Improvements in or relating to Instantaneous Shutters for Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1889

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 18 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883), as allowed by
the decision of the Comptroller General of the 8th day of January 1896.
Date of Application, 15th June, 1859
Complete Specification Left, 14:h Mar., 1890-Accepted, 3rd May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Instantaneous Shutters for
Photographic Cameras.
A communication from GEORGE EASTMAN, of Rochester, County of Monroe and State
of New York, United States of America.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In carrying out this invention I provide a pivotted plate or shutter having a
segmental slot preferably considerably longer than the lens opening. The edges of
the shutter may be turned up or provided with stops and pivotted at the same
point as the shutter is a cover narrower than the shutter having no slot and also
having one side turned up and provided with one or more stops. This cover is
so controlled by a spring or springs as to have a tendency always to lie at one
side of the shutter and when in this position is entirely clear of the slot in the
shutter and the lens. The shutter is also spring controlled with a tendency in the
direction opposite to that of the cover. In its normal position the shutter lies so
that the slot is entirely past the lens opening and a part of the solid portion of
the shutter as well as the cover both lie behind the lens so that no light passes.
In setting the shutter prior to making an exposure the shutter is pulled over to
its furthest limit on one side by any suitable means such as a lever or a cord
provided with an external button and secured around a pulley on the shutter
spindle this pulley being so arranged as to carry the shutter with it in one
direction but to leave it free in the other direction. The shutter is provided with
two or more peripheral openings into which falls the end of a spring controlled
or spring lever pivotted; the cover also is provided with one or more slots.
The action is as follows:-
When the shutter is drawn over by the cord the cover remains behind the lens,
being retained in that position by the spring lever until the opening in the shutter
has passed the lens when a suitable projection upon the periphery of the shutter or
special peripheral formation causes the spring lever to rise out of the cover which
then under the influence of its spring passes over to the side of the shutter out
of the way of the slot in the shutter. The shuter is he'd in its set position by
the spring lever entering a slot suitably arranged for the purpose and to make the
exposure a press button or equivalent on the outside of the case may be pushed
in against the reversed end of the spring lever with the result that the acting end
of the lever is removed from the slot in the shutter which then under the influence
of a spring flies over making an exposure for the length of time during which
the slot passes the lens opening the shutter finally resting in the original position
when both shutter and cover are behind the lens.

page_text: The cover is arranged with a peripheral slot or projection which takes on to
the spring lever so as to raise it clear of the portion of the shutter necessary to
allow the slot to pass the lens opening during the setting of the shutter after
which as already explained the lever is raised by the shutter itself and the cover
flies clear.
By this means it will be seen that there is no occasion for capping the lens
during the setting of the shuttter as the previously described cover prevents the passage
of light through the lens during the setting of the shutter..
This shutter may of course be arranged in front of the lens or behind the lens
or in the case of double lenses between the two according to requirements.
By providing suitable peripheral slots both shutter and cover may be held by a
spring lever in a position to leave the uncovered slot in the shutter opposite the
lens opening so that a prolonged exposure may thus be made.
Dated this 15th day of June 1889.
Improvements in or relating to Instantaneous Shutters for
Photographic Cameras.
A communication from GEORGE EASTMAN, of Rochester, County of Monroe and Stato
of New York, United States of America.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., 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 :-
In carrying out this invention I provide a slotted plate or shutter having a
segmental slot preferably considerably longer than the lens opening. The edges of
the shutter may be turned up or provided with stops and pivotted at the same
point as the shutter is a cover narrower than the shutter having no slot and also
having one side turned up and provided with one or more stops. This cover is
so controlled by a spring or springs as to have a tendency always to lie at one
side of the shutter and when in this position is entirely clear of the slot in the
shutter and the lens. The shutter is also spring controlled with a tendency in the
direction opposite to that of the cover. In its normal position the shutter lies so
that the slot is entirely past the lens opening and a part of the solid portion of
the shutter as well as the cover both lie behind the lens so that no light passes.
In setting the shutter prior to making an exposure the shutter is pulled over
to its furthest limit on one side by any suitable means such as a lever or a cord
provided with an external button and secured around a pulley on the shutter
spindle this pulley being so arranged as to carry the shutter with it in one
direction but to leave it free. in the other direction. The shutter is provided with
two or more peripheral openings or recesses into which falls the end of a spring
controlled or spring lever pivoted; the cover also may if required 'be provided
with one or more peripheral notches or recesses.
The action is as follows:-
When the shutter is drawn over by the cord the cover remains covering the
lens, being retained in that position by the spring lever until the opening in the
shutter has passed the lens when a suitable projection upon the periphery of
the shutter or special peripheral formation causes the spring lever to rise out of
the cover which then under the influence of its spring passes over to the side
of the shutter out of the way of the slot in the shutter. The shutter is held in

page_text: its set position by the spring lever entering a slot suitably arranged for the
purpose and to make the exposure a press button or equivalent on the outside of
the case may be pushed in against the reversed end of the spring lever with the
result that the acting end of the lever is removed from the slot in the shutter
which then under the influence of a spring flies over making an exposure for the
length of time during which the slot passes the lens opening, the shutter finally
resting in the original position when both shutter and cover are behind the lens.
The cover may be arranged with a peripheral slot or projection which takes on
to the spring lever so as to raise it clear of the portion of the shutter necessary
to allow the slot to pass the lens opening during the setting of the shutter after
which as already explained the lever is raised by the shutter itself and the cover
flies clear.
By this means it will be seen that there is no occasion for capping the lens
during the setting of the shutter as the previously described cover prevents the
passage of light through the lens during the setting of the shutter.
This shutter may of course be arranged in front of the lens or behind the lens
or in the case of double lenses between the two according to requirements.
By providing suitable peripheral slots both shutter and cover may be held by a
spring lever in a position to leave the uncovered slot in the shutter opposite the
lens opening so that a prolonged exposure may thus be made.
In the accompanying drawings ;-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the shutter and the plate carrying it mounted
on a frame or detached portion of the camera.
Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views of separate parts of the shutter;
Fig. 6 is a section through the complete shutter and supporting plate ;
Fig. 7 is an end elevation of a camera with the shutter applied thereto;
Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are views illustrating the operation of the shutter.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
The camera to which the present invention is shown as applied in figures 1 and 7
of the accompanying drawings and to which it is specially applicable is that now
generally known as the "Kodak" detective camera but the said invention is applicable
to cameras generally.
In figures and 7 A is the camera box or case which is preferably constructed in
the form of a rectangular tube in the rear end of which is fitted a film holder and at
the forward or lens end an end piece having a perforation through which the light is
admitted; neither the film holder nor end piece being considered necessary to the
explanation of the present invention of which they do not form part they are not
represented in the drawings.
B is a frame carrying the lens and shutter and preferably of rectangular tabular
form, to slide readily within the case from the rear and of sufficient bearing length
or thickness to prevent tilting in the case.
The front of the frame B is of course provided with a perforation (represented in
in dotted lines in figures 8 to 10) to permit the passage of light and upon
this frame is secured the lens and slutter holder or support Cas clearly shown in
figure 1.
This support C which is constructed preferably of metal is secured to the front of
the frame B by means of screws c and at one end is provided with a perforation in
which one lens of the pair of lenses ³ ³ is secured, as shown, while the other
lens c³ is secured in a corresponding manner in an overhanging portion of the
support as shown, a slit being left between the support and portion for the
passage of the shutter D.
This shutter while adapted to be applied to the support carrying the lens in this
particular instance, though not necessarily so, relates to that class constructed of
opaque material adapted to pass transversely across the lens axis and provided with
an aperture, which in transit coincides with the lens openings perinitting the passage
of light to the plate or film. Such shutters, however, cannot be applied to cameris
in which film is employed, unless some light intercepting medium is interposed

page_text: between the lens and film while the shutter is being moved back to its first position.
as otherwise the second coincidence of the shutter aperture and lens opening would
cause a second exposure of the film and as this return of the shutter to its first position
is caused by a manual operation it would not answer for instantaneous work. To
adapt this kind of shutter therefore, for instantaneous work without necessitating the
capping of the lens or using a slide is the general object of the present improvement
and it is accomplished by the employment of an auxiliary shutter operated upon by
the main shutter so that when the latter is moved to "set" position, the lens will be
covered during the passage of the exposing opening in front of it.
The accompanying drawings represent this invention as applied to a pivotted
oscillating shutter which perhaps, is best adapted to cameras of small size but the
inventor does not wish to be understood as confining his invention to this arrange-
ment.
The present shutter is preferably constructed of some thin opaque material such as
sheet metal in the form of a segment pivotted at its smaller end upon a suitable
pin d and provided near its periphery with an exposing aperture d' which latter is
adapted when the shutter is moved by a suitable motor, to cross the axis of the lens
preferably in the slot between the portions of the lens holding block, and permit
the passage of light to the sensitized film or plate, the motion being limited by
suitable stops formed in the present instance by flanges d' d turned up at the
edges as shown to co-operate at the extremes of movement with the sides of the lens
holding block C.
The periphery of the shutter is provided with a bevelled projection d' with which
co-operates a spring latch preferably composed of a single piece of spring metal
suitably bent and pivotted at d to the lens holder C which latch engages said pro-
jection when the shutter is in set position with the motor spring wound up, ready to
make an exposure, a notch d being so arranged relatively to the latch and lens
opening, that the latch will enter it when the opening coincides with the lens
opening, thus providing for making a time exposure when desired as will be further
on described. Upon the main shutter D is the cover or auxiliary shutter E pivotted
upon the before mentioned stud d and permitted a free movement over the main
shutter, being held normally against the flange d by a spring el encircling the stud d
and having its ends secured to flanges on the two shutters preferably by being
inserted through perforations therein. This auxiliary shutter is sufficiently wide to
cover the exposing aperture d¹ and in the present instance of a length equal to that
of the main shutter though this is not essential, the object being to cover the
aperture and un-latch the auxiliary shutter E after the former has passed the
lens opening, which is accomplished in this instance, by providing the auxiliary at
its outer edge with a cam-like projection also adapted to be engaged at certain
times by the latch d and held over the lens opening while the main shutter is being
moved back to the first position after making an exposure.
In figure 8 is shown the position the shutter will occupy after an exposure has
been made and when the solid portions of the main and auxiliary shutters cover
the lens opening, now when the shutter is moved back to first position by suitable
mechanism against the tension of the motor spring (the construction and operation
of one form of both being hereinafter described) the latch d engaging the pro-
jection e' on the auxiliary shutter will retain the latter in position covering the lens
opening, while the main shutter is being moved back, until the exposing aperture di
has passed beyond the lens opening thus preventing light passing through and striking
the film or plate, which movement also puts the spring e' under tension.
as the position indicated in Figure 9 is reached the bevelled portion of the pro-
jection d strikes the latch and being a trifle higher than the projection e* raises it
until the auxiliary shutter E is released when the spring e immediately returns it to
its first or normal position against the flange d and the latch drops behind pro-
jection holding the main shutter in the position in Figure 10 with its motor
spring under tension.
As soon
Now in order to make an exposure the latch d is raised by any suitable device

page_text: and the shutter is moved across to the position in Figure 8 by its motor spring,
causing the aperture d¹ to pass across the axis of the lens admitting the rays of
light to the film or plate.
A convenient and perhaps the simplest form of motor mechanism for operating the
shutter is shown in detail in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 though any other form could
be employed if desired or this motor mechanism may be employed to operate other
shutters not embodying the present improvements.
The underside of the main shutter D near one end is provided with a pin d³ to-
which one end of a volute spring is fastened the other end of the spring a being
connected to a pin do projecting from the side of the pivotal stud d shown most
clearly in Figure 5 the tendency of the spring being, when the stud is held stationary
to move the shutter in the direction of the arrow Figure 4. The support C is
provided with the perforation and a projecting boss surrounding it while the
stud d is provided with a shoulder d" adapted to rest upon the top of said boss, its
lower reduced portion entering and fitting the perforation while its end d³ is.
screw-threaded for securing into the bottom of the support C. Means may be pro--
vided for rotating the pivot d to the right or left so that the tension of the spring d
can be increased or diminished as desired and for securing the said pivot in such
altered position.
The shutter should be returned to its first or set position and its propelling spring
wound up from the exterior in a camera of this kind and as a means of accomplishing
this and at the same time forming a compact and simple arrangement of parts,
provide beneath the shutter a disc d" shown most clearly in Figure 3 having a
central perforation d adapted to fit over the boss c on the support and an annular
depending-exteriorly-grooved-flange or pulley d resting upon the base as shown in
Figure 6 and to a pin de fitted in this disc d is connected one end of a volute
spring d the other end of which is connected to a pin. d on the outer side of
the boss on the base or support C as shown in Figure 2. A segmental slot dis
provided in the disc d" into which slot the lower end of the before mentioned pin d
projects when the parts are secured together and a cord d is attached to the
pulley around which the said cord is adapted to be wound one or more turns
when the pulley is rotated by the spring; the outer free end of the cord do extends
to the outside of the casing A through a suitable perforation and is there provided
with a knot or button.
The spring operates to turn the disc d in the direction to wind up the cord in
the groove of the pulley when the tension on the cord is released, and the length
of the slot and cord are such that the pin de will move freely in the former when
the shutter is released without striking the end of the slot.
In Figure 2 the upper side of the supporting plate C is shown while the other parts
illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are inverted that is they are removed from the plate C
and turned over to better show their construction.
Any suitable device can be employed for operating the latch d but I prefer to use.
a pin a extending through a thimble a fitted in the casing A and having its inner-
end as shown in Figs. 1 and 7 arranged to press against the free end of the latch so
that when pushed inwards the said latch may be released from the shutter D the
spring latch itself causing its outward or return movement which is limited by a
collar or pin a² arranged to abut against the inner end of the thimble or against the
side of the casing if such a thimble is not employed.
As the shutter is mounted on the frame B which is capable of being slightly-
adjusted in the camera and the latch operating pin is stationary I provide the latch
with a laterally extending end d so that the push pin a will engage it properly even
if the frame is adjusted in either direction slightly.
The operation of the parts will now be readily understood. The operator having
adjusted the position of the film or equivalent medium employed (the shutter being
then in the position shown in Figure 8 in which it was left after the last exposure)
draws the cord do outwards and thus rotates the disc d against the tension of its.
spring and causes the end of the slot d" to abut against the pin and carry-

page_text: the shutter around to the position in figure 10 thus winding up its spring until
the latch engages the projection d³ when it will be held, the operation of the
anxiliary shutter E taking place as before described. Upon the release of the cord do
the spring returns the disc to its first position and winds up the cord but by
reason of the segmental slot d leaves the shutter in set position.
The camera is now pointed at the object to be photographed and the pin a pushed
in, causing the latch to release the shutter D and its spring to operate it so as to
move the exposing aperture d' past the lenses and admit light to the film the latch
immediately after returning the pin a to its normal position. The exposing film or
equivalent medium employed can now be wound forward or otherwise readjusted, the
shutter reset and further exposures made as required.
The notch de in the edge of the main shutter D is provided in order that time
exposures may be made if desired. With this notch de the latch d' co-operates when
the aperture a coincides with the lens axis; the said notch is not of sufficient depth
to arrest the motion of the shutter when it is being moved rapidly for instantaneous
work but only sufficient to hold it when the shutter is stopped at this point. The
shutter is set to this position by moving it clear across to the position indicated in
figure 10 and then instead of suddenly releasing the setting cord (20 the operator
presses the push pin a and gradually allows the spring d to draw the cord into the
case A and wind it on the pulley d so that the shutter will be moved only until the
latch catches in the notch a. The exposure may then be made by means of a small
plug adapted to fit in the perforation in the end of the camera or by the usual cap
or otherwise so that the operator may make the exposure as long or short as desired.
To return the shutter to its normal position it is necessary to press the pin a so as to
release the latch from the notch or by pulling the cord outward again and
setting the shutter with the lens opening closed and ready for instantaneous
exposures.
The improved shutter herein shown while it is particularly adapted to cameras
of the class before mentioned can of course be applied to any form, the slight
modification in construction that might be necessary readily occurring to one skilled
in the art and instead of operating between the lenses as in the example illustrated in
the drawings the aperture d' could be made larger and the shutter located in front or
behind them as desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is ;-
2. In a photographic shutter the combination with a lens opening and a perforated
movable shutter such as D of an auxiliary shutter such as E and a latch such as d
for holding it in line with the lens opening, substantially as described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
3. In a photographic shutter the combination with a lens opening and a perforated
movable shutter such as D of an auxiliary shutter such as E adapted to be moved in
line with the lens opening a latch such as d for holding said auxiliary shutter and a
cam or projection such as d operated by the main shutter and adapted to engage the
latch and release the auxiliary shutter substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
4. In a photographic shutter the combination with a lens opening, a perforated
movable exposing shutter such as D of an auxiliary opaque shutter such as E and
connections between it and the main shutter whereby it is moved in line with the
lens opening when the main shutter is moved in one direction substantially as herein
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5. In a photographic shutter the combination with a lens opening and a perforated
movable exposing shutter such as D of an auxiliary opaque shutter such as E and
connections between it and the shutter D for moving it in line with the lens opening
when the opening in the latter coincides with the lens opening substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 6. In a photographic shutter the combination with a lens opening and a perforated
movable exposing shutter such as D of an auxiliary shutter such as E and connections
between it and the shutter D for moving it in line therewith by the movement of the
latter, a spring for moving the auxiliary shutter independently and a latch such
as operated by the exposing shutter for releasing the auxiliary shutter substantially
as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
-7. In a photographic shutter the combination with a lens opening and a perforated
exposing shutter such as D of an auxiliary shutter such as E normally out of line with
the lens opening a spring such as e¹ connecting the two shutters and connections
between them for moving the auxiliary shutter over the lens opening by the movement
of the main exposing shutter and a latch such as d for holding the auxiliary shutter
adapted to be released by the main shutter substantially as described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
8. In a photographic shutter the combination with a perforated exposing shutter
such as D of an auxiliary shutter such as E arranged to cover the exposing aperture
in the main shutter while moving past the lens opening in one direction, a Titch such
as d for holding the auxiliary shutter in this position and devices for releasing the
catch after the exposing aperture has passed the lens substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
9. In a photographic shutter the combination with a perforated shutter such as D
having a stop thereon of an auxiliary shutter such as E and connections between them
for causing their simultaneous movement when operated in one direction and a latch
such as d engaging the stop on the main and the auxiliary shutters substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
10. In a photographic shutter the combination with a perforated exposing shutter
such as D having a stop thereon an auxiliary shutter such as E and connections
between them for causing their simultaneous operation when operated in one direction,
a latch such as for engaging the stop on the exposing and the auxiliary shutters
said stop on the exposing shutter operating to release the auxiliary shutter before
being itself engaged by the latch substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
al
11. The combination with a perforated exposing main shutter such as D having
stop thereon, an auxiliary shutter such as E and connections between them for causing
their simultaneous movement when operated in one direction, a latch such as d for
engaging the stops on the exposing and the auxiliary shutters the stop on the exposing
shutter operating to release the auxiliary shutter before being itself engaged by the
latch and a manually operated portion co-operating with the latch to cause the release
of the exposing shutter; substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
12. In a photographic shutter the combination with a base or support such as C of
an exposing shutter such as D having a flange on one side an auxiliary shutter such
as E operated by the shutter D and a spring such as e¹ for holding it against the said
flange substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
20. In a photographic camera the combination with the lens opening and a
reciprocating shutter such as D provided with an exposing aperture, a reciprocating
auxiliary shutter such as E arranged to co-operate with the lens opening when the
main shutter is moved in one direction and to remain out of position when moved
in the other direction substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accom-
Lanying drawings.
21. In a photographic camera the combination with the case the lens and a
reciprocating shutter such as D provided with an exposing aperture, a reciprocating
auxiliary shutter such as E arranged to co-operate with the lens and devices connected
to the main and auxiliary shutters for moving both of them in one direction with the
auxiliary covering the exposing aperture substantially as herein described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
22. In a photographic camera the combination with the case a lens and a recipro-
cating exposing shutter such as D an auxiliary shutter such as E co-operating with

page_text: the lens to cover the exposing aperture while the shutter D is operated in one direction
said auxiliary shutter being connected to the devices for operating the shutter D and
operated thereby to ensure the exclusion of light from within the camera case during
the movement of the main shutter in one direction substantially as herein described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
23. In a photographic camera the combination with the case, the lens and a recipro-
cating shutter such as D provided with an exposing aperture, an auxiliary shutter
such as E held removed from the lens opening in one position and devices for operating
the shutter D connected to the shutter E to automatically move the latter in line with
the lens opening during the passage of the aperture in the shutter D and means for
retracting the shutter E after the passage of the exposing aperture in the shutter D
substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
24. The general arrangement and combination of' parts constituting the complete
shutter for photographic cameras constructed and operating substantially as herein
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 14th day of March 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.