Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1887
Complete Left, 4th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 9th Mar., 1888
SAMUEL WHITE KOUCH Manufacturer of Photographic Apparatus No. 180, Strand
London W.C.do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to so called Detective Cameras. In carrying it into effect I
make use by preference of an oblong wooden box in the front end of which is fixed a
lens that is concealed from view, and across which passes a flexible opaque band
having in it an aperture that permits the lens to be exposed to the view to be taken.
This band is actuated by clock work or by a simple spring, the arrangement being
such that when at repose the lens is covered. By the application of a key the spring
is wound up, and is retained in situ by a click or catch dropping in a ratchet wheel;
pressure upon the tail end of this catch by means of a button or knob accessible from
without releases the catch and causes the opaque band with its opening to pass
rapidly across the axis of the lens and admit light for a momentary period.
At the posterior end of the camera is a recess capable of holding a number of
sensitive plates, each of which is inserted in a sheath-preferably of thin metal so
constructed that while the back is quite protected, the face shall be exposed in all but
a slight overlaying flap or band of the metal which shall prevent it from falling out
or from being damaged by contact with others against which it may be pressing.
When the recess at the back of the camera is filled with plates protected in the
manner described, and the end is closed by its cover, springs in the latter press
against the plates and keep them tightly up against the ledge or faces forming the
front of the recess.
The first plate of the series, or that which presses against the faces referred
to, rests not upon the bottom of the camera but upon a strip of wood or
metal capable of being made to rise up by guides or grooves in the sides of
the camera. This is attached by means of an arm to an axle going across the
camera which axle is midway or nearly so between the position of the first plate
and the lens. By rotating a key or thumb screw at the side the metallic strip
on which the plate reposes is made to rise towards the top of the camera carrying
with it the plate which it supports and which is now raised up through a slot

page_text: extending across the camera into an opaque and flexible bag preferably of wash
leather, which, while shielding the sensitive plate from the light, permits of its
being grasped by the finger & thumb of the operator and lifted entirely up from
its place when it is transferred to another and similar slot of suitable dimensions
at the back of the supply of plates, through which it is inserted and pushed down
behind the others. In the meantime, by the action of the springs in the back, the
second plate of the series, on the withdrawal of the first one as described is
pushed forward and takes its position against the faces of the recess.
After exposure
to light it too is withdrawn and transferred to the back, and so on in rotation until
the whole series has been exposed.
It will be understood that the focussing is effected by having the lens attached not
to the immoveable box, to which the faces of the recess are fixed but to either a
moveable false bottom or a separate front capable of permitting the focus to be
adjusted when desired, although in ordinary practice when the lens is once adjusted
for any object at a moderate distance from the camera no further adjustment is
necessary. When required focussing can be ensured by means of a sliding body to
the camera on which is engraved or affixed a graduated strip representing the
focussing value of an object situated at any definite distance.
When not in use the flexible bag aforementioned folds down in a recess and is
protected by a suitable cover.
In order to place the object to be photographed in proper position on the plate
there is a back and foresight so adjusted that correct aim can be taken and perfect
accuracy secured.
.
The apparatus can be arranged so that one or more additional nests of plates can be
placed in position for use.

page_text: SAMUEL WHITE ROUCH 180 Strand London W.C. 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:-
-
This invention relates to so called Detective Cameras. In carrying it into effect I
make use by preference of an oblong wooden box in the front end of which is fixed a
lens that is concealed from view, and across which passes a flexible opaque band
having in it an aperture that permits the lens to be exposed to the view to be taken.
This band is actuated by clock work or by a simple spring, the arrangement being
such that when at repose the lens is covered. By the application of a key the spring
is wound up, and is retained in situ by a click or catch dropping in a ratchet wheel;
pressure upon the tail end of this catch by means of a button or knob accessible from
without releases the catch and causes the opaque band with its opening to pass
rapidly across the axis of the lens and admit light for a momentary period.
At the posterior end of the camera is a recess capable of holding a number of
sensitive plates, each of which is inserted in a sheath preferably of thin metal as
patented by T. Samuels and so constructed that while the back is quite protected, the
face shall be exposed in all but a slight overlaying flap or band of the metal which
shall prevent it from falling out or from being damaged by contact with others
against which it may be pressing. When the recess at the back of the camera is
filled with plates protected in the manner described, and the end is closed by its cover,
springs in the latter press against the plates & keep them tightly up against the
ledge or faces forming the front of the recess.
.
The first plate of the series, or that which presses against the faces referred to, rests
not upon the bottom of the camera but upon a strip of wood or metal capable of being
made to rise up by guides or grooves in the sides of the camera. This is attached, by
means of an arm, to an axle going across the camera which axle is midway or nearly
so between the position of the first plate & the lens By rotating a key or thumb
screw at the side the metallic strip on which the plate reposes is made to rise towards
the top of the camera carrying with it the plate which it supports and which is now
raised up through a slot extending across the camera into an opaque and flexible bag
preferably of a material used for gloves & known as Suede leather the junctions of
which are secured by India Rubber Cement which, while shielding the sensitive plate
from the light, permits of its being grasped by the finger & thumb of the operator &
lifted entirely up from its place, when it is transferred to another and similar slot of
suitable dimensions at the back of the supply of plates, through which it is inserted &
pushed down behind the others. In the meantime, by the action of the springs in the
back, the second plate of the series, on the withdrawal of the first one as described is
pushed forward and takes its position against the faces of the recess.
After exposure
to light it, too, is withdrawn and transferred to the back, and so on in rotation until
the whole series has been exposed.

page_text: It will be understood that the focussing is effected by having the lens attached not
to the immoveable box to which the faces of the recess are fixed but to either a
noveable false bottom or a separate front capable of permitting the focus to be
adjusted when desired, although in ordinary practice when the lens is once adjusted
for any object at a moderate distance from the camera no further adjustment is
necessary. When required focussing can be ensured by means of a sliding body to
the camera on which is engraved or affixed a graduated strip representing the
focussing value of an object situated at any definite distance.
When not in use the flexible bag aforementioned folds down in a recess and is
protected by a suitable cover.
In order to place the object to be photographed in proper position on the plate,
there is a back and foresight so adjusted that correct aim can be taken and perfect
accuracy secured.
The apparatus can be arranged so that one or more aditional nests of plates can be
placed in position for use.
The following drawings represent the parts. In Fig. 1 the lens is shown at a, the
lever by which the front plate e of the series is raised is b; the opaque bag is shown
in outline at c; d is a hinged cover which shuts down and encloses the changing
bage when folded; f & g are the slots or orifices in the top through which the plato is
respectively raised from its position in front after exposure & inserted so as to take
its place at the back of the series of plates.
In figure 2 the anterior plate of the series is shown while in the act of being
While in this position
raised, caused by turning the key on the axis of the lever b.
the plate is grasped by finger & thumb through the flexible opaque bag and its lower
edge is guided to the opening as shown in fig. 3, down through which it is pushed
to the bottom of the reserve, when it takes its place as the last of the serios, being,
with the others, pressed forward against the focussing plane or stop by the springs in
the end covering the camera. This end piece is removable; & when removed the
whole series of plates may be withdrawn & a fresh series inserted. This may be done
either in a semi darkened room in which only non-actinic light finds admittance or it
may be effected outside the house by means of a dark bag which slips over the end of
the camera as well known to photographers when changing plates under other
circumstances. In the inside of the hinged cover d is fixed an ivory or similar tablet
on which may be recorded the names of the subjects photographed in numerical order.
The lens is screwed into a brass plate having preferably a cylindrical surface and over
which the flexible exposing shutter works, there being an aperture in the same the
dimensions of the diameter of the lens. But I do not confine myself to this mode
of effecting the exposure of the plate, other well known means being also capable of
being adopted.
The precise subject that is to be photographed may be secured in proper position
on the plate either by "sights" on the top of the camera or by one or other of the
finders having diagonal mirrors & lenses as well known to photographers.
What I claim is :-
Firstly. The lever movement for raising the plate after exposure.
Secondly. The mode of changing the plates after exposure by means of the Suede
leather bag substantially as described.
Thirdly. The mode of making the exposure by the flexible material or vellum band
which is alternately wound & unwound upon the spring rollers at each side of or
What I claim is :—
Firstly. The lever movement for raising the plate after exposure.
Secondly. The mode of changing the plates after exposure by means of the Suede
leather bag substantially as described.
Thirdly. The mode of making the exposure by the flexible material or vellum band
which is alternately wound & unwound upon the spring rollers at each side of or
above & below the lens.
Fourthly. The general combination of parts as a whole as described.