Improvements in Cameras for Photographing Objects in Motion.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left. 26th Jan., 1891--Accepted, 28th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cameras for Photographing Objects in Motion.
I, FREDERICK HENRY VARLEY, 82, Newington Green Road, N., Civil
Engineer. in the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
:-
My invention consists in a special method of employing drums or spools for paying
out the sensitized paper or film and in gearing the spring work which gives the initial
revolutions to the spool to another drum for winding up the film so that the tension
upon the paying out spool and the winding up drum are equal or nearly so, and in
the use of an adjustable displacement lever which removes the exposed surface of
the film & sets the apparatus for taking the next picture also the employment of a
frame or hollow screen in front of the sensitized film pierced with one or more holes
for the purpose of correctly registering each picture.
Dated this 25th day of March 1890.
FREDERICK H. VARLEY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cameras for Photographing Objects in Motion.
I, FREDERICK HENRY VARLEY, of Newington Green Road, in the County of
London, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said 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 certain improvements in or applicable to cameras used
for photographing objects in motion, such cameras being adapted to be used, among
other purposes, for obtaining good negatives sufficiently near each other in time to
convey the idea of life and motion when successive positives from them are projected
at the same speed upon a screen by means of a suitable lantern.
:
Main features of the invention consist in the employment in such cameras -Of
a delivering spool and a winding-on drum so geared or connected together as to
norinally exert a balanced pull, in opposite directions, upon a sensitized film wound
thereon, so as to cause such film to be, at all times, kept stretched and taut, and
free from vibration at the moment of exposure: Of an adjustable displacement
roller co-acting with such spool and drum, (and arranged preferably adjacent to the
latter.) inoperative at the moment of exposure and gradually operating during the
whole of the time between successive exposures, for, at each actuation, advancing
the film from the spool towards the drum the exact length required for the next
negative, the winding up of a like length of the already exposed portion of film
being automatically effected by the winding-on drum simultaneously with the return
movement of the film feeding device: And of gripping pawls or the like co-acting
with the aforesaid devices, for preventing, during such feeding operations and at
other times, the spool from drawing the film back, and the drum from turning back.
The invention also has reference to improved means of facilitating the registering
of successive negatives and of positives obtained therefrom.

page_text: Two exemplifications of the invention are illustrated on the accompanying
drawings, respectively on Sheets 1, and 2, thereof.
Fig. 1, represents a plau view, partly in section on the plane indicated by the
line a-, Fig. 2.
Fig. 2, represents a side elevation, partly in section on the planes indicated by
the line -, d"—d. Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, represents a sectional plan of the winding-on drum, on the plane indicated
by the line ƒ, Fig. 2.
Fig. 4, represents a sectional elevation on the plane indicated by the line gh,
Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow, showing the gearing connecting the
delivering spool and winding-on drum.
Fig. 5, represents a sectional elevation on the plane indicated by the line jk,
Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow 1, showing the exposure device
immediately preparatory to the exposure.
Fig. 6 represents a like view of the same immediately subsequent to the
exposure, and
Fig. 7, represents a like view, of the same device on the plane indicated by
the line m-, Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrow o.
Fig. 8, represents an elevation showing the parts of the hinged easing (and the
mechanism each such part contains) as opened out so as to lie in the same plane,
but in use such parts of the casing are closed together so as to occupy parallel
planes.
Fig. 9, represents a sectional elevation showing the parts of the casing closed
together in position for use, the section being taken on the plane indicated by the
lines ps, (which are coincident when the case is closed) looking in the
direction of the arrows t.
Fig. 10, represents an elevation of the winding-on drum and film-feeding device.
Fig. 11, represents a sectional elevation thereof and of the mechanism operating
the feeding device, the section being taken through the same plane as that on
which Fig. 9, is taken.
Fig. 12, represents a sectional elevation of the winding-on drum through the axis
thereof.
Fig. 13, represents an end elevation thereof, showing the connection of the
winding-on drum with its actuating gearing, and
Fig. 14, represents a sectional elevation through the same plane (s,) as
than on which Fig. 9, is taken, showing the means of operating the exposure device.
Figs. 8, and 9, are drawn to one-half the scale of Figs. 10, to 14.
On the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or like parts,
wherever repeated.
Referring, firstly, to the exemplification illustrated on Sheet 1, of the drawings:-
The spool 15, containing the sensitized film 16, to be exposed, is directly geared
to the winding-on drum 17, by the wheels 18, 19, (ride Fig. 4,) and such spool and
drum are respectively provided with springs 20, 21, both coiled in the same direction,
(vide Fig. 2,) one end of each such spring being connected to the spindle 22, or 23,
of the spool or drum, and the other end thereof being connected to the casing of the
spool or drum. Such springs may be mounted between discs 24, 25, respectively
secured within the spool and drum, and removable flanged end blocks or caps 26, 27,
or may each extend the greater part of the length of the spool or drum, or a series
of independent springs may be arranged, at intervals, along the spindles of the spool
and drum.
The spindle 22, of the spool is squared at its one end, as at 28, and on its other
end there is mounted, so as to rotate therewith, a ratchet wheel 29, (vide Fig. 4,)
reverse movement of which is prevented by a pawl 30, controlled by a spring 31,
both carried by the gear wheel 18, which is loosely mounted on the spindle 22,
between the ratchet wheel and a friction disc 32, (vide Fig. 1,) which is pressed
against the wheel 18, by a collar 33, pinned to the spindle 22.

page_text: The wheel 18, is actuated by the ratchet wheel and pawl.
The gear wheel 19, is mounted fast on the spindle 23, of the drum 17.
The sensitized film 16, passes from the spool to the drum, being guided in its
passage by suitably placed rollers 34, 35, 36, 37, and, as aforesaid, is constantly
kept taut between the spool and drum. This is initially effected by holding and
preventing the gearing 18, 19, from co-acting while, say, half a dozen turns are
given to the spring 20, by a key applied to the squared end of its spindle 22, and
then releasing and permitting the gearing, 18. 19, to co-act, in consequence of
which, the spring 20, divides its energy with the spring 21, of the drum, (such
operation being repeated, if necessary,) whereby the springs 20, 21, become charged
with a balanced energy constantly operating upon the film in contrary directions
and tending to keep it taut between the spool and drum, thus preventing all
chattering or vibration thereof, which in cameras of this class would be especially
liable to obliterate all detail in the negatives produced.
The spindles of the spool, drum and rollers 34, 35, 36, 37, are mounted in side
frames 38, rising from and screwed to a suitable base-plate 39, and where not
required to be removed, such spindles may act as stay-bars to the frames 38.
The spool and drum are, however, preferably removable together with their
spindles, and to permit of their removal and replacement with facility, the frames 38,
are slotted as at 40, and are fitted with rising and falling pieces 41, which are also
slotted, as at 42, and are guided and secured by a screw 43, and thumb-screw 44.
When the sliding pieces 41, are raised, so that their slots 42, become coincident
with the slots 40, in the frames 38, the spindles of the spool and drum can be freely
removed from and replaced into the respective coincident slots, and when such
sliding pieces are lowered, such spindles will be secured in their respective
positions..
To enable the successive exposed portions of film and portions of film to be
exposed to be respectively removed and presented, there is applied, preferably
adjacent to the winding-on drum, between the aforesaid rollers 35, 36, an adjustable
rocking displacement roller 45, adapted to operate during the whole of the period
immediately subsequent to one exposure to immediately previous to the following
exposure, and which, at each feeding operation, rises and draws from the spool the
length of film required for the next negative, drawing exactly the same length of
film at each operation, (such length being that which it is adjusted to draw,) so
that none of the film is wasted, the adjacent negatives, if required, being separated
by but a narrow line.
The roller 45, can freely turn, its spindle being supported in the bifurcated
extensions of a lever 46, which is centred in bearings 47, screwed to the base-
plate 39, and is operated by a crank-pin 48, adjustable in a slot 49, made in a
dise 50, pinned to the main shaft 51, which is supported by bearings 52, screwed to
the base-plate, and can be operated at one speed, by a suitable handle applied to
the squared end of the shaft 51. or at an accelerated speed, by gearing 53, 54,
respectively fast on the counter-shaft 55, (which is also supported by the
bearings 52,) and on the shaft 51,-if the handle be applied to the squared end of
such counter-shaft and be reversely rotated. The advance or feeding of the film is
dependent upon the operation of the lever 46, and roller 45, which, in operation,
travel from the position indicated in full lines to that indicated in dotted lines
(ride Fig. 2, the lever traversing a slot 56, made in the base-plate,) thus raising the
portion of film between the rollers 35, 36, and drawing forward the required length
for the next negative.
A spring 57, connected to an adjusting screw 58, adjusted by a thumb-screw 59,
working against a bracket 60, screwed to the base-plate, may be attached to the
lever 46, as a counterpoise thereto and to the roller 45.
The winding-on drum 17, is prevented from being turned backwards or reversed,
by the feeding operation of the lever 46, and roller 45, upon the taut film, by
gripping pawls 61, which are mounted on pins 62, carried by the side frames 38,

page_text: and are borne against frictional rims 63, with which the flanged ends 27, of the
drum are fitted, (ride Fig. 3,) by springs 64, carried by a stay-bar 65, which can be
turned by the buttons 66, so as to increase or diminish the pressure of such springs
on such pawls. The spool 15, is also prevented from drawing the film backwards
by two like-acting gripping pawls 67, which are mounted on pins 68, carried by the
side frames 38, and, by springs 69, connected to hooks 70, rising from the base-
plate, are borne against the edge parts of the film 16, holding it firmly against the
lower front guide roller 35, in such a manner as to prevent any retrogade movement.
of the film.
It will thus be seen, that the film is, at all times, kept stretched and taut between
the said spool and drum, and that, by the operation of the displacement roller 45, a
fold or gather of the required length of film is formed, and that, on the return of
such roller, such fold is simultaneously gathered up by the winding-on drum, the
film being all the time kept taut between the upper and lower guide rollers and at
all parts between the said spool and drum.
The said advance or feeding movement of the film is operative in further winding
up the spring 20, in the spool, and as the axle of the spool is, in manner aforesaid,
geared with the axle of the winding-on drum, such increased energy is imparted to
the spring 21, in the latter, causing it to be operative in winding on the advanced
exposed portion of film drawn forward by the displacement lever and roller, simul-
taneously with the return movement of the latter.
At such time as the feeding roller is inoperative, the shutter mechanism is
operated and the exposure made. This may be advantageously effected from the
gearing 54, on the main shaft 51, by the gearing 71, 72, on the shafts 73, 74, 75, 76,
supported by the standards 77, 78, screwed to the base-plate. The shaft 76, is
fitted with a cam-piece 79, operating against pins 80, projecting from catch-pieces 81,
which are centred, as at 82, to a carrying piece 83, screwed to the base-plate, and
are borne against the cam-piece 79, by springs 84. On the shaft 76, there is also,
mounted loosely, a collar 85, and a sear-piece 86, which latter is connected to the
shaft by a coiled spring 87, and is screwed to a rotary shutter 88, in which is
formed a series of apertures 89. A stationary shutter 90, formed with an aperture 91,
is screwed to the base-plate, being slotted at 92, to permit of the working of the
parts 81, 84, 86, 87. The cam-piece 79, in rotating, thrusts the catch-pieces 81,
alternately, sufficiently far back to permit of the escape of the sear-piece 86, which,
by the operation of its spring 87, (which is wound up by the rotation of the shaft 76,
while the sear-piece is detained by either of the catch-pieces 81,) is caused to
partially rotate until it is arrested by the opposite eaten-piece 81, which, at such
time, is in position to arrest it; by such operation, the first following aperture 89,
of the rotating shutter 88, is caused to pass the aperture 91, in the shutter 90, and
the exposure is made.
In front of the sensitized film in position for exposure, there is mounted a
screen 93, pierced with one or more holes 94, (preferably with four holes respec-
tively adjacent to the corners of the opening 113, in the screen through which the
light projected from the lens obtains access to the film,) and which holes allow the
light, during the exposure, to act therethrough on the film, and so provide
accurately defined indications of where holes should be made to facilitate the
correct registering of detached negatives or of detached positives on a carrying
band or the like.
Referring, secondly, to the exemplification illustrated on Sheet 2, of the
drawings:-
The spool 15, and drum 17, are respectively mounted between conical centre
pins 95, supported by springs 96, screwed to brackets 97, screwed to one of the side
frames 38, and catch-pins 98, projecting from studs 22, 23, supported in sockets or
bearings 99, screwed to the opposite side frame 38, (cide Fig. 12,); the arrangement
being such that either the spool or drum can be withdrawn, upon relieving the
relative centre-pin 95, of the pressure of its spring 96, and upon drawing the other

page_text: On
end of the spool or drum out of engagement with the relative catch-pin 98.
each of the studs 22, 23, there is loosely mounted, a pulley 18, 19, and a friction
disc 32, each of which latter is borne against its adjacent pulley by a washer 33,
On the
pinned to the stud. The pulleys 18, 19, are connected by a cord 100.
stud of the drum there is also mounted, a gear-wheel 101, which rotates with the
adjacent pulley 19, and gears with a wheel 102, loosely mounted on a stud 103,
carried by the adjacent side frame 38, this latter wheel being driven by a speed
gear wheel 104, fast on the main shaft 51, vide Figs. 8, 9 and 13. By such means,
the pulley 19, on the stud 23, of the drum, is positively driven at a greater speed
than is necessary to drive the drum at the required speed, and, by its frictional
contact with the disc 32, it causes the stud 23, and drum to be driven, and, by the
cord 100, it operates the pulley 18, on the stud 22, of the spool, and causes it, by
its frictional contact with the disc 32, which bears against the pinned washer 33, of
the spool, to have a constant tendency to wind the film on to the spool, against the
contrary and normally balanced tendency of the drum, whereby, as in the exemplifi-
cation firstly described, the film is caused to be kept tant between the said spool
and drum.
The displacement or feeding lever 46, is, in this exemplification, represented as
operated by eccentrics 48, secured in an adjustable manner on the main shaft
(cide Fig. 11,) by pins and discs 50. Any reverse movement of the film is
prevented, as in the exemplification hereinbefore described, by gripping pawls 61, 67,
which are adjusted to nip the edges of the film against the adjacent guide
rollers 36, 35.
In this exemplification, the aforesaid improvements are represented as applied to
a stereoscopic camera, there being two lenses opposite the film in position for
exposure. The exposure device is, consequently, represented with a separate
aperture 89, for each lens, the space between the lenses and the film being partitioned
by a screen 106, situated between the adjacent lenses. The exposure device
consists of two like drop-shutters 88, 88", in each of which, two apertures 89, (one for
each lens) are formed, and these shutters are raised, one after the other, after each
exposure, by levers 108, and connecting rods or bars 107, the levers being mounted
in brackets 109, and operated by adjustable snails 110, properly timed and carried
by the main shaft 51.
In the working of this exposure device, while the lenses are covered by the lastly
dropping shutter 88, the other shutter 88", is raised to also cover them, and
then, the shutter 88, is raised so that its apertures are above the lenses; when, the
shutter 88, is lowered until its apertures are in alignment with the lenses; when,
the shutter 88, falls, the exposure being made while its apertures cross the
lenses.
The apparatus represented in this exemplification of the invention, is arranged in
the two half parts of a casing 114, which are hinged together at 111, and when
closed together their opposite meeting edges are or may be locked or otherwise
suitably secured together.
The back part of the casing 114, is made with a removable slide 112, the with-
drawal of which facilitates the focussing of the lens on a slip of ground glass
temporarily occupying the position of the film when in position for exposure, and
this facility allows of the application to the camera of condensing lenses in such a
manner as to permit of the camera being used for obtaining enlargements or pro-
jecting on to a screen strips of translucent positives (obtained from the strips of
negatives obtained by the aforesaid operation of the camera) sufficiently near each
other, in time, to convey the idea of life and motion.
Although I have hereinbefore particularly described two arrangements of shutter-
mechanism respectively adapted to co-operate with the other camera-mechanism
described, do not claim such shutter mechanism, per se, neither do I restrict
myself to the use thereof, as any other suitable shutter-mechanism may be used with
such other camera-mechanism.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
In cameras used for photographing objects in motion :-
1. The employment, in combination, of a delivering spool and a winding-on
drum so geared or connected together as to normally exert a balanced pull, in
opposite directions, upon a sensitized film wound thereon, so as to cause such film
to be, at all times, kept stretched and taut, and free from vibration at the moment
of exposure, substantially as herein before described.
2. The employment, in combination with such delivering spool, winding-on drum
and gripping pawls or the like, of an adjustable displacement roller or film-feeding
device, inoperative at the moment of exposure and gradually operating during the
whole of the time between successive exposures, in, at each operation, advancing
the film from the spool towards the drum the exact length required for the next
succeeding negative, and in returning to its inoperative position, the winding up of
a like length of the already exposed portion of film being automatically effected
by the winding-on drum simultaneously with the return movement of the film-feeding
device, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The exemplification of such improved apparatus hereinbefore described with
reference to Sheet 1, of the accompanying drawings.
4. The exemplification of such improved apparatus hereinbefore described with
reference to Sheet 2, of the accompanying drawings.
5. The hereinbefore described means of facilitating the registering of successive
negatives and of successive positives obtained therefrom.
6. The improved camera hereinbefore described with reference to Sheet 1, of the
accompanying drawings.
7. The improved camera herein before described with reference to Sheet 2, of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of January 1891.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.