IMPROVEMENTS IN STEREO- SCOPIC APPARATUS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Nunn, of Hackney, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEREO-
SCOPIC APPARATUS."
Sealed the 7th May 1858, and dated the 23rd December 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Nunn at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents; with his Petition, on the
23rd December 1857.
I, WILLIAM NUNN, of Hackney, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEREOSCOPIC APPARATUS," to be as follows:-
The improvements relate to the application of glass or other reflectors to
stereoscopes, in such manner that more than one person may be capable of
looking through suitable glasses or eye-pieces at the same picture or the
reflection of it at the same time.
The reflecting surface employed is placed in such position that, whilst the
direct view of the picture is obtained as heretofore through one pair of glasses,
the reflection thereof may be seen at the same time through other glasses.
Also to the application of glass or other reflectors to the sides of stereoscopes,
in such manner as to facilitate the introduction of reflected light on to the
picture or pictures sideways.

page_text: And to facilitate the use of a stereoscope so constructed, the table or
such like support for the same, and for lights used therewith, is con-
structed to admit of looking into the stereoscope from opposite sides; and I
construct such table or other support, that when not in use the stereoscope
may be enclosed therein, and the tablo or such like support be used as an
ordinary tablo or such like article, without interference by the stereoscope
and its appendages.
Also the application of india rubber or other elastic means as connections
between the oye-pieces and the bodies of stereoscopes, so as to admit of
elasticity, and thereby prevent injury to the eyes whilst viewing objects.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Nunn in the Great Seal Patent Office, on the
21st June 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
Nuss, of Hackney, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her
reigu, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Nunn, Her special licence that I, the said William
Nunn, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said William Nunn, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might mako,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEREOSCOPIC APPARATUS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said William Nunn, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals, should particu-
larly describo and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in
the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW, YE, that I, the said William Nunn, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be

page_text: performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say :-
The improvements relate to the application of glass or other reflectors to
stereoscopes, in such manner that more than one person may be capable of
looking through suitable glasses or eye-pieces at the same picture or the
reflection of it at the same time.'
The reflecting surface employed is placed in such position that, whilst the
direct view of the picture is obtained as heretofore through one pair of glasses,
the reflection thereof may be seen at the same time through other glasses.
Also to the application of glass or other reflectors to the sides of stereoscopes,
in such manner as to facilitate the introduction of reflected light on to the
picture or pictures sideways.
And to facilitate the use of a stercoscope so constructed, the table or such
like support for the same, and for lights used therewith, is constructed to admit
of looking into the stereoscope from opposite sides; and I construct such table
or other support, that when not in use the stereoscope may be enclosed therein,
and the table or such like support be used as an ordinary table or such like
article, without interference by the stereoscope and its appendages.
Also the application of india rubber or other elastic means as connections
between the eye-pieces and the bodies of stereoscopes, so as to admit of
elasticity, and thereby prevent injury to the eyes whilst viewing objects.
But that the nature of these my improvements, and in what manner I carry
the same into effect may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe the
Drawing annexed.
15
and Figure 4, a plan of a stereoscope arranged according to my Invention.
a shews the pair of pictures placed in position in openings or supports in the
case in such manner that objects may be seen directly through suitable glasses
(such as are ordinarily used in stereoscopes) situated at 6; and c is a reflector
so arranged as to receive the reflection of a picture placed at a, and reflect it so
that it may be seen at the same time through other suitable glasses situated at
d; and I prefer to apply this reflector upon a hinge c with supports c², or
otherwise adjustable, in order to give facility for varying the angle thereof if
desired; I also apply prismatic glasses e, e, to counteract the reversing effect pro-
duced by the reflector, and in order to the pictures appearing alike when viewed

page_text: through both glasses. I do not, however, claim the use of such prisms as applied
to stereoscopes. I do not confine myself to this arrangement or adaptation of
parts, as they may be varied, so long as stereoscopic apparatus is so arranged
that whilst the representation is capable of being seen through suitable glasses
in the ordinary manner, the reflection thereof may be seen through other
glasses; and if desired the like effect may be obtained by forming such duplicate
apparatus in two or more parts, each of which is capable of being used
separately as an ordinary stereoscope, whilst one of them is also provided with
a reflector capable of being raised into position for receiving the reflection of
4 picture from the other stereoscope when placed over it in manner such as
represented by Figure 8; the picture will in this case be seen direct through
the eye-glasses of the part A, and by reflection through the eye-glasses of the
other part B.
Figure 5 shews a plan of a stereoscope with another part of my improve-
ments, applied thereto; E, E, are reflectors placed in such position as to
throw light sideways on to the picture and thereby give increased light thereto.
These reflectors E, E, may be hung on binges so as when not in use to be
folded to the side of the reflector, and then again opened into the position
found most effecient to receive and reflect the light. The form of these reflectors
and the mode of applying them may however be varied.
Figure 6 shews a table especially adapted to receive a stereoscope con-
structed according to my Invention; f represents the stereoscope, and g a stem
or support to the same; this stem is capable of sliding freely in the hollow
pillar h, and it is provided with a spring stop or other suitable retaining means
to hold the stem in position when elevated. The stereoscope when not in use
may be lowered to the position indicated by the dotted lines within the table,
and when thus situated, enclosed by the flap or flaps i, so that the table may
be used for other purposes.
In like manner may other articles of furniture be
arranged to receive such. stereoscopic apparatus, and the stem g may be formed
with legs or feet, in order to its use separately from the table or other article
of furniture.
Figure 7 shows another part of my improvements. In this case the tubes
or frames carrying the glasses are formed clastic, in order that in the event
of any sudden jerk or pressure to these parts against the cyo no injury may
result thereto. I obtain this elasticity by the application of india-rubber to
such parts, or of springs with other suitable elastic material, or by such tubes
being formed in two parts, one capable of being slided within the other, and
yet under ordinary circumstances kept distended by suitable springs.

page_text: Having thus described the nature of these improvements, and the best
means I am acquainted with for carrying the same into effect, I would have
it understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details referred to, as
these may be varied, so long as the peculiar character of any part of these
my improvements be retained, substantially as herein explained.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Nunn, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
WILLIAM BROOKS, Patent Agent,
78, Chancery Lane, London.
WILLIAM NUNN. (L.S.)