Improvements in and Connected with Operating Photographic Apparatus by Coin-liberated Mechanism.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 6th July, 1889-Accepted, 10th Aug., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Connected with Operating Photographic
Apparatus by Coin-liberated Mechanism.
We, THEODORE CASIMIR ROUSSEL, Artist, and ARTHUR SEYMOUR BULL, Gentleman,
both of 495, King's Road, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows
The object of this invention is to provide means whereby photographs may be
taken without the immediate service of a skilled operator or other attendant; the
exposure and other necessary operations being effected by clockwork or equivalent
agency controlled by a coin-liberated mechanism.
According to what we regard as the preferable mode of carrying out our
invention, we employ a camera and lens of the kind and fitted with appliances
adapted for taking what are known as instantaneous photographs. Within the
camera, behind the lens, is mounted a series of dry-plates furnished with appliances
whereby the several plates may be consecutively exposed; or, a length of sensitive
paper may be employed, the same being gradually reeled upon a receiving drum as
it is unreeled from a delivery drum, the portion between the drums being at the
proper focal distance from the lens. For operating the plates or the sensitive paper,
as the case may be, clockwork, an electric motor or other convenient source of motive
power is provided; the same being liberated and brought into temporary operation
by means of coin-controlled mechanism. By the same agency and at the proper
moment, the shutter, past which light is admitted to the camera for the purpose of
acting upon the sensitive film, opened and closed. At each operation of the
apparatus, a ticket or token, numbered to correspond with the photographic picture
taken, falls into a suitable drawer or receptacle accessible to the user.
Upon this
ticket the name of the person and the address to which the photograph when finished
is to forwarded is then incribed; whereupon the ticket, accompanied by a postage
stamp or a coin suitable for defraying the cost of postage, is placed in another
receptacle. By these means the proprietor of the apparatus is enabled to identify
cach photographic picture with the name and address of the person who has caused
the same to be produced or desires the picture when finished to be forwarded to him.
We prefer to employ artificial light as being more appropriate in respect of
uniformity; such being however only used temporarily during each operation of the
apparatus. By connecting the regulator whereby the gas or other source of light is
controlled with the clockwork or other source of motive power hereinbefore referred
to, the light may be caused to gradually increase until, when at its greatest illuminating
power, the shutter, giving exposuro to the sensitive film, is operated.
A seat or chair, adjustable in height, or a stand, is placed at a certain distance in
front of the lens with a view to ensuring that the person or object photographed
shall be in correct focus. A background may be added.
According to a modification of the apparatus hereinbefore described, instead of the
several functions being performed automatically, the insertion of the coin is employed
to release controlling mechanism and to permit of the apparatus being operated
manually for the purpose of bringing another plate or another portion of the sensitive
paper into position for exposure. In this case, the supply of artificial light, the
exposure of the sensitive film and the delivery of the ticket are or may be effected by
the insertion of a second coin.
3000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Connected with Operating Photographic
Apparatus by Coin-liberated Mechanism.
:;
We, THEODORE CASIMIR ROUSSEL, Artist, and ARTHUR SEYMOUR BULL, Gentleman,
both of 495, King's Road, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide means whereby photographs may be
taken without the immediate service of a skilled operator or other attendant; the
exposure and other necessary operations being effected by clockwork or equivalent
agency controlled by coin-liberating mechanism.
According to what we regard as the preferable mode of carrying out our invention,
we employ a camera and lens of the kind and fitted with appliances adapted for
taking what are known as instantaneous photographs. Within the camera, behind the
lens, is mounted a series of dry-plates furnished with appliances whereby the several
plates may be consecutively exposed; or, a length of sensitive paper may be employed,
the same being gradually reeled upon a receiving drum as it is unreeled from a
delivery drum, the portion between the drums being at the proper focal distance
from the lens. For operating the plates or the sensitive paper, as the case may be,
clockwork, an electric motor or other convenient source of motive power is provided ;
the same being liberated and brought into temporary operation by means of coin-
controlled mechanism. By the same agency and at the proper moment, the shutter,
past which light is admitted to the camera for the purpose of acting upon the sensitive
film, is opened and closed. At each operation of the apparatus, a ticket or token,
numbered to correspond with the photographic, picture taken, falls into a suitable
drawer or receptacle accessible to the user. Upon this ticket the name of the person
and the address to which the photograph when finished is to be forwarded is then
inscribed; whereupon the ticket, accompanied by a postage stamp or a coin suitable
for defraying the cost of postage, is placed in another receptacle. By these means,
the proprietor of the apparatus is enabled to identify each photographic picture with
the name and address of the person who has caused the same to be produced or
desires the picture when finished to be forwarded to him..
We prefer to employ artificial light, as being more appropriate in respect of
uniformity; such being, however, only used temporarily during each operation of the
apparatus. By connecting the regulator whereby the gas or other source of light is
controlled with the clockwork or other source of motive power hereinbefore referred
to, the light may be caused to gradually increase until, when at its greatest
illuminating power, the shutter, giving exposure to the sensitive film, is
operated.
A seat or chair, adjustable in height, or a stand, is placed at a certain distance in
front of the lens with a view to ensuring that the person or object photographed
shall be in correct focus. A background may be added.
According to a modification of the apparatus hereinbefore described, instead of
the several functions being performed automatically, the insertion of the coin is
employed to release controlling mechanism and to permit of the apparatus being
operated manually for the purpose of bringing another plate or another portion of
the sensitive paper into position for exposure. In this case, the supply of artificial light,
the exposure of the sensitive film and the delivery of the ticket are or may be effected
by the insertion of a second coin.
One method of carrying out our invention is shewn in, the accompanying drawings,
whereof Fig. 1 represents diagrammatically and in section a side view of the improved
apparatus; Fig. 2 being a transverse section of the end containing the lens and
accessory parts. Fig. 3 is a detail view hereinafter more particularly referred to;
Fig. 4 being a horizontal section of the coin-controlled device whereby the apparatus
J

page_text: may be set in action. Figs. 5 and 6 are a vertical section and a plan of the coin-
controlled mechanism for supplying the numbered envelopes or tokens, or for
regulating the feed of a strip of paper containing numbered divisions, the latter being
exposed successively, one at each operation of the machine, in order that the address
(to which each photograph, when finished, is to be sent) may be recorded.
The apparatus is enclosed in a suitable casing or box containing an opening for
the lens A, behind which are mounted two spindles or rollers for the reception of
the sensitive film or paper. Each exposure is controlled by a detent-shutter released
by the insertion of a coin. The disc B is connected with an actuating spring in the
A cau-
barrel or drum C, and is normally prevented from rotating by a catch b.
shaped projection on the disc B causes, during the rotation of the disc, the
plunger to slide longitudinally in its case 3, thus compressing the spiral spring 6,
which lies between a collar and the end of the case b³. A prolongation 6 of
the plunger is connected to a crank D by means of which the gas-cock D', which
supplies the burner D2, is opened when the plunger is caused to move by the
projection ; the cock D¹ being automatically closed, through the instrumentality
At the proper
of the spring 6, when the plunger is released by the projection 61.
time, a second projection on the disc B arrives in contact with and releases the
detent appertaining to the shutter, thus permitting the shutter to make one revolution,
thereby exposing the sensitive surface for the necessary period. A projection 78 then
engages with a tooth or stud on the wheel E, which is mounted on a prolongation e
of one of the spindles or rollers previously referred to, the wheel E being thereupon
caused to rotate a sufficient distance to bring a fresh surface of sensitive film or
paper behind the lens. The tooth-shaped stud 6° on the projection 68 then meets a
tooth of the spur-wheel F, thereby causing the shaft f, and the spur-wheels f¹ and f2
to rotate through a suitable angle and either release from the drum G a numbered
envelope or token (which would thereupon fall into the receptacle G¹) or serve to
expose a fresh division of a strip of paper to receive the address.
The
A
The coin is inserted through the slot H, and falls upon the end k of a lever K
(pivoted at ¹) and tips it into the inclined position shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 1.
The end of the lever K is heavier than the end k, so that the lever is maintained
The
in the normal or horizontal position under tho influence of gravity alone.
end lies over the shaft L and between the spur-wheel and the bush
A slight
spur-wheel is mounted on the shaft L; the latter rotating in the bush .
longitudinal motion is imparted to the shaft L by the bush 12, which is tapped with
a screw-thread to correspond with a screw-thread formed on the shaft aforesaid.
The object of this arrangement is to prevent the shaft L being rotated by the
lever M until the end of the lever K has been raised from between the spur-
wheel and the bush by the weight of the coin dropped through the slot H.
platform N limits the movement of the end of the lever K. The spur-wheel Z
gears with a rack on the platform, so that, when the lever M is rotated through the
necessary angle after the insertion of the coin, the platform is, moved until the coin
falls off the end of the lever into a suitable receptacle n. The shaft L is returned
into the normal position by a spring (omitted, to avoid confusion, in the drawings),
whereupon the end of the lever K falls into place between the spur-wheel and
A cord O
the bush and locks the parts in position until another coin is inserted.
passing over pulleys o, o and 02 and connected to the plunger of the spring 03.
appertaining to the catch b serves to afford communication between the mechanism
situated at each extremity of the apparatus.
When an additional coin is to be inserted before a token can be obtained, the
wheel G (Figs. 2, 5 and 6), which is furnished with a series of receptacles for
containing the tokens, moves in contact with a sliding block P provided with a
A balanced lever R
handle p, and an opening p¹ large enough to let a token pass.
.
is pivoted beneath the tube S, through which the coin is caused to fall on the tray ",
the effect being to tip the lever into the inclined position shewn in dotted lines in
Fig. 5. The movement of the weighted end of the lever is limited by a stop 2.
The handle p cannot be pulled out, whilst the lever R is in the normal position, by

page_text: reason of the catch 3 on the lever engaging with the notch p* in the block P. When,
however, the lever R is tilted, the block P can be caused to slide, the coin being
gradually liberated by the withdrawal of the projection p² on the block from the
tray 7. The projection 23 prevents the lever R returning into the normal position
until the handle p has been released and the block P moved back by the spring p²;
the latter having been compressed when the handle was pulled out.
into the space T and thence into the tray t.
The token falls
The mechanism last described may be placed either in that end of the apparatus
containing the camera, as shewn, or with the coin-controlled device represented as
situated near the position occupied by the sitter. It may be operated by the lever M
instead of the disc B.
Although we have described this mechanism as being suitable for the delivery
of tokens, it is obvious that, with slight modifications, it could be adapted to control
the feed of a strip of paper across an aperture of convenient size.
It will be obvious that instead of inscribing the name and address upon a strip of
paper or tablet, a receptacle may be provided wherein a card or envelope bearing the
name and address may be deposited, such receptacles being numbered to correspond
with the photographs."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we claim :-
1. For taking photographs automatically, the employment of apparatus arranged
or operating substantially as herein described and controlled by coin-liberated
mechanism.
2. The combination, with apparatus for taking photographs automatically, of coin-
liberated mechanism for delivering a ticket or envelope, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
3. The combination, with apparatus for taking photographs automatically, of
coin-liberated mechanism for presenting a tablet whereon, or a receptacle wherein,
a name and address may be inscribed, or deposited; such tablet or receptacle being
numbered to agree with the corresponding portion of the sensitised surface, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In apparatus for taking photographs automatically, the use of a detent (such
as b, serving to retain or hold back the operative mechanism until released through
the instrumentality of a cord or other flexible connection used to effect communication
with a coin-controlled device.
5. In apparatus for taking photographs automatically, the use of a disc (such as B)
serving to release the shutter, to move the negative away from the lens, to actuate
the address-recording mechanism, and, when artificial light is used, to put on the
same or increase its illuminating effect, substantially as described.
6. In apparatus for taking photographs automatically, the use of coin-controlled
mechanism wherein a spindle, to which a longitudinal movement is imparted, is
locked by means of a pivoted lever until the latter is tilted by the weight of an
inserted coin, substantially as set forth.
7. In apparatus for taking photographs automatically, the employment of
a coin-controlled device for recording addresses, substantially as herein described
the same embracing. a spring-actuated block, arranged for manual operation and to be
locked by means of a pivoted lever until the latter is tilted by the weight of an
inserted coin; the movement of the block serving to release or expose the surface
or tablet whereon, or the receptacle wherein, the address is to be inscribed, or
deposited, as also to permit the coin to fall off the lever into the coin-receptacle.
Dated this 6th day of July 1889.
G.. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicants..