Improvements in and connected with Photographic Plates, Plate-holders, and Cameras.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 30th Apr., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Photographic Plates,
Plate-holders, and Cameras.
A. communication from WILLIAM FRANK CARLTON, of Rochester, County of
Monroe, State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 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 has for its objects to provide improved devices for containing and
handling photographic sensitized plates, embodying chambers or compartments for
containing the exposed and unexposed plates, which are manipulated or shifted by
means of flexible strips or tapes, from the exterior, without necessitating opening
the camera or plate-holder, and without the employment of complicated or bulky or
mechanical transferring devices, thereby not only reducing the size but materially
simplifying and cheapening the construction and the operations necessary for the
exposure of a plate. The invention may be embodied either in a camera complete,
or in a plate-holder constituting a separate structure adapted for application to any
form of camera.
In the accompanying drawings representing this invention ;-
Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section of a camera embodying these improve.
ments;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view, representing the compartment for exposed plates, as
seen from the inside;
Fig. 3 represents a plate or film with flexible strip or tape attached;
Fig. 4 represents a package of plates or cut films,-the tapes being shown as
broken off;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a plate-holder embodying the improvements, with
a plate in position for exposure;
Fig. 6 is a front view of the same, empty, and with the front frame omitted;
Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal section of the same, showing a plate in position
for exposure ;
Fig. 8 is a section of the same, empty, at one side of the line of Fig. 7:
Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the same, empty.
In Figures 1 and 2 I have shown a camera embodying in its construction a plate
or film holder made in accordance with this invention, in which A represents the
front, B B B² the side-walls, C the lens, (which is provided with any suitable
exposing shutter), and D a removable back. E and E' are division walls within
the camera, which form the exposing compartment F. On opposite sides of the
exposing compartment are the receiving and delivery compartments H H', in which
are placed the unexposed plates I, each provided with tapes a glued or otherwise
connected thereto, and forming means for moving the plates from the compartment H
to the position J for exposure, and thence to the compartment H¹ where the exposed
plates are stored or detained until they are removed for development. The plates
are formed of paper, celluloid or other flexible material covered with any suitable
sensitive-coating, and the tapes extend outside the camera through a light tight
aperture, so that, by pulling on one of the tapes, the corresponding plate is drawn
along and bent or flexed through the narrow channel which connects the com-
partment H with the compartment in which the exposure is made, and then, after
exposure, the plate is again bent by a pull on the tape, so as to enter the storage
Price 8d I

page_text: compartment H¹, in which it is retained by the guides or springs K K'. At the
back of the exposing chamber are arranged the strips I, which support the back of
the plate during exposure, the space between them being for the accommodation of
the tapes connected with the unexposed plates. At the receiving end of com-
partment His located an abutment or partition N, projecting near the outer side
of said compartment, and serving to protect the ends of the exposed plates from
contact with subsequently entering ones. Within the receiving compartment H¹
are located the guides or springs K K',-their free ends projecting inward, and
sufficient space being permitted between them for the passage of the tapes. At the
outer end of said compartment is a passage to the exterior formed in part and made
light tight by a hinged cover, O, adapted when desired to be swung outward.
obvious that this passage could be made light tight by other means and that the
hinged cover plate could be dispensed with, but my correspondent prefers it because
it enables the plate-tapes to be more readily passed through the aperture in the
casing.
It is
The manner of using the improved holder and camera will now be apparent.
The package of unexposed plates indicated at I, Fig. 1, are placed in the
compartment H, (by removing back D or side B', or otherwise,) and their tapes a
are passed around back of what corresponds to an exposing aperture, that is to say,
back of the exposing compartment F, and in front of the strips L, and out through
the aperture in the casing covered by the hinged plate O. When it is desired to
make an exposure, the photographer grasps the outside tape of the series, and
draws upon it, pulling the attached plate around to the position for exposure
indicated at J, Fig. 1, the proper position being indicated on the outside when a
mark or arrow, P, on the tape corresponds with some fixed mark on the exterior of
the camera, such as the mark or projecting pin Q Fig. 1. The tape may be
perforated at the proper point, instead of being marked, if desired. The exposure
is made in the usual, or any preferred manner, after which the operator again draws
on the tape, pulling the film around into the compartment H', and as soon as its end
passes the abutment N, the springs K K¹ press it against the partition E'; he then
tears off the tape and may enter any memoranda regarding the subject, light or
time of exposure upon it which may be referred to when the corresponding negative
is developed. The tapes may be numbered, at their outer ends, and also on the
stub which remains within the cover plate O, so that each tape contains a
memorandum referring to the corresponding plate, and mistakes are avoided. As
the ends of the tapes project from the camera or holder both before and after the
plates have been exposed the operator can readily ascertain at any time the number
of plates remaining unexposed. So far as the construction of the camera or
holder is concerned, it is immaterial whether the tapes described are attached to
the plate directly or to a sheath or holder which carries the plate. Instead of
forming the tape or flexible strip of paper or other similar material, it is obvious
that it could be of the same material as the plate itself, being formed integral
with it.
Fig. 3 represents a single plate, I, provided with the tape, a, having indicating
mark P, and a number inscribed thereon.
Fig. 4 represents a package of plates put up for the market arranged between
leaves like a book, the latter being formed of sheets of paper, R, preferably black,
secured together at one end, and serving as a means of preventing the sensitized
plates from sticking to each other, and allowing each plate to be drawn out of the
package, by its corresponding tape a.
In Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive I have represented the invention as applied to a plate-
holder separate from the camera. This consists of a suitable casing containing the
receiving compartment H for unexposed plates, the exposing aperture or com-
partment J, and the compartment H₁ for the exposed plates. a are the tapes, as
before, which pass through a groove, S in the front of the partition T which
supports the plates during the exposure. It will be observed that the several
compartments are located in rear of each other, thus ensuring great compactness,

page_text: and that they communicate with each other by suitable curved channels through
which the plates are successively drawn. In order to facilitate the introduction of
the unexposed plates into the holder, the partition T may be made to slide in and
out, one end or side being made removable in any suitable manner. The ends of
the partition T are rounded or curved to permit the plates to pass freely around
them. U is a guide at one end which directs the unexposed film into the position
for exposure, when its tape is pulled, and V is a guide at the other end of the
partition. K are guides or springs which retain the exposed plates in the com-
partment H. The aperture through which the tapes pass outside of the holder, is
closed by the hinged flap O. The holder may be provided with an exposing shutter
of any suitable style, if preferred. A suitably shaped block, X is placed within the
holder, to guide the tapes and protect the light tight aperture. The back Y of the
holder may be made to slide lengthways, to permit the removal of the exposed films,
if preferred.
A stop may be provided in the camera or holder in any suitable way, to prevent
the plate from being drawn beyond the proper position for exposure. Such a stop
is represented as applied to the holder in Fig. 6. represents the stop, which is
carried by a pivoted arm c, arranged to be moved out of the path of the plate by
pressure on the button d on the rod e, which is pivoted to the arm c. f is a spring
which holds the stop in the path of the plate. The stop prevents the plate from
being drawn too far along, and dispenses with the marks on the tapes. After the
exposure, the operator presses on the button d, and swings the stop b out of the
way of the plate, so that, by drawing on the tape, the plate may be shifted into
the receptacle for exposed plates.
It will be readily understood that many changes or alterations may be made in
the construction of the apparatus herein described, without departure from the
leading principle of this invention, which is based on the fact that a flexible plate
or film can be drawn through a curved channel without injury to the sensitive
surface, thus permitting the utmost compactness in the arrangement for the exposed
and unexposed films.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A holder for photographic plates having the compartments for containing the
plates before and after exposure, the passage way between them, plate supports in
said passage way above the bottom thereof, and an aperture leading from one
of the compartments to the exterior of the holder casing, substantially as described.
2. A holder for photographic plates having the compartments for containing the
plates before and after exposure, the passage way between them, and a tape
aperture leading from one of the compartments to the exterior of the holder casing,
substantially as described.
3. A holder for photographic plates having the compartments for containing the
plates before and after exposure, the tape aperture extending from one of said
compartments to the exterior of the holder casing, and the cover plate for said
aperture, substantially as described.
4. A holder for photographic plates having the compartments for containing the
plates before and after exposure, the abutment at the entrance to the last mentioned
compartment, guides for directing the plates beyond said abutment, and a tape
aperture extending from said compartment to the exterior of the holder casing,
substantially as described.
5. A holder for photographic plates having the compartments for containing the
plates before and after exposure, the springs arranged in the latter, the abutment at
the entrance thereof, and the tape aperture extending from said compartment to
the exterior of the holder casing, substantially as described.
6. A plate holder having the compartments for containing the plates before and
after exposure, and a tape aperture leading from the last mentioned compartment

page_text: to the exterior of the casing, in combination with a series of separate plates, each
having a tape attached thereto and extending to the exterior of the casing through
said tape aperture, substantially as described.
7. A plate holder having the compartments for containing the plates before and
after exposure, a plate support between them, and a tape aperture leading from the
last mentioned compartment to the exterior of the casing, and a series of separate
plates each having a tape attached thereto, all said tapes passing in proximity to
the plate support through the exposed plate compartment and out through the tape
aperture, substantially as described.
8. A plate holder having the compartments for unexposed and exposed plates, a
plate support between them, a tape aperture leading from the last mentioned com-
partment to the exterior of the holder casing, and an indicating mark thereon
adapted to co-operate with the one on the casing, substantially as described.
9. In a camera and in combination with the casing embodying an exposing
chamber and plate support at the rear and a lens, two compartments arranged on
opposite sides of said exposing chamber for unexposed and exposed plates, the latter
compartment having a tape aperture extending to the exterior of the casing,
substantially as described.
10. In a holder for plates or film sheets, the combination with a casing having
compartments for containing unexposed and exposed plates, and also a tape opening
extending from the latter compartment to the exterior, of a support for said plates
during exposure having the tape groove or depression therein, substantially as
described.
11. In a holder for plates or film sheets the combination with a casing having
compartments for containing unexposed and exposed plates, said casing having also
an exposing aperture and a tape opening extending to the exterior of the holder,
of a stop for engaging and arresting the plate when in front of the exposing
aperture, substantially as described.
12. In a holder for plates or film sheets having the exposing aperture, the
combination of a plate support in rear of said aperture, also a plate containing
compartment in rear of said film support, guides for directing plates moved from in
front of the support to the rear of the receiving compartment and a tape opening
provided in the holder extending from said compartment to the exterior of the
holder, substantially as described.
13. In a holder for plates or film sheets having the exposing aperture, the
combination of a plate support in rear of said aperture having the groove therein.
a plate containing compartment in rear of said film support, guides for directing
plates moved from the front of said support to the rear of the plate compartment,
and a tape opening provided in the holder extending from said compartment to the
exterior of the holder, substantially as described.
14. In a holder for plates or film sheets having the exposing aperture, the
combination of a plate support in rear of said aperture, a plate containing com-
partment in rear of said film support, the guides for directing plates moved from
the front of the support to the rear of the compartment, and a tape opening provided
in the holder extending from said compartment to the exterior of the holder,
substantially as described.
15. In a holder for plates or film sheets having the exposing aperture, the
combination of a plate support in rear of said aperture, a plate containing com-
partment in rear of said support, guides for directing plates from the forward part
of said compartment to the front of the support, guides for directing the plates to
the rear of the compartment, and a tape opening provided in the holder extending
to the exterior of the holder, substantially as described.
16. As an article of manufacture a single photographic plate having a tape
attached thereto and serving as a means for manipulating said plate in a plate
holder or camera, as set forth.
17. As an article of manufacture a single photographic plate having a tape
attached thereto, said tape being of material adapted to be torn or severed, whereby

page_text: the plate may be manipulated in a plate holder or camera and the tape detached
therefrom, as set forth.
18. As an article of manufacture a single flexible photographic plate having a
tape attached thereto and serving as a means for manipulating the plate in a plate
holder or camera, as set forth.
19. As an article of manufacture a package of separate photographic plates, each
having a separate tape attachment thereto and a series of connected leaves of paper
or similar material placed between them, as set forth.
20. As an article of manufacture separate photographic plates having a tape
attached thereto, upon which latter is an indicating mark adapted to co-operate
with a corresponding mark on a plate holder and indicate the position of said plate,
as set forth.
10th 1900
ALFRED J. BOULT,
Chartered Patent Agent.