IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HOLDING. DRY PLATES OR FILMS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER EXPOSURE AND FOR CHANGING THEM IN THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Samuels, of Monken Hadley in the County of
Middlesex for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HOLDING.
DRY PLATES OR FILMS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER EXPOSURE AND FOR
CHANGING THEM IN THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Samuels at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th February 1883.
THOMAS SAMUELS of Monken Hadley in the County of Middlesex, "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HOLDING DRY PLATES OR FILMS BEFORE DURING, AND
AFTER EXPOSURE, AND FOR CHANGING THEM IN THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA"
My Invention relates to an improved apparatus in the nature of a combined
dark back and holder for containing a number of dry plates or films superposed or
placed in front of one another, and for automatically bringing the said plates or
films successively up to the same plane or position for exposure and for receiving
and packing away the said plates or films after exposure. The said apparatus is
applicable to any ordinary camera and is serviceable also as a convenient and
compact means of transporting the plates or films both before and after exposure.
By means of this apparatus a number of exposures in very rapid succession may
be easily obtained without the possibility of accidentally exposing the same plate
twice over which is liable to happen with double backs and some existing
changing-box cameras, there being with my apparatus no manipulation beyond
the mere sliding out and in of the dark shutter, the operations of bringing up the
plates or films to position for exposure and packing them away after exposure
being entirely automatic except in so far as they are dependent on the working of
this slide.
My Invention further comprises an envelope or sheath for the plate by means
whereof the contact of the plates or films with one another, when superposed in,

page_text: my holder, is avoided, and the light is prevented from passing through a plate
when under exposure to those behind it.
The apparatus consists of a pair of plate holding boxes corresponding in area to
the dimensions of the plates and identically similar in construction which are
adapted to be fitted close together side by side (in a groove or otherwise so as to
be light tight) upon a board or frame hinged or otherwise attached to the body of
the camera in a position corresponding to that of the ordinary dark back and
secured thereto with a light tight joint. One of these plate holding boxes I
demoninate the "container" as it contains the supply of plates previous to
exposure, and the other I denominate the "receiver," it being intended to receive
the same plates after exposure. The container is placed behind an opening in the
said board or frame rather smaller in one direction than the size of the plate so
that the surface of the board may form a supporting plane against which the plate
may be held for exposure whilst the receiver is placed opposite a solid part of the
said board or frame. The container and receiver are each grooved to fit a light
tight sliding lid working flush with the edges of the box, only one lid being used
however when the boxes are mounted on the camera, this lid then sliding in the
grooves of the container and covering the exposing aperture, the lid thus serving
the purpose of the ordinary dark shutter, and also as the means of propelling the
exposed plate from the container into the receiver, the recess in the boxes in which
the lid works affording also a passage for the plate from the one box to the other.
Each box is provided with a spring-propelled false bottom, that in the container
serving to propel the plates forward and bring them successively up to the
exposing aperture, whilst that in the receiver serves to hold the plates steady in
-the box-
To enable each plate to be slid in front of its predecessors in the receiver, springs
are affixed to the board opposite the receiver which yield as the plate is pushed in
and which tend to cant the plate or make it stand obliquely after it has entered
the receiver to enable the next following plate to slide in front of it and force it
backwards into the receiver against the pressure of the spring bottom. Instead of
these springs forcing the near edge of the plate backwards, there may be a shallow
well in front of the far edge of the plate into which the spring bottom may force
that edge forwards, thus canting the near edge backwards sufficiently to admit the
next plate in front of it. Or instead of an automatic device, I may employ a
lever or other device operated by the hand at the required moment. To enable
this forcible displacement of a plate to be effected without injury to the sensitive
film, each plate is encased in a sheet metal or other sheath covering the back of the
plate and embracing three edges thereof so as to form a sort of frame for the plate
which by its projection from the front surface of the plate prevents the contact of
one plate with another. This envelope or sheath fits the plate spring tight so that
it may be readily inserted and withdrawn. The inner surface of this sheath or
envelope is preferably coated with a non-actinic varnish. These sheaths or
envelopes and the boxes or holders may also be used by the makers of dry plates
for packing the same for sale. Instead of two separate and detachable boxes they
might be made in one together with the board upon which they are mounted.
For outside work a convenient number of boxes each filled with dry plates
encased in their sheaths as above described and closed by a sliding lid, and an
empty box without any lid are all that are needed for transport besides the camera
and the usual accessories. The empty box and a full one having been fitted side
by side in their proper relative positions upon their supporting board or frame,
the apparatus is ready for use.
The apparatus being hinged to one side of the camera as above described, it can
be readily swung back out of the way of the focussing screen which may be
hinged or otherwise attached to the top or bottom of the camera so as to be
quickly placed in position for focussing immediately the plate holding apparatus is
swung back out of the way. The focussing screen is so constructed that when in

page_text: position it shall coincide in position with the plane of the surface against which
the plates are held during exposure as above described.
The operations of sliding out and in the dark shutter, thereby successively
exposing and pushing the plates into the receiving box (alternated or not with the
operation of focussing, as may be necessary) having been continued until all the
plates in the container are used, the dark shutter is pushed into the grooves of the
now filled receiver for which it now serves as a cover. Both boxes are now
removed and the empty one which was previously the container now takes the
place of the other to serve as a receiver, a full holder containing a fresh supply of
plates being placed next to it as before described.
All theso operations may be performed in the studio or field with only the
precautions usually taken in exposing plates.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Samuels in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th August 1883.
THOMAS SAMUELS of Monken Hadley in the County of Middlesex " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HOLDING DRY PLATES OR FILMS BEFORE, DURING, AND
AFTER EXPOSURE, AND FOR CHANGing them in THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA."
My Invention relates to an improved apparatus in the nature of a combined
dark-back and holder for containing a number of sensitized dry plates or other
sensitive films, and for automatically bringing the said plates or films successively
up to the same plane or position for exposure and for changing and packing away
the said plates or films after exposure. The said apparatus, is applicable to any
ordinary camera and is serviceable also as a convenient and compact means of
transporting the plates or films both before and after exposure.
By means of this apparatus a number of exposures in very rapid succession may
be easily obtained without the possibility of accidentally exposing the same plate
twice (which is liable to happen with double backs and some existing changing-
box cameras) there being with my apparatus no inanipulation beyond the mere
aliding out and in of the dark shutter, the operations of bringing up the plates
or films to position for exposure, and packing them away after exposure, being
entirely automatic except in so far as they are dependent on the working of
this slide.
My Invention further comprises an envelope or sheath for each plate by means
whereof the contact of the plates or films with one another-when-pre-posited in
my holder, and especially in transferring and packing them away after exposure is
avoided and the light is prevented from passing through a plate, when under
exposure, to those behind it.
The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1
and 3 are plans of a camera provided with my improved plate-holder, the parts
being shown in position for exposing a plate, and for focussing the picture, in the
two figures respectively. Figures 2 and 4 are the corresponding rear elevations.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section of the plate-holder, and Figure 6 is a vertical
section through one of the plate-holding boxes. Figure 7 is a similar section to
Figure 5 drawn to a larger scale. Figures 8 and are end and face views of one
of the boxes. Figure 10 is a plan of a camera provided with my improved plate-
holder when arranged to slide (instead of swinging on hinges, as in the former
arrangement) in and out of position for exposure. Figures 11 and 12 are
corresponding rear and side elevations. Figure 13 is a horizontal section of this
modified plate-holder drawn to a larger scale. Figures 14 and 15 are face and
edge views of one of the protective sheaths for the sensitized plates.
The same letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the figures.
The apparatus consists of a pair of twin plate-holding boxes or compartments
corresponding in internal area to the dimensions of the plates and juxtaposed upon
a board or frame which is hinged or otherwise attached to the body of the camera
go as to take the place of the ordinary dark-back. One of these plate-holding
boxes or compartments I denominate the "container" as it contains the supply of
plates previous to exposure, and the other I denominate the "receiver," it being
intended to receive the same plates after exposure, the plates in the "container
being brought successively into position for exposure and transferred thence to the
"receiver by means which I will proceed to describe with reference to the
drawings.

page_text: A is the base plate of the plate-holder. B' B' are twin boxes or compartments,
the one B being the "container," and the other B₁ the "receiver." O is the
camera of any usual construction. In Figures 1 to 9 the plate-holder is constructed
of two distinct boxes B' B' which are interchangeable for other similar ones filled
with plates held in reserve and brought into use as required. These boxes are all
identical in every respect and being rectangular and without any external
projections, a number of them may be packed compactly together for transport and
they are therefore well adapted for outdoor work. These boxes are accurately
fitted to slide in rebated guides or gibs a (Figure 6) along the top and bottom
edges of the base plate A which engage with the corresponding grooves b in the
top and bottom of the boxes (Figure 8). The base plate A is a solid board having
an opening c (Figures 5. 6. and 7) in such position that its centre will coincide
with the optical axis of the camera when the plate holder is in position for
exposure and of dimensions slightly less than the height and width of the plates.
Surrounding this opening there is a projecting fillet d (Figure 7) fitting in a rebate
in the back of the camera so as to make a light-tight joint between the board A.
and the camera. These boxes B' B2 abut closely together so that no light can get
between them, and the one B' abuts close against the end frame a¹ on the plate A;
whilst a flap.f hinged at f¹ to the plate A, abuts against the box B' and is locked
by catches g.. By throwing this flap back on its hinges the boxes B₁ B¹ can be
slid out of their, guides in the frame A as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 7.
The boxes B¹ B³ are open on the side next the plate A by which the box B' is
closed light-tight whilst the box B' comes opposite the aperture c.
t
E is a shutter fitted to slide through a mortise in the end a' of the plate A and
through corresponding recesses in the front edges of the ends of the boxes B¹ B'
This shutter slides in close contact with the inner surface of the board A, and the
recesses in the box ends form a passage of communication from the one box to the
other as shown. Each box is furnished with a false bottom or follower G which
is pushed up from behind by springs G' in order, in the case of the container B³,
to bring the plates successively up to the position for exposure, the forward motion
of the false bottom being limited by tapes made fast at each end or by other
suitable stops (not shown) in such manner that the end of the false bottom next
the dark shutter shall not, when the boxes are empty, project, beyond the opening.
between the boxes or the mortise in which the shutter slides. are wire guides.
fixed against one side of each box for the edges of the plates to work against
P are the dry plates each encased in a protective sheath as hereafter described
The total thickness of a plate and its sheath corresponds to the thickness of the
shutter E so that as a plate is pushed up by the springs G₁ until it abuts against
the inner face of A opposite the aperture c, and directly in line with the shutter E,
the latter when pushed in will drive the plate in front of it out of the box B³ into
the box B. To enable the plate so transferred to enter the "receiver"
B' in
front of the false bottom, or in front of its predecessors in the "receiver," the inner
surface of board A is countersunk so as to form a well h at the side farthest from
that at which the plate enters the "receiver" B¹, and the springs G¹ are set
towards the same side of the box so that the false bottom of said box, and any
plates in front of it, will be canted sideways (as shown in Figures 5 and 7) and
the leading edge of the entering plate will come in front of the said false bottom
and plates which will thus be forced backwards as the entering plate is slid into
the box. Other means of making the plate assume this oblique position may
however be adopted.
A cover I is provided for each box B'B'. It corresponds exactly in thickness
to the shutter E so that it can pass through the mortise in which the latter works,
and has rebated edges which slide in grooves i in the upper and lower side of the
box. A bolt H or other fastener is provided at the left hand end of the box to
lock the said cover in position.
.
The plate A is hinged at D to the side of the camera so that it may either be
brought close against the back of the camera, as in Figures 1 and 2, this being

page_text: the position for exposure or be readily swung back (as in Figures 3 and 4) to
allow of the focussing screen F being quickly brought into position for focussing,
this screen F being hinged to the top or bottom of the camera, as is frequently
done. It will however be obvious that the plate-holder might be hinged to either
side or to the top or bottom of the camera, the screen F being arranged
accordingly. In any case the focussing screen is so adjusted that when in position
for focussing the picture, the plane of the ground glass screen will exactly coincide
with the plane of the next plate P to be exposed when pushed by the springs
against the inner surface of the board A on the shutter E being drawn out. The
plate-holder is locked in position for exposure by a spring-catch at k (not shown.)
The modus operandi is as follows:-The flap f being opened, and the shutter E
being drawn out, a box filled with say, half a dozen dry plates (each encased in a
protective sheath to be hereafter described) and closed by its cover I, is slid into
the position B in the base plate A. An empty box without its cover is then
placed alongside it at B¹. The shutter E is then pushed in thus forcing the
cover of B³ into the corresponding grooves of B¹ from which it can be easily with-
drawn, after which flap f is closed and locked. The shutter now closes the
aperture c and the plate-holder can be swung back to the position, Figures 3 and 4,
for the purpose of focussing the picture, after which it is returned to the position
shown in Figures 1 and 2. The lens having been capped or closed by its
instantaneous shutter, the shutter E is drawn out whereupon the front plate in
the "container" B is pressed up to the aperture o in position for exposure as in
Figure 5. After exposing in the usual way the shutter E is pushed in, thereby
forcing the plate which has just been exposed into the "receiver" B₁ where it
-passes in front of the spring bottom and any plates already in the "receiver" (as
shown in Figure 7) taking therein an oblique position to allow the next plate in
turn to come in front of it. When all the plates have in like manner. been
successively exposed and transferred to the "receiver" the shutter E is wholly
withdrawn by unscrewing the serow which limits its motion, and the cover I is
passed through the same mortise into the grooves of the container B. The flap
having been thrown back, the shutter E is then replaced pushing before it the
cover I into the grooves of the receiver B¹ (now full of exposed plates) which is
thereby closed light-tight and may be removed from the board A and put on one
side for subsequent development, &c, of the exposed plates in the usual way.
now empty box B is also removed and a full one being put in its place, the
empty one now takes the place of the "receiver" and the same operations aro
repeated.
The
For outside work a convenient number of full boxes and an empty one are
all that are needed besides the camera and the usual accessories. The plate-holdor
may be readily detached from the camera for convenience of transport, the hinges D
being of the kind known as half hinges, or lifting hinges, so as to be readily
separable.
In Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13 B' B' are compartments of the same box framed
in one with board A before described, B¹ being permanently closed at front and the
aperture a being opposite B which is provided with a shutter E as before. The
two compartments are provided with hinged covers m at back closing light-tight
and looked by bolts, at which the plates may be inserted and withdrawn. There
is a passage for the plates to pass from one compartment to the other, as before, by
the operation of the shutter E, and the compartment B' has a well or countersunk
cavity at front, and both are provided with spring bottoms as before described.
This double box is fitted to slide between rebated guides n along the top and
bottom edges of the back of the camera which is prolonged sufficiently at one side
to allow of the double box being slid along out of the way of the focussing
Boreen F as shown in dotted lines in Figures 10 and 11. x is an ordinary spring
latch to lock the box and focussing screen respectively in position for exposure or
focussing.
In Figure 18 the box is shown empty and is made rather shallower than the

page_text: other arrangement but it may be of any convenient depth, in either case," according
to the number of plates it is to hold.
It will be obvious that this double box instead of sliding in guides as just
described, might be hinged to the camera as in the first described arrangement,
and that the board A. of the first arrangement instead of being hinged as described,
might be made to slide in guides n.
To enable the forcible displacement of the plates in transferring them from one
box or compartment to the other, to be effected without injury to the sensitive
film, each plate is encased in an envelope or sheath of sheet metal or vulcanite S
(Figures 14 and 15) which covers the back of the plate and has flanges 8 at top
and bottom which embrace two of its edges, said flanges projecting from the front
surface of the plate so that they alone come in contact with the back of the plate
next in front, or with the board A. The sheath is also provided with a turned up
edge or flange s¹ forming a stop against which one edge of the plate abuts as
shown. This sheath or envelope fits the plate spring-tight, it being slightly
buckled (as shown in Figure 15) so as to press against the back of the plate,
which may thus be readily inserted and withdrawn. The saine sheaths are thus
adapted to receive plates of slightly varying thickness. In the case of sensitive
films upon a support of paper or other thin material, the sheath would be quite
flat instead of, being buckled and the grooves beneath the flanges 8 at top and
bottom would be of a size to receive the material. The inner surface of this sheath
is preferably coated with a non-actinic varnish or paper for the purpose of
diminishing the effect of halation due to reflection froin the back surface of the
plate. The dry plates may be put in the sheaths and packed in the boxes of the
bolder by the makers.
Having described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing the
same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is.
1st The combination with a photographic camera of a double or twin receptacle
for containing the plates or films before exposure and for receiving them after
exposure, the receptacles being juxtaposed and communicating by a passage for
the plates, and provided with means for bringing the plates successively into
position for exposure and for transferring the plates from the one receptacle to
the other, substantially as herein before shown and described.
2nd A receptacle for holding and exposing plates or films in the photographic
camera wherein a series of plates or films placed in front of one another are
exposed in succession by the foremost one after exposure being moved edgewise
from in front of the next and the remainder being moved forwards collectively
towards the position for exposure, these two motions being effected alternately in
the manner and by the means, substantially as herein specified.
3rd A double or twin plate-holder provided with means for bringing the plates
successively into position for exposure and for transferring them from one
receptacle to the other, substantially as described, the said holder being hinged to
the camera so as to swing into and out of position, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
4th A double or twin plate holder provided with means for bringing the
plates into position for exposure and transferring them from one receptacle to
the other, substantially as described, the said holder being fitted to slide in
guides across the back of the camera, substantially as and for the purpose
specified
5th In a plate holder and changer for photographic cameras, the combination of
the twin boxes or compartments juxtaposed and communicating, the base plate or
board provided with the opening for exposure, and the slide acting both as a
shutter and as a means of propelling the exposed plate from one box or compart-
ment to the other substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.
6th In a plate-holder and changer for photographic cameras, the combination
of the duplicate boxes or compartments B₁ B³, communicating as described, the
:

page_text: board A formed with the opening c and the well h, the springs Q₁ and the
shutter E, for operation, substantially as shown and described for the purpose
specified.
7th In a plate holder and changer for photographic cameras constructed of two
boxes or compartments as described, the combination of the springs with the
countersink or well h for canting the plates in the "receiver," substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
8th In a plate-holder and changer for photographic cameras, the boxes B¹ B*
juxtaposed and communicating as described, and fitted to slide in guides a in the
board A formed with opening c and provided with shutter E, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
9th The combination with a photographic plate or film of a protective sheath or
envelope constructed substantially as shown and described, for the purpose
specified.
10th The combination with a plate-holder and changer for photographic cameras
constructed of two compartments or boxes juxtaposed and communicating as
described, of a series of two or more protective sheaths constructed as described
and encasing as many photographic plates or films and placed in front of one
another, as and for the purpose specified.
In Witness whereof I the [sic] Thomas Samuels have to this my specification
hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of August in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
-Witness
WM CLARK
Patent Agent. 53 Chancery Lane
London
THOMAS SAMUELS. (L.S.)