Compact folding reflex camera

Claim 1

A compact, folding, reflex camera comprising: a housing having a plurality of sections, including first, second, third, and fourth sections, interconnected for relative movement between folded and extended positions; a thin walled envelope formed of a flexible, light opaque material and having first, second, and third openings therein; means coupling said envelope to said housing in a lighttight manner for automatic movement with said sections between a folded position and an extended position wherein said envelope forms a chamber within said camera with said first and second openings, respectively, positioned adjacent said first and second housing sections and said third opening positioned adjacent said third housing section, to provide access for light transmission into and out of said chamber; exposure means supported by said first section and aligned with said first opening in said envelope for selectively admitting light reflected from scene into said chamber; means within said second section for positioning a film unit in alignment with said second opening in said envelope such that said light may pass from said chamber therethrough to cause exposure of the film unit; reflecting means supported by said fourth housing section for redirecting said light admitted by said exposure means toward said second opening; reflex means, movable within said chamber between a viewing position in which it prevents passage of said light through said second opening and provides an image of said scene from said light, and an exposure position in which it directs said light through said second opening to cause exposure of the film unit; and a viewing device supported by said third housing section and aligned with said third opening in said envelope for viewing said image provided by said reflex means, located in said viewing position, in preparation for exposing the film unit.