Improvements in and relating to Photographic Apparatus.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1890-Accepted, 29th Mar., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by EMIL KIPPER, of 361, Broadway, President of a
Company, and ENOCH WOOD PERRY, Junior, of 42 East 14th Street, Artist, both
in the City and State of New York, United States of America.]
Improvements in and relating to Photographic Apparatus..
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 that type of photographic apparatus wherein a series of
superimposed sensitized plates are successively exposed and transferred from the
camera-box or plate holder into a suitable receiving chamber or box through the
medium of externally operated mechanism.
The objects of this invention are to improve the construction and operation of such
apparatus; to provide new and improved means for transferring the exposed plates
or films into the plate receiving chamber; to provide a novel and efficient envelope
or carrier for each sensitized plate which will cut off or interrupt the transmission of
the chemical or actinic rays of light to the plate or plates in rear thereof; and finally
to generally improve photographic apparatus of the type referred to.
To such ends the invention consists in the features, the construction of parts and
the combination of devices hereinafter described, reference being had to the accom-
panying drawings exhibiting different means and apparatus embodying the said
invention, in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the improved photographic apparatus,
showing a camera attached.
Figure 2 is a perspective view omitting the camera.
Figure 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the camera-box and plate
receiving chamber.
Figure 4 is a detail plan view showing a part of the shifting or transferring frame
with its actuating gear.
Figures 5 and 6 are detail views showing two different forms of transferring
frames.
Figure 7 is a central longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the
photographic apparatus, the camera being in plan.
Figure 8 is a sectional plan view of the operating gearing shown in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a detail perspective view of one of the plate envelopes or carriers shown
in Figure 7.
Figure 10 is a sectional elevation showing another modification of the photographic
apparatus.
Figure 11 is a similar view showing another modification of the invention.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the camera-box and plate receiving box shown in
Figure 11, and
Figure 13 is a detail view showing a modified form of plate transferring frame or
slide and means for operating the same.
Referring first to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive the numeral 1 indicates a plate-holder or
camera box of suitable form and having such construction that it may be attached to
or form part of a camera 3. At one side of the plate holder or camera-box is
arranged a plate receiving chamber or box 4 which may either be detachably con-
nected with or form a permanent part of, the plate holder or camera-box and from
which it is separated by a wall or walls 5.
A support 6 is arranged in the plate-holder upon or against which a pile of sensitized

page_text: plates or films 2, may be placed; said support being capable of adjustment by any
suitable means, such for example, as a screw 8, for which however, a spring or springs
may be substituted if preferred.
The front of the plate-holder is closed by an exposing slide 9 which effectually
excludes the light and within or behind said slide are formed grooves or channels 10,
which receive the parellel sides of a sliding or transferring frame 12, which is capable
of moving in said channels and in continuations thereof formed in or upon, the
walls of the plate receiving chamber, openings being formed in the wall, or walls 5 to
receive the arms or bars comprising the frame. The sensitized plates or films 7 as
they are fed forward by the adjustment of the support 6 rest against a flange or narrow
strip 13, projecting from the inner face the plate holder at its end and if desired
similar flanges may be applied to both the adjacent walls and may extend thereon the
entire length of the plates or only part of that distance.
Upon the inner face of the bars 14 of the frame 12 are formed or mounted, teeth or
projections 15, which extend far enough from the said bars to engage the surface of
the outer plate or film as it is pressed by the support 6 against the narrow flanges 13.
These teeth may be formed in various ways. For example, if the frame 12, is of wood,
the teeth may consist of metal points, set in the wood, and inclined with relation to
the surface of the plate in such manner that they may slide over said plate without
engagement, when moved in one direction, and may, when the frame slides in an
opposite direction, either engage the plate or exert such a degree of friction thereon as
to compel the plate to move with the transferring frame. When the latter is
constructed of metal a very convenient method of forming these teeth, or projections,
is to place the sharp point of a triangular punch upon the bar, inclining it at a small
angle thereto, and strike a smart quick blow upon the tool thereby raising a triangular
point of metal which inclines and points in the direction of the plate-receiving
chamber. These points slide easily over the surface of the plates, as the frame is
pushed inward but engage therewith as it is drawn outward. I may however form
these projections in any other manner and of any suitable material and they may
rigid, as described, or mounted upon pivots and arranged in sockets, in which they
may turn freely as the frame is pushed inward, while in the opposite movement of the
frame they are turned to project outward and held by the rear walls of the sockets in
position to act upon the plate. This construction is illustrated in one form in
Figure 5.
be
The frame 12 is moved in both directions by a pinion 16 carried by a shaft 17
mounted in suitable bearings upon the exterior of the box. The pinion lies partly
in a slot cut in the wall of the plate-holder, and its teeth mesh with a rack 18 formed
or mounted upon the edge of the frame.
more
The plate-receiving chamber or box 4, may be closed by a slide or by any suitable
form of cover 19 upon which is mounted a plate-detaching device, whereby the
plate or film as it is withdrawn by the frame 12, and brought into the receiver, may
be detached from the teeth on the frame, to which the plates sometimes adhere.
The detaching device may be wholly automatic and may consist of one or
springs 20 mounted upon the cover. It may also be formed of a plunger 21, of
any suitable form, passing through the cover and projected outward by a spring 22,
as in dotted lines Figure 3. A plate or pad 23 may be mounted on the inner end
of the plunger, which is pushed inward by the operator as the frame is thrown out
of the plate-holder.
As the plates are withdrawn one at a time, they pass through an opening 24 in
the wall or walls 5, which is preferably made of such width as to permit the passage
of only one plate at a time. This opening or slot 24, may be closed by a flap 25
movable into the plate receiving chamber and closed by a spring or other means.
In using this apparatus the slide 9 of the plate-holder is withdrawn to expose the
plates and when the exposure is completed a turn is given to the shaft 17 thereby
throwing the transferring frame or slide into the receiver 4, and carrying with it the
outer or exposed plate, which is pushed back in the receiver by the detaching

page_text: device, out of the way of the next plate to be removed. The transferring frame or
slade is then returned to its original position and a second exposure made, the pile
or stack of plates being fed forward meantime by the support 6.
A
I will now describe the modified apparatus shown by Figures 7, 8 and 9 where the
numeral 1, indicates a camera of any suitable construction and 2 the plate-holder or
camera-box having a plate-receiving chamber or box 3 connected therewith.
support 4 is arranged within the plate-bolder to support and move forward the stack
of plates or films this being accomplished by a screw 5 or by a spring or other
device. The plates formed of any suitable material and sensitized in any desired
manner, are piled in front of the support 4 and are held, as the support advances
by strips or flanges 6, projecting from the inner faces of the plate holder.
The plate receiving chamber or box 3, is located preferably upon one side of the
plate-holder, and is separated from the latter by a wall 7 having a slot or opening 8.
Journalled substantially in the plane of the wall dividing the plate-holder from the
plate-receiving chamber is a shaft 9, having a gear 10 which meshes with pinions 12
on each side of said gear. These pinions are mounted upon independent shafts 14
at each side of the shaft 9 and each shaft 14 carries two pinions 14" the pinions on
one shaft projecting within the plate-holder and those on the other shaft within the
plate receiving chamber.
The sensitized plates are each contained in an envelope or carrier 15 formed of
tin or other metal, vulcanized rubber, zylonite, celluloid, paper or any other material
suitable for the conditions required. This envelope or carrier is at two edges folde:
over upon the outer face of the plate as in Figure 9 and upon the folded margins or
flanges are formed, a series of teeth constituting a rack 16 to engage with the
pinions 14°. As each plate is provided with an envelope or carrier as described it
is evident that as the stack is fed forward the toothed part or rack edges 16 will be
brought into engagement with the pinions. The envelopes or carriers cover the back
of the plates and cut off or intercept the transmission of actinic rays of light through
the outermost plate to those in rear thereof. As the plates are advanced by the
support 4, the gearing engages the toothed or corrugated edges of the envelope, and
as the actuating shaft is turned the plate is shot with great rapidity out of the holder
and into the receiver. As the corrugated or toothed edges or flanges of the envelope
enter the plate-receiver they engage or mesh with the gears. on the second shaft by
which they are completely carried into the receiver.
It should be distinctly understood however, that I may use a single pair of gears
only, wholly dispensing with the gears in the receiving chamber.
In the receiving chamber I use any suitable form of detaching device adapted to
throw the transferred plates toward the rear and hold them out of the way of the
successively entering plates.
It should be understood that the teeth or racks of the envelopes or carriers may
be omitted and that instead of pinions 14ª some other kind of wheel can be employed,
such as a friction wheel or a wheel or wheels having roughened or toothed peripheries
acting upon a smoothed surfaced flange or flanges of the envelope or carrier, or of
the plate itself.
1 may also use a single wheel upon the transfering shaft acting upon a single margin
of the envelope or upon the plate itself.
I will now describe the apparatus shown in Figure 10 which is another
modification wherein the plate-holder or box is directly in front of the plate
receiving chamber.
By reference to Figure 10 it will be seen that the numeral 1 indicates the plate-
holder containing a support 2 which is advanced by a spring 3 or other device to feed
the sensitized plates or films 4. These plates or films may each be provided with an
envelope or carrier 5, constructed like, or similar to, that. described with reference to
Figure 9, and the outermost plate or film of the stack is held by the flange G.
At or near one end of the plate-holder and in front of the pile of plates, is placed a
vertical shaft 7, having a gear or wheel 8 at each end, adapted to engage with the
margins of the plates or of the envelopes or carriers by which said plates are

page_text: enclosed. These gears, only one of which is shown in the drawing, may form the
support for the plates at one end of the plate-holder as the said plates are pressed
forward by the support or plunger 2, though I may substitute therefor one or more
strips or ribs similar to the flange 6.
At the end of the plate-bolder is formed a chamber 9, in which one or more
guide-rolls 10 are journalled, the wall of the said chamber being curved outside
these rolls to provide a lateral passage for the plate as it is impelled by the gears or
wheels 8. The wall 12 separating the chamber 9 from the plate-holder is terminated
at such a point as to permit the passage of the outer, or exposed plate, under the
impulse of the gears or wheels, but preventing any movement or displacement of
the other plates in the same direction.
In the rear of the plate-holder is the plate-receiving chamber 13 between which
and the chamber 9 is journalled an independent shaft 14 having gears or wheels 15
which also engage the surface of the plates or of their envelopes after being
exposed. A partition 16 separates the plate-receiving chamber from the recess
containing the gear or wheel 15, but a slot or passage 17 is formed in this partition
at the end thereof to permit the transfer. It will be seen that, as the plates are.
successively removed from the position of exposure by the rotation of the gears 8,
they will pass over the curved wall of the chamber 9 and are engaged by the
gears 15 by the subsequent revolution whereof they will be shot into the receiving
chamber. In this chamber are arranged one or more springs 18 by which the
entering plate is first deflected and then bodily thrown toward the rear, to pile the
transferred plates successively in the receiver and remove each one as it enters
from the path of the next succeeding plate.
Ribs or flanges 6ª may be extended upon the top and bottom of the plate-holder
to support the plates as they are pressed forward and, if desired, one or more
friction rolls may be interposed between the end of the plate resting on the flange 6
and the end supported by the gears 8. An exposing slide 19 closes the plate
holder.
It must be understood that I may use a single gear 8 only instead of employing
two gears one for each margin of the plate or plate envelope. I may also
dispense with the marginal portions of the envelopes and employ a frictional
bearing acting directly upon the surfaces of the plates at or near their edges instead
of upon the margins of the envelopes.
A hinged flap may be employed to close the slot 17, in the wall of the receiver
after the entrance of each plate.
I may omit the guide rolls entirely and use simply a curved lateral passage at
the end of the plate-holder, communicating with the receiver and this construction
will give good practical results though the guide-roll or rolls are preferable as they
diminish the friction.
I may also substitute for the gears 8 wheels made of or having their peripheries
surfaced with soft or vulcanized rubber, as herein before described.
In the modification shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13 the reference numeral 1
denotes the camera-box or plate-holder of any suitable size or form adapted to
receive a stack or pile of unexposed plates or films 2 resting upon a support 3,
which is fed forward by a spring 4 or by an equivalent such as a screw, whereby
the unexposed plates or films are fed forward into position for successive exposure
in the plate-holder 1. Within said plate-holder are ribs 5 forming ways or guides
in which a transferring frame or slide 6 moves in a plane parallel with the films said
slide consisting of a rectangular frame upon two parallel arms or members whereof
are mounted teeth 7 (one or more) of any suitable form and material, adapted to
engage the exposed surface of the uppermost plate or film 2. The slide may be
provided, if desired, with similar teeth upon the arm or member 6ª and its parallel
arms move in openings in the wall of the camera-box the slide being actuated by a
rod, wire or cord 8.
Úpon one side of the camera chamber or box 1 is arranged the plate-receiving-
chamber 9, consisting of a box of any suitable size and form, connected to the
:

page_text: camera-box 1, either permanently or detachably, by any suitable fastening. This
receiving chamber is provided with ribs or guides 10, which are practically con-
tinuous with the ribs 5, in the camera-box, and co-operate therewith in supporting
the slide 6.
An exposing slide or cover 12 is mounted in grooves in the camera-box 1, in front
of the plate-moving slide 6, to cover the unexposed films stacked or piled
therein.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The chamber 1, being charged with
plates or films 2, piled upon the support 3, and the plate-holder or receiver 9 being
arranged in proper position, the slide 12, is withdrawn to give the proper exposure
to the plate or filin, adjacent thereto. When the exposure is completed and the
slide 12, replaced, the slide or frame 6, is operated by means of the rod, cord or
similar device 8, whereupon the teeth 7, upon said slide engage with the upper film
or plate and withdraw it through an opening in the wall of the chamber 1, adjacent
to the plate receiving box, said opening being so placed as to permit the passage of
the upper, exposed plate only. After the removal of said plate the stack or pile of
films, is fed forward by the spring or screw-impelled support 3, to bring the
succeeding film 2, into proper position, while the removed plate is dropped into the
bottom of the plate-receiver, the slide frame 6, being pushed back to normal position,
is in readiness to operate upon the. next succeeding film after the latter has been
exposed. The retrograde movement of the slide-frame 6, may be produced by a
rod or cord, or it may be restored by the withdrawing device 8, provided the latter is
rigid.
The plate-receiver 9, may be a permanent adjunct of the camera-box 1, or it may
be connected therewith by hinges and swung back when not in use. It may also be
attached by clamps and removed at pleasure.
While conveniently adapted for flexible films, the invention may be used in con-
junction with either flexible or rigid plates or films.
The transferring frame or slide 6, may be provided with a rack or racks engaged
by a pinion or pinions mounted on a shaft operated at the exterior of the apparatus
for reciprocating the slide. This rack and pinion operating mechanism shown in
Figure 13, may comprise multiplying gearing and is very desirable since it provides
for very rapid transfer of the plates or films from the camera-box into the receiving-
box.
so as to
As shown in Figure 13, the plate or film moving tooth 13 may be pivoted
engage a plate or film and move it into the receiving chamber, while such tooth will
swing into a recess 14, in the slide-frame when the latter is retracted into the camera-
box.
It will be observed that in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, and in Figures 11 and 12, the
transfer slide is open and that a plate or film is exposed through it in the camera-box
and further it will be seen that the slide moves to transfer a plate or film from the
camera-box into the receiving chamber while such receiving chamber stands stationary
or immovable.
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 Correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. The combination of an exposing chamber, a receiving chamber beside the
exposing chamber and devices for successively moving the exposed plates or films
from the former into the latter.
Second. The combination of an exposing chamber a receiving chamber beside the
exposing chamber and rack and pinion mechanism for successively transferring the
plates or films.
Third. The combination of a plate-holding box, a plate-receiving chamber and an
open slide-frame adapted for the exposure of a plate therethrough, having a tooth or
projection to engage a plate in the box and capable of sliding from the latter across

page_text: the receiving chamber while the box and chamber remains stationary and in such
movement pulling the exposed plate from the box into the receiving-chamber.
Fourth. The combination of a plate holding box, a plate-receiving-box beside the
same, an open slide-frame adapted for the exposure of a plate therethrough, having a
tooth to engage a plate in said box and capable of sliding from the latter across the
receiving-box while the latter stands stationary and in such movement pulling the
exposed plate from the holding-box into the receiving box.
Fifth. The combination of a plate holding box, a support which is movable therein
towards the exposure opening, a plate-receiving chamber beside the said box, an open-
slide frame adapted for the exposure of a plate therethrough, having a tooth or
projection to engage a plate in the holding box and movable from the latter across
the receiving chamber while the latter remains stationary to pull a plate thereinto
and an exposing slide arranged in front and independent of the plate-moving
slide.
Sixth. In a photographic apparatus the combination with a plate-holder and
receiver, of a plate transferring device, having teeth or projections which engage the
plate when moving in one direction, and gearing arranged upon the outside of the
plate-holder and meshing with a rack upon the transferring device.
Seventh. In a photographic apparatus the combination with a plate-holder and
receiver, of a plate-transferring device movable from the former into the latter, and
means for detaching the transferred plate from the transferring device and pushing it
back in the receiver out of the path of the succeeding plate.
Eighth. In a photographic apparatus the combination with a plate-holder and
receiver, of a transferring device movable from one into the other and provided with
teeth or projections engaging the plate in one direction of movement, externally
mounted gearing meshing with a rack on the transferring device, and a spring or
springs, automatically detaching the plate from said teeth and pushing it back in the
receiver out of the path of the succeeding plates.
Ninth. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a plate-holder and a
receiver, of a transferring-frame movable from one to the other and provided with
teeth or similar projections on the side next to the stack or pile of plates, an
adjustable support pressing said plates forward against supports which hold them in
position for the exposure of foremost plate, externally mounted gearing meshing
with a rack on the transferring device, a detaching device mounted on the cover of
the receiver, and a flap closing the opening or slot through which the transferred
plate passes.
Tenth. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a plate-bolder and a
receiver, of a transferring frame, sliding in ways, or guides, in both chambers, and
provided with teeth, or projections, which engage the plates in one direction of
movement, and gearing mounted in external supports and projecting through a slot
in the wall to mesh with a rack upon the edge of the transferring frame.
Eleventh. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a plate-holder of an
adjacent plate-receiver, a support adjustable within the former to feed a stack or pile
of plates forward, as the plates are successively exposed and removed, a transferring
frame moving from one chamber to the other and having teeth or projections
adapted to engage the outer plate, and externally mounted gearing reciprocating
said frame, the plate-holder being provided with one or more interior edges or strips
to support the plates as they are fed forward.
Twelfth. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a plate-holder and
an adjacent plate-receiver, of a transferring device adapted to remove the exposed
plates successively from the plate-holder to the plate-receiver, and means arranged
within the plate-holder for retaining the outer-plate in position for exposure and for
engagement with the transferring device.
Thirteenth. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a plate-holder and
receiver, of transferring devices for removing the exposed plates successively from
the plate-holder to the receiver, and a flap for closing the opening of communication
between the two chambers, substantially as described.

page_text: Fourteenth. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a plate-holder and
receiver, of gearing adapted to engage the margins of the exposed plates, or the
flanges or margins of the envelopes carrying said plates and means for feeding or
adjusting a series of plates forward in the plate-holder to engage them successively
with said gearing.
Fifteenth. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a plate-holder and
receiver, of a support adjustable within the plate-holder for the purpose of feeding
forward a series of sensitized plates arranged in a pile, each plate being provided
with an envelope, or carrier, formed of any suitable material, and gearing mounted
on the plate-holder and engaging with the surfaces of the plates or of their
carriers.
Sixteenth. In a photographic apparatus, a sensitized plate, having an envelope or
carrier composed of any suitable material lying against the back of said plate and
having its edges folded or turned over upon the outer face thereof and provided
with teeth or corrugations adapted to engage with gearing for transferring said
plates.
Seventeenth. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a support for
feeding forward a series of sensitized plates, of one or more transferring devices
adapted to engage directly with the surface of the exposed plate, or with the margins
of its envelope, for the purpose of transferring the same to a plate-receiver adjacent
to the holder.
Eighteenth. The combination with a plate-holder of a plate-receiver arranged in
rear thereof, and a plate transferring device, whereby the exposed plates are
successively removed from the position of exposure to the plate-receiver.
Nineteenth. The combination with a plate-holder, of a plate-receiver arranged in
rear thereof, and communicating therewith by a curved, lateral passage at the end
of the plate-holder, and a transferring device engaging directly with the plates, or
with the marginal portions of their envelopes, and impelling them through said
curved passage.
Twentieth. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a plate-holder,
provided with suitable means for feeding a stack or series of sensitized plates forward
to expose the outer plate, of a plate-receiver arranged in rear of said plate-holder,
engaging with the plates or with margins of the envelopes enclosing said plates, and
one or more guide rolls arranged in a chamber at the end of the plate-holder, sub-
stantially as specified.
Twenty-first. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a plate-holder, of
an adjustable support for feeding a pile or series of sensitized plates forward against
one or more supports by which the outer plate is held in position for exposure,
gearing arranged at or near one end of the plate-holder and adapted to engage
with the surfaces of the plates or with the envelopes enclosing said plates, guide-
rolls arranged at one end of the plate-holder in a chamber having a curved wall, and
an independent gear or gears, arranged in a recess between the guide rolls and the
end of a plate receiving chamber arranged in rear of the plate holder.
Twenty-second. In a photographic apparatus, the combination with a plate-holder
of an adjustable plate-support, pressing the series of sensitized plates forward
against one or more supporting flanges, or ribs, a plate-receiver arranged in rear of
the plate-holder, one or more wheels arranged in the plate holder and engaging
with the plates or the flanges of the envelopes carrying the plates, guide-rolls
arranged at one end of the plate-holding chamber and a wheel or wheels arranged
between the guide-rolls and the end of the plate receiver, the latter being provided
with one or more springs whereby the entering plates are pushed toward the rear.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.