US2203912A - Photographic plate holder - Google Patents

Description

June 11, 1940. s. s. LEvlN PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATE HOLDER Filed lay 24, 1958 INVENTOR Patented June 11, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to photography and more particularly to holders in which light-sensitive, cut films may be exposed in a camera.

Holders of the general nature of my present invention have been somewhat unsatisfactory. They are commonly manufactured from wood or from wood faced or reinforced with metal, but both types have a relatively short effective life in that they are easily broken, they warp out of shape and are affected by weather conditions, drying out in dry climates and swelling in humid climates. In some few cases these holders have been made from sheet metal, but these have never been satisfactory even though they are resistant to climatic changes.

In many prior art holders no effective means is provided for inserting and removing the cut lm conveniently and easily without damage to such lm. In many cases it has been necessary to bend or distort the film in order to insert it in the holder. In at least one instance the holder has been provided with one or more hinged sections to facilitate insertion and removal of the cut film, but these have been of weak or inadequate construction insofar as the hinge is concerned, and thus have not solved satisfactorily the problem of producing a good film holder having the desired qualities and characteristics.

One of the objects of my present invention is to produce a strong and rigid but light and inexpensive film holder which has new and useful characteristics not shared by prior film holders.

Another object is to produce a film holder wherein the frame is provided with hinged portions and wherein the hinges are as strong and durable as any other part of the holder.

A further object is to produce a holder having dark slides of such nature that the photographer will always know whether a given film has been exposed or not and wherein the dark slides are each formed from a single piece of non-metallic material.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a photographic lm holder, the frame of which is composed of extruded metal, which can be sold at the same cost as wooden holders.

Other and further objects and advantages will be understood by those skilled in this art or will be apparent or pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawingwherein I have illustrated film holders embodying my present invention and wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts in the various views:

Figure l is a side elevational view of my new film holder with portions thereof broken away to disclose parts of the underlying construction;

Fig. 2 is a view generally similar to Fig. 1 but wherein the dark slide nearest the observer has been removed to show how film is inserted in and removed from the holder;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line III-III of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlargedy scale illustrating a modified form of hinge;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a further modified form of hinge; andI Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figs. 5 and 6 of another form of hinge forming a part of my present invention.

The holder of my invention has a metal frame I0 of generally rectangular configuration and composed of extruded metal. These extruded metal parts may be made in any suitable manner and in any suitable number of pieces which are subsequently secured together in proper permanent relationship by soldering, Welding, by the use of screws, or in any other known or desired manner.

As will be noted from Fig. 4 in particular, the extruded metal framework is provided with a relatively large exterior peripheral groove Il and with lateral or side grooves I2, thus minimizing the amount of metal necessary to produce the holder, reducing the cost thereof and, at the same time, resulting in the production of a holder which is light in weight without sacrificing strength, rigidity, or durability.

'Ihe frame l0 is provided on its inner periphery with a plurality of spaced slots, three of which are shown in the drawing. There is a central slot i3 in which is disposed a metal partition plate il which divides the holder centrally into two parts. As will be understoodfrom Fig. 3, the lower end of partition plate I4 rests in the tongue or spacer I5 slotted at l5 for such purpose and the upper end of the partition plate rests in the body l1 at the upper part of the frame. On either side of the central slot i3 are the two slots numbered. IB and I9. These slots extend into the hinged sections designated as a whole at 20 at the bottom of the holder and along body portion I1 at the top of the holder and are dapted for the insertion and' removal of dark slides 2| which are preferably composed of hard rubber, molded to shape. These dark slides are each made in one piece contrary to prior practice in this connection.

eacl^Y is provided with an 22 along one lateral sur- -ned. These dark i8, i9 and c ou either ""'d :rulli parti. he nlm-receivg means is proe frame iB ofthe lecess or cut away cy ine numeral formed recesses a l is positioned such as tab e fabric, partcula f bric, and such is indicated b 25. Portions 2l of the frame itl lilserfise haie recesses in which pile fabric is located as will be understood from the use or" the same numerals 25 and 2E thereon.

As already stated, the enlarged head portions 2 of dark slides 2i are each provided with a sinle lateral .Groove 23. Each such groove may be arked in a distinguishing manner such as by inting or staining it or a strip of contrasting material be placed in each such groove. I

may also use a. phosphorescent material in each groove such as a radium paint. The paint, being belou7 the surface of the head 22, is protected against weer, chipping off, and the like. The dark slides are positioned in the holder in such manner that the film 28 within the cornpartments Z is unexposed the grooves face outwardly. By seeing the contrasting mark the photographer will immediately know that the nlm in that particular compartment is unexposed and is ready for exposure. Since it is necessary 'to remove each dark slide when it is desired to expose the nlm in a camera, the photographer will replace the slide in the reverse manner with the groove facing inwardly. Ihus he will, at a glance, know that when the groove or mark is not visible the film has been exposed, thus avoiding danger of double exposure and of wasted nlm.

Means is provided for holding the dark slides in place and this means may take the form of a suitable latch designated by the numeral 29, a latch being provided for each slide. These latches have a horizontal portion resting on top of the head of each slide so that when it is desired to remove a slide it is only necessary to turn the latch so as to disengage the horizontal portion from the head 22. This prevents accidental and undesired movement of the dark slides and thus avoids inadvertent exposure or re-exposure of lilm. As shown, these latches have enlarged portions 3U disposed in under-cut recesses 3l formed in the top of the metal frame portion Il. While I have illustrated a simple and effective form of latch it is to be understood that I am not restricted to the particular latch referred to as other forms may be used equally well provided they meet the conditions involved. The recesses 3i may either communicate with a similarly shaped slot or the material around the recess may be sprung somewhat and then crimped to allow insertion of the latches.

As shown best in Figs. 2 and 3, the sides of the metal frame i are provided with relatively thin ribs 3i which project inwardly a short distance from the frame and wlxich are sumciently spaced from central partition Il to permitl lm to be received thereunder. These ribs 3| extend from the under surface of the top portion Il o! the frame to a point short of the transverse bot- 5 tom portion 32 ol' such frame and the lower end of each such rib 3l is beveled or rounded as shown at 33 so as to guide film into proper position without damaging such film. In Fig. 2 `the crL film 28 is shown which has been nearly fully 10 r'ted, thus clearly illustrating the manner of inserting and removing film.

In order to insert and remove film without unduly bending, distorting, or otherwise damaging the nlm, I provide the lower transverse frame l5 portion 32 with the hinged sections specifically marked 32. Each such hinged section has the slot i8 above referred to for receiving the lower end of the dark slide 2| and, in general, is complementary to the tongue portion l5 which has a 20 more or less T-shaped configuration as shown in Fig. 3. In the form shown in Fig. 3, each hinged section is provided with a recess 3l which receives the adjacent portion 35 ci the generally T-shaped tongue portion I5. Below such recess 2 the hinged section has a thin cross-section and abuts the shank of the tongue. Below such, each hinged section flares outwardly to produce a transversely extending rod-like extremity` 3i which fits into a circular transversely extending 30 channel 31 formed in the frame portion 32 ln such manner that each hinged section can be partially swung hinge fashion into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3 without causing disengagement of the parts which are thus perma- 35 nently associated since the diameter of each rodlike portion is greater than the effective opening of the said circular groove.

Thus, in utilizing a nlm holder such as I have described, either dark slide, after being unlatched, is withdrawn from the holder, the appropriate hinged section ls swung outwardly as far as it will go, nlm ls inserted or removed, and then the dark slide repositioned, care being taken as above pointed out to have the groove 23 of each dark slide in the appropriate pooition depending upon whether fllm has been exposed or not. When each dark slide is ln place the hinged section receiving it is locked in position. Conversely, removal of the dark slide unlocks the hinge section and enables it to be opened.

In Figs, 5, 6, and 7 I have illustrated modifications of the hinged sections and in these modlflcations it will be noted that it is possible to swing the hinge sections outwardly somewhat further than in connection with Fig. 3. While in the form shown in Fig. 3, the hinged sections can ordinarily be swung through an arc of at least about in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 the modlned 60 hinge sections are capable of being through an arc of about 90-110, thus expedlting the insertion and removal of nlm to a corresponding extent and presenting structural advantages as will be understood.

In Fig. 5 the central or tongue-like portion lla of the frame has the conguration therein illustrated which ls characterized by having external shoulders ISa' and a slot Ia for the reception of a partition plate as above referred to. The hinged sections 32a are shaped so as to intert with the shoulders lia' and are provided with the slots Ita, ISa for the reception of the dark slides. The rod-like extremities 36a of the hinged sections lie and operate within the reu cesses or spaces 31a which extend across the bottom portion of the frame as will be understood from what has been explained above. The ends of 36a extend into the frame beyond member 32. Hinges 36h are secured to members 32a as shown.

In Fig. 6 the tongue-like portion I5b tapers upwardly and in the narrowest portion thereof a slot |65 is provided for the reception of the central partition plate as before. In the underside of tongue-like portion |52), transversely extending circular grooves 31h are provided which are adapted to receive the rod-like extremities 36h of the hinged sections 32h, movement of the hinged sections being limited by the abutting of the faces 32h of the hinged sections with the faces I5b of the tongue-like portion. As before, each hinged section is provided with a slot lila, I9b for reception of the lower end of a dark slide.

In Fig. l the hinged sections 32o are provided with hook-shaped extremities 32e' which are adapted to operate in correspondingly shaped passageways 31C formed in the tongue-like portion I5c. Each hinged section has a dark slide receiving slot |80, lSc and the tongue section itself has a partition plate receiving slot lBc. It will be noted that the tongue-like portion has a. bulbous extremity |50' and that the hinged sections 32e have complementarily shaped recessed portions 32C" adapted to receive the extremity of the tongue-like portion.

'I'he foregoing is presented as illustrative rather than limitative and it is to be understood that within the purview of my invention I may resort to various alterations, modifications, additions, or omissions without departing from the spirit and principle hereof. Rather the invention is to be dened by the appended claims. While I have referred to extruded metal as being the material of which the frame or holder is formed, I prefer to use aluminum. Other light metals may be used where they meet the conditions involved.

While I have described my holder as made up of a number of extruded aluminum pieces permanently secured together as by welding, soldering, and the like, I prefer to connect portions 21 tothe holder by screws, bolts, or the like (not shown) so that the light-sealing material may be replaced when necessary. The use of such fasten-l ing instrumentalities has been indicated on the drawing by the numerals IB.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A photographic film holder comprising a rectangular extruded aluminum frame and integral hinge provided with spaced grooves'in their inner peripheries, a partition plate xed in one of said grooves dividing the frame into two compartments, a dark slide in each of the other grooves projecting beyond said holder and normally closing each such compartment, each dark slide being slidable in and out of said holder and each having an enlarged head portion with a transverse groove therein on one side, means for normally preventing movement of said dark slides, means on said frame adjacent the dark slide grooves for holding cut film in position for exposure, means for light-sealing the said compartments and means for enabling film to be inserted in and removed from each compartment, said last means having slots to receive the ends of the dark slides for locking the same in closed position when said dark slides are engaged in said slots.

2. A photographic lm holder as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last-named means has a relatively stationary central portion and swingable hinge-like outer portions having rod-andgroove connections with said central portion.

3. In a photographic lm holder, an extruded, rectangular aluminum frame characterized by lightness, strength and resistance to warping, said frame being composed of a number of individual extruded pieces integrally secured together in permanent relationship.

4. In a photographic iilm holder, a bottom extruded metal frame piece composed of a central tongue-like portion and a hinged section on each side thereof, the hinged sections being substantially complementary to the tongue-like section and being hingedly connected thereto throughout their transverse extent.

5. In a photographic nlm holder, a bottom extruded metal frame piece composed of a central stationary portion and a hinged-section on each side thereof, the hinged sections being substantially complementary to the central portion and being provided with transverse terminal enlargements adapted to fit into and to have hinged action with corresponding recesses in said central portions.

6. A photographic iilm holder as set forth in claim 5 wherein the central portion consists of a tapering tongue-like piece having shouldersl against which the hinged sections abut when the hinged sections are swung through an arc of about 7. A photographic iilm holder as set forth in claim 5 wherein the central portion is an upwardly tapering tongue-like piece with a slot in its upper extremity and wherein the tonguelike piece and hinged sections are provided with cooperating shoulders which abut when the hinged sections are swung open to their maximum extent.

8. In a photographic iilm holder, an extruded aluminum frame provided with an integral hinge of the same material, said hinge including a centrally disposed relatively stationary upwardly tapering tongue-like portion having a longitudinally extending slot in its narrowest portion and spaced circular grooves in its underside, and a. pair of hinged sections one of which is disposed on each side of said tongue-like portion and each of which has a rod-like extremity receivable within the circular grooves aforesaid, the said tonguelike portion and hinged sections being structurally complementary and being provided with cooperating means to limit movement o! said hinged sections.

SAMUEL B. LIVIN.

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