Improvements connected with Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1899

page_text: -Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 13th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1899
Improvements connected with Photographic Cameras.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM SAXBY, of 42, Lidderdale Road, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Book-keeper, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to the taking of photographs by photographic
cameras; and it has more particularly for its object to provide improvements in
connection with, or for use in connection with such cameras, by which the
composing" of the subject on the screen, or in the camera at the focal plane.
as is usually done in hand cameras, can be effected with greater accuracy, and
more easily than at present, and with an improved effect; and consequently,
generally more satisfactory photographs obtained.
According to this invention, in the first place, the picture as represented on
the ground glass or focal plane of a camera in reverse, is "erected" so as to be
seen as it exists, by the employment of a short-focus reversing-glass, which in
one form is in binocular arrangement, and in another form, as a monocular
glass. Further, there is used in connection with a camera, that is, the back
of a camera, an extensible and collapsible covering which excludes the light:
and at the outer end of this covering, the said short-focus glass or glasses is or
are applied. When these articles or attachments are applied to the back of the
camera, and the photographer looks through the glasses, the image appearing
on the glass or focal plane will be seen as ordinarily seen by the eye, and not
in reverse. Preferably, the reversing glass will be a magnifying glass as well,
so that the image can be most carefully examined and scrutinized during the
act of focussing, and the best composition and effect accurately obtained.
In one form or arrangement, the glass or glasses, as the case may be, is or are
supported in an end plate or board, say detachably: and between this plate or
board, and the back of the camera, a covering of flexible material, such as a
hellows formation, or cloth, will be provided, so as to enclose the space between
the telescope glass, and the back of the camera, and keep out extraneous light.
The distance between the glasses and the back of the camera may be assured,
or rendered constant, by folding or extensible arms, levers, or spiral wire spring,
or the like: which also support the back board or plate, and telescope.
These parts may be detachable from the camera, and from each other, so as to
be stowed in very small space, or in the pocket, and easily carried about.
The short-focus glass may be of any suitable kind which reverses the image or
picture, and its focus in most cases, may be about from 9 to 15 inches, so that
the operator can easily work or manipulate the camera while looking through
the glasses, with one or both hands.
It is to be stated the improvements described may be used separately, as well
as conjointly and, therefore, the invention is not restricted to the use of all
the characteristics in combination.
Dated this 4 y
UL ALICI
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements connected with Photographic Cameras.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM SAXBY, of 42, Lidderdale Road, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Book-keeper, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement: —
"
This invention has reference to the taking of photographs by photographic
cameras; and it has more particularly for its object to provide improvements in
connection with, or for use in connection with such cameras, by which the
'composing" of the subject on the screen, or in the camera at the focal plane,
as is usually done in hand cameras, can be effected with greater accuracy, and
more easily than at present, and with an improved effect; and, consequently,
generally more satisfactory photographs obtained.
-
According to this invention, in the first place, the picture as represented on
the ground glass or focal plane of a camera in reverse, is erected'
so as to be
seen as it exists, by the employment of a short-focus-reversing-glass, which in
one form is in binocular arrangement, and in another form, as a monocular
glass. Further, there is used in connection with a camera, that is, the back
of a camera, an extensible and collapsible covering which excludes the light;
and at the outer end of this covering, the said short-focus glass or glasses is or
are applied. When these articles or attachments are applied to the back of the
camera, and the photographer looks through the glasses, the image appearing
on the glass or focal plane will be seen as ordinarily seen by the eye, and not
in reverse. Preferably, the reversing glass will be a magnifying glass as well,
so that the image can be most carefully examined and scrutinized during the
act of focussing, and the best composition and effect accurately obtained.
In one form or arrangement, the glass or glasses, as the case may be, is or are
supported in an end plate or board, say detachably; and between this plate or
board, and the back of the camera, a covering or flexible material, such as a
bellows formation, or cloth, will be provided, so as to enclose the space between
the telescope glass, and the back of the camera, and keep out extraneous light.
The distance between the glasses and the back of the camera may be assured,
or rendered constant, by folding or extensible arms, levers, or spiral wire spring,
or the like which also support the back board or plate, and telescope.
These parts may be detachable from the camera, and from each other, so as to
he stowed in very small space, or in the pocket, and easily carried about.
The invention is illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, which is a side
elevation shewing an ordinary stand-camera provided with this improvement.
Figures 2 and 3 are front and side elevations of the detachable fastening for
quickly fitting the apparatus on the camera, and taking it off.
The short-focus-reversing-glass is marked a, and by its reversing nature, the
object thrown onto the screen or focal plane of the camera, in viewing the object
prior to taking the photograph, is seen the right way up, and not in reverse, as
appears without the glass. And this glass a is detachedably fixed in the
plate (say by screw threads on its end), which is fitted on to the outer end of
the closed collapsible case c, the front end of the case being fixed on to the
frame of the ordinary ground glass screen of the camera, which is of the
ordinary kind, and generally designated r. The glass is kept firm, standing
out from the back of the camera in the position shewn in the drawing, by means
of the spiral spring f inside c, fixed to the frame e and board b, when expanded.
Or, it may be held out by any equivalent means.
This spring supports the glass sufficiently firmly out in the position shewn,

page_text: and at the same time allows of slight lateral movement, being elastic, when the
eye piece a of the glass is touched by the user's face in being looked through,
so that the camera itself is not shaken or disturbed.
The spring f, of course, allows of the case e being collapsible for close storage,
by pressing the parts and towards one another, and locking them together
in any suitable known way.
It is well known that if the subject to be photographed were thrown onto the
screen d, as seen by the eye naturally, instead of upside down as is now always
done, the subject could be better arranged, and better or more artistic and satis-
factory pictures could be produced; and it is well known that this has been a
long felt want of photographers. It is, however, also well known that this end
could be easily effected by using lenses in the camera which would make the
subject appear the right side up; but there are, against this, certain well known
technical and scientific objections, which render the use of this method of accom-
plishing the object impossible: that is, more objectionable than the reversed
image, as now exists. Consequently, this method is never employed. By my
invention, the object is attained by the employment of the case e, closely fitting
i.e. light tight to the ground glass screen d, and having at its outer end the
short-focus-reversing glass a, by which the image of the subject thrown on to
the screen in reverse by the lenses of the camera, is again reversed or "erected"
by the reversing glass, and is seen as normally seen by the eye, and furthermore,
the case c, being made of collapsible bag form, such as the kind of collapsible
material used on the front of cameras, and like photographic apparatus, it can
be collapsed, and occupies little space when off the camera.
To connect this apparatus with, and disconnect it from the camera, the front
wood frame is provided with fastening plates e', (see Figures 2 and 3), having
slots in them which fit over the heads of screws having plain shoulders d³
on them, and which screw into the back of the screen frame d, one of said fasten-
ings being used at each corner. By this attachment the whole apparatus, con-
sisting of frames e, collapsing chamber c, back frame d, and reversing glass a,
can be lifted on and off, collapsed and stowed away, or applied and extended,
very quickly, and will take little space when closed.
In lieu of a single glass being used, a binocular glass may be employed;
and instead of the form of case a specified, any kind of light excluding case,
suitable to the work for which it is required, may be employed; and it is to be
stated generally that the invention is not restricted to the form or construction
of parts particularly as shewn or specified.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:--
1. The means described of reversing the subject thrown on to the screen or
focal plane of photographic cameras, consisting of the employment of a short-
focus-reversing-glass, or glasses, mounted or carried on the back of the camera,
behind the screen or focal plane; for the purposes set forth.
2. The use for or in connection with a photographic camera, of a short-focus-
reversing-glass for the purposes described.
:
3. An apparatus or appliance for use in connection with a photographic camera
for the purposes specified, constructed and adapted to operate substantially as
set forth with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 11th day of November 1899.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.