Improvements in Boxes, Frames, or Racks for Storing Photographic Plates and the like, and for Washing, Drying, and otherwise Treating the same.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 28th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boxes, Frames, or Racks for Storing Photographic
Plates and the like, and for Washing, Drying, and otherwise
Treating the same.
I, JOHN BOULTBEE BROOKS, of 115 Great Charles Street, Birmingham in the
County of Warwick, Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is for the purpose of making a frame into which can
readily be placed the glasses or negatives during the process of washing drying,
storing, or other like usages, & is especially applicable when required to be used in
a darkened room, where it is difficult to see the divisions in the frame.
I will describe my invention in connection with a washing rack or frame. I
construct a frame, preferably of metal, with raised parts or divisions standing up
These divisions are so constructed
prominently at each side, opposite one another.
that the spaces are wider at the top, so as to very readily admit the plates or glass,
& taper near their base, so as to fit the glass & keep it upright when it is slid into
position. I then insert this frame into a washing box or trough, the water being
admitted into one end of the box, which has an outlet at the lower part of its
other end.
The projecting divisions facing each other readily guide the glass into the taper
grooves in the dark, without hesitation & loss of time, which cannot be done when
the divisions are level on the top. I apply the same method for drying, storing,
& other purposes, with the addition (if desired) of pitching the frame, so as to
cause it to drip at the corners.
In like manner I construct boxes for holding plates, also racks for negatives.
The drying and washing boxes may be so constructed that the one box will take
various sizes of plates.
Where economy of space is desired, as in storing & boxing plates, negatives, etc.,
the partitions are formed so as to receive plates both from the top & bottom, or
from both sides of the box.
Dated this Fifth day of December 1890.
JOHN BOULTBEE BROOKS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boxes, Frames, or Racks for Storing Photographic
Plates and the like, and for Washing, Drying, and otherwise
Treating the same.
I, JOHN BOULTBEE BROOKS, of Great Charles Street, in the City of Bir-
mingham Manufacturer, 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:―
This invention relates to boxes, racks, frames, or carriers for holding, washing,
drying, storing and the like, photographic plates or negatives, and the object of
my said invention, is to so construct the said boxes, racks, frames, or carriers, in
such a manner, that the entrances to them are provided with leads, or mouths,
which come, or are directed above the tops of the said articles, or above and below
the tops and bottoms of the said articles, hence a ready means of the introduction
of the said plates or negatives into them, for washing, drying, storing or the like.

page_text: The said invention is particularly applicable for use in dark rooms, where it is
difficult to see the divisions of the said boxes, racks and the like.
The mouthed entrances or leads may be applied to divisions with their tops
directed flush with or below the sides of the boxes, racks or the like.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, represents in longitudinal vertical
section, a photographic plate washing rack, provided with improvements made
according to one form of my invention.
The entrances to the spaces between the divisions of the said rack, come above
the tops of the sides and the walls of the same, in manner, that they form mouth
entrances or leads, for the guiding or direction of the plates into the said divisions,
which is troublesome and difficult to perform (particularly in dark rooms), when
the divisions have no leads and have their entrances flush, with the tops of the sides
of the walls as aforesaid.
Figure 2 represents a transverse vertical section of the same upon the dotted
lines A B Figure 1.
a is a rack or frame, having metal sides a³, a³, with an open bottom a', and also
an open top a, and with the former a', provided with a rest a°, in the form of a roll
beading coming upon the two opposite inner sides of the frame and upon which the
extreme ends of the bottoms of the plates b, rest, when placed within the rack.
Disposed upon the two opposite sides a², of the enclosing sides of the said rack, are
upright and branched pieces of wire c, constituting divisions and with the upper
ends, of them elevated or directed above the sides of the open top a³, and when
arranged in parallel order, and at short distances apart, they form spaces d, with
mouth entrances or leads d³, whereby the plates 6, are readily introduced into the
rack spaces of the said rack.
Thus it is, that when employed in a dark room, little difficulty is experienced in
feeling for the rack spaces.
The washing rack is provided with swing handles e, jointed at e³, and the same
is tied transversely by stay rods f.
Figure 3 represents in transverse vertical section, a photographic plate drying
frame or rack provided with divisions forming rack spaces with mouthed or widened
entrances, alike unto the spaces as in the rack Figure 1.
a is the rack or frame, with sides a³, as, open top and bottom a, a, cross plate
rests a, and branched and attached division wires c, c secured to the sides a³, of
the frame, and forming spaces d, , between them.
The body framing a, is supported upon a tilt rest g, which allows the plates, when
inserted within the rack or frame, to incline downwards, and thus allow the liquid
upon them to drain or drip off at the lower corners.
This draining rack or frame, may be provided with a loop or eye g³, so that the
same may be hung up, or supported against a wall, as represented in Figure 4.
Figure 5 represents another method of forming the divisions, where economy of
space is desirable.
In this arrangement, my said invention is shown applied to a plate box, with an
open top and bottom, and with the spaces between the divisions, without leads other
than at the extreme entrances to the divisions, formed by the return bending of the
wires, of which the divisions are made up.
a is a box, with an open bottom a³, and open top a³, with divisions c, and top c³,
which form alternate and intermediate spaces d, d', each with respective slight
leads d', d³, and with the ends e, of the said divisions, extending above the top and
bottom edges a', a³, of the said box a.
:
The divisions on the sides are made from single lengths of wires, folded in
parallel order, nearly upon themselves, with left spaces equal to about the breadths
of the plates.
The box is enclosed at top and bottom, by hinged lids or covers h, h³, with
fasteners h³, ht.
The inside parts of the return ends, form the bottoms to the spaces, and the
plate rests.
$ ..

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 1
claim is :-
First In photographic plate holding boxes, washing and drying racks, frames
and carriers, directing or making the divisions of the said articles, stand or project
above the tops of the sides, or to stand or project above and below both the tops
and bottoms of the sides, of them, hence the easy introduction of the photographic
plates or negatives, to the spaces between the said divisions, substantially as
described and set forth.
Secondly-In photographic plate holding boxes, washing and drying racks,
frames and carriers, providing the divisions which stand above, or flush with the
tops of the said articles, or both above and below, or flush with both tops and
bottoms of the said articles, with mouthed entrances or leads, for the purpose
substantially as set forth.
:-
Thirdly The general construction and arrangement of the photographic plate
holding boxes, washing and drying racks, frames, and carriers, as described and
set forth.
Fourthly Making the divisions of the said photographic plate holding boxes,
washing and drying racks, frames, and carriers, as described and set forth of wire
or strip metal.
1
1
1001
JOHN BOULTBEE BROOKS.
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.