Patent GB-212638-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to reflex cameras
IPC: G03B19/12
Filed: 1922-12-13
Abstract: 212,638. Mathews, R. G. Dec. 13, 1922. Cameras, reflex. - A folding-baseboard bellows reflex camera has the bellows nose pivoted or hinged to the camera front so that it can be aligned therewith for exposure and swung away to bring a small reflector close up to the lens for focusing, the bellows-nose and reflector being moved simultaneously. In one form, Fig. 2, the reflector 25, which co-operates with a focusing screen 28 is carried between two lazy tongs 27 which fold within a hinged lid 30 which closes over the baseboard 31 and is supported therefrom when open by parallel folding linkages 32. The lazy tongs 27 are folded under the influence of a mouse-trap spring 38 by moving one pair 34 of their lever ends in a slot 36 in the lid 30, blade or wire springs 39 being provided to hold them in the open or closed position. The bellowsnose 40 is pivoted at its lower end 42 to the camera front 43 with which it is normally held in engagement by a spring. On moving the reflector downwards, the bellows aperture is closed by a cap 46, hinged under pension of a spring tending to open it inside the bellows, by engagement of the outer ends 50, Fig. 3, of the tongs 27 with cranks 49 on the pivot rod 48 of the cap 46. The pivot rod 48 is simultaneously released from locking notches 51 on the lens panel 43 to allow the bellows front to be pushed back forpositioning the reflector by further advancing the lazy-tongs 27. The between-lens iris and sectorshutter is then opened by release of a spring- urged lever 54 by withdrawal of a wedge 55 attached to the bellows-nose. On return of the bellows-nose the wedge 55 causes closing of the shutter before release of the cap 46. Exposure is effected on withdrawal of the mirror 25 by a toe 56 on one side of the lazy-tongs tripping a lever 57 which depresses, through appropriate connections, the shutter-trigger 59 for exposure. In another form, Fig. 17, the mirror 76 is carried by the bellows-nose 66 and is wholly or partly penetrated over the area normally in front of the lens. Operation of the bellows-nose and shutter is controlled by a trigger-lever 68 which is hinged to a lever-arm 67 rigidly connected to the hingespindle 65 of the bellows-nose 66. On depressing the trigger-lever, a roller 69 thereon rides on a guide-way 70 and enables the arm 67 to be swivelled to bring the bellows-nose 66 up to normal position. The roller 69 on leaving the guideway 70 lifts a spring-controlled slide 72 to release the shutter for exposure. In returning the bellows-nose 66 to the focusing position the roller 69 travels on the lower edge 78 of the guide-way. The focusing screen 82 is mounted on foldable runners 83. In a further form, the mirror is mounted inside the bellows-nose so as to be foldable down from the lens axis for exposure, the between lens shutter being simultaneously released. When the bellows-nose is folded down to focusing position the shutter is opened automatically. The mirror may be divided so that only the lower portion is foldable. In another form, Fig. 13, the mirror 113 is slidably carried by the bellows-nose 112, and is pushed up by links 115 out of the way, when the bellows-nose is folded towards the lens for exposure, by pressing a trigger 114. The focusing screen may be of flexible material, such as oiled silk or the like and may be in roller-blind form. The bellowsnose and camera front make a light-tight fitting in the normal position, a velvet facing being provided, in one form, on the camera front. Specification 210,471 is referred to.