Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for the Exposure of Films or Plates to Artificial Light for Photographic Purposes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1899-Accepted, 24th Feb., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for the Exposure of
Films or Plates to Artificial Light for Photographic Purposes.
A communication from abroad by ARTHUR H. SPURR, of Creston, Union County,
Iowa, United States of America, Gentleman, and WILLIAM V. MCQUAID, of
812, Walnut Street, Des Moines, in the County of Polk and State of Iowa,
United States of America, Gentleman.
I, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I. Mech. E., of Norfolk House, Victoria
Embankment, London, W.C., in the County of Middlesex, Chartered Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (as communicated to me
from abroad) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Our invention relates to certain improvements in means for creating an arti-
ficial light for use in the exposure of sensitive plates in photography.
Heretofore, in photographic work, it is usual to create such artificial light by
what is known as the flash light" method, consisting in igniting a chemical
compound in a powdered state, which flashes instantaneously and produces a
momentarily existing artificial light, during the existence of which the plate is
exposed. This flash light is accompanied by a loud report and is followed by a
disagreeable odour and a large volume of smoke.
The object of our invention is to produce an artificial light without noise and
without such disagreeable odour and accompanying volume of smoke and which
light shall be of a superior character..
Our invention has certain other objects in view and consists in certain features
about to be described and pointed out in our claims, reference being now had
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a camera and light producing apparatus.
Figure 2, is an enlarged central sectional view of the top portion of the
reservoir, and of the ignition device.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the top portion of the apparatus showing
the engagement of the trigger by the lid of the reservoir.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the apparatus.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a series of light producing devices coupled
together.
Figure 6, is a detail perspective view of the triggering arrangement for releas-
ing the wick carrier rod.
Figure 7, is an enlarged central longitudinal section of the pneumatic con-
nection for operating the pivoted trigger of the reservoir lid.
Figure 8, is a detail view showing the spring connection on the reservoir lid
or cover.
Figure 9 is a detail view of the pivoted trigger.
Figure 10, is a detail of the separable connection between the cover trigger
lever and the operating rod.
In carrying out our invention we provide a transparent reservoir, or receiver,
in which an inflamable gas is stored. This gas is confined in the reservoir until
it is desired to create an artificial light, when the gas in the reservoir is ignited,
and the illuminating gas then creates an artificial light within the reservoir
which radiates through the transparent sides of the reservoir and thus estab-
lishes an area of light within which the sensitive photographic plate is exposed.
In the development of the apparatus for effectively carrying out this main

page_text: feature of our invention we have provided certain combination of parts, details
of construction and arrangements, which are also a part of our invention.
The transparent reservoir, or receiver A, is made of glass or other suitable
material, and is in the form of a jar, as shown. In this reservoir A, an inflam-
able and illuminating gas is stored, and as it is desirable to produce a light rich
in actinic rays we prefer to use nitric oxide gas rendered inflamable by carbon
bisulphide, although we do not limit ourselves to such a gas. When this gas
is ignited a light is generated the rays of which radiate through the transparent
sides of the reservoir. Within the area of light so generated the photographic
plate is exposed.
It is desirable to provide means whereby the shutter may be operated concur-
rently with the production of the artificial light, or the exposure effected at the
same time, or sightly in advance, of the production of light. To accomplish
this result we provide the arrangement shown in Figure 1. The camera has
its shutter connected in the usual manner with the pneumatic operating device
comprising the flexible tube D and the compression bulb D2. This bulb is also
connected with the light producing apparatus by means of the tube D3, in a
manner to be described, and as this apparatus is adapted to operate automati-
cally to ignite the gas in the reservoir A, when the bulb is compressed, the
shutter is operated to expose the plate as the gas is ignited.
The means for automatically opening the gas reservoir, A, and igniting the
gas therein comprises a lid or cover E, pivoted or hinged at upon the
reservoir and acted upon by au spring, which tends to open the
cover or lid on its hinge and thus afford access to the interior of the
reservoir. Removably secured upon the upper portion of the reservoir by means
of the lug a, engaged in the sleeve b, is the ignition device which consists of a
wick carrier rod H, within the sleeve H, a spring normally tending to press
the wick carrier rod toward the reservoir. One end of the wick His within
the reservoir H, containing alcohol, or other suitable inflamable liquid, and the
other, or ignition end is adjacent to the gas reservoir.
The wick carrier rod H, is held retracted against the pressure of the spring H³,
by means of the triggering device (Fig. 6) consisting of a trigger J, having a
tongue J, which engages a projection, on the wick carrier rod, this tongue
extending into an oblique slot J in the sleeve H2, and as the tongue is engaged
against one side of the slot and engages the projection of the wick carrier rod,
this rod is held in a retracted position. The trigger J, is loosely pivoted at j
and has an upwardly extended arm or abutment J adapted to be engaged by
the lid or cover of the reservoir when it is forceably thrown back into an open
position.
The lid or cover E is held shut also by means of a triggering device com-
prising a trigger lever K pivoted at K2 to the latching head I, engaging a
Jug K projected from the lid or cover. If it is desired to hold the lid perma-
nently closed the button K may be brought into engagement with the lug K4,
as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 9.
The pneumatically operated connection for triggering the lid or cover is shown
in Figure 7 and it consists of a piston rod L and piston head L2, movable
within the cylinder L3, the piston rod being connected to the trigger lever K.
A spring L bearing on the piston head L2 normally tends to preserve the latch
connection between the trigger lever K and the lid or cover lug K
As one
end of the cylinder L³ is connected to and communicates into the tube 13, when
the bulb D2 is compressed the air pressure acts upon the piston head L³, over-
comes the opposed spring pressure, and thrusts the piston in a direction which
unlatches the trigger lever, and releases the lid or cover, which latter is then
violently thrown backward, on its pivot, by the spring E3.
In the backward movement of the lid or cover it strikes violently against the
trigger lever arm J³ which releases the wick carrier rod H³, and as the end of
the wick H is now lighted an igniting flame is quickly advanced into the now

page_text: open end of the gas reservoir, thus igniting the gas in the reservoir and estab-
lishing an area of light and also concurrently exposing the sensitive plate in
the camera, as the pressure generated by the compression of the bulb also
operates the shutter.
The pneumatic triggering piston and cylinder are held upon the side of the
reservoir by a band M.
A yielding pressure device consisting of the coiled spring E, for opening the
lid or cover is connected at one of its ends in an engaging notch e, and upon
releasing this end from such engagement the spring is disconnected from the
cover so that the latter may be readily manipulated.
By means of the arrangement now described we provide means for automati-
cally establishing an area of artificial light within which the sensitive plate is
exposed and controls the generation of the light from the same point of opera-
tion for control of the shutter.
By providing a transparent reservoir containing a gas capable of ignition to
produce artificial light we are able to obtain photographs under conditions pro-
hibited when the ordinary flash light is produced by igniting a chemical com-
pound in a powdered state. Thus the photographing of expensive and delicate
draperies in the night time is frequently prohibited because of injury to the
draperies from the smoke and gas of the flash light. The loud detonating report
is also a source of annoyance. All this is avoided by our invention as the cover
or lid of the reservoir may be immediately closed to prevent the escape of the
gas, is smokeless and noiseless when ignited and is largely confined within the
reservoirs, the generated light therein radiating through its transparent sides.
Again the reservoirs are capable of being stored or charged with the gas and
are in readiness for instant use. Further a gas may be and preferably is used
which is rich in actinic rays.
As the gas is stored in these transparent reservoirs, a battery of reservoirs
may be employed, as shown in Figure 5. Under such conditions a plurality of
reservoirs A, are assembled and mounted upon a suitable table or supporting
frame and connected together, in whole or part, by an operating rod N, which
is laterally thrust or moved by a pneumatic device similar to that employed to
trigger the lid or cover of the reservoir. When the bulb De is compressed the
piston L, connected to the rod N imparts a lateral movement to the rod, and
as the trigger K, holding the lids or covers of the reservoirs, are secured to
this rod its lateral thrust is operated to release the several lids or covers, each
of which opens and triggers its respective ignition device to produce the arti-
ficial light.
In this way we produce a more intense, or wider area of artificial light, by
automatically igniting the contents of a plurality of reservoirs simultaneously.
This result may also be accomplished concurrently with the operation of the
shutter.
1
If it is desired to ignite the contents of only one reservoir, or of a pair of
reservoirs for instance, of the battery, the connection between the operating
rod N, and the reservoir or reservoirs to be cut out is removed by loosening the
set screw which removably connects the trigger to the rod.
Thus the quantity of light produced may be regulated as is found necessary
in practice.
The word translucent is generally understood to include a body which will
permit the passage of light but which is not necessarily transparent. The word
transparent is generally understood to mean a body which permits the passage
of light and which also permits objects to be seen through it. I have selected
the word diaphanous as a term applied to my reservoir as distinguished from
opaque, meaning to include a transparent or translucent reservoir.
Having thus described our invention what we claim and desire to secure by
patent is:
1. Means for subjecting the sensitive plate of a photographic apparatus to

page_text: the action of artificial light consisting in a diaphanous gas containing reservoir
having a suitable gas therein capable of illumination. and means for opening
the reservoir to permit ignition of the gas as the sensitive plate is exposed.
2. A device for exposing the sensitive plate of a photographic apparatus, and
also produce an artificial light comprising a pneumatic device connected with
and operating the shutter, a diaphanous gas reservoir, normally sealed, and
pneumatically operated means for opening the reservoir, together with an igni-
tion device which is operated to ignite the gas of the reservoir as the shutter is
operated to expose the plate.
3. An apparatus for exposing the sensitive plate of a photographic apparatus
and also produce an artificial light at or about the same time as the said expo-
sure, consisting of a pneumatic generating member for generating a pneumatic
pressure, a diaphanous reservoir containing an illuminant gas, means for opening
the gas reservoir, and pneumatic connections between said means and the pneu-
matic generating member and also between said member and the shutter, together
with an ignition device operated when the reservoir is uncovered, whereby the
sensitive plate is exposed and the gas ignited from one and the same point of
manual operation.
''
4. In a photographie apparatus a diaphanous gas reservoir, an illuminant gas
therein, a cover pivoted thereon, a yielding pressure device tending to open the
cover, a holding trigger for the cover, a pneumatic member for generating an
air pressure to operate the trigger and release the cover, an ignition device
which is brought into a position to ignite the gas in the reservoir when the
cover is released, and a camera shutter together with pneumatic connections
between the shutter and the pneumatic member.
5. In a photographic apparatus, a device for producing artificial light consist-
ing of a diaphanous gas reservoir, a movable cover therefor, an ignition device,
the igniting flame of which is near the reservoir, said ignition device comprising
in construction a holding trigger, means whereby said trigger is released when
the gas reservoir is opened and a yielding pressure device for advancing the
flame carrier.
6. In a photographic apparatus, a device for producing artificial light consist-
ing in a diaphanous gas reservoir, a movable cover therefor, an ignition device,
the igniting flame of which is near the reservoir said ignition device comprising
in construction a holding trigger, a flame carrying member withheld by said
trigger, means whereby said trigger is released when the gas reservoir is opened,
a yielding pressure device for advancing the flame carrier and a camera shutter
together with a lock for the cover and a pneumatic device for concurrently
operating said lock to release the cover and also actuate the shutter.
7. In a photographic illuminating device, the combination with the shutter
of a camera, of a plurality of diaphanous reservoirs containing an illuminating
gas, a pneumatic device for operating the shutter to expose the plate, a trigger
for each of the covers of said reservoirs, a connecting member between said
pneumatic device and the triggers and means for connecting any one or more
of said triggers to the connecting member, together with an ignition device for
each reservoir.
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