Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Aug., 1894-Accepted, 29th Sept., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Cameras.
I HERBERT SMYTH of 123 Lancaster Road, Notting Hill London W. Electrician
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 construction of photographic cameras and
is intended to provide a pocket camera for making instantaneous pictures, which
can be directed to the objects more accurately than those commonly in use and
which can be more conveniently manipulated.
The camera is arranged so as to have an appearance similar to that of a revolver
and is pointed at the object to be taken in a similar manner, a trigger in the usual
position at the front of the handle releasing the shutter and making the exposure.
A cylinder is employed bored longitudinally at top and bottom to form two tubular
chambers, in the upper one of which the films or plates are held ready for use, and
in the lower the filins already exposed are retained. The cylinder is provided at
the front with two caps which can be turned upon it, one serving to remove the
front film after use from the exposure chamber to the lower receptacle and the
other carrying the tube or barrel in which the lens is fitted. Between the caps
the instantaneous shutter is placed, consisting of a metal disc with a hole of the
same size as the barrel or exposure chamber, fixed on the end of a spindle passing
through the cylinder.
On the rear end of the cylinder a second cap is fixed, with handle and mechanism
for making the exposure. The handle is of the usual pistol shape with a trigger at
front. The spindle carrying the shutter, engages with a spindle fitted to the rear
cap and capable of turning, having a spring and thumb piece to turn it into operative
position.
To hold the spindle and shutter in this position, the spindle is provided with
an arm which when turned back engages with the trigger. On pulling the trigger
and releasing the arm, the spring above mentioned will cause the shutter to revolve
rapidly and give a momentary exposure to the plate.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation Fig. 2 a plan of the complete apparatus.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the cylinder and caps.
Fig. 4 is a front view of the shutter and cap.
Fig. 5 is a rear view of one of the caps.
Fig. 6 is a front view of the cylinder and
Fig. 7 shews the rear cap with part of the mechanism in section.
A is the cylinder or body of the camera having the cylindrical chambers B
and B. The sensitive plates or films C ready for use are placed in the upper
chamber B and are of disc shape fitting the bore closely, the lower chamber B¹
receiving the used up films.
On the front of the cylinder the cap or disc D is fitted capable of turning around
the cylinder and held in position by spring catch d on the cylinder which takes into
a small recess in the cap. The cap is fixed on the cylinder by the screw d' bored
The cap is furnished with a
centrally for the purpose hereinafter described.

page_text: hole d² a little smaller than the bore of the cylinder and situated in a line with it
so that the front film will shut against it exposing the face. A spring c is placed
at the back of the films to push them to the front of the chamber. On turning
the cap D the front film will be carried with it until it meets the wedge a fixed on
the face of the cylinder over the lower chamber B'. This wedge ensures the film
falling into the chamber where it is retained until removed for developing The
cap is turned a complete revolution, the catch shewing when it has reached the
proper position again.
On D a second cap E is fixed by screws or otherwise so as to turn with it, the
tube or barrel F carrying the lens being fitted to this cap.
A small space is left between the two caps to permit of the insertion of the disc
shutter G. This shutter is provided with the exposure aperture 9 and is carried on
the end of the spindle gl which passes through the screw d' and the middle of the
cylinder to the back. On the back of the cylinder a second cap H is fitted covering
the chambers and carrying the shutter operating mechanism with the handle J of
pistol shape by which the instrument is held when in use. The operating mechanism
consists of a small spindle K carried by the frame and provided with the thumb
piece and the spring k¹. This spindle engages with the shutter spindle g¹ by
means of a cross cut notch 2 on its face, into which the wedge shaped end of g' takes
when the cap H is fitted in place. This enables the cap H and attached parts to
be taken off for the removal of the plates G without interfering with the front
part of the instrument.
The spindle is furnished with the arm which is retained in operative position
by the trigger L which when pulled back in the ordinary manner will release the
arm and permit it with the spindles and shutter to spring back to the position
shown. The operative position of the arin is shown in Fig. 7 in dotted lines.
The instrument is aimed at the object in the same manner as a revolver is aimed,
sights M being provided to enable it to be used more accurately.
Having now particularly described the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :—
(1) A photographic camera comprising a cylinder with two tubular chambers
holding the films, a cap at the front with lens tube, disc shaped shutter and handle
of pistol form at back with trigger for releasing the shutter, the whole being
similar in external appearance to a revolver, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
(2.) In a photographic camera the combination with a cylinder having two
tubular chambers holding the films before and after use respectively, and a pistol
shaped handle at the rear, of a cap fitted on the front end of the said cylinder and
capable of turning on it, receiving the front film from one chamber for exposure
and carrying it to the other chamber, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
(3.) In a photographic camera the combination with a cylinder having two
tubular chambers holding the films and a pistol shaped handle, of two perforated
caps on the front of the said cylinder capable of turning and carrying the exposed
film from one chamber to the other, and a disc shutter fixed on a spindle passing
through the cylinder and operated from the back by a trigger, substantially as
and for the purposes specified.
(4.) In a photographic camera the combination with a cylinder having two
tubular chambers, two caps on the said cylinder carrying the lens tube and capable
of turning, and a disc shutter between the caps carried on a spindle passing through
the cylinder, of a pistol shaped handle a rear cap on the cylinder, spindle engaging
with the shutter spindle, spring and arm on the said spindle and trigger retaining
the arm and serving to operate the exposure device, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
(5.) The improved photographic camera similar in external appearance to a

page_text: revolver, and aimed in a like manner, constructed and operating substantially
as described and shown in the accompanying drawings and for the purposes
specified.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1894.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.