Abstract: A camera with a zoom lens system having at least front and rear lens groups each comprising at least one lens, comprises a movable lens barrel holding the front lens group and being axially movable rearwardly and forwardly relative to a camera body and a moving mechanism for causing the axial movement of the movable lens barrel.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument comprises means by which the relation between displacement of a hinged string mounting member, such as a tremolo tail piece on which the tuners of the instrument are disposed, and the alteration of pitch of the strings thereof can be adjusted for each of the strings independently of the others. According to another feature of the invention the linear tuner blocks may be selectively released from engagement with the adjuster screws thereof for facilitating quick string mounting operations.

Abstract: A tap dance platform for producing pitched sounds in response to energy imparted onto the surface of the platform having a flat base surface and parallel spaced-apart supports disposed on the flat base. Disposed on each of the spaced-apart supports are a plurality of flat spaced-apart keys which define a sound chamber between the base and the bottom of the keys. The supports are spaced-apart to engage the keys at their vibrational nodes. On the top surface of each of the spaced-apart supports are resilient strips to insulate the keys from the supports and the base to enhance the tonal sound. There are also provided side apertures in both the vertical supports and the side walls of the platform, to allow the sound to come out and to determine the desired sound quality. The ends of the platform are also recesses so that sound can travel out of each end of the platform. Thus, tap dancers can dance on the keys and create unique pitched, percussionlike sounds resembling a marimba.

Abstract: A photographic camera having a manual focusing mechanism, an automatic focusing mechanism for automatically moving a lens with a drive device and a clutch disposed between the drive device and the lens. The clutch is normally urged towards a state of engagement by an urging element. Also, the clutch may be maintained at its disengaged position against the urging force of the urging element by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is operatively connected with the drive device so as to be automatically released by a drive operation of the drive device.

Abstract: The subject grand piano action, in common with all piano actions, comprises driving apparatus comprising the key and wippen levers, drive apparatus comprising the hammer assembly and apparatus interconnecting the two and providing for disengagement and reengagement of the driven with the driving apparatus. In the subject action the interconnecting apparatus comprises the jack, pivoted to the free end of the wippen lever and a repetition spring pivoted at both ends, one end at the free end of the jack, the other on the hammer shank. When the key is played and the free end of the wippen lever rises, a cam on the side of the jack facing away from the wippen lever engages a button mounted on the hammer rail and this engagement forces the end of the jack along a hard felt cam on the hammer knuckle.

Abstract: An adjustable rest for a stringed instrument such as a violin, comprises a rigid, plastic support at least partially covered with an open-cell foam backing and bearing an adjustable, multi-piece open-cell foam pad supported by wedge-shaped members which wedge-shaped members provide a selected contour particularly comfortable and pleasing to the player. Hook and loop style fasteners are used to secure the pad, wedge-shaped members, and rigid, plastic support in combination. The hook and loop material is a synthetic material which adheres when pressed together and, thus, functions as a hook and loop style fastener such as that sold under the trademark Velcro. In addition, elastic securing device, such as rubber bands, are utilized to secure the rigid, plastic support or base plate to a portion of the musical instrument.

Abstract: A finder optical system is provided with a plurality of optical elements, a reflecting surface for indication provided on a surface of one of the plurality of optical elements, a semi-transmissive surface disposed on an object side of the reflecting surface for indication, and an optical member, changing a polarizing state of light, provided between the reflecting surface for indication and the semi-transmissive surface. The semi-transmissive surface is composed of a surface different in reflectivity and transmittance in accordance with a direction of polarization of light. This finder optical system is adapted to image light reflected form the reflecting surface for indication after reflection from the semi-transmissive surface. The finder optical system can provide relatively simple and compact structure and can bring about a bright and easily-viewed visual field in which the generation of ghost and flare is minimized.

Abstract: This invention relates to an arrangement for displacing a camera (3) along a track (1), the camera being supported by a carriage (4) which can be moved along the track. The invention eliminates the disadvantages of prior art devices in which the track is supported at both ends. According to the invention the track (1) is instead centrally supported in one point, conveniently a standard type camera stand (2). This has been made possible thanks to the fact that the combined weight of the camera (3) and the camera carriage (4) is balanced by the weight of a counterweight (6) which is positively governed for movement along the track in the opposite direction of the travel direction of the camera unit.

Abstract: An alignment arrangement for use with a photograph enlarger apparatus is disclosed herein. The enlarger apparatus includes an enlarger head assembly, an enlarger easel and means for supporting the enlarger head assembly above the easel. The alignment arrangement includes a first mirror member which is configured to lie on the enlarger easel and a second mirror member which is connected to the enlarger head assembly, at a particular location for aligning the camera with the easel in a specific way. There is also disclosed herein a specific assembly for adjusting the position of the easel itself.

Abstract: A universal mount is disclosed herein for positioning small subjects for macro-photography which includes a box-like base having a releasable fastener for detachably coupling with a tripod mount of a conventional camera so as to downwardly depend therefrom. A fixed barrel tube outwardly projects in a cantilevered fashion from the side of the base and includes bearings for slidably and rotatably receiving an elongated focus tube arranged in coaxial and telescoping relationship therewith. A rod holder is carried on the free end of the focus tube having an axis normal to the central longitudinal axis of the focus tube for slidably supporting a specimen holder such as a clip or transparent box.

Abstract: A device for discouraging small domestic or wild animals from frequenting areas where they may become a nuisance. The device comprises a mat made of non-conductive material to be spread over the area. A plurality of conductive surfaces are spaced on the upper surface of the mat so that adjacent conductive surfaces are electrically insulated from each other. An electric control is associated with the conductive surfaces and provides electric power thereto so that when an animal walks on the mat its body completes a circuit between live and ground areas on the mat and the animal is thereby provided with an unpleasant electrical sensation.

Abstract: A photographic camera wherein a film metering sprocket undergoes respective cylces of rotation in each of two opposite directions when a filmstrip is advanced substantially a frame increment in reverse directions over the metering sprocket, and an operating element is actuated to perform a camera function when the metering sprocket is rotated a cycle in one of the opposite directions but is not actuated for such purpose when the metering sprocket is rotated a cycle in the other direction, is characterized in that the metering sprocket and the operating element are disposed in a coaxial relation and include one-way motion transmitting means which when the metering sprocket is rotated a cycle in the one direction engages to compel the metering sprocket to rotate the operating element continuously in the same direction but which when the metering sprocket is rotated a cycle in the other direction does not engage in order to permit the metering sprocket to rotate independently of the operating element.

Abstract: A top cover mounting construction for a camera includes a rearwardly bulged portion in an upper portion of a rear lid of the camera which is located on the side of a grip portion and a top cover having a bulged portion contiguous to the bulged portion of the rear lid. The top cover mounting constructon includes a set screw driven into the bottom surface of the bulged portion of the top cover through a screw insert aperture in a camera body portion under the bottom surface of the bulged portion. The set screw is completely concealed behind the rear lid and in the bulged portion of the top cover, and is easily accessible when the rear lid is opened or removed.

Abstract: A camera having a photographic lens and an eyepiece lens for observing an image formed by the photographic lens, wherein when this camera is used as a telescope, the interval between the image and the eyepiece lens is shortened, while simultaneously changing the focal length of the eyepiece lens, so that the magnification of the finder is increased.

Abstract: A novel cake layer is disclosed for use in a single or multi-layer cake arrangement of the type served at wedding receptions, anniversaries or other special occasions. The layer is a simulated cake layer made of plastic foam material sold under the trademark "STYROFOAM", and supporting a music box thereon actuable to play music when the lid of the layer is lifted. The layer is coated with real or permanent icing or frosting used for the cake arrangement so as to resemble a real cake layer in the arrangment. An engraved plate containing information as to the event being celebrated with the cake arrangement is applied to the inside of the layer thereby providing a long lasting token of remembrance for the recipients of the cake layer. The cake-top box may later be removed as a piece of the cake which may be saved as a symbol of the occasion to be remembered and enjoyed for many years.

Abstract: A clamp for preventing the slippage of the strings of a guitar over the nut thereof comprises a plurality of blocks between which are disposed the strings of the instrument. A bolt passes through the blocks and is threaded into the end one thereof. Tightening of the bolt drives the blocks together causing the strings to become clamped therebetween. Means is provided for retaining the handle on the bolt in such a manner that it cannot fall off through casual handling and may be selectively reoriented on the bolt so as to obtain the optimum axial orientation of the handle on bolt when the handle is in the fully clamped position. The spacers may be formed as cylindrical members with a flattened side or a key groove.

Abstract: A finder optical system for single reflex cameras is provided with a photographing lens, an optical path splitting device splitting a beam of light emanating from the photographing lens into two beams and directing one beam to a photographing system and directing the other to an observing system, and an electronic image pickup device disposed in the photographing system and having an image pickup surface for receiving an image formed by the light beam and a Porro prism for forming an orthographic image, and an eyepiece disposed in the observing system. Thus, the finder optical system for single reflex cameras can be provided which is simple in structure, small in size, and has a low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A simple inexpensive camera to be used 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 completed, is adapted to move the status indicator from its unexposed position to its exposed position, without stopping at its partly exposed position, substantially when film drive means of the camera changes the state of the filmstrip relative to the cassette. The change of state of the filmstrip relative to the cassette may be accomplished in the camera either by advancing the filmstrip from the cassette to expose the filmstrip or by returning the filmstrip to the cassette to safeguard the filmstrip.

Abstract: A camera includes a photographic optical system movable along its optical axis, and a cam ring rotatable about the optical axis of the optical system. When it is rotated by a motor, the cam ring moves the optical system to change the focal length thereof. Arranged at the outside of the cam ring are a viewfinder optical system, whose optical axis is parallel to that of the photographic optical system, and a strobe mechanism movable in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the photographic optical system. First and second cam portions are arranged on the cam ring and engage the viewfinder optical system and strobe mechanism, respectively, so as to move them along the optical axis of the photographic optical system, in association with the rotation of the cam ring.

Abstract: A camera comprises a camera body which is integrally formed with a lens barrel containing a lens having an optical axis. A receiving chamber for receiving an elongated electronic flash body is formed along the lateral side of the lens barrel in parallel to the optical axis of the lens. The electronic flash body having top and bottom ends is provided at its one side with a light emitting window located near the top end thereof.