AN IMPROVED PORTABLE PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1886.
Complete Left, 7th June, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 8th July, 1887.
HENRY JOHN COOKE 7 Westminster Chambers Westminster (Engineer) do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows, for AN IMPROVED PORTABLE
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS:-
Up to this time all instantaneous photographing apparatus have been called portable
but really have never fulfilled this object, as they have necessitated a great
paraphernalia such as stands &c. &c. The best way of describing the disadvantages
of these apparatus is that the operator can never hide from the public gaze what he is
about to do, owing to the quantity of apparatus that he is obliged to take about with
him and he is recognised as a Photographer. Another inconvenience of the old
apparatus is that before taking a Photograph the operator is obliged to arrange the
focus or when he wishes to photograph a moving object it is impossible to adjust
the focus before the object has changed position or has disappeared, so that it is
impossible to fix the object on the sensitive plate. Independently of the great weight
and size the difficulty has been to make a portable apparatus so that the Photographer
can take it about with him without attracting attention and to take instantaneously
either moving or fixed objects without having first to arrange the focus. It is this
perfected apparatus that I have invented and of which I now give a description. It is
first of all essentially portable as it only weighs a little over one lb. and can be carried
by a strap like a field glass and can be handled just as easily or it may be worn under
the waiscoat the lens serving as a button. Its speciallity is in taking groups in action,
figures, birds facial expressions and all studies in animal life where opportunity to
sketch or to set up an ordinary camera and arrange the focus are out of the question.
The beautiful results obtained with this apparatus and the ease with which they are
secured make it of incalculable value to artists, Engineers, Police and tourists.
It is composed of a metal disc of about six inches in diameter and about an inch
thick. When about to use it the object glass is fixed in one of the sides. The disc is

page_text: made in two parts fitting one into the other and having a slight friction. The first
part contains inside the mechanism of an instantaneous moving shutter moved by a
slight rod which is moved by pulling a knob on the outside which is unclinched by
pressure on a second stop knob or check. The second part contains inside the
sensitive plates for taking the photographs which may be five ten or any other
number which depends upon the diameter of the apparatus or upon the size of the
Photographic plates which are put into the apparatus. For instance in the apparatus
of which I later on give the drawings and description there are five plates. The space
where the sensitive plates are placed is shut in with a ring which can at will be moved
from right to left or vice versa, so as to substitute a new sensitive plate for the one
already having taken the object. This operation having been done and Plate No. 2
having taken the place of Plate No. 1 the next thing to do is to arm the shutter system
as I have already described and to lower the central ratchet in the direction of the rod
which is fitted with a spring so that the apparatus is again ready to work and you can
then sight the object you wish to take, holding the apparatus in such a way that a
line passing by the spring rod, the centre of the apparatus and the objective shall
make a vertical line with the ground, all that is then necessary is to press the
restraining knob so that the object fixes itself on the sensitive plate. The same
process is continued until all the plates held in the chamber have been used in suc-
cession. Care must be taken that when changing the plates the central ratchet be
brought back to the horizontal. This ratch moves an interior plate which comes and
stops the shutter and allows to present successively the plates to the objective without
allowing the light to spoil them. If this detail was forgotton and the sensitive plates
were allowed to come into contact with the light they would be spoilt. When the
first chamber for plates is exhausted it can be removed from the disk and another
substituted. It depends upon the operator how many plates he chooses to take about
with him. These operations once made there is nothing more to do than to take out
the sensitive plates used, and to make them undergo in a dark chamber the ordinary
process of Photography. Having described generally the handling of the apparatus
I will now give successively a description of the pieces which compose it and so render
my description more intelligible. I have drawn them the actual size of the apparatus
and have numbered each piece on the drawing given herewith. Plate No. 1 gives the
transversal section of the complete apparatus. B the objective lens with its supporting
tube A which screws on to the bottom of the box C in which is made an opening of
the diameter of the picture to be taken. C is the bottom of the box supporting the
apparatus of the shutter as well as that serving to arm and disarm the apparatus.
Fig. 2 represents it completely. I have marked and shaded the side slides of
obturation. D and D₁ are furnished each of them with openings E and E¹ made to
allow the object to fix itself on the sensitive glass plate at the moment of unclinching.
A single side plate or ring allows the proper working. These shutters D and D¹ are
fixed on a centre F round which they move in a circular manner, the movement is
given by the levers G¹ and G³ excentriques fixed themselves on a square G. This
square G is furnished with a slide H serves at the same time as a guide and a support
to the rod I round which is rolled a coiled spring. To arm the apparatus the operator
pulls towards himself the knob J until the ratchet K comes and places itself in a notch
made in the extremity of the rod I (Fig. 1). To unclinch the apparatus and to
move the shutters D and D¹ all that is necessary is to press on the knob the trigger L
of the clip or ratchet K. But first of all the opening A of the box C must be closed
by the safety plate M (Fig. 3) which prevents the light from touching the sensitive
glass plates to obtain this result take the indicating lever of the opening and shutting S
and place it from the horizontal position to the vertical following the centre of the
apparatus. This lever turns round the centre R and makes the plate M slide from
left to right and vice versa on the bottom N of the apparatus (Fig. 4) holding the
chamber for the sensitive plates P. The plate N has an opening O of the same size
and dimensions as the photograph to be taken. The centre R and the rod S are used
to unite between them the different parts of the chamber for the sensitive glasses.

page_text: The apparatus is shut when the latch V of the plate T is brought back on the centre R
(Fig. 6). The chamber for holding plates (Fig. 5) is composed of three parts-
1st. A Brass Plate P cut with 4, 6, or more square openings of the dimensions of
the photographs required.
2nd. A Card Board Q cut with as many openings as the Plate P but slightly larger
which is used :-
3rd. As a frame to hold the sensitive glass plates which are placed in each of the
openings.
These three pieces, the bottom plate N (fig. 4) the plate P, the card board Q as well
as the sensitive glass plates are collected together on the bottom of the apparatus T by
the safety plate M and its indicating lever R S. Thus is constituted the complete
chamber for the plates and which can be removed from the part C (Fig. 2) as I have
already described and a similar chamber with new plates substituted.
The bottom T of the apparatus can be moved at will in all directions turning round
the centre Y in a ring made round the plate N C (Fig. 4). This disposition with
interior grooves allows every movement to be shielded completely from the light of
the sun. Fig. 6 represents the bottom T of the box with its closing part U. This
plate T has on one of its points a guiding spring V which comes and places itself on
the holes made in the ring of the plate N in front of each of the sensitive plates and in
the centre of the apparatus, so that the subjects taken are always placed in the exact
centre of these sensitive plates, care always being taken as I have already said to
always take a subject when the central line of the apparatus and the objective A and B
are exactly vertical with the ground. The spring V can be placed at will either on
the bottom T (Fig. 6) or on the ring of the plate N (Fig. 4). Having thus described
my improved Portable Photographic apparatus which I call "An Improved Portable
Photographic Apparatus," I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to
the exact shape or size of the apparatus and reserve myself the right of augmenting or
diminishing the diameter of the apparatus the number of plates the size of the same
and making the apparatus square, oblong, or round, in any shape and material so as
to give similar results. But what I claim is :
1st. The system of shutters (Fig. 2.)
2nd. The system for holding the Plates (Fig. 5.)
3rd. The system for changing the Chamber holding the Plates.
4th. The system of closing the chamber holding the Plates.
5th. The system of rotary movement for the substitution of plates.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Portable Photographic Apparatus.
I HENRY JOHN COOKE of 7 Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street Westminster
Civil Engineer for and on behalf of Joseph François Fetter of 34 Rue Delambre
Paris in the Republic of France Engineer 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:-
:―
Up to the present time all instantaneous Photographing Apparatus have been called
portable but none have really ever fulfilled this object as they have necessitated a great
paraphernalia, such as stands &c. The best way to describe the disadvantages of these
apparatus is, that the operator is unable to hide from the public gaze, what he is about
to do, owing to the quantity of apparatus he is obliged to carry about with him, & he
is immediately recognised as a photographer-Another inconvenience of the old
apparatus is that before taking a Photograph, the operator is obliged to arrange the
focus, or when desirous of photographing a moving object it is impossible to adjust
the focus before the object has changed position or has disappeared, so that it is
impossible to fix the object on the sensitive plate Independently of the weight and
size the difficulty has hitherto been to make a portable apparatus, which can be carried
without attracting attention, and to take instantaneously either moving or fixed objects
without first having to arrange the focus. It is this perfected apparatus that I have
invented and which is essentially portable, weighing as it does little over 1 lb.; it can
be carried by a strap in a similar way to a field glass, and can be handled just as
easily, or it may be worn under the waistcoat, the lens serving as a button, being so
carried as to leave both hands perfectly free-Its speciality is in taking groups in
action, figures, birds, facial expressions, and all studies in animal life, where oppor-
tunities to sketch, or to set up an ordinary camera and arrange the focus are out of
the question, making it therefore invaluable to artists, Engineers, Police & Tourists.
My Improved Portable Photographic apparatus, is composed of a metal disc about
6 inches in diameter and about 1 in. thick, when preparing to use it, the object glass,
or lens is fixed on one of the sides.
The disc is made in two parts, fitting closely one into the other-The first part con-
tains inside the mechanism of an instantaneous moving shutter, moved by a slight rod
worked by pulling a knob on the outside which is unclinched by pressure on a second
stop knob or check-The second part contains in the interior, the sensitive plates for
taking the photographs, which may be five, ten, or any other number according to the
diameter of the apparatus or the size of the photographic plates, which are put
in the apparatus. For instance in the apparatus which I more particularly
describe later on, there are five plates-The space where the sensitive plates are placed
is shut in with a ring which can at will be moved from right to left or vice versa, so
as to substitute a fresh sensitive plate, for the one used in taking an object.
This operation having been done and plate No. 2 having taken the place of
plate No. 1, the next thing is to arm the shutter system, as I have already. described
and to lower the central ratchet in the direction of the rod, which is fitted with a

page_text: spring so that the apparatus is again ready for work and you can sight the object
you wish to take, letting the apparatus be in such a position that a line passing by the
spring rod, the centre of the apparatus and the objective, shall be vertical to the
ground, all that is then necessary is to press the restraining knob so that the object
fixes itself on the sensitive plate-The same process is continued until all the plates
held in the chamber have been used in succession. Care must be taken that when
changing the plates the central ratchet be brought back to the horizontal.
This ratchet moves an interior plate which comes and stops the shutters and allows
to present successively the plates to the objective without permitting the light to spoil
them Were this detail forgotten and the sensitive plate allowed to come into contact
with the light, they would be spoilt-When the first chamber full of plates is exhausted
it can be removed from the disc and another substituted-It depends upon the operator,
how many plates he chooses to take with him. These operations once made, there is
nothing further to do, than to take out the sensitive plates used and to make them
undergo in a dark chamber the ordinary process of Photography.
I will now proceed to give a description of the pieces forming my Improved
Portable Photographic Apparatus and in order to render my description the more
intelligible I refer to the drawings left with the provisional specification-shewing in
detail each piece drawn to the full size and numbered.
Fig. 1 gives the transverse section of the complete apparatus B the objective lens,
with its supporting tube A. which screws on to the bottom of the box C in which is
made an opening of the diameter of the picture to be taken-C is the bottom of the
box supporting the apparatus of the instantaneous moving shutter, as well as that
serving to place in and out of position the apparatus.-Fig. 2 represents the back
view; the side slides or shutters D). D' are shaded, each being furnished with
openings E, E made to allow the object to fix itself on the sensitive glass plate at the
moment of unclinching-A single side plate or wing allows the proper working.
These instantaneous moving shutters D and D¹ are fixed on a centre F round which
they move in a circular manner, the movement is given by the eccentric levers G1 G2,
themselves being fixed on a square piece G-This piece G is furnished with a slide H
and serves at the same time as a guide, and support to the rod I round which is rolled
a coiled spring.
To prepare the Apparatus the Operator drawn down the rod I by means of the
knob J until the pall K catches a notch made in the extremity of the rod I Fig. 1.
To unclinch the apparatus and to move the instantaneous shutters D and D¹ all that
is necessary is to press the button or knob L of the clip or pall K-But before
doing this, the opening A of the box C must be closed by the safety plate M (Fig. 3)
which prevents
the light from touching the sensitive glass plates; to obtain this result
place the indicating lever S from the horizontal position to the vertical following the
centre of the apparatus. This lever turns round the centre piece R and causes the
plate M to slide from left to right and vice versa on the bottom N of the apparatus
(Fig. 4) holding the chamber for the sensitive plates P.
The plate N (Fig. 4) has an opening 0 of the same size and dimensions as the
photographs to be taken.
The centre piece R and the lever S (Figs. 1 & 3) are used to unite between them
the different parts of the chamber for the sensitive glasses-The apparatus is shut
when the spring catch V of the plate T is brought back on the centre R (Fig. 6).
The chamber for holding plates (Fig. 5) is composed of three parts viz. :
1st. A Brass plate cut with 4. 6 or more square openings corresponding to the
dimensions of the photographs required.
2. A sheet of card board Q with as many openings cut in as the plate P but
slightly larger which is used:
3rd. As a frame to hold the sensitive glass plates, which are placed in each of the
openings.
These three pieces; the bottom plate N (Fig. 4) the plate P and the card board Q
(Fig. 5) as well as the sensitive plates are collected together on the bottom of the
apparatus T (Fig. 6) by the safety plate M and its indicating lever R S (Fig. 3.)

page_text: L
Thus is constituted the complete chamber for the plates, and which can be removed
from the part C (Fig. 2) as I have already described and another chamber with fresh
plates substituted-The bottom T of the Apparatus can be moved at will either to the
right or left, turning on the centre Y in a ring made round the plate N C (Fig. 4).
This disposition with interior grooves, allows every movement to be shielded com-
pletely from the light of the sun. Fig. 6 represents the bottom T of the box with its
closing part U-The plate T has fixed to it, as shewn a spring catch V carrying at
the one end a small point which drops into the recesses or holes made on the circum-
ference of the ring of the plate N in front of each of the sensitive plates, and in the
centre line of the apparatus, so that the subjects taken are always placed exactly in the
centre of these sensitive plates, care being always taken, as I have already said to take
a subject when the central line of the apparatus and the objective A and B are exactly
vertical with the ground. The catch V can be placed either on the bottom T (Fig. 6)
or on the ring of the plate N (Fig. 4).
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 application of the combination or system for instantaneous moving shutters
see Fig. 2.
2nd. The system or method of holding the plates see Fig. 5.
3rd. The system or method of changing the chamber holding the plates.
4. The system or method of closing the chamber holding the plates.
5th. The system or method of rotary movement for the substitution of plates.
I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the exact shape or size of
the apparatus, and reserve to myself the right of increasing or diminishing the diameter
of the Apparatus, the number of plates, the size of the same; and making the
apparatus, square, oblong, or round in any shape and material, so as to give similar
results.
Dated this Stivth deve of Tu 1007