Improvements in Photographic Printing Frames.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Photographic Printing Frames.
I, JAMES ELSWORTH CROOKS, of Montevista, in the State of Colorado, United
States of America, Photographer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:―
This invention relates to photographic printing frames; and it has for its
object to provide a frame of this character designed for printing panoramic views
from two or more negatives. To this end the invention contemplates a novel con-
struction of printing frame having means for holding a continuous sheet of
sensitized printing paper on which sheet can be printed the images of views of
any number of negatives that may be necessary to make up one complete picture
or panoramic view, and in the accomplishment of this desirable object the frame
also has provision for properly blending the successive portions of the view
together so that the complete view or picture will have every appearance of
being a single photograph. The invention also includes means for the quick and
ready handling of the negative and paper and also means for using small sizes
of plates or negatives in connection with the frame.
With these and other objects in view, which will readily appear as the nature
of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction,
combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described.
The photographic negatives that are designed for use in connection with the
printing frame, contemplated by this invention, are prepared in a certain manner
in order that the printing may be accurately effected, and an explanation of the
manner of making these negatives should be made so that the construction_and
operation of the printing frame will be clearly understood. In the first place,
it is understood that all photographic cameras are equipped with a removable
ground glass, which ground glass is fitted within its usual frame.
This ground glass is used in the camera for focusing the view or object to be
photographed, and in carrying out the present invention guiding lines are marked
in pencil or otherwise on the ground glass and extend from top to the bottom of
the frame encircling the glass. These guiding marks or lines are located respec-
tively at a distance of about an inch from the opposite side edges of the glass and
are intended to serve as guides for insuring the proper lap of the successive
negatives. After the first negative is taken of a portion of a panoramic view to be
photographed, such negative within its holder is removed and the ground glass
replaced in the camera. Some object is now noticed that the line near one end
of the ground glass crosses and the camera is then turned until the opposite line
crosses the same object. The camera is then operated to take the second picture
of the series and the third, fourth, or other successive portions of the view are
photographed in the same way, so as to make a successive series of negatives

page_text: that are parts of the same view, and the images of all of which negatives lap
each other one inch by reason of focusing the different views in connection with
the guiding lines on the ground glass. The negatives thus prepared are succes-
sively used in the printing frame forming the subject matter of the present inven-
tion and to which frame particular reference will now be made.
A main rectangular print frame having formed therein the usual rectangular
opening, through which opening a negative is exposed to the light in the usual
manner, and in the present invention the rectangular frame opening is surrounded
at its inner or reverse edge by an inner peripheral shouldered seat snugly receiv-
ing therein the edges of the negative, so that the negative will lie flush within the
scat. The negative is removably clamped within the seat of the frame, by means
of a pair of duplicate removable back-boards adapted to be arranged side by
side at the rear side of the frame, and fitting in the space between a pair of
oppositely located parallel retaining flanges projected from the rear side of the
frame at opposite side edges of the opening therein and serving to properly
retain the removable back-boards in place. Each of the removable back-boards
carries a bowed clamping spring, pivoted intermediate of its ends, to the back-
board and adapted to have its opposite terminals sprung into engagement with
the inner edges of keeper plates fitted to the rear edges of the frame cleats, pro-
jected rearwardly from the opposite longitudinal side edges of the main frame.
When the removable back-boards are in place between the retaining flanges, the
bowed clamping springs serve to clamp the same tightly onto the negative to
hold the latter firmly in its seat, and by releasing the clamping spring of either
of the back boards, such board can be readily moved for an inspection of the
print in a manner that will be hereinafter be more fully explained.
At the rear side of the main print frame, is arranged a pair of oppositely
located adjustable roller carrying frames, which frames essentially comprise
opposite parallel side arms, and a cross bar connecting the outer ends of such arms,
the inner ends of the side arms of the opposite frames being hinged respectively
to opposite sides of laterally adjustable hinge blocks. The laterally adjustable
hinge blocks are provided with transversely disposed slots receiving the set
screws passing into the rear side of the frame and serving to secure the blocks
adjustable in place centrally between the ends of the frames and in the spaces
between the retaining flanges and cleats.
The particular manner of mounting the hinge blocks provides means 1or the
slight adjustment of the roller carrying frames transversely of the frame at the
rear side of the latter for the purpose of shifting the printing paper to agree with
the negative should such adjustment be required, as will be readily apparent.
The cross bars, at the outer ends of the roller carrying frames are provided
with longitudinally disposed guide slots through which passes a contiguous sheet
or strip of sensitized printing paper, winding and unwinding respectively at its
opposite ends on the oppositely located rollers. The rollers are journaled at
their opposite spindle extremities in the oppositely located bearing blocks fitted
to the opposite outer corners of the frames, and one of the spindle extremities
of each roller, is formed with a crank handle, whereby the rollers may be readily
turned to provide for winding and unwinding the sensitized paper. The cross
bars, of the roller carrying frames, also have fitted thereto arched roller housings,
having closed ends and completely enclosing therein the paper rollers and the
bearing supports, therefor. The said rollers are provided with suitable clips for
engaging with the end of the paper to be connected therewith, so that the paper
may be readily attached and detached whenever required, and at this point it is
to be observed that the housings are removable in order that ready access may
be had to the rollers for the purpose of removing and attaching the roll of sensi-
tized paper. The swinging and adjustable frames are preferably secured in their
closed positions by means of spring clips fastened thereto and having a spring
engagement with the adjacent end of the frame, the disengagement of
the clips from the frame permitting either or both of the frames

page_text: to be swung outward from the rear side of the frame when the negative is being
inserted in place or removed, or when it is desired to inspect the print.
At the front side of the frame is arranged a pair of oppositely located adjust-
able shade plates, provided with longitudinally disposed slots receiving set screws
working into the front side of the frame, to provide for adjustably securing the
said plates in their set positions. The inner edges of the shade plates are of a
length equalling the width of the frame opening, and to said inner edges of the
shade plates are fitted blender strips, registering within the opening and extend-
ing transversely across such opening, said strips being provided with inwardly
beveled or undercut edges, which provide for the proper shading of the opposite
ends of the negatives in connection with the ground glass, which is adapted to be
detachably fitted to the front side of the frame over the shade plates and their
blender strips, said ground glass diffusing the light and serving to prevent abrupt
vignetting. To provide for detachably clamping the ground glass frame onto
the front side of the print frame the frame of the ground glass is provided at
one side with a pair of catch projections adapted to detachably engage beneath a
pair of keeper plates fitted to the front side of the frame at one side of its open-
ing, and at the directly opposite sides of said opening a spring catch arm is
secured to the front side of the frame and engages with one side of the frame io
hold the projections interlocked with the keeper plates, whereby the ground glass
will be detachably held in place.
In using the printing frame, the sensitized paper which passes through the
slots of the frames, is arranged on the negative between the retaining flanges,
and is clamped firmly onto the negative by means of the back boards as will be
readily understood, and whenever it is necessary to inspect the printing, one of
the back boards is removed and one of the frames swung outward from the frame
to expose the printing, and at this point it will be observed that by reason of
disposing the hinges of the frames at one side of the transverse center of the frame
the sensitized paper will slacken up or loosen when either of the frames is thrown
open, thereby obviating the possibility of tearing the paper. When the negative
and printing paper has been properly clamped in place the blender strips are
adjusted to a position about one inch from each end of the negative, so that the
adjustment of said blender strips over the ends of the negative will correspond with
the lap of the negatives, and the inwardly beveled or undercut edges of the strips,
causes the diffused light which passes through the ground glass to strike the
negative a full inch from the end and fades or vignettes the view toward the ends
of the negative. After the first negative of a panoramic view has been printed
from in the manner described; the back boards are removed and one of the
frames swung open so that the first negative may be removed and the next suc-
ceeding negative inserted into place, and after the several parts are clamped
together again the exposed portion of the paper is rolled up until the faded
portion thereof fits onto the same portion of the image on the end of the second
negative, and by repeating this operation with the successive negatives a com-
plete panoramic view can be made on a single sheet of sensitized paper from a
series of negatives. If the proper care is exercised when the printing is com-
menced on the succeeding negatives the blenders will protect the first print from
light and allow the second point to evenly blend into the first print, to insure a
continuous unbroken picture.
If it is desired to use a small size of negative in connection with the frame, a
supplemental negative holder may be employed. This supplemental negative
holder, is rectangular in form and snugly registers within the opening of the
frame, and is provided at its inner edge with a shouldered seat for the negative.
At its opposite inner end edges the holder has fitted thereto sliding catch plates
adapted to be slid outward to engage with the end portions of the negative seat
of the frame to provide for detachably securing the frame in place and prevent
its outward displacement when the backs are clamped in position. When the
small negative holder is employed, shorter blender strips are fitted to the plates

page_text: so that such blender strips will lie within the opening of the frame and accom-
plish the same result as before referred to.
Dated this 10th day of March 1898.
Improvements in Photographic Printing Frames.
I. JAMES ELSWORTII CROOKS, of Montevisth, in the State of Colorado, United
States of America, 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:-
This invention relates to photographic-printing frames; and it has for its
object to provide a frame of this character especially designed for printing pano-
ramic views from two or more negatives.
To this end, the invention contemplates a novel construction of printing-frame
having means for holding a continuous sheet of sensitized printing-paper, on
which sheet can be printed the images or views of any number of negatives that
may be necessary to make up one complete picture or panoramic view, and in the
accomplishment of this desirable object the frame also has provision for properly
blending the successive portions of the view together, so that the complete view
or picture will have every appearance of being a single photograph.
The invention also includes means for quick and ready handling of the negative
and paper and also means for using small sizes of plates or negatives in connec-
tion with the frame.
With these and other objects in view, which will readily appear as the nature
of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction,
combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illus-
trated and claimed.
In the drawings-
Figure 1 is a plan view of the front side of the frame with the ground glass
attachment removed.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the reverse side of the frame.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the frame.
Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the ground-glass attachment.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the frame, showing the supple-
mental holder for small negatives fitted in place.
-
Figure is a small detail plan view of the supplemental negative-holder.
Figure 8 is a detail sectional view on the line 88 of Fig. 2.
The photographic negatives that are designed for use in connection with the
printing-frame contemplated by this invention are prepared in a certain manner
in order that the printing may be accurately effected, and an explanation of the
manner of making these negatives should be made, so that the construction and
operation of the printing-frame will be clearly understood. In the first place it
is understood that all photographic cameras are equipped with a removable
ground-glass, which ground glass is fitted within its usual frame. This ground
glass is used in the camera for focusing the view or object to be photographed,
and in carrying out the present invention guiding-lines are marked in pencil
or otherwise on the ground glass and extend from the top to the bottom of the

page_text: frame 2 encircling the glass. These guiding marks or lines are located, respec-
tively, at a distance of about an inch from the opposite side edges of the glass
and are intended to serve as guides for insuring the proper lap of the successive
negatives. After the first negative is taken of a portion of a panoramic view to
be photographed such negative within its holder is removed and the ground glass
replaced in the camera. Some object is now noticed that the line near one end
of the ground glass crosses, and the camera is then turned until the opposite line
crosses the same object. The camera is then operated to take the second picture
of the series, and the third, fourth, or other successive portions of the view are
photographed in the same way, so as to make a successive series of negatives that
are parts of the same view, and the images of all of which negatives lap each
other one inch by reason of focusing the different views in connection with the
guiding-lines on the ground glass. The negatives thus prepared are successively
used in the printing-frame forming the subject-matter of the present invention,
and to which frame particular reference will now be made.
Referring particularly to the drawings, the numeral 3 designates the main
rectangular print-frame, having formed therein the usual rectangular opening 4,
through which opening the negative 5 is exposed to the light in the usual manner,
and in the present invention the rectangular frame-opening 4 is surrounded at
its inner or reverse edge by an inner peripheral shouldered seat 6, snugly receiv-
ing therein the edges of the negative 5, so that the negative will lie flush within
the seat. The negative 5 is removably clamped within the seat 6 of the frame 3
by means of a pair of duplicate removable back boards 7, adapted to be arranged
side by side at the rear side of the frame 3 and fitting in the space between a
pair of oppositely-located parallel retaining-flanges 8, projected from the rear side
of the frame at opposite side edges of the opening 4 therein and serving to pro-
perly retain the removable back boards 7 in place. Each of the removable_back
boards 7 carries a bowed clamping-spring 9, pivoted intermediate of its ends, as
at 10, to the back board and adapted to have its opposite terminals sprung into
engagement with the inner edges of keeper-plates 11 fitted to the rear edges of
the frame-cleats 12, projected rearwardly from the opposite longitudinal side
edges of the main frame 3. When the removable back boards 7 are in place
between the retaining-flanges 8, the bowed clamping-springs 9 serve to clamp the
same tightly onto the negative to hold the latter firmly in its seat, and by releas-
ing the clamping-spring 9 of either of the back boards 7 such board can be
readily moved for an inspection of the print in a manner that will hereinafter
be more fully explained.
At the rear side of the main print-frame 3 is arranged a pair of oppositely-
located adjustable roller-carrying frames 13, which frames essentially comprise
opposite parallel side arms 14 and a cross-bar 14, connecting the outer ends of
such arms, the inner ends of the side arms 14 of the opposite frames 13 being
hinged at 15, respectively, to opposite sides of laterally-adjustable hinge-blocks 16.
The laterally-adjustable hinge-blocks 16 are provided with transversely-disposed
slots 17, receiving the set-screws 18, passing into the rear side of the frame 3,
and serving to secure the blocks 16 adjustably in place centrally between the
ends of the frames 3 and in the spaces between the retaining-flanges and cleats
and 12 thereof, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The particular
manner of mounting the hinge-blocks 16 provides means for the slight adjust-
ment of the roller-carrying frames 15 transversely of the frame 3 at the rear
side of the latter for the purpose of shifting the printing-paper to agree with
the negative should such adjustment be required, as will be readily apparent.
The cross-bars 14" at the outer ends of the roller-carrying frames 13 are pro-
vided with longitudinally-disposed guide-slots 19, through which passes a con-
tinuous sheet or strip of sensitized printing-paper 20, winding and unwinding,
respectively, at its opposite ends on the oppositely-located rollers 21. The
rollers 21 are journaled at their opposite spindle extremities 22 in the oppositely-
located bearing-blocks 23, fitted to the opposite outer corners of the frames 13,

page_text: and one of the spindle extremities of each roller 21 is formed with a crank-
handle 24, whereby the rollers may be readily turned to provide for winding and
unwinding the sensitized paper. The cross-bars 14 of the roller-carrying frames
also have fitted thereto arched roller-housings 25, having closed ends and com-
pletely inclosing therein the paper-rollers 21 and the bearing-supports 23 there-
for. The said rollers 21 are provided with suitable clips 20 for engaging with
the end of the paper to be connected therewith, so that the paper may be readily
attached and detached whenever required, and at this point it is to be observed
that the housings 25 are removable in order that ready access may be had to the
rollers for the purpose of removing and attaching the roll of sensitized paper.
The swinging and adjustable frames 13 are preferably secured in their closed
positions by means of spring-clips 27 fastened thereto and having a spring
engagement with the adjacent end of the frame 3, the disengagement of the
clips 27 from the frame 3 permitting either or both of the frames 13 to be swung
outward from the rear side of the frame when the negative is being inserted in
place or removed or when it is desired to inspect the print.
At the front side of the frame 3 is arranged a pair of oppositely-located adjust-
able shade-plates 28, provided with longitudinally-disposed slots 29, receiving
set-screws 30, working into the front side of the frame 3 to provide for adjust-
ably securing the said plates 28 in their set positions. The inner edges of the
shade-plates 28 are of a length equaling the width of the frame-opening 4, and
to said inner edges of the shade-plates are fitted blender-strips 31, registering
within the opening 4 and extending transversely across such opening, said
strips 31 being provided with inwardly-beveled or undercut edges 32, which pro-
vide for the proper shading of the opposite ends of the negatives in connection
with the ground glass 1, which is adapted to be detachably fitted to the front
side of the frame 3 over the shade plates 28 and their blender-strips 31, said ground
glass diffusing the light and serving to prevent abrupt vignetting.
To provide for detachably clamping the ground-glass frame onto the front
side of the print-frame, the frame 2 of the ground glass is provided at one side
with a pair of catch projections 33, adapted to detachably engage beneath a pair
of keeper-plates 34, fitted to the front side of the frame 3 at one side of its open-
ing 4, and at the directly-opposite sides of said opening 4 a spring-catch arm 35
is secured to the front side of the frame 3 and engages with one side of the frame 2
to hold the projections 33 interlocked with the keeper-plates 34, whereby the
ground glass will be detachably held in place.
In using the printing-frame the sensitized paper 20, which passes through the
slots 19 of the frames 13, is arranged on the negative between the retaining-
flanges 8 and is clamped firmly onto the negative by means of the back boards 7,
as will be readily understood and whenever it is necessary to inspect the printing
one of the back boards 7 is removed and one of the frames 13 swung outward
from the frame 3 to expose the printing, and at this point it will be observed that
by reason of disposing the hinges 15 of the frames 13 at one side of the transverse
center of the frame 3 the sensitized paper will slacken up or loosen when either
of the frames 13 is thrown open, thereby obviating the possibility of tearing the
paper. When the negative and printing-paper have been properly clamped in
place, the blender-strips 31 are adjusted to a position about one inch from each
end of the negative, so that the adjustment of said blender-strips over the ends
of the negative will correspond with the lap of the negatives, and the inwardly-
beveled or undercut edges 32 of the strips 31 cause the diffused light which passes
through the ground glass to strike the negative a full inch from the end and
fades or vignettes the view toward the ends of the negative. After the first nega-
tive of a panoramic view has been printed from in the manner described the back
hoards are removed and one of the frames 13 swung open, so that No. 1 negative
may be removed and the next succeeding or No. 2 negative inserted into place,
and after the several parts are clamped together again the exposed portion of the
paper is rolled up until the faded portion thereof fits onto the same portion of

page_text: the image on the end of the No. 2 negative, and by repeating this operation with
the successive negatives a complete panoramic view can be made on a single sheet
of sensitized paper from a series of negatives. If the proper care is exercised
when the printing is commenced on the succeeding negatives, the blenders will
protect the first print from light and allow the second print to evenly blend into
the first print to insure a continuous unbroken picture.
If it is desired to use a small size of negative in connection with the frame 3,
a supplemental negative-holder 36 may be employed. This supplemental nega-
tive-holder 36 is rectangular in form and snugly registers within the opening 4
of the frame 3 and is provided at its inner edge with a shouldered seat 37 for the
negative. At its opposite inner end edges the holder 36 has fitted thereto sliding
catch-plates 38, adapted to be slid outward to engage with the end portions of
the negative-seat 6 of the frame 3 to provide for detachably securing the frame 36
in place and prevent its outward displacement when the backs 7 are clamped in
position. When the small negative-holder 36 is employed, shorter blender-
strips 31 are fitted to the plates 28, so that such blender-strips will lie within the
opening of the frame 36 and accomplish the same result as before referred to.
Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may
be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the
advantages of this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a photographic-printing frame, the main rectangular frame provided
with a negative-seat, a detachable back for the frame, and a pair of movable roller-
carrying frames separate from the main frame and mounted at the rear side of
the latter, each of said movable frames carrying a paper-roller and having a
catch adapted to detachably engage with the main frame, substantially as set
forth.
2. In a photographic-printing frame, the main rectangular frame provided with
a negative-seat at the inner edge of its opening, a detachable back for the frame,
and a pair of roller-carrying frames hinged respectively at opposite sides of the
transverse center of the main frame and each carrying a roller for sensitized
paper, substantially as set forth.
3. In a photographic-printing frame, the main rectangular frame, a detachable
back for the frame, and a laterally-adjustable frame supported at the rear side
of the main frame and carrying oppositely-located paper-rollers, substantially as
set forth.
4. In a photographic-printing frame, the main rectangular frame, a detachable
back for the main frame, and a pair of laterally-adjustable frames hinged respec-
tively at opposite sides of the center of the main frame and each carrying a
paper-roller, substantially as set forth.
5. In a photographic-printing frame, the main rectangular frame provided with
a negative-seat at the inner edge of its opening, parallel retaining-flanges at
opposite side edges of said opening, and frame-cleats at its longitudinal side edges,
oppositely-located keeper-plates fitted to said cleats, a pair of duplicate removable
back boards, fitting in the space between the retaining-flanges and each having
a clamping-spring engaging at its terminals with said keeper-plates, and paper
rollers supported at the rear side of the main frame and at opposite ends thereof,
substantially as set forth.
6. In a photographic-printing frame, the main rectangular frame provided
with a negative-seat at the inner edge of its opening, a detachable back for the
frame, laterally-adjustable hinge-blocks movably clamped to the reverse side of
the main frame respectively at opposite sides of the opening therein, a pair of
duplicate roller-carrying frames hinged respectively to oppo-sides of said laterally-

page_text: adjustable hinge-blocks, each of said frames being provided at its outer end with
a spring-catch and with a cross-bar having a longitudinal guide-slot therein,
bearing-blocks fitted to the opposite outer corners of the roller-carrying frame,
rollers having their spindle extremities journaled in said bearing-blocks, and
housings removably fitted to the roller-carrying frames and inclosing therein the
paper-rollers and the bearing-supports therefor, substantially as set forth.
7. In a photographic-printing frame, the main rectangular frame having an
opening therein, a pair of oppositely-located plates adjustably fitted to the front
side of the frame and carrying at their inner edges straight blender-strips lying
directly within the opening of the frame and extending from side to side thereof,
a ground glass arranged on the front side of the frame over the plates and strips
carried thereby and fastening means for detachably clamping the ground glass
to the frame, substantially as set forth.
8. In a photographic-printing frame, the main rectangular frame having an
opening therein, a pair of oppositely-located shade-plates adjustably fitted to the
front side of the frame at the ends thereof, and carrying at their inner edges
straight blender-strips registering within and extending from side to side of the
opening at the ends thereof, said blender-strips being provided with inwardly-
beveled or under cut edges, substantially as set forth.
Dalt 0041.
Vambar 1900
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.