Year: 1896

page_text: I, ANDREW GEORGE ADAMSON, of 18A Eldon Street, London, Electrical Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in automatic coin freed photographing
machines and has for its object to construct these in such a manner so as to be
able to photograph successfully at any hour of the day or night, all daylight being
excluded.
These
In carrying out my Invention I set the mechanical parts of the machine in
motion by a suitable electric motor actuated by current obtained either from
primary batteries or from accumulators stored within the machine.
mechanical parts are so constructed that on being set in motion by the motor a
series of electric contacts are made at proper intervals which actuate in turn a
series of electro magnets. These electro magnets are placed in such positions
that instantly the electrical contact is made they will move the several parts under
their influence.
The
The mechanical parts consist essentially of an arrangement of clock-work or
series of pinion wheels so arranged and adjusted as to control the speed of a shaft,
which projects beyond the frame of the clock-work. This shaft may have an arm
at right angles to its axis, which may be of any convenient length, so that when
the shaft revolves, the outer end of the arm comes in contact with a series of
electrical contacts, so placed as to actuate in turn the proper electro magnets.
These magnets as already stated exert their force directly to perform the various
movements necessary to complete the photograph in the following order.
first contact touched actuates a magnet which opens a box containing the sensitive
plate and lets it fall into position behind the lens ready to receive the impression,
the second contact causes similarly the uncovering of the lens and switching on
the light, the third contact brings a spring carrier into position, which grips the
plate as it stands in position, whilst the next contact lifts the plate and places it
in the developing solution. Similarly the successive contacts actuate the magnets
to lift the plate from solution to solution until finally it drops down a chute and
is delivered to the sitter.
The modus operandi is as follows:-The person to be photographed inserts the
pre-arranged coin into the slot in the machine when it falls upon a table or shelf
where it remains until he or she draws back a scat so arranged that when the
person sits down upon it, a back ground and side screen either in one or more parts
moves down into position around the sitter. The completion of this operation then
frees the coin which at once falls into its place to act as the electric bridge or
contact to start the electric motor when the mechanical parts of the machine are
set into operation as already described and the image photographed, the plate
developed, fixed, and the photograph delivered. The last contact made by the
mechanical parts of the machine after having completed the photograph, and

page_text: almost simultaneously with its delivery, is one which actuates a magnet so as to
release the coin from its position of electric bridge when all motion ceases until
the insertion of another coin.
The seat and screen when the sitter rises returns to its normal position by means
of suitable springs.
I might also arrange to have a supply of frames in the machine which on the
insertion of a further coin would deliver. one to the person requiring it.
Dated this 16th day of October 1896.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
13
Improvements in Automatic Coin Freed Photographing Machines.
I, ANDREW GEORGE ADAMSON, of 18A Eldon Street, London, Electrical Engineer,
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:
This invention relates to improvements in automatic coin freed photographing
machines and has for its object to construct these in such a manner so as to be
able to photograph' successfully at any hour of the day or night, all daylight being
excluded
In carrying out my Invention I set the mechanical parts of the machine in
motion by a suitable electric motor actuated by current obtained either from
primary batteries or from accumulators stored within the machine. These
mechanical parts are so constructed that on being set in motion by a motor a
series of electric contacts are made at proper intervals which actuate in turn a
series of electro-magnets. These electric magnets are placed in such positions
that instantly the electrical contact is made they will move the several parts under
their influence.
The mechanical parts consist essentially of an arrangement of clock-work i
series of pinion wheels so jarranged and adjusted as to control the speed of a shaft,
which projects beyond the frame of the clock-work. This shaft may have an arm
at right angles to its axis, which may be of any convenient length, so that when
the shaft revolves, the outer end of the arm comes in contact with a series of
electrical contacts, so placed as to actuate in turn the proper electro-magnets
These magnets as already stated exert their force directly to perform the various
movements necessary to complete the photograph in the following order. The
first contact touched actuates a magnet which opens a box containing the sensitivè
plate and lets it fall into position' behind the lens ready to receive the impression,
the second contact causes similarly the uncovering of the lens and 'switching on
the light, the third contact brings a spring carrier into position, which grips the
plate as it stands in position, whilst the next contact lifts the plate and places it
in the developing solution. Similarly the successive contacts actuate the magnets
to lift the plate from solution to solution until finally it drops down a shute and
is delivered to the sitter.
The modus operandi is as follows;--The person to be photographed inserts the
pre-arranged coin into the slot in the machine when it falls upon a table or shelf
where it remains until he or she draws back a seat so arranged that when the
person sits down upon it, a back ground and side screen-either in one or more parts
moves down into position around the sitter. The completion of this operation then

page_text: frees the coin which at once falls into its place to act as the electric bridge or
contact to start the electric motor when the mechanical parts of the machine are
set into operation as already described and the image photographed, the plate
developed, fixed, and the photograph delivered. The last contact made by the
mechanical parts of the machine after having, completed the photograph, and
almost simultaneously with its delivery, is one which actuates a magnet so as to
release the coin from its position of electric bridge when all motion ceases until
the 'insertion of another coin.
The seat and screen when the sitter rises returns to its normal position by means
of suitable springs.
"..
I might also arrange to have a supply of frames in the machine which on the
insertion of a further coin would deliver one to the person requiring it:
In order that my Invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect I have hereunto appended five sheets of Drawings of which,
Figure 1 is a section of the whole machine showing the relative positions of
the various parts and the electrical connections.
↓
Figure 2 is a section from the front showing the general arrangement of the
whole machine."
Figure 3 is a plan of one shelf or compartment showing the positions of the
supporting arms a to which is attached by casting or otherwise the upper or
guiding part of the slotted cam b, also the positions of the dishes containing the
various chemicals, and of the chute w into which the finished photograph is
delivered and of the lens.
Figure 4 is a detailed view of the arrangement for securing and utilising the
coin to make electrical contact to start the motor governing the mechanical
clockwork, which moves the arms and .
K¹ is the chute down which the
position E2 as shown in Figure 5.
coin drops when it leaves the Box E at
:
and are the screw terminals to which are bound the electric wires carrying
current to the motor L Figure 1. The metal parts attached to these. screw
terminals and are nowhere in contact and at 23 they rest against a block or
sheet of insulating material. K shows the position of the coin when it has fallen
to K and makes electrical contact between the two parts. K³ is the Electro Magnet
and 13 is the round iron core. The dotted lines indicate the position of the parts
when the Magnet K³ has been operated and the core drawn upwards to release the
coin:
Figure 5 is a side section of the arrangement for receiving the coin when it
is inserted at the slot. When the coin falls E is depressed until the pin h.comes
against the end of the rod J. This movement draws back the bottom of the
lever g and with it, the forked rode the forked end being drawn just sufficiently
back to allow the projecting spring tongue d (inserted after the manner of 'the
spring catch in an umbrella into the rod G) to pass downwards when the scat Fis
pulled out but the machine will not begin working as already explained until the
lever or handle 9 is brought down so as to withdraw the rod J and allow E.to fall
to its lowest position and throw the coin down the chute K
When the seat F returns to its place and the rod G rises the spring tongue d is
pressed into its slot as it passes through the fork of the rod e and locks the seat
back until a further coin is inserted.
Figure is a front view of Figure 5.
Figure is a side elevation of the slotted cam b, and shewing the action of
releasing the finished photograph from the carrier and delivering it into the chute.
Figure 8. is a view of the spring plate carrier and chute looking from the back
showing a plate in position ready to fall.
Figure 9 is a horizontal section of the photo plate holder C.
.
Figure 10 is a horizontal face view of the delivery slide under the photo plates
for delivering one plate at each reciprocation to or fro.
The pre-arranged coin is inserted at the slot i and falls into the box E. The

page_text: box E as shown in Figure 5 has a movable bottom, pivoted off the centre upon
which the coin falls as it leaves the slot i. The weight of the coin lowers the
box E to the position E shewn in dotted lines Figure 5 beyond which it cannot
go owing to the projection of the rod J in front of the pin h. This movement
however withdraws the bar e far enough to permit the projecting spring tongue'd
to pass it when the seat F can be drawn out. The drawing out of the rod and seat F
lowers (by reason of the "crank movement attached to F) the rod G. Ghas its
upper end toothed into a combined pinion wheel and pulley H so that when it (G)
is lowered by drawing out the seat the weight H2 is raised' slacking the conds or
wires which pass over the pulleys H and 10 and support the background.
The background is shown in Figure 1 drawn up, but although the seat F is
drawn out and the tension taken off the cords' or wires which support it; it cannot
fall to its, place behind the person to be photographed by reason of the clutch
wheels attached to the pulleys 10 and the spring pins 22 and 22. The small
weight and pulley H is designed simply to take up the slack wire or cord and
prevent it twisting. If now the handle or lever 9 be pulled down by the person
sitting, the spring pins 22 and 22 will be drawn back through the crank action
shown at 8 and the clutch wheels 10 will be released and the background will fall
slowly and enclose the sitter. Near the handle or lever 9. is another crank
movement which is operated when 9 is brought down and is co-incident with the
lowering of the background. 9 cannot be pulled down without striking J and
this withdraws the rod J allowing the pin 'to pass and thus allow E (which was
stopped at position through the projection of J in front of h) to fall to the
position E when the projecting point of K' strikes the upper end of the pivoted
bottom of E tipping it upwards and the coin is thrown down the chute K¹ to K
and is jammed between the electrically connected metal parts of k and (insulated
from one another) forming a bridge by means of which the electric current passes
from to k and thence to the motor L.
The various wheels moved by the motor L are so geared as to cause the two arms
and to revolve in the same direction but only makes half a revolution for each
complete revolution of . Now when the clockwork is set in motion by the
motor L the outer revolving arm is brought into contact with the projecting
contact point A or B and current is conveyed to the electro-magnet A or B
returning to the battery by way of the dotted line 30. This action draws back the
iron core from B to A or A to B and moves the plate support 32 so as to permit
one of the sensitive photo plates, contained in the box C to drop down the chute C
to a rest at D opposite the photo lens 16. The movement of the projecting arm
now brings its point against the contact point M and this conveys the current to
the electro-magnet % when the iron core 12 is pulled upwards until the opening D
in the sliding shutter is opposite the lens 16 and the same upward movement of
the core 12 lifts the weighted arm 4 and plunges the metallic bridge 4 into the
two mercury cups 5 and 3 and conveys current between the terminals 33 and 34
and thence to the incandescent electric lamps Y returning to the batteries by the
common return wire 30. It will therefore lie apparent that the uncovering of the
lens 16 and the switching in of the main lights Y are coincident, being performed
by the one action of the magnet Z. The duration of the exposure is regulated
simply by prolonging the contact between the arm and the contact point M. So
soon as the contact is broken between these points the core 12 is released and drops
to its position of rest thus closing the lens, and allowing the weighted arm 4" to fall
and so break contact between the mercury cups by raising the bridge 4. Meantime
the arm revolving has reached the contact point N and on completion of the
exposure conveys current from the terminal C to the terminal 35 and thence by
wire 36 to the electro magnet R. The spring carrier X would at this point be
resting down against the chute W where it delivered the last photograph, and
immediately current is passed round I the iron core 14 (to which is attached X
and the lever which bears it) is pulled up within R and the lever is turned by
means of the upper part of b. It is then let fall through P breaking contact with N
ր

page_text: and finds its way, by reason of the construction of b, into the slot opposite the lens.
Xthus being dropped sharply behind the photo plate secures it at top and bottom,
and so soon as this takes place makes contact at N' again operating the magnet R
when the core 14 (with its projecting lever and carrier X now carrying, the
exposed plate) is lifted and again turned by and falling plunges the exposed
plate into the developing solution contained in S where it remains the desired time.
Similar contacts being made by the arm with the points N N, O, P, Q, the plate
is carried successively through the various solutions, and is finally delivered
finished into the chute W by the contact being broken at the point Q.
The ring shown enclosing the contact points A, B, M, N, N, O, P, Q, and K²,
merely represents an opening in the clockwork box or case with the contact points
arranged and insulated from each other around the inner circumference of the
opening so that the projecting arms 7 and make contact with each point as they
pass, but the points A and B occupy à different plane from the others being
operated upon only by the projecting arm 7 (this ar moves at only half the speed
cf ) so that at each half revolution it makes contact with the points A¹ and B¹
successively thus operating in turn the two magnets A and B.
It will be seen on reference to Figure 1 the conductors from the contact
points N, N, O, P, Q are connected to a common terminal 35, from which terminal a
single conductor is carried to a magnet R. Now the core 14 with its attached
lever or projecting arm and spring carrier X is moved round from one position to
another in the following way. Each time the magnet R is actuated the core 14
is drawn up and its projecting arm X striking the inclined under edge of the upper
part of the slotted cam it is carried upwards to the right and on reaching the
highest point breaks the contact and the core being released by the magnet its
own weight carries it downward and its projecting arm X falling upon the upper
inclined edge of the lower part of 6 is directed into the slot, and falling to the
bottom of the slot plunges the sensitive plate held by X into the various solutions,
finally on making contact with Q the core is drawn up and dropped into the
slot opposite the chute W delivering the finished photograph.
With reference to the action of releasing the finished photograph from the
carrier X and delivering it into the chuie Was shown in Figures 7 and 8, the side
section X has its curved bottom end in contact with the curved upper and outside
surface of W10 whilst the sensitive plate X has its two lower corners on the inside
curved surface of W, so that if X be suddenly dropped, the spring at the top of X
will be raised, the bottom of X will be forced backwards, whilst the plate X being
inside W will be lifted out of the check in which it rests and dropped down the
chute. The plate is lifted from 1) (Figure 1) by X dropping behind it the bottom
curve rubbing closely behind it as it descends X10 having the under edges of its
ends curved as shown, and projecting outwards beyond the face of the plate as
it rests in D, when the carrier X drops, the upper edge of the plate strikes the under
edges of X and at the moment of impact lifts it allowing the check at the
bottom of X to slip forward and secure the plate in the position shown in the
above side section-in this position it is carried through the various solutions
until it reaches the chute W and is delivered.
The arm still moving now makes contact with the point K2 and operates the
magnet K³ which pulling up the core 13 and the lever attached to K, throws out
the coin into the box 38 thus breaking contact and cutting off current from the
motor, when all movement ceases until another coin is inserted. The person,
having been photographed, now rises from the seat and the weight H2 being now
free at once returns the seat and background to their original positions of closed.
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. In automatic coin freed photographing machines, the general arrangement

page_text: and operation of the seat and background, substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described and illustrated on the accompanying sheets of Drawings.
2. In automatic coin freed photographing machines, the use of the coin as the
electric bridge and the detention of it until the seat and background are in their
places, substantially as described and illustrated on the accompanying sheets of
Drawings.
3. In automatic coin freed photographing machines, the general arrangement
and combination of the parts all operating in the manner, substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying sheets
of Drawings.
1007
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.