The invention relates generally to a copier.
More particularly, the invention relates to a photographic copier, especially a copier of the type in which the originals and the copying material are supplied from rolls.
A known photographic copier of this type is designed to copy photographic originals, e.g. negatives, having different widths onto bands of copying material which likewise have different widths. The copier is provided with guide means for the originals as well as the copying material. Each guide means may consist of a set of interchangeable guides which are dimensioned for different widths. Alternatively, each guide means may consist of a single guide which is movably mounted in the copier so that it may assume different positions for different widths. The copier further has an adjustable objective, as well as means for regulating the lengths of the images of the originals.
Such copiers, which find widespread application, are marketed in various forms. As a rule, adjustment of a copier of this type assumes a knowledge of which copying material is to be used for originals having given dimensions. Consequently, when the copier is to be adjusted for a particular original, the required width of the copying material or paper is known, as are the dimensions of the original which constitute an important parameter for photoelectric scanning of the original. Also known is the length of copying material to be exposed, and the cross section of the reflector shaft or tube which will provide optimum illumination of the original. Furthermore, the magnification desired from the objective is known. In this regard, either of two types of adjustable objectives may be employed. One type of objective has a variable focal length. The other type has a fixed focal length and is mounted for movement towards and away from the original and, hence, towards and away from the copying material.
The number of adjustments is generally large since an adjustment is usually required for each of the parameters outlined above. In a simple copier, all of the adjustments are performed manually which carries with it the risk of an error. This risk is compounded by the fact that the error may occur in the darkened portion of the copier which cannot be observed during operation.
Various copiers are known in which some of the adjustments are perform automatically. For instance, the German Pat. No. 17 97 492, which corresponds to the U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,779 discloses a copier which is designed in such a manner that the intensity of illumination, the compensation for the size of the original, the mask for the copying material, and the length of copying material to be exposed are all adjusted automatically via suitable adjusting elements in response to installation of a mask for the original. However, conventional copiers having motorized adjusting elements are extremely expensive. In this regard, it is frequently cheaper to provide for interchange of relatively simple parts, instead of motorized adjustment of such parts, in order to adapt a copier to originals of different sizes. The construction of the known motorized copiers does not, however, permit the interchange of parts.