Improvements in and relating to Photographic Apparatus.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 7th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Photographic Apparatus.
We, EMILE FRANCK-VALERY and PAUL FRANCK-VALERY of 42 Boulevard
Bonne Nouvelle, Paris in the Republic of France, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows
This invention relates to a photographic apparatus having exteriorly the form
of a leather case such as is carried by tourists on the shoulder-belt for containing
their binocular or opera glass.
The improved apparatus comprises a box which serves as a base for the same
and contains the object-glass, shutter and focussing device. Upon this box are
hinged the two sides of a leather case interiorly provided with a sheet of copper
which is adapted to their shape and serves to strengthen them. When the sides
are put together they are held in the first place by a clasp similar to the ordinary
clasps for albums, and in the second place by a leather cover which does not differ
from those used for binocular or opera glass cases.
To further strengthen the aforesaid two sides and prevent the bending of the
same they are each provided interiorly with a mounting, these two mountings
having articulated to them two pairs of compasses which serve to keep the sides
apart when they are opened.
The mountings have a hinge at their upper part and carry two flexible bands, of
hardened steel, united by a third band of the same thickness and placed at the
same height as they.
These two bands have their other extremities united by a cross-piece provided
with velvet, but the latter is separated from the bands by small wedges which keep
it at the necessary distance from them for the passages of the frame.
The said two bands serve also for carrying pieces of fabric which form the
camera obscure and are fixed at their other edges upon the said box and the two
movable sides. The apparatus is carried by a shoulder belt traversing guides and
attached to buckles.
One of the said buckles is attached to the cover for the focussing device so that
for using the latter it is sufficient to move away the belt with the hand in order to
open the cover and look through the said device.
The shutter is simply of a sheet of metal pierced with a hole and fixed to a
spring rod connected by a cord to a small exterior knob. For putting the
shutter ready for action this knob and by it the shutter plate is pulled until a
spring bolt enters a notch formed in the above-mentioned spring rod. For
disengaging the shutter a pressure is exerted upon a knob provided for the
purpose.
As this apparatus is also provided at its cover with a handle it may also be
carried in the hand.
When the case of this photographic apparatus is closed the aforesaid bands
are bent in the interior of the said case, and the compasses are closed. In this
position nothing shows on the outside that the device is anything but a binocular
or opera-glass case, the shoulder belt covering even the joint formed by the sides
when they are placed together.
For using the apparatus it is sufficient to remove first its cover and then the
clasp. Under the action of the bands forming springs the two sides are caused to
move asunder and when the compasses have been adjusted by passing with the
hand into the interior of the chamber the apparatus is quite open, the bands being
under tension and ready to receive the frame.

page_text: This frame, which may be of any suitable construction with a screen or other-
wise, must have on three of its edges a groove so as to fit exactly upon the, three
bands. The said frame, with the screen below, is slid upon the two bands and
bears with its rear extremity against the third band upon which it will fit.
As the cross piece is covered with velvet or the like the screen can be operated
without fear of light passing into the interior of the chamber.
Although the improved case employed is adapted for a photographic apparatus
it may serve for the reception of a binocular or opera glass. For this purpose
two cushions are arranged at the top of the box hereinbefore mentioned. The
binocular or opera glass is preferably covered with a leather bag soothat it shall
not be injured by the metallic parts of the case, and that the tourist shall be able
to carry it easily with him without the photographic apparatus.
Dated this 11th day of December 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Photographic Apparatus.
We, EMILE FRANCK-VALERY, and PAUL FRANCK-VALERY, both of 42,
Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, Paris, in the Republic of France 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 :-
This invention relates to a photographic apparatus having exteriorly the form of
a leather case for containing a binocular or opera glass such as is carried by tourists
and others.
In the drawings ;-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of our apparatus opened or in position for taking
photographs.
Figure 2, is a transverse section showing the apparatus closed.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the same closed and
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the base portion detached.
The improved apparatus comprises a box A which serves as a base and contains
the lens O, shutter B and focussing device V. Upon this box A are hinged the
two sides C and D of a leather case interiorly provided with a sheet of copper
When the sides
which is adapted to their shape and serves to strengthen them.
are put together they are held in the first place by a clasp V similar to the ordinary
clasps for albums, and in the second place by a leather cover F similar to the
ordinary covers for binocular opera glass cases.
H is a frame made in two parts hinged together and to the upper edges of the
sides C and D. The two parts H'H and their uniting part H are formed in one
or rigidly united, and are hinged by means of a bracket H' to the cheek C, and
the two parts H*H* and corresponding part H, which rigidly unite the latter,
are hinged by means of a similar bracket H, to the cheek D. These frames
are connected together by the double hinges H³ so that they can for ordinary
use, as an opera-glass case, be folded downward into the position shown in
Figures 2 and 3, or for use as a photographic camera be extended, as shown
in Figure 1. The open frame is fortified by strips I¹ 1', on the upper side,
and JJ on the lower side, the space between constituting a straight groove or
way in which a plate-holder, not represented, may be held and moved in and
out, as required, during the time of exposure, and be conveniently inserted and
removed.
N is rubber cloth, or other flexible opaque fabric, forming a dark chamber into
which no light can enter except through the objective O. The upper edges of
this flexible material N are firmly and tightly attached to the frame: KK, are

page_text: spiral springs fitted loosely around central pins L, which latter are hinged to the
supports P riveted on the cheeks C and D, and play through guides L' rivetted on
the stiffening frames. When the device is in the open condition, as shown in
Figure 1, those springs hold the stiffening frames firmly up in a right line. When
the device is closed, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the springs lie substantially in line
each with its frame and produce no effect.
In the closed position the case may be suspended on the person of the tourist
by the straps R, and the opera-glass being inserted and the cover F closed
it is ready to perform in all respects the ordinary functions of a case for an
opera-glass.
When it is desired to use it for a camera, the cover F is turned on its hinge, the
opera-glass temporarily removed, the catches V1 V2, detached by pressure of the
finger on the button V*, and the frames H'H³, being forcibly lifted into line with
each other, as shown in Figure 1, the case is ready to receive the plate carrying
the sensitive surface, and the whole arranged for use.
The lens O may be of the ordinary construction, and held in the case A by its
flanges 0 0. The flange O' is provided with screw-threads and aids to secure
the adjacent edges of the fabric N.
The shutter B is composed of a metallic plate 6 playing through the close-fitting
slot b' in the objective, and actuated by a contractile spring which engages with
a pin projecting on the under side and tends to keep the slide constantly in the
closed position as shown in Figure 3. It is operated by a rod c extending slightly
through the casing, and provided on its outer end with a button d. The rod is
notched as indicated at e'. A spring f presses on the rod ready to engage in the
notch and a tripper f¹ (Figures 3 and 4) actuated by a button g is operated by the
finger to detach the spring when required and make a snap shot by the rapid
movement of the shutter in obedience to the force of the spring e. The extra
notch e serves when required to engage the spring f and hold the shutter open for
any required periods for time exposure.
The finder as a whole is marked V. It is composed of a cylindrical casing h
which is movable within a fixed casing set in the main case A, and forming a
part thereof. The casing his provided with a screw-pin 7 received in the bayonet
slot k¹³ formed in the fixed casing h¹. When our case is serving simply as a
carrier for the opera-glass, the finder is thrust inward to its fullest extent and held
by the engagement of the pin n in the pocket k¹. When the case is to be used as a
camera, the finder is drawn out. It may be held in its drawn out position without
being turned, and in this position will serve by its lens i, reflector and ground
glass for properly directing the instrument for producing impressions in one
position on the negative. As the negatives are usually longer one way than the
other, it may sometimes be desired to turn the picture a quarter around thereon.
For such use the finder is turned a quarter of a revolution on its axis the horizontal
branch of the slot allowing such motion.
Our improved case presenting the appearance of an ordinary case for an opera-
glass attracts no attention, but is ready to be rapidly and easily arranged for serving
as a photographic camera, when required. It is preferable to enclose the opera-
glass in paper or some soft material when it is placed in the case to avoid contact of
the metallic surfaces.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First A concealed photographic chamber having the outward appearance of
an ordinary opera glass case whose sides C D, jointed upon a base and forming a
box A, separate symmetrically relatively to the axis of the apparatus so as to
form on the opposite side of the base A an enlarged part in which is located the
frame; the camera obscura thus formed being protected from light rays by a
cloth N which is carried in the case.

page_text: Second: In a concealed photographic chamber having the outward appearance
of an opera glass case, the arrangement of the bottom or box A enclosing the
lens O, the shutter B, the focussing and carrying device V articulated, the two
sides C and D united together in the closed position by catches V₁ and covered by
the lid F; the opening of the said sides taking place when the bars V' are dis-
engaged by the sudden opening of the frames H'H' united at their extremities by
a double hinge H³ facing each other, and fixed by their other extremity to bars H
and articulated themselves upon corresponding bars H' fixed respectively to the
upper interior parts of the sides CD.
Third-In a concealed photographic chamber having the outward appearance
of a opera glass case, the arrangement of oblique springs K K¹ carried by rods L
articulated upon supports P fixed to the sides CD, the rods L of the said
springs being guided in rings L' bearing upon the springs K K' and fixed to the
frames H'H³.
1
Fourth-In a concealed photographic chamber having the outward appearance
of an opera glass case the arrangement of a focussing device having a double use
and constructed with a movable sleeve fitted by a bayonet joint into a fixed
sleeve h¹ inside the box A; the novable sleeve / carrying the lens i, the mirror i
and the ground glass adapted to occupy in the sleeve / two perpendicular positious
in order to enable focussing to be effected in both directions, that is to say with
regard to the length and width, of the plates.
Dated this 7th day of September 1892
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.