Improvements in Cameras.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 16th May, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cameras.
We THOMAS HENRY BLAIR of Boston in the County of Suffolk and State of
Massachusetts, United States of America Camera Manufacturer and JOHN
HOWLAND CROWELL of Vineyard Haven in the County of Dukes and State of
Massachusetts, United States of America Mechanical Engineer 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 relates to improvements in cameras and it is carried out as follows,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings where
Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a camera provided with our improved
shutter, the end plate of said camera being shown as removed in the figure.
Fig. 2 represents an enlarged section on the line XX shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 represents an enlarged section on the line Y Y shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 represents a horizontal section on the line Z Z shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 represents a detail interior view of the sliding plate for closing the
sight opening in the side of the camera at or about the same time the shutter is
released.
Fig. 6 represents an enlarged cross section on the line V V shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 represents a detail sectional view of a part of the shutter locking rod and
its bearing.
Figs. 8 and 9 represent end views of the camera, showing the shutter respectively
in its two opposite positions.
Fig. 10 represents a rear view of the camera.
Fig. 11 represents a longitudinal section on the line W W shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 12 represents a transverse section on the line U U shown in Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 represents a detail perspective view of the front end of the punching or
marking device for the sensitive film or paper and
Fig. 14 represents a detail perspective view of the rear end of said punching or
marking device.
Similar letters refer to similar parts wherever they occur on the different parts
of the drawings.
Camera shutters are generally constructed in such a manner that after being
released for the purpose of momentarily or otherwise exposing the sensitive plate,
it has been necessary to move or swing the shutter to its original position before it
could again be operated, and this is objectionable, for the reason, that unless an
auxiliary sbutter is employed inside of the camera shutter, or the camera end per-
foration or lens is closed while the shutter is moved to such original position, the
film or sensitive plate next to be exposed will be light struck if the plate holder
slide is removed and particularly so where roll holders are used.
By the use of our invention we dispense with the capping of the lens or lens
perforation, and auxiliary shutter as well as a slide for the holder and in addition
thereto several advantages are obtained as will hereinafter be more fully shown and
described.
In the drawings, A represents a portion of a camera box to the front end of
which is secured preferably in a detachable manner, the plate or diaphragm B,
having an enclosing frame 11 as usual. b shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1. 8 and 9
is the leus perforation in the plate 13 back of which is secured the lens as usual.
In practice the front end of the camera is closed by a cover, having a perforation
coinciding with that of the lens opening b but such cover is shown as removed in
Fig. 1 for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the construction and operation
of the improved shutter.

page_text: Cis the shutter, which is pivoted at e to the plate B and held in close contact to
the latter with freedom to swing forward and back on its fulcrum when released
from the spring by which it is actuated. Said shutter has a perforation about
midway between its ends and on either side of such perforation are the solid
portions (and (as shown in Figs. 1. 8 and 9.
During the reciprocating or oscillating motion of the shutter, its perforation ("
coincides with the lens perforation so as to expose the sensitive plate or film for
a longer or shorter period, as may be desired.
To the shutter is connected at the locking rod D, having its free end
preferably guided in a bearing D' secured to the plate B as shown in Figs. 1. 8
and 9.
dd and are locking notches or recesses on the rod D adapted to receive the
preferably hooked end of the spring pressed trigger rode having a trigger or
button E projecting outside of the camera box, as shown in Figs. 1. 3. 8 and 9 said
trigger rod being normally held in a locked position relative to the rod D by means
of a spring F secured to the plate B and pressing on an extension on the trigger E
or its rod as shown in Figs. 1. 8 and 9.
The shutter is actuated in two opposite directions by means of a spring bar or
wire G pivoted at g to the plate B, its frame B' or any other stationary part of the
device, and said spring has its movable end pivoted or otherwise connected to the
shutter rod D as shown in Figs. 1. 8 and 9, thus if the spring G is sprung and held
by the rod D in the position shown in Fig. 8 it will cause the shutter when released
by the trigger to swing in the direction shown by arrow in said Fig. 8 until it
reaches the position shown in Fig. 9, and vice versa.
In connection with said spring bar G we use a device for alternately forcing it to
its two opposite positions for actuating the shutter, which device consists of a disc
or plate having attached to its outside a suitable handle projecting through a
side perforation in the camera box as shown in Figs. 1. 2 3 and 4; said disc is
journalled on a screw or pin secured in a suitable manner to the frame B' or a
bracket B thereon preferably by means of a nut or screw threaded hub " as shown
in Fig. 3.
On the outside of the disc H is a cam or projection H' working in a slot or
groove I' in the slide I as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The slide I is properly guided
in said bracket B" and it will thus be seen that the reciprocating motion is imparted
to said slide by the rotation of the disc H. The plate I has a perforated side pro-
jection through which the spring rod G passes loosely as shown in Figs. 1 and 2
and by this arrangement the wire G is sprung alternately to the positions shown in
Figs. 8 and 9 by the rotation of the disc H in the direction shown by arrows in
Figs. 1 and 2.
The disc H is prevented from being turned in an opposite direction by means of
the clutch or pawl K pivoted at k and actuated by a suitable spring K shown in
Fig. 2.
If so desired, the periphery of the disc H may be serrated where it
engages with the yielding pawl K, but this is not essential.
It is desirable that the speed of the shutter should be variable according to the
nature or luminosity of the object that is to be photographed, or according to the
degree of sensitiveness of the plate or film and for this purpose an index H"
marked 1. 2. 3 and 4 on the periphery of the disc H or in a similar manner as
shown in Fig. 4. A similar index is made on the periphery of the dise H
diametrically opposite to the one shown in said Fig. 4 and said indexes may be
ascertained through a perforation A' in the wall of the camera box A as shown in
Figs. 1.2 and 3.
Thus for instance if a comparatively slow motion is to be imparted to the shutter,
the dise II is moved so as to bring the index figure 1 directly below the opening A
causing a comparatively low tension to be given to the spring G and by pushing
the trigger E, a corresponding slow motion will be given to the shutter. If the
shutter is to be operated with a quicker motion the disc H is turned always in the
same direction until the index figures 2. 3 or 4 are in sight causing a corresponding

page_text: increased tension to be given to the spring rod G which when released will cause
the shutter to move with a correspondingly increased speed.
In connection with the rotary disc H and the perforation A' in the camera
box A, we use a sliding gate plate Lhown in Fig. 2 3 and 5; for the purpose of
automatically closing the said opening A' as soon as the trigger is pushed for
releasing the shutter in making an exposure and thereby indicating to the operator
that the tension on the spring G is released, and that it is necessary to turn the
disc II more or less around its axis to make another exposure; said gate Lis
guided on the inside of the camera box A, and has a perforation L'adapted to
coincide with the box perforation A' when the shutter is set for action. The said
gate L is normally held in a closed position relative to the box perforation A' by
means of a suitable spring L" as shown in Fig. 5.
HII are diametrically arranged projections on the periphery of the disc H
shown in Figs. 23 and 4, which during the rotation of the said disc are alternately
caused to enter the gate perforation Li and by coming in contact with the forward
edges thereof causes the gate L to be moved in the direction of the arrow shown in
Fig. 5 and during such motion of the gate a spring pressed lock bar M is caused to
enter a notel Lin the edge of the gate L so as to hold it in an open position
relative to the box perforation A' after the disc projection II³ has passed by the
edge of the gate perforation L'.
The spring for actuating the lock bar M is the trigger spring F the end of which
is suitably connected to said lock bar preferably by being made to rest in a notch m
in the latter as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. It will thus be seen that the spring F serves
two purposes namely to hold the trigger E in its normal position as well as to hold
the gate L open after the spring bar G is set and until the shutter is released by
pressing the trigger.
In pressing the trigger while in the act of releasing the shutter, the lock bar M
is disengaged from the notch L in the gate L and the latter is instantly moved by
its spring in the opposite direction to that shown by the arrow in Fig. 5 causing
the gate perforation L' to pass by the box perforation A' as shown in Fig. 5 thus
indicating to the operator that the disc H must be turned the desired distance to
give the tension to the spring before the shutter can again be operated.
"
For the purpose of making "time exposures a spring bar N is secured to the
frame B or any other stationary part of the plate B or camera box which bar has
in its inner free end a tooth or projection n adapted when depressed to be held in
contact with either one of the projections C* C* on the periphery of the shutter as
shown in Figs. 1. 8 and 9.
In making a time exposure the disc H is turned until the figure 1 is in
sight below the camera perforation A' after which the inner end of the spring
bar N is depressed and while being held in such position, the trigger E is pressed
inwards and released; the pressure on the bar N is then relieved causing the
shutter to be swung by the influence of its spring G to its midway position with
its perforation coinciding with that of the lens perforation in which position it may
be held as long as desired for exposure, the trigger rod e during this position being
locked in its end in the middle notch d' on the bar D.
After the desired time exposure is made the shutter is closed by pressing the
trigger E and releasing the spring G and the notched bar D.
It will thus be seen that with our improved shutter an exposure can be made by
moving the shutter in any one of two opposite directions without the need of first
returning it to a constant or normal single starting position as is the case with
camera shutters of other constructions, a reciprocating motion is imparted to the
shutter by means of a disc always turned in the same direction, a scale or index is
made on said disc to ascertain and set the shutter spring for the desired closing
speed and a gate is provided for the camera opening to close the latter when the
exposure is made for the purpose described and a means is provided for making
time exposures as above specified.

page_text: Our above mentioned improved shutter may be used equally well for cameras
having plate holders or roll holders and we wish to state that we do not confine
ourselves to any particular style or construction of the sensitive glass or film holding
devices that may be used with our improved shutter.
In cameras of the kind in which a sensitive paper or film is used for exposure
it is desirable that an automatic marking or puncturing device should be employed
in connection with the shutter releasing device for the purpose of marking or
puncturing the edge of such film or paper at the time the exposure is made to enable
the erator to ascertain how far to feed the said film or paper after each exposure
as will hereinafter be more fully shown and described.
In Fig. 11 is the lens secured in a suitable manner within the lens perfora-
tion . "A" is the front end or diaphragm having a perforation a arranged in
front of the lens in the ordinary manner. Between the plates B and A is a
space in which the hereindescribed shutter and its holding and releasing mechanism
arc contained.
Within the box A is arranged the dark chamber A having secured to its
rear end the plate A' covered on its outside with cloth felt or equivalent textile
fibrous or padded material A'. N" is the rear plate or cover secured to the
rear end of the camera and provided on its inner face with a sheet of cloth, felt,
or other padding a between which and the cloth covering A' is held and drawn
the sensitive film or paper O as it is being wound up on the roller o from
the roll o'.
By this arrangement it will be seen that the sensitive paper or film is prevented
from being light struck when moved between the surfaces A5 and n' and their
plates A and N". The cover N" has a cut away portion N¹ at one of its sides
(Fig. 10) for the purpose of ascertaining at a glance the distance which the sensitive
paper or film has been moved or is to be moved after one exposure has been made
and previous to making another.
A narrow edge O' (Fig. 10) of the film or paper is thus wasted but such narrow
part of the film edge may be useful for the purpose of writing upon it the name,
location or other memorandum pertaining to the subject taken on the film, of which
such exposed strip forms a part.
In connection with the shutter releasing mechanism we use an automatic device
for marking or puncturing the exposed edge O' of the film O and it is preferably
constructed as follows.
To the inside of the camera box A at its rear end is secured a longitudinally
perforated block or bearing P in which is longitudinally movable the punch rod P';
the said bearing P has a transverse groove P adapted to receive one edge of the
sensitive film or paper () as shown in Figs. 12 and 14.
The punch rod Pis normally drawn inwards, as shown in Fig. 12 by the influence
of a suitable spring Pand held in such position at all times except at the time when
the shutter is released.
The mechanism for pushing outwards the punch P for the purpose of punching
or marking the edge of the sensitive film or paper O at the time the latter is
exposed, is constructed arranged and operated as follows.
To the trigger rod e is attached in a suitable manner an inclined or cam
shaped projection e preferably by means of a rod, plate or bar e as shown in
Fig. 1,, and 13 which projection comes in contact with and depresses a corre-
spondingly shaped inclined or can shaped projection on the forward end of the
rod which is secured to or made in one piece with the punch rod P³ as shown in
Fig. 1, 12 and 13.
It will this be seen that as the trigger E and trigger rod e is pushed in the
direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 12 and thereby causes the edge of the sensitive
film or paper to be marked or punched.
The punch P is automatically returned to its normal position after the pro-
jection has passed entirely beyond the projection p and when the pressure

page_text: on the trigger E is released, the projection e¹ is caused to move backward
below the projection p until it reaches its normal position as shown in Figs. 1. 12
and 13.
The plate A serves as a back support for the projection e' or its arm e" during
the time the trigger E is moved in the direction shown by arrow in Figs. 8 and 9 so
as to prevent the projection e' from passing by the projection p without depressing
the latter and its punch carrying bar.
A spring (shown in Fig. 13) serves to keep the bar el against the plate A" for
the purpose of preventing the projection e' from passing inside of the projection p
when the trigger is pressed.
For the purpose of guiding one edge of the sensitive film or paper with
proper tension in the notch P" of the punch rod bearing P we secure to the
inside of the opposite side of the camera box A, a spring Q provided in its free
end with a grooved block or shoe q which receives the edge of the film or paper
and presses the opposite edge thereof with a proper tension into the said groove or
notch P
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
clain is:-
1. A camera shutter having a perforation for exposing the camera lens
opening, and solid portions on two opposite sides thereof for closing the same and
adapted to be moved in two opposite directions, for the purpose of exposing and
closing the lens opening during each of its opposite movements substantially as
set forth.
2. A camera shutter having a perforation for exposing the camera lens opening
and solid portions on two opposite sides thereof for closing the same and a double
acting spring connected to said shutter and adapted to move the latter in two opposite
directions substantially as specified.
3. A camera shutter having a perforation for exposing the camera lens opening
and solid portions on two opposite sides thereof for closing the same, a double acting
spring for moving the shutter in two opposite directions a notched locking bar
connected to said spring and shutter and a spring pressed releasing trigger sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. A camera shutter having a perforation for exposing the camera lens opening
and solid portions in two opposite sides thereof for closing the same, a double
acting spring for moving the shutter in two opposite directions, a notched locking
bar connected to said spring and shutter, and a yielding stop lever adapted to rest
against one of two projections on the shutter for making time exposures substantially
as specified.
5. A camera shutter, adapted to be moved in two opposite directions and
having a double acting spring, a locking device and a trigger for its operation
combined with a rotary disc and a reciprocating slide actuated by it and connected
to the double acting spring for the purpose of bending the latter in either of its two
opposite positions by rotating said disc in one and the same direction substantially
as specified.
6. A camera shutter adapted to be moved in two opposite directions and having
a double acting spring, a locking device and a trigger for its operation, combined
with a rotary disc, a slide operated by the latter and connected to the spring, and a
clutch or binder for preventing the said disc from being rotated in more than one
direction substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. A camera shutter adapted to be moved in two opposite directions and having
a double acting spring, a locking device and a trigger for its operation a rotary
disc and a reciprocating slide for actuating said spring combined with a perforation
in the camera wall and a perforated slide or gate adapted to be closed by the release
of the trigger substantially as specified.
8. A camera butter adapted to be moved in two opposite directions and having

page_text: a double acting spring, a locking device and a spring pressed trigger for its
operation, and a rotary indexed disc and connecting mechanism to the shutter
spring as described combined with a camera wall perforation, a sliding perforated
gate adapted to be opened by the movement of the rotary index disc and to be held
in such open position by means of a spring pressed locking bar and returned to
its closed position by the release of the trigger substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
9. In a camera a shutter releasing device and a marking or punching device
actuated by the former for the purpose of automatically marking or punching the
sensitive paper or film substantially in a manner as specified.
15. T..
chuster volessing device and a trigger for releasing the
shutter combined with a sensitive film or paper marking or punching device having
a punch or marker automatically operated in one direction by the shutter releasing
device and in the opposite direction by means of a spring substantially as
specified.
11. In a camera a reciprocating or oscillating shutter and an adjustable spring
for setting and actuating it and a locking device for securing it in a closed position
combined with a releasing trigger or shutter releasing device and a sensitive film or
paper marking device automatically operated by the shutter releasing device
substantially as specified.
12. A camera having its rear end provided with a light excluding lining of
cloth or its equivalent combined with a cover having a similar lining for the
purpose of guiding the sensitive film or paper between such linings light exposure
substantially as set forth.
13. In a camera a shutter releasing device and a film marking device actuated
by said releasing device combined with the end plate of cover N having a cut
away portion N for exposing the marked part of the film or paper substantially as
set forth.
14. In a camera a shutter releasing device and a film or paper marking device
actuated by the former combined with a yielding pressed tension device for guiding
and holding the sensitive paper or film in proper position relative to the marking
device substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
15. A camera having a plate or cover at its rear end and a cut away portion
thereon for the purpose of exposing a portion of the sensitive paper or film
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 14th day of April 1891
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicants.