Improvements in Photographic Printing Frames.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 3rd Mar., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Printing Frames.
We. WILLIAM HUDSON and LAWRENCE HUDSON, of Bankfield Mill, Burnley,
in the County of Lancaster, Photographic Apparatus Manufacturers, 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 has reference to that class of photographic printing frames
described in Patent No. 6607 of 1890, in which the back of the frame is retained
in the desired position by a flexible metal strap, secured, hinged or pivoted
to the edge of the frame at one side, and extends across and binds the back in
position and fastens on the edge of the frame at the other side by a bent wire
swivel, which engages with the free end of the strap, and prevents any possible
movement of the back in the frame or the print.
In this method of fastening the strap, however, two movements are required,
one to seize the flexible metal strap and the other to hold and bring forward
the wire swivel for engagement with its end, which is bent into the form of a lip.
Now, this is a drawback to the speed with which the frame is manipulated.
Our invention is designed to secure the end of the flexible metal strap at one
operation, and similarly to disengage or release it at one operation. For the
purposes of our invention, we substitute for the wire swivel described and shewn
in the said patent specification, one of peculiar and novel construction.
According to our invention instead of looping the two ends of the swivel round
the eye or small staple, which secures it to the side of the printing frame, we
make the swivel at one end with a bend, and pass it through the staple or eye,
then we further bend the extremity in the form of an elongated U with the
other portion of the swivel, bringing it to project under the bent lip of the flexible.
metal strap. At its other extremity, the swivel is bent to pass through the staple
or eye, and is then curved round into a loop or bend, so as to be capable of being
manipulated by thumb pressure, as hereinafter explained, for releasing the strap.
When the swivel lies flat against the side of the frame in its inoperative position
its bent limb, which forms the U portion stands up, somewhat, and in such a
manner, that when the flexible metal strap is pressed down, it forces the bent
limb or U portion of the swivel downwards which operation thereby raises the
swivel portion, and brings it over the lip formed at the extremity of the
flexible metal strap, securing or fastening the same in position automatically,
or at one operation.
To release the strap, the loop or thumb portion at the opposite end of the swivel
is pressed back, which disengages the same from the lip formed on the strap, and
allows the latter to spring or fly back.
Our invention will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawing,
which is a plan and partial perspective view of a photographic printing frame
constructed according to our invention.
A is the photographic printing frame. Bits back, which is secured in position

page_text: by the flexible metal straps C and 1), pivotted at the respective sides of the frame,
as shewn at E.
Two of our improved form of swivel K and L are represented for securing the
ends respectively of the two flexible, metal straps C and D. These swivels, at
the outer end of the frame, after passing through the eye or staple F, are bent
into a projecting limb G, which forms with the swivel a kind of elongated U.
When the swivel lies flat against the side of the frame, this limb projects upwards
somewhat. At their other ends the swivels are bent and passed through the eye
or staple H, and then curved or curled to a suitable shape to admit of thumb
pressure, as shewn at J.
The swivel K is shewn in its inoperative position, whilst on the contrary, the
flexible strap D is represented as being secured by the swivel L.
When the end of the flexible strap C is pressed down, it forces down limb G
of the swivel K, and thereby brings the latter over the lip M of the flexible strap C,
which thereby becomes secured in position, in an exactly similar manner as shewn
by the strap D.
The flexible straps C and D are instantly released by thumb pressure on their
curled ends J, which action causes the flexible straps to spring or fly back, and
the back B may then be removed, and also, if need be, the picture.
It will be noticed that the operations of fastening the flexible straps, and also of
releasing them are performed with one movement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
1. The improved means or method of securing, at one operation, the loose ends
of flexible straps for retaining the backs of photographic printing frames in.
position, substantially as described and illustrated.
2. In photographic printing frames, a swivel or device such as K and L, the
said swivel being automatically raised in position to secure the ends of flexible
metal straps C and D, and released by thumb pressure at J, substantially as
described and shewn.
Dated this 26th dor of Dasambon 1000