Abstract: A camera is intended to be used with a multi-lamp flash wheel having flash lamps that are tilted from storage orientations to ignition orientations as the respective lamps are moved to behind a flash emission window. Tilting the flash lamp to its ignition orientation cocks a striker finger, which when released triggers flash ignition.

Abstract: A disk shaped passive magnetic damper incorporating a damper vane having spaced apart vertical and horizontal portions forming a castellated shape. Permanent magnets are positioned between the vertical portions of the damper vane for providing magnetic fields that interact with the vertical and horizontal portions of the damper vane. A keeper portion extends from one end of each magnet to a position over one adjacent horizontal vane member.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus, such as a camera, comprises a shutter and a heat sensitive element, for example a bimetallic beam or a fuse, for triggering opening of the shutter in response to being heated. A flash illumination source, such as flash bulb, is positioned adjacent the heat sensitive element. The heat generated during flash emission rapidly heats the heat sensitive element to trigger opening of the shutter in timed relation with flash emission.

Abstract: A device for controlling an amount of light allowed to reach a photosensitive surface includes a movable light regulating member, an electrically conductive coil mounted to move with the member, a first permanent magnet having a north pole located adjacent a first side of the coil, and a second permanent magnet having a south pole located adjacent the first side of the coil. The invention is characterized by third and fourth permanent magnets located adjacent a second side of the coil. A north pole of the third magnet is located opposite the south pole of the second magnet and a south pole of the fourth magnet is located opposite the north pole of the first magnet. When electrical current is passed through the coil in one direction, the member is moved in a first direction, and when electrical current is passed through the coil in another direction, the member is moved in a second direction.

Abstract: A core made of a soft magnetic material is supported to be movable, and a permanent magnet is mounted to move with the core. At least one electrically conductive drive coil is located adjacent the core and one pole of the permanent magnet. A casing, made of a soft magnetic material, is located adjacent to the drive. An electrically conductive sense coil is located adjacent one end of the core, such that when electrical current is passed through the drive coil in a first direction, the core is moved in a first direction and an electrical property associated with the sense coil is altered, thereby indicating the position of the core, and when electrical current is passed through the drive coil in a second direction, the core is moved in a second direction and an electrical property associated with the sense coil is altered, thereby indicating the position of the core.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator with position sensor includes a core made of a soft magnetic material, a permanent magnet located adjacent the core for providing a magnetic field in the core and an electrically conductive drive coil wrapped about a first portion of the core. The drive coil is supported such that the drive coil can move along the first portion of the core. An electrically conductive sense coil is wrapped about a second portion of the core and fixed relative to the core such that there is substantially no relative movement between the sense coil and the core. When an electrical current is passed through the drive coil, the drive coil moves along the first portion of the core and an electrical current is induced in the sense coil which indicates the position of the drive coil relative to the first portion of the core.

Abstract: A camera for use with a first group of successive flash lamps and with a second group of successive flash lamps, comprises a flash emission window and means for moving the first lamp group relative to the second lamp group to move the respective lamps of the first lamp group to a use position at the flash emission window and for moving the first and second lamp groups in unison after the respective lamps of the first lamp group have been used in order to move the respective lamps of the second lamp group to a use position at the flash emission window.

Abstract: In a camera, a circular array of flash lamps is arranged radially with respective ignition ends of the lamps closer to one another than respective opposite ends of the lamps. Each one of the lamps has respective ignition stems projecting from the ignition ends of the lamps to be struck to ignite the lamps. A one-piece reflector ring is located behind the circular array of lamps with respective disk portions of the reflector disk extending radially over each one of the lamps between the ignitions ends and opposite ends of the lamps to reflect flash illumination from the lamps non-radially. A one-piece striker ring is located behind the reflector ring and has respective striker fingers extending radially over the lamps for striking the ignition stems of the lamps. The circular array of flash lamps, the reflector disk and the striker ring are supported for simultaneous rotation to position respective trios of the lamps, the disk portions and the striker fingers successively behind a flash emission window.