Motion picture camera with sound recording means

Abstract

A motion picture camera having a magnetic sound recording head, a pressure plate for holding the film tight against the sound head, a capstan driven at a uniform rate for advancing the film uniformly past the sound head, a drum for holding the film tight against the capstan and a sensor or feeler for sensing the film loop between the optical film gate and the sound recording head. The capstan and the recording head are mounted in stationary locations on one side of a mounting plate, the flywheel of the capstan is located on the opposite side of the mounting plate, and the pressure plate, the drum, and the feeler are mounted on a lever which swings in a plane parallel to the mounting plate and is located on the same side of the mounting plate as the capstan and recording head. Operating linkages swing the lever to its engaged position (pressing the film against the recording head and the capstan) automatically when the camera release member or trigger is moved to picture-taking position, and swing the lever to a disengaged position (with the pressure plate away from the sound head and the drum away from the capstan) when the shutter trigger is released to stop the picture taking operation. Certain electrical switches for controlling the capstan drive and the film advancing claw are opened and closed automatically.