Abstract: An exposure control system for a photographic camera apparatus includes a single latch mechanism for latching a shutter blade mechanism of the type which is resiliently biased to move toward its scene light admitting position from its scene light blocking position between photographic exposure cycles and for latching an automatically focused lens arrangement at its appropriate focal position during a photographic exposure cycle.

Abstract: An electronic flashtube is fixedly mounted to a reflector housing by an elongated elastomeric strap having openings therethrough at opposite ends thereof for engaging respectively the opposite end portions of the flashtube which extend from the reflector housing. The elongated strap extends across the exterior of the reflector housing so as to yieldably bias the flashtube toward that portion of the reflector housing across which the strap extends.

Abstract: A folding camera including a plurality of housings pivotally coupled to each other for movement between a folded inoperative position and an extended operative position wherein image-bearing light rays are directed toward a length of film supported within one of the housings for photographically exposing the same. Another of the housings carries a source of artificial illumination, e.g., a strobe, which is adapted to move automatically into an erected operative position as the housing moves into the extended operative position. During such movement, the source of artificial illumination moves into engagement with one of the housings to thereby releasably latch the camera in its extended operative position. Movement of the source of artificial illumination in the opposite direction is used to rotate a mirror toward a fully down or non-reflecting position.

Abstract: A folding bellows is provided for use in a folding camera that is movable between erected and storage positions and includes a base section housing having a film plane therein, a pivoting objective lens housing near one end of the film plane, and a pivoting mirror near the opposite end of the film plane for reflecting light from the lens onto the film plane to expose a film unit thereat. The bellows includes a bottom section attached to the base section, a forward wall attached to the lens housing, a rear wall that overlies the erected mirror and has a lower section attached to the mirror and an upper section that is not attached to the mirror, and a extensible top wall. When the camera is erected, the bellows assumes an erected position wherein it forms part of an ambient light excluding exposure chamber for light shielding the camera's exposure optical path.

Abstract: A compact folding camera having a mirror in its exposure optical path includes a self-erecting and folding viewfinder. Major camera components include a base housing section having a film plane therein, a pivoting lens housing near one end of the film plane mounting an objective lens and front viewfinder lens, a pivoting mirror assembly near the opposite end of the film plane, a foldable bellows, a cover section, and a rear viewfinder lens mounted on the trailing end of the base section for movement between erected and storage positions. When the camera is erected, the rear lens assumes its upstanding erected position in optical alignment with the front lens for forming a direct viewing viewfinder. As the camera is folded, the lens housing folds back down over the base section so as to overlie the film plane and movement of the cover section toward its storage position overlying the base section causes viewfinder erecting structure to pivot the rear viewfinder downwardly to its storage position.

Abstract: A compact folding camera having a mirror in its exposure optical path includes a horizontal base section having a film plane therein, a pivoting lens housing near one end of the film plane, a pivoting mirror assembly adjacent the opposite end of the film plane, a foldable bellows, and a cover section. The cover is pivotally coupled to one end of the base section near the mirror connection and is interconnected with the lens housing for coordinated movement by an erecting link. The lens housing and mirror assembly are interconnected for coordinated movement by a linkage system. When the camera is erected, the cover section is angularly displaced with respect to the base section so that the lens housing, mirror assembly and bellows may assume their upstanding erected positions over the base section in readiness to effect exposure of a film unit at the film plane.

Abstract: A compact folding camera having a mirror in its exposure optical path includes a self-erecting and folding viewfinder. Major camera components include a base housing section having a film plane therein, a pivoting lens housing, near one end of the film plane, mounting an objective lens, a pivoting mirror assembly, near the opposite end of the film plane, for reflecting light from the lens onto the film plane to expose a film unit thereat, a cover housing section, and an elongated viewfinder pivotally mounted on the cover section. When the camera is erected, the forward end of the viewfinder engages a locating surface on the lens housing to accurately locate the viewfinder with respect to the objective lens. As the camera is folded, the lens housing pivots back down over the film plane and the viewfinder pivots into a recess provided in the lens housing to accommodate the viewfinder when the camera is in its folded storage position.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus is disclosed having a sensing mechanism for adjusting automatic photographic functions of the apparatus in accordance with particular film characteristics of the film to be used. Included in the sensing mechanism is a plurality of sensing arrangements operable between different sensing states, which number of states is in excess of the number of sensing arrangements, responsive to different coding arrangements, on respectively different containers for effecting a select photographic function according to the film characteristics represented by the coding arrangement.

Abstract: Photographic camera apparatus for use with a camera having an optical path along which film can be positioned for exposure. The apparatus comprises a scanning type shutter blade arrangement displaceable during an exposure cycle to define a progressively increasing aperture in alignment with the optical path to facilitate film exposure and a variable focus optical system coupled with the shutter blade arrangement such that the focus of the optical system is continuously changed in response to displacement of the shutter blade arrangement. The apparatus is structured so that the optical system focuses for predetermined subject distances as predetermined sizes of the shutter blade arrangement aperture occur.

Abstract: An autofocusing camera having an ultrasonic ranging system, formed in part by a sonic transducer, for measuring subject distance is provided with an audio system which incorporates the same sonic transducer for providing the camera operator with audible information, such as warning signals indicating that the camera is out of film or that the flash illumination system is not in its operative or ready state.

Abstract: Photographic camera apparatus for use with a camera having an optical path along which film can be positioned for exposure. The apparatus comprises a scanning type shutter blade arrangement displaceable during an exposure cycle to define a progressively increasing aperture in alignment with the optical path to facilitate film exposure and a variable focus optical system coupled via an epicyclic gear train with the shutter blade arrangement such that the focus of the optical system is continuously changed in response to displacement of the shutter blade arrangement. The apparatus is structured so that the optical system focuses for predetermined subject distances as predetermined sizes of the shutter blade arrangement aperture occur.

Abstract: A sonic ranging and lens focusing module for cameras having a body casing to enclose functional components including a lens board to support an adjustable lens directed forwardly through an opening in the casing, which module provides structural support for all operative components for adjusting the camera lens focus in response to a ranging signal without interference with existing camera components. All mechanical components of the module are supported on an integral anchor plate formed preferably as a molding of synthetic resinous material and having mounting formations by which individual components may be snap fit into place. The anchor plate additionally is formed with forwardly and rearwardly projecting locating and latching formations by which the assembled module may be accurately and positively secured in front of the camera lens board in snap fit fashion.

Abstract: In a variable focus lens system in general, or in a photographic camera having such a system in particular, a simplified, compact, combination manual and automatic focus conrol system is provided having manual and distance responsive automatic focus controls that are coupled to one another in a driving relationship. Included with said focus control system is a displaceable cover that impedes access to the actuator of said manual focus control to prevent simultaneous manual and automatic focus control actuation. Cover movement is accomplished by rotating a light shielding collar member that is mounted for rotation about the principal image forming axis of said variable focus lens system, said cover being coupled to said collar for movement therewith.

Abstract: A "scanning type" photographic shutter blade mechanism is manually actuated to open, thereby commencing a photographic exposure cycle, by a resilient opening drive element. The "scanning type" shutter blade mechanism is thereafter closed to terminate the photographic exposure cycle by deenergizing an electromagnet which in turn releases a shutter blade closing drive member resiliently biased to engage the shutter blade mechanism and move it to the closed position against the yieldable bias of the opening drive element. Subsequent manual deactuation of the camera operates to recock the shutter blade closing drive member so as to ready the camera for a subsequent photographic exposure cycle.

Abstract: A battery mount for collapsible cameras of the type in which a forwardly disposed shutter housing is connected to a rearwardly oriented film housing by a collapsible bellows. Electrical equipment contained within or supported by the shutter housing is supplied with electrical energy from batteries mounted on the rear face of the shutter housing within the bellows in the manner to be accessible through a displaceable cover of the rear housing, particularly when the camera is collapsed with the shutter housing in reasonably close proximity to the film housing. The battery mount features a readily accessible retaining clip which is releasable for replacement of batteries directly through the cover of the film housing.

Abstract: A foldable diffuser for flash units mounted on photographic cameras and mechanism by which such a diffuser is moved automatically between collapsed and erected positions with respect to a flash unit mounting receptacle. The diffuser is pivoted on an axis normal to the front face of a shutter housing in a collapsible camera such that it lies against the front face in the folded position and swings out over a side face of the shutter housing in front of a flash unit mounted on the side face in the erected position. Movement to the collapsed position is effected by the erecting linkage of the camera against a pivotal bias on the diffuser.

Abstract: An erecting linkage and cover assembly for collapsible bellows-type cameras having a lens supporting shutter housing movable between erected and closed positions with respect to a camera body. The erecting linkage includes a pair of folding linkage sets connected between the camera body, the housing and a pivotal cover and operable in a manner to retain the lens supporting shutter housing positively in the erected condition of the camera. The linkage is associated with the shutter housing by way of an adjustable locating frame in a manner such that accurate calibration of shutter housing and thus lens orientation with respect to the camera body is facilitated. Also, the cover is provided with a latch arrangement by which the cover is releasably retained in a closed position overlying the shutter housing and lens against the front of the camera body. The latch means further operates to initiate movement of the erecting linkage from its erected condition to its folded condition.

Abstract: A camera body and tripod mounting arrangement in which a sill member of plastic material carrying a metal socket insert is directly receivable against the interior bottom wall surface of the body and retained in place by integral tab and lug formations on the member and body, respectively. The sill member is provided with an angled flange extension projecting from the body in a manner to be co-extensive with a pivotal contoured cover. The angled flange construction of the sill member serves to distribute stresses on the socket insert to appropriate load-carrying structure in the body.

Abstract: A folding handle for photographic cameras of the type in which a film sheet assembly is withdrawn manually from the camera housing to effect spreading of processing fluid over the area of the sheet material during such withdrawal. The handle is connected to the camera housing on the end thereof opposite from the end at which the film is withdrawn in a manner to partially restrain relative rotational movement of the handle and the camera housing along the axis of film withdrawal but to allow freedom of rotation between the handle and the housing on all other axes. The handle is provided with a rectangular bail and is foldable to the recessed position in the camera housing during periods of nonuse.