Improvements in and in connection with Cameras.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 12th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 16th Apr., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with Cameras.
We, CHARLES HASELER and CHARLES EUSTACE HASELER, both of 94
Bridge Street West, in the City of Birmingham, Mechanical Engineers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement of
cameras having reference particularly to that class of camera known as detective
cameras, parts of which improvements however may be applied to other kinds of
cameras.
Its object primarily is to provide an improved shutter arrangement, improve-
ments in the construction of the sheaths in which the plates or films are carried; to
provide improvements in the means and arrangement of transferring the used plate
or film from the plate chamber to the negative chamber; also to provide improve-
ments in the fastenings of the doors &c. of such cameras &c.
First, as a whole, it consists of a shell or box containing the whole of the
mechanism &c. At the rear end of this shell is provided a plate chamber, that is,
a chamber in which may be stored a number of plate or film sheaths ready for use.
To the inside of the door of this chamber is attached a spring which keeps such
sheaths in a successive order and position for photographing, for transferment to
the negative chamber.
These sheaths consist somewhat as follows: -A narrow, recessed metallic frame.
into which from the one (rear) side may be placed the plate or film.
A metallic plate back is further provided, which is secured along one of its edges
and for a short distance therefrom along its two sides (removeably or otherwise) so
that it may form as it were a spring back, in which the one side may be pressed
open to allow of the plate &c. being passed therein, such spring back securely
retaining it in position. This said back may be secured to the frame by portions
of the frame being turned or clipped over the edges of the said plate, or other
similar manner. At each corner of the said sheath is provided an outstanding peg,
the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained.
Referring again to the plate chamber Along each of the corners, in the longi-
tudinal direction of the box, a groove is made, along which passes the pegs (before
mentioned) on the sheaths.
--
Between the plate chamber and the lens (which I may term the focus chamber)
is provided the device by which the sheaths are removed from the said plate
chamber. The negative chamber is situated below the lens at the front end of the
camera, and is provided with a sliding or other suitable door at its front, while upon
its inner (or focus chamber) side is provided at its bottom an opening through which
the sheaths may pass, which said opening is guarded and controlled by two yielding
springs which permit the entrance, but prevents the return of the sheath, and also
raises it when inside the negative chamber, so that the succeeding sheath shall pass
beneath the former.
At the inside lower edge of the plate chamber is a yielding support, which
carries the foremost sheath.
At the inside edge of this chamber is also the commencement of two pairs of
tram grooves, one pair at the top, and the other at the bottom, each being a con-
tinuation of the grooves already described in the plate chamber and for the same
purpose (that is, to receive and guide the pegs upon the sheaths). These tram
grooves extend along the sides of the camera in a curved form, each pair of
passing towards, and converging into one pair of horizontal grooves at the botto n
of the negative chamber.
grooves

page_text: Again. At the upper part of the focus chamber is carried a rock spindle,
having two arms extending therefrom to the upper pair of tram grooves. The
circular movement of the ends of these arms and the said tram groove coincide,
a recess being provided at the top of the chamber so that the said ends may
pass above and behind the edge of the foremost sheath.
The opposite edge of the sheath rests against the yielding support before
mentioned. At the exterior end of the spindle, is a landle or knob &c. whereby it.
may be rotated.
Thus the action of these parts is as follows:-The sheaths being inserted into the
plate chamber, and the foremost having being used, by turning the spindle, it is
pushed along the tram grooves into the negative chamber and there stored until a
favourable time for its removal. The second sheath is pressed automatically into
the foremost position, and the operation repeated, and so from time to time
until all the sheaths have been used.
Again. The improvements connected with the shutter part of this our
improved camera consist as follows: A quadrant shaped shutter is employed
pivotted at its radiating centre, and having a sight aperture coinciding with the
aperture in the plate upon which it is carried, and of course with the lens of
the camera.
This quadrant shutter is held back in its "taken" position by a
suitable spring that is, in such position the lens is covered. On the circular edge
of this shutter is provided two trigger catches, which engage with a trigger
lever having an actuating bar, extending therefrom to the exterior of the camera,
by which such trigger action may be released at will.
Upon the face of this quadrant shutter is mounted a smaller pivotted shutter,
which is capable of covering the aperture in the quadrant shutter, but in its normal
position is held from off such aperture by a spring. To this second shutter a cord
is secured which passes to the exterior of the camera.
Its action is thus: Upon pulling the exterior cord, the second shutter is first
brought over the aperture in the first shutter, when it is arrested by a stop. By
still pulling it forward the first shutter is also brought with it until the first and
the second trigger catches in the first shutter pass the trigger, when the said trigger
falls into the second and retains the shutter in that position. The lens is now
covered. Upon loosing the cord the second shutter is carried backward from off
the aperture in the first shutter. By releasing the trigger, the first shutter is
suddenly passed round, its aperture passing the lens on its way, for exposure, when
again the lens is covered.
By pulling the cord sufficient only for the trigger to fall into the first catch
the aperture in the first shutter is retained in front of the lens for focussing &c.
purposes.
Further. In securing the doors or flaps of cameras we employ a very simple
form of fastening. At the one side of the door we may employ hinges, or we may
provide over hanging clips between which and the shell; the door may be passed.
At the fastening side we provide a strip of metal which overhangs the part to which
it is to be secured, and having near its end a hole. Corresponding with this hole
and fixed in the said part to which the door is to be fastened is an upstanding peg,
so that when the door is closed, the hole in the strip is passed thereonto with a
click, and the fastening is complete.
Although each of the several improvements combined form this my improved
camera still it will be readily seen that separately they may individually be adapted
to other cameras.
Dated this 11th day of June 1891.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicants' Agent.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with Cameras.
We CHARLES HASELER, and CHARLES EUSTACE HASELER, both of 94
Bridge Street West, in the City of Birmingham Mechanical 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 the construction and arrangement
of cameras, having reference particularly to that class of cameras, known as
detective cameras, which improvements however, may more or less be applied to
other kinds of cameras.
Its objects primarily are, to provide an improved shutter arrangement; im-
provements in the construction of the sheaths in which the plates or films are
carried; improvements in the means and arrangement of transferring the used
plate or film from the plate chamber to the negative chamber; also to provide im-
provements in the fastenings of the doors &c. of such cameras.
In order to more clearly explain this our invention, we have appended hereunto
illustrative sheets of drawings upon which are figures and numbers of reference,
similar numbers referring throughout the various views to the same thing or part..
Fig. 1, is a side elevation, Fig. 2, a plan view, and Fig. 3, an end view of this
our improved camera.
Fig. 4, is a sectional elevation on or about line A-B (Fig. 2).
Fig. 5, is a sectional plan view on line C-D (Fig. 4).
Fig. 6, is a cross sectional view on line E-F (Fig. 4).
Figs. 7 & 8, are detailed plan and end views of the rocking spindle and its arms.
Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, & 14, are detailed views of the sheath, or plate carrier,
Fig. 12, being a sectional plan view on line G-H (Fig. 14), and Figs. 13 and 14,
being sectional views on line I-J (Fig. 10).
Figs. 15, 16, & 17, are detailed views of the improved shutter arrangement.
1, is a shell or box containing the whole of the mechanism &c. At the rear end
of this shell, is provided a plate chamber 2, that is, a chamber in which may
be stored a number of plate or film sheaths 3, ready for use. To the inside of
the door 4 of this chamber, is attached a spring 5, which keeps such sheaths in
a successive order and position for photographing, and for transferment to the
negative chamber 6.
These sheaths are constructed as follows:-A blank is cut out as seen in Fig. 9.
It is then bent or doubled over at about midway of its entire length; the part 7,
forming the front or narrow bordered frame, while the part 8, forms the back plate
thereto. In addition to its being doubled, the frame part is also dished to the
depth of the plate 9 which it is intended to carry. Upon the blank is provided
two outstanding portions 10, which when the back has been doubled over, are
turned down thereonto, see Figs. 11, 13 & 14, while the recesses cut therein
at 11, 11, permit of the ready taking hold of the plate 9, in order to withdraw
it from the sheath. At the top and at the bottom of the sheath are wire
rods 12, 12, having extending ends 13 and 13. It will be also noticed that at the
upper edge of the frame the metal is cut back at 14. The purpose of this is,
that when the plate 9, is being inserted or withdrawn from the sheath, its front
face or film, shall not be damaged by contact with the said frame, inasmuch as
it is only touched by the ends at 15, 15. By reason of the back plate being
held to the frame 7, by the turned down parts 10, 10, it has a spring like
action so that it may be opened at the top wide enough to admit the plate 9,
but will close again when let go, as seen in Fig. 13.

page_text: The back 8, may be made separately from the frame 7, but the method of con-
struction shown, gives the best results.
Referring again to the plate chamber 2-Along each of the corners, in the
longitudinal direction of the box, tram grooves 16, 16, and 17, 17, are made, along
which pass the ends 13, 13, (before mentioned) on the sheaths. These grooves are
horizontal the length of the plate chamber, and thence extend in a curved form,
converging into each other at 18, near the entrance to the negative chamber.
Between the plate chamber 2, and the lens 19, (which I may term the focus
chamber) is provided the device by which the sheaths are removed from the said
plate chamber. The negative chamber 6, is situated below the lens at the front
end of the camera, and is provided with a sliding or other suitable door 20, at its
front, (preferably hinged at 21); while upon its inner (or focus chamber) side, is
provided at its bottom an opening 22, through which the sheaths may pass, which
said opening is guarded and controlled by two yielding springs 23, 23, which permit
the entrance, but prevents the return of the sheath, and also raises it when
inside the negative chamber, so that the succeeding sheath shall pass beneath the
former.
At the inside lower edge of the plate chamber is a yielding support 24, which
carries the foremost sheath.
At the inside edge of this chamber is also the commencement of the curved
part of the tram grooves 16 & 17, one pair 16, at the top, and the other pair 17,
at the bottom, each being a continuation of the grooves already described in the
plate chamber, and for the same purpose (that is, to receive and guide the pegs upon
the sheaths).
Again. At the upper part of the focus chamber is carried a rocking spindle 25,
having two arms 26, 26, extending therefrom to the upper pair of tram grooves.
The circular movement of the ends of these arms and the said tram grooves 16,
coincide, a recess or room being provided at the top of the chamber, so that the said
arms may pass above the top edge of the foremost sheath. The opposite edge of
the sheath rests upon the yielding support 24, carried upon the springs 44, which
permit of the support 24, being pushed down clear of the groove 17, when the
sheath is pushed down by the arms 26, 26. At the exterior end of the spindle 25,
is a handle or knob &c. 27, whereby it may be rotated. Thus the action of these
parts is as follows:-The sheaths 3, being inserted into the plate chamber 2, and
the foremost having being used, by turning the spindle 25, it is pushed along the
tram grooves into the negative chamber, and there stored until a favourable time
for its removal. In Fig. 4, a sheath is shown in the position of being carried from
the plate chamber 2, to the chamber 6, its upper projecting ends 13, travelling
along the grooves 16, and its lower projecting ends 13, travelling along the
grooves 17, and is pushed forward by the arms 26. The second sheath is
pressed automatically into the foremost position, and the operation repeated, and
so from time to time until all the sheaths have been used. Again. The im-
provements connected with the shutter part of this our improved camera consist
as follows, see Figs. 4, 5, 15, 16 & 17 :—A quadrant shaped shutter 28, is employed,
and pivotted at its radiating centre 29, and having a sight aperture 30, coin-
ciding with the aperture 31, in the plate 32, upon which it is carried, and of
course with the lens 19 of the camera. This quadrant shutter 28, is held back
in its "taken" position (Fig. 15) by a suitable spring 33, that is, in such position
the lens aperture 31, is covered. On the circular edge of this shutter is provided
two trigger catches 34 & 35, which engage with a trigger lever 36, having an
actuating bar 37, extending therefrom to the exterior of the camera, by which such
trigger action may be released at will. This trigger lever is kept in its holding
position by the spring 38. Upon the face of this quadrant shutter 28, is mounted
a smaller pivotted shutter 39, which is capable of covering the aperture 30, in
the quadrant shutter, but in its normal position, is held from off such aperture by
the spring 40, see Fig. 15. To this second shutter a cord 41, is secured which
passes to the exterior of the camera. Its action is thus :-Upon pulling the

page_text: exterior cord 41, the second shutter 39, is first brought over the aperture 30, in the
first shutter 28, when it is arrested by a stop 42. The position of the shutter at
this point is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 15. By still pulling the cord, the first
shutter 28, and the second shutter 39, are both brought forward, until the first and
the second trigger catches 34 and 35, in the first shutter, pass the trigger 36, when
the said trigger falls into the second catch 35, and retains the shutter 28, in that
position. The lens is now covered, as seen in Fig. 16. Upon loosing the cord 41,
the second shutter 39, is carried backwards from off the aperture 30 in the first
shutter, by reason of the spring 40. By pressing forward the knob 43, on the
rod 37, the trigger lever is raised clear of the catch 35, when the first shutter is
suddenly pulled round by the spring 33, its aperture 30 passing the lens aperture 31
on its way, for exposure, when again the lens aperture is covered, as seen in
Fig. 15.
By pulling the cord 41, sufficient only for the trigger 36, to fall into the first
catch 34, (see Fig. 17) the aperture 30, in the first shutter is retained in front of
of the lens aperture 31, for focussing &c. purposes.
Further. In securing the doors or flaps of cameras, we employ a very simple
form of fastening. This fastening is illustrated as applied to the door 4, for instance
in Figs. 1, 2 & 3. At the one side 45, of the door we may employ hinges, or we
may provide overhanging clips 46, 46, between which and the shell; the edge of
the door may be passed. At the fastening side, we provide a strip of metal 47,
which is secured at 48 to the box, its free end 49 overhanging the part to which it
is to be secured, and having near its end a hole 50. Corresponding with this hole
and fixed in the said part to which the door is to be fastened, is an upstanding peg 51,
so that when the door is closed, the hole in the strip is passed thereonto with a
click, and the fastening is complete. The front door 52, is also shown fastened in
this manner.
Although each of the several improvements combined form this our improved
camera as a whole, still it will be readily seen that separately they may be adapted
to other cameras.
In Figs. 1, to 6, is shown the focussing arrangement, in which 56, is a swinging
mirror, pivotted at 53 and capable of being raised from the angular position in
which it is shown to the horizontal, when the picture is to be taken. While in the
position shown in Fig. 4, it would of course obstruct the view from the lens 19, to
the front plate in the chamber 2, but when raised to the horizontal position by
means of the external handle 54, the field is clear. 55, is a hinged door in the top
of the camera for use during the focussing operation. The sight passes through
the lens on to the mirror which being at the angle of 45, it may be readily
seen through the open door 55, which said door may then be closed down and
fastened.
Any suitable catch may be provided by which the handle 54 may be retained in
position, when the mirror 52, is in its raised position, and during the taking of the
pictures. This focussing device however forms no part of this our invention, but is
shown and described for the sake of explanation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
1. The improvements connected with the shutter arrangement, that is to say, the
combination of the shutter 28, having the aperture 30, and secondary shutter 39,
and operated by the spring 40, and cord 41, with the trigger lever 36, taking into
notches 34 & 35, the whole constructed and operating substantially as described
and shown.
2. The combination with the plate chamber 2, sheaths 3, operating arms 26, 26,
and negative chamber 6, of a yielding support 24, which permits of the sheath
being pressed into suitable guides to the negative chamber, substantially as set forth
and shown.

page_text: 3. The combination with the negative chamber 6, and the passing thereinto of
the sheaths 3, of the springs 23, 23, substantially as set forth and shown.
4. In sheaths for carrying photographic plates or films, having a front frame
part 7, and springy back plate 8, the combination therewith of the turned down
parts 10, 10, and recesses 11, 11, substantially as set forth and shown.
5. In photographic cameras, the employment of tram grooves such as 16, and 17,
in conjunction with projections upon the sheaths, such as 13, and 13, for the
transfer of the used plate sheaths from one part of the camera to another, sub-
stantially in the manner set forth.
6. In photographic cameras, the combination with tram grooves such as 16 and 17,
and sheaths having projections such as 13 and 13", of the rocking spindle 25,
having arms 26, 26, and manipulating handle 27, substantially as and for the purposes
specified, and shown.
7. In photographic cameras, the combination wherein a plate chamber 2, is
employed at the rear of the camera, access to which is obtained at such rear part,
in conjunction with a negative chamber 6, situated at the front of the camera,
access to which is obtained at such front part by means of doors 20, and 52, after
the manner shown and described and for the purposes specified.
8. The improved method of fastening herein described and illustrated consisting
of the springy metal strip 47, secured at its one end, having a hole 50, taking on to
the peg 51, in the manner described and shown.
9. The general combination and arrangement of the various parts constituting
this our improved photographic camera, substantially as set forth and illustrated.
Dated this 11th day of March 1892.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12, Cherry Street, Birmingham, Applicants' Agent.