Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 18th June, 1900-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1900
N
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
I, REEVE SCRANTON ATWATER, of the Vive Camera Co., Regent House, Regent
Street, London, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to portable photographic cameras of the kind in which a
flexible sleeve or cuff attached to and forming part of the camera is used by
the operator for the purpose of inserting his hand and changing the photographic
plates or films after they have been exposed.
In Letters Patent No. 29,599, dated December 14th, 1897, granted to John
Larson Atwater, cameras constructed in this manner are described and shown.
My present invention has for its objects improvements in such cameras by
which, instead of a number of sensitized photographic plates or films being
arranged in the camera which, after exposure, must be removed from the camera
in a dark room or other place where they will not be affected by the action of
light, a number of sensitized plates or films contained in a light-tight holder
can be placed in the camera whilst the latter is opened for the purpose in day-
light. Or, a holder containing a continuous roll of sensitized paper or film
(such as that well known as Eastman's) can be inserted into the camera, in the
same manner.
This holder may be of wood in the usual way, or in the form of a light or
skeleton frame.
In order to carry out my invention I arrange in a camera of the kind described,
and in a suitable position at the back thereof, one or more vertical grooves or
guides for the purpose of receiving corresponding edges or projections upon
the holder for the sensitized plates, or the holder containing a sensitized roll
of paper or film as hereinafter described.
I make the holder for the sensitized plates of the exact dimensions to fit into
its position at the back of the camera, and having corresponding projections or
edges so that it fits into and is retained in position by the grooves or guides
described, and the holder is so constructed that until it is in position in the
camera and the latter closed light-tight the sensitized plates or films are not
exposed to the action of light. In the latter case the operator can by means of
the sleeve remove the front of the plate holder in any convenient manner, in
order to leave the first or front plate or film ready for exposure though the lens
of the camera.
Where it is desired to use a continuous roll of sensitized paper or film, I make
the case containing the latter of the exact dimensions to fit the back of the
camera and having corresponding projections or edges which fit the grooves or
guides in the camera already described. The case or container for the roll of
sensitized paper or film, is provided with means for turning the latter so that,
after one portion has been exposed another portion can be brought into position
ready for exposure through the lens of the camera. The turning of the roll
is effected by the operator by inserting his hand through the light-tight sleeve

page_text: already described, or by grasping the handle through the flexible sleeve without
inserting his hand into the latter. Or, the spindle of the roll holders may pass
through the bottom of the camera, and be then fitted outside with a handle, in
which case it is not necessary to use the sleeve.
In order that he may know when the roll has been turned to a sufficient extent
to leave an unexposed portion of the roll or film ready for exposure, I construct
a small aperture at the back of the camera which, when not in use, can be
covered by a light-tight cover. In the case containing the roll is a corresponding
small aperture through which the back of the portion of the sensitized paper or
film which is in position for exposure can be seen, and which, when the roll
holder is in position in the camera, is exactly opposite to the aperture in the
camera already described. In order that the sensitized paper or film should
not be affected by light entering the camera through these apertures, I cover
one or both of the latter with glass or other material of a colour which—whilst
not preventing the operator's view of the roll or film-will not affect the latter.
In order that the operator may be certain when a new unexposed portion of the
roll or film is in position, a number or other mark is made upon the latter, so
that it comes opposite to the openings described; and can be seen by the operator
without difficulty.
It will be seen that by my invention I make the several holders or containers
for the sensitized plates or films, or continuous rolls of sensitized paper or film,
interchangeable so that the operator can, with the same camera, conveniently
make use of either device for charging his camera with plates or films ready
for exposure. Or, the camera can, without making any alteration, be charged
with a number of sensitized plates or films in the ordinary way in a dark room
or other situation and removed after exposure. in the same manner,
The entire apparatus is extremely simple, cheap, and effective.
111 10
1
1000
EDWARDS AND CO.,
Chartered Patent Agents,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.
improvements in Photographic Cameras.
I REEVE SCRANTON ATWATER, of the Vive Camera Co., Regent House, Regent
Street, London, in the County of Middlesex, 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, and accompanying
drawings, that is to say:-
My invention relates in general to photographic cameras, and in particular
to a variety of hand or portable cameras which are so constructed so as to
allow a considerable number of pictures to be taken without having to remove
any of the exposed plates or films bodily from the camera. Cameras of this
kind are used largely by tourists because they render it unnecessary to recur
to a dark room after the taking of each picture or every other picture.
The principal objects of the invention are to allow either plates or cut films
or a continuous roll film, to be used in the same camera; to arrange for the
taking of an unlimited number of pictures upon any one of such instrumentali-
ties that is to say, upon either plates, cut films or a continuous film, without
having to recur at any time to a dark room, and to provide a simple, inexpensive

page_text: and thoroughly practical construction of camera capable of accomplishing these
results.
In carrying out my invention I provide a magazine capable of containing a
relatively larger number of plates or cut films, and a holder for the mechanism
for carrying and intermittently advancing a continuous or roll film, and make
this magazine and holder interchangeable in a camera so constructed as to
allow the plates or cut films to be changed into position for successive exposure
while in the camera.
In this way, the pictures can be taken either upon plates or cut films or upon
a continuous roll film, according as the plate magazine or roll film holder is in
position.
When the magazine is in use, the plates or cut films can be successively changed
by the provision made for such purpose in the construction of the camera; and
when the roll film holder is in position, it can be intermittently advanced so as
to expose successive portions or sections of it, in the well known way.
I desirably make both the magazine and the roll film holder bodily removable
from the camera, and accordingly make the camera so as to allow the introduc-
tion of either one or the other, and the bodily removal thereof, at will. By
and
such arrangement, either one or both can be taken alone with the camera,
used entirely, without the trouble or burden of the other, if so desired.
The magazine for the plates or cut films can be made in either an open form,
or a light tight form. The open form exposes the plates so that pictures can
be taken upon them just as it is introduced into the camera. The light-tight
form is introduced into the camera in a light-tight condition, and is opened so
as to expose the plates or cut films, after it is so introduced, and is again closed
after all the plates or films have been exposed.
room,
The open form must be loaded and introduced into the camera in a dark
and is, of course, to be used when it is convenient to recur to a dark room
after exposing all the plates or films in the magazine. The light-tight form
must be loaded in a dark room, but they may be introduced in the camera in,
broad daylight. It is used whenever it is inconvenient or not desired to recur
to a dark room after exposing all the plates or films. In such case a number.
of light-tight holders, all together containing the desired number of plates or
films, are taken, and after the contents of one have been exposed, it is closed or
made light-tight and removed from the camera, and another one inserted. This
can be repeated an indefinite number of times. The various magazines con-
taining exposed plates or films can be sent or taken when desired, to a dark room
for development; but the user of the camera may continue to take pictures as
long as he desires, without once recurring to such a room.
The roll films, as is well known, can be used one after another in a similar
way, that is to say, without recurring to a dark room,-by changing them in
the well known way upon their carrying and advancing mechanism.
It will therefore be seen that by my invention, either plates or cut or roll
films can be used at will, and also that an indefinite number of pictures can be
This is
taken upon any one of the same without once recurring to a dark room.
obviously the acme of camera development, and an arrangement which is capable
of meeting every possible demand arising in the use of a camera.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a camera embodying my invention, and
containing the roll film holder:
Figure 2 is a view of the same camera in an open condition and with the
roll holder removed:
Figure 3 is a view of the holder alone:
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the camera provided with the light-tight
magazine;
Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of the light-tight and the open maga-
zines, respectively;

page_text: Figures 7 and 8 are views of details of construction.
The camera A, which I have shown in the drawings for illustrating a camera
in which the plurality of plates or cut films can be changed, while within the
camera, is a box camera provided with a hinged lid a, and also with a sleeve
or cuff B made of a light-impervious fabric, and adapted to allow the hand of
the operator to be inserted within the camera so as to change the plate or cut
films therein without admitting any light thereto. When the sleeve or cuff is
not in use, it is confined beneath the lid a; but when it is to be used, it is with-
drawn and extended, as shown in Fig. 4, so as to permit the insertion of the
hand.
The sleeve or cuff is attached to a frame a¹ which fits snugly in the top of the
camera, but can be removed therefrom, as shown in Fig. 2 so as to permit free
access to the interior of the camera, as for permitting the loading and unloading
of the camera.
The plates 1, 1, or cut films 2, 2, according as it is desired to use one or the
other, are confined within the open magazine C, (Fig. 6) or the light-tight
magazine D, (Fig. 7). The open magazine C conveniently consists of a case or
box having an open front which permits the exposure of the various plates or
films in succession, and an open top which allows them to be changed by
successively withdrawing the foremost plate or film and inserting it in the
rear of all the others.
The light-tight magazine D conveniently consists of a case or box substantially
similar in construction, but provided with a front d and a top , both of which
fit light-tight upon the box or case. The front d slides in grooves provided at
the front of the box or case, and the top fits upon the slightly contracted top
pertion of the same. The open magazine C is shown provided with plates, and
the light-tight magazine D) with cut films.
As previously explained, the open magazine C is employed when it is possible
to recur to a dark room after exposing all the plates or films in the magazine,
and the light-tight magazine when this cannot be done.
The holder E, (Fig. 3) for carrying the roll film 3 conveniently consists of a
skeleton frame comprising a front wall 4, rigid bottom piece 5, and a couple of
hinged top pieces 6 and 7 and a body part 8. The film 3 extends across the front
of the front wall 4 of the holder, and through a couple of slots near the side
edges of said wall, and is carried by a couple of spools which are arranged
between the bottom 5 and the two hinged top pieces 6 and 7 respectively. The
film is advanced by a thumb piece 10 on the end of one of the spool spindles
which extend through the bottom of the camera, in the well known way. The
top pieces 6 and 7 are made hinged, so as to allow the spools to be removed,
interchanged and replaced. Each one is held in position by a spring catch 11,
which can be bent inwardly so as to allow the top piece to be swung upwardly.
The back of the film is provided with numbers, as shown in Fig. 3, which
indicate the positions at which the film should be stopped to expose the successive
sections thereof. These figures are seen through an aperture 14 in the front 4
of the holder, and another one 15 in the rear wall of the camera.
In order to prevent the light admitted by the aperture 15 from damaging the
films, a piece of red mica or glass is arranged across the aperture 14 of the holder
front 4, and the body part 8 thereof is provided with a back piece 16, which
has its rear surface coated with velvet or the like, and is subject to springs 17, 17,
tending to always force it rearwardly tightly against the rear wall of the camera.
This back piece 16 is connected with the body part 8 by light-tight fabric 18,
arranged as a bellows so as to permit a movement of the back piece relatively
to the body part.
The two magazines C and D and the holder E, can be interchanged in position
in the camera, so that pictures can be taken upon the contents of either of the
two magazines, or upon the roll film carried by the holder.
In Fig. 1 the roll film holder is shown arranged in the camera ready for use,

page_text: and in Fig. 2 the camera is shown opened and the holder removed. In Fig. 4
the light-tight magazine is shown in the camera. After it is so arranged, the
hand is inserted in the sleeve and its top and removable front removed and
placed upon the board 20 in the camera. After all its plates or films have been
exposed, its top and front are replaced by the hand again inserted in the sleeve.
When either of the magazines is in the camera, the aperture 15 in its rear wall
is closed by a swinging plate 21, pivoted to the rear wall, and arranged to swing
back and forth into and out of position in front of such aperture.
As a simple way of making the magazine and holder removable in the camera,
and at the same time holding them properly in position when introduced therein,
the said walls of the camera are provided with vertical grooves 22, (Fig. 2),
into which the edge of the front 4 of the film holder can fit, and into which
can also fit the ribs or projections 23, 23 on the open holder C, and 24, 24 on
the light-tight holder D. This arrangement allows the various magazines and
the holder to be slid vertically into and out of the camera by way of the opening
formed in the top when the frame a' carrying the sleeve, is elevated, as shown
in Fig. 2.
The magazine can be provided with blocks, as the block 25, to occupy a
portion of it, and thereby allow smaller plates or films to be used.
As a matter of specific improvement, the sleeve or cuff B is composed of a thin,
smoothly woven, flexible central fabric, and two elastic, thin, flexible sheets of
rubber, impervious to light, one on each side of the central fabric and adherent
thereto throughout its entire extent of surface.
From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention provides a camera
having a substantially universal adaptability in regard to both style and size of
material used, and that the camera herein shown is a simple, practical and
inexpensive construction for carrying out the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1 The combination with a camera adapted to allow the changing of plates
or films within it, of a magazine for plates or cut films and a holder for a roll
film means whereby said magazine and holder are interchangeable with one
another in the camera, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2-The combination with a camera adapted to allow the changing of plates
or films within it; of a magazine for plates or cut films and a holder for a roll
film; and means whereby either said magazine or holder can be fitted removably.
in the same space in the camera, and can also be removed bodily therefrom, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
3-The combination with a camera provided with a changing sleeve or cuff
attached to a removable frame; of a magazine for plates or cut films and a
holder for a roll film; and means whereby either said magazine or holder can
be fitted into the same space in the rear of the camera below the removable
frame carrying the changing sleeve, and can each be removed bodily from such
space, substantially as and for the purpose described.
4The combination with a camera provided with a changing cuff or sleeve
attached to a removable frame which fits in the top of the camera; of a light
tight and an open magazine for plates or cut films, and a holder for a roll film,
which said magazines and holder are adapted to fit in the rear of the camera,
and made bodily removable therefrom, and are all provided with ribs or projec-
tions adapted to fit and slide in grooves formed in the side walls of the camera,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
5-A camera provided with a bodily removable plate or cut film magazine
adapted to allow all of its contents to be changed while it remains in position
in the camera, substantially as and for the purpose described.
G-A camera provided with a bodily removable holder for a continuous ro!!

page_text: film, said holder being provided with mechanism, such as spools, for allowing
the proper advancement of the films, substantially as and for the purpose described.
A removable magazine for a camera consisting of a box or casing having
an open front and top, and provided with ribs or projections adapted to fit and
slide in grooves formed in the camera, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
SA removable light-tight magazine for a camera consisting of a box or casing
having a removable light-tight top, and a removable light-tight front, and being
provided with ribs or projections adapted to slide in corresponding grooves in
the camera, substantially as and for the purpose described.
9 A removable roll film holder consisting of a couple of separated supports
for the spools; a surface across which the film can travel, arranged between the
supports; and an adjustable light-tight fitting adapted to make a light-tight
connection with the camera, substantially as and for the purpose described.
10 A removable roll film holder comprising a front having a couple of slots
for the films and also having a covered aperture adapted to expose the figures
on the back of the film; a bottom piece supporting the spool spindles; a couple
of swinging top pieces for holding the upper ends of the spool spindles;
catches for preventing an upward movement of said swinging pieces; a rear
piece having an aperture and adapted to fit against the rear of the camera;
springs tending to force said piece rearwardly; and a light-tight housing con-
necting said piece to the body of the holder, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
11 The combination with the magazine for the plates or films, of a block or
piece adapted to fit thereinto so as to allow the use of different sized plates or
films, substantially as and for the purpose described.
12 The combination with the camera box and its magazine, of an exceedingly
thin, very flexible, extensible, foldable, permanently light-tight changing sleeve,
the walls of which are composed of a thin, smoothly woven flexible central
fabric, and two elastic, thin, flexible sheets of rubber, impervious to light, one
placed on each side of the central fabric and adherent thereto throughout its
entire extent of surface, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 18th day of June 1900
EDWARDS AND CO.,
Chartered Patent Agents,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.