Improved Focussing Attachment for Photographic Instruments.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Sept., 1891-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Focussing Attachment for Photographic Instruments.
I, JOHN PITT BAYLY, of 18 Fulham Place, Paddington, in the County of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a com
munication to me from abroad by Frederick Quimby, of Quincy, Massachusetts,
U.S.A. Inventor,) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved focussing attachment for photographic
instruments.
The invention comprises a hood or bonnet, which is provided with means for
attaching it to the focussing screen of the camera. Two projecting eye-sockets are
held on the head at its end opposite to that attached to the focussing screen or
plate, and these two eye-sockets are joined by a nose bridge held on the hood.
A cord is attached to the two sides of the hood, and is adapted to pass around the
head of the person looking through the eye sockets.
The hood can be telescoped or lengthened without the aid of the hands.
Deted thin 2nd da
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J. P. BAYLY,
Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Focussing Attachment for Photographic Instruments.
I, JOHN PITT BAYLY, of 18 Fulham Place, Paddington, in the County of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a com-
munication to me from abroad by Frederick Quimby, of Quincy, Massachusetts,
U.S.A. Inventor.) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
In the taking of photographs the camera is first brought to focus, and then the
sensitized plate inserted and exposed.
In focussing the camera, as well known, the camera is brought to proper adjust-
ment, determined by the representation of the picture to be taken on a focussing
screen, which at the time and also the vision of the operator are shut off from all
light except that coming through the lens of the camera. Heretofore this has been
accomplished by means of a focussing-cloth enveloping the operator's head and the
camera.
The object of this invention is to dispense with the focussing-cloth as heretofore
used with all its attendant and well-known disadvantages; and to that end it
consists, in substance, in the combination, with the focussing-screen of the camera, of
a hood or bonnet surrounding and attached to it on all sides, preferably detachably
attached by screws or otherwise, and having at its end opposite to the screen two
separated and projected sockets at which to place the operator's eyes, and such, for
illustration, as are used in opera and field glasses, and all so that while the operator
is focussing the camera the focussing-screen is shielded from the light, except such
as enters thereto through the lens of the camera, substantially as hereinafter
described.
Furthermore, the invention consists in an attachment of the hood or bonnet
whereby it can be held in the hand or rested on the nose or secured about the head
of the operator, but in all cases without enveloping the head.

page_text: In the drawings forming part of this Specification,
Fig. 1 is a side view, on a reduced scale, of a camera and of the improved hood or
bonnet attachment thereof.
Fig. 2 is a front face view of the sighting end of the hood with the eye-sockets in
position for a horizontal picture; and Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2, with the
eye-sockets in position for a vertical picture.
Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, full size.
Fig. 5 is a detail view, as hereinafter appears.
In the drawings, A is a camera-box of the form known as a "bellows camera,"
and 13 is the tripod support, broken off. The camera A in none of its parts forms
any part of this invention, and, as usual, at its end A² it is provided with a focussing-
screen, (not shown,) and at its end A³ with a lens. (Not shown.) C is the body
portion of the hood or bonnet. The body C, preferably, tapers from end to end
and is made of flexible material-such as cloth-impervious to light. The hood at
its larger end is attached to a wooden frame C2 of suitable shape and size to
surround the camera at the focussing-screen, and to be attached by screws a, or other
suitable fastening means to the camera.
The hood at its smaller end is secured to
an annular wooden frame C³, having a handle C at one side thereof.. C³ is a
circular wooden plate fitting within the annular frame C³, and, by an overlapping
flange at the inner side and swinging buttons d at the outer side of said frame,
confined against escape from, while free to be rotated in and to be removed from,
the annular frame. The circular plate Co has two separated eye tubular sockets D D³
projected therefrom and at suitable distances apart for the eyes of the operator.
These sockets in either position of the camera-that is, for a vertical or horizontal
picture are horizontal, and are changed for the position desired by rotating their
carrying-plate C³ suitably therefor on the annular frame C³. The sockets, as shown,
have a bridge-piece E connecting them for their rest on the bridge of the nose of
the operator when his eyes are applied to the socket. Again, the annular frame
may have a strap or cord F detachably attached at its opposite ends to hooks or
eyes of the plate C for encompassing the head of the operator, passing over and
resting on the tops of the ears, as shown in Fig. 1. The handle C of the annular
frame is for convenience in handling and holding the hood.
The use of the hood or bonnet with its separated and projected eye tubular
sockets, all as described, is obvious from the description given and illustration,
particularly Fig. 1 of the drawings, and needs no special explanation; and it is
manifest that all light is excluded from the focussing-screen of the camera, except
in so far as it is admitted thereto through the lens of the camera, and, again, that
because of the projection and separation of the eye-sockets, all as described and
shown, the eyes can be placed in close proximity to them and to the best advantage
as to sighting and excluding the passage of light through the sockets.
It is obviously preferable to use two separated and projected eye tubular sockets,
and this combination constitutes one of the features of this invention; but only one,
Fig. 5, if so desired, may be used in connection with the other features of the
invention, as hereiubefore explained. Again, the said sockets may be immovable
as to the hood; but it is preferable to have them movable, as and for the purpose
stated.
The hood may be made of inflexible material; but, plainly, flexible material is
preferable, as it is collapsible for convenience in storing when not in use. Again,
the hood may be straight instead of tapering, and circular in cross-section in lieu of
square sided, as particularly shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :
1. An attachment for photographic cameras, composed of a hood or bonnet,
means for attachment of the hood at and about the focussing-screen or plate, and
two separated and projected eye-sockets held on the hood at its end opposite to

page_text: that attached at the focussing screen or plate, substantially as described, for the
purposes specified.
2. An attachment for photographic cameras, etc., composed of a hood or bonnet,
means at one end of the hood for attachment of the hood at and about the focussing-
screen or plate of the camera, and two separated and projected eye-sockets joined by
a nose-bridge held on the hood at its end opposite to that attached to the camera,
substantially as described, for the purposes specified.
3. An attachment for photographic cameras, etc., composed of a hood or bonnet,
means at one end of the hood for the attachment of the hood at and about the
focussing-screen or plate of the camera, and eye socket or sockets held on the hood
at its end opposite to that attached to the camera, and a cord held on the hood,
substantially as described, for the purposes specified.
4. An attachment for photographic cameras, etc., composed of a hood or bonnet,
means at one end of the hood for the attachment of the hood at and about the
focussing-screen or plate of the camera, and eye socket or sockets held on the hood
at its end opposite to that attached to the camera, and a handle held on the hood,
substantially as described, for the purposes specified.
Dated this 3rd day of September 1891.
J. P. BAYLY,
Applicant.