Abstract: A film spool comprising a hub that has a central cavity beginning with an end opening at one end of the hub, and a split spline forming a pair of spline pieces fixed inside the central cavity, is characterized in that one of the spline pieces extends closer to the end opening than the other.

Abstract: A lens shutter camera includes a movable picture taking lens that can be moved along an optical axis and positioned at a focus setting such that a camera subject is in focus, an adjustable shutter aperture mechanism that controls the amount of ambient light passing through the picture taking lens for producing an exposure, and a drive source that moves the picture taking lens to position the lens at the focus setting; wherein movement of the picture taking lens toward the focus setting position simultaneously adjusts the shutter aperture mechanism to an exposure setting that permits a predetermined amount of ambient light necessary for proper exposure to pass through the lens.

Abstract: A photographic camera comprises a pair of right-hand and left-hand manually actuatable buttons, located proximate right and left sides of the camera body, for initiating respective camera functions and control means for changing the camera function the right-hand button can initiate to the camera function the left-hand button can initiate and, simultaneously, changing the camera function the left-hand button can initiate to the camera function the right-hand button can initiate. Preferably, one of the right-hand and left-hand buttons is a shutter release button for initiating operation of a camera shutter. Thus, the shutter release button can be selectively tailored for right-hand or left-hand use.

Abstract: A main light reflector is supported for movement between a direct flash position for reflecting light output from a source of flash illumination directly towards a subject to be photographed and an indirect flash position for reflecting light output from the flash source onto a nearby surface and thence directly towards a subject to be photographed. A supplementary light reflector is supported for movement to a direct flash position for reflecting light output from the flash source directly towards a subject to be photographed. The supplementary reflector is moved to its direct flash position in response to movement of the main reflector to its indirect flash position, whereby combined direct and indirect illumination of a subject to be photographed can be achieved.

Abstract: An image package comprises a cassette housing an image bearing medium having a plurality of images recorded on it, an index print sheet on which are printed a plurality of pictures that match the plurality of images on the image bearing medium, and a storage container holding the cassette and the index print sheet. According to the invention, the storage container has a cylindrical body, including a transparent cylindrical wall, and a cap that covers an open top end of the cylindrical body. The cassette is positioned inside the cylindrical body to be removed at the open top end. The index print sheet is rolled up into a cylinder surrounding the cassette inside the cylindrical body with the plurality of pictures visible through the transparent cylindrical wall. In an alternative embodiment, the index print sheet is rolled up directly over a loose roll of negatives inside the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A a photographic camera capable of taking various size exposures comprises a back frame opening for making a full size exposure on a film in the camera, and respective masking blades supported for pivotal movement between a masking position for masking corresponding portions of the back frame opening to allow only a reduced size exposure to be made on the film and a non-masking position not masking the corresponding portions of the back frame opening to allow a full size exposure to be made on the film. The masking blades are connected via a rigid connecting ink having overcenter spring means, located substantially midway between the masking blades to divide the connecting ink into two similar length rigid ink segments, for applying respective forces in opposite directions to the link segments to pivot the masking blades to their masking and non-masking positions. Preferably, the masking blades and the connecting ink including is overcenter spring means are integral to be unitary or one-piece.

Abstract: A single-use camera has a main body with a lens opening for a taking lens and a cassette chamber which contains a film cassette. According to the invention, a front cover light-tightly seals the cassette chamber and has a lens holder for holding the taking lens in place relative to the lens opening, but can be separated from the main body to access the taking lens and to open the cassette chamber for removing the film cassette from the cassette chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus suitable for use in a camera for alleviating the effects of film curl due to film core set in a film cartridge caused by aging and/or elevated temperatures. Curl in a film strip stored in a cartridge must be flattened out in the exposure space gate of the camera so that the camera is able to optimally focus an image of an object on the entire image receiving surface of the film within the exposure space gate of the camera. Photographic film wound tightly into film cartridges and stored for a period of time develops a core set approaching the diameter at which it was maintained such that film frames closest to the core have higher degrees of curl than those frames farther away from the cartridge core. Ambient temperature and humidity also contribute to the degree of curl at the time an exposure is made. In order to achieve optimum film flatness in a conventional space gate (i.e., platen, rails), a wider gap is optimum for higher curl and a narrow gap is optimum for lower curl.

Abstract: A photographic camera for use with a size-126 type film magazine includes a flash capacitor that projects from a film advance thumbwheel to be received in a coaxial bore of the magazine's film take-up spool, to guide the spool into rotational engagement with the thumbwheel and to serve as a fulcrum support about which the film magazine can be pivoted into the camera. Electrical contacts connected to the flash capacitor are located in the camera to abut respective contacts of a battery inside the film magazine, when the film magazine is pivoted about the capacitor into the camera.

Abstract: A reflector is supported for movement between a direct flash position for reflecting light output from a source of flash illumination directly towards a subject to be photographed and an indirect flash position for reflecting light output from a source of flash illumination onto a nearby surface and thence directly towards a subject to be photographed. The reflector has an integral reflective portion that is substantially smaller than, and fixedly angled with respect to, the remainder of the reflector to reflect a substantially minor percentage of light output from a source of illumination directly towards a subject to be photographed when the reflector is in its indirect flash position, whereby combined direct and indirect illumination of a subject to be photographed can be achieved.

Abstract: A single-use camera comprises a light-tight film casing and a film cassette located inside the casing. The film cassette includes a rotatable film spool with an end portion engageable to rotate the spool, and an active light lock with an end portion engageable to rotate the light lock open to permit film movement out of and into the cassette interior and closed to prevent ambient light from entering the cassette interior. The casing has separate weakened areas covering the end portion of the spool and the end portion of the light lock which can be entirely pierced to make respective perforations in the casing to permit individual access to the end portions to engage them for rotating the spool and for rotating the light lock closed and, simultaneously, to destroy the casing to prevent it from being reused.

Abstract: A magnetically retained, electrical connection system for making secure, temporary electrical contact between a first coupling surface of a portable appliance, e.g. a rechargeable battery powered photographic camera, and a second coupling surface of a base or recharging unit for passing electrical signals therebetween when the coupling surfaces are brought into contact. The connection system comprises electrical contacts positioned in relation to magnetic circuit closing latch components on the coupling surfaces of the portable appliance and base unit adapted to close electrical and magnetic circuits when contacted under pressure. The latch is latched in response to a first push movement of the coupling surfaces toward one another, thereby closing the electrical and magnetic circuits, and unlatched to break the electrical and magnetic circuits when the appliance, positioned with respect to the second unit, is subjected to a second push movement of the coupling surfaces toward one another.

Abstract: An electronic flash unit has a printed circuit board (which comprises the flash trigger circuit) that is affixed to the rear of a parabolic-shaped flash reflector to conserve space.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises light blocking means supported for movement to a light blocking position for preventing ambient light from entering the cassette interior and to a non-blocking position. The light blocking means has a cavity for receiving a driver element in driving engagement to allow the driver element to move the light blocking means from its light blocking position to its non-blocking position. A locking pawl protrudes into the cavity to secure the light blocking means in its light blocking position and is adapted to be displaced from the cavity to release the light blocking means when the driver element is received in the cavity.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises light blocking means supported for rotation to a light blocking position for preventing ambient light from entering the cassette interior and to a non-blocking position. The light blocking means has a cavity configured for permitting a driver element to rotate in the cavity initially without rotating the light blocking means out of its light blocking position and then into driving engagement with the light blocking means to allow the driver element to rotate the light blocking means from its light blocking position to its non-blocking position. A locking pawl protrudes into the cavity to secure the light blocking means in its light blocking position and is adapted to be displaced from the cavity to release the light blocking means when the driver element is rotated initially in the cavity without rotating the light blocking means out of its light blocking position.