Improvements in or relating to Photographic Cameras
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Apr., 1890-Accepted, 6th Sept., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Photographic Cameras,
I, CHARLES WHITNEY, of Chicago, County of Cook, State of Illinois, United States
of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to the improvement of photographic cameras and their adjuncts,
my improvements being especially designed for the variety which may be termed
"pocket" cameras, or those of such diminutive size as to render them conveniently
portable in the hand or by being otherwise carried or stowed away on the person ready
for immediate use whenever desired; and of the adjuncts referred to, my invention
relates, particularly, to the lens-shutter detail for the cameras, to means for controlling
a flexible sensitized ribbon for the negative plates, in the form both of a continuous
sheet or ribbon or in separate plates cut to desired size; to the numbering, and con-
struction of the negative ribbon, and to the cutting mechanism for severing it into
plates, and means for permitting observation of the position of any negative plate for
its exposure.
The objects of my improvements are to provide a construction of the instrument
whereby it shall be produceable in the various forms and in the comparatively
diminutive dimensions with proportionately large capacity to adapt it to serve the
convenience for which it is intended and the purpose of perfecting and simplifying
the operations necessary in making negative-plate exposures.
These objects I accomplish by the constructions hereinafter described and shown in
the accompanying drawings, in which—
Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of my improved camera provided in an opera-
glass;
.
Figure 2, a side view of the same;
Figure 3, a cross section of 1 and 2;
Figure 4, a broken view of the shutter mechanism employed;
Figure. 5, a sectional view of the shutter-mechanism;
Figure 6, a broken section of the negative ribbon;
Figure 7, a plan sectional view, on the line 7-7 of Figure 8, of my improvement
in the form of a box-camera;
Figure 8, a sectional front elevation of the box-camera showing the shutter-device,
feed-rollers and roll of negative ribbon ;
Figure 9 shows the cutting mechanism in position ;
Figure 10 is a detail view showing the feed-roller and knife, and knife-lever;
Figure 11, a portion of Figure 7, modified;
Figure 12 is a perspective view showing my improvement in the form of a book-
camera when closed;
Figure 13 shows the same opened;
Figure 14 is a cross-section on Figure 12;
Figure 15, a cross-section on Figure 13;
Figure 16, a modification of Figure 12, showing my improved camera as a porte-
monnaie;
Figure 17, a modification of Figure 14;
Figure 18, a plan view with cover removed;
Figure 19, a detail view of the shutter-mechanism showing a time-stop;
Figure 20, a detail view showing a manner of attaching the end of the negative
ribbon ;
Figure 21 is a view in front elevation of a further form of camera improved
according to my invention as to the plate holder and negative-ribbon controlling
mechanisin;

page_text: Figure 22, a cross-section of Figure 21;
Figure 23 shows the knife and its supports;
Figure 24 shows modified details for actuating the knife; and
Figures 25, 26, 27 and 28, show further structural modifications of the construction
of the camera presented in Figure 21, especially to adapt it for the negative ribbon
cut for use into plates of desired size.
Referring to the opera-glass form of my improved camera illustrated in Figures 1
to 6, inclusive:
A is the case surrounding the telescopic cylinders of an opera-glass, within which
is the V-shaped frame, the negative-ribbon, and shutter. A¹ is the cover, which is
held in place by the knobs z and z¹, and screws. B is the V-shaped frame, across
the open flaring end of which the ribbon C is drawn. CC are the inside cylinders,
and C and Cs the outside cylinders of the opera-glass, the outside cylinders
affording spools around which the negative-ribbon is wound and unwound in sufficient
length for one negative at each operation. The knob eye-glass supports and ¹ are
extensible in the usual manner in opera-glasses; and the object-glass supports and
are fast upon the outer cylinders, which are free to be turned by the said object-
glass supports. In the case A is a peep-hole , covered with colored glass, through
which to observe the number of the negative which has been exposed. A short strip
of the sensitized negative-ribbon C is shown in Figure 6 as defined into plates by
perforations and numbered ready for use. While the ribbon may comprise any suit-
able material, I prefer transparent celluloid. D is the lens, of any suitable kind;
D¹ the sliding shutter-plate, and D' the covering plate which covers the shutter-
plate hole in its return. The shutter has an operating rod, w, provided with a
spring w' for returning it after being pressed inward for an exposure, by the action
of a lever us connecting the rod with the shutter-plate, as shown in Figure 4.
shutter-plate D¹ is provided with a hole indicated by dotted lines and covered by
the sliding plate D². A spring catch is provided which is attached to the cover
plate D and has a tooth that engages with a notch in the shutter-plate D¹ and
-disengaged by contact with a trip-stop v to permit the slide D' to be returned by the
recoil of springs thus making the exposure. Pressure upon the button to carries
up the slide or shutter plate D¹ with its opening covered by the cover D³ until the
catch is disengaged from the slide D¹ by contact with the stop v¹. The slide D¹
is thus returned by the springs 2 and as its opening w³ passes the lens opening the
exposure is made.
When the pressure is released upon the button w, the cover
plate D is returned by the action of the spring w₁ and the catch v re-engages the
slide D¹.
The
The capacity of the opera-glass camera, is from twenty-five to fifty negative-plates
(depending upon the thickness of the ribbon used) each two and one-half inches
square. Cameras of larger size and capacity may be provided of the same opera-
glass construction or also in the form of a field-glass.
The device as illustrated may be used in the common manner of opera-glasses. To
use it as a camera the cover A¹ and the glass-bolders and 2 are removed, and the
ribbon wound upon the cylinder C, the end thereof being extended taut around the
open end of the frame B and secured to the other cylinder C³. The friction on
the V-shaped frame, as the ribbon is wound from one cylinder upon the other, is
sufficient to maintain it straight for the exposure. The cover A being secured in.
place again, the camera is ready for use.
The lens is directed toward the object to be photographed, and the button w
pressed, throwing the plates D' and D₁ to the point where the latter is unlatched by
the disengaging action of the trip v¹, which permits it to drawn back rapidly by the
springs, making the necessary exposure, when, on releasing the button, the covering.
plate D is thrown back, the latch caught, and the hole D again covered, the parts
being thus in position for producing another exposure by pressing the button after
turning the proper cylinder-spool at the knob. Thus, all that is required to operate
the camera is to turn the knob to bring a fresh section of the negative ribbon into
place, the position of which may be controlled by observing its number through the

page_text: peep-hole, then direct the lens, and press the button, repeating for each exposure.
When the negative-ribbon is all used, it may be supplanted by new.
The shutter is shown in Figure 3 as between the camera-lenses; though I prefer
to have it work in front of both, as represented in Figure 5.
Referring, particularly, to the box-form of my improved camera, as illustrated in
Figures 7 to 11, inclusive, and in which I have provided, in addition to the elements
employed in the opera-glass form herein before described, a knife mechanism for
cutting plates from the negative-ribbon after each exposure and a compacting
arrangement for the severed negatives:
E is the containing box, which, like the case A of the opera-glass camera, may be
of hard rubber, brass, wood, or any other suitable material. The lens D is at an
opening in a side of the box, and adjacent to it is the shutter D³, on a post, 8, and
controlled through a shutter-lever, D³, provided with a controlling-spring, t. A
spring-stop, t, engages with the shutter, which provided with notched studs, t³,
arranged to engage the shutter-spring t successively. The thumb-rod w is controlled
by its spring w¹ to return the lever D' after being actuated by pressing the rod.
B is the V-shaped frame around which the negative-ribbon C is drawn and through
the apex of which the rays of light enter at the lens, the walls of the frame
extending from the top to the bottom of the box and forming a lateral light-tight
compartment, thus protecting the previously exposed and unexposed ribbon from
light. The ribbon C is provided in a roll, as shown, which may be located in place
without a spool or post. In one corner of the inside of the box E, I provide a flexible
(as rubber) friction stop, r, to exert yielding pressure against the ribbon while
being drawn into place for exposure. The end of the negative-ribbon is connected
with a rubber feed-roller, r, to be drawn by turning the roller, at its thumb-lever, 4,
from the ribbon-roll about the frame B and introduced into a negative receptacle r²
by pressing against the side of box E (Figure 11) or against the roller E¹ (Figure 7).
F is the knife for severing the ribbon into plates as it is fed into the receptacle r²,
wherein the plates, after exposure, are held in place by a spring, . The knife is
connected with an operating lever, q, fulcrumed at x, operated by a cam, q¹, on the
end of the feed-roller r, the knife being supported on a post, q', by links, y³.
As will be seen, by turning the thumb-lever to the right, the soft roller r will, by
friction draw the ribbon C, as it is pressed against the box E or roller E¹ and feed it
into the receptacle the feed-roller measures in circumference the size of one
negative, which it thus feeds with each revolution, enabling me to dispense with
measuring devices, such as gearing or marking and with roll-holders, and to produce
with my camera single plates ready for developing.
This friction feed-roller mechanism is also suitable for feeding thin flexible cut
plates, and could be made of proper circumference to correspond with the length of
plate, or so as to cause any certain number of turns of the thumb-lever to deliver it.
To operate the camera, a roll of the sensitized ribbon for dry negative plates is
placed, on removing the box-cover for the purpose, in position as shown in Figure 11,
and the end drawn around the frame B between the feed-roller and side of the box,
the friction-piece holding it taut. The exposure may, then be made by pressing the
rod w, which brings lever D³ against spring t, carrying it to a notched stud, ; and
as the lever is forced past the end of the spring, the strain of the latter is transferred
to the rotary shutter-disk D¹, revolving it a quarter revolution, thus causing one of
the holes p to pass the lens, which is normally covered by the space between the
holes in the disk. Release of the rod w permits the spring to return lever D³ to place,
ready for another exposure.
A negative having been thus fed into receptacle r², it is cut off as follows: When
feed-roller r is turned for the next exposure, the cam q¹ on the roller strikes the end
of lever q, and advances the knife F. To accommodate this action the ribbon is
permitted to yield or wrinkle from x¹. After the cutting, the post or rod q² is
returned by its spring 6 Fig. 9. The side of the knife next to the severed plate
is serrated to engage the negative, whereby when the knife is drawn down the

page_text: negatives are moved slightly back making room for another to be introduced for
cutting.
Figures 12 to 15 relate to my improved camera particularly in its form of a book,
and Figures 16 to 20 relate to the same particularly in its form of portemonnaie.
Both of these forms involve, generally considered, the main features of my invention
as already explained; and as they closely resemble each other as to details of con-
struction they are herein taken together for their detailed description :
M,
This camera G comprises cover-boards o and o' on telescoping frames, o' and o³;
and in the cover o¹ is a time stop-button, o. D is the lens; n, a spring time-stop;
, a slotted tube sustained by a support, m*, and containing the roll of negative ribbon C,
held at its end by a fastener, m', to a connecting-strap, m³, on a winding-post, m³.
The V-shaped frame B is, herein, flexible, and sustained by supports, k. The
telescopic frame is provided with spring-stops l, as in Figs. 13, 14 & 15 or knuckle-
joint hinges, ', as in Fig. 16 and a clasp, .
As
In Figure 13 the book-camera is represented open ready for an exposure.
will be seen, by pulling out top ol until the spring-catches drop into notches
provided for them, the opening of the camera is easy and simple.
The
To use the device, on removing the covers, the ribbon-roll in the slotted tube m is
adjusted in place. The end of the ribbon is passed through the slot in the tube
around posts k of the V-shaped frame, and connected at the metal hook m¹ by
doubling it down as shown in Figure 20. On then replacing the covers, the
telescopic frames are pulled out fully, thereby straightening the ribbon. The convex
length of the ribbon being nearest cover o², and the side for exposure being held
close to that cover by posts k, the ribbon is held taut against buckling.
shutter-mechanism shown in Figure 18, may be like that herein before described.
The lens is then pointed at the object to be photographed and the shutter operated.
For a time-exposure the spring-stop n, shown in Figure 19, provided. By pressing
the button of, the shutter-slide is arrested in its movement when the hole in the
slide opposite the lens. Thus any desired time may be allowed for exposure; and
on releasing button o¹, the shutter-slide is caused to cover the lens.
exposure, the exposed part of the ribbon is wound up by turning post m³, by a key
applied at k, Figure 16.
After an
To make the V-shaped frame secure against light I cover the top and bottom of the
case (as the book or portemonnaie) with cloth, preferably rubber cloth.
The thin flexible strap attached to the winding post having the hook obviates waste
of the ribbon in withdrawing the negatives and making connections.
Figures 21 to 28, inclusive, relate particularly to plate holders for the photographic
cameras in which one or more friction feed-rollers are employed:
H is the main frame of the camera, H' the slide, having attached to it a lifting-
bar, i, and h a thumb-wheel. The knife F is controlled by knife-springs, g, and is
guided by a bar, gl, having a tooth, g. C³ is the feed-roller, C the ribbon for the
negative-plates, and the receptacle therefor. In the camera is a partition, and the
receptacle for the plates after exposure. Stationary posts, k, are provided about
which to draw the ribbon; and for operating the knife F I provide a bell-crank, e,
engaging with the stud gr.
In Figures 24 to 28, inclusive, in which additional methods are shown, d is a spring
for holding the plates against the feed-roller; index-fingers on a chain, &; * the
receptacle for plates that have been exposed. C³ the feed-rollers; c and c¹ are gears
for operating the knife; and c² is a long tooth to engage with the stud g*.
This mechanism, which is strictly speaking, a camera-attachment, may be in sizes
to suit any of the forms of caneras illustrated. By removing one side of the case,
I place the receptacle m, containing the roll of sensitized ribbon, by sliding a bar, b,
into a groove in the box-frame, as shown in Figure 22. The free end of the ribbon
is then drawn about posts k and between the feed-roller and box-frame, whereby the
ribbon is held in place. I then replace the box-cover and fasten wheel to the
feed-roller shaft. The plate-holder is thus ready for attachment to a camera in place

page_text: of the common plate-holder; and when attached, one plate or section of the ribbon
is in position for the exposure. By drawing out the slide H the light from the
camera-lens strikes the negative. After the exposure is made and the lens covered,
another section or plate of the ribbon is moved into place for exposure by turning
the feed-roller at the wheel h; so as to also push the previously exposed negative into
receptacle. The feed-roller C³ is of the proper circumference to bring the length
for an exposure at each revolution, and a stud is so placed on the feed-roller
and timed relatively' to the bell-crank e, that the ribbon is cut by bringing the opposite
end of the bell-crank into contact with the stop g² on the guide g', thus forcing the
knife forward; and when stud passes the bell-crank the springs g return the
knife.
▸
In Figure 24 I show the same feed-roller with gearing for operating the knife.
This arrangement is for moving a plate of six and one-half inches, which is twice the
size of that shown in Figure 22. It will be seen that two revolutions of feed-roller C³
nake but one of gear-wheel c', and this arrangement is timed to cause the long tooth c²
to strike the top g² in proper time to cut the ribbon as it is being brought to place.
In Figures 26 to 28, inclusive, is shown a smaller plate-holder for handling plates
cut to size from the ribbon. The plates being very flexible are moved to position
for exposure by the upper feed-roller from the magazine, and are fed successively into
receptacle by the lower feed-roller, the magazine being held against the upper feed-
roller by the springs d. At one end of this plate-holder box, a chain and two sprocket-
wheels are shown (Figure 26). The wheels are attached to the feed-rollers and
cause them to revolve in unison. The length of chain shown will expose two plates
at each revolution and the points d' indicate the positions of the plates for exposure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1-A photograph camera in the form of an opera-glass, field-glass, book, box, or
the like small and readily portable article and provided with negative-plate material
in the form of flexible sensitized ribbon and with means herein described for controlling
the said ribbon, substantially as described.
2-A photograph-camera in the form of an opera-glass, field-glass, book, box, or the
like sinall and readily portable article and provided with negative-plate material in the
form of a continuous flexible sensitized ribbon, perforated at intervals and numbered,
and means for controlling the ribbon, substantially as described.
3-A photograph-cainera in the form of an opera-glass, field-glass, book, box or the
like 'small and readily portable article, containing a triangular compartment having
the lens at its apex and provided in its base with an aperture for plate-exposure,
substantially as described.
4-A photograph-camera in the form of an opera-glass, field-glass, book, box or the
like small and readily portable article, containing a central triangular compartment,
having the lens at its apex and open at its base and dividing the interior of the article
into three compartments, the central of which serves to make the exposure through
it, and the lateral ones, respectively, for storing the plates before and after their
exposure, substantially as described.
5-A photograph-camera in the form of an opera-glass, field-glass, book, box, or the
like small and readily portable article containing a central triangular compartment
having the lens at its apex and open at its base and dividing the interior of the article
into three compartments, the central of which serves to make the exposure through it,
and the lateral ones containing, respectively, a roll of flexible sensitized negative
ribbon, and a delivery friction-roller, to which the end of the ribbon is passed around
the base of the triangular compartment, substantially as described.
6-In a photograph-camera, a shutter provided with means for actuating it by a
single operation both to set and trip, substantially as described.
7-In a photograph-camera employing negative-plates in the form of flexible

page_text: sensitized ribbon, a colored glass peep-hole in the case through which to permit the
position of the negative-plates to be located, substantially as described.
8 In a photograph camera having all its parts confined in a compact case in size
rendering it readily portable, a slotted tube in the case at one side of the lens, for
confining the roll of sensitized flexible negative-ribbon, and a winding-roller at the
opposite side of the lens upon which to secure the free end of the ribbon passed across
the lens, and unwind it from the roll, substantially as described.
.
9-A photograph-camera having its containing case of a diminutive size rendering
it readily portable and formed with telescoping frames, substantially as described.
10 A photograph-camera having its containing case of a diminutive size rendering
it readily portable and containing the severed or unsevered plates formed of flexible
sensitized ribbon, and a friction feed-roller for manipulating the said plates, substantially
as described.
11 In a photograph-camera of a kind described, whereby it is formed compactly
in diminutive size rendering it readily portable, the combination with the negative-
plate, flexible ribbon contained therein and means for manipulating it, of cutting
mechanism for severing a plate from the ribbon after exposure substantially as
.described.
12 In a photograph-camera of a kind described whereby it is formed compactly in
diminutive size rendering it readily portable, the combination with the negative-plate,
flexible-ribbon contained therein, means for manipulating it, and the triangular frame,
of a spool for the free end of the roll of ribbon having a fastener connected with the
spool by a link, substantially as described.
13 In a photograph-camera in the form of an opera-glass, field-glass, book, box, or
the like small and readily portable article, the combination with the containing case of
a roll of negative-ribbon, the triangular, frame, a friction feed-roller and a receptacle
for the plates of the ribbon after exposure, substantially as described.
'
14 A photograph-camera formed with an opera or field-glass having the outside
télescopic cylinders forming spools for supporting and operating the flexible negative-
ribbon, substantially as described.
15 A photograph-camera formed with an opera or field-glass with the outside
telescopic cylinders affording spools for supporting and operating flexible negative-
ribbon, and containing the triangular frame open at its base and having the lens at its
apex, and provided with shutter mechanism actuated to perform all its functions
through a single pressure on its spring controlling-rod, substantially as described.
Dated this 3rd day of April 1890.
W. F. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.