Improvements in or in connection with Changing Boxes for Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 19th May, 1893-Accepted, 12th Aug., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Changing Boxes for
Photographic Cameras.
We, ARTHUR LEWIS ADAMS of 81 Aldersgate Street in the City of London;
Manufacturer of Photographic Apparatus, and JOHN WILLIAM JEYES of
46 Corporation Buildings, Clerkenwell, London, E.C. Photographic Camera
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in or in connection with what are known.
as "changing boxes" for photographic cameras and our present improvements
relate more particularly to the character of changing box for which Arthur Samuel
Newman received the grant of Letters Patent No. 8329 of 1886 and the object of
our present improvements is to facilitate and improve the working of, such
changing boxes (or any other changing boxes to which any part of our improve-
ments are applicable) and to permit the sensitive films therein to come up
exactly to "register" with the ordinary focussing screens on photographic cameras.
similar to the method of using ordinary dark slides.
Hitherto it has been found difficult to use changing boxes of this or a
similar character with the ordinary cameras now in use and it has usually been
found necessary to have an extra or special focussing screen provided for use.
with such cameras in order to use such changing box or else it has been found
necessary to specially construct cameras to receive such changing boxes so as to
exactly come up to "register" and this has been done especially in detective
cameras when using these changing boxes therewith.
Now according to our present improvements we can readily apply and use.
our improved changing box upon any ordinary or suitable cameras without
requiring any modification or alteration in such cameras.
Our present invention is as follows:-
In the back or other convenient part of the changing box case we mount a
sliding cross-bar-a knob or projection on which extends through the back wall
(or other convenient part) of the case so as to be readily grasped and moved
by the operator-this sliding bar on the inside wall of the case at the ends
thereof (or any other convenient point or points) is connected to a plate-lifting
device of any suitable construction and for this purpose we have found the
following carriage or plate-lifting device to be suitable:
'
In each side of the case of the changing box a frame is arranged to slide up
and down the back of this frame is connected to the aforesaid sliding bar
while the other end or front end of this frame in its lowermost position lies
under the foremost plate in the changing box when same is brought up to
register."
<
The said rising frame travels in suitable guideways advantageously in slots on
each side inclined slightly backwards (ie. away from the front of the changing.
box) and a curved spring guiding plate at the top of the exposure aperture
serves to throw back the front plate a little when same is being raised up (for
the purpose of transfer to the back of the series of plates) so as to permit said
plate clearing the top runner of the camera as well as the front frame of
the changing box and the light tight bag where it is attached thereto along
the front.
"
The spring or springs used for forcing the whole of the plates forward so as
to bring the front one exactly up the "register" being released or held back
automatically at the same time and by the same movement that raises the front.
plate

page_text: This operation of the springs is very important and essential to the successful
working of this invention and is as follows:-
Any suitable number of springs may be used in carrying out our invention
but for facility of description we will describe four springs which act as
follows:
Two of the springs are fixed so as to act permanently on the lower part of
the series of plates (towards the sides thereof) and these two springs are
uncontrolled and always pressing the plates forward at the bottom part thereof.
A second pair of springs are arranged to act upon the upper part of the series
of plates so as likewise to push forward the whole series or nest of plates.
These second springs are formed respectively of flat spring steel (or in any
other suitable manner) and are pivottedly mounted on the inside of the back wall
of the changing box-the point where they are pivotted lying underneath the
path of travel of the sliding cross bar which actuates the plate-lifting device so
that when this said sliding cross-bar is at its lowermost position (i.e. the normal
position of this sliding bar when the plate lifting device is out of use and the
front plate brought right up to register) such sliding bar lies across the lower
ends of these pivotted or "rocking" springs the upper and free ends of which
are thus caused to press firmly against the upper part of the back of the series
of plates.
Now when it is desired to raise up the front plate so as to remove same
(by means of the light tight bag or otherwise) round to the back of the
body of plates-directly the sliding bar is moved upwards it passes over the
pivots of the two said rocking" springs and continuing to travel up holds
the upper ends of said springs away from the back of the series of plates and
retains same against the inside of the back of the wall of the changing box.
66
These springs being thus "rocked" out of contact with the back of the series
of plates and spring pressure only remaining on the lower part of the body of
plates the upper part of the whole body of plates can move backwards a little
thus enabling the front plate to be guided clear of the front part of the changing
box case (and the light tight bag) and thereafter such plate can be easily
slipped down at the back of all the other plates-the upper springs being out
of the way.
The sliding cross-bar is then moved down the rocking springs are released and
again press against the whole body of plates at the upper part thereof thus
firmly pressing same forward and bringing the next front plate firmly up to
register," and so on.
"
Thus these rocking springs are brought into operation at the time when they
are required while they are rocked out of contact with the body of plates at
the moment that the exposed front plate is being moved and brought round to
the back so that such plate can be easily withdrawn from the front and also
easily inserted again at the back of the body of plates and as soon as this is
done these rocking springs are again brought into operation to force the whole
body of plates forward so as to register exactly.
The same cross bar and slide that operates these said rocking springs and
the plate-lifting device can also be made to actuate any suitable counting and
automatic locking device such as that for which the said Arthur Lewis Adams
applied for Letters Patent on the 28th May 1892 No. 10191 or any other suitable
counting device or recording apparatus may be adapted and applied with our
present improvements.
Another advantage gained is that by our present improvements we are enabled
to use a very large number of plates in one changing box.
A similar action and effect to the above described "rocking" springs may be
obtained if desired by other equivalent means for instance by non-pivotted springs
forced back by the sliding bar as before or by being attached to the sliding bar
and drawn down thereby so as to thus press back the springs or instead of such
springs we may use arins or levers which at their lower ends are pivotted to

page_text: the back of the changing box and at their upper ends are normally pressed
outwards by a spiral or other suitable spring or springs mounted between the
said pivotted arms and the back of the changing box case-said springs being
controlled and compressed by the raising of the sliding cross-bar as before so as
thus to take the pressure off the back of the series of plates-the object aimed
at in all such arrangements being to withdraw the said springs (or pressure from
same) from the back of the series of plates at the time when the front plate is
being moved round to the back.
It will be obvious that the present invention can be easily adapted and made
to work vice versa, that is the aforesaid side frames or rising frames being
thereby dispensed with and the sliding cross-bar acting direct on the back (or
rearmost) plate to raise same ready to grasp and transfer it to the front position
for exposure so that the series of plates are in such manner one by one moved
round from the back to the front (instead of from front to back) as desired.
Dated this 25th day of August 1892
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Changing. Boxes for
Photographic Cameras.
We, ARTHUR LEWIS ADAMS of 81 Aldersgate Street in the City of London,
Manufacturer of Photographic Apparatus, and JOHN WILLIAM JEYES of
46 Corporation Buildings, Clerkenwell, London E.C. Photographic Camera
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be perfornied to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
66
This invention relates to improvements in or in connection with what are known
as changing boxes" for photographic cameras and our present improvements
relate more particularly to the character of changing box for which Arthur Samuel
Newman received the grant of Letters Patent No. 8329 of 1886 and the object of
our present improvements is to facilitate and improve the working of such changing
boxes (or any other changing boxes to which any part of our improvements are
applicable) and to permit the sensitive films therein to come up exactly to
"register" with the ordinary focussing screens on photographic cameras similar to
the method of using ordinary dark slides.
Hitherto it has been found difficult to use changing boxes of this or a similar
character with the ordinary cameras now in use and it has usually been found
necessary to have an extra or special focussing screen provided for use with such
cameras in order to use such changing box or else it has been found necessary to
specially construct cameras to receive such changing boxes so as to exactly come
up to "register" and this has been done especially in detective cameras when using
these changing boxes therewith.
Now according to our present improvements we can readily apply and use our
improved changing box upon any ordinary or suitable cameras without requiring
any modification or alteration in such cameras.
And in order that our invention may be easily understood and readily carried
into practice we will proceed to fully describe same with reference to the drawings
hereunto annexed.
Fig. 1 is a view-in elevation of the back of a changing box having our present
improvements applied thereto.
Fig. 2 is a view looking in the same direction as Fig. 1-only having the back
entirely removed and thereby showing the interior of the box empty.

page_text: changing box.
owing the pack of praces isIE
Fig. 5 is a view of the inside side of the lid or back removed from Fig. 2.
Figs. 6 to 8 show details-as hereinafter described.
nus
In the back a or other convenient part of the changing box case we mount a
sliding cross-bar b-a knob or projection c on or connected to which extends
through the back wall (or other convenient part) of the case see Figs. 1, 3, and 4
so as to be readily grasped and moved by the operator.
This sliding bar on the inside wall of the case at the ends 6' thereof (or any
other convenient point or points) is connected to a plate-lifting device of any
suitable construction and for this purpose we have found the carriage or plate-
lifting device illustrated in the annexed drawings to be suitable :-
In each side of the case z of the changing box a framed Figs. 7 and 8 is arranged
to slide up and down-a projection e on the back of each frame d entering the
forked end bor is otherwise suitably connected to the aforesaid sliding bar while
the-other or front end of this frame d is bent, at about right angles see Fig. 8 and
in its lowermost position lies under the foremost plate in the changing box when
such plate is brought up to "register."
"
The said rising frame d travels in suitable guideways on each side of the changing
box inclined slightly backwards (i.e. away froin the front of the changing box) and
a curved spring guiding plate at the top h (see Fig. 4) of the exposure aperture
serves to throw back a little the front plate film or the like gl when same is being
raised up (for the purpose of transfer to the back of the series or pack of plates
films or the like y) so as to permit said plate gl clearing the top runner of the
camera as well as the front frame i of the changing box and the edge of the light
tight bag where it is attached thereto along the front. Or as an alternative and
equivalent means of enabling the front plate y' to clear the top runner front
frame and the edge of the light tight bag we have illustrated a rocking frame or
rocking plate holder m see Fig. 2 of the shape (approximately) of the interior
contour of the changing box.
"
""
The bottom m' of this rocking frame m (see Figs. 2 and 4) is hinged at n n so as
to be capable of oscillating or rocking at the point n.
The frame m being connected to the interior of the changing box only at the
point or hinge therefore the upper part of m can rock or move towards and away
from the front i to a limited extent but sufficient to permit the front plate y' when
raised for removal to clear and the edge of j.
Towards the top of m and at the edge next the front i the edges of frame m
(which latter may advantageously be made of thin light sheet metal) at each side
are turned over at right angles to the side walls of m so as to form projecting wings
or pieces see Fig. 2 against which the front plate gl is pushed by the action of the
springs hereinafter described-this rocking frame m when pressed forward in its
normal position lying exactly in the same position as the focussing screen would
оссиру thus bringing the front plate g' exactly up to register or as it is termed
up to focus."
65
This rocking frame m m' is rocked backwards by the projections on the rising
frames d--the upward movement of which is in a backwardly inclined direction-
riding up the front edge of m at each side and consequently the frame m is rocked
backward at the same moment as the front plate is being raised into the light
tight bag j
Or the frame m can be rocked in any other suitable manner for instance by
forming an incline on the lower front edge thereof and then the projections frising
in a vertical line would ride up said inclined edges on m and consequently rock
back the frame m.
The spring or springs used for forcing the whole of the plates g forward so as to
bring the front one g¹ exactly up to "register are applied or held back auto-
matically at the same time and by the same movement that raises the front plate.

page_text: This operation of the springs is very important and essential to the successful
working of this invention and is as follows:-
Any suitable number of springs may be used in carrying out our invention but
for facility of description we will describe six springs which act as follows:-
:-
The two springs oo are permanently fixed so as to act permanently on the
lower part of the series of plates y (towards the sides thereof) and these two
springs are uncontrolled and always pressing the plates g forward at the bottom
part thereof.
A second pair of springs ppare arranged to act upon the upper part of
the series of plates g so as likewise to push forward the whole series or pack of
plates g.
These second springs p p are formed respectively of flat spring steel (or in any
other suitable manner) and are pivottedly mounted at g on the inside of the back
wall a (see Figs. 4 and 5) of the changing box-the point where they are pivotted
lying underneath the path of travel of the sliding cross bar b which actuates the
plate-lifting device df so that when this said sliding cross-bar b is at its lowermost
position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 (i.e. the normal position of this sliding bar b
when the plate-lifting device is out of use and the front plate g₁ brought right up
to register) such sliding bar lies across the lower ends p' of these pivotted or
rocking" springs p the upper and free ends of which are thus caused to press
firmly against the upper part of the back of the series of plates-as shown in
Fig. 4.
$6
,,
Now when it is desired to raise, up the front plate so as to remove same (by
means of the light tight bag j or otherwise) round to the back of the body of
plates directly the sliding bar is moved upwards (by means of knob e on the
vertical slide piece y) it passes over the pivots g of the two said "rocking
springs p p and continuing to travel up holds the upper ends of said springs p p
quite away from the back of the series of plates g and retains same against the
inside of the back wall a of the changing box.
These springs p p being thus "rocked" out of contact with the back of the
series of plates g and spring pressure only remaining on the lower part of the body
of plates the upper part of the whole body of plates can move backwards a little
(the amount of their backward movement being controlled by the second pair of
permanently fixed springs mounted as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 so as thus to
readily permit the introduction behind the pack y of each plate as it is removed
from the front, thus enabling the front plate to be guided clear of the front part of
the changing box case (and the light tight bag) as before explained and thereafter
such plate can be easily slipped down at the back of all the other plates-the
springs p p being out of the way as just previously described.
The sliding cross bar bis then moved down the rocking springs pp are thereby
released and again pressed against the whole body of plates at the upper part
thereof as in Fig. 4 thus firmly pressing same forward and bringing the next front
plate firmly up to "register" and so on.
Thus these rocking springs p p are brought into operation at the time when they
are required, while they are rocked out of contact with the body of plates g at
the moment that the exposed front plate g' is being moved and brought round to
the back so that such plate can be both easily withdrawn from the front and easily
inserted again at the back of the body of plates and as soon as this is done these
rocking springs are again brought into operation to force the whole body of plates
forward so as to register or come up to focus exactly.
and
The same cross bar and slide y that operates these said rocking springs P
the plate-lifting device d e f can also be made to actuate any suitable counting and
automatic locking device such as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 as follows:-
The knob c and vertical slide piece y is connected to the cross bar by the
5 plate the latter and the piece y both moving in parallel vertical planes but held
slightly apart from one another.
Between these vertical slides or plates x and y the end s' of the pawl is held

page_text: and controlled so that each upward travel of ay will cause the pawls to move the
ratchet wheel t one tooth (or it may be more).
Said toothed wheel t is rigidly fixed on the same axis as an index disc having
numbers thereon showing through an aperture in the back a see Fig. 1 (or t may
be geared down to more slowly revolve a larger disc u as desired).
66
وو
Thus each time the sliding bar bis raised to remove a plate (and by the term
'plate we mean any sensitive surface for photographic exposure suitable for use
in a changing box of the character described) thereby the recording dial u shows
a progressive number or sign through the aforesaid aperture on the outside of a
and thus the number of plates exposed or remaining for exposure can be readily
ascertained while when all have been in turn moved into the front position a hole
in the disc or dial u will come under and coincide with an inwardly projecting pin v
on a spring arm w which thereby falls into said hole and locks the dial u from
further movement and through the ratchett and pawls thereby automatically
locks the sliding bar b and thus prevents another plate being moved after all have
been exposed.
By drawing back the free end of the spring w carrying the pin the locking of
the whole plate lifting device is released..)
Or any other suitable counting device of recording apparatus may be adapted
and applied with our present improvements..
Another advantage gained is that by our present improvements, we are enabled
to use a very large number of plates or films or the like in one changing box.
A similar action and effect to the above described "rocking" springs may
be obtained if desired by other equivalent means for instance by non-pivotted
springs forced back by the sliding bar as before or by being attached to the
sliding bar and drawn down thereby so as to thus press back the springs or instead
of such springs we may use arms or levers which at their lower ends are pivotted
to the back of the changing box and at their upper ends are normally pressed
outwards by a spiral or other suitable spring or springs mounted between the said
pivotted arms and the back of the changing box case-said springs being controlled
and compressed by the raising of the sliding cross-bar as before so as thus to
take the pressure off the back of the series of plates-the object aimed at in all
such arrangements being to withdraw the said springs (or pressure from same) from
the upper part of the back of the series of plates at the time when the front plate
is being moved round to the back.
It will be obvious that the present invention can be adapted and made to work
vice versa that is the aforesaid side frames or rising frames being thereby dispensed
with and the sliding cross-bar acting direct on the back (or rearmost) plate to
raise same ready to grasp and transfer it to the front position for exposure so that
the series of plates are in such manner one by one moved round from the back to
the front (instead of from front to back) as desired.
It is to be noted that a very important and essential feature in this invention
is in imparting a rocking or other backward and forward motion to the upper part
of the whole body or pack of plates as thereby we are enabled to bring our front
plate into any recess or desired position in the front of the changing box and thus
we can adjust to a nicety and to any position required for exposure and then by
reason of the rocking or backward movement of the whole pack such front plate
is withdrawn from and clear of the recess or other surrounding and is thus freed
ready to be raised and removed to the back of the pack (or vice versa) while the
next plate to be exposed is pushed right into the recess or frame formed to receive
same in the exact position to correctly register or "focus" and thereafter swung or
moved back for removal as described and so on. Whether this backward and
forward motion of the whole body or pack of plates etc. be imparted to the top
part thereof alone or to the top and bottom parts is immaterial so long as the whole
body or pack of plates etc. be moved sufficiently to permit the said front plate to
clear the top obstructions (which otherwise would prevent the removal of the front
plate) at the same moment as said plate is being mechanically raised.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In changing boxes for photographic cameras-the combination therewith of
rocking springs such as p acting in conjunction with and controlled by a sliding bar
such as arranged and acting substantially in the manner and for the purposes
hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
2. In changing boxes for photographic cameras-the combination of rocking
springs such as p and fixed springs such as o the latter constantly acting on the
back of the body of plates or films and the former capable of being alternately
withdrawn and applied by the action of a sliding bar such as bactuated from the
exterior of the changing box substantially in the manner and for the purposes
described and illustrated in the drawings hereuntō annexed.
3. In changing boxes for photographic cameras the combination with rocking
springs such as p controlled and applied by a sliding bar such as 6 of two rising
frames or devices such as d mounted at opposite sides of the said box each such
frame d having a rearward projection engaging with-
-so as to be actuated by-the
said sliding bar 6 and having also at the front an inward extension or projection
such as situated under the foremost plate or film of the whole pack and adapted
to move said front plate in an upward and rearward direction so as to clear top
obstructions and raise same into a light tight bag substantially in the manner and
for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto
annexed.
4. The combination with a changing box for photographic cameras of a sliding
bar actuated from the exterior and adapted to withdraw spring pressure from the
back of the whole body of plates or films at the upper part thereof and simul-
taneously raise the front plate and means to rock backward the whole body of
plates or films at the same moment so that such front plate has mechanically
imparted thereto a rearward as well as upward motion substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein before set forth.
5. In changing boxes for photographic cameras-means for controlling and
withdrawing the spring pressure from the back of the body or pack of plates or
films when a plate or film is to be changed in combination and acting in conjunc-
tion with means to simultaneously impart a rearward movement to the whole body
or pack of plates and at the same moment mechanically raise.. into the light tight
bag, the plate or film to be changed.
6. The improved changing box for photographic cameras arranged constructed
combined and acting substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
1000
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.