Abstract A spring member is mounted in a photographic apparatus in a manner such that, in its rest position, it supports a striker element at a location closely spaced to the firing locus for the primer of a percussion-ignitable flashlamp. An operating mechanism is responsive to a continuous movement of a shutterrelease to energize and release the spring member creating sufficient inertia that the striker element moves into percussion impact with a flashlamp primer located at the firing locus. The striker element then returns quickly to the spaced location from the firing locus. In another embodiment restoring spring force and the inertia of the striker element propel the strike into a triggering zone to trigger release of a preloaded lamp firing element in a multilamp flash unit. The striker than returns to a position spaced from the trigger zone to allow indexing of the flash unit.
Apparatus for use in the firing of percussion-ignitable multilamp photoflash units of the type having a plurality of lamps each with a percussive primer and a preenergized firing element located in firing relation with respect to each flashlamp primer and openings into the unit for facilitating actuation of the firing elements, said apparatus comprising: a. means for detachably supporting a flash unit on said apparatus with a flashlamp located at a firing site; and b. a striker mechanism including a striker portion movable between an actuating zone whereat release of the firing element for a flashlamp at said firing site is effected and an energized position withdrawn from said actuating zone and a spring portion operatively associated with said striker portion and mounted with respect to said actuating zone so that in the deenergized condition of said spring portion said striker portion is spaced from said actuating zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for use in the firing of percussion-ignitable multilamp photoflash units of the type having a plurality of lamps each with a percussive primer and a preenergized firing element located in firing relation with respect to each flashlamp primer and openings into the unit for facilitating actuation of the firing elements, said apparatus comprising: a. means for detachably supporting a flash unit on said apparatus with a flashlamp located at a firing site; and b. a striker mechanism including a striker portion movable between an actuating zone whereat release of the firing element for a flashlamp at said firing site is effected and an energized position withdrawn from said actuating zone and a spring portion operatively associated with said striker portion and mounted with respect to said actuating zone so that in the deenergized condition of said spring portion said striker portion is spaced from said actuating zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention defined in claim 1 further wherein said striker portion includes means, movable into an opening in a supported flash unit, for releasing a firing element of the flash unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes an actuator member mounted for movement between a position within the opening of a supported flash unit and a position withdrawn from that flash unit, said actuator member having means for cooperating with said striker mechanism to effect movement of said actuator member to the position within the opening of supported flash unit in response to movement of said striker portion into said actuating zone.