Automatic changeover device to flashlight photography for camera or shutter

Claim 2

In shutter release mechanism of a camera having provision for flash photography, the combination of a movable release member, a movable changeover member operable to change from daylight exposure to flash exposure, means for sensing the brightness of a subject to be Photographed, means for coupling said changeover member to said release member to move therewith and means connected with and responsive to said sensing means for disabling said coupling means when the brightness of said subject as sensed by said sensing means is above a predetermined value, whereby said changeover member is coupled to said release member by said coupling means and thereby movable by said release member to effect a changeover form daylight exposure to flash exposure when the brightness of said subject as sensed by said sensing means is less than said predetermined value.

Claim 3

Shutter release mechanism according to claim 1, in which said coupling means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on one of said members and having a portion engageable by the other of said members to couple said members when said coupling means is not disabled, said lever being swingable about said pivotal mounting to a disabled position in which said portion is not engageable by said other member.

Claim 4

Shutter release mechanism according to claim 2, in which said disabling means comprises a second lever swingable about a pivot and engageable with said first-mentioned lever to swing said first-mentioned lever between an active position in which said portion is engageable by said other member to couple said members and a disabled position.

Claim 5

Shutter release mechanism according to claim 3, further comprising an electromagnet for controlling the position of said second lever, said electromagnet being connected with and controlled by said sensing means.

Claim 6

Shutter release mechanism according to claim 1, in which a flashing device is connected in circuit with said sensing means and said disabling means in the manner that said disabling means is operative to disable said coupling means when the brightness of said subject is above said predetermined value and whenever said flashing device is in inoperative condition.

Claim 7

Shutter release mechanism according to claim 5, further comprising an indicating device connected with said flashing device to indicate whether said flashing device is in operative condition.

Claim 8

In shutter release mechanism of a camera having provision for flash photography, the combination of a movable release member, a movable changeover member operable to change from daylight exposure to flash exposure, means for coupling said changeover member to said release member to move therewith, said coupling means comprising a first lever pivoted on said changeover member and movable between an active position in which it couples said changeover member with said release member and a disabled position in which said members are not coupled, means for disabling said coupling means, said disabling means comprising a second lever swingable about a pivot between an operative position in which it holds said first lever in active position and a disabling position in which it permits movement of said first lever to disabled position, means comprising an electromagnet for holding said second lever in operative position and circuit means comprising said electromagnet, means for sensing the brightness of a subject to be photographed, and means for energizing said electromagnet when the brightness of said subject is below a predetermined value to retain said second lever in operative position and said first lever in active position to couple said members and thereby operate said changeover member to change from daylight to flash exposure.

Claim 9

In shutter release mechanism of a camera having provision for flash photography, the combination of a movable release member, a movable changeover member operable to change from daylight exposure to flash exposure, means for coupling said changeover member to said release member to move therewith, said coupling means comprising a first lever pivoted on said changeover member and movable between an active position in which it couples said changeover member with said release member and a disabled position in which said members are not coupled, means for disabling said coupling means, said disabling means comprising a second lever swingable about a pivot between an operative position in which it holds said first lever in active position and a disabling position in which it permits movement of said first lever to disabled position, means comprising an electromagnet for holding said second lever in operative position and circuit means comprising said electromagnet, means for sensing the brightness of a subject to be photographed, and means for energizing said electromagnet when the brightness of said subject is below a predetermined value to retain said second lever in operative position and said first lever in active position to couple said members and thereby operate said changeover member to change from daylight to flash exposure.

Claim 10

Shutter release mechanism according to claim 7, in which said means for energizing said electromagnet comprises a current-measuring device responsive to current through said brightness-sensing means.

Claim 11

Shutter release mechanism according to claim 7, in which said means for energizing said electromagnet comprises a transistor controlled by said brightness-sensing means.

Claim 12

Shutter release mechanism according to claim 7, in which said circuit means comprises a flashing device and means for energizing said electromagnet when said flashIng device is in operative condition.

Claim 13

Shutter release mechanism according to claim 10, in which said circuit means further comprises indicating means for indicating when said flashing device is not in operative condition.