AN IMPROVED PHOTOGRAPHIC
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel White Rouch at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th April 1878.
SAMUEL WHITE ROUCH, of 180, Strand, London.
CAMERA."
"AN IMPROVED PHOTOGRAPHIC
My Invention consists in an improved portable photographic camera, the nature
of which is as follows:-The body of the camera consists of the flexible gusset now
generally employed for portable cameras; but attached by hinges to the lower and
posterior side of the frame is a folding board which, when in one position, acts as
shutter or protection for the ground glass when the apparatus is packed, and when
unfolded for use it acts as the base board of the camera by being bent forward
under the body of the camera.
To provide sufficient length for the expansion of the bellows body, and also to
regulate the focus, a separate and by comparison, narrow frame of wood is provided,
sliding in, which preferably by means of rack and pinion, is a central piece to which
by suitable means is attached the front of the camera; the other end of the narrow
frame being attached to the base board at more than one place, so as to suit lenses
of various foci.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel White Rouch in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th
September 1878.
SAMUEL WHITE ROUCH, of 180, Strand, London. "AN IMPROVED PHOTOGRAPHIC
CAMERA."
My Invention consists in an improved portable photographic camera, the nature
of which is as follows:-The body of the camera consists of the flexible gusset now
generally employed for portable cameras. Attached by hinges or otherwise to the
lower and posterior side of the frame to which the body is fixed is a board, which
is capable of acting the two-fold part of being a protecting shutter for the ground
glass when moved on its hinges so as to occupy one position, or of being a base
board for the camera when rotated under the body of the camera.
It being desirable that the sensitive plate be made at the option of the photo-
grapher to occupy a plane other than one at a right angle to the base board or the
axis of the lens, I make that side of the body which is attached to the base board
with a slight bevel, by which the relation of the two is less than 90°. This enables
the camera to be pointed upwards when taking a high building, while providing
the means of keeping the back of the camera, in which is contained the sensitive
plate, in the same vertical plane as the building. The precise adjustment of this
angle is determined by means of a pinching screw working into a slot. This also
enables the photographer to place the body of the camera at an angle greater than
the 90° aforesaid, by tilting the body backwards in its relation to the base board.
To provide sufficient length for the expansion of the bellows body, and also to
regulate the focus, a separate and, by comparison, narrow frame of wood or other
material is provided, sliding in which preferably by means of rack and pinion is a
central piece to which is fixed the front of the camera carrying the lens, the other
end of the narrow frame being attached to the base board. This attachment may
either be made by means of dovetailed tongues, metal flanges, or pincing screws,
these, or any of these being so arranged as to enable the frame to be attached to the
base board at more than one place, so as to suit lenses of various foci.
When the attachment is made by the pincing screw, it provides the means for
placing the front of the camera (carrying the lens) at such an angle as to be
equivalent to a lateral swing of the back.
What I claim in connection with this Invention is,―
First. The method of attaching and utilising the base board with the provision for
altering the angular relation of the front to the back as described.
Second. The providing for the extension and adjustment of the flexible camera
body by the central framework as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel White Rouch, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.