Patent GB-1473206-A (GB)
Title: Photographic cameras
IPC: G03B15/04
Filed: 1974-10-03
Abstract: 1473206 Photographic cameras with flashlamps EASTMAN KODAK CO 3 Oct 1974 [3 Oct 1973] 42969/74 Heading G2A A photographic camera includes a rotatable socket 22 for receiving a percussion-ignitable flashlamp unit 10, rotatable by means of a film advancing mechanism; a sensing and actuating member 60 movable from a retracted position, upon insertion of a flash-lamp unit into a socket 22, into non-releasing engagement with a preenergized striker 14 located in a firing position, or to an extended position in the absence of a preengaged striker in the firing position; a first mechanism actuable by rotation of socket 22 for withdrawing the sensing and actuating member 60 out of the flash-lamp unit 10 to its retracted position during the rotation of the socket 22; and a second mechanism actuable in response to actuation of the film advancing mechanism 90 for withdrawing the sensing and actuating member 60 to its retracted position prior to withdrawal of the sensing and actuating member by the first mechanism. The flash-lamp unit 10 comprises a number of flash-lamps 12 mounted on a base, each having a striker 14 releasable to strike a primer 14 to ignite the flash-lamp. Unit 10 has a base 18 for engagement with the socket 22 in the camera. In Fig. 1, flash-lamp unit 10 is not engaged in the camera. A socket ring 24 is held in its upward position by a spring-biased control lever 30 pivoted at 32 and having a cam surface 36. A sensing lever 40, pivoted at 42, has a signal lug 50, an actuating and withdrawing arm 54, a sector gear 58, and a cam follower 46, which engages a cam surface 38 on control lever 30. In this position the actuating lug 56 is held out of the path of the arm 84 of an actuating lever 80, and signal lug 50 holds signal arm 104, against spring action, clear of the flag 102. A slide 60, movable by pins 62 and slots 64, and having a gear sector 68 meshing with gear sector 58, is held with its end 66 within the camera. Thus, with no flash-lamp unit 10 in the socket 22, the flash operating mechanism will not function. As shown in Fig. 2, a flash-lamp unit 10 has been inserted in socket 22, forcing the socket ring 24 down. Socket 24 engages cam surface 36 down, rotating control lever 30 against spring action, and so freeing cam follower 46 from cam surface 38. Sensing lever 40 can now rotate to mover sensing and actuating slide 60 until its end 66 engages the striker 14. Further, the lug 58 comes to a position in the park of arm 84 of actuating lever 80, and the signal lug 50 and signal arm 104 move to the left, but not sufficiently to operate the flag 102. The flash mechanism is now ready for operation. Pressing the shutter release operates a catch 88 to rotate lever 80, and the arm 84 thereof strikes a lug 56 on the actuating and withdrawing arm 54 so that sensing lever 40 turns against spring action, releasing the striker 14 from the end 66 of slide 60 by the action of sector gears 58, 68. After firing of the flash-bulb the parts take up the positions shown in Fig. 3: the arm 84 of lever 80 is held against a stop 81; sensing lever 40 returns under spring action so that lug 56 moves past the end 85 of arm 84; and signal lug 50 moves signal arm 104 further to the left. Flag 102 is operated so that it is visible in the view-finder, indicating that a dead bulb is in position. Winding of the film actuates a film advance slide 90, whereby the mechanism is reset, and the flashlamp unit 10 is rotated to bring a fresh bulb into position. If there is no striker 14 in position, flag 102 is visible in the view-finder, and the flash-bulb unit 10 may be rotated by hand until an unfired flash-bulb is brought into position, when flag 102 is withdrawn.