US2334483A - Folding stereoscope - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 16, 1943. R. N. DENNIS FOLDING STEREOSCOPE Filed April 29, 1941 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT O FFICE FOLDING STEREOSCOPE Robert N. Dennis, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application April 29, 1941, Serial No. 390,900

2 Claims.

This invention relates to ,a stereoscope for use in viewing photographs, portraits, pictures, and transparencies, such as color plates, and relates more particularly to a stereoscope of the folding type.

Such stereoscopes have heretofore been provided in the form of albums with flexible leaves bound together in book-form and each carrying pictures or photographs adapted to be viewed through lenses in folding carriers.

One object of the present invention is to provide a folding stereoscope having a base in the form of a tray or shallow box adapted to serve as a container for the lenses and for one or more rigid plates or panels carrying the pictures.

Another object is to provide improved means whereby the picture-carrying panel and/or the lens-carrying member or members may be retained at right-angles to the base in proper position for the viewing of the pictures through the lenses.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form and constructional details may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a folding stereoscope having a plurality of picture-carrying panels with one of them in position for the viewing of its pictures through the lenses;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view partly in section showing the lens-carrying member; Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view showing the hinge parts of adjacent picture-carrying panels.

The stereoscope shown is formed with a tray or shallow box 8 having hinged thereto a similar tray or shallow box 9. The upturned side edges In of the tray 8 and the similar edges ll of the tray 9 are adapted to engage or abut each other when the case is closed, and the upturned edge l2 at the front of the tray 8 is adapted to similarly engage or abut the edge l3 of the tray 9, so that a dust-proof closure is provided when the case is closed. The side edges l and II are formed with extensions M for the reception of a hinge-pin l5 connecting the trays 8 and 9, and the pin l5 also serves as a pivot for a plurality of rigidpreferably metalpanels I6 (five in number in the example shown). One of the panels I8 is formed with a central sleeve part I! integral therewith and adapted to engage frictionally around the. pin l5, while the other panels I6 are each formed with a pair of shorter sleeve parts I8 frictionally engaging around the same pin 15, so that any one of the panels I6 may be moved into position at right-angles to the tray 8 so that the pictures I9 thereon are in position for viewing through the properly spaced lenses 20, each of which is mounted in a bracket 2| having its lower end bent around a bar 22 and having its extreme end 23 accommodated in a slot 24 in said bar 22, so that the lens-carrying brackets 2| may be moved towards or away from each other to suit the spacing of the eyes of the observer. The bar 22 is formed with reduced ends 25 adapted to turn in sockets provided in the side edges H) of the tray 8 and a coil spring 26 is attached to the edge I0 and to the bar 22 in such manner that the brackets 2| are normally held in the raised position against the front edge l2 as shown at Fig. 3. v

The case is provided with any suitable or convenient form of catch or fastening 21 (Fig. 1) and if so desired spring means may be provided for normally retaining the trays 8, 9 in the extended or aligned position shown in Fig. 1. When the stereoscope is in use the panels l6 may be conveniently turned one after another into viewing position and the frictional engagement of the sleeves ii, I 8 with the pin l5 holds the various panels in'proper position. To close the case the lens-carrying brackets 2| are turned downwardly against the'action of the spring 26, and the trays 8, 9 are folded upon eachother and are secured by the fastening 21, so, that the pictures and the lenses are completely enclosed and protected.

Although the drawing and the above specification disclose the best mode in which I have contemplated embodying my invention, I desire to be in no way limited to the details of such disclosure, for, in the further practical application of my invention, many changes in form and in constructional details may be made as circumstances require or experience suggests without departing from the spirit of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A folding stereoscope comprising a base with upstanding edges, a hinge member carried thereby, a plurality of rigid panels each individually mounted on said hinge member with friction means whereby each panel is individually retained at right angles to said base, pictures carried by said panels, lenses mounted on said base, spring and stop means for retaining said lenses at right-angles to said base, means permitting adjustment of the lenses towards or away from each other, and a cover having means for engaging said upstanding edges to form a dust-proof closure for the lenses and the pictures after the lenses have been folded upon the base and the said panels have been folded downwardly upon the lenses.

2; A folding stereoscope comprising two similar tray-like members, a hinge pin forming a pivotal 10 or away from each other.

connection between said members, a series of rigid picture-carrying panels, extensions on said panels forming sleeves engaging frictionally around said hinge pin, a, pair of lens-carrying brackets, a bar mounted in said base and carrying said brackets, spring means for holding the brackets normally in position for the viewing through said lenses of pictures on a panel at right-angles to saidbase, and means permitting adjustment of the lens-carrying brackets towards ROBERT N. bENNIs.

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