Improvements in Portable Photographic Cameras and Apparatus relating thereto.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Feb., 1886.
Complete Left, 27th Nov., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 1st Feb., 1887.
THUVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Portable Photographic Cameras and Apparatus
relating thereto.
1, WYNDHAM HARRY PAYNE-GALLWEY, of Cremorne Works, Chelsea, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
"
My invention relates to portable photographic apparatus, known as pocket
cameras, and is designed to render the construction of the same sufficiently compact
to allow them to be carried in a portable case, and complete when in use, without
loose detached parts; specific improvements being introduced into the chamber or
drum containing the sensitive plates, and in its attachment to the camera, and also in
the construction of the shutter" and in other minor details.
My camera consists of the usual photographic camera lens and box, provided with a
"shutter, by which instantaneous or any desired prolonged exposure of the sensitive
plate may be readily effected, with which is combined a duplicate camera and field
plate, adjacent to the photographic camera, by which a duplicate field may be rendered
visible to the eye of the operator in use, similar to that which is thrown upon the
sensitive plate of the photographic camera.
Both lenses are simultaneously focussed by means of an ordinary tangent pinion and
rack. This arrangement serves the double purpose of easy adjustment to any required
focus, which, upon being found, is fixed by means of a set screw, whilst at the same
time, by the withdrawal of the lens piece, the external dimensions of the camera are
much reduced. A. spring shutter is fitted to the mouth of the lenses, so that when
withdrawn, the shutter closes over them, and protects them from dirt. The eye piece
of the field finding camera is telescopic, and spring pressed, so that it may be pressed
home, when not in use, to reduce the external dimensions, and which flies out to its
proper position, when a detaining detent is released. Within the photographic camera
77

page_text: box is placed the "shutter," which is in the form of two hinged doors supported on
parallel axes on one of each of their respective edges, and placed at right angles to one
another, conveniently vertically and horizontally, so that when one of the shutters-
say that in a vertical plane-is rotated on its axis, and thus exposes the plate behind
it, the other shutter say that in the horizontal plane above the vertical shutter-is
actuated by a spring, so as to fall rapidly, and immediately thereafter closes the
aperture.
To the axis at the lowest edge of the vertical shutter is fitted a milled thumb nut,
brought outside the box, and fitted around its axis with a spiral spring, which serves
to bring the shutter always to its normal closed position in a vertical plane. The axis
of the upper horizontal plate is also provided with a spiral spring, tending to make it
close into a downward vertical position. A quadrant is affixed to this axis, bearing
with its corner upon a grooved cam upon the axis of the other shutter. When the
camera is set for operation, the lower shutter stands in a vertical plane, closing the
aperture. The upper shutter is then set by hand against the reaction of the spiral
spring, so that it stands horizontally with the quadrant on the axis of the shutter
upper
pressing against the cam on the lower axis. Upon rotation of the lower axis either by
hand or automatically, as hereinafter stated, the sensitive plate is exposed until the
cam allows the upper shutter to fall by the reaction of the spiral spring, when the
aperture is at once closed. It may be noted that this combined shutter cannot be left
open by accident and thus spoil a plate. The aforesaid axis of the lower shutter can
be rotated by a rack and pinion, or any similar device which may be actuated more
promptly by the mere pressure of a lever or button.
For the storage and supply of the sensitised plates, I attach to the side of the camera
a cylindrical drum. The said drum is provided with a series of grooves vertical to the
bottom of the drum, around the interior of the outer wall of the box, and around the
interior boss, through which a stud fixed to the camera passes, by which the box is
attached in place upon the camera. The grooves above described are so arranged
relatively to one another, that the sensitised plates are arranged partially tangentially to
the inner boss, and I thus accomodate a very considerable number of plates in the said
box. The box is also provided with a series of indents in an external flange corre-
sponding in number to that of the sheets of sensitised plates, with an additional
serration corresponding to one blank space left solid between the boss and periphery
in the body of the drum. The cover of the drum fowards the camera is fixed relatively
to the camera (the drum being free to revolve upon its central axis) and is provided
with a slot corresponding in size to the edge and in angle to the position of the sensi-
tised plates in the drum. This plate or cover is also provided with a spring catch
engaging in the aforesaid serrated flange on the body of the druin, in order that the
position of the said drum, when rotated, may always he exactly determined, so that the
divisions in the drum are exactly opposite to the slot in the fixed plate. The slot in
this slotted plate or cover is caused, when fittel to the camera, to correspond exactly
to a slot in the side of the camera box, such slot being normally covered by a slotted
sliding plate which may be withdrawn or moved so as to cause all the slots to co-incide,
by means of a spring handle outside the camera box. When it is desired then to
supply the sensitised plate to the camera, the sliding plate is withdrawn or moved, so
that the slot in the sliding plate co-incides with the slots in the drum and the camera,
and a sensitised plate can then he delivered by gravity into the camera. When the
photograph has been taken, the plate can be returned by tilting the negative plate into
its own compartment in the drum. The drum is then rotated through an are corre-
sponding to a division, so that the next sensitised plate co-incides with the position of
the slots ready for the next photograph.
The serrations on the external flange of the drum, corresponding to the sensitised
plates are all numbered, and one serration bears the words "drum shut indicating
that position in which the slot of the rotating cover is opposite to the blank partition
in the drum. A catch and pointer are provided, affixed to the camera, to indicate the
successive numbers. This catch prevents the drum from being removed from the

page_text: camera, until the said pointer is engaged in that serration corresponding to the words
"drum shut," in whieli position the drum cannot be turned any further (which avoids
danger of double exposure of any plate) and may be removed, entire and closed, from
the body of the camera, by the release of a nut. A duplicate drum may then be
attached with a fresh supply, or the plates may be removed in a suitable manner, and
a fresh supply of sensitised plates introduced.
It will thus be seen that as the drum can only be removed from the camera in the
one position, namely, when the delivery slot is opposite and closed by the blank metallic
partition in the box, absolute security is afforded against the admission of light to the
sensitised plates before or after the photograph has been taken.
The whole form and external dimensions of my complete camera are by the preced-
ing construction within the exterior dimensions of the aforesaid sensitised plate drun
and without loose parts when in operation, so that the whole apparatus may be
conveniently carried in a portable cylindrical case of the internal dimensions of the
cylindrical sensitised plate drum.
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: relating thereto.
I, WYNDHAM HARRY PAYNE-GALLWEY of Cremorne Works, Chelsea in the County
of Middlesex Engineer 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:-
"
My invention relates to portable photographic apparatus, known as "pocket
cameras and is designed to render the construction of the same sufficiently compact
to allow them to be carried in a portable case and complete when in use, without loose
detached parts specific improvements hereinafter described and illustrated being
introduced into the chamber or drum containing the sensitive plates, and its attachment
to the camera and also in the construction of the shutter and other minor details.
My camera consists of the usual photographic camera lens and box, provided with
a shutter by which instantaneous or any desired prolonged exposure of the sensitive
plate may be readily effected, with which is combined a duplicate camera and field
plate adjacent to the photographic camera, by which a duplicate field may be rendered
visible to the eye of the operator, in use, similar to that which is thrown upon the
sensitive plate of the photographic camera. Both lenses are simultaneously focussed
by means of an ordinary fangent pinion and rack. This arrangement serves the
double purpose of casy adjustment to any required focus; which upon being found is
fixed by means of a set screw; whilst at the same time the withdrawal of the lens
piece the external dimensions of the camera are much reduced. A spring shutter is
fitted to the mouth of the lenses, so that when withdrawn, the shutter closes over them
and protects them from dirt. The eye piece of the field finding camera is telescopic
and spring pressed, so that it may be pressed home when not in use, to reduce the
external dimensions, and which flies out to its proper position when a detaining detent
is released. Within the photographic camera box is placed "the shutter" which is in
the form of two hinged doors supported on parallel axes. On one of each of their
respective edges and placed at right angles to one another conveniently, vertically and
horizontally so that when one of the shutters say that in a vertical plane-is rotated
ou its axis and thus exposes the plate behind it, the other shutter say that in the
horizontal plane above the vertical shutter-is actuated by a spring, so as to fall
rapidly and immediately thereafter closes the aperture.
To the axis at the lowest edge of the vertical shutter is fitted a milled thumb nut
brought outside the box and fitted around its axis with a spiral spring which serves to
bring the shutter always to its normal closed position in a vertical plane. The axis of
the upper horizontal plate is also provided with a spiral spring fending to make it
close into a downward vertical position. A quadrant is affixed to this axis bearing
with its corner upon a grooved cam upon the axis of the other shutter. When the
camera is set for operation the lower shutter stands in a vertical plane closing the
aperture. The upper shutter is then set by hand against the reaction of the spiral
spring so that it stands horizontally with the quadrant on the axis of the upper
shutter pressing against the cam on the lower axis upon rotation of the lower axis
either by hand or automatically as hereinafter stated the sensitive plate is exposed
until the cam allows the upper shutter to fall by the reaction of the spiral spring,

page_text: when the aperture is at once closed. It may be noted that this combined shutter
cannot be left open by accident and thus spoil a plate. The aforesaid axis of the lower
shutter can be rotated by a rack and pinion or any similar device which may be
actuated more promptly by the mere pressure of a lever or button.
For the storage and supply of the sensitized plates, I attach to the side of the camera
a cylindrical drum. The said drum is provided with a series of grooves vertical to
the bottom of the drum around the interior of the outer wall of the box and around
the interior boss, through which a stud fixed to the camera passes by which the
box is attached in place upon the camera. The grooves above described are so
arranged relatively to one another that the sensitized plates are arranged partially
tangentially to the inner hoss and I thus accomodate a very considerable number of
plates in the said box. The box is also provided with a series of indents in an external
Hange corresponding in number to that of the sheets of sensitized plates, with an
additional serration corresponding to one blank space left solid between the boss and
periphery in the body of the drum. The cover of the drum towards the camera is
fixed relatively to the camera (the drum being free to revolve upon its central axis)
and is provided with a slot corresponding in size to the edge and in angle to the
position of the sensitized plates in the drum. This plate or cover is also provided with a
spring catch engaging in the aforesaid serrated flange on the body of the drum in order
that the position of the said drum when rotated may always be exactly determined so
that the divisions on the drum are exactly opposite to the slot on the fixed plate. The
slot in this slotted plate or cover is caused when fitted to the camera to correspond
exactly to a slot in the side of the camera box such slot being normally covered by
a slotted sliding plate which may be withdrawn or moved so as to cause all the slots to
co-incide, by means of a spring handle outside the camera box. When it is desired
then to supply the sensitized plate to the camera, the sliding plate is withdrawn or
moved so that the slot in the sliding plate co-incides with the slots in the drum and the
camera and a sensitized plate can then be delivered by gravity into the camera.
When the photograph has been taken the plate can be returned by tilting the negative
plate into its own compartment in the drum. The drum is then rotated through an
are corresponding to a division so that the next sensitized plate coincides with the
position of the slots ready for the next photograph.
The serrations on the external flange of the drum corresponding to the sensitized
plates are all numbered and one serration bears the words drum shut indicating
that position in which the slot of the rotating cover is opposite to the blank
partition in the drum. A catch and pointer is provided, affixed to the camera to
indicate the successive numbers. This catch prevents the drum from being removed
from the camera until the said pointer is engaged in that serration corresponding to
the words "drum shut" in which position the drum cannot be turned any further
(which avoids danger of double exposure of any plate) and may be removed entire
and closed from the body of the camera by the release of a nut. A duplicate drum
may then be attached with a fresh supply, or the plates may be removed in a suitable
manner and a fresh supply of sensitized plates introduced.
It will thus be seen that as the drum can only be removed from the camera in the one
position, namely, when the delivery slot is opposite and closed by the blank metallic
partition in the box, absolute security is afforded against the admission of light to the
sensitized plates before or after the photograph has been taken.
The whole form and external dimensions of my complete camera are by the
preceding construction within or nearly within the exterior dimensions of the aforesaid
sensitized plate drum and without loose parts when in operation so that the whole
apparatus may be carried conveniently in a portable cylindrical case of the internal
dimensions of the cylindrical sensitized plate drum.
In order that my invention may be better understood I append drawings in which
Fig. 1 is elevation and Fig. 2 plan view. In the several figures similar letters refer
to similar parts. The drum is shewn at A fitted with teeth or serrations marked A'.
B is the cap of drum with B' spindle on cap. B2 hole or slot in cap to allow plate to
pass from drum to camera and back. 13 shews the sockets on drum plates for tripod

page_text: marked T in the drawings. C shews collar on back of drum plate pivotted at C and
fastened by a spring lateli and bolt shewn at C. D is a spring lever catch which falls
into one of the recesses on the periphery of drum, and retains the drum in position
while the plate is being transferred from the drum to the camera or vice-versa. The
drum can only be detached from the camera when the pointer is at "drum shut." and
this is effected by the shape of the tooth being formed as illustrated at E fig. 6 which
is undercut so as to allow for the passage of the projection e on the pointer P. The
aforementioned catel D. is constructed to spring over the teeth A¹ in turning one way
but does not permit of the drum being moved in the contrary direction. The attachi-
ment of the drum to the camera is effected by a spindle or pivot m passing through
the central orifice of the drum B¹ and fastening with a screwed collar M. with a milled
head. G is a focussing box fitted with an extending spring movement shewn in detail
at Fig. 5. G is the eye piece extending, y is catch for the extending eye piece
and the barrel for spring of same. The lens for focussing screen is shown at H the
lens for photographic screen is shewn at H. At 1 is shewn the milled head of
pinion I actuating rack for focussing, in i is an adjustable screw; formed with an
inner serew for convenience and security; over which passes a slotted bar, the
tightening of the screw fixes in place the lens after the focus is found as herein-
before mentioned. K is the camera proper. The arrangement for allowing the
passage of the plate is shewn by the lever catch K pivotted at K¹ and fitted at K
with a slotted slide piece to admit of the passage of the plate to and from the drum.
The stud or pin K³ is held by a spring and may be pressed into the camera for the
purpose of testing the position of the plate. K is a removable back which may be
detached at will from the camera by sliding upward Ks is the field finder hinged at
top of camera At K is a hinged cap actuated by the focussing rack for the protection
of the lens from dirt or damage A Fig. 5 is shewn a section of the drum with the
radial arrangement of the numbered plates F. At F is a solid plate of metal which
being always opposite the slot in camera when the drum is at "drum shut" (when the
same can be detached) prevents the inadvertent breakage of plates. The cogs or teeth
on outer edge of drum are shewn at A'A' with special tooth aforementioned at E.
shewn also at Fig. 6. Fig. 7 shews the detail of pointer and catch The shutter
shown at Figs. 1 & 2 is also shewn in detail by Figs. 8 & 9 The thumb screw which
actuates the shutter is marked L. is a releasing detent acted on by the thumb
screw aforementioned and is quadrant affixed to shutter and regulating the position
thereof. The shutters are shewn with the quadrant in its normal position at Fig. 8.
being the shutter a moment before the further turn of the thumbscrew releases the
detent held by the spring s. and permits of the opening of the shutter as shewn in
fig. 9. The shutter pivotted at being free to fly lack when is in its open position.
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. The drum attachment for reserve of plates fitted externally with teeth and catch
and internally with slots for the reception of plates in a tangentially radiating manner
as described and illustrated.
2. The mechanism of catch lever and slotted shutter to admit the passage of the
plates as described and illustrated.
3. The shutter with quadrant attachment and releasing detent as described and
illustrated.
4. camera fitted with a drum containing a reserve of plates, and with the afore-
mentioned combination of parts as described and illustrated substantially and as
set forth.
JOHN BLACK,
Applicant's Agent.