Spring-actuated mechanism particularly for single-lens reflex cameras

Claim 1

A spring-actuated mechanism comprising cocking lever means for cocking a spring and actuating lever means for actuating at least one component, support means supporting said cocking lever means and actuating lever means for turning movement about a common axis with each lever means being turnable about said axis between a cocked position and a release position, a pair of releasable holding means respectively coacting with said cocking lever means and actuating lever means for releasably holding them in their cocked positions and for releasing them for return from said cocked positions to said release positions, and a single spring having a pair of springy portions respectively acting on said cocking lever means and actuating lever means for respectively urging them in opposite directions about said axis and with the springy portion which acts on said cocking lever means situated at a greater distance from said axis than the springy portion which acts on said actuating lever means, said cocking lever means, when turned in a direction opposite to that in which it is urged by said spring, cocking said spring and being held in its cocking position by that one of said releasable holding means which holds said cocking lever means in its cocked position until the latter holding means is actuated to release said cocking lever means for return to its release position, while the other releasable holding means holds said actuating lever means in its cocked position when said cocking lever means is turned from its release to its cocked position, until said other holding means is actuated to release said actuating lever means for movement by said spring from its cocked to its release position during which said component is acted upon by said actuating lever means.