New or Improved Photographic Apparatus of the Class known "Snap Shot."
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 14th Oct., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Photographic Apparatus of the Class known
"Snap Shot."
We, FRANCISQUE PASCAL and LOUIS IZERABLE, of 32, Rue de la Republique,
Lyon, France, Engineers and Manufacturers, 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 a photographic apparatus of the class known as snap
shot" that is to say having for its object the automatic and successive taking
of a series of views or pictures on sensitized films.
The features which differentiate this apparatus from other similar " snap
shot" are:-
1. A device whereby after exposure the sensitized band or film is automatically
brought back on to the original bobbin to its former position.
2. Mechanism enabling the various operations required for taking each picture
to be automatically effected by merely pushing a knob, these operations being
the opening of the shutter, the exchange of films and the recording of the number
of views taken.
3. The use for the above purpose of special bobbins which while allowing the
insertion of the bobbin into the apparatus in full day light, also protect the
sensitized film in a more efficient manner than has been done by the bobbins
hitherto used.
In order that our invention may be better understood and more readily carried
into effect, we will describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, on
which Figure 1 represents a side view of the camera with the side of the outer
case removed,
Figure 2 a vertical section of the same through the centre,
Figure 3 a plan with the top of the case removed,
Figure 4 a partial front view, and
Figure 5 a partial section along line of Figure 1.
The camera consists of an outer case C containing the mechanism, which is
mounted upon a frame consisting of the open side frames c c¹ connected by stay-
bars and the cross stays c³ and supporting the screening funnel f and
lens f.
The device allowing the film to be automatically brought back after exposure
on to the original bobbin from which it has been previously unwound, consists
essentially of:
1. A bobbin B upon which is wound up the sensitized band or film intended
to receive the successive impressions or pictures.
This bobbin may be easily inserted into and removed from the apparatus and
is held at one side by a square rod forming the prolongation of the axis r¹ of
a spring hereinafter referred to; and at the other side by a short pivot 2 fixel

page_text: to a resilient blader Figures 2 and 3 which is deflected by pressing on the
pin rivetted to the blade, when the bobbin is to be removed from the apparatus.
2. A spinal spring in a case R fixed to the side frame c¹ the axis r of which
carries a square projection entering one of the sides of the bobbin; this spring
being coiled in such a manner that when the film is drawn off the bobbin the
spring is cocked.
3. Two rollers n, n, over which the sensitized film N passes, and which hold the
latter in the focal plane of the object glass or lens fi.
4. A cylinder T to which is fastened one end of the sensitive band or film N
and the periphery of which may be equal to or a multiple of that of the bobbin
(the same is shown to be double that of the bobbin in the drawings, and this
seems to be the most suitable size for small views). Upon this cylinder T are
fixed at two diametrically opposite points p two triangular blades or their equiva-
lents which are employed for the purpose of perforating the film at distances
which are equal to the length of a negative; their position is regulated in such
a manner that the perforation may fall between two views or pictures.
The axis of this cylinder extends outside the apparatus and is terminated
by a knob t.
When the cylinder is turned by means of the knob in the direction
indicated by the arrow on Fig. 1, the film is wound upon the drum T and
perforated, the film causing the bobbin to turn and the spring to be cocked.
When the whole film has passed from the bobbin B on to the cylinder T the
apparatus is ready to operate. In this position, the band would return under
the action of the spring suddenly and entirely upon the original bobbin, but
the mechanism hereinafter described has for its object to control this return
motion in such a manner that it shall only take place fractionally and successively
and at the required moment.
The mechanism which enables the operations necessary for the taking of views
or images to be automatically carried on may be divided in three parts:-
1. The mechanism for changing the film.
2. The mechanism for opening the shutter.
3. The recording mechanism.
1, Changing of films:-This mechanism comprises the following parts; -
, A metallic disc H securely fixed to the axis of the cylinder T and turning
therewith. This disc carries near the edge and diametrically opposite two
pins h¹ ha
b, An oscillating piece or lever D) actuated by the outer knob or push when-
ever picard, and brought back to its former position by a spring s as soon as
as the said knob is released. This piece is hinged at d and arranged parallel to
the disc and cranked out or placed at a sufficient distance thereiron to allow
for the passage of the pins hand, but it is provided with two laterally pro-
jecting stop pieces and the form and arrangement of which are such as
to allow the drum to tuin continuously in the direction indicated by the arrow
but only intermittently in a reverse direction whenever the piece 1) is caused
to oscillate.
The oscillation imparted by pressing the outer knob has for its object to
release from its stop piece d' the pin h which impeded the motion of the dram,
so that the latter starts rotating but is almost immediately stopped by the second
pin abutting against the other stop piece 2. It will be hereinafter explained
that it is during this first motion of the drum that the shutter O is pushed
open. As soon as the knob g is released, the piece D returns to its normal posi-
tion, the second pin h³ is likewise released and allows the drum to rotate until
this pin has met the opposite stop piece . The complete to and fro oscillation
of the piece 1) has for its object to allow the drum to accomplish half a revolution
by means of two successive movements.
The length of film which has been automatically unwound during this half
revolution corresponds as already stated to one picture or negative.
2. The mechanism for the automatic opening of the shutter is independent of

page_text: the particular construction of the shutter. As an example a shutter oscillating
on a fulcrum is shewn on the drawing but a sliding or other suitable shutter
may be used. The shutter shewn on Figures 3 and 4 consists of a plate O oscilla-
ting on a fulcrum o and held by a spring against a peg ol so as to cover
the opening in the case in front of the lens f. The mechanism for actuating the
shutter automatically at the proper time is arranged as follows: A bellcrank lever L
fulcrummed at and having the shape shewn on the drawing extends with one
of its limbs under the outer limb o² of the shutter and is held by a spring 3
against a stop 3. The other limb 13 in contact with the pin h when the pin h¹
is arrested by the stop d¹. As soon as the latter is lifted up by pressing on the
push g, the drum T begins to rotate until the pin h² is caught by the stop d².
During this movement the pin h² lifts the lever L and thereby opens the shutter
fully at the same time that the pin is caught by the stop 2, and holds it open until
the push g is released, when the spring s draws the lever D down and the drum T
completes its half revolution as herein before described. Immediately the drum
has started moving, the limb 12 of the lever L slips off the pin 2, and the
spring returns the lever to its original position, the spring returning the
shutter into its closing position in front of the object glass at the same time.
In this manner the unwinding of the film from the drum T causes the opening
and closing of the shutter.
3. Recording mechanism:-To exhibit outwardly the number of views taken,
the apparatus is furnished with an automatic counter. It consists of a wheel G
which is moved one tooth at each revolution of the bobbin by a finger D₁ fixed
upon one of the ends of the axis of the spring in case R; one tooth which is
larger than the other stopping the rotation of the axis of the spring R in such
a manner that this axis and the wheel of the counter are always in the same posi-
tion when the bobbin B is changed.
Upon this wheel is fixed screening rim gl and a dial which is visible from the
outside through the glass Figure 5 and the ciphers of which show as they pass
before an index the position of the band in the apparatus. The bobbin B has
a special shape which is different to those heretofore used and thoroughly pro-
tects the sensitized layer from the action of the light. This bobbin comprises
a cylinder b, Figure 3, of wood or other suitable material the circumference of
which is equal to the length of a negative. The ends or cheeks are formed by
metallic discs 6 centrally perforated, one having a square opening wherein is
introduced the end of the spindle r¹ of the spring which has to turn the bobbin B,
while the other has a round opening through which passes the end of the peg 72
which holds the bobbin in the apparatus. Between each of the checks and the
cylinder we arrange a check piece 62 having a thickness of about 1 m.m. and
forming a rebate; this piece is made of metal, cardboard or wood and fixed to
the cylinder. The diameter of this check piece is smaller than that of the cheek
and is equal to that of the cylinder formed by the sensitized film wound upon
the bobbin B.
The distance between the check pieces 63 is equal to the width of the film
and the distance between the cheeks is equal to the width of the opaque paper
which terminates the film so that after the winding of the film between the check
pieces, the wider black paper the edges of which are in contact with the cheeks
effects a closure and stops the action of the light.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In photographic apparatus of the "snap shot" class, mechanism for effect-
ing the automatic return of the sensitized band upon the original bobbin, con-
structed and arranged substantially as herein described and shown.
2. In photographic apparatus of the " snap shot" class mechanism for ren-

page_text: dering all operations required for the taking of the views automatic, constructed
and arranged substantially as herein described and shown.
3. In photographic apparatus of the "snap shot" class, the special construction
of the bobbin, substantially as herein described and shown.
Dated this 4th day of January 1899
R. J. URQUHART, C.E.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
Manchester,