Abstract: A camera of variable focal length is equipped with an indicator which signals the existence of a condition unsuitable for the taking of pictures because of the risk of blurring. The indicator is controlled by a sensing circuit taking into account such parameters as focal length, exposure time and, possibly, the steadiness of the camera support.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing successive jamming of copy sheets in copying apparatus of the type including a forwarding mechanism for moving a copy sheet along a running path through a treatment zone for forming a visible image on the copy sheets and a copy sheet feeding mechanism, the successive jamming prevention apparatus including one or more detecting members disposed at detecting points in the running path so that at least one of the detecting members will contact a copy sheet at any position in the running path, a switch having normally closed contacts opened in response to contact of any of the detecting members with a copy sheet to prevent actuation of the copy sheet feeding mechanism and normally open contacts closed in response to contact of any of the detecting members with a copy sheet to provide an alarm signal.

Abstract: A light measuring device for a single lens reflex camera wherein a reflection member having a slant surface is provided at the rear of an exit plane of a pentagonal roof prism and locating to be outside of the viewfinder light path, and the effect by undesired incident light is eliminated by a mirror formed by the slant surface placed in front of the light receiving element or photosensitive device, which light once enters into the pentagonal prism from the ocular lens and is reflected at the bottom surface thus again comes out of the surface of the pentagonal prism facing the ocular lens to proceed toward the photosensitive device.

Abstract: An automatic focusing mechanism for adjusting the focus setting of the objective lens of an optical instrument such as a photographic camera. The adjustable focusing cell of the objective lens is coupled to a pivotal reception means so that the focus setting of the objective lens is maintained coincident with the distance between the camera and an object to be photographed when the longitudinal axis of the reception means is in alignment with a reflected light beam image transmitted from the camera to the object from an emission means spaced from the reception means. A rangefinder circuit controls the pivotal motion of the reception means so as to maintain its longitudinal axis in alignment with the reflected light beam image through variations in camera-to-object distance.

Abstract: A photographic camera of a type using film cartridges, comprising a sensing lever which can cooperate with a film contained in a film cartridge and a control lever engaged with said sensing lever so as to make a release button operatable only when the film has been completely wound up in case the cartridge is mounted on a camera body so that the operating stroke of the release button may be small and the structure may be simplified.

Abstract: A light pole having a support at the top of the pole and a light-carrying structure encircling the pole. A first fixed suspension is provided depending downwardly from the support and a second fixed suspension is provided on the light-carrying structure. The first and second fixed suspensions cooperate to detachably suspend the light-carrying structure from the support at a first position just beneath the support. A cable system extends from the support to the light-carrying structure for use in lowering the light-carrying structure down the pole for servicing the lights and for raising it back to the first position. The cable system is offset circumferentially with respect to the first suspension in order to impart a slight rotation of the light-carrying structure during the engagement and disengagement of the first and second suspensions. This rotation provides an easy and secure engagement and disengagement of the first and second suspensions with each other.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a sealed beam, high intensity light is housed in a metal case provided with a bracket to one side and the bracket is bolted to an elongated base member that is semicircular in cross-section. A synthetic resin is molded on the inside of the base member to the precise shape and taper of the barrel of a gun, and the assembly is coated with a layer of vinyl resin to provide a nonconductive, corrosion proof surfacing. The length of base member is of a dimension to fit between the two upstanding terminals of a typical 12 volt lantern battery. The light can be mounted underneath the barrel of a gun by clamps positioned at each end of base member and encircling the barrel, or the light can be mounted on top of a lantern battery by two z-shaped clips held by the terminal nuts. The base member also provides a convenient grip to adapt the light for use as a hand spotlight.

Abstract: A zoom lens structure for use with an optical instrument comprises a zooming optical system movable along the optical axis thereof and including a magnifying system and a correcting system; support frames for holding the zooming optical system; a plurality of guide shafts fitted in the support frames of the zooming optical system to cause sliding of the support frames; a frame member for holding the guide shafts at the opposite ends thereof and surrounding the zooming optical system; a fucusing optical system; a holder frame for permitting the focusing optical system to be moved along the optical axis independently of the zooming optical system; and a mechanism using a cam to drive the holder frame. Within the frame member surrounding the zooming optical system, a beam splitter for splitting an object light beam to derive a viewfinder light beam is interposed between the portion of the frame member remote from an object to be photographed and the zooming system.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches a screen such as those generally used for exhibiting projected images. A boxlike frame has a rim formed about its front. A membrane (the projection screen) covers the front with its margin extending to the vicinity of the rim. A cover encloses the back of the frame and is connected in sealed engagement to the margin of the membrane so as to form a plenum. Gas is withdrawn from the plenum whereby the membrane forms a concave image receiving surface curved in a relatively constant degree about a single point so that the image receiving surface takes on a spherical shape.

Abstract: An exchange lens assembly integrally supports a rotatable data plate illuminated by exterior light incident upon the exchange lens bodytube through a condenser lens independent of the object focussing optical system. The iris value setting ring controlling light transmission through the object focussing optical systemm also controls light transmission through the data plate and its separate focussing optical lens for simultaneous photographing on the film of the field image and a selected data character.

Abstract: An adjustable camera mounting device including a print holding panel located at an operating station at one end of the device and an elongated camera-mounting guide track extending generally normal to said panel with a pair of camera-mounting slides carried on said track, one for mounting the main camera body and the other for mounting the lens of the camera, and having controllably rotatable drive shafts constructed and arranged so that the operating controls are positioned at the operating station and rotation of one shaft moves both slides together without varying the spacing therebetween and rotation of the other shaft moves only the camera focusing, lens-mounting slide to permit the camera position and focus to be quickly and easily adjusted for different sized prints to be copied and also including indexing counters located at the operating station and connected to said shafts to indicate the respective positions of the slides.

Abstract: A kaleidoscope wherein the admitted light is reflected into an otherwise darkened chamber which contains one or more varieties of reflective objects whose surfaces pick up the admitted light and reflect it in varying patterns between angled mirrors of the kaleidoscope in a reflecting tube. The color of the admitted light and thus the colors of the pattern may be selectively determined by the admission of only predetermined colors of light to the interior of the device. Apparatus is provided to filter the admitted light and reflect it to the reflective objects.

Abstract: A scanning mechanism is provided for a copying apparatus which is adapted to increase the number of copies per unit time when copying a smaller size document by increasing the scanning speed between the end of the shorter document and the normal end of scan position. A copying machine employing the above-noted scanning mechanism also forms part of the invention.

Abstract: An automatic focussing attachment for photographic enlargers for lengthening and shortening the length of the enlarger bellows to automatically focus the lens as the enlarger is raised and lowered to vary the size of the image. A pivoted link of variable effective length has one end connected to a point fixed with respect to the base of the enlarger and the opposite end portion connected to the focussing knob of the enlarger so that as the enlarger is raised and lowered on its support column the focussing knob will be rotated to maintain the focus of the lens. The variable effective length link has several forms including a plurality of pivoted leaves and a sliding telescoping mounting.

Abstract: The shutter in front of the image aperture is constructed from two pairs of flaps which fold and unfold and are actuated by levers so that flap edges move as leading and trailing edges of a slit across the aperture. The flaps fold temporarily into the space occupied, for example, by a fold-up mirror prior to exposure if the camera is of the single reflex type.

Abstract: A camera is provided with a scissors-type iris having apertures of different shapes and areas formed by the pair of blades. In one mode of operation, with a "flash" setting, a control mechanism automatically adjusts the iris opening in accordance with the focus distance setting and further compensates the iris opening in accordance with an image brightness adjustment. The iris adjustment mechanism automatically is adjusted to certain predetermined positions when the controls are set for other modes of operation, and exposure is then controlled by an electronic shutter timing mechanism which may be varied by a sliding vane brightness adjustment.

Abstract: An optical filter the density of which is variable is provided in the optical path of the taking lens. The density of the filter is controlled to effect optimum exposure with freely selected aperture size and the shutter speed by means of an exposure control circuit. The density of the filter is varied by moving a filter operating member which is driven by a filter driving means. The stroke of the filter operating member is controlled by means operated by electric pulses generated by an electric circuit connected with a light measuring circuit including a photodetector to measure the scene brightness.

Abstract: A miniature still camera wherein a brick-shaped main section of the housing supports and guides an L-shaped second section the longer leg of which is parallel to and located in front of the elongated front side of the main section and the shorter leg of which is parallel to a shorter second side of the main section. The second section is reciprocable between a first position in which its longer leg conceals a picture taking lens which is recessed into the front side of the main section and the shorter leg conceals a view finder in the main section, and a second position in which the lens and the view finder are exposed and the camera is ready to take pictures. The second section cocks the shutter and/or actuates the film transporting mechanism during movement between its first and second positions and is biased to its second position by a helical spring which reacts against a lug of the main section and bears against an eyelet of the second section.

Abstract: A remote control motor driven lamp with motors to drive the lamp assembly in two perpendicular planes and a motor to change the distance between the lamp filament and the reflector in such a manner as to vary the beam characteristics. The lamp is capable of being operated from at least one remote station enabling the operator to alter both the beam characteristics and the beam direction from the remote station.

Abstract: The present case is directed to a number of illumination systems making use of lamps and reflectors having predetermined optical configurations and arranged to insure minimal glare in the eyes of an operator using the equipment in which the illumination systems are incorporated. A first version involves a stationary paraboloid reflector cooperating with a moving parabolic cylinder reflector to illuminate an original document during a copying operation. In a second version, the moving reflector is split into two reflectors each having distinct parabolic configurations and different focal lengths. In still another version, only a single reflector is arranged for movement during scanning of an original document to project a line of light and has a predetermined configuration which is paraboloid in one direction and substantially elliptical in a direction transverse to the first direction.