US1177614A - Photographic developing-tank. - Google Patents

Description

F. J. GAUKEL.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING TANK.

APPLICATION FILD JULY 2,1915- Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

3 SHEETSSPEET I attomug F. L GAUKEL.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING TANK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2,1915.

Z /w., W 5 a W w M 6 H, WMA

F. J. GAUKEL.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING TANK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2,1915.

1 1 77,61 Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

amen Wot ,UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J'. GAUKEL, F; SAUK CITY, WISCONSIN.

PHOTOGRAPH IC DEVELOPING-TANK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

Application filed July 2, 1915. Serial No. 37,719.

Improvements in Photographic Developing- Tanks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to photographic developing tanks, and one of its objects is to-jprovide a developing tank in which a number of negatives may be held and sub merged in the develo ing solution, allowing the operation of d ried on automatically without the usual process of agitation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a developing tank wherein the negatives are held in spaced relation'to permit the developing solution to come freely and uniformly in contact with all of the light affected surface thereof, and by means of which any individual plate may be lifted out of the solution afterward for inspection without the necessity of the operator handling'the plate or dipping and. soiling his hands in the developing solution. v

, A still further object of the invention is to provide a developing tank which is adapted to be closed light tight and may therefore be employed for developing purprovide a tank which may also be employed poses inany place sufiiciently dark to permit insertion of--the plates, which also permits development to be carried on with color sensitive plates in a dark 'room'without danger of light fogging while a ruby or other non-actinic light is being used, and

,which further obviates the necessity of the operator remaining in darkness during the entire developing period.

Astill further object of the invention is to for fixing and developing the negatives in a ready, convenient and time saving manner.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein fully descrlbed and claimed,

.reference being had to the accompanying drawings inv which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a developing tank embodying my invention, with the lid or cover closed. Fig. 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a central vertical transverse section of the same. Fig. 4 is a horizontal transverse section on the line H of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is eveloping to be car ff' the tank, which is preferably of oblong rectangular form and constructed of sheet metal, such as galvanized sheet iron. This tank is open at the top and adapted to be closed in a liquid, air and light tight manher by a flanged lid or cover 2, provided upon the interior thereof with a sealing gasket or lining 3 of rubber or other suitable.

material. Secured with this gasket to the cover by means of bolts 4; is a keeper plate 5 extending longitudinally of the cover and having slotted end portions 6 projecting beyond the same and adapted to be engaged by locking bolts 7 hinged to the end walls of the cover and provided with clamping nuts 8, whereby the cover may be clamped firmly and securely in position. The tank has one of its end walls formed above its. horizontal center with an offset 9 provideing an interior space or chamber 10, located beyond the vertical plane of the adjacent end wall of the tank body, the interior of which body provides a developing chamber 11 to receive the developing solution. The plates 12'to be developed are adapted to be held in spaced relationiwithin the chamber 11, holders 13 being provided to receive the plates and slidably support them in spaced relation to each other. Each of said holders comprises a U-shaped frame open at the top and embodying side bars and a crossbar connecting said side bars at their lower ends, said bars 1 being grooved or channeled to slidably receivethe side and lower end edges of the plate fitted therein, so that the plate may be slidably inserted and removed in an obvious manner. The holders 13 are removably and slidably fitted in grooved guideways 14 in guide plates 15, removably disposed within the tank and arranged against or in proximity to the end walls thereof, the guide plate at the end of the tank having the offset chamher being relatively shorter than' 'the other.

guide plate for an obvious purpose. These guide plates may receive kits or auxiliary guide members, adapted to hold plates of different sizes, or the plate holders may be constructed for that purpose with inserts,

i no

so that plates of the same size or of different sizes may be developed simultaneously. By thus mounting and holding the plates in spaced relation, it will be evident that all that they may be normally held submerged in the solution but may be projected upward at the will of the operator in order that the operator may observe the plate to determine the extent ofthe development process. As shown in the present instance, each holder has its cross bar provided with a bowed elliptical projecting spring 16, and has one of its side bars provided with a lug or shoulder 17. The holder is adapted to be forced down in the guide grooves of the guide plates, to compress the spring, allowing the plate carried by the holder to be depressed until fully submerged in the developing solution. For the purpose of fastening the holders in depressed position, latches 18 are provided to engage the lugs or shoulders 17, and these latches are vertically disposed within the opposite chamber or compartment 10 and mounted upon a pivot rod or bolt 19 with spacing washers 20 therebetween, coiled springs 21 being also employed to hold the latches in normal position. The lower ends ofthese latches are adapted to be projected into and out of the path of the lugs or shoulders 17 whereby the holders 13 may be locked in depressed position,- but by retracting its holding latch any desired holder may be released so that the associated spring 16 will project the vholder upward in the guideway to expose a portion of the plate to the View of the .operator, in order that he may observe the course of development.

The upper ends of the latches 18 project upward through and are movable in guide slots 22 in a retaining plate 23 secured to the outer wall of the compartment 10,

whereby the upper ends of the latches are held properly spaced so that they may be engaged for manipulation bv the thumb or finger of the operator. Aflanged plate 24 may be secured within the chamber 10 to serve as a stop to limit the retracted movement of the latches, thus adapting the latches to have a certain amount of operating motion only.- Thus it will be understood that when the plates to be developed are arranged in their holders and the latter fitted'within the tank containing the developing solution, the cover may be closed to seal the tank securely and exclude all light rays, allowlng the developing operation to proceed, the progress of which may be viewed from time to time by removing the lid or cover and inspecting any or all of the plates. Inasmuch as the time required to insert the plates within their holders, and the latter within the'tank is comparatively short, and as the plates are pro-.

tected within the tank against all light rays, it is evident that even the most sensitive plates may be handled and 1 developed without danger of light fogging, as the plates need only be exposed to dim rays from a ruby or other non-actinic light for an extremely short period. Furthermore, as the plates are in darkness during the entire period of development, the operator in the dark room need-not remain in complete darkness, but may turn on the light so that other work may be performed while the plates are under development.

The guide plates are provided with p'erforations 25 for the flow of fluid therethrough, and the tank is provided in the outer wall of the offset portion thereof with a discharge outlet 26 normally closed bya screw cap 27, and through which the fluid contents ofthe tank may be discharged at the completion of a developing, fixing or washing operation. At the opposite side of the tank is an inlet 27 for the supply of wash water which may flow through the tank and outward via the outlet 26, whenit is desired to wash the negatives after they have been fixed. This inlet 27" is norand thus introduced into the tank, or so that water from a faucet or other source of sup- 'ply may be conducted to the tank.

It will thus be understood that the device may be employed for: fixing the negatives 'after development, and thereafter for washing the negatives clear of the fixing solution. The advantages-of the device in other respects, are its simplicity-and capability of being furnished at a low cost to both professional and amateur photographers, its adaptability for the several uses specified, and its cleanliness and convenience in enabling the plates and negatives to be handled without trouble or discomfort.

I claim 1. A device of the characterdescribed comprising a tank, plate holders movabl mounted in the tank, means for holding the holders depressed to keep the plates confined in a solution therein, and means for releasing and projecting the holders to expose the plates for inspection.

2. A device of the character described' comprising a tank, guides upon the interlor of the tank, channeled plate holders mounted in said guides, springs for projecting the holders upward, and latches for holding the holders depressed and releasing them for upward projection.

' 3. A device of the character described comprising a tank, grooved guideways upon the interior of the tank, channeled holders slidably mounted in said guides, springs carried by the holders for projecting the holders upward, and latches for holding said holders depressed against the resistance of said springs and releasing the holders for upward projection by the springs.

4. A device of the character described comprising a tank, grooved guideways upon the interior of the tank, grooved plate holders slidably mounted in said guideways, springs for projecting the holders upward, and pivoted latch devices to engage and hold said holders depressed against the resistance of the springs and adapted to release said holders for upward projection.

5. A device of -the character described comprising a tank, grooved guideways upon the interior of the tank, grooved plate holders' slidably mounted in said guideways, bowed elliptical springs upon the bases of the holders for projecting the holders upward, and adapted to be tensioned when the holders are depressed, and pivoted latches for maintaining said holders depressed and adapted to effect the release of said holders for projection.

6. A device of the character described comprising a tank having an offset compartment at the upper portion thereof, guideways upon the interior of the tank, channeled holders slidably mounted in said guideways, springs adapted to be tensioned when the holders are inserted in the guideways for subsequently projecting said holders, and latches pivotally mounted in said compartment and adapted to engage the holders to maintain them depressed and to be moved out of engagement with the holders to permit projection thereof.

In testimony whereof I 'afiix my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

FRANK J. GAUKEL.

\Vitnesses LoUIs H. GUHL, EDWIN J. FARR.

Images