Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Jan., 1891--Accepted, 28th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
We, CHARLES COPE GILL, of 5, Hornsey Risc, London, N., Photographer,
and JAMES GENTRY EVANS, of 70, Sunnyside Road, Hornsey Rise, London, N.,
Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in photographic cameras of the class
known as detective, hand or box cameras and has for its chief object mechanism for
storing and exposing the sensitized plates.
In carrying our invention into practice we form our box camera of two parts or
receptacles hinged together. The front part is divided horizontally in two compart-
ments by a centrally slotted partition. The upper compartment contains the
bellows and lens and has a flap or shutter at the back moved by a small handle
projecting on the side of the front receptacle this flap or shutter discloses or shuts
off the light. The lower compartment is used for storing an additional number of
plates or other requisites. The rear receptacle is closed in front by a double
jointed dark slide capable when withdrawn of being folded over the back of the said
receptacle. The latter contains a sliding case formed of a lower enclosed_compart-
ment and of an upper and open part whereat the exposure takes place. The lower
or dark compartment is furnished at each side with an equal number of corre-
sponding guides between which the sensitized plates can move up and down. These
plates are inserted between the inwardly curved and longitudinal edges of metallic
plates designed to protect them; at the back. To the end of the rear receptacle
is hinged a bar passing through the end of the sliding case and which when the
said case is pushed back home into the receptacle it extends over its lower compart-
ment and carries in that position the sensitized plates ready for exposure.
the sliding case is withdrawn from its receptacle the above bar is likewise drawn
back from the dark compartment when by reversing the apparatus, the plates are
dropped in the upper part of the case and by turning the latter back, the bar is
moved over the dark compartment so that when the apparatus is brought back into
its original position these plates rest as above stated upon the said bar, when the
two parts of the apparatus being connected, the dark slide raised and the flap or
shutter open the exposure of the foremost plate can take place.
When
When this is effected the sliding case is moved slightly forward so as to drop the
exposed plate between the front guides of the dark compartment below. The next
plate can now be exposed, the above operation being repeated until all the plates
have been exposed. The motion of the sliding case is effected by a rack and
pinion the latter being operated from the outside. A dial indicating the number of
exposed plates is attached to the rear receptacle. The bellows and lens can be
moved to and fro by a lever pivoted thereto, the pivot passing through the slot of
the partition aforesaid while the lever passes through another slot formed in the side
of the apparatus so as to be operated from the outside.
The apparatus is closed in front by a lid hinged centrally and carrying a finder
inside. The camera may be carried in the hand or used on a stand.
As our improvements are capable of some modifications without departing from
the principle thereof, we do not restrict ourselves, to material, dimensions or to the
precise form or placement of the several parts thereof.
Dated this 5th day of September 1890.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
We, CHARLES COPE GILL, of 5, Hornsey Rise, London, N., Photographer,
and JAMES GESTRY EVANS, of 70, Sunnyside Road, Hornsey Rise, London, N.,
Builder, 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 :-
Our invention relates to improvements in photographic cameras of the class
known as detective, hand or box cameras and has for its object mechanism for
storing and exposing the sensitive plates.
In carrying our invention into practice we form our box camera of two parts or
receptacles hinged together. The front part is divided into two compartiments by
a partition provided with an opening in front of which is suspended the lens. At
the rear of the latter works a shutter operated by a small handle from the outside
of the box and having for its object to disclose or shut off the light. The rear
part or receptacle is closed to the lens by means of another shutter placed between
the lens and the opening in the partition and likewise operated by a small handle
outside the box. This rear part or receptacle carries a sliding case formed of a
lower enclosed compartiment and of an upper and open part wherent the exposure
takes place. Each side of these compartments is furnished with an equal number
of grooves or guides between which the sensitive plates can be moved up and down.
These plates are inserted between inwardly curved and longitudinal edges of
metallic plates designed to protect them at the back. To the back of the rear
receptaele is hinged a bar or plate passing through the end of the sliding case and
which when the said case is pushed back home into the receptacle extends over its
lower compartment and carries in that position the sensitive plates ready for
exposure. The sliding case is operated from the outside by means of a grooved
or fluted rod or bar gearing with two racks arranged underneath the same. The
rear receptacle may be provided with a cover for the purpose of fitting the
sliding case with the sensitive plates the metallic plates holding the latter being
dropped into the grooves formed in the sides of the case until their lower ends rest
upon the hinged bar or plate aforesaid. When the sensitive plates are thus placed
in position ready for exposure the dark shutter and the lens shutter are successively
drawn aside and the exposure of the foremost plate takes place.
When this is effected the sliding case is moved slightly forward until the exposed
plate reaches the end of the hinged bar over which it passes and falls into the dark
compartment below. The next plate is now ready for exposure the above operation
being repeated until all the plates have been successively exposed. A sliding plate
indicating the number of plates that have been exposed is provided and operated
by the sliding ease. The apparatus is closed in front by a hinged lid or end and is
constructed so as to be conveniently carried in the hand or used on a stand.
And in order that our said invention may be the more fully understood I will
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section of our improved camera.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same with the top removed.
Fig. 3 is a front view with the lid open and
Fig. 4 is a cross section on line of Fig. 1.
Figs. 5, 6, & 7 are details.
A represents the front and B the rear compartment the latter being hinged
at a to A. The compartment A is provided with a partition a formed with an
opening a opposite the lens C which is supported by a bracket c fixed to the top of
the case by a screw and nut o. is an opening which permits of the said bracket
and lens being shifted and of the consequent alteration in the focus of the latter.
b is an inner shutter operated by means of a rod 6' and knob from the outside of the
case and pivotted at to the front of the partition a, dis another shutter passing

page_text: This
through a slot formed in the lens tube and pivotted at d to the bracket c.
shutter is likewise operated by means of a rod and knob from the outside of the
case and is formed with an opening & (Fig. 5) for exposing the sensitive plate to
the light is a slot in the side of the case to allow of the rod being moved
when altering the focus of the lens. E is the sliding case containing the sensitive
plates which latter are supported by metallic plates f" formed with inwardly
curved top and bottom edges as clearly shewn in Fig. 1. e, e are grooves or guides
formed in the sides of the case E and in which slide the side edges of the plates f'.
is a bar or plate hinged for convenience at g' and secured to the back of the
receptacle B. This bar passes through an opening in the back of the case E
and serves as a support for the sensitive plates. The case E is operated by means
of a flute rod or bar provided with a handle (Fig. 2) and gearing with two
racks i fixed to the bottom of the said case. Fig. shows the shutter d in the
position which it assumes when the sensitive plates are exposed. Figs. 6 and 7 are
views showing the sliding index indicating the number of sensitive plates that have
been exposed. K is an opening in the case B behind which is arranged an index /
sliding in a groove and marked with the number of sensitive plates used as shewn
in Fig. 6.
On the back of this index is formed a projection / against which bears another
projection m on the side of the case E so that as the latter moves forward it also
moves the index / so as to indicate the right number through the opening K. The
operation is as follows:-When the case E has been filled with the requisite
number of plates the shutter b is moved by pushing the knob 2 into the position
shewn in Fig. 3, and the lid a³ is lowered to admit the light while the shutter d is
brought into its central position as shewn in Fig. 5 by means of the rod and knob d²
so as to bring the opening opposite the centre of the lens whereby the front
sensitive plate is exposed. After exposure the shutter d is closed to shut off the
light and the handle is then turned so as to bring the case E forward until the
front and exposed plate slides over the edge of the bar or plate into the dark
compartment below, the plate immediately behind being now ready for exposure.
The above operation is then repeated until all the plates have been successively
exposed. The sensitive plates being protected at the back by the plates they are
prevented from being scratched or otherwise injured by the end of the bar or
plate g when passing into the compartment below.
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 I
claim is :-
:-
1. In photographic cameras the combination of the case E for successively
exposing and storing the sensitive plates protected by a metallic frame with
the hinged bar g the inner shutter b, the lens shutter and the sliding index
operated by the said case substantially as herein described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. The improved photographic camera arranged constructed and operating
substantially as herein described and illustrated and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of January 1801
KAINEK & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.