Patent ID: 6554497
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
A compact camera comprising:a camera body having a taking lens and a cartridge chamber for holding a photo film cartridge; a cartridge chamber lid for opening and closing said cartridge chamber to outside of said camera body; a flash projector mounted on said camera body to be movable between a stowed position where said flash projector is stowed in a recess formed above said taking lens, and a flashing position where a front face of said flash projector is directed toward a photographic subject, said flash projector being urged to move to said flashing position; a camera case attached to a camera body and slidable on said camera body between a resting position covering said taking lens, said flash projector and said cartridge chamber lid, a working position uncovering said taking lens and said flash projector but covering said cartridge chamber lid, and a cartridge changing position uncovering said cartridge chamber lid to enable loading or unloading said photo film cartridge; a first locking mechanism for locking said camera case to stop at said working position while said camera case is moving from said resting position to said cartridge changing position; a first unlocking mechanism for unlocking said camera case from said first locking mechanism; a second locking mechanism for locking said camera case to stop at said working position while said camera case is moving from said cartridge changing position to said resting position; and a second unlocking mechanism for unlocking said camera case from said second locking mechanism.