Year: 1886

page_text: I 'CHARLES DAY DURNFORD of the Ordnance Store Department Edinburgh in
the county of Mid Lothian North Britain Major and Assistant Commissary
General do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide for use an extremely convenient effec-
tive and compact photographic camera with which object I construct this camera
as is hereinafter described.
The base of the camera is made in two parts which are hinged together and on
the edge of one of these parts is erected the front of the camera which front may
be made in any convenient manner with the usual aperture lens and other appli-
ances. The front part of the base is of sufficient size to enable the hinder part
thereof to be turned up to enclose the back and other parts of the camera when
desired and a rod is fitted which may slide in one or more sockets on or in the
base and enter a bracket formed therefor on the front part or edge of the base to
make the whole base very rigid and to assist in producing this effect the end of
the rod and the aperture in the bracket into which the same enters are preferably
bevelled whereby the rod is wedged in position. To the rear of the base on each
side are fitted extension pieces which are so hinged as to be capable of folding in
alongside the rear edge of the base and of being opened out in continuation of the
lines of the sides of the base in all positions being on the same plane therewith
and on these two extension pieces may be the usual racks for the extension of the
camera. When these two pieces are closed alongside the rear edge of the base
the same may be held in position by a T piece on the end of the aforesaid sliding
rod or otherwise and when these two pieces are opened out the same may be held
in position by blocks or chocks on the bottom of the back of the camera 'or
otherwise.
The back of the camera is made as is usual of a frame divided into two complete
frames or parts which are extensible the one from the other but these two parts
are not connected together by the ordinary transverse bar and other appliances
but by two preferably L shaped levers one being on each side. One end of each.
lever is pivotted on a bracket projecting from one part of the back while the
other end is jointed in the proper position to the other part of the back and a
tail piece may be fitted on the rear side or elsewhere of the lever which can work
in a socket formed therefor and can act as a stiffener and if required as a stop.
1177

page_text: A sliding stop also is preferably fitted to clamp the lever when the two parts of
the back have been duly separated or are in other desired positions in respect of
each other and the parts of the stop and lever so in conjunction are preferably
bevelled whereby the stop and the lever are wedged in position. On the top of
the back may be fitted a suitable slotted bracket projecting from one part of the
back in which slot travels a pin fixed in the other part of the back and a sliding
stop can also be fitted to clamp this bracket on both being similar bevelled edges
for the purpose aforesaid.
The bellows of the camera are formed in the usual manner but to render
unnecessary the usual size and depth of the back frame of the camera required by
reason of the very deep folds of the bellows all the rear or back part of my bellows
are formed with extremely shallow folds for such a distance as may be deemed
necessary and these extremely shallow folds may be either very gradually or
suddenly or only comparatively suddenly increased in depth with the object of not
intercepting the rays of light from the lens thus permitting the use of a smaller
back than is usual.
The dark slide may be fitted to and used with the back of the camera in any
usual manner or may conveniently be supported in position by an extension of or
a ledge on the bottom of the back being retained thereon by studs and sockets
while the upper edge of the slide could be held by a catch or otherwise and the
sensitive plates can be held in the slide in any usual or convenient manner.
The camera so made as aforesaid can be hinged on one edge of the top or table
of the tripod or other support or still more conveniently the camera can be secured
as usual to this top or table which top or table can be hinged to the tripod or
support at and on one side and in either case the camera could be maintained in
position by an hinged stay passing, through a socket on the opposite side of the
top.or table or of the tripod itself or elsewhere in which socket the stay could be
secured by a clamping, screw or other appliance and on the loosening thereof the
camera can regain its horizontal position or the camera can be otherwise supported
in its vertical position.

page_text: Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
I CHARLES DAY DURNFORD of the Ordnance Store Department Edinburgh in
the county of Mid Lothian North Britain Major and Assistant Commissary
General 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 object of my invention is to provide for use an extremely convenient
effective and compact photographic camera.
In order the more clearly to explain my invention I have shewn in the
accompanying three sheets of drawings a camera. fitted with and constructed
according to these my improvements.
Figure 1 is a side elevation and Figure 2 is a plan of this my improved camera
when partly extended and ready for use.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the front and Figure 4 is an elevation of the back of
the same.
Figure 5 is a front elevation Figure 6 is a side elevation and Figure 7 is a plan
of this camera when folded up on an enlarged scale.
Figure 8 is a plan of the base board of this camera Figure 9 is a longitudinal
vertical section thereof taken at a. b. in Figure 8 and Figure 10 is a transverse
vertical section thereof taken at c. d. in Figure 8.
Figures 11 and 12 are details of the working arrangements of this base board.
Figure 13 is an elevation of one side of the back of this camera and Figure 14 is
a vertical section of part of the back.
Figure 15 is an inverted plan of the top of a tripod for supporting this camera.
The letters refer to the same parts in all the Figures.
The base board of the camera is made in two parts A and B which are hinged
together and on the edge of the part A is erected the front C of the camera which
front C may be made in any convenient manner with the usual aperture lens and
other appliances which are all preferably fitted in a block C' capable of sliding in
a frame and of being clamped therein by an eccentric lever C¹ or otherwise as
shewn in Figures 3 and 5. The front part A of the base board is as is usual of
sufficient size to allow the rear part B thereof to be turned up to enclose the back
and the other parts of the camera when desired as shewn in Figure 6 and one or
more rod or rods D is or are fitted which can slide in sockets D¹ formed on or in
the surfaces of the two parts A and B of the base board each of which rods D will
enter a bracket E formed therefor on the front edge of the part A and preferably
also secured to the front C as shewn to make the whole base board very rigid and
to assist in producing this effect as also to make the front C likewise very rigid
the end of each rod D and the aperture in the bracket E. into which the same

page_text: enters are bevelled as shown in Figure 9 whereby the rod D is securely wedged in
position. To the rear of the part B of the base board are fitted two extension
pieces F which may be so hinged thereto as to be capable of folding in alongside
the rear edge of the part B or as is preferable and as is shewn in. the drawings
alongside of the side edges of the part B and in either case of being opened out in
continuation of the lines of the sides of the base board in all positions being on the
same plane therewith and when these extension pieces F are so opened out as
shewn in Figures 1. 2 and 8 the same are secured in this desired position by an
hinged stay F¹ or by other suitable appliance being thus made very rigid. For
the same purpose also the hinges of these pieces F are preferably so made as to
afford a vertical support and clamp for the two meeting parts which can con-
veniently be effected as shewn in Figures 1. 6 and 8 by the plates or additions F11
to the two parts of the hinges or by the use of an ordinary rule joint. When these
extension pieces F are folded in alongside of the rear or the side edges of the part B
of the base board the same may if desired be held in such positions by any suitable
spring or other stops or clips or by other usual means and appliances. On the
whole base board with its extension pieces are fitted the usual rails G and toothed
racks H for guiding and extending the back of the camera which rails G and
racks H are obviously made in separate pieces for the several parts A and B of the
base board and F the extension pieces thereof.
The back of the camera is made as is usual of a frame divided into two complete
frames or parts K and L which are extensible the one from the other but these
two parts K and L are not connected together by the ordinary transverse bar
and other appliances but the one part is suspended from the other part by two
somewhat L shaped levers M and M¹ one being on each side. One end of each
lever M is pivotted on a bracket projecting from the one part K or L of the back
while the other end thereof is jointed in the proper position to the other part L
or K of the back and a tail piece N can conveniently be fitted on the rear side of
the lever M or elsewhere thereon which can work in a socket formed therefor and
act as a stiffener and if required as a stop. To clamp these levers M when the two
parts K and L of the back have been duly separated or are in other desired
positions in respect of each other I may use various appliances. In Figure 1
I shew a sliding stop P fitted to clamp the horizontal part or base of the L shaped
lever M and in Figures 6 and 13 I shew the horizontal part or base of the
L shaped lever M¹ passing under a bracket against which the same can be
clamped by an eccentric lever Q. I may also form teeth on the edge of the
horizontal part or base of the L shaped lever into which can engage corresponding
teeth formed on a bell crank or other catch pivotted in the required position on
the side of the back of the camera or in other convenient or usual manner I can
clamp these levers in the desired positions in every case where a sliding stop or
other similar appliance is used the meeting parts thereof and of the lever being
bevelled to securely wedge the same. Still further to ensure the rigidity of the
back of the camera in all positions I may also apply springs to and on the ends of
the levers where the same are pivotted and jointed as aforesaid or elsewhere
thereon whereby all shaking will be prevented. On the top of the back may also
very conveniently be fitted a slotted bar R projecting from the one part K or L of
the back and a pin or stud R¹ fitted on the other part L or K of the back is
held in and by the slot and can travel therein and a sliding stop S can also be
fitted to clamp this bar R the meeting parts whereof would likewise be bevelled for
the purpose aforesaid or teeth may be formed on this bar into which can engage
corresponding teeth on a catch in manner as herein before described or in other
manner this bar can be clamped in the desired position and if required two or
more of these slotted bars with pins or studs may be fitted and used. On the
bottom of the main part K of the back are fitted the usual brackets to clasp the
rails G on the base board as shewn in Figure 11 and a pair of toothed wheels are
fitted on an axle mounted in this part K of the back which engage the toothed

page_text: racks H on the base board as shewn in Figure 12 and thus when this axle is
revolved by a suitable handle preferably a folding handle T which can be turned
up and inserted into an aperture formed therefor in this part K of the back as
shewn in Figures 5 and 6 the back is moved along the base board in the usual
manner.
The bellows V of the camera are formed in any usual or convenient manner one
end thereof being secured to the front C while the other end thereof is attached to
the part L of the back but to render unnecessary the usual size and depth of the
back frame of the camera required by reason of the ordinary very deep folds of the
bellows all the rear or back parts of my bellows are formed with extremely shallow
folds as shewn atjW in Figures 13 and 14 which shallow folds may be formed for
such a distance in the length of the bellows as may be deemed necessary and are so
formed with the object of not intercepting the rays of light from the lens thus
permitting the use of a smaller back than is usual. These extremely shallow folds
may be either very gradually or suddenly or only comparatively suddenly increased
in depth and when the greater part of the bellows is as is usual increasing in size or
diameter as it recedes from the front or is of what is known as the pyramidal form
in which part are the deep folds the extremely shallow folds may either continue
this pyramidal form or as is preferable and as is shown in the drawings may be
square or not increasing in size or diameter.
The dark slide may be fitted to and used with the back of this camera in any.
usual or convenient or other manner as may be desired and the sensitive plates
may be held in the slide as is usual or otherwise.
The camera so made as hereinbefore described and the several parts thereof will
be found extremely rigid as is so very desirable while at the same time this
camera will fold up into a smaller space or occupy less space when so folded up
than is usual and there will also be less risk of damage or breakage by reason
amongst other things of there being no projecting screw heads or other projections
on any part of the camera.
"This camera can very conveniently be supported by a tripod when desired and
I preferably fit the same in the following manner. The top V of a tripod as
shewn in Figure 15 is hinged on one side to the edge of and below the part B of
the base board as shewn in Figures 1. 3 and 4 and when the camera is horizontal
the other side of the tripod top V can be secured to this part B of the base board
by the sliding bolt Y which also is preferably bevelled at the end to securely
wedge the same or otherwise and thus the camera is very rigid in this position.
I can also cut away a recess in the underside of the part B of the base board in
which this tripod top V can be inserted so that the outer surfaces of the two parts
may be flush or nearly flush instead of the one part being entirely below the
other part as shewn in the drawings and in this case also the tripod top V and
the part B of the base board are hinged together on one side in a similar manner
the other sides being similarly secured together when desired by a sliding bolt or
otherwise. According to another method the part B of the base board can be
secured in the usual manner through and by the screwed hole Z shewn in
Figures 8 and 9 to the usual or other top or table which top or table can be
hinged to the tripod or support at and on one side in a similar manner. These
arrangements herein before described can also very conveniently be used in com-
bination with the ordinary turn table which turn table may be attached and
connected either to the camera or to the tripod top as may be desired. In every
case the camera can obviously bé turned on its side if desired being supported by
the hinges on the side of the tripod or support while the body of the camera hangs
over the side and is not brought over the centre of the tripod or support or there-
abouts.
When the camera is so turned on the hinges as aforesaid on its side or in other
desired position the same must be rigidly and securely fixed and maintained in
such position. Any usual or convenient means or appliances may be used for this

page_text: purpose such for example as an hinged stay secured on one of the parts so hinged
together and capable of being clamped in a socket or otherwise on the other part
Another convenient method consists in mounting a worm screw rod across the head
of the tripod or support whereon is a travelling block connecting arms from and on
which are jointed to the base board of the camera or to the hinged top or table in
the desired positions and thus when the worm screw rod is revolved the camera is
turned on its hinges into the desired position. According to a modification of this
method the connecting and supporting arm or arms is or are not fitted on a block
travelling on a worm screw rod but the supporting arm or stay is fitted to travel
in a groove made therefor across the head of the tripod or support or in suitable
guide bars mounted thereon and a stud or projection on the end of this arm enters
a tapered slot in the groove or guide bar wherein a tapered pin can jam the stud in
the desired position by wedging the same hard against one of the walls of the
tapered slot. By these arrangements as herein before described it is obvious that
the camera can be maintained as long as is desired in any position and at any
angle with the horizontal and the position can be altered at any time easily and
quickly while at the same time the camera is extremely rigid in any and every
position.
When this camera is mounted and fitted as hereinbefore described the picture or
the exact desired view can obviously be found very conveniently and easily without
any alteration or movement of the legs of the tripod or the support on which the
same is placed. This will be found especially the case when the camera is mounted
on a turn table or by a central screw pin on the top or table as hereinbefore
described when the camera can be so turned that the lens points over the hinges or
vice versa and the elevation or depression of the line of view can be adjusted as is
herein before described.
I have thus described and I have shewn in the accompanying drawings extremely
suitable and convenient forms and proportions of this my camera and of the several
parts thereof and also very effective methods and details of constructing and fitting
the same but I would have it clearly understood that I do in no wise limit
myself thereto for this my improved camera and all the several parts thereof may.
be made of such forms and proportions and such methods and details of constructing
and fitting the same may be observed and followed as may be desirable or expedient
in each particular case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I'claim is
:
1. The combination with the divided and hinged base board and the front
of a camera of the sliding rod or rods D with bevelled ends and the bracket or
brackets E with bevelled apertures substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described and declared.
2. The combination with the base board of a camera of the hinged. extension
pieces F, with stay substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. In the back of a camera the L shaped levers by the which the one part of the
back is suspended from the other part of the back substantially as set forth.
4. In the back of a camera the combination of the levers M with or without tail
pieces N the sliding stops P or eccentric levers Q the bar R with stud R¹ and the
sliding stop. S substantially as herein before described.
5. The combination in and with the camera herein described of the pyramidal
part of the bellows having deep folds and the square part of the bellows having
extremely shallow folds substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and declared.
6. The method and combination of parts whereby a camera can be turned on its
side on the edge or side of the tripod or support substantially as hereinbefore' set
forth.

page_text: 7. The combination with the base board of a camera of the hinged tripod or
support top with or without a turn table substantially as and for the purpose
herein before described and declared.
8. The photographic camera substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn
in the accompanying drawings.