US3763752A - Camera with built-in stroboscopic flash - Google Patents

Abstract

A camera having a view finder, an electronic flash assembly and light sensitive exposure indicator arranged in horizontal alignment over the lens. Electrical power is provided for selectively energizing said flash assembly and a mechanical linkage structure for presenting operation of the shutter until a film advance has been actuated while preventing further operation of the shutter until the film advance has been actuated. A Flash operating contact is provided on the mechanical linkage for completing an operative electrical circuit from the electrical power to the flash assembly upon actuation of the mechanical linkage.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Ackerman et a1.

CAMERA WITH BUILT-IN STROBOSCOPIC FLASH Inventors: Martin S. Ackerman, East Hills;

George Hardy, Huntington, both of NJ.

Assignee: Perfect Film & Chemical Corporation, Manhasset, NY.

Filed: Apr. 14, 1972 Appl. No.: 240,346

Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 788,727, Jan. 3, 1969, abandoned.

US. Cl. 95/1 1.5 R, 95/11 V, 95/31 R, 95/31 AC Int. Cl. G03b 15/05, G03b 17/20 Field ofSearch 95/1 1.5 R, 11 R, 95/11 L, 31 AC, 31 R, 31 FL, 11 V References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1966 Steisslinger ..95/31R 9/1971 Irwin ..95/31FL Oct. 9, 1973 3,357,328 12/1967 Kinder et a1. 95/11 R 3,374,718 3/1968 I-lochreiter 95/10 C FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,048,486 11/1966 Great Britain 95/11 L 757,841 5/1967 Canada 95/11 L Primary ExaminerRobert P. Greiner AttorneyMartin A. Levitin [5 7] ABSTRACT A camera having a view finder, an electronic flash assembly and light sensitive exposure indicator arranged in horizontal alignment over the lens. Electrical power is provided for selectively energiiing said flash assembly and a mechanical linkage structure for presenting operation of the shutter until a film advance has been actuated while preventing further operation of the shutter until the film advance has been actuated. A Flash operating contact is provided on the mechanical linkage for completing an operative electrical circuit from the electrical power to the flash assembly upon actuation of the mechanical linkage.

3 Claims, 21Drawing Figures PATENTEDUBT 9% 3.768 :52

SHEET u {If 6 INVENTORS Y 450 //4/aa PATENTEDUET 9% 3368.752

/ IG9I/3 [NVENTORS MART/N s. ACKERMAA/ GEO/2 GE HARDY A TTO/ENE r PATENTEW 3,763,752

SHEET 5UF 6 INVENTORS M N 5. ACKERMAN GEORGE HARDY A T TORNE f CAMERA WITH BUILT-IN STROBOSCOPIC FLASH This invention relates to a camera having a built-in electronic flash with means for providing positive double exposure prevention as well as assuring against advance of the film without actuating the shutter. In particular, this application relates to my prior co-pending application U. S. Ser. No. 788,727 filed Jan. 3, 1969, now abandoned.

In US. Pat. No. 3,364,829 to Martin S. Ackerman, issued for Rechargeable Strob'oscopic Flash Attachment" there is disclosed a stroboscopic flash attachment which is adapted to be mounted on a conventional existing camera. However, when in connection with cameras to be manufactured hereafter it is highly desirable to incorporate the flash mechanism within the camera itself to provide not only for a more compact and attractive package, but also to provide for numerous advantages in function and construction.

The concept of this invention features the use of a simple switching arrangement for simultaneously initiating the activation of both the stroboscopic flash and the shutter mechanism of the camera.

In the past it has been difficult to properly build in a flash and then synchronize the flash with the shutter mechanism while preventing double exposure and nonexposure. The present invention overcomes the difficulties by use of a novel mechanical linkage which has mounted thereon the contacts for electrically operating the flash which has a separate excitation circuit. Further, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior cameras in that a novel horizonal alignment of a flash, a light sensitive exposure indicating device and a view finder are utilized and disposed above the lens assembly, thereby reducing cost of the camera and making it compact and easily portable.

The present" invention features an automatic exposure control for most light conditions. Should there be too little light for good pictures, a permanent built in stroboscopic flash is provided. The user is automatically warned by a warning light which will glow in the view finder when there is too little light. The flash will recycle in only a few seconds so as to be ready for another picture quickly.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an instant loading camera using cartridge film which has a built in flash.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a positive double exposure prevention system. This invention features a mechanism which prevents the shutter from being opened after a picture has been taken until the film has been advanced. Further, the same mechanism prevents the film from being advanced until the picture has been taken. Accordingly, the mechanism eliminates the necessity of the user knowing whether the film has been advanced or not, because the mechanism remembers the condition for the user.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a camera constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the camera;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 4-4 in FIG. 1, showing the camera with its rear door open;

FIG. 7 is a partial rear elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 7-7 in FIG. 3, and showing the interior construction of the camera;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the camera, with parts being broken away to show other parts;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the camera, with the bottom plate removed;

FIG. 10 is a partial front elevational view of the shutter and flash operating mechanism;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken along the plane of line ll1ll in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of portions of the operating mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the lens construction used in the camera;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing certain parts of the electrical circuits of the built-in stroboscopic photoflash;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of portions of the casing of the camera;

FIG. 16 is a partial top view of the shutter and flash operating mechanism in the non-operating position;

FIG. 17 is a partial front elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a partial bottom view of the structure shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a partial bottom view of the shutter and flash operating mechanism in the position where the film has just been advanced;

FIG. 20 is a partial top view of the structure shown in the position of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 21 is a partial front elevation of the shutter and flash mechanism at the moment when film exposure and flash have been completed.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, and with initial consideration of FIGS. 11 through 5,reference numeral 20 generally designates a camera constructed in accordance with the present invention. Thecamera 20 includes acasing 21 having various access openings removably closed by aback door 22, top plate means 23, bottom plate 24, and abattery door 25. The battery door is formed in two parts, as can be best seen in FIG. 15, including amain portion 25A and adecorative insert 258.

A lens mounting assembly generally indicated at 26 is provided which includes alens mounting plate 27 and a lens assembly 28 which includes anautomatic exposure device 29. The fasteners at 30 are provided for holding the lens mounting assembly in place are hidden byring 31. The lens is adapted to focus on an unexposed frame of film which is mounted within thecasing 21 and to which access is bad by theback door 22. The actual film winding mechanism is of conventional construction and not forming a particular part of this invention.

A flash assembly 32 is provided which includes amain capacitor 33, anindicator lamp 34, and the stroboscopic flash 35 mounted in thecasing 21 above thelens assembly 26 and which is, as will be hereinafter described, excited and used to illuminate the object being photographed. The stroboscopic flash 35 is in alignment with awindow 36 in the face of thecamera casing 21 which is provided with anotherwindow 37 for providing automatic control of the lens opening through the lightsensitive device 29 of the exposure meter. View finding means 40 are also provided. Ashutter operating lever 129 is provided in front of thecasing 21. Alatch mechanism 42, 42A for controlling the opening and closing of therear door 22 is provided. Anoffon switch 43 is provided for controlling the flash circuit. Awindow 44 is provided in the rear of the camera for theindicator lamp 34.

Therear door 22 is hinged at 45, andresilient fingers 47 for positioning the film cartridge are provided therein. Awindow 48 for showing the frame for exposure on film is provided. Cartridge type film (not shown) is used in the camera and held in place byfingers 47.

With reference now to FIG. 18,film advance lever 51, pivoted at 52, has teeth 53, pawl 54, cam andspring post 56.Spring 57 is held betweenspring post 56 and post 58 and biases lever 51 counter-clockwise.

Pivoted at 52, but free offilm advance lever 51 is a unit comprising ratchet 59 fixed to gear 60 which in turn, throughgears 61 and 62 turn shaft 63. Fixed to shaft 63 is aratchet 64 and a film spool engagement device (not shown). Teeth 53 are shown in their entirety while the teeth ofratchets 59 and 64 extend completely around the ratchets.

Arm 65 pivoted at 66 has ratchet engagement withpawl 67 and at its extremity is biased byspring 68, bears against anarm 69.

Plate 70, pivoted at 71, has acam following surface 72 and atextension 73 bears againstarm 74.

Compound crank 75, pivoted at 76 (besidesarms 69 and 74) has hooked arm 77 and spring support 78.Spring 79, held between support 78 andpost 66, biases crank counter-clockwise.

Plate 80, fixed to pivotingrod 81, haspin 82 andspring support 83.

Spring 84, held betweenspring support 83 and post 58 biases plate counter-clockwise.

Arm 85, pivoted at 86, is biased clockwise againstpin 82 byspring 87. At the opposite end,arm 85 terminates inratchet engagement tooth 88.

Rod 81 at its farther extremity terminates in arm 89 (FIG. 16). At the far end of the arm abracket 90 hascamming surface 91 which is high at 91A and low at 91B.Arm 92, pivoted at 93, is biased counterclockwise byspring 94 until stopped bypin 95 fixed inarm 89.Arm 92 terminates in bent-upportion 92A.

Referring to FIG. 17, assembly is fixed to the camera proper byscrews 101 passing through theimmovable mounting plate 102. Onplate 102,posts 103 are threaded to receive thelens assembly 26.

Attached toplate 102 is a fixed-speedtype curtain shutter 104 pivoted at 105 and biased clockwise byspring 106 until stopped bylower screw 101.Book 107 onshutter 104 engages a part to be described. Also attached toplate 102 isarm 108, pivoted at 109, biased counter-clockwise byspring 110 until stopped by pin 111 bearing against a member to be described. At the other end of thearm 108,face 112 abuts on a bracket to be described.

Fixed toplate 102 is phosphor-bronzeelectrical contact 113 mounted underscrew 114 but insulated therefrom. Contact 1l3 extends intospringy arm 115 and is continued to the hot side of the flash energizer electrically via awire 116.

Further affixed rearward to plate 102 ispin 117 which trunnions two members.

Thenearer member 118 terminates in a plate which is bent at 119 to supportspring 120, and is also bent at 121 to receivespring 122.Pin 123 fixed tomember 118 pivotsarm 124 which hasbend 125 shown in contact withhook 107. Bend 125 also receivesspring 122, thus biasingarm 124 clockwise until stopped bybend 121. Extending from 118 isbracket 126 terminating inbevel 127 which is in contact withface 112 ofarm 108.

The further disposedplate member 128 is partially concealed bymember 118 and continues substantially around the shutter opening and terminates in amanual operating arm 129, and abracket 130 which is in contact with bent-uppart 92A ofarm 92.

Extending from 128 behind 126 isbracket 131 bent down to supportspring 120. Also extending from 128 is bracket 132 bend upward (in FIG. 17) to engagemember 118 which limits the biasing ofmember 118 counter-clockwise andmember 128 clockwise due tospring 120.

Lever 51 through 54, 59 through 63 advances the film. When the film is fully advanced, cam 55 rotatesplate 73 clockwise which in turn rotates compound crank 75 clockwise movingarm 65 counter-clockwise and disengagingpawl 67. This freeslever 51 to return to the position of FIG. 18 under the influence ofspring 57. Therefore, the film can be advanced in complete space units only. Rotation of compound crank 75 brings the end of book 77 past the dead center ofpin 82 which under the influence ofspring 84 takes the position of FIG. 19.Arm 85, followingpin 82, is rotated into engagement ofpawl 88 with a tooth inratchet 64 thus preventing further advance of the film bylever 51 before tripping the mechanism.

Rod 81 has turnedarm 89 to the position of FIG. 20 bringing bent upportion 92A out of engagement withbracket 130 onarm 128. This completes the readiness of the mechanism for exposure and flash.

Manual depression of theshutter release arm 129 having a button causesarm 128 to push pin 111,rotating arm 108 clockwise while tensingspring 120.

Spring 120, in turn,biases member 118 counterclockwise which is restrained byspring 106 acting through 104, 107, 125 and 123 (fixed in 118).Bracket 127 and face 112 mutually slide until 127 is free ofarm 108 at which point the energy stored inspring 120 initiates an initial force of 37 kick" tomember 118, overcomingspring 106 and throwingshutter 104 to the position shown dotted in FIG. 21.

Adjustment of spring contact arm 1 15 is such thatpin 123 contacts it when the shutter is open. The circuit to the flash unit is completed through the ground side ofmechanism 100 andwire 116.

During the downward movement ofmember 128,bracket 130 cams alongsurface 91 from 91A to 918 turning 89, 81, clockwise.Pin 82 is returned to the position of FIG. 18 against the biasing ofspring 84.Arm 85 forces pawl 88 out of engagement withratchet 64, readyinglever 51 for the next film advance.Spring 84 turns hook back underpin 82, and also returns plate 70 to position of FIG. 18.Arm 85 is turned bypin 82 so thatpawl 88 is disengaged.

.During the downward movement ofmember 128,bracket 130 slides along the lower edge of 92A as seen in FIG. '16 causing 92 to rotate clockwise, against biasing ofspring 94, with respect to bar 89. Whenmember 128 is returnedtoposition of FIG. 16,bent portion 92A snaps underbracket 130, thus preventing another downward movement ofmember 128. Whenmember 128 returns,bent portion 125 cams post 107 against the biasing ofspring 122 and snaps into the position of FIG. 17. Similarlybent portion 127 cams pastface 112 to the return position.

The mechanism functions to cock the shutter and flash the camera synchronously with the lens operation. As lever is turnedpawl 67 ratchets along teeth 53 preventing return oflever 51 during the partial advance thereof. If not prevented a full'advance after a partial advance would expose partial frames to flash operation and exposure.

The full advance of the mechanism including member 55 through 75'function to removepawl 67 from teeth 53 with the lever returning under the influence ofspring 57. This prevents any attempt to operate the flash mechanism where thelever 51 is out and tells the operator that the frame is not fully advanced if the lever is left partially open.

Compound crank 75, having turnedplate 80 under influence ofspring 84, will turnarm 85 counterclockwise under influence ofspring 87, andtooth 88 engagesratchet 64 preventing further advance of the film. This ensures that a frame cannot be skipped without flashing and exposure.

Plate 80 having turned, the pivotingrod 81 turnsarm 89. The bent upportion 92A moves out from under bracket permitting the flash to take place. Thespring 84 maintains the elements in readiness for flash operation. During flash movement, thebracket 130 throughcamming surface 91cams arm 89 back to its original position withplate 80 returning allowing compound crank 75 to return under the influence ofspring 79. Astooth 88 is freed pawl 67'is reengaged. An important consideration is that oncethearm 92 is back in position, a flash cannot occur without advance of the film thus preventing repeated flash and exposure of one frame. Further, on return ofarm 129 under the influence ofspring 120,arm 92 snaps back underbracket 130 before contact betweencontact arm 115 andpin 123 is broken preventing repetition of flash exposure by a short up and down movement ofarm 129.

In use, the operator follows a simple procedure.Switch 43 turns on the built in flash 32. The flash is thus activated and theindicator 34 will go on after a few seconds indicating the flash 32 is ready for operation. Theswitch 43 is generally left in an off" position so as not to drain power from thebatteries 33.

Thecamera shutter 104 is cocked by operating thefilm advance lever 51 by pulling the lever all the way back. Thelever 51 returns to its normal position automatically.

Then the operator looks through theview finder 40. If the shutter release arm andbutton 129 is partially depressed, but notfar enough to take a picture, a red warning light will be seen in the view finder because of operation of theexposure assembly 29. Hence, before the operator takes a picture thebutton 129 is partially depressed and the operator looks for the warning light to be sure of having properly exposed pictures.

A latitude of modification, substitution and change is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the invention will be em- 6-. ployed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appendedclaims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

1 claim: 7

l. A camera comprising, in combination:

a casing having means for supporting photographic film therein; v a

a lens mounted in the casing and positioned to .focus an image on said film disposed therein;

a manually operated film advance mechanism mounted in said casing and adapted for advancement of the film from frame to frame, said film advance mechanism having a ratchet wheel to prevent film unwinding;

a shutter mechanism disposed in the casing between the lens and the film supporting means for selective exposure of each frame, said shutter mechanism comprising a fixed plate having an aperture therein positioned on the optical axis of said lens, a shutter blade pivotally mounted on the fixed plate and normally biased into a position to close the aperture, an operating arm movably mounted on the fixed plate and having a portion 7 extending to the exterior of the casing to permit manual depression thereof, and an actuating linkage connecting said arm and said shutter blade to instantaneously pivot the blade to open the aperture and expose the film upon depression of the operating arm;

a mechanical safeguard assembly linking said shutter operating arm and said film advance mechanism adapted to prevent multiple exposures of a single film frame and to prevent film advancement prior to exposure of each film frame, said assembly com prising a pivotally mounted lever arm in operative engagement with said shutter operating arm and movable between a first lever arm position permitting depression of said shutter operating arm and a second lever position preventing depression of said shutter operating arm, said lever arm being moved to said first lever arm position upon actuation of the film advance mechanism and to said second lever arm position upon depression of said shutter operating arm, and a tooth movable between a first tooth position into engagement with said ratchet wheel to prevent actuation of the film advance mechanism and a second tooth position out of engagement with said ratchet wheel as the first lever arm is caused to move through engagement with cooperative linkage in the film advance mechanism, and associated cam means connected via intermediary linkage acts upon the tooth in a counterclockwise direction to disengage the tooth and simultaneously the first lever arm is freed to permit actuation of the film advance mechanism, said tooth being moved to said first tooth position upon actuation of the film advance mechanism and to said second tooth position upon depression of said shutter operating arm; and

electronic stroboscopic flash means disposed in said casing in a position to illuminate the image to be photographed, said means comprising a reusable flash bulb, an electrical power source, and an actuating circuit including electrical contact means connecting said bulb and said power source, said contact means being in operative engagement with said shutter mechanism and adapted to be actuated when insufficient ambient light is available for proper film exposure so that the electronic stroboscopic flash means might be put into operation.

3. A camera according to claim 1, in which said electrical power source comprises one or more DC batteries; and said circuit means includes a capacitor charged by said batteries and discharged to energize the bulb upon actuation of the contact means.

ag UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 7'63 752 Dated October 9, 1973 Inventm-(s) Martin S. Ackerman and George Hardy It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Cover page "[73] Assignee: Perfect Film & Chemical Corporation Manhasset, N.Y." should read "[73] Assignee: GAF Corporation a corporation of Delaware.

Signed and sealed this L .th day of June 197M.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attestingg Officer Commissioner of Patents my UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 763 752 Dated October 9, 1973 f g) Martin S. Ackerman and George Hardy I It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Cover page "[73] Assignee: Perfect Film & Chemical Corporation Manhasset, N.Y." should read [73] Assignee: GAF Corporation a corporation of Delaware.

Signed and sealed this l th day of June 19714.. I I

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Attestinp; Officer C MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents

Claims (3)

1. A camera comprising, in combination: a casing having means for supporting photographic film therein; a lens mounted in the casing and positioned to focus an image on said film disposed therein; a manually operated film advance mechanism mounted in said casing and adapted for advancement of the film from frame to frame, said film advance mechanism having a ratchet wheel to prevent film unwinding; a shutter mechanism disposed in the casing between the lens and the film supporting means for selective exposure of each frame, said shutter mechanism comprising a fixed plate having an aperture therein positioned on the optical axis of said lens, a shutter blade pivotally mounted on the fixed plate and normally biased into a position to close the aperture, an operating arm movably mounted on the fixed plate and having a portion extending to the exterior of the casing to permit manual depression thereof, and an actuating linkage connecting said arm and said shutter blade to instantaneously pivot the blade to open the aperture and expose the film upon depression of the operating arm; a mechanical safeguard assembly linking said shutter operating arm and said film advance mechanism adapted to prevent multiple exposures of a single film frame and to prevent film advancement prior to exposure of each film frame, said assembly comprising a pivotally mounted lever arm in operative engagement with said shutter operating arm and movable between a first lever arm position permitting depression of said shutter operating arm and a second lever position preventing depression of said shutter operating arm, said lever arm being moved to said first lever arm position upon actuation of the film advance mechanism and to said second lever arm positIon upon depression of said shutter operating arm, and a tooth movable between a first tooth position into engagement with said ratchet wheel to prevent actuation of the film advance mechanism and a second tooth position out of engagement with said ratchet wheel as the first lever arm is caused to move through engagement with cooperative linkage in the film advance mechanism, and associated cam means connected via intermediary linkage acts upon the tooth in a counterclockwise direction to disengage the tooth and simultaneously the first lever arm is freed to permit actuation of the film advance mechanism, said tooth being moved to said first tooth position upon actuation of the film advance mechanism and to said second tooth position upon depression of said shutter operating arm; and electronic stroboscopic flash means disposed in said casing in a position to illuminate the image to be photographed, said means comprising a reusable flash bulb, an electrical power source, and an actuating circuit including electrical contact means connecting said bulb and said power source, said contact means being in operative engagement with said shutter mechanism and adapted to be actuated simultaneously with the opening of said shutter blade to energize the bulb.

2. A camera according to claim 1, further comprising a view finder disposed in said casing; light-sensitive means disposed in said casing and responsive to the intensity of light incident thereupon to produce an electrical signal; a warning light visible in said view finder; and circuit means connecting said light-sensitive means and said warning light to energize the warning light when insufficient ambient light is available for proper film exposure so that the electronic stroboscopic flash means might be put into operation.

3. A camera according to claim 1, in which said electrical power source comprises one or more DC batteries; and said circuit means includes a capacitor charged by said batteries and discharged to energize the bulb upon actuation of the contact means.

Images