Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application. 23rd June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 28th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 13th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
A communication from HUGO THÜMLER, of 82, Potsdamerstrasse, Berlin, in the
Empire of Germany, Manufacturer.
I. ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holhorn, in the County of Middlesex,
M.L.M.E. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object sought to be attained in devising this improved photographic camera is
to combine the greatest possible economy with the advantages of a camera capable of
being folded together in a compact form so as to occupy a minimum of space when
stored up for subsequent use or transport.
To obtain this result the camera is preferably made solely of paper and cardboard.
A bellows of cylindrical shape made of preferably black paper impervious to light, is
Into
folded in the same manner as is usual in the manufacture of Japanese lanterns.
one of the folds a cardboard disc is inserted and suitably fixed by means of paste etc.
In the centre of this disc is fitted an ordinary landscape lens.
A few folds of the bellows, remain free in front of the disc and the front end of the
bellows is pasted onto a square plate or sheet of cardboard in such a manner as to
prevent the admission of light at the joint and in the centre of which sheet of card-
board is provided a circular aperture for the admission of light. This wall fulfils the
purpose of a blind or shutter for the object glass.
The opposite end of the bellows is also closed by means of a square sheet of
cardboard pasted or otherwise attached thereto so as to shut out all light at the joint.
This sheet or plate is externally provided with a cardboard frame the thickness of
which should be somewhat in excess of the usual thickness of the glass plates used
for emulsions and to the outer surface of this frame another plate or sheet is secured.
Both the cardboard sheets at the inside and outside of the before mentioned frame
are provided with corresponding central openings, preferably of circular shape, whose
size is proportioned according to the space the image is to occupy upon the negative
plates. A square dry plate is inserted through the upper opening in the before
mentioned frame into a dark space provided for the purpose between the two last
mentioned sheets. The upper end of the outer sheet is extended so as to form a cover
or lid which carries on its inner side a piece corresponding to the portion which is
wanting in the side of the frame which side piece, when the said cover or lid is lifted,
grasps the upper edge of the dry plate so as to hold the latter in position.
To prevent access of light to the dry plate when the camera is exposed to daylight
a narrow lid of a suitable fabric or strong paper is placed upon the front edges of the
cardboard sheets, while a piece or cover suspended from the said narrow lid is placed
against the rearinost sheet which is made smaller on the sides and its lower edge than
the frame and the sheet at the inner side of said frame. This deficiency is supplied by
strips provided on the sides and the lower edge of the cover which strips thus
effectively shut out the light around the sheet. Two indiarubber bands attached to the
rear of the cardboard sheet are passed over the cover at its top and bottom parts
respectively whereby the dry plate is securely locked in position.
The bellows has a tendency to remain in its central compressed position, so that
when it is extended beyond this normal limit, it exercises a spring action upon two
stops diagonally fixed by means of flexible ties preferably of fabric each to one side
of the front of the camera, and compresses the same between the sheets front and
back of the camera.
These two stops consist of cardboard strips and are of such length, that, when it is
desired to obtain sharply defined photographic impressions they extend the camera
exactly to the required extent.

page_text: When upon opening the lids and at the back of the camera a ground glass plate is
inserted in lieu of a dry plate the photographic impression received by the camera
may be inspected through the wide opening in the rearmost sheet.
For the purpose
of throwing light upon the emulsion plate a lid or door is arranged in front of the
opening in the front plate and adapted to be raised and lowered as desired.
To enable the camera to be readily moved from place to place all the lids are closed,
and the before mentioned stops are disconnected and swung about their flexible hinges
and laid flat against the front plate.
The bellows is then compressed and attached to the rear of the door which is at
the back of the camera by means of an indiarubber band the whole being thus made
to assume a compact form. The rubber band passed over the front sheet or plate
across the stops and across the door or lid at the front of the camera also serves to
secure the latter in position, and the whole camera being by such means reduced to a
portable size, may be easily carried about in the pocket or otherwise.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
A communication from HUGO THÜMLER, of 82, Potsdamerstrasse, Berlin, in the
Empire of Germany, Manufacturer.
1, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.1.M.E., 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:-
The improvements in photographic apparatus forming the subject of this invention
consist of a folding pocket camera, the bellows of which is made of paper impervious
to light and folded after the fashion of the well-known Japanese paper lanterns.
In the accompanying drawing-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved camera in its extended condition, and
Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same in its folded up or closed form.
a is a frame or case adapted to receive a dry plate, which may be inserted into it
either through the top or through one of the sides. The front opening of the case or
frame a is covered over by the bellows attached to it so as to effectively shut out the
light. This bellows is made of dark-coloured paper impervious to light and may be
of circular or square section. Its main folds are circumferential or perpendicular to
the focal axis of the camera while to impart increased rigidity to it, it is also provided
with folds or creases parallel with the local axis or at right angles to the main folds
as will be readily understood by referring to Fig. 1. Within the bellows is arranged
a disc or diaphragm d in the central opening of which is fitted a lens e. To the
end of the bellows is attached a plate also impervious to light, but provided with
an opening for the admission of light when required, which opening is normally closed
by a blind or shutter g.
When folded as shown in Fig. 2, the camera is retained in its compact condition by
means of straps, bands or the like, and may conveniently be carried in the pocket.
When it desired to take a photograph, the bellows bis first stretched out to its
full extent and to counteract its tendency to return to its closed position owing to the
natural elasticity of the folded paper, as also to secure the lens e at the required
distance from the dry plate contained in the frame a, special stays or stiffeners kare
applied thereto. These stiffeners or stays may either be permanently attached or
pivoted to one side of the frame a or carried loose and bent at one or both ends, so
as, when required, to enter holes or eyes provided for the purpose in or on the frame a
and plate for it may simply bear against the latter.

page_text: The bellows is thereby stiffened and at the same time the desired length of extension
is ensured. When loose, the stays must be put away separately.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to nie by my
foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A folding photographic pocket camera consisting of a bellows of paper
impervious to light folded somewhat like Japanese paper lanterns, such bellows con-
taining a plate or diaphragm d having a lens e fitted therein and its length of extension
being adjustable by means of stiffeners or stays substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a photographic pocket camera the combination with a bellows provided with
main folds perpendicular to and smaller folds parallel with the focal axis of the camera
of a frame, a plate or diaphragm a lens perforated front plate shutter and a stay
or stiffener substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 28th day of October 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.