Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1895--Accepted, 1st Feb., 1896
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
HENRY JAMES SPRATT ALFRED SIDNEY SPRATT, GEORGE ALBERT SPRATT,.
of Tudor Works Tudor Road, Hackney Scientific and Photographic Instrument
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 :-
Our invention relates to improvements in photographic camera in which the
usual means of attaching & detaching the swinging front is replaced by a means
hereinafter described.
In order that our invention may be fully understood we now proceed to describe
the same with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. I is a metal plate fixed on to the baseboard of camera having cut in its side
two slots of a particular shape as shown on drawing.
Fig. II is a metal plate which is fixed on the bottom side of the frame carrying
the camera front having upon its lower end two projecting pins as shown on
drawing.
Fig. III represents the two parts Figs. 1 & 2 engaged with each other as when
camera is set up for use.
The slot E cut into the metal plate A is of such a shape that the pin C can
pass down vertically to the bottom & then proceed half the diameter of the said
pin C towards the front of the camera (direction as indicated by the arrow). The
slot F also cut into the metal plate A is an are shaped slot concentric with pin C,
when it has proceeded forward to its limit as described above, the pin D is then
enabled to engage with the arc-shaped slot F as shown by the dotted portion Fig. 3
and immediately it has entered, the movement of the front is limited absolutely to.
a concentric one. It will be seen therefore that for the purpose of disengaging
the camera front it is only necessary to swing it forward until the pin D is.
disengaged from the arc-shaped slot F when pin C can also be disengaged from.
the slot E.
We do not confine ourselves to the particular form of pins & slots herein.
described & drawn, any convenient modification may be made provided always the
same principle is involved, that of two pins or projections which shall (by the
particular mode of entering specially shaped slots) thereby lock themselves into.
tbe position required for the purpose specified; as for instance the position of
slots & pins may be entirely reversed so that the centre or pivot pin is at the back
& the arc-shaped slot & pin working in the same towards the front this being the-
more convenient position for some form of camera.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
1st. Providing a photographic camera with a method of attaching & detaching.
the front to or from the baseboard without the aid of any bolts or spring whatever
so that immediately it is set into position its movement is absolutely limited to a
circular one substantially as described & for the purpose specified.

page_text: 2nd. A camera having its front & base constructed substantially as hereinbefore
described & with reference to the accompanying drawings.
HENRY JAMES SPRATT.
ALFRED SIDNEY SPRATT.
GEORGE ALBERT SPRATT.