Improvements in and connected with Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 22nd July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Photographic Cameras.
J, MADAME MARIE CONSTAN, of 8, Rue de la Marina, Lorient, France, Inventor, do
nereby 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:
This invention relates to a new twin photographic apparatus with rapid changing
of the plates, which allows of employing at will, glass plates or a double number of
rigid films, having a double guillotine shutter which is cocked without uncovering
the objective, and comprising the automatic cocking of the shutter during the
changing of the plates, and provided with an automatic counter for indicating the
number of plates that have been exposed, and for stopping the operation of
the apparatus when the supply of plates is exhausted.
The accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example, illustrate one
form of construction of this invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus showing the changing slide or
drawer in its outer position.
Figure 2 is a cross-section of the apparatus.
Figure 3 is a plan view of a plate-holding frame.
Figure 4 is a section through the box of the objective, in a plane at right angles to
the axis of the latter.
Figure 5 is a section of the same box in a plane X―Y of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a section of the same taken in a plane V-W of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a detail view showing the arrangement for effecting the release of the
shutter by means of a collapsible air ball.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus at the instant of a change of
plates.
Figure 9 shows the method of cutting out the outer casing of the chamber from a
single sheet of aluminium.
Figure 10 shows the mode of construction of the slide by means of a single sheet
of aluminium.
The apparatus consists of the dark chamber proper, and of the plate-changing slide
or cover, these two parts being made of sheet aluminium. The said slide in the form
shown in Figure 1 has single walls. It is attached by means of a hinge to the dark
chamber, and its wall opposite to the said hinge is cylindrical, and is adapted to
turn upon said hinge as an axis. The dark chamber has double walls, and the walls
of the slide are made to fit between the former without friction. The inner partition
a, is cylindrical, and has for its axis the aforesaid hinge. The slide is provided with
a stop m², which prevents it from opening more than is necessary. This slide is lined
internally with velvet, and a strip of fabric » prevents all admission of light through
the hinge. The plates are placed in plate-holding frames of metal p, p, .
(Figures 1 and 3).
and
These plates are introduced into the apparatus through the charging door p;
are piled upon one another in such a manner that the spurs q of each frame will bear
against the small plates that are fixed on the inner partitions of the chamber. All

page_text: these frames are pushed towards the objective by means of two springs r,
fixed upon
the partitions a₁₁ of the chamber. The upper frame is kept firmly at right angles to
the focal axis by means of two spurs which bear against the lower edge of the small
plates, and by two other ends which are engaged under the slide ways g of the
plate-changing claws. The film-holder plates have exactly the same arrangement as
the plate-holding frames, but they are only half as thick. As the spurs of the frames
have the same thickness on both cases, which thickness is equal to the distance
between the small plates and never more than one single plate can be changed
at one time, because the changing claws y project below their slide ways g¹, only to
the extent of one-third of the thickness of a plate-holding frame. Further, the
springs d have a tendency to oppose two frames from falling successively into the
slide when the apparatus is inclined during the changing operation. The slot guides s
fixed to the slide are formed with slots 81 in which can slide two fingers e, which,
in the movement of the slide, move with it a plate q upon which each of the plates p
falls during the changing operation in the manner indicated in dotted lines in
Figure 1. In order to change each plate after it has been exposed, the dark chamber
is held in the left hand, and the ring J of the slide is held in the right hand, the
objective being turned towards the sky, and the apparatus being slightly inclined
towards the ground with the slide underneath. On pulling the ring J the slide will
move out until the stop m¹ strikes against the lower edge of the chamber. In this
movement the changing rods b by means of their claws g, will move the frame p¹ towards
the right hand. The spurs of this frame will slide under the small plate ¹ over the
springs d, and the small plates, and will become disengaged. At the same time
the other ends of the frame become disengaged, and slide under the slide-ways g¹.
The frame p which is then quite free, falls into the slide. During this time, by the
action of the springs r, the frames p², p³, p24, have been pushed towards the objective,
and the frame p has assumed the place which was occupied previously by the
frame p¹. If now the slide be pushed back into the chamber, the frame p¹ supported
and guided by the plate q, slides under the frame 124 parallel to the latter, and arrives
in its final-position so soon as its spurs have moved over the latches or bolts l. The
changing operation is now terminated. Upon the dark chamber there is placed a
prism-shaped box carrying the objective, and the parts of the shutter. This latter
which is shown in Figure 4 in the cocked position, comprises two leaves j¹, jll, which
are placed above each other, and are constantly drawn towards the left hand of the figure
by the springs and They are each forined with an aperture. The upper leaf j
has its full portion in the position shown in Figure 4 opposite the objective, and
obturates the latter, whilst the reverse is the case with the lower leaf j". The leaf
is maintained in its cocked position by the stop b₁ which is engaged behind the hook d¹
of the catch d". The leaf ji is held by means of the stop 62 and the lever c¹ operated
by the spring .
A regulating pistou pl moves in a cylinder q¹ (Figures 4 and 5) under the action
of a spring ií. Upon the disc d there are screwed two stops 3 and 65, whose
axes enclose between them an angle of 90 degrees. These stops are adapted to
slide in longitudinal slots formed in the wall of the cylinder 71. Upon the body of
the cylinder q there is fixed the common axle of the two levers ₁ and ., and the
axle of the lever . The cylinder q is in constant communication with the
cylinder, in which there works a piston pl that forms a nut and is provided with
a pointer sliding in a longitudinal slot. The piston p is operated by means of
the milled wheel m'. When this wheel is rotated, the piston 2 moves, because the
pointer prevents it from turning, and it covers or uncovers in succession a series
of holes t, 2. The air compressed by the piston p passes into the cylinder q",
through an opening made at the left end of the cylinder whence it escapes through
the holes which the piston 11 has uncovered. In order to get instantaneous ex-
posures, a removable stop is pushed towards the right hand. This stop bears
against the lever /, which has been engaged, in the position of the cocked shutter,
with the stop 3 of the disc d¹¹ and moves it away from this stop as shown in dotted
lines in Figure 4. Then the catch is pressed, and the hook d¹ releases the stop b',

page_text: and the leaf answering to the spring, uncovers the objective suddenly. On
arriving at the end of its travel, the stop which is fixed upon the leaf strikes
against the tail of the lever 2, which holds the piston by means of the stop 63. The
piston is therefore released, and begins to move under the action of the spring 11,
and moves with more or less speed. Shortly before arriving at the end of its travel,
the stop 3 of the piston in acting upon the tail of the lever 41, releases the stop b²,
and releases the leaf j", which then covers the objective. By regulating the orifices
for the escape of the compressed air, periods of full exposure can be obtained of any
desired length relatively to those of exposure and closure.
For time exposures, the
O movable stop z is placed in the position indicated in Figure 4 and the pointer i is
placed in front of the number which corresponds to the greatest speed of the
piston, that is, to the greatest number of holes t¹,
decovered. The
As
tooth of the lever 1, engages with the stop 63 of the piston. If the catch d" is
pressed, the hook releases the leaf that uncovers the objective. The stop b¹
presses upon the tail of the lever ², but as the lever opposes itself to the departure
of the piston, the latter remains stationary so long as the catch is pressed.
soon as the catch is let go, the latter by the action of the spring dt, reassumes its
initial position, and the small lever e¹ in hooking on to the tail of the lever ls, releases
the piston which in its turn releases the leaf through the medium of the lever "
and covers up the objective. As soon as the lever, shall have released the stop b³
the tail of the lever e¹ will strike against the inclined plane n¹. The lever e¹ will
inove back and will release the tail of the lever , which will resume its original
position by the action of the spring The shutter can be cocked in exceptional
circumstances by hand, but generally in an automatic manner during the changing
of the plates. The shutter is cocked by hand by means of a small part w¹ provided
with a shoulder against which bears a coiled spring. This part terminates in a shoe
or block w that slides in a slide way formed in the partition of the casing of the
shutter. On pulling the button the shoe moves with it the leaves and ju
towards the right hand. The stop & hooks on the hook of the catch ', whilst the
stops 2 and 63 come into engagement with the teeth of the levers, and (and, in
the case of a time exposure). The piston p¹ has already been moved into its cocked
position by moving the stop b¹ of the leaf ji which has moved with it the stop 65. The
shutter is therefore cocked, and on releasing the button w¹ the shoe wresumes its original
position. For the purpose of cocking the shutter automatically, a small pitch chain y
is fixed to a sleeve y¹ which surrounds the tie rod y that connects the partitions
and a of the chamber. It passes over pulleys p, p, p, and is attached to
the rod O for operating a shoe 01 which slides in a slide way formed along the
cylinder q', shown in Fig. 5, said shoe having a lug extending into a notch provided
in the piston p and adapted to slide in a longitudinal slot in the wall of the
cylinder q. This slide way is terminated on the right hand by a partition against
which can bear a spring designed to constantly return the shoe ¹ towards the left
hand. On opening the drawer or slide, the chain y will be stretched and will draw
the shoe O' and therefore the piston p towards the right hand, thus causing the
cocking of the shutter. On closing the slide again, the shoe 01 will resume its
original position. For the purpose of actuating the catch by means of a collapsible
air ball there is fixed upon the shutter casing the arrangement shewn in Figure 7.
A nipple el is adapted to become inflated or deflated when the air ball, not shown in
the drawing is pressed or released, and it operates the catch d" through the medium
of a spring. An automatic counting device shewn in Figures 1 and 2, marks the
number of the plates that have been exposed. It comprises three brass discs n³, n, n³
the latter which is situated between the walls a, and a¹ of the chamber'is painted
black and bears printed in white the 24 numerals, 0, 1, 2.
23 which are adapted to
move successively in front of a small aperture formed in the wall a², and the edges
of which are lined with velvet. The dise 2 is formed with 24 ratchet teeth plus a
large notch. The disc ¹ is formed with 23 ratchet teeth and with a 24th tooth
having a very elongated form. The discs n¹ and n² are soldered together and are.
rigidly connected to the disc n³ by means of their common axle n'. The end of this

page_text: A
axle is pierced with a square hole into which an operating key can be inserted.
connecting rod b¹ fixed on the slide and actuated by the spring b¹¹ is capable of
engaging with the teeth of the disc n¹. Its lever C, C, actuated by the spring C11
is provided at one of its ends with a hook c which is capable of entering a recess or
socket provided on the slide. The other end c of this lever moves along the teeth
of the disc n. On opening the slide, the connecting rod 61 passes over a tooth of
the disc . When the slide is closed again the discs n², n², and n³ rotate
simultaneously through the same angle whereby the number indicated by the disc n³
is altered by one unit, and the tail c¹ of the lever C, C¹, is caused to advance to the
extent of one tooth. After making 23 changes of plates, the tail c¹ of the lever C, CI
will have arrived opposite the notch in the disc n² and consequently it will come
under the action of the spring C². The hook c will arrest and hold the slide. The
shutter will therefore be cocked for the 24th plate, but as the latter cannot change
itself automatically the shutter will not be able to be cocked anew, and it will not be
possible to expose the same plate twice.
In order to employ different objectives it is sufficient to push the shutter casing
more or less into the chamber in which it is fixed by suitable means.
The wall m is
made movable in order to facilitate inspection of the apparatus.
INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION.
The industrial construction of this apparatus is of the very simplest nature because,
1st, does not comprise any delicate or complicated part and also because the outer
casing and the slide may be made by means of stamping mechanism, each from a
single sheet of aluminium of 1 mm. in thickness. In the case of the outer casing it
is sufficient to cut out the sheet of aluminium according to the outline shewn in
Figure 9. Then by means of rivets there are fixed thereto, the strips or
bands b, c, co, dº, dº, cº, m, 1º, 1º, and Ko jo of sheet aluminium of 3 mm. in thick-
ness. These strips are designed to ensure the proper distance apart of the
partitions a, a, a, and a¹. In these strips there are formed the grooves in which
are fitted the edges of the charging door and of the adjacent wall. There are also
fixed by means of rivets the strips e f g and of sheet aluminium of 1 mm.
in thickness designed to form the edge of partitions and a². There remains then
only to fold the sheet so prepared according to the dotted lines and then to insert the
few rivets which are indicated in the diagrams. I is the hole for reading the
numbers of the counter. B is the hole through which the axle of the counter passes.
The construction of the slide will be clearly seen from Figure 10. Before folding, the
parts c¹¹ e¹ and m³, 16, 011, should be dished in order to give them the
necessary curvature. The other details of construction are sufficiently indicated in
the drawings so that it is not necessary to describe them in detail.
6? 0
0
In the stereoscopic twin apparatus the plate changing slide will probably be placed
on one of the large sides of the twin apparatus. This arrangement may also be
adopted for certain sizes. The hinge of the slide will most probably be replaced by
two pins engaging in recesses formed in the slide for this purpose." This will thus
produce an extremely soft working. It is indispensable to note that the various
mechanisms of my twin apparatus do not necessitate in any manner the use of hinged
slides. They are applicable to all possible kinds of slides. I therefore specially
reserved the right of applying my system of plate changing, and the other properties
of my twin apparatus:-
(1) First and especially, to a new pattern of twin apparatus with a prism-shaped
slide.. In this pattern the inner wall of the chamber which is situated opposite the
objective is flat and parallel to the base of the twin apparatus. The interlocking of
the walls of the slide and of the chamber is absolutely similar to that which is effected
in the twin apparatus above described, but the hinge if replaced by a simple or double
blind, the free end of which is fixed on the wall of the chamber. All the
mechanisms and all the features of the apparatus herein above described are carried
out in the same manner in this second pattern.
(2) To an apparatus provided with a bellows-slide pivotting on a hinge.

page_text: 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) A twin photographic apparatus characterised by a dark chamber having double
walls for rendering it tight, by the combination of frames having spurs and of guide
plates which allow of changing frames of different thicknesses one by one, in the same
apparatus, by the arrangement of a rigid plate for guiding the plate holding frames
and for protecting them from all bending strains; by a shutter composed of two
superposed leaves adapted to be operated by the finger or by means of a collapsible
air ball, and adapted to give all degrees of speed, by an arrangement for automatically
cocking the shutter during the plate changing operation, by an arrangement of
automatic counter for indicating the number of the plates that have been exposed and
for stopping the working of the apparatus when the stock of plates is exhausted, by
the arrangement of the adaptation of the objective to the dark chamber for allowing
of the optional use of all corresponding objectives, whatever may be their focal
distances.
(2) In a twin photographic apparatus as specified in Claim 1, the arrangement of a
slide connected with the dark chamber by means of hinges, oscillating on said hinges
for the purpose of changing the plates, provided with a rigid metal plate moved along
by the slide by means of two fingers which are adapted to slide in the slot &¹ and
receiving the plates which when drawn by a lever jointed to the said slide, fall one by
one into the latter, this arrangement serving to prevent the breakage of the
plates.
(3) In a twin photographic apparatus as specified in Claim 1, a shutter characterised
by two light leaves operated by springs, and arranged one above the other in such a
manner that the opening of one corresponds to the full part of the other, and
inversely, and being arranged in such a manner that when the first leaf is released, it
will suddenly uncover the objective, by a mechanism which instantaneously sets in
operation an air piston operated by a spring as soon as the full opening is obtained,
by the said piston which moves more or less fast according to the orifice of escape
allowed to the air and which releases at the end of its travel the second leaf which
then suddenly covers the objective.
(4) In a twin photographic apparatus as specified in Claim 1, devices for
allowing the leaves to be released for instantaneous exposure or for time
exposure.
(5) In a twin photographic apparatus as specified in Claim 1, a device for
automatically cocking the shutter characterised by a small chain attached to a sleeve
mounted on a stay rod of the chamber, said chain passing over a pulley mounted on
the wall of the slide and over two other pulleys arranged in the chamber, and
operating the shutter for the purpose of cocking the same each time a plate is
changed.
(6) In a twin photographic apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, the arrangement of
an automatic counter composed of three discs, one of which bears numerals that are
visible on the outside of the chamber, these other two discs being toothed and one of
them receiving from a lever jointed to the slide, an impulse corresponding to a change
in the visible numeral, at each changing of a plate, a device in connection with the
third disc preventing the shutter from being cocked when the last plate has
been exposed, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the annexed
drawing.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.J.Mech, E.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
70), Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.