Improvements in Magazine Cameras.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Dec., 1894-Accepted, 19th Jan., 1895
Improvements in Magazine Cameras.
I SAMUEL DICKINSON WILLIAMS of Moorlinch House Clytha Park
Newport in the County of Monmouth Engineer do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows :-
I divide the camera at the centre with a partition thus forming at the back a
separate chamber in which I stack in a horizontal plane the pack of plates or films
with their sensitised faces downwards. In this partition, which serves the function
of one fixed opaque backing for all the films or plates, is a slot or opening at the
bottom sufficient to allow the passage of a plate or film when drawn from under-
neath the pack, & a similar opening at the top to allow the passage of a plate or
film back on to the top of the pack. The width of this slot or opening may be
regulated by a screw device to adapt the same to the varying thickness of plates
or to the difference between plates & films. Opposite each slit or opening & close
thereto arrange a pair of rollers covered with rubber or other holding or elastic
surface. Each set of such rollers is journaled in a suitable frame held together by
transverse parallel rods such frame being pivoted in a manner so as to enable it to
be turned through an angle of 90 degrees & back again. A central driving wheel at the
side gears into toothed wheels on the nearest members of the top & bottom sets of
rollers imparting motion thereto. The roller frame of both sets has an extension
arm, of fork or cam shape at the end into which a pin on the driving wheel engages
with the result of turning the frame & the rollers from the vertical to the
horizontal, a link lever connection or cam motion also operated by the driving
wheel restoring them at the proper moment to the horizontal. Jointed to the
driving wheel or worked by a pin or crank or cam shape projection thereon is a
lever at the side connecting by rods a tranverse bar with one or more suitable
projections to act as a selecting or separating device by giving the bottom plate
a start out into the bottom set of rollers just at the moment they are set in motion
& take hold of the plate or film which is thereby rolled out from underneath the
pack. The continued rotation of the driving wheel for a short space makes the
pin first mentioned engage with the fork shape arm or extension on the roller frame
& turn same up with the plate or film retained by its bottom edge therein into the
vertical position, a similar pin has simultaneously engaged with the corresponding
arm of the frame of the upper set of rollers bringing them from the vertical to the
horizontal, the general action of the machine enabling said rollers to receive the
top edge of the plate or film in which position the plate or film is retained for
exposure. After exposure the continued motion of the driving wheel produces in
the bottom set of rollers the release of the plate or film & the return of the frame
containing said rollers back through the angle of 90 deg. to the vertical in readiness
to receive the next plate or film from the bottom of the pack. Meantime a similar
movement takes place with the top frame which has the effect of turning the plate
or film from the vertical to the horizontal, when the rollers deliver it on to the top
of the pack or stack from the bottom of which it has been taken. The two sets of
rollers in their respective frames instead of turning back through an angle of
90 degrees may be made to continue & go forward with the same result.
plates or films i.e. without any sheaths or carriers or backing may be used or films or
Bare

page_text: plates may be used held in hollow frames that is consisting of a rim like a picture
frame but with a retaining flange or flanges but without any opaque or other
backing. The selecting or separating device already described I employ preferably
with plates where there is a convenient thickness of material to deal with. For
films I employ horizontal projections which act as a spring foot or presser or
support or detent at the points in the compartment which would be coincident with
the corners of the films which are packed on these projections in such a way that
starting with the first film the same is set with the projection or foot engaging it at
or near each of two of the corners thereof, the second film is then set on the first
so that the corners of the two instead of being coincident overlap on two
of the sides thus forming an angular recess as between the edges of the
two plates or films at those two corners which are furthest from each other. By
this means two opposite sets of double corners are formed & in the recess mentioned
the spring foot operates by first engaging the corners of one film & then the corners
of another i.e. the spring foot at each such corner as it moves from engaging one
film & thus releases or separates it with the same motion engages with the second
film retaining it until it is moved back again on to the third film when the
second film goes free & so on throughout a whole series. Instead of a spring
foot with an alternate motion from side to side, circular or cam shape discs with
projecting arms having a continuous rotary motion may be used, but in either
case the action of the above devices is arranged in conjunction with the general
mechanism of the camera. The film on being so released drops on to a frame or
slide with a cross bar bearing a knife edge flange or other similar device which
engages the back edge of the film & draws it into the changing device.
Dated this 2nd February 1894.
Improvements in Magazine Cameras.
I, SAMUEL DICKINSON WILLIAMS of Moorlinch House Clytha Park
Newport Monmouth 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 consists essentially of (1) A storage chamber for containing the
plates themselves without holders, or films contained in hollow frames or non-
opaque holders stacked on the Hat in a horizontal plane (2) A selecting bar or
equivalent device for engaging one plate at a time (3) A system of a bottom set of
rollers for separating the same (4) A movement for placing & holding it in a
position for exposure in front of (5) A fixed opaque backing (6) A system of a
tep set of rollers for afterwards transferring it into the top of the storage chamber
from the bottom of which it had previously been taken (7) A. simultaneous movement
by which another plate is withdrawn from the bottom of the storage chamber &
placed in position ready for exposure (8) The re-setting of the shutter by the same
movement (9) A full size view finder with movable mirror & shutter in combina-
tion for shunting the image from the view finder screen on to the sensitized plate
one lens only, being used for the double purpose of finding the view & making the
exposure (10) A device for timing the action of the shutter or regulating the time
of exposure & (11) A dial movement for indicating the number of exposures, all
worked automatically by one general movement of a motor wheel.
Referring to the annexed drawings Fig. 3 Sheet 2.1 provide a storage
chamber X by dividing the camera at about the centre with a partition partly
shewn at N along the dotted lines Ps with a longitudinal light tight slot Q at the
top & the bottom for admitting the passage of the plate X. Fig. 1 Sheet 1 is the

page_text: Fig. 2
selecting device; the lever Q pivoted at Q'is situated at the bottom of the storage
chamber & is linked by the semi-circular piece S³ with the selecting bar S which
is slightly thinner than the thickness of a plate or film or any frame in which
either plate or film may be held & this is drawn forward by the free end Q being
engaged at a right angle with the fork P Fig. 3. Sheet 2 which in turn is drawn
forward by a push from the pin D₁ in the general forward motion of the sliding
bar D. On the reverse or backward motion of this bar D the bar through the
semi-circular connecting link S³ returns the selecting bar S to its normal position
behind the edge of the next plate which by that time is in front of it & so on for
every plate, the function of the device shewn in Fig. 1 being to give each succes-
sive plate a start in between the bottom set of rolls at A. Fig. 2 Sheet 1.
Sheet 1 shows the arrangement for separating the plates the lower member R² of the
set of rolls at A is pivoted at both ends into the arms T both of which bear at
their extremities a dwarf flange t. The upper member R' of the said set of rolls
is pivoted through the arms T at both ends into the main body of the camera;
said arins being free to move on said centres. The end of one roller viz :-that at
R' shewn at A Fig. 2 Sheet 1 & the end of one roller viz :-that at R' shewn at A'
same figure are both furnished with a cog wheel B' shewn in dotted lines Fig. 3
Sheet 2 engaging with the main driving wheel A³. The projecting arms T carrying
the dwarf flange t being free to turn up to the vertical position which is accom-
plished by the rolling piece M on the vertical connecting bar N Fig. 1 Sheet 2
rising up the inclined plane L Sheet 2. On the lower set of rolls at A having
turned out a plate for a sufficient distance which is practically the whole of
the breadth thereof leaving just sufficient of the edge on one side between the
rolls to allow of the same continuing their hold or purchase thereon the opposite
Mean time
or free edge of the plate comes into contact with the lever K'.
motion in the bottom set of rolls has been continued by the rotation of the
motor wheel A3 shewn by the circle of dotted lines (in lieu of the teeth being
set out thereon) which has carried along the draw bar D against the opposing
spring J whose function is to bring back the said draw bar to its normal position.
This latter motion causes the rolling piece M to descend the inclined plane L under
the impulse of a spring J exerted through the medium of the lever Q2 which is
suitably connected by the slot J2 with the pin J³ on the side plate B into which
the top set of rolls R2 is planted. The spring J'acts on the lever Q3 which is
suitably connected with the side plate by the stud J³ working in a slot the motion
being imparted through the bar N Fig. 2 Sheet 1. This causes the bottom set of
rolls to turn up with the bottom edge of the plate between them at the same time
as the top set turns down to meet & receive the top or free edge of the plate..
By means of the parts described & of their functions as indicated the plate arrives
at the vertical position ready for exposure in front of the central partition P8
which divides the storage chamber from the other portion of the camera &
which in itself also serves as already mentioned as a permanent opaque screen
in a fixed position up to which each plate is successively brought for exposure.
The continued. motion of the motor wheel introduces the free edge of the plate
between the top set of rolls without however disengaging the plate from the
bottom set so that the plate is thus firmly & evenly held on its top & bottom
edges respectively by the top & bottom sets of rolls. It is at this juncture that the
top edge of the plate in arriving at this position comes into contact with the nose
of the tumbler piece B³ Fig. 2 Sheet 1 the tail of which B4 is thereby depressed
but also passes clear of the end of the lever Z Fig. 3 Sheet 2.pivoted at Z' & going
through the medium of the connecting rod Z2 to the click W2 which latter by this
motion releases the pin Z³ which in turn slides against the end of the click W*
& thus allows the click W₁ jointed on the end of W to engage in one or other of
the teeth of the motor wheel A3 thus locking it so as to prevent any further motion
of the plate until the release of the shutter at the lens for exposure takes place.
I preferably use a toothed wheel (not shewn) to gear down the motion of the motor
wheel A

page_text: On the exposure being made the motor wheel is unlocked by the following means.
On the trigger P' being either raised or depressed (either of which means the act
of exposure) the bar V is thrown back against the pressure of the spring V. This
bar V engages with the pin on bar W which in turn is connected with the click W'
disengaging it from the teeth of the motor wheel A³ & locking it back by the
spring action of click W2. On the unlocking taking place the continued motion of
the motor wheel A³ transfers the plate from the vertical position of exposure into
the top of the storage chamber. The following are the movements involved :-The
motor wheel A³ produces the sliding motion of the draw-bar D in the following
manner. The arm C which has a springing tendency towards the wheel A³ has a
stud E normally resting on a mask F this latter consists of a flat strip of thin metal
pivoted at the end f & connected by rod X to lever V. This mask prevents the
stud E from springing into the circular series of holes in the motor wheel A³
the function of which device is to allow sufficient rotary motion in the rolls at
A & A to roll the width of a plate without giving motion to other parts of the
machine. When this mask is removed it allows the stud E to spring into the first
of the holes which may be then passing & this continuing carries the arm Con
to the wedge G which is so arranged as to withdraw the stud E again from the
holes thus leaving the wheel free to continue whatever motion may then be required
to roll out and turn up the plate until it arrives at the locking point simultaneously
returning the previous plate on to the top of the storage chamber; the arms T
descending empty the top set of rolls turning up full which motion is caused by
the roller M ascending the inclined plane L & this in turn is produced by the
forward motion of the bar D which at this stage is by the same continuous rotary
motion of the wheel A³ being drawn out antagonistic to the spring J connected to
lever K³ acting on the stud roller I. On lever K³ arriving under the shoulder of
the pallet K it is thereby locked back against the force of the spring J thereby
holding the draw bar D forward, until the proper moment for its release which is
accomplished when the front or free edge of the plate comes into contact with
lever K' & the action which then ensues is that which has already been described &
so on in repetition for every cycle of change in the plates, any backward motion of
the wheel A being prevented by the action of the click X'. For exposure I
arrange behind the lens the sliding piece or shutter frame S' Fig. 4 Sheet 3 which
is carried in grooves S3 at the sides & is provided with two apertures F' & F2 the
latter for allowing the image to fall upon the mirror M'Sheet 4 & be reflected
upwards on to the view-finder screen M³ & the former for the actual exposure of
the plate. The draw bar D at the point U imparts its motion to the bell crank U
the end of which at U2 connects at right angles with the slot in the sliding
piece S at U³ Fig. 4 Sheet 3. The sliding piece S' in its course slides down under
the detent D2 which latter is pressed outwards by such motion against the antago-
uistic tendency of the spring St. On the foot D³ of the sliding piece S¹ arriving
at the bottom the spring S returning the detent D² over the foot locks the shutter.
The end U2 of the bell crank U permanently engages with the slot U³ against the
antagnostic tendency of the spring J (which in the drawing is shewn broken away
in order not to obscure the other part). Meanwhile the arrow like head Y Sheet 2
has engaged behind the lever G2 Fig. 4 Sheet 3 which is connected with lever G³
(that is to say by both being on the same spindle) the said lever G2 is drawn
out to a right angle & released by the arrow on the return of the draw
bar D. At F is a flap F3 working on a spindle at the bottom & opened by the
lever arm Gacting upon the crank arm G₁ & retained open by the spring lever G³
flying up and locking into a nick or snail device G upon the flap spindle. This
stage being reached means the shutter having been drawn down or set as shewn at
Fig. 4 Sheet 3 & the flap F³ in position ready open to admit the view from the
lens on to the plate, the moment the sliding piece S₁ is released as when this release
takes place it flies up the grooved sides in which it moves & so brings the
aperture F1 opposite the lens at the point F2. The release of the shutter is
produced in the following manuer. The tumbler piece D* Sheet 2 is connected with

page_text: the outside of the camera by a suitable trigger-piece P¹ which on being pressed
downwards causes the tumbler D2 to act against the bar V which is pivoted at the
point Q & engages at V2 behind the arm D Fig. 4 which it lifts outwards & as
will be seen thus raises the continuation of the detent D2 through the medium of
the connecting piece D & this means the release of the foot D³ of the sliding
piece S which latter by means of the spring J flies up with the flap open & the
retaining lever G³ coming into contact with the pin G' is disengaged & allows the
flap to be instantly closed by means of a spring GB acting upon the snail device G
The foregoing describes the action for instantaneous exposure. I will now describe
the action for time exposure. On the bottom end of the tumbler piece D' at P³ are
two projecting pins between which is held a lever P₁ terminating in a bent foot P
Fig. 4 Sheet 3 the fulcrum of which is at P & P. On the trigger P1 being pressed
upwards the same action as already described for the release of the shutter takes
place except that the foot P is thrown into the path of the crank piece G' &
prevents the instantaneous shutting of the flap which remains open at the will of the
operator which is as long as the trigger is kept raised.
I also provide a means of setting the shutter from the outside should the same
be required independently of the other general mechanism. This arrangement is
shewn on Sheet 3 Fig. 4 at H which is a flat button lying flush in the bottom of
the camera connected by a bar running at the back of the shutter terminating at
the top in a projecting foot H' arranged to engage with the top of the shutter
which it draws down on the button H being drawn out at the bottom of the camera
automatically locking under the detent D2 as already described. I then open the
flap F3 by a turn of a similar button at the side H2 which by means of the arm H³
engages under the crank H' throwing the flap open & the button is returned by
the action of a spiral spring H³.
For a view fiuder I provide a mirror M¹ Figs. 5 & 6 suitably mounted at an
angle of 45 degrees upon the shaft M² & of the dimensions necessary to give a
view of the full size of the photograph to be taken.
The shaft M² has a short arm M³ fixed on one end as shewn at Fig. 5 which in
turn is jointed at its free end to connecting link M which latter is also jointed at
its bottom end to setting lever U. Upon the other end of the mirror shaft at M
is a similar arm carrying a pawl or click which engages the toothed wheel M'
Fig. 6 Sheet 4 bearing a disc with a cycle of numbers displayed thereon the
highest of which represents the number of plates which the storage chamber is
capable of carrying. On the re-setting of the shutter the mirror is drawn down
as already described & thus gives the shaft M2 a short turn which motion through
the click M makes the wheel M' travel 1 tooth; the number of the these teeth
also corresponds to the numbers on the disc & these successively appear on the
outside through a small aperture one number only at a time so as to indicate
the number of exposures which may have been made.
The following is my device for controlling or timing the period of exposure.
Upon the spindle N Sheet 4 is mounted by means of the disc N a rigid arm N°
bearing at the other end a weight N' which is more than counterbalanced by a
coiled spring N8 on the spindle N°. The weighted end of the arm N° has a pawl or
click N taking into a segmental rack N10 which rack has its notches or teeth
graduated to correspond to varying periods of exposure & into which the click is
capable of being directed at the will of the operator by means of the index or
pointer N at the outside of the camera pivoted through the camera casing to the
spindle N on the inside. A scale N being fixed at the radius of the said
finger or pointer to indicate the position of the weighted arm inside in relation to
the notched segment & consequently indicating the duration of exposure intended
to be given. Upon the inside end of the spindle N is a small arm N¹³ terminating
in a foot which upon any downward movement of the arm is thrown across the path
of the crank H thus preventing the shutting or closing of the flap F³ Fig. 4
Sheet 3 until the said foot is automatically removed which is accomplished thus; a
wire connection from the click N" passes through the spindle & goes to the

page_text: lever N which on being raised by the pin N in the shutter or sliding piece S¹
coming into contact with it disengages the click N¹¹ & allows the weight N' to be
thrown upwards under the impulse of the coil spring. The time occupied by the
travel of the weighted arm upwards when thus released determines the period
during which the flap is retained open by contact of the crank H* with the foot N¹³.
I provide a light tight screen of suitable material which may be a thin flexible
casing surrounding the mirror M' so as to protect the sensitized plate when the
view is on the finder screen; or this light-tight casing may be of thin metal against
which at the sides the edges of the mirror slide in its motion up & down when the
shutter is set off, the bottom edge of the mirror being connected to the centre of
the shutter or sliding piece S₁i.e. between the two apertures by a flexible light
tight joint as also by a light tight joint at the top from the shaft M² to the top of
the camera.
In using glass plates I do so without employing any sort of backing or opaque
holder in which the plate is contained & my invention is also adapted for use with
cut films but in the latter case I prefer to employ a frame for each film that is to
say a frame consisting of a rim like a picture frame with a retaining flange or
flanges on two or at most three of its sides into which the edges of the film can
slide but without any opaque or other description of backing of a light proof
character & this frame may be constructed of metal, or celluloid, or other suitable
material.
Having particularly described my invention & the manner in which the same
may be performed I wish it to be understood that what I claim is the following:―
1. A magazine machine camera not necessarily constructed of the identical parts
described or their equivalent (as I am aware the same may be varied without
departing from the principle & essence of my invention) but consisting essentially
of the combination of functions as set out in the eleven clauses enumerated in the
first part of this Specification all worked & controlled automatically by one
general movement of a motor wheel save & except the setting of or release of
the shutter & the determination of the period of exposure which it is obvious must
be at the will of the operator substantially as illustrated & described in the
accompanying drawings.
2. Each of the parts enumerated as associated with the distinct functions set out
in the eleven clauses already referred to, separately, or in combination with any
one or more of the others thereof substantially as described, & illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3. A non-opaque frame or holder as above described.
Dated this is dow of Dreambo 1901