Improvements in Stereoscopes.
Year: 1895

page_text: PL
I
Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Nov., 1895
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Improvements in Stereoscopes..
THAWLEY CASTLE WHITE, of North Bennington, in the State of Vermont,
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 :--
1.1
As heretofore generally made, the hood of a hand stereoscope has fitted only
the upper part of the face, leaving the space below the plane of the eyes open and
thereby admitting light, which, more or less interferes with perfect vision in using
the stereoscope. The principal object of this invention is to remedy the above.
defect and create a practical camera obscura between the face of the observer and
the lense frame. I also secure greater cheapness in construction by my.
improvements.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure
invention;
represents a perspective view of a stereoscope embodying my
$
Figure 2 represents a similar view of a slightly modified form of the same.
A designates the lens-frame which, as.shown in Figure 1 is completely elliptical,
having, a rabbet a entirely around it thus providing a seat for the edge of the hood
to bear against. The shaft C.is rigidly attached to the said lens-frame by mortises.
and tenons and glue or in any other convenient and efficient manner. The said
shaft is of ordinary length and construction and serves as usual for the support of.
a picture holder D sliding thereon at will so as to accommodate the varying focal.
range of different eyes.
The hood B is formed of light thin material, usually in several pieces glued
together, and is attached to the lens frame by screws tacks or small nails as shown..
The sides of the said hood are extended at E along, and beyond the temples of
the user, fitting them closely. Its edge forms also two concavities G, fitting over
the cheek-bones, and the two angular prominences P, which fit the triangular
spaces formed by the nose and the face. From this point the hood is cut
at N to fit the sides of the nose, leaving in the middle a gap or recess O, into
which it fits, the edge of the hood coming: well. down at this point on the tip of
the nose.
In Figure 2 the nose-gap O and curved parts N-which- fit the sides of the nose
are formed in the broadened end of the shaft which is extended forward of the
lens-frame, and forms practically a part of the hood in making the dark chamber.
The lens-frame is flattened to receive this broadened end, and the edges of the
latter are connected to the edges of the hood proper at n n by rabbeting or fitting
them into grooves. This gives a very firm structure, and the hood is held from
curling or warping out of shape, as it is very likely to do if less perfectly supported,
being generally inade up of veneers transversely laid up in glue. It is also easier
to make a perfectly symmetrical nose-gap in the end of the shaft thus extended
than to make it in and by the ends of the hood as shown in Figure 1.
remainder of the stereoscope is substantially the same as in the latter figure and
the same letters of reference are employed.
The
In either case the peculiar form of hood (including the the shaft end in
Figure 2) causes it to closely fit the face at all points, converting practically
into a camera obscura the space between the face of the observer and the lens
frame.

page_text: I do not confine myself to the "precise construction shown and described. By
the term "hood" as used in my claims, when not specifically distinguished from
the end of the shaft I mean the entire shell enclosure or casing forming the dark
chamber, whether composed of one part or of two or more parts.
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
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1st. A stereoscope provided with a hood, which substantially encircles the
periphery of the lens-frame, leaving a gap which is shaped to closely fit the nose
and cheeks, the sides of the said hood being extended to closely fit the temples, and
the whole forming a dark chamber substantially as set forth
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2nd. A stereoscope consisting of an elliptical lens-frame' and a hood which
substantially encircles the periphery of the said frame, having a gap at the centre"
of its under side which gap is shaped to closely fit the. nose and cheeks, the said
hood being constructed with the prominences P, the concavities G and, the
extensions E all arranged and operating to form a dark chamber when applied to
the face substantially as set forth.
3rd. A stereoscope consisting of an elliptical lens-frame rabbeted; around its
entire periphery to form a seat for the hood, a hood which substantially encircles
the periphery of the said frame and has a gap adapted to fit closely the nose and
cheeks, a shaft projecting from the said frame, and a picture-holder adapted to be
adjusted on the said shaft, the said hood being provided with prominences :P
concavities G and extensions E all arranged and combined to form a dark chamber
substantially as set forth.
4th. A stereoscope consisting of a lens-frame, a shaft attached thereto which
extends forward of the said frame and is recessed to fit closely the nose and
cheeks and a hood which extends around the said frame to the sides of the said
shaft and is supported thereby the front part of the said shaft being practically a
part of the hood, the said hood being also provided, with extensions; for fitting
against the temples to combine with the said recessed shaft. in forming a dark
chamber substantially as set forth.
5th. A stereoscope provided with a shaft extended forward of the lens frame
and with a hood, the said shaft and hood being conjointly shaped, to fit the face
of the user so as to form a dark chamber between the eyes and the lenses.
substantially as set forth.
Dated Twenty-first day of September 1895..
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