Improvements in Photographic Apparatus.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Oct., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 18th July, 1891-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION. .
Improvements in Photographic Apparatus.
We, SAMUEL DICKINSON WILLIAMS of Moorlinch House, Clytha Park,
Newport in the County of Monmouth, Engineer, and WILLIAM. ALBERT
EDWARDS of 3 Sydenham Terrace, Weston-super-Mare, in the County of
Somerset; Photographer, do hereby declare the nature of. this invention to be
as follows:
:
. F
:
**Hitherto in photographic cameras it has required several movements to accom-
plish the processes necessary for taking an instantaneous view or otherwise, and as
the 'ultimate condition with its obvious advantages, in photography and particularly
in the description of work done by cameras of the tourist or detective class, would
appear to be that the one general movement necessary for setting the shutter
should also suffice for the purpose of simultaneously putting a plate into position
for exposure or vice versa. One object therefore of our present invention therefore
is to provide a means whereby this condition may be conveniently and economically
fulfilled. We consequently in the first place and according to one plan of our
invention claim as novel the application to a camera of mechanism for automatically
doing by one general movement, when operated, the following things.
1st. The setting of the shutter preparatory to opening the lens.
2nd. The putting of the plate into position for exposure.
3rd. The proper disposal of any plate which may have been previously exposed.
4th. The raising and falling where necessary of opaque screens or flaps for the
protection of the plates from undue action of light.
Or our invention so arranges the camera as to enable the several operations to be
performed independently of the shutter mechanism.
"
To carry out the foregoing and according to one method of our invention we
construct the camera with a space A and a space B with a transverse spindle or
roller in the centre, one space being for the unexposed plates, and the other for
the exposed ones. The roller C is provided with clips or catches for the purpose
of holding the plate during its passage from one space to the other. In suitable
connection with the roller mechanism is arranged flexible gear and platforms
carrying the plates which platforms rise and fall in the spaces A and B..
On the camera being charged the platform in space A is depressed & that in
space B is elevated. As the plates one after the other are exposed they are
deposited in space B which becomes filled in just the same ratio as space A
becomes emptied. The roller C is connected by suitable mechanism with the
shutter gear and may be worked by hand from the outside, the operation being that
as described viz. the turning of the roller C deposits the exposed plate raises a
fresh one for exposure actuates opaque flaps for the protection of the plates not in
use and at the same time sets the shutter preparatory to the next exposure. Some-
times, we provide that on the desired number of plates being placed in the camera
a spring detent is by that fact operated and a force is thus stored to draw upon for
performing some or all of the processes referred to, the roller C being suitably
connected with either or both the spring detent and a ratchet movement gearing
into the shutter mechanism, where necessary we also arrange opaque screens for
protecting the plates which screens are worked by the motion of the plates them-
selves or by connection with the general mechanism. Our improvements further
comprise a means whereby on the camera being charged the spring which is then
compressed either by the forcing in of the plates or their weight or by being wound
up by hand can be gradually released on setting the shutter. This release, on the
shutter being set, then lifts a plate into position for exposure which can be at the
..
17

page_text: will of the operator; and on setting the shutter for a second exposure the plate
already exposed will be drawn into a suitable space at the back of the camera, and
a further plate will take its place. This process can be repeated each time the
shutter is set for exposure until the supply of plates is exhausted.
Sometimes we arrange our camera with the plates in holders which latter we
construct with hooks or catches at the top corners, and guide pins at the bottom
ones or vice versa. A mechanical slide operated by a spring draw pin projecting
from the camera frame tilts the plates at a convenient angle and at the same time
engages into the hooks of the back (or the front) of the plate holders. By means
of the spaces formed by the tilting of the plates aided by the use of grooved sides
in the camera frame in which guides connected both with the plate holders and the
draw pin mechanism work or by means of the combination of the draw pin sliding
mechanism with grooved pulleys the drawing of the pin or other equivalent motion
pulls the plate from the back over the tops of the other plates and deposits it in
front, the reaction of the spring pin releasing the hooks carrying the mechanical
slide back to its normal position and at the same time adjusting the plate into
position for exposure. This plan and mechanism can of course be easily adapted
for reversing the processes described—viz. for bringing the plate from the front to
the back. Sometimes in connection with the plan and draw pin sliding mechanism
just referred to we utilise the space which necessarily exists between the lens and the
exposed plate in the following way. We mount on a suitable shaft or pin, clips or
grippers so arranged with knife edges or otherwise as to enable them to take into
or hold of either a plate holder or a bare plate that is without any holder. These
grippers are pivotted on arms on the shaft so that on motion being communicated
to the general mechanism the plate is taken hold of and swung outwards and
upwards at an angle until it is in a suitable position for the sliding draw pin
mechanism to engage it and complete the transfer from front to back or vice versa,
the change of plates in the camera being tilted as described during the passage of
the plate over the top, to enable and facilitate its deposit. Or instead of the shaft
and grippers a simple lever movement can be applied to lift up the plate tilting it
at the same time to a convenient angle for transfer and deposit into its place. For
the opaque screens we sometimes substitute detachable opaque films or sheets of
thin paper or other suitable material applied to each individual plate and easily
removable on proceeding to developement. By this means we eliminate the use of
a separate sheath to each plate, and as we employ for our plates a much thinner
gauge of glass than hitherto we claim that in connection with the plans and
mechanism we have referred to we are enabled to get a larger number of plates
into the same space (which is a most important desideratum especially in regard
to this class of camera) than has hitherto been practicable; and from the point of
view therefore of increased capacity and quicker automatic action without internal
hand manipulation our invention renders the means of taking photographs easier
cheaper & therefore more accessible to the public than heretofore.
provide a new universal finder which ensures the object being in proper position on
the plate at the moment of exposure. In cameras hitherto it has been necessary
to have two separate finders-one for horizontal views and the other for vertical
views. Instead of this we place essentially at one top corner of the camera a tube
containing at one end a lens and at the other end a mirror with a ground glass
screen each at the proper relative angles, the whole working in a second tube in
order to allow of the first being rotated upon its axis to the extent required, or
the lens may be a fixture and the mirror and screen moveable. It is obvious there
are different ways of carrying out our idea in this respect, which essentially is the
rotation of the mirror. We also provide an improved shutter consisting of a
revolving disc of very thin metal or other substance, we attach much importance
to the fact of so. constructing this disc as the less the weight of the parts set in
rapid motion the less is the amount of vibration imparted to the camera at the
critical moment. This disc. which is worked by a spring is fixed on a pivot
carrying an arm. On setting the shutter this arm engages in a catch which is
We also

page_text: released at will from the side of the camera by a projecting pin when time
exposures are required a second projecting pin is brought into play which arrests
what otherwise would be instantaneous passage of the shutter thus keeping the lens
open at the will of the operator. Our improvements also comprise a novel means
of focussing consisting of the following arrangement. We fix our lens on a sliding
frame inside the camera and by means of a hollow pin we connect it with a sliding
plate on the outside of the camera and provide it with an index referring to a
focussing scale marked on the camera itself. On the sliding plate is also pivotted a
spring detent arrangement for the purpose of adjusting the size of the aperture.
We pass a spindle through the hollow pin mentioned and mount thereon á circular
screen behind the lens said screen being perforated with various sizes of apertures,
any one of which can at the will of the operator be presented to the lens. We
establish a light tight connection between the lens and the camera by means of a
screen of soft leather or other suitable material which not being tight or stretched
but being instead loose forms a flexible joint which allows the freest. We also
provide a means, by a suitable registering device connected with the general
mechanism, to indicate whether a plate has been exposed or not, as also the
number of plates exposed, and remaining unexposed. In some cases, and in
connection with our several plans and mechanism or otherwise we divide our
camera into two or more compartments sliding one into the other or hinged;
we fix our finder and lens on hinged parts and otherwise so arrange the whole
camera as to enable it when not in use to occupy a minimum of space for
carrying by sliding it together or folding it up.
Dated this Seventeenth day of October 1890.
SAMUEL D. WILLIAMS.
W. A. EDWARDS.
.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Apparatus.
SAMUEL DICKINSON WILLIAMS of Moorlinch House Clytha Park Newport in
the County of Monmouth Engineer, and WILLIAM ALBERT EDWARDS of
3 Sydenham Terrace, Weston-super-Mare, in the County of Somerset, Photographer
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:-
Hitherto in photographic cameras it has required several movements to accomplish
the processes necessary for taking an instantaneous view or otherwise, and as the
ultimate condition with its obvious advantages in photography and particularly in
the description of work done by hand cameras of the tourist or detective_class,
would appear to be that the one general movement necessary for setting the shutter
should also suffice for the purpose of simultaneously putting a plate into position
for exposure or vice versa, one object of our present invention therefore is to
provide a means whereby this condition may be conveniently and economically
fulfilled. We consequently in the first place and according to one plan of our
invention claim as novel the application to a camera of mechanism for
automatically doing by one general movement, when operated, the following
things:
1st: The setting of the shutter preparatory to opening the lens.
2nd: 'The putting of the plate into position for exposure.
3rd. The proper disposal of any plate which may have been previously exposed.
Or our invention so arranges the camera as to enable the several operations to
be performed independently of the shutter mechanism. To carry out the foregoing
and according to the first plan of our invention we construct the camera with the
plates in holders or sheaths which latter we construct with side slips forming hooks

page_text: or guides at the top corners bent outwards which act as supports and guides as
hereinafter described and pivot holes at the bottom ones. A mechanical slide
(operated by a draw pin projecting from the camera frame) is furnished with
pivots, which run into the pivot holes of the back plate holder on the rod being
pulled out; tilting the whole of the plates (& pulling sheath 12 from its temporary
support) & thus making room for it to be brought forward underneath the
remainder. When the plate is drawn sufficiently forward to be quite clear of the
remainder a stop on the slide operates a lifter hinged at the bottom of camera,
the said lifter raises the plate about half way towards an upright position where
it is held by springs. The rod is then out to its full extent, on being pushed in,
the hooks or guides on the holder slide up the sloping channel until it is nearly
upright when the pivots are drawn from their holes, leaving the plate free to be
finally pushed home by the slopes on the slide, on its being driven back. A quarter
turn of the button H Fig. 1 Sheet 1 secures the rod by engaging in the stop 1ª making
everything firm for exposing. This operation being repeated until all the plates
are exposed.
This plan and mechanism can of course be easily adopted for reversing the
processes described-viz. for bringing the plate from the front to the back or over
the top. This form of our camera & slide is shewn in the drawing Sheet 1 and
the following is an explanation of the parts there indicated. A-shews 12 plates in
holders; B slide; C-channel; D & D"-spring pieces; F-lens; G-frame
carrying lens; H-button of changing rod; 1-lifter; J-cover of magazine;
K-space for shutter; L-temporary supports; M-rubber buffers; N-chang-
ing rod; O-flexible leather joint; 0"-same extended; P-focussing index;
Q-support springs. Figs. 1 & 2 are an elevation of the camera and shew
respectively the plates at rest and in motion. Pulling the changing rod N causes
the wedge S Fig. 3 to push the sliding pins or pivots T T across the spaces U
Fig. 3 thereby connecting the sheath 12 with the slide B. As the rod N is limited
in its motion on the slide by the stop W a continuation of the pulling moves the
slide bodily it being prevented by the friction springs R R from moving until the
pivots are driven into their holes by the wedge bringing with it the sheath at
the same time tilting the general body of the plates as shewn in Fig. 2 until the
said sheath is pulled along far enough when it will be quite frce to rise (the body
of plates returning to their original position by their own weight). A stop plate
on the slide B operates the lifter I which brings the plate up over the springs Qas
shewn by the dotted lines Fig. 1. On pressing the changing rod in it pushes the
sheath (which is now supported on the springs Q Fig. 1 by the guides X Fig. 4)
up the channel C past the spring pieces D, the slopes shewn at U finally driving it
up on the ledge V, the pivots being released from the sheaths by pins set at right
angles projecting through the bottom of slide & operated by a guide on the
bottom of camera. When the slide B is pushed home the spring piece D" presses
the sheaths at the bottom. No. 1 sheath is not provided with pin or pivot holes
to ensure against its coming to the front after the whole number has been exposed.
Fig. 3 is one form of our mechanical slide. R-shews the friction springs, which
rub on the sides of camera which are grooved for slide to run in allowing the wedge
to operate pivots. S-the wedge; T-the pivots or pins; U-the slopes; W-the
stop. Fig. 4 is the plate holder or sheath. X is the side pieces forming
guide X" at top corners and being drilled at Z for pivots at bottom; Y-sheath;
Z-pivot holes. According to the second or alternative plan of our invention, our
mechanical slide is provided with spring loops at each side which loops are
operated being thrown into and out of gear in regard to their connection with the
plate holder which is provided with hooks at the bottom instead of pivot holes-by
passing, when the slide is pulled out, over spring guides or grooves on the inside
bottom of the camera. On driving the slide home, the guides release the spring
loops which immediately engage in the hooks of the sheath. These sheaths
containing the plates or films, slide and swing by means of the guides or guide pins
at their top corners on a ledge on each side of the camera. This ledge is sufficiently.

page_text: high to leave a space for the mechanical slide to work in freely at the bottom under-
neath. At the back of the camera the guide ledge stops short for the space of the
thickness of one sheath so that the sheath occupying the last position falls down by
its own weight below its fellows so that its hooks are free to become engaged by the
spring couplers or loops of the slide. This form of our invention we illustrate in the
drawings on Sheet 2 a description of which is as follows. Fig. 1 is a plan of the
spring guides a. a. in the bottom of the camera. Fig. 2 shews the plates or films
in position & the spring loops (6) just ready to engage. Fig. 3 shews the sheath or
holder; Fig. 4 shews the plan of the slide according to the form of our invention
now being described. a. . Fig. 1 are the guides which release the loops from the
plate holder, on driving in the slide; bare the same loops pivoted at 1, 1 and
kept out by springs 2, 2. These loops are provided with projections shown at L
Fig. 2 Sheets 2 and 3 which operate on guide pieces screwed to the bottom of the
camera. When the slide S is passing inwards these loops are brought by means of
the guides into the position shewn by the dotted lines; on arriving opposite the
back plate or sheath, the guides terminating at this point allow the springs to
operate the loops pushing them outwards over the hooks of the sheath, pulling out
the rod N draws the sheath from its temporary supports d, and the guide pins e
Fig. 3 travel in the groove f tilting the plates until the plate or sheath assumes a
horizontal position when the body of plates return to the upright position. Still
further pulling out the rod causes the guide pins of the sheath to run up past the
springs 9 Fig. 2. The rod is now quite out, on returning it, the guide pins e Fig. 3
run up the channel ½ bringing the plate to an upright position, pushing past the
spring pieces the guide pins run on the slope j; the tension of the springs 10 Fig. 2
and the release of the loops complete the process of changing the plate by lifting
the plate or sheath on to the ledge K Fig. 2. Fig. 2 Sheet 3 is a section of the camera
at 8 Fig. 2 Sheet 2 and shows how the plates are held in position in the camera.
J is the cover of the magazine; K. K. are the ledges on which the sheaths or plate
holders rest by means of their supports or guide pins e e. This allows the body of
sheaths to swing as well as to move gradually backwards when every successive back
plate is being removed from its temporary supports d Fig. 2 Sheet 2 and brought.
forward to take its position in front; // shews the channel; S the slide; bloops;
cc coupling hooks N rod. The body of plates are kept firm en bloc after each
operation of changing by means of the spring pieces i and "Fig. 2 Sheets 2 (and 3
and D" Figs. 1 & 2 Sheet 1) a a are the guides; B3 is the stop piece to set the
shutter.
We also provide a new universal view finder which ensures the object being in proper
position on the plate at the moment of exposure. In cameras hitherto it has been
necessary to have two separate finders, one for horizontal views and the other for
vertical views. Instead of this we place essentially at one top front.corner of the
camera a tube containing at one end a lens and at the other end a mirror with a ground
glass screen each at the proper relative angles, the whole working in a second tube
or holder in order to allow of the first being rotated upon its axis to the extent
required; or the lens may be a fixture and the mirror and screen movable. It is
obvious there are different ways of carrying out our idea in this respect which
essentially is the rotation of the mirror. We illustrate our improved finder at
Figs. 3 and 4 Sheet 3 as follows:-a is the lens; B the tube; c ground glass;
D angle plate with slot e in which pin F moves. Fig. 4 is a sectional view, the
dotted lines in both figures showing the position of the mirror F" being the position
of the finder when moved by turning the pin in the slot from the vertical to the
horizontal or vice versa, or in other words from F¹ to F" shews extent of rotation.
G is the mirror. We also provide an improved shutter constructed as shewn on
Sheet 4, and which we describe as follows-On the slide being pulled out in the
process of changing the plate it presses on the hinged piece 1 shewn here in a front
foreshortened view but a side elevation of which would shew an inclined plane of
which Z is the bottom end hinged on to the floor of the camera and Z2 is the top
end in connection with arm 2 by means of a flexible line of say string or catgut.
10.1.

page_text: :
This inclined plane is made to lie quite level with the inside bottom of the camera
when quite pressed down pulling the armi 2 which again turns the arm 3 this
pressing on the screw head 4 overcomes the springs 5. 5 carrying the slides A & B
from right to left, where they are kept by the spring catches 6. 6" (the spring
bringing the setting arm back to its original position on the slide being driven
home). It will be seen by this that the shutter is set without opening the lens,
or necessitating the use of an extra flap or cap the button 8 engaging the
shutter B and the slide 9 engaging the shutter A with the spring catches 6 and 6"
above named. To expose instantaneously pressing the lever 10 downwards releases
the catch of the slide a which instantly flies off the lens opening 16 and on reaching
the right side the button 11 lifts the catch of the slide B which instantly closes the
lens. For time exposure lifting the lever also lets the slide A go but detains the
slide B. by the stop 12 engaging the button 13. On taking finger off lever it is
carried to a central position releasing button and completing exposure.
buffers to prevent noise & vibration.
14 are
Figure 2 shows the shutter set ready for exposure as well as cavities 15-15
which are made to allow springs 55 free motion. The setting arm is not shown
in this figure. Figure 3 shews longitudinal section of shutter and the light tight
joint of slides A & B is shewn at 17, & the lens opening at 16. Fig. 4 is a vertical
section showing rabbets in which slides travel.
In Fig. 1 Sheet 3 we illustrate a further mode of enabling the motion of the
slide to set the shutter.
A² is a setting arm immediately behind the lens. Bis a
projection from the slide which in passing under the space occupied by lens rubs
on the twisted plate C causing the arm A² to press the stud 4 thereby carrying
slides A & B to the opposite side of camera. A spring D presses the arm
back again when the slide is driven home. Fig. 5 shews the setting arm &
twisted plate in detail. The setting arm A² is also shown in position in Fig. 2
Sheet 2.
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―
First The general arrangement of parts in a camera constructed according
to the first and second plans hereinbefore mentioned where a mechanical slide
changes the plates back into the same space as they previously occupied and
also sets the shutter substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Second-The improved shutter mechanism in either separately or in combination
with the method of operating or setting the same simultaneously with changing
the plate whether according to one or other of the plans named by means of the
mechanical slide and draw pin substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Third The view finder for horizontal or vertical views substantially as
described.
Fourth-The holders or sheaths constructed with hooks or pin holes and
with guide pins substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Fifth-The general arrangement of parts in a camera whether constructed
according to one or other of the before mentioned plans and in combination with
or without the use of one or other of the parts claimed in clauses 1 2 3 & 4 of the
foregoing claims all substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Sixteenth day of July 1891.
SAMUEL D. WILLIAMS.
W. A. EDWARDS.