Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
We, THE EASTMAN PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS COMPANY LIMITED, of 115 and
117, Oxford Street, in the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention (which has been communicated to us from abroad by Frank
Alexander Brownell, of Rochester, in the County of Monroe, and State of New
York, in the United States of America, Manufacturer) to be as follows :-
-
This invention has for its object to provide a photographic camera particularly
adapted for holding film in spools or rolls, which camera is simple in construction,
and capable of being collapsed, or folded, into small compass for carrying, and of
being extended for use, thereby enabling a lens of comparatively long focus to
be employed giving depth to the picture..
The main frame of the camera, is provided with a central recess or chamber
adapted to receive the bellows and the camera front or lens-holder and upon
opposite sides thereof are arranged film chambers for holding the film rolls or
spools. The rear of the frame and the sides of the film chambers are open, but
adapted to be covered, when the camera is in use, by a sliding cover, or casing
preferably constructed of sheet metal having rounded ends and flanges operating
in grooves formed in the forward edges of the frame. The frame is provided
with flanges at top and bottom, and a cover plate, preferably of metal, is secured
to the top, forming a recess for containing some of the operating parts, and the
corresponding space at the lower end is covered by the bottom plate of the casing.
The rear of the central chamber of the frame is open forming an exposing aperture
across which the film extends when passing from one film chamber to the other,
and, to the edges of this opening, is secured the rear end of the bellows, the forward
end being attached to a camera front consisting of a board or frame in which
the lens and a shutter are mounted, the said board being connected to a plate
provided with flanges or plates at top and bottom arranged, when the camera is
folded, to enter the recesses between the cover and bottom plates and the frame.
The camera front is supported upon arms arranged at top and bottom, the front
ends of one of the arms of each pair being pivoted to the flanges or plates on the
camera front and having engaging gear teeth, for causing their simultaneous
rotation on their pivots in opposite directions, while their rear ends are pivoted by
studs to the forward ends of the other arms of the pairs. The rear ends of these
other arms are pivoted on studs on plates, which extend over them and are secured
to the camera frame by screws or otherwise, the said rear ends being provided with
engaging gear teeth for causing the equal and simultaneous movement of the arms
in opposite directions. Springs are attached to pins on the arms connecting the
pairs of arms on one side of their pivotal points, the tension of the said springs

page_text: operating to move the arms and the camera front, when the pins are forward of
the pivotal centres, to the projected position, and when the front is moved in,
the said pins being back of the centres, the springs will hold the front retracted.
The geared connection between the pairs of arms will cause the parallel or prac
tically parallel and positive movements of the front toward and from the frame and
will hold the parts either folded or extended. Downwardly extending lugs or pro-
jections of the plates to which the rear arms are pivotted are arranged between the
said arms and serve as stops to limit the approach of the said arms and the amount
of the projection of the camera front, or lens board. The said plates are preferably
made of spring metal and their ends are extended over the ends of the film, or
spool, chambers, constituting spring arms to which the spool holding, or centering,
projections are connected, the lower arms having studs thereon arranged to enter
recesses in the ends of the spools the said projections being retracted by rotary
cam plates journalled on the studs beneath the springs, and having operating
arms and projections, the latter entering recesses in the springs when the spools
are held, but when they are to be released the plate is moved around, raising the
stud out of the spool end.
One of the spring arms or extensions, of the upper plate has a centering stud pro-
vided with a head, or button, accessible from the exterior, which enters the
aperture in the supply spool, while, upon the other arm, is mounted a winding
arbor having an exterior handle, an angular stud to fit within a spool centre to
operate it, and a ratchet wheel with which co-operates a spring pawl preventing
backward rotation of the spool and holding the film.
Small rollers are arranged at the inner edges of the film chambers over which
the film passes from one spool to the other, the portion of the film in line with the
exposing aperture receiving the image through the lens aperture, as usual. The
film rolls adapted for use in this camera can be of the usual "cartridge" type
embodying the spools having flanges at opposite ends, and a flexible film, which
is covered at the back with black paper or the like as usual, and is wound across
from the full spool to the empty spool.
The markings on the back of the covering paper, or the film itself, to determine
the various exposures, are, visible through a small aperture in the back of the
casing covered by a piece of ruby glass, or the like; and in order that the film
may be kept under slight tension across the exposing aperture in the camera,
the chamber containing the supply spool is provided with a small friction spring
secured at its middle to the frame and having its free ends bearing on the flanges
of the spool.
When the camera is in use, it is extended, the springs on the rear arms holding
the parts steady, and then the film can be wound forward from one spool to the
other, across the exposing aperture, and the necessary exposures be made by any
suitable shutter on the camera front. When it is desired to remove, or change,
the spools, the casing may be slidden off, the curved ends of the latter and the
flanges forming suitable ways, or guides, and the whole interior of the camera
is visible and the spools may be removed and inserted by manipulating the
spring-pressed centering projections.
When the camera is folded for carrying, it is only necessary to push the front
inward, the bellows folding in the central chamber of the frame, and the board
of the camera front also entering it the front plate being flush with the front of the
frame, and forming a smooth or level exterior, the device as a whole being very
simple, light and easily operated. The rounded ends of the frame and the employ-
ment of the sheet metal cover, or casing, saves space, because conforming to the
curve of the spools, and the whole forms a flat article which can be easily carried
in the pocket.
In order that the front of the camera may be supported and be prevented from
tipping forward when it is resting upon a table or the like for a time exposure,
the rear side of the camera front may, be provided with an extensible leg, or
plate, sliding on screws, or otherwise, guided and adapted when not in use to be

page_text: moved into proper position, the friction of the spring metal of which the leg or
plate is composed being sufficient to hold the latter in the extended position.
Dated this 11th day of September 1897.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
We, THE EASTMAN PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS CO. LIMITED, of 43, Clerken-
well Road, and of 115 and 117, Oxford Street, both in the County of London, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been communicated to
us from abroad by Frank Alexander Brownell, of Rochester, in the County of
Monroe, and State of New York, in the United States of America, Manufacturer)
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 for its object to provide a photographic camera particularly
adapted for holding film in spools or rolls, which camera is simple in construction,
and capable of being collapsed, or folded, into small compass for carrying, and of
being extended for use, thereby enabling a lens of comparatively long focus to
be employed giving depth to the picture.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a perspective view of a camera
constructed in accordance with this invention.
Figure 2 is an underside plan of the same with a portion of the casing broken
away.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section.
Figure 4 is a vertical section.
Figure 5 is a section on the line of Figure 2, with the camera folded, or
collapsed.
Figure 6 is a section on the line y-y of Figure 2 drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 7 is a section on the line -z of Figure 2.
Similar reference numerals indicate similar parts in the several figures.
The main frame of the camera, indicated by 1, is provided with a central recess,
or chamber, 2, adapted to receive the bellows, and the camera front, or lens-
holder, 3, and upon opposite sides thereof are arranged film chambers 4, for holding
the film rolls, or spools, 5. The rear of the frame and the sides of the film
chambers are open, but adapted to be covered when the camera is in use by a
sliding cover, or casing, 6, preferably constructed of sheet metal having rounded
ends and flanges 7, engaging in grooves 8, formed in the forward edges of the
frame 1, as shewn in Figure 3. The frame 1 is provided with flanges 9, at top
and bottom, and a cover plate 10, preferably of metal, is secured to the top, forming
a recess for containing some of the operating parts, and the corresponding space
at the lower end is covered by the bottom plate 11 of the casing. The rear of the
central chamber 2, of the frame 1, is open, forming an exposing aperture across
which the film extends when passing from one film chamber to the other, and to
the edges of this opening is secured the rear end of the bellows 12, the forward
end being attached to the camera front consisting of a board, or frame, 13, in
which the lens 14, and a suitable shutter (not shewn) are mounted, the said board
being connected to a plate 15, provided with flanges 16 at top and bottom
arranged, when the camera is folded, to enter the recesses between the cover
plates 10 and 11 and the frame. The camera front is supported upon arms 17
and 18, one pair of each being arranged at top and another pair'at bottom. The

page_text: 26 are
front ends of the arms 17 are pivoted at 19 to the flanges 16, and have engaging
gear teeth 20, for causing their simultaneous rotation on their pivots in opposite
directions, while their rear ends are pivoted, by studs 21, to the forward ends of
the arms 18. The rear ends of the arms 18 are pivoted on studs 22 on plates 23, 23*,
which extend over them and are secured to the frame by screws 24, or otherwise,
the said rear ends being provided with engaging gear teeth 25 for causing the
equal and simultaneous movement of the arms in opposite directions.
springs attached to pins 27, and connecting the pairs of arms 18, on one side of
their pivotal points, the tension of the said springs operating to move the arms
and the camera front, when the pins 27, are forward of their pivotal centres, to
the position shewn in full lines in Figure 2, and when the front is moved in, said
pins 27 being back of the centres 22, the springs will hold the front retracted,
as shewn by dotted lines in Figure 2. The geared connection between the pairs
of arms will cause the parallel, or practically parallel, and positive movements
of the front toward and from the frame and will hold the parts either folded, or
extended. Lugs, or projections, 30, of the plates, 23, 23*, arranged between the
arms 18 (see Figure 2) serve as stops to limit the approach of said arms, and the
amount of the projection of the camera front, or lens board.
The plates 23, 23* are preferably made of spring metal, and their ends are
extended over the ends of the film, or spool, chambers and constitute spring
arms 32, 32* to which the spool holding, or centering, projections are connected,
the lower arms 32, having studs 33 thereon, arranged to enter recesses in the ends
of the spools 5, (as shewn in Figure 5); the said projections being retracted by
rotary cam plates 34 journalled on the studs beneath the springs, and having
operating arins 35, and projections 36, the latter entering recesses in the springs
when the spools are held, but when they are to be released the plates are moved
around, into the position shewn by dotted lines in Figure 2 raising the stud out
of the spool end (see Figure 6).
One of the spring arms or extensions, 32* of the upper plate 23* has a centering
stud 36* provided with a head, or button, accessible from the exterior, which stud
enters the aperture in the supply spool, while upon the other arm 32* is mounted
a winding arbour 37, having an exterior handle 38, a stud 39 to fit within a spool
centre to operate it, and a ratchet wheel 40 with which co-operates a spring pawl 41
preventing backward rotation of the spool and holding the film.
Small rollers 42 are arranged at the inner edges of the film chambers over which
the film passes from one spool to the other, the portion of the film in line with the
exposing aperture receiving the image through the lens aperture, as usual. The
film rolls adapted for use in this camera may be of the usual cartridge" type
embodying the spools 5 having the flanges 5* at opposite ends, and the flexible
film, which is covered at the back with black paper or the like as usual, and is
wound across from one spool to the other spool.
The markings on the back of the covering paper, or the film itself, to determine
the various exposures, are visible through a small aperture in the back of the
casing covered by a piece 43 of ruby glass, or the like, as shewn in Figure 3, and
in order that the film may be kept under slight tension across the exposing aper-
ture in the camera, the chamber containing the supply spool is provided with a
small friction spring 44, secured at its middle to the frame and having its free
ends bearing on the flanges of the spool, as shewn in Figure 5.
When the camera is in use, it is extended, as in Figure 1, the springs on the
arms 18 holding the parts steady, and then the film can be wound forward from one
spool to the other across the exposing aperture, and the necessary exposures be
made by any suitable shutter on the camera front. When it is desired to remove,
or change, the spools, the casing 6 may be slidden off, the curved ends of the
latter and the flanges forming suitable ways, or guides, and the whole interior.
of the camera is visible and the spools may be removed and inserted by manipulat-
ing the spring-pressed centering projections 33.
When the camera is folded for carrying, it is only necessary to push the front

page_text: inward, the bellows folding in the central chamber of the frame, and the board 13,
also the plate 15, being flush with the front of the frame, and forming a smooth
or level exterior, the device as a whole being very simple, light and easily operated.
The rounded ends of the frame and the employment of the sheet metal cover, or
casing, saves space, because conforming to the curve of the spools, and the whole
forms a flat article which can be easily carried in the pocket.
In order that the front of the camera may be supported and the instrument
prevented from tipping forward when it resting upon a table or the like as for
a time exposure, the rear side of the front 13 of the camera is provided with. an
extensible leg, or plate, 50, sliding on screws, 51, or otherwise, guided and adapted
when in use to be moved into the position shewn in Figure 7. The friction of
the spring metal of which the leg or plate 50 is composed is sufficient to hold the
latter in the extended position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. In a photographic camera, the combination with a frame having a central
chamber, and film chambers on opposite sides thereof, of the moveable front and
the bellows connected thereto, the plates 23 and 23* on the frame, having the
spring arms, and spool centering devices on the arms entering the ends of the
film chambers, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In a photographic camera, the combination with the frame having the
central chamber and the film chambers on opposite sides thereof, of the moveablo
front and the bellows connected thereto, the plates 23 and 23* having the spring
arms, spool centering devices on the said arms entering the film chambers, the
arms 18 pivoted on the plates 23 and 23*, the arms 17 pivoted on the camera
front, and pivotal connections between the arms 17 and 18, substantially as herein-
before described.
3. In a photographic camera, the combination with the frame, having the
central chamber and the film chambers on opposite sides thereof, of the plate 23*
having the spring arms, the spool centering stud on one arm, the rotary arbor
on the other arm adapted to engage a spool, and having the ratchet wheel and
the pawl co-operating therewith, substantially as herein before described.
4. In a photographic camera, the combination with the frame of the moveable
front, the plates 23, 23* having the spring arms and spool centres thereon, the
arms 18 pivoted on the plates and having engaging teeth, and the arins 17 pivoted
on the front having the engaging teeth, and connected to the arms 18 and the
bellows, substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. In a folding photographic camera, the combination with the main frame,
having a central chamber, of a moveable front smaller than the camera frame
and adapted to fold in the central chamber, foldable supporting arms connecting
the front and frame, and an extensible supporting leg mounted on the front and
adapted to be projected to support the front when extended, substantially as herein-
before described.
6. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the photographic
camera hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 13th day of June 1898
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.