Improvements in or appertaining to Machines for Automatically Taking, Developing, Fixing, and Delivering Photographs.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or appertaining to Machines for Automatically
Taking, Developing, Fixing, and Delivering Photographs.
A communication from abroad by THE FISHER SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING
COMPANY, a Corporation organized under the laws of the State of Minnesota,
of 32, Washington Avenue South, in the City of Minneapolis, United States
of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester both in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil 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 :-
The nature of this invention is to provide an automatic mechanism for the
taking of pictures, which when set in motion will automatically carry out all
steps in the process of taking a picture, developing and fixing it, and then
delivering the completed picture, the mechanism being preferably controlled
by a device that permits it to be put in operation only upon the introduction
of a suitable coin.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the machine with the enclosing casing partly
broken away and partly in section.
Figure 2 is a side elevation with the casing partly broken away and partly
in section, and with the walls of the tanks and catch basin also partly broken
away.
Figure 3 is a detail plan view of the plate carriers showing them in full lines in
one position and in dotted lines in another position.
Figure 4 is an end elevation of one of the plate carriers.
Figure 5 is a side elevation, and
Figure 6 is a transverse section of one of the trays on which the plates are held
while being subjected to the chemicals for the purpose of developing and fixing the
picture and also while being washed.
Figure 7 is a detail of the end of the coin shute and its closing plate.
Figure 8 is a detail of the mechanism for ejecting the finished picture.
Figures 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are details of the mechanism for holding the several
parts of the operating mechanism and releasing each part when the devices operated
by it are to be brought into operation.
Figures 14, 15 and 16 are details of the coin controlling device and the
mechanism for applying power to the driving mechanism.
Figures 17 and 18 are details of the plate holder and its operating
mechanism.
Figure 19 is a detail of the flash light mechanism.
Figures 20, 21 and 22 are details of the mechanism for winding the weight or
equivalent for applying power to drive the machine.
This apparatus comprises in general terms a suitable plate holder that is loaded
with a number of prepared plates upon which the pictures are to be taken, a camera
to which the plates are passed from the plate holder and in which they are exposed,
a flash light, and a series of plate carriers which take the plates after they have
been exposed in the camera and cause them to be subjected first to a suitable
developer, then to be washed, then to be subjected to a fixing solution,
then to be washed again, and finally to be ejected from the machine. These
various operations take place automatically and in the proper order, and the

page_text: entire mechanism is adapted to be put in operation by a single movement of a lever
after a coin of the required value has been put in the machine.
In the drawings, 2 represents a suitable casing within which the mechanism
of the machine is enclosed. Arranged within this casing is a clock work mechanism
by which the various parts of the apparatus are put in motion. This clock work
mechanism is divided into several parts, and it is so arranged that these parts
operate successively, the operation of one beginning as, or just before, the
preceding one ceases. These several parts of the clock work are indicated
as A, B, C and D, and for brevity of description are referred to hereinafter as
"clock work A," "clock work B," "clock work C" and "clock work D." Clock
work A, which is the first to operate, controls the plate reservoir and feeds the
plates to the camera, exposes them therein, operates the flash light when a plate is
exposed, and discharges the plate from the camera. Clock work B is then set
in motion, and it is provided with a plate carrier that picks up the plate and carries
it over a suitable support where it is subjected to a suitable developing solution and
is then washed and then dropped by the carrier upon a shelf where it is picked up
by a similar carrier operated by clock work C, and carried over a support where it
is subjected to the fixing solution and then washed, and then carried over another
support where it is again washed, and then picked up by the carrier operated
by clock work D and moved forward and placed upon a suitable shelf or holder
from which it is ejected from the machine. The clock works A, B, C and D
are substantial duplicates of each other and but slightly different from clock
work A, and a description of the operation and construction of one will serve for
all. The several clock works are provided with a common winding shaft 3 that is
mounted in suitable bearings in the casing 2 and extends across the machine,
as shown in Figure 1. This shaft is provided with a series of winding drums 5, one
for each clock work. These drums are each provided with a ratchet 6 that is
engaged by a pawl 7 secured upon a disc 8 that is secured upon the shaft by means
of a set screw 9. A cable 10 is arranged upon each drum and passes preferably
over an idler pulley 11 and carries a suitable weight 12. Each drum is also
provided with a ratchet 13 that is engaged by a pawl 14 secured upon a gear
wheel 15, the gear wheel 15 forming the first wheel of the train of gearing of the
clock work.
The shaft 3 is turned forward to wind up the weights and then back to its
original position. As the shaft is turned forward the pawl 7 engages the ratchet 6
on the drum and turns it to wind up the weight, moving from the position shown in
full lines in Figure 20 to the position indicated by dotted lines in the same figure.
As the shaft 3 is reversed the drum is prevented from turning back with it by the
ratchet 13 and the pawl 14 on the gear wheel 15, while the disc 8 reverses with the
shaft carrying the pawl 7 with it. A stationary pawl 7' is arranged on the frame
of the machine and projects over the ratchet 6. As the disc 8 is reversed, the
pawl 7 rides over the pawl 7' which raises the pawl 7 from the ratchet and leaves
the drum free to turn.
Arranged parallel with the shaft 3 in each clock work is an independent shaft 16
provided with a pinion 17 that engages the gear wheel 15 on the shaft 3. The
shaft 16 is also provided with a pinion 18 that meshes with the pinion 19 upon
a shaft 20, and this in turn is provided with a wheel 21 meshing with the pinion 22
upon a shaft 23. The shaft 23 carries a worm wheel 24 that engages a worm 25 on
a shaft 27 carrying a fan or governor 28. In the particulars thus far described the
four clock works are similar.
The mechanism for winding all of the clock works at once is as follows:-
A shaft 30 is mounted in bearings in the casing and extends through the casing
and is provided at its outer end with a lever 31. A weight 32 is supported upon
the shaft 30 and tends to return it to its normal position after it has been moved by
the lever. An arm 33 is also secured to the shaft 30 and is connected to a rack
bar 35 having upon one side a series of ratchet teeth 36. This rack bar is
in engagement with a gear wheel 37 upon the winding shaft 3.
When the lever is

page_text: moved forward the rack bar engaging the gear wheel 37 turns the shaft 3 and with
it all of the drums of the clock works, thereby winding up all of the weights at
once. The shaft 30 is normally locked in position by a suitable device that
can only be released by the introduction of a suitable coin, and the machine is
so arranged that the clock work cannot start until the shaft 30 has returned to its
normal position and been again locked in the coin controlled mechanism. The gear
wheel 37 is secured to the shaft 3 and turns with it. The shaft 30 has secured to
it an arm 38 that is normally engaged by a catch 39 having a hook shaped end that
engages the end of the arm 38. A coir support 40 is also provided having an open
centre and a slot from said centre through the circumference of said support,
as shown in Figure 16. This support is arranged beneath a coin shute 41 that has
its receiving end in position to receive a coin from the outside of the casing.
Arranged upon the shaft 3 is a projecting arm 42 having a lug 43 that projects
beyond the coin holder 40 in close proximity thereto, and a stud 44 that projects
above the coin holder and over its open centre. When a coin is inserted, it passes
through the coin shute and drops upon the coin holder 40, being prevented from
sliding off said coin holder by the projecting lug 43. The catch 39 is so arranged
as to permit a slight movement to the shaft 30 without raising the catch, and this
movement is sufficient to turn the shaft 3 a short distance and bring the end of the
stud 44 in contact with the surface of the coin, if one is in position upon the coin
If
holder 40, and thereby to raise the latch 39 from engagement with the arm 38.
there is no coin upon the holder, or if a washer, having an open centre, has been
dropped in instead of a coin the stud 40 will not raise the latch 39. After the
latch 39 is raised, a farther movement of the shaft 30 and the rack bar 35 causes
the shaft 3 to be turned, the stud 44 passing through the slot in the coin holder 40
and causing the coin to drop out of the coin holder, and the weights of the clocks
are thereby all wound up.
When
Means are provided by which a reverse movement of the rack bar 35 is prevented
until after it has been moved the entire length of its throw. For this purpose the
rack bar is provided, as before stated, with a series of ratchet teeth 36 upon its
upper surface. An arm 45 is pivoted upon a stud 46, and its lower end projects
alongside the wheel 37. The upper end of the arm 45 is provided with notches 47
that are adapted to be engaged by a spring latch 48. This latch engages one of
the notches 47 and holds the arm in either position in which it may be, but does not
prevent movement of the arm when power is applied to its lower end. A pawl 49
is mounted upon the stud 46 and is adapted to engage the ratchet teeth 36 in the
rack bar 35. A pin 50 is provided upon the arm 45 beneath the pawl 49.
the arm is in the position indicated by full lines in Figure 13, the pawl is free to
engage the ratchet teeth in the bar 35. When the arm is in the position indicated
by dotted lines in the same figure, the pawl is raised and the rack bar may then
be reversed. The wheel 37 is provided with the pins 51 and 52 that are adapted
to engage the lower end of the arm 45. As the rack bar reaches the limit of its
movement in one direction, the pin 51 will strike the lower end of the arm 45 and
move it into the position shown in full lines in Figure 13, thereby permitting
When the rack bar
the pawl 49 to engage the ratchet teeth 36 upon the rack bar.
reaches the limit of its movement in the other direction, the pin 52 strikes the
opposite side of the arm 45 and turns said arm into the position indicated by
dotted lines in Figure 14, thereby moving the pawl out of engagement with said
ratchet teeth. It will be seen that with this means the shaft 3 can only be
turned after the introduction of a suitable coin, and that after the rack bar
has been started it cannot be reversed until it has been moved the full length
of its throw.
It is also preferred to provide means which prevent the clock work from starting
until the rack bar has been moved forward and back to the limit of its movement,
the coin has been dropped from the coin holder and the latch has re-engaged the
arm on the shaft 30 thereby preventing the machine from operating again until
after another coin has been dropped into the slot. The means which are used for

page_text: this purpose consist preferably of two stop bars 53 and 54 that are arranged to be
brought in contact with the fan 28. As here shown the bars are pivoted and are
connected to rods 55 and 56, and these rods are connected to the pivoted levers 57
and 58. Cams 59 and 60 are arranged upon the shaft 3. When the shaft 3 is in
its normal position, that is in the position in which it is left when the machine is
wound up, the toe of the cam 60 will be in engagement with the lever 58, and the
stop 54 will be raised clear of the fan. The cam 59, however, will not be in
engagement with the lever 57, and the stops 53 will be dropped down and in
contact with the fan, thereby preventing the clock work from running. Above the
shaft 3 upon the shaft 16 is a disc wheel 61 having a notch 62 in its periphery. A
plate 63 is arranged upon the shaft 16 being connected thereto by a spring 64
which tends to hold the plate in position shown by dotted lines in Figure 12, in
which it covers the notch 62. The plate 63 projects a short distance beyond the
periphery of the disc wheel 61. The lever 57 has a projecting arm 65 provided
with a toe or lug 66 upon its end, and this arm projects above the disc wheel 61
and the lug 66 is adapted to engage the notch 62 when the shaft 16 is at rest.
When the shaft 3 is in its normal position, at rest, and when the first clock work is
not running, the stop 53 will be in engagement with the fan, thus preventing any
movement of the clock work. When the shaft 3 is turned to wind the weights, its
first movement carries the cam 60 from under the lever 58. This permits this lever
to drop down and the stop 54 to engage the fan. At the same time as the cam 59
turns forward with the shaft 3, it raises the lever 57 and brings its stop 53 away
from the fan. The cam 59 passes the lever 57 very quickly, but before the lever
has time to drop down again, the spring 64 throws forward the plate 63 into the
position shown by dotted lines in Figure 12, so that it comes under the lug 66 upon
the arm 65 and thereby prevents this lng from dropping back into the notch 62.
The fan, however, is now held by the stop 54 and the machine remains at rest
until the shaft 3 has made its complete movement forward and back, when the
cam 60 raises the stop 54 and both stops being now raised, the machine will begin
When the shaft 16 has made a full revolution the projection 66 on the
arm 65 pushes back the plate 63 and drops into the notch 62, thereby stopping the
machine.
to run.
As soon as the first clock work starts, the various mechanisms controlled by it are
put in operation one after the other, or simultaneously, as required. These parts
are all preferably operated by means of cams upon the shafts of the clock work.
Pivoted levers are provided that are held against these cams by suitable springs.
These levers are connected with the operating devices by means of suitable rods or
wires. As soon as the proper time has been reached in the operation of the clock
work for any particular device to operate the cam permits the lever to be moved
by its spring, thereby permitting the desired operation to be imparted to the
device.
This
The plates to be fed into the machine are preferably arranged in a plate holder
or reservoir 67 that is arranged upon the upper part of the machine.
reservoir consists of a rectangular frame open at both ends and provided with
sectional plate-holders 68. The plate holders are arranged opposite each other
against the side walls of the reservoir, and they may be inserted after being loaded
with plates through one end of the reservoir. The plate-holders are each provided
with gear teeth 69 upon their lower edges by means of which they are fed forward
through the reservoir. A shaft 70 extends lengthwise of the reservoir being
mounted in suitable bearings, and is provided at its end with a crank arm 71 that
is connected by a link 72 with a crank 73 upon a shaft 74. The shaft 74 has a
crank arm 75 and is connected by the rod 76 with a lever 77 that is governed by a
cam on the clock work. A series of short shafts 78 are arranged beneath the
reservoir and they are provided with worm wheels 79 that engage the worm 80
upon the shaft 70. These shafts are also provided with pinions 81 that engage
the teeth on the lower edges of the plate holder 68. As the shaft 70 is rotated by
the meaus described the shafts 78 are also rotated, and the plate holders and the

page_text: plates carried by them are moved along the reservoir. As each plate comes over
a plate conductor 82 it is freed from the plate holder and drops down through the
plate conductor and passes to the camera, as hereinafter described. When the
plate holders reach the end of the reservoir, they drop out and may be again filled
and inserted at the opposite end of the reservoir.
For the purpose of permitting the ready insertion of the plate holders it is
preferred to mount the shafts 78 that are arranged between the filling end of the
reservoir and the plate conductor 82 in swinging arms 83. These arms are all
connected by a bar 84 and the end arm is connected by a link 85 to a locking
lever 86. This lever is pivoted upon a suitable support, and the link 85 is pivoted
to it at a short distance from the pivotal point of the lever. When the lever 86 is
thrown down into the position indicated by dotted lines in Figure 17, the shaft 78
will be lowered and the pinions 81 will be carried below the bottom of the reservoir.
The plate holders with the plates between them may be inserted into the open end
of the reservoir and pushed forward therein until they strike the section that is
over the plate conductor, this section remaining in the reservoir after the others
have passed out. The lever 86 is now raised to the position shown by full lines in
Figure 17, and in so doing it passes the dead centre and the arms 83 are all locked
in position with their pinions 81 in engagement with the plate carriers.
The
A plate ejector 90 is arranged over a slot or opening in the top of the reservoir and
is adapted to be depressed and push the plate that is beneath it into the plate
conductor 82. This ejector is connected to a rod 92 that is connected to a lever 93
and operated by a cam 94 upon the shaft 16. After the plate has entered the
plate conductor it drops down into the camera 95 where it is opposite the lens, and
in this position it is held by the pins 96 which project into the camera.
camera is provided with a slide 98 operated by a rod 99 and lever 100, this lever
being controlled by a cam 101 on the shaft 16. At the proper time in the
operation of the machine the slide is moved to expose the plate in the camera.
The pins 96 are controlled by a bell crank lever 102 and a rod 103 that is controlled
by a cam 104 on the shaft 20.
It is also preferable to provide means for causing a flash light at the time that
the plate is exposed in the camera. For this purpose it is preferable to arrange a
glass 106 in the front of the camera in the rear of which is a deflector 107.
Connected with this deflector is a pipe 108 which carries off the gases and a
spout 109 through which the flash powder is discharged into the deflector. A
receptacle 110 is arranged above the deflector and has within it a conical rotating
feed plate 111. An opening 112 is formed in the bottom of the receptacle and
beneath it is a slide 113 that is connected to a bell crank lever 114 by a link 115.
This lever is operated by a rod 116 from a cam 117 upon the shaft 16. The feed
plate 111 is rotated by a shaft 118 provided with a pinion 119 that is engaged by
a gear wheel 120 that is in turn engaged by a pinion 121 upon a shaft 123. This
shaft is provided with a bevel pinion 125 that engages a bevel pinion 126 upon the
shaft 20. By this means the feed plate 11 is given a partial rotation with cach opera-
tion of the clock work A, thereby ensuring the delivery of a portion of the material
upon the slide 113. A tray 127 is arranged beneath the slide 113, being supported upon
the shaft 74 by an arm 128. When the slide is opened this tray receives a portion of
the powder from the receptacle. The tray is then turned down from the position
indicated by dotted lines in Figure 19 to the position shown by full lines in the
same figure, and the powder carried by the tray is poured through the spout 109 to
the interior of the deflector 107. At the bottom of the deflector is a lamp 129
having a wick 1291 fed by a supply of alcohol. An extinguisher 130 is arranged
over this lamp, being mounted upon a rod 131 that extends through the wall of the
deflector resting upon a bearing 132, upon which it is both free to turn and slide.
A rod 133 connected to the rod 131 is connected to a lever 134 and controlled by a
cam 135 upon the shaft 16. The deflector is also provided with a hinged plate 136
covering an opening in its lower wall, and a small alcohol lamp 137 is mounted

page_text: upon a lever 138. This lever is connected to a rod 139 that is governed by a
cam 140 on the shaft 16.
The operation of these parts is as follows:-
The lamp 137 is to be kept burning and when an exposure of a plate is to be
made by the camera, the lamp is raised in position inside the deflector indicated by
dotted lines in Figure 19. As the lamp rises and passes into the deflector, the
extinguisher 130 also rises to the point indicated by dotted lines in Figure 19, thus
leaving the wick of the lamp 129 exposed, and it will be lighted by the lamp 137.
The lamp 137 is then withdrawn and the flash powder enters the deflector and is
ignited and flashes therein. The extinguisher then covers over the wick and
extinguishes the flame of the lamp 129. The flash will light up the face of the
person or the object in front of the camera just at the instant that the exposure
is made.
When the plate is released from the camera it drops through the lower end of
the plate conduit into a tray 141 that stands normally in an inclined position
forming a continuation of the plate conduit, as shown in Figure 2. This tray is
governed by a cam on the clock work, and it turns down to a horizontal position
after receiving the plate. The tray is moved by a rod 142 operated by a cam 143
on the shaft 16. As soon as the tray reaches this position the plate is taken up by.
the first plate carrier, and is moved to a position and is deposited upon a tray and is
then subjected to the developer and is afterwards washed. The plate is then picked
up again by the carrier and is moved over and deposited on a shelf, from which it
is picked up by the second carrier and is placed on a second tray where it is
subjected to the fixing solution and is again washed, and then is again picked
the second carrier and deposited on a third tray where it is again washed.
by
UP It is
taken off from this tray by the third carrier and moved over and placed upon a
shelf from which it is ejected from the machine.
As before stated, the clock works B, C and D are substantially alike in con-
struction. The clock work B begins to operate just before the clock work A ceases,
the clock work A having control of all of the operations of the machine up to the
time when the plate is delivered to the first plate carrier.
Each of the clock works B, C and D is provided with a fan or governor 28 like
that of the clock work A and with a stop 53. The clock work A is provided on
its shaft 20 with a cam 208 that engages an arm 209 that is in turn connected to a
lever 210. This lever is connected by a rod 211 with the stop 53. Just before the
clock work A stops, it raises by this means the stop 53 of clock work B and thereby
releases it. (See Figures 9, 10 and 11.)
Each of the clock works B and C is provided on its shaft 16 with a cam 212
engaging an arm 213 connected with a lever 214 controlling the stop 53 of the next
clock work and operating to release it at the proper time, (see Figures 9 and 10).
The plate carriers are alike in construction and operation, so that a description
of the construction of one will apply to all. Each plate holder consists of a
frame 150 mounted upon a stationary shaft 151 and free to slide longitudinally
thereon, and also to turn thereon. A bell crank lever 152 has its upper end
connected to the frame 150 by means of a rod 153. The lower end of this lever is
connected to a lever 154 by a link 156, and this lever is controlled by a cam 155
upon the shaft 16. By this means the plate carrier is given its lateral movements
upon the rod 151.
The first plate carrier moves to the position shown in full lines
in Figure 3, then to the position shown in dotted lines in that figure, and then to
the position occupied by the second carrier in that figure. The second carrier
moves to the position shown by full lines in Figure 3 at the centre of the
figure, then to the position shown by dotted lines in that figure, then to the
position occupied by the third carrier in that figure. The third carrier moves to
the position that it occnpies in Figure 3 and from there to the position that it
occupies in dotted lines in that figure. Each carrier is also provided with means for
raising and holding a plate. For this purpose, each carrier is provided with the

page_text: longitudinal shafts 157, to which are attached or secured the lifting arms 158 having
projections 159 that are adapted to extend under and engage the plate. Springs 160
surround the shafts 157 and engage the frame of the machine. These springs tend
to throw the lifting arms 158 inward towards each other into the position shown in
full lines in Figure 4. Each of the shafts 157 is provided with a depending
arm 161. A cam 163 is mounted upon the shaft 151 between the two parts of the
frame 150. This cam is connected by a rod 164, with a lever 165 that is controlled
by a cam 169 on the shaft 20. By this means, at the proper intervals of time, the
arms 158 are separated by moving the cam 163 between the arms 161, and thereby
turning the shaft 157 against the tension of the spring 160. By this means, when
the arms 158 are separated and in the position shown in the lower dotted lines in
Figure 4, the carrier is adapted to drop or pick up the plate. The carrier is also
provided with means for raising or lowering it for the purpose of causing it to raise
the plates and carry them over and deposit them upon the shelves or on the trays
where they are held while being washed or subjected to the developing solutions.
For giving the plate carriers this up and down motion, they are arranged to turn
upon the shaft 151 upon which they are mounted, and each one is operated by
means of an arm 1651 secured to the frame and connected to a rod 166 that is
connected to a lever 167 controlled by a cam 170 on the shaft 20.
Arranged within the casing is a series of trays 171 upon which the plates are
deposited by the carrier and upon which they rest while being subjected to the
developer, the fixing solution or while being washed. Each of these trays is
pivoted upon brackets 172, and is provided with a raised centre 173. In the centre
of each tray is an opening 174. A plate 176 is arranged to close the opening in
the bottom of the tray. This plate is hinged upon the top of a rod 175, and is
held against the bottom of the tray by a spring 177. The hinge of the plate
permits it to turn freely with the tray, and each tray is connected to a rod 178
that is connected to a lever 179 controlled by a cam on the shaft 20. By this
means the tray 171 is given, at certain intervals, a rocking motion upon its pivot,
as indicated by the full and dotted lines in Figure 5. A shelf 180 having a raised
centre 181 is arranged between the first and second tray, and upon this shelf each
plate is deposited by the first carrier and from it is taken up by the second carrier.
The first carrier, as already described, takes each plate from the tray 141, at the
bottom of the shute and carries it to the first tray 171. It then takes it from this
tray and delivers it upon the shelf 180, and this carrier then returns to its original
position in readiness to take up another plate. From this shelf it is picked up by
the second carrier and deposited on the second tray 171, and from this tray it is
taken up by the second carrier and deposited on the third tray when the second
carrier returns to its original position. From the third tray it is taken up by the
third carrier and deposited upon a shelf 182 arranged opposite the exit opening in
the casing and provided with central ribs 183 and side walls 184 having
notches 185 to admit the arms of the plate carrier. Arranged within the casing is
a water tank 186 and tanks 187 that contain the chemicals for the development of
the picture and a tank 188 that contains the fixing solution. There are preferably
three pipes 189 leading from the water tank, each of which is provided with a
valve 1891 controlled by a cam on the proper clock work and operated by a
rod 190. The tanks 187 both are provided with valves 1871, which are arranged
to discharge the material from said tank 187 into the pipe 189. These valves are
operated by a rod 191 controlled by a cam on the shaft of the clock work B.
The rod 191 carries two rods 192, upon which are secured the arms 193 that
carry the valve stems 194. The valves. of the two tanks 187 are thus
operated simultaneously. The tank 188 is provided with a similar valve operated
by the clock work C by similar means, consisting of rods 191 and 192 and
arms 193 and a valve stem 194.
The operation of these parts in developing, washing and fixing the picture is as
follows:-
When the first carrier brings the plate to the first tray, it deposits it upon said

page_text: tray. The valves in the tanks 187 are then opened simultaneously and a small
portion of the chemical in each tank is discharged upon the top of the plate.
There is just enough of these chemicals which are mixed by being passed through
the same spout, to cover the surface of the plate. After the developer has been
placed on the plate, the tray is given a rocking motion, thereby ensuring the
spreading of the developer over the plate, and the development of the picture.
The water is then discharged on to the surface of the plate, washing off the
developer. The plate is then again picked up by the carrier and moved over and
placed on the shelf 180. From this shelf it is taken up by the second carrier and
placed on the second tray. The fixing solution from the tank 188 is then let out
of the tank on to the plate, and this tray is then rocked in the same manner as the
other, and thereby the fixing solution is equally distributed over the surface of
the plate. The water is then discharged on to the plate, and the plate is then
again picked up by the second carrier and moved over and placed on the third tray
Here it is again washed, while the tray is rocked. It is then picked up by the
third carrier and moved over and placed on the shelf 182. A shelf 196 is arranged
on the outside of the casing to receive the picture. A slide 197 covers the exit
opening at all times except when a picture is to be discharged. This slide is
connected by a rod 198 with a lever controlled by a cam on the shaft 20. The
slide is opened when a picture is to be discharged. An ejector 199 is connected to
a lever 200 controlled by a. spring 201 and a cam 202. This ejector pushes the
plate after it is deposited on the shelf 182 and through the exit opening on to the
tray on the outside of the casing.
A catch basin 203 is arranged under the trays and receives the water and
chemicals discharged from the trays, which may then be led out of the casing
through a discharge pipe 204.
It is also preferable to provide a slide 205, which covers the opening to the
coin shute while the first clock work is in operation. This slide is controlled by a
cam 206 on the shaft 20 through a lever 207 and a rod 208. As soon as a coin is
placed in the coin shute or conduit and the clock work A is started, this slide is
closed and remains closed while this clock work is operated. As soon as the plate
has been delivered to the mechanism operated by the clock work B, the first
clock work stops, the slide 205 opens the coin shute, and the machine is ready to
receive another coin and start another picture. By this means, the machine is
adapted to operate on several plates at the same time, as each set of mechanism
may be operating upon a different plate.
Another special advantage is that the chemicals for the developer are kept
separate and in close tanks and mixed as used, and the chemical for fixing the
picture is also kept in a close tank, and that both the developing and fixing
materials are discharged in small quantities on to the plates as required, there
being only a sufficient amount discharged at each operation to cover the surface of
the plate.
The chemicals are thus kept fresh and will be suitable for use for a long time.
The machine is throughout automatic and takes and delivers a complete and
perfect picture.
It will be obvious that the details of various parts of the mechanism may be
varied without departing from this invention, and, therefore, the invention is not
limited to the details of the construction. It will be understood also that, by the
term "clock work any suitable gearing or operating mechanism adapted to be
operated by any suitable motive power is included.
"
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An automatic picture taking machine, comprising in combination a plate-
holder, a camera, a plate carrier, tanks for holding the developing, fixing and
washing materials, means for operating the plate-holder, camera and plate carrier,

page_text: and means for releasing from the tank the materials for developing, fixing and
washing the pictures.
2. An automatic picture taking machine, comprising a series of clock works
arranged to operate in succession, a plate-holder and camera operated by the
first clock work, plate carriers and tanks for holding the developing, fixing and
washing materials operated successively by the other clock works, substantially as
described.
3. An automatic picture taking machine, comprising in combination a plate
holder, a camera, means for conducting plates from said plate holder to said camera
and exposing them therein, a flash light, means for holding the developing,
fixing and washing materials, and means for moving the plates from said camera after
exposure therein and carrying them into position to receive the material from said
tanks, substantially as described.
4. In an automatic picture taking machine, the combination, with the operating
mechanism, of the winding shaft 3 provided with the gear wheel 37, the rack
bar 35 engaging said gear wheel, the shaft 30 connected with said rack bar, and
provided with the arms 38, the locking dog 39, the coin holder 40, and the arm 42
secured upon the shaft 3 and provided with the lug 43 and the stud 44, substan-
tially as described.
5. In a. machine of the class described, the combination, with the operating
mechanism, of the winding shaft 3 provided with the gear wheel 137, the rack
bar engaging with said gear wheel and provided with a series of ratchet teeth 36,
a pawl arranged to engage said ratchet teeth as the rack bar is moved in one
direction and to be raised therefrom as it is moved in the other direction, and a
locking device adapted to release said rack bar upon the introduction of a suitable
coin.
6. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the camera and
the picture developing and fixing devices, of the independent clock works
arranged to operate successively and thereby to operate said camera and said
fixing and developing devices, a winding mechanism common to all of said clock
works, and a coin controlled locking device connected with said winding mechanism,
substantially as described.
7. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the clock work, of
the winding mechanism, the locking dog 39, the coin holder 40 having an open
centre and arranged beneath a suitable coin shute, the winding shaft 3 and the
arm 42 upon said shaft provided with the lug 43 and the projection 44, substantially
as described.
8. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a suitable camera,
of the plate reservoir 67, the series of sectional plate-holders arranged therein,
and means for feeding said plate-holders along in said reservoir, substantially as
described.
9. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a camera and
means for exposing a plate therein, of a flash light and means for operating said
flash light simultaneously with the exposure of said plate in the camera, and
automatic mechanismn controlling the camera and flash light operating devices,
substantially as described.
10. The combination, with the camera, of a series of successively operating
plate-carriers, for the purpose set forth.
11. The combination, with the camera, and the series of trays 171, of the series
of successively operating plate-carriers.
12. The combination, with the camera, the series of trays 171 and the
shelves 180 and 182, of the series of successively operating plate-carriers, sub-
stantially as described.
13. The plate-carrier comprising, in combination, the vertical and laterally
movable frame 150, the shafts 159 mounted thereon, and provided with
springs 160, and with the plate holding arms 161, and means for separating said
arms, substantially as described.

page_text: 14. The combination, with the plate-carrier, of the tray 171 mounted upon
suitable pivots and means for rocking said tray.
15. The combination, with the plate-carrier, of the pivoted tray 171 provided
with a raised centre and means for rocking said tray.
16. The combination, with the plate-carrier, of the pivoted tray 171 provided
with a raised centre and having an opening in its bottom, the spring controlled
plate closing said opening, and means for rocking said tray.
17. The combination, with the plate-carrier, of the shaft 182 and the plate
ejector, substantially as described.
18. The combination, with the plate-carrier, of the shelf 188, the plate ejector,
and the slide for closing the opening in the plate ejector and the slide for closing
the opening in the walls of the casing.
19. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the series of
clock works, of the coin controlling device connected with the first clock work,
the coin shute, and a slide arranged to close said shute whilst the first clock work
is in operation.
Dated this 12th day of January 1891.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.