IMPROVEMENTS IN PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, WILLIAM JAMES LANCASTER trading as J. Lancaster and Son of Colmore
Row, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Optician do hereby declare the
nature of said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS," to be
as follows:-
14
My invention. consists in constructing and arranging the parts of cameras for
photographic purposes. as herein-after described; and my said invention has for its
object, the clamping of the focussing slide to the tail board, so as to give great
rigidity and firmness to the distended parts of the camera. Secondly, a simple and
efficient means of removing and fixing in position the dark slide, which is placed
in front of the camera; and thirdly, a ready and simple way of inverting or
changing the position of the camera for taking either an upright or a horizontal
picture.
The clamping or fixing of the camera slide for the opening out or closing for
focussing, is effected as follows.
The tail board which is connected and carries the back of the camera, slides
upon a second fixed board attached to the other or the front end of the camera;
and upon this last named board, a long rack extends, upon which a pinion axis
carried by the tail board rolls. This pinion axis is carried by and works within
bearings on both sides of the tail-board, and upon the offside of the pinion is a
milled head affixed to the pinion axis, while the other end of the pinion axis is
wormed, upon which a loose milled head or boss turns. The said boss has upon
its back end a shoulder, which screws up to the side of the bracket carrying the
pinion axis.
After the camera has been focussed, by the distension of the parts, effected by
the rack and pinion axis, the loose boss is screwed up tightly against the bracket,
when the parts are firmly and rigidly clamped in position.
The placing and affixing of the dark slide in the front part of the camera, is
effected as follows.
The extreme front frame of the camera is hinged to the other part carrying the
collapsable gussets, by a folding double hinge, which allows the front frame part to
be brought forward, thus allowing ample space between the two parts for the intro-
duction and adjustment of the dark slide; that is, the front frame is jointed upon
folding binges, situated on both sides of the camera; so that when the dark slide

page_text: is required to be put into or out of position, the front frame is moved forward,
and the folding hinges allow it to move only in a parallel direction, so that when
the frame open and the front frame slightly lowered, the dark slide is introduced
between the parallel jointed parts, the said dark slide being fixed in position by
the hinges on one side, and a movable sliding catch on the other, the end of the
catch taking into one of a series of holes or slots in the sides of the dark slide-
The parallel motion of the front part of the frame, greatly facilitates the intro-
duction, fixing and removal of the said dark slide as described.
The means by which the camera is inverted or changed in position for producing
an upright or a horizontal picture, is as follows.
The metal top of the tripod stand by which the .camera is supported, is fixed to
the underside of a hinged folding supporting board; that is, the under half of the
board has the stand mounting attached to it, while the upper half (when the camera
is used long ways) slides and takes upon a supplementary piece or holder attached
on the underside of that portion of the camera which slides between the slots or
divided part of the tail board, so that this supplementary piece is attached to the
fixed part of the underside of the framing carrying the camera.
When an upright picture is required to be taken, it is only necessary to turn the
camera into an upright position, and remove and open out the folding board; and
again to re-connect the movable part carrying the stand to the underside of
the camera slide which now takes a vertical position on the offside of the said
camera; that is, the grooved inner edges of the one, are introduced upon the
tongues or ribs on the other part which is fixed to the tail-board slide-The
hinged folding board is kept in its angular position by jointed or pivotted catches,
which give the necessary rigidity and stay to the angle formed by the horizontal
and perpendicular boards or flaps, and in whatever position the camera may be
placed for a horizontal or an upright picture, the stand frame always comes in a
perfect central position underneath the camera.
By having a reversible base as described, the changing from a horizontal to a
vertical position of the camera, is effected in a simple and efficient manner.
minth of Anil 1885

page_text: с
тощени и гоvоgrаріе сашета.
i
16
I, WILLIAM JAMES LANCASTER trading as J. Lancaster and Son of Colmore Row
Birmingham in the County of Warwick Optician, do hereby declare the nature of
said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS" and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:—
My invention consists in constructing and arranging the parts of cameras for
photographic purposes as herein after described; and my said invention has for its
object the hinging and clamping of the back of the camera carrying the focussing
slide, to the tail board, so as to give great rigidity and firmness to the back of the
camera, and allow of a swing back motion without the usual third section of body
of camera-Secondly, a simple and efficient means of removing and fixing in
position, the dark slide, which is placed in back of camera; and thirdly, a ready
and simple way of inverting or changing the position of the camera for taking
either an upright or a horizontal picture.
The clamping or fixing of the camera slide for the opening out or closing
for focussing, is effected as follows-
The tail board which is connected and carries the back of the camera, slides
upon a second board, which again slides upon the central fixed board, the latter
forming a part of the front of the camera; and upon the second named board,
racks extend, upon which a pinion axis carried by the tail board, rolls-This pinion
axis is carried by and works within bearings on both sides of the tail board, and
upon one side of the pinion axis, a milled head is affixed-The end of the pinion
axis is also wormed, upon which a loose milled head or boss turns-The said boss
has upon its back end, a shoulder, which screws up to the pinion head carrying the
pinion axis.
".
After the camera has been roughly focussed, by the distension of the loose parts
of the tail board, then the loose boss is screwed up tightly against the pinion hub,
when the parts are firmly and rigidly clamped in position. A fine adjustment is
obtained by the rack, which is now in gear.
The placing and affixing of the dark slide in the back part of the camera, is
effected as follows.
The extreme back frame of the camera is hinged to the other part carrying the
collapsable or hollow gussets, by folding double hinges, which allow the front'
frame part to be brought forward laterally thus allowing ample space between the
two parts, for the introduction and adjustment of the dark slide, that is, the frame
is jointed upon folding hinges, situated on both sides of the camera; so that, when
the dark slide is required to be put into or out of position, the back frame is'
moved forward, and the folding hinges allow it to move only in a paralle
direction, so that when the frame is open the dark slide is introduced between tlie'
parallel jointed parts, the said dark slide being fixed in position by a brass plate:
on one side, and a movable sliding catch on the other, the end of the catch, taking
into a slit or slots in the sides of the dark slide. The parallel motion of the back

page_text: part of the frame, greatly facilitates the introduction, fixing, and removal of the
said dark slide as described.
The means by which the camera is inverted or changed in position for producing
an upright or a horizontal picture is as follows:-
The metal top of the tripod stand by which the camera is supported, is fixed to
the underside of a hinged folding supporting board; that is, the under half of the
board has the stand mounting attached to it, while the upper half (when the
camera is used longways) slides and takes upon a supplementary piece or holder
attached on the underside of that portion of the camera which slides between the
slots or divided part of the tail board, so that this supplementary piece is attached
to the fixed part of the underside of the framing carrying the camera.
When an upright picture is required to be taken, it is only necessary to turn the
camera into an upright position, and remove and open out the folding board, and
again to re-connect the movable part carrying the stand to the underside of the
camera slide, which now takes a vertical position on the offside of the said camera;
that is, the grooved inner edges of the one, are introduced upon the tongues or ribs.
on the other part which is fixed to the tail-board slide. The hinged folding board
is kept in its angular position by jointed or pivotted catches, or plates which give
the necessary rigidity and stay to the angle formed by the horizontal and perpen-
dicular boards or flaps, and in whatever position the camera may be placed for a
horizontal or an upright picture, the stand frame always comes in a perfectly
central position underneath the camera.
By having a reversible base as described, the changing from a horizontal to a
vertical position of the camera, is effected in a simple and efficient manner.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings,
the manner in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 is a plan of the upper side of a photographic camera constructed
according to my invention. The frame for carrying the ground glass for ascer-
taining the focus, is shown closed or nearly so; the square bellows body also of
the camera, is shown distended-Figure 2 shows the same with the ground glass
frame open, ready for the introduction between itself and the camera, of a dark
slide Figure 3 represents a plan of the tail board, which is made up of three
parts, sliding one within the other, so as to expand and contract telescopically,
thereby obtaining double length or twice the ordinary length of camera-The
said view also exhibits the clamping and adjustment, contrived by means of a rack
and pinion axis-Figure 4 is a plan of figure 3 in its collapsed state-Figure 5
shows the same view as figure 4, in which a fine adjustment is effected by means
of a screw, instead of by a rack. Figure 6 shows a side elevation of the camera,
with the means applied for taking upright or horizontal pictures; consisting of a
folding board, having a cut out part, which takes upon a like standing out
part, attached to the underside of the tail board-Figure 7 shows the folding
board applied for the taking of an upright picture-Figure 8 is an edge view of
the said folding board in the position which it assumes in figure 7, but when
in the position figure 6, the vertical upright assumes the position as represented
in dotted lines Figure 9 shows the back part of the camera inclined or turned
back.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures
of the drawings.
The tail board is made up of three parts; (see figures 3, 4 and 5) the outer part
which is connected and carries the back of the camera is marked a, while the tail
piece which carries the front of the camera is marked b, and between the parts a
and b, a third part is situated. These three parts are capable of sliding one upon
the other (or upon the edges of each other) so as to form a distended camera base
or tail-board, as represented in figure 3; and upon the outer board a, brackets a³.
are situated, carrying a long pinion axis d, the teeth or flutings of which, engage
with the racks situated on the middle part of the tail board b; and upon
the one side of the said axis, a milled head f is situated, which takes on a square.

page_text: end d²,,best seen in figure 3. The outer end of the said pinion axis d is wormed,
and upon which wormed part a boss or head fi screws.
· After the camera has been roughly focussed, by the distension or opening out of
the parts of the tail board as represented in figure 3, a fine adjustment is then
obtained, by rotating the milled head f, which turns the pinion or fluted axis d,
and gives a greater or less distension as the focussing may require, by the teeth of
the pinion axis engaging with the teeth of the racks on the middle segment of the
tail board.
When the parts have been distended to the required extent, and the proper focus
obtained, the milled head f2 is rotated, which clamps the pinion rod, and rigidly
holds the parts firmly in position.
"
:
The middle part of the tail piece is hinged transversely, to admit of the folding
up of the tail board proper, when the bellows body of the camera is fully collapsed
-The hinging may if necessary cross the three movable parts,-instead of the one
part as represented.
The fine adjustment instead of being effected by the rack, may-be accomplished
by a screw i, working within a screw box i. The said screw is provided with a
milled head; so that by rotating the mill head is a fine adjustment can be
obtained, after the rough adjustment, produced by the distension or pulling out of
the parts, as previously described.
g is the frame (at the back of the camera) carrying the ground glass; and hhh
are three folding hinged joints attached respectively to the back of the camera on
the one side, and to the frame carrying the deadened glass on the other-By so
linging the said frame d, it is capable of being brought backward in a parallel
direction; thus allowing ample space between the back of the camera, and the
deadened glass, for the introduction, and adjustment of the dark slide; that is,
when a dark slide is required to be put into position, the folding hinges are turned.
outwards into somewhat the position represented in figure 2.
After the dark slide, has been introduced or placed in position, it rests upon a
supporting plate; the deadened glass frame is then turned back to its normal or
former position, when the dark. slide is secured by means of a sliding or other
catch, engaging therewith (or with the deadened glass frame), so as to hold and
affix it.
The means by which the camera is inverted or changed in position, for producing
an upright or a horizontal picture, is as follows.
Upon the underside of the tail board or supporting frame of the camera, a
standing out piecej is attached, having tongue or undercut edges, wherein like cut
away parts on a folding board 7 take; that is to say, the flap k of this folling
board is cut away about its middle, so as to fit and slide upon the part j. The
other part is attached to the metal top of the tripod stand m; so that when a
horizontal picture is required, the two flaps kl of the folding board figure 8, lie in
the same plane or upon each other, as represented in figure 6, when the part j
underneath the camera is made to slide into the gapped or forked part ³, and is
there held securely by the tongue or ribbed he edges taking into the she cut away
parts.
When an upright picture is required to be taken, it is only necessary to turn
the camera into an upright position, and open out the folding board into the
position represented in figure 8, which is fastened by catches k, then connect the
said camera with the folding board as represented in figure 7.
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-
First. Making the tail board, or the base board of cameras in three parts or
segments, which respectively slide edge-ways upon each other, in order to greatly
increase the camera distension, or opening out, for focussing purposes. The rough
adjustment being effected by pulling or drawing out the parts while the fine

page_text: .
adjustment is effected by a pinion axis and rack or by a screw working within a
screw box, substantially as described and illustrated in figures 3, 4 and 5.
Secondly. Making segments which constitute the tail board or the under
support of photographic cameras, capable of being distended for rough adjustment
by simply pulling out without employing racks or operating screws, substantially
as described and illustrated in figures 3, 4 and 5.
Thirdly. Distending. or contracting the bases or tail boards of photographic
cameras (for fine adjustment) by means of a pinion or fluted axis, carried by the
one part, engaging with a rack or rack teeth on the other part; the adjustment
being effected by the turning of a milled head which rotates the pinion axis and
so finally adjusts the camera. The affixing and clamping of the parts in position
being determined by a terminal screw head, taking upon a screwed end on the
pinion axis, the turning of the outside screw or milled head in one direction,
presses the first named milled head against a fixed bracket or part of the frame
substantially as described and illustrated in figures 3 and 4.
Fourthly. Mounting the frame carrying the ground or deadened glass (at the
back of the camera) upon folding binges, which admit of the said frame, being
opened out parallel to the back of the camera, in order to facilitate the introduction
and removal of the dark slide, when operating; which latter, and frame, is affixed
in position by a sliding or moving catch, carried by a bracket on the camera frame;
substantially as described and illustrated in figures 1 and 2.
Lastly. A hinged folding supporting board, for allowing photographic cameras
to be inverted or made reversible; consisting of two boards hinged together, and
capable of folding up, and standing at right angles to each other. The one part is
attached to the table of a tripod stand, while the other part, is gapped or cut away
at its middle, so as to slide and take upon a supplementary projecting piece,
situated on the underside of a camera tail or supporting board. The affixing in
position of the hinged parts, when an upright picture is required, is effected by
catches marked *, substantially as described and illustrated in figures 6, 7 and 8.
Dated this Twenty seventh day of January 1886.