IMPROVEMENTS IN PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, WILLIAM RAWLINSON, of 11, Hyde Park Road, Leeds, in the County of York,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention. for IMPROVEMENTS IN
PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS to be as follows:-
This invention consists in improvements in the construction of Photographic
Cameras for general use in photography but especially to resist more effectually
the action of heat and damp so that they may be used in hot or damp climates
without being sensibly affected.
According to the first part of this invention, I cause the base of Photographic
Cameras to be made of sheet metal (by preference brass) hinged near one end and
provided with four brackets bent at right-angles from the base two of which are
on one portion and two on the other portion of the base. In these brackets are
radial slot-holes described from the centre of the hinge-pin. Each pair of brackets
is provided with a bolt and milled head nut. At the top of base-plate I apply two
wood slides grooved to admit a metal slide actuated by rack & pinion and carrying
a movable bracket. To which bracket I cause the Lense-plate to be attached by
bolt and milled-head nut. In the bracket is a horizontal slot hole and in the lense
plate a vertical slot hole which serve for raising or lowering the lense or moving it
horizontally.
In carrying out the second part of this invention, I apply a cylindrical body (by
preference metal) inside of which is a narrow flange extending the whole internal
circumference and fixed about one third of the length of the body from one end.
On part of the external circumference of the body I cause a base or foot to be
fixed for the purpose of attaching the said body to the base-plate of Camera.
I do not confine myself to the before-described arrangement of cylindrical body
but I prefer when the body is made any other shape than cylindrical that the
opening at back shall be circular of a diameter somewhat equal to the length of
the diagonal of the largest plate to be exposed.
In carrying out the third part of this invention, I cause the back or frame to
be constructed in the following described manner. A thin metal plate with a hole
cut through the centre of a size corresponding to the size of the largest plate to be
exposed is on one side secured to a wood ring made to revolve in the shallow end
of the cylindrical camera body and extending in depth to the back of the narrow
flange herein-before described." On the other side of the metal plate is secured
Dine 71

page_text: The
a wood frame forming a recess to admit dark slide or focussing screen.
focussing screen is hinged by a double jointed hinge to the wood frame. On the
focussing screen is fixed two levers and on the back of frame two corresponding
catches so that when the focussing screen is in the recess the two levers pass under
the catches and thus secure the focussing screen in its place. The same two levers
and catches are used for securing the dark slide in its place in the following
manner. The two levers are withdrawn from under the catches the focussing
screen is hinged up and the dark slide inserted into the recess then the focussing
screen is hinged down to the back of the dark slide when the leyers are passed
again under the catches thereby securing the dark slide in its place. I prefer to
use no grooves or slides for inserting the dark slide but simply to place it in the
recess provided to receive it and secure the dark slide by the levers fixed to the
focussing screen and catches fixed to the back or frame. I cause the wood ring
which is secured to the metal plate to be covered with cloth or velvet then inserted
and secured in the shallow end of the camera body by a narrow metal flange
screwed to the wood ring and extending in external diameter to the back of the
narrow flange in cylindrical camera body herein-before described. I cause a hole
to be bored through the narrow metal flange, the wood ring the metal plate and
the wood frame and a clamping bolt to be inserted with milled head nut. This
before described arrangement is for adjusting the position of the camera back
which carries the focussing screen and dark-slide, so that a picture may be
focussed and an oblong plate exposed either with its length vertical or with its
length horizontal without detaching the back from the body by simply releasing
clamping bolt revolving the back into position. required and then securing it by
fastening clamping bolt.
In carrying out the fourth part of this invention, I cause the bellows of Photo-
graphic Cameras to be made of any suitable material (by preference leather,
indiarubber or felt, cylindrical or conical in form) and I cause the said bellows to
be corrugated to form grooves parallel to each other or in one or more grooves
running spirally round the circumference from end to end. When the bellows is
made of any other form than cylindrical or conical, I prefer the angles being
rounded to prevent undue wear from friction. For the purpose of connecting the
bellows to camera body, I prefer to insert a narrow metal hoop inside the bellows
so that when it is pressed into the body it will fit tight. In fixing the other end
of the bellows to Lense-plate I cause the bellows end to be passed through a hole in
Lense-plate of a diameter equal to the external diameter of the bottom of first
corrugation. The portion of bellows standing through is. pressed flat against the
Lense-plate and the Lense-ring is secured to it. The end of the bellows being
between them.
DT 1

page_text: I WILLIAM RAWLINSON of 11 Hyde Park Road Leeds in the County of York
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS 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 improvements in the construction of Photographic
Cameras for general use in Photography; but especially to resist more effectually
the action of beat and damp, so that they may be used in hot or damp climates
without being sensibly affected.
.
According to the first part of this invention, I cause the base of Photographic
Cameras to be made of sheet metal (by preference brass) hinged near one end, and
provided with four brackets, bent at right-angles from the base; two of which are
on one portion and two on the other portion of the base. In these brackets are
radial slot boles described from the centre of the hinge-pin. Each pair of brackets
is provided with a bolt & milled-head nut. At the top of the base-plate I apply
two wood slides grooved to admit a metal slide actuated by rack and pinion and
carrying a moveable bracket. To which bracket I cause the Lens-plate to be
attached by bolt and milled-head nut. In the bracket is a horizontal slot hole and
in the lens-plate is a vertical slot-hole which serve for raising or lowering the Lens
or moving it horizontally.
In carrying out the second part of this invention; I apply a cylindrical body
(by preference metal) inside of which is a narrow flange extending round the
whole internal circumference and fixed about one third of the length of the body
from one end. On part of the external circumference of the body I cause a base
or foot to be fixed for the purpose of attaching the said body to the base-plate of
Camera.
I do not confine myself to the before-described arrangement of cylindrical body,
but I prefer when the body is made any other shape than cylindrical that the
opening at back shall be circular and of a diameter somewhat equal to the length
of the diagonal of the largest plate to be exposed. This cylindrical body, or body
any other shape than cylindrical with circular opening is for applying the revolving
back hereinafter described.
In carrying out the third part of this invention; I cause the back or frame to be
constructed in the following described manner. A thin metal plate with a hole
cut through the centre, of a size corresponding to the size of the largest plate to be
exposed; is on one side secured to a wood ring made to revolve in the shallow end
of the cylindrical camera body; and extending in depth to the back of the narrow
flange herein before described. On the other side of the metal plate is secured a
wood frame forming a recess to admit dark-slide or focussing screen. The focussing
screen is hinged by a double jointed hinge to the wood frame. On the focussing
screen is fixed two levers and on the back or frame two corresponding catches;
so that when the focussing screen is in the recess the two levers pass under the
catches, and thus secure the focussing screen in its place The same two levers and

page_text: catches are used for securing the dark-slide in its place in the following manner.
The two levers are withdrawn from under the catches; the focussing-screen is
hinged up; and the dark-slide inserted into the recess; then the focussing screen
is hinged down to the back of the dark-slide, when the levers are passed again
under the catches; thereby securing the dark slide in its place. I prefer to use no
grooves or slides for the reception of the dark-slide; but simply to place it in the
recess provided to receive it; and in this way secure the dark-slide by the levers
fixed to the focussing-screen and by the catches fixed to the back or frame.
I cause the wood ring which is fixed to the metal plate to be covered with cloth or
velvet; then inserted and secured in the shallow end of the camera body by a
narrow metal flange screwed to the wood ring, and extending in external diameter
to the back of the narrow flange in the cylindrical camera body herein before
described. I cause a hole to be bored through the narrow metal flange, the wood
ring, the metal plate, and the wood frame, and a clamping bolt to be inserted with
milled-head nut. This before described arrangement is for adjusting the position
of the Camera back which carries the focussing-screen and dark slide, so that a
picture may be focussed and an oblong plate exposed; either with its length
vertical or with its length horizontal, without detaching the back from the body;
by simply releasing the clamping bolt revolving the back into position required
and then securing it by fastening clamping bolt. This before, described revolving
back will revolve entirely round, thus admitting of the dark-slide shutter being
drawn out either at top, bottom, left or right side and also when working on
uneven ground the plate can be set horizontal or vertical without moving the
camera stand.
In carrying out the fourth part of this invention; I cause the bellows's of
photographic cameras to be made (of any suitable material by preference Leather,
Indiarubber, or felt) cylindrical or conical in form, and I cause the said bellows's to
be corrugated to form grooves parallel to each other or in one or more grooves
running spirally round the circumference from end to end. When the bellows is
made of any other form than cylindrical or conical; I prefer the angles being
rounded to prevent undue wear from friction. For the purpose of connecting the
bellows to camera body, I prefer to insert a narrow metal hoop inside the bellows,
so that when it is pressed into the body it will fit tight. In fixing the other end
of bellows to Lens-plate, I cause the bellows end to be passed through a hole in
Lens-plate, of a diameter, equal to the external diameter of the bottom of the first
corrugation. The portion of bellows standing through is pressed flat against the
Lens-plate; and the Lens-ring is secured to it. The end of the bellows being
between them.
In order that my invention may be readily understood, I will now proceed to
describe the accompanying drawings on which are sbewn some of the various
arrangements by which my invention may be carried into practice. The same
letters of reference indicate the same parts throughout the corresponding figures.
Figure I is a side elevation of a Photographic Camera constructed according to
my-invention, with the bellows open or extended.
Figure II a side elevation with the bellows closed and base hinged up.
Figure III a back elevation shewing revolving back.
Figure IIII a part longitudinal section shewing construction and application of
revolving back.
A is the base-plate of Camera hinged at a at or near one end and provided with
four brackets a¹ a' as a' in which are radial slots a³. Brackets a¹ a as a' are at
right angles to base-plate A as shewn. In each pair of brackets is a clamping
bolt a provided with a milled-head or other nut for fixing or retaining the brackets
in any desired position. On the base-plate A are fixed two slides a grooved at a³
as shewn to receive the metal slide B. On the metal slide is a rack b in which a
pinion b¹ works. C is a moveable bracket which is carried on or by the metal
slide B in such a manner that it can be readily adjusted and fixed in any desired
position on the slide B by means of a bolt and nut c. In the bracket C is a

page_text: horizontal slot-hole cand in the lens-plate 1 is a vertical slot-hole in which a bolt
provided with nut is placed for retaining lens-plate in position when adjusted.
By means of these slots the lens can be readily adjusted either vertically or
horizontally.
"
The bracket C on slide B is for approximately focussing and the rack b and
pinion 6' is for the finer adjustment in focussing. By this arrangement a very
short focus or a very long focus lens can be used.
E is the cylindrical camera body by preference of metal though not necessarily
so and is employed for receiving the revolving back to be hereinafter described.
Inside the cylindrical body is a narrow flange e extending or running round the
whole internal circumference as shown. This flange e is fixed in the body at about
one third of the length from one end. On the periphery of the body E is fixed or
attached, a projection e¹ which I term a base or foot for the purpose of attaching
the body to base plate A which body is made adjustible by the milled head screws
or bolts a a³. It will now readily be seen that the swing-back motion is adjusted
by the brackets a¹ a² a³ a* and secured when adjusted by bolts and nuts a.
I would have it understood that although I have illustrated the part of my
invention applied to a cylindrical body, I do not confine myself to such form as it
can also be applied to any other shape of Camera body. But when the body is
made in any other shape than cylindrical, the aperture at the back must be some-
what equal at its narrowest or smallest dimension to the diagonal of the largest
plate to be exposed so that no obstacle shall be presented to the light from the
lens, and at the same time permitting of the back being revolved from the vertical
to the horizontal or visa versa or into any other position without removing the
back from the body.
The revolving back or frame is constructed as follows. F is a thin metal plate
with a hole f cut through the centre of a size corresponding to the size of the
largest plate to be exposed. One side of this plate F is secured to a wooden
ring f which is of such a diameter that it can revolve freely in the shallow end of
the cylindrical camera body and is of such a depth that it extends to the back
(that is; the part nearest the lens) of the narrow flange e. On the opposite side
of the metal plate F is secured a wooden frame f2 which is so arranged as to form
a recess in which is placed the focussing screen or dark slide. The focussing
screen G is hinged at f to the frame f' by means of a double-jointed hinge, (that
is to say) The hinge is provided with two joints f f and the plate f' between
the two joints is of such a width as to permit of the dark-slide H being inserted in
the recess and the focussing screen to lay flat on the darkslide Ḥ as shewn at
Figure I.
On the focussing screen G are pivoted two levers g g¹ and on the frame ƒ are
fixed two catches f³ ³ for receiving the loose ends of the levers g.g'. The
free ends of the levers are bent or curved as shewn at g' for retaining the
dark-slide in position. When the focussing-screen G is only in use, and it is
desired to retain it in position, the straight parts g³ of the levers g g pass under
the catches ff and thus retain the screen G in its place. When the screen G is
in this position, the various parts forming the hinge are level with the face of the
frame and the framing of the focussing-screen, whilst the bent or curved
portions g of the levers g g' project beyond the frame f³. But when it is required
to use the dark-slide H the straight parts g of the levers, are withdrawn from
under the catches f* f' and the focussing-screen G is hinged up. The dark-slide H
is then inserted into the recess f³ from which the screen G has just been with-
drawn and the screen G is by means of the hinge turned or moved until it rests
flat on the back of the darkslide as shewn at Figure I. When in this position
the bent or curved ends g* of the levers are passed under the catches f³ f³ and
thus retain the dark-slide H in position in the recess f³. It will be seen on
reference to the drawings that when the dark-slide H is in the recess, the focussing
screen G acts as a retaining piece, and by means of the curved ends g of the
'

page_text: After
levers g g being passed under the catches ƒ ƒ the dark slide is securely held in
its place. I am thus enabled to dispense with all grooves or slides which are
usually employed for the reception of the dark slides, and am also enabled readily
and without inconvenience to use either the screen G or the dark slide H at
pleasure, and to retain either in position as desired. The ring f¹ is covered with
cloth or velvet before it is inserted in the shallow end of the camera body; and is
for the purpose of making a joint to prevent the light from passing into the
camera and also for allowing the revolving back to work round with ease.
the revolving back has been inserted into camera body, a narrow metal flange f10
is secured to the ring f¹ and is of such a width as to extend to the back of the
flange e. This flange f10 does not fit tight against flange e but is made to revolve
freely against it. A hole f¹ is made through the flange f10 ring f' and frame f
in which is inserted a clamping-bolt f¹ provided with a suitable nut for clamping
or securing the revolving back in any desired position. By the above herein
described means I am enabled readily to adjust the revolving back for taking a
photograph on an oblong plate either with its length vertical or with its length
horizontal or in any other position without detaching the back from the body; by
simply releasing the nut on the clamping bolt f1 revolving the back into position
required and then securing it by fastening or tightening the nut on the clamping
bolt. This clamping bolt is not a necessity and I do not confine myself to using it,
but I prefer to use it as a safe-guard against shifting the revolving back after it
has been adjusted. I also in some cases prefer to use more than one clamping bolt
for securing a revolving back especially in a large camera. On reference to the
drawings it will be seen that the revolving back can be moved or rotated entirely
round: thus permitting the shutter of the dark slide being drawn out either at
the top, bottom, right or left side, and also when photographing on uneven ground,
the revolving back serves for adjusting the focussing screen and dark slide either
horizontally or at any angle to the horizon as desired. I is the camera bellows
which may be made of any suitable material such as leather, cloth, indiarubber or
felt and is made cylindrical or conical in form and corrugated to form grooves
parallel to each other or when preferred these corrugations may run in one or more
grooves spirally round the periphery from end to end of the bellows. In the
drawing I have shewn the bellows conical and so arranged that when the camera
is not in use the corrugations will fold within each other. By corrugating the
bellows and its being circular it is much stronger and much less liable to deflection
than the ordinary form of bellows. When the bellows I is made of any other
form than cylindrical or conical; I prefer that the angles or corners should be
rounded to prevent undue wear from friction. For the purpose of connecting the
bellows to the Camera body I employ a narrow metal ring or hoop i which is
passed inside of and sewn to the largest end of the bellows in such a manner that
when the bellows end & ring i are passed or pressed into the deep end of the
cylindrical camera body E it will fit perfectly tight, and retain the bellows in
position. The opposite end of the bellows is attached to the lens-plate D as herein-
before described and will be readily understood by referring to drawing Figure I.
I would here. remark that whenever the word "plate" appears and is described
as being exposed, I mean such word, to be understood as including any sensitized
surface or substance on which a photograph can be taken.
1
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claiin is:
First. The manufacture and use of a Photographic Camera with a cylindrical or
conical corrugated bellows, cylindrical body and revolving back, whereby an object
can be readily focussed and a plate or sensitized surface exposed with its length
either vertical or horizontal or visa versa or in any other position without
detaching the back from the body substantially as herein described and illustrated.

page_text: Second. In a Photographic Camera; constructing the bellows of cylindrical
conical or other form and corrugating grooves therein to make them flexible
substantially as described and for the purpose herein set-forth.
Third. In a Photographic Camera; a body of cylindrical or other form for
receiving or applying a revolving back substantially as and for the purposes herein
described and setforth.
Fourth. The combination and application of a revolving back with a Photo-
graphic Camera whereby an object or picture can be readily focussed and a plate
or sensitized surface exposed in any desired position substantially as and for the
purposes herein described.
Fifth. In a Photographic Camera. A hinged bracketted base plate substantially
as herein described and illustrated whereby the swing-back motion and horizontal
motion to back is obtained and the closing of the camera is facilitated.
Sixth. In a Photographic Camera the levers g g¹ and catches f8f9 whereby one
set of levers and catches are employed for securing either the focussing screen or
dark slide in position substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Seventh. The general arrangement and combination of the various parts for
carrying my invention into practice substantially as described and illustrated on
the accompanying drawings.