Abstract: A waterproof structure includes a first member (front cover) having an elastically-deformable projection at one end and a second member (rear cover) having a contact surface capable of contacting outer and inner surfaces of the projection. When the first and second members are coupled to each other, the projection is depressed on the contact surface and deformed elastically. A contact portion of the projection and the contact surface forms a waterproof region to render a coupling portion of the first and second covers waterproof. Thus, no waterproof elastic member (packing) is required and accordingly no assembly step thereof is required.

Abstract: A shield device includes: a main body having an opening portion; a cylindrical member that is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening portion; and a shield member, an outer edge of which is engaged to an inner edge of the opening portion, and an inner edge of which is fitted upon an outer surface of the cylindrical member so as to be slidable thereon and so as to shield a gap between the main body and the cylindrical member. And the cylindrical member is movable through the opening portion in a direction of a central axis of the cylindrical member; at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member has a shape different from another portion thereof along the direction of the central axis; and the shield member contacts along the outer circumferential surface having the different shape, as the cylindrical member moves in the direction of the central axis.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a main body. A cassette holder chamber in the main body contains a photo film cassette. A roll holder chamber in the main body contains a roll of photo film drawn from the photo film cassette. A front cover of transparent resin covers a front of the main body. A rear cover covers a rear of the main body. The roll holder chamber has a top wall portion and an end wall portion disposed farther from the cassette holder chamber. A first light-shielding ridge is disposed to project forwards from the rear cover and to extend horizontally, overlapped with the top wall portion, for blocking entry of ambient light at the top wall portion. A second light-shielding ridge is disposed to project forwards from the rear cover and to extend vertically, overlapped with the end wall portion, for blocking entry of ambient light at the end wall portion. The second light-shielding ridge extends to the first light-shielding ridge.

Abstract: A waterproof camera includes a camera body having an actuation member that actuates an internal mechanism when pressed. A waterproof case is arranged to contain the camera body in a watertight fashion, with an opening arranged to face the actuation member and a stepped portion around the opening on an inside wall of the waterproof case. A resilient operation member having a button portion exposed to the outside through the opening has a mounting portion which fits on the stepped portion around the opening. The operation member can be resiliently deformed to press the actuation member when the button portion is depressed. A supporting member pushes the mounting portion against the stepped portion from inside the waterproof case, so as to secure the operation member. In one embodiment, the supporting member is fixed on the camera body.

Abstract: A camera, or an underwater camera in particular, includes a photo-taking optical unit for photo-taking an object, and a viewfinder optical unit for observing the object, wherein an antifogging film is applied to an inner side of an optical member which is disposed in an optical path of at least one of the photo-taking optical unit and the viewfinder optical unit and which comes into contact with an external medium relative to the camera.

Abstract: A waterproof housing for housing a device that is adapted to receive a sub-assembly. The waterproof housing includes a body having a wall. The wall includes an aperture. The aperture has dimensions corresponding to the sub-assembly. The aperture provides operative access to the device to allow it to receive the sub-assembly through the aperture. The waterproof housing is suitable for housing devices that may have compartments or portions which are to receive corresponding sub-assemblies. Such devices include, but are not limited to, film-based cameras that utilize film cartridges, digital imaging cameras that utilize replaceable data storage modules (RAM cards, magnetic media such as diskettes, etc.), video cameras that utilize magnetic tape cassettes, and devices that utilize batteries maintained in battery compartments.

Abstract: A camera has a rubber gasket arranged between a rear lid and a rear cover and including an engagement portion which is deformable in the direction in which the rear lid is closed and is put into tight engagement with the rear lid, and a fin portion which extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the rear lid is closed and which remains in contact with the edge portion of the opening of the rear cover. With this structure of the rear lid, the camera features watertightness and lighttightness.

Abstract: A self-resetting circuit includes a logic circuit operative to transition an output signal from a first logic state to a second logic state responsive to a first logic state transition of an input signal, along with a bistable reset circuit coupled to the logic circuit and operative to be triggered by the transition of the output signal from the first logic state to the second logic state to reset the output signal to the first logic state within a first predetermined interval following the transition of the output signal from the first logic state to the second logic state, and to be armed by a second logic state transition of the input signal next succeeding the first logic state transition, wherein the reset circuit is armed within a second predetermined interval following the second transition that is less than the first predetermined interval. Related operating methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A shield device includes: a main body having an opening portion; a cylindrical member that is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening portion; and a shield member, an outer edge of which is engaged to an inner edge of the opening portion, and an inner edge of which is fitted upon an outer surface of the cylindrical member so as to be slidable thereon and so as to shield a gap between the main body and the cylindrical member. And the cylindrical member is movable through the opening portion in a direction of a central axis of the cylindrical member; at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member has a shape different from another portion thereof along the direction of the central axis; and the shield member contacts along the outer circumferential surface having the different shape, as the cylindrical member moves in the direction of the central axis.

Abstract: A film camera system, includes a housing with a front end carrying an objective, and a housing wall formed with an opening, a film magazine, and a single connecting member having at least one bore for allowing passage of a film from the film magazine into the housing via the housing opening and vice versa. The connecting member is secured to the film magazine and can be so attached to the housing that the film magazine is selectively positionable with respect to the housing in a first position essentially above the housing and in a second position essentially at the rear end of the housing, while providing a light-tight cover for the housing opening in the first and second positions of the film magazine.

Abstract: A photographic film packaging unit (1) which is provided with a lens (2) and which comprises at least one device for making an exposure, and which comprises a light-tight film housing on which the taking lens (2) is mounted, a film cartridge (10) which is enclosed in the light-tight film housing and which contains an empty spool (13), and a rolled up film (12), one end of which is attached to the spool core of the empty spool (13), wherein the film packaging unit (1) contains a motive spring (14) which is tensioned before being put into operation and which acts on the empty film cartridge (10) so that after each exposure the motive spring is released to such an extent that the film (12) is wound into the film cartridge by one frame and the shutter is made ready for release again, is distinguished by its particular convenience of operation.

Abstract: A water-resistant push button switch of a water-resistant apparatus, includes: an opening formed on a body wall of the water-resistant apparatus; a water-resistant elastic member for preventing water from entering inside the water-resistant apparatus through the opening; an operational member positioned on an outer side of the water-resistant elastic member so as to be movable with respect to the body wall; an intermediate member positioned on an inner side of the water-resistant elastic member so as to be movable with respect to the body wall, the intermediate member being pressed by the operational member via the water-resistant elastic member when the operational member is depressed; and a switch which is operated by being pressed by the intermediate member via the water-resistant elastic member upon the operational member being pressed.

Abstract: An operation apparatus for a water proof device includes an operation member which is rotatably or slidably supported on an outer surface of a water tight casing of a water proof device, a water tight transparent window formed in the casing that is covered by the operation member, a reflection type photocoupler provided inside the transparent window, and a reflection code pattern provided on the surface of the operation member that is opposed to the transparent window. The reflection code pattern is provided with different reflectances for light emitted from the light emitter of the photocoupler, so that the amount of light to be received by the light receiver of the photocoupler can be varied in accordance with the operation position of the operation member.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera comprises an opaque main body part; a flash device on the main body part that provides flash illumination; a taking lens on the main body part; a light-transmitting outer cover having an opening for the flash device and an opening for the taking lens; and an opaque inner cover part, behind the light-transmitting outer cover, having an opening for the flash device that is aligned with the opening for the flash device in the light-transmitting outer cover, and including an opaque lens baffle for the taking lens that projects from the opaque inner cover part, through the opening for the taking lens in the light-transmitting outer cover, and protrudes from the light-transmitting outer cover to prevent the light-transmitting outer cover from transmitting flash illumination to the taking lens.

Abstract: A protective housing for a camera comprising a pouch for containing the camera which is constructed of flexible material having sufficient flexibility to allow the camera to be operated through the material when the camera is contained in the pouch, is characterized by a holder for partially enclosing the pouch which is constructed of flexible material that is less flexible than the material the pouch is constructed of in order to provide a relatively firm hand-held support for the pouch.

Abstract: A camera which includes a camera body, a rear cover, and a diopter adjusting mechanism having a diopter adjustment lens for a finder optical system, including: a diopter adjustment knob provided on the rear cover; a transmission member connected to the diopter adjustment knob so as to relatively move in the direction along the axis of rotation of the knob and not to relatively rotate thereto ; a biasing spring which biases the transmission member to project toward the camera body side; a lens association rotation member which is supported by the camera body so as to rotate about an axis identical to the axis of the knob and which moves the diopter adjustment lens in the optical axis direction, in accordance with the rotation of the lens association rotation member; and at least one rotation transmission projection and recess provided on one and the other of the transmission member and the lens association rotation member; the transmission member projects to a projected position close to the camera body when t

Abstract: A waterproof mechanism for cartridge holder 4 that moves between a housed position inside the camera body and a cartridge reception/removal position at which the cartridge insertion opening is exposed outside the camera body, wherein elastic sealing member 5, which comprises flat part 51 that is sandwiched between cartridge holder 4 and holder cover 6 when the latter is attached to the former and seal area 55 that is located along the edges of said flat part 51 and extends next to and all around the edges of the holder cover and that creates a watertight seal between the camera body and holder cover 6 when the cartridge holder is in the housed position, the flat part 51 and seal area 55 being integrally formed as one unit, is placed such that said elastic sealing member 5 will be sandwiched between cartridge holder 4 and holder cover 6 when the latter is attached to the former.

Abstract: An interchangeable camera system having a waterproof mount mechanism, and a photo-taking lens barrel and camera body used in the interchangeable-lens camera system. A large diameter part 2c which is provided on a lens-side mount surface 2a compresses a sealing member 6 in cooperation with a sealing surface 5c of a camera body 5 so that a gap between the lens-side mount surface 2a and the camera body 5 is sealed by the sealing member 6.

Abstract: A waterproof integumentary enclosure for electronic equipment, especially cameras and video cameras, is comprised of a thin transparent skin or membrane which enables submerged use of the equipment, provides a barrier to damaging water and particulate matter and simultaneously permits uninhibited access to and operation of audio, video and infra-red components of the equipment. The apparatus is comprised of three primary components including the integument, a support platform upon which the equipment is secured, and two embodiments of a combination air extraction and membrane closure means. Air within the system is withdrawn either manually or mechanically causing the membrane to collapse around and closely conform to the equipment thereby forming the integumentary barrier. Optional lens adapters are also included to improve filming quality and prevent condensation which might occur upon exposure of the system to temperature differences between air and water.

Abstract: A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera includes a camera body having an opening. An openable cover is connected to the camera body for opening and closing the opening, an elastic sealing member is provided on the cover and surrounding the opening, and a contacting surface is formed on the camera body around the opening, with which the sealing member comes into pressing contact when the cover is closed. The contacting surface includes a tapered surface formed such that an inner end of the tapered surface is closer to the cover than an outer end of the tapered surface.

Abstract: A watertight photographic single-use camera having a first and a second body shell that join together. The body shells comprise rigid polymer material and are adapted to receive a film transport device, a lens, a flash unit and a viewfinder. The first body shell forms the camera front section and the second body shell forms the camera rear section. A sealing means comprising an elastic polymer material is attached to an edge of at least one body shell that forms a joint and to at least one edge that forms a body opening. The elastic polymer material is attached by a multiple-component injection molding process and is connected to the body shell by chain looping (molecular entanglement) of the polymer material. As a result, the camera is dependably sealed against water and yet is inexpensive and simple to produce.

Abstract: A waterproof integumentary enclosure for electronic equipment, especially video cameras, is comprised of a thin transparent skin or membrane which enables submerged use of the equipment, provides a barrier to damaging water and particulate matter and simultaneously permits uninhibited access to and operation of audio, video and infra-red components of the equipment. The apparatus is comprised of three primary components including the integument, a support platform upon which the equipment is secured, and a combination air extraction and membrane closure means. The latter is comprised generally of an elongated tubular shaft rotatably mounted to the support platform. In operation, the shaft is rotated about the platform causing the membrane within to twist and seal itself about the exterior walls of an air evacuation tube.

Abstract: A watertight body for accommodating a photographic camera. The body has a first and a second body shell of rigid polymer material that can be joined together for accommodating a photographic camera. The body has sealing means comprising elastic polymer material provided by a multiple-component injection molding process on an edge of at least one body shell that forms the joint and on surface areas of the body shells. The elastic polymer material is connected to the body shell by chain looping (molecular entanglement) of the polymer materials. The result is that the body is reliably sealed against water and is nevertheless inexpensive and simple to manufacture. For a simple and correspondingly inexpensive recyclability of the body, the body shells can be crushed without separation of the polymer materials using known devices, with the resultant material mix being usable as an admixture for the manufacture of new camera components.

Abstract: A drip-proof mechanism in an apparatus which is operated by moving an operation member relative to a member that is adjacent to the operation member. The operation member includes a main unit which is substantially cylindrical shaped and rotatable with respect to the adjacent member, and an elastic member which covers the outer surface of the main unit. On each circumference of the elastic member, extensions are formed as a unit at both ends of said the operation member, and each extensions is elastically pressed against the adjacent member when the operation member is assembled with the adjacent member to prevent drip.

Abstract: A waterproof construction of a camera in which a portion of a member which is to be fixed to an exterior surface of a body frame of the camera is exposed from an opening provided on a body cover covering the body frame. In this construction, the member is retained to the internal surface of the body cover via a seal member such that a gap between the member and the body cover is sealed. The body cover retaining the member is attached to the body frame by screws.

Abstract: A camera casing provided with a flexible carry-strap which is secured to the camera casing to permit the carry-strap to extend as loop from the camera casing, is characterized in that an exterior elasticized overlay is arranged on the camera casing to serve as a ready hand grip for the camera casing and is integral with the carry-strap to make the carry strap similarly elasticized.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a frontmost lens, a lens supporting annular member for supporting the frontmost lens to prevent the frontmost lens from moving rearward from a predetermined axial position relative to the lens supporting annular member, a lens fixing ring for fixing the frontmost lens to the lens supporting annular member, an annular abutting surface which abuts against a circumferential portion of a front surface of the frontmost lens and is formed on the lens fixing ring and a coating applied to the annular abutting surface. The coating is positioned between said annular abutting surface and said circumferential portion to provide a substantially watertight seal.

Abstract: A water-resistant camera comprising a main body part and a rear cover part having a film clearance space between them to permit movement of successive sections of a filmstrip across a backframe opening in the main body part, and a water-resistant casing part spaced over the rear cover part, is characterized in that the water-resistant casing part has continuous stiffener-rib means which surrounds a limited portion of the water-resistant casing part that is opposite the film clearance space, for preventing the limited portion from being bent inwardly against the rear cover part to in turn bend the rear cover part inwardly into the film clearance space when the water-resistant camera is underwater.

Abstract: A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera including a camera body having an opening, an openable cover connected to the camera body for opening and closing the opening, an elastic sealing member provided on the cover and surrounding the opening, and a contacting surface formed on the camera body around the opening, with which the sealing member comes into pressing contact when the cover is closed. The contacting surface includes a tapered surface formed such that an inner end of the tapered surface is closer to the cover than an outer end of the tapered surface.

Abstract: A waterproof camera to which an interchangeable lens unit having a waterproof construction is mounted. The waterproof camera has a lens mount provided in a camera body and to which the interchangeable lens unit is removably mounted, a ring-shaped flange provided in the lens mount and which positions the interchangeable lens unit relative to the camera camera body, an engaging member provided at an outer circumference of the ring-shaped flange and which engages with the outer circumference of one end of the interchangeable lens unit, and a waterproof member which is in pressing contact with an area of engagement between the engaging member and the outer circumference of one end of the interchangeable lens unit and prevents water from penetrating in the area of engagement.

Abstract: An underwater camera comprising a water-resistant casing, a camera housing contained in the water-resistant casing, a manually rotatable thumbwheel positioned outside the water-resistant casing, and coupling means for rotationally coupling the thumbwheel to a film spool rotatably supported in the camera housing to permit the thumbwheel to be manually rotated to similarly rotate the film spool, is characterized in that the coupling means is a magnetic torque coupling including a driving ring of magnets fixed to the thumbwheel for rotation with the thumbwheel and a driven ring of magnets rotationally engaged with the film spool. The magnets of the driving ring and the magnets of the driven ring are magnetically coupled for synchronous rotation of the driving and driven rings to rotate the film spool when the thumbwheel is rotated.

Abstract: A water-resistant camera comprising a main body part having a rear back frame opening across which successive sections of a filmstrip are moved to be exposed, a rear cover part lighttightly covering the backframe opening, and a water-resistant casing part spaced opposite the rear cover part, is characterized in that the main body part has spacer projections separate from the backframe opening for abutting one side of the rear cover part which faces the backframe opening, to maintain a film clearance space between the backframe opening and the one cover part side for movement of successive sections of the filmstrip across the backframe opening, and the rear cover part has support projections aligned with the spacer projections, on another side of the rear cover part which faces the water-resistant casing part, whereby when water pressure tends to press the water-resistant casing part inwardly toward the rear cover part the support projections will cooperate with the spacer projections to prevent the water-resi

Abstract: A viewer and system for observing under water objects where conditions are turbid, characterized by a chamber open at one end adapted to interface with a field of view and closed by a window at the other viewing end where clear water is pumped into the chamber and displaces turbid waters therefrom, for high resolution viewing, ocularly or by objective camera lenses and with remote video monitoring, and providing a work chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic camera with a watertight body for receiving a film transport and film guidance unit, an object lens (13) and a viewfinder unit. Weatheproofing and watertightness are achieved in that the body comprises two body shells whose parting line formed in the assembled state is sealed by an all-round sealing means designed as an elastic endless weatherstrip visible from the outside.

Abstract: A container sidewall comprises a plurality of sections each section comprising an extruded aluminum post formed of a tubular rectangular tube having a pair of oppositely extending flanges coplanar with one of the tube broad sides and an aluminum plate riveted to each flange. An identical post interconnects the plates of adjacent sections. A reinforcing hat shaped rib is riveted to each plate midway between posts. The outer wall of the post tube is thicker than the inner wall which is the same thickness as the plates. The tube sides are thinnest to save weight. The plates are relatively thick to preclude damage during normal use. The tube is dimensioned to withstand transverse bending loads and bowing of the sidewalls to preclude damage in a rail car well.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel having a movable lens barrel which is movable in an optical axis direction, and an opening in which the movable lens barrel is movable in the optical axis direction. The zoom lens barrel further includes a moving frame to which the movable lens barrel is secured to move in the optical axis direction together with the movable lens barrel, and an intermediary member which is positioned between the movable lens barrel and the moving frame. The movable lens barrel is secured to the moving frame through the intermediary member.