Adapter for igniting percussion-ignitable flashlamp units

Claim 2

An adapter to enable use of a percussion-ignitable flashlamp unit with photographic apparatus of the type having a socket for receiving an electrically ignitable flashlamp unit, a synchroflash circuit for energizing the electrically ignitable flashlamp unit received by the socket, and means for effecting operation of the apparatus, said adapter comprising: a. means for receiving the percussion-ignitable flashlamp unit; b. means, movable from a first position to a second position, for actuating percussive ignition of the percussion-ignitable flashlamp unit received by said receiving means; c. means for urging said actuating means from said first position toward said second position; d. means, operatively associated with said actuating means and connectable to and energizable by the synchroflash circuit of the apparatus, for controlling movement of said actuating means from said first position toward said second position; e. means, operatively associated with said actuating means and associatable with and actuatable by the effecting means of the apparatus, for returning said actuating means from said second position to said first position; and f. means for operatively connecting said adapter to the socket of the apparatus.

Claim 3

The adapter claimed in claim 1 wherein the percussion-ignitable flashlamp unit receivable by said receiving means is a multilamp unit containing a plurality of percussion-ignitable flashlamps, said receiving means being rotatable to successively place the percussion-ignitable lamps of the multilamp unit received by said receiving means at an operative site.

Claim 4

The adapter claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a striking element that is moved into contact with the flashlamp unit received by said receiving means to effect percussive ignition of the received unit in response to movement of said actuating means from said first position to said second position.

Claim 5

The adapter claimed in claim 1 wherein said controlling means includes means for alternatively preventing and permitting movement of said actuating means by said urging means from said first position toward said second position.

Claim 6

The adapter claimed in claim 1 wherein said controlling means includes a solenoid having a member movable from a first location to a second location.

Claim 7

The adapter claimed in claim 5 wherein said member is engageable with said actuating means, said member when in said first location thereby retaining said actuating means in said first position.

Claim 8

The adapter claimed in claim 6 wherein said member is movable from said first location to said second location in response to energization of said solenoid, said member thereby releasing said actuating means for movement from said first position.

Claim 9

The adapter claimed in claim 1 wherein said returning means includes camming means, engageable with said actuating means, for moving said actuating means from said second position to said first position.

Claim 10

The adapter claimed in claim 8 wherein said camming means is rotatable relative to said actuating means to move said actuating means from said second position to said first position.

Claim 11

The adapter claimed in claim 9 wherein said receiving means is rotatable relative to said actuating means and coupled to said camming means, said receiving means and said camming means both being rotatable by the effecting means of the apparatus when said adapter is operatively connected to the socket of the apparatus by said connecting means.

Claim 12

An adapter to enable use of a multilamp photoflash unit of the type having a plurality of percussion-ignitable flashlamps with a photographic camera that includes a rotatable socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of the type having a plurality of electrically ignitable flashlamps, means for rotating the socket to successively place the electrically ignitable lamps of the multilamp unit received by the socket in an operative orientation, and a synchroflash circuit for energizing each operatively oriented electrically ignitable lamp of the received unit is synchronization with picture-taking operation of the camera, said adapter comprising: a. means for receiving the multilamp photoflash unit of the type having a plurality of percussion-ignitable flashlamps, said receiving means being rotatable to successively place the percussion-ignitable lamps of the multilamp unit received by said receiving means at an operative site; b. means, movable from a first position to a second position, for actuating percussive ignition of each operatively sited percussion-ignitable lamp of the received unit; c. means for urging said actuating means from said first position to said second position to thereby initiate percussive ignition of each operatively sited lamp; d. means, including a solenoid operatively associated with said actuating means and electrically connectable to and energizable by the camera synchroflash circuit, for controlling movement of said actuating means from said first position toward said second position, said solenoid having a member movable from a first location to a second location and engageable with said actuating means, said member when in said first location engaging said actuating means when in said first position to retain said actuating means against movement from said first position toward said second position, said member being movable from said first location to said second location in response to energization of said solenoid to release said actuating means for movement from said first position toward said second position; e. means, including rotatable camming means engageable with said actuating means, for returning said actuating means from said second position to said first position; and f. means, coupled to said receiving means and said returning means and insertable into the camera socket, for operatively connecting said adapter to the camera, said connecting means when inserted in the camera socket thereby coupling said receiving means and said returning means to the camera socket for rotation therewith by the camera socket rotating means and electrically connecting said controlling means to the camera synchroflash circuit for energization thereby in synchronization with picture-taking operation of the camera.

Claim 13

An adapter to enable use of a multilamp photoflash unit of the type having a plurality of percussion-ignitable flashlamps with a photographic camera that includes a rotatable socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of the type having a plurality of electrically ignitable flashlamps, means for rotating the socket to successively place the electrically ignitable lamps of the multilamp unit received by the socket in an operative orientation, and a synchroflash circuit for energizing each operatively oriented electrically ignitable lamp of the received unit is synchronization with picture-taking operation of the camera, said adapter comprising: a. means for receiving the multilamp photoflash unit of the type having a plurality of percussion-ignitable flashlamps, said receiving means being rotatable to successively place the percussion-ignitable lamps of the multilamp unit received by said receiving means at an operative site; b. means, movable from a first position to a second position, for actuating percussive ignition of each operatively sited percussion-ignitable lamp of the received unit; c. means for urging said actuating means from said first position to said second position to thereby initiate percussive ignition of each operatively sited lamp; d. means, including a solenoid operatively associated with said actuating means and electrically connectable to and energizable by the camera synchroflash circuit, for controlling movement of said actuating means from said first position toward said second position, said solenoid having a member movable from a first location to a second location and engageable with said actuating means, said member when in said first location engaging said actuating means when in said first position to retain said actuating means against movement from said first position toward said second position, said member being movable from said first location to said second location in response to energization of said solenoid to release said actuating means for movement from said first position toward said second position; e. means, including rotatable camming means engageable with said actuating means, for returning said actuating means from said second position to said first position; and f. means, coupled to said receiving means and said returning means and insertable into the camera socket, for operatively connecting said adapter to the camera, said connecting means when inserted in the camera socket thereby coupling said receiving means and said returning means to the camera socket for rotation therewith by the camera socket rotating means and electrically connecting said controlling means to the camera synchroflash circuit for energization thereby in synchronization with picture-taking operation of the camera.

Claim 14

The adapter claimed in claim 11 wherein said actuating means includes a striking element that is moved into contact with the received unit to effect percussive ignition of each operatively sited lamp in response to movement of said actuating means from said first position to said second position.

Claim 15

The adapter claimed in claim 11 wherein said solenoid includes means for urging said member from said second location to said first location when said solenoid is not energized.

Claim 16

The adapter claimed in claim 13 wherein said member includes a cam surface which, when said member is in said first location, is engaged by said actuating means to move said member from said first location, in opposition to the influence of said solenoid urging means, as said actuating means is moved toward said first position, thereby enabling said actuating means to be moved to said first position, said member then being returned by said solenoid urging means to said first location to retain said actuating means in said first position.

Claim 17

The adapter claimed in claim 11 further comprising means, coupled to said actuating means and said controlling means and engageable with the camera when said cOnnecting means is inserted into the camera socket, for securing said actuating means and said controlling means against rotation with said receiving means and said returning means when said connecting means is inserted in the camera socket and rotated by the camera socket rotating means.

Claim 18

An adapter to enable use of one type of flashlamp unit with photographic apparatus of the type having a socket for receiving another type of flashlamp unit, a synchroflash circuit activatable for energizing such other type of flashlamp unit received by the socket, and means for effecting operation of the apparatus, said adapter comprising: a. means for receiving the one type of flashlamp unit; b. means movable from a first to a second position for actuating ignition of the one type of flashlamp unit received by said receiving means; c. means for biasing said actuating means towards said second position; d. means for releasable blocking movement of said actuating means towards said second position, said blocking means being connectable to the synchroflash circuit to release said actuating means upon activation of the circuit; e. means actuatable by the effecting means for returning said actuating means from said second position to said first position; and f. means for operatively connecting said adapter to the socket.

Claim 19

An adapter to enable use of one type of flashlamp unit with photographic apparatus of the type having a socket for receiving another type of flashlamp unit, a synchroflash circuit activatable for energizing such other type of flashlamp unit received by the socket, and means for effecting operation of the apparatus, said adapter comprising: a. means for receiving the one type of flashlamp unit; b. means movable from a first to a second position for actuating ignition of the one type of flashlamp unit received by said receiving means; c. means for biasing said actuating means towards said second position; d. means for releasable blocking movement of said actuating means towards said second position, said blocking means being connectable to the synchroflash circuit to release said actuating means upon activation of the circuit; e. means actuatable by the effecting means for returning said actuating means from said second position to said first position; and f. means for operatively connecting said adapter to the socket.

Claim 20

For use with a camera of the type having: a housing; an electric flash unit socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of a first type having lamps ignitable by application of electrical energy, which socket is rotatable relative to said housing to sequentially position the lamps of such a unit at an electrical firing site; and a synchroflash circuit for electrically energizing a lamp positioned at such a firing site, an adapter comprising: a. a mechanical flash unit socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of a second type having lamps ignitable by the application of mechanical force to the unit, said socket being rotatable to sequentially position the lamps of such a unit at a mechanical firing site; b. means for applying a mechanical force to a unit received in said mechanical flash unit socket to fire a lamp located at said mechanical firing site; c. means for connecting said adapter to said camera, said means including means interconnecting said mechanical flash unit socket with the electric flash unit socket of the camera for common rotational movement; and d. means for holding said force applying means stationary relative to the housing of the camera during rotational movement of said sockets.

Claim 21

For use with a camera of the type having: a housing; an electric flash unit socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of a first type having lamps ignitable by application of electrical energy, which socket is rotatable relative to said housing to sequentially position the lamps of such a unit at an electrical firing site; and a synchroflash circuit for electrically energizing a lamp positioned at such a firing site, an adapter comprising: a. a mechanical flash unit socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of a second type having lamps ignitable by the application of mechanical force to the unit, said socket being rotatable to sequentially position the lamps of such a unit at a mechanical firing site; b. means for applying a mechanical force to a unit received in said mechanical flash unit socket to fire a lamp located at said mechanical firing site; c. means for connecting said adapter to said camera, said means including means interconnecting said mechanical flash unit socket with the electric flash unit socket of the camera for common rotational movement; and d. means for holding said force applying means stationary relative to the housing of the camera during rotational movement of said sockets.

Claim 22

For use with a camera of the type having: a housing; an electric flash unit socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of a first type having lamps ignitable by application of electrical energy, which socket is rotatable relative to said housing to sequentially position the lamps of such a unit at an electrical firing site; and a synchroflash circuit for electrically energizing a lamp positioned at such a firing site; an adapter comprising: a. a mechanical flash unit socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of a second type having lamps ignitable by the application of mechanical force to the unit, said socket being rotatable to sequentially position the lamps of such a unit at a mechanical firing site; b. means for connecting said adapter to said camera, said means including means interconnecting said mechanical flashlamp socket with the electric flash unit socket of the camera for rotation together; c. an actuating member resiliently urged from a first position to a second position to apply a mechanical force to a unit received in said mechanical flash unit socket to fire a lamp located at said mechanical firing site; d. electrically releasable means for retaining said actuating member in its first position; e. means for electrically connecting said releasable retaining means to the synchroflash circuit of the camera; f. means for holding said actuating member stationary relative to the housing of the camera during rotational movement of said sockets; and g. means defining a cam surface rotatable with said sockets for engaging and camming said actuating member to said first position in response to rotation of said sockets.

Claim 23

For use with a camera of the type having: a housing; an electric flash unit socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of a first type having lamps ignitable by application of electrical energy, which socket is rotatable relative to said housing to sequentially position the lamps of such a unit at an electrical firing site; and a synchroflash circuit for electrically energizing a lamp positioned at such a firing site; an adapter comprising: a. a mechanical flash unit socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of a second type having lamps ignitable by the application of mechanical force to the unit, said socket being rotatable to sequentially position the lamps of such a unit at a mechanical firing site; b. means for connecting said adapter to said camera, said means including means interconnecting said mechanical flashlamp socket with the electric flash unit socket of the camera for rotation together; c. an actuating member resiliently urged from a first position to a second position to apply a mechanical force to a unit received in said mechanical flash unit socket to fire a lamp located at said mechanical firing site; d. electrically releasable means for retaining said actuating member in its first position; e. means for electrically connecting said releasable retaining means to the synchroflash circuit of the camera; f. means for holding said actuating member stationary relative to the housing of the camera during rotational movement of said sockets; and g. means defining a cam surface rotatable with said sockets for engaging and camming said actuating member to said first position in response to rotation of said sockets.

Claim 24

For use with photographic apparatus of the type having means for receiving an electrically ignitable flashlamp unit and a synchroflash circuit for energizing a received unit; an adapter comprising: a socket for receiving a multilamp flash unit of the type having lamps ignitable by the application of mechanical force to the unit, said socket being rotatable to sequentially position the lamps of a received unit at a firing site; means movable from a first position to a second position for applying a mechanical force to a received unit to fire a lamp located at said firing site; means for urging said force applying means from said first position towards said second position; means energizeable by the synchroflash circuit of the photographic apparatus for controlling movement of said force applying means from said first position to said second position; means for returning said force applying means from said second position to said first position in response to lamp positioning rotation of said socket; and means for connecting said adapter to the electrical flash unit receiving means of the photographic apparatus.

Claim 25

For use with photographic apparatus of the type having means for receiving an electrically ignitable flashlamp unit and a synchroflash circuit for energizing a received unit; an adapter comprising: a socket for receiving a multilamp flash unit of the type having lamps ignitable by the application of mechanical force to the unit, said socket being rotatable to sequentially position the lamps of a received unit at a firing site; means movable from a first position to a second position for applying a mechanical force to a received unit to fire a lamp located at said firing site; means for urging said force applying means from said first position towards said second position; means energizeable by the synchroflash circuit of the photographic apparatus for controlling movement of said force applying means from said first position to said second position; means for returning said force applying means from said second position to said first position in response to lamp positioning rotation of said socket; and means for connecting said adapter to the electrical flash unit receiving means of the photographic apparatus.

Claim 26

For use with photographic apparatus of the type having means for receiving an electrically ignitable flashlamp unit and a synchroflash circuit for energizing such a unit; an adapter comprising: a socket for receiving a multilamp flash unit of the type having lamps ignitable by the application of mechanical force to said unit, said socket being rotatable to sequentially position the lamps of a received unit at a firing site; means movable from a first position to a second position for applying a mechanical force to a received unit to fire a lamp located at said firing site; means for urging said force applying means from said first position towards said second position; means energizeable by the synchroflash circuit of the photographic apparatus for controlling movement of said force applying means from said first position to said second position; and means defining a cam surface rotatable with said socket for engaging and camming said force applying means to said first position in response to rotation of said socket.

Claim 27

For use with photographic apparatus of the type having means for receiving an electrically ignitable flashlamp unit and a synchroflash circuit for energizing such a unit; an adapter comprising: a socket for receiving a multilamp flash unit of the type having lamps ignitable by the application of mechanical force to said unit, said socket being rotatable to sequentially position the lamps of a received unit at a firing site; means movable from a first position to a second position for applying a mechanical force to a received unit to fire a lamp located at said firing site; means for urging said force applying means from said first position towards said second position; means energizeable by the synchroflash circuit of the photographic apparatus for controlling movement of said force applying means from said first position to said second position; and means defining a cam surface rotatable with said socket for engaging and camming said force applying means to said first position in response to rotation of said socket.

Claim 28

A flash adapter comprising: means for connecting said adapter to photographic apparatus; a rotatable socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of the type having a plurality of lamps actuable by striking and a preenergizeable, releasable striker associated with each lamp; an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to release a preenergized striker of a received unit; and means for holding said actuating member stationary during rotation of said socket to permit sequential positioning of lamps of a received unit in operative relation with said actuating member.

Claim 29

A flash adapter comprising: means for connecting said adapter to photographic apparatus; a rotatable socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of the type having a plurality of lamps actuable by striking and a preenergizeable, releasable striker associated with each lamp; an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to release a preenergized striker of a received unit; and means for holding said actuating member stationary during rotation of said socket to permit sequential positioning of lamps of a received unit in operative relation with said actuating member.

Claim 30

A flash adapter comprising: a rotatable socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of the type having a plurality of lamps actuable by striking and a preenergized releasable striker associated with each lamp; means for connecting said rotatable socket to the rotatable socket of a photographic apparatus for rotation together; an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to release a preenergized striker of a received unit; and means for urging said actuating member from its first position to its second position; means for releasably retaining said actuating member in its first position; electromagnetic means energizeable for actuating said releasable retaining means to release said actuating member; connecting means for electrically connecting said electromagnetic means to a synchroflasH circuit of the photographic apparatus when said adapter is connected to the rotatable socket of the photographic apparatus; means for holding said actuating member stationary during rotation of said sockets to permit sequential positioning of lamps of a received unit in operative relation with said actuating member; and means defining a cam surface rotatable with said sockets for moving said actuating member to said first position in response to rotation of said sockets.

Claim 31

A flash adapter comprising: a rotatable socket for receiving a multilamp photoflash unit of the type having a plurality of lamps actuable by striking and a preenergized releasable striker associated with each lamp; means for connecting said rotatable socket to the rotatable socket of a photographic apparatus for rotation together; an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to release a preenergized striker of a received unit; and means for urging said actuating member from its first position to its second position; means for releasably retaining said actuating member in its first position; electromagnetic means energizeable for actuating said releasable retaining means to release said actuating member; connecting means for electrically connecting said electromagnetic means to a synchroflasH circuit of the photographic apparatus when said adapter is connected to the rotatable socket of the photographic apparatus; means for holding said actuating member stationary during rotation of said sockets to permit sequential positioning of lamps of a received unit in operative relation with said actuating member; and means defining a cam surface rotatable with said sockets for moving said actuating member to said first position in response to rotation of said sockets.