Photographic Dry Plates.
Year: 1885

page_text: Photographic Dry Plates.
I, ERNEST EDWARD PICKARD, of 89, Malpas Road, Brockley, London, Electrician;
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR CARRYING AND EXPOSING PHOTOGRAPHIC DRY PLATES to be as follows :-
The object of this invention is to secure greater portability, compactness, light-
ness and simplicity of construction of the apparatus.used for carrying and exposing
photographic dry plates, with greater cheapness of production.
My improved photographic apparatus consists of two principal parts, both of
novel design, and called the Camera and Platebox respectively.
Part I, or the "Camera," is constructed in the form of a flat rectangular box!
having not only the lid hinged on to it, but also one end; so that when open, the
lid stands fixed vertically to the "Camera" box by a catch at the side of it, and
the end opposite the place of hinging the lid opens out and hangs down.
The lid has a hole and an ordinary flange near its centre, to contain the
usual lens.
•
To the inside of the "Camera" and also to its lid is attached by any suitable
means (so as to exclude light) what I call the Bag.
This "
Bag" is. made of cloth, mackintosh, or any suitable material that is
sufficiently impervious to light, and it is attached to the "lid" in such a way that
the "lid" forms one end of it, and projects about three quarters of an inch beyond
the place of attachment at the top and two sides.
A portion of the "Bag" equal in size to the bottom of the "Camera" is cut,
away, and the edges of the material where it is cut away are attached, light-tight,
to the inside of the sides and bottom of the "Camera; so that the bottom of the
"Camera" forms the side of the "Bag" where it is cut away.
"
The "Bag" is about three times as long as the "Camera" and therefore hangs
down beyond the open end of it, when open.
6
At the bottom of the "Camera" are the usual attachments for fixing the tripod,
when in use.
When the "Camera" is closed the "Bag" is folded up and shut inside of it, out
of sight.

page_text: Part II is another flat rectangular box, considerably smaller than the "Camera"
but of about the same shape, and will go into the "Camera" inside the "Bag," and
this I call the "Platebox."
It is constructed to contain twelve or more plates, as may be required.
"
To the outside of the "Platebox" is attached a Frame made of wood, metal or
other suitable material in such a way as to either stand vertical to the "Platebox"
or lie horizontally on the top of it.
This "Frame" is so constructed as to be capable of holding either a sensitized
dry plate or the usual focussing screen in the position for exposing the former or
focussing the image on the latter, the plate or screen being fixed into it by a small
spring which is actuated by the finger of the person using it.
The inside of the "Platebox" is grooved on the two sides with the requisite
number of grooves, running parallel with the said sides and being exactly opposite
one another, so as to contain the sensitized plates one above another with their
"films" downward.
This prevents the plates from rubbing one another when shaken about as in
travelling.
The "Platebox" is wider than the plates it contains, so that it is seen to project
about an inch beyond the edges of them.
The "Platebox" opens only at the back end, this end being hinged so as to fall
open on a spring being touched by the finger.
"
In the front end of the "Platebox are placed a number of Triggers which are
made of pieces of wire, and so placed as to stand vertical from top to bottom, and
close to the end, inside.
These "Triggers" run up through the top of the "Platebox" and are bent over
so as to lie flat on the top thereof for about an inch, and are then bent upwards
into the form of an eye. They also run down through the bottom and terminate
in a small knob or nut, which is sunk into the bottom so as to prevent their being
pulled out of place.
Each "Trigger" has a small Lug attached to it at a certain distance up from the
bottom of the "Platebox," the said distance being determined by the level of the
plate it is intended to actuate.
Thus, number one "Trigger" will actuate or advance the bottom, or number one
plate, number two will actuate the second from the bottom or number two plate,
and so on, there being the same number of "Triggers" as the "Platebox" contains
plates.
On pulling one of the "Triggers " forward on the top of the "Platebox" it
describes a half-circle and its "Lug" pushes forward a plate about half an inch
beyond the rest.
It also allows the next "Trigger" to be pulled when necessary, and so on until
all have been pulled, when all the plates will have been advanced.
The "Platebox" has a threaded hole in the bottom near the centre, into which
fits a screw. This screw projects through a slot in the bottom of the "Camera "
and terminates in a milled head, and when it is screwed up it fixes the "Platebox"
firmly to the "Camera," but when unscrewed it allows the "Platebox" to be
traversed from front to back, or vice versa, inside the "Camera" the aforesaid slot
being cut lengthwise of the "Camera."
The "Platebox" is kept from lateral motion in the "Camera" by suitable guides
fixed to the bottom of the latter.
•
It will be understood, therefore, that the "Platebox" and its "Frame" are inside
the "Bag" and "Camera," and that when the back end of the "Bag" is closed and
the Cap put on the Lens, no light can enter the "Camera" or "Platebox" even if
this latter be open.
L
The mode of using the "Camera" is as follows:
"
The "Camera is opened, the Lens screwed into its place and the focussing
screen fixed into the "Frame," which is pulled up to stand vertical. The focussing
הי
.

page_text: can be focussed on the screen by moving the "Platebox" nearer to or farther from
the lens, as the case may require.
The focussing screw is then tightened and the Screen removed from the
"Camera."
The hand is then inserted into the "Bag" and an elastic band slipped over the
end so as to exclude the light.
"
The "Platebox" is now opened and a "Trigger." pulled. This brings forward a
plate, which is withdrawn by the hand and placed in the 'Frame," also the
"Platebox" is closed and the hand withdrawn without admitting light, and the
necessary exposure made through the lens.
"
The hand is again inserted into the " Camera and the plate put back into
the "Plate box," which is then shut.
The "Trigger" is left in the position to which it was pulled, and consequently
the plate is in a different position from the rest, so that there is no difficulty in
knowing which are the exposed plates in the developing room.
The dimensions mentioned herein may be varied to suit the various sizes of the
plates used.

page_text: -потонгаршо Dry TINTED.
I ERNEST EDWARD PICKARD of 89 Malpas Road Brockley, Kent, Electrician, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
CARRYING AND EXPOSING PHOTOGRAPHIC DRY PLATES and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
The object of this Invention is to secure greater portability, compactness,
lightness and simplicity of construction of the apparatus used for carrying and
exposing photographic Dry Plates, with greater cheapness of production.
•
"9
My Improved Photographic Apparatus (to be hereafter known as the "Magazine
Camera) consists of two principal parts, both of novel design, and hereinafter called
the Camera and Platebox respectively—and in order to make the construction more
clearly understood I shall refer to the various figures in the annexed sheet of
drawings where the like letters in the various figures refer to the same parts of the
said apparatus According to one of my Improvements I construct part 1. or the
Camera in the form of a flat rectangular box, having not only its lid hinged on to
it, but also one end; so that when open, the lid stands fixed vertically to the box,
by a suitable catch or stay, W, at the side or sides thereof and the end opposite
the place of hinging the lid, opens out, and either hangs down or is fixed horizon-
tally in a line with the bottom-This is seen closed at Figure 1, and open at
Figure 2. The lid has a hole and an ordinary flange, A, near its centre to contain
the lens B usual in all photographic cameras; or it may have the usual guides
and sliding front, C C and D, with its usual slot and screw E.
To the inside of the Camera and its lid is attached by any suitable means (so as
to exclude light) what I shall hereinafter term the Bag F-This bag is made of
cloth, mackintosh, or any suitable flexible material sufficiently impervious to
light, and is attached in such a way that the said lid forms one end of it,
and projects a suitable distance beyond the place of attachment at the top and
sides G G.
A portion of the bag, equal in sizo to the bottom of the Camera is cut away, and
the edges of the material where it is cut away are attached light-tight to the inside
of the side, and bottom of the Camera; so that the bottom of the Camera forms the
side of the bag where it is so cut away.
The Bag has also two cords or strings H H, encircling it, and either penetrating
it at intervals in and out alternately, or running through suitable loops or rings
sewn on the outside of the said bag, so as to keep the cords in their proper
position.
One of these cords I put at a slight distance from the end of the bag, the other
a considerable distance further along from the end: By this means it is possible
to close the bag at two places, by pulling the cords with the hand.
The bag is about three times as long as the Camera, and therefore hangs down
beyond the end of it when open,

page_text: At the bottom of the Camera are the usual attachments for fixing the Tripod
and legs I I.
When the Camera is closed the bag is folded up and shut inside of it, out of sight.
According to another of my Improvements I construct part II in the form of a
flat rectangular box, J, Figure 3. (Where the bag is turned back. to shew this.)
Considerably smaller than the Camera, but preferably of about the same shape.
This will go into the Camera inside the bag and is hereinafter called the
Platebox.
It is constructed to contain twelve or more or less plates of one or more sizes as
may be required.
Its inside is grooved on the two sides with the requisite number of grooves, K,
the said grooves running paralell to the said sides and being exactly opposite one
another so as to contain the sensitized plates, one above another, with their films
downwards.
This arrangement prevents the plates from rubbing against one another when
shaken about as in travelling and so forth.
. The plate-box is wider from back to front than the plates it contains, so that it
projects about an inch or more or less beyond the edges of them.
The plate-box opens only at the back end, L, this end being hinged so as to fall
open on a spring M, being touched by the finger.
In the front end of the plate-box, are placed a number of levers, hereinafter
called Triggers N, which are made, preferably, of wire and so placed as to stand
vertical from top to bottom, and close to the end, inside-N, Figure 4, which is an
enlarged sectional view of the front end of the plate-box, shewing position of one
of the Triggers.
Each Trigger runs up through the top of the Plate-box, P, and is bent over so
as to lie almost flat on the top thereof for about an inch, and is then turned
upward into the form of an eye: It also runs down through the bottom and
terminates in a small knob or nut, Q, which is sunk into the bottom, so as to
prevent its being pulled up out of place.
Each trigger has a sinali lug or projection R, attached to it at a certain distance
up from the bottom, the said distance being determined by the level of the plate
it is intended to actuate: (one plate is shewn in section at S, Figure 4)―Thus,
number one Trigger will actuate or advance number one, or the, bottom plate by
pressing on the front edge thereof. Number two will actuate number two, or the
second from the bottom, and so on, there being the same number of triggers as the
box will contain plates.
On pulling one of the triggers forward on the top of the box it describes a
semicircle and its lug pushes forward a plate about half an inch beyond the rest-
It also allows the next trigger to be pulled when necessary, and so on until all have
been pulled, when all the plates will have been advanced.
The plate-box has a threaded hole in the bottom near its centre, into which fits
a screw which projects through a slot in the bottom of the Camera and terminates
in a milled head.
When this is screwed up, it fixes the plate-box firmly to the Camera, but when
unscrewed it allows the box to be traversed from front to back, or vice versa, inside
the Camera, the said slot being cut lengthwise of the Camora.
It may also have the usual rack and pinion, or screw fixed to it for focussing.
The plate-box is kept from lateral motion in the Camera by suitable guides fixed
to the bottom of the latter.
According to another of my Improvements I attach to the top of the plate-box
a frame T. T. of suitable material in such a way as to stand at either a vertical or
other angle, or lie horizontally on the top of it -This frame is so constructed as
to be capable of holding either a sensitized dry plate, U, or the usual focussing
screw, in the proper position for exposing the former or focussing the image on the
latter, the plate or screen being held in its place by a suitable spring, V, fixed to
the frame, and manipulated by the finger, of the person using it.

page_text: It will be understood therefore that the plate-box and its frame are inside the
Camera and bag, and that when the back end of the bag is closed by tightening
one or both of the aforesaid cords and the lens capped, no light can enter either
the Camera or plate-box even if the latter be open.
The mode of using the apparatus is as follows The Camera is opened, the lens
screwed into its place and the focussing screen put into the frame, which is pulled
up to stand vertical, the focussing screw is then loosened, and on looking into the
free end of the bag, the image can be focussed on the screen by moving the plate-
box nearer to, or further from the lens, as the case may require.
The focussing screw is then tightened and the screen removed from the frame-
The hand is then inserted into the bag, and the cord at the end thereof pulled tight
by the other hand, which gathers the bag closely round the wrist, thus excluding
light The plate-box is now opened and a trigger pulled: This brings forward a
plate which is then withdrawn by the hand and placed in the frame; also the box
is closed and the cord farthest from the end of the bag pulled tight, thus closing it
above the hand, which may now be withdrawn without admitting light.
The necessary exposure is now made through the lens-The hand is again
inserted into the bag, by first tightening it round the wrist and then slackening
the other cord; and the plate replaced in the plate-box by dropping its forward end
on to the top of the last advanced plate-(or if the first of the series on the bottom
of the box) and then pushing it forward into its groove.
The plate-box is then shut-The trigger is left in the position to which it was
pulled, and consequently the plate is in a different position from the rest, so that
there is no difficulty in knowing which are the exposed plates in the Developing
room.
Although in the foregoing remarks the outer case has been called the Camera
for technical purposes, yet it will be understood that in this arrangement it takes
all the parts hereinbefore mentioned to form one complete photographic Camera.
The dimensions mentioned herein may be varied to suit various sized plates.
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 to be novel and original is
1st In constructing a Camera for photographic purposes the making the same
in the form of a flat rectangular box, the lid of which, when open, forms the front,
and the bottom, and back end, the hottom of the said Camera, substantially as
herein before described and illustrated in Figures 1. 2. and 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
2nd In the bag used in connection with the aforesaid box using two cords in
two places in such a way that the hand can easily be inserted and withdrawn
without admitting light, substantially as herinbefore described and partly illus
trated in Figure 2. of the accompanying drawings.
3rd The whole design and construction of the platebox and its frame, by which
it is possible to carry inside the Camera, when closed, any number of plates of
various sizes, and to expose them inside the Camera and replace them at pleasure
without danger of admitting any extraneous light to them by more simple means
than has hitherto been done, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated
in Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
4