Shutter release time preliminary indication device for a photographic camera having a built-in self-timer

Claim 1

A shutter release time preliminary indication device for a photographic camera with a built-in self-timer which includes a timer set lever positioned outside the camera body and adapted for manual rotation from an original position to a set position, a timer shaft rigidly connected to said timing lever for rotation therewith, said timer shaft extending into the camera body and provided with a timing bias spring for rotating the timer shaft and the timer set lever from said set position to said original position, said shutter release time preliminary indication device comprising: a. a disk rigidly connected to said timing shaft for rotation therewith between an original position and a set position corresponding to the original position and the set position respectively of the timer set lever, said disk having a camp projection extending radially outwardly of the disk; b. a normally open switch having a resilient moveable contact biased to an open position at which the switch is open, said resilient movable contact having an engaging portion adapted to engage with the cam projection of the disk when the disk is in a contact engaging position intermediate said set position and said original position, the engagement between the cam projection and the engaging portion moving said resilient moveable contact from its open position to a closed position at which the contact is closed, said resilient moveable contact being disengaged from the cam projection and remaining in its open position at all positions of the disk other than said contact engaging position; c. a voltage source; d. a lamp; and e. means connecting said voltage source, said lamp, and said contact in an electrical series circuit, wheReby the lamp is electrically connected across the voltage source and lights up first when the disk passes through said contact engaging position while the timing set lever is manually rotated from its original position to its set position and second when the disk passes through said contact engaging position while the timing shaft bias spring returns the timing set lever from its set position to its original position, said second lighting up of the lamp 13 indicating that the timer set lever is about to return to its original position and that the camera shutter is about to be released.