Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1886.
Complete Left, 20th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 22nd Feb., 1887.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
GEORGE LOWDON Optician Reform Street Dundee do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This Limprovement relates to Cameras which are intended to be carried in the hand
and is particularly suited for instantaneous Photography.
The Camera is made so that when closed it resembles a Book, in the back of the
Camera which is made of wood and framed up I fix the lens so that it is quite
concealed from view and dispense with the projections and fittings generally, used
and in the back I fix a traversing shutter for the instananeous working of the lens.
Inside the book or Camera I attach a flexible body of dark cloth India rubber or
other suitable material at the narrow end to the frame surrounding the lens and at the
wide end to the external boards thus allowing the covers of the book to open
sufficiently to receive the slides containing the prepared plates. This book Camera
is held open by means of a hinged diaphram which when expanded rests on the two
ends of the parts representing the ends of the book.

page_text: GEORGE LOWDON 65 Reform Street Dundee in the County of Forfar Optician do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN PHOTOGRAPHIC
CAMERAS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object the construction of photographic Cameras in such a
form or shape that when closed or opened they present the general appearence
of a Book.
In this Book shaped Camera which can be used either with or without a stand the
lens is contained in the part corresponding with the back of a Book, so as to be out
of sight.
:
The dark Slides are placed accross the space formed by opening (as a book) the
Camera and the interior is lined with any suitable light tight material, the whole
forming a light and portable detective Camera which can be rapidly made use of, or
made ready for use.
The Sides of this Camera are held apart by means of a hinged or folding, stretcher
at the top and bottom to allow of the insertion of the dark slides; and when expanded
these stretchers rest on, and are held by a stud on the top, and bottom peaces (the two
ends of the hook). The whole thus becoming rigid and secure.
The interior, is lined with a flexible body of dark cloth, India Rubber, or other
suitable light tight material fastened to the interior of the Camera in any convenient
· manner.
Another part of my improvements is the adaptation of roller slides to this Book
shaped Camera, by which a number of Photographs can be taken either rapidly or at
intervals.
Any convenent form of Shutter may be adapted to this book Camera, such as the
ordinary metal strip, with openings therin which gives the exposure when moved
accross the lens, or simply a flap inside or outside, acting in a similar manner-the
shutter as shown in the drawings being of the former type, is actuated by a spring, and
is retained, and let of by a catch upon which it is caught by raising it hy nieans of a
peace of wire with a bent end provided for that purpose.
And in order that my invention may be clearly understood and easily carried into
practice, I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompaning.
drawings, corrosponding letters refering to corrosponding parts in all the figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1. shows side view of the said Book shaped Camera open. Fig. 2 an end view
of do. open.
Fig. 3 an end view of do. closed.
Figs. 4. 5&6 show same Camera with Roller slide apparatus applied Fig. 4 being
side view. Fig. 5. section through or on A. B. of Fig. 4. and Fig. 6 a closed
end view.

page_text: At Figs. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 C denoies Lens or Lenses, and D the shutter for the lens.
At figs. 2 and 5, the cloth or light tight body is shown at E, the same being shown
by dotted lines at Figs. 1. & 4.
At Figs. 1. & 2. the hinged stretcher G is shown with the Camera open, and by
dotted lines when shut at Figs. 3 & 6. At Figs. 1 & 2 F shows hinged end of said
Stretcher, attached to outside boards of said Camera. In Figs. 3 & 6. is shown the
same stretcher when shut up.
Ai Fig. 2. The dotted lines show an ordinary Camera slide inserted at L.
At Figs. 1 & 2. His shown the rigid book ends of the Camera, as fixed to back, (or
lens carring part) and which act as a firm support for both ends of hinged stretcher,
mentioned above, as shown by dotted lines at Fig. 2. advantage being taken of a small
projection inside H at K. to keep said stretcher rigid.
Figs. 4. 5 & 6 show the Camera with a Roller apparatus applied thereto; these may
be actuated by a movable milled head, or by the action of opening & closing the
Camera.
Having now particularly described and assertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be preformed I declare that what I claim is
1. The improved construction of hand Photographic Cameras by making them in
the shape or form of a Book, substantially as herein, before mentioned, described and
represented in the drawings annexed.
2. The improved application of Roller slide apparatus to Photographic Cameras of
the character herein before discribed & represented in the drawings annexed.
3. The improved general arrangement, construction, and application or repre-
sentation of a Book, for Photographie Cameras for hand or detective use, substantially
as herein before described, and represented in the drawings annexed.
GEO. LOW DON.