Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
"
I, MAGNUS NIELL, Engineer, of Maze Lodge, Forest Road, Kew, in the County
of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention has reference more particularly to hand cameras for
taking instantaneous pictures, and comprises an arrangement for giving a
flash-light, whereby pictures may be taken without the aid of the sun. It
comprises also an arrangement for speedily expanding the camera into opera-
tive position, on releasing a catch; the whole construction being capable of
compression into an exceedingly small compass.
In carrying out my invention, I employ a camera having a back part of
suitable material, preferably aluminium, and a front part of similar material
hinged thereto.
Within the back are rollers for the sensitized film, which extends across the
camera, so as to receive the image from the lens. The film is wound from
one roller onto the other in the usual manner. Instead of a film, however, a
glass plate may be used, if preferred. The back carries also a detachable
receptacle containing the materials for giving the artificial light.
This receptacle contains a reservoir for magnesium powder, or similar quick.
burning material, which will give the required quality of light. There is also
a trough for a small quantity of the powder supplied from the reservoir, and a
percussion device for creating a spark to ignite the powder. The cover of the
receptacle is hinged, and opens with a spring, when a button is pressed. The
same button releases the front of the camera, which, being hinged to the back,
as before mentioned falls forward and provides a support with suitable guides
for the inner front of the camera, which carries the lens, and is connected to
the back by a bellows body. The inner front is impelled forward by means of
a spring or springs, as soon as the hinged front is released, as above explained,
and occupies its operative position without direct adjustment by the photographer.
There is a wire frame which starts up when the camera expands, and forms,
with a sighting finger, a device for centering the picture on the film or plate.
The shutter, provided with the usual adjustment for regulating the exposure,
is operated by a trigger in the ordinary way and the same trigger simul-
taneously operates the ignition device for creating the artificial light, as above
explained.
When the camera is required for daylight use, the receptacle containing the
materials for supplying the artificial light may be removed if preferred, or it
may remain in position, and be thrown out of action, while the camera is used
in the ordinary way.
Dated this 13th day of February 1899.
NEWTON &. SON,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, MAGNUS NIELL, Engineer, of Maze Lodge, Forest Road, Kew, in the County
of Surrey, 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 present invention has reference more particularly to hand cameras for
taking instantaneous pictures, and comprises an arrangement for giving a
Hash-light, whereby pictures may be taken without the aid of the sun.
It comprises also an arrangement for speedily expanding the camera into opera-
tive position on releasing a catch; the whole construction being capable of
compression into an exceedingly small compass.
In carrying out my invention, I employ a camera having a back part of
suitable material, preferably aluminium, and a front part of similar material
hinged thereto.
Within the back are rollers for the sensitized film, which extends across the
camera from one roller to the other, so as to receive the image from the lens.
Instead of a film, however a glass plate may be used, if preferred. The back
carries also a detachable receptacle containing the materials for giving the
artificial light.
This receptacle contains a reservoir for magnesium powder, or similar quick-
burning material, which will give the required quality of light. There is also
a trough for a small quantity of the powder supplied from the reservoir, and a
percussion device for creating a spark to ignite the powder. The cover of the
receptacle is hinged, and opens with a spring, when a button is pressed. The
same button releases the front of the camera, which, being hinged to the back,
as before mentioned falls forward and provides a support with suitable guides
for the inner front of the camera, which carries the lens, and is connected to
the back by a bellows body. The inner front is impelled forward by means of
a spring device as soon as the hinged front is released, as above explained, and
occupies its operative position without direct adjustment by the photographer.
There is a wire frame which starts up when the camera expands, and forms,
with a sighting-finger or vane, a device for centering the picture on the film or
plate.
The shutter, provided with the usual adjustment for regulating the exposure,
is operated by a trigger in the ordinary way and the same trigger simul-
taneously operates the ignition device for creating the artificial light, as above
explained.
When the camera is required for daylight use, the receptacle containing the
materials for supplying the artificial light may be removed if preferred, or it
may remain in position, and be thrown out of action while the camera is used
in the ordinary way.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 represents, in sectional side elevation, a camera embodying my improve-
ments, open.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view, also open.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the camera, open.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the camera closed.
Fig. 5 is a detail, shewing the mode of mounting the sensitized film rollers in
the camera back.
Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively front view in section, and plan, of the flash-
light arrangement.

page_text: Figs. 8 and 9 are detached details connected therewith.
When in position for use (Figs. 1, 2, and 3), the wall a, carrying the lens,
which is connected with the roll-holder d by the light-tight bellows, rests on
a base c which is hinged at its other end to the roll-holder. In the interior
of the bellows, the bottom of the wall a is grasped by a peculiar bent-spring
lever system, which causes it to take up the correct position. The spring fevers
(Figs. 1, 2, & 4) are composed of arms e, f. The spring system has three joints;
one at the junction of the lever arms, and one each at the bottom of the roll-
holder and at the bottom of the wall carrying the lens. Each of the joints is
provided with springs which tend to flatten out the lever system.
and
When closed together, the base c forms the lid of the complete camera,
is closed by a catch of any suitable kind. On releasing this catch by a knob
or the like, the whole can be opened in a moment, whereupon the springs in
the interior of the bellows force the base c down, admit the sight vane i and
cross wires to fly up under the influence of their springs and push out the
wall carrying the lens, holding it and the base a firmly in the required position.
The bellows extend, whereupon, an air-valve gradually admits air. The new
arrangement permits of the usual accessories, instantaneous and time shutter,
adjustment for the lens, and the like. The shutter might be operated for
instance, by the lever k, which at the same time might be arranged to operate,
by means of a double-armed lever 1, a flash-light device on the top of the roll
holder.
The roll holder at each side of the bellows opening, carries the rolls m for
the sensitized film which runs between the discs n of the rolls (Fig. 5). By
means of a knob o on one of the rolls, the film may be turned, and a suitable
indicator p caused to operate. The rolls at either end of the roll holder d are
mounted in the following manner:―
Instead of the ordinary bearing, flat bent springs q are provided, embracing
the discs n. On the other side, suitable devices may be provided to facilitate
removal of the rolls m.
The essential feature of the flash-light device, the position of which in the
camera is indicated in Figs. 1 & 4-consists in a hollow box s being used firstly
as receptacle for the supply of magnesium powder, and secondly for holding the
ignition device proper. The hollow space for the powder (shown to the right
hand on the drawing, Fig. 6) communicates with the flat channel by an aper-
ture u, which is closed by means of a spring slide w, when the lid is opened.
This lid opens directly its catch is raised by depressing the knob y situated above
the knob y, whereby the spring, at the hinge of the lid is free to exert its
force.
With the lid is connected a fan device 1, which spreads out when the lid is
opened. The operator can observe the object to be photographed through the
aperture 2. The powder in the channel v, separated from the main powder-
receptacle by the slide w, is ignited immediately when in photographing, the
shutter lever k moves the lever with it, and thus pushes the pin into the box
from below, at 3.
The pin strikes on the under side of a slide 5, which is mounted on a lever 7,
and thereby causes the latter to release the short arm of a bell-crank lever 8
which rocks (under the action of a spring 11) on fulcrum 9. The other end
of the lever 8 strikes the detonator at ¹, and thus ignites the magnesium powder
in the channel v.
On closing the lid x, a click provided on the fan shaft 4 depresses, thro' the
projecting arms 10, the lever 8, and replaces it against the shoulder of the lever 7
the spring 12 pressing the said lever 7 back into its locking position, and so
causing the tension device to again take up its first position.
In order to prevent ignition in the day-time, a slide 5 is provided above the
opening 3, operated by the knob y. If the knob y is in the position A L. as
shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the pin l, passing through the hole 3, pushes against

page_text: the slide 5, and disengages the stop device. If however the knob y is turned
(Figs. 7 and 8) on being pressed down, it does not disengage the catch of the
Hash-light lid, and furthermore the slide, 5 comes into a position which ensures
a free passage through the hole 6 for the press-pin l.
"
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In a folding camera the combination of a spring lever system located within
the bellows, comprising a lever arm e, hinged to the bottom of one end wall of
the apparatus, and pressed outwards by spring pressure, and a co-operating lever
arm, hinged to the bottom of the wall carrying the lens, having a spring tend-
ing to press it down into line with the first arm e, the inner side of said lever
arms being hinged, and locked together by a spring device in such manner that
when the catch closing the camera is released, the said spring-lever system
causes the lid of the apparatus to open, and form a base, the wall carrying the
lens being simultaneously automatically pushed outwards on the base into
correct position for use, substantially as described.
2. In a folding camera the combination of a sight finger (t), hinged to the
back, and pressed outwards and held upright by spring pressure, and a frame
carrying cross-wires (h), hinged to the front, and pressed outwards, and held in
upright position, by spring pressure arranged in such manner that when the
catch closing the camera is released, the said finger and erosswire frame auto-
matically, rise into position for use, substantially as described.
3. In a photographic camera, the employment of a flash-light device operated
simultaneously with the shutter in the manner described with reference to the
drawings.
4. In a photographic camera, the combination of a flash-light device com-
prising a box (s) having a chamber (t) forming a receptacle for the store of
magnesium powder, and a space forming a receptacle and gauge for the
powder to be ignited, divided from the chamber (t) by a spring slide (w), and
a spring lid (r) for said box, attached to a fan (1), provided with an aperture (2),
all arranged in such manner that, when the catch closing the lid is released,
the latter opens, spreads the fan, and permits the spring slide (w) to cut off
the magnesium chamber, substantially as described.
5. In a photographic camera, the bearings of the rolls in the holder, com-
prising bent springs q, secured at one end to the wall, and at the other end
bearing against discs n on the rolls carrying the sensitized material, and braking
their rotation, substantially as described.
D
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