Improvements in Photographic Cameras and in Apparatus connected therewith.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 23rd July, 1890-Accepted, 24th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras and in Apparatus connected
therewith.
SAMUEL DUNSIETH MCKELLEN of 3 Chapman Street Manchester Photographic
Apparatus Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The first part of my invention has for its object an easy means of carrying any
convenient number of plates in one storage box, so that they may be exposed one
after another and an easy means of transferring the exposed plate from its position
in the storage box into a separate receptacle.
In cameras of the detective class I adopt the following as some of the methods of
applying my invention and by a little modification the saine may be used in connexion
with ordinary cameras.
A chamber or magazine is provided at that end of the camera which is opposite to
the lens. This chamber is made to contain any convenient number of plates, preferably
one or two dozens, which are placed therein face to back, the sensitive films being
towards the lens. The plates are pressed forward against a frame (afterwards to be
described) by suitable springs, which exert sufficient pressure at the back of the
plates to ensure that the front one shall be always kept in proper register. The
transferring of the front plate, after exposure, to the receiver may be effected in the
following manner :-
The receiver itself is in the form of a box without a lid, which lies in the bottom
of the camera, and is swivelled or hinged by one end or side, close to the front of the
magazine, in such a way that it may be closed up against the front of the magazine,
the open side of the box being next the magazine. The frame before mentioned,
which forms the register separates the magazine from the box. This closing up may
be effected by any suitable mechanical contrivance. I do not confine myself to any
special method, but I prefer to use a key or milled head, working in connection with
the swivel or hinge, and passing through to the outside of the camera.
The register
frame is formed by a rail from top to bottom on each side in front of the magazine.
The plates are contained in metallic sheaths, which cover the back, clip the edges,
and slightly overlap the film. These sheaths have projections at the sides, two or four
or any convenient number. These projections rest upon the rails which stand clear
of the sheaths. The rails have gaps cut in corresponding in number and relative
position to, but slightly above or below, the projections on the edges of the sheaths.
Now it is clear that if the magazine is turned up, so that the front plate faces down-
wards and the front plate is slided along until the projections enter the gaps, the plate
and its sheath will fall through into the receiver below, and the second plate will
assume the position formerley occupied by the first-the projections of its sheath
resting upon the solid parts of the rails. The receiver will be then returned to its
normal position on the bottom of the camera. The plates lying face downwards in
the receiver are protected from light by the sheaths, and an additional protection,
hereafter described, can be provided. The plates with the sheaths are prevented from
accidentally slipping through the gaps by the back part of the receiver, which is made
to project, so that when it is in its normal position the projection supports the plate
and sheath, but is withdrawn from that position when the receiver is lifted up,
sufficient to allow the plate to slide the required distance.
Instead of four projections, two may be used, placed near one end of the sheath the
other end of the plate resting on a register rail at the end of the camera furthest
from the projections so that when the plate is slided in the right direction the
projections will pass through the notches at the same time that the other end of the

page_text: plate slips off its support the plate then falling as before into the receiver. The sliding
of the plate can be done in several ways. When the receiver is raised up to its
position to receive the plate and its projection is withdrawn from the bottom of the
plate enough space is created to allow the necessary movement of the plate. A stud
pressed by the hand from outside of the camera may be made to act on the edge of
the plate and move it into the position before described for dropping into the receiver.
Or a spring bearing on the edge of the plate may be made to act automatically instead
of the stud the spring being brought into action by the raising of the receiver and
taken out of action by lowering it. Or a frame with an opening made to take in the
front plate and somewhat thinner than it may be fitted close to the register plates &
can be moved in the same manner as the plate itself is moved as before described
carrying the contained plate with it to the required position. Suitablo mechanism
may be used to connect such a frame with the receiver so that as the receiver is
raised or lowered it will automatically communicate movement to the frame which
in turn moves the plate as required. Instead of a frame encompassing the plate
sliding pieces may be used one on each side of the aperture and working close to
the register rails. These slides may have notches cut in them which clip the projections
on the sheath when the plate is in position for exposure.
The slides being connected with the receiver by suitable mechanical means will be
moved by it when it is raised up & lowered so that they pull or push the sheath &
plate into the position for passing into the receiver.
The plates may be removed from the magazine by another method-Tho sheaths are
formed with a projection on the lower end. These projections as the plates are pressed
forward take into a pinion which is placed just in front of the lower edge of the
plate. When the pinion is revolved a given distance it carries the sheath & plate
upwards and forwards till it drops out of the magazine. A plain shaft with a pro-
jecting catch would answer the same purpose. When the sliding of the plate is
effected by any non-automatic means here described it could be arranged that the
plate instead of dropping into the receiver would be made to pass through an
aperture just below the front of the magazine and lodge itself in a box outside of
the camera.
The box would have to be attached by sliding to the camera and a dark slide
would be withdrawn from the camera & from the box when about to transfer the
plate and when transferred the slides would be replaced & the box withdrawn.
The additional protection from light before-named may be secured by a cover
which lies flat over the receiver and is made to move out of the way when the
receiver is being raised either by the action of the receiver or by mechanism attached
to it or by a separate lever acting on it from without and when the cover is in position
over the plates they are effectually protected from any chance of light falling on
them.
The receiver is made so that when it is raised to the receiving position the plates
fall easily into it & when it is closed down they are pressed upon at either side or end
by a cushion which holds them in a safe position and prevents them from being
knocked about.
The second part of my invention is to provide a cover for cameras of all kinds
which have to be carried about. This cover is intended to dispense with the use
of a carrying case. For this purpose I employ any material of which camera cases
are usually made. I cover the base-board of the camera with the material attaching
it by means of studs placed in a convenient position or by any convenient means.
I make an opening in the centre of the material corresponding in size to the turntable
in my cameras or large enough to allow a triangle to be screwed to the base board
or with only a small hole through which a baseboard screw may pass. I make this
material of such size and shape that it will fold over & cover all of the camera when
it is folded up. It can then be fastened by buckles or in any convenient way so as to
appear as if the camera were in a case. The advantage of this cover is that the
camera can be mounted on its legs and the cover being unfastened the camera can
be opened leaving the cover still attached to the base board. The camera, cover &

page_text: legs attached can thus be carried about when photographing, from one point of view
to another much more easily as there is no empty camera case to handle.
The cover may be attached to the under side of the camera if preferred but the
action is the same. A handle may be fixed to the cover or the handle of the camera
itself may be used by having an opening in the material through which it projects
to allow of its being grasped by the hand. If the cover is attached to the underside
of the camera the baseboard aperture may be omitted & in that case the cover would
be unfastened before placing the camera on the legs.
DL: 001
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras and in Apparatus connected
therewith.
I SAMUEL DUNSIETH MCKELLEN 3 Chapman Street Hulme Manchester Photo-
graphic Apparatus Manufacturer 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 first part of my invention has for its object an easy means of carrying any
convenient number of plates in one storage box so that they may be exposed one after
another and an easy means of transferring the exposed plate from its position in the
storage box into a separate receptacle.
In cameras of the detective class I adopt the following as some of the methods of
applying my invention.
A chamber or magazine is provided at that end of the camera which is opposite to
the lens. This chamber is made to contain any convenient number of plates,
preferably one or two dozens, which are placed therein face to back, the sensitive
films being towards the lens. The plates are pressed forward against a frame
(afterwards to be described) by suitable springs, which exert sufficient pressure at
the back of the plates to ensure that the front one shall be always kept in proper
register. The transferring of the front plate, after exposure, to the receiver may
be effected in the following manner :-
The receiver itself is in the form of a box without a lid, which lies in the
bottom of the camera, and is swivelled or hinged by one end or side close to the
front of the magazine in such a way that it may be closed up against the front
of the magazine, the open side of the box being next the magazine. The frame
before mentioned, which forms the register separates the magazine from the box.
This closing up may be effected by any suitable mechanical contrivance. I do not
confine myself to any special method, but I prefer to use a key or milled head
working in connection with the swivel or hinge, and passing through to the out-
side of the camera. The register frame is formed by a rail from top to bottom on
each side in front of the magazine. The plates are contained in metallic sheaths
which cover the back, clip the edges, & slightly overlap the film. These sheaths
have projections at the sides, two or four or any convenient number. These projec-
tions rest upon the rails, which stand clear of the sheaths. The rails have gaps cut
in, corresponding in number & relative position to, but slightly above or below,
the projections on the edges of the sheaths. Now, it is clear that if the magazine
is turned up so that the front plate faces downward, and the front plate is slided
along until the projections enter the gaps the plate and its sheath will fall through
into the receiver below, and the second plate will assume the position formerly
occupied by the first, the projections of its sheath resting upon the solid parts of
the rails. The receiver will be then returned to its normal position on the bottom
of the camera. The plates lying face downwards in the receiver are protected from
light by the sheaths, and an additional protection, hereafter described, can be
provided. The plates with the sheaths are prevented from accidentally slipping
through the gaps by the back part of the receiver, which is made to project so

page_text: that when it is in its normal position the projection supports the plate and sheath,
but is withdrawn from that position when the receiver is lifted up, sufficient to
allow the plate to slide the required distance. Or a strong spring is made to bear
on the sheath preventing it from slipping through until enough pressure is put
on it.
Instead of four projections, two may be used, placed near one end of the sheath,
the other end of the plate resting on a register rail at the end of the camera
farthest from the projections, so that when the plate is slided in the right direction
the projections will pass through the notches at the same time that the other end
of the plate slips off its support, the plate then falling as before into the receiver.
The sliding of the plate can be done in several ways. When the receiver is
raised up to its position to receive the plate, and its projection is withdrawn from
the bottom of the plate enough space is created to allow the necessary movement
of the plate. A stud pressed by the hand from outside of the camera may be made
to act on the edge of the plate and move it into the position before described for
dropping into the receiver: Or a spring bearing on the edge of the plate may be
made to act automatically instead of the stud, the spring being brought into action by
the raising of the receiver, and taken out of action by lowering it." Or a frame with
an opening made to take in the front plate and somewhat thinner than it, may be fitted
close to the register plates, and can be moved in the same manner as the plate itself is
moved as before described, carrying the contained plate with it to the required
position. Suitable mechanism may be used to connect such a frame with the receiver
so that the receiver is raised or lowered it will automatically communicate movement
to the frame, which in turn moves the plate as required. Instead of a frame
encompassing the plate sliding pieces may be used one on each side of the aperture
and working close to the register rails. These slides may have notches cut in them,
which clip the projections on the sheath when the plate is in position for exposure.
The slides being connected with the receiver by suitable mechanical means will be
moved by it when it is raised up and lowered so that they pull or push the sheaths and
plates into the position for passing into the receiver. The plates may be removed
from the magazine by another method. The sheaths are formed with a projection
the lower end. These projections as the plates are pressed forward, take into a pinion
which is placed just in front of the lower edge of the plate. When the pinion is revolved
a given distance it carries the sheath and plate upward & forward till it drops
out of the magazine. A plain shaft with a projecting catch would answer the same
purpose.
on
When the sliding of the plate is effected by any non-automatic means here described,
it could be arranged that the plate instead of dropping into the receiver would be
made to pass through an aperture just below the front of the magazine and lodge itself
in a box outside of the camera. The box would have to be attached by sliding to the
camera, and a dark slide would be withdrawn from the camera, and from the box when
about to transfer the plate, and when transferred, the slide would be replaced & the
box withdrawn. The additional protection from light may be secured by a cover
which lies flat over the receiver, and is made to move out of the way when the receiver
is being raised either by the action of the receiver, or by mechanism attached to it, or
by a separate lever acting on it from without, and when the cover is in position over
the plates they are effectually protected from any chance of light falling on them.
The receiver is made so that when it is raised into the receiving position the plates
fall easily into it, and when it is closed down they are pressed upon at either side or
end by a cushion which holds them in a safe position and prevents them being knocked
about.
case.
The second part of my invention is to provide a cover for cameras of all kinds which
have to be carried about. This cover is intended to dispense with the use of a carrying
For this purpose I employ any material of which camera cases are usually made.
I cover the baseboard of the camera with the material attaching it by means of studs,
placed in a convenient position, or by any convenient means. I make an opening in
the centre of the material corresponding in size to the turntable in my camera, or large

page_text: enough to allow a triangle to be screwed to the baseboard, or with only a small hole
through which a baseboard screw may pass. I make this material of such size & shape
that it will fold over and cover all of the camera when it is folded up. It can then be
fastened by buckles, or in any convenient way, so as to appear as if the camera were
in a case.
The advantage of this cover is that the camera can be mounted on its legs and the
cover being unfastened, the camera can be opened leaving the cover still attached to
the baseboard: the camera, cover, and legs attached can then be carried about when
photographing from one point of view to another much more easily as there is no
empty camera case to handle.
The cover may be attached to the under side of the camera if preferred but the
action is the same. A handle may be fixed to the cover or the handle of the camera
itself may be used by having an opening in the material through which it projects to
allow of its being grasped by the hand. If the cover is attached to the under side of
the camera the baseboard aperture may be omitted and in that case the cover would be
unfastened before placing the camera on its legs.
In order that the first part of my invention may be more fully understood I now
describe one of the ways by which it is worked. I do not confine myself to this way,
but I find this to be as practicable as any other, and one which admits of the instru
ment being made up in large quantities and very strong & certain in its action.
The magazine is made as described and the receiver is hinged to it at one side so that
when raised up it will close upon the face of the magazine. It then presses on a lever
which pushes the sheath along the rails before named till the projections drop through
the notches. The sheaths thus drop into the receiver.
The receiver has the cushions or grippers as I prefer to call them at each end. They
stand inside the receiver, and reach from the bottom to the top of it. The lower end
rests on the bottom of the receiver. When the receiver is raised up to face the
magazine the top end of the grippers slide along an inclined plate which causes them
to retire from the inside of the receiver, thus making room for the sheath to fall into
its place. When the receiver is retired from the face of the magazine the grippers
advance & lay hold of the sheaths thus automatically preventing them from moving out
of their places so that the camera may be turned up or down without the sheaths being
disturbed.
In the drawings annexed:-
Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of a camera with the magazine, a, and the
receiver, b, in position for exposure.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the magazine, a, and the receiver, b, in the same position
as in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the magazine, a, showing a sheath, c, in position for
exposure with its projections resting on the register rails, D; the dotted lines show it
after having been pushed along into the position of dropping from the magazine, a,
into the receiver, b, by the lever, e.
Fig. 4 is a front sectional elevation of the receiver, b, showing the gripping racks, f;
the dotted lines show the position of the gripping racks when the receiver, b, is closed
up against the magazine, a, when the ends of the gripping racks, f, have been retired
by sliding up the inclined planes, g, Fig. 3.
In Fig. 5c shows a front elevation, c¹ an end elevation, and e² a plan of a sheath
with projections as described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1st. The use of sheaths or frames with side projections for the purpose herein
described.
2nd. The method of removing the front exposed plate from its position by sliding
the containing sheath or frame along the rails till the projections pass through the
notches in such rails as herein described.

page_text: 3rd. The use of a receiver which is caused to close up against the face of the
magazine to enable the exposed plate to fall into it.
4th. The use of gripping cushions or racks to firmly grip the sheaths when in the
receiver.
5th. The combined arrangement of magazine, sheaths with projections, receiver &
gripping racks for the purpose herein described.
6th. The combined arrangement of magazine, sheaths, pinion, or shaft with catch,
receiver and gripping racks as described.
7th. The use of a constantly attached cover with ordinary cameras to take the place
of the usual carrying case.
Dated this 2nd das of July 1800
S. D. MCKELLEN.