Automatic film advancing mechanism

Claim 2

In a camera including a film metering device for retarding the film up on an incremental advance thereof, an automatic film advancing mechanism comprising a film advancing drive motor, first means responsive to the rotation of said motor for producing an electrical control signal, second means including a first switching network responsive to said control signal for connecting said motor to a source of motor energizing current and for disconnecting said motor from said current source upon the slowing of said motor consequent to the loading thereof by said metered film and means including a first selectively actuatable switch for initially connecting said motor to said energizing current.

Claim 3

The automatic film advancing mechanism of claim 1, wherein said control signal is a periodically varying electrical signal and said switching network responds only to said periodically varying signal.

Claim 4

The automatic film advancing mechanism of claim 2, wherein said switching network includes an AC amplifier having said control signal applied to its input.

Claim 5

The automatic film advancing mechanism of claim 2, wherein said signal producing means comprises a light source, a photosensitive element exposed to said light source and means driven by said photosensitive member.

Claim 6

The automatic film advancing mechanism of claim 1, including a shutter release member and means including an RC timing network for restricting the actuation of said shutter release member for a predetermined interval following the deenergization of said motor. 6 An automatic film advancing mechanism in a camera having a shutter, comprising a film advancing electric drive motor, means including a normally open relay actuated first switch connecting said drive motor to a source of current, selectively operated means for closing said first switch, and means including an RC controlled solid state switch preventing the closing of said first switch during a predetermined interval after said shutter reaches a predetermined position upon the release thereof.

Claim 7

In a camera including a film metering device, an automatic film advancing mechanism comprising a film advancing electric drive motor, first means responsive to the rotation of said motor for producing an electrical control signal, second means including a first switching network responsive to said control signal for connecting said motor to a source of motor energizing current, a camera shutter release member, and means including an RC network controlled switch for energizing said motor a predetermined time interval following the actuation of said shutter release member.

Claim 8

In a camera including a film metering device, an automatic film advancing mechanism comprising a film advancing electric drive motor, first means responsive to the rotation of said motor for producing an electrical control signal, second means including a first switching network responsive to said control signal for connecting said motor to a source of motor energizing current, a camera shutter release member, and means including an RC network controlled switch for energizing said motor a predetermined time interval following the actuation of said shutter release member.

Claim 9

The automatic film advancing mechanism of claim 7 wherein said RC network is adjustable.

Claim 10

In a camera including a film metering device, an automatic film advancing mechanism comprising a film advancing drive motor, first means responsive to the rotation of said motor for producing a control signal which periodically varies in response to the rotation of said motor, second means including a first switching network responsive to said control signal for connecting said motor to a source of motor energizing current, second means comprising a relay switch including an actuating solenoid and a solenoid energizing network responsive to said periodically varying control signal, said motor being connected through said relay switch to a source of current, a switch responsive to the closing of the camera shutter, a time delay network having an input connected through said shutter responsive switch to a source of current and an output, and means responsive to the output of said delay network for energizing said actuating solenoid.

Claim 11

In a camera including a film metering device, an automatic film advancing mechanism comprising a film advancing drive motor, first means responsive to the rotation of said motor for producing a control signal which periodically varies in response to the rotation of said motor, second means including a first switching network responsive to said control signal for connecting said motor to a source of motor energizing current, second means comprising a relay switch including an actuating solenoid and a solenoid energizing network responsive to said periodically varying control signal, said motor being connected through said relay switch to a source of current, a switch responsive to the closing of the camera shutter, a time delay network having an input connected through said shutter responsive switch to a source of current and an output, and means responsive to the output of said delay network for energizing said actuating solenoid.

Claim 12

The automatic film advancing mechanism of claim 9 including a shutter release member, means including a switch for actuating said shutter release member, and means responsive to said actuating solenoid for disabling said shutter release actuating means during the rotation of said motor.

Claim 13

In a camera including a film metering device an automatic film advancing mechanism in a camera having a shutter, comprising a film advancing electric drive motor, means including a normally open switch connecting said drive motor to a source of current, and means for closing said switch a predetermined time interval after the closing of said camera shutter, said switch closing means comprising a signal controlled switch actuating network and means for applying a control signal thereto including a variable time delay network having an output connected to said actuating network and means connecting said time delay network to a source of current including a switch actuated upon the closing of said shutter.

Claim 14

In a camera including a film metering device an automatic film advancing mechanism in a camera having a shutter, comprising a film advancing electric drive motor, means including a normally open switch connecting said drive motor to a source of current, and means for closing said switch a predetermined time interval after the closing of said camera shutter, said switch closing means comprising a signal controlled switch actuating network and means for applying a control signal thereto including a variable time delay network having an output connected to said actuating network and means connecting said time delay network to a source of current including a switch actuated upon the closing of said shutter.

Claim 15

The camera of claim 11, wherein said time delay network includes a capacitor and a variable resistor connected in series with said shutter actuated switch, said capacitor being connected to said switch actuating network.

Claim 16

In an automatic film advancing camera, a film advancing drive motor, means for energizing and deenergizing said motor for effecting a film advance, shutter release actuating means including a shutter release member, shutter release member control means including a solid state switch for selectively actuating said shutter release member, and alternatively settable to a responsive or a nonresponsive condition, and means including an RC timing network for activating said control means a predetermined interval following the deenergizing of said motor.

Claim 17

In an automatic film advancing camera, a film advancing drive motor, means for energizing and deenergizing said motor for effecting a film advance, shutter release actuating means including a shutter release member, shutter release member control means including a solid state switch for selectively actuating said shutter release member, and alternatively settable to a responsive or a nonresponsive condition, and means including an RC timing network for activating said control means a predetermined interval following the deenergizing of said motor.

Claim 18

The camera of claim 13, wherein said shutter release member comprises a solenoid, said solid state switch is connected in series with said solenoid and has a control input, and said timing network having has an output connected to said switch input and an input, and means responsive to the deenergization of said motor for applying a signal to said timing network input.

Claim 19

The camera of claim 14, wherein said timing network comprises a series connected resistor and capacitor, said capacitor being connected across said switch input, and said signal applying means includes a second switch connected in said delay network and means for controlling said second switch in response to the state of energization of said motor.

Claim 20

In a camera including a film metering device an automatic film advancing mechanism comprising a film advancing drive motor, first means responsive to the rotation of said motor for producing a control signal, second means including a first switching network responsive to said control signal for connecting said motor to a source of motor energizing current, means including a switch for connecting said motor to said current source independently of said control signal, a first selectively actuatable switch, a signal responsive solid state second switch, a shutter release member comprising a solenoid connected through said first switch and said second switch to a source of current, means including an RC network controlling said second switch for restricting the actuation of said shutter release member for a predetermined interval following the deenergization and stopping of said motor and including a time delay trigger network having an output connected to the control input of said second switch and an input connected to source of current in response to the stopping of said motor.

Claim 21

In a camera including a film metering device an automatic film advancing mechanism comprising a film advancing drive motor, first means responsive to the rotation of said motor for producing a control signal, second means including a first switching network responsive to said control signal for connecting said motor to a source of motor energizing current, means including a switch for connecting said motor to said current source independently of said control signal, a first selectively actuatable switch, a signal responsive solid state second switch, a shutter release member comprising a solenoid connected through said first switch and said second switch to a source of current, means including an RC network controlling said second switch for restricting the actuation of said shutter release member for a predetermined interval following the deenergization and stopping of said motor and including a time delay trigger network having an output connected to the control input of said second switch and an input connected to source of current in response to the stopping of said motor.