Improvements in Cameras for "taking" Kinetoscopic and similar Photographs or Animated Pictures.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 15th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 2nd Apr., 1898
Improvements in Cameras for "taking" Kinetoscopic and similar
Photographs or Animated Pictures.
I, CHARLES GRAYSON, of 30, Elmwood Street, Leeds, in the County of York,
Camera Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in cameras or apparatus for "taking"
kinetoscopic, cinematographic and similar photographic films or animated pictures.
In order to exclude light from surrounding objects I mount the lense in the
This box is
back of a box open at the front and recessed into the camera.
preferably made adjustable to bring the object being photographed into focus on the
film.
At the back of the camera an opening is made through which the image in the
film can be seen and a frame is fitted to this opening glazed with red or other
suitable glass. This frame is introduced when very sensitive films are employed.
An opening is made through the bottom of the camera for the exposed film to
pass through. This opening is surrounded by a flange to which a light-proof
bag is secured to receive the film.
1005
DRACUP & NOWELL,
Patent Agents, Bradford.
""
Improvements in Cameras for "taking Kinetoscopic and similar
Photographs or Animated Pictures.
I, CHARLES GRAYSON, of 30, Elinwood Street, Leeds, in the County of York,
Camera Maker, 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 or apparatus for "taking"
kinetoscopic, cinematographic and similar photographic films or animated pictures.
In order to exclude light from surrounding objects I mount the lens in the
This box is
back of a box open at the front and recessed into the camera.
made adjustable to bring the object being photographed into focus on the film.
At the back of the camera an opening is made through which the image on the

page_text: film can be seen and a frame is fitted to this opening glazed with red or other
suitable glass. This frame is introduced when very sensitive films are employed.
An opening is made through the bottom of the camera for the exposed film to
pass through. This opening is surrounded by a flange to which a light-proof
bag is secured to receive the film.
To fully describe my invention reference is made to the accompanying sheet
of drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the figures.
Figure 1, represents a front view of my improved camera with the lower part
of the legs of the tripod shown broken away.
Figure 2, is a plan view of the camera without the lid.
Figure 3, is a sectional elevation of the same on the broken line a, b; and
Figure 4, is a similar view on the broken line y, z.
Figure 5, is a view of the underside of the camera.
The camera consists of a rectangular light proof box A having a lid A2 and may 1
be supported upon a tripod stand C. The box contains a film case D in which
the sensitized film is coiled and a case E containing any suitable apparatus for
exposing successive portions of the film in front of the photographic
lens F. This film operating mechanism is actuated in any convenient manner.
The lens is fixed in the back of a sliding box G fitting a recess A³ formed in
the camera. A rack G2 is fixed on the bottom of G and a pinion G³ engages this
rack and is provided with an external knob 13 by which the pinion is turned to
adjust the box G to focus the lens on the film. To facilitate focusing the film
a recess H is made in the back of the camera fitted with a sliding door J and
the film operating mechanism is made with an opening at the back through which,
when the door J is open, the portion of the film on which the image is to be
focused may be seen. The end of the film first exposed is either not sensitized
or the sensitized substance is scraped off so that the image may be directly and
accurately focused on the film. A sliding box K is fitted in the recess H having
a red or other suitably coloured glass back K to enable the film to be viewed but
prevents the light from behind passing up the film chute and affecting the film
coiled in the case D. The light from the front is not so liable to affect the film
as the latter is pressed against the front of the chute and prevents light from
passing up the front. The box K may be removed when desired.
After exposure the film passes through the slot L in the bottom of the camera
into the light proof bag N suspended by the elastic band N2 round the flange O
projecting from the bottom of the camera. Strings N³ are provided on the bag
and are tied tightly round the upper portion of the bag before it is detached from
the flange O.
Side openings fitted with light tight internal doors and light proof sleeves may
be made in the sides of the camera through which the operator may pass his hands
to manipulate or adjust the film if required without giving access to light.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A camera for taking animated pictures having a recess to receive an adjust-
able box containing the photographic lens at the back, substantially as herein
shown and described.
2
4
2. A. camera for taking animated pictures having a recess at the back containing
a removable box having a coloured glass back through which the film may be 5
seen, substantially as herein shown and described.
3. A camera for taking animated pictures having an opening below for the
film to pass out and a removable light proof bag to receive it, substantially as
herein shown and described.
4. A camera for taking animated pictures having an opening behind fitted 5

page_text: with a light proof door through which opening the film may be seen whilst the
image is focused thereon, substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 14th day of February 1898
DRACUP & NOWELL,
Patent Agents, Bradford.