Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image pickup apparatus including: an image sensor; and a shutter device, wherein said shutter device includes a trailing curtain, a first driving member, a second driving member, first urging force applying means, and a charging member.

Abstract: In a single-lens reflex camera, the rotation center of a lever used for driving a shutter device is arranged rearward of a shutter device with respect to an optical axis, and the lever end (point of action) is arranged in front of the shutter device with respect to the optical axis. Thereby, compactness of the camera body can be realized.

Abstract: A camera having a transport device for stepwise transport of a film in each case by the length of a respective picture, wherein the transport device includes a film take-up shaft which is driven by way of a winding reel on which a pull element, preferably a cord, is wound, on which film take-up shaft the film can be wound from a film supply spool, in particular from an inserted film cartridge, wherein the free end of the pull element (2) projects into the open through an opening in the housing (17) of the camera and the film (14) is transported stepwise by the length of a picture by pulling on the pull element (2), wherein the winding reel (8) is adapted for automatically winding on the pull element (2) after transport of the film (14) by the length of a picture.

Abstract: A shutter release-thumbwheel brake for a camera has a thumbwheel, a shutter release, and a sprag. The shutter release is pivotable relative to the thumbwheel between a ready position and a first released position and also between the ready position and a second released position. The released positions are opposed. The sprag is joined to the shutter release and brakes the thumbwheel when the shutter release is in either of the released positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shutter release apparatus for use in a camera for capturing images on a perforated film. The shutter release apparatus has a rotatable thumb wheel movable along an axis between a start position and a trigger position. A sprocket is provided having teeth to engage perforations on the film and to move therewith during film winding. A biased lever is moved by the sprocket against the bias from a position holding the thumb wheel in the start position to a position releasing the thumb wheel for urged movement into the trigger position. The thumb wheel blocks biased movement of the lever when the thumb wheel is in the trigger position and movement of the thumb wheel from the trigger position to the start position releases the lever for biased movement to drive the shutter to expose the film.

Abstract: A camera comprises a film feed device (9) for feeding a light-sensitive film arranged in the camera, a photographic shutter (10) for the image-forming exposure of the light-sensitive film and arranged in the optical path for the image recording, and a shutter release device (300) which before the shutter release adopts a readiness position and after the shutter release adopts a disengaged position and which has a spring reservoir (314, 315) that is tensioned by adjusting the shutter release device from the readiness position to the disengaged position in order to actuate the shutter (10), wherein the spring reservoir (314, 315) of the shutter release device (300) is not tensioned in the readiness position and in the disengaged position thereof and a return of the shutter release device (300) from the disengaged position to the readiness position is controlled by a control device (104, 106) that moves when feeding the film.

Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit is preloaded with photographic film, and has an eight-toothed driven sprocket wheel in mesh with perforations on the film. When the photographic film is fed by one frame, the sprocket is caused to make one rotation. A shutter mechanism is cocked responsive to rotation of the sprocket. During assembly of the film unit, the shutter mechanism is cocked. The photographic film is loaded while the shutter mechanism remains cocked. In a preferred embodiment, the sprocket is set in a predetermined rotated position which is two teeth short of the position at the end of one winding up of the film. This brings the shutter mechanism into an incompletely cocked state. The photographic film is loaded while the shutter mechanism remains in the incompletely cocked state. In the film unit, a film passageway is provided behind the main body, for passage of the film. A shiftable engaging portion projects into the film passageway in retractable fashion.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus adapted for an apparatus such as a camera or the like includes a first toothed wheel having teeth at least one predetermined tooth of which differs in tooth thickness from at least one different tooth of the teeth, a second toothed wheel which meshes with the first toothed wheel, the second toothed wheel having tooth spaces at least one predetermined tooth space of which meshes with the at least one predetermined tooth of the first toothed wheel and differs in space interval from at least one different tooth space of the tooth spaces, a determination device which determines a rotating position of the first toothed wheel, and an operating device which performs a predetermined operation according to a rotating position of the second toothed wheel.

Abstract: A manual film winding device of a camera has a winding lever which is manually rotated between a winding start position and a winding end position. Also provided are a ratchet mechanism having a ratchet wheel, which is rotated in association with the winding lever's rotation, and a ratchet pawl which engages with the ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel rotates in a winding direction when the winding lever rotates from the winding start position to the winding end position, and in a reverse direction, opposite to the winding direction, when the winding lever rotates from the winding end position to the winding start position. A film advance driving system operates in association with the ratchet wheel's rotation in the winding direction. The ratchet pawl is arranged to rotate toward a first direction in connection with the winding rotation of the ratchet wheel, and to rotate toward a second direction in connection with the reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: Photo film has plural perforation sets arranged along one edge thereof in line at a regular pitch. Each of the perforation sets includes first and second perforations, which are arranged closely at a regular distance. A sprocket wheel is rotated by movement of the photo film. The sprocket wheel has a wheel body. Two tooth sets respectively include first and second teeth, are disposed to protrude from a peripheral face of the wheel body, and are respectively meshed with the first and second perforations serially. An arm is disposed on the peripheral face of the wheel body, for frictionally contacting a portion of the photo film between first and second perforation sets, to be rotated by the photo film. The first and second perforation sets are included in the plural perforation sets and adjacent to each other. Each of the tooth sets are meshed with the second perforation set after being disengaged from the first perforation set.

Abstract: A camera comprising a shutter blade supported to move open to expose a frame on a filmstrip, a shutter actuator supported for movement to move the shutter blade open and for movement to be re-cocked, an actuating spring for urging the shutter actuator to move the shutter blade open, and a metering/re-cocking member having a metering pawl for engaging the filmstrip at a perforation during exposure of the frame, is characterized in that the metering/re-cocking member has a re-cocking portion and is supported for movement to move the re-cocking portion against the shutter actuator to move the shutter actuator to be re-cocked, a film tensioning spring urges the metering/re-cocking member, when the metering pawl engages the filmstrip at a perforation, to prevent the frame being exposed from shifting during exposure, and the shutter actuator is supported for movement to be spaced from the metering/re-cocking member, when the shutter actuator is re-cocked, to prevent the actuating spring from exerting any influence

Abstract: A camera housing a strip of receiving sheet of self-developable film material; a strip of negative photosensitive film material of the self-developing type having discrete exposable portions spaced apart thereon. A pressure applying assembly e merges the strips into the superimposable relationship to form corresponding separated image forming subassemblies in response to pulling the strips from the camera. The assembly effects release of processing fluid in rupturable containers on the sheet to initiate processing of the film. A device is operative in one mode for allowing pulling of the strips and thereby the formation of an image forming subassemblies through the pressure applying device, and in a second mode for automatically stopping formation and processing of a successive one of the image forming subassemblies. In one embodiment, the device is connected to the shutter unit and is operated when the shutter is actuated.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera comprising a backframe opening at which successive image areas of a filmstrip are exposed, a film winder rotatable to wind an exposed image area of the filmstrip from the backframe opening onto an exposed film roll and to advance an unexposed image area of the filmstrip to the backframe opening, a film metering member engageable with the film winder to prevent rotation of the film winder, and a release manually depressible to initiate exposure, is characterized in that the film metering member is located beneath the release for the release to automatically depress the film metering member out of engagement with said film winder when the release is manually depressed.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism of simple and inexpensive design is incorporated in a camera structure to control a motor advance film winding system. The actuator includes a metering mechanism interface, a motor activation switch interface, and a shutter mechanism interface. In operation, a metering mechanism of a camera contacts with the metering mechanism interface in an exposure ready state to hold the actuator in an initial position in which the motor activation switch interface interfaces with a moveable contact of a motor switch to prevent contact between the moveable contact and a stationary contact of the motor switch. When a shutter mechanism of the camera is depressed, the shutter mechanism interfaces with the shutter mechanism interface to hold the actuator in the initial position and also moves the metering mechanism out of contact with the metering mechanism interface.

Abstract: A simplified trigger, shutter and film advance system such as for use in a camera. In a preferred embodiment the system is mounted in a housing and includes a trigger with a trigger button for pressing by the operator and a trigger point for advancing the film in a film track, a shutter which is simultaneously advanced by the trigger with the film and along a shutter track. In another embodiment suitable for use with 35 mm film, the system is mounted in a camera and includes a simplified trigger, shutter and film advance system which requires fewer components and fewer moving parts than existing cameras and which is operated by pressing the trigger which thereby advances the film and activates the shutter. In yet another embodiment suitable for use with 110 mm film, the system is mounted in a camera and includes a simplified trigger, shutter and film advance, and further includes a one piece mechanism to advance the film and activate the shutter.

Abstract: A sprocket wheel is used with photo film which includes a plurality of perforation groups arranged in a longitudinal direction thereof and cyclically at a pitch predetermined for one frame. Each of the perforation groups includes first and second perforations arranged at a predetermined distance. The sprocket wheel is rotated by a predetermined amount while the photo film is wound per one frame. The sprocket wheel includes a wheel portion. Four teeth are arranged on a periphery of the wheel portion. A first one of the teeth is meshed with the first perforation. Then a second one of the teeth is meshed with the second perforation. The first and second teeth split the periphery of the wheel portion into first and second arc-shaped faces. The first arc-shaped face is determined in association with the predetermined distance. The second arc-shaped face has a radius greater than a radius of the first arc-shaped face, to push the photo film.

Abstract: A camera having a sprocket with a pair of cogs formed on a periphery for engaging a filmstrip having a row of perforations separated at alternate short and long intervals. The periphery is divided by the cogs into a frictional engaging section which provides frictional engagement of the periphery with the filmstrip and a mechanical engaging section which provides mechanical engagement of the cogs with the perforations. A shutter charging mechanism is operated by rotation of the sprocket driven by the filmstrip through the mechanical engagement between the filmstrip and at least part of the mechanically engaging section of the sprocket. A switch over mechanism disconnects the sprocket and the shutter mechanism in response to rewinding the filmstrip and a locking mechanism prevents reverse rotation of the sprocket in a specific position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a film transport and release device for a photographic camera comprising a body part that pulls out and slides in parallel to the film transport direction in relation to the camera body, where in the pulled-out position of the body part the camera is ready to take a picture. Furthermore, a film transport wheel for a perforated film strip is provided. The body part has a toothed rack which is assigned a toothed wheel mounted permanently on a driving arbor arranged in axially movable and non-rotatable manner in the film transport wheel. Here the toothed wheel is movable by means of the release into its ready-to-mesh position in relation to the toothed rack and is kept in this position after operation of the release until the film strip has been transported one picture field further.

Abstract: Photo film (15) has pairs of perforations (21) arranged at a regular pitch (L1+L2). A photo film advancing device for advancing the photo film by the regular pitch (L1+L2) has a take-up spool (23), which winds the photo film after each exposure. A rotatable sprocket wheel (26, 68, 80, 83, 90) has a circular peripheral face (27, 71, 80c, 87, 93) with first and second teeth. The first (25a, 68a, 80a, 85b, 91a) and second teeth (25b, 68b, 80b, 85a, 91b) engage the respective perforations. A wind stop claw (36a) locks the sprocket wheel to prevent the photo film from advancing when the first and/or second perforation is engaged with the first and/or second tooth. The wind stop claw unlocks the sprocket wheel when a shutter (44) operates. While unlocked, the sprocket wheel is rotated a small amount by advancement of the photo film, to move the second tooth away from the second perforation. The peripheral face of the sprocket wheel frictionally contacts the photo film.

Abstract: A cocking apparatus for moving a lever between a cocked position and a rest position. In a camera, the lever may be used to momentarily move a shutter member away from a lens opening of a camera. The cocking apparatus includes a drive gear, a driven gear having a contact surface for cooperation with the lever, and a resilient member biasing the lever in the rest position. The driven gear is biased in a first position wherein the drive gear and driven gear define a plane. A tooth portion of the driven gear, meshable with gear teeth of the drive gear when the drive gear and driven gear define the plane, effects pivoting of the lever from the rest position to the cocked position. A cam surface disposed on the driven gear translates the driven gear along its rotational axis to space the driven gear from the drive gear when the lever moves from the cocked position to the rest position.

Abstract: A one-way winder having a body defining a bifurcated guideway. The guideway has a trunk and first and second branches. The guideway has at least one portal connecting the branches. The director is disposed in the body. The director has an arm-pawl and a guide cam. The director is movable relative to the body in forward and return movements. The guide cam moves along the first branch during the forward movement and along the second branch during the return movement. The guide cam moves unidirectionally along the first branch. An endless ratchet disposed in the body, intrudes into the first branch. The ratchet is driven by the arm-pawl during the forward movement and is spaced apart from the arm-pawl during the return movement. A film advance and camera include the one way winder.

Abstract: A camera comprises a slide manually movable in a forward direction and in a reverse direction; a spool drive member adapted to be connected to a film spool for driving rotation in a winding direction to windingly rotate the film spool to wind an exposed film onto the film spool; and a two-way coupling between the slide and the spool drive member to drivingly rotate the spool drive member in the winding direction in order to windingly rotate the film spool when the slide is manually moved in the forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: Photo film has pairs of perforations arranged at a regular pitch (L1+L2) along at least one edge thereof. Each of the pairs of perforations includes first and second perforations arranged at a small regular interval (L1) away from one another. A photo film advancing device has a rotatable sprocket wheel (41, 72, 80, 152, 252), a periphery of which has at least one pair of teeth, respectively including first and second teeth disposed away from one another nearly at the regular interval. The first tooth is engaged with the first perforation. The second tooth is engaged with the second perforation. A retaining member (44) causes the sprocket wheel to have a locked state, and disables the photo film from advancing when the second perforation is engaged with the second tooth. The retaining member causes the sprocket wheel to have an unlocked state and enables the sprocket wheel to rotate when a shutter operates.

Abstract: A camera having a body portion with a cartridge chamber for retaining a film cartridge and a film chamber for retaining a filmstrip includes a cover coupled to the body portion and movable in opposite directions between an opened and a closed position having a gear rack having a set of linearly arranged engagement teeth. A drive gear having an engaging portion for engaging the film cartridge is moved into engagement with the gear rack to wind the filmstrip into the film cartridge when said cover is moved in one of the opposite directions, and is moved out of engagement with the gear rack when the cover is moved in the other direction to prevent film winding.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit containing photo film having a pair of perforations per frame along through a limited length of frame recording portion available for photographing frames. The photo film is previously drawn from a cassette shell, its trailing end secured to a spool of the cassette shell, so as to be wound into the cassette shell one frame after each exposure. According to the invention, the photo film is drawn from the cassette shell as far as a frame of the frame recording portion that is the nearest to the trailing end, and is set in a position one frame or more farther than an exposure position of the film unit, when loading the photo film in the film unit. A slot is formed through the film unit, for permitting insertion of a tool to set a shutter device to its charged position, without the need for winding the photo film. Alternatively, the shutter device is designed to be charged by use of rotation of a film winding wheel, independently of the perforations.

Abstract: A simplified trigger, shutter and film advance system such as for use in a camera. In a preferred embodiment the system is mounted in a housing and includes a trigger with a trigger button for pressing by the operator and a trigger point for advancing the film in a film track, a shutter which is simultaneously advanced by the trigger with the film and along a shutter track, a ramp coupled to the housing which engages the trigger point and causes the film and shutter to release, a spring which is coupled to the housing and the shutter and causes the shutter to return to its original position, and a light baffle to reduce the amount of light exposed to the film when the shutter initially returns to its at rest position.

Abstract: A camera includes a film drive motor, that connected through a series of gears, drives a bi-directional moving control element. The moving control element is, in turn, mechanically linked to a shutter striker, shutter striker release mechanism, lens focus mechanism and aperture control mechanism. The film drive motor also drives a film advance gear mechanism and a film rewind gear mechanism. Under the control of an electronic control system, by selectively changing the rotation direction of the film advance motor, and hence the direction of travel of the moving control element, the moving control element is first driven in the forward direction to sequentially move a shutter striker to a cocked position and then to set a preferred picture taking position for the lens focusing mechanism and an aperture control mechanism.

Abstract: A film winding unit is removably attached to a film unit so as to engage a coupling gear with a film winding wheel. The coupling gear is connectable to a gear train through a clutch member. While the film winding wheel of the film unit is unlocked, the clutch member is placed in a power transmitting position for transmitting rotational movement of a motor to the coupling gear through the gear train. Upon the film winding mechanism being locked, a large load is applied to the clutch member, so that the clutch member slips into a disconnecting position to disconnect the motor from the coupling gear. In cooperation with the movement of the clutch member into the disconnecting position, a motor inactivating device inactivates the motor. After a release button of a film winding unit is depressed to depress a shutter button of the film unit, a motor activating device activates the motor in cooperation with returning movement of the release button.

Abstract: A photographic camera including a metering linkage and an exposure initiation member provided with extensions that interact to: a) block the linkage from energizing a film winding motor in one position of the member; and, b) release the linkage to energize the motor in another position of the member. The first or blocking position corresponds to depression of the member to initiate an exposure. The second or releasing position corresponds to the return of the member to its undepressed condition after initiating the exposure. The exposure initiation member includes a first tab and the metering linkage includes a second tab. In the depressed position of the member, the first and second tabs respectively engage each other, blocking movement of the linkage and thereby preventing energization of the motor. In the non-depressed position of the member, the first and second tabs respectively clear each other, releasing the linkage and energizing the motor.

Abstract: A film metering mechanism includes a metering slide that is released from a ready position by the pressing of a camera shutter release button such that the film metering slide is pulled by a drive spring and engages a shutter mechanism, temporarily opening the camera shutter, and at the same time is moved so an integral flag portion of the lever is visible in the camera viewfinder. As the film is moved to the next frame, the metering slide engages a perforation of the film and is pulled against the force of the drive spring by the film movement, moving the warning flag out of the viewfinder, until the metering slide returns to its initial position against a frame stop. Pressing the shutter release button disengages the metering slide from the film and starts the sequence over again.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera enabling effective use of parts retrieved from a used lens-mounted film. Members retrieved from a lens-mounted film and responsible for film feed and release operation; such as, a sprocket, a sprocket axis with a charge cam attached, a drive lever, and a locking lever are mounted in a camera as they are. A release mechanism is included to release a frame stop state set for frame-by-frame film feed and a state in which the turn of a film wind knob is disabled, whereby film rewind is enabled. A strobe circuit board containing a strobe flashing unit and a control circuit is recycled for a camera permitting film rewind. In this case, a flashing capacitor mounted on the retrieved strobe circuit board is angled at lead wires so that the flashing capacitor can be placed in any state different from the one in a lens-mounted film.