G. W. TOPLIPF & C: BORNMANN.

PHOTOGRAPHIG CAMERA.
` l APPLICATION P'ILEDDEa‘M, 1911.
Patented July 30, 1912..
2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W
@-1 @Í

MINIMUM.

k
 G. W. TOPLIPP an C. BORNMANN.
PHOTOGRAPHIG CAMERA.
APPLICATION FILED DEG. 14, 1911.
1,034,045. Patented July 30, 1912.
z SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/
/4 l
/2

coLuMnlA PLANOGRAPH co., wAsumu'rßN, n. c,

 UNÃTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
GEORG-E W. TOPLIFF AND CARL BORNMANN, OF BINGHAIVITON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS
TO ANSCO COMPANY, OF BING‘HAMTON, NEW' YORK.
PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA.

1,034,045. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 30, 1912.

Application ñled December 14, 1911, Serial No. 665,778.

To all whom it may concern .‘ jecting from the casing of the winding key
Be it known that we, GEORGE W. TOPLIFF to which the handle is attached, 4 one of
and CARL BORNMANN, both citizens of the the pin journals for the stock spool, 5 the 55
United States, and residents of the city of hinged front board, 6 the finder, 7 the
Binghamton, county of Broome, State of spring control for the finder, and 8, 8, the
New York, have jointly invented certain ordinary supports for the front board. All
new and useful Improvements in Photo `of these parts are or may be of any pre
graphic Cameras, of which the following is ferred construction.
a full, clear, and exact description. 9 is the slideway plate. It is rigidly fas
It is the purpose of our invention to so tened to the front board in any preferred
construct the apparat-us that the lens may manner and is best shown in Fig. 3. It is
be projected from the focal plane of the provided with an opening 1() in which is a
camera su?ciently to provide the necessary projecting stud 11 which engages wit-h a
focal distance and yet the size of the camera suitable latch on the body of the camera
be materially reduced. for holding the front board up when closed,
The invention also includes certain im as usual. The plate 9 also has a slot 12 cut
provements in the structure of the parts in it, the inner end 13 of which is prefer
whereby economy, simplicity and increased ably squared to better engage with the 70
efliciency in operation are secured; and spring 21. By the sides of this plate 9
20 lastly, the invention includes improvements there are cut in the front board longitudi
in the focusing devices, whereby what we nal grooves or recesses 14, 14, and another
term an automatic lock focus is secured. groove 15 between them. The grooves 14,
We illustrate the invention as applied to 14 are made to afford space for the guiding 75
a folding camera, since it-s advantages are studs 17 attached to the under side of the
more pronouncedly realized in that form. movable lens carrying plate which is super
It is, however, adapted to practically all posed upon and slides longitudinally of the
forms of cameras and we therefore do not slideway plate 9. The under side of the
vlimit ourselves to the folding variety. movable plate referred to is shown in Fig.
Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illus~ 4 at 16. lt has projecting downwardly
30 trates an elevation of a camera, the front from it a series of guiding studs 17 above
board of which has been lowered, thus eX referred to. They are composed of a stein
posing the interior parts; Fig. 2 illustrates part 1S (see Fig. 5) and an enlarged head
a plan view of that which is shown in Fig. like part 19 and they are so adjusted that 85
1; Fig. 3 illustrates a plan view of the ad they act as guides for the plate 16, since
justable lever and base plate of the auto~ `they embrace the edges of the slideway plate
matic lock focus apparatus and slideway for 9, as seen best in Fig. 1. The plate 16 also
a movable plate which supports the lens has an opening 20 in its forward edge, which
frame; Fig. 4 illustrates a view of the under is adapted to register with the opening 10 90
side of the movable lens supporting plate; in the slideway plate 9. It is also provided
40 Fig. 5 illustrates an edgewise view of that with a spring 21 which is fastened at its
which is shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 illustrates forward end, say at 22, to the plate 16 and
a side elevation of that which is shown in its rear end is bent downwardly, as shown
Fig. 1, cert-ain of the parts not involved at 23, and a pin 24, the outer surface where
herein being omitted, the movable lens sup» of is inclined, as shown in Fig. 5, passes
porting plate and its slideway being showr through a hole in the plate 16 and is con
in elevation, but the front board partially nected to the spring 21. The forward end
in section and the automatic lock focus ap of the spring 21 is bent upwardly, forming
paratus mostly removed; Fig. 7 illustrates a stop 25. On the under side of the plate 100
a detail. ~ l 16 there is a pin 26 which engages with the
50 In the drawings, 1 represents the body or automatic lock focusing device in a man
box part of the camera, 2 the thumb piece ner about to be described.
of an ordinary winding key, 3 a horn pro~ The lock focusing devices consist of a base
 à 1,034,045

plate 27 (see Fig. 3) provided with. slots 2S more space for the manipulation of the lens
and screws 29 which work in the slots. frame and attached parts, lays hold of the
rFliese are provided so that the base plate lens frame, preferably by means of the brace
may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly which serves as a convenient and properly
at the factory during manufacture, as may located handle, and pulls the lens frame for 70
be necessary to secure proper adjustment of wardly, whereupon the turned under edges 1141;
the lens, so that it may properly coincide of the base at?, of the lens frame will properly
with the distances marked upon the auto engage with the edges of the movable plate,
matically acting locking lever about to be as plainly illustrated in F 1. rl`he lens
described. This is desirable because fre frame is then pulled farther forwardly, dur 75
quently lenses vary somewhat in their focal ing which act it will slide smoothly over the
distance. movable plate 16 until the forward end of
30 is what we call the lever of the lock the base ¿t3 strikes the stop 25, as shown in
focusing devices. lt is made of suit-able G, and thereafter during the further
spring metal. lts rear end is adjustably outward movement of the lens frame, the 80
held to the base plate 27 by a set screw 31 movable plate 1G will be carried with it and
which works in a slot 32 made in the spring in so doing the inner free end of the spring
plate and at the other end of this plate is 21 will be removed from contact with the
an upturned thumb piece 33, whereby it may end 13 of the slot 12 in the plate 9 and the
20 be easily manipulated and adjacent to the spring then closing against the bottom of 85
thumb piece are a series of holes 34, (three the plate 16, will project the pin E211- up
are shown in the present instance), and this wardly, so that it will pass through a hole
end of the lever passes through a small sta 50 made in the top of the base 41B as shown
tionary yoke 35 which forms part of the base in Fig. G. ln this way the lens frame will be
25 plate 27 and from this yoke a pin 3G pro securely and automatically locked to the
jects downwardly and engages in one or the sliding plate 16 and prevented from back
other of the holes 34: in the lever, depending ward movement when released by the op
upon its adjustment. , erator.
rl‘he proper focal distance is determined
37 is a laterally extending arm projecting
30 from the lever 30 and has an opening 39 in in the following` manner. The holes made
its terminal part which is preferably squared in the lever 30 (three only are shown in the
as at 39, 39, the lateral edges of the squared present case, but there may be more or less,
' part being bent downwardly, as shown best as preferred), are, during the construction
in Fig. 6, to facilitate engagement with the of the apparatus, each carefully adjusted in
35 stud 26, and this part of the arm projects location to coincide with a stated distance, 10()
under the plate 1G, so that the stud 9.6 upon as for example, in the case shown, the hole
the plate (see Fig. 5) will register with the nearest the slotted end of the lever is ad
opening 38 in the said projection. justed to 8 feet, the medial one to Q5 feet,
The lens frame ¿10 (see Fig. 1) is sup and the outer or most forward one to 100
40 ported upon an upright plate i11, (see Figs. feet. The operator thereupon taking `hold 105
1 and 6) and is braced by an angle piece 4t2, of 'the thumb piece 83 of the lever 8O de~
the lower ends of the two last named parts presses it, so that the pin 8G (see Fig. 1) is
being brazed or otherwise fastened to the removed from such one of the holes 31- as it
usual base part ¿13 of the frame, the edges may have been in and then slides the lever
of which illt (see 1) embrace the edges 30 inwardly or outwardly, the case may 110
of the slide plate 1G and slide thereon in a be, until the distance he desires registers
manner well understood. with that pin. Thereupon he lets go of the
The operation is as follows: Assuming the lever, the pin enters the appropriate hole
camera to be closed, to open it the latch is and the lever is thus locked in that position.
50 released from engagement with the stud 11 rl`hereupon the operator moves the lens 115
on the slideway plate in the usual manner frame and the sliding plate 1G which, as
and the front of the camera is lowered, stated above, at this stage moves with the
whereupon the braces 8 engaging with their lens frame, in or out, as required, until the
co-acting parts will hold it in its projected stud 2G (see Figs. 5 and t3) enters the hole
55 position. The sliding plate 16 is at this 38 made in the projecting part 37. This will 120
stage in its retracted position, as shown in be readily ascertained by the clicking noise
Fig. 2, in which the movable end of the which results from this engagement. In
spring 21 is in engagement with the inner this way the proper focal distance may be
end 13 (see Fig. 3) of the slot 12 in the readily an d accurately determined. The eX
60 slideway plate 9 and the spring has been de posure is now made and to return the parts ’
flected downwardly, so that the pin 2e upon to primary position, the operator depresses
it has been depressed or drawn downwardly, the lever 30 until the pin §36 is withdrawn
as shown in Fig. 7. rl‘he operator then, after from such one of the holes 311; as it may have
having first preferably swung the finder out entered. Fressure is then applied upon the
65 wardly to the right, so as to give himself front edge of the sliding plate 1G and it is
 1,034,045 3

pressed rearwardly until its outer edge is to lock the lens frame to the movable plate
ilush with the outer edge of the front board and which is brought into action by the out
of the camera and when it reaches this posi ward movement of said plate and thrown
tion, the inclined end 23 of the spring 2l out of action by its inward movement, and
(see Fig. 5) will have` engaged under the another resilient device adapted to engage 70
squared end of the slot l2 in the slideway with and lock -the movable plate in va pre
plate 9 and the spring 21 thus deflected determined focal position.
downwardly, withdrawing the pin 24 from 4. A photographic camera embodying a
engagement with the base 43 of the lens sup movable lens frame, a movable supporting
10 port, whereupon the plate 16 will thereafter plate for the lens frame, a stop on the said 75
remain stationary but the lens frame will be plate in the path of the lens frame, a slide
moved still farther inwardly into the re way for the guidance of the movable plate,
cess in the camera prepared for it. There and a resilient device which automatically
upon the braces -which support the front locks the lens frame to the movable plate
15 board of the camera being properly manipu when the frame engages with the stop on the
lated, the camera may be closed and the plate.
front board will be held in its elevated posi 5. A photographic camera embodying a
tion, by the latch engaging with the stud 11 movable lens frame, a movable supporting
in the opening 10 made f in the slideway plate for the lens frame, a slideway for the
20 plate 9. guidance of the movable plate, and a resil 85
The simplicity and compactness of the ient device carried by the plate adapted to
apparatus will be at once obvious to those lock the lens frame to the plate and which
who are familiar with this art. is brought into action by the outward move
obvious that modifications may be made in ment of the plate and thrown out of ac
25 many of the parts without departing from tion by its eXtreme inward movement. 90
the essentials of the invention. rl͑he con 6. A photographic camera having a mov
struction which we have specifically illus able lens frame, a movable plate adapted to
trated and described is one form only of engage with and support said frame, a slide
many in which the parts may be made. TWe way for the guidance of the movable plate,
30 therefore do not limit ourselves to the de a stop on the movable plate in the path of 95
tails, although claiming some of them in the lens frame, whereby both are compelled
part, since we regard them as beneficial and to move outwardly together, a resilient de
desirable forms in which to physically con vice carried by the movable plate, adapted
struct the parts involved. to lock the lens frame to the movable plate
35 We claim: and which is brought into action by the out 100
l. A photographic camera having a mov ward movement of said plate and thrown
able lens frame, a movable plate adapted to out of action by its inward movement, and
engage with and support said frame, a slide an adjustable device adapted to engage with
way for the guidance of the movable plate, the movable plate and determine its focal
40 a resilient device adapted to lock the lens position. 105
frame to the movable plate, and another 7. A photographic camera having a mov
resilient device adapted to engage with and able lens frame, a movable plate adapted to
lock the movable plate in a predetermined engage with and support said frame, a slide
focal position. way for the guidance of the movable plate,
45 2. A photographic camera having a mov a stop on the movable plate in the path of 110
able lens frame, a movable plate adapted to the lens frame, whereby both are compelled
engage with and support said frame, a slide to move outwardly together, a resilient de
way for the guidance of the, movable plate, vice carried by the movable plate, adapted
a stop on the movable plate in the path of to lock the lens frame to the movable plate
50 the lens frame, whereby both are compelled and which is brought into action by the out 115
to move outwardly together, a resilient de ward movement of said plate and thrown
vice adapted to lock the lens frame to the out of action by its inward movement, and
movable plate and which is brought into an adjustable device provided with a plu
action by the outward movement of said railty of focus determining means.
55 pla-te, and another resilient device adapted 8. A photographic camera having a mov 120
to engage with and lock the movable plate in able lens and lens frame, a movable plate
a predetermined focal position. which supports the lens frame, an auto
3. A photographic camera having a mov matically acting lock which locks the lens
able lens frame, a movable plate adapted to frame to the plate at a predetermined de
engage with and support said frame, a slide gree of projection, and a device which au 125
way for the guidance of the movable plate, tomatically determines the degree of pro
a stop on the movable plate in the path of jection for any given focus.
the lens frame, whereby both are compelled 9. In a pamera, a movable support for
to move outwardly together, a resilient de the lens embodying a lens frame, a movable
65 vice carried by the movable plate, adapted plate with which the lens frame engages 13G
4 1,034,045

and over which it slides, a guideway for the names to this specification in the presence of
plate und a latch carried by the plate which two subscribing witnesses.
automatically looks the lens frame to the GEORGE WV. TOPLIFF.
plate chu-ing the ¿tot of projection and auto CARL BORNMANN.
1n atioally unlocks them from earch other dur Ñ/Vítnesses:
ing] the act of retraction. A. DEICHELMANN,
1n testimony whereof We have signed our H. P. MOXON.

Copies of this patent may bc obtained for five cents each, by addressing the “Corximissionei` of Patents,
' Washington, ID. C.”