Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 9th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 5th Oct.,
1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
I, WILLIAM HUGH RUBENS KERRY of the Manor House, Poolton, Wallasey, in the
County of Chester, Analytical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object a photographic camera that will be, as much as
practicable, self-contained. In its most improved fortr. it will carry its own plates and
automatically or almost automatically change an exposed plate for an unexposed one
so that views can be taken in quick succession. It can be carried under the arm
and the image found and focussed from the top and then the exposure is instantly
effected without having to alter the position of the sensitive plate focussing glass or
screen in any way.
In carrying out my invention, I prefer to form the frame of the camera as a simple
rectangular box formed of three main chambers, the ordinary body of the camera;
a chamber above this body; and a chamber in front holding the shutter, the lens,
and the focussing glass or screen. This box has preferably three orifices,-one
immediately in front of the lens; one immediately above the focussing plate; and
the third (which is not necessary but useful) immediately behind the sensitive plate
carrier at the back of the carrier. These are all supplied with opaque slides or lids.
On the shutter considerably above the exposure orifice I place a diagonal reflector
so arranged that on this reflector being brought immediately behind the lens the
image shall be reflected on to a ground glass (or focussing screen) immediately above
the ground glass I place an orifice normally closed by a sliding shutter in the top of
the camera.
The exposure shutter is supported by springs from above or is otherwise counter-
balanced so that when pulled down by means of a string at the bottom or the
winding up of a roller or otherwise it shall spring back thus taking the reflector
away from the back of the lens and immediately and momentarily exposing the
plate by causing the exposure orifice to pass between the lens and the said plate,
the shutter stopping when its perforated portion has passed beyond the lens. The
lower part of the shutter can be formed of opaque cloth or can be of wood or other
material, and if required to pass through the bottom of the camera is protected by a
waterproof or other opaque bag or sleeve. In practice, however, this can be obviated
by causing it to be wound round a roller instead of being drawn out through the
bottom by means of a string. A spring catch which can be released by a button
or spring from the outside holds the shutter when it is in its lowest position with
the reflector immediately behind the lens.
A little in front of the shutter between the lens and the top of the camera I place
a shield of cloth or other material so as to prevent the light which passes through
the orifice in front from striking the focussing lens, or in place of this a box can
be placed in this position carrying a dark lantern or other useful apparatus.
The opaque slides of the orifice of the focussing plate and the lens are con-
nected being preferably supported on a web or band passing over rollers and kept
in the normal closed position by a strong spring. By this means both openings are
exposed and closed at the same moment, the strong spring instantly closing the
openings whenever the spring catch holding them is released. This spring catch can
be of any convenient arrangement but is so placed as to be released by the exposure
shutter whenever the latter flies to the top of the box, and indiarubber buffers are
also preferably placed above this catch or any other convenient position to buffer
the slide when it arrives at its highest point.
Immediately above the camera body I place a second chamber containing the

page_text: carriers with their plates and also a light block or blocks to fill up the remaining
space not occupied by the carriers and plates. The carriers can he of any suitable
material preferably of thin cardboard ebonite Willesden paper or other light material
so as to occupy as little space as possible, and yet entirely cover the back of the plate
and protect the edges in front so as to prevent the back of one carrier touching the
plate of the next carrier.. As many plates as are required for the day are placed in
this chamber and then the block of wood or other material is placed in front loosely
filling the remaining space. Two or three sizes of blocks can be kept in stock so
that any one of them can be used as required. A slit in the bottom of this chamber
at each end, just large enough to allow a plate and its carrier to pass, but not
large enough to allow the block to do so,-enables the plates to be passed from the
chamber into the carrier frame at the back end and from the carrier frame afterwards
to the front end of the chamber in the manner hereafter to be described.
In the body of the camera 1 place at the right distance from the lens and
immediately below the back-slit in the chamber above, a carrier frame with a slit
in the top to enable plates and their carriers to fall into it. This carrier frame has
mechanism for drawing it forward preferably a string at each end passing to a
windlass in front beyond the exposure orifice, and in order to enable the windlass
to pull absolutely evenly these strings instead of being each separate are united
together at the back of the carrier frame. By therefore turning the windlass the
carrier frame is drawn forward from one end of the body of the camera to the other
so that it shall come immediately below the front aperture leading from the chamber
above. In order that it may be drawn back automatically after having got rid of its
plate in the manner hereafter described the carrier frame is fastened by two or more
strings preferably two above and one below to a spring roller similar to a blind
roller. The two strings at the top, or at the bottom as the case may be or in both
cases, are united together being simply attached to the carrier frame by eyelets so
that they can allow for any variation in winding up: Any other arrangement by
which the carrier frame can be brought forward in a direction perfectly parallel with
the front and back and allowed to fly back by means of a spring can be used instead
of the above apparatus. In order to close the two orifices when the carrier frame is
travelling and thus prevent plates falling down into the body of the camera, two bars
or shutters are employed regulated by springs but preferably connected together at
each end by a single spring uniting the two so that whenever the carrier frame is in
an intermediate position these two bars close the orifices, but the moment the carrier
frame begins to come into position under either orifice it pushes the bar before it and
takes its place. The shutter in the sight hole at the back of the body of the camera
is provided with an ordinary shutter and catch. The space between the upper
chamber and the back of the camera, namely that part just above the roller can be
used to keep spare carriers or for any other object.
The mode of actuating is as follows:-A sufficient number of plates and their
carriers having been placed in the upper chamber at the back of the block to form a
day's supply, the camera is carried out under the arm, or if desired it can be placed
on a tripod in the usual manner, slides being fixed on the bottom of the camera to fit
the tripod. When a view is required to be taken the shutter is pulled down to its
utmost tether, by this means the reflector attached thereto is exactly behind the lens
and a catch holds it in place. The two shutters closing the orifices to the lens and
the focussing plate respectively are now drawn back against the pressure of their
spring, and an image is arranged and focussed by means of the focussing plate or
screen and the ordinary focussing screw. The moment the image is exactly right as
seen from the focussing plate, the spring catch holding the shutter is touched and
the shutter released. The powerful springs attached to the latter draw it up momen-
tarily exposing the plate as the orifice in the shutter passes the orifice into the body
of the camera. The moment the shutter reaches nearly the highest point it comes
in contact with the spring catch which holds the shutters of the two orifices open and
these are instantly closed by means of the spring attached to them. The carrier
frame is now drawn forward by means of the windlass until it arrives immediately

page_text: below the front carrier orifice. The camera is now inverted, the carrier and plate
fall through the orifice into the upper chamber in front of the block, when a slight
tilting causes them to fall back against the block or the last plate that has been
exposed. The windlass is now let go, the carrier frame flies back allowing the bar
or shutter in front to close the front carrier orifice, the frame then comes in contact
with the shutter of the back carrier orifice, pushing it away, and taking its place;
another carrier and plate now immediately falls down into the carrier frame, and the
apparatus is ready for another focussing and exposure.
In order to regulate the duration of exposure, a simple straight shutter pulled
down may be used, I attach weights to the string, if it be wound on a. roller. I use
retarding or accelerating devices.
As in focussing it is rather difficult to see the image clearly when the light falls on
the top, I box the focussing plate in with a fixed or movable box having a hinged or
movable lid composed of a lens and its frame. The image first seen in its exact
size on the focussing plate, the lens is now placed in position, and the image is
magnified and so more perfectly focussed. This camera can be adapted for taking
long exposures by the addition of an ordinary flap or other shutter, or a small stop
device can be added to the shutter already described, to stop it half way, and thus
let it remain open as long as desired. When the stop is withdrawn, it closes
instantly. When an iris diaphragm is used, its outer milled rim or equivalent is
connected with a notched handle or the like outside the camera by means of levers,
links or other mechanism.
Dated thin 11th dow of Datshor 1488
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
I, WILLIAM HUGH RUBENS KERRY of the Manor House, Poulton, Wallasey, in the
County of Chester, Analytical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion 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 a photographic camera that will be, as much as
practicable, self-contained. In its most improved form, will carry its own plates,
and automatically or almost automatically, change an exposed plate for an unexposed
one, so that views can. be taken in quick succession. The camera can be carried
under the arm, and the image found and focussed from the top and then the exposure
is instantly effected without having to alter the position of the sensitive plate,
focussing glass, or screen in any way.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a camera constructed in accordance with my
invention.
Figure 2 is a section taken on line a x, Figure 1, at right angles thereto.
Figure 3 is a similar view on line y y, with the plate box removed."
Figure 4 is a sectional plan on line A B, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a detail, hereinafter explained.
Figure 6 is a detached view of the plate box and mode. of. fitting the same in the
camera proper.
Like letters of reference refer to corresponding parts in all the Figures.
In carrying out. my invention, I prefer to form the frame of the camera as a
simple rectangular box, formed of four main chambers, the ordinary body A of the
camera, a chamber B above this body, and two chambers C in front holding the
shutter, the lens, and the focussing glass or screen. This box has, preferably, three
orifices, one, C¹, immediately in frout of the lens, one, C², immediately above the
focussing plate, and which is preferably shaded, and the third, (which is not necessary,
but useful) may be placed immediately behind. the sensitive plate carrier at the. back

page_text: of the camera. This latter opening is not shown. These openings are all supplied
with opaque slides or lids or screens of non-actinic material. Dis a movable partition,
which is free to slide backwards and forwards in the chamber C, an opening d being
provided which is threaded or otherwise made capable of holding the lens. A rack d
is attached to this partition, and is in gear with a pinion d2, which may be actuated
from outside by means of a spindle and milled head d³, & in this way the correct
focus may be given to an image. E is a fixed partition, which separates the two
chambers, A, C¹; this is also provided with a hole E' to allow the rays of light to
pass.
A shutter. F, composed of a broad ribbon of silk or other flexible fabric, normally
covers over the opening E, and prevents the passage of light into the box A, except
when an opening F1 is allowed to coincide therewith, as hereinafter described.
On the front of shutter F, considerably above the exposure orifice, F1, I place a
diagonal reflector or mirror G, so arranged that, on this reflector being brought
immediately behind the lens supported in opening d, the image shall be reflected on
to a ground glass (or focussing screen g) immediately above.
The orifice C², above the focussing screen g, and the orifice C", in the front of the
camera, are normally covered by means of slides c² and c¹ of ebonite or other suitable
substance, and these slides are connected together by a web of silk c³, or by means of
cords, or otherwise. A spring roller c¹ tends to keep the two slides over their
respective openings, but they may, when desired, be retracted therefrom, by pulling
a string projecting from the box.
A spring catch serves to retain the slides, c¹ c², in their open position, whence
they are released as hereinafter described.
The exposure shutter F is actuated by one or more springs from above, or is
otherwise counterbalanced, so that when pulled down by means of a string f¹, at the
bottom, or by the winding up of a roller, or otherwise, it shall tend to spring back,
thus taking the reflector G away from the back of the lens, and immediately, and
momentarily, exposing the plate behind, by causing the exposure orifice, F¹, to pass
between the lens and the said plate, the sbutter stopping when its perforated portion
has passed beyond the lens. I form the upper portion of the shutter F, of ebonite or
other rigid material, and, when raised by means of the spring f, or its equivalent
this rigid portion rests between two guides H H. A catch H, controlled by a
spring and released from outside by means of a projection h¹, is employed to retain
the shutter F in its "set" position, or to release it in order to make an exposure,
(see Figure 5, which is a detached plan view of the catch, etcetera).
The mode of action of this portion of the apparatus is as follows:-
On pulling the string f, the shutter F is placed in its "set" position, and the
reflector G at the same time is brought to the position shown in Figure 1. The
string is now pulled, and causes the slides c c to uncover the holes (*, thereby
allowing the light to pass through the lens on to the reflector G, and thence to the
screen g. The image may be then found and focussed, and the exposure may now
be made by pressing in the catch h¹, which allows the shutter opening F1 to fly past
the opening E..
This camera can be adapted for taking long exposures by the addition of an
ordinary flap or other shutter, or. a small stop device can be added to the shutter
already described, to stop it half way and thus let it remain open as long as desired.
When the stop is withdrawn, it closes instantly. When an iris diaphragm is used,
its outer milled rim or equivalent is connected with a notched handle or the like,
outside the camera, by means of levers, links, or other mechanism. A sensitive
plate carried in the box A receives the impression, as hereinafter described.
When the top of the shutter F has nearly reached the end of its travel, it strikes
and raises a pawl c, and this in turn depresses the catch c before described, and
allows the slides c¹² to close their respective openings. Buffers g¹ of rubber or
other suitable material are attached to the top of the shutter F, & serve to bring it to
a gradual stop by meeting the screen g. The lower part of the shutter can be
formed of opaque cloth, or can be of wood, or other material, and if passed through

page_text: the bottom of the camera, instead of being actuated from the back, is protected by a
waterproof or other opaque bag, or sleeve. Or, if desired, it may be wound round
a roller instead of being drawn out.
The horizontal division
in the chamber C₁ prevents direct light from the
orifice Creaching the focussing screen 9 and so obscuring the image, it also serves
as a guide for the division D.
A plate during exposure is carried in the chamber A, while those which have
already been exposed, or are held in reserve, are carried in the chamber B. In
practice I find it advisable to employ one or more inner boxes I adapted to fit
within the chamber B, and each of said boxes I may contain a complement of dry
plates. When the plates in one box I are used, it may be withdrawn and another
substituted.
In the chamber B or its inner case I, are the carriers with their plates J', and
also a light block or blocks to fill up the remaining space not occupied by the
carriers and plates. The carriers j can be of any suitable material, preferably of thin
card board ebonite, Willesden paper, or other light material. so as to occupy as little
space as possible, and yet entirely cover the back of the plate and protect the edges
in front, so as to prevent the back of one carrier touching the plate of the next
carrier. As many plates as are required for the day are placed in this chamber, and
then the block of wood or other material is placed in front loosely filling the remaining
space. Two or three sizes of blocks can be kept in stock so that any one of them
can be used as required.
Slits in the bottom of this chamber B, one at each end, just large enough to
allow a plate and its carrier to pass, but not large enough to allow the block to do so,
enable the plates to be passed from the chamber B into the carrier frame J at the
back end (see Figure 1), and from the carrier frame afterwards to the front end of the
chamber in the manner hereafter to be described.
In the chamber A, 1 place at the right distance from the lens and immediately
below the back-sliti in the chamber B, above, a carrier frame J with a slit J in the
top to enable plates and their carriers to fall into it. This carrier frame has mechanism
for drawing it forward, preferably a string k at each end, passing 'to a windlass L in
front beyond the exposure orifice, and in order to enable the windlass L to pull
absolutely evenly these strings & instead of being each separate are united together at
the back of the carrier frame.
In some cases I. prefer, instead of connecting the cords to the windlass L, to
attach them to two quadrants of much larger diameter fastened one at each side of
the said shaft. This arrangement is applicable where a quick movement of the carrier
frame is desired with a small motion of the handle 1, or a straight lever may be sub-
stituted for the said handle. By therefore turning the windlass L by means of
handle, the carrier frame is drawn forward from one end of the body of the
chamber A to the other, so that it shall come immediately below the front aperture i
leading from the chamber B above. In order that it may be drawn back automatically
after having got rid of its plate in the manner hereafter described, the carrier
frame J is fastened by two or more strings k¹ preferably two above and one below to
a spring roller M similar to a blind roller. The two strings at the top or at the
bottom as the case may be or in both cases, are united together, being simply
attached to the carrier frame by eyelets, so that they can allow for any variation in
winding up. Any other convenient arrangement, by which the carrier frame J can
be brought forward in a direction perfectly parallel with the front and back and
allowed to fly back by means of a spring, can be used instead of the above apparatus.
In order to close the two orifices when the carrier frame is travelling and thus
prevent plates falling down into the body of the camera, two bars N, N' or shutters,
are employed preferably regulated by bow springs n. If desired they may be con-
nected together at each end by a single spring uniting the two, so that whenever the
carrier frame is in an intermediate position these two bars N N¹ close the orifices i i¹,
but the moment the carrier frame begins to come into position under either orifice,
it pushes the bar before it and takes its place.

page_text: The mode of action of this portion of the camera is as follows:-
The parts being in the position shown in Figure 1, a plate and carrier j j¹ fall
through the slit into the slit J' in the carrier frame J. being there exposed as
before described. The windlass L is now turned and the carrier frame thereby
brought to its front position under the slit i, the shutter N being pushed back by
the pressure of the carrier frame against it. The camera is now turned upside down,
and the exposed plate drops into the chamber B. On the return of the carrier frame J,
the shutter N closes, (by means of its spring n) and the shutter N¹ which has been
closed on the removal of the carrier frame, is again opened and another plate drops
into the carrier frame if the camera is righted. This action may be repeated as often
as there are unused plates in the chamber B, and it is impossible for one plate to be
brought down twice, as when all have been exposed the block comes over the
opening i, and being too large to pass, the operator can tell of its arrival by failing
to hear the noise of a dropping plate..
The inner box I is provided with light wood shutters or slides o to cover over
the slits therein before removal from the chamber B, or during transport. From
the foregoing description it will be readily perceived that one great advantage of my
camera is that the view may be photographed the moment it is found or focussed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In a photographic camera, the combination of a box or chamber to contain
sensitive plates and having a slit at each end thereof, a reciprocating plate carriage
within a second chamber adapted to receive a plate dropped through one slit and to
transfer it again to the first chamber through the other slit when the position of the
camera is reversed, substantially as described.
2. In a photographic camera having a movable carriage for transferring the plates
from one end of a chamber to the other, an externally operated winding device con-
nected to the said carriage to effect a steady forward movement of the same, and a
spring device adapted to effect its return, substantially as described and for the
purposes set forth.
3. In a photographic camera, the combination of an exposure shutter capable of
movement behind the lens, and a reflector capable of rectilinear movement, and
adapted to reflect an image onto the focussing screen, and of being drawn aside
either attached to the shutter or independently in the manner described, whereby a
smaller reflector will reflect a given sized image than is possible with the ordinary
hinged reflectors.
4. The arrangement of a small movable mirror immediately behind the lens as
described in place of the large hinged mirrors now in use, whereby a larger image
can be reflected with a smaller mirror than is possible on the old plan.
5. The improved photographic camera, taken as a whole, substantially as described
and shown.
T: 0L 1
LA 1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.