Cropping device for photographs and the like

A variable photographic cropper for maintaining multiple constant proportions of a visible area, the cropper comprising:

• a first mask capable of rotational and translational movement, including a first linear edge and a second linear edge which intersect at a right angle;
• a second mask capable of rotational and translational movement, including a third linear edge and a fourth linear edge which intersect at a right angle, a portion of the second mask being superimposed over the first mask such that the first, second, third and fourth linear edges define a variable, generally rectilinear aperture;
• means for connecting the first mask and the second mask together such that rotation of one of the masks results in rotation of the other mask to vary the height-to-width proportions of the rectilinear aperture;
• and
• means for connecting the first mask and the second mask together such that translational movement of one of the masks results in translational movement of the other mask to vary the size of the rectilinear aperture without changing the proportions thereof.

A cropping device for photographs and the like, comprising:

• a housing having a central window;
• a first mask within the housing capable of rotational and translational movement therein, a second mask within the housing capable of rotational and translational movement therein, wherein each mask includes a pair of linear edges which intersect and form a right angle at an apex located at the center of rotation of the respective mask, the second mask being superimposed over the first mask such that the linear edges of the masks cooperatively define a variable, generally rectilinear aperture within the housing window;
• means for connecting the first and the second masks together such that rotation of one of the masks results in rotation of the other mask to vary the height-to-width proportions of the rectilinear aperture;
• means for connecting the first and the second masks together such that translational movement of one of the masks results in translational movement of the other mask to vary the size of the rectilinear aperture without changing the proportions thereof;
• and
• means for locking the masks in a selected configuration within the housing to prevent rotational and/or translational movement therein.