Abstract: A compact camera including a plurality of components and one mounting board having an upper surface and a lower surface and disposed inside the compact camera, near a top portion of the compact camera. The compact camera further includes a control circuit, mounted on the upper surface of the one mounting board, to control an operation of the plurality of components, a land portion disposed underneath at least one input device and mounted on the upper surface of the one mounting board, an IC element mounted on the lower surface of the one mounting board, a low power device disposed near the at least one input device and mounted on the lower surface of the one mounting board, and an inhibiting circuit mounted on the upper surface of the one mounting device, to inhibit an operation of the low power device when the at least one input device receives an operation input signal.

Abstract: A method of assembling a camera by attaching a cover part to another part to make the camera lighttight. According to the present invention, the cover part is attached to the other part at respective corresponding locations between opposite ends of each part to hold fast a film section between the two parts; and opposite ends of the two parts are attached to make the camera lighttight.

Abstract: A camera for use with a film cassette having a movable light lock supported within a film egress/ingress slot to be moved closed after a filmstrip is wound into the cassette, comprises a cassette-receiving chamber, and a movable driver to be moved to close the light lock before the cassette is removed from the chamber. An exterior ingress opening to the chamber is provided to admit an insertion tool into the chamber to push the cassette out of the chamber. The driver has a weakened portion and is located for the tool to push the driver to force the cassette out of the chamber. Fixed means is located to break the weakened portion during movement of the driver, whereby the camera will be disabled.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a taking lens, a film containing section, and an exposure unit secured in front of the film containing section. An exposure aperture is formed in the film containing section, which also includes a supply chamber and a take-up chamber. The supply chamber contains unexposed photo film. The take-up chamber is adapted to winding the photo film after exposure. The supply chamber and the take-up chamber are disposed beside the exposure aperture opposite to one another. The exposure unit includes a shutter device. An exposure tunnel is formed through the exposure unit and around a light path from the taking lens toward the exposure aperture, and protects the light path from ambient light. The exposure tunnel extends to the rear of the unit so that any of a variety of different exposure units can be used, depending on the focal length of the taking lens.

Abstract: A camera assemblage comprise a taking lens, a body section having a chamber and a front lens opening for the taking lens which is open to the chamber, and a light-baffle including a forward wall having an exposure opening and a plurality of baffle panels pivotably connected to the front wall for folding to fit the light-baffle into the chamber with the exposure opening behind the front lens opening. The forward wall is positioned to press the taking lens against the body section to clamp the taking lens within the chamber between the front lens opening and the exposure opening when the light-baffle is fit into the chamber.

Abstract: A back cover lock mechanism of a camera. The camera has a camera body that includes side walls, a front surface arranged to incorporate a photographing lens, and a back cover that is pivoted to the camera body. The back cover lock mechanism has a first hook member provided at a predetermined portion of the back cover, and a second hook member provided inside one of the walls of the camera body. The second hook member is arranged to detachably engage the first hook member. A covering member for movably supporting the second hook member is provided inside one of the side walls of the camera body. A supporting member supports the covering member, the supporting member being provided inside one of the side walls of the camera body so that the second hook member is placed between the covering member and one of the side walls, whereby the second hook member is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Abstract: The invention provides a camera body having an external surface for a photographers hand to grip the camera, the surface comprising a laminate of (1) an external first layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer bonded to (2) a second layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer which is, in turn, bonded to (3) a third layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer.The invention also provides a method of making a camera having an external surface suitable for a photographers hand to grip the camera, the method comprising forming the camera body or a camera part that is later attached to the camera body by using a preformed laminate.