Improvements in and connected with Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Photographic Cameras.
I, RUDOLF STIRN, of 34, Sebastianstrasse, Berlin S., in the German Empire,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and the manner in
which the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :--
This invention relates to a photographic camera in which the plate exchange,
in contradistinction to the corresponding devices of other known cameras, is
effected in the exposure chamber.
The light sensitive plates are each arranged in a peculiarly constructed sheet
metal case or frame and are laid one above the other in the plate chamber
separated from the exposition chamber by a partition which, in order to permit
the insertion of the plate to be exposed and the removal of the exposed plate,
is at its superior and inferior side provided with an appropriate slot.
The movement of the plates to and from the exposing chamber out of the
plate chamber and back again into the same is effected by means of two slides
connected by bands running over suitable rollers so that both slides move
simultaneously but in opposite direction.
The lower slide effects the feed of the lower plate of the series from the
plate chamber into the exposition chamber, and the upper slide, the withdrawal
of the exposed plate into the plate chamber and deposits the same on the series of
plates.
A full exchange of plates id est feeding in a plate, adjusting the same in the
focal plane and removing the same after the exposition into the plate chamber
is effected by twice operating the lower side. The second movement of the slide
effects the removal of the exposed plate and the feed of a further plate from
beneath the series of plates into the exposition chamber which on pushing back
the slide a second time is placed into proper focus whilst the exposed plate is
deposited in the plate chamber and the upper slide brought into a position for
removing the next following exposed plate when the lower slide is pushed in.
Fig. 1 is a central vertical section of the camera with the slide pushed in and the
plate adjusted ready for exposure.
Fig. 2 is a similar section of the camera with the slide partly drawn forward for
removing the exposed plate and feeding a fresh plate from beneath the series of
plates in the plate chamber, into the exposition chamber, the position of the two
plates when the slide is fully drawn out being shown by dotted lines.
Fig. 3 is a top view partly with the cover or lid removed and partly showing a
portion of the lower slide which latter is partly broken away to represent the
mechanisms beneath the same.
Fig. 4 is a sectional end view on the line xx in Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on the line y y in Fig. 3 representing the tappet
mechanism beneath the slide.
Fig. 6 is a broken off part representing a plate and the peculiarly formed case
for the same.
Fig. 7 is an elevation of the transport hook for the plates with the slide in
section.
The camera consists of a closed box or case a the front wall a¹ of which carries
the object glass, closing and other devices and which not pertaining to the subject
of the present invention have been omitted. The box or case a is divided by a
partition into the front or exposition and the rear or plate chambers both
chambers being in connection with each other by means of the slots at the upper
and lower edges of the partition for the plates to pass through when exchange is

page_text: taking place. The plates care arranged in sheet metal casings or frames d which
are provided on the broad side with a wire e and opening d¹ and on the longitudinal
sides with folds d in which the plate is held by means of a spring f whereby the
opening in the frame d is not closed by the plate c. A number of such plates
are placed one above the other in the plate chamber, the position of the same in
the said chamber being accurately determined by appropriate angular or other
attachments.
g
Immediately above the bottom of the camera box I arrange a slide 9 in suitable
guides, said slide having at that end which enters the plate chamber, a ledge gl of
somewhat less thickness than a plate frame and at the opposite end a handle, knob
or the like for operating the slide.
When the slide g is drawn out, the ledge or stop g₁ of the same will feed out
the lowermost plate through the slot in the partition wall b into the exposing
chamber.
The rear part of the slide 7 is cut away at g³ so that when the slide is drawn
forward a torsional or other spring i will operate on a sheet metal flap at the
bottom of the camera box so that the Hap will pass through the opening g' in order
that the same alone, or in conjunction with suitable stops, may cause the plate c
to take up an inclined position, so that when the slide gis pushed inwards, the
plate is compelled to take a perfectly vertical position and is adjusted into correct
focus. In order to produce this movement in a positive manuer, the slide g is
provided with a tappet device consisting of the oscillating tappet & around the axis
of which a torsional spring / is arranged and which carries at its opposite end a
stop or tappet m, a groove being formed in the bottom of the camera in order to
permit the movement of the latter.
A leaf spring n is arranged in the aforenamed groove and being held in the
centre both ends will press upwards so that when the slide g is in one or the other
of its end or extreme positions the spring a will press against the tappet m on the
axis of the tappet k.
C
The object of applying these tappets is that when the slide g has been pushed
entirely into the camera the tappet m will gear behind the end of the spring n and
the tappet be caused to occupy an upright position and thus firmly press the
plate against the partition b. If however the slide g is drawn out the spring n
impinges against the tappet m, causes the same and with it the tappet k to make a
partial revolution and puts the spring under tension. The tappet k is only forced
into an upright position by the spring when the slide is drawn fully out whereby
the tappet m gears against the forward end of the spring n so that when the slide
is again operated the tappet will be held in position. In this manner the inclined
plate c is placed crect and held in this position by the tappet & when the slide gis
pushed in. The upper edge i.e. the wire e of the frame lays itself against the
stop o on the lid of the camera so that the plate is firmly held in the proper focus.
The exchange of the thus exposed plate is caused by the movement of the slide
by means of bands p running around rolls q and on the other hand fixed to a slide
sliding in rebates on the camera lid.
In this manner a reciprocal movement of the slides g and is caused id est in
drawing out the slide g during the exposition, a retrograde movement of the slide
(into the plate chamber) is caused.
This movement of the slider serves to remove the exposed plate c from the
exposition chamber into the plate chamber. For this reason the slider is provided
with two hook like claws which can move around a pin t and are under the
influence of weak springs u so that the same are continuously held down but under
slight pressure on the claws the same can be moved upwards. On the return
movement these claws s pass through the openings d of the case or frame, catch
around the wire e and transport the plate frame with the exposed plate e whereas
when the slide is withdrawn the claws will be released by the tappet k whereby
the plate frame lays itself against the upper edge of the partition and is drawn
through the upper slot in the partition entirely into the plate chamber by means

page_text: "
the slider so that when the slide is drawn entirely back (corresponding to the
treme outward position of the slide g) the parts occupy the position represented
dotted lines in Fig. 2.
The exposed plate is released and deposited on the top of the series of plates
en the slide g is pushed in and the slider caused to make a retrograde
vement.
The claws & spring, during this retrograde movement of the slider, over the
ree of the erect plate frame so that during the next movement of the slide for
changing a plate, the same can enter the opening d' and clutch the frame of the
te.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
n and the manner in which the same is to be performed I declare that what I
im is:-
-
1. A photographic camera in which the plate exchange is effected in the exposure
amber by the lower plate of a series of plates being fed under the partition wall b
o the exposition chamber by means of a slide 9 and adjusted into the focal plane
ereas by connecting this slide to a second slide simultaneously moving in
posite direction for guiding the exposed plate over the partition wall and
positing the same on the top of the series of plates substantially as described.
2. In a photographic camera of the kind characterised in Claim 1.
a) The automatic inclined adjustment of the plate c when the slide 9 is drawn
out by means of a flap standing under influence of a spring and passing
through an opening of the slide in order that the adjusted plate in moving
in the slide g may be pressed against the partition wall 6 by a tappet k
standing under the pressure of a spring whereby the automatic movement
of the tappet k for releasing the plate when the slide g is moved back and
the erection of the tappet in moving the slide forward is effected by a leaf
spring n operating against the tappet m on the axis of the tappet k said
tappet m, moving in a groove of the bottom of the camera substantially as
described.
b) The device for operating the exposed plate consisting of the claws & standing
under the influence of a spring and attached to the slide which when the
said slide moves forward gear with the wire e of the plate frame from which
on moving back the slider the said claws will glide by spring action
substantially as described.
c) The application of frames d for the plates with openings for the hook like
claws & which gear with the wires e substantially as described.
3. My improved camera substantially as specified and shown in the accom-
nying drawing.
Dated this 10th day of December 1891.