, a selector switch 147 is positioned in a conductor extending between and connected to the conductors 137 and 138. When the selector switch 147 is in its open position the lamp for the left projector 2 will be turned on by a diode pin at the intersection 121 and turned off by a diode pin at the intersection 142.

Moving the selector switch 147 to its closed position will complete a circuit to the coil 135 of the rectifier contactor relay when a lamp “on” switch 148 is moved from its normally open position to its closed position. The lamp “on” switch 148 is positioned in the conductor extending between the conductors 137 and 138.

The lamp for the left projector 2 may be turned off by opening a lamp “off” switch 149 positioned in the conductor 137 thereby breaking a circuit to the coil 135 and opening the switch 136 to deactivate the rectifier 134. Opening the lamp off switch 149 breaks the latching circuit connecting the left lamp on” relay 123 and the left lamp safety relay 126 through the left lamp “off” relay 125. By positioning the lamp off switch 149 in the conductor 137, the lamp will be turned off when the selector switch 147 is in either its open or closed position for automatic or manual operation respectively.

FIC. 5 illustrates a picture and sound changeover circuit 150 which is operative to change the picture from one of the projectors to the other and to change the sound from one of the projectors to the other and to change from projector sound to theater sound and to change back to projector sound.

3,663,826

When a diode pin is inserted in a picture to left function line 151 at an intersection 152 with a selected counter time line, a circuit will be completed through the stepper switch contacts 26 corresponding with the selected time line to energize a coil 153 of a picture to left relay 154. When the coil 153 is energized for the instant that the stepper switch 25 engages the contact 26 corresponding to the selected time line, a switch arm 155 in the picture to left relay 154 will be moved from a normally closed contact to a normally open contact, with the normally open contact being connected to a suitably grounded conductor and the switch arm 155 being connected to a normally closed contact in the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90, shown in FIG. 4, by a conductor 156 to thereby ground an inhibit circuit, as later described, through the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 to prevent the stepper switch 25 from stopping on the contact 26 during the changeover.

A switch arm 157 in the picture to left relay 154 is also moved from a normally closed contact to a normally open contact to complete a circuit to apply power to a cross-connected changeover solenoid or coil 158 through a conductor 159. Power is supplied to the normally open contact energized by the switch arm 157 by a conductor 158 to energize the solenoid or coil 158.

When a diode pin is inserted in a picture to right function line 161 at an intersection 162 with a selected time line, a ground will be completed by the stepper switch 25 engaging the contact 26 of the selected time line thereby completing a circuit to a coil 163 of a picture to right relay 164. When the 30 coil 163 is energized, for the instant that the stepper switch 25 engages the respective contact 26, a switch arm 165 will move from a normally closed to a normally open contact with the normally open contact being connected to a suitably grounded conductor. The switch arm 165 is connected to a conductor 35 166 which extends between the switch arm 165 and the normally closed contact engaged by the switch arm 155 to complete a circuit to the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 and to the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 when the picture to left relay 154, the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90, the pircture to right relay 164, and the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 are relaxed a circuit will be completed to the inhibit relay 21 in the counter circuit 16, as later described. Moving the switch arm 165 by &lt; ....... ’ ‘ ...

and inhibit cancel relay 103 through a conductor 167 and completes a circuit to the inhibit relay 21 through the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 to prevent the stepper switch 25 from stopping on the contact 26 during the changeover.

When the coil 163 of the picture to right relay 164 is energized, a switch arm 168 will be moved from a normally closed contact to a normally open contact to complete a circuit to a cross-connected changeover coil or solenoid 169 through a conductor 170. Power is supplied to the normally open contact engaged by the switch arm 168 through a conductor 171 to energize the solenoid or coil 169.

Picture changeover between the left projector 2 and the right projector 3, may be manually accomplished by moving coil 207 is energized a switch arm 212 in the tape sound relay switches 172 or 173 connected to the power conductors 160 ’ and 171 respectively. When the switch 172 is manually closed, current will be supplied to the coil or solenoid 158 to effect changeover to the left projector 2 and the coil or solenoid 169 _________________________________{_ wmvu} will be moved to the closed position. When the switch 173 is 65 when engaged with a normally closed contact* craipletes a cfrmanually moved to the closed position, power will be supplied cuit to a suitably grounded conductor 216 and to the coil 207 through the coil or solenoid 169 to the coil or solenoid 158 to effect a reversal of their positions.

When a diode pin is inserted in a sound to left function line .................._} „, _vuullJ._{clc ulc 1αιυ111Ι1}„

176 at an intersection 177 with a selected counter time line, a 70 circuit. The sound relay (not shown) in the sound cabinet 14 sound changeover relay 183 in the right projector 3. The switch arm 182 completes a circuit to a coil 184 of a sound changeover relay 185 in the left projector 2 through a conductor 186 whereby energizing the sound to left relay 179 relaxes the sound changeover relay 185 thereby permitting a switch arm 187 in the sound changeover relay 185 to return to its normally closed position, thereby completing a circuit to an exciter lamp 188 in the left projector 2 which is in a suitably grounded conductor 189. Relaxing or releasing the coil 184 of the sound changeover relay 185 allows a switch arm 190 to return to its normally closed contact to complete a circuit to a coil 191 of the sound changeover relay 183 in the right projector 3. The normally closed contact engaged by the switch arm 190 is connected to the coil 191 of the sound changeover relay 183 by a conductor 192 and the switch arm 190 is connected to a suitably grounded conductor 193. The exciter lamp 188 in the left projector 2 receives power from a suitable power source 194 which is connnected to the switch arm 187 when the coil 184 of the sound changeover relay 185 is relaxed.

When a diode pin is placed in the sound to right function line 195 at an intersection 196 with a selected counter time line, a ground will be completed through the stepper switch 25 and the contact 26 in the selected time line to energize a coil 197 of a sound to right relay 198. When the coil 197 is energized, a switch arm 199 will be moved out of engagement with a normally closed contact to thereby break a grounded connection to the coil 191 of the sound changeover relay 183 in the right projector 3 through the conductors 192 and 193 and the switch arm 190. Releasing or relaxing the coil 191 of the sound changeover relay 183 permits a switch arm 200 to move or return to engage a normally closed contact thereby energizing an exciter lamp 201 in a suitably grounded conductor 202. Relaxing the coil 191 allows the switch arm 182 to engage a normally closed contact thereby energizing the coil 184 of the sound changeover relay 185 through the conductor 186 and the conductor 181 and the switch arm 180 in the sound to left relay 179 when the coil 178 thereof is relaxed. Energizing the coil 184 of the sound changeover relay 185 moves the switch arm 187 out of engagement with its normally closed contact, thereby breaking the circuit to the exciter lamp 188 in the left projector 2. The exciter lamp 201 in the right projector 3 receives power from a suitable power source 203 which is con=--------------------j netted to the switch arm 200 by a conductor 204 when the energizing the coil 163 breaks a circuit to the right motor hold ⁴⁵ coil 191 of the sound changeover relay 183 is relaxed.

. When a diode pin is inserted in a tape sound function line

205 at an intersection 206 with a selected counter time line, a ground will be completed through the stepper switch 25 and 50 ^coldact®°^r selected time line to energize a coil 207 ^υ of a tape sound relay 208. When the coil 207 is energized, a switch arm 209 in the tape sound relay 208 will be moved to engage its normally open contact to complete a circuit to a sound switch relay (not shown) in the sound cabinet 14. The 55 switch arm 209 is connected to a conductor 210 which is connected to a suitable source of power, such as 110 volts alternating current and the normally open contact engaged by the switch arm 209 is connected to a.conductor 211 which is connected to the coil of the sound relay (not shown). When the

208 will be moved to engage a normally open contact which will complete a latching circuit to a film sound relay 213. The switch arm 212 is connected to a conductor 214 which is connected to a switch arm 215 in the film sound relay 213 which, cuit to a suitably grounded conductor 216 and to the coil 207 of the tape sound relay 208. The normally open contact engaged by the switch arm 212 is connected to the tape sound function line 205 by a conductor 217 to complete the latching ™ : ’ .:_______: _____i switches from a dummy load to a theater speaker (not shown) to provide taped music, such as before and after a film presentation and during intermission.

When a diode pin is inserted in a film sound function line ground will be completed through the stepper switch 25 and the contact 26 of the selected time line to energize a coil 178 of a sound to left relay 179 thereby moving a switch arm 180 out of engagement with a normally closed contact to break a ____________ _____________ _ . „,_lw connection through a conductor 181 to a switch arm 182 of a 75 219 at an intersection 220 with a selected~time line?a circuit

3,663,826 will be completed to energize a coil 221 of the film sound relay 213. When the coil 221 is energized, the switch arm 215 will be moved out of engagement with its normally closed contact thereby breaking the latching circuit through the conductors 214 and 216 which permits the coil 207 to relax and the switch arm 209 to move out of engagement with its normally open contact, thereby breaking the circuit to the coil of the sound relay within the sound cabinet 14. The sound relay (not shown) in the sound cabinet 14 switches from the theater speaker to the dummy load thereby allowing the projector sound to operate.

It may be desirable to automatically control opening and closing of curtains at the screen before and after a presentation, therefore, a curtain control circuit 223 is illustrated in FIG. 6. When a diode pin is placed in a curtain open function line 224 at an intersection 225 with a selected counter time line in the matrix circuit 60, a coil 226 of a curtain open relay 227 will be energized to complete a circuit to a mechanical latching relay (not shown) in a curtain control 228 which will hold the circuit until an open limit switch (not shown) or a manual curtain stop switch 229 is actuated. The curtain stop switch 229 is positioned in a conductor 230 connected to a suitable source of electrical current, such as 110 volts alter- _______ , nating current. When the coil 226 is energized a switch arm ₂₅ the limit switch 259. 231 will be moved to engage its normally open contact which is connected to the curtain control 228 by a conductor 232 and the switch arm 231 is connected to a conductor 233 which is connected to the conductor 230 having the curtain stop

The direction control relay 253 is of the mechanically latched type and energizing the mask open run relay 250 completes a circuit to an open coil 257 of a motor start relay The circuit is from the power source 251 through a common conductor 254, the switch arm 256 in the mask open run relay 250 and a conductor 258 which is Connected to a normally open contact engaged by the switch arm 256 and to the open coil 257 of the motor start relay. The conductor 258 has one portion extending between the mask open run relay 250 and a s witch arm in the direction control relay 253 and an other portion extending between a contact in the direction control relay 253 and the open coil 257 of the motor start relay. A limit switch 259 is positioned in the portion of the conductor 258 ₁₅ extending between the direction control relay 253 and the open coil 257 of the motor start relay.

Energizing the mask open run relay 250 energizes a motor holding relay 260 which when energized provides a holding circuit for the mask open run relay 250 that is maintained until ₂₀ the mask mechanism opens the limit switch 259. A conductor has one end connected to a coil of the motor holding relay 260 and the other end connected to that portion of the conductor 258 between the direction control relay 253 and the open coil ?³⁷ .^of.^mot?^r.^stf^{rt relay at a} P°^int between said coil 257 and

When it is desired to close the mask mechanism (not shown), a diode pin is inserted in a mask close function line 261 at an intersection with a selected counter time line and a diode pin is inserted in a mask close run function line 262 at

----------------.._r.w._fcw a ground through the stepper switch contacts 26 of the selected time line to energize a mask close relay 263 and a mask close run relay 264 respectively. A close coil 265 of the direction control, relay 253 is energized in response to energizing the for energizing the open coil 252 of the direction control relay 253. A close coil 266 of the motor start relay is energized and a holding relay 267 is also energized in response to energizing the mask close run relay 264 in a circuit which is substantially :- 40 the same as the circuit for energizing the open coil 257 and the motor holding relay 260 whereby the motor holding relay 267 provides a holding circuit for the mask dose run relay 264 which is maintained until the mask mechanism opens a limit switch 268.

FIG. 8 illustrates an inhibit and cue circuit 270 for controlling operation of the inhibit relay 21 in the counter circuit 16, such as for energizing a coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 to break the power to the counter drive motor 17 and to hold the count until one of the control circuits is activated for a selected equipment function. When a diode pin is placed in an auto inhibit function line 272 at an intersection 273 with a selected counter time line, a circuit will be completed through the stepper switch 25 and the contact 26 connected to the ₅₅ selected time line, thereby energizing or activating an auto inhibit relay 274 by completing a circuit to a coil 275 of the auto inhibit relay 274. Energizing the coil 275 of the auto inhibit relay 274 is operative to energize the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 thereby breaking power to the counter motor 17 by ** ------—-Lj common contact 22 from engagement with the normally closed contact 23 thereby breaking the circuit to the motor 17 through the conductor 19, thereby holding the count until one of the interlocked control circuits, as later described, is activated.

When the coil 275 of the auto inhibit relay 274 is energized, a switch arm 276 therein will be moved from its normally closed contact to engage a normally open contact which is connected to the coil 275 by a conductor 277 and to a suitable source of power by a conductor 278 which is also connected to the coil 275. The switch arm 276 is connected to a normally closed contact in a left cue relay 279 by a conductor 280. When a coil 281 of the left cue relay 279 is relaxed, a switch arm 282 engages the normally closed contact having the conductor 280 connected thereto. The switch arm 282 is connected to a switch arm 283 in a right cue relay 284 by a con10 ·_ ν Λ · ' ^W ΛίΛ vliVl 111 &amp;vOLrvlllow ICJ SrllUT ffI71 »O Tflft switch arm 234 to engage its normally open contact which is 35 mask close relay 263 in a circuit substantially similar to that connected to the rnrtain rantml ____i„___.in r_______. . ., _____ . miuimi io U1&lt;U switch 229 therein and to a switch arm 234 in a curtain close 30 an intersection with the same selected time line to completed Γβ ay · ground through the stennftr switnh nnntmtc HL j

When a diode pin is placed in a curtain close function line 236 at an intersection 237 with a selected time line, a coil 238 pf the curtain close relay 235 will be energized to move the connected to the curtain control 228 by a conductor 239, thereby completing a circuit to the mechanical latching relay in the Curtain control 228 which will hold the circuit until a closed limit switch (not shown) is opened or the manual curtain stop switch 229 is actuated to break the circuit to the curtain control 228.

Operation of the light levels within the theater is controlled by a house light circuit 240, as shown in in FIG. 6, which is similar to the circuits for controlling the curtain movement, wherein a diode pin in a house light up function line 241 will 45 energize a house lights up relay 242 to complete a circuit to a latching relay (not shown) in a light dimmer control 243 until an upper limit switch (not shown) is reached or a dimmer stop switch 244 is opened. A diode pin in a house lights down function line 245 will actuate a house lights down relay 246 to complete a latching circuit in the light dimmer control 243 until a lower limit switch (not shown) is reached or until the dimmer stop switch 244 is opened.

FIG. 7 illustrates a mask control circuit for controlling the width of an exposed portion of a theater screen (not shown) which remains uncovered by a mask mechanism (not shown). The mask mechanism has portions in covering relation with the screen and positioned adjacent opposite ends of the screen ______________{3 tu ulc (} with the portions being movable toward and away from the ₆₀ moving the switch arm connected to the center of the screen in response to operation of the mask control circuit. When a diode pin is inserted in a mask open function line 247 at an intersection with a selected time line and a diode pin is inserted in a mask open run function line 248 at the intersection with the same time line, a mask open relay 65 249 and a mask open run relay 250 will be energized by a completed circuit through the stepper switch contacts 26 corresponding to the selected time line.

When the mask open relay 249 is energized, a circuit will be completed from a power source 251 to an open coil 252 of a 70 direction control relay 253. In the illustrated mask control circuit, the power source 251 is connected to a common conductor 254 which is connected to a switch arm 255 in the mask open relay 249 and to a switch arm 256 in the mask open run relay 250.

3,663,826 ductor 285. When a coil 286 of the right cue relay 284 is relaxed, the switch arm 283 will engage its normally closed contact which is connected to a normally closed contact in a manual inhibit relay 287 by a conductor 288. When a coil 289 of the manual inhibit relay 287 is relaxed, a switch arm 290 will engage the normally closed contact in the manual inhibit relay 287 which is connected to the conductor 288. The switch arm 290 is connected to a normally closed contact in the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 by a conductor 291. When a coil 292 of the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 is relaxed, a switch arm 293 therein will engage the normally closed contact connected to the conductor 291. The switch arm 293 is connected to a normally closed contact in the picture to right relay 164 by the conductor 167, as previously described. When the coil 163 of the picture to right relay 164 is relaxed, the switch arm 165 engages the normally closed contact connected to the conductor 167 and the switch arm 165 is connected to the conductor 166 which is connected to a normally closed contact engaged by the switch arm 155 in the picture to left relay 154. The switch arm 155 is connected to a normally closed contact in the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 by the conductor 156, as previously described. The normally closed contact in the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 which is connected to the conductor 156 is engaged by a switch arm 294 when the coil 89 of the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 is relaxed thereby completing a circuit to the inhibit relay 21 in the counter circuit 16 through a conductor 295 which is connnected to the connector 20 and a conductor 296 which is connected to the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 and to the connector 20 to energize the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 to hold the count until one of the control circuits is activated.

The coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 remains energized until one of the relays in the inhibit latching circuit, previously i described, is energized or actuated, for example, a cue sensor or pick off 297 mounted on the left projector 2 is operative to energize or activate the coil 281 of the left cue relay 279 in response to a momentary ground to complete a circuit to the coil 281. When the coil 281 is activated, the switch arm 282 is moved out of engagement with its normally closed contact thereby breaking the latching circuit. However, the left cue relay 279 latches with the auto inhibit relay 274 until the auto inhibit relay 274 is relaxed as the count moves to the next time line. Energizing the coil 281 of the left cue relay 279 moves a switch arm 298 to engage its normally open contact with said normally open contact being connected to the coil 281 by a conductor 299 and thereby to complete a circuit to the auto inhibit relay 274. The switch arm 298 is connected to a conductor 300 which is connected to a conductor 301 extending between the auto inhibit relay 274 and the right cue relay 284. The portion of the conductor 301 between the conductor 300 and the auto inhibit relay 274 is connected to a normally open contact engaged by a switch arm 302 in the auto inhibit relay 274 when same is activated and the switch arm 302 is connected to a suitably grounded conductor 303, thereby completing a latching circuit between the left cue relay 279 and the auto inhibit relay 274 until the stepper switch 25 moves to the next time line in the counter circuit 16.

The cue sensor or pick off 297 is also operative to activate a left cue light relay 304 in response to a momentary ground at the cue sensor or pick off 297 positioned on the left projector 2. The left cue light relay 304 is grounded and is connected to ^ck to foe^rS c’’ “ί 279 “Ϊΐ ‘° ⁶⁵ ‘° *** ^a^d and tahibft back to the left cue relay 279 which would energize same, ..-therefore, a diode 305 is positioned in a conductor 306 connecting the coil 281 of the left cue relay 279 and a coil 307 of the left cue light relay 304. When the coil 307 is energized, a _____________lllv .........._{lcla uicrtt}.

switch arm 308 in the left cue light relay 304 will move to en- 70 counter motor 17 and holds the count until* gage a normally open contact which is connected to a conductor 309 having a left cue light 310 mounted therein. The switch arm 308 is connected to a conductor 311 for completing a circuit to a suitable display panel (not shown) having the light relay 304 is energized, a switch arm 312 will be moved to engage its normally open contact to complete a latching circuit to a left cue light cancel pushbutton 313. The switch arm 312 is connected to a conductor 314 extending between and connected to the switch arm 312 and the conductor 30« between the diode 305 and the coil 307 and the normally open contact engaged by the switch arm 312 is connected to a conductor 315 which has the left cue light cancel pushbutton 313 therein.

The conductor 315 having the pushbutton 313 therein is suitably grounded and the coil 307 of the left cue light relay 304 is connected to suitable power source whereby the coil 307 will remain energized until the pushbutton 313 is opened thereby breaking the circuit. The diode 305 prevents energizing the coil 281 of the left cue relay 279 except by the pick off 257.

A right cue sensor or pick off 31« is operative to energize the coil 28« of the right cue relay 284 and to energize a coil ₂₀ 317 of a right cue light relay 318. The right cue sensor 316 is connected to a conductor 319 extending between and con- nected to the coils 286 and 317 of the right cue relay 284 and the right cue light relay 318, respectively. When the coil 286 is energized, the switch arm 283 will be moved out of engagei- 25 ^ment with its normally closed contact, thereby breaking the ^f latching circuit to the inhibit relay 21. Also, when the coil 286 is activated or energized, a switch arm 320 which is in the right cue relay 284 and connected to a portion of the conductor 301 will be moved to engage its normally open contact which is connnected to a conductor 321 which is connected to the conductor 319 adjacent the coil 286 thereby completing a latching circuit to the auto inhibit relay 274 until the auto inhibit relay 274 drops out as the count moves to the next time line. The right cue light relay 318 activates a right cue light 35 322 and completes a circuit to a right cue light cancel pushbutton 323 in a manner similar to the operation of the left cue light relay 304.

The inhibit and cue circuit 270 controls the counter whereby the count is stopped and held by application of volt40 age to the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 in the counter circuit 16. The inhibit circuit 270 is controlled by the matrix circuit 60, the cue sensors 297 and 316, a manual start pushbutton 325, as later described, or a remote start pushbutton (not shown) and the associated interlock circuits which prevent the counter motor 17 from stopping at critical times due to a programming error, such as may be caused by an incorrectly positioned diode pin or pins. The auto inhibit function will not operate when a diode pin is inserted at the intersection 273 50 ^a.^nd ? ^d‘°^{de pin is also inserted on} the same time line for activating the functions of left motor start, right motor start, picture to left or picture to right.

The manual inhibit relay 287 is energized by a diode pin inserted in a manual inhibit function line 326, having the manual 55 start pushbutton 325 therein, at an intersection 327 with a selected time line, thereby completing a grounded circuit through the stepper switch 25 and the contact 26 of the selected time line to thereby energize the coil 289 of the manual inhibit relay 287. Energizing the coil 289 moves the 60 switch arm 290 to engage its normally open contact which is connected to the coil 289 of the manual inhibit relay 287 by a conductor 328 to complete a latching circuit to energize the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 through the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103, the picture to right relay 164, the cancel relay 90, as previously described. Moving the switch arm 290 from its normally closed contact breaks the latching circuit through the conductors 288, 285 and 280 to the auto inhibit relay 274. The inhibit relay 21 breaks the power to the . . ------------------J one of the control circuits in the latching circuit with the manual inhibit relay 287 is actuated.

The count may be started from the manual inhibit position by energizing one of the control circuits in the latching circuit ------------—: count to move left cue light 310 therein. When the coil 307 of the left cue 75 for a period ‘of more

3,663,826 from the manual inhibit position on the matrix circuit 60. It is noted that a presentation should always be started with the manual start pushbutton 325 or a remote start switch (not shown) suitably positioned in a control panel preferably also having the cue lights 310 and 322 therein. The manual start pushbutton 325 is positioned in the conductor defining the manual inhibit function line 326 and the pushbutton 325 is illustrated as a normally closed switch which when opened will break the circuit to the coil 289 of the manual inhibit relay 287, thereby relaxing the coil 289 and grounding both sides of the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 to thereby relax same to allow the counter motor 17 to turn the cam (not shown) therein to continue the count. Power is supplied to the coil 289 of the manual inhibit relay 287 through a conductor 329 except when the start count pushbutton 325 is opened to break the circuit to the coil 289 to thereby ground both sides of the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 whereby the counter motor 17 will operate.

FIG. 9 illustrates a reset circuit 325 which permits an operaline without activating any equipment functions during the movement of the brush or contact arms 40 of the stepper switches 25. A manual inhibit pushbutton 336, shown in FIG. 8, is depressed and held to energize the coil 289 ofthe manual inhibit relay 287. A rest pushbutton 337 is depressed and held ' to energize a coil 338 of a reset relay 339. The reset pushbutton 337 is held until the counter stops at the start position or number one time line, and then the reset pushbutton 337 is released and the manual inhibit pushbutton 336 is released to thereby position the automatic control system 1 in the position to srart a presentation.

When a diode pin is inserted in the manual inhibit function line 326 at the intersection 327 on the start position at time line one, the count will hold at said time line one ready for the manual inhibit start of a presentation. The manual inhibit pushbutton 336 is then depressed to lock out the counter motor 17 thereby preventing movement of the brush or contact arms 40 of the stepper switches 25 during the reset cycle. Depressing the reset pushbutton 337 applies voltage to the coil 41 ofthe reset relay 28 thereby energizing same to move one of the switch amis therein out of engagement with the normally closed contact 37 to break the circuit to the stepper switch ground circuit through the conductor 38 to prevent the actuation of functions. When the coil 41 ofthe reset relay 28 45 is energized, a switch arm connected to the common contact 45 will be moved to engage the normally open contact 44 to complete a circuit to the stepper coil 34 and to a normally closed contact 47 of the “off-on” switch 48 through the conductor 46 extending between the common contact 45 in the 50 reset relay 28 and the normally closed contact 47 in the “offon” switch 48, as previously described and shown in FIG. 2. The contacts of the interrupter switch 52 allow the stepper switches 25 to step toward their respective home position and the contacts of the “off-on” switch 48 open at the start or 55 home position at time line number one to stop the cycle.

It may be desirable to automatically program special equipment functions, such as providing oil to selected moving parts of each projector at least once per reel of film, preferably between the functions of motor start and changeover, for the 60 respective projector, therefore, FIG. 10 illustrates typical special effects circuits. In the illustrated circuit, a diode pin inserted in a special effects function line 340 at an intersection 341 with a selected time line will complete a circuit to a coil 342 of a special effects relay 343 thereby energizing same. 65 Energizing the coil 342 moves a switch arm 344 in the special effects relay 343 to engage a normally open contact to complete a circuit to a solenoid 345 for the one second interval that the stepper switch 25 engages the contact 26 in the selected time line. The solenoid 345 is positioned in a conduc- 70 1 tor 346 extending between the normally open contact engaged by the switch arm 344 and a power source 347. The switch arm 344 is connected to a suitably grounded conductor 348 to complete the circuit to the solenoid 345 which is operative to effect operation of the desired special effects function.

FIG. 10 also includes a second special effects circuit 350 which is substantially similar to the previously described circuit whereby the previously described solenoid 345 is operative to activate an oiler (not shown) for the left projector 2 and the second special effects circuit 350 is operative to effect operation of an oiler (not shown) on the right projector 3.

It may be desirable to bypass the limit switch 74 in the left projector circuit 72 and to bypass the limit switch 114 in the right projector circuit 73, particularly during the counting period, therefore, a film break relay 351 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and is electrically connected to the limit switches 74 and 114. The film break relay 351, is connected to the auto inhibit relay 274 to prevent the limit switches 74 and 114 from breaking the circuit to the left motor safety relay 76 and the left lamp safety relay 126 in the left lamp circuits 119 ofthe left projector circuit 72 and to the right motor safety relay 105 and a right lamp safety relay 352 in the right lamp circuit 146 of the right projector circuit 73 respectively. When the auto inhibit — relay 274 is relaxed, a coil 353 ofthe film break relay 351 will nected to the auto inhibit relay 274 by a conductor 354 which is connected to a normally closed contact in the auto inhibit relay 274 which is engaged by the switch arm 302 when the ₂₅ auto inhibit relay 274 is relaxed. The switch arm 302 is connected to the grounded conductor 303 to complete the grounded circuit between the conductor 303 and the coil 353 ofthe film break relay 351 which thereby energizes same.

When the coil 353 of the film break relay 351 is energized, ₍ switch arms 356 and 357 will be moved to engage normally open contacts connected to suitably grounded conductors 358 and 359 respectively thereby completing a grounded circuit through the conductors 77 and 128 to the left motor safety relay 76 and the left lamp safety relay 126 respectively and through conductors 360 and 361 to the right motor safety relay 105 and the right lamp safety relay respectively. Completing the grounded circuits prevents the film break circuit from functioning unless the system is resting on auto inhibit, that is unless the coil 275 of the auto inhibit relay 274 is energized. The auto inhibit relay 274 will be relaxed during counting, that is except when energized by a diode pin inserted in the intersection 273, and the grounded circuits previously described will be completed whereby the film break limit switches 74 and 114 will be inoperative during the counting period, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 8. This is particularly advantageous when slack occurs in film in the projectors, such as during start up.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a film break sensor 365 for mounting on each of the projectors 2 and 3 to sense a film break and to release the respective limit switch 74 or 114, thereby signaling the respective projector to stop. In the illustrated structure, each film break sensor 365 has a shaft 366 extending from the respective film projector with the shaft 366 being transverse to a film path, as designated by the arrow F, therethrough. A lever 367 is pivotally mounted adjacent a free end ofthe shaft 366 and has a film roller 368 mounted adjacent one end ofthe lever 367 for engagement with film moving through the respective projector. When the film roller 368 engages film moving through the projector, tension in the film will hold the lever 367 out of engagement with a switch arm 369 ofthe respective limit switch 74 or 114. When the switch arm 369 is engaged by the lever 367, as shown in FIG. 11, the limit switches 74 or 114 will be opened to break the circuit to the respective film projector. A counterweight 370 is mounted on the lever 367 and positioned for moving the lever into engagement with the switch arm 369 when film engaging the film roller 368 breaks, whereby the limit switch 74 or 114 stops the respective film projector 2 or 3.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a cue sensor 375 for use in the inhibit and cue circuit 270, as shown at 297 and 316 in FIG. 8. Each cue sensor 375 is mounted on respective film projectors 2 or 3 and is electrically connected to the respective film projector and to the inhibit and cue circuit 270. The cue sensors 375 are operative to activate the cueing circuit, as shown in FIG. 8, for restarting the counter motor 17.

tor to return the count to a start position or number one time 20 _be Γ^ΙΪμof the filmTeSv 351 line without activating anv eouinment functions Hnrinn —.....j*. .&gt;_____. ...... _____ 7 ^Ii

3,663,826

Each cue sensor 375 has a plurality of rollers 376 arranged in two spaced part pairs 377 and 378. The spaced apart pairs 377 and 378, are positioned with a film path F through the respective projector passing between the rollers 376 in each of the pairs 377 and 378. Both rollers 376, in one of the pairs, such as the pair 377, are electrically connected to the cueing circuit, as shown in FIG. 8, and the other pair of rollers 378 is suitably grounded and one roller in each pair, preferably the upper roller, is spring loaded to press the film into firm engagement with the roller connected to the cueing circuit whereby a suitable grounding means, such as a strip of conductive cue tape (not shown) placed on an edge ofthe film preferably on the side opposite the sound track, is operative to ground the rollers to complete a circuit to activate the respective equipment function, as shown in the cueing circuit 270.

In the illustrated structure, an arm 379 is mounted on and extends from the respective film projector 2 or 3 to position the pair of rollers 377 and 378 to have the film path F extend between the rollers 376 of each of the pairs 377 and 378 to permit the conductive cue tape to provide a momentary ground to activate the respective cueing circuit.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and os shown.