New or Improved Method and Means of Exposing and Changing Flexible Sensitive Surfaces, Used as a Pack, in Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 12th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 27th Apr., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Method and Means of Exposing and Changing
Flexible Sensitive Surfaces, Used as a Pack, in Photographic
Cameras.
We, HENRY HILL of 151 Fentiman Road, Clapham, London, S.W. Manu-
facturer of Electrical Optical and Mechanical Apparatus and ARTHUR LEWIS
ADAMS of 81 Aldersgate Street, London, Manufacturer of and Dealer in
Photographic Apparatus, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
"
or
Heretofore to enable a number of thin flexible sensitive surfaces (such as are
known as "cut films") to be placed in a series or pack in a chamber for exposure
in a photograpic apparatus or camera and there successively exposed (while held in
said chamber) and thereafter removed from such chamber-it has been necessary
or usual either to mount each such film on or in a light tight back or "sheath
separate cards or light tight sheets have been interposed loosely between each of
the films in such pack and notching or other special preparation of either the films
or "backs or both or else special packing or arrangements of the films and backs
have been used in order to effect the separation and removal of each film after
exposure and other analogous means have been tried.
Now our present invention is designed for the purpose of enabling films (and by
the term " films we intend to include any suitable flexible sensitive surface for
receiving photographic impressions) to be used unaltered i.e. so that such films just
as same come from the manufacturer can be placed in a suitable compartment in
the photographic apparatus witliout interposing any material whatsoever between
each of the films these being consequently all laid together in a pack in said
chamber which latter corresponds in size and shape with the size and shape of the
films and may be of sufficient depth to hold say fifty or one hundred (or more or
less) of said films as desired while the front of said chamber has a rebate down the
two vertical sides thereof (or other well known or suitable device) against which
the front film bears and is pressed by a spring or springs on the back of the pack
pressing the whole series forward and thus bringing the front film “ up to register
that is into correct focal position to receive the exposure.
"
Now according to our present invention we select and separate the front film
from the rest of the pack without removing said film from its said front position
and at same time prevent any light from penetrating beyond the actual front film
during the exposure thereof and thereafter remove said front film into another
chamber (i.e. the storage chamber) and thereby allow the next succeeding film to
automatically come up to register and so on in succession all through the pack and
for this purpose we proceed as follows:-
In a suitable case or camera we arrange a suitable compartment. (which we may
conveniently term the "exposing chamber") to receive the series of films for
exposure which are placed therein all facing towards the lens aperture in a pack all
pressed forward by a spring or springs the face of each film touching and pressing
against the back of the next except the foremost, one which bears against the
aforesaid rebate and is there brought up to register-while the bottom of this
exposing chamber does not extend under this front film but terminates clear of the
bottom edge of same.

page_text: The aforesaid spring may advantageously be fixed to or bear against a rigid plate
at the back of the pack so as to evenly distribute the spring pressure over the back
of the films while at its other end it may advantageously be attached to the door
or cover closing said chamber.
Parallel and in the same plane (or thereabouts) with the position for exposure of
the front film we arrange and mount metal guide rails or other suitable guideway
which is formed down each side of said exposing chamber and this guideway
continues below said chamber and then is curved and extends forwardly parallel or
thereabouts to the bottom of said chamber.
In or on this guideway on each side (or equivalent) travels a flexible carriage or
light tight backing and film removing device. (which for brevity we will
hereinafter refer to as the " carriage") of a size rather larger than the size of
the film.
This carriage may be advantageously formed of a sheet of thin and very pliant
metal mounted on a series of laths or cross bars the extreme ends of which latter
are guided in or on. said guideways or the carriage may be formed otherwise than
of one single sheet of metal or other suitable material-provided same will remain
light tight and capable of passing round in a curve.
The said laths or cross bars may have shoulders formed thereon near their ends.
so as to hear against the inside edge of said guideways or other suitable means
(such as blocks fixed on the back of the said carriage) may be adopted to prevent
lateral, movement while the said ends which enter the channel forming the guide-
way do not extend beyond the exterior wall of said guideway except one such
cross bar (advantageously the top cross bar) the ends of which pass right through
the guideway on each side and are passed into a suitable slot in a draw lever or
otherwise suitably engage in. or with a suitable operating lever down each side
terminating in a cross bar and knob or other suitable device on the exterior of the
camera or case. by which, to operate our apparatus.
On each of the guideways we arrange a rocking lever pivotted to said guideway
or, some other convenient part of the apparatus-each such lever being formed with
a prolonged curved slot therein to forin a cam-way which is interposed in the path
of travel of the said projecting cross-bar ends on each side so that the curves of
this cam-way lie across said guideway whereby when the said projecting ends
travelling in said fixed guideway enter said cam-way the said lever is consequently
rocked on its pivot according to the nature of the curves of the cam-way-this
rocking lever being normally kept pressed in one direction by a suitable spring or
springs and the mouth of the cam-way being of a suitable form to ensure the said
travelling ends entering same.
Just in front of the bottom edge of the front film is a suitable stage or projecting
platform on each side of the apparatus (or same may extend right across) and on such
support is pivotted a film pricking or stabbing device (towards each end of the film)
which may be of any suitable character and which are respectively actuated by the
rocking levers just described these latter being so arranged and mounted and have
the cam-way therein of such a form that at the commencement of movement of
the said carriage to cause same to enter into its position behind the front film
thereby they (the rocking levers) impart motion to the film prickers which are thus
caused to move towards the front film which they stab and then while the lower
front edge of the film is thus held impaled on these two prickers (or instead of
two we may use any other suitable number thereof or equivalents for same for
instance suitable frictional surfaces instead of actually stabbing the film although
the latter is most advantageous owing to its certainty of action) the latter
continuing to move towards one another thus force the bottom edge of the front
film to bulge out towards the lens (and clear of the rest of the pack at the middle
bottom edge where said front film is bulged) and at this moment the top edge of
the carriage which is.specially formed for this purpose (for instance with a curved
central projection thereon) comes in between the bulged part of the front film and
the rest of the pack-the further movement of the carriage next causes, the gradual

page_text: insertion of the whole width of the top edge of the carriage between the front
film and the whole pack while at the same time such movement acting on the cam-
way causes the rocking levers to now release the prickers from any engagement
with said film and said prickers retire quickly leaving the carriage now introduced
between the lower part of the film and the rest of the pack and as the movement
of said carriage is continued to the top (where a suitable stop is or may be provided)
it completely divides the front film from the rest of the pack which latter it forces
back a little and thus forms a complete backing for the front film which is now
ready for exposure (in its original position and held flat in and by said
carriage) and when this is given no light can pass through to the rest of
the pack.
To change the film-the reverse movement is imparted to the said carriage
whereby a lip or projection or projections on the top inside edge thereof engages
the top edge of and draws down said film within the carriage with which it passes
round the curve into the horizontal position in the bottom of the case and then as
the carriage is again moved up (to separate the next film ready for exposure) the
film last exposed is stripped out of the carriage by a spring pawl or other suitable
device at each side which engage the top edge or other part of the film and prevent
its return with the carriage and it is therefore thus stripped out of said carriage
and drops into the storage chamber where it is kept light tight (during the
subsequent exposures of the other films in succession) by any suitable means for
preventing admission of light to the said storage chamber.
In carrying our invention into practice we have found that to impart the requisite
motion to the pricking appliances a kind of elbow pivotted to its support at its
angle and having one arm thereof engaging with or connected to the aforesaid
rocking lever and the end of the other arm formed as the film pricker or stabbing
device forms a very good method of obtaining the impaling and bulging of the
lower edge of the film as before described (and it is to be noted that such impaling
devices must not be placed too wide apart nor yet too close together-otherwise
same may not act properly) but we here wish to remark that we do not confine
ourselves to the details hereinbefore described inasmuch as it will be quite obvious
that this momentary bulging out movement to be imparted to the bottom edge of
only the front film in order to permit the introduction of the carriage between same
and the pack may be obtained in a variety of ways without departing from the
true nature of our present invention for instance the motion may be imparted to
the stabbing appliances by utilising the movement of the carriage in any suitable
manner (other than that described) either direct or indirect-or by separate
connection with the operating handle; neither do we wish to confine ourselves to
any particular device for stripping the exposed film out of the carriage after its
removal from the front position.
When said carriage is being introduced as before described between the front
film and the rest of the pack to prevent injury by the reciprocal movement of the
carriage across the sensitive surface of the next film behind the front film we
arrange and mount along each side of the back of said carriage a flexible rib or
swelling (for instance a closely linked metallic chain or a closely wound spiral
spring) these ribs coming in contact with the sensitive surface of the film uext
behind the front one towards the extreme side edges thereof only (whereby the pack
is forced back a little) and thus prevents the central part of the face of said next
film from being touched or injured by the back of the carriage.
Any suitable device may be used to prevent light from penetrating to the storage
chamber for instance a hinged flap (mounted at any suitable point for instance just
below the bottom edge of the front film) which is forced by a spring or springs
across the path of travel of the said carriage and which is pushed by the latter out
of its path-a protuberance or swelling on each side of said flap bearing against
the extreme side edges of the film held in said carriage while being removed
therein and thus keeping the flap from scraping or otherwise injuring the sensitive
surface of the exposed film while it is being thus removed in said carriage.

page_text: Any suitable spring clips or other device may be used or arranged to act in the
storage chamber (advantageously actuated by the movement of the carriage
forcing same out of its way on entering the storage chamber to drop a film
and releasing such device or devices on leaving said: chamber again) so as to
prevent the loose (exposed) films in such storage chamber from getting into such a
position as to interfere with or come in contact with the carriage when same enters
said chamber.
As a modification of the foregoing-the said carriage may be arranged to travel
straight downwards in a perpendicular direction (or approximately so) and then
have the film stripped therefrom as before described or otherwise suitably
discharge same into the storage chamber which may be of any suitable form to
receive and hold said films in any suitable manner (for instance vertically instead
of horizontally as before described) though this modified construction will probably
be found to necessitate a rather increased size of the camera or case for holding
a given number of films-moreover in such a case the carriage need not necessarily
be formed flexible as hereinbefore described since it would not have to perform
any part of its travel round a curve or curves.
دو
As a further modification-flexible light tight backings may be fixed on the
back of each film and in such case the " carriage need not be light tight but
will operate as before described to select and separate each successive front film
(with its attached backing) and remove same into the storage chamber.
Dated this 12th day of June 1894.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.
New or Improved Method and Means of Exposing and Changing
Flexible Sensitive Surfaces, Used as a Pack, in Photographic
Cameras.
We, HENRY HILL of 151 Fentiman Road, Clapham, London, S.W.
Manufacturer of Electrical Optical and Mechanical Apparatus, and ARTHUR
LEWIS ADAMS of 81, Aldersgate Street, London, Manufacturer of and Dealer
in Photographic Apparatus, 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 :-
•
Heretofore to enable a number of films or thin flexible sensitive surfaces (such
as are known as "cut films") to be placed in a series or pack in a chamber for
exposure in a photographic apparatus or camera and there successively exposed
(while held in said chamber) and thereafter removed from such chamber-it has
been necessary or usual either to mount each such film on or in a light tight back
or " sheath
or separate cards or light tight sheets have been interposed loosely
between each of the films in such pack and notching or other special preparation
of either the films or "backs" or both or else special packing or arrangements of
the films and backs bave been used in order to effect the separation and removal
of each film after exposure and other analogous means have been tried.
"
Now our present invention is designed for the purpose of enabling films (and by
the term "films" we intend to include any suitable flexible sensitive surface for
receiving photographic impressions) to be used unaltered i.e. so that such films
just as same come from the manufacturer can be placed in a suitable compartment
in the photographic apparatus without interposing any material whatsoever
between each of the films these being consequently all laid together in a pack in

page_text: said chamber which latter corresponds in size and shape with the size and shape of
the films and may be of sufficient depth to hold say fifty or one hundred (or more
or less) of said films as desired while the front of said chamber has a rebate down
the two vertical sides thereof (or other well known or suitable device) against
which the front film bears and is pressed by a spring or springs on the back of the
pack pressing the whole series forward and thus bringing the front film "up to
register" that is into correct focal position to receive the exposure.
Now according to our present invention we separate the rest of the pack from
the front film without removing said film from its said front position and at
same time prevent any light from penetrating beyond the actual front film during
the exposure thereof and thereafter remove said front film into another chamber
(i.e. the storage chamber) and thereby allow the next succeeding film to auto-
matically come up to register and so on in succession all through the pack and for
this purpose we proceed as follows:
In a suitable case or camera we arrange a suitable compartment (which we may
conveniently term the "exposing chamber") to receive the series of films for
exposure which are placed therein all facing towards the lens aperture in a pack
all pressed forward by a spring or springs the face of each film touching and
pressing against the back of the next except the foremost one the vertical edges
of which Lear against the aforesaid rebate and are there brought up to register-
while the bottom of this exposing chamber does not extend under this front film
but terminates clear of the bottom edge of same.
The aforesaid spring may advantageously be fixed to or bear against a rigid
plate at the back of the pack so as to evenly distribute the spring pressure over
the back of the films while at its other end it may advantageously be attached to
the door or cover closing said chamber.
Parallel and in the same plane (or thereabouts) with the position for exposure
of the front film we arrange and mount metal guide rails or other suitable guide-
ways formed or arranged down each side of said exposing chamber and this
guideway continues below said chamber and then is curved and extends forwardly
parallel or thereabouts to the bottom of said chamber.
In or on this guideway on each side (or equivalent) travels a flexible carriage
which serves to divide the rest of the pack from the front film and there acts as a
light tight backing and finally as the front film removing device (which for brevity
we will hereinafter refer to as the "carriage") of a size rather larger than the size
of the film.
This carriage may be advantageously formed of a sheet of thin and very pliant
metal mounted on a series of laths or cross bars the extreme ends of which latter
are guided in or on said guideways or the carriage may be formed otherwise than
of one single sheet of metal or other suitable material-provided same is flexible
and will remain light tight while being flexed round a curve.
The said laths or cross bars may have shoulders formed thereon near their ends
so as to bear against the inside edge of said guideways or other suitable means
(such as blocks fixed on the back of the said carriage) may be adopted to prevent
lateral movement while the said ends which enter the channel forming the guide-
way do not extend beyond the exterior wall of said guideway except one such
cross bar (advantageously the top cross bar) the ends of which pass right through
the guideway on each side and are passed into a suitable slot in a draw lever or
otherwise suitably engage in or with a suitable operating lever down each side
terminating in a cross bar and knob or other suitable device on the exterior of the
camera or case by which to operate our apparatus.
On each of the guideways we arrange a rocking lever pivotted to said guideway
or some other convenient part of the apparatus-each such lever being formed with
a prolonged curved slot therein to form a cam-way which is interposed in the path
of travel of the said projecting cross-bar ends on each side so that this cam-way
on each side lays across said guideway whereby when the said projecting ends
travelling in said fixed guideway enter said cam-way the said lever is consequently

page_text: rocked on its pivot according to the nature of the curves of the cam-way-this
rocking lever being normally kept pressed in one direction by a suitable spring or
springs and the mouth of the cam-way being of a suitable form to ensure the said
travelling ends entering same.
Just in front of the bottom edge of the front film is a suitable stage or projecting
platform on each side of the apparatus (or same may extend right across) and on
such support is pivotted a film pricking or stabbing device (towards each end of
the film) which may be of any suitable character and which are respectively
actuated by the rocking levers just described these latter being so arranged and
mounted and have the cam-way therein of such a form that (at the commencement
of movement of the said carriage to cause same to enter into its position behind
the front film) thereby they (the rocking levers) impart motion to the film prickers
which are thus caused to move towards the front film which they stab and then
while the lower front edge of the film is thus held impaled on these two prickers
(or instead of two-we may use any other suitable number thereof or equivalents
for same for instance suitable frictional surfaces instead of actually stabbing the
film although the latter is most advantageous owing to its certainty of action) the
latter continuing to move towards one another thus force the middle part of
the bottom edge of the front film to bulge out towards the lens (and clear of the
rest of the pack at the middle bottom edge where said front film is bulged) and at
this moment the middle portion of the top edge of the carriage which is specially
formed for this purpose (for instance with a curved central projection thereon)
comes in between the bulged part of the front film and the rest of the pack-the
further movement of the carriage next causes the gradual insertion of the top
edge of the carriage between the front film and the whole pack while at the same
time such movement acting on the cam-way causes the rocking levers to now
release the prickers from any engagement with said front film and said prickers
retire quickly and as they do so the whole width of the carriage is now introduced
between the whole width of the lower part of the film and the rest of the pack
and as the movement of said carriage is continued to the top (where a suitable
stop is or may be provided) it completely divides the rest of the pack from the
front film and in doing this it forces back a little the rest of the pack and thus
forms a complete backing for the front film which is now ready for exposure (in
its original front position againt the aforesaid rebates where it is held flat in and
by said said carriage) and when this is given no light can pass through to the rest
of the pack.
To change the film-the reverse movement is imparted to the said carriage
whereby a lip or projection or projections on the top inside edge thereof engages
the top edge of and draws down said film within the carriage with which it passes
(i.e. is flexed) round the curve into the horizontal position in the bottom of the case
and then as the carriage is again moved up (to separate the next film ready for
exposure) the film last exposed is stripped out of the carriage by a spring pawl or
other suitable device at each side which engage the top edge or other part of the
film and prevent its return with the carriage and it is therefore thus stripped out
of said carriage and drops into the storage chamber where it is kept light tight
(during the subsequent exposures of the other films in succession) by any suitable
means for preventing admission of light to the said storage chamber.
In carrying our invention into practice we have found that to impart the
requisite motion to the pricking appliances a kind of elbow pivotted to its support
at its angle and having one arm thereof engaging with or connected to the afore-
said rocking lever and the end of the other arm formed as the film pricker or
stabbing device forms a very good method of obtaining the impaling and bulging
of the lower edge of the film as before described (and it is to be noted that such
impaling devices must not be placed too wide apart nor yet too close together-
otherwise same may not act properly) but we here wish to remark that we do not
confine ourselves to the details hereinbefore described inasmuch as it will be quite
obvious that this momentary bulging out movement to be imparted to one edge of

page_text: only the front film in order to permit the introduction of the carriage between same
and the pack may be obtained in a variety of ways without departing from the
true nature of our present invention for instance the motion may be imparted to
the stabbing appliances by utilising the movement of the carriage in any suitable
mauner (other than that described) either direct or indirect-or by separate connec-
tions with the operating handle; neither do we wish to confine ourselves to any
particular device for stripping the exposed film out of the carriage after its
removal from the front position.
When said carriage is being introduced as before described between the front
film and the rest of the pack to prevent injury by the reciprocal movement of the
carriage across the sensitive surface of the next film behind the front film we
arrange and mount along each side of the back of said carriage a flexible rib or
swelling (for instance a closely-linked metallic chain or a closely wound spiral
spring or a flexible strip attached on suitable supports down cach side) these
ribs coming in contact with the sensitive surface of the film next behind the front
one towards the extreme side edges thereof only (whereby the pack is forced back
a little) and thus prevents the central part of the face of said next film from being
touched or injured by the back of the carriage.
Any suitable device may be used to prevent light from penetrating to the storage
chamber for instance a hinged flap (mounted at any suitable point for instance just
below the bottom edge of the front film) which is forced by a spring or springs
across the path of travel of the said carriage and which is pushed by the latter
out of its path-a protuberance or swelling on each side of said Hap bearing
against the extreme side edges of the film held in said carriage while being
removed therein and thus keeping the flap from scraping or otherwise injuring
the sensitive surface of the exposed film while it is being thus removed in said
carriage.
Any suitable spring clip or other device may be used or arranged to act in the
storage chamber (advantageously actuated by the movement of the carriage
forcing same out of its way on entering the storage chamber to drop a film and
releasing such device or devices on leaving said chamber again) so as to prevent
the loose (exposed) films in such storage chamber from getting into such a position
as to interfere with or come in contact with the carriage when same enters said
chamber except along its aforesaid raised side edges or ribs for instance when the
camera is inverted.
As a modification of the foregoing-the said carriage may be arranged to travel
straight downwards (ie. in a perpendicular direction-or approximately so) and
then have the film stripped therefrom as before described or otherwise suitably
discharge same into the storage chamber which may be of any suitable form to
receive and hold said films in any suitable manner (for instance vertically instead
of horizontally as before described) though this modified construction will probably
be found to necessitate a rather increased size of the camera or case for holding
a given number of films-moreover in such a case the carriage need not necessarily
be formed flexible as hereinbefore described since it would not have to perform
any part of its travel round a curve or curves.
As a further modification-flexible light tight backings may be fixed on the back
of each film and in such case the "carriage" need not be light tight but will
operate as before described to select and separate each successive front film (with'
its attached backing) and remove same into the storage chamber.
And in order that our present invention may be easily understood and readily
carried into practice we will proceed to further describe same with reference to the
drawings hereunto annexed.

page_text: "
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section showing the sliding light tight back or carriage
down i.e. clear of the pack of films.
Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2-showing carriage up i.e. in position forming
a temporary backing to the front film T and showing the rest of the pack forced
back thereby.
Fig. 4 is a horizontal view on line 1-1 Fig. 2 showing the normal position of
the stabbing devices clear of the front film T.
Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 4 showing the front film T impaled on the
stabbing devices and bulged thereby in the middle so as to permit the insertion of
the nose of the slide between same and the rest of the pack.
Fig. 6 is a local view (in elevation) of the nose or top part of the carriage just
before same reaches its highest position shown in Fig. 3.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout.
A is the camera case.
B is the removable frame carrying the film changing mechanism so that the
whole of same may be readily removed from the camera case A for inspection or
other purpose or if desired the film changing mechanism may be mounted in any
other equivalent or suitable manner.
C is the reservoir or chamber carried on the frame B into which a number of
the films are placed (say 50 or 100 or more or less) the limitation of this number
depending on the depth of this chamber C.
D is a cover suitably hinged to the back end of this chamber by hinges D'
and secured when closed by the turn buttons D2 (see Fig. 2) or in any other suitable
manner.
E (Fig. 2) is a spring compressed between the cover D and a plate F by which
means the whole pack or series of films in the chamber C are pressed forward so
that the front film thereof is brought up to register against the vertical side cheeks
or rebate G down each side of the front of the chamber C-see Figs. 2, 4 and 5-
and the bottom of the chamber C does not extend up to the point G but terminates
at the edge C¹ so that sufficient room is left for the front film to be drawn down
after exposure as hereinafter explained.
His a guideway down each side which commencing near the top of the chamber C
descends vertically and parallelly with the aforesaid rebates Ġ until below the
bottom of the chamber C this guideway H then extends in any direction desired
for instance it may be curved and extend forwardly towards the lens end of the
camera see Figs. 1, 2 and 3-or if desired the lower part of these guideways H
may descend vertically in which latter case the whole length of the guideway from
end to end may be in the same vertical straight line (thus necessitating rather
greater height in the camera) or same may be curved and extend rearwardly under
the reservoir C (instead of forwardly as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3) thus necessitating
rather greater length in the camera case.
In these guideways H travels and is guided the flexible carriage or sliding light
tight backing and film removing device and this carriage consists of a suitable
flexible light tight material I (such as German silver) mounted on a series of rigid
laths or stretcher bars J the extreme ends of which latter are guided in or on said
guideways H so that this carriage is such that it cannot fold or collapse although
flexible so as to be capable of travelling round a curve in the guideways H as shown
in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
In the event of there being no curve in such guideways then if the carriage is
only to travel reciprocally in a straight line in such case the carriage need not be
flexible but can be made rigid of sheet metal or other suitable material.
J' is one of the laths J made longer than the rest so as to project each side on
the exterior of the guideways H and these projecting ends of J pass through a
rocking lever on each side and terminate in a diagonal slot K* (shown in dotted
lines) in the draw lever K on each side of said frame B-these draw levers
terminating at the bottom in a crossbar K¹ with knob or handle thereon L so that
the said draw levers K are operated simultaneously whenever the knob L is pulled

page_text: out or pushed in such movement thereby moving the crossbar J in a corresponding
degree down or up the guideways II and this crossbar J¹ moves the carriage formed
by I J from one end to the other said guideways H.
The carriage 1 J terminates in a bent over tongue M (see Figs. 2 and 5)
projecting at the central part of said carriage (which is slotted at M₁ to clear the
retaining catch M* at the top of the reservoir chamber C-which catch or stop M*
controls the top edge of the pack of films) and having lips or projections M' on
the underside of said bent over edge M to overlap and draw down the front film T
in said carriage as hereinafter explained.
N is a flap pivotted at N' and pushed forward by a spring Nx so as to normally
lie across the path of travel of said carriage and which is pushed out of the path
of the said carriage by the latter striking the curved projecting side edges N' when
said carriage is moved into position in front of the reservoir C-the object of
this flap N being to prevent light from penetrating to the chamber in which the
films are deposited by the carriage after exposure as hereinafter explained.
O is an oscillating lever pivotted at Ox to the frame B and having a curved
slot or camway O³ therein in which camway operates one of the projecting ends J'
aforesaid.
01 (see Figs. 4 and 5) is a precisely similar lever mounted on the opposite side
of the frame B and operating in identically the same manner to O.
PP' are the two stabbing devices respectively pivotted at Q Q¹ on the platform
or support R extending right across from side to side of the frame B.
These appliances P P for pricking or stabbing into the front film-respectively
consist of a sort of bell crank device one arm of each of which respectively
terminates in the sharp point P2 P3 and the end P4 of the other arm of P extends
through a slot 0 in the said oscillating lever O (see Fig. 1) while the end P³ of
the other arm of the crank P1 extends through a similar slot in the corresponding
oscillating lever 01 on the opposite side.
S is a spring which normally keeps the end P of the device P pressed in the
direction of the arrow y (see Figs. 1, 4 and 5) and a similar spring to S (not shown)
keeps the arm Ps of the other device P₁ similarly pressed back-thus both
points P² and P' are normally kept pressed back out of contact with and clear of
the front film of the pack this normal position being shown in Fig. 4.
T is front film of the pack or series of films U.
'
Each side of the camera and inside the frame B is mounted a flap plate V
pivotted at V1 and the curved part V of which lies across the guideway H across
which it is normally pressed down by the spring V' so that the curved part V
of the plate V is struck by the ribs J as the carriage comes down and so throws
up these pivotted plates V from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown
in Fig. 2.
A pin or stud V* on the free end of this plate operates in a slot W* in a second
plate W pivotted at W' so that this latter plate is controlled by the former and
thereby thrown up to the position shown in Fig. 2 out of the path of the carriage
while on the return of the carriage out of the store chamber X into the position
shown in Fig. 3 the plate W is released and is forced down (by the spring Vs and
lever plate V) into the store chamber W as shown in Fig. and these plates W
on the opposite sides thus serve to keep down the loose films in said chamber
from getting in the way of the carriage as same passes into and out of said store
chamber X.
Y is a nose or projection ou each side inside the frame B against which the edge
of the drawn down film T¹ (see Fig. 2) strikes and is thereby stripped out of the
carriage on the return of the latter out of the storage chamber X.
ZZ are supports fixed on the back of the carriage and having fixed thereto
narrow strips of spring metal or equivalent Z¹ down each side edge of the carriage
and these serve to force back the rest of the pack of films U and prevent the
carriage touching same except along each said side edge.

page_text: The operation is as follows:-
The whole of the films forming the pack U in the chamber C lie closely pressed
against one another by the spring E up against the rebates G as in Fig. 2-the
carriage being in the lowermost position clear of said chamber C as shown in
Figs. 1 and 2.
To separate the front film the draw levers K K are by means of the knob Land
crossbar K pushed into the camera from the position shown in dotted lines io
Figs. 1 and 2 until the top of each such draw lever K arrives at a point above the
top of the guide ways H or thereabouts see Fig. 3.
Immediately this movement of the levers K in the inward direction commences
the same carry with them the projecting ends J¹ of the carriage which carriage is
consequently correspondingly moved along the guideway H and said projections J₁
first ride up against the side O³ of the camway 03 (see Fig. 1) in the said
oscillating side levers OO' which latter are consequently forced in the opposite
direction to the arrows y and thereby the ends P P of the respective stabbing
devices are moved in the same direction and thus the points P P³ respectively
are moved into contact with the front film T which they slightly stab or prick
and the movement of the arms P4 P³ continuing in the same direction i.e. in the
opposite direction to the arrow.y thereby the points P P approach towards one
another and having the edge of the front film T impaled on said points this said
edge is doubled upon itself i.e. bulged out or caused to assume the curved form
shown in Fig. 5 at the middle part of its bottom edge.
At this moment the tongue M has now arrived close to the bottom of the pack
and still travelling upwards said tongue enters between this bulged part of the
front film T and the rest of the pack and immediately this has taken place the
form of the camway 02 (by the sharp curve shown thereon) now oscillates
the levers OO in the same direction as arrowy and thereby withdraws the stabbing
devices P and P³ quickly out of the front film T and these points P' P³ will retire
to their normal position see Fig. 4-the projecting ends of the cross bar J¹ now
coming out of the camway O2 and clear of saine for the rest of the upward travel
of the said carriage.
As the points PP' are thus withdrawn-and the film T released from same-
the tongue M threads its way for its full width between the front film and the rest
of the pack and continuing to advance upwardly pushes back the rest of the pack
(the spring E allowing this) until on the said carriage arriving at the highermost
position it has then entirely separated the rest of the pack U (bearing only along
the side edge of the latter by means of the side strips Z' Z¹) from the front film T
the upper edge of which now falls back under the projecting lip M2 and the side
edges of the film lie in its original position against the rebates G and the whole
film perfectly flat in front of the carriage which thus forms a perfectly light tight
backing for same and this front film resting against the rebate G down each side
is then in correct focal position (i.e. up to register) and the exposure of this front
film can now be given without the possibility of any light reaching the rest of
the pack in the chamber C or the films in the chamber X where same are deposited
after exposure.
When it is desired to remove the front film the draw levers K are by the knob L
drawn outwards thereby the carriage is drawn down from the position last described
into the position shown in Figs. 1°2 and 4-the lips M engaging the top edge of
the front film which is thus held in said carriage and thereby bringing same out of
the exposing chamber with and in said carriage until such carriage is passed clear
of the reservoir C whereupon the rest of the pack is pressed forward by the
spring E against the rebates G G and the next front film of said pack is separated
as before described on the return movement of the carriage being raised by the
levers K and so on.
Meantime the film thus brought down in said carriage is stripped therefrom
on the return (upward) movement of said carriage by any suitable spring or other

page_text: pawls or catches such as Y (see Figs. 2 and 3) fixed to the frame B which inter-
pose across the top edge of the exposed film T lying in such carriage in the
position shown in Fig. 2 so as to prevent such film returning with such carriage
and the film thus stripped out of the carriage drops into the chamber X formed
to receive samne in the bottom of the camera suitable holding devices such as the
side plate W being advantageously mounted in the latter chamber to prevent
injury to the exposed film while in said chamber X as before described.
It will be obvious that the form of the stabbing devices P P may be varied
and also it will be obvious that the necessary movement may be imparted thereto in
any other suitable or equivalent manner instead of the particular form of oscillating
side lever O as shown in the drawings.
Instead of the flexible strips Zany other suitable ridge or raised surface may
be arranged down each side of the back of the carriage so that such carriage as
it is inserted between the front film and the rest of the puck only comes in contact
with the latter down the extreme side edges of the sensitive surface on the first
film of the rest of the pack U immediately next to the carriage and thereby
prevents scratching or injury to said films as the carriage moves up and down.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
-
1. The method of exposing and removing in succession each film of a number
of films arranged as a pack or series in a photographic apparatus without any
separating cards or separate "backs" between each of same by (1) causing one
edge of the front film to bulge to permit (2) the insertion of a sliding light tight
back between said front film and the rest of the pack thereby pressing back the
latter without altering the position of the front film so as to prevent light when
exposure takes place penetrating beyond the said front film (3) removing the
said light tight back and with it the said film out of the exposing chamber and
(4) releasing said film out of said sliding back and depositing it in a receiving
chamber so that the said slide can be again used to separate and back the next film
without altering same from its original front position and after exposure remove
same and so on in succession substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
2. A photographic apparatus for exposing and changing successively a number
of films arranged alone as a pack therein without any separating cards or separate
"backs
between each of said films in which said pack of films in their normal
position lie in the path of travel of a sliding light tight back adapted to travel in or
on guideways into or out of the exposing chamber and in so doing forces back the
rest of the pack and forms a temporary backing for the front film in combination
and acting in conjunction with means to permit the insertion of said sliding back
between the front film and the rest of the pack.
"
3. A photographic apparatus for exposing and changing successively a number of
films arranged alone as a pack therein without any separating cards or separate
"backs between each of said films in which said pack of films in their normal
position lie in the path of travel of a sliding light tight back adapted to travel in
or on guideways into or out of the exposing chamber and in so doing forces back
the rest of the pack and forms a temporary backing for the front film in
combination and acting in conjunction with means to permit the insertion of said
sliding back between the front film and the rest of the pack substantially in the
manuer and for the purposes herein before described.
4. In a photographic apparatus for the purposes described the combination of a
light tight back adapted to slide into and out of the exposing chamber in the same
parallel plane (or thereabouts) as-and behind the plane of-the front film of a
pack of films in said. chamber so as to force back the rest of the pack with means
operated by the movement of said slide to cause the middle part of one edge of said
front film to project across the path of travel of said slide and enable the latter to
enter between and thereby separate the rest of the pack from said front film in its

page_text: original front position and prevent light reaching the former during exposure of
the latter and afterwards remove said front film in said slide.
5. In a photographic apparatus for the purposes described--the combination of
a light tight back adapted to slide into and out of the exposing chamber in the
same parallel plane (or thereabouts) as-and behind the plane of the front film of
a pack of films in said chamber so as to force back the rest of the pack with means
operated by the movement of said slide to cause the middle part of one edge of said
front film to project across the path of travel of said slide and enable the latter to
enter between and thereby separate the rest of the pack from said front film in its
original front position and prevent light reaching the former during exposure of the
latter and afterwards remove said front film in said slide substantially in the
manner and for the purposes herein before described.
6. In a photographic apparatus for the purposes described-the combination with
a chamber for holding a pack of films of a guideway down each side of the front
of and in the same plane (or thereabouts) with-the front film of said pack in
said chamber a light tight back adapted to slide reciprocally in or on said
guideways film stabbing devices operated by the movement of said slide and
adapted to engage the edge of the front film and force said edge away from the
rest of the pack and bulge same out across the path of travel of said slide and
means to operate said slide from the exterior of the camera.
7. In photographic apparatus for the purposes described-the combination with
a chamber for holding a pack of films of a guideway down each side of the front
of and in the same plane (or thereabouts) with-the front film of said pack in said
chamber a light tight back adapted to slide reciprocally in or on said guideways
film stabbing devices operated by the movement of said slide and adapted to engage
the edge of the front film and force said edge away from the rest of the pack and
bulge same out across the path of travel of said slide and means to operate said
slide from the exterior of the camera substantially in the manner and for the
purposes herein before described.
8. In a photographic apparatus for the purposes described--the combination with
a chamber for holding a pack of films and having a rebate or shoulder down each
side of the front of said chamber against which the pack of films is pressed by a
spring or springs of a guideway down each side of and in the same plane (or
thereabouts) as the said rebates in said chamber a sliding light tight back adapted
to travel in or on and guided by said guideways and film stabbing devices arranged
to stab the edge of the front film at distant points and then continue to move
towards one another with the film impaled on the points of said stabbing devices
to thus bulge the said edge of the film to permit the insertion of said sliding light
tight back.
9. In a photographic apparatus for the purposes described-the combination with
a chamber for holding a pack of films and having a rebate or shoulder down each
side of the front of said chamber against which the pack of films is pressed by a
spring or springs of a guideway down each side of and in the same plane (or
thereabouts) as the said rebates in said chamber a sliding light tight back adapted
to travel in or on and guided by said guideways and film stabbing devices arranged
to stab the edge of the front film at distant points and then continue to move
towards one another with the film impaled on the points of said stabbing devices to
thus bulge the said edge of the film to permit the insertion of the said sliding
light tight back substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.
10. In a photographic apparatus for the purposes described-the combination
with a chamber for holding a pack of films and having a rebate or shoulder down
each side of the front of said chamber against which the pack of films is pressed
by a spring or springs of a guideway down each side of and in the same plane
(or thereabouts) as the said rebates in said chamber a sliding light tight back
adapted to travel in or on and guided by said guideways and film stabbing devices
arranged to stab the edge of the front film at distant points and then continue to

page_text: move towards one another with the film impaled on the points of said stabbing:
devices to thus bulge the said edge of the film to permit the insertion of the said:
sliding light tight back and means to operate said stabbing devices by the
movement of the said sliding back.
11. In a photographic apparatus for the purposes described-the combination
with a chamber for holding a pack of films and having a rebate or shoulder down,
each side of the front of said chamber against which the pack of films is pressed by
a spring or springs of a guideway down each side of and in the same plane (or
thereabouts) as the said rebates in said chamber a sliding light tight back adapted
to travel in or on and guided by said guideways and film stabbing devices arranged
to stab the edge of the front film at distant points and then continue to move
towards one another with the film impaled on the points of said stabbing devices to
thus bulge the said edge of the film to permit the insertion of the said sliding light
tight back and means to operate said stabbing devices by the movement of the
said sliding back substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.
12. In a film changing camera- -the combination with a sliding light tight back
of two crank levers such as P P mounted in front of the pack of unseparated
films and adapted to be oscillated by the movement of said slide points P2 P' to
said levers adapted to stab the front film near its edge and bulge out said edge and
hold same until the nose M of said slide has entered between said bulged part,
and the rest of the pack whereupon the movement of these points is reversed and
stretch the said edge of the front film and set it free and a projection or projections
such as M on the slide to bring said front film out of the exposing chamber
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated in the
drawings hereunto annexed.
13. In a film changing camera-the combination with a sliding light tight back.
of two crank levers such as P P¹ mounted in front of the pack of unseparated films
and adapted to be oscillated by the movement of said slide points P* P³ to said
levers adapted to stab the front film near its edge and bulge out said edge and hold
same until the nose M of said slide has entered between said bulged part and the
rest of the pack whereupon the movement of these points is reversed and stretch
the said edge of the front film and set it free and side levers such as O O¹ provided
with curved slots or camways 0 in which latter operates one of the cross bars J'
of the slide to impart the aforesaid reciprocating movement to the stabbing devices
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated in the
drawings hereunto annexed.
14. In a film changing camera-the combination with a sliding light tight back
of two crank levers such as P P¹ mounted in front of the pack of unseparated films
and adapted to be oscillated by the movement of said slide points P P to said
levers adapted to stab the front film near its edge and bulge out said edge and
hold same until the nose M of said slide has entered between said bulged part
and the rest of the pack whereupon the movement of these points is reversed and
stretch the said edge of the front film and set it free side levers such as 0 0³
provided with curved slots or camways O in which latter operates one of the
cross bars J of the slide to impart the aforesaid reciprocating movement to the
stabbing devices and a
hinged flap such as N to prevent light passing to the store
chamber X with side flanges such as N' thereon by which latter said flap N is
pressed back by the slide as same is moved out of or into the exposing chamber
substantially as and for the purposes bereinbefore described and illustrated in the
drawings hereunto annexed.
15. In a film changing camera-the combination with a sliding light tight back
of two crank levers such as P P¹ mounted in front of the pack of unseparated films
and adapted to be oscillated by the movement of said slide points P' P³ to said
levers adapted to stab the front film near its edge and bulge out said edge and
hold same until the nose M of said slide has entered between said bulged part
and the rest of the pack whereupon the movement of these points is reversed and

page_text: stretch the said edge of the front film and set it free side levers such as O Or
provided with curved slots or camways O' in which latter operates one of the
cross bars J¹ of the slide to impart the aforesaid reciprocating movement to the
stabbing devices a hinged flap such as N to prevent light passing to the store
chamber X with side flanges such as N2 thereon by which latter said flap N is
pressed back by the slide as same is moved out of or into the exposing chamber
means such as M' provided on said slide to draw said front film out of the exposing
chamber and a nose such as Y at each side of the frame to strip the drawn down
film T'out of the slide as the latter returns into the exposing chamber substantially
as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated in the drawings
hereunto annexed.
16. The arrangement and construction of apparatus for separating backing and
removing flexible sensitive surfaces used as a pack in photographic cameras
substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 12th day of March 1895.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.