Patent GB-1486260-A (GB)
Title: Photographic camera
IPC: G02B3/06
Filed: 1974-12-20
Abstract: 1486260 Cameras POLAROID CORP 20 Dec 1974 [26 Dec 1973 5 Dec 1974] 55212/74 Heading G2A A camera includes a conventional lens assembly 38, 74, 138 or 214 which effects a geometric reversing of an image along two orthogonal axes, and optical means for geometrically reversing the image along only one of said axes, the optical means being selectively movable into and out of alignment with the lens assembly for operation in respective first and second modes, whereby in one of the modes the image at a film unit has undergone an odd number of reversals and in the other mode the image has undergone an even number of reversals. The camera is thus adapted for use with film cassettes having film either of the type which effects a single reversal of the image or of the non- reversing type. In one embodiment, Fig. 1, to convert from one mode to the other a separate supplementary lens assembly 22 is detachably snap-fitted, at 32, 34, 36, to the camera 10 over the camera lens 38. The supplementary assembly includes three cylindrical lenses 24, 26, 28 which together effect a reversal about one of the orthogonal axes. In another embodiment, Fig. 9, the camera 70 comprises a conventional lens assembly 74 for effecting the reversal in two senses, a shutter 76, a second lens assembly 78 for effecting an image reversal about one only of the orthogonal axes, and an inclined mirror 82 which directs the image rays into the exposure aperture 87 of a film cassette 86 and effects a reversal about the other axis. The second lens assembly 78 is similarly to the supplementary assembly of Fig. 1 but rotated through 90 degrees. The assembly 78 is pivoted at 80 for selective manual displacement by a wheel 104 into or out of alignment with the lens assembly 74 in dependence upon the type of film in the cassette 86. The camera includes rollers 98, 100 between which the film is advanced after exposure by manually or motor operated means 102. The rollers apply a processing composition to the film after composure to produce a positive print. In a further embodiment, Fig. 10, a supplementary lens assembly 140 is pivotable, at 152, into and out of alignment with the fixed lens assembly 138. The pivotable assembly 140 carries a follower pin 156 bearing on an inclined surface 172 of a link 158 slidably mounted on pins 164, 166. The link 158 is biased by a spring 176 to the right to the broken line position in which the two lens assemblies 138, 140-are in alignment for use with a cassette with a film requiring an even number of reversals, the cassette being fitted through a pivoted door 124 in a chamber 122. When a cassette 86' with a film requiring an odd number of reversals is fitted in the chamber 122, a projection 182 on the cassette 86' bears on an inclined face 174 of the link 158 to displace the link 158 to the left to the full line position whereby lens assembly 140 is pivoted upwardly to an outof-use position. The camera 110 includes rollers 128, 130 which apply a processing composition to form a positive print. In a further embodiment, Fig. 11, a camera 200 with a fixed lens assembly 214 houses a pivoted mirror 264 which, in the position shown, effects a reversal in directing the image to a cassette 86 of the type requiring an odd number of reversals. Alternatively, a cassette 86 of the type requiring even reversals may be fitted into a different chamber and the mirror 264 is swung downwardly out of alignment with the lens assembly 214. The camera includes a printing roller assembly 246 which is displaced automatically with displacement of the mirror to co-operate with either of the cassettes 86, 86' as required.