Improvements relating to Stereoscopes and Cameras.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 13th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Stereoscopes and Cameras.
I, HARRY RANSOM, of 47, Friars Street, Sudbury, in the county of Suffolk,
Cabinet Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved stereoscope which is also applicable for use
as a camera for taking stereoscopic pictures.
In carrying out my invention I make the body of my combined camera and
stereoscope with bellows so that it can be extended to suit the focus of the lenses.
The back of the instrument is fitted with a frame carrying a light-diffusing medium,
preferably ground glass, which frame can be reversed when the instrument is being
used as a stereoscope for looking at transparent photographs or pictures, and which is
provided with a holder for the pictures.
The top of the instrument is provided with a reflector, the frame carrying which is
adapted to fold back to allow the introduction of the dark slide or plate holder which
is employed when the instrument is used as a camera. The front of the instrument is
fitted with two boards having vertical and horizontal movements.
On the baseboard of the instrument I fix two concentric metal rings the inner of
which is adapted to be rotated in the outer. In the inner ring I form a number of
holes or slots to receive the heads of the legs of a tripod or stand.
I
*17000
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Stereoscopes and Cameras.
I, HARRY RANSOM, of 47, Friars Street, Sudbury, in the county of Suffolk, Cabinet
maker, 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 an improved stereoscope which is also applicable for use as
a camera for taking stereoscopic pictures, and it comprises the improvements herein-
after described.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus constructed according to my invention,
the said apparatus being shewn with its parts in position for use as a camera.
Figure 2 is a plan, and
Figure 3 is a front view of the same.
Figures 4 and 5 are a side and front view respectively of the apparatus when
folded up, to render it portable.
Figure 6 is a view of a detail, and
Figure 7 is a horizontal section of a dark slide or plate holder to be used in
conjunction with the said apparatus.
Similar reference letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawings.
In carrying out my invention I make the body of my combined camera and
stereoscope with a bellows a so that it can be extended to suit the focus of the
lenses, the rear end of the said bellows being attached to a vertical rectangular
frame 6 forming a chamber open at the rear and at one side, as shown at c and d
respectively in figures 1 and 2, the said frame being hinged to a base-board e. e', el are
slotted plates pivotted at one end to the base-board e which plates can be clamped to

page_text: the frame 6 by nuts e³, e³ so as to hold the said frane and baseboard firmly in the
position shewn.
The front end of the bellows a is attached to a vertical frame f provided on its
under edge, with a pair of flanged pins f¹ which can engage (so as to approximately
adjust the focus) with either of two pairs of slots 9, 9, 9', g' (figure 2) formed in
plates secured to a frame h which slides in and is capable of adjustment relatively to
the baseboard e. ffare slotted plates which are pivotted at one end to flanges h¹
on the frame h and can be clamped to the frame by nuts fa so as to hold the said
frame firmly in the position shown. For accurately adjusting the focus, the said
frame h is provided with toothed racks i, i which engage with toothed pinions i¹,
upon a cross shaft mounted on the baseboard e and having a milled head i³.
The chamber of the apparatus is fitted with a movable frame j provided with
springs to hold it in place and carrying a piece of ground glass, which frame j,
when the apparatus is used as a camera, is placed in the position shewn in Figure 1
so as to serve as a focusing screen but is reversed, as shown by the dotted lines, when
the apparatus is being used as a stereoscope, the ground glass serving as a light
diffusing medium for viewing transparent pictures. The recess between the
springs and the frame į serves as a holder for the pictures.
1
I provide the top of the frame b with a reflector k for reflecting light upon the
photographs or pictures, the frame k¹ carrying the reflector being hinged at so as
to allow the reflector to be placed at the required angle and to close the top of the
chamber.
The frame at the front of the bellows is fitted with two boards 1, 1, figure 3,
which carry sockets 1, for receiving the stereoscopic and photographic lenses,
the said boards being provided with toothed racks P, so that they can be operated
(through the medium of milled heads l³, and pinions 1, 1) to slide horizontally in
grooves m, m in a frame m' and in grooves in one another in order to adjust the
distance between the lenses, as required, the frame m¹ being. itself adapted to slide
vertically in grooves f* in the frame f
9.
In order to fold up or collapse the apparatus as shown by figures 4 and 5, the
nuts, must be loosened and the pins f¹, f¹ disengaged from the pair of slots
The frame must then be lowered into the position shown by the dotted lines in
Figure 1, and the nuts es, es loosened so that by moving the baseboard on its hinges
in the direction of the arrow, Figure 1, its upper surface will be caused to come
against the front surface of the frame b, a spring b¹ being provided on the said frame,
which spring engages by means of a hole 62 with a pin e on the baseboard e.
On the baseboard e of the apparatus I advantageously fix two concentric metal
rings n and o, Figure 5, the inner one n being adapted to be rotated in the outer
one o. In the inner ring n I form a number of holes or slots n¹ arranged in pairs,
each pair of holes being adapted to receive the flanged heads p of the legs of a
tripod or stand, as shown clearly in figure 6, which represents a section taken through
two of the slots n¹ and two heads p, p of one of the legs of the tripod in engagement
therewith, the parts of the leg to which the said heads are attached being. of an
elastic or spring like nature to enable them when introduced into the large portions
of the slots n¹, n¹ to spring into the narrow parts thereof, thereby forming a rigid
and secure attachment to the tripod.
The arrangement of the rings just described allows of the apparatus being adjusted
in any horizontal angular position relatively to the tripod.
Figure 7 represents the dark slide which I use in conjunction with my apparatus,
when required as a camera, the said slide being passed between the frame and the
edge d' of the opening d, the said frame serving to bear against it and keep it in
position. The said slide is provided with two sliding shutters q, q and a central
diaphragm or plate r, which can be slid in and out of the said slide. The said: slide
is thus adapted to carry two plates in the smallest possible space. The plates are
introduced into the slide from the end, and the partition is slightly bent in order
to hold the plates firmly in their seats in the slide.

page_text: 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 1
claim is :-
(1.) A photographic camera adapted to take stereoscopic pictures and to be used
also as a stereoscope, substantially as described.
(2.) In a combined camera and stereoscope a chamber adapted to hold a screen of
ground glass or the like, in either of two positions according as the screen is being
used as a focusing screen for the camera or a light diffusing medium or back for
stereoscopic pictures, substantially as described.
(3.) In a combined camera and stereoscope baving a chamber as described, providing
the said chamber with a pivotted reflector for reflecting light onto the pictures when
the apparatus is used as a stereoscope, and for closing the said chamber when the
apparatus is used as a camera.
(4) In a combined camera and stereoscope a screen having springs which serve to
maintain the said screen in position, and, when the apparatus is being used as
stereoscope, as a holder for the pictures, substantially as described.
a
(5.) A combined camera and stereoscope, the lens carrying sockets of which are
adjustable relatively to each other, substantially as described.
(6.) The combination with the apparatus hereinbefore described of the dark slide or
plate holder, having a central slide or partition adapted to press against the backs of
the sensitized plates and hold them firmly in position in the slide, the plates being
introduced into and removed from the slide at one end, substantially as set forth.
Dated the 12th day of Tonno 1800
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.