Improvements in View Finder Covers or Shades for Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1898

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in View Finder Covers or Shades for Photographic
Cameras.
I, WILLIAM GEORGE HARRIS, 53, Friern Road, Dulwich Park, London, S.E., Watch-
maker, 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 my invention is to provide a view finder cover or shade for photo-
graphic cameras by means of which extraneous light is shaded off from the ground
glass screen upon which the view is reflected and the admission of light from above is
readily regulated or completely shut off.
In the accompanying drawing Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a side view and a
central longitudinal section of the device of this invention in the open position.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the same.
Figure 4 a view shewing the device in the half turned down position.
Figures 5 and 6 respectively a side view and a central longitudinal section of the
device completely closed.
a is an open frame plate to the under side of which two cross pins or wires b are
fixed by soldering or brazing. c, d, are two cover parts mounted to turn on said pins
one within the other either inwards and downwards from the open to the closed
position or inversely. This movement with the relative position of the two parts is
controlled by means of guide pins e fixed one in each side of the inner cover part d
and engaging in slots of provided one on each side of the outer cover part c and of
different curvatures, the pins e being each fixed at such a point in the part d as to
correspond with the curve in the outer part e through which it has to move. The slots
may be covered over on the outside by any suitable means to prevent the entrance
of light.
The device is attached to the outside of the camera box so as to enclose, with its
frame plate and cover or shade parts, the usual ground glass screen of ordinary
cameras. For this purpose screw holes g are provided in the frame plate.
In operation the two cover parts c, d, being linked together by the pins e and slots f,
may be opened out upwards or turned down simultaneously by pulling or pressing one
of the said parts. When in the turned down position the back of the outer cover part
is flush or nearly so with the outside of the camera box. To insure a perfectly flush
horizontal position, the cross pin or wire 6 of the inner cover part should be placed
slightly lower than the opposite cross pin. Suitable slots must be provided in the
camera box for the passage of the sides of the cover parts.
The device is preferably made of thin sheet metal say one thirty second of an inch
thick, but any other suitable material such as mica or celluloid may be used instead.
In the drawing the thickness of the metal is exaggerated for the sake of clearness.
Instead of the movement of the two cover parts, c, d, being controlled in the
manner described the said parts may be unconnected and operated independently of
one another.
In this case the guide pins and slots are dispensed with and the cover
parts constructed to be held in any set position by friction, to obtain which, they
are constructed of spring metal, the outer one having a tendency to spring inwards
at the sides and the inner one to spring outwards.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A view finder cover or shade in which two cover parts c, d, are mounted on an
open frame plate to turn one within the other, upwards to admit light to the ground
glass screen, and downwards to close over said screen flush or nearly so with the
camera box, and in which the relative movement of said cover parts is controlled by
means of guide pins fixed in the one cover part engaging in slots of different
curvatures in the other cover part, substantially as described, and shewn.
2. A view finder cover or shade. in which two cover parts c, d, are mounted on an
open frame plate to turn one within the other, upwards to admit light to the ground
glass screen, and downwards to close over the said screen, flush or nearly so with
the camera box, the said cover parts being movable independently of one another
and held in any desired position by friction, substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 4th day of May 1898.
Agents for the Applicant, 163, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.
The Common Seal of T. B. Browne,
Limited, was affixed hereto in the
presence of
SAMUEL WANN, Director.
GEO. W. DOVER, Secretary.