Exposure control system incorporating a master actuator

Claim 2

An exposure control mechanism for controllably varying both the effective area of an exposure aperture and the exposure interval during which light passes through such aperture, comprising: a first magnetic armature movable between initial and terminal positions; a first electromagnet selectively energizable at different levels to retain said first armature in its initial position and to permit said first armature to move to its terminal position; first means responsive to the movement of said first armature from its initial position to its terminal position to effect the determination of a first photographic function; a second magnetic armature movable between initial and terminal positions; a second electromagnet energizable at different levels to retain said second armature in its initial position and to permit said second armature to move to its terminal position; second means responsive to the movement of said second armature from its initial position to effect the determination of a second photographic function; and a master actuator movable in one direction to maneuver said first and second magnetic armatures respectively into engagement for magnetic coupling with said first and second electromagnets and movable in another direction to cause the commencement of said first photographic function.

Claim 3

The exposure control mechanism of claim 1 in which said master actuator includes resilient means contactable with said first and second magnetic armatures for causing their compressive engagement respectively with said first and second electromagnets when in said initial positions.

Claim 4

The exposure control mechanism of claim 2 including retaining means for holding said master actuator in a position compressibly retaining said first and second magnetic armatures in said initial positions.

Claim 5

The exposure control mechanism of claim 3 including manually operated means for selectively releasing said retaining means from holding engagement with said master actuator.

Claim 6

The exposure control mechanism of claim 2 wherein said resilient means are configured and arranged to permit said master actuator to continue to be moved in said one direction after causing the said engagement of said armatures with said electromagnets.

Claim 7

The exposure control mechanism of claim 2 wherein said master actuator movement is pivotal about an axial mounting positioned substantially at one end thereof.

Claim 8

The exposure control mechanism of claim 5 in which: said master actuator includes resilient means contactable with said first and second magnetic armatures for causing their compressive engagement respectively with said first and second electromagnets when in said initial positions; and including a mechanical latch selectively engageable with said master actuator when said actuator provides for the compressive engagement of said first and second magnetic armatures.

Claim 9

The exposure control mechanism of claim 7 wherein said resilient means are configured and arranged to permit said master actuator to continue to be moved in said one direction after causing the said engagement of said armatures with said electromagnets.

Claim 10

An exposure control mechanism for controllably varying both the effective area of an exposure aperture and the exposure interval during which light passes through such aperture, comprising: a diaphragm assembly having at least one element movable from initial to terminal positions for varying effective aperture areas therebetween; a first magnetic armature movable between initial and terminal positions; a first electromagnet selectively energizable at different levels to retain said first armature in its initial position and to cause said first armature to move to its terminal position; first means responsive to the movement of said first armature from its initial position for controlling the said movement of said diaphragm assembly element to effect a determination of exposure aperture area; a second magnetic armature movable between initial and terminal positions; a second electromagnet energizable at different levels to retain said second armature in its initial position and to cause said second armature to move to its terminal position; second means responsive to the movement of said second armature from its initial position to effect the determination of said exposure interval; and a master actuator movable in one direction to maneuver said first and second magnetic armatures respectively into engagement for magnetic coupling with said first and second electromagnets and movable in another direction to cause said diaphragm assembly element to move from said initial position.

Claim 11

An exposure control mechanism for controllably varying both the effective area of an exposure aperture and the exposure interval during which light passes through such aperture, comprising: a diaphragm assembly having at least one element movable from initial to terminal positions for varying effective aperture areas therebetween; a first magnetic armature movable between initial and terminal positions; a first electromagnet selectively energizable at different levels to retain said first armature in its initial position and to cause said first armature to move to its terminal position; first means responsive to the movement of said first armature from its initial position for controlling the said movement of said diaphragm assembly element to effect a determination of exposure aperture area; a second magnetic armature movable between initial and terminal positions; a second electromagnet energizable at different levels to retain said second armature in its initial position and to cause said second armature to move to its terminal position; second means responsive to the movement of said second armature from its initial position to effect the determination of said exposure interval; and a master actuator movable in one direction to maneuver said first and second magnetic armatures respectively into engagement for magnetic coupling with said first and second electromagnets and movable in another direction to cause said diaphragm assembly element to move from said initial position.

Claim 12

The exposure control mechanism of claim 9 in which said master actuator is configured having resilient means contactable with said first and second magnetic armatures for causing their compressive engagement respectively with said first and second electromagnets when in said initial positions.

Claim 13

The exposure control mechanism of claim 10 including manually releasable first latch means for mechanically retaining said master actuator in a preexposure position compressibly retaining said first and second armatures in said initial positions.

Claim 14

The exposure control mechanism of claim 11 wherein said resilient means are configured and arranged to permit said master actuator to be moved in said one direction after causing the said compressive engagement of said armature with said electromagnets and following said manually releasable first latch means mechanical engagement.

Claim 15

The exposure control mechanism of claim 11 including switch means mounted for actuation by said master actuator simultaneously as said actuator causes the commencement of movement of said diaphragm blade element for causing the initiation of a signal coincident with the said commencement Of said element movement.

Claim 16

The exposure control mechanism of claim 11 including second latch means mechanically engageable with said diaphragm assembly element to retain it in said initial position configured and arranged with respect to said master actuator to respond to its said other directional movement for selectively releasing said element for movement from said initial position.

Claim 17

The exposure control mechanism of claim 14 wherein said second latch means is configured and arranged to be driven out of said mechanical engagement with said diaphragm assembly element upon contact with said master actuator during its said other directional movement.

Claim 18

The exposure control mechanism of claim 15 including switch means mounted for actuation by said master actuator simultaneously with said second latch means contact for causing the initiation of a signal substantially in coincidence with the said release of said diaphragm element.

Claim 19

The exposure control mechanism of claim 11 wherein said master actuator is configured and arranged for pivotal movement about an axial mounting positioned substantially at one end thereof.

Claim 20

The exposure control mechanism of claim 17 including cocking means operative to engage said master actuator at a position remote from said axial mounting for causing said one directional movement while deriving leverage about said mounting.

Claim 21

An exposure control mechanism for controllably varying both the effective area of an exposure aperture and the exposure interval during which light passes through such aperture comprising: a diaphragm assembly having at least one element movable from initial to terminal positions for varying effective aperture areas therebetween; a first magnetic armature movable between initial and terminal positions; a first electromagnet selectively energizable at different levels to retain said first armature in its initial position and to cause said first armature to move to its terminal position; first means responsive to the movement of said first armature from its initial position for controlling the said movement of said diaphragm assembly element to effect a determination of exposure aperture area; a second magnetic armature movable between initial and terminal positions; a second electromagnet energizable at different levels to retain said second armature in its initial position and to cause said second armature to move to its terminal position; second means responsive to the movement of said second armature from its initial position to effect the determination of said exposure interval; a master actuator movable about a fixed pivot in a first direction to maneuver said first and second magnetic armatures respectively into engagement for magnetic coupling with said first and second electromagnets and movable in a second direction to cause said diaphragm assembly element to move from said initial position; and cocking means operative to selectively engage said master actuator for causing said pivotal movement in said first direction following an exposure interval and for returning said diaphragm element to said initial position.

Claim 22

An exposure control mechanism for controllably varying both the effective area of an exposure aperture and the exposure interval during which light passes through such aperture comprising: a diaphragm assembly having at least one element movable from initial to terminal positions for varying effective aperture areas therebetween; a first magnetic armature movable between initial and terminal positions; a first electromagnet selectively energizable at different levels to retain said first armature in its initial position and to cause said first armature to move to its terminal position; first means responsive to the movement of said first armature from its initial position for controlling the said movement of said diaphragm assembly element to effect a determination of exposure aperture area; a second magnetic armature movable between initial and terminal positions; a second electromagnet energizable at different levels to retain said second armature in its initial position and to cause said second armature to move to its terminal position; second means responsive to the movement of said second armature from its initial position to effect the determination of said exposure interval; a master actuator movable about a fixed pivot in a first direction to maneuver said first and second magnetic armatures respectively into engagement for magnetic coupling with said first and second electromagnets and movable in a second direction to cause said diaphragm assembly element to move from said initial position; and cocking means operative to selectively engage said master actuator for causing said pivotal movement in said first direction following an exposure interval and for returning said diaphragm element to said initial position.

Claim 23

The exposure control mechanism of claim 19 in which said master actuator includes resilient means contactable with said first and second magnetic armatures for causing their compressive engagement respectively with said first and second electromagnets when retained in said initial positions by said master actuator.

Claim 24

The exposure control mechanism of claim 20 including manually releasable first latch means for mechanically retaining said master actuator in a preexposure position compressibly retaining said first and second armatures in said initial positions.

Claim 25

The exposure control mechanism of claim 21 wherein said cocking means is operative to engage said master actuator at a position remote from said pivot so as to achieve a leverage for lowering the force values required to cause said first directional movemenT.

Claim 26

The exposure control mechanism of claim 22 in which said cocking means includes: driven means actuable to provide said engagement with said master actuator and for urging said diaphragm element into said initial position; and driving means for selectively actuating said driven means following a said exposure interval.

Claim 27

The exposure mechanism of claim 22 in which said cocking means includes: an electric motor selectively energizable to provide a rotational motion; driven means for converting said rotational motion into linear motion reciprocable within predetermined limits of travel; and means for selectively coupling said driven means with said master actuator at said remote position to cause said first directional movement.

Claim 28

The exposure control mechanism of claim 24 wherein said driven means limit of travel is predetermined to permit said master actuator to be moved in said first direction a select distance after causing the said compressive engagement of said armature with said electromagnets and following said manually releasable first latch means engagement.

Claim 29

The exposure control mechanism of claim 24 wherein said driven means includes: a spooling cam coupled in driven relationship with said electric motor; and cam follower means associated with said spooling cam for deriving said reciprocal motion.

Claim 30

The exposure control mechanism of claim 24 wherein said coupling means includes a ram member linked at one end with said driven means and engageable at another end with said master actuator at said remote position for selectively transferring said linear motion to said master actuator when moving in said first direction.

Claim 31

The exposure control mechanism of claim 27 wherein said ram member includes adjustable means for selectively varying the maximum extent of said first directional movement of said master actuator.

Claim 32

The exposure control mechanism of claim 26 wherein said cocking means includes: a pivotally mounted bell crank assembly having a first portion linked in driven relationship with said cam follower means and a second portion engageable with said diaphragm assembly movable element for causing the return of said element to said initial position during the actuation of said driven means.

Claim 33

An exposure control mechanism for controllably varying both the effective area of an exposure aperture and the exposure interval during which light passes through such aperture, comprising: a diaphragm assembly having at least one element movable from initial to terminal positions for varying effective aperture areas therebetween; a regulator arm movable between initial and terminal positions; means for biasing said regulator arm away from said initial position; a first magnetic armature mounted upon said regulator arm and movable therewith between said initial and terminal positions; a first electromagnet engageable for magnetic coupling with said first armature when said regulator arm is in said initial position and selectively energizable at different levels to retain said arm in its initial position by magnetic coupling therewith and to release said first armature to cause said arm to move under said bias to said terminal position; means responsive to the movement of said regulator arm from its initial position for controlling said movement of said diaphragm assembly element to effect a determination of exposure aperture area; a shutter assembly having at least one element movable from initial to terminal positions to effect the determination of said exposure interval; means for biasing said shutter element between said initial and terminal positions; a shutter regulator movable from an initial position retaining said shutter element in said initial position to a rest position permitting the said shutter element movement; a second magnetic armature mounted upon said shutter regulator and movable therewith between said initial and rest positIons; a second electromagnet engageable for magnetic coupling with said second armature when said regulator is in said initial position and selectively energizable at different levels to retain said regulator in its initial position by said magnetic coupling and to release said second armature to permit said regulator to move toward said rest position; a master actuator movable about a fixed pivot in a first direction to maneuver said first and second magnetic armatures respectively into engagement for magnetic coupling with said first and second electromagnets, thereby causing a corresponding movement of said regulator arm and said shutter regulator to said initial positions, and movable in a second direction to cause said diaphragm assembly element to move from said initial position; and cocking means operative to selectively engage said master actuator for causing said pivotal movement in said first direction following an exposure interval and for returning said diaphragm element and said shutter element to said initial positions.

Claim 34

An exposure control mechanism for controllably varying both the effective area of an exposure aperture and the exposure interval during which light passes through such aperture, comprising: a diaphragm assembly having at least one element movable from initial to terminal positions for varying effective aperture areas therebetween; a regulator arm movable between initial and terminal positions; means for biasing said regulator arm away from said initial position; a first magnetic armature mounted upon said regulator arm and movable therewith between said initial and terminal positions; a first electromagnet engageable for magnetic coupling with said first armature when said regulator arm is in said initial position and selectively energizable at different levels to retain said arm in its initial position by magnetic coupling therewith and to release said first armature to cause said arm to move under said bias to said terminal position; means responsive to the movement of said regulator arm from its initial position for controlling said movement of said diaphragm assembly element to effect a determination of exposure aperture area; a shutter assembly having at least one element movable from initial to terminal positions to effect the determination of said exposure interval; means for biasing said shutter element between said initial and terminal positions; a shutter regulator movable from an initial position retaining said shutter element in said initial position to a rest position permitting the said shutter element movement; a second magnetic armature mounted upon said shutter regulator and movable therewith between said initial and rest positIons; a second electromagnet engageable for magnetic coupling with said second armature when said regulator is in said initial position and selectively energizable at different levels to retain said regulator in its initial position by said magnetic coupling and to release said second armature to permit said regulator to move toward said rest position; a master actuator movable about a fixed pivot in a first direction to maneuver said first and second magnetic armatures respectively into engagement for magnetic coupling with said first and second electromagnets, thereby causing a corresponding movement of said regulator arm and said shutter regulator to said initial positions, and movable in a second direction to cause said diaphragm assembly element to move from said initial position; and cocking means operative to selectively engage said master actuator for causing said pivotal movement in said first direction following an exposure interval and for returning said diaphragm element and said shutter element to said initial positions.

Claim 35

The exposure control mechanism of claim 30 wherein said master actuator includes resilient means engageable with said first and second magnetic armatures for urging said armatures into said compressive engagement during said first directional movement.

Claim 36

The exposure control mechanism of claim 31 including master actuator latch means for selectively retaining said master actuator in a preexposure position retaining said first and second armatures in said compressive engagement with said first and second electromagnets and actuable to release said master actuator for movement in said second direction.

Claim 37

The exposure control mechanism of claim 31 including: a master actuator latch pivotally biased for mechanical latching engagement with said actuator when in a preexposure position retaining said first and second armatures in said compressive engagement; and a manually actuable release member configured and arranged with respect to said master actuator latch to pivot said latch against said bias so as to cause the release of said mechanical latching engagement for initiating said second directional movement.

Claim 38

The exposure control mechanism of claim 32 including diaphragm latch means responsive to said master actuator second directional movement for releasably retaining said diaphragm assembly element in said initial position although actuated by said master actuator.

Claim 39

The exposure control mechanism of claim 32 including a diaphragm latch pivotally mounted within said mechanism and biased toward latching engagement with said diaphragm element when in said initial position, said latch being configured and arranged to be driven out of said engagement by said master actuator in response to the second directional movement thereto.

Claim 40

The exposure control mechanism of claim 32 in which said shutter regulator includes an arm member engageable with said shutter assembly element when in said initial position and mounted for movement toward said raised position codirectionally with the movement of said element.

Claim 41

The exposure control mechanism of claim 32 wherein said cocking means is operative to engage said master actuator at a position remote from said pivot so as to achieve a leverage for lowering the force values required to cause said first directional movement.

Claim 42

An exposure mechanism for a photographic camera comprising: a camera housing for mounting the optical path instrumentalities of said camera; a diaphragm mechanism including at least two aperture blade elements mounted upon said housing, said elements being mutually and synchronously coactive and releasable for movement between cocked and rest terminal positions defining minimum and maximum exposure apertures first spring means for urging said blade elements between said terminal positions; regulator means movable from cocked to terminal orientations for halting the movement of said aperture blade elements At positions defining select exposure apertures; second spring means for urging said regulator means from said cocked toward said terminal orientations; a first electromagnet mounted upon said housing in an orientation permitting its engagement for magnetic coupling with said regulator means when in said cocked orientation, said electromagnet being selectively energizable for controlling the said movement of said regulator means; a shutter mechanism having at least one element movable from a cocked to a blocking terminal orientation relative to said optical path to effect the determination of the interval of an exposure; a third spring means for urging said shutter element between said cocked and terminal positions; shutter latch means mounted upon said housing and movable into orientations for retaining said shutter element in and releasing it from said cocked position; a second electromagnet configured and arranged on said housing to permit its engagement for magnetic coupling with said shutter latch means and being selectively energizable for controlling said latch means movement from said element retaining orientation; a master actuator rotatably mounted upon said housing for movement about a fixed pivot in first and second directions and configured and arranged to cause the engagement for magnetic coupling of said first electromagnet with said regulator means and of said second electromagnet with said shutter latch means when moved in said first direction, and to cause the said release of said aperture blade elements when moved in said second direction; manual release means for causing said master actuator to move in said second direction; and cocking means mounted upon said housing for selectively causing said master actuator to move in said first direction and for repositioning said aperture blade elements to cocked terminal positions and said shutter mechanism element to said cocked terminal orientation.

Claim 43

An exposure mechanism for a photographic camera comprising: a camera housing for mounting the optical path instrumentalities of said camera; a diaphragm mechanism including at least two aperture blade elements mounted upon said housing, said elements being mutually and synchronously coactive and releasable for movement between cocked and rest terminal positions defining minimum and maximum exposure apertures first spring means for urging said blade elements between said terminal positions; regulator means movable from cocked to terminal orientations for halting the movement of said aperture blade elements At positions defining select exposure apertures; second spring means for urging said regulator means from said cocked toward said terminal orientations; a first electromagnet mounted upon said housing in an orientation permitting its engagement for magnetic coupling with said regulator means when in said cocked orientation, said electromagnet being selectively energizable for controlling the said movement of said regulator means; a shutter mechanism having at least one element movable from a cocked to a blocking terminal orientation relative to said optical path to effect the determination of the interval of an exposure; a third spring means for urging said shutter element between said cocked and terminal positions; shutter latch means mounted upon said housing and movable into orientations for retaining said shutter element in and releasing it from said cocked position; a second electromagnet configured and arranged on said housing to permit its engagement for magnetic coupling with said shutter latch means and being selectively energizable for controlling said latch means movement from said element retaining orientation; a master actuator rotatably mounted upon said housing for movement about a fixed pivot in first and second directions and configured and arranged to cause the engagement for magnetic coupling of said first electromagnet with said regulator means and of said second electromagnet with said shutter latch means when moved in said first direction, and to cause the said release of said aperture blade elements when moved in said second direction; manual release means for causing said master actuator to move in said second direction; and cocking means mounted upon said housing for selectively causing said master actuator to move in said first direction and for repositioning said aperture blade elements to cocked terminal positions and said shutter mechanism element to said cocked terminal orientation.

Claim 44

The exposure mechanism of claim 38 in which said master actuator is configured having resilient means, contactable with said regulator means and said shutter latch means for causing their engagement respectively with said first and second electromagnets when in said cocked positions.

Claim 45

The exposure mechanism of claim 39 wherein said cocking means is operative to engage said master actuator at a position remote from its pivotal mounting so as to achieve a leverage for lowering force values required to cause said first directional movement.

Claim 46

The exposure mechanism of claim 40 including a master actuator latch pivotally mounted upon said camera housing and biased for mechanical latching engagement with said master actuator when said actuator is in a preexposure orientation retaining said regulator means and said shutter latch means in said engagement for magnetic coupling.

Claim 47

The exposure mechanism of claim 40 including diaphragm latch means responsive to said master actuator second directional movement for releasably retaining said aperture blade elements in said cocked position until actuated by said master actuator.

Claim 48

The exposure mechanism of claim 42 including switch means mounted upon said housing and oriented for actuation by said master actuator simultaneously with said diaphragm latch means contact for causing the initiation of a signal simultaneously with said release of said aperture blade elements.

Claim 49

The exposure mechanism of claim 42 in which said diaphragm latch means comprises: a latching element configured having a latching tip and a striking flange, said tip being engageable with at least one said aperture blade element and said flange being contactable with said master actuator at or during second directional movement; and means for biasing said element into pivotal engagement with said aperture blade element.

Claim 50

The exposure mechanism of claim 42 in which said cocking means includes: electric motor selectively energizable to provide a rotational motion; driveN means for converting said rotational motion into linear motion reciprocable within predetermined limits of travel; means for selectively coupling said driven means with said master actuator remote position to cause said first directional movement; a pivotally mounted bell crank assembly having a first portion linked with said driven means and a second portion engageable with at least one said aperture blade element for selectively positioning said element in said cocked position; and a cocking arm linked in driven relationship with said bell crank assembly and configured and arranged on said housing for urging said shutter element into said cocked orientation.

Claim 51

The exposure mechanism of claim 42 in which said regulation means and said shutter latch means include magnetic armatures for effecting said magnetic coupling respectively with first and second electromagnets.

Claim 52

The exposure mechanism of claim 45 in which said driven means comprises: a spooling cam, coupled in driven relationship with said electric motor; and cam follower means associated with said spooling cam for deriving said reciprocal motion.