US976067A - Fireproof receptacle for films of moving-picture apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

G. J. GILMORE. FIREPROOF REGEPTAGLB FOR FILMS 0F MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1909.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

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GEORGE J. GILMORE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FIREPROOF BECEPTACLE FOR FILMS MOVING-PICTURE APPARATUS.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Patented N 15, 191(1),

Application filed November 15, 1909. Serial No. 528,002.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE J. GILMORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and Statoof Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fireproof Receptacles for Films of Moving-Picture pparatus, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to fireproof receptacles for films or moving picture apparatus, the object being to provide a receptacle for protecting combustible and inflammable films from fire. It is well known to those familiar with the moving pictures industry, that the films which contain the pictures are made of highly combustible and inflammable material, and are frequently exposed to sudden and accidental fire; occasionally becoming ignited and consequently consumed. The loss of the films is consequential, but the danger of fire to the structure. in which the pictures are being exhibited, is more serious, and productive of catastrophies. In many cities and towns where films of this type are used in moving picture apparatus, laws and regulations have beenenacted which tend to lessen the danger from accidental ignition of the film, but nevertheless accidents occur, because the films which are not in use are frequently left exposed'so that whenever a fire occurs I ma room Where such exposed films are kept,

the unprotected ones are consumed almost inevitably. It often requires the use of several reels of film for an evenings entertainment, and boxes are provided for their protection, yet an operator often neglects to place the cover on the box' after the film has been replaced therein, thus leaving it exposed to accidental fire. To avoid this danger -I have provided a substantially fireproof receptacle for films,=having a cover that closes automatically, (through the medium of gravity) to cover the opening through which the films are placed in the receptacle or removed therefrom and seal the same against entrance of fire.

The invention therefore consists in a fireproof film storing or substantially fireproof receptacle having a cover or door, operating by gravity to automatically close and seal the opening against fire, whenever it is released from any point in its open positions.

It further consists in the several novel features set forth in the-followlng specificait to a wall or other vertical support. The

receptacle comprises in general a film box or magazine 12, and a-cover 13, which is movab y supported .in such manner that when released it will fall by gravity to its closed position. As shown in the preferred form, the cover is hinged oi pivoted to the tion and particularly pointed out in the ap-. pended claims.

box by hinges 14, that are placed along the upper meeting edges between the box and cover, whereby the cover may be raised to expose the interior of the box, and when reiaeased will fall by gravity to its closed posi- To guard against the entrance of any ex= cessive degree of heat to the chamber of. the

.or other non-combustible material. In the form shown they are made with an outer casing 15, and an inner shell 16, suitably fastened together, so as to leave an air space between them, .gwhereby any external heat may not be readily conducted to the interior of the receptacle. The cover also may be made hollow as shown. Flanges17, are provided upon the cover, and overlap the sides and bottom of the box, thereby covering the jomts between the cover and box and elfeetually prevent-ing fire from entering at this point. A handle 18, may be provided upon the cover to'facilitate' the raising of the same and if desired a stop 19, may be provided to.

limit the upward movement of the cover so that it cannot be swung upward beyond its center of gravity. I

It is evident that the structure thus described furnishes a convenient and substantially fireproof receptacle for the films, which will withstand the ordinary fire that may occur in'places where devices of thls character are used, and that regardless of a persons carelessness, the cover w1ll close automatically and seal the receptacle against the entrance of fire, whenever released from v an open position.

The receptacle can be made of a size to contain but one reel of film, but I prefer to construct it large enough to contain a number of reels,-and have shown the same as divided into a number of individual film receiving compartments, as for instance by means of shelves 20, arranged one above the other in the box, and secured thereto in any desired manner. The shelves may'be made hollow, as shown, thereby leaving air spaces between the various compartments. The reels of film (shown at 21,) may be placed upon the shelves and if desired, some sort of air humidifier 22, placed on the bottom of the box. to maintain a slight degree of humidity in the air within the receptacle. When the box is thus divided into compartments, it is desirable to provide-a separate auxiliary cover for each compartment, and in the preferred form, I have shown auxiliary covers 23, for the compartments that contain the films. These auxiliary covers are arranged to close automatically under the influence of gravity and if desired may cover.

be hinged to the receptacle, as at 24, so that they fall automatically to their closed positions, whenever they are released. If desired they may have flanges 25, for covering the joints between themselves and the receptacle. This construction affords a double protection, and prevents fire from entering the closed compartments whenever the main cover and any one auxiliary cover is raised, should any fire occur at such time.

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of auxiliary In this case the cover 26, has a shelf 27, secured to it which slides into the box. The reel of film may be placed upon the shelf and slid in the box. With this form also, any one reel of film may be removed from the box without endangering the others.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 4, the box 28, has a vertically sliding cover 29, which is guided in ways 30, that are provided in the box. -It is evident that the cover may be raised to expose the interior of the box, and when released will fall by gravity to its closed position. 'This form is especially advantageous in places-where it is desirable to economize space, and it is quite usual that the cabinet which contains the moving picture apparatus, is so small thatthere is not suflicient room for a swinging cover. This form of the invention may be made to contain one or more reels of film, as desired.

I am aware that various alterations and modifications of this device are possible without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I do not therefore desire to limit myself to the exact form of construction and arrangement shown and described.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Let- 1 ters Patent:

- l. A receptacle for films of the character described, comprising in combination a casing having a main opening, a plurality of substantially fire proof film receiving compartments therein, each of which is surrounded by an air space and provided with an opening through which the films are inserted or removed, an individual gravity cover for each compartment constructed to automatically cover and seal said opening against fire, and a main gravity cover spaced away from the individual covers, and constructed to automatically close and seal said ,main opening against the entrance of fire when released from an open position.

2. A receptacle for protecting films of the character described, from fire, comprising in combination an outer casing havin ,a main opening, a plurality of film receiving compartments within said casing, and spaced away from the walls thereof and away from each other to leave air spaces therebetween, each compartment having an \opening leading out through the main opening, through which the films may be inserted or removed, a gravity cover for the opening of each compartment constructed to automatically close and seal said opening against fire whenever released from an open position, and a main gravity cover for the main opening hinged at its upper end to the casing and constructed and arranged to close and seal said opening against fire whenever released from an open position.

3. A receptacle for protecting films of the character described, from fire, com rising a substantially fireproof film storing ox having a series of non-communicating film storing' compartments, all opening out in one direction, individual covers for said com partments, and a gravity cover constructed to automatically cover and seal said opening against the entrance of fire, whenever released from an open position.

4. Areceptacle for. protecting films of the character described, from fire, comprising a substantially fireproof open sided film storing box, a series of shelves therein, arranged one,above the other and forming individual film receiving compartments, an auxiliary cover for each compartment and a gravity cover for theopen side of the box, adapted to automatically close and seal said openingagainst the entrance of fire, whenever released from an open position.

5. A receptacle for protecting films of the character described, from fire, comprising a substantially fireproof open sided film storing box, a series of shelves therein, arranged one above the other and forming individual compartments for the films, an auxiliary I cover for each compartment and a gravity cover for the 0 en side of the box, having flanges on its si e and bottom edges adapted to overlap the contiguous edges of the box, saidcover being adapted to'automatically close and seal said opening against'the entrance of fire, Whenever released from an open position.

6Q A receptacle for protecting filmsof the character described, comprising a fireproof open sided film storing box, a gravity cover operating to automatically close and seal said opening against the entrance ofiire, Whenever released from an open posltlon and a stop located outside of the box for limiting the upward movement of the cover,

so that it cannot be opened to a plane be: yond its center of gravity. In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 10th day of November, 1909.

GEORGE J, GILMORE, Witnesses:

CHARLES O. SHEI'WEY, FANNIE F. Rrci nmos.

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