Improvements in and relating to Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th June, 1899-Accepted, 23th Oct., 1899
Improvements in and relating to Photographic Cameras.
A communication from abroad by JEAN GUIDS SIEGRIST, called Guido Sigriste, of
19, Rue Cambon, Paris, in the Republic of France, Artist Painter.
I, JOHN CORRY FELL, of the Firm of Fell and James, of 1, Queen Victoria
Street, in the City of London, Chartered Patent Agents, 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 consists in improvements in photographic cameras and is illus-
trated in the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional plan of the apparatus.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional plan of the magazine of plates.
Figure 3 is a mid-sectional elevation of the apparatus.
Figure 4 is a mid-sectional elevation of the magazine.
Figure 5 shows anterior and longitudinal views of the guiding frame in which
slides the slit shutter.
Figure 6 shows a view of a plate carrier with sections of the same.
Figure 7 16 shows details of the focal plane shutter with sectional views of
the same.
Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the apparatus showing several positions of
the slit.
Figure 9 is an elevation of the speed disc.
Figure 10 is a view of the magazine with counter and stops.
Figure 11 is a view of the disengaging device.
The focal plane shutter D is connected with the objective by means of a non-
actinic envelope E. This envelope is of special construction, for which an appli-
cation for Letters Patent has been filed under No. 24567 of 1898.
The front opening of this envelope is glued on a wooden frame and the other
opening on an aluminium frame covered in part with skin.
The front frame is fitted in the interior of the apparatus to the frame O. Fig. 1
which forms the outer front part of the apparatus at one side by means of a
tongue which enters into a rebate formed in this frame, and at the other side by
means of a small fastener t. This fastener engages in a recess made in the board
supporting the objective.
The frame at the further end of the envelope slidingly carries the focal plane
shutter by means of a bevelled guide and it is held in position by the spring
pin S Fig. 1.
The focal plane shutter D is composed of six pieces d¹, &², d³, d², d³, do,
Fig. 7 and d, d², d³, d, and d³ are connected rigidly together to form the
slit proper. The piece serves to insure the perfect closure of the slit when at
rest, and during the setting of the shutter.
To this piece is fastened the two ends of the transmission cord F. The two ends

page_text: of this cord are fastened to the two spring hooks r¹ and Figs. 7 and 8 by means
of a knot.
The spring hooks are riveted on each side of the piece. It is by means
of these hooks that the shutter is set and released (see Figure 8).
It is set by the interior slide of the magazine and released by the disengaging
lever L, Figures 2, 8 and 11.
The springs s¹² besides being riveted on the piece d³ serve to deaden the shock
of this piece at the closure. They are riveted on ³ in such a way that they
clear the hinder edge of the plate 3 by 3 millimetres.
The object of this arrangement is to retain the movable piece d in the slit,
by means of these springs so that it may be securely shut against the piece 5 when
the shutter is not set, and also insuring the proper start and travel of the
piece and the perfect parallelism of the slit.
The movable piece de regulates the opening of the slit by means of the screw V,
Figures 1 and 8. This screw turns in a screwed block e fixed on the piece d'.
The piece coacts with the piece d' by the two pins c¹ and c³, riveted on the
piece d³.
The focal plane shutter is closed by the two springs and attached on
each side of the piece d' and at the other end to the interior walls of the apparatus.
These two springs also insure the complete opening of the slit at the commence-
ment of the exposure, they regulate the movement of the slit and serve to produce
a complete closure of the slit. In consequence of the provision of these two
springs the shutter will work, no matter what the position of the camera may be.
The movement of the shutter is obtained by the grooved pulley R which is fixed
on a spring barrel B (Fig. 1). The transmission cord is held double in the groove
by a screw Figure 9; it passes thence simply over the guide pulleys P and P2
and is attached at its two ends to the piece d³ of the slit, in the spring hooks
which are fixed on each slide.
The focal-plane shutter moves in a sliding metal frame, see Figure 5. This
frame is composed of six pieces of copper screwed together, see Figs. 1 to 5.
This frame engages in a recess formed in the hinder opening of the apparatus,
it is held there by two metal screws on each side. The top side of the frame
serves to hold the magazine by means of a tongue which enters into a rebate
of the magazine. The exterior sides, right and left, have two slides in order
to receive the pieces and of the focal plane shutter, which ought not in any
case to touch the bottom of these slides. Into the two lower ends is screwed at each
side a clip or hook which serves to hold the magazine on the lower side while
engaging on two springs placed along the lower sides of the magazine (in the
direction of the height).
The two pieces of copper, at the right and left interior, guide the focal plane
shutter; they serve as an abutment to the plate carriers and strengthen the frame-
slide. The lower corner of the frame carries on each side the small screwed
blocks which support the guide-pulleys, and besides two wooden blocks which
serve as abutments to the springs and 2 of the piece of the slit, also
to the metal bearing in which the key of the handle M turns.
་
The side joint serves to make rebate joints with the magazine and these joints
are double.
The speed disc Figure 9 is composed of a copper plate screwed on the external
wall and below the apparatus.
On this plate is placed a toothed circle with twenty teeth in this circle and on
the plate is screwed a circle with twelve notches furnished with a shoulder which
is marked with ten figures which shoulder holds the toothed circle and should
press it lightly. The toothed circle communicates with the slit by means of the
small handle it with one tooth, Figs. 1 and 9 which is fixed by means of a cap
on a tube with a square interior opening into which the screw V of the shutter
This tube turns in a screwed bearing on the metal-frame slide N Figs. 5 and 9.
falls.

page_text: This guide causes the screw V to advance or recede by one millimetre for two
turns and marks by means of the white pin the place on the tenth tooth of
the toothed circle the aperture of the slit in millimetres whilst stopping in front
of the figures marked on the shoulder of the circle with notches.
The lever T winds and unwinds the spring of the barrel B it is stopped in the
notches of the circle and is there maintained pressed by the small spring placed
below the other arm Figure 1. This lever is prevented from making more than
one turn on the dial or from unwinding on the smallest tension by the abutment a
placed on one of the notches of the circle Fig. 9. One of the arms of this lever is
furnished with seven figures which indicate millimetres and in front of the figures
and diagonally opposite to the notches of the circle are. marked figures which
indicate fractions of a second.
If then it is wished to give to the shutter the speed indicated by one of the
figures indicating a fraction of a second, one notes in front of which numeral on
the lever this figure is found. Let us take in the present case the figure 150
which is found opposite No. 10 on the lever. In consequence, if one wishes to
obtain the 150th part of a second it is necessary that the slit should work at
10 millimetres opening. It is necessary then for this effect that the white pin
of the circle should be opposite No. 10 marked on the shoulder of the notched
circle.
This effect is obtained by turning the handle either forwards or backwards after
having disengaged it by slight pressure from the finger of the spring n
on which the guide rests at each turn by means of a small screwed claw below
the handle and which falls into a small hole in the spring.
The figures marked on the disc which indicate fractions of a second are white
and red represented underlined on the drawings.
The white figures apply to the case when the apparatus works with the disc
below and the red figures when the apparatus works with the disc above. The
shutter moves less quickly in the latter position.
There are also red and white figures which are underlined as an indication of
position, indicating that the speeds thus marked will be able to give a good
photograph in the shade and that the others will only be of use in the sun.
One can equally mark on the arm of the lever remaining unoccupied information
for use when using diaphragms. This would indicate on passing from this mark
towards the centre all the figures met would give a good photograph and that one
should never take those met with outside the circle described by this mark.
The magazine which is detachable from the apparatus is constructed according
to the drawing in Figs. 2, 4, 10 and 11. It rests in the apparatus by means of
a copper rebate screwed to the lower part of the top which engages with a metal
tongue of the frame slide of the apparatus. On each lower side of the magazine
are placed two springs which rest on the iron claws which are screwed on the
frame slide of the apparatus see Fig. 3 and 5. On the apparatus and in the place
convenient on the right and left above these claws two spurs are attached in order
to disengage the springs from the claws when it is desired to take out the
magazine.
The disengaging device, the automatic counter and the stops of the magazine
are shown in Fig. 10 and 11.
The changing drawer is held in the magazine by a small spring y of which one
disengages before changing by pressing towards the handle on the small
block y. The plate holder is of the form shewn in Fig. 6.
Films can also be used with my magazine in the following manner. On the
interior upper wall of the magazine is arranged a rebate in which slides a double
metallic angle piece. The arms or flanges of this piece are arranged to receive
the film spool or bobbin. One of the arms has further a very slender spring
barrel with a notched circumference and a spring detent which is adapted to
prevent the bobbin fixed on the barrel turning so as to roll up the film.
The axis of the barrel is disposed in such a way that a thread of 12 centimetres

page_text: length can be lodged in a groove on the circumference of this axis and exterior
to the barrel. On the interior lower walls of the magazine is also arranged a
rebate on which slides a second angle piece which carries a cylinder for receiving
the film. This cylinder has at its side a groove in which is fixed the other end
of the thread of the barrel. The cylinder has also a notched circumference and
a spring stop detent which prevents the cylinder turning so as to unwind the film.
The first angle piece carries also three small loose cylinders. Two of these
serve to guide the film as near as possible to the focal plane shutter; the third
being placed near to the second serves to prevent the rubbing of the sensitive
surface against the screen of the magazine at the time of release and feed; that
is, the time of change.
The feed of the film will be done in the same way as for the plates in pulling
out and replacing the drawer. The counter of the magazine has in this case a
second small notched wheel above the first, which will mark the tenths. The
first will be marked with 9 numbers and an 0 and will carry on its side facing
to the second wheel a small claw placed between the No. 9 and 0.
Simple frames can be employed with my apparatus in the following manner.
In the place of the magazine a loader or charger can be hung that is to say
a board which has a front exactly similar to the face of the magazine. It has
disengaging levers like the magazine and a second board which slides in the
first to follow the drawer. On this second board will be arranged a ledge to
receive a plate carrier in the form of a cigar box.
The lens is fixed on a board which is engaged by groove on the apparatus.
It is retained in place by a rectangular pin which closes at the same time the
joint at the side of the entrance.
In the case of a lens with great focal length, one replaces this board by a
small pyramidal box which is fixed on the apparatus in the same way as the
boards see Fig. 3.
On three sides of the apparatus and on the frame which closes the apparatus
in front are screwed in front of the lens small wooden blocks which carry metal
sliding hooks to slide there at whatever speed see H. Fig. 1.
The apparatus can be constructed of any size, its exterior form can also be
square. One can replace the spring of the barrel and the barrel itself by a special
spring which one would fix at one end to the apparatus and at the other to the
wheel R. One can also replace the wheel by two levers and make the screw of the
slit communicate with the disc by a system of gearing by means of toothed
wheels, but this means requires more exactness in construction and is more
expensive.
The method of taking a photograph is as follows:-
The magazine is first detached from the apparatus in the following manner.
The apparatus is placed on a table, the objective uppermost and the handle
facing the operator. The operator then takes hold of the magazine part with both
hands, he displaces with his thumbs the springs placed outside on the right and
left of the length of each lower side of the magazine where are attached the
spurs, Figs. 3 and 5, in order to disengage them from the claws which are fixed
on the apparatus. At the same time he raises with his two fingers that remain
free the apparatus part exerting pressure upon it in order to disengage the metal
tongue placed the length of the top side of the rebate arrangement attached along
the top side of the magazine Figs. 1 and 2.
The apparatus is immediately detached from the magazine which remains on
the table.
He then ascertains whether the automatic counter of the magazine is on the
No. 12, and if it is not he draws the drawer of the magazine to the bottom and
pushes it back about 5 centimetres, he will repeat this movement as many times
as necessary to mark the No. 12.
He then takes the magazine, the apparatus and the plate carriers into the
photographic room where he furnishes the latter with sensitive plates and piles

page_text: them in proportion in the empty drawer of the magazine with the sensitive
side upwards. When the twelfth is put in, the drawer of the magazine is
exactly filed up to the edge, he then takes the apparatus which he had carefully
placed at his side, from the right he places it on the magazine in its recess and
while guiding it with the thumb of his left hand he makes the metal tongue
re-enter into the rebate of the magazine, Figs. 1 and 2. He then presses lightly
on the apparatus in order to engage the spurs with the springs and the apparatus
is very firmly fixed on the magazine and without the least possibility of play.
The charging of the apparatus is of the most simple nature and it can be
easily done in complete darkness thus avoiding any chance of accident and allow-
ing of the most sensitive plates being used.
In order to take a photograph it is sufficient to draw the drawer well to the
bottom by means of the handle, while previously pressing the spring block y
Fig. 2 with the remaining thumb that is free and then to push it back quickly.
The shutter will immediately be found to be set and the counter of the magazine
will register No. 0. In order to take a view it is only necessary to cause disengage-
ment by pressing the detent L Fig. 2 as one would do in the case of a gun. To
take another view the drawer is drawn out again, and pushed back and disengage-
ment is effected and so on.
This apparatus then only requires a single movement between each exposure
it changes the exposed plate, counts it and sets the shutter by the sole to-and-fro
movement of the drawer of the magazine. It does away with the danger of
taking two different views on the same plate and the way in which the detent is
attached prevents accidental exposure.
The setting and release of the shutter is effected in the following manner:-
When the drawer of the magazine is drawn out the two spring hooks Figure 8
fall in front of the left and right sides of the drawer and are hooked by them
when the drawer is pushed back, they are then brought in front of the two arms
of the lever of the detent L Figs. 8 and 11 when the drawer is shut. As these two
spring hooks are fixed firmly on the shutter, they bring back the latter also:
they set the shutter. If now the detent L is pressed the arms of the lever which
push the two spring hooks are raised above the edges of the drawer and the
shutter is no longer held back, and the plate is drawn up lengthwise on each side
by the cord of the grooved pulley R, Figs. 1 and 8.
The spring back y Figure 2 prevents the drawer from reopening under the
pressure of the hooks r of the shutter.
The method of changing the speed is hereinbefore described.
In order to facilitate the employment of the speed disc the handle side of the
magazine is furnished with a small tablet which indicates the speed of the best
known moving subjects, known as Jackson's table. The speeds are there inscribed
in known figures on the disc, they indicate fractions of a second. They are marked
for each subject moving perpendicularly to the line of sight and from
for 100,
75, 50 and 25 focus. Those marked with an asterisk can be executed in cloudy
weather.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1st. In a photographic camera a non actinic envelope and shutter fitted to the
interior of the apparatus substantially as described.
2nd. In a photographic camera as claimed in Claim 1 the arrangement of the
slit shutter solid with the non actinic envelope substantially as described.
3rd. In a photographic camera the arrangement of indicator of speed of the
shutter substantially as described and illustrated.
4th. In a photographic camera the arrangement of spring wheel with one or
more transmissions threads for operating the slit shutter substantially as described.
5th. In a photographic camera a detachable magazine, a detachable magazine
•

page_text: fitted with plate carriers, counter and stops substantially as described and
illustrated.
6th. In a photographic camera the means for lengthening the apparatus con-
sisting of pyramid sections substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 10th day of June 1899.
FELL & JAMES,
Agents for the Applicant.