mprovements in or connected with 4.)
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 23rd Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Aug., 1895-Accepted, 28th Sept.,
1895
.
mprovements in or connected with
4.) .
1
I FRANK ALEXANDER BROWNELL of Rochester, in the County of Monroe,
and State of New York, United States of America 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 photographic shutters and has for its object to provide a
shutter adapted to be set and released by the movements of a single actuating
member, which can also be readily adapted as hereinafter described for making
time exposures.
1
According to my invention I provide in combination with the shutter a motor
therefor, a catch for retaining it in position preparatory to being released for
exposure, and a moveable member for setting the shutter preparatory to exposure,
when the said member is moved in one direction and to release the shutter for
exposure when the said member is moved in another direction
4 L
I will describe with reference to the accompanying drawings what I consider the
best means for carrying my invention into effect.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a front view of a shutter provided'
with mechanism according to my invention shewing the position before the shutter
is set.
Figure 2 is a similar view shewing in full lines a position of the parts while the
shutter is being set for an instantaneous exposure, and in dotted lines the position
of the parts after the shutter has been set.
J
7
Figure 3 is a similar view shewing in full lines a position of the parts whilst the
shutter iu motion when making an instantaneous exposure, and in dotted lines a
position which the parts assume when being set to make a time' exposure.
Figure 4 is a similar view shewing the position of the parts when the lens.
aperture is open when making a time exposure, the position being that which the
parts will assume when pressure on the releasing bar is removed after the parts
have assumed the position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a sectional view the section being taken on the line x-x of
Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view considerably enlarged the section being
taken on the line y-y of Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view also enlarged the section being taken on
the line of Figure 1.
Figure 8 is a plan of the end of the shutter-setting device.
Figure 9 is front view of a modification of my device shewing in dotted lines the
shutter while being set.
j

page_text: gure to is a sectional view the section being taken on the line a-0 OI
Figure 9.
Similar reference numerals indicate similar parts in the several figures.
The shutter to which my invention is shewn applied is of the type embodying a
main shutter having an aperture adapted to coincide with the lens opening and
an auxiliary shutter adapted to cover the said aperture during the setting
operation; such as is covered by Letters Patent No. 9869' granted to A. J. Boult
on a communication from G. Eastman and dated 15 June 1889 and in the
construction shewn, I indicates the plate or shutter support, which may constitute
the front of the camera, if desired; 2 is the lens opening and 3 is the finder lens
opening. 4 is is the main shitter having an exposing aperture 5 and capable of
turning upon a pin 6 upon which is also capable of turning an auxiliary or covering
shutter 7. A motor, in the form of a spring 8, extends around the pin 6 and bears
at one end on the casing flange or other suitable stationary part and at the other
end upon a pin 9 on the auxiliary shutter, to normally hold it against a stop-
flange 10 on the main shutter; said spring 8 also tending to operate the auxiliary
shutter in a direction to leave uncovered the aperture 5 of the main shutter.
After the shutter has been operated to make an exposure it occupies the position
shown in Figure 1, and when it is to be set the auxiliary shutter is first moved over
to bear against a stop 11 on the main shutter which may be effected by means of a
slotted link 12, and through this stop 11 the main shutter is moved over to the
position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, the exposing aperture in the main
shutter being covered by the auxiliary shutter during the passage. As soon as
the main shutter has been arrested by a retaining dog or catch, the motor spring
will hold the auxiliary shutter against the stop 10 uncovering the exposing aperture
in the main shutter the said spring remaining under compression so that the shutter
is ready for exposure.
With the object of simplifying the construction and facilitating the operation
of shutters particularly of this class, I provide a single moveable member accessible
from the exterior of the camera, by the movement of which in one direction the
shutter is set and by its movement in another direction the retaining catch or dog
is released so that exposure is made..
In the arrangement of my-invention illustrated I employ a moveable member,
preferably connected to the link 12; the said member being capable of a movement
in a direction to set the shutter and cause it to be retained by the retaining catch
or dog 15, adapted to be released by the movement of the operating member in
another direction, to cause the release of the said shutter for exposure. The edge
of the main shutter is provided with notches or shoulders 13, and 14; the former
being adapted to be engaged by the catch 15 to hold the shutter with the lens
aperture open to make a time exposure, and the latter to retain the shutter when
set preparatory to making a time or an instantaneous exposure. The retaining
catch or dog,15 is centered at the lower end of a support or plate 16 secured to
the shutter support 1 (or the support or plate and its adjuncts may be formed by
the shutter support itself) one edge of the said plate being turned up to form a
flange 17 to which is connected a spring 18 engaging the catch 15 and throwing
its operating end into the path described by the projections on the shutter.
The moveable member for setting and releasing the shutter which is connected
to the link 12 is constructed in the arrangement illustrated in the form of a lever
having two parts, one consisting of the plate 19 having a slot 20 in which engages
a pin 21 connected to the support 16, the upper and lower ends of this plate being
turned out in the form of ears constituting guides 22, 23, and the other part
consisting of the rod 24, which passes through the guide-ears 22, 23, and bas its
lower end connected to the link 12. At the upper end of this rod 24 is a knob or
button 25, having upon its lower side a pin 26 adapted to rest in either of two
perforations 27 formed in the lug 22, the portion of the lug between the perforations
being depressed slightly so that the sides of the perforations form stops limiting
the movement of the rod (as shown in Figure 7) and encircling the rod is a
..

page_text: spring 28 operating upon a shoulder thereon, and serving to hold the knob 25-down
with the pin 26 in engagement with the one of the perforations with which it is
engaged. Connected to the plate 19 and to a flange 29 formed upon the plate 16
is a spring 30 so disposed relative to the pivot 21 that it will hold the shutter-
setting and releasing member with the lower end of the slot 20 up against the
pivot and the upper portion of the plate 19 in engagement with an ear 31 which
may be struck
from the plate 16, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The lower end
up
of the plate 19 is arranged just below and near the end of the catch 15.
For an
instantaneous exposure, the parts being in the position shewn in Figure 1, the operator
moves the knob 25 to the right, as indicated by the upper arrow in Figure 1, to
the position shewn in full lines in Figure 2, this operation, through the means
described, causing the auxiliary shutter first to close the aperture in the main
shutter and then as the knob is moved further over, against the action of the
spring 30, the shutters will be carried over to the position shown in dotted lines in
the said figure until the projection 14 is engaged by the end of the catch 15. It
will be noted that the setting device is turned during this operation around the
pivot-pin 21, but by reason of a small flange 32 which may be struck up from the
plate 16 the movement of the plate 19 longitudinally of the slot 20 is prevented.
After the shutter has been set and is held by the catch 15 against the action of the
operating spring, tending to return it, the operating and releasing member is released
and returned by the spring 30 to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2,.
and in full lines in Figure 1. When it is desired to make an instantaneous.
exposure, it is only necessary to press upon the knob 25, causing the flange 23 to
operate on the rear end of the catch 15, thereby releasing the shutter, the position
of the parts at this time being shown in full lines in Figure 3, the shutter moving
in the direction of the arrow and having just commenced its movement.
From
this it will be seen that the only necessary movements to set and release the shutter,
are to move the knob 25 sideways (to the right, as shewn) to set the shutter,
and after it has resumed its normal position, to press it inwards to effect the
exposure.
For the purpose of permitting time exposures to be made by the use of this
shutter, I arrange upon the rod 24 a pin 34 which can be moved into the path of
a lug or stop 35 projecting from the main shutter, but normally and when the
shutter is used for instantaneous work, this pin 34 is out of the path of said lug,
being maintained in this position by the engagement of the pin 26 with one of the
perforatious 27 in the ear 22, as shewn particularly in Figure 7. When it is
desired to arrange the shutter for time exposures, the operator grasps the knob 25,
and partially rotates the said rod, so as to engage the pin 26 with the other
perfcration 27 in the ear 22. He then sets the shutter as before, by moving the
knob 25 sideways (to the right as shewn) until the catch 15 engages the projection 14
on the shutter, and when the exposure is to be made, the knob is pressed down, as
shewn in full lines in Figure 3, causing the disengagement of the catch 15, as before
described, but the pin 34 is now in the path of the lug or stop 35 and the shutter
isttherefore arrested just before the exposing aperture comes in line with the lens
opening, and then by releasing pressure upon the knob, the rod and pin -34 are
moved upwardly out of engagement (by the spring 30), which movement also.
allows thecengaging end of the catch 15 to move down and become engaged with
the projection 13 on the shutter, in which position it is maintained with the shutter
apertureccoir.cident with the lens opening. When the lens aperture has remained
open for the desired length of time, it is.only necessary to press upon the knob,25,
causing the release of the catch 15 and permitting the-shutter to be closed by its
actuating spring.
In order that the operator may readily set the shutter for making time
exposures, I may provide a small mark 37 upon the upper end of the kuob 25,
the said mark being say in the line of the pin 34, so that it is simply necessary to
grasp the knob, lift it, and turn it until the line extends transversely of the
direction of movement of the shutter, the pin 26 engaging the side of the perforation,

page_text: or he may move the knob with the line in the plane of movement of the shutter in-
order to set it for making instantaneous exposures.
Although I prefer the arrangement shewn in which the shutter-setting and
releasing member is made in two parts, it will be understood that it can be made.
of a single piece, as shewn in Figure 9, in which 40 indicates the said member
in the form of a lever connected to the link 12 at its lower end and having a
slot 41 co-operating with the pivot-pin 42; 43 indicating a spring, which not only
operates to return the arm to the position shewn in full lines in the said figures,
but also to hold the lower end of the slot in engagement with the pivot-pin.
The lever 40 is bent outward forming a shoulder 45, which is adapted to engage
the end of the retaining catch 15*, the said shoulder also co-operating with the
stop-plate 47 to prevent its longitudinal movement, except when in proper position
to engage and release the catch 15*. The operation of the modification just
described is the same as that of the shutter shewn in the other figures.
Other modifications of this same feature of making the moveable member capable
of setting the shutter, or putting its motor spring under compression by movement.
in one direction and releasing it by movement in another will be evident to those
conversant with this class of apparatus and I do not therefore confine myself to
precisely the construction shewn. Nor is my invention confined to adaptation to
a shutter of any particular description, although I prefer to use it in connection.
with one which can be set without causing the lens opening to be uncovered, and
of this class is one in which a progressively moving apertured shutter is employed,
the motor spring being wound up behind it, as is well-known.
It will be understood that, if desired, the stop 35 for time exposure could be so
arranged relative to the exposing aperture in the shutter that when the projection 34
is in position for a time exposure and the moveable member is moved down to
engage it, the said aperture would be in line with the lens and the time exposure
can then be made by holding the knob pressed down the requisite time and in this
event the projection 13 could be dispensed with.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination with a photographic shutter, a motor therefor, and a catch
for retaining the shutter, of a moveable member which when moved in one
direction sets the motor in position for exposure and which when moved in another
direction acts to release the shutter so that it is moved by the motor substantially
as herein before described.
2. The combination with a photographic shutter, a motor therefor, and a catch
for retaining the shutter, of a laterally and longitudinally moveable member
operating to set the motor in position for exposure when moved laterally and
to release the catch when moved longitudinally substantially as herein before
described.
3. The combination with a photographic shutter, a motor for operating it and
a catch for retaining it, of a support, a moveable member having a loose connection
with the support, whereby it is capable of movement in two directions, a spring
connected to the said member for returning it to its normal position and a stop for
preventing the simultaneous movement of the member in both directions substantially
as hereinbefore described.
4. The combination with a photographic shutter having two retaining projections
or notches, and a stop for time exposure thereon, a motor and a catch for engaging
the projections or notches, of a moveable member capable of movement in two
directions, one for setting the motor, and the other for releasing the catch, and
a projection on the moveable member adapted to be moved in the path of the stop
for time exposure and away therefrom for instantaneous exposure substantially as
herein before described.
5. The combination with a photographic shutter having two retaining projections

page_text: or notches and the stop for time exposure, a motor and a catch, of a support, a plate
pivotted and longitudinally moveable on the support, and adapted to act upon the
catch, and a rotatable rod carried by the said plate and having a projection for
engaging the stop on the shutter for time exposure, and adapted to set and release
the shutter substantially as herein before described.
6. A mechanism for use with photographic shutters the said mechanism consisting
of the arrangement and combination of parts substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whether there be combined with
it the mechanism for time exposure or not.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1895.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.