Folding camera

Claim 2

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: exposure means; a housing including at least first and second sections; one of said housing sections including means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure to light from said exposure means; said sections being movable relative to one another between a folded position and an erect position in which said sections define sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light from said exposure means to a photosensitive element located in position for exposure and said exposure means are located relative to said one housing section in position to transmit light from a subject to said photosensitive element; support means coupled between said sections for supporting said sections in said erect position; and auxiliary means mounted on said support means for movement relative to said housing sections between a storage position and an operative position wherein said auxiliary means are predeterminately oriented with respect to said exposure means to receive light from or direct toward a subject located with respect to said exposure means in position to be photographed by said camera.

Claim 3

A camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing sections include portions providing an external recess for containing said auxiliary means in said folded position of said camera

Claim 4

A camera as defined in claim 2 wherein said recess is located externally of said housing at one extremity thereof.

Claim 5

A camera as defined in claim 2 wherein said camera housing, in said folded position, assumes substantially the form of a relatively thin parallelpipedon with said auxiliary means defining an outer portion of said camera housing.

Claim 6

A camera as defined in claim 4 wherein said auxiliary means are in the form of a parallelpipedon.

Claim 7

A camera as defined in claim 2 including pivot means coupling said housing sections to one another for pivotal movement between said folded and erect positions.

Claim 8

A camera as defined in claim 6 wherein said recess is located externally of said housing near one extremity of said first housing section and said pivot means.

Claim 9

A camera as defined iN claim 6 wherein said first and second housing sections are pivotally connected adjacent one extremity thereof, said camera includes a third housing section defining a side of said lighttight chamber pivotally connected to said first housing section near the opposite extremity thereof and a connecting member coupled between said third housing section and said second housing section.

Claim 10

A camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said exposure means are adjustable to vary a parameter of the exposure and said auxiliary means include photoresponsive means for receiving light from said subject in said erect position of said camera, said camera including means coupling said photoresponsive means with said exposure means to adjust said exposure means and vary said exposure parameter.

Claim 11

A camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said support means include a pair of support members each coupled, in said erect position, near one end of said support member to one of said housing sections and intermediate its end to the other of said housing sections and said auxiliary means are mounted on said support members near the other ends thereof.

Claim 12

A camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary means include electrical means operative in combination with said exposure means to determine exposures, said camera including electrically conductive means associated with said support means electrically coupling said electrical means and said exposure means.

Claim 13

A camera as defined in claim 11 wherein said conductive means are carried at least in part by movable components of said support means and maintain electrical coupling between said electrical means and said exposure means during movement of said sections and said auxiliary means relative to one another.

Claim 14

A camera as defined in claim 11 wherein said electrical means include a component or light-producing means for illuminating a subject being photographed, said component being required to be operated in synchronism with said exposure means.

Claim 15

A camera as defined in claim 11 wherein said exposure means are adjustable to vary a parameter of the exposures made thereby and said electrical means include photoresponsive means for receiving light from said subject in said erect position of said camera.

Claim 16

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: exposure means; a housing including at least first and second sections; one of said housing sections including means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure to light from said exposure means; said sections being movable relative to one another between a folded position and an erect position in which said sections define sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light from said exposure means to a photosensitive element located in position for exposure and said exposure means are located relative to said one housing section in position to transmit light from a subject to said photosensitive element; support means coupled between said sections for supporting said sections in said erect position; means mounted on said support means for movement between a storage position and an operative position wherein the last-mentioned means are predeterminately oriented with respect to said exposure means to receive light from or direct light toward a subject located with respect to said exposure means in position to be photographed by said camera; said housing sections including portions providing an external recess for containing said last-mentioned means in said folded position of said camera, said last-mentioned means being manually engageable in said folded position to move said sections into said erect position.

Claim 17

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: exposure means; a housing including at least first and second sections; one of said housing sections including means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure to light from said exposure means; said sections being movable relative to one another between a folded position and an erect position in which said sections define sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light from said exposure means to a photosensitive element located in position for exposure and said exposure means are located relative to said one housing section in position to transmit light from a subject to said photosensitive element; support means coupled between said sections for supporting said sections in said erect position; means mounted on said support means for movement between a storage position and an operative position wherein the last-mentioned means are predeterminately oriented with respect to said exposure means to receive light from or direct light toward a subject located with respect to said exposure means in position to be photographed by said camera; said housing sections including portions providing an external recess for containing said last-mentioned means in said folded position of said camera, said last-mentioned means being manually engageable in said folded position to move said sections into said erect position.

Claim 18

A camera as defined in claim 15 wherein said recess is formed in said second housing section and the latter includes means for releasably retaining said last-mentioned means in said recess.

Claim 19

A camera as defined in claim 16 wherein said support means include means for engaging and retaining said Second housing section in said folded position.

Claim 20

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: a housing including first, second, and third sections; said first and second housing sections being pivotally connected to one another adjacent one extremity of said first section, said third housing section being pivotally connected to said first housing section near the opposite extremity thereof; a connecting member coupled between said second and third housing sections; exposure means mounted in said third housing section; said first housing section including means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure to light from said exposure means; means mounted in said second housing section for directing light from said exposure means toward a photosensitive element positioned for exposure within said housing; said sections and said connecting member being movable relative to one another between a folded position and an erect position in which said sections define sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light from said exposure means to a photosensitive element located in position for exposure and said exposure means are located relative to said first and second housing sections in position to transmit light from a subject to the photosensitive element; support means coupled between said first and second housing sections for supporting said housing sections in said erect position; and means mounted on said support means for movement between a storage position and an operative position wherein the last-mentioned means are predeterminately oriented with respect to said exposure means to receive light from or direct light toward a subject located in position to be photographed by said camera.

Claim 21

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: a housing including first, second, and third sections; said first and second housing sections being pivotally connected to one another adjacent one extremity of said first section, said third housing section being pivotally connected to said first housing section near the opposite extremity thereof; a connecting member coupled between said second and third housing sections; exposure means mounted in said third housing section; said first housing section including means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure to light from said exposure means; means mounted in said second housing section for directing light from said exposure means toward a photosensitive element positioned for exposure within said housing; said sections and said connecting member being movable relative to one another between a folded position and an erect position in which said sections define sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light from said exposure means to a photosensitive element located in position for exposure and said exposure means are located relative to said first and second housing sections in position to transmit light from a subject to the photosensitive element; support means coupled between said first and second housing sections for supporting said housing sections in said erect position; and means mounted on said support means for movement between a storage position and an operative position wherein the last-mentioned means are predeterminately oriented with respect to said exposure means to receive light from or direct light toward a subject located in position to be photographed by said camera.

Claim 22

A camera as defined in claim 18 wherein the last-mentioned means include a reflector.

Claim 23

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: a housing including first, second, and third sections; said first and second housing sections being pivotally connected to one another adjacent one extremity of said first section, said third housing section being pivotally connected to said first housing section near the opposite extremity thereof; a connecting member coupled between said second and third housing sections; exposure means including an adjustable focus optical system mounted in said third housing section; said first housing section including means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure to light from said exposure means; means mounted in said second housing section for directing light from said exposure means toward a photosensitive element positioned for exposure within said housing; said sections and said connecting member being movable relative to one another between a folded position and an erect position in which said sections define sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light from said exposure means to a photosensitive element located in position for exposure and said exposure means are located relative to said first and second housing sections in position to transmit light from a subject to the photosensitive element; support means coupled between said first and second housing sections for supporting said housing sections in said erect position; means mounted on said support means for movement between a storage position and an operative position wherein the last-mentioned means are predeterminately oriented with respect to said exposure means to receive light from or direct light toward a subject located in position to be photographed by said camera; and means coupled with said last-mentioned means for adjusting the focus of said optical system.

Claim 24

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: a housing including first, second, and third sections; said first and second housing sections being pivotally connected to one another adjacent one extremity of said first section, said third housing section being pivotally connected to said first housing section near the opposite extremity thereof; a connecting member coupled between said second and third housing sections; exposure means including an adjustable focus optical system mounted in said third housing section; said first housing section including means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure to light from said exposure means; means mounted in said second housing section for directing light from said exposure means toward a photosensitive element positioned for exposure within said housing; said sections and said connecting member being movable relative to one another between a folded position and an erect position in which said sections define sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light from said exposure means to a photosensitive element located in position for exposure and said exposure means are located relative to said first and second housing sections in position to transmit light from a subject to the photosensitive element; support means coupled between said first and second housing sections for supporting said housing sections in said erect position; means mounted on said support means for movement between a storage position and an operative position wherein the last-mentioned means are predeterminately oriented with respect to said exposure means to receive light from or direct light toward a subject located in position to be photographed by said camera; and means coupled with said last-mentioned means for adjusting the focus of said optical system.

Claim 25

A camera as defined in claim 20 wherein said last-mentioned means include a rangefinder.

Claim 26

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: a housing including first, second, and third sections; said first and second housing sections being piVotally connected to one another adjacent one extremity of said first section, said third housing section being pivotally connected to said first housing section near the opposite extremity thereof; a connecting member coupled between said second and third housing sections; exposure means mounted in said third housing section; said first housing section including means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure to light from said exposure means; means mounted in said second housing section for directing light from said exposure means toward a photosensitive element positioned for exposure within said housing; said sections and said connecting member being movable relative to one another between a folded position and an erect position in which said sections define sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light from said exposure means to a photosensitive element located in position for exposure and said exposure means are located relative to said first and second housing sections in position to transmit light from a subject to the photosensitive element; support means coupled between said first and second housing sections for supporting said housing sections in said erect position; and means mounted on said support means for movement between a storage position and an operative position wherein the last-mentioned means are predeterminately oriented with respect to said exposure means to receive light from or direct light toward a subject located of in position to be photographed by said camera; said connecting member being constructed and arranged to engage said last-mentioned means in said erect position for orienting said last-mentioned means with respect to said exposure means.

Claim 27

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: a housing including first, second, and third sections; said first and second housing sections being piVotally connected to one another adjacent one extremity of said first section, said third housing section being pivotally connected to said first housing section near the opposite extremity thereof; a connecting member coupled between said second and third housing sections; exposure means mounted in said third housing section; said first housing section including means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure to light from said exposure means; means mounted in said second housing section for directing light from said exposure means toward a photosensitive element positioned for exposure within said housing; said sections and said connecting member being movable relative to one another between a folded position and an erect position in which said sections define sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light from said exposure means to a photosensitive element located in position for exposure and said exposure means are located relative to said first and second housing sections in position to transmit light from a subject to the photosensitive element; support means coupled between said first and second housing sections for supporting said housing sections in said erect position; and means mounted on said support means for movement between a storage position and an operative position wherein the last-mentioned means are predeterminately oriented with respect to said exposure means to receive light from or direct light toward a subject located of in position to be photographed by said camera; said connecting member being constructed and arranged to engage said last-mentioned means in said erect position for orienting said last-mentioned means with respect to said exposure means.

Claim 28

A camera as defined in claim 22 wherein said last-mentioned means include an optical viewfinder for orienting said camera with respect to a subject to be photographed.

Claim 29

A camera as defined in claim 22 wherein said last-mentioned means include at least a component of light-producing means for illuminating a subject being photographed.

Claim 30

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: a housing including first, second, and third sections pivotally coupled with one another; exposure means mounted in said third housing section and including an optical system having an axis, for transmitting light from the subject being photographed along said axis; said first housing section including means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure to light from said exposure means; means mounted in said second housing section for directing light from said exposure means toward a photosensitive element positioned for exposure within said housing; said sections being pivotable relative to one another between a folded position and an erect position in which said sections define sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light from said exposure means to a photosensitive element located in position for exposure and said exposure means are located relative to said first and second housing sections in position to transmit light from a subject to the photosensitive element; support means coupled between said first and second housing sections for supporting said housing sections in said erect position; and light-transmitting means having an axis and being adapted to transmit light from said subject along said axis, said light-transmitting means being mounted on said support means for movement between a storage position and an operative position wherein said axis of said optical system and said light-transmitting means are in substantially parallel relation.

Claim 31

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: a housing including first, second, and third sections pivotally coupled with one another; exposure means mounted in said third housing section and including an optical system having an axis, for transmitting light from the subject being photographed along said axis; said first housing section including means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure to light from said exposure means; means mounted in said second housing section for directing light from said exposure means toward a photosensitive element positioned for exposure within said housing; said sections being pivotable relative to one another between a folded position and an erect position in which said sections define sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light from said exposure means to a photosensitive element located in position for exposure and said exposure means are located relative to said first and second housing sections in position to transmit light from a subject to the photosensitive element; support means coupled between said first and second housing sections for supporting said housing sections in said erect position; and light-transmitting means having an axis and being adapted to transmit light from said subject along said axis, said light-transmitting means being mounted on said support means for movement between a storage position and an operative position wherein said axis of said optical system and said light-transmitting means are in substantially parallel relation.

Claim 32

A camera as defined in claim 25 including a connecting member coupled between said third housing section and said second housing section, said connecting member engaging said light-transmitting means for locating said axis thereof in parallel relation with said axis of said optical system when said camera is in said Erect position.

Claim 33

A camera as defined in claim 25 wherein said exposure means include an adjustable focus optical system, said camera including means coupled with said light-transmitting means for adjusting the focus of said optical system.

Claim 34

A camera as defined in claim 27 wherein said last-mentioned means include an optical rangefinder.

Claim 35

A camera as defined in claim 28 wherein said means for adjusting the focus of said optical system include linkage means mounted on said connecting member for coupling said optical system with said rangefinder in said erect position of said camera.