US1063075A - Flash-light apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

D. O. SHOBERG.- FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7. 1912.

Patented May 27, 1913.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

vwwtor, I

D. 0. SHOBERG. FLASH LIGHT APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 7, 1912.

1,063,075. Patented May 27, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED sTAT s PATENT- ora ion.-

pavm c. snonnao, on storm c'rrv, Iowa FLASH-LIGHT APPARATUS. v u

1 ,063,075. Specification of Application ma June 7, I912, Scghil No. 702,247,

To all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID C. SHoBEno, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sioux City, in the county of Woodbury and vious Patent, Number 970,358, dated tember13, 1910.

State of Iowa, have invented certain neW' and useful Improvements in Flash-Light Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention relates to improvements in flashlight apparatus for use in conjunction with photographic appliances or eras, said improvements embodying certii'im fea tures' of construction set forth in ep- The invention comprises certain novel flashlight firing mechanism adapted to c0:

operate with a camera whereby the powder which is confined within-a hood, or coveringfmay be fired by me'ans'of spark metal ignition operated from without said hood, and in such a manner as to permit of any number of flashes in'rapid-succession without removing the flash or allowing the smoke to escape from the hood, as well as working said flash simultaneously, or in perfect unison with the shutter of the camera. While under certain conditions it is desirable to retain the smoke within the hood above mentioned, it is, on the other hand, ver'y necessary,'inv order to obtainv best results, that it be expelled after each flash, and this is easily accomplished by employing my form of collapsible hoodby means of which the smoke is forced out instantly in an ad- Letters latent.

the hood, by shaking it briskly, the trans-' parent cloth will strike and rub against the back of the hood, sifting the ashes through the front cloth and thereby removing the dirt and smoke, and efi'ectively clarifying the apparatus for subsequent use. This feature is particularly desirable from an economical standpoint, since, under usual conditionsiher'einbefore mentioned, in previous ,constructions th'e accumulations of this sediment inthe hoods afteria few exposures reuce sufiicient light, must be doubled in order to penetrate the ashes, while in my device the amount of powder used doesnot vary in the least.

Still a further advantageous feature of my construction is subserved in the use of a peculiar form of circuit closer adapted to be operated by a pressure bulb to close an electric circuit which releases the sparking ing. so reduced as to require a minimum curable that it can be tuned with the shutnumber ofmachines can be operated in perfect unison for photographing purposes of large convention halls, of the like, where several machines are required, and, this without the use of an electric spark and without interference of smoke.

' With the above and other objects in view,

combination and arrangement of parts,'all as hereinafter more fully described, claimed, and illustrated. in the accompanying draw.- ings, in Which i Figure'l is a perspective View of the ihood having the covering for the front of the contained therein; Fig. 2 is 'a side elevation of the frame for supporting the hood; Fig; 3 is an enlarged detail view in rear elevation'of the firing mechanism,- with the casing inclosing parts thereof broken away; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view, on t e chines of'this nature, but in my apparatus,

line 44 of Fig. 3: Fig. 5 is a front view of on the contrary, when the operator collapses mechanism for firing the flash, friction berent, and said closer being made so adjust:

Patented May 27,1913.-

-guires that, the amountof powder to proter of any kodak-or camera and that any this invention consists of the construction,

same'broken away to more clearly show the position of the flashlightlfiring mechanism the flash pan, partly broken away to show the sparking wheel; Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the circuit closer for operating the electro-magnet; Fig. 7 l5! a rear elevation of the hood, showing the sliding door therein; Fig. 8 is a detail view, partly in section, showing more clearly the means for connecting the sections of the hood standard. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the lower portion of the flash powder feeding' tube; and Fig. 10 is an enlarged view,

of the supporting member for said tube.

Throughout the fo lowing detail description and on the several figures of 'thedrawings, similar parts are referred to by like reference characters.

Specifically describing my invention, and referring to the drawings, an apparatus constructed in accordance therewith comprises 'a hood A which is supported in extended position by means of a frame constructed similarly to that disclosed in my previous patent above mentioned. The hood and apparatus hereinafter disclosed is adapted to be supported by any conventional vertically adjustablestand, the standard 1 of-which terminates at its upper end, in a socket member 2 in which are located thd clamping plates 3, said plates being held in the member 2 by means of screws, or similar fastening'imcans 4.

The frame for holding the hood consists of the conv ning bars 5 and 6, the bar 5 being vertically disposed and having secured at its lower extremity the tapering plug 7, which is adapted to be inserted when the apparatus isinoperative position, in a socket member 8 conforming to the shape of the plug, saidinember 8 being integrally formed with a flattened portion which 1s adapted to be received between the clamp ing members 3 and adjustably secured therebetween by means of a thumb-screw 9. By means of the construction thus described, the apparatus may be tilted into any desired position by relievingthe pressure of the ad- 'justing screw 9 and again tigl'itening the same when properly adjusted.

As shown in Fig, 2 the collapsible frame supporting the hood is held in an extended position by means of the-center spread bar 10 which is pivotally secured to the vertical bar, or standard 5, intermediate its ends and slidahly connected with the bar 6 by means of the sleeve 11. As in my former patent, when it is desired ,to collapse the hood. or apparatus, forv purposes of transportation and folding into convenient size, the bar 10 is pulled upwardly, thereby bringing the bar 8 into position parallel with the bar 5 and having the spread bar 10 interposed therebetween. Tot'urtl'ier economize space, I have constructed this bars 5 and 6 in sections as indicated at 12, which. may be de tached from the lower portions of the bars 5 and 6. 'According to my construction, said bars 5 and 6 have riveted at opposite sides thereof, the plates 13 which extend upward a suitable distance and have pass ing therethrough a thumb-screw 14. The sections 12 are slotted at their lower ends and adapted to be inserted between the plates 13 and over the thumb-screws 14 and the latter then tightened so as to effectively hold the sections in position. The transverse bars 15, located at the top and lower portions of the bars 5 and 6, support the hood, as in my previous patent, and a translu'cent, or porous covering 16 is secured over the front of the hood, as shown in Fig. 1 ot' the drawings.

Describing specifically my flashlight firing mechanism, at a suitable point above the center spread bar 10 is located a collar, or socket member 17 secured to the bar 5, into which is removably placed the supporting member 18 attached to the rear portion of the elongated. flash pan 19. Said pan 19 is of Lsh'apc form in cross section, this specific shape being most desirable in order that the flash may be spread, will hereinafter more clearly appear. Secured to the portion of the flash pan 19, as by means of the screws. or similar fastenings, 20, iii a casing 20 within which is located the clocklike mechanism for controlling the sparking, or i rnition, of the flash powder. Said mochanism consists of a gear, or click wheel 21', y

-wall of the pan 19 and in the lower portion of said bracket the op osite end of the shaft 22' has its bearing. 2 key 26 is secured to the outer extremity of the shaft 22' and passes outside of the casing 20 and the rear wall of the hood so that the mechanism may be wound without the necessity of opening the hood in any way. The inner end of the shaft 22 carries the friction, or -spark. wheel 27 which is located. on the inner side of the rear wall of the pan 19 adjacent the bottom. of the latter.. The rougheiieth'or serrated, pcri hery of the wheel 27 contacts with a spar; metal 28, or similar substance, pro jecting from the bottom of the pan 19. The igniter 25 is adjustably licldiutirui contact with the whcel'Z? by means of a coil spring contained within the screw-tap C9 threaded in the pan 19 bcncaththe wheel, said cap being adapted to be screwed 'hpwardly as tea nonstop? meshesswith the gear element lid-carried by the transverse.shaftv 31, and adjacent said elcmentO on the shaft just mentioned is provided a ratchet wheel 32.

At 33 is designated a conventional .form of elect-ro-magnet secured withinthe-casing 20 by means of the screws 34, said mhgnet being'provided with the armature 35 pivoted at its lower extremity, asindicated at 36. At a. suitable point on the armature 35 is a lug 37 which is normally in engage ment with the ratchet wheel 32 holding the same against movement in an obvious manner.

The means for operating the flash mechanism will now be described.

The electro-magnet 33 is connected in the electric circuit leading from the single cell, or battery, 38, the terminal of one of the wires 39 being connected with the casing 40" of the .circuit closer 4-0. The circuit closer lO is located at the terminal of the branch tubing 41, communicating therewith, as shown in Fig. 3, and with the main tube 42 leading to thehand operating bulb 43. The other branch of the tubing 4:1 leads to the shutter of the camera, which is conventionally shown" in the drawings amides ignated by the numeral 44. Within the'casing of the circuit closer i0 is slidably, mounted a plunger 45 WlllCll is adapted to I be moved by the air pressure transmitted from the bulb 43, against the coil spring 46 interposed between one end of said. plunger and the closed end of the casing 40. Insulated from and extending a suitable distance within the casing 40 is a contact pin 47 having an adjusting nut '48 threaded thereon, by means of which the pin may be projected farther within the casing or withdrawn therefrom as desired, The terminal of the othenwireof the circuit 39 is con- 'nected with the pin 47by means-of the nut 4.8 and it'will be obvious that by screwing the pin 47 in o out,'electric connection with the plunger .rday be made sooner or later, thus providing, a simple andmost' eflicient means for tuning the connection in perfect unison with the shutter of the camera which is operated simultaneously by pressure of the bulb 43. The particular purpose of this tuning will-be apparent when itis considered that a number of flash apparatuses may be operated by the single means above described and on accountof the varying dis tancesfrom the operator'it is desired that the contacts for operating the spark ignition-be made at somewhat different inter vals, or made more sensitive.

In order to supply'flash powder charges to the pan without opening the hood or d sturbing the mechanism, 1 provide a suitable metallic feeding tube, or pipe, 49 whlch extends through the'rear portion of the hood and is preferably flared at its inouth to facilitate pouring of the loose powderthere into. The opposite end of the pipe as is out on diagonally for the purpose which will appear hereinafter, and said tube is adapted to be inserted in the supporting member 50 which is suitably secured to the rear wall of the pan 19 by means of the screws. or like l'nstenings, 51.. As will be rated, this supporting member 50 holds the tube at an incline and when loading the flash, the powder passes downwardly there through until it, is caught by the curved springplate 52 secured at its upper portion to the inside of the rear wall of the pan 19; The tube 49 has provided thereon at its lower portion a lug, or projection, 53 for interlocking with the angular slot 5% in the supporting member 50 When'the' tube is partially rotated in one direction. When all is in readiness for the charge to be set i the latter slightly so that the'po'wder falls;

into the bottom of the pan is; The ouliar form and location of the plate 52 acts as a spreader for the powderso that the same is advantageouslydistrihutedin the pan asrnost desired for the purposes of this apparatus. .l Vhen the tube 4-9 is released.

the plate 52 has ample resiliency to force back into itsinitial position and the next charge'may be inserted whendesired, haid plate effectively closing the. opening to prevent the flash from passing outthe tube or tli permitting the smoke to escape from the hood through the passage thus provided.

The "operation of igniting the flash will he briefly set forth.

When the apparatus, or hood, has heen set at the desired angle, the camera properly adjusted, and the powder placed in the pan as above escribed, the operator presses the bulb 43, simultaneously operating the shutter 44 inithe customary, manner and forcing "the plunger 45 to close the electric circuit in perfect unison therewith. The electro-Inagnet 33 draws the armature 35, when the circuit isi-thus closed, from-engagement with'thc'ratchet wheel 32, which al- .lows the action of the spring 23 to cause rotation through the gearing of thefricllii um wheel 27 against the spark metal 28,

instantly setting off the'powder and firing the charge contained in the pan. Releaseiof the pressure permits thte armature to agaihi engage the wheel 32 and the operatr ay; proceed to-rccharge the apparatus for a secondfiash. This may proceed for numerous exposures, the "smoke being efi'ectively retained within the hood until the operator removes the apparatus from the room, 'or

olulcrl and hcmluhcforc clisclosed.

huililiog, expulsion of the smoke taking plsco'whcn the hood is inseriecl Within the howl owl tho spread ha: 16 is moved upu'm-iily heretofore described, forcing the smoke out of tho hoocl as Well as cleansing lhc nmizu'slus of the ashes, similar to ths.

action of bellows,

'ln order that ready access may he videcl for the operator 'co collapsc the hoocl, I employ aclouolc luyer lfor the rear portion of th. lioocl. said layers being slilchecl to 3 as shown by the dotted lines designulccl :"cs A. slil, in the outer layer permits ihc insertion of the sliding door 5? between 'ahc folds of tho two layers, curl ccrlsiu reinforcing wires, also shown in dolled lines, are employed for the purpow of holding the door tightly against the 09cm ing in the covering and pro-vesting escsocof lhc smoke flier-"clinic.

it will he'un zlersloocl that the door 57 PiilVll'llBil. Willi openings through wljziclz. lhc tubs "l3 smiths key 26 may exlciul, heretofore iufcrrscl.

l'u my former oulenithe hood was not proviclsil with covering; for ihe front, 21? in iheprescnt csse, lhis cove-ring providing c superior device for the purposes COIllZGIII- liming; thus (lescribeo tho Invention" What clsimcil new is: 1... in photographic ilssh li :h'l apparatus, 51 hooi'lHulspted to hold smolxe incident to firing; oil a ilzish lherciu, ssicl hood comprising; pivoted, sides, a spreading member normally holding the hooil eiilcndcd and opcrshlc lo collapse ssicl hood, whereby the smoke uloresziicl may be expelled from the liooal.

in u hood :1

of ingg pivolscl, sides,

photogrsph c llssh lighl; apparatus, l hold smoke incident to i-crein, ssiil hoocl comprissprcaqliog member pivconucclccl to ouc side of ssicl hood "ably counseled with its opposiie movcmcnl, of spreading; l collopso tho hood forcibly tic smolo: iherci'rom, l1] photographic "1 light spsuraus,

ma. L

col ussi ole iii-closing .-.z.oocl adapted to hold l sucks incident to firing of u ilush therein,

52 spn oiling; member connected with dis oppositc sides of sum hood. and operable lo collapse tho some to permit the scicl sides in limp and rub each other when shaken, whereby the residuum of powdor from the flash may be cxgellecl from the llOOfl.

l, In phiilogi'sgphic ilush light apparatus, :1 collapsible hoocl sdcpl'ccl to hold smoke inchlem lo firing of o, flash therein, scirl hooii comprising inc-losing sides one of which is composed of "f0 ominous material, a sprcsdiug: somber pivotally connected with the'ssicl foraminous material to thereby PIQ- hood, ussuiong s smoke-tight the, opposific sides sand normally holding the S5 hood. extended, said member being operable to collapso llffo' hood and. permit the sides thereof to flop and rub against each other when shaken, whereby the rcsiiluum of powderirosu the flash may he siftedthrough cleanse thelstter.

5, Flash light apparatus comprising a pan, feeding means for supplying iowcler to the pan, and the. resilicntmem or 017 checking the flow of powder nto the pan and operable by the feeding means to release a, supply of powder, said member be. ing adopted lo return the feeding means to initial operative position, I 6. Flash light apparatus comprising a pan, a feeding tube for supplying flash pow- (let to said pan, and a resilient member adapted to check the flow of powder through the tube aforesaid and operable thereby to admin and sprcupl a charge of powder onto thc'psn, said member normally closing the tube to prevent the flash from entering the some.

7. Flush light apparatus comprising o, pan, means for feeding flash powder to the pun, ignition moans foi firing the powder, operating mechanism for said ignition means, an cleccro-magnet, an armature therefor pivomlly mounted adjacent the opcrating mechanism and-arranged to movenormslly into engagement thclswith to prevent movement of the opcraiing mechanism, and means for cliscugugicg the armature from the suicl operating mechanism and cause ignition of the flush powiiei',

8. Flash light apparatus comprising c pan, means for ceiling and spresing the flash powder onto the pan, a friction Wheel mounted in the pan, on ignilcr scljustchly held in confirms with the friction wheel, a spring controlled shaft on which suicl Wheel is mounted, a ratchetwheel operutively concooled with the shs'ft slorcssicl, an electric circuit including an electro-magnct adjacent I the ratchet wheel, on asumture for said mognet normally engaging the said ratchet Wheel, a circuit closer in iihc electric C11- cuit, and an operating bulb for operating the circuit closer, whereby nrnmture is dls 1L5 w c cl' l "t vt l 1--c cn a c no! em -1 u icc an due n' c tron Wheel and igm-Lcr sporlas to lllB lhes Flash powder.

In photographic flashlight amssratus, the combination oils hood, means for firing 1520 flash light in suiclhcozl, the hood. comprising a collapsible structure including a sills of formninous inatcri 1 whereby on collu ising the hood, the residuum of the flash. powder may he iorcecl through said foraminous msten'ul to clear the same.

10. In a flush light apparatus, the coinhination with mesus for a llsasli lightl 1,063,0 5 v v I 5 of :1 hood adapted to house said means to confine the smoke fesulting from the flash light, said hood comprising a side of 'foraminous material and also comprising means whereby the residuum of the flash powder used for flash light purposes may be sifted forcibly through said foraminous material to clear the latter.

y In testimony whereof I a'fiix my signature In presence of two witnesses.

DAVID c. SHOBERGJ \Vitnesses:

D. G. MULLAN, ANNA WI GDAHL.

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