A Shutter for Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 2nd June, 1891-Accepted, 4th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Shutter for Photographic Cameras.
EDWARD SCOTT MILLER 11 Bath Road Bedford Park Chiswick Gentleman.
I do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a shutter for photographic cameras, by which a rapid or
regulated exposure may be effected, and the principle feature in my invention,
consists, in the use of a means for entirely concealing the lens aperture except for
the short space of time during which the exposure is being made, the object being
to render the camera less conspicuous.
To carry my invention into effect-I provide in the camera front a sliding panel
arranged so as to move in an upward & downward direction & in so moving to
uncover or cover the lense aperture.
On the inside of the camera front, I provide a quadrant or other similar shutter,
with an opening working across the lens aperture, and to this shutter I couple the
the sliding panel by a connecting link in such a way that the movement of the
shutter in making the exposure raises and lowers the panel, the action being so
arranged that the panel reaches its highest point at the exact moment that the
opening in the shutter has fully uncovered the lens aperture.
I provide for the panel remaining closed whilst the shutter is being set in the
following way.
Instead of making a fixed attachment between the connecting link
and the panel, I provide in the link a longitudinal slot with a lateral recess at its
upper end, in which slot a pin on the sliding panel works freely. A suitable spring
attached to the link ensures that the latter shall allow free movement of the shutter,
independently of the panel, when the shutter is being moved in the direction for
setting it, but on the reversal of the movement in making the exposure, the same
spring causes the recess in the slot to engage with the pin on the panel thereby
raising the latter in the manner already described.
Another feature of my invention is the special means for setting the shutter,
consisting in the employment of an annular plate which is fixed upon the face of the
quadrant concentrically with its axis. Part of this annular plate is made to project
through the bottom of the camera front, & it carries a pin by which the movement
necessary for setting the shutter is made.
The internal edge of this annular plate has suitably placed notches with which a
spring catch engages to hold the shutter when set.
I may also provide for setting the shutter without uncovering the aperture, by
reversing the spring or motive power, and causing the quadrant or other disc to
nove in opposite directions. The link aforesaid need not then be slotted.
Dated this 14th day of November 1890.
EDWD. SCOTT MILLER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Shuttle for Photographic Cameras.
I, EDWARD SCOTT MILLER, of 11, Bath Road Bedford Park, Chiswick, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman 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 a shutter for photographic cameras by which a rapid or
regulated exposure may be effected, and in the means for concealing the lens to
[Perce 1

page_text: which this shutter may be applied (except for the short space of time during
which the exposure is being made) by which the camera is rendered less
conspicuous.
To carry my invention into effect I combine with the movable plate, which con-
stitutes the shutter proper, a sliding panel forming part of the camera front, and
I connect the two by suitable means in such a way that, at the moment the shutter
is opened and shut, the sliding panel is raised and lowered, and I provide means
whereby the sliding panel is not raised during the operation of setting the shutter,
i.e. of returning it to its former position ready for the next exposure.
In the accompanying drawings have shown how my invention may be con-
veniently carried into practice.
Figure 1, is a view of the shutter mechanism with its several parts in the
positions they occupy before the shutter is set, or, in other words, after an exposure
has been made.
Figure 2, is a view of the shutter mechanism with its several parts in the
positions they occupy when the shutter is set.
Figure 3, is a view of the shutter mechanism with its several parts in the positions
they occupy when the shutter is open to its fullest extent.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 all represent the shutter mechanism as seen from behind,
i.e. as seen by a person looking in the direction in which the camera is pointed.
Figure 4, is a view of part of the camera front, showing the sliding panel by which
the lens opening is normally covered.
The same letters are used to designate corresponding parts throughout these
drawings.
a. is a plate of metal attached to the inside of the camera front b, constituting a
support to the movable quadrant c, which is pivotted to it at d. The plate a is
pierced at e opposite and in front of the lens, and the aperture in the quadrant c
exactly coincides with the opening e at one part of its travel, as the quadrant moves
on its pivot. To the quadrant c I attach a metal ring 9 provided on its inner edge
with notches h, i and furnished with a pin j, by which the setting' of the shutter
is effected. This is done by drawing the pin j from the position it occupies in
Figure 1, to that shown in Figure 2.
The bolt k, which is conveniently supported on the under surface of the cross-
piece is kept in constant forward thrust by the spring m, and its forward end
engages with the notches h, i as shown in Figures 2 and 3, thereby holding the
shitter against the pull of the spring . o is the sliding panel, and connection
between the quadrant c and the panel o is made by means of the slotted link p
which is pivotted to the former at 7, and at its other end engages with the pin r of
the sliding panel. On the plate a are two fixed pins t, t, and to the link
attached a double springs, s, the function of which is to determine the position of
the link with reference to the pin 2.
C
The exact functions of the various parts of this mechanism will be understood by
following out their relative movements in setting and releasing the shutter.
On drawing over the pin (Figure 1) the quadrant c moves to the left, and in
doing so the link p does not engage with the pin because the action of the half
springs in pressing against the pin t has secured that shall be in line with the
longitudinal part of the slot in the link p, but as soon as the quadrant reaches the
position shown in Figure 2 the action of the other half springs throws the link
over until the pin is in the transverse part of the slot. On releasing the shutter,
which is done by pressing back the bolt k, the link raises the sliding panel as shown
in Figure 3, carrying it to its highest point simultaneously with the opening of the
shutter by the coincidence in position of the openings e, f
?"
The speed with which this movement is effected is controlled within limits by a
brake consisting of a steel bladen, that can be raised or lowered by the device
shown at w, and thereby made to put more or less pressure on the pin attached to
the movable quadrant.

page_text: is that the parts of this shutter may be arranged in various ways in
relation to each other to secure the end in view, and that it may be applied to
cameras of various types, and used either in front of, behind or within the lens.
It is also obvious that with this construction of shutter "time exposures" may be
made by operating the sliding panel o by hand, the quadrant c having first been
placed in its central position as shown in Fig. 3.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
my said
First. A shutter for a photographic camera in connection with a sliding panel in
the front of the camera, arranged so as to open simultaneously for exposure, but so
constructed that the panel remains closed when setting the shutter, substantially as
described and for the purpose specified.
Second. The use of a slotted link as described, and for the purpose specified.
Third. The combination of a slotted link with a double spring acting in connection
with two fixed pins, or other suitable stops, as described and for the purpose
specified.
Fourth. The combination of a quadrant, or otherwise shaped shutter, with a
liding panel and a slotted link, as described and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1891.
EDWARD SCOTT MILLER,
11, Bath Road, Bedford Park. W