Improvements in or relating to Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 9th Mar,, 1895
Improvements in or relating to Photographic Cameras.
A communication from ALFRED CONSTANTINE KEMPER, Merchant, 208, Lake
Street, Chicago, Cook County, State of Illinois, United States of America.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 improvements in pocket cameras in which photographic
negatives are taken upon a strip of sensitized film; and my object is to provide a
camera of a size so small that it may be conveniently carried about in the pocket
and be at the same time a highly effective and desirable device for its purpose, easy
to operate and of a strong, durable and comparatively inexpensive construction.
In the drawings—
Figure is a perspective view of my improved camera, with the perforated
exposure-cap removed and laid to one side ;
Figure 2, a section of the device, with the perforated exposure cap in place,
taken on line 2 of Figure 1;
Figure 3, a rear end elevation of the device;
Figure 4, a plan view of an inner roll holder-frame or casing, forming one of the
details of construction;
Figure 5, a side elevation of the inner casing;
Figure 6, a detail view of a roller locking plate;
Figure 7, a side elevation of the front section of the inclosing case;
Figure 8, a broken section showing one of the film carrying rollers;
Figure 9, an elevation of the inner casing at the side opposite that shown in
Figure 5;
Figure 10, a section taken on line 10 of Figure 9 ;
Figure 11, an inner face view of a removable cap for closing an opening in the
rear end of the device ;
Figure 12, one of the film guiding rollers;
Figure 13, a removable mat;
Figure 14, a section on line 14 of Figure 2 showing the front inner face portion
of the inclosing case; and
Figure 15, a removable platform.
The casing of the device is in two readily separable parts A and B; A being the
front portion and B the rear portion and roll-holder. When made of metal, which
is preferred, the frout A and part B are preferably formed by stamping them; and,
fastened in the part A is a ferrule A'. The ferrule fits closely and slides in the
part B, until the meeting edges of the parts A and B come in contact, and the
construction insures an absolutely light excluding or light-tight joint between the two
parts. In the front side A is a central opening t, into which is fitted and fastened
a short circumferentially threaded tubular piece s projecting beyond the front A²
and having a central opening s¹. Fitting upon the outer end of the tubular
projections is a lens r held in place by an inner cap-piece q, which is threaded on
its inner surface to engage the thread on the tubular projection or lens beds. The
inner cap-piece q holds the lens firmly in place and has a central opening ?' which
registers with and is of approximately the same size as the opening s¹. Fitting over
the inner cap-piece is an outer cap-piece, or time exposure cap p, having a

page_text: comparatively small central opening pl. C is a swinging shutter, preferably of the
form shown in Figure 14. The shutter is fastened at one corner to an arbor n
which fits and turns in an opening t' in the front plate A². At its inner end the
arbor has a reduced and preferably squared portion n¹ which passes through a
correspondingly squared opening in the shutter. The shutter is confined against
the shoulder of the arbor by upsetting the part n' over the inner face of the
shutter, and the latter is thus held in rigid relation to the arbor. At its outer end
the arbor is reduced and preferably squared to receive the cup-shaped portion n² of
a lever or latch C₁, having a bent catch engaging arm n³. The latch is held to the
arbor, in rigid relation therewith, by means of a screw n which extends into a
threaded socket in the end of the arbor. Fastened upon the case at its spring arm
portion m is a catch C² having a segmental head-portion m¹ describing an arc of
which the arbor n is the center. At its opposite ends and center the head-
portion m is provided with latch-engaging notches or stops m³, m³ and m², as
indicated. In the shutter C is an oblong segmental opening (³, which in the
passage of the shutter, as it is swung from one side to the other, registers with the
opening s¹.
Housed in the cup-shaped part of the latch C' is a coiled spring r³,
fastened at opposite ends, respectively, to the front plate A2 and latch. The
spring n tends normally to turn the latch, arbor and shutter to the position
wherein the latch engages the notch m³, and the shutter closes the opening sas
shown in Figure 14. The latch may be turned, against the resistance of the
spring, to engage with the notch m³, wherein the shutter opening registers with the
openings, or it may be turned to engage the notch m, wherein the shutter,
at its part on the opposite side of its opening C³, closes the opening s¹.
casing, just within the shutter, is a diaphragm D having a central opening D¹
In the
registering with, and somewhat larger than, the openings. Beyond the path of
the shutter is a separating-plate D2, interposed between the front plate A² and
diaphragm D, to maintain the diaphragm, which is placed against it, close to but
out of contact with the shutter so that it will not interfere with the free movement
of the latter.
In the roll-holder portion B is an inner frame or casing E formed with a base-
plate l, turned-up sides kk', and turned-up springy ends i.
The frame E may be
fastened in place, so that its turned up sides and ends will be approximately
equidistant from the adjacent inner walls of the casing, by means of rivets
passing through the base and back-plate B₁ of the casing. In the back plate B¹
is a comparatively large opening B2, and registering therewith in the base-plate /
of the frame E is a somewhat smaller opening E' provided with offsets E. The
opening B² E is closed by a removable plug or cap-piece B³ formed of an outer
plate h, having a flanged edge h', which overlaps the edge of the opening B² and
extends into a shallow annular recess B4 in the back B', and an inner plate h², to fit
the opening E, provided with radial clamping projections ³. The plates and ³
are fastened together by rivets which form knobs on the outer side of the plate h.
To insert the plug or cap-piece B³ in place it is placed in the opening in a manner
to cause its clamping projections ³ to pass through the recesses or offsets E³, and
it is then turned to cause the clamping projections to pass behind the plate l. The
plug may be readily turned by pressing the knobs with the finger-uails and the
edges of the recesses E2 may be beveled as indicated in Figure 4, so that as the plug
is turned it will be drawn tightly into place and be thoroughly light-excluding,
F F are the film rollers, provided at their outer ends with thumb-knobs g,
presenting annular shoulders g¹, and provided at their inner ends with annular
recesses g². Between their ends the rollers are provided with longitudinally
extending film-engaging slots g³, which extend through the shank portions g.
The shanks are cut away at one side of their slots 93, as shown in Figure 2,
to present beveled surfaces 9 which facilitate the insertion of the ends of the
sensitized strips into the slots, by causing the opposite edges of the slots
to present projecting guide shoulders. In the roll holder casing B, at one
side are two round openings g just large enough to receive the shank-portions

page_text: of the film-rollers F F", and around the openings are recesses 97 (Figure 8) just
large enough to receive the shoulder-portions of the rollers. In line with the
said openings are openings in the side k of the inner frame, and openings k³ in
the side k The rollers are just long enough to extend with their recesses 92
beyond the side k¹, when their shoulders g engage the shoulders formed by the
bases of the recesses 9' in the outer surface of the roll-holder. The rollers are
fastened in place by means of a spring-plate f, curved longitudinally, to a slight
extent, and having slotted openings f just large enough to pass over the recessed
portions g² of the rollers. The plate is passed with its concave face against the
side to engage at its slots with the roller recesses g²; and when in place an
ear on the plate springs into and engages an opening in the side. The
plate at its center bears against the side k', and its springy end portions tend to
draw the rollers inward whereby their shoulders g' bear closely against the case in
the recesses g and form light excluding joints at the openings. The sides kk
are formed with central inward projecting flanges affording shelves ³, and near
opposite ends they are provided with recesses kek. Resting on the shelves ³ is a
removable platen or platform e, and at opposite edges of the platform are removable
rollers e provided at their ends with recesses e which fits into the recesses
The free edge-portions of the ends are bent to afford inclined or rounded
shoulders and rounded projections 2, one of which is provided with a recess 2³ in
its end. G is a mat having an opening G1 and beveled or rounded ends G2, at
which it fits under the rounded or inclined shoulders of the ends i. Owing to the
springy character of the ends i the mat may be sprung into place, and the inclined
shoulders will tend to press the mat yieldingly toward the platforme. The opposite
end portions of the side extend above or beyond the surface of the platform e,
while the side k does not extend at any part beyond the said platform. The mat
when in place extends against the stops afforded by the projecting parts of the
side k¹, and may be readily removed by sliding it from the shoulders over the
side k. As shown in Figures 9 and 13, the mat is shaped the same at opposite
sides and edges, so that either side may be at the platform and either edge at the
stops, which makes the insertion of the mat into place, while in a dark-room,
easy to accomplish.
k².
To insert a strip H of sensitized film into position the parts A and B are
separated, and the mat, platen e and rollers e¹ are removed from the roll-holder.
The film is then inserted at one end into the slot g³ of one roller, say the roller F¹
and wound thereon until the opposite end of the film is reached, the latter being
inserted into the slot g³ of the roller F. While being wound upon the roller F,
the film is caused to pass through the recess in the spring end, whereby it is
guided to wind evenly upon the roller. The platen e and rollers e' e² are then
passed beneath the film into position, and the film is then tightened across the
platform and rollers e¹ e² by turning the roller F¹. The mat G is then sprung into
place to bear yieldingly against the film so that the latter will extend flat across the
platen. The rollers F F, work in their bearings with sufficient friction to maintain
the film well stretched and taut across the rollers el e² and platen, the rollers e¹ e² are
roughened and the roller e' is provided with a pin e which wipes across a spring
click fastened at e upon the side k. The part A is then passed at its ferrule
portion A into the roll-holder, the ferrule having recesses A³ which pass over
the rollers F F at the side k. The ferrule passes between the inner frame E and
outer casing of the roll holder, and the spring projections bear against the inner
surfaces of the ferrule to hold the parts in place with desired firmness.
The device is constructed with a view of making negatives which though small,
shall possess a high degree of perfection. The outer casing when the two parts
thereof are telescoped together and the shutter closed is absolutely light-tight, and
the inner surfaces are blackened to render them non-lightreflecting. The
diaphragm D may be of blackened card-board or hard-rubber, and serves to prevent
the penetration of light into the case around the shutter; and the construction of
the plug or cap B³ prevents leakage of light through the back of the case. The

page_text: mat G is preferably black and of gutta-percha, and the opening through it, which
determines the boundaries of the negative may be either round, square or hexagonal.
Removal of the exposure cap p enlarges the opening at the outer surface of the
lens; and removal of the inner cap q gives access to the lens whereby it may be
cleaned when desired without disturbing the shutter.
To take a picture, the shutter catch is turned to the notch m³, care being used
by the operator to hold his finger over the lens opening while doing so, to prevent
access of light to the case. The device is held in the hand and pointed at the
object to be photographed, in the usual way, and pressure is exerted upon the
catch to cause the latch C₁ to spring from the notch m¹ to the notch m².
The spring n is of the proper resilience, and the shutter opening C³ of the proper
dimensions to produce the proper length of exposure for snap or instantaneous
views and the face of the sensitized film is just far enough from the lens to give
the proper universal focus. The result of the exposure with the proper conditions
of light, will be a negative substantially as perfect as those produced in the use
of the best cameras of a larger size. For longer exposures the latch may be
turned to the notch m³ and sprung at the proper time. Before taking a second
negative the film must be wound upon the roller F a distance equal to the length of
the negative taken. To guide the operator the roller e' may have a circumferential
measurement equal to say one-third the diameter of the opening G¹, whereby at
the third sound of the click he will know that the negative has passed beyond the
mat opening.
The device as I prefer to construct it is about one and five-eighths inches
square and two inches long; the mat opening measures about one and one eighth
inches across; the platen is about one and one quarter inches from the lens; and
the rollers will hold a film capable of receiving twenty-five or more negatives.
When the film is filled it may be withdrawn in a dark-room and developed, and
a fresh film inserted into the roll-holder, as described. If desired, the film when
filled with negatives and developed, may be photographed upon a transparent strip
and the strip inserted into the device, the platen e and plug or cap B³ removed,
and the latch C¹ turned to the notch m³ so that the pictures may be viewed
through the lens. The lens magnifies the picture and renders it particularly
distinct; and as the opening p', which is of the proper size for time exposures, is
rather too small for convenience in placing the lens to the eye, the cap p may be
removed. The cap p should also be removed in making snap or instantaneous
exposures.
Where a person wishes to provide himself with several roll-holders B, so as not
to have the trouble of taking out and inserting films, while upon a journey, for
example, telescoping caps constructed like the part A' with the recesses A³, but
without the lens and shutter mechanisms may be employed upon the extra roll-
holders to protect the films therein. When the film of the roll-holder in the
camera is filled, the cap, described, of an extra roll-holder may be removed
therefrom, in a dark place, the extra roll-holder put into the camera in place of
the one that has been in use, and the cap taken from the extra roll-holder may be
placed on the one that has been filled to protect the negatives. Thus several
roll-holders
may be employed with the same part A¹.
While the click is desirable it may be dispensed with, and the rollers e¹² also.
If the rollers e¹² are not employed the platen should be of greater width than
that shown, and its edges should be rounded so that the film will be guided to slide
readily over them without danger of injury.
I prefer to construct the device throughout as shown and described, it may
however be modified in the matter of details of construction without departing
from the spirit of my invention as defined by the claims.
What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is-
1. In a camera, a casing formed with a front part A and a rear part, or roll-
holder R
the
manto
n
1

page_text: meeting edges, an exposure opening and shutter in the part A, an inner frame E
in the part B having sides parallel with and out of contact with the sides of the
part B, film-rollers extending through openings in one side of the part B and
through coincident bearing openings in the side of the frame E, and supports
on the frame E for a removable mat and platen, substantially as described.
2. In a camera, the combination with the casing provided with an exposure
opening, of a swinging shutter at said opening inside the casing, an arbor n to
which the shutter is rigidly secured extending through and journaled in the casing,
a cup-shaped latch secured to the arbor on the outside of the case, a coiled spring
housed by the latch, and a spring catch on the case with which the latch engages
when turned against the resistance of the spring, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
3. In a camera such as described, a roll-holder forming the part B of the
casing, and provided with an inner frame having a base, at which it is secured to
the part B, sides provided with bearings for the film-rollers and supporting
shelves for a platen, and springy ends provided with inclined shoulders to receive
a removable mat and press it in the direction of the platen, substantially as
described.
4. In a camera such as described, a roll-holder forming the part B of the
casing, and provided with an inner frame, having a base, at which it is secured
to the part B, sides provided with bearings for the film-rollers, bearings for film
guiding rollers and supporting shelves for a platen, and springy ends provided
with inclined shoulders to receive a removable mat and press it in the direction
of the platen, substantially as described.
5. In a camera such as described, a roll-holder, forming the part B of the
casing, having film-roller bearing openings surrounded by recesses and an
inner frame having sides provided with roller-bearing openings, in combination
with film-rollers, having knobs gat one end provided with shoulders g', and
recesses at their opposite ends, and a spring plate bearing against the frame
and engaging the recesses g² and operating to hold the rollers at their shoulders g¹
against the outer surface of the casing in the recesses 97, substantially as
described.
6. In a camera such as described, a roll-holder forming the part B of the casing
and provided with an inner frame having a base, sides kk' and spring ends i
formed with inclined shoulders i, in combination with a removable mat having
inclined ends to fit under the said shoulders, substantially as described.
7. In a camera such as described, a roll-holder provided with an inner frame E,
having film-roller bearing sides k k¹ and an end i provided with a film-guiding
recess, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a camera such as described, a roll-holder forming the part B of the casing,
provided with an inner frame having a base, sides formed with shelves k³,
film roller bearing openings, and guide roller bearing slots 6 k7, and springy
ends formed with inclined shoulders i, in combination with film rollers F, F', in
the said film roller bearings, a removable platen e on the shelves k³, removable
mat G fitting between the shoulders i, guide-rollers e¹ in the bearing slots kok, a
spring click on the frame, and a click engaging projection on one of the guide-
rollers e, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. The combination with a roll-holder B, provided with film-rollers, for use in a
camera, of a removable light-tight cap for the roll-holder, to telescope therewith,
and provided with recesses A³ to pass over the rollers, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this 5th day of February 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.