July 23, 1946. C, H, DUFFY 2,404,366 MASKING ATTACHMENT FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS Filed Sept. 1, 1944

NVENTOR Chaetes /70/GA Awaay "2-4-4- ATTORNEY Patented July 23, 1946 2,404,366

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,404,366 MASKING ATTACMENT FOR, ROTC GRAPEC CAMERAS Charles Hugh Duffy, Miami, Fla, Application September 1, 1944, Seria No. 552,330 5 Cairns. (C. 95-36) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370. O. G. 757) 1. 2 The invention described herein may be manu element on. Such centering device to insure. that, factured and used by or for the Government of the lens is masked and unmasked on a, line pass-, the United States for governmental purposes ing. Substantially through the center of the lens, Without the payment to me of any royalty thereon and in the novel means for effecting an Opera-. in accordance with the provisions of the act of tive attachment of the mask centering means to April 30, 1928. (Ch. 460, 45 Stat. L. 467). lens barrels of different diameters. This invention relates. to photography, and par Referring to the accompanying drawing: ticularly to masking attachments for camera, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the lens mask lenses. ing device shown centered in Operative position It is known that when a portion of a camera, 10 On a lens. barrel and lens and illustrating the lens is properly masked, a portion of the camera, lens mask, in full lines in One nasking position film or plate will not be exposed when light is and in dotted lines in its other masking position. permitted to pass through the lens, the extent Figure 2 is a real: elevation of the same, with of such unexposed portion of the film or plate masking element removed. depending upon the manner and extent of the 5 Figure 3 is a Vertical sectional view, and masking of the lens. Various lens masking de Figure 4 is a perspective view of the centering. vices have been employed for the purpose of pre device. venting exposure of a certain portion or portions Like numerals, of reference, indicate the same of the camera, film or plate upon normal exposure parts throughout the several figures, in which: operation of the lens shutter. 20 indicates the lens and 2 the lens barrel of a Specifically, it is known that if a camera lens camera, supplied with the usual exposure shutter, is properly masked on a vertical or horizontal not shown. line which passes through the lens, so that Sub The masking attachment 3 includes the base stantially one half of the lens is completely plate 4, which is preferably a thin metal stamp masked, substantially one half of the camera film 25 or plate will be exposed upon normal exposure ing or plastic molding having its top portion 5 operation of the lens shutter, and that if the cut away to form a V. The sides 6 and 7 of the mask is then arranged to substantially mask the base plate 4 are preferably parallel and are each other half of the lens, that half of the camera, provided with a small tang which is formed out film or plate which was not so exposed will be 30. Wardly from the flat surface of the base plate to exposed upon a subsequent exposure operation provide stops 8 and 9. of the camera, shutter, while that half of the The material immediately adjacent the cut camera film or plate which was first exposed will away portion forming the W 5 is bent rearwardly not be again exposed upon such subsequent, ex from the front surface of the base plate 4 to posure Operation of the camera, Shutter. 35 provide a narrow flange 0, which, if desired may By Such masking of first One half of a camera, he Surfaced with thin felt if for engagement with lens and then masking the other half, the Can the lens barrel 2 to prevent marring the same. era film or plate is subjected to two independent Directly under and in vertical line. With the exposures which may be of the same or of differ apex 5' of the V 5 is a pin 2 which extends ent subjects, and if the masking is properly done, 40 through and to both sides of the base plate. 4 and the times of exposures and light conditions are and is rigidly secured in position in any approved uniform, the two exposures blend together on the lane. negative so produced as not to indicate to the The form and arrangement of the base plate observer that the same was made by two expo 4 and its pin f2 as iust, described is best shown. Sures, unless, of course, the camera was moved 45 in Figure 4. between the first and second exposures. Referring to the masking element 3 of the It is the purpose of this invention to provide device, it will be seen from Figure 1 that the a simple and inexpensive camera, lens masking sides 4 and 5 thereof are formed on lines ra device for ready attachment to the barrel of a diating. from the pira f2 considered as the center camera, ens, whereby Substantially each half of 50 of a circle of which said sides. 4. and 5. are radii the camera lens may be successively masked and and cf. Which the Outer edge 46 is an arc. The unmasked, and the invention consists in the inner part of the masking element 3 terminates means for automatically centering the attach in a nearly circular portion 7 having therein a ment On the lens barrel; in the novel construc perforation to receive the pin f2, about which pin tion and arrangement of the pivoted masking 55 f2, the masking element 3 pivotally swings from 2,404,366 3 4. the position shown in full lines to the position the exposure, which results in exposing substan shown in dotted lines in Figure i. tially one half of the camera film or plate. The The masking element 3 is retained on the pin. masking element is then swung over into position 2 in any approved manner as by upsetting the shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, and the subject end of the pin, and a thin Spacing Washer 8 or subjects to be photographed are moved past may be interposed on the pin f2 between the the center line of the camera, to a position in masking element 3 and the base plate 4 as front of the now unmasked half of the camera shown in Figures 3 and 4, to prevent rubbing lens which was just previously masked. While in contact between the masking element f3 and its this position the camera shutter is again operated centering device 4. O to effect the second exposure, which results in ex When the parts are thus assembled as de posing substantially the other half of the camera Scribed, the Swing of the masking element is film or plate, and also results in masking sub limited by the stops 8 and 9 on the base plate Stantially that half of the camera film which was 4, so that when the masking element 3 is in exposed by the first exposure, so that no substan position shown in full lines in Figure 1 and the 5 tial part of the camera film or plate is Subjected side edge 5 thereof is engaged by the stop 8, its to a double exposure, but a blending together of Opposite side edge f4 is positioned in a plane the two exposures is effected. If the period of passing Substantially through the center of the the two exposures are uniform and they are made lens , while when the masking element 3 is in One closely following the other so that the light position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 and the 20 Conditions are the same for both, no discernible side edge 4 thereof is engaged by the stop 9, line of juncture of the two exposures will appear its opposite side edge 5 is positioned in substan On the negative nor on the prints made there tially the same Said plane passing through the fron. Center of the lens . The result is that when the In cases where the operator desires to photo masking element 3 is in position shown in full 25 graph himself in two different positions on the lines in Figure 1. Substantially, one half of the Same negative, the masking attachment is par lens is masked, while when the masking ele ticularly adapted for use on cameras equipped ment 3 is in position shown in dotted lines in With delayed action shutters. Figure 1 substantially, the other one half of the It has been my purpose to reduce the masking lens f is masked, the masking in each case ex 30 attachment to its simplest form, and at the same tending from a line passing substantially through time produce the most efficient device possible. the center of the lens . It will be clearly apparent that no skill nor pre Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that a Vious experience is necessary for effecting the curved leaf spring 9 is pivoted on the pin f2 on attachment of the device in proper operative po the inner side of the base plate 4 in the same 35 Sition to the lens barrel, since it is self centering manner as the masking element 3 is pivoted on and cannot possibly be attached thereto in an off Said pin on the outer face of the base plate 4, Center position. It will be further noted that the Said Spring 9 being retained on the pin 2 in any center of gravity of the pivoted masking element approved manner, as by upsetting the end of the is Such that the masking element is held in proper pin. Likewise a thin spacing washer 20 may be 40 and correct positions against its stops 8 and 9 by interposed on the pin 2 between the leaf spring gravity So the masking element must of necessity 9 and the base plate 4, as shown in Figure 3 Corne to rest in its proper masking position, when to prevent, rubbing contact between the leaf it is SWung from one operative position to its spring 9 and the base plate 4. other operative position. As indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2, the 46 It is in the construction, arrangement and flexibility of the leaf spring 20 permits the mask Combination of parts of the device which results ing device to be readily attached and correctly in the simplicity and advantages mentioned that Centered on lens barrels of different diameters, so the invention consists. that the attachment is applicable to the lens bar I claim: rels of cameras within a reasonable range of 50 1. A device for masking the lens of photo diameters, while the centering device 4 will al graphic cameras which includes an attachment Ways insure a correct centering of the masking for centering the device on the lens barrel of a device regardless of the diameter of the lens bar photographic lens, said centering attachment rel to which the masking device is attached. having one end cut away to provide a V-shaped Having thus described the construction, its op 55 formation, a flange formed at the V-shaped for eration is as follows: nation for engagement with the lens barrel of a For photographing different subjects or the photographic lens to correctly center the same on same subject in two different positions on the the lens barrel, a pin on the centering attachment same negative, the camera, should be mounted on extending OutWardly on each side of the centering a tripod or other suitable support which Will in 60 attachment, said pin being positioned on a line Sure the camera, against noVement. The nasking passing Vertically through the apex of the v device is then applied to the camera lens barrel formation and bisecting the same, a leaf spring by bringing the centering device 4 up, under and pivotally mounted on said pin on the rear side of in contact with the lens barrel, and then passing the centering attachment for engaging the top the pivoted leaf spring 9 over the top surface of 65 Surface of the lens barrel to retain the centering the lens barrel so that the masking element 3 is attachment in operative position thereon and a not in contact with the front edge of the lens flat masking element pivotally mounted on the barrel but is free to be SWung in front of the lens. pin on the front side of the centering attach The masking element 3 being, for instance in ment, said masking element extending upwardly position shown in full lines in Figure 1, the sub 70 from its pivotal point and adapted to swing on its ject or Subjects to be photographed are posi pivotal pin in front of a camera lens assembly tioned in front of the camera, and to the side of to which it is attached, the two side edges of the the center thereof which is in front of the un pivoted masking element being formed substan masked half of the camera lens. While in this tially on radial lines of a circle of which the piv position the camera shutter is operated to effect s otal pin is the center and two stops on the cen 2,404,366 5 6 tering attachment for limiting the movement of Side of the centering attachment, said masking the masking element on its pivotal pin, each of attachment extending upwardly from its pivotal Said stops being located in such relation to the point and adapted to Swing on its pivotal pin in masking element as to position one edge of the front of a camera lens assembly when attached masking element on a line passing substantially thereto, the two side edges of the pivoted mask through the center of a camera lens When the ing element being formed substantially on radial masking element is in contact With one of Said lines of a circle of which the pivotal pin is the stops, and to position the other edge of the mask center, and stopping means on the centering at ing element on a line passing Substantially tachment for limiting the movement of the mask through the center of the camera lens When the ing element on its pivotal pin, said stops being masking element is in contact With the other Of located in Such relation to the masking element said stops, whereby substantially each half of the So that when either one of the side edges of the lens may be successively masked and unmasked. masking element is in contact with its Stopping 2. A device for masking the lens of photo means, the other one of its side edges is posi graphic cameras which includes an attachment, i 5 tioned on a line passing substantially through for centering the device on the lens barrel of a the Center of a camera lens, whereby substan photographic lens, said centering attachment tially each half of the lens may be successively having one end cut away to provide a V-shaped masked and unmasked. formation, a flange at the V-shaped formation 4. A device for masking the lens of photo for engagement with the lens barrel of a photo." graphic cameras, which includes an attachment graphic lens to correctly center the same Cn the for centering the device on the lens barrel of a lens barrel, a pin on the centering attachrinet photographic lens, said centering attachment extending outwardly on each side of the Center having one end cut away to provide a V-shaped ing attachment, said pin being positioned under formation for engagement with the lens barrel the V-shaped formation and disposed in a line of a photographic lens to correctly center the passing through the apex and the center of the Sane On a lenS barrel, means for retaining the V-formation and bisecting the Sane, resilient centering attachment in engagement with a lens means mounted on said pin. On the rear Side of barrel, and a masking element pivotally mount the centering attachment for engaging the lens ed. On the centering attachment, said masking barrel to retain the centering attachment in Op 30 element being sufficiently wide to mask substan erative position thereon, and a masking element tially one half of a camera lens and extending sufficiently wide to mask substantially one half upwardly from its pivotal point and adapted to of a camera lens and pivotally mounted on Said Swing in front of a camera lens assembly when pin on the front side of the centering attach attached thereto, the two side edges of the piv ment, said masking attachment extending up 35 oted masking element being formed substantially wardly from its pivoted point and adapted to on radial lines of a circle of which its pivotal swing on its pivotal pin in front of a camera lens point is the Center, and Stopping means on the assembly to which it is attached, the two side Centering attachment for limiting the move edges of the pivoted masking element being ment of the masking element, said stopping formed substantially on radial lines of a circle of 10 means being located in such relation to the which the pivotal pin is the center, and stopping masking element so that when either one of the means on the centering attachment for limiting Side edges of the masking element is in contact the movement of the masking element on its With a stopping means, the other one of its ra pivotal pin, said stopping means being located dial Side edges is positioned on a line passing in such relation to the masking element so that : Substantially through the center of a camera lens, when either one of the side edges of the mask Whereby Substantially each half of the lens may ing element is in contact with a stop, the Other be successively masked and unmasked. one of its side edges is positioned on a line paSS 5. A device for masking the lens of photo ing substantially through the center of a Camera graphic cameras, which includes an attachment lens whereby substantially each half of the lens 50 may be successively masked and unmasked. adapted to engage the lens barrel of a photo 3. A device for masking the lens of photo graphic lens for centering the same thereon, said graphic cameras, which includes an attachment attachment having one end cut away to provide for centering the device on the lens barrel of a a V-shaped formation for engagement with the photographic lens, said centering attachment, lens barrel of a photographic lens to correctly having one end cut away to provide a V-shaped center the same on the lens barrel, means for formation for engagement with the lens barrel retaining the centering attachment in engage of a photographic lens to correctly center the ment With a lens barrel and a masking element same on the lens barrel, a pin on the centering pivotally mounted on the Centering attachment, attachment extending outwardly of the center Said masking element being Sufficiently wide to ing attachment, said pin being positioned under mask Substantially one half of a camera lens, the v-shaped formation and disposed on a line and adapted to SWing On its pivot in front of a passing through the apex and the center of the camera lens aSSembly when attached thereto, V-shaped formation and bisecting the Sane, re means for limiting the movement of the mask silient means mounted on the centering attach ing element to position the Sane in front of either ment for engaging the lens barrel to retain the half of a camera, lens, whereby Substantially each centering attachment in operative position half of the camera, lens may be . Successively thereon, and a masking element Sufficiently Wide masked and unmasked. to mask substantially one half of a Camera lens and pivotally mounted on Said pin on the front CHARLES HUGH DUFFY.