Abstract: An improved shutter mechanism is disclosed which is generally of the type wherein a shutter blade is mounted for pivotal opening movement and pivotal closing movement in opposite directions about a fixed pivot to uncover and recover a lens opening, wherein a return spring biases the shutter blade in the direction of closing movement, and wherein a fixed stop is positioned to end closing movement of the blade. According to the invention, there is provided bounce control means for enabling the shutter blade to swing about the fixed stop rather than about the fixed pivot in response to a mechanical shock to the blade caused by the blade abruptly hitting the stop. This will change the direction of movement of the blade from the direction of opening movement and thereby prevent the mechanical shock from inducing the blade to bounce off the stop and uncover the lens opening. Thus, the possibility of an undesired second exposure as in prior art mechanisms is prevented.

Abstract: Opening and closing blades of a shutter are actuated substantially simultaneously with flash firing means igniting a chemical flash lamp. However, initial opening of the shutter is delayed after flash ignition to synchronize full opening of the shutter with the peak intensity of the ignited flash lamp. In operation, the actuated blades are moved in a forward direction, jointly, to prevent shutter opening, and are returned in a reverse direction, successively, with the opening blade moving ahead of the closing blade, to open the shutter for a relatively short exposure time.

Abstract: A photographic camera is adapted to receive a film container which supports a filmstrip having a normally curled leader extending from the film container. As the film container is loaded in the camera, means on the camera deflects successive longitudinal edge portions of the curled leader into a substantially straight line, incrementally uncurling the film leader, and guides the uncurled leader, straightened edge portions first, into a film passageway in the camera.

Abstract: A unitary socket for an electrical component comprises two plastic body members that are outsert molded to conductor straps which grip lead members of the electrical component and also provide hinge elements that connect the two body members. The body members are molded in coplanar relation to each other; and the hinge elements are then folded to bring the body members into confronting abutment. Additionally, the conductor straps also provide clip elements for holding the body members in the latter relation to one another. One of the body members defines at least one component collar with guide holes in its base for guiding the leads of an electrical component into gripping engagement with the respective conductor straps in the second body member. This mode of construction allows the socket to be formed as a unitary structure without the need for complicated molding dies, or flexible plastic elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the intensity of light reflected from a scene along an optical path includes a photoelectric cell, an optical lens and a light-attenuating device that has a gradation of opacity along one dimension that extends generally transversely to the optical path. The device may be moved transversely of the optical path to vary the average amount of light impinging upon the cell. The cell has a gradation of sensitivity to light along a dimension that extends generally transversely of the optical path. The sensitivity varies along the cell dimension and the cell is so disposed so as to be correspondingly more sensitive to light that has passed through more opaque portions of the light attenuating device and less sensitive to light that has passed through less opaque portions of the light attenuating device. The apparatus may be incorporated in a photographic camera and may be coupled to the camera's exposure control mechanism.

Abstract: A camera body houses a rotatable pinion disposed in engagement with a fixed rack for translation along the rack as the pinion is rotated. A manipulatable portion of the pinion exteriorly projects through a slot in the camera body, enabling the pinion to be manually rotated. A slide member rotatably supports the pinion and is supported within the camera body for translation by the rotated pinion in adjacent overlapping relation to the slot. In this way, the slide member maintains the slot substantially closed to dirt or other foreign matter during the various stages of rotation of the pinion. A control element, adjustably movable for focusing or exposure control, is operatively coupled to the slide member for movement by the slide member in response to manual rotation of the pinion. A visual indicator on the slide member is viewable through a window in the camera body for indicating the proper setting of the control element.