Reflex camera

Claim 2

A reflex photographic camera having focusing and exposure operational modes comprising in combination: means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane; lens means for focusing the image of a subject at a focal plane; means establishing an optical path from said lens means to said focal plane, said optical path establishing means including specular reflecting surface means for establishing said focal plane at said exposure plane during said exposure mode and for establishing said focal plane at a viewing surface in parallel adjacency with said exposure plane for said focusing mode; means for viewing an image of said subject at said viewing surface during said focusing mode; and means for effecting the exposure of said photosensitive material during said exposure mode.

Claim 3

A reflex photographic camera having focusing and exposure operational modes comprising in combination: means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane; lens means for focusing the image of a subject at a focal plane; means establishing an optical path from said lens means to said focal plane, said optical path establishing means including specular reflecting surface means for establishing said focal plane at said exposure plane for said exposure mode and for establishing said focal plane at a viewing surface during said focusing mode; means for viewing an image of said subject at said viewing surface during said focusing mode; means associated with said viewing surface for directing rays of light incident thereon from said specular reflecting surface means substantially toward said viewing means; and means for effecting the exposure of said photosensitive material during said exposure mode.

Claim 4

A reflex photographic camera having focusing and exposure operational modes comprising in combination: means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane; lens means for focusing the image of a subject at a focal plane; means establishing an optical path from said lens means to said focal plane, said optical path establishing means including specular reflecting surface means for establishing said focal plane at said exposure plane for said exposure mode and for establishing said focal plane at a viewing surface during said focusing mode; means for viewing an image of said subject at said viewing surface during said focusing mode; means associated with said viewing surface for directing rays of light incident thereon from said specular reflecting surface means substantially toward said viewing means; and means for effecting the exposure of said photosensitive material during said exposure mode.

Claim 5

A reflex photographic camera having focusing and exposure operational modes comprising in combination: means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane; means for establishing a viewing surface having a focusing position closely proximate said exposure plane; lens means for focusing the image of a subject at a focal plane; means establishing an optical path from said lens means to said focal plane, said optical path establishing means including specular reflecting surface means for establishing said focal plane at said exposure plane for said exposure mode and for establishing said focal plane at said viewing surface for said focusing mode; operator means for causing said specular reflecting surface means to reflect from one position during said exposure mode, to reflect from another position during said focusing mode, and for causing the said viewing surface to assume said focusing position for said focusing mode; means for viewing an image of said subject at said viewing surface during said focusing mode; and means for effecting the exposure of said photosensitive material during said exposure mode.

Claim 6

A reflex photographic camera having focusing and exposure operational modes comprising in combination: means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane; means for establishing a viewing surface having a focusing position closely proximate said exposure plane; lens means for focusing the image of a subject at a focal plane; means establishing an optical path from said lens means to said focal plane, said optical path establishing means including specular reflecting surface means for establishing said focal plane at said exposure plane for said exposure mode and for establishing said focal plane at said viewing surface for said focusing mode; operator means for causing said specular reflecting surface means to reflect from one position during said exposure mode, to reflect from another position during said focusing mode, and for causing the said viewing surface to assume said focusing position for said focusing mode; means for viewing an image of said subject at said viewing surface during said focusing mode; and means for effecting the exposure of said photosensitive material during said exposure mode.

Claim 7

The photographic camera of claim 3 in which said specular reflecting surface means comprises: a first specular reflecting surface having an exposure mode position selected to cause a coincidence of said focal plane with said exposure plane; and a second specular reflecting surface positioned closely proximate and rearwardly of said first specular reflecting surface during said exposure mode.

Claim 8

The photographic camera of claim 4 wherein said operator means is operative to cause said first specular reflecting surface to be positioned out of said optical path when said camera is in said focusing mode.

Claim 9

The photographic camera oF claim 4 in which: said first specular reflecting surface is movable from said one reflecting position; and said second specular reflecting surface is stationary.

Claim 10

The photographic camera of claim 3 wherein said operator means is operative to isolate said exposure plane from actinic radiation during said focusing mode.

Claim 11

The photographic camera of claim 3 in which said specular reflecting surface means comprises: a first specular reflecting surface having an exposure mode position selected to cause a coincidence of said focal plane with said exposure plane, and a focusing mode position operatively isolated from said optical path; and a second specular reflecting surface having a focusing mode position selected to cause a coincidence of said focal plane with said viewing surface.

Claim 12

The photographic camera of claim 8 in which said second specular reflecting surface is stationary and positioned closely proximate and in isolation from said first specular reflecting surface during said exposure mode.

Claim 13

The photographic camera of claim 3 in which: said specular reflecting surface means includes a first specular reflecting surface mounted upon and movable with said operator means; and a second specular reflecting surface stationary with respect to said first specular reflecting surface and oriented to cause a coincidence of said focal plane with said viewing surface during said focusing mode.

Claim 14

The photographic camera of claim 10 wherein said operator means is operative to orient said first specular reflecting surface in an exposure mode position selected to cause a coincidence of said focal plane with said exposure plane.

Claim 15

The photographic camera of claim 11 wherein said operator means is operative to orient said first specular reflecting surface in a position isolated from said optical path for said focusing mode.

Claim 16

The photographic camera of claim 10 wherein said viewing surface is mounted upon and movable with said operator means.

Claim 17

The photographic camera of claim 10 in which: said viewing surface is mounted upon said operator means in a position oppositely disposed from said first specular reflecting surface; and said operator means is operative to cause said viewing surface to assume said focusing position and, coincidently, to orient said first specular reflecting surface in a focusing mode position.

Claim 18

The photographic camera of claim 10 wherein said viewing surface is formed incorporating an echelon reflecting surface.

Claim 19

The photographic camera of claim 10 wherein said viewing means comprises an optical system having an entrance pupil, said system being positioned for viewing said viewing surface from a side of said viewing surface upon which light is incident.

Claim 20

A reflex photographic camera having focusing and exposure operational modes comprising in combination: means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane; lens means for focusing the image of a subject at said exposure plane along an optical path of predetermined length; operator means for positioning a first specular reflecting surface within said optical path in a location maintaining said length to derive an optical path orientation for said exposure mode and for positioning a viewing surface within said optical path before said exposure plane to derive an optical path orientation for said focusing mode; a second specular reflecting surface positioned for intercepting said path during said focusing mode, said second specular reflecting surface being positioned a distance from the said exposure mode position of said first specular reflecting surface selected to establish a focusing optical path to said viewing surface having a length equivalent to said predetermined length; means for effecting the exposure of said photosensitive material during said exposure mode; and means for viewing an image of said subject at said viewing surface during said focusing mode.

Claim 21

A reflex photographic camera having focusing and exposure operational modes comprising in combination: means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane; lens means for focusing the image of a subject at said exposure plane along an optical path of predetermined length; operator means for positioning a first specular reflecting surface within said optical path in a location maintaining said length to derive an optical path orientation for said exposure mode and for positioning a viewing surface within said optical path before said exposure plane to derive an optical path orientation for said focusing mode; a second specular reflecting surface positioned for intercepting said path during said focusing mode, said second specular reflecting surface being positioned a distance from the said exposure mode position of said first specular reflecting surface selected to establish a focusing optical path to said viewing surface having a length equivalent to said predetermined length; means for effecting the exposure of said photosensitive material during said exposure mode; and means for viewing an image of said subject at said viewing surface during said focusing mode.

Claim 22

The photographic camera of claim 17 wherein said operator means is operative to cause said first specular reflecting surface to be positioned out of said optical path during said focusing mode.

Claim 23

The photographic camera of claim 17 in which said operator means is operative to isolate said exposure plane from actinic radiation during said focusing mode.

Claim 24

The photographic camera of claim 17 in which: said operator means is operative to cause said first specular reflecting surface to be positioned out of said optical path for said focusing mode; and said second specular reflecting surface is stationary.

Claim 25

The photographic camera of claim 17 in which said second specular reflecting surface is stationary and positioned closely proximate and in isolation from said first specular reflecting surface during said exposure mode.

Claim 26

The photographic camera of claim 17 wherein said operator means is operative to orient said viewing surface in a position isolated from said optical path for said exposure mode.

Claim 27

The photographic camera of claim 22 in which: said first specular reflecting surface and said viewing surface are mounted upon and movable with said operator means; and said operator means is movable from one position establishing said focusing mode optical path orientation to another position establishing said exposure mode optical path orientation.

Claim 28

The photographic camera of claim 23 wherein said viewing surface is mounted upon said operator means in a position oppositely disposed from said first specular reflecting surface.

Claim 29

The photographic camera of claim 24 wherein said viewing means comprises an optical system having an entrance pupil, said system being positioned for viewing said viewing surface from a side of said viewing surface upon which light is incident.

Claim 30

The photographic camera of claim 25 in which said operator means is operative to isolate said exposure plane from actinic radiation during in said focusing mode.

Claim 31

The photographic camera of claim 25 wherein said viewing surface is formed incorporating an echelon reflective surface.

Claim 32

The photographic camera of claim 27 wherein said echelon surface is configured to reflect light rays incident thereon from said optical path toward said viewing means during said focusing mode.

Claim 33

A reflex photographic camera having focusing and exposure operational modes comprising in combination: means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane; lens means for focusing the image of a subject at said exposure plane along an optical path of predetermined length; operator means configured to support a first specular reflecting surface and a viewing surface opposite from an adjacent thereto, said operator means being movable for positioning said first specular reflecting surface within said optical path in a location maintaining said length for said exposure mode and for positioning said viewing surface within said optical path before and closely proximate to said exposure plane for said focusing mode; a second specular reflecting surface positioned for intercepting said path during said focusing mode, said second specular reflecting surface being positioned a distance from the said exposure mode position of said first specular reflecting surface selected to establish a focusing optical path to said viewing surface having a length equivalent to said predetermined length; means for effecting the exposure of said photosensitive material during said exposure mode; and means for viewing an image of said subject at said viewing surface during said focusing mode.

Claim 34

A reflex photographic camera having focusing and exposure operational modes comprising in combination: means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane; lens means for focusing the image of a subject at said exposure plane along an optical path of predetermined length; operator means configured to support a first specular reflecting surface and a viewing surface opposite from an adjacent thereto, said operator means being movable for positioning said first specular reflecting surface within said optical path in a location maintaining said length for said exposure mode and for positioning said viewing surface within said optical path before and closely proximate to said exposure plane for said focusing mode; a second specular reflecting surface positioned for intercepting said path during said focusing mode, said second specular reflecting surface being positioned a distance from the said exposure mode position of said first specular reflecting surface selected to establish a focusing optical path to said viewing surface having a length equivalent to said predetermined length; means for effecting the exposure of said photosensitive material during said exposure mode; and means for viewing an image of said subject at said viewing surface during said focusing mode.

Claim 35

A reflex photographic camera comprising: means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane; means defining a taking lens; reflex means defining one surface for reflecting light from said taking lens toward said exposure plane when in an exposure mode position and an oppositely disposed surface for reflecting light derivIng from said taking lens toward a viewing station when in a viewing mode position; means for selectively moving said reflex means between said viewing and exposure mode positions; and means for effecting the exposure of said photosensitive material when said reflex means is in said exposure mode position.

Claim 36

A reflex photographic camera comprising: means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane; means defining a taking lens; reflex means defining one surface for reflecting light from said taking lens toward said exposure plane when in an exposure mode position and an oppositely disposed surface for reflecting light derivIng from said taking lens toward a viewing station when in a viewing mode position; means for selectively moving said reflex means between said viewing and exposure mode positions; and means for effecting the exposure of said photosensitive material when said reflex means is in said exposure mode position.

Claim 37

The photographic camera of claim 30 in which said reflex means one surface for reflecting light from said taking lens toward said exposure plane is a substantially planar reflecting surface.

Claim 38

The photographic camera of claim 30 in which said reflex means oppositely disposed surface for reflecting light from said taking lens toward a viewing station is present as an echelon reflector surface.

Claim 39

The photographic camera of claim 30 in which said reflex means is opaque to the transmission of light therethrough and is shaped having a surface at least co-extensive with the periphery of said exposure plane.

Claim 40

The photographic camera of claim 30 in which said reflex means one surface and oppositely disposed surface are configured as substantially parallel surfaces mounted in back-to-back relationship.

Claim 41

The photographic camera of claim 30 further including a fixed reflective surface positioned within said camera to reflect light from said taking lens toward said oppositely disposed surface for reflecting light toward said viewing station when said reflex means is in said viewing mode position.

Claim 42

The photographic camera of claim 35 in which said means for selectively moving said reflex means is operative to move said reflex means surface for reflecting light toward said viewing station into surface-to-surface adjacency with said fixed reflective surface when in said exposure mode position, thereby substituting said one surface for reflecting light in place of said fixed reflective surface.

Claim 43

The photographic camera of claim 36 in which said reflex means is so configured and dimensioned that, when in said viewing mode position, said oppositely disposed surface is spaced above said exposure plane a distance equivalent to that distance spacing said fixed reflective surface from said one reflective surface when said reflex means is in said exposure mode position, whereby the said mean optical path distance established from said taking lens to said exposure plane is equivalent to the mean optical path established from said taking lens to said oppositely disposed surface when said reflex means is in said viewing mode position.