US645215A - Automatic photographing apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

N0. 645,2l5. Patented Mar. l3, I900. J. F. RADERS.

AUTOMATIC PHGTOGRAPHING APPARATUS;

(Application filed July 19, 1895.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets8heet I.

Jill/111M m: uonms PEYERS 00., womumu. WASHINGTON, n. c.

N0. 645,2l5. Patented Mar. [3, I900.

' J. F. BADERS. AUTOMATIC PHOTDGRAPHING APPARATUS.

(Appl ication fi1ed -Tu1y 19, 1895.)

(No Model.) 3 Shear-Sheet 2.

'm cam: PETERS :0. moi'aLrmo. WASHINGTON, n, c,

Patented Mar. l3, I900.

ND. 645,2l5.

J. F. RADERS.

AUTOMATIC PHUTDGRAPHING APPARATUS.

(Application filed July 19, 1895.) ("0 Model.) 3 Sheets-Shut WITNESSES: A INVENTOR 07! 3 7PM M M? d if a s M HIS ATTORNEY THE ucnms FETERS co, PHOTO-LUNG. wAsumaTcu. u, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH F. RADERS, or NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, To THE AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPH MACHINE COMPANY;

OF wEsT VIRGINIA.

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 1%. 645,215, dated. March 13, 1906. Application filed m 19,1895. Serial No. 556,496. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH F. RADERS, of New York,(llushing,) in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented cer- 5 tain new and useful. Improvements in Automatic Photographing Apparatus,of which the following is a specification.

My improvement relates to the construction of apparatus embodying mechanisms which operate to produce a more or less finished photograph from a sensitized plate, the various mechanisms comprised in the apparatus being under the control,as regards their operation, of a proper coin introduced by an individual into the apparatus.

I will describe an automatic photographing apparatus embodying the features of my improvement and then point out its novelty in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the interior of the inclosing case of the apparatus, showing various parts of the operative mechanisms of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a front view of a plate-carrier with its support comprised in the apparatus, the full lines in this figure representing one position of the carrier,while the dotted lines represent a second position of the same corresponding to the elevation of the plate from a bath of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the construction shown in Fig. 2, illustrating the arrangementof the plate-gripping device, the full lines representing the position thereof when engaging the plate and the dotted lines the same in a disengaged position. Fig. 4: is a top view of a plate-support comprised in the improvement, showing the construction for releasing the plate therefrom. Fig. 5 is a top view of a portion of a plate-magazine, showing the method of imparting to the same a step-by-step forward movement. Fig. 6 is aside elevation,partially in section, of the plate-magazine. Fig. 7 is 5 a top view of a bath and its accessories comprised in the improvement. Fig. 8 is a 1ongitudinal section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section through alight-shaft. Fig. llis adetail view 56 of the shutter in elevation, showing the same. in closed position; and Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the shutter open. Fig; 13 is a side elevation of a clockwork for actuating various mechanisms comprised in the improvement. Fig. 14. is a similar view of the opposite side thereof. Fig. 15 isaperspective view of a mechanism for operating the shutter showing a construct-ion for rendering the duration of exposure adjustable.

Similar letters and numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

A designates the casing for holding the operative parts of the apparatus. It may be 6 5 of any suitableform and construction and occupy such a position vertically as will bring the light-shaft B, passing through the side of the casing, at such a height as corresponds to the average height of persons posing before the opening of the shaft.

" The light-shaft B in the present instance is represented as being f unnel-shaped in form, its larger end opening through an aperture in the side of the casing, from which point the shaft extends rea'rwardly to a lens 13 or combination thereof, arranged across the axis of the shaft. At the rear of the lens 13 is a shutter 0, while rearwardly of the shutter the light-shaft is prolonged by a divergent 8o tube B D isthe framework alfording support for the various parts of the apparatus. It may be of convenient'form and material.

E is a plate-magazine sliding on guideways 6, supported upon a shelf 6, extending from the framework D.

In construction the magazine E resembles a bottomless box, the interior surface of whose side walls is provided with transverse slots 0 e adapted to receive the sensitized plates.

The magazine E is provided with an inde pendent bottom plate or closure This bottom plate is provided with a shoulder e at one'end and is kept normally closed by a s ring-catche, engaging with said shoulder.

\ hen the magazine is placed on guideways e on platform c in its initial position in the machine, aprojection e on said catch comes in contact with one of the guideways e and raises it out of engagement with the shoulder e to permit the magazine to move independently of the bottom plate, whichis retained in position by the shoulder e abutting against the end of slide e.

' e represents a knob or handle attached for convenience to the bottom plate 6 p A rack e is secured to the side of the magazine E, the tooth of a pawl 6, carried by a lever 6 pivoted at 6 adjacent the magazine,engaging with the rack to move the magazine intermittently or step by step forward as the pawl-lever is oscillated on its pivot. The rear end of the pawl-lever 6 supports a cam-roller e held in contact with the periphery of a cam 6 by a spring 6 The cam e is affixed to-the extremity of an upright driving-shaft F, actuated by means that will presently appear.

The platform 6 is provided with a vertical slot (2 through which each plate successively descends as the magazine E is moved forward at each step a distance corresponding to the distance between two successive plates; A spring-supported abutment F may be provided at the end of the magazine, that the initial position of the latter may be at any time accurately defined.

\Vhen the magazine is placed in the machine, it is pushed along the slides e until it comes in contact with the stop F, which is spring-seated. On the operator releasing the magazine the spring-stop F pushes the magazine a slight distance along the slide, so that the shoulder 6 will come in abutment. Having descended the slot 6 the plate falls within slots formed in jaws g g of a plate-support G. (See more particularly Fig. 4.) This support comprises the said jaws g g, pivotally supported at the points 9 g upon an extension of the main framework D. A fixture g? at one end of an oscillating lever g is connected by pivoted links g g with extensions of the jaws g g. The oscillating lever g is swung upon its fulcrum-point by a cam g affixed to the driving-shaft F, against which bears a cam-roller g supported upon the adjacent arm of the lever. A spring g secured to the rear portions of the jaws, serves the purpose of normally closing the jaws.

The jaws g g of the plate-support G are arranged rearwardly of the extension 13 of the light-shaft and in line therewith. Consequently when the plate is held in the platesupport G it will extend across the axial line of the light-shaft.

I have shown a convenient form of shutter for controlling the exposure of the plate. It will be seen to consist of wings H H, pivoted within a closed casing formed at the rear of the lens B. A lever H, extending on both sides of a fulcrum-point 72,, supports at one end a transverse pin h, engaging with said wings. At the opposite end of the lever there is pivoted an operating-bar H by which the lever H may be swung upon its support. It is evident that when this bar H is moved lengthwise in one direction the wings H H will be swung upon their pivots to expose the opening through the light-shaft, while a reverse movement of said bar will have the effect of bringing the wings together. The bar H is operated by means presently to be described.

I will now pass to a description of the platecarrier by which the exposed plate is immersed in the various liquids incident to its final completion.

I I are tubular guides secured at the sides of the platform 6, through which pass tubular rods M, comprised in the carrier. At their upper extremities these tubular rods are secured one with the other by a cross-piece 2". Through each tubular rod i there passes an inner rod 11 which at its lower extremity extends downwardly beyond the tubular rode, forming one member 2" of a gripping device. The opposite memberof this gripping device is formed by a hinged piece i whose hinged portion is arranged adjacent the. lower extremity of the tubular rod 2'. This hinged piece is provided with an inclined lug 1, whose inclined surface is adapted to be forced against the extremityof its corresponding tubular rod 2', and thereby forcibly press the hinged member 2' of the gripping. device against the fixed member 2' to grasp a plate. The rods extend above the cross-piece i and terminate in heads "0' i Between the shoulders formed thereby and the upper extremities of the tubular rods 2' 2' there are interposed helical springs i exerting aforce to move the rods 2' 1 upwardly and the tubular rods 1' "L downwardly. Evidently from this construction there results when the springs 11" 1'? are free to act an impingement of the. inclined lugs 1' 2 against the extremities of the rods 1 i and a consequent closing of the members constituting the gripping device.

K is a cord or other flexible connection secured to the cross-piece 1T, passing over a pulley vertically above its point of attachment and thence to a driver, which will be This cord K serves for I presently described. the elevation of the plate-carrier, while the latter descends by gravity. Stops 7c 70, consisting of screws secured in a bracket of the main frame D, are arranged vertically above the heads t i of the rods '6 F, that said heads may contact therewith and compress the springs 1' 1, thereby releasing the gripping device at thelower extremities of the rods 1' i Passing now to the bath for holding the several liquids in which the exposed plate is immersed, L designates a receptacle or box mounted upon wheels Z, the latter resting upon tracks 1, supported upon a bracket extending from the main framework D. The receptacle or box'L forming the bath is divided by suitable transverse partitions into seven compartments. Compartment No. 1 is designed to receive a cell Z containing the developing solution for the exposed plate. Compartment No. 2, the next one removed from No. 1, is a water-compartment in which the plate is immersed after coming from the developing solution. Compartment No. 3 holds a cell Z containing the fixing solution for the plate. Compartment No. 4 is a second watercompartment for washing the plate when removed from the fixing solution. Compartment No. 5 holds a cell 1, containing the coloring solution for the plate subsequent to the development and fixing of the same. Compartment No. 6 is a third water-compartment for the final washing of the finished plate. Compartment No. 7 is a temporary depository for the plate prior to its descent through the delivery-chute Z.

For the purpose of effecting the thorough washing of the plate at various stages during the process of its completion I provide means for causing a flow of water through the several water-compartments during the immersion of the plate therein. L designates a trough extending longitudinally of the receptacle L and secured to the side thereof. Ducts Z lead from this trough to the several watercompartments 2, 4, and 6. A discharge-spout Z for directing a current of water terminates directly above the trough L, the spout being arranged at the extremity of a conduit Z leading to a valve-casing Z whose valve is actuated by a cam Z secured to the drivin g-shaf t F. As the plate is immersed three times in the water-compartments, there will be three leaves or projections upon the cam Z thereby actuating the valve three times for a complete rotation of the driving-shaft F. The water-supply to the val ve-chamber withinthe casing Z is drawn from any suit-able source and enters the casing through a pipe 1.

Each compartment 2, 4, and 6 is provided with adischarge-nozzle Z directed downward and emptying into a receiving vessel Z arranged lengthwise of the tracks Z. From thence the waste water may be withdrawn as desired. The bath receives the intermittent motion necessary to place its compartments successively beneath the plate carrier by means to be described.

M is a coin-chute extending from an opening in the casing to a point directly above a pocket m upon a pivoted lever m, normally occupying a position as shown in Fig. 1. WVhen acoin has been. placed in the chute M, however, and has descended and rests in the pocket m, the outer end of the lever m will be depressed, its inner end striking an arm m thereby oscillating a shaft m to which said arm is secured. To the shaft m there is likewise secured a bent finger m and a toe m The free end of the bent finger m enters an opening between pins on m upon the outer portion of a time-disk m rotated by a suitable clockwork m The toe m rests against the under surface of a pivoted lever m which by its oscillation serves to rock a catch on and release a clockwork on. The

catch M coacts with the notch of a notched disk m driven by clockwork m to secure the release and arrest of that clockwork. A series of disks M M M M M are rotated by the clockwork on. These disks are arranged upon a sleeve M, longitudinally adjustable along a shaft M but compelled to rotate therewith by an engaging feather and keyway or similar construction. To secure this lengthwise movement, I may provide one extremity of the sleeve M with a groove M into which extends a finger M secured to a lengthwise-adjustable rod M Five of these disks are shown; but more or less may be used, since each disk corresponds to a definite duration-of dwell or rest of the shutter in its open position. To this end the disks are provided with notches or recesses of varying length, and each is adapted to be brought into such a position that its periphery may coact with a pin M extending from a lever M The movement of this latter lever occasioned by the sliding of the pin M along the notched periphery of the active disk is communicated to the operative bar H to move the shutter, as already described. The clockwork m also serves for the rotation of a cam m and a pattern wheel or disk m. The pattern-disk m is formed with a series of elevations and depressions upon its periphery, and against the latter rests a frictionroller m extending from one arm of a double-armed lever N. This lever is vibrated upon its fulcrum-point by the rotation of the one complete rotation for a complete rotation of the pattern-disk m Itwill be noticed that the subscribing circle of the major part of the pattern-disk m is of a less radius than that of the remaining portion. Upon this enlarged portion of the pattern-disk the roller m rests in the normal or quiescent position of the apparatus. The proportions are such that in this position of the apparatus the stops k It will be forcibly pressed against the heads i i the springs 2' 2' compressed, and the jaws g g of the gripping device opened, as already pointed out. When the friction-roller m has assumed a position upon that portion of the pattern-disk of less diameter, the members of the gripping device will close to grasp a plate.

The cam on is for the purpose of rocking the double-arm lever N upon its support, the lever supporting a roller upon one arm bearing against the cam-periphery, while the reinainingarm is slotted to embrace a suitable pin N extending from the receptacle L. The periphery of the cam m is of the proper contour to secure the correct movements of the bath.

The time-disk m performs one complete rotation during the various operations upon a IIO sensitive plate and terminating with its-delivery through the chute The disk is provided with a series of pins 0 upon its outer portion, preferably adjustable thereon, as by providing a series of holes for the insertion of the pins.

During the rotation of the time-disk after its disengagement from the bent finger m the friction-roller m will rest in one of the depressions of the pattern-disk, the movement of the clockwork m at the same time being suspended by the engagement of the catch. This position of the friction-roller m corresponds to a depression of the carrier, with a suspended plate,into one of the compartments of the receptacle or bath. The stoppage of the clockwork 171. will continue until the finger m contacts with the first of the series of pins 0, when the finger riding upon the same will rock the shaft m disengage the catch m and permit the pattern-disk to further rotate to elevate and then depress the carrier, as'before, into a second compartment. Motion of the clockwork m will be again suspended, as before, until a second pin of the series 011 the time-disk is encountered by the bent finger m when movement of the clockwork again takes place.

' Preferably I will employ means to give the carrier and its plate a slight vibratory movement while in a compartment to facilitate the action of the liquid upon it. A construction for accomplishing this is shown. It will be seen to consist of a d0uble=arm lever P, fulcrumed at 19, one arm of the lever being provided with a cross-pin p, resting upon the lever N, while the other arm of the lever bears upon a notched wheel p driven by suitable gearing from the clockwork m". It is evident that a slight vibratory motion will be imparted to the lever N by the lever P as the end of the latter travels over the notched periphery of the wheel p pocket at of the lever m is thrust therefrom by impinging against a stop R as the lever tilts under the weight of the coin.

S S are weights connected by suitable cords' with the clockworks m m for driving the same.

T is an indicator driven from a rotating part of one of the clockworks, that an observer at the outside may be acquainted with the progress of the movements within.

Vis an electrical alarm comprising suitable contacts on moving parts to indicate to the subject posing before the lens the duration of the exposure.

For precipitating the finished picture into the delivery-chute Z from compartment No. 7 I preferably employ the following construction: XV is a movable slide forming the bottom of this compartment. It is thrust outward to a position in which the bottom of the compartment is closed by springs 20.

W is a fixed stop arranged in the path of the slide W, against which when the receptacle L is moved to the outer end of its move The coin in the ment the slide strikes, thereby compressing the springs and withdrawing the slide from beneath the bottom of compartment No. 7. The photograph thereupon drops from the compartment and descends the chute.

The operation of the apparatus maybe described as follows: A coin having been inserted in the coin-chute descends into the pocket 1% and tilts the lever m, thereby releasing the clockworks m and m as before described. The vertical shaft F immediately commences its rotation, and through the action of the cam e and pawl-lever e operates to move the magazineE one step forward. As a result of this a plate descends through the slot e and rests in the plate-support. The tooth M will thereupon drop into the notch of one of the disks M, &c., momentarily resting therein, as already described, to open the shutter and expose the plate. Further rota tion of the clockwork m and consequent movement of the pattern-disk m causes the gripping mechanism of the plate-carrier to grasp the plate held on the support by reason of the friction-roller m descending to and resting upon the portion of the patterndisk of less radius. Immediately after such action the jaws g g of the plate-support are separated by the cam g and the plate-carrier and plate descend into the first compartment of the bath containing the developing solution. The roller m has now reached the bottom of the first depression in the patterndisk and remains in this position until the bent finger m contacts with the first pin of the series of pins 0, arranged at the edge of the time-disk m whereupon the plate-car rier is elevated and the bath moved forward until compartment No. 2 is vertically below the plate-carrier, when the latter again descends into the compartment to wash the plate. Simultaneously with this movement the valve of the casing Z? is opened by the action of the cam Z and a current of water passes through the water compartment. These movements follow each other, the plate in succession being immersed in the fixing, second washing, coloring, and final washing liquids and solutions, and finally deposited in compartment No. 7, when the receptacle L moves forward, the slide W is drawn back, and the finished plate passes to the exteriorof the apparatus through the chute Z The mechanisms are finally brought to rest by a reinsertion of the finger m between the pins m m .Having described my invention, whatI consider as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an automatic photographing apparatus, the combination of a plate-carrier, a bath for holding the liquids in which the plate is to be immersed, means for producing a relative movement between the plate-carrier and the bath, and a gripping device supported by the carrier comprising pieces moved lengthwise of each other by the initial movement of the ICC IIC

for holding the liquids in which the plate is to be immersed, a valvecontrolled passage-way supplying Water to the compartments in said bath, a shaft supporting cams for producing a vertical movement of the plate-carrier and a horizontal movement of the bath, and a motor for rotating said shaft, substantially as specified.

4:. In an automatic photographing apparatus, the combination of a plate-magazine, means for producing an intermittent movement of the same, means for controlling the time-exposure of a sensitized plate, a support for sustaining the plate during the exposure, a bath for holding the liquids in which the plate is to be immersed, a plate-carrier for dipping the plate in the Various liquids, a gripping device supported upon said platecarrier for grasping the plate upon an initial movement of the carrier and comprising lengthwise movable pieces and supported jaws, and means for producing a relative movement between the bath and the platecarrier to bring the various liquids under the plate in succession, substantially as specified.

5. A bath for a photographing apparatus, having compartments for liquids, and a compartment to receive the finished plate, combined with means for imparting a rectilinear movement to the bath and ejecting the plate from the compartment, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH F. RADERS.

Witnesses:

W. LAIRD GOLDSBOROUGH, PIERSON L. WELLS.

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