Improvements in Coin Freed Automatic Machines for the Taking and Delivering of Photographic Impressions.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 1st May,
4007
Complete Specification Left, 1st Mar., 1898-Accepted, 1st July, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 1st Mar., 1898-Accepted, 1st July, 1898
Improvements in Coin Freed Automatic Machines for the Taking
and Delivering of Photographic Impressions.
I, ROBERT WILLOUGHBY VINING, of 49, Grange Park, Ealing, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
My invention relates to machines for automatically taking of photographs and
of the delivery of the same in exchange for a coin, coins or tokens, and has for
its object the provision of means for carrying out the cycle of operations so that
the necessary adjustment of exposure and developement is automatically effected
according to the variation of the light and temperature, these being the two
varying factors which affect the final result.
To carry my invention into effect I arrange a pile of sensitised material in a
similar manner adapted in other coin freed automatic delivery machines, and at
each operation of the machine a sensitive element is fed from the bottom of the
pile into place at the back of the lens of the camera. I arrange a clock work
imechanism which can be driven by a weight, spring or other source of power.
This mechanism is released primarily by the operation of the coin or coins put
into the machine, and is connected to the shutter of the lens so that the exposure
is made at the operation of the clock work mechanism. As the mechanism
continues to move the shutter is closed and the exposed sensitive element is
allowed to drop from the camera down guides into a carrier mounted on a specially
arranged dipping mechanism hereinafter fully described, which passes the sensi-
tive element successively through the developing, washing, fixing and washing
baths, and finally delivers it to the exit orifice in front of the machine so as to be
received by the purchaser.
a
The dipping mechanism consists of a vertical post adapted to slide in a suitable
support and to be raised and lowered by a lever or its equivalent which is oscil-
lated or moved by the clockwork mechanism. This post carries an arm upon
which is supported the carrier into which the sensitive element is delivered, the
latter resting upon a catch or device which can be withdrawn allowing the ele-
ment to drop from the carrier at the proper time. The post besides having
vertical sliding movement is adapted to also turn about its axis. This movement
of rotation is controlled by a slot, groove, projection or the like arranged in a
zigzag path about the internal or external periphery of a cylinder arranged with
its axis coincident with that of the post. The post carries a second arm which is
adapted to engage with the zigzag path, so that as the post is moved vertically
the second arm engaging in the said path gives the post a certain movement
about its axis. I prefer the rotation shall take place when the post is being
lifted consequently I make the zigzag path with alternate portions parallel and
oblique respectively to the axis of the post.
The developing, fixing and washing receptacles are arranged in a circle about
the axis of the post, the developing and first washing receptacles being upon

page_text: one level and the fixing and second washing receptacles being on a lower. The
object of this disposition is to allow the use of one dipping device for developing
and first washing and another dipping device to be used for fixing and second
washing, in order to prevent the contamination of the developing bath with the
fixing solution as would be the case if the same dipper were used for all four.
The second or fixing dipping device is mounted on arms carried loosely by the
post, and is operated by contact with the first or developing dipping device.
To allow for variation of light I fit to the usual diaphragm or stop whether of
the iris or disc form, an adjusting mechanism operated by the individual from
the exterior of the casing containing the machine, and I arrange a scale having
suitable directions upon which works a pointer connected with the diaphragm
adjusting mechanism, so that the illumination of the image on the sensitive
surface is varied by the size of the aperture of the lens. As the rate of develope-
ment of the photographic image depends very largely on the temperature of the
developing solution I provide means to correct differences from variation of
temperature.
To effect this I may arrange upon the clockwork mechanism operating the
dipping gear, a controlling flyer having wings adjustable as to their resistance
to rotation through the air, the adjusting of the wings being effected by a ther-
mostatic regulator or I may arrange a thermostatic regulator controlling a source
of heat applied to the developing and other solutions so that they always keep
at a uniform temperature.
The clock-work mechanism is re-inforced at each operation through suitable
means operated from the exterior of the machine by the person using it.
In connection with the photographic mechanism I may arrange a device for
delivering a mount or frame together with the photograph.
This device contains the mounts or frames superposed on one another in a pile
and has at its lower part a pair of catches or projections which normally support
the superincumbent pile, and which when withdrawn from the sphere of action
allows the bottom mount or frame to fall out, another pair of catches or projec-
tions arranged above the first pair supporting the rest of the pile during the
delivery of the bottom mount or frame, the two pairs of catches operating alter-
rately in opposite directions.
At the front of the machine I provide a movable list of instructions or informa-
tion as to the progress of the mechanism and its product simultaneously with its
operation, which is moved by the clock-work, and is designed to afford a source
of interest to direct the attention of the person during the taking, finishing and
delivery of his or her photograph.
I provide a chain or other equivalent means whereby the proper focal distance
can be arrived at by the subject and I may so arrange the chain that it is con-
nected to the mechanism as to release it when the proper focal distance is
obtained.
The operation of my machine is as follows:-
The person who desires to be photographed stands in front of the machine and
after having put the necessary coin or coins into the coin slot, takes the focussing
chain and gauges the proper distance to place himself from the lens, he then
pulls the chain against a spring pressure, which allows the coin or coins to
release the clock work mechanism, which consequently commences to revolve.
The person now remains stationary while the clockwork is opening and closing
the shutter of the lens to expose the sensitive element. When the exposure is
complete a bell is rung or other signal is given, the plate is released from the
camera and falls into the first carrier which is moved with its post through a
small are and is immediately lowered into the developing solution, the clock-work
running on at a predetermined speed the whole time. After the necessary time
has elapsed the carrier and plate are lifted and take a further small angular
movement over the first washing receptacle into which they are dropped and are
raised again. A further angular movement is then made so as to bring the first

page_text: carrier and plate over the second carrier which as is hereinbefore stated loosely
carried by the post of the dipping mechanism. As the first carrier arrives exactly
over the second a small catch or detent is released on the former and the plate
falls into the latter, which is then lowered into the fixing bath and on being
raised again, receives a further angular movement over the second washing bath
into which the plate is dipped and on being raised is moved round through a
further angle and is released from the second carrier and is delivered through a
suitable channel into the delivery shoot. The first carrier has been carrying the
second carrier round through the angular movement against a spring or other
pressure but the second carrier is now released from contact with the first carrier
and returns by reason of the spring or other pressure to its original position over
the fixing bath. The first carrier is now in position to receive the next plate from
the camera, and the clock-work having now completed its cycle of operation is
stopped by the retaining mechanism which is operated by the coin.
The person now pulls a handle or its equivalent which winds up the clockwork
and feeds a new plate into the camera ready for the next operation and also
operates the mechanism of the mount or frame delivery device and causes the
photograph and a mount or frame to be delivered from the machine to the person.
As the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere varies the thermostatic
regulator comes into operation to maintain a uniformity of development while
the person regulates the exposure according to the intensity or actinic value of
the light by adjusting the aperture of the lens before the picture is taken,
according to the directions on the front of the machine.
FELL & JAMES,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Coin Freed Automatic Machines for the Taking
and Delivering of Photographic Impressions.
I, ROBERT WILLOUGHBY VINING, of 49, Grange Park, Ealing, in the County
of Middlesex, 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:-
My invention relates to machines for automatically taking photographs, and
delivering the same in exchange for a coin or coins or tokens, and has for its
object the provision of means for carrying out the cycle of operations, so that
the necessary adjustment of exposure can be made according to the variations
of the light, and the development of the photographic image can be automatically
regulated according to the temperature; these being the two varying factors
which affect the final result.
In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed
to describe the same in reference to the accompanying drawings, reference being
had, to the letters and figures marked thereon. Like letters refer to like parts,
in the various figures.
Figure 1, is a back elevation of my machine.
Figure 2, is a front elevation of the same, the casing in each case being
removed to show the mechanism.
Figure 3, is a plan of the same,

page_text: Figure 4 is a sectional plan on the line 1-2 in Figure 1, shewing the various
baths and plate carriers only.
Figure 5 is a detail view of the plate carriers and operative mechanism.
Figure 6 is a developed view of the zig-zag path controlling the movements
of the plate carriers.
Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of the operative mechanism for controlling
the lower carrier. Figure 7^ is a sectional plan of the same on the line X X
Figure 7.
Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of the two carriers one above the other,
showing the relative position, when the photographic plate is to be delivered
from the upper to the lower carrier.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of the machine showing the plate feeding device,
shutter mechanism, card or mount delivery device and winding up gear.
Figures 10 and 11 show in two positions the thermostatic regulator, for con-
trolling the speed of the clockwork according to the surrounding temperature,
and
Figure 12 is a part sectional view of the cylinder containing the zig-zag
path.
To carry my invention into effect I arrange a pile of superimposed sensitised
plates A, on the upper part of the machine shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 9, and I
provide mechanism at the lower part of the pile, so arranged, that on each opera-
tion of the machine a sensitive element or plate is fed from the bottom of the
pile into position at the back of the lense B, of the camera C. Figures 2, 3,
and 9.
This mechanism consists of a horizontal screw D Figures 3, and 9, engaging
with a sliding catch E, which is so arranged that it will engage the lower-most
plate, and push it from beneath the pile through a slot in the side of the con-
tainer into the hopper F, Figure 9 which is adapted to deliver the said plate in
the proper focal plane at the back of the camera. The screw D carries a pinion d
with which a rack engages; the means for the operation of the said rack
being hereinafter described. Figures 1, 3, and 9.
I arrange a clock-work mechanism G Figure 1 in the upper part of the device
which is driven in the ordinary way by the weight and is provided with a
controlling or time disc H Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, and 9 with which engages a detent J,
operated by the coin lever & Figures 2 and 3.
The control disc H carries a projection which is adapted to co-act with the
operating mechanism 2 of the shutter K, pivotted on an axle so as to open and
close the said shutter the two positions of the shutter being shewn in dotted
lines in Figure 9.
The plate when in the camera rests upon a false bottom L, Figure 3, placed
over a slot in the floor in the apparatus.
This false bottom L is adapted to slide and is spring-pressed by a spring 1,
and has a slot which is arranged of such a size as to allow the plate to drop
through the floor, when the slots in the false bottom and the floor coincide. The
operation of the false bottom L is controlled by a pivotted arm 72, to which it
is connected, the end of the arm 13 carrying a projection arranged to engage
with a recess Figure 5 on the controlling disc H, when the said disc is in such
a position as to allow the engagement of the recess and the end of the lever 12
which are made of such a form, as to allow the disc to force the lever back out
of the recess against the spring pressure of the spring as the rotation of the
disc proceeds. The plate drops from the camera into a developing carrier M,
which is carried upon an arm m mounted rigidly upon a post m² slidingly held
in the supporting cylinder N. Figures 1, 4, and 5.
The post m carries a piston having a projection m³, Figure 12 which is adapted
to engage with slots m' arranged in the interior of the cylinder, the vertical
slots being connected by diagonal slots m³ controlled by spring switches m.

page_text: The top of the post m³ is attached by a swivel O to a strap or cord o which in
turn is fastened to a quadrant ol.carried by a lever o³.
The small arm o³, which is rigidly attached to the lever o³, is engaged by the
projection on the time disc so as to lift the post with its carriers. Round the
post m² I arrange the developing tank P and on a lower level the fixing tank P
and washing tank P and delivery shoot P³.
Above the developing carrier M, I loosely mount the sleeve Qupon the post m²,
the said sleeve Q carries an arm Q¹, to which is depended the fixing carrier Q³
each of the carriers M, Q%, are provided with spring pressed projections or
catches which, in their normal position prevent the plate from falling through
the carrier.
The controlling disc H, gears with a pinion q' which operates with a mutilated
spur wheel which engages at right angles with a similar mutilated spur
wheel attached to the sleeve Q.
The object of this double arrangement of carrier, is to allow the use of one
dipping device for developing, and another dipping device for fixing, and wash-
ing, in order to prevent the contamination of the developing bath with the fixing
solution, which would be the case if the same carrier or dipper were used for
all three baths.
To allow for variation of light I fit the lens with the usual diaphragm or
stop b, to which is connected an adjusting gear 62, capable of being operated
from the exterior of the casing containing the machine, and I arrange a scale
having suitable directions upon which works a pointer connected with the
diaphragm adjusting mechanism, so that the illumination of the image on the
sensitive surface can be varied by the size of the aperture of the lense being
altered by the person who desires to be photographed.
As the rate of developement of the photographic image depends very largely
on the temperature of the developing solution, I provide means to correct the
difference of development due to variations of temperature.
To effect this I arrange the clock-work mechanism G with a controlling
device, consisting of a flyer R having wings adjustable on their axis so as to
vary the resistance of the flyer to rotation through the air.
The adjustment of these wings is effected by means of a sliding sleever con-
nected to an eccentric pin on the wings by a connecting rod 1, Figure 11.
The movement of the sleeve r is controlled by a wedge connected by an
adjusting screw through a lever to one end of a coil of tubing containing
a volatile fluid, the other end of the coil being rigidly supported on the frame
of the machine so that the whole device is adapted to act as a thermostatic regu-
lator.
The clock-work mechanism is reinforced at each operation, through a device
which is operated from the exterior of the machine by the person using it, con-
sisting of a rack S gearing with a pinions on the main axis of the clock-work
mechanism G.
This rack is provided with a stem s adapted to be guided in a guidance 2,
arranged on the lower floor of the device, the stem s carries a projection or
stop which is adapted to engage with another rack s having a stop. This
rack is attached to a spiral spring 6 depended from the upper floor of the
machine. The pinion T supported on the frame gears on one side with the
racks 4, and on the other side with a cogged quadrant to which is attached
the lever t, carrying a pulley on its end.
When the level is pulled say from the right to the left as shown in Figure 9,
the quadrant revolves the pinion T, and pulls down the rack s against the
tension of the spiral spring the stop ♬ engaging with the stop in carrying
the rack S down with it, so as to revolve the pinions of the clock-work mechanism
in order to wind up the weight g.
In order to prevent the partial reinforcement of the clock-work mechanism, I
provide a control device, which is only put out of action at the extreme ends

page_text: of the stroke of the lever t¹. This device consists of two ratchet wheels U U¹
which are attached in reverse position to one another to the pinion T. A double
armed pallet u is pivotted so as to engage with the two ratchet wheels U, U¹, and
is arranged to co-act with the lever t, so as to only release the ratchet wheels
on either end of the stroke.
In connection with the photographic mechanism, I arrange a device V, for
delivering a mount or frame together with the photograph. This device V con-
tains the mounts or frames, superimposed one upon another in a pile, and has
at its lower part a pair of catches which normally support the superincumbent
pile, and which, when withdrawn, from their sphere of action, allows the bottom
mount or frame to fall out ready for delivery.
Another pair of catches are arranged above the first pair, about thickness
of one mount or frame, and which are adapted to support the rest of the pile
during the delivery of the bottom mount or frame the two pairs of catches and l
operating alternately in opposite directions.
The catches are carried by arms 2 pivotted at the upper part upon the mount
container and which are spring pressed toward one another by the springs
They are operated at their lower part by arms 4. which are pivotted and attached
to levers The lever on the right hand side having an extending arm
which is adapted to co-act with the pin , on the lever . The catches are
attached to the arms which are also pivotted upon the mount container; the
said arms being adapted at the end beyond the point of pivotting, to engage with
the arms of the lower catches, so that the operation of the catches move the
catches in the opposite direction.
At the front of the machine I provide a movable list of instructions or informa-
tion as to the progress of the mechanism and its product simultaneously with
its operation which are set forth on a disc W connected to, and moved by, the
clockwork G and is designed to afford a source of interest to direct the attention
of the person during the taking and delivery of the photograph.
I provide a chain or other equivalent means whereby the proper focal distance
can be arrived at by the subject, and I so arrange the chain that it is connected
to a flexibly mounted or spring pressed lever X, the upper end of which is provided
with a retaining projection which engages with the coin lever k, so that the
coin lever can be released when the proper focal distance is obtained. The
operation of my machine is as follows:-
The person who desires to be photographed stands in front of the machine and
after having put the necessary coin or coins into the coin slot, takes the focussing
chain and gauges the proper distance to place himself from the lens in the usual
manner. He then pulls the chain which is connected to the flexible lever, X¹,
which releases the retaining catch of the coin lever k, the weight of the coin
on the end of the coin-lever overbalancing the said lever and withdraws the
detent J, from the control disc H, this allows the clock work to be operated by
the fall of the weight g. The control disc H in revolving brings the projection h
into contact with the shutter opening gear h² and exposes the plate, the period
of exposure being regulated by the thermostatic regulator, Figures 1, 3, 10 and 11.
After the shutter is closed the rotation of the disc H brings the recess 3 to coin-
cide with the end of the lever 12 thereby operating the false bottom L and allow-
ing the plate to drop through into the upper carrier M, this said carrier having
been previously raised with the post m² into the upper position by a projection o
on the disc H engaging with the lever and raising the quadrant o into its
uppermost position. When the projection of is disengaged from the lever othe
post with its carrier falls in a vertical line down one of the slots m passing by
one of the spring switches m, as the disc H revolves another projection of coacts
with the lever 03 and lifts the post m² with the carrier; in its ascent the projection
m³ travels up one of the diagonal slots m³ into the next vertical slot and thereby

page_text: turns the carrier M through a quarter of the circle over the developing bath P
and allows it to fall therein.
As the disc still continues to revolve another projection of engages with the
lever lifting the post m², and revolving it through another quarter of the circle.
The normal position of the fixing carrier Q, Figures 14 and 5 is over the fixing
bath P¹ being retained in that position by the spring catch Y mounted on the
framing Figures 1 and 4; as the carrier M is moved through the arc last described,
the spring pressed catch comes into contact with the carrier Q2, releasing the
plate from the upper carrier M and allowing it to fall into the lower carrier Q³.
The lower carrier Q2 is carried round by the carrier M through the medium of a
lever Z pivotted to a flange carried by the post m² and spring pressed by a spring =
so that the short end of the lever Z is pressed into engagement with a recess
formed in the sleeve Q carried by the post m², Figures 1, 5, 7, and 7*.
The carrier is now lifted from the fixing bath 1" by another projection o' on the
controlling disc H, and is moved round through another are over the washing
bath P into which it drops.
It is raised again by projection of and in travelling round the catch g of the
carrier Q2 engages with the shoot P³ and releases the plate allowing it to fall down
the shoot for delivery to the customer. As the post m² reaches its upper position,
the lever Z comes into contact with a fixed stop mounted on the under side
of the upper floor, which co-action releases the lever Z from the sleeve Q and
the multilated spur wheel 3 engages with the mutilated spur wheel 2 which
returns the lower carrier Q2 to its normal position against the spring catch Y leaving
the carrier M ready to receive the next plate for developing etc.
After the coin or coins have been delivered down the coin chute the coin lever
is ready to engage the retaining slot in the control disc when the said slot coin-
cides with the lever J ready for the next operation.
In order to obtain a mount or frame, the lever Figures 1, 2, 3, and 9 is
operated which causes a frame or mount to be delivered and at the same time
reinforces the clockwork mechanism and feeds an unexposed sensitive plate into
the camera ready for the next operation.
This latter function is carried out by the rack 2 which is attached to or forms
a part of the stem s¹ of the rack. S, so that reinforcement of the clockwork and
the feeding of a new plate are simultaneously effected I provide a bell I, the
striker i of which is operated by a projection 8 on the back of the control disc H,
so as to indicate to the subject that the exposure is complete; I may arrange a
thermostatic regulator controlling a source of heat applied to the developing and
other solutions so that they always keep at a uniform temperature.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is ;-
1st In an automatic photographic machine, the combination of a thermostatic
regulator with the clock work mechanism for operating the sensitive plate carry-
ing device, arranged so as to regulate the time of treatment of sensitive plate by
the various solutions according to the surrounding temperature, substantially
as described.
2nd In an automatic photographic machine, the combination of a thermostat
with adjustable means controlled by the thermostat adapted to regulate the amount
of heat from a heating medium transmitted to the developing and other solutions
so as to keep the said solutions at a uniform temperature, substantially as described.
3rd In an automatic photographic machine, the combination of a thermostat
with a flyer having adjustable wings, and means for adjusting the said wings
from the thermostat to maintain a proper period of development according to the
surrounding temperature, substantially as described.
4th In an automatic photographic machine the combination of an upper carrier
adapted to be moved both vertically and about an axis, with a lower carrier
adapted to receive the plate after development and dip it in the fixing and washing

page_text: solution, and means for the operation of the said two carriers, and for the retain-
ing within and release of the plate from the said carriers, so as to prevent con-
tamination of the developing bath with the fixing solution substantially as
described.
5th In an automatic photographic machine in combination, a lens fitted with a
shutter, a clockwork mechanism, a timing disc operated by the clockwork
mechanism and transporting means in duplicate for receiving and dipping the sen-
sitive plate into the various solutions without the contamination of the developing
bath by the fixing bath operated by the timing disc, substantially as described.
6th The construction and arrangement of the exposing, developing, fixing and
washing devices of an automatic photographic machine, substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
7th The construction and arrangement of the driving mechanism with thermo-
static control of an automatic photographic machine, substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
DJ
1 1000
FELL & JAMES,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.