Improvements in or Pertaining to Photographic Cameras.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 15th June, 1889-Accepted, 20th July, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Pertaining to Photographic Cameras.
I ALFRED SMITH of 5 Cambridge Lodge Villas Cambridge Heath in the
county of Middlesex Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows :—
The object of my invention is so to fit photographic cameras especially those that
are called detective cameras that a large number of sensitive plates can be exposed
in succession without any necessity for opening the cameras.
To carry out this object I form a box or case of any desired size and preferably
rectangular in shape in one end of which and in the lower part thereof is the lens
while any suitable view finder may be fitted in the upper part of this end.
According to one form a plate is fitted vertically in and against each side of the
case and preferably about half the length of the same which plates can be caused to
move along these sides by a rack. and pinion operated on the outside of the case and
in these plates are a series of corresponding parallel vertical grooves. An horizontal
partition which may extend the entire length of the case is fixed therein in such
position as to divide the case into two somewhat equal parts and transversely in
this partition is made a long slot preferably about midway in the length of the case
or the horizontal partition may terminate in this position. The sensitive plates are
placed separately in the grooves of the two side plates above this horizontal partition
their lower edges resting on the same and each plate must be backed by some opaque
material wherefor I preferably place each plate in an open faced holder which holder
is then placed in the grooves in the side plates which in this form are now at the lens
end of the case. When it is desired to place one of the sensitive plates in position to
receive and be acted on by the light through the lens these two side plates are moved
backwards until the first plate or its holder arrives at the slot in or at the end of the
partition when it slides downwards in the grooves until it is checked and held in the
proper position behind the lens with its sensitive surface presented thereto and then
the desired exposure can be given and the two side plates are again moved backwards
until the next plate or its holder slides downwards in its grooves into position and so
on and as each plate is backed by an opaque material no damago is done to those
plates that have before been exposed.
According to another form each side plate is divided horizontally into two parts
and separately fitted above and below the horizontal partition and the pinion mounted
between the same gears into racks on each part. The sensitive plates are placed as
aforesaid between the two side plates above the horizontal partition but in this form
are now at the rear end of the case while the two side plates below the horizontal
partition are as before at the lens end of the case. The pinion is then turned the
upper side plates are moved forwards while the lower side plates are moved back-
wards until the first plate or its holder can slide downwards in the grooves over the
end of the horizontal partition or through the slot therein into position as aforesaid
and the same procedure is maintained.
A stop can be fitted to ensure that the plates or their holders shall so slide down-
wards when required.

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
"
The object of my invention is to fit photographic cameras, especially those known
as detective" or hand cameras, in such a manner that a large number of sensitive
plates may be exposed in succession without the necessity of opening the cameras.
In carrying out my invention I construct a box or case of any suitable form,
preferably rectangular-in one end of which, and in the lower part thereof, the lens
is fitted, with suitable shutters. View finders may also be fitted in the lid of
the box.
According to one form of my invention, a plate is fitted vertically in and against
side of the case, and preferably about half the length of the same, which plates can
be caused to move along the sides by racks and pinions, the pinions being operated
from the outside of the case. In these plates are formed a number of corresponding
vertical grooves. A horizontal partition is fitted in the case in such a position as to
divide the case into two somewhat equal parts, and transversely in this partition is
made a long slot, about midway in the length of the case, or the horizontal partition
may terminate in this position. The sensitive plates are placed separately in the
grooves of the two side plates above the horizontal partition their lower edges resting
on the same and each plate must be backed by some opaque material, for which
purpose I preferably place each plate in an open faced holder, each holder being
placed in the grooves of the side plates. When it is desired to place one of the
sensitive plates in position to receive and be acted upon by the light through the
lens, the two side plates are moved backwards until the hindmost plate or its holder
arrives at the slot in or at the end of the partition, when it slides downwards in the
grooves by gravitation, until it is checked and held in the proper position behind the
fens, with its sensitive surface presented thereto and when the desired exposure can
be given after which the two side plates are again moved backward, until the next
plate, or its holder, slides downwards in its grooves into position; until all the plates
have been utilised. As cach plate is backed by an opaque material no damage is
done to those places which have before been exposed.
According to another form of my invention each side plate is divided horizontally
into two parts and separately fitted above and below the horizontal partition, and the
pinion is mounted between the same and caused to gear into racks fitted to each part.
The sensitive plates are placed as aforesaid between the two upper side plates above
the horizontal partition. When it is desired to place one of the sensitive plates in
position, the upper side plates are moved forwards and the lower side plates back-
wards, until the front plate and its holder can slide downwards over the end of the
horizontal partition or through the slot therein into position as aforesaid. A stop
may be fitted in the lid of the box to ensure that the plates shall so slide downwards,
when required.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is an external elevation. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 1-2 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 is a plan, with the lid removed from the box. Fig. 4 is a partial sectional
elevation on the line 3-4 of Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 is a partial sectional elevation showing
the arrangement in which the side plates are divided into two parts.
a is the box or case. b is the lid. e is the pinion for operating the side plates.
d is a sight hole, through which the number of the plate can be ascertained, and the
number of used plates indicated. e indicates the position of the lens. findicates
the position of one of the finders.
Referring to Figs. 1. 2 3. and 4 g is one of the grooved side plates fitted with
the rack h into which the pinion c gears. is the horizontal partition or box which
may be continued from end to end, and provided with a slot for the passage of the
plates m, or may be made to terminate as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.
m m are the
sensitive plates shown in Figs. 2 and 4, but omitted in Figs. 3 and 5, for the sake
of clearness. n is a stop fixed to the lid to prevent the plates m being accidentally

page_text: carried too far without dropping. This stop is also especially useful in checking
vibration and steadying the plates when the case is being carried.
In Fig. 2 the whole of the plates m are shown above the partition k ready for the
commencement of operations. In Fig. 4 five of the plates are shown in the lower
position and seven above the partition k. The numbers may be placed in or on any
convenient part of the sliding plates 9 for indicating the available sensitive plates.
In Fig. 5 the plates g g are shown divided into two parts and the pinion c is placed
between the plates g g so as to simultaneously actuate the plates 9 g by means of the
racks h h. The horizontal partition k may be carried to the end, as shown in Fig. 5;
having a slots for the passage of the sensitive plates, or it may terminate at k¹ if
preferred.
The plates pp may be used as guides to the plates 9 g to ensure their travelling in
horizontal directions when operated by the pinion, but any other convenient form of
guides may be used for the same purpose.
I sometimes fit a lifter, consisting of a vertical bar or bars, connected to a horizontal
bar or bars, whereby the lower plates can be lifted out of the box after exposure.
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
1. In combination with photographic cameras as aforesaid the method of fitting
sensitive plates in such a manner that they are sustained by a horizontal partition or
support checked by the stop n fitted to the lid and successively caused to fall by
gravitation into a position for receiving the light from a lens, substantially as
herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.
2. In the construction of detective or hand cameras the application and use of the
stop n substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.
www
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.