Multilamp flash unit including damping structure

Claim 2

Control structure in a multilamp flash unit; the unit being indexably receivable on apparatus having a mechanical actuating member for sequentially firing flashlamps in the unit; the unit including a base having a substantially planar first base surface, and a second base surface spaced from the first surface for supporting the flashlamps and for supporting preenergized strikers individually releasable to fire a respective flashlamp; the base further having means defining an aperture adjacent each striker and through which the adjacent striker is accessible first to be nonreleasably engaged by and then to be released by the actuating member to fire a respective flashlamp; the control structure comprising: a ramp on the base and adjacent each opening, said ramp defining a third surface spaced between the second and First base surfaces, said ramp being adapted to be engaged by the actuating member during indexing of the unit on the apparatus to effect stepwise movement of the member into nonreleasing engagement with the striker.

Claim 3

A base for a multilamp flash unit; the unit including a plurality of flashlamps each having a preenergized striker individually releasable to fire its respective flashlamp; the unit further being indexably receivable on apparatus having a mechanical actuating member first resiliently movable into the unit to sense the condition of a flashlamp striker and thereafter drivable to release the sensed striker and fire its respective flashlamp; the base comprising: means defining substantially planar first and second axially spaced surfaces, said second surface supporting the flashlamps and the preenergized strikers; means defining an aperture in the base adjacent each striker and through which aperture the striker is accessible first to be nonreleasably engaged by the actuating member to sense the condition of the striker and then to be released by the actuating member to fire its respective flashlamp; and, a ramp on the base adjacent each opening, said ramp defining a third surface axially spaced toward the second surface from said first surface, said ramp being adapted to be resiliently engaged by the actuating member during indexing of the unit and for effecting stepwise movement of the member from the first base surface to the ramp and then into the opening to nonreleasably engage a respective striker.

Claim 4

A base for a multilamp flash unit; the unit including a plurality of flashlamps each having a preenergized striker individually releasable to fire its respective flashlamp; the unit further being indexably receivable on apparatus having a mechanical actuating member first resiliently movable into the unit to sense the condition of a flashlamp striker and thereafter drivable to release the sensed striker and fire its respective flashlamp; the base comprising: means defining substantially planar first and second axially spaced surfaces, said second surface supporting the flashlamps and the preenergized strikers; means defining an aperture in the base adjacent each striker and through which aperture the striker is accessible first to be nonreleasably engaged by the actuating member to sense the condition of the striker and then to be released by the actuating member to fire its respective flashlamp; and, a ramp on the base adjacent each opening, said ramp defining a third surface axially spaced toward the second surface from said first surface, said ramp being adapted to be resiliently engaged by the actuating member during indexing of the unit and for effecting stepwise movement of the member from the first base surface to the ramp and then into the opening to nonreleasably engage a respective striker.

Claim 5

A base as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first and second surfaces are spaced from each other by substantially 0.130 inch and the third surface is spaced toward the second surface from the first surface by substantially 0.105 inch.

Claim 6

A multilamp flash unit receivable on apparatus including an actuating member; the unit comprising: a substantially planar base defining upper and lower spaced surfaces and an aperture through the base; a plurality of flashlamp devices supported on the upper surface of said base, each device including a flashlamp and a preenergized striker individually releasable to impact against and fire a respective flashlamp, said striker including a portion located closely adjacent said second surface and over said aperture first to be nonreleasably engaged by and then to be released by the actuating member to fire the flashlamp; and, an actuator arresting ramp on the base and adjacent each opening, said ramp defining a surface spaced between said upper and lower surfaces and being adapted to be engaged by the actuating member, whereby the actuating member can be moved first into engagement with the lower base surface and then into engagement with the ramp surface to effect stepwise movement of the actuating member into nonreleasing engagement with the striker.

Claim 7

A multilamp flash unit receivable on apparatus including an actuating member; the unit comprising: a substantially planar base defining upper and lower spaced surfaces and an aperture through the base; a plurality of flashlamp devices supported on the upper surface of said base, each device including a flashlamp and a preenergized striker individually releasable to impact against and fire a respective flashlamp, said striker including a portion located closely adjacent said second surface and over said aperture first to be nonreleasably engaged by and then to be released by the actuating member to fire the flashlamp; and, an actuator arresting ramp on the base and adjacent each opening, said ramp defining a surface spaced between said upper and lower surfaces and being adapted to be engaged by the actuating member, whereby the actuating member can be moved first into engagement with the lower base surface and then into engagement with the ramp surface to effect stepwise movement of the actuating member into nonreleasing engagement with the striker.