Abstract: A shutter apparatus includes a shutter base plate having an aperture, a blade group configured to open and close the aperture, a blade driving member configured to drive the blade group, a charge lever configured to rotate the blade driving member, a first roller which is attached to a first axis portion extending from the blade driving member and abuts against the charge lever, a cam member configured to rotate the charge lever, and a second roller which is attached to a second axis portion extending from the charge lever and is configured to trace a cam portion formed on the cam member. The cam member has a flange protruding from the cam portion to periphery of the cam member. And the cam member is arranged so that the second roller is overlapped with the flange in an extending direction of the second axis portion.

Abstract: After a shutter drive motor drives a shutter to a holding mode, if a first determination unit determines that a mirror is not ready to move to a mirror up mode, a control unit switches the shutter drive motor to a first braking mode. After the shutter drive motor is switched to the first braking mode, if the first determination unit determines that a mirror is ready to move to the mirror up mode before a second determination unit determines that the shutter drive motor is to be switched to a second braking mode, the control unit switches the shutter drive motor to an open mode until a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the first determination unit determined that the mirror was ready to move to a mirror up mode.

Abstract: When a blade drive spring has been overcharged when a second cam gear has caused a drive lever to move to a position beyond a position of attraction of an armature by a yoke, a blade lever does not contact the drive lever even if the blade lever has been driven in a direction of opening an aperture by a first blade and a second blade with an urging force of a blade return spring. When the second cam gear has moved to the attraction position form the overcharged position, the blade lever contacts the drive lever before the yoke starts attracting the armature by the attractive force.

Abstract: A shutter drive device includes a base member, an actuator, a first drive member, and a second drive member. The actuator is fixed to the base member and produces a driving force to drive the shutter mechanism. The first drive member is rotatably supported by the base member and configured to be rotated by the driving force. The second drive member is supported by the base member so as to be linearly movable in a first direction and configured to transmit the driving force of the actuator to the shutter mechanism. The first drive member has a gear component to drive the second drive member in the first direction, and a cam component configured to hold the second drive member in a specific position. The second drive member has a rack gear configured to mesh with the gear component, and a cam follower configured to contact the cam component.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a shutter spring which urges a shutter drive member for driving shutter blades, a shutter charge unit which is used to charge the shutter spring, and is switched between a fixed state in which a charge operation of the shutter spring is complete, and the shutter drive member is fixed and a released state, and a drive unit which drives the shutter charge unit. When a second determination unit determines that a switching ready state of a mirror from a mirror-down state to a mirror-up state is set when a first determination unit determines that a charge operation of the shutter spring is complete, the drive unit is controlled to drive the shutter charge unit to the released state without latch the shutter charge unit in the fixed state after the charge operation of the shutter spring is complete.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; blades capable of opening and closing the opening; a drive member movable between a start position and a terminal position, biased toward the terminal position, and driving the blades; a brake member supported to abut and move away from the drive member positioned at the terminal position, and biased to abut the drive member positioned at the terminal position; and a set member rotatable in only one direction, and moving the drive member from the terminal position to the start position; wherein the set member includes a drive portion abutting the brake member to move the brake member away from the drive member and then abutting the drive member to move the drive member toward the start position.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter device is disclosed that includes a shutter base plate, a front curtain, a first urging member, a rear curtain, a second urging member, and a charge mechanism. The shutter base plate defines an opening. The front curtain is moved between different positions by the first urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The rear curtain is moved between different positions by the second urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The charge mechanism applies a first force to resist an urging force by the first urging member and a second force to resist an urging force by the second urging member. The first force applied by the charge mechanism terminates at a different time than the second force applied by the charge mechanism.

Abstract: The focal-plane shutter apparatus includes a cam member and being rotated by a motor in one direction such that leading and trailing blade cams respectively make contact with leading and trailing blade driving members to drive them in a charging direction in which urging members are charged, and then to allow each of the leading and trailing blade driving members to move from a charge completion position to a blade drive standby position. Leading and trailing blade inclination portions of the cam member respectively allow each of the leading and trailing blade driving members to move from the charge completion position to the blade drive standby position. In a rotation direction of the cam member, a first angular area where the leading blade inclination portion is formed on the cam member is smaller than a second angular area where the trailing blade inclination portion is formed thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image pickup apparatus including: an image sensor; and a shutter device, wherein said shutter device includes a trailing curtain, a first driving member, a second driving member, first urging force applying means, and a charging member.

Abstract: In a single-lens reflex camera, the rotation center of a lever used for driving a shutter device is arranged rearward of a shutter device with respect to an optical axis, and the lever end (point of action) is arranged in front of the shutter device with respect to the optical axis. Thereby, compactness of the camera body can be realized.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a cam gear which can rotate counterclockwise to prepare for photographing. This rotation of the cam gear can cause a cam lever shaft to move from a first cam section that allows a shutter charging lever to be kept in a charged state, over a projection located near an end of the first section, to a second section configured to release the charged state. In conjunction with the movement of the cam lever shaft over the projection, the shutter charging lever momentarily moves from the charged position to an overcharged position, and then moves further to a pre-exposure retracted position.

Abstract: A shutter device includes a first light-blocking unit; a second light-blocking unit; a supporting member; and a charging member. The shutter device has a simple structure that does not require a designated interlocking mechanism between the shutter device and an external unit, and that allows the second light-blocking unit to be maintained in a state where a shutter aperture portion is open without having to hold the second light-blocking unit electrically. The supporting member is protrudable into a movement path of the second light-blocking unit to maintain the second light-blocking unit in a state where the shutter aperture portion is open. The supporting member protrudes into or recedes from the movement path of the second light-blocking unit in response to a movement of the charging member, which is provided for charging the first and second light-blocking units.

Abstract: A driving apparatus having a small charging load, capable of reducing the size of the appratus is disclosed. A present invention discloses a driving apparatus comprises a driving source, a driven member, an energizing member which energizes the driven member in a predetermined direction, a lever member rotatable by receiving the driving force from the driving source at an input portion, which contacts and charges the driven member and a main body which includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion and supports the lever member.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter for digital still cameras includes a first blade and a second blade, each having a plurality of arms and at least one blade component pivotally supported thereby; a driving member for the first blade, opening an exposure aperture through the first blade; a driving member for the second blade, closing the exposure aperture through the second blade; a retaining means for the first blade and a retaining means for the second blade, retaining individual driving members at positions where the exposure operation is started, immediately before the exposure operation is started, and releasing their retaining forces at preset timing when the exposure operation is started; and a cocking member for actuating the driving member for the second blade when moved from the initial position to the cocked position thereof, and actuating the driving member for the first blade in photography.

Abstract: A first blade is made up of two arms and three blades supported by the arms, wherein one of the arms is rotated in the clockwise direction by a driving pin pressing a pressed portion thereof only when a first-blade driving member is rotated by the force from a driving spring, and the other arm is reciprocally rotated by an output pin fit to a slot when a motor is reciprocally rotated. A second blade is made up of two arms and three blades supported by the arms, wherein one of the arms is reciprocally rotated by a driving pin fit to a slot when a second-blade driving member is reciprocally rotated. One of two action methods can be selected by determining a driving sequence for the first-blade driving member and the motor as to the first blade. Thus, the present invention provides a focal-plane shutter for a digital still camera which can take a picture with both the normally-open method and the normally-closed method.

Abstract: A camera mechanism comprises a shutter blade movable to uncover and cover an exposure aperture; a primary spring connected to the shutter blade to normally move the shutter blade to cover the exposure aperture, but susceptible of becoming disconnected from the shutter blade, and a substitute spring connected to the shutter blade to alternatively move the shutter blade to cover the exposure aperture when the primary spring becomes disconnected from the shutter blade.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera having a shutter mechanism; actuating means for actuating the shutter mechanism; and, an aperture selecting assembly that is movable from an initial mode position to at least a first mode position. Also disclosed is an aperture selector assembly that is coupled to the shutter actuating mechanism and includes a slide that is selectively movable from an initial mode position to one of a plurality of aperture selecting positions. During slide movement to the desired aperture setting, the strobe is energized and the energy to operate the shutter is stored in a spring. At the desired position, the selector slide is detented by a first clasping device until a shutter button is actuated for releasing the shutter and firing the strobe. A second clasping device becomes operative during shutter actuation to hold the slide in position even though the detent of the first clasping device has been released.

Abstract: An electronic image pickup apparatus comprises a shutter having a shielding member which can be inserted into or removed from an optical path of an optical system for forming an image of an object on a light receiving surface of an image pickup element, an inserting/removing mechanism for inserting or removing the shielding member into or from the optical path, a driver for driving the inserting/removing mechanism, and a manipulator for operating the inserting/removing mechanism by a driving system other than the driver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shutter release apparatus for use in a camera for capturing images on a perforated film. The shutter release apparatus has a rotatable thumb wheel movable along an axis between a start position and a trigger position. A sprocket is provided having teeth to engage perforations on the film and to move therewith during film winding. A biased lever is moved by the sprocket against the bias from a position holding the thumb wheel in the start position to a position releasing the thumb wheel for urged movement into the trigger position. The thumb wheel blocks biased movement of the lever when the thumb wheel is in the trigger position and movement of the thumb wheel from the trigger position to the start position releases the lever for biased movement to drive the shutter to expose the film.

Abstract: A double-shielding type focal-plane shutter has a closing blade and an opening blade for closing and opening a shutter opening to perform an exposure operation. A closing lever and an opening lever drive the closing blade and the opening blade, respectively. The closing lever has a first closing lever and a second closing lever supported coaxial with each other for undergoing pivotal movement. The second closing lever has a drive portion at a first end thereof for driving the closing blade and an engagement portion at a second end thereof. A lock lever restricts movement of the closing lever. The lock lever has a first mating engagement portion for engaging the engagement portion of the second closing lever in the predetermined position of the closing lever, and a second mating engagement portion for engaging the engagement portion of the second closing lever short of the predetermined position thereof.

Abstract: An actuator applied with shape memory alloy which can be operated in a wide operating temperature range and has a long life time. At a normal ambient temperature, when the first wire of the acting member made of shape memory alloy in which predetermined shape is memorized in advance, is heated, it is transformed to the memorized shape to enable the acting member to be moved. A relative low stress is generated at the first wire and its life-time is not shortened. In the case that the ambient temperature is increased to exceed a transformation starting temperature of the shape memory alloy, the second wire of shape memory alloy is transformed to the memorized shape to generate a high stress at the first wire and to increase the transformation starting temperature of the first wire. With such an arrangement as above, it is possible to operate the actuator applied with the shape memory alloy in a wide operating temperature range.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera having a shutter mechanism; actuating means for actuating the shutter mechanism; and, an aperture selecting assembly that is movable from an initial mode position to at least a first mode position. Also disclosed is an aperture selector assembly that is coupled to the shutter actuating mechanism and includes a slide that is selectively movable from an initial mode position to one of a plurality of aperture selecting positions. During slide movement to the desired aperture setting, the strobe is energized and the energy to operate the shutter is stored in a spring. At the desired position, the selector slide is detented by a first clasping device until a shutter button is actuated for releasing the shutter and firing the strobe. A second clasping device becomes operative during shutter actuation to hold the slide in position even though the detent of the first clasping device has been released.

Abstract: There are provided a driving device and a camera which are compact in size and inexpensive even with the use of two motors, which allow relevant mechanisms to be laid out freely to thereby simplify motor controlling sequences, and which ensure positive power transmission operations even upon abnormal load change during film rewinding. First and second planetary mechanisms are responsive to rotation of a first motor in a desired direction, for revolving in a direction corresponding to the desired direction to transmit a driving force of the first motor. A first driving system is disposed to have the driving force of the first motor transmitted thereto via the first planetary mechanism when the first motor rotates in a first direction. A second driving system is disposed to have the driving force of the first motor transmitted thereto via the first planetary mechanism when the first motor rotates in a second direction.

Abstract: A camera comprises a film feed device (9) for feeding a light-sensitive film arranged in the camera, a photographic shutter (10) for the image-forming exposure of the light-sensitive film and arranged in the optical path for the image recording, and a shutter release device (300) which before the shutter release adopts a readiness position and after the shutter release adopts a disengaged position and which has a spring reservoir (314, 315) that is tensioned by adjusting the shutter release device from the readiness position to the disengaged position in order to actuate the shutter (10), wherein the spring reservoir (314, 315) of the shutter release device (300) is not tensioned in the readiness position and in the disengaged position thereof and a return of the shutter release device (300) from the disengaged position to the readiness position is controlled by a control device (104, 106) that moves when feeding the film.

Abstract: A camera comprises a film feed device (9) for feeding a light-sensitive film arranged in the camera, a shutter release device (300) for releasing a photographic shutter (10) of the camera for the image-forming exposure of the film, and a feed locking device (200) which under the action of a spring reservoir (208) can be converted depending on the film forward feed by in each case one frame into a locking position that locks the film feed device (9) and can be converted depending on the actuation of the shutter release device (300) into a release position that unlocks the film feed device (9), whereby the spring reservoir (208) is detensioned when the feed locking device (200) is in the locking position and when it is converted into the release position, and the spring reservoir (208) is increasingly tensioned by a control device (104, 106) that moves on feeding the film, during the film feed by the length of one frame that in each case follows a release of the shutter.

Abstract: A camera has a first charge mechanism for charging a mirror, a second charge mechanism for charging an aperture diaphragm, a third charge mechanism for charging a shutter, an exposure preparation mechanism for performing an exposure preparation operation in response to a releasing operation, a selector for distinguishing between single-shot photographing and continuous photographing, a first detector for detecting completion of charging of the mirror, a second detector for detecting completion of charging of the aperture diaphragm, a third detector for detecting completion of charging of the shutter, and a controller for executing a flow of control such that, when the selector detects continuous photographing being performed and in addition the first and second detectors detect completion of charging of the mirror and the aperture diaphragm, the exposure preparation operation is started irrespective of the result of detection by the third detector.

Abstract: A motor-driven single-lens reflex camera which controls and executes, through forward and reverse rotation of a single motor, a mirror up/down operation and a shutter charge operation by a mirror/shutter driving system, and also a film winding/rewinding operation by a film feeding system. The mirror up and the shutter charge release operations are executed through forward rotation of the motor, and the mirror down, the shutter charge and the film winding/rewinding operations are executed through reverse rotation of the motor. Thus the speedy film feeding after exposure can be made without stopping or reversing drive of the motor.

Abstract: A camera comprising a shutter blade supported to move open to expose a frame on a filmstrip, a shutter actuator supported for movement to move the shutter blade open and for movement to be re-cocked, an actuating spring for urging the shutter actuator to move the shutter blade open, and a metering/re-cocking member having a metering pawl for engaging the filmstrip at a perforation during exposure of the frame, is characterized in that the metering/re-cocking member has a re-cocking portion and is supported for movement to move the re-cocking portion against the shutter actuator to move the shutter actuator to be re-cocked, a film tensioning spring urges the metering/re-cocking member, when the metering pawl engages the filmstrip at a perforation, to prevent the frame being exposed from shifting during exposure, and the shutter actuator is supported for movement to be spaced from the metering/re-cocking member, when the shutter actuator is re-cocked, to prevent the actuating spring from exerting any influence

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for preventing the deviation of a focal plane shutter are disclosed. The apparatus has a back cover switch, a control unit and a shutter driver. The apparatus and method prevents the deviation of the focal plane shutter blade by opening the focal plane shutter when a back cover opens. The focal plane shutter is restored to an initial focal plane shutter state after the back cover is closed.

Abstract: A magnification change-over device is arranged to be highly suitable for a camera of the kind having a photo-taking lens and a viewfinder arranged independently of each other. The device includes the photo-taking lens having an image magnification which is variable; the viewfinder which is arranged to have an image magnification thereof also variable; an operating device for varying the image magnification of the viewfinder; a detecting device for detecting the magnifying state of the viewfinder; and a driving apparatus for driving the photo-taking lens according to a detection signal of the detecting device when a shutter release operation is performed. After a magnification setting operation is performed on the viewfinder, the change-over device changes the magnification of the photo-taking lens according to the magnification of the viewfinder when a photographing operation is actually performed.

Abstract: A camera shutter is capable of switching between a spring-drive mode and a motor-drive mode through a single electromagnet without performing an exposure operation. A control circuit controls a stepping motor for rotating a driving ring and the electromagnet for controlling the opening and closing operations of the diaphragm. A control circuit operates in a mode in which a first switch is turned ON, and in another mode in which a second switch is turned ON. When the first and second switches are turned ON, a normal photographing operation can be performed. However, when the first switch is turned ON and then OFF while keeping the second switch OFF, a power supply stop signal is transmitted to the electromagnet so that a closing sector is released from its restrained condition allowing the shutter to return to its initial state.

Abstract: A cocking apparatus for moving a lever between a cocked position and a rest position. In a camera, the lever may be used to momentarily move a shutter member away from a lens opening of a camera. The cocking apparatus includes a drive gear, a driven gear having a contact surface for cooperation with the lever, and a resilient member biasing the lever in the rest position. The driven gear is biased in a first position wherein the drive gear and driven gear define a plane. A tooth portion of the driven gear, meshable with gear teeth of the drive gear when the drive gear and driven gear define the plane, effects pivoting of the lever from the rest position to the cocked position. A cam surface disposed on the driven gear translates the driven gear along its rotational axis to space the driven gear from the drive gear when the lever moves from the cocked position to the rest position.

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 shutter charge device is used with photo film and charges a shutter device. The photo film includes plural groups of perforations formed along one edge thereof. The groups are arranged at the predetermined pitch of the frames. Each of the groups includes two perforations disposed closely to one another at a predetermined distance. A driven sprocket wheel is meshed intermittently with the perforations in the photo film, and rotated by a predetermined amount while the photo film is wound as long as one of the frames. A rotatable member is rotated in integral fashion with the sprocket wheel by the predetermined amount, and charges the shutter device. A retainer lever is engaged with the rotatable member rotated by the predetermined amount, and locks the sprocket wheel to block movement of the photo film. The retainer lever is disengaged from the rotatable member upon releasing of the shutter device, and unlocks the sprocket wheel to allow it to rotate.

Abstract: A camera includes a film drive motor, that connected through a series of gears, drives a bi-directional moving control element. The moving control element is, in turn, mechanically linked to a shutter striker, shutter striker release mechanism, lens focus mechanism and aperture control mechanism. The film drive motor also drives a film advance gear mechanism and a film rewind gear mechanism. Under the control of an electronic control system, by selectively changing the rotation direction of the film advance motor, and hence the direction of travel of the moving control element, the moving control element is first driven in the forward direction to sequentially move a shutter striker to a cocked position and then to set a preferred picture taking position for the lens focusing mechanism and an aperture control mechanism.

Abstract: In a fuel bundle for use in the core of a boiling water nuclear reactor, part length rods having a tendency to reduce pressure drop are used in combination with spacers and spacer attached devices tending to restore pressure drop to improve critical power. The addition of the part length rods has the advantage of lowering the pressure drop. Attached devices substantially recapture the pressure drop. Exemplary spacer attached mechanisms for the recapture of pressure drop are set forth including vanes--preferably swirl vanes on the spacers, decreasing the spacer pitch to increase the total number of spacers in the upper two phase region of the fuel bundle, increasing the vertical height of the spacers, and increasing the thickness of the metal from which the spacers are constructed. Two classes of separation devices are disclosed for placement in the volume overlying the end of the partial length fuel rods.