Patent GB-1323932-A (GB)
Title: Photographic camera
IPC: G03B15/04
Filed: 1970-08-14
Abstract: 1323932 Photographic apparatus EASTMAN KODAK CO 14 Aug 1970 [14 Aug 1969] 39283/70 Heading G2A A photographic camera has a socket 150 for receiving a percussion - ignitable flash lamp unit, as shown a flash cube 20, and for locating a striker 98 thereof in a firing position, the camera also being provided with an actuating member 207 mounted for movement towards the firing position to release a striker 98 located therein, this movement resulting from actuation of a shutter release member 14, and return movement of the shutter release member 14 moving the actuating member away from the firing position. The camera is also provided with means for signalling, in its viewfinder, the condition of a flashlamp. Sequence of Operation. Insertion of a flash cube in the socket depresses a ring 153 thereof so as to pivot a pivotally mounted member 199 to the solid line position (Fig. 5), thereby pivoting a pivotally mounted element 201 to free a slidably mounted member 203. The latter remains in its raised (solid line) position by virtue of its engagement with control arm 29 of the release member 14. Depression of the release member 14 allows slidable member 203 to move down (as seen), thereby pivoting a lever 205 counter clockwise and raising the actuating member 207 to either of the positions b' or c', depending on whether the flashlamp in the firing position is operative or inoperative. If the flashlamp is inoperative, the positions c, c' are assumed by the lever 205 and the member 207, thereby closing a circuit to a lamp (66) Figs. 1 and 6 (not shown) visible in the camera viewfinder. If the flashlamp is operative, the member 207 assumes the position b', just touching the tensioned striker 98, while the lever 205 is in the position b. Further depression of the release member 14 causes a latch 38 to free a driver member 42 to open the shutter and to strike the lever 205. This rapid movement is transmitted to the actuating member 207, thereby freeing the striker 98 to fire the flashlamp 72. After an exposure is made, the release member 14 rises, bringing with it the latch 38 and the driver member 42. The slidable member 203 is raised by the arm 29, the lever 205 is returned to its position a by the action of member 203, and the actuating member 207 is retracted from the cube by means of the lever 205. The flash cube is indexed either manually or in association with film winding. The member 199 could include means accessible from the camera exterior for ejecting the lamp unit. Additionally or alternatively, an unused flash bulb could be signalled. Socket and Flashcube. The flashcube base 70 is provided with four slots 110 allowing the actuating member 207 access to each striker 98 in turn and with a supporting means 80 comprising a square central opening 116 having tapered splines 120 on its external surface 118. These splines 120 are received by cube orienting portions 189 at the corners of a central opening 185 in a cover member 155 of the socket. The socket base 151 has walls 163 with cut out portions 165 for supporting the slidable ring 153, and latching fingers 169 which engage surfaces 128 of recesses 126 of the means 80 on the flashcube, to hold the flashcube in the socket. The ring 153 has blades 177 defining cube contacting surfaces. A post 157 of the socket has a lower threaded portion 191 for rotatably securing the entire socket on the camera, and an upper portion 193 received within the means 80 to prevent tilting of the cube in the socket.