Improvements in Photographic Cameras and in a Focusser to be Used therewith.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 1st Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 16th Dec., 1887
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras and in a Focusser to be
Used therewith.
I, WILLIAM JAMES LANCASTER of Colmore Row Birmingham in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturing Optician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows
__
This invention relates to photographic cameras, and in a focussing appliance to be
used therewith, as hereinafter described, and which said invention consists first, in an
improved means, whereby the length of a camera, or the bellows body of a camera is
adjusted by making the inner or sliding tail-board, slide and move within the outer or
fixed tail-board, without employing long racks or screws or their equivalents, as is
commonly used. 2ndly in a fine or supplementary adjustment device, which is
employed after a previous rough adjustment has been taken. Brdly in a means of
clamping or rigidly affixing the fixed outer tail-board, to the inner movable and sliding
tail-board. 4tly in mounting the front, or front part of the camera, in such a manner,
that it admits of being adjusted to any angle or plane required. 5thly in a means of
securing or fitting in position at the back of the camera, the dark slide, and by which
means, the said slide can be put in either a vertical or in a horizontal position, without
moving any part of the camera. 6thly constructing or making up the dark slides in
such a manner, that the thickness of the said slides is greatly reduced. 7thly, in a
focusser, by means of which, an enlarged and erect image of the picture on the
focussing screen or deaded glass, is thereby produced.
The means of adjustment, consists as follows.
The back underside part of the camera, is provided with a fixed outer tail-board, secured
to the back outer framing or back part, by upright, and opposite side brackets, and also
by a hinge joint extending through the whole length of the back of the camera, for
admitting of oblique or angular adjustment, and which said framing is affixed in
position by clamping screws, (on the tops of the brackets) working within quadrant
slots in plates carried by the framing.
The front part of the fixed tail-board is connected to its back part, by a hinge joint,
situated under the back framing aforesaid; this admits of the tail-board being folded

page_text: to the plane of the said back framing; and in order to affix or secure the front to the
back part, when the camera is in use, slides are employed, which break the joint of
the folding part.
The inner or sliding tail-board, whose outer opposite sides are rabated, and work
within corresponding grooves on inside parts of the fixed tail-board, consists of a
sliding bed, jointed near its inner end to a supplementary back part, and which said
bed slides somewhat freely and telescopically within the said fixed tail board, so as to
lengthen or shorten the camera; and working upon the top of this said movable inner
tail-board or bed, is a bridge or platform slide, which is allowed to be moved to and
fro, upon the over hanging outer edges of two metallic plates, disposed through the
whole length of the said bed.
The top of the bridge or platform slide, is provided with a fine adjustment device;
and upon the cross plate, which bridges from the two opposite sides of the said slide,
the front of the camera is connected by a universal joint, as hereinafter more fully
described.
The bridging plate, or the base of the front of the camera is adjusted by a cross
pinion, or pinion spindle, engaging with the teeth of two short racks, disposed on the
underside of the said plate, while the pinion spindle is provided with a milled head,
for working the fine adjustment plate, and also a clamping nut, which takes upon a
screwed end.
A plain spindle with screwed outer ends, passes from side to side, or from bracket
to bracket of the platform slide, and upon these screwed ends, milled nuts take, which
on being screwed up against the outer sides of the said platform slide, affixes the said
slide in position.
On a camera requiring to be adjusted, or opened out roughly, it is only necessary
to pull out the inner tail-board, and move the platform slide upon it to about the
required position, then secure the said movable tail-board, to the fixed one, by screwing
up a clamping nut, whose axis passes crosswise or from side to side of the fixed tail-
board, by which means, the outsides, or the inside parts thereof, are drawn forcibly
against the rabates of the movable one, so as to thereby rigidly secure them in the
roughly adjusted position. Instead of the cross clamp, independent transverse
clamps, passing through split ends of the fixed tail-board, may be employed, for the
affixing.
The fine adjustment is now effected by simply rotating the milled head, when the
pinion spindle causes the bridging plate to traverse to and fro, and when adjusted, it
is secured in position, by a clamping nut.
The lower ends of the sides of the slide, are made claw like, and embrace the out-
side edges of the metallic plate, upon which they work.
The front of the camera, is mounted upon swivelling arms, so as to change the
plane of the said front to any position or angle required; or in other words, to give
to the said front, concurrent change of position, as circumstances, or the nature of the
work, require.
The means of securing the dark slide to the back of the camera, is as follows.
Situated at four equi-distant points, near the outer edge, and at the back of the
camera, four or other number of pivoted excentric fasteners, or can plates, are situated,
and with the edges of the said plates taking into corresponding slits, made at or near
the four corners of the frame of the dark slide.
Suitable guide or position blocks and stops are placed in pre-determined places, for
placing the dark slide in position, which is done by simply sliding the dark slide
frame between the guides, and against a stop, then turn the excentric fasteners into
the slots, or into their fastening positions, when the dark slide is secured in position.
The excentric fasteners are so arranged with respect to the edges of the slide, that
the said slide can be secured in position either in a horizontal or a vertical direction,
for a long or for an upright picture.
The improvement in the construction of the dark slide, is as follows.
The outer boundary framing is of the ordinary kind, but at least one third less in
thickness; and which said outer framing, is provided with the usual side slides or

page_text: coverings, but without the wooden interior rabates commonly employed, and upon
which said rabates, the edges of the plate rests; and in substitution of the rabates
aforesaid, I secure around the inside edges of the frame, a metallic angle strip, with
returned ends, forming with the inside edges, a raised or elevated flange.
By so constructing dark slides as described, their thickness and bulkiness is greatly
reduced.
The focusser consists of a hopper or funnel like body, (made preferably bag or
bellows like) situated at the bottom or lower end of a sighting tube, which is disposed
at right angles to the said body part; and at the bottom of this tube, and in front of a
gap or opening leading to the inside of the funnel shaped body, a right angle glass
prism is situated, and in front of this prism, is a magnifying glass; and at the top
or eye piece part of the said sighting tube, a second magnifying glass is arranged.
By employing the focussing appliance as described, an enlarged and erect image
of a picture on the focussing screen or deaded glass is produced.
Instead of a right angle prism, a glass or silvered reflector may be employed.
T
1

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras and in a Focusser to be
Used therewith.
I, WILLIAM JAMES LANCASTER of Colmore Row Birmingham in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturing Optician 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 photographic cameras, and in a focussing appliance to
be used therewith, as herein-after described, and which said invention, consists first,
in an improved means, whereby the length of a camera, or the bellows body of a
camera, is adjusted, by making the front of the camera, slide or move longitudinally
upon an inner sliding tail board, which moves within grooves, or the like, made within
the inside parts of the outer, and fixed tail-board.
The distension of the bellows body of the camera, is first adjusted approximately,
by simply drawing out, and then subsequently clamping it, in its drawn out position-
Thirdly, in combining a rack and pinion worked inner tail-board, with a platform
slide, which carries the front of the carrier frame. Fourthly, in mounting and
supporting the front of the camera, after the manner of a slide rest, and providing the
said parts, with rack and pinion movements, for fine adjustment-Fifthly, dark slide
securing means, which admits of a long or upright picture, being taken, without
changing the position of the carrier, with respect to its stand-Sixthly, the con-
struction of dark slides, so that their thicknesses are greatly reduced-Seventhly, a
focusser, which is used in connection with the focussing screen.
The back underside part of the camera, is provided with a fixed outer tail board,
secured to the back outer framing or back part, by upright and opposite side brackets,
and also by a hinge joint, extending through the whole length of the back of the
camera, for admitting of oblique or angular adjustment; and which said framing, is
affixed in position, by clamping screws.
The front part of the fixed tail-board is connected to its back part, by a hinge joint,
situated under the back framing aforesaid; this admits of the tail board being folded
to the plane of the said back framing; and in order to affix or secure the front to the
back part, when the camera is in use, slides may be employed, which break the joint
of the folding part.
The inner or sliding tail board, whose outer opposite sides are rabated, and work
within corresponding grooves on inside parts of the fixed tail-board, is provided with
longitudinal overhanging guide strips, disposed near its two opposite sides; and upon
the outer edges of this said slide, the slotted lower ends, of an adjustable platform
slide, traverses, and which slide is affixed in position, upon the said inner tail-board,
by a clamping device.
Working upon the top of this platform slide, is a carrier, having a short rack or
racks, upon its underside, and with which a pinion or pinions, carried by the slide,
engages, or engage; and by means of which rack and pinion, a fine adjustment is
obtained.

page_text: The front part or frame of the camera, which carries the lens, is adjustably
connected or carried by the carrier.
The means of securing the dark slide to the back of the camera, is as follows-
Situated at four equi-distant points on the back of the camera, excentric fasteners
are arranged, two of which, are preferably pivoted excentrics, and the other two,
securing plates, whose presented corners are exposed, and take within slits, made
within the two lower corners of the frame of the dark slide, while the edges of the
excentrics, are made to pass in like slits, in the two opposite corners of the said
slide.
The improvement in the construction of dark slides, consists in providing an inner
supplementary framing, jointedly connected, and provided with a divisional
diaphragm and which said supplementary framing, lies within the inside frame part
of an ordinary dark slide-By so arranging the parts, they admit of their bulkiness
or thickness being greatly reduced.
:
The focusser consists preferably of a bellows like body, with a short length of
tubing at its rear end, which is connected with a sighting tube, disposed at right
angles to the body of the first named tube part; and at the junction of the sighting
tube, with the tube connected with the body part, is a right angled glass prism, having
in front of it (within the body tube) a magnifying glass.
The sighting tube is provided with an eye-piece.
By employing the focussing appliance as described, the image thrown upon the
focussing screen, is seen enlarged, and in an erect position.
Instead of a right angled prism, a glass, or silvered mirror, may be substituted
therefor.
This invention is an improvement upon Letters Patent granted to me, bearing
date the first day of May 1885, and numbered 5364.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
manner in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents partly in side elevation, and partly in vertical section, a
photographic camera, provided with improvements made according to my present
invention. That part which is shown in vertical section, represents means, whereby
an infinite fine adjustment, is obtainable.
Figure 2 represents the said camera, partly in back elevation, and partly in vertical
section; and which said section, is taken through the adjusting and affixing mechanism,
on the dotted lines A B figure 1.
Figure 3 represents a top side plan of the front portion of the camera tail boards,
and with the inner one distended, or drawn out from the outer and fixed one.
carrier or carrier bracket, in front of the camera, is shown in horizontal section.
4
The
Figure represents in elevation, the back of the camera, exhibiting the means for
securing in position the dark slide; and which said dark slide is represented in a
horizontal position, while figure 5 represents the said back of the camera, and affixing
means, with the dark slide in a position, for taking an upright picture.
Figure 6 shows in tranverse vertical section, a dark slide, constructed according to
a part of my invention.
Figure 7 represents the inner frame, or plate carrier of the said dark slide, and
figure 8 represents a transverse vertical section of the same, with the sides shown a
little way open.
Figure 9 represents in vertical section, a focusser, and figure 10 shows a plan of
the same.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures of
the drawings.
I will first describe the means of adjustment, in connection with the camera.
a is the fixed outer tail-board, jointedly secured to the back upright framing b,
which constitutes mainly the back of the camera; and which said back part, is
adjusted in an oblique, or in any other desired position, by stays c, disposed on the
two opposite sides of the camera, and jointedly connected at their lower ends, to
the outer and fixed tail-board, and at their upper ends, adjustably connected to the

page_text: upright back part b; and which said connection and adjustment, is effected by
adjusting screw heads ², taking upon screw stems c³, which pass through slots c;
so that on the back of the camera requiring to be adjusted, it is only necessary to
slacken the screw heads, when the desired position, can be acquired.
d is the bellows body of the camera, connected at its rear end, to the back b, and
at its front end, to the lens carrying framing e, provided with a carrier, consisting
of opposite and fixed side brackets f, with longitudinal slots f³ formed therein, to
admit of the said part e, being adjusted vertically.
of
The fixed upright brackets f, are connected together by a transverse base f
the entire width of the back of the camera, and which said base has upon its under-
side, fine adjustment racks, best seen in the transverse section figure 1, and the
longitudinal section figure 2; and engaging with these racks, is a long pinion g,
whose end axes, work within bearings, carried by an adjustable slide h.
Motion is communicated to the said pinion, by a milled head g²; so that the rotation
thereof, gives the necessary fine adjustment to the front of the camera, by causing the
said front to move longitudinally with a slow traverse.
The adjustable platform slide h, which supports and carries the carrier f, consists
of a bridge like bed, having transverse grooves cut within it, and end she guides h²,
wherein like he guides f6, carried on the underside of the transverse base 4, take,
and work.
Thus the top of the adjustable slide, forms a slide rest, for the carrier to work
upon, as aforesaid.
The bed of the slide, carries depending bracket arms ³, whose lower ends are
grooved inwardly, and work freely upon the outer edges of a flanged plate ², forming
with the outer edges of the said inner tail-board, overhanging rabates, upon which
the slide traverses longitudinally, for extending or contracting roughly the camera
bellows body.
The longitudinal guide plates 2, extend from front to rear of the supplementary or
inner tail-board i, whose inner end is jointedly connected at 3 (see figure 3) to an
extended tail end ; this admits of the said tail-board inclining itself if necessary,
with respect to the fixed tail-board a.
The inner tail-board i, is worked by pinions, carried in bearings, in the fixed tail-
board, and engaging with teeth of longitudinal racks k, disposed on the underside of
the said movable tail-board, and which said pinions receive their motion through a
milled head, which on being rotated, causes the inner tail-board as aforesaid to slide
to and fro, for rough adjustments.
The platform slide 4, which slides freely from end to end of the inner tail-board, is
clamped in its adjusted position, by a transversely disposed stay rod I, whose offside
headed end 2, has some play crosswise, within a rectangular shaped hole, made through
the metal of the side h³, through which it passes.
The other or inner end 13, of the said stay rod, is screwed, and passes through a
plain hole in the other side of the platform slide; and taken upon the outer part of
the screwed end of the rod, is a winch handle, or turn m, whose bossed shank or
middle part, is inwardly screwed; so that after the platform slide has been moved to
an approximate position upon the tail-board, it is there clamped and affixed, by
simply rotating or turning the handle part as aforesaid, so as to bring its inner face
against the side of its bracket face, and so causing the rod to be drawn transversely,
which binds or draws inwardly, the lower parts of the platform slide, so as to thereby
clamp the said slide, and parts carried by it, in position. Thus, on the aforesaid
parts, being drawn approximately to the position required, the clamping is then
effected, and a rough adjustment made, by the rack and pinion means, which extend
or draw inwards the inner tail-board. The fine adjustment is then made, by the
turning of the milled head g².
The freeing of the platform slide, is simply effected by relaxing the drawing to
pressure exerted by the screw; so that by rotating the turn m, the pressure exerted
by the rod, and its screw end, is relaxed, which allows the slide to move freely or
loosely upon the tail-board as aforesaid.

page_text: The front frame e, to which the lens tube n is secured, is adjusted vertically by
screwed heads 2, taking upon screwed ended pegs, carried by the said frame.
The back upright framing b, is provided with a supplementary framing o, with
slotted brackets o, through the openings of which, the stems of screw pins o³ pass,tin
securing and connecting the said supplementary frame part o, to the frame part 6 ;
and if necessary, the said frame part o, which carries dark slide securing means, as
hereinafter described, may be adjusted at an angle.
p is the dark slide, secured in position at the back of the camera, by jointed
excentric holding devices ? and overhanging plates ; the former are jointed or
pivoted at 3, and are carried by plates secured to the back face of the supplementary
framing part o.
The edges of the securing means 4, y², take into slits q, made in the respective four
corners of the said dark slide p.
In figure 4, the wood at the two right hand corners of the slide, are broken away,
so as to exhibit the slits or gaps; and in which said figure, the dark slide is shown
disposed horizontally, for the taking of a long picture, while in figure 5 it is shown
in position, for the taking of an upright picture.
By securing, and holding a dark slide to the back of a camera, as represented, a
horizontal or an upright picture can be taken, without changing the position of the
camera.
The improvement, or improvements in the construction of dark slides, as represented
in figures 6, 7 and 8, is as follows:
---
p is the outer boundary framing, and p² are the opposite side openings, and through
the top of the said framing p, shutter slides 3, work, and are drawn upwardly, on
sensitised plates, films or the like, enclosed within a supplementary framing s.
requiring to be exposed.
This supplementary inner framing, consists of boundary edgings 2, middle
piercings of which the former are jointed at 5, and secured together by hollow
knuckless, through which a securing pin passes; and interposed between the said
outer edgings se, is a jointedly connected diaphragm s, as best seen in the section
figure 8.
The plates are placed between the framing s², on the opposite sides of the
diaphragm s.
This supplementary framing is secured in position, by a spring bolt or fastener t,
with an overhanging or rabated end t², and a head to, and with the stem of the said
fastener t, encircled by a coiled spring t.
The fastener t, is made adjustable, by making the head t³, screw upon the outer end
of the stem.
When the supplementary framing is required to be released, it is only necessary to
pull outwards, the head t3, when the recessed seat of the part t², is removed from the
underside of the framing s.
The other end of the framing t, is kept within the plain inside part of the dark
slide, by the overhanging position, which the lower ends of the shutter slides p³, take,
when they are in their fully withdrawn positions.
The focusser figures 9 and 10, of which figure 9 is a longitudinal vertical section,
and figure 10 a plan, consists of a hopper or funnel like body part u, made preferably
bag or bellows like, and with the front part connected with an open framing u², and
its rear part, which is of a reduced diameter, connected to a rigid, or telescopically
fitting tubing or channel v, which has at its front part, a magnifying glass v².
This tubing v, is provided at its rear end, with a sighting tube w, which may be of
a determinate length, telescopically constructed; and which said sighting tube, has
an eye-piece w², provided with lens or glasses of any approved construction; and at
the junction of the said sighting tube, with that of the tube v, leading to the body
part u, is a right angle prism x.
By the focusser as described, an enlarged erect image of a picture, on the focussing
screen or deaded glass, is thereby produced.

page_text: 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. Distending or opening out, and adjusting approximately, the position of a
camera body, by connecting the front, or the lens frame carrying part of a camera,
to a slide, which works freely upon (when unclamped) a tail-board, or an inner tail-
board, or its or their equivalents, without employing rack, pinion or screw gear,
moving devices, substantially as set forth.
Secondly. Carrying the front part of a camera, by a carrier bracket f, f², whose
lower part rests upon, and is guided within the top part of a slide or slide rest h, whose
inwardly directed lower ends, are grooved, or clawed, so as to take and slide upon an
overhanging flange of an inner tail-board, i, substantially as described and illustrated
in figures 1, 2 and 3.
Thirdly. The combination with the back of a camera e, inner tail-board i, and
bracket arms 2, of a carrier body f, and adjustable platform slide h, with
parts, ff, and 1 to 3 respectively, substantially as described and set forth.
Fourthly. Affixing the back of a camera, (when drawn out, or approximately
adjusted) to a tail-board, or its equivalent, by a clamping device.
Fifthly-Clamping the slide (upon which the back of the camera is mounted) to a
tail-board or its equivalent, by means, consisting of a transversely disposed rod 1, 12, 13,
and turn m, substantially as described and set forth in figures 1 and 2 of the
drawings.
Sixthly. The means herein described, of effecting a fine adjustment, independent
of an approximate adjustment, as set forth.
Seventhly. Providing the underside of the carrier, with a short rack or racks,
disposed in the direction of the camera body, and with which a pinion carried by the
slide, engages, whereby a fine adjustment is obtained; the parts for effecting the fine
adjustment, being constructed, arranged and combined, substantially as described, and
set forth in figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.
Eightly. The dark slide adjustment, and securing means, as herein described and
set forth in figures 1, 4 and 5; whereby the said slide, admits of being placed
in position, either for a horizontal, or an upright picture, substantially as set
forth.
Ninthly. Securing dark slides in position, to the backs of photographic cameras,
by cam or excentric like fasteners, substantially as set forth in figures 4 and 5.
Tenthly. The construction of dark slides, consisting of an outer frame p, p², 1³,
and an inner supplementary framings, which are constructed and arranged, sub-
stantially for the purpose as herein described and set forth in figures 6, 7 and 8 ;
and which said inner framing, may be secured in position, by a spring catch bolt t.
Eleventhly. Providing dark slides, with a supplementary plate carrying framings,
constructed as set forth in figures 7 and S.
Lastly. In a focusser as herein described and set forth in figures 9 and 10, whereby
an image thrown upon a focussing screen, is shown enlarged, and in an erect position,
or in an erect position without enlarging, on the magnifying lenses being dispensed
with, substantially as described and set forth.
Dated this Twenty-sixth day of October 1887.