Abstract: A finger proof, keyed connector includes a housing, one or more interface passages formed in the housing, one or more connector passages formed in the housing, and an electrical contact. Each of the interface passages has an outer perimeter where at least one portion of the outer perimeter is spaced in or spaced out from at least one adjacent portion of the outer perimeter. Each of the connector passages is connected to one of the interface passages. The electrical contact is seated in each of the one or more interface passages, is spaced from an opening to each of the interface passages, and extends in to the connector passage.

Abstract: A camera, used with photographic film, has a body having an exposure support surrounding an exposure opening. The body defines an encoder light path. An encoder is mounted in the body in alignment with the encoder light path. The encoder has an axis of rotation. The encoder has a marker occupying part of the encoder light path. The marker has a pair of subunits. The subunits are opposed relative to the axis of rotation. A drive is coupled to the encoder. The drive selectively rotates the encoder about the axis of rotation between a primary position and a plurality of secondary positions. The subunits are both disposed in the encoder light path in all of the positions.

Abstract: A camera mechanism comprises a shutter blade movable to uncover and cover an exposure aperture; a primary spring connected to the shutter blade to normally move the shutter blade to cover the exposure aperture, but susceptible of becoming disconnected from the shutter blade, and a substitute spring connected to the shutter blade to alternatively move the shutter blade to cover the exposure aperture when the primary spring becomes disconnected from the shutter blade.

Abstract: A camera mechanism comprises a shutter blade movable to uncover and cover an exposure aperture; a primary spring connected to the shutter blade to normally move the shutter blade to cover the exposure aperture, but susceptible of becoming disconnected from the shutter blade; and a substitute spring connected to the shutter blade to alternatively move the shutter blade to cover the exposure aperture when the primary spring becomes disconnected from the shutter blade.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for electrically coupling an end of a linear conductor to a surface conductor. The apparatus includes a housing for receiving the linear conductor end. The housing includes a channel having a channel axis that is non-collinear with respect to the linear conductor axis. The apparatus further includes a conductive member movably disposed within the channel of the housing to move along the channel axis. The conductive member has a first end electrically coupled to the linear conductor end and a second end to electrically couple the conductive member to the surface conductor. The apparatus still further includes a biasing member in mechanical communication with the conductive member to bias the conductive member in electrical contact with the surface conductor. Related methods are provided.

Abstract: In a photography method, a partial vacuum is provided within a pressure housing of a camera having an unexposed film unit. The camera is sealed against both air entry and venting, while in the partial vacuum. The camera is kept sealed until the film unit is fully exposed and while sealed, a relative pressure differential between the interior of the camera and an environment external to the camera is continuous indicated. The camera has a housing having an internal cavity water-tightly sealed from the external environment. The internal cavity has an unsubmerged internal pressure, at room temperature, less than air pressure at sea level. The camera has a camera frame assembly disposed in the internal cavity and a seal integrity indicator that provides the continuous indication of the relative pressure differential.

Abstract: A shutter release-thumbwheel brake for a camera has a thumbwheel, a shutter release, and a sprag. The shutter release is pivotable reative to the thumbwheel between a ready position and a first released position and also between the ready position and a second released position. The released positions are opposed. The sprag is joined to the shutter release and brakes the thumbwheel when the shutter release is in either of the released positions.

Abstract: A pressure indicator of an underwater camera housing has an indicator support surrounding an opening. An elastomer facing is united with the indicator support. The facing has a free region overlaying the opening. The free region has an inner surface and an outer surface. The free region is deflectable by a relative pressure differential between the inner and outer surfaces. Excessive inward excursion of the free region can be prevented by a backup.

Abstract: An underwater camera housing unit has a shell having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The shell has a passage extending between the two surfaces. The shell has an outer sidewall surrounding the passage. A facing is united with the shell. The facing has a bushing portion internal to and united with the outer sidewall. The bushing portion is resiliently compressible. The bushing portion and the outer sidewall together define a knob seat having an outer edge. A knob is disposed in the passage. The knob has a seal portion and a handle exterior to the seal portion. The knob is movable inward relative to the shell from a normal pressure position, through a series of intermediate positions, to a maximum pressure position. The handle is spaced from the outer edge in the normal pressure position. The handle bears on the outer edge in the maximum pressure position. The seal portion bears on the bushing portion in all of the positions.

Abstract: An underwater camera has a frame assembly, which has a frame and front and rear covers mounted on the frame. The frame has a viewfinder tunnel. A pressure housing has an internal cavity holding the frame assembly. The pressure housing has opposed first and second viewports. The viewports each bear directly on the viewfinder tunnel and are disposed in non-load-bearing relation to said covers.

Abstract: In a photography method, a partial vacuum is provided within a pressure housing of a camera having an unexposed film unit. The camera is sealed against both air entry and venting, while in the partial vacuum. The camera is kept sealed until the film unit is fully exposed and while sealed, a relative pressure differential between the interior of the camera and an environment external to the camera is continuous indicated. The camera has a housing having an internal cavity water-tightly sealed from the external environment. The internal cavity has an unsubmerged internal pressure, at room temperature, less than air pressure at sea level. The camera has a camera frame assembly disposed in the internal cavity and a seal integrity indicator that provides the continuous indication of the relative pressure differential.

Abstract: A pressure indicator of an underwater camera housing has an indicator support surrounding an opening. An elastomer facing is united with the indicator support. The facing has a free region overlaying the opening. The free region has an inner surface and an outer surface. The free region is deflectable by a relative pressure differential between the inner and outer surfaces. Excessive inward excursion of the free region can be prevented by a backup.

Abstract: A shutter release-thumbwheel brake for a camera has a thumbwheel, a shutter release, and a sprag. The shutter release is pivotable relative to the thumbwheel between a ready position and a first released position and also between the ready position and a second released position. The released positions are opposed. The sprag is joined to the shutter release and brakes the thumbwheel when the shutter release is in either of the released positions.

Abstract: An underwater housing has a shell having inside and outside surfaces and an opening extending between the surfaces. An actuator is disposed in the opening. The actuator has an outer member disposed external to the opening and an inner member disposed internal to the opening. The actuator has a torsion bar joining the members to the shell. The members are pivotable about an axis through the torsion bar, between an initial orientation and a pivoted orientation. The torsion bar is relaxed when the members are in the initial orientation and tensioned when the members are in the pivoted orientation. A facing is united with the shell and the actuator. The facing seals the opening.

Abstract: An underwater camera has a frame assembly, which has a frame and front and rear covers mounted on the frame. The frame has a viewfinder tunnel. A pressure housing has an internal cavity holding the frame assembly. The pressure housing has opposed first and second viewports. The viewports each bear directly on the viewfinder tunnel and are disposed in non-load-bearing relation to said covers.

Abstract: An interface control assembly for a one-time-use camera having a recording device includes a controller for receiving and storing photofinishing information and a communication device that transfers the information from the controller to the recording device of the camera to cause the information to be written on a filmstrip. The photography arrangement includes a one-time-use camera as well as the interface control arrangement. This permits the one-time-use camera to be customized with a magnetic recording on the film while providing the expensive components involved in magnetic recording on the film outside of the camera.

Abstract: An interface control assembly for a one-time-use camera having a recording device includes a controller for receiving and storing photofinishing information and a communication device that transfers the information from the controller to the recording device of the camera to cause the information to be written on a filmstrip. The photography arrangement includes a one-time-use camera as well as the interface control arrangement. This permits the one-time-use camera to be customized with a magnetic recording on the film while providing the expensive components involved in magnetic recording on the film outside of the camera.

Abstract: A dual lens camera has a lens carrier with a shorter focal length lens and a longer focal length lens for alternatively positioning only one of the lenses at a picture-taking axis. A single aperture for each one of the lenses is movable forward and rearward along the picture taking axis. The lens carrier is movable forward and rearward along the picture-taking axis in unity with the aperture, and is movable relative to the aperture to position the shorter focal length lens at the picture-taking axis when the aperture is moved rearward along the picture-taking axis and to position the longer focal length lens at the picture-taking axis when the aperture is moved forward along the picture-taking axis.

Abstract: By providing an adapter which is mountable to a product retaining container and incorporating seal cutting means, a dispensing system for chemical products retained in sealed containers is achieved which is capable of opening the sealed container and producing the transfer of concentrated chemical products from the storage container to a dilution vessel or tank in a completely closed, spill-free manner. Furthermore, the entire contents of the container can be transferred or, if desired, repeated transfer of measured dosage can be made in order to assure the dispensing of a precise quantity of product from the storage container to the dilution vessel. In the preferred embodiment, a product dispensing valve assembly, constructed for being opened by only mating authorized equipment, is securely affixed to the adapter which is mounted to the sealed container within which the desired chemical product is retained.

Abstract: By providing a securely locked product dispensing valve assembly mounted to a product bearing container which requires a specially constructed cooperating adapter for opening the valve assembly, a controlled dispensing system is realized which provides complete controlled distribution of any desired chemical product. By employing the present invention, only authorized personnel are able to open the container incorporating the valve assembly, enabling the contents to be transferred into only suitable containers incorporating the required adapter for unlocking the valve assembly. As a result, control over the distribution of the chemical product is attained and a completely closed loop, spill-free system is realized. In addition, a rinsing head is provided for being cooperatively associated with the product bearing container and valve assembly to enable complete cleaning of the container prior to recycling.