Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 27th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 16th. Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
I, EDWARD HOWARD PERCY HUMPHREYS of 8 Hyde Park Gate, London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to photographic cameras and more particularly to the
camera described in the Specification of my former Patent No. 14927 of 1893; in
which successive pictures are taken on a continuous film which is moved forward
intermittently by the to and fro motion of a handle or lever which also during, the
same motion sets the shutter and releases the shutter.
This invention has for its principal objects means for-more readily inserting and
withdrawing the film, improved means for marking the film so, as to indicate the
position of each negative; means of adapting the mechanism described in my
former specification to cameras having a movable focus and novel means of
focussing cameras.
In the camera described in the specification above referred to, during, the motion
of the operating handle in one direction. the film is drawn from the winding off roller
over two guide rollers to the winding up roller and the shutter is set, while during
the motion of the handle in the opposite direction the shutter is released.and an
exposure takes place.. There is also a device, as thereiu described for keeping
constant the length of film drawn out each time.
According to my present invention I make use of these same devices but I secure
the 4 rollers to the back of the camera so that on taking the back out the rollers
come with it; this facilitates the changing of films when required. On putting
the back again into the camera the winding up roller gears into teeth on the driving
shaft of the handle or lever and the machine is then ready to work.
As,scon as an entire film has been utilized the back of the camera is, withdrawn.
The winding up roller is preferably not removed from the back, and in order to
take off the used film 1 provide the winding off roller with a square head, into
which the handle of the camera can fit. The filin can then by means of this handle
be very easily and readily transferred back to the winding off roller, which is then
taken away and another roller inserted in its place.
Another part of my prosent invention is a simple device, which I adopt to mark
each section of the film as a negative is taken on it. For this purpose I attach a
small knife or point to an arm or lever which is made to move backwards and
forwards during the to and fro motion of the operating handle of the camera.
This knife or point recedes from the film while the latter is being drawn out but
comes down and makes an incision on the film during the opposite motion of the
operating handle.
According to one way of carrying out this part of my invention a collar is
mounted on a telescopic shaft, hereinafter referred to, and, connected with the shaft
of the operating handle. The collar is recessed or cut away for part of its circum-
ference. One end, of a lever rests on this collar whilst the other end actuates the
knife which is to cut or mark the film. The knife travels.up and down a slotted
guide so arranged that the cutting or marking part of the knife protrudes during
the forward movement of this lever and is withdrawn during its backward move
ment. It may be arranged to travel along a slotted guide under a slightly inclined
plane, during its forward motion and then over this plaue during its backward
1

page_text: motion or vice versa according to the particular construction of the machine. The
movement of the lever is effected by means of the collar which is so placed that
the cutting or marking is effected whilst the film is stationary. The knife may
project through the guide before mentioned and through a suitable slot in the
frame which holds the film; which is cut preferably towards its centre.
Another part of my invention consists in adapting mechanism such as described
in my former specification to a camera of movable instead of fixed focus, thus
enabling me to take pictures in rapid succession of an object at whatever distance
it may be. This can be effected by connecting the shaft of the operating handle
with the shutter by means of a telescopic shaft or two tubes running one inside the
otlier and making the direction of the motion conveyed by these tubes at right
angles to the direction of the motion of the said tubes with regard to each other.:
One way of providing for readily focussing the instrument is to have a scale say
six inches high marked in any desired manner and capable of being made to stand
vertically on the top of the instrument. Assuming the camera is held level at the
height at which it is usually held, the eye of the operator will read off on the scale
the number that intercepts from his view the foot or lowest point of the object to
be photographed. This scale will vary according to the height at which the
operator carries his camera and can readily be adjusted after a few trials. Suppose
then that this scale indicates the number 25 the handle connected with the
focussing arrangement is in this case turned until an indicator belonging to it
indicates the same number 25, the two scales having previously been made to
correspond.
Another way of providing for readily adjusting the focus is to insert in the top
of the camera a small fixed mirror inclined at a suitable angle to the eye of the
operator. In connection with the device which adjusts the focus is another mirror
which presents its reflecting surface towards the object to be photographed.
Assuming the camera to be kept level the handle of the focussing device is
turned until the object to be photographed comes into the centre of the field
of view.
According to another way the correct focus is obtained absolutely by the
operator without having to take from the camera the film to be exposed. For
this purpose a mirror is hinged inside the camera at the top and can either be
moved up into a horizontal position against the top of the camera or let down to
an angle of approximately 45° with its face towards the lens. When thus let
down it renders the back of the camera dark. In the top of the camera is a ground
glass screen upon which the operator can see the object reflected so that he can
himself adjust the focus to the required extent according to his judgment. When
the correct focus is thus obtained the mirror is moved up against the top of the
camera and an exposure on the film can'then be made.
Dated this 27th day of January 1896.
Improvements in Photographio Cameras!
I, EDWARD HOWARD PEROY HUMPHREYS of 8 Hyde Park Gate, London,
Gentleman, 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 photographic cameras and more particularly to the

page_text: camera described in the Specification of my former Patent No. 14927 of 1893 in
which successive pictures are taken ou a continuous film which is moved forward
intermittently by the to and fro motion of a handle or lever which also during the
Bame motion sets the shutter and releases the shutter.
This invention has for its principal objects means for more readily inserting and
withdrawing the film, improved means for marking the film so as to indicate the
position of each negative; means of adapting the mechanism described in my
former specification to cameras baving a movable focus and novel means of
focussing cameras.
In the camera described in the specification above referre.I to, during the motion
of the operating handle in one direction the film is drawn from the winding off
roller over two guide rollers to the windling up roller and the shutter is set, while
during the motion of the handle in the opposite direction the shutter is released
and an exposure takes place. There is also a device as therein described for
keeping constant the length of the film drawn-out each time.
According to my present invention I make use of these same devices but I secure
the 4 rollers to the back of the camera so that on taking the back out the rollers
come with it; this facilitates the changing of films when required. On putting the
back again into the camera the winding up roller gears into teeth on the driving
shaft of the handle or lever and the machine is then ready to work,
As soon as an entire film has been utilized the back of the camera is withdrawo.
The winding up.roller is preferably not removed from the back, and in order to
take off the used film I provide the winding off roller with a square head into
which the handle of the camera can fit. The film can then by means of this handle
be very easily and readily transferred back to the winding off roller, which is then
taken away and another roller inserted in its place.
Another part of my present invention is a simple device which I adopt to mark
each section of the film as a negative is taken on it. For this purpose I attach a
small knife or pointed piece to an arm or lever which is made to move backwards
and forwards during the to and fro motion of the operating handle of the camera.
This knife or pointed piece recedes from the film while the latter is being drawn
out, but comes down and makes an incision in the film during the opposite motion
of the operating handle.
According, to one way of carrying out this part of my invention a collar is
mounted on a telescopic shaft hereinafter referred to and connected with the shaft
of the operating handle. The collar is recessed or cut away for part of its circum-
ference. One end of a lever rests on this collar whilst the other end actuates the
knife which is to cut or mark the film. The knife travels up and down a slotted
guide so arranged that the cutting or marking part of the knife protrudes during
the forward movement of this lever and is withdrawn during its backward move-
ment. It may be arranged to travel along a slotted guide under a slightly inclined
plane during its forward motion and then over this plane during its backward.
motion or vice versi according to the particular construction of the machine. The
movement of the lever is effected by means of the collar which is so placed that
the cutting or marking is effected whilst the film is stationary. The knife may
project through the guide before mentioned and through a suitable slot in the frame
which holds the film which is cut preferably towards its centre.
Anotlier part of my invention consists in adapting mechanism such as described
in my former specification to a camera of movable instead of fixed focus, thus
enabling me to take pictures in rapid succession of an object at whatever distance
it may be. This can be effected by connecting the shaft of the operating handle
with the shutter by means of a telescopic shaft or two tubes running one inside the
other and making the direction of the motion conveyed by these tubes at right
angles to the direction of the motion of the said tubes with regard to each other..
One way of providing for readily focussing the instrument is to have a scale say
six inches high marked in any desired manner and capable of being made to stand

page_text: vertically on the top of the instrument. Assuming the camera is held level at the
height at which it is usually held, the eye of the operator will read off on the scale
the number that intercepts from his view the foot or lowest point of the object to
be photographed. This scale will vary according to the height at which the
operator carries his camera and can readily be adjusted after a few trials. Suppose
then that this scale indicates the number 25 the handle connected with the
focussing arrangement is in this case turned until an indicator belonging to it
indicates the same number 25, the two scales having previously been made to
correspond.
Another way of providing for readily adjusting the focus is to insert near the top
of the camera a small fixed mirror inclined at a suitable angle to the eye of the
operator. In connection with the device which adjusts the focus is another mirror
which presents its reflecting surface towards the object to be photographed.
Assuming the camera to be kept level the handle of the focussing device is
turned until the object to be photographed comes into the centre of the field of
view.
n
According to another way the correct focus is obtained. absolutely by the operator
without having to take from the camera the film to be exposed. For this purpose
a mirror is hinged inside the camera at the top and can either be moved up into a
horizontal position against the top of the camera or let down to an angle of
approximately 45° with its face towards the lens. When thus let down it renders
the back of the camera dark. In the top of the camera is a ground glass screen
upon which the operator can see the object reflected so that he can himself adjust
the focus to the required extent according to his judgment. When the correct focus
is thus obtained the mirror is moved up against the top of the camera and an
exposure on the film can then be made.
The accompanying drawings illustrate a camera constructed according to my
present invention.
In these drawings :-
:-
Figure 1 is a front end elevation of the complete camera; Figure 2 is a vertical
longitudinal section of the same on the line A-A of Figure 1, looking in the
direction of the arrow; Figure 3' is a vertical cross section of the same on the
line B-B of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrow;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the complete camera; the focussing shade being
shown in the erected position.
Figure 5 is a detail view in horizontal section showing the film-marking knife in
its inoperative position; Figure 6 is a similar view showing the film-marking knife
in the act of cutting or marking the film.
Figure 7 is a front elevation of part of the film, showing the nature of the incised
mark produced by the said knife.
In all these figures, similar reference numerals indicate the same parts.
1 is the box or outer case of the camera. 2 is the lens. 3 the winding-off roller,
and 4 the winding-on roller. The axles of the rollers are suitably mounted in
bearings in brackets fixed to the case 1. 5 is the film which is guided by suitably
placed guide rollera 6, 6" in its passage from the roller 3 to the roller 4. 7 is the
removable operating handle which is adapted to be fitted into or onto the operating
shaft 8 upon which is a pinion 9 gearing with a toothed are 10. This are 10 gears
also with a pinion 11 fixed on a shaft 12 which constitutes the axle of the winding-on
roller 4. The winding-on roller 4 is capable of being rotated by means of a
clutch 13 by the handle 7 in one direction only viz. :-for-winding up the film; it
is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction by the action of another
clutch 13. This clutch 13 can however when desired be moved out of engagement
so as to allow of the roller 4 being rotated in either direction for winding 'or
transferring the film on to the lower roller 3 for the purpose of removing the film
and inserting a fresh film.
Upon the axle 10% of the toothed are 10 is fixed a bevel wheel 14 gearing with a

page_text: hevel wheel 15 fixed on a shaft 16. This shaft 16 is wholly or partially tubular and in
its tubular portion there is fitted in a telescopic manner a shaft 17 which is connected
with the shaft 16 by means of pin and alot sliding joiut or connection 18, 18" in
such a manner that whilst the shaft 17 is free to slide longitudinally in and
out of the shaft 16, the shaft 17 will receive any rotary motion that may be imparted:
to the shaft 16.
19 is the front of the camera containing the lens 2. It is connected to the body l
of the camera by means of the usual bellows 20, and it is adapted to be moved in
and out for focussing purposes by means of rods 21 21. These rods 21, 21 are-
provided with teeth 21 which gear with pinions 22 fixed on the shaft 23. This
shaft 23 projects through the case of the camera and is adapted to be actuated by
means of a thumb piece 24. Upon the shaft 23 is a toothed wheel 25 gearing with.
another toothed wheel 26 fixed on a spindle 27 which projects out at one end
through the side of the camera and is provided with a suitable device such as-
pointer 28 adapted to move over a suitable scale for the purpose of rapidly finding
the proper distance of the lens 2 for any required focus, as hereinafter described..
Upon the spindle 27 is a bevel pinion 29 gearing with a bevel pinion 30 mounted on.
a vertical spindle 31 which projects at its upper end through the top of the camera.
and is there provided with a pointer 32 also adapted to move over a scale and
indicate the focus or position of the lens. The indicator 32 is intended for use when
taking horizontal pictures such as "views" or landscapes, and the indicator 28 is
intended for use when taking upright pictures such as portraits. The shutter an.
shutter operating mechanism shown in the drawings are given merely by way of
example for the purpose of illustrating the operation of that part of my invention
which I shall now proceed to describe.
The arrangement of shutter operating mechanism shown comprises a spring
box 33 containing the shutter operating spring which is adapted to be wound up by
the downward rotation through part of a circle, of a projecting piece 34. An
arm 35 mounted on the front end of the shaft 17 is caused by the rotation of the
said shaft 17 by means of the operating handle 7 to engage in its descent with the
aforesaid piece 34, carrying down the latter and thereby winding up the shutter
spring 33. In the ascent of the arm 35 a part 36 pivoted to the said arm strikes.
against a lever or catch 37 which then acts to release the spring and operate the
shutter in the desired manner for instantaneous exposure. For time exposure the-
part 36 is moved by hand out of the path of the catch 37 which is then released at.
the
proper time by hand or otherwise in the ordinary way the shutter operating
mechanism having been in such case set for the desired duration of exposure..
I may employ any suitable form of shutter and any suitable arrangement of shutter
operating mechanism so long as the latter comprises an operating spring device
adapted to be wound up by the action of a rocking or rotating shaft as described.
The device which I adopt to mark each section of the film as a negative is taken
on it, comprises a collar 38 constituting the boss of a depending rod 38 mounted
loosely on the shaft 16. This collar is cut away centrally at its top part so as to-
form two shoulders, one on each side of the central cut away portion. Through
this central cut away portion there is formed a central slot transversely of the
shaft 16, and through this slot there projects a pin 39 fixed on the upper side of
the shaft 16. The arrangement is such that as the shaft 16 is rocked in one or the
other direction the pin 39 will strike against one or the other shoulder of the collar 38.
and thereby rock the latter. The depending rod 38 is connected at its lower end
to one end of a connecting rod 40. The other end of the rod 40 is pivoted to a
sliding piece 41 adapted to slide horizontally in straight guides 42 fixed to a suitable.
partition 1 of the camera. To the sliding piece 41 is fastened a T-headed piece 41ª
on which is mounted by means of a spring 43. the knife or cutter 44 adapted t
travel centrally between two projecting parts 45, 45 of flat S-shape, formed on the
guide 42 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. In its operative movement, the T-head and
consequently the knife 44 attached to it is caught by the S-shaped pieces and

page_text: deflected towards the film. In returning it is deflected away from the film by the
said S-pieces. The knife 44 comes in contact with and in the first case cuts or
marks the film (in the manner shown at 5* in Figure 7) at the lower edge of the
negative just taken whilst in its return movement the knife travels out of contact
with the film, the parts being so arranged as to cause the knife to mark tho film only
whilst the latter is stationary.
The device for readily focussing the instrument consists of a sight 46 marked
with a scale in any desired manner and capable of being made to stand vertically on
the top of the instrument. Assuming the camera is held level at the height at
which it is usually held (i.e. breast high) the eye of the operator will read off on
the sight 46 the number that intercepts from his view the foot or lowest point of the
object to be photographed. The number thus read off will vary according to
the height at which each operator carries his camera and can readily be adjusted
after a few trials. Assuming that this sight indicates a number (25) the thumb-
piece 24 connected with the focussing mechanism is in this case turned until the
indicator 32 (or 28 as the case may be) indicates the same number (25), the two
scales having previously been made to correspond.
Or I may also use the following device for obtaining the correct focus without
having to take from the camera the film to be exposed. For this purpose I hinge
mirror 47 at 47 inside the camera at the top so that it can either be moved up
into a horizontal position against the top of the camera or let down to an angle of
approximately 450 with its face towards the lens. When thus let down it renders
the back of the camera dark. In the top of the camera is a ground glass screen 48
upon which the operator can see the object reflected so that he can himself adjust
the focus to the required extent according to his judgment. When the correct
focus is thus obtained the mirror 47 is moved up against the top of the camera and
an exposure on the film can then be made.
49 is a shade or lid pivoted to the top of the camera, and adapted to be turned up
during inspection of the glass screen 48.
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. In photographic cameras in which to-and-fro motion of an operating handle or
device.effects the drawing out of a new length of film, the setting of the shutter and
the release of the shutter, connecting the shaft of the operating handle with the
shutter by means of a telescopic shaft or connection, substantially as described and
for the purposes specified.
2. In photographic cameras in which continuous films are used the arrangement
of mechanism for cutting or marking the film, constructed and operating substan-
tially as described and shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
3. In photographic cameras, the combination of film rollers in which the film is
capable of being transferred from one roller to the other, and a portable or
detachable camora back on which the said rollers are mounted, whereby the
changing or removal of the films or film rollers is greatly facilitated, substantially
as set forth.
4. For finding the focus in photographic cameras, the combination of a fixed
mirror on the top of the camera inclined towards the operator and a mirror in
connection with the focussing device whereby the correct focus can be ascertained
by actuating the focussing device until the reflected image of the object is visible
to the operator in the fixed mirror, substantially as set forth.
5. For the finding of the focus in photographic cameras the combination of a
vertical scale placed on top of the camera and a corresponding scale indicator
actuated by the focussing mechanism, substantially as set forth.
6. In photographic cameras the combination for focussing purposes, of a hinged
mirror such as 47, with a translucent screen such as 48 arranged and operating
substantially as described and shown.

page_text: 7. The general arrangement of photographic camera constructed arranged and
operating substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 27th day of November 1896.
J. C. MEW BURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.