Abstract: A pivot-joint construction for a binocular telescope wherein each telescope ube is pivotable for adjusting the interocular distance between the tubes is provided. Required friction between hinged telescope tube and connection bridge elements is provided by hinge friction tabs stressed in the direction of the axis of the hinge. The tube and the bridge include at least two outer pairs of cooperating non-tensioned hinge tabs having axial holes therein for retaining a hinge pin. A pre-stressed spring is disposed on a central hinge tab of one element about the pin between cooperating tabs on the other element for stressing in the axial direction so that the interocular distance of the telescope will remain set without disturbing the required parallelism between the telescope tubes. The construction is particularly well suited for binocular telescopes fabricated from synthetic materials.

Abstract: Apparatus for the retracting and extending the lens holder of a camera, which comprises two gear wheels or gearwheel segments swingably supported about fixed axes on different sides of the longitudinal central plane of the lens holder, said gear wheels or gear-wheel segments being in direct or indirect engagement with each other, two stationary toothed members, two swingable segments coupling said lens holder and said gear wheels or gear-wheel segments, said gear wheels or gear-wheel segments, when swung, being operable to retract and extend said lens holder via said swingable segments and to move said swingable segments over the toothed segments as said lens holder is extended from its fully retracted position, such that with equal paths of swing of the gear wheels or gear-wheel segments, the lens holder is displaced by a larger amount in the vicinity of the retracted position than in the vicinity of the extended position.

Abstract: An omnidirectional windmill rotor is formed of a number (preferably seven) identical blades arranged symmetrically around a vertical shaft to which their upper and lower ends are secured. The blades are bowed outwardly at their wider central portions to define a sphere-like "chamber", each blade having a curved trailing edge projecting outwardly beyond the leading edge of the adjacent blade in order to form a "scoop" to receive the wind and induce rotation of the shaft. The lower end of each blade is twisted to form a deflecting portion on which the wind impinges to generate an upward movement of air within the chamber, serving to lighten the weight of the rotor on its bearing. In a modified version, a further projecting secondary blade is secured to each main blade to enhance the scoop effect and to provide a gap between the main and secondary blades.

Abstract: A system for mounting an accessory unit, such as a flash unit, on a camera ousing comprises at least one fixed hook-shaped bolt and at least one movable hook-shaped bolt on the accessory unit with corresponding apertures in the camera housing for receiving the bolts, the inner surface of the camera housing being provided with inclined surfaces leading away from the apertures, the hook-shaped bolts being provided with corresponding inclined surfaces and the inclined surface of the movable hook-shaped bolt being substantially parallel to the contact plane, the locking action being secured by a spring urging the bolts into contact with the inclined surfaces associated with their corresponding apertures.

Abstract: A novel gear arrangement is provided for coordinately performing two or more functions such as winding a film load within a camera, resetting the shutter thereof and setting the flash cube assembly therein. To effect these functions, an internal gear is provided having an internal annular area provided with gear teeth and an internal annular area free from gear teeth. Operatively connected to the internal gear are a plurality of planetary gears, each having an annular external area of gear teeth and an external annular area free of gear teeth, the respective gear teeth areas being in meshing engagement and the respective areas free of gear teeth being in facing relation. The internal gear is provided with a partially milled or corrugated exterior edge mounted through the camera housing. Rotatably connected to the planetary gears is a planetary carrier provided with at least one, and preferably two, sets of function driving gear teeth.

Abstract: A cover plate is provided which is especially suited to an instant picture type camera employing mirror image deflection for picture taking. However, this cover plate is suited to any still camera having a substantially planar contiguously grouped optical element arrangement. The cover plate is longitudinally slidably mounted in the camera housing relative to the normal viewing position of the camera, and is reciprocally movable between a first position overlying the optical elements mounted in the camera housing and a second position vertically distal thereto.

Abstract: A camera mechanism provides for motion of a metal component relative to an njection-molded plastic component. The parts are so formed that contraction of the plastic subsequent to injection-molding grips the metal component tightly enough to hold said components in fixed position relative to each other so far as accidental relative displacement is concerned, while permitting relative motion when enough force is applied to overcome the frictional resistance threbetween. The mechanism is particularly suitable for use in focussing the camera, that is, changing the distance between the lens housing and the film plane.

Abstract: A camera is provided with an objective supported by a housing of the camera or movement along its optical axis. A movable member is guided by the camera housing for movement transversely with respect to the optical axis, and this movable member has a pair of inclined surfaces. These inclined surfaces are inclined both with respect to the optical axis and with respect to the direction of movement of the movable member. A pair of pressing members respectively press against the inclined surfaces of the movable member, a pair of springs acting on the pair of pressing members for urging them against the inclined surfaces, respectively, so that the latter surfaces are slidable with respect to the pressing members engaging the same.

Abstract: A camera which has the capability of making exposures according to apertu distance, and exposure-time settings and which can also make flash exposures is provided with a housing which carries an adjustable structure movable with respect to the camera housing to provide one of the above settings, this adjustable structure also having a flash position at which it can be set with respect to the camera housing. An electronic flash device is capable of being removably connected with the camera housing by way of a connecting structure carried in part by the flash device and in part by the camera housing. This electronic flash device has a normally open switch which must be closed to render the electronic flash device operative. A switch-operating member is movably carried by the camera housing for movement with respect thereto between a rest position and a switch-closing position where the switch-operating member cooperates with the switch of the flash device to close the latter switch.

Abstract: A camera housing of substantially conventional construction includes a lens housing guide member substantially normal to the camera housing along which the lens housing is slideably moveable. The lens housing includes means which cooperate with the guide member, the lens housing being axially displaceable relative to the camera housing along the guide member on the means. A biasing means connects the lens housing and the camera housing, and statically determines constant engagement between the guide member and means provided on the lens housing which cooperate therewith. A support bearing is journaled on a cam member which is mounted on the lens housing. The support bearing is slideable on a bearing surface provided in the camera housing. The camera housing includes a means having a camming surface which cams along the cam member on the lens housing so as to axially displace the lens housing relative to the camera housing along the guide member and against the bias provided by the biasing means.

Abstract: A shutter type flash camera is provided with novel means for synchronously setting the shutter drive thereof as the camera film transport mechanism is set to a next unexposed frame, while a flash cube mounting is simultaneously rotated to a next sequential position. The film transport mechanism includes an external gear rotatably mounted on the camera housing. In mesh therewith is a second gear having external and internal gearing. The mesh between the first and second gears occurs between the external gearing of both. Eccentrically mounted within the second gear is a smaller external third gear which meshes with the internal gearing of the second gear. A crescent shaped space is defined between the second and third gears. As the first gear mounted on the film transport mechanism is rotated counterclockwise, the second and third gears are correspondingly rotated in a clockwise position. Mounted on the underside surface of the second gear are a plurality of cams in relative spaced relationship.

Abstract: A drive device for film transport and shutter cocking lever for a camera se film has a hole associated with each picture frame position and having a film transport wheel coupled to a spool core wherein a first gear wheel is concentrically connected with a film transport wheel and a second gear wheel is seated and freely revolvable, wherein a carrier conveys a coupling gear wheel which in a first position of the carrier is simultaneously in engagement with the first and second gear wheels and out of engagement in a second position and wherein the engagement occurs in a manner depending upon the position of the shutter cocking lever, or in a manner depending upon the positon of a spring-loaded pawl. The pawl is pivoted by engagement against a moving surface driven by the second gear wheel and having notch recesses therein.

Abstract: The rear cover for a film camera pivotably connected at one end to the camera housing and connectable at its other end to the housing is provided with a lock for releasably connecting the connectable end of the rear cover to the camera housing. The lock comprises a bias integrally connected to the film viewing window secured in the rear cover of the camera and a latch cooperating with the bias for releasably connecting the connectable end of the rear cover to the camera housing. In a second aspect of the invention, a second bias is provided which is integrally connected to the film viewing window and releasably secures a battery cell to the rear cover of the camera. In a third aspect of the invention, a structure for securing a battery cell to the rear cover of the camera is provided which is integrally connected to the film viewing window located therein.

Abstract: A camera is provided with a camera shutter including two substantially planar plates longitudinally arranged and set in tandem. The plates are provided with exposure clearances and are longitudinally movable into successive overlying positions for aligning the exposure clearances thereof. Means are provided whereby the plates are longitudinally displaced by a rocker lever, the plates being respectively pivotally connected to opposed arms of the rocker lever for displacement, respectively, thereof.