Improvements in and relating to Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Nov., 1899-Accepted, 30th Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Photographic Cameras.
I, HERBERT SMYTH, of 37, Ravenscourt Gardens, Ravenscourt Park, London, W.,
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 cameras stereoscopic cameras and
more especially to the shutters and changing apparatus therefor the said shutters
being adapted both for time and instantaneous exposures and in order that my
invention may be clearly understood reference is to be had to the accompanying
drawings in which
Figure represents a front view of the shutter in its normal position part of
the camera case or body being removed.
Figure 2 is a similar view, but with the parts set ready for time exposure.
Figure 3 is an irregular sectional view of the changing apparatus with one plate
partly changed. Figure 4 is a plan view of the counting devices.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.
Referring to Figure 1 which represents the shutter in its normal position A is
the body or case of the camera a slide or shutter but provided with apertures
corresponding to the openings in the brackets c. bis another slide, sliding
upon but provided with longitudinal rectangular openings. The dotted
circles M represent the lenses.
The
In order to set the shutter it is necessary that the slide G Figure 3 should be
pulled out thereby pulling the slide by means of the cord or gut connected
to said slide G and slide the cord or gut passing over suitably arranged pulleys
and with it the slide the end of the slide engaging with the projection a
until the projection 2 on slide passes under and raising the arm e pivoted
at e and the arm & pivoted at then engages with the hook the spring
bringing the levers or arms and back to their original position.
handle G being now pushed back the slide under the action of its spring is
returns until stopped by its arm butting against the bracket at . The
shutter is now set for a time exposure. To operate the shutter the rod //
sliding in bracket is pushed inward against the arm thereby moving the
hook out of engagement with the projection the slide under the action of
its spring moves backward till stopped by its projection engaging with the
nose of the lever c which resting on the lever d by its projection is raised
at the same time, the shutter is thus held open. To close the shutter the rod d
is pushed further thus raising the lever and lever e with its projection
the guides of the lever & till the nose is clear of the projection
the slide b. the slide is now carried back closing the aperture c¹ until stopped
by the projection of the slide b.
in
of
To work the shutter for instantaneous exposure it is only necessary to raise
the nose of the lever e out of the path of the projection 62. This is effected
by pulling the lead ft of the slide the projection thereon bearing against

page_text: the nose e¹ of the lever c forcing the said nose et downward. f' and ƒ are slots
and guiding pins respectively.
Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 illustrating the changing mechanism A is
the body or case of the camera A' the division plate or partition G G are slide
bars one on each side of the camera and connected at their outer extremity by
the handle G*. gg are fillets on the said slides G working in the groove A*
of the camera body, H represents the slides or plates the same being fitted in
metal cases.
The operation of the changing apparatus is as follows:
The compartment A6 having been charged with a suitable number of plates
the same kept close together and pressed down upon the slides G G under the
influence of the spring A3. In the compartment A5 is the blank plate T likewise
pressed down on the slides G G by the spring A³ in said compartment.
The handle G is pulled outwards and at the same time the hooks g of
slide G G engage the rear end of the bottom plate H in the compartment A, the
roller grotating on the spindle lifting the blank plate J so as to allow the
bottom slide H to slide underneath said blank plate. When the slide G has
been pulled out to its full extent the stop L2 under the influence of the spring L
round the guide rods L in the partition A descends and prevents the plate
returning on the slide G being pushed back and so retains the slide H in the
compartment A³.
The roller on the slides G G being pushed back, force their way under
the plate H just withdrawn and thence under the stop L³ raising the same and
keeping it in its raised position until the next plate has been started on its way
to the compartment A³.
To count the number of views taken the case or body of the camera is provided
with an opening A2 covered with ruby glass on the sides of the said opening
is a scale with numbers corresponding to the number of slides in the change
box and upon the blank plate J is a mark or pointer J so that as slides are
pushed under the said blank their number can be easily read off.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of
I declare that what I claim is:-
my said invention
(1) In photographic cameras the use of time and instantaneous shutters com-
bined and arranged substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
(2) In photographic cameras the means for setting the shutter thereof for time
and instantaneous exposures substantially as described.
(3) The improved method of and apparatus for changing plates in photographic
cameras substantially as set forth.
(4) The arrangement in photographic cameras of the means for telling the
number of views taken substantially as set forth.
(5) In photographic change boxes the means substantially as described for
preventing more than one plate from passing from one compartment to another.
(6) The changing box constructed substantially as described with reference
to the drawing and operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 31st day of October 1899.
ALBERT E. ELLEN,
For Inventor,
118, Fenchurch Street, London, E.C.