Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Oct., 1896-Accepted, 14th Nov., 1896
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in, and in connection with, that
class or type of hand cameras for photographic purposes, in which the sheaths or
carriers for the sensitized plates or. films are held suspended in one position before
exposure, and removed to another by certain mechanical means after exposure,
and consists;
Firstly Of an improvement in connection with the mounting or suspending of
the said sheaths or carriers;
Secondly-Of an improved mechanical device for operating the movements of the
sheaths or carriers for the plates or films, and recording the number of same that
have been exposed;
Thirdly Of an improved combined instantaneous and long exposure shutter,
and
Fourthly Of an improved simple and inexpensive method of, and means for,
mounting the light shield of the view finder.
For the purposes of the first of my said improvements, I provide in a suitable
position at the back of the camera, a sliding shelf, having two transverse grooves,
and upon the upper surface of the said shelf, and partly enclosing the said grooves,
I screw or otherwise fix a metallic or other plate, bent at right angles centrally of
its length or thereabouts, in such a manner, that the second half depends in front
of the said shelf. The carriers or sheaths are each provided, upon one of their
edges with a pair of clips, hooks or their equivalents, by means of which, and the
before mentioned grooves in the shelf, the said carriers or sheaths are retained in
sliding contact with the upper half of the said plate before exposure, and with the
lower half of the said plate after exposure, the means by which their transition is
effected from the one position to the other being by the mechanical device forming
the second improvement according to my invention, and hereinafter referred to.
A suitable aperture enclosed by a hinged or sliding cover, may be provided
in the bottom of the camera by means of which the whole or any portion of
the exposed plates or films and their carriers, may be removed at will for
development.
For the purposes of the second of my said improvements which relates to the
mechanical device for operating the sheaths or carriers, I screw or otherwise fix
upon the roof of the camera a preferably metallic plate, having upon its upper
surface a suitable finger plate or hold, an extension upon which passes downward
through a slot in the said plate, and is provided with suitably shaped studs upon either
side, those upon the one side ergaging with slots in a metallic or other plate, which
serves as a stop for the plate or film next in position for exposure, and hereinafter
referred to as the stop plate, the said slots being so arranged that by a lateral
movement of the before mentioned finger plate, a vertical movement is imparted to
the said stop plate, moving in a suitable guide or guides, the said finger plate being
operated in one direction by the hand and in the opposite by the tension of a
spring or springs. The stud or studs upon the opposite side of the said finger

page_text: plate extension, is 'or are pivotally connected to a crescented or other shaped
plunger or plungers, the free end or ends of which pass through a slot or slots in
ibe before mentioned guide or guides, parallel to, and a distance from the said
stop plate, sufficient to receive between them the upper edge of any of the before
mentioned sheaths or carriers, one at a time, the movement of the said plunger or
plungers being simultaneously with the said stop plate, but in an opposite direction
thereto, that is to say, while one is rising the other is falling and vice vers 1. Or in
lieu of the said stop plate I may employ two or more plungers operated by the
same studs, similar to, bat opposed in position to the plunger or plungers upon the
opposite side of the finger plate extension, so that that, or those upon the one side
would rise, while those upon the other would fall, and vice versa.
Upon the under surface of the main or carrying plate is a fixed stud or set
screw, upon which revolves a circular plate or table having upon its hidden face a
circle of numerals from 0 to 12 or more, the said numerals representing the number
of carriers or sheaths in the camera, and through a suitable aperture in the said
main plate the said numerals may be seen one at a time as the table is revolved, the
revolution of the said table being effected by a rateheted, notched or serrated wheel,
mounted upon the table stud or set screw, and held firmly in connection with the
table, so as to revolve therewith, by the tension of a plate or other spring mounted
upon the same stud. The number of teeth or serrations in the said wheel correspond
with the number of numerals upon the table, and by the means of a suitable spring
or pawl, or both, connected to the said finger plate extension, and engaging with
the serration or the like, the table is revolved a distance equal to one numeral at
each forward movement of the finger hold. The position of the said main plate
upon the camera would be such, that the upper edge of the carrier or sheath
carrying the first of the vertical unexposed plates or films, would rest against the
said stop plate (or the plungers in lieu thereof) when in its normal position, the
whole of the series of unexposed plates being kept vertical and in following order
by the tension of a suitable spring or springs, and after the first of said plates has
been 'exposed, the movement of the said finger plate would cause the said stop
plate to rise and release the first carrier or sheath, which would then fall into a
horizontal position at the bottom of the camera, and simultaneously with the said
rising of the stop plate (or its equivalent) the plunger would fall and arrest the
second carrier or sheath, until the said stop (or its equivalent) was again lowered
by the release of the finger plate, the movement of the table during this operation,
indicating that one, or the first plate had been exposed, or if desired the numerals
upon the said table may be placed in reverse order to that stated, so that the
numeral exposed may indicate the number of unexposed plates or films left in the
camera.
The third of my said improvements relates to the shutter. For the purposes of
this portion of my invention, I mount in a suitable position upon the front of the
camera a metallic or other plate, (hereinafter called the shutter plate) having an
exposure aperture facing the lens, and which may be provided with any type of
adjustable diaphragm operated in the usual way. Upon the said shutter plate, is
mounted a pair of metallic or other plates, preferably, but not imperatively, each
in the shape of a quadrant, pivotted one upon the other at their apex upon a stud
or 'set screw, engaging with the shutter plate, so that both may pass to and fro
over the 'exposure aperture, the outer of said quadrant plates having an opening
'corresponding in position thereto. The said quadrant plates are normally held in
connection with each other preferably by the means of a spring catch or pawl,
'upon the 'outer plate, engaging with an extension upon the under plate, the said
under plate having an extension at its apex carrying a stud, which engages with
the slot of a spring lever, extending outwardly through the camera, the depression
of the outer end of which, causes both quadrant plates to pass the exposure
aperture in the shutter plate, and at the finish of this movement, the before
mentioned catch or pawl upon the outer quadrant plate, collides with a stud or
stop upon the shutter plate, and releases its connection with the under quadrant

page_text: plate, thus permitting the outer plate to fly back to its normal position by the
tension of a suitable plate or other spring, and the duration of exposure, is the
moment at which the aperture in the outer quadrant plate is facing the exposure
aperture in the shutter plate, and by this means I provide for rapid or snap shot
exposure. The under plate is returned to its normal position by the release of the
lever. In order to regulate the duration of the rapid exposure, I connect to the
apex of the outer quadrant plate, one end of a wire or plate spring, the opposite end
of which is fixed by any suitable means, and mid way or thereabouts of the length of
Baid spring, and always in touch therewith, I provide a suitably shaped eccentric,
operated, preferably, from the front of the camera, the partial rotation of which,
serves to increase or decrease the tension of the said spring, and so increase or
decrease the duration of the exposure. In order that the same rapid exposure
shutter may be employed as a time exposure shutter I provide in a suitable
position upon the shutter plate, a small boss, through which and a hole in the said
plate is passed a stud or pin, having upon its inner end a graduated surface
terminating in a step, and by rotating the said pin or stud in a certain direction,
the said step engages with the outer quadrant plate as this flies back after being
released from the under quadrant plate, in the manner previously described, and
retains the said outer quadrant plate with its aperture facing the exposure aperture
in the shutter plate, as long as the lever remains depressed, which may be any
time necessary for the time exposure, the release of the said lever causing the
under quadrant plate to fly back to its normal position covering the exposure
aperture. The outer end of the said pin or stud, extends through the camera and
may carry any letters or marks by which the operator may know if the shutter
be in a position for rapid or time exposure.
The fourth of my said improvements relates to the mouuting of the light shield
or hood of the view finder, and I effect this by the employment of a piece of thin
sheet metal, bent centrally of its length or thereabouts or otherwise arranged in
such a manner as to carry a wire extending outwardly from each side thereof, such
extensions forming pivots for the said shield, a suitable aperture being provided in
the said bent or other plate for exposing the grey glass of the view finder.
Dated this 11th day of February 1896.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in and relating to Hand Cameras.
I, ALFRED CHARLES JACKSON, of 82 Farleigh Road, Stoke Newington, in
the County of Middlesex, Manufacturer 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 :-
My invention relates to certain improvements in, and in connection with, that
class of hand-cameras for photographic purposes, in which the sheaths or carriers
for the sensitized plates or films are held suspended in position before exposure,
and removed to another by certain mechanical means after exposure, and consists,
Firstly Of an improvement in connection with the mounting or suspending of the
said sheaths or carriers. Secondly-Of an improved mechanical device for
operating the movement of the said sheaths or carriers and their plates or films
after exposure, iu combination with means for recording such movement or the
number of plates that have been exposed, or the number that remain unexposed.
Thirdly-Of an improved shutter capable of being used as an instantaneous or
long exposure shutter at the will of the operator.

page_text: In order that my said invention and the several parts and details constituting
the same may be fully understood I have hereunto appended two sheets of
drawings, in which the same reference letters are used throughout when referring
to the same or like parts.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 Sheet 1 are front, end, and back elevations, and bottom plan
view respectively of my improved device upon which I mount the sheaths or
carriers for the sensitized plates or films.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the said sheaths or carriers, partly broken
away.
Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the manner of mounting the said sheaths or carriers
upon the device Figs. 1 to 4.
Figs. 7 and 8 are upper and under plan views respectively of the plate and its
accessories for operating the movements of the said sheaths or carriers.
Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are details of Figs. 7 and 8 hereinafter explained.
Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are details of an alternative method of constructing the
device Figs. 7 and 8 and also hereinafter explained.
Figs. 18, 19 and 20 Sheet 2 are inside or back views of my improved shutter
plate and its accessories, while Fig. 21 is a view of the opposite side of the same.
Figs. 22 and 23 are views of the two moving plates or shutters forming part of
Figs. 18 to 21.
Fig. 24 is a view illustrating the manner in which I prefer to attach the finger
plate to the end of the lever shewn in Figs. 18, 19 and 20.
Figs. 25, 26 and 27 are inner and outer end elevations, and side elevation
respectively of my improved device (drawn upon an enlarged scale) for converting
the shutter from an instantaneous to a time exposure shutter and vice versa.
Figs. 28 and 29 are side and frout elevations respectively of such a camera, (the
former having its side wall partly removed) to which my said improvements have
been attached.
For the purposes of the first portion of my invention, or that relating to the
device for carrying the before mentioned sheaths or carriers, I construct of wood
or other suitable material a shelf preferably in the form of the letter T, the top of
which A is of such a length as to slide in a groove a in the back end of the camera
(shewn in Fig. 28) and upon A is fixed a vertical depending piece A¹ of equal
width, and upon these I screw or otherwise fix a metallic plate, bent at right angles
centrally of its length or thereabouts or in such a manner that its upper half B
rests upon and is fixed to the upper surface of A, while its other half B' depends
in front of A' and is connected thereto. The carriers or sheaths C are each
provided at one end with a pair of clips, hooks or their equivalents b, which engage
first with the lower end B' of the plate and are then passed to the upper part B
and to facilitate this the shelf A is recessed at each end at c and has upon its
upper surface two grooves CC which receive the portions b of the said sheaths
or carriers as these are slid on to the portion B, as shewn in Fig. 6, and when the
desired number of these are in this position they are ready for exposure, the
upper end of the first of them resting against a stop d, the remainder being kept
backed up against each other by the tension of a suitable spring such as D,
mounted upon the back of the camera, (Figs. 6 and 28.) and the means by which
the transition of the said carriers or sheaths from their vertical position before
exposure, to their horizontal position after exposure is effected, forins the second
portion of my invention and is as follows.
I screw or otherwise fix upon the top or roof of the camera, a preferably metallic
plate E, (Figs. 7 and 8) having upon its upper surface a sliding plate F, provided
with any suitable finger hold such as f, and to the under surface of F is attached,
or formed integrally therewith, an extension piece g, which passes down through a
slot in the plate E, longer than itself, and is there retained by suitable pins or
studs or other suitable means. Upon one side of the extension 9 is pivotally
connected a crescent shaped stud or plate A (Fig. 9) while upon its opposite side is
mounted a plate d, having two suitably angled slots d' and d", the said plate d

page_text: g
being connected to g by the means of screws e passing through the slots d' and d¹¹,
(Figs. 10 and 11) in such a manner, that d may slide in an oblique direction upon g.
Upon the under surface of the plate E is screwed a covering plate or cradle G, in
which is provided a slot for the protrusion of the plate d, and a slot for the
protrusion of the plate h, (Fig. 8). The finger plate F is kept in its normal
position by the tension of a spring such as j, connected to the extension 9 and the
plate E, and while in this position the slotted plate d would be protruding through
the covering plate or cradle G to its farthest limit, (Fig. 13) governed by the
limit of the slots d¹ and d¹, (Fig. 10) and at the same time the stud or plate h
would be drawn within the covering plate G as shewn by dotted outline in Fig. 13,
but if the finger plate F be pushed in the direction of the arrow Fig. 7, the studs
or screws e upon the extension g by engaging with the slots d' and d would draw
the plate d upwardly into the covering plate G, which serves as a vertical guide
therefor, and at the same time the stud or plate h would be thrust downwardly and
out of the covering plate G, guided by the slot therein through which it passes.
The position of d and h at this moment is shewn in Fig. 14, both of which and
the plate F would return to their normal positions (Fig. 13) by the tension of the
spring directly the pressure upon F was removed.
The plate E would be placed in such a position upon the top or roof of the
camera, that the plate d, when in its normal position, would engage with the top
end of the front carrier or sheath C, as at Figs. 6 and 28, holding this ready for
exposure, and after this has been exposed the operator would push the finger
plate F as herein before explained, when the plate d would be raised sufficiently to
release the front carrier, while the stud or plunger h would be lowered and arrest
the second or next carrier, and by reason of the tension of the spring D always
keeping the front carrier as far forward as permitted by the plate B, it follows,
that when released as stated by the removal of the plate d, the front carrier would
fall into a horizontal position, guided by the plate B as shewn in Figs. 6 and 28, a
suitable spring such as H being provided to break the fall of same, and prevent
them rising or slipping up B should the camera be tilted, and when the finger
plate F is allowed to return to its normal position by the tension of the spring j
as described, the stud or plunger would again rise and the plate d fall, thus
allowing the next or following carrier to rest against the plate d as before
mentioned.
As an alternative arrangement 1 may dispense with the slotted plate d, and in
lieu thereof pivotally mount upon the same side of the extension g, a pair of
crescent shaped plates or plungers h' as shewn in Fig. 15, and form in the covering
plate or cradle G three slots k, k, and k" as shewn at Fig. 17, the former being
for the plate h, and the two latter for the plates or plungers h', and by reason of
the two plungers being mounted at the opposite side of the extension g to that
of the plate, and in reverse order thereto, the same movement of the finger
plate Fas would lower the plate h, before described, would raise the two plates or
plungers has shewn in Fig. 16, the reverse movement of F operating to lower h¹
and raise h as shewn in Fig. 15, the plates ¹ operating in like manner to, and for
the same purpose as the plate d.
In order that the number of the plates or films that have been exposed, or the
number remaining in the camera to be exposed, may be known to the operator, I
fix upon the under surface of the plate E, a stud or set screw l, upon which
revolves a circular plate or table m, having upon its hidden face a circle of
numerals from 0 to 12 or more, the said numerals representing the number of
carriers or sheaths C, in the camera, and through a suitable aperture J in the
plate E the said numerals may be seen one at a time as the table m is revolved,
and to effect such revolution of m I mount upon the same stud or set screw a
ratchet wheel n, connected to the table m, (so as to revolve therewith,) by the
tension of a plate or other spring such as p. The teeth in the wheel n correspond
in number with the numerals upon the table m, and by the means of a suitable
spring or pawl, or both (preferably a spring) r, connected to the extension g of the

page_text: finger plate F (Fig. 12) and engaging with the teeth of n as at Fig. 8 the table m
would be revolved a distance equal to one numeral, by each forward movement
of F, thus indicating at the aperture J that one more plate, and the No. of such
piate, had been exposed, or if desired the numerals upon the table m may be
arranged in reverse order to that stated, so that the one seen through the aperture J
may indicate, not the number of plates that have been exposed, but the number of
unexposed plates remaining in the camera.
The third portion of my invention relates to, the shutter and the means
by which the same may be employed for time or instantaneous exposure. For
the purposes of this portion of my invention, I mount in a suitable position upon
the inner face of the front of the camera a metallic or other plate K (hereinafter
referred to as the shutter plate) having an exposure aperture s facing the lens t
provided with any type of adjustable diaphragm in general use. Upon the said
shutter plate is mounted a pair of metallic or other plates L and M. shaped
substantially as shewn in Figs. 22 and 23, both pivotally mounted one upon the
other by a set screw v engaging with the plate K, so that both may oscillate to
and fro over the exposure aperture a, the plate M having an opening M corro-
sponding in position thereto. The said plates L and M are normally held together,
(the latter covering the former as at Fig. 18) by the means of a spring or spring
pawl N upon M, engaging with an extension w upon L, the said plate L having
also an extension w₁ carrying a stud or pin to which engages with the slot of a
lever O, pivoted upon K at v', and connected to a spring P, the tension of which
operates to keep O and the plate L in the positions shewn in Fig. 18, and the arm
of the said lever extending through the side of the camera has connected thereto a
finger plate R substantially as at Fig. 24, and shewn in position at Figs. 28 and 29,
and by the downward movement of the said plate R this end of the lever O would
be lowered, causing both the plates L and M together to pass the aperture
without uncovering same, but when the two said plates have reached the limit of
their travel in this direction, as shewn at Fig. 19, the pawl m would collide with a
stud or stop a, upon the plate K, which would release its connection with the
projection te upon L, when the plate M would fly back by the tension of a suitable.
spring, until arrested by a stop y, and the duration of exposure would be the
moment at which the aperture M' in the plate M was facing the exposure aperture s
in the shutter plate K, and by, this means I obtain a rapid or snap shot exposure.
The under plate N would return to its normal position by the tension of the
spring P directly the downward pressure upon the plate R was removed, when the
pawl N would again automatically engage with the projection to upon L.
The return motion of the plate M may be effected by a spiral spring such
as S, but in order to regulate the duration of the rapid exposure, I prefer to
connect to the plate M a curled wire or plate spring such as T, connected to the
camera front at the point y', the upper end of which passes through a hole in the
heel of M, while its lower end is always in touch with an eccentric or cam such
as V, mounted upon a spindle V, which passes through the front of the camera
and has fixed upon its protruding end a pointer or hand such as V, arranged to
traverse a cresented plate such as W, in which notches or recesses are provided.
with one or the other of which the pointer V₁ may be caused to engage, as
indicated by Fig. 29, the said cam or eccentric V being so mounted upon the
spindle V that when the pointer V" is brought to the farthest notch ¹ to the left
of the plate W the said cam would be as at Fig. 23 or substantially so, but when
the pointer W was placed in the next or the next notch t" to the right of the
plate W, the wider part of the cam would be brought against the spring T and so
increase the tension of this, such increase of tension being shewn by certain
figures or marks upon the, or near to the notches t", which may also indicate the
duration of exposure when the pointer V" is placed therein. The manner in
which the spring T would be deflected by the forward movement of the plate M is
shewn in Fig. 19.
In order that the same shutters L M inay be employed for time exposure as well

page_text: as for rapid exposure, I provide upon the shutter plate K a boss W', through which
and a hole in K is passed a stout pin or rod W", (shewn enlarged by Figs. 25, 26.
and 27) the inner end of which (Fig. 25) has a graduated surface Wi terminating
in a step. The outer end of Wii is provided with a milled head or finger hold Wii
by which W may be rotated within W in either direction, limited by a pin
upon W working in a slot in W. The said device is shewn in position in.
Figs. 18 and 19 in both of which the step W is shewn clear of the path of the
plate M, at which position the head W would stand as at Fig. 26, indicating by
the readable letters "INST" that the same is in position for rapid or instantaneous.
exposure, which permits the plate M in its return motion to pass Wand travel to
the stop y as previously described, but if a half turn be given to the head W', the
word "TIME" would be uppermost, indicating that the camera was set for time
exposure, and this position of W would reverse the position of W shewn at
Fig. 20, which provides that when the plate M is released from the plate N by the
spring pawl colliding with the pin z as previously explained, the plate M in flying
back would collide with the step of W, and its motion be thereby arrested, at
which moment the aperture M in M would be immediately facing the exposure
apertures as shewn in Fig. 20, and would remain so as long as the plate L was
held back by the depression of the plate R, but would be closed by the return of L
when R was released, and by this means I provide for time exposure of any
duration at the will of the operator.
A sliding or hinged door such as Z, Fig. 28 may be provided in the bottom of
the camera through which the, or any of the carriers holding the exposed plates or
films may be removed for development.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed what I claim as.
new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,
1st. In a hand camera, the herein described apparatus for holding the sheaths
or carriers for the sensitized plates or films, consisting of a T shaped shelf
such A A, arranged to slide in grooves a in the camera, and having recesses e,
and groove e c", and carrying a bent plate such as B B', the said plate in com-
bination with e el el receiving and holding the hooks or clips b of the sheaths or
carrier C, in combination with means for transporting the said sheaths or carriers
from a vertical to a horizontal position, substantially as herein described and shewn
by Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 28 of the accompanying drawings.
2nd. In a hand camera, in which the sheaths or carriers Care held by the device.
set forth in the preceding claim in a vertical position before exposure, and a
horizontal position after exposure, the herein described means for effecting the
removal of the same, one at a time, from the first to the second position, consisting
of the combination of a plate E, having a sliding finger plate F, with an extension g,
carrying upon one side a plate d, having slots such as d¹ and di, or a pair of plates
or plungers such as A¹ A', in lieu of d, and upon the other side a plate or plunger
such as h, enclosed by a covering plate or cradle G, secured to the plate E, and
provided with suitable slots for the passage of h and d or hand h h', in combination
with springs such as D and H, and a revolving table such as m, and the means for
rotating the said table for recording the number of the plates or films used or to
be used, the whole connected and operating substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and shewn by Fige. 5 to 17 and Fig. 28 of the accompanying
drawings.
3rd. In combination with a band camera, having a plate such as K, carrying
shutters such as L and M, arranged to travel together past the exposure aperture a
by the action of a spring lever such as O, the formation in the said plate M of an
opening such as M', and the employment upon M of a spring pawl such as N,
normally engaging with a projection such as to upon L, and the means for effecting
the release of M from L by the pawl N colliding with a stud a, and the means for
effecting the rapid return movement of M when so released from L, by the tension

page_text: of a spring such as T, curled at y and thereat connected to the front of the camera,
with means for increasing and decreasing the tension of the said spring, such as a
cam or eccentric V, mounted upon a pin V, passing through the front of the
camera, and carrying a band or pointer V", arranged to engage with slots ¹ of a
plate such as W, having marks or figures indicating the duration of exposure for
rapid or snap-shot pictures, according to the position of V", substantially as and
for the purposes herein described and shewn by Figs. 18 to 23 of the accompanying
drawings.
4th. In combination with a hand camera as set forth in the preceding claims, the
construction and use of a rod or stud such as W2, carried in a boss such as W', and
having upon its inner face a graduated surface W, and at its opposite end a finger
hold or milled head W, and the application of the said device to the shutter
plate K, in such a position that by the partial rotation of W in one direction the
step of the graduated surface W is clear of the travel of the plate M to facilitate
rapid exposure, as at Figs. 18 and 19, but when partly rotated in the opposite
direction, the step of the said graduated surface Win is brought within the path,
and arrests the return motion of M for time exposure, as at Fig. 20, with means,
such as letters or figures upon the head W as at Fig. 26, seen on the outside of
the camera, by which the position of the hidden end W may be known to the
operator substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by
Figs. 18, 19 and 20, and in detail by Figs. 25, 26 and 27 of the accompanying
drawings.
5th. In a band camera, the several parts set forth as new, and claimed in the
preceding claims, connected combined and operating substantially as herein
described and shewn.
Dated this 2nd day of October 1896.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Buildings, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.