IMPROVEMENTS IN STEREOSCOPIC APPARATUSES
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Ellis Allen, of Brompton Row, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEREOSCOPIC APPARATUSES."
Sealed the 29th July 1859, and dated the 2nd February 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Ellis Allen at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd February 1859.
I, EDWARD ELLIS ALLEN, of Brompton Row, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEREOSCOPIC APPARATUSES," to be as follows:-
The object of these improvements is to render stereoscopic apparatuses
portable. This is done by arranging cases containing rollers upon which the
views (which are attached to one or both sides of a flexible band, or attached
back to back, the joints being broken,) are wound, so as to allow of the distance
between the said cases being increased or diminished as required, that is, so
as to bring them together when the apparatus is not in use, or to separate
them to the required extent when it is in use; this distance being about the
depth of a single view, thus allowing the views to be successively brought
under the eye glasses. When the apparatus is in use the cases are forcibly
kept apart by flaps, rods, or otherwise, as hereafter explained, so as to
secure the straining of the views or of the band upon which they are mounted,

page_text: between the rollers upon which they or it are wound. The stereoscope itself
may be collapsible or otherwise; if of the former kind it can conveniently form
part of the apparatus, and be made so as to be capable of being temporally
fitted to the framework or cases of the apparatus on either side of the same,
for the purpose of using the views on both sides of the band, or both series of
views before explained. In order to avoid the rubbing of the views against the
edges of the slits or openings in the cases, through which openings the views
travel, as they are successively brought into view, they may be wound in the
same direction on the rollers, thus placing the plane in which the views travel
at an inclination with the horizon. By this arrangement the light is made to
strike more directly upon the views than when they lie horizontally, the eye
glasses may be placed more or less obliquely to suit this arrangement.
Instead of this mode of construction the views or band may travel horizon-
tally and be guided or kept at a uniform level by being passed over small
rollers or revolving rods of metal or wood, which may be covered with cloth or
velvet, and in which case the views are wound in opposite directions on the
rollers. The cases which contain the rollers upon which the views are wound
may be connected together by binged joints, elastic bands, telescopic slides, or
otherwise, and may be made to revolve on their centres so as to bring the slits,
through which the views pass successively, on each side of their centres, as
one or the other set of views is being examined. By this arrangement the appa-
ratus is made equally suitable to any stereoscopes at present in use, the views
lying level with the framework upon which the stereoscope is placed. The
bottom frame of the stereoscope itself may be made to constitute the resisting
medium for retaining the cases in position when they are separated.
These improvements further consist in rendering portable stereoscopic appa-
ratus in which glass or ordinarily mounted views are used. This apparatus.
consists of one or two cases in which the views are arranged in two piles,
those from the top of one pile being successively transferred to the top of the
other pile, and those from the bottom of the last-named pile to the bottom of
the first pile. The cases containing the views (if two in number may be
made to close together when not in use in the same manner as before
described, and be retained when in use at a suitable distance from each other.
and by the same means as before described. A convenient arrangement for
allowing the slides or views to pass from one pile to the other is that of placing
the two piles of views as a system upon scale beams having a preponderating
weight always on one side so as to allow spaces between the top slide and the
casing of one pile, and the bottom slide and casing of the other pile to be con-
tinually formed for the occupation of the slides about to be passed into them.

page_text: Other arrangements may be adopted for lifting the piles of views when re-
quired, the improvement being that of transferring the slides from side to side
of the apparatus. Whether the views be mounted upon cards, or made upon
glass, or be attached to a flexible band, they should all be numbered, and an
index be attached to some convenient part of the apparatus for the purpose of
-easily discovering any particular view when required. When the number of
glass slides or transparencies is great, to avoid the necessity of holding the
apparatus up to the light, a good reflector may be attached to the lower part
of it at any convenient angle (capable of adjustment), the apparatus being
raised above the table on suitable supports which may be made detachable at
-pleasure.
When the apparatus above described is complete, that is, when it consists
of an ordinary collapsible stereoscope, and a collapsible casing or repository
for the stereoscopic views, it is proposed to call it a "compound collapsible
stereoscope.".
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Ellis Allen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd August 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
ELLIS ALLEN, of Brompton Row, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Edward Ellis Allen, Her special licence that I, the said Edward
Ellis Allen, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Edward Ellis Allen, my executors, administrators, or assigns;
should at any time agree with, and no. others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN STEREOSCOPIC APPARATUSES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Edward Ellis Allen, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,

page_text: and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
file.l in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Ellis Allen, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement and accompanying Drawings (that is to say):-
The object of these improvements is to render stereoscopic apparatuses port-
able. This is done by arranging cases containing rollers upon which. the
views (which are attached to one or both sides of a flexible band, or attached
back to back, the joints being broken), are wound so as to allow of the dis-
tance between the said cases being increased or diminished as required;. that
is, so as to bring them together when the apparatus is not in use, and to
separate them to the required distance when it is in use, the distance being
about the depth of a single view, thus allowing the views to be successively
brought under the eye glasses. When the apparatus is in use the cases are
forcibly kept apart by flaps, rods, or otherwise as hereafter explained, so as
to ensure the straining of the views or of the band upon which they are.
mounted between the rollers upon which they or it are wound. The stereoscope
itself may be collapsible or otherwise, if of the former kind it can con-
veniently form part of the apparatus, and be made so as to be capable of being
temporally fitted to the framework or cases of the apparatus on either side
of the same for the purpose of using the views on both sides of the band, or
both series of views before explained. In order to avoid the 'rubbing of
the views against the edges of the slits or openings in the cases, through
which openings the views travel as they are successively brought into
view, they may be wound (reckoning from the centre of the band), in
the same direction on the rollers, thus placing the plane in which the views
travel at an inclination with the horizon. By this arrangement the light
is made to strike more directly upon the views than when they lie hori-
zontally, the eye glasses may be placed more or less obliquely to suit this
arrangement.
Instead of this mode of construction, the views or band may travel hori-
zontally, and be guided or kept at a uniform level by being passed over small
rollers or revolving rods of metal or wood, which may be covered with cloth
or velvet, and in which case the views (reckoning from the centre of the
band) are wound in opposite directions on the rollers. The cases which
contain the rollers upon which the views are wound may be connected
together by hinge joints, elastic bands, telescopic slides, or otherwise, and may-

page_text: be made to revolve on their centres so as to bring the slits through which the
views pass successively on each side of their centres as one or the other set of
views is being examined. By this arrangement the apparatus is made equally
suitable to any stereoscopes at present in use, the views lying level with the
framework upon which the stereoscope is placed. The bottom frame of the
stereoscope itself may be made to constitute the resisting medium for retaining
the cases in position when they are separated.
These improvements further consist in rendering stereoscopic apparatus
portable in which glass or ordinarily mounted views are used. This apparatus
consists of one or two cases in which the views are arranged in two piles, those
from the top of one pile being successively transferred to the top of the other
pile, and those from the bottom of the last named pile to the bottom of the
first pile. The cases containing the views (if two in number) may be made
to close together when not in use in the same manner as before described, and
be retained when in use at a suitable distance from each other and by the
same means as before described. A convenient arrangement for allowing the
slides or views to pass from one pile to the other, is that of placing the two
piles of views as a system upon scale beams, having a preponderating weight
always on one side so as to allow spaces between the top slide and the casing
of one pile, and the bottom slide and casing of the other pile, to be continually
formed for the occupation of the slides about to be passed into them.
Other arrangements may be adopted for lifting the piles of views when re-
quired, the improvement being that of transferring the slides from side to side
of the apparatus. Whether the views be mounted upon cards or made upon
glass, or be attached to a flexible band they should all be numbered, and 'an
index be attached to some convenient part of the apparatus for the purpose of
easily discovering any particular view when required. When the number of
glass slides or transparencies is great, to avoid the necessity of holding the
apparatus up to the light, a good reflector may be. attached to the lower part
of it at any convenient angle (capable of adjustment), the apparatus being
raised above the table on suitable supports, which may be made detachable at
pleasure. When the apparatus above described is complete, that is, when it
consists of an ordinary collasible stereoscope, and a collapsible casing or
repository for the stereoscopic views, it is proposed to call it a "compound
collapsible stereoscope."
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, show one mode of carrying out part of. this Inven-
tion; Fig. 1 shows the cases containing the views brought close together;
Fig. 2 a plan of the same; Fig. 8. a side view; Fig. 4, a section through the
line, a, of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5, a perspective view of the apparatus when

page_text: extended for the purpose of exhibiting a stereoscopic view. The case A slides-
into the case B, suitable slots a, a, being formed for passing the spindles of
the rollers upon. which the views are wound. The rollers are turned by the
buttons C, D,.room being allowed in the cases for the whole number of views
being wound upon each roller. The stereoscope E moves in slits in the inside
of the case A, and is måde collapsible, being kept rigid when in use by a flap
b hinged on the piece containing the eye glasses. In addition to this arrange--
ment that shewn in Fig. 6 may be adopted, viz., a sliding adjustment in the
side C for altering the focus of the glasses, or instead of a simple card case,'
slide rods of metal and a rack work Fig. 7 may be used, having a thumbscrew
for working the same. When the views are required to be changed, the-
upper parts of the cases may be made to open, and the thumbscrews C, D,
and spindles upon which they are mounted are screwed out of the rollers, when
the rollers are free to be removed, the other ends being supported on studs.
The flaps to provide for changing the views may be arranged at top or bottom,
if the latter they require a clasp to retain them when the box is open. The
cases A and B, are prevented from becoming separated by studs working in
grooves at each end, and they are prevented from coming together when
open by the sides of the stereoscope.
:
Figs. 8, 9, and 10, show another arrangement consisting of cylindrical cases
having slits in them for the passage of the views. These cases are connected
together by a system of bars or lazy-tongs secured to the ends, and so
arranged as to admit of the cases being shut close together or separated apart,
as shown, but not to allow of the said cases revolving on their centres. An
elevation of the lazy-tongs is shown in Fig. 10, and this Figure shows the slot
in the brass disc at each end, in which one of the rivets or a screw works.
The stereoscope may be variously fitted to these cylinders; Figs. 8 and 9*
show solid sides, which turn upon hinges, as shown in Fig. 11) attached to
the centre of the lazy-tongs. The hinges are so fixed as to cause part d of
the sides when raised to descend, and so to lock as it were the cylinders, and
prevent them from coming together when in use. The plate containing the
glasses is hinged to one of the sides, and has a projection e at the other,.
which enters into a slot in the top of the other side; or a clasp may be fitted,
or other arrangement made for temporily fastening these parts, so as to form a
complete stereoscope, and keep it rigid. The sides may be made to adjust the
focus, as before explained. The sides when shut down lay close to the
cylinders, the eye glasses folding under the side to which they are attached.
Instead of this arrangement, those shown in Figs. 12, 13, and 14, may be
adopted. In Fig. 13 steel wires are attached to the cylinders with mouse-trap

page_text: springs or coils at one end, the other ends being hinged to the eye glass frame,
which is divided in this case, the two halves (each with one glass) being.
arranged to lock into each other when in use.
Fig. 12 shows an elevation of another mode of fixing the glasses, which are
here placed in a frame which is attached at either end to rods hinged on the'
cylinders. The frame when not in use lies on the cylinders, but when in use*
is raised from the cylinders, and necessarily completely inverted, which causes'
it to stand up a sufficient height to suit the foci of the glasses.
'
Another arrangement is shown in Fig. 14, where a system of bars is made'
the connection between the eye glass frame and the lazy-tongs of the cylinders,'
the frame being movable up and down as required. Where solid sides are not'
used for the stereoscope, means must be adopted for retaining the cylinders
apart when in use, as by a pinching screw in one of the joints of the lazy-
tongs, or otherwise. A pinching screw may also be used in the system of.
lazy-tongs when this is used, as it may be for supporting the glasses. The
views may be mounted on one or both sides of the flexible band, which may
be of any suitable material, silk being apparently the best for the purpose; or
the views may be mounted back to back, the joints being broken, as shown
in Fig. 17, so as to dispense with any material whatever, the views them-'
selves forming the band. If the views are only placed on one side of a
band, the said band may be worked horizontally, as in Fig. 4, but if placed
on both sides, then, as in Fig. 15, so as to be capable of being turned over.
In this case the stereoscope is made to fit into slides at the ends of the cases
containing the views, so as to be shifted from side to side as the views are
examined on one side of the band or the other. The views in this case will
lie at an angle with the horizon; but if the cases be placed on an inclined
stand they may be brought level. The light will, however, in many cases be
found to strike better on the views if placed at an angle. Fig. 16 shows the
cases fitted up as a volumn of illustrations, to a similar one of letter-press:
The edges of one end of the cases being brought out so as to enclose the
thumbscrews for moving the views. In this form it is contemplated to
introduce series of illustrations from natural history, &c., and render them*
serviceable as means of education, accompanying each series with letter-press
descriptions. The cases containing the views in these several arrangements
may be made of various materials, card and wood covered with leather, papier
maché, hardened gutta percha, vulcanite, glass, or metal, and they are capable
of any amount of ornamentation. The mode of connecting them together may
also be very various, card case or elastic sides, as well as hinged connections
folding inwards; but the arrangements shown in the Figures are, perhaps, the

page_text: best. The views in these several arrangements may be mounted as trans-
parencies when required.
The second part of the Invention relates to arrangements for rendering
portable cases of glass slides, or they will answer for the ordinary card
slides; care must be taken that the views whether on glass or paper are
protected from being rubbed when passing one over the other. This may be
done by having attached to the slides on either side, or on the picture side
only, strips of card, paper, wood, or other material upon which they slide. In
one arrangement the cases are made in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, each
case being the size on plan of one slide, and deep enough to contain half the
total number of slides required. The cases when drawn assunder would allow
one view to be exhibited between them, the stereoscope being arranged in a
similar manner to that described, or a common stereoscope may be used if
preferred. When the cases are close together their whole internal capacity is
occupied by slides, sufficient room being left for the folding stereoscope and
moving apparatus. The casing instead of being made in two parts and
opening as here described, may be made in a single piece, or as an ordinary
box, that is, when the views are not required to be transparent.
In this case
one-half of the lid of the box (which on plan is double the area of any one
slide is opened, and the stereoscope fitted over it, as shewn in Fig. 18, the
slides being successively brought into view; or instead of this arrangement,
the case may be made in one piece, but on plan as large as three slides, the
space between the two piles being kept empty, or arranged for stowing away
an ordinary stereoscope. The moving apparatus may be variously arranged,
the simplest being that of two knobs like organ stops placed on one side of the
case, one at bottom and the other at top. These knobs are attached to
spindles, which are pushed out and in, having clips upon them, as in Fig. 18,
which render them free to pass in one direction, but not in the other,
without carrying a slide with them. The top one when moved inwards, for
example, would take a view from front to back of the box, the bottom one
having previously been drawn outwards, and so bringing a view from back
to front. One stack or pile of slides is supported on a frame baving springs
under it, or it may be sustained from above with india-rubber bands, so as to
keep. such pile in contact with the upper part of the case, or near to it, the
other pile of slides being kept downwards by its own weight. The frame
above named has a curved lip at the side next the second pile of views, so
that the lower one may always enter above the frame. Instead of moving the
knobs separately, they or their spindles, which in this case would be sliding
bars guided in any convenient way, may be attached together, or worked by a

page_text: common lever, which would vibrate backwards and forwards, as shown in
Fig. 19; or this motion can by the usual means be converted into a rotary
motion, which may be given at the side of the box or case. Instead of the
moveable clips springs may be used in some cases with advantage. Instead of
keeping the second pile up by springs or elastic bands, a scale beam may be
arranged at bottom of box with suitable rests for the slides; one pile of slides
always outweighing the other, so that the lower slide of the one pile can pass
to the bottom of the other pile, and the top slide of this latter to the top of the
first pile. Where the slides are transparent, a reflector with lamp may be
placed below the slide under view, the box being mounted on a suitable stand.
In the several forms of the apparatus above named, I do not confine myself
to the details shown or described; but what I claim is,―
Firstly, the arrangement of cases containing slides or stereoscopic views,
which are brought together when not in use, but expanded or opened out
when in use, so as to exhibit the views in succession.
Secondly, the fitting or attaching of the stereoscope to the cases containing
the views or slides, as herein described, or to any cases containing views
mounted on flexible bands.
Thirdly, the arrangement last described, in which slides are contained in
boxes which do not expand, but in which the slides are separately moved by
mechanism, which causes them to pass from one pile to the other, in some
cases being detained while under view between the two piles.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Ellis Allen, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
EDW. E. ALLEN.
(L.B.)