Abstract: A camera comprising a backframe opening for exposing successive frames of a filmstrip, a film platen for supporting each film frame over the backframe opening, a chamber for a film cassette, and a film egress slot located between the backframe opening and the chamber to permit each exposed frame to be moved from the backframe opening into the cassette, is characterized in that a light-blocking resilient material is located at least sufficiently across the slot to prevent light at the backframe opening from shining through the slot to the film cassette and is located adjacent the platen to urge the filmstrip against the platen to hold the filmstrip stationary during exposure of each film frame at the backframe opening.

Abstract: A camera having a body portion with a cartridge chamber for retaining a film cartridge and a film chamber for retaining a filmstrip includes a cover coupled to the body portion and movable in opposite directions between an opened and a closed position having a gear rack having a set of linearly arranged engagement teeth. A drive gear having an engaging portion for engaging the film cartridge is moved into engagement with the gear rack to wind the filmstrip into the film cartridge when said cover is moved in one of the opposite directions, and is moved out of engagement with the gear rack when the cover is moved in the other direction to prevent film winding.

Abstract: A magnetic reading and/or recording apparatus comprises a magnetic reading and/or recording head for reading and/or recording information from/on a magnetic information track on a photosensitive material having a natural longitudinal curl which when longitudinally straightened assumes an inherent transverse curl; and edge follower means attached to the magnetic reading and/or recording head for tracking a longitudinal edge of the photosensitive material in response to movement of the photosensitive material. Means are substantially aligned with the edge follower means for bending the photosensitive material in a direction perpendicular to the transverse curl to eliminate the transverse curl of the photosensitive material.

Abstract: A camera has a chamber for holding a film cassette and a lid for closing the chamber. An ingress opening to the chamber is located to admit an insertion tool into the chamber to push the cassette against the lid to move the lid to open the chamber, to permit the cassette to be pushed out of the chamber. The chamber and the lid have respective peripheries with mutually engaging light-trapping portions which engage to secure the lid to light-tightly close the chamber, but which are separated when the lid is moved to open the chamber. The lid is flexible and has a fixed projection which protrudes into the chamber to be pushed by the cassette to flex the lid partially out of the chamber to make the engaging portion of the lid separate from the engaging portion of the chamber.

Abstract: A camera includes a body portion having a cartridge chamber for retaining a film cartridge and a film chamber for retaining a filmstrip a pump cover coupled to the body portion and movable in opposite directions between an opened and a closed position, as well as a rotatable film winding for engaging the film cartridge to wind filmstrip into the film cartridge as the gear is rotated. An engageable locking lever prevents the gear from being rotated until disengaged by movement of the cover in one of the opposite directions in which a movable gear rack having a set of engagement teeth engages the unlocked film winding gear and rotates the film winding gear when the cover is moved in one of the opposite directions to wind film into a film cartridge.

Abstract: A camera for use with a film cassette having a movable light lock supported to be moved closed after a filmstrip is wound into the cassette, comprises an actuator for closing the light lock. An ingress opening is provided for an insertion tool.

Abstract: A camera includes a body portion having a cartridge chamber for a film cartridge and a film chamber for a filmstrip, a high energy lever returnable to a cocked position, and a film metering pawl movable in engagement with the filmstrip. The film metering pawl is placed in engagement with the filmstrip to prevent winding of the filmstrip into the cartridge, and released from engagement when the high energy lever is being returned to its cocked position to permit the filmstrip to be wound into the cartridge. The film metering pawl is movable to a film metered position where it is locked and the film advance is disabled.

Abstract: A camera for use with a film cassette having a movable light lock supported within a film egress/ingress slot to be moved closed after a filmtrip is wound into the cassette, comprises a cassette-receiving chamber, and a movable driver to be moved to close the light lock before the cassette is removed from the chamber. An exterior ingress opening to the chamber is provided to admit an insertion tool into the chamber to push the cassette out of the chamber. The driver is located for the tool to push the driver out of the chamber with the cassette, whereby the camera will be disabled.

Abstract: A camera includes a depressible shutter relase button; and a film metering mechanism for metering a filmstrip in the camera. The shutter release button is positioned on one side of a pivotable trigger which raises a release element when the shutter release button is depressed. The release element, coupled to the film metering mechanism, remains in a raised position until the film metering mechanism has metered the filmstrip. Preferably, the shutter release can be used in a pump-action camera, the shutter release remaining hidden until a succeeding exposure frame has been advanced and metered.

Abstract: A camera includes a depressible shutter release, and a film drive gear in which the shutter release and the film moving element have respective coaxial mechanisms for coaxially engaging one another only when the shutter release is depressed. In a preferred embodiment, the shutter release is part of a pivotable trigger which supports a drive spline which engages a film driving gear only when the shutter release is depressed.

Abstract: A translatable cover coupled to a lighttight camera body is movable between a cantilevered open position and a closed position relative to the body. Guide pins provided on different surfaces of the upper part of the cover interior engage longitudinal slots on the exterior of the camera body to allow a smooth sliding motion of the cover. Preferably, the guide pins include shoulders having a greater diameter than the remainder of the pin to minimize torquing of the cover when translated in combination with a lower cover portion which extends from an open end and engages the lower portion of the body to also minimize cantilevering of the cover. In another preferred embodiment, a guide arm extending from the free end can engage a sleeve of the body to minimize cantilevering and torquing while allowing a smooth travel of the cover with fairly loose tolerances.