Torsion striking device for use in firing percussion-ignitable photoflash lamps

Claim 2

In photographic apparatus having a firing site and means for supporting a percussion ignitable photoflashlamp at said firing site, a firing device comprising: a spring mounted for torsional movement; striking means operatively associated with said spring and supported for movement into percussive contact with a lamp at said firing site in response to torsional restoring movement of said spring; means for torsionally distorting said spring in a direction creating restoring forces in said spring urging said striking means towards said firing site; means for restraining said striking means at a position spaced from said firing site; means for releasing said striking means after a predetermined torsional distortion of said spring permitting said striker to contact said lamp; and means associated with said distorting means for moving said striking means away from said firing site after contact with said lamp.

Claim 3

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said means for torsionally disTorting said spring includes the shutter driving member of said camera and said shutter driving member includes means for actuating release of said striking means.

Claim 4

In a camera, a device for use with photoflashlamps fireable by striking an impact receiving element located at a firing site, said device comprising: a spring mounted for torsional movement; striking means supported for movement in a striking path towards said firing site in response to torsional movement of said spring; means for torsionally distorting said spring urging said striking means towards said firing site; means for restraining said striking means at a position spaced from said striking site; means for releasing said striking means after a predetermined torsional distortion of said spring permitting said striker to move toward said firing site; and means associated with said distorting means for moving said striking means away from said firing site immediately after contact with said impact receiving element.

Claim 5

In a camera, a device for use with photoflashlamps fireable by striking an impact receiving element located at a firing site, said device comprising: a spring mounted for torsional movement; striking means supported for movement in a striking path towards said firing site in response to torsional movement of said spring; means for torsionally distorting said spring urging said striking means towards said firing site; means for restraining said striking means at a position spaced from said striking site; means for releasing said striking means after a predetermined torsional distortion of said spring permitting said striker to move toward said firing site; and means associated with said distorting means for moving said striking means away from said firing site immediately after contact with said impact receiving element.

Claim 6

In a camera, a device for use with photoflashlamps fireable by striking an impact receiving element located at a firing site, said device comprising: means for receiving such a photoflashlamp; an elongated torsion spring having a longitudinal axis and first and second opposed ends disposed transverse to said longitudinal axis; means for supporting said spring for rotation on its longitudinal axis; a striking element integral with said first end of said torsion spring and movable in a striking path towards said firing site in response to torsional movement of said spring; means for restraining said first end at a position spaced from said firing site; a control member mounted for movement in a first direction between first, second and third positions, said control member including: a first cam surface for engaging the second end of said spring during movement of said control member from said first to said second positions, said cam surface being shaped to cam said second end in a direction creating torsional restoring forces in said spring during such movement, means for engaging and actuating said releasing means as said control member moves through said second position, and a second cam surface for engaging the second end of said spring during movement of said control member from said second position to said third position, said second cam surface being shaped to cam said second end in a direction removing said striking element from said firing site; and means for moving said control member from said first position to said third position through said second position.

Claim 7

In a camera, a device for use with photoflashlamps fireable by striking an impact receiving element located at a firing site, said device comprising: means for receiving such a photoflashlamp; an elongated torsion spring having a longitudinal axis and first and second opposed ends disposed transverse to said longitudinal axis; means for supporting said spring for rotation on its longitudinal axis; a striking element integral with said first end of said torsion spring and movable in a striking path towards said firing site in response to torsional movement of said spring; means for restraining said first end at a position spaced from said firing site; a control member mounted for movement in a first direction between first, second and third positions, said control member including: a first cam surface for engaging the second end of said spring during movement of said control member from said first to said second positions, said cam surface being shaped to cam said second end in a direction creating torsional restoring forces in said spring during such movement, means for engaging and actuating said releasing means as said control member moves through said second position, and a second cam surface for engaging the second end of said spring during movement of said control member from said second position to said third position, said second cam surface being shaped to cam said second end in a direction removing said striking element from said firing site; and means for moving said control member from said first position to said third position through said second position.