Improvements in or relating to Portable Photographic Dark-rooms.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Feb., 1898-Accepted, 20th May, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Portable Photographic Dark-rooms.
I, MILTON CARUANA DE SANE, of 95 and 97, Yuksek Caldirim, Galata, Constanti-
nople, Turkey, Secretary, 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 is designed to provide a simple and convenient form of portable
dark-room which can be folded up into a very small compass and will, when so
folded, be available as a case to contain the camera and various accessories used in
photography.
According to my said invention I form the portable dark-room of a number of
box-like sections adapted to slide into each other telescopically so that when drawn
out they afford sufficient space in their interior for the performance of the various
manipulations required in developing negatives, light-proof sleeves being provided
for the insertion of the arms of the operator. A suitable tank or vessel is provided
for the supply of water, while in the walls of one or other of the casings, windows
of red glass or other suitable material are provided to enable the development to be
watched.
The largest section of the dark room is provided with a hinged front or door, to
admit of the camera and other accessories being packed therein.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the same by aid of the accompanying drawings,
which illustrate one construction of dark room in accordance therewith.
In these drawings:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view, and
Figure 2 is a horizontal section on the line x Figure 1 showing the dark room
extended ready for use.
Figure 3 shows the dark room in its closed state.
According to the construction illustrated, the dark-room is formed of three
sections a, b, and e, each consisting of a square box or casing. These sections fit
one inside the other and are connected by slotted guides d and guide pins e, which
permit them to be pushed in and drawn out with a smooth and regular motion.
When the sections are closed together, the dark-room constitutes a square receptacle
in which is ample space to carry the camera, trays and chemicals. The bottom of
the sections may be provided with a covering of water-proof material to prevent
them from getting soiled or damaged.
fare the windows of red glass arranged opposite to each other in the sides of the
middle section b, so as to allow non-actinic light to enter and also to enable the
operator to see into the interior of the dark room sufficiently to enable him to
perform the necessary operations.
g are the sleeves for the insertion of the operator's arms.
These sleeves are of
dark light-proof fabric and are fitted into apertures h in the sections b and c. The
two sleeves are both on the same side of the dark-room and have elastic bands or
rings around their lower ends which grip the arms of the operator so as to prevent
light from filtering through.

page_text: To prevent the sleeves interfering with the telescoping action when the dark
room is being closed up, the left hand sleeve is pushed through its aperture h into
the section c. The said section is then pushed into the section thus bringing the
apertures opposite one another. "The right hand sleeve can then be pushed
inward through both apertures so as to be out of the way. The section b can then
enter the section a freely.
i is the water-tank which may consist of a small metal or canvas receptacle, and
is adapted to be connected say to the third or smallest of the casings, so as to be
supported at a higher level than the top of the same as shown. A length of flexible
tubing leads from the tank or receptacle to the interior of the dark room, and is
provided with a suitable tap or other controlling device to allow the water to be
rawn-off as required.
1
.
At the front of the large section a of the dark-room is provided a hinged door m
which serves to admit the camera and other accessories when the dark-room is in
its closed state. This door may be provided with any suitable means for fastening
the same securely. The said section a is also provided with two handles or carry-
ing straps none of which is on the top and the other on the door thereof.·
The whole apparatus may be adapted to fit on to an ordinary tripod, a table, or
other suitable stand, thus enabling it to be readily supported' at the proper height
when in use.
Obviously however the improved portable dark-rooni may be made in larger
sizes than could be conveniently supported in such a manner, in which case it may
be provided with suitable legs or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A portable photographic dark-room consisting of box-like telescopic sections,
adapted to close up and when so closed to serve as a receptacle, substantially as and
for the purposes described.
2. A portable photographic dark-room of the kind referred to in the preceding
claim provided with sleeves for the operator's arms, and with non-actinic windows
arranged opposite. one another, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. A portable dark-room constructed substantially as herein before described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dotod this 21st day of 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.
Agents for the Applicant.