Improvements in Photographic Shutters for Hand and other Cameras, and to be Used in connection with Photographic Lenses.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 27th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 1st Feb., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Shutters for Hand and other
Cameras, and to be Used in connection with Photographic
Lenses.
I, EDWIN HOWARD JAQUES of Elmhurst Water Orton in the County of
Warwick Solicitor do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
To carry out my invention I take two plates of metal, xylonite, or other suitable
material and of suitable shape, preferably the sectors of a circle. For the con-
venience of description let us suppose a line be drawn from the apex to the
periphery bisecting each sector, near the apex in each plate on the above mentioned
line is drilled a hole for the insertion of a pin or pivot and which forms a common
centre round which both plates can partially revolve. On one of these plates on
the line at a distance of a quarter of an inch or thereabouts from the common
centre, nearer to the periphery is rigidly fixed a small pin. On the other plate is
fixed a similar pin but at a similar distance on the other side of the common centre
on the line produced.
It is clear then that if these sectors are pivoted as above described and lie the
one on the other and coincident with each other that a pressure exerted on
these pins at right angles to the lines will cause the plates to partially revolve
round their common centre in different directions. A reversal of the pressure will
cause them to revolve in the opposite directions. Near to the periphery and in
the middle of each plate is a hole of suitable shape and dimensions so that when
the plates are placed in proper positions before, between, or behind the lens and the
plates are coincident with each other, light is admitted to the lens. By causing
the plates to revolve in either direction the light is shut off from the lens.
To cause the plates to revolve I take a strip of metal or other suitable material,
in the middle of which I form a slot, or slots, in the same straight line corre-
sponding with the above mentioned pins affixed to the plates.
By a suitable device I affix this strip so that it can move freely backwards and
forwards.
:
Thus it will be seen that if the strip containing these slots is affixed so that the
pins project through these slots, that moving the strip backwards and forwards
causes the plates to partially revolve according to which way the strip is moved.'
To actuate this strip I push it with the finger from one side to the other or use
a rocking lever of metal or other material, this lever is pivoted in the centre and
one end of it is connected with the above mentioned strip in such a manner that
when the lever is rocked on its pivot it moves the strip backwards or forwards;'
the motive power that rocks this lever is a spring. By suitable means I can move!
this spring from one end of the rocking lever to the other.
The above mentioned strip is held in its place by an ordinary catch, and when
it is desirable to give an exposure the spring is put at that end of the rocking
lever suitable for the purpose.
By releasing the catch the pressure of the spring causes the lever to rock and
the strip to move forwards thereby causing the plates to partially revolve and
give the desired exposure.
...When the strip has travelled its full distance it is again caught by the catch.
J
I

page_text: By moving the spring to the other end of the rocking lever a similar result is
obtained in the contrary direction.
Thus the shutter is always set and ready for exposure by simply moving the
spring from one end of the rocking lever to the other."
Dated this 26th day of March 1895.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Photographic Shutters for Hand and other
Cameras, and to be Used in connection with Photographic
Lenses.
I, EDWIN HOWARD JAQUES of Elmhurst Water Orton in the County of
Warwick Solicitor, 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 :-
My invention relates to improved photographic shutters for use in all kinds of
cameras and lenses in connection therewith and in the means for and method of
arranging and manipulating the same and in order that my improvements may be
clearly understood reference is made to the annexed sheets of drawings illustrating
the several working parts and in which similar letters of reference indicate similar
parts in the several figures.
In carrying my invention into effect I take two plates A. B. Figures 1. 2. 3.
and 4 made of metal xylonite or other suitable material and of suitable shape
preferably the sectors of a circle as shewn. For the convenience of description
let the dotted line C be drawn from the apex to the periphery bisecting each
sector forming the plates or shutters A. B. near the apex in each plate or shutter
on the above mentioned line C is drilled a hole D. Figures 1 and 2 for the
insertion of a pin or pivot E. Figures 3 and 4 and which forms a common centre
upon and around which both plates A and B. can partially revolve, on one of these
plates or shutters on the line C. at a distance of a quarter of an inch or there-
abouts from the common centre E nearer to the periphery of the plate or shutter
is rigidly fixed a small pin F. on the other plate or shutter is fixed a similar
pin and at a similar distance on the other side of the cominon centre E on the
line produced.
It is clear then that if these sectors forming the plates or shutters; A. B. are
pivoted as above described and lie the one on the other and coincident with each
other Figures 3 and 4 that a pressure exerted on these pins F. F1 at right angles
will cause the plates or shutters A. B. to partially revolve round their common
centre E in different directions, it follows then that a reversal of the pressure will
cause them to revolve or partially revolve in the opposite direction.
Near to the periphery and the middle of each plate or shutter is a cut out
portion G. G of suitable shape and dimensions so that when the plates or shutters
are placed in their proper positions before between, or behind the lens as the case
may be and the said plates or shutters are coincident with each other as Figure 4.
light is admitted to the lens by causing the plates or shutters to revolve in either
direction the light is shut off from the lens as in Figure 3.
I will now describe the manipulation of the said plates or shutters A. B. To
cause them to revolve I employ a horizontal strip of metal or other suitable
material H. Figures 5 and 12 in the centre of which I form a slot or slots I. I¹
on the same straight line corresponding with the above mentioned pins F. F' affixed
to the plates or shutters the metal strip H is slotted out at each end J. J¹ to
receive screw pins J2 for retaining the same in place in the camera by which

page_text: means or other suitable device the strip is free to move backwards and forwards
horizontally.
Thus it will be seen that if the metal strip H containing the slots I. I' is
affixed so that the pins F. F' project through the slots see Figures 5 and 12 the
act of moving the said strip backwards and forwards causes the plates or
shutters A. B. to partially revolve according to which way the strip is moved.
In order to actuate the metal strip H. it may be pushed with the finger from-
one side to the other or by preference I use a rocking lever see K Figures 5. 8
and 12 of metal or other material, this lever is pivoted in its centre by means of
loops or eyelets L. to a pin or axle M. attached to the camera or other suitable
support at right angles to the rocking lever K. One end of this lever is provided
with a forked piece K' which is loosely connected to the metal strip H. by passing
over a pin or stud thereon N. in such a manner that when the lever K. is rocked
on its pivot M. it moves the strip H. backwards and forwards, the motive power
that rocks this lever K is imparted by a spring O. rigidly attached to a plate O
which slides vertically within side pieces O grooved (or not) for the purpose the
side pieces O2 are attached to the interior side of the camera Figure 12 as will be
understood.
By any suitable means such as a finger piece P Figures 5. 10. 11. and 12
projecting through the side of the camera and working vertically within a slotted
plate QFigure 11 attached to the exterior of same, I can move the spring 0.
from one end of the rocking lever K to the other vertically, so that it may obtain
a greater or lesser hearing upon same for the purpose hereinafter named.
The above mentioned metal strip H. controlling the shutters A. B. is held in
its place when moved forwards to the side of the camera opposite to the rocking
lever K by an ordinary catch arrangement, or by the means shewn in Figures 5.
6. 7. and 12. which consists of a back plate R.attached to the camera which is.
formed with a vertically slotted barrel R¹ horizontally upon the lower part of same
through which passes a horizontal revolving bar S. carrying a point S¹ in the
above slot, a spring T attached to the camera lies vertically with the plate R. the
extremity of the spring T projects over the barrel R' and is curved so that it
presses upon the point S¹ (of the bar) lying beneath same.
Attached rigidly to the metal strip H. is a projection, catch piece, or stop U
and pivotally attached to the said metal strip is a catch piece U'.
The camera in its normal state may either be as shewn in Figure 12 that is
with the shutters A. B. closed and the working parts thrown out of action or the
camera may be "set" and ready for action as hereinafter explained. It will be
noticed in Figure 12 that the spring of the rocking lever K. is now bearing
upon the rocking lever at a point above the pivot or axle M. it will also be seen
that the point S¹ of the catch appliance is behind the stop or projection U. but
inasmuch as the pressure of the spring O is being exerted upon the upper part of
the rocking lever, it will be obvious that the horizontal strip H. is drawn from
any pressure contact with the said point S¹. All the parts are now out of action.
In order to "set the shutters ready for immediate exposure the spring O. is
brought to bear. at a point below the pivot or axle M. by means of the thumb
piece P. which is pressed down to its lowest extremity Figure 5.
"
It is clear then that pressure will now be exerted by the rocking lever K upon
the pin K' of the horizontal strip H. and that all the parts are ready for action,
the point S¹ of the catch appliance still behind the stop U. is now bearing against the
said stop U.
Say it is required to operate the camera, by pressing the lever V the point S¹
of same is raised governed by the spring T. bearing thereon sufficiently to allow
it to clear the stop or projection U. this will allow the strip H. to slide along
pressed by the spring O and rocking lever K. causing the shutters or plates A. B..
to partially revolve upon the common centre E. and midway in such partial
revolution to admit light through the lens which is again shut off when the strip H.
has traversed so far as the slotted ends J. J' allow and the catch point S' now

page_text: drops on the opposite side of the stop or projection U. the exposure having been
completed.
By now moving the spring O. by means of the finger piece P. to a point bearing'
upon the rocking lever K. at or near the top of same, pressure is exerted so that
all the parts are again "set" and ready for action, and a similar result is obtained
in the contrary direction by a reversal of the action already described.
For instantaneous photography the catch piece U₁ is withdrawn from the stop
or catch U see Figure 5.
The rapidity of the exposure is governed by the distance the spring O is placed.
above or below the pivot or axle M. its farthest distance being in either case the
maximum of its rapidity. If it is desired to give an exposure beyond the fractional
part of a second, it is effected by elevating the catch piece U¹ until the right
angular projection.U2 of such catch piece projects over the centre of the fixed
catch piece, stop or projection U. when it is clear that if the point S¹ be only
raised sufficiently to miss the catch piece U. it will arrest the progress of the
metal strip H. on the point S' coming in contact with the catch or stop U. when
half its journey has been traversed, thereby leaving the two revolving plates or
shutters A. B. with their apertures G. G₁ coincident with each other and the
lens aperture W. When sufficient exposure has been given, further pressure of
the handle V..lifts the point S' high enough to free the catch piece U¹ and the
sliding strip H. completes its journey and so further revolves the plates or
shutters A. B. and shuts off the light from the lens.
The operation of the catch U is the same in effect in whichever direction the
strip H. is travelling.
.It may be stated that if the camera is to be used with other than fixed focus, by
making the rocking lever sufficiently wide the front can be moved backwards and
forwards without throwing the actuating spring O. out of gear, as the actuating
spring will slide upon the back of it.
In Figures 12 and 13. elevation and section of camera front X. represents the
lens bearing or plate X' the lens, X2 rear part of the lene, X³ is an Iris diaphragm
or diaphragm slip, Y. is the finder mirror, Y¹ the ground glass screen for the
finder. Z. is the finder lens, upon the camera lid, Z¹ is the ordinary focussing
rack and pinion, these latter parts are not more particularly referred to as they
may be of the ordinary kind.
'
lay
do not limit myself to the precise arrangement or formation of the various
parts comprising my improvements or to their precise method of action, or to the
position of the plates or shutters with regard to the lens as I may sometimes
modify and vary the same as occasion may demand without departing from the
essential particulars and principle of my said invention and I may state in
particular that with a doublet lens such as is shewn in section Figure 13. at X' X2
the plates or shutters A. B. may be arranged midway between the combination of
lenses as shewn or before the front combination, or in a single or landscape lens
they may be arranged to work in front of the lens before or behind the diaphragm
stop.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
Firstly. The herein described improvements relating to photographic shutters,
for hand and other cameras and to be used in connection with photographic lenses,
or other similar acting means for the purpose or purposes herein set forth.
Secondly. In photographic cameras, the application of the shutters or plates
constructed and formed of any suitable shape and material, and the action of their
revolving, or partially revolving, upon and around a common centre, the said
revolution causing them to operate coincident with one another and the lens
aperture brought about by means of a movable horizontal metal or other strip in
combination therewith as set forth..

page_text: Thirdly. In photographic cameras the shutters or plates, constructed and
arranged as described and the application and principle of providing each shutter
or plate, with a pin situated upon a line vertical with and on the one shutter above,
and on the other below the said common centre and at a suitable distance there--
from, and in combination with the said shutters or plates, the said pins by preference
projecting at right angles from the said shutters, and taking into corresponding
vertical slots situated in the said movable metal actuating strip as set forth.
Fourthly. In photographic cameras, the shutters or plates revolving or partially
revolving upon and around the said common centre, the application and use of
the said pins, upon the said shutters, in connection with the said movable strip,.
said strip being governed in its forward and backward movement by a rocking
lever working upon a pivot or axle pin governed in turn by a spring at the back
of the said rocking lever and in combination therewith or similar means said
rocking lever being in connection with said movable strip and actuated by the
thumb piece working the sliding plate carrying the said spring in a vertical.
direction within the side pieces attached to the camera as set forth.
Fifthly. I claim alone or in combination the several parts above referred to and
constituting my improvements and their method of action in combination with the
arrangement of catch appliance shewn and the various parts comprising the same.
(or other suitable means) for holding or retaining the said movable strip and thus
regulating or determining the length of time or exposure imparted to the lens in.
the act of photographing, all for the purpose or purposes as set forth and.
described.
Dated this 24th day of December 1895.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Patent, Agents for the Applicant.