Year: 1886

page_text: ALFRED PHILLIPS Surgeon, 127 Southgate Road, London N. do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of an improved photographic shutter, and method of
operating the same, and is carried out as follows-
A rectangular or other shaped frame made of wood; ebonite, or other suitable'
substance is furnished with a nose piece for attachment to the lens of the camera,
and with two V, or other shaped strips, in which the shutter is made to slide freely.
At the back of the frame is fitted a brass strip, which may be either fastened
rigidly at one end so as to act as a spring; or it may be pivoted at its centre; or at
any other convenient point in its length and be actuated by a suitable' spring
placed under it. The lower end of either form of strip is fitted with a catch, which
holds the shutter rigidly in the closed position. A stud is inserted near the top of
the shutter to which an adjustable spring of india rubber, or other suitable
substance can be fastened, and at a variable distance upon the frame is fastened
another spring or buffer. Under the catch, or locking end of the strip is placed a ⚫
closed elastic rubber tube; terminating in a ball; which may be filled with air,
water, or other fluid capable of causing the tube to expand when pressure is
exerted by the hand, or by other means upon the ball.
The action is as follows-
Upon attaching the rubber or other spring to the shutter, and pressing the ball
which with the tube connected to it is filled with air, or other fluid, the end of the.
tube expands; raising the catch and liberating the shutter, which is forcibly thrown
by the action of the spring against the elastic adjustable buffers, so admitting light
to the camera and instantly closing it by its rebound from said buffer.
For lengthened exposures, any degree can be obtained by releasing the pressure
upon the ball; the catch checking the descent of the shutter, which is again
allowed to drop by exerting pressure and so withdrawing the catch.
When the strip is pivoted as described, a set screw is fixed into it at the opposite
end to the catch which protrudes through the frame at the top. By releasing the
pressure upon the ball this set screw is withdrawn; and the shutter allowed to fall;
and is stopped in its descent by the lower catch; by again exerting pressure and
withdrawing the lower catch the shutter falls to its closed position.
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Applicant's Agent.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Photographic Shutter and Method of Operating
the same..
ALFRED PHILLIPS Surgeon 127 Southgate Road London N. do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED PHOTOGRAPHIC SHUTTER, AND
METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention consists of An Improved Photographic Shutter, and method of
operating the same; and has been already generally described in my provisional
specification.
To enable my invention to be better understood I will now proceed to describe
the same in detail, by the aid of the annexed drawing, in which
Fig. 1, is a front elevation, shewing the slide in closed position.
Fig. 2, is a front elevation, shewing the slide
open.
Fig. 3, is an elevation shewing the back of the frame carrying the slide.
Fig. 4, a side elevation.
The frame of the shutter. may be rectangular, or other shape, and is preferably
made of ebonite, hard wood, or other similar substance.
A nose piece A, Fig. 3 & 4 is fastened to the back of the frame for attaching the
.shutter to the camera lens. The frame B, is furnished with two V, or other shaped
strips C, preferably made of metal, which are screwed as shewn to the frame B, and
within, or upon, the strips slides the shutter D, which is furnished with a peg E.
At any convenient point 'upon the metal strips C, are two studs F F, and stretched
across these studs, is a band of india rubber, or other suitable substance g, above
this elastic band, and held in adjustable position by notches h h, formed at regular
intervals is another band; spring, or buffer X
At the back of the frame is fitted a brass strip I which may if desired be
fastened rigidly at one end as already described, I prefer however, to pivot this strip
as at J. The lower end of either form of strip has a catch of triangular shape K
which holds the shutter rigidly in the closed position. The other end of the strip
when pivoted as now described is furnished with a spring Z, and set screw e, which
may protrude through a hole provided for it in the frame B.
Underneath the catch end K of the strip I, is placed a closed elastic rubber tube m,
terminating in a ball n, which may be filled with air, water, or other fluid capable
of causing the tube to expand, when pressure is exerted by the hand, or by other
means upon the ball.
The action is as follows-
The rubber band g, being fastened to the peg E, upon shutter D, pressure is
exerted upon the ball n, which, with the tube m, is filled with air, water, or other
fluid, so causing the elastic tube to expand, raising the catch K, and liberating the
shutter D, which is forcibly thrown by the reaction of the spring g, against the
elastic adjustable buffer X, so admitting light to the camera, and instantly closing
it by its rebound from said buffer X.

page_text: Lengthened exposures of any duration may be obtained with my invention in
the following manner. The length of exposure being determined upon; pressure
is momentarily exerted upon the ball n, and the slide D, is forced upward by the
spring g, as described, since, however the pressure is not maintained, the catch K,
by protruding through the frame, checks the descent of the shutter, until it is
again withdrawn by gently pressing the ball n, as already described when the
slide D, falls.
By placing the spring or buffer X, in any one of the notches h, nearer the top of
shutter when in its closed position, any degree of exposure can be obtained, the
rebound of the shutter being so rapid at the nearest point; as to be practically
instantaneous The spring, or buffer X, can be replaced by the set-screw'e, or used
in conjunction with it, so as to check the velocity of the shutter when rising, and
lessen the velocity when falling towards the catch K, so avoiding shock, or
vibration. The set screw however is only employed when a longer exposure is
required than that obtainable during the time occupied in the travel of the slide
from the bottom of frame, to spring or buffer X, and back again.
I have now described my invention, and would wish it understood that I lay no
claim to the India rubber tube, and ball filled with air, or other fluid in themselves.
Neither do I bind myself to the exact arrangement of mechanical detail described,
as such can be varied without in any way departing from the features of my
invention what I believe to be novel; and therefore desire to claim is
1st. In a photographic shutter the combination of shutter B, held in position by
triangular catch K, at end of strip fastened rigidly at one end; or pivoted as
described. Said catch being withdrawn by the expansion of a tube filled with
air, water, or other fluid in the way and manner described.
2nd. In a photographic shutter, the combination and application of the triangular
shaped catch K. as described, whereby the shutter is checked in its descent, and any
desired length of exposure obtained.