Abstract: An improved tremolo and tuning apparatus for stringed musical instruments is disclosed which presents a relatively low profile when mounted on the stringed musical instrument, and yet possesses string locking and fine tuning capabilities. The tremolo and tuning apparatus includes a tremolo for simultaneously changing the pitch of all of the strings of the instrument, and which includes a base plate having a support surface. A rotatable string support block for each of the strings is rotatably mounted on the base plate so as to provide a string support area above the support surface of the tremolo. A string clamp is connected to each of the rotatable string support blocks for holding each of the strings relative to the rotatable string support block. A pivot arm is connected to each of the rotatable string support blocks and includes an extended portion which is at an elevation below the support surface of the base plate when the tremolo is mounted on the stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: An automatic rewinding apparatus in a camera has a first operating member movable from an initial position to an operating position to place a film-winding sprocket in a freely rotatable state, and a second operating member movable from an initial position to an operating position to activate a drive mechanism for rewinding film into a film cartridge via a coupling to the spool shaft of the film cartridge. After film rewinding, a knob disengages the coupling from the spool shaft, returns the second operating member to its initial position, and releases a back lid of the camera, which returns the first operating member to its initial position.

Abstract: A camera viewing unit for viewing the inside of a reaction vessel or the like is the invention disclosed. This viewing unit has a fixed lens positioned in front of the camera lens. The camera is focused by moving the fixed lens. The camera has a fused lens in front of the fixed lens; this fused lens minimizes corrosion of the unit. There are also easy alignment means to ensure a level picture is transmitted.

Abstract: A thin plate composed of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic laminate of at least three reinforced resin sheets, in which each of the reinforced resin sheets is composed of continuous carbon fibers oriented in a perdetermined direction and matrix resin enveloping the continuous fibers, the intermediate sheet contains black pigment in an amount of 5 to 15 wt. %, the outer sheets are substantially devoid of black pigment, and the thin plate has a thickness of 60 to 120 .mu.m.

Abstract: A photographic camera is intended for use with a film cassette having a film-exposure status indicator movable from an unexposed position for providing a visible indication that a filmstrip within the cassette is generally unexposed, to a partly exposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstrip is only partly exposed, and to an exposed position for providing a visible indication that exposure of the filmstrip is complete.

Abstract: A fiber optic video viewfinder for a motion picture camera. The conventional ground glass focusing screen of the camera is replaced by a fiber optic element that comprises a fused coherent bundle of optical filaments. A front face of the fiber optic element is located at the focal plane of the camera. A video imaging device such as a photodetector array is secured to the opposite face of the fiber optic element. An image presented at the front face of the fiber optic element is transmitted through the element to the video imaging device whose electrical outputs are converted into a video image. The fiber optic element may be tapered to provide image magnification or demagnification.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a first holding device for positioning and holding a photosensitive recording medium at an exposing position, a light source for generating a radiation for exposing the recording medium, a second holding device for positioning and holding a contact-exposure original bearing a first image thereon, substantially in contact with the recording medium, a third holding device for positioning and holding a focus-exposure original bearing a second image thereon, at a position in an optical path between the exposing position and the light source, and a projector lens disposed in a portion of the optical path between the third holding means and the exposing position.

Abstract: A portable camera support assembly having an adjustment block, a support piece, a shoulder rest, a camera mount, a lengthwise-extendible hand grip, a body rest, a mount adjustment knob and a torsional spring assembly. The support assembly fixes to a lower end of a camera using the camera mount. The shoulder rest and body rest are used to support and balance the camera at the shoulder and upper body of the user respectively. The adjustment block, hand grip and mount adjustment knob allow the user to position the camera in a wide range of orientations during use and also allow the support assembly to be folded up when not in use. Additionally, the hand grip and body rest can be removed and a retractable monopole fixed to the adjustment block for support of the camera remote from the user.

Abstract: A disposable camera having an erectable bellows. A plastic bellows includes a series of truncated, conical walls, interspaced between a second set of truncated, conical walls, all of which form equal included angles with the camera longitudinal axis. The bellows has a proximal end integrally connected to a camera box having a self-developing film packet therein. A pair of rollers apply pressure to exiting exposed film spreading development medium thereacross. A lens and shutter mechanism are affixed to the distal end of the bellows.

Abstract: A tuning pin having a threaded portion is provided with grooves formed in the direction substantially perpendicular to a screw winding direction of the threaded portion. In accordance with another embodiment, the pitch of the screw threads varies on at least part of the threaded portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photographic film cartridge including a cartridge case having a longitudinal axis and opposite end walls, a spool extending substantially coaxially with respect to the cartridge case and carried at the opposite end portions by the opposite end walls of the cartridge case for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the spool, the cartridge case including a flexible wall portion having an axially extending substantially straight edge portion, the cartridge case further including a rigid edge portion for cooperation with the straight edge portion, the flexible wall portion being deflectable between a closed position wherein the straight edge portion is engaged with the rigid edge portion to provide a substantially light-tight seal and an open position wherein the straight edge position is apart from the rigid edge portion to provide an axially extending film outlet slit opening between the edge portions.

Abstract: A focal length changeable camera has a taking lens system which is changed between at least two different focal lengths, namely, a relatively long focal length suitable for a telephotographic mode and a relatively short focal length suitable for a wide-angle photographic mode, and is equipped with a focal length changing mechanism comprising a rotatable changing member driven by a motor, a lever displacing member provided on the rotatable changing member, a motor switching lever engageable with the lever displacing member for switching a motor switch, and a focal length changing member for changing the focal length of the taking lens upon rotation of the rotatable changing member.

Abstract: An accessory shoe for mounting an electronic flash device on a camera, which is provided at a top portion of the camera and has a plurality of terminals for circuitry of the camera arrayed in a direction in which the electronic flash device is inserted into the accessory shoe. Of the plurality of terminals, a terminal which leads to an X contact and outputs a signal indicative of a situation of the X contact is located at a position closest to an insertion opening of the accessory shoe and is connected to a terminal on an electronic flash device for inputting the signal at the end of a mounting procedure of the electronic flash device.

Abstract: A lens-fitted film package comprising a light-tight case having at least a taking lens attached to a front wall thereof and a roll of film contained therein and a lens holder attached to the light-tight case. The lens holder is formed with a conversion lens holding opening for holding a conversion lens therein and a view-defining opening for defining the field of view of a viewfinder formed in the light-tight case. The lens holder is slidably moved with respect to the light-tight case so as to position the lens holder at a distance from the front wall of the light-tight case wherein the conversion lens changes the effective focal length of the taking lens and the view-defining opening defines the field of view of the viewfinder suitably for the effective focal length of the taking lens thus changed.

Abstract: A bridge for a stringed instrument has a string supporting portion comprising a composition having a first component and a second component. The first component is a rigid material and the second component is a lubricating material. Preferably the first component is plastic and the second component is polytetrafluoroethylene, graphite or a silicone. The composition may also include a reinforcement comprising aramid, carbon or glass fibers or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A vertical tilting apparatus of a tripod head for a camera or the like is disclosed. The vertical tilting apparatus includes a torque changeover mechanism. The structure of the torque changeover mechanism comprises a disk-shaped first unit, a second unit, a unit securing pin and a second unit case on the second unit. The first unit consists of many first damp adjusting plates and first intermediate bodies. The second unit consists of ring-shaped intermediate bodies opposite to the surfaces of the first intermediate bodies, a viscous fluid therebetween and second damp adjusting bodies. The first unit and the second unit arranged concentrically. The unit arc securing pin can be releasably inserted into any of holes provided on the circumferential surface of the second unit case for use.

Abstract: A pedal mechanism for a bass drum, including a pivoted primary platform connected to a beater ball so that, when the primary platform is depressed, the beater ball moves to contact a drum; and a resiliently mounted secondary platform in operative contact with the primary platform, the arrangement being such that, in use, the toe of the drummer depresses the primary platform directly and the heel of the drummer depresses the primary platform through the secondary platform.

Abstract: The invention concerns an action (1, 2) for a wind instrument, comprising keys (6) pivoted turnably relative to the body (3) of the instrument, holes (5) in the body being openable and closable with said keys according to the player's operation for producing notes of different pitch. A key action of this kind is found e.g. on the flute and on other woodwinds. As taught by the invention, the action comprises keys (6) which have been provided with magnets (12) so that the magnet returns the key that has turned into its initial position when the player ceases to press the key or the touch acting thereon. The keys (6) may be open keys which stay open by effect of mutually repulsing magnets (12) and close when pressed by the player against the repulsion of the magnets, or closed keys which are kept closed by mutually attracting magnets and open when pressed against the attraction of the magnets by the player, by touches connected with the keys.

Abstract: A rotational drive mechanism includes a differential gearing assembly having a pair of output gears, to which a pair of mechanisms are connected. Rotation of the gears in the respective mechanisms is changed depending on the magnitude of respective loads. The first mechanism includes a gear (such as an AE gear of an exposure control mechanism) which is prevented form rotating by an engagement with a displacement member when the latter returns from its overcharged position to its attracted position. Thereupon, a gear in the second mechanism (such as an AF gear in a focus controlling mechanism) is enabled for rotation in either direction.

Abstract: A focal length changeable camera has a taking lens system which is changed between at least two different focal lengths, namely, a relatively long focal length suitable for a telephotographic mode and a relatively short focal length suitable for a wide-angle photographic mode, and is equipped with a focal length changing mechanism comprising a rotatable changing member driven by a motor, a lever displacing member provided on the rotatable changing member, a motor switching lever engageable with the lever displacing member for switching a motor switch, and a focal length changing member for changing the focal length of the taking lens upon rotation of the rotatable changing member.