Abstract: A focus adjusting mechanism for a camera includes a fixed lens and an auxiliary lens carried by a supporting member. The supporting member is movable between an advanced position for holding the auxiliary lens in the optical path of said fixed lens and a retracted position for holding the auxiliary lens out of the optical path of the fixed lens. The supporting member is biased from its retracted to advanced position but the movement thereof toward the advanced position is normally restrained by a piezoelectric bender element provided within the locus of said supporting member. The piezoelectric bender element is transformed and moved out of the locus of the supporting member for releasing the restraint when a proper voltage is applied to the electric bender element. A power supply circuit is provided for generating the proper voltage to be applied to the piezoelectric bender element.

Abstract: In a water-proof photographic camera with an automatic focusing device, a taking lens will be moved to a best-in-focus position by the automatic focusing device when it is detected that the camera is in air enrivonment, and to a fixed focusing position corresponding to a value of camera-to-object distance that is expected to be most frequently used in underwater photography or a value of distance in accordance with an available amount of light emitted from an electric flash device when it is detected that the camera is in a water environment.

Abstract: A camera water-tight housing includes a hollow body member having a rectangular rear access opening delineated by the rear borders of the body member walls and a rectangular transparent lid having grooves formed in its inside face along its long sides. Each groove includes opposing faces, the inside faces being stepped and a resilient packing engages the face stepped portions and is retained therein by the borders of a pressure plate secured to the lid inside face. In the housing closed condition, the wall end borders along the opening long sides engages the lid grooves between the backing and the groove outer faces to compress the packing and effects a water-tight seal. Locking members are provided on the body member end walls and include hook portions for engaging tabs projecting from the lid to lock it in its closed position and cams for engaging the tabs and ejecting the lid when the members are rotated to separate the hook portions from the tabs.

Abstract: An electronic photoflash device includes a high voltage DC generator, a main storage capacitor and a reflector backed photoflash tube unit mounted on an insulating substrate on which are printed a high voltage conductor line connecting first terminals of the generator, capacitor and tube and a ground conductor line connecting their opposite terminals. The ground line surrounds and is proximate the high-voltage line so that the deposition of water on the substrate extends between and short-circuits the lines to discharge the high-voltage and eliminates the risk of an electric shock to the device operator. Alternative arrangements may be provided for surrounding the high-voltage conductor with the ground conductor, the conductors having proximate bare portions bridged by a surface which, when moistened, short circuits the conductors.

Abstract: A magnetic yoke and armature actuator assembly for controlling a shutter mechanism of a camera and the like is provided. The yoke is formed to provide two integral magnetic pole portions of high magnetic permeability. The yoke can be designed for operative connection with a permanent magnet, for instance, by inserting a permanent magnet into a slot in either the yoke or the armature. The armature can be spring biased away from the pole portions of the yoke. The strength of the spring will be designed to be less than that of the magnetic flux created by the permanent magnet so that the armature will be held against the pole pieces during normal operation. The yoke can have a coil wound about one pole portion whereby an electric current flowing through the coil will neutralize the magnetic force of the permenent magnet thereby releasing the armature. The contact faces of the pole portions can be accurately machined in a mass production assembly line.

Abstract: A release mechanism for initiating a camera operation by means of an electromagnetic device which includes a permanent magnet for retaining a release member in an inoperative position, and a solenoid for, upon energization thereof, counterbalancing the magnetic force of the permanent magnet to allow the release member to move to its operating position where it releases an operating member to actuate a camera mechanism, such as shutter mechanism or mirror driving mechanism. With the camera operation, the release member is returned to its inoperative position by an elastic member, and retained again by the permanent magnet for the next camera operation. The elastic member is maintained inoperative at least until the release member releases the restraint on the operating member.