Year: 1886

page_text: I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this Invention, which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Carl Paul Stirn, of the City and
State of New York, United States of America, Merchant, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :—
This invention relates to that class of portable photographic cameras which are
designed to be carried upon the person, and has for its object to supply a camera
which may be wholly concealed under the clothing and yet admit of being readily
brought into proper focus for obtaining the image of an object or person.
To this end the improved camera is constructed as hereinafter fully described, to
be worn under the outer garments, the lens being brought to the center of the
chest and adjusted to facilitate directing it towards the object to be photographed
by making it subserve the secondary purpose of a stud or button for the outer vest
or coat of the wearer, whereby it is also made to pass unobserved as a lena.
In the accompanying drawings-
Figure 1, is a front elevation of a portion of the vest beneath which the vest
camera is concealed in position for use, with the vest buttoned over upon the lens-
button;
Figure 2, a front elevation of the camera detached from the person;
Figure 3, a side elevation thereof;
Figure 4, a central, transverse section of the same in line x, x, of Figure 2;
Figure 5, a diametric section in line y, y, of Figure 3, looking towards the lens
and showing the shutter and its spring in elevation;
Figure 6, a smaller section in line 2, 2, of Figure 4, illustrating the disc upon
which the sensitized plate is supported;
Figure 7, detached, longitudinal and transverse, sectional views illustrating the
catch for the shutter when pulled outward to release the shutter ;
Figure 8, similar, detached, sectional views illustrating the positive engagement
of the shutter by the catch after each exposure even though the catch spring be
not yet released;
A, represents the box or casing of the camera, preferably cylindrical or polygonal
in form;
E, is the lens-tube of the camera. It is fitted to screw into an opening at one
side of the center of the front plate of the casing and is made of a length to project

page_text: outwardly therefrom far enough to serve as a button-shank upon which the upper
button-hole in an ordinary vest (if it be cut high), and the button-holes in the
lappel of the coat worn over the camera, may be buttoned. The outer end of the
tube, E, is finished in imitation of a button with the lens as a central piece therein.
Whilst the lower portion of the camera may be hidden by the ordinary vest and
coat of the wearer, the central portion above the opening in the vest may be
concealed by a "dickey" or false shirt-bosom, or by a cravat or scarf, so that the
entire apparatus is effectually concealed, the exposed lens having the appearance
of a coat-button with a crystalline center, which, when the camera is not in use,
may be further covered with a cap resembling the ordinary buttons of the vest.
The camera box A, necessarily made shallow, is divided into two compartments
by a partition, F, (see Figures 4 and 6) secured therein at right angles to the lens-
tube,, E, and through it an opening B, (see Figure 6) is made in front of the tube,
of a size to permit the rays of light focalized by the lens to fall upon a sensitized
plate placed back of the partition.
A central spindle, G, is fitted to rotate in bearings in the front plate of the
casing and in the partition F, and to project through the front plate far enough to
receive a button-head B, which may be made to correspond in appearance with the
buttons of the vest and serve as a substitute for one of said buttons. A circular
disc or plate H, is made fast to the inner end of the spindle G, parallel with the
partition F, in close proximity thereto. The periphery of the plate or disc is formed
with a series of notches, c, c, c, therein (see Figure 6) corresponding to the number
of views which may be taken upon a single sensitized plate, and which is determined
by the size of the field covered by the opening D, in the partition F. A pawl m,
is pivotted on the plate F, to engage the notches c, c, on the disc H, and prevent
a reverse movement thereof, the engagement of the pawl being maintained by
means of a spring n.
A thin plate or shutter I, is fitted to rotate loosely upon the spindle, G, on the
outer side of the partition, F, and in close proximity thereto, its diameter being
such as to cause its periphery to extend over the opening D, in the partition and
cover the same. A series of segmental openings, S, S, S, each of dimensions
slightly smaller than that in the partition and formed preferably with inwardly
curved sides, (see Fig. 5) are cut in the shutter, I, so as to register with the
opening D, in the partition. When either of the intervals between the openings, S, S,
is brought into register with the opening D, to cover and close the same, the
revolution of the shutter is arrested by means of a finger or lug, K, projecting
from the end of a long spring-lever K¹, secured at one end against the inner
periphery of the case to spring inward far enough to engage a stop-pin or lug P,
projecting outwardly from the face of the shutter (see Figures 5, 7 and 8) its
in ward movement being arrested by a pin projecting outwardly from the spring
through an opening in the case and terminating in a ring Q. The stop-pin P, is
held against the finger K, and the shutter is made to revolve automatically in that
direction when the finger is withdrawn from the pin by the tension of a helical
spring, L (see Figs. 4, and 5) encircling the spindle G, next to the shutter and of
which one end is made fast to the shutter and the other to the spindle. Hence, by
rotating the spindle by means of its head or button, B, the spring is wound up, the
shutter being held by the pawl m, and when the spring is wound up upon the
spindle, it is held fast by the engagement of the pawl m, with the disc H.
The spring-catch K, K¹, (see Figs. 5, 7 and 8) is operated by means of a cord T.
When the catch finger K, is drawn out from engagement with the stop-pin or
lug F, on the shutter, a longer finger V, projecting from the spring parallel with
the finger K, is brought into register with the line of movement of the stop-pins P, P,
so that when one is released the next in order will strike the finger V, if the spring:
be still drawn out. This finger V, is however slotted so that when the spring is
released, the stop-pin may pass through the slot and come into engagement with:
the finger K, which is in register with said slot but in advance thereof. Hence, as
the first finger K, upon the spring is in. advance of the second finger V, when the

page_text: spring is released to fly inward, the, finger V, will be disengaged from the stop-
pin P, but will instantly strike the finger K, which is in line to engage and hold
the shutter until the outward movement of. the spring again' releases it. The
number of stop-pins or stops P, P, correspond to the number of openings S, S, in
the shutter (see Figure 5) and they are placed intermediate said openings, so that
an opening S, in the shutter is carried over the face of the opening D, in the
partition at each movement of the slide.
I
The rear-plate A¹, of the camera is made detachable therefrom and is secured in
place by means of angular slots U, upon its edge engaging pins projecting from the
casing A, A, forming a bayonet joint (see Figure 3). A spring-plate b, is fitted
centrally upon the inner face of the plate A¹, so that its central portion shall
project in a curve and bear with an elastic pressure against the center of the
disc, H, without interfering with its rotation. This spring serves to bold against
said disc H, the interposed sensitized plate, to be used in the camera, and will
confine the plate upon the disc so that it shall rotate therewith and yet admit of
being readily removed therefrom.
To obtain such a close frictional contact of the plate and disc H, as shall cause
them to revolve in unison, I face the disc with a lining of rubber or felt.
The head or button B, upon the outer end of the spindle G, is provided with a
pointer B¹, (see Figure 2) projecting radially therefrom to indicate the position of
the plate carried by the spindle.
In the use and operation of my improved camera, a sensitized plate W, (see
Figure 4) is fitted upon the disc H, and secured thereon to be free to revolve
therewith, by fastening the plate A¹, upon the back of the camera, whereupon its
spring b, will bear centrally upon the plate (see Figure 2).
[
The camera A, is then inserted under the vest of the wearer and if need be, may
be suspended by means of cords passed around the neck.
The upper button-hole of the vest is then fastened over the end of the lens-
tube E, and the portion of the camera above the lens-tube is concealed by the
scarf of the operator or by a false shirt-front or 'dickey" suspended from
the neck.
"
From its central position upon the chest the lens-tube may now be readily
directed towards any desired object without attracting attention.
By turning the button B, the spindle G, is rotated' thereby, winding up the
spring L, attached thereto at one end, the opposite end of the spring with the
shutter to which it is secured, being held fast by the engagement of the stop-pin P,
with the spring catch finger K', the position of any given point upon the sensitized
plate being indicated by the position of the pointer B¹, of the button. So soon as
the hold upon the button is released the pawl m, will engage one of the notches c,
on the disc H, and thereby hold the spindle fast. From the position of the stop-
pin P, on the shutter I, the shutter will, when at rest, cover the opening D, in the
partition F, over the sensitized plate W, so that the plate remains protected from
the light even when the lens is uncovered.
The camera being now ready for use, with a portion of the sensitized plate W,
in position under the opening D, facing the lens; the opening covered and closed
by the shutter I; the spring L, to actuate the shutter, wound up in readiness to
move it; and the movement of the shutter restrained by the catch finger K¹; the
lens may be readily directed towards the object to be photographed by the
operator, who, standing erect, need only to face the object directly. The proper
focal distance is readily adjusted by screwing the lens-tube E, in or out of its seat
in the case, a very slight movement being sufficient for the purpose. At the
proper moment, the operator by pulling the string T, will move the catch lever K¹,
and release the shutter, which will then revolve one-quarter turn, or until the next
stop-pin P, thereon strikes the catch-finger V, or K, of the slide; during this
movement of the shutter, the opening S, therein will pass over the opening D, in
the partition F, under the lens, affording a momentary exposure of the sensitized
plate sufficient to obtain an impression of the object. By turning the button B,

page_text: the sensitized plate W, may now be revolved to bring a fresh surface under the
lens, E, the position of the first impression being determined by the pointer B¹.
In thus turning the plate, the spring L, is rewound to a corresponding extent, and
the apparatus is in readiness for taking a second impression.
It is evident that the lower portion of the shell B, below the lens-tube E, may
be in itself finished in imitation of a vest.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
:-
•
1st. The combination with a lens mounted in a piece fitted to serve as a vest or
coat-button; of a cylindrical tube for the lens, serving as a shank for the button ;
and a camera constructed substantially as described to fit upon the chest of the
wearer, and to which the tube is secured, whereby the lens is supported in position
to engage the lappels of the vest or coat worn over the chest.
2nd. The combination with a camera constructed substantially as described to
fit upon the chest of the wearer, and with a lens-tube and lens secured to the front
thereof, of a partition within the camera at right angles to the length of the tube,
provided with an opening therein in front of the tube; a spring-actuated shutter
mounted to revolve between the tube and partition in close proximity to the
latter; a central spindle extending through the partition and serving as an axis
upon which the shutter revolves loosely in front thereof; a disc or plate fitted upon
said spindle to serve as a bearing for the sensitized plate; and a spring operating
to hold the sensitized plate against said bearing, substantially in the manner and
for the purpose herein set forth.
3rd. The combination with a photographic vest-camera; a perforated transverse
partition within the camera; and a revolving shutter fitted in front of said
partition; of a central spindle rotating in bearings in the front plate and partition
of the camera and projecting outwardly therefrom; a helical spring secured at one
end to the shutter and at the other to the spindle to be wound up by the rotation
of the latter; a movable catch engaging stops upon the shutter to arrest and limit
its movement when actuated by the spring; and a device substantially as described
for preventing a reverse movement of the spindle, substantially in the manner and
for the purpose herein set forth.