Operating mechanism for mirror-reflex camera

Claim 2

A mirror-reflex camera including a mirror having a viewing position and a picture-taking position, and a shutter having an energized condition from which the shutter is releasable, the camera comprising: means displaceable a variable amount having a predetermined minimum for advancing film receivable in the camera a predetermined amount; a mirror pivoting mechanism coupled to the mirror and having an energized condition from which said pivoting mechanism is releasable with release of the shutter to move the mirror from the viewing position to the picture-taking position; means movable to energize said pivoting mechanism; control means for simultaneously displacing said film advancing means and moving said energizing means; and equalizing means for moving said energizing means a predetermined substantially constant distance when said film advancing means is displaced at least said minimum amount.

Claim 3

A mirror-reflex camera according to claim 1 wheRein said equalizing means comprises a cam having a profile for controlling the amount of movement imparted to said energizing means.

Claim 4

A mirror-reflex camera according to claim 2 wherein the means movable to energize said mirror pivoting mechanism follows the profile of the cam, and wherein the profile of said cam has an initial section of high pitch followed by a section of practically constant diameter, such that energy is imparted to said mechanism substantially only when said energizing means is engaged with said initial section regardless of further rotation of the cam.

Claim 5

A mirror-reflex camera according to claim 1 further comprising means fixed relative to the film advancing means displaceable to energize the shutter.

Claim 6

A mirror-reflex camera according to claim 4 wherein said means for energizing the shutter comprises linkage means and crank means, the crank means being connected to the film advancement means and coupled to the linkage means, the displacement of the crank means displacing the linkage means to effect energization of the shutter.

Claim 7

A mirror-reflex camera according to claim 5 wherein actuation of said control means is accomplished by displacing said control means from a first position to a second position, and including spring means for restoring said control means to the first position.

Claim 8

The invention according to claim 1 including resetting means for said mirror pivoting mechanism; and lever means connected intermediate between said control means and said resetting means for displacement by said cam means, the displacement of said lever means actuating said resetting means for energizing said mirror pivoting mechanism.

Claim 9

A mirror-reflex camera including a mirror having a viewing position and a picture-taking position, and a shutter having a cocked condition from which the shutter is releasable, the camera comprising: rotatable means for advancing film receivable in the camera a predetermined amount by rotation of said means a variable amount having a predetermined minimum; a mirror pivoting mechanism coupled to the mirror and having a cocked condition from which said pivoting mechanism is releasable with the shutter to move the mirror from the viewing position to the picture-taking position and back to the viewing position; movable control means mounted on said film advancing means for simultaneously rotating said film advancing means to advance film receivable in the camera, cocking the shutter, and cocking said mirror pivoting mechanism; cocking means coupled to said control means and displaceable to cock said mirror pivoting mechanism; and cam means movable with said control means and having a profile with an initial section of high pitch followed by a section of substantially zero pitch, said profile being engageable with said cocking means for displacing said cocking means by the same amount when said control means rotates said film advancing means by at least said minimum amount.

Claim 10

A mirror-reflex camera including a mirror having a viewing position and a picture-taking position, and a shutter having a cocked condition from which the shutter is releasable, the camera comprising: rotatable means for advancing film receivable in the camera a predetermined amount by rotation of said means a variable amount having a predetermined minimum; a mirror pivoting mechanism coupled to the mirror and having a cocked condition from which said pivoting mechanism is releasable with the shutter to move the mirror from the viewing position to the picture-taking position and back to the viewing position; movable control means mounted on said film advancing means for simultaneously rotating said film advancing means to advance film receivable in the camera, cocking the shutter, and cocking said mirror pivoting mechanism; cocking means coupled to said control means and displaceable to cock said mirror pivoting mechanism; and cam means movable with said control means and having a profile with an initial section of high pitch followed by a section of substantially zero pitch, said profile being engageable with said cocking means for displacing said cocking means by the same amount when said control means rotates said film advancing means by at least said minimum amount.