An Improved Photographic Camera and Dark Slide.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 27th June, 1596-Accepted, 1st Aug.. 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Photographic Camera and Dark Slide.
THOMAS PETER BETHELL 115, Islington Liverpool in the County of Lancaster,
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An improved photographic camera & dark slide, both of which may be constructed
of cardboard or metal or a combination of cardboard & metal as required.
The front of the camera consists of a piece of cardboard suitably scored at
Fig. 1, so that the sides may be turned up & form a rim on the four sides as a Fig. 2,
also an aperture pierced at a a Fig. 1 over which a lens is placed suitably mounted,
but on the opposite side to that occupied by the shutter.
The shutter is pivoted to the front of the camera at B, Fig. 1, or other suitable
position, the aperture of shutter bb Fig. 1, is made larger than the aperture a a
Fig. 1.
Checks or stops are provided at C & C C Fig. 1, to confine the working of
the shutter within the required space.
To the shutter is attached a length of cord at E Figs. 1 & 2, each end of saine
being passed through the respective sides of camera as D & D D Figs. 1 & 2,
& D D Fig. 3, to enable the operator to work the shutter from the outside of
camera, which may be drawn from right to left or left to right, or the said shutter
may be so placed that it may work up & down.
To the point E Figs. 1 & 2, one end of an elastic hand or spiral spring is
attached & the other end of the said band or spring is attached to the shutter
cover F Fig. 2, at Fig. 2, the said shutter cover being secured at C & C C
Fig. 1, & having an aperture to correspond with a a Fig. 1, over the aperture
of shutter cover I may place a second lens if required.
By means of C&CC Fig. 1, being covered by F Fig. 2, & suitably secured,
a space is provided whereby the shutter is allowed to move freely, so that when
the cord D Figs. 1 & 2, is drawn out, the shutter passes over until it encounters C
Fig. 1, & the tension of the elastic band or spiral spring keeps it in this
position, at the same time excluding all light from passing through a a Fig. 1,
until the cord D D Figs. 1, 2, & 3, is slightly drawn, the shutter then passes
quickly to CC Fig. 1, & permits an instantaneous picture to be projected on to
the plate or film.
The same principle applies if the shutter is so constructed that it works up &
down.
As an alternative method, the position of ff Fig. 2, may be made adjustable,
so that the speed of the shutter may he increased or diminished.
The body of the camera may be box form or a bellows body as required, with
the aforesaid front suitably attached
The said body to have a suitable slot G Fig. 3, wide enough to receive the
mask H Fig. 4, the said mask being secured to the body of the camera as
required, & having a suitable aperture cut out to enable the picture projected
through a a Fig. 1, to appear on the plate or film.
The mask is also suitably scored in two places on each of its sides & when
turned back as HH Fig. 4, forms a groove for the dark slide Fig. 7, to fit into.
The dark slide is formed by an outer casing J Figs. & 7, closed at the
bottom, having a tongue almost the full width, secured by the closing which forms

page_text: the bottom, & projecting above the top as K Fig. 5, the sides of K are turned over
as kk Fig. 5, so that the plate or film may slide down the groove so formed, the outer
casing J Figs. 5 & 7, is provided with an aperture cut out the same size as the
aperture in mask H. Fig. 4.
A second casing or cover closed at the top L Fig. 6, fits over K Fig. 5, but
inside of J Fig. 7, by this means the plate or film is entirely covered & all light
excluded until the slide L Fig. 7, is drawn up, when properly placed in the camera &
the exposure inade.
Behind the groove formed by the mask HH Fig. 3, I place a piece of ground glass
or other semi-transparent material, so that the size & position of the picture may be
seen when the shutter is half drawn by pulling the cord D Figs. 1 & 2, the said cord
may be held in position by means of a peg or pin on the outside of the camera, whilst
the position is being gauged.
If a bellows body camera is used a focussing screen may take the place of the
aforesaid method.
The shutter may be used on an ordinary camera, or in conjunction with the
aforesaid methods.
The dark slide may be fitted to any existing camera in addition to its use in
conjunction with the methods aforesaid, or a camera may be constructed on the
aforesaid principles, with additional space provided to carry two or more slides.
Dated this Eighth day of February 1896
THOMAS PETER BETHELL 115, Islington Liverpool in the County of Lancaster
Cardboard Box 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 :-
This invention relates to an improved photographic camera and dark slide, both of
which may be constructed of cardboard or metal or a combination of cardboard and
metal as required.
The front of the camera consists of a piece of cardboard suitably scored at a. Fig. 1.
& corners removed, so that the sides may be turned up & form a rim on the four sides
as a. Fig. 2. also an aperture pierced at a u. Fig. 1 over which a lens is placed suitably
mounted. The shutter B. Figs. 1 & 2. is pivoted to the front of camera in a suitable
position, preferably at b. Fig. 1. the aperture of the shutter bb. Fig. 1. being prefer-
ably larger than the aperture a a Fig. 1 in the front of the camera, so that it may be
utilised for either time or instantaneous exposures.
Checks or stops are provided at C & CC. to confine the working of the shutter within
the required space, or the sides or top & bottom of the camera may be used for the said
purpose, or the checks or stops (& CC. may be fixed in positions most suitable for
confining the working of the shutter.
To the shutter is also attatched a length of cord at E. Figs. 1 & 2 each end of same
being passed through the respective sides of camera as D & D D. Figs. 1 & 2. to
enable the operator to work the shutter from the outside of camera, which
may be
drawn from right to left or left to right, or the said shutter may be so placed that it
may work up & down.
To the point E Fig. 2 one end of an elastic band or spiral spring is attatched & the
other end of the said band or spring is attatched to the shutter cover F. Fig. 2
preferably at f Fig. 2. so that when the shutter is drawn over to C. Fig. 1. by
means of D. the tension of the elastic band or spiral spring having passed the centre,
the same is held in position until D. D Fig. 1 & 2 is slightly drawn, the shutter then

page_text: A time
passes quickly to CC & permits an instantaneous picture to be taken.
exposure may be made by drawing the cord D. Fig. 2. until the aperture of shutter
as shown Fig. 1. leaves the aperture au. Fig. 1. uncovered & may be held there
the required time & when released will spring back to its original position, or a pin
may be inserted at the top corner of camer, from the outside, or any other suitable
position, over which a bead may be slipped that has been attatched to the extremity
of D. Figs. 1 & 2 to D D. Figs. 1 & 2 is also attatched a bead, for a similar purpose,
or instead of the said pin, a notch or fork may be provided, into which the cord D
Figs. 1 & 2 may be slipped the beads at the extremities of D or D D. preventing the
shutter from closing until released.
The length of cord D & D D may be so regulated that, when drawn to the pin or
notch, the operator may be certain that, the shutter is open.
The shutter cover F. Fig. 2 being attatched at C & C Fig. 1 or other suitable
position, with an aperture to correspond with a a Fig. 1. Over the aperture of
shutter cover I may place a second lens being in addition to the one placed on or in
front of a.
If the aforesaid principle of working the shutter is applied to an up & down
motion as Fig. 8. instead of right to left, as Fig. 2, it may be modified by returning
the cord D Fig. 8. to the top of the camera, by passing it through a ring or similar
appliance attatched to the inside bottom of camera as shown in Fig. 8. This method
answers the same purpose as set forth in description of working of shutter as Fig. 2.
& may also be applied to Fig. 10.
The body of the camera may be box form or a bellows body, with the aforesaid
front suitably attatched. Inside the body of camera, down each side or across the top,
I may attatch a piece of cardboard, or other suitable material, the cardboard being
scored & turned at right angles, to prevent the admission of light to the plate or film,
through the holes made by piercing for D & D D.
The said body to have a suitable slot G. Fig. 3. wide enough to receive the mask H.
Fig. 4. & may have an extension at the bottom as M. Fig. 9 either provided by the
same piece of material, or a separate piece of material suitably attatched, so that
it may be firmly secured to the bottom of camera at M. Fig. 9.
The said mask having an aperture cut the required size to enable the picture
The mask is also
projected through a a Fig. 1. to appear on the plate or film.
suitably scored at each side & turned back as H H Fig. 4. so that a groove is
formed on each side for the dark slide to fit into. The top edge of H. may be
covered inside & out with a piece of velvet or other suitable material to exclude
light when the dark slide is fixed in its place.
The dark slide is formed by an outer casing J. Fig. 5. closed at the bottom
having a tongue alınost the full width & secured by the closing which forms the
bottom & projecting above the top as K. Fig. 5. The sides of K are turned over
at K K. Fig. 5 so that a plate or film may slide down, within the groove formed
by KK Fig. 5. J. is provided with an aperture cut out the same size as the
aperture in mask H. Fig. 4 also a stop, provided by affixing a piece of material
on the inner side of J. at or near the top, in such a position that the operator
may know when L. Fig. 7. is drawn out far enough. The top edge of J. may
be banded with a piece of velvet or other suitable material, to fit against the
material provided at the top of H. when the dark slide is placed in position.
A second casing or cover closed at the top L. Fig. 6 fits over K. Fig. 5. but
inside of J. Fig. 5. is also provided with a piece of material aitatched to the
bottom edge, so that when inserted in outer casing J. Fig. 5. & drawn up when
fixed in the camera, will form an effectual stop & indicate when the plate or film
is uncovered for exposure. When L. Fig. 7. is closed down it will entirely cover
plate or film & exclude all light.
Behind the groove formed by mask HHI place a piece of ground glass or
other semi transparent material, so that the size & position of picture may be
seen when the shutter is half drawn, as described for time exposure. If a bellows
body is used this may be dispensed with, but used as a focussing screen by

page_text: inserting it in the groove formed to receive the dark slide. In addition to either
of the aforesaid methods of viewing & focussing, a finder may be provided.
Fig. 2 may be suitably attatched to the body of the camera, either with the shutter
cover inside, or outside as Fig. 10. The lens may be either attatched to the shutter
cover at a a Fig. 10. or to fall front at N. Fig. 10. the said fall front being hinged to
the body of the camera & having rims on three of its sides, may fit inside of the camera
front, or outside the body of camera, being suitably secured to facilitate opening,
either with a catch or strap O. Fig. 10. the latter may form a portion of a handle by
which the camera may be carried, or a flap front may be used by hinging at the top
edge instead of the bottom, in which case a handle may be provided from side to side,
instead of end to end.
The back of camera Fig. 3 may be provided with a cover hinged at the top.or
bottom to open similarly to the front above described, either as a fall back or flap
back, & may be provided with a strap to form a complete handle in conjunction
with strap attatched to front.
Over the. slot G. Fig. 3 & enclosing the whole of projecting portion of H.
I may place a bag made of suitable material either attatched to the camera by one
edge, or adjustable so that when the dark slide is placed in the camera, the said
bag may fit closely round H. then by gripping the top of L. Fig. 7. it may be
drawn up to the top & may be an extra precaution against the admission of light.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
First. Photographic cameras & dark slides constructed as herein described.
Second. In photographic cameras the combination of sides a to form a rim for
front as illustrated & described.
Third. In photographic cameras the time & instantaneous shutter, separately, or
in combination, as illustrated & described.
Fourth. In photographic cameras the mask & grooves H. H H & M. for the
purposes berein described.
Fifth. In dark slides the combination of J. K. K K. & L. when used for other
cameras than that herein described.
The drawings refered to in this specification up to & including Fig. 7. are those
lodged with Provisional Specification.
Dated this Twenty-sixth day of June 1896.
THOS. P. BETHELL.