Abstract: 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 connecting link having at least one elastic portion which constitutes a living hinge to permit the masking blades to be pivoted between their masking and non-masking positions. Preferably, the masking blades and the connecting link are integral to be one-piece.

Abstract: A unibody viewfinder for use in a single use camera includes a pair of optically aligned lenses integrally connected to a support structure which may, for instance, be the top surface of such a camera. A mold and method for making the viewfinder in a single molding process includes means for retracting the lens-forming elements to allow release of the viewfinder despite the presence of undercuts in the finished product.

Abstract: A camera element position detecting assemblage for a camera element supported for movement to a plurality of positions is characterized by force exerting means for exerting a variable force which is changed in accordance with changes of position of the camera element. Also, position detecting means is provided for sensing a change of force of the force exerting means when the camera element undergoes a change of position, and for substantially determining the particular position of the camera element responsive to the change of force of the force exerting means.

Abstract: A film spool comprises a spool core provided with a coaxial opening adapted to receive a rotational driver rotatable alternatively in film winding and unwinding directions to similarly rotate the spool core. The spool core includes first and second torque transmission devices. The first torque transmission devices projects into the core opening to be located in the way of the rotational driver, when the driver is rotated inside the core opening in the film unwinding direction, for making the driver rotate the spool core in the film unwinding direction responsive to the driver applying an unwinding turning force to the first torque transmission devices, and is capable of being deformed out of the way of the driver, when the unwinding turning force the driver applies to the first torque transmission devices exceeds a maximum force greater than required to rotate the spool core in the film unwinding direction, for allowing the driver to freely rotate inside the core opening in the film unwinding direction.

Abstract: In a compact camera having a flash unit that is flipped up from the camera box for use and is flipped down towards the camera box for storage, the flash head is automatically extended from the taking lens to substantially avoid "red-eye" when the flash unit is flipped up and is automatically retracted to decrease the size of the flash unit when the flash unit is flipped down.

Abstract: A light-sensitive, zone focus, passive automatic focus/automatic exposure system for a zoom camera receives light level data and selects flash status, lens focus distance, and exposure setting such that flash illumination is provided at a light level greater than necessary to prevent underexposure but sufficient to provide fill-flash based only on the detected light level. A no-flash mode is provided in which exposure times are increased rather than activating the flash.

Abstract: A photographic camera comprises a camera body, and an electronic flash unit having a flash lens and light-emitting means capable of being separated to change the illumination angle of the flash unit. According to the invention, the flash unit is supported to permit the flash unit to be increasingly extended from the camera body, and regulating means connects the camera body with one of the flash lens and the light-emitting means for continuously separating the flash lens and the light-emitting means to vary the illumination angle of the flash unit as the flash unit is increasingly extended from the camera body.

Abstract: A photographic camera comprises a camera body with a loading chamber for receiving a film cassette endwise, a door supported for pivotal closing and opening movement to cover and uncover the chamber, a latch for preventing pivotal opening movement of the door but which can be disabled to permit the door to be opened, and an ejecting device for pushing the cassette endwise at least part way out of the chamber. According to the invention, the ejecting device includes a single piece means supported for movement in an ejecting direction for first disabling the latch to permit the door to be opened and then pushing the cassette endwise at least part way out of the chamber when the door is opened.

Abstract: A photographic camera capable of taking interspersed full size and panoramic size exposures comprises a rectangular back frame opening for forming a full size exposure on a film in the camera, and respective masking blades supported for pivotal movement to a masking position for masking an upper rectangular portion and a lower rectangular portion of the back frame opening to allow only a panoramic size exposure to be formed on the film and to a non-masking position not masking the upper and lower portions to preclude a panoramic size exposure from being formed on the film. According to the invention, the masking blades have respective extension means at which they are supported for pivotal movement for moving the masking blades in only one direction from their non-masking position to their masking position and to return the masking blades in only one direction, different than the first-mentioned direction, to their non-masking position.

Abstract: A self-threading take-up magazine for a strip material comprises a magazine casing having an interior chamber, a winding core rotatable within the interior chamber to wind the strip material onto the core, and guide means for directing the strip material along the interior chamber towards the winding core to permit the strip material to be threaded to the core. According to the invention, the magazine casing has a web guide portion which is moveably connected to a remaining portion of the magazine casing for opening movement into the interior chamber to extend to the winding core to constitute the guide means and for closing movement out of the interior chamber away from the winding core to make room for the strip material to be wound onto the core.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a rotatable film spool, a light shield for preventing ambient light from entering the cassette interior, and a locking pawl movable into engagement with the spool to inhibit rotation of the spool but being forced out of engagement with the spool when the spool is rotated. According to the invention, the light shield is movable to open and the locking pawl is arranged to move the light shield to open responsive to the locking pawl being forced out of engagement with the spool when the spool is rotated.

Abstract: A compact camera has a flash unit comprising a flash arm pivotally connected to the camera body for movement between a folded position substantially flat against a top face of the camera body and an unfolded position standing up from the top face and a flash head pivotally connected to the flash arm for movement between a folded position covering a lens opening in a front face of the camera body when the flash arm is in its folded position and an unfolded position standing out from the front face. The flash head is releasably held in its folded position to similarly hold the flash arm in its folded position.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a light-shielding door for preventing ambient light from entering the cassette interior, a film spool supported for rotation in film unwinding and film winding directions, and a locking device supported for movement into engagement with the spool to secure the spool and out of engagement with the spool to release the spool. According to the invention, the door is supported for closing movement to prevent ambient light from entering the cassette interior and for opening movement, and includes a cam for moving the locking device into engagement with the spool responsive to closing movement of the door. Also, the locking device is resilient to permit it to be temporarily deformed should it be obstructed from being moved by the cam to engage the spool and the light-shielding door is forcibly closed, or should it be engaging the spool and the spool is forcibly rotated in the film unwinding and winding directions.

Abstract: A photographic camera comprises a chamber for receiving a cartridge containing a filmstrip, a film exposing gate, and movable blocking means for sealing a film passage to the exposing gate which must be moved out of the way to permit a filmstrip from a cartridge in the chamber to be advanced to the exposing gate. The blocking means is positioned inside the chamber over a film egress opening to the film passage to be moved to uncover the film egress opening by a cartridge during insertion of the cartridge into the chamber.

Abstract: A display and storage package is disclosed for a film cassette containing a rolled filmstrip having a series of successively recorded images and for an index print having rows of small-size positive images that match the recorded images. The package includes a normally flat pocket for the film cassette defined by opposite portions of a pair of superimposed flexible sheets, the opposite portions being joined to each other along side edges of the pocket spaced apart sufficiently to permit the opposite portions to be arched away from each other to expand the pocket for receiving the cassette by pushing inwardly against side edges of the sheets located outwardly of the side edges of the pocket. An envelope for the index print is defined by opposite portions of the sheets adjacent the opposite portions of the sheets that define the pocket.

Abstract: A single-use camera comprises an exterior decorative cardboard casing having an open end and a cut-out, and a plastic light-tight camera housing having an end portion with a film cartridge receiving chamber located outside the exterior casing adjacent the open end and a remaining portion including a taking lens located inside the exterior casing with the taking lens at the cut-out. According to the invention, the end portion and the remaining portion of the camera housing include respective cooperating means for removably connecting the end portion to the remaining portion to permit the end portion to be disconnected from the remaining portion to uncover the cartridge receiving chamber without being obstructed by the exterior casing, whereby a film cartridge may be removed from the cartridge receiving chamber without first taking the exterior casing off the camera housing.

Abstract: A fast-opening shutter includes an actuating member moveable in a one direction for setting an aperture stop and in the opposite direction for setting focus. The camera shutter is then driven to open against the stop independently of movement of the actuating member. According to more specific features, the actuating member first sets the stop and then focuses a camera optical element. After the exposure is completed, the mechanism is reset by further movement of the actuating member in the second or opposite direction.

Abstract: A camera viewfinder has a viewfinder lens comprising a plastic lens element with a molded integral aiming circle whose molded optical finish is different than the molded optical finish of the remainder of the lens surface to make the aiming circle visible.