Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 18th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 6th Sept., 1887.
I, JOHN EDWARD THORNTON, of, 3, New Lorne Street, Moss Side, Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Printer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to he
as follows:
The objects of the inprovements which are the subject of this invention, are for a
twofold purpose, hereinafter more definitely described; firstly for facilitating the
packing and unpacking of cameras and getting them into position for work, by reducing
the number of loose parts; and secondly, for facilitating the adjustment of the various
parts when in use, by providing more conveniences than hitherto, for the operator.
This invention is intended to form an addition, to be taken in connection with my
Specification dated the 24th February 1886, and numbered 2670.
In constructing a photographic camera according to my invention, I form the
baseboard with a circular opening in it, as large as convenient without unduly
weakening the parts; to the underside of this baseboard I attach another board, of a
suitable size and shape, (which I call the turntable,) and having a corresponding
opening, a little smaller than the one in baseboard, so that a projecting ledge is formed
on the turntable on the inside edge of the opening. To this projecting ledge on the
turntable, I attach a ring or flange of any suitable material, but preferably of wood.
This ring just fits easily in the baseboard opening, and comes nearly flush with the
surface thereof. A thinner flange or ring, preferably of metal, is attached to the
top edge of the wooden flange, and overlaps the surface of baseboard just sufficient
to form a binding projection to keep it in its place. The baseboard can thus revolve
freely on the turntable, and a set-screw passing through the wooden flange, and
working into the metal one, serves to clamp the baseboard and turntable together
to keep the baseboard from revolving, except when required. The order of attaching
the flanges may be reversed if desired, and any other materials may be used for their
construction, but I prefer them as herein described.
The underside of Turntable may have recesses therein, into which are inserted
plates for attaching the legs to. These recesses and plates I place near the edge of
turntable, and extend them so as to come right out to the edges, and be visible from

page_text: the edges thereof. In the plates I form <shaped recesses, the wide end of each
coming to edges of turntable, and the narrow end terminating in a hole into which
the leg pin fits. The leg pins can thus be more readily placed in the holes than if
the position of holes had to be looked for underneath the turntable, as the pins may
be pushed in from the edges, the recesses guiding them to their places. This method
is only applicable to those legs which have projecting pins thereon. For those legs
having a fixed stay-pin or bar at the upper extremity, I form the turntable with
spring jaws to engage with the same, as follows:-The stay-pin fits into a hollow or
groove on the underside of turntable, and a spring metal catch, having, having a
corresponding groove on its upper edge, presses against the turntable, and holds the
stay-pin in position in groove, at the same time allowing it move tangelically.
This device may be placed near the edges of turntable, so that the stay may be
pushed in between the jaws easily.
The usual extension frame of baseboard is worked by the usual racks and pinion,
but I arrange the pinion so that it can be thrown out of gear with the racks, and
the frame pushed in or out without tedious racking. The end-bearings or plates, in'
which the pinion works, are slotted in such a manner, that the pinion may fall
sufficiently to just clear the teeth of racks, when pushed down. A small spring at
either end of pinion, on the underside, operates to press it in gear with the racks,
and a plate or other device, which may project to the outer edge of baseboard, is
placed over pinion, so that it may be pressed down thereby.
The frontboard, which carries the lens, is caused to travel backward and forward
as described in the before-mentioned specification. The bearings of the top pinion,
which works the front, are formed in travelling angle-plates or runners, and the
slotted stretchers, which support the front, are pivioted at their lower-ends to these
runners. The fork, carring the front, is constructed so as to swing either backward
or forward, on its lower extremity as a centre, being pivioted by any of the following
methods: Firstly, the two bottom ends of fork have each a small boss attached,
the said bosses being each cut part away, forming at their lower extremities a half
circle, so as to fit on to two shoulders formed on the pinion. Two short tubes are
smoothly fitted on the pinion, also a spiral spring which works in the space formed
between the two ends of tubes, and serves to press them apart. When the fork
is placed in position on the pinion, the tube ends spring on to the bosses or inner
edges of fork and so lock the fork on the pinion, at the same time allowing it to
swing thereon.
A projecting pin on each tube provides for drawing the tubes
together when it is desired to detatch the fork; Secondly, The sides of fork may be
held rigidly apart by a hollow bar or half-tube, which will fit on to the pinion, and
lock thereon by catch springs; Thirdly, Two flat springs, each having a small hole
therein, may be attached to the runners, and the fork provided with projecting pins
to fit into the said holes, and so form piviots for the fork to swing on; Fourthly,
The fork may fit on pinion, as described, and pins or bosses on the fork engage
with springs attached to the runners, to lock the fork on the pinion. Any other
method of locking may be used which is found suitable, and I do not bind myself
to any one of the methods described herein.
The sides of fork are slotted, and the front is made so as to rise and fall between
the fork, being fixed at any height by two milled-headed screws, which pass through
the slots in stretchers and fork, and work into the sides of front-board. These
screws serve a double purpose, as, when tightened they serve to hold the front board
firm and rigid by means of the stretchers, and also to fix at any height, as described.
When they are slackened, the fork may be swung to any position. The front-board
is kept from swinging or vibrating between the sides of fork by pins or screws,
inserted in its sides, and working in the slots in fork.
The front board is fitted with a revolving panel, to carry one or more lenses (as
described in the before mentioned specification). A spring, attached to front, is made
to engage
with revolving panel, so as to prevent it froin revolving when not required.
The top portion of front board above the revolving panel is so constructed as to
slide or lift out, so that by raising it up a little the panel may be removed, when

page_text: necessary. A brass ring or flange may be attached to front so as to cover the edge of
panel, and so effectually prevent light entering at the joint. This ring may be cut in
two, so that the upper half may be attached to and rise with the sliding portion of
front-board. A cover or plate may be fixed to the front-board, behind the lens, not
in use, and acted on by a spring or other device, so as to effectually exclude any light
from passing through the said lens, and at the same time not interfere with the free
movement of the lens panel.
The extension frame of baseboard is made sufficiently large to allow the front board,
fork, and stretchers, to go down into the recess or space formed therein. In order to
get this recess large enough, instead of the usual wooden rails on the upper surface of
baseboard for the purpose of guiding the extension frame, I construct the said guiding
rails of angle-brass and attach them to the sides of baseboard, with the turned-over
edges working in grooves in the sides of extension frame or on the top edge of same.
This admits of the extension frame being made the same size as baseboard.
When it is desired to fold or pack the camera, the front-screws are slackened, the
fork disengaged from pinion, and the front and fork lowered into recess in the
extension frame. The lenses, which remain attached, come through the circular
aperture formed in baseboard; or, if desired, the lens panel may be lifted out (before
the front is lowered) and placed face upwards in the recess in baseboard, so that
when the camera is closed the lenses will project inside the bellows. The lens panel
I prefer to make of such a size, that it will just fit into the circular opening in base-
board, being prevented from falling through by the projecting flange connected with
the turntable.
In order to allow the body of camera to swing or move in a horizontal plane, I
hinge or piviot the same to two plates, and also the stretchers which support it.
These plates have radial slots in them. To the sides of baseboard I attach two
angle-plates, which are bent and project over the top edge of extension frame, and
so form supports for the flat slotted swing plates. A set-screw passes through the
radial slot in cach swing plate, and works in the supporting angle-plate beneath, and
thus serve to clamp the swing-plates at any angle. Slotted stretchers and set-
screws allow the vertical swing, in the usual manner.
Instead of using loose or fixed spirit levels for adjusting the swing back and front,
I place in a convenient position on the side of camera body, and on the side of front
board, a small swinging or pivioted plate or pointer, to indicate when the parts are
plumb. I also place a similar plate on the revoling or square reversing adaptor,
whichever may be used, so as to hang plumb whichever way up the adaptor is placed,
for the purpose of getting the picture horizontal and parallel with the edge of plate.
Instead of making the dark slides to slide or push into a groove, as usual, I make
them so that they may be placed in position from the back, and when pressed forward
into their place in camera, they shall engage with one or more springs, to lock them
in position until released.
The focussing screen is made of a flexible material, which may be stretched on a
frame, or wound on a roller as described in the before mentioned specification. Instead
of, or as an auxiliary to, the spring connected with the roller for winding and giving
tension to the screen, one or more lengths of indiarubber may be attached at one end
to the said roller and the other end to camera body, so as to wind the screen up by
the tension of the india-rubber when the screen is released, and keep it "taut" when
extended. One or more pieces of india-rubber may be attached to the screen, to
counteract the force or jerk when the screen is released.
Dated this 16th day of October 1886.

page_text: 1, JOHN EDWARD THORNTON of 3 New Lorne Street, Moss Side, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster Printer 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 :-
The improvements forming the subject of this invention and which relate to photo-
graphic cameras are partly a new invention and partly improvements upon the
Invention for which Letters Patent for Great Britain were granted to me bearing
date 24th day of February A.D. 1886 and numbered 2670. In-order-more clearly to
describe my invention I have annexed hereunto two sheets of drawings. In the
several views illustrated therein similar letters refer to similar parts: Fig. 1 is a view
of underside of base board of a photographic camera. Fig. 2 is transverse section
and Fig. 3 edge view of the same. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of part of Fig. 1.
Figs. 5 and 6 are part transeverse sections to an enlarged scale. Fig. 7 is front
elevation and Fig. 8 side elevation of photographic camera. Fig. 9 is sectional
enlarged view of part of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 shows a modified form of lower part of fork.
Fig. 11 is view of front board with upper part raised. Fig. 12 is side view of fork
attached to front board but detached from camera. Fig. 13 is plan of camera with
bellows and front board removed. Fig. 14 represents back view of lens panel with
cover over a lens when said lens is not in use. In the construction of a photo-
graphic camera according to this invention, I form the base board a with a circular
opening as large as convenient without unduly weakening the parts. At the bottom
of the inner portion of this opening I form a flange c either by cutting the base
board a thinner at that part, or by attaching thereto a separate piece of wood or metal.
On the underside of the base board a, I place a board of a suitable size and shape
which I call a turntable d. I form a circular opening in the centre of the board d.
around the upper edge of this opening I form a projection the external diameter of
which is slightly less than the internal diameter of flange c at bottom of opening bin
base board I attach a flange or ring f to the upper edge of projection e on turntable d.
this flange or ring fis of sufficient width to overlap the upper side of flange c formed
at bottom of opening in base board a, the base board a can by these means be made
to revolve freely on the turntable d. The order of attaching the flanges e and d
herein above described may be reversed, other parts remaining the same.
b
To secure any fixed relative position of base board and turntable, I employ by
preference a cam g but the base board may be prevented revolving on turntable by
means of a set screw, clamp or other suitable ineans. The cam g is represented on
drawing in a position to allow the base board to revolve but when placed in the
position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4 the base board a is fixed firmly to the
turntable d. I form recessed places h at the outer edge of turntable in which I insert
plates j. I extend these recesses h and plates j so as to come as near as convenient to
outer edge of base board a. For guiding the leg pins more readily to their places I

page_text: form elongated holes or slots k in the plates j attached to recesses in turntable d
with the narrow end placed inwards towards the centre and terminating with a hole
into which the leg pin fits. For the purpose of attaching to the base board legs
that have a fixed stay pin or bar at the upper extremity I form spring jaws on the
turntable in the following manner: the stay fits into a hollow or groove on the
underside of turntable, and a spring catch having a corresponding groove on its
upper edge presses against the turntable and holds the stay in position in groove k²
at the same time permitting movement radially: the position of grooves and spring
may be near the edges of turntable in order that the stay may be more readily pushed
between the jaws.
1
In the specification of my patent to which I have herein before referred I describe
the means whereby I cause the front board carrying the lens to travel backwards or
forwards. In the angular side sliding plates or runners therein described and which
are marked m on drawings annexed to this specification, I form the bearing of the
upper pinion or that pinion which gives motion to the front board, and also I pivot
thereto the lower ends of the slotted stretchers n which support the fork p and
front board g.. I construct the front board so that it may slide between the
fork to which it is attached, the sides of said fork p being slotted, p¹, and the front
made so as to rise and fall between the fork. The fork with front board attached
P
is supported between stretchers n by means of screws s. These screws are inserted in
the front board and the necks of said screws slide in the grooves p¹ of fork p. The
lower part of fork and with it the front board will by these means swing in either
direction, and obtain any position either angular or vertical. I form the lower ends
of fork p² and p³ with a semicircular bearing or saddle. In attaching the fork p to
the shaft of the upper pinion 1, one side of the semicircular bearing p³ is slipped
under collar t on said shaft: the spring u being held back, the semicircular bearing p³
is placed on shaft and spring u released: the spring u and collar t will retain the
fork P in position on shaft but allow it to pivot thereon so as to permit the front
board to be placed either in an angular or vertical position. The front board
1 is
prevented swinging or vibrating between the fork p by means of screws or studs r
and set pins s which work in the slots p' of fork p. The screws s when tightened
retain the fork p and with it the front board q in the required position. In a modified
construction of fork p I form the lower part with key hole slots p* Fig. 10. The
shaft of pinion I form of two diameters, the smaller diameter is the same size
as opening of key hole slot and the larger diameter 12 is the same size as the hole p
in fork. I slip the slot p of fork over smaller part of shaft and then slide the
opening pin fork on to the larger part 2 of shaft. The fork is retained in position
by the spring n herein previously described. For the purpose of inserting in the
front board a revolving panel carrying a lens or lenses, I construct the front board
in two parts. I form the upper part so as to slide upwards or to lift out. I attach a
ring or flange to the front to cover the edge of revolving panel and thus effectually
exclude light. The ring or flange v may for convenience be formed in two parts so
that the upper portion can be removed with the sliding part of front board. In a
groove formed between the edge of revolving panel x and front board 4 I place a
spring w the end of which fits into a recess y forined on edge of revolving panel and
retains said panel in the required position. place a cover or plate a behind the lens
or lenses attached to revolving panel which are not in use, such cover or plate being
actuated by a spring so as to exclude all light from passing through said lens without
interrupting the free movement of lens panel. When a front board of exceptional
size is fitted to a camera and consequently more width or space is required in the
recess in base board to permit front board, fork and stretchers to be folded within said
recess, I form the guide rails z for guiding the extension frame, of angle brass or
other metal, in lieu of wood as hitherto employed. I attach said guiding rails to
sides of base board with the turned over edges working in grooves in sides of
extension frame or on the top edge of same, and by these means I make the extension
frame the same size as base board, and thus obtain the extra space required. When it
is necessary to fold or pack the camera and the front board is lowered and placed in

page_text: recess in extension frame, by the construction and arrangement as herein before
described of the parts of camera, the lens or lenses which remain attached to front
board will be placed in the aperture 6 formed in base board, or the lens panel may be
lifted out before the front is lowered and placed in the recess in base board with the
lenses upwards for this purpose I make the lens panel preferably of a size that will
fit into opening in base board and rest on the flange fin said opening. For the
purpose of adjusting the swing back and front I employ a pivotted plate or pointer a
to indicate when the parts are vertical: I also place a similar plate or pointer on the
revolving or on the square reversing adapter whichever may be used so as to indicate
in whichever position the adapter is placed whether the picture is horizontal and
parallel with edge of plate. I form the dark slides so that they may be placed in
position from the back, and when pressed forward into their place in camera, are held
in position by one or more springs.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
1st. In a photographic camera the form of construction and method of attaching a
turntable to the base board, as also the employment of a cam for fixing the base board
in any position on turntable substantially in the manner herein before described.
2nd. The method of attaching camera legs to base board by the employment of
elongated holes or slots K, or of spring jaws K' attached to underside of turntable as
herein before described.
3rd. The method of connecting or disconnecting the fork attached to front board of
a photographic camera with the upper pinion, or pinion which gives motion to the
front board, or to the shaft thereof as herein before described.
4th. In combination with a revolving lens panel in the front board of a photographic
camera, the employment of a flange or ring for covering edge of said panel, the
division of front board so that part may slide or be drawn out for removal of lens
panel, and spring wo for fixing position of lens panel, in the manner and for the
purpose as herein before described.
5th. In combination with lenses attached to a revolving panel the employment of a
cover or plate for exclusion of light in such lenses as are not in use.
6th. The employment of angular metal guide rails for guiding extension frame in a
photographic camera, and in combination therewith the general construction and
arrangement of sliding frame and base board for the purpose and in the manner
substantially as herein before described.
7th. The use or employment of a pointer or indicator attached either to the body
of a photographic camera or any other part thereof for the purpose and in the manner
substantially as herein before described.
Datad this 16th day of July 1887