Improvement in Photographic Apparatus specially adapted for Ferrotype Dry Plates.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Photographic Apparatus specially adapted for
Ferrotype Dry Plates.
GEORGE HENRY THOMAS of 337 Euston Road, London, N.W., Photographer, and
BENJAMIN WHITWORTH of 175 King's Cross Road, London, W.C. Manufacturer, both
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The Apparatus consists of a box divided into two compartments by a horizontal
partition, the upper part being constructed in such a manner that it serves as Camera,
Plate Carrier, and Dark Chamber; in short the whole apparatus necessary for turning
out a Photograph, without using a separate & cumbersome dark room.
The mode of operation is as follows-
In the front of the box is a lens, which throws the image on to a focussing screen
inside the box, the operator focussing the image through an opening in the back of
camera provided for that and other purposes mentioned below. This does away with
the necessity of a view-finder. The image having been focussed a plate is withdrawn
from the plate carrier or magazine, which opens from the outside by means of a cord
and closes automatically. The plate is then dropped in front of focussing screen,
sliding in two grooves made to receive it, & the exposure is made in the usual way.
The exposure having been made, the plate is removed by means of holders provided
for that purpose (and by the use of which the plate never leaves the operator's hands
till finished). It is then passed through the Developing, Fixing and Washing tanks
or baths, the whole operation being watched by the operator through an aperture
made at the back of the combined camera and magazine, as mentioned above, and
which is filled in with non-actinic glass. These baths are dropped into openings made
in the horizontal partition, to receive them, and situated close to the aperture or
window, and are removable as required.
An opening is provided at right-hand side of box surrounded by a sleeve of black
cloth which enables operator to insert his hand while entirely excluding all light.
The Plate-Carrier or Magazine is so constructed that the plates can be carried
without being boxed up or shielded as in other machines.
Dated this Eleventh day of Angust 1896

page_text: Improvement in Photographic Apparatus specially adapted for
Ferrotype Dry Plates.
We, GEORGE HENRY THOMAS Photographer, of 3 Twyford Street, Caledonian
Road, N., late of 337 Euston Road, N.W., and BENJAMIN WHITWORTH, Manufacturer,
of 175 King's Cross Road W.C., both in the County of London, 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 :-
The Apparatus consists of a wooden box A, the size of which should vary according
to size of plate operated on. The box is divided by a horizontal partition B. In the
upper portion on the left hand side (viewing from the back) is placed the camera C
consisting of four wooden sides, the inside measurement being slightly smaller than
the plate in use, & the length according to the back focus of the lens used. One
end of the camera is fixed against the front of box D, a hole being made in the front
opposite the centre of camera, the lens being fixed outside in the ordinary way, and
at the other end a piece of ground glass is inserted serving as a focussing screen, two
small grooves being made in front of the focussing glass to take the plate. On the
right hand side a box E or plate carrier is fitted, having a door closing automatically
by means of a spring, the door being opened by means of a cord which runs through
the horizontal partition and also through the bottom of box, and is within easy reach
of operator's left hand, the right hand being used to convey plate from carrier to
camera, an opening F being made in right side of box & fitted with a sleeve G of black
cloth, so that the light may be excluded while the hand is inserted. In the back part
of horizontal partition, three openings H are made, as close to the window as possible,
to take the fixing, developing & washing off tanks or baths I. The back of the box
is fitted with folding doors J hung horizontally with suitable fastening at the centre,
and in the upper door a sheet of nonactinic glass K of the desired size is inserted.
The upper door can be raised when focussing a sitter, a piece of black cloth L being
fastened on the top of the box so as to shroud the operator.
The mode of operation is as follows-After focussing the sitter and closing the
door, a plate is taken from carrier and placed in front of focussing screen, and the
exposure is made in the usual way. The exposure having been made, the plate is
removed by means of holders of the well known forms as in general use by photo-
graphers provided for the purpose (& by the use of which the plate never leaves the
operator's hands till finished). It is then passed through the fixing, developing and
washing tanks or baths, the whole operation being watched through the nonactinic
glass window, thus avoiding all liability to under or over develope.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is-
(1) The application of a nonactinic glass window K so constructed that the whole
process of photographing can be watched and performed without removal from the
apparatus as described.
(2) In combination with the apparatus as described, the focussing of the sitter
without a view finder.
Dated this Eleventh day of May Eighteen hundred and ninety-seven.
GEORGE HENRY THOMAS.
BENJAMIN WHITWORTH.