Folding camera

Claim 2

A folding camera comprising, in combination: holding means for supporting a photosensitive element in position for exposure; an objective lens for forming an image at a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means; a mirror for reflecting light transmitted by said lens toward said photosensitive element; and means for mounting said holding means, said lens and said mirror for movement relative to one another between an extended position in which the axis of said lens intersects the plane of said mirror at an acute angle other than 45* and said mirror is located at an angle with respect to a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means, and a folded position in which said mirror is located in adjacent, face-toface relation with said photosensitive element.

Claim 3

A camera is defined in claim 1 wherein said lens axis, in said extended position, intersects said plane of said mirror at an acute angle greater than 45*.

Claim 4

A camera as defined in claim 2 wherein said lens, in said extended position, is located substantially closer to an edge of the image formed thereby at said photosensitive element positioned by said holding means than to said mirror.

Claim 5

A camera as defined in claim 3 wherein said holding means supports said photosensitive element substantially in a plane, said axis of said lens, in said extended position, extends toward said mirror away from said photosensitive element at an acute angle with respect to said plane of said photosensitive element, and in said folded position, said angle between said axis and said plane is greater than in said extended position.

Claim 6

A camera comprising, in combination: holding means for supporting a photosensitive element in position for exposure; an objective lens for forming an image at a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means; a mirror for reflecting light transmitted by said lens toward said photosensitive element; and means for mounting said lens and said mirror in relative positions such that the axis of said lens intersects the plane of said mirror at an angle less than 45* .

Claim 7

A camera comprising, in combination: holding means for supporting a photosensitive element in position for exposure; an objective lens for forming an image at a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means; a mirror for reflecting light transmitted by said lens toward said photosensitive element; and means for mounting said lens and said mirror in relative positions such that the axis of said lens intersects the plane of said mirror at an angle less than 45* .

Claim 8

A camera as defined in claim 5 wherein said lens is mounted adjacent an edge of said mirror.

Claim 9

A camera as defined in claim 6 wherein said holding means supports said photosensitive element substantially in a plane and said lens is positioned to direct light along said axis toward said mirror and said plane of said photosensitive element at an acute angle with respect thereto.

Claim 10

A camera comprising, in combination: holding means for supporting a photosensitive element in position for exposure; an objective lens for forming an image at a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means; a mirror for reflecting light transmitted by said lens toward said photosensitive element; means for mounting said lens and said mirror in relative positions such that the axis of said lens intersects the plane of said mirror at an acute angle other than 45* ; and first and second housing sections movable relative to one another between operative and inoperative posiTions; said holding means being mounted on said first section, said mirror being mounted on said second section, and said mirror and said lens being positioned relative to one another as defined when said housing sections are in said operative position.

Claim 11

A camera comprising, in combination: holding means for supporting a photosensitive element in position for exposure; an objective lens for forming an image at a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means; a mirror for reflecting light transmitted by said lens toward said photosensitive element; means for mounting said lens and said mirror in relative positions such that the axis of said lens intersects the plane of said mirror at an acute angle other than 45* ; and first and second housing sections movable relative to one another between operative and inoperative posiTions; said holding means being mounted on said first section, said mirror being mounted on said second section, and said mirror and said lens being positioned relative to one another as defined when said housing sections are in said operative position.

Claim 12

A camera as defined in claim 8 including: a pair of rolls mounted for rotation in juxtaposition adjacent said holding means within said first housing section; means for rotating at least one of said rolls to advance a film unit, including a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means, from said holding means between said rolls to distribute a liquid processing composition in contact with said photosensitive element; and means defining a passage in said second housing section located, in said operative position of said housing sections, in alignment with said rolls for enabling the movement of said film unit between said rolls from said camera.

Claim 13

A camera as defined in claim 8 including viewfinder mounted within said second housing section and providing a light path extending within said second housing section from end to end thereof in a direction generally parallel with said plane of said mirror to the other end of said second housing section.

Claim 14

A camera as defined in claim 8 wherein said housing sections are coupled for pivotal movement with respect to one another between said operative and inoperative positions and said mirror is displaced toward said holding means by pivotal movement of said housing sections from said operative position to said inoperative position.

Claim 15

A camera comprising, in combination: holding means for supporting a photosensitive element in position for exposure; an objective lens for forming an image at a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means; a mirror for reflecting light transmitted by said lens toward said photosensitive element; and means for mounting said lens and said mirror in relative positions such that the axis of said lens intersects the plane of said mirror at an acute angle other than 45* ; a first housing section supporting said holding means; a second housing section supporting said mirror and pivotally coupled with said first housing section near the ends of said sections furthest from said lens; a third housing section mounting said lens and pivotally coupled with said first housing section near the opposite end thereof; and a fourth housing section pivotally coupled between said second and third housing sections; said housing sections being pivotable between an inoperative position in which said mirror and said holding means are located adjacent one another and an operative position wherein said mirror and said lens are positioned relative to one another as defined and said housing sections cooperate to define walls of a chamber providing a light path between said lens and said holding means.

Claim 16

A camera comprising, in combination: holding means for supporting a photosensitive element in position for exposure; an objective lens for forming an image at a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means; a mirror for reflecting light transmitted by said lens toward said photosensitive element; and means for mounting said lens and said mirror in relative positions such that the axis of said lens intersects the plane of said mirror at an acute angle other than 45* ; a first housing section supporting said holding means; a second housing section supporting said mirror and pivotally coupled with said first housing section near the ends of said sections furthest from said lens; a third housing section mounting said lens and pivotally coupled with said first housing section near the opposite end thereof; and a fourth housing section pivotally coupled between said second and third housing sections; said housing sections being pivotable between an inoperative position in which said mirror and said holding means are located adjacent one another and an operative position wherein said mirror and said lens are positioned relative to one another as defined and said housing sections cooperate to define walls of a chamber providing a light path between said lens and said holding means.

Claim 17

A compact folding camera comprising in combination: a first housing section; holding means for supporting a photosensitive element in position for exposure mounted on said first housing section; a second housing section pivotally coupled with said first housing section near one end thereof; a substantially planar mirror mounted on said second housing section; a third housing section pivotally coupled with said first housing section near the other end thereof; an objective lens for forming an image at a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means, mounted on said third housing section; said housing sections being pivotable with respect to one another between an inoperative position in which said mirror faces and is located adjacent said holding means and an operative position in which said mirror and said holding means are spaced from one another and the axis of said lens intersects the plane of said mirror at an acute angle.

Claim 18

A compact folding camera comprising in combination: a first housing section; holding means for supporting a photosensitive element in position for exposure mounted on said first housing section; a second housing section pivotally coupled with said first housing section near one end thereof; a substantially planar mirror mounted on said second housing section; a third housing section pivotally coupled with said first housing section near the other end thereof; an objective lens for forming an image at a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means, mounted on said third housing section; said housing sections being pivotable with respect to one another between an inoperative position in which said mirror faces and is located adjacent said holding means and an operative position in which said mirror and said holding means are spaced from one another and the axis of said lens intersects the plane of said mirror at an acute angle.

Claim 19

A camera as defined in claim 13 wherein said axis of Said lens intersects said plane of said mirror at an angle greater than 45* in said operative position of said housing sections.

Claim 20

A camera as defined in claim 14 wherein said holding means support a photosensitive element substantially in a plane and said lens is positioned to direct light along said axis toward said mirror away from the photosensitive element at an acute angle with respect to said plane of said photosensitive element when said housing sections are in said operative position.

Claim 21

A camera as defined in claim 14 wherein said third housing section is pivotable to an inoperative position in which said lens is disposed with said axis generally perpendicular to a plane containing said photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means.

Claim 22

A camera as defined in claim 13 including a fourth housing section pivotally coupled between said second and third housing sections for cooperating therewith, when said housing sections are in operative position, to position said lens and mirror relative to one another as defined and to define walls of a chamber providing a light path between said lens and said holding means.

Claim 23

A compact folding camera including housing sections movable relative to one another between operative and inoperative positions and an objective lens, the front-to-rear thickness of which is the controlling thickness of said camera in said inoperative position of said housing sections, said camera comprising in combination: a first housing section; holding means for supporting a photosensitive element substantially in a plane in position for exposure, mounted within said first housing section; a second housing section pivotally coupled with said first housing section near one end thereof; an objective lens for forming an image at a photosensitive element, positioned for exposure by said holding means, mounted within said second housing section; a third housing section pivotally coupled with said first housing section near the other end thereof; and a mirror mounted within said third housing section for reflecting light form said lens toward said holding means; said housing sections being arranged in said inoperative position thereof with said first and second housing sections disposed end to end with the axis of said lens located generally perpendicular to the plane of a photosensitive element positioned by said holding means and said third housing section located with said mirror in face-to-face adjacency with said holding means; said housing sections in said operative position thereof being located such that said axis of said lens intersects said mirror at an acute angle greater than 45*.

Claim 24

A compact folding camera including housing sections movable relative to one another between operative and inoperative positions and an objective lens, the front-to-rear thickness of which is the controlling thickness of said camera in said inoperative position of said housing sections, said camera comprising in combination: a first housing section; holding means for supporting a photosensitive element substantially in a plane in position for exposure, mounted within said first housing section; a second housing section pivotally coupled with said first housing section near one end thereof; an objective lens for forming an image at a photosensitive element, positioned for exposure by said holding means, mounted within said second housing section; a third housing section pivotally coupled with said first housing section near the other end thereof; and a mirror mounted within said third housing section for reflecting light form said lens toward said holding means; said housing sections being arranged in said inoperative position thereof with said first and second housing sections disposed end to end with the axis of said lens located generally perpendicular to the plane of a photosensitive element positioned by said holding means and said third housing section located with said mirror in face-to-face adjacency with said holding means; said housing sections in said operative position thereof being located such that said axis of said lens intersects said mirror at an acute angle greater than 45*.

Claim 25

A camera as defined in claim 18 including: a pair of rolls mounted for rotation in juxtaposition within said first housing section at said one end thereof adjacent said holding means; means for rotating at least one of said rolls to advance a film unit, including a photosensitive element positioned for exposure by said holding means, from said holding means between said rolls to distribute a processing liquid in contact with said photosensitive element; and means defining a passage in said second housing section located, in said operative position of said housing sections, in alignment with said rolls for enabling the movement of said film unit between said rolls from said camera.

Claim 26

A compact self-developing camera including an objective lens for forming an image at an exposure plane, said camera comprising, in combination: a housing for mounting and enclosing the components of said camera; said housing including a base section including means for supporting a photosensitive element in position for exposure at said exposure plane and a forward section located at one end of said base section; exposure means housed within said forward section and including an objective lens mounted with the optic axis thereof at an acute angle to said eXposure plane; said forward section including an opening for passing a photosensitive element; processing means contained, at least partially, within said forward section adjacent said opening for applying compressive pressure to a photosensitive element while moving said photosensitive element through said opening; means within said base section for advancing a photosensitive element from exposure position into engagement with said processing means; said housing including an intermediate section providing an enclosed light path between said forward section and said base section, said intermediate section including a first wall extending from the other end of said base section at an acute angle with respect to said exposure plane; and a mirror mounted within said housing on said first wall and having a substantially plane reflecting surface intersecting said optic axis at an acute angle other than 45* for reflecting light from said lens toward said exposure plane.

Claim 27

A compact self-developing camera including an objective lens for forming an image at an exposure plane, said camera comprising, in combination: a housing for mounting and enclosing the components of said camera; said housing including a base section including means for supporting a photosensitive element in position for exposure at said exposure plane and a forward section located at one end of said base section; exposure means housed within said forward section and including an objective lens mounted with the optic axis thereof at an acute angle to said eXposure plane; said forward section including an opening for passing a photosensitive element; processing means contained, at least partially, within said forward section adjacent said opening for applying compressive pressure to a photosensitive element while moving said photosensitive element through said opening; means within said base section for advancing a photosensitive element from exposure position into engagement with said processing means; said housing including an intermediate section providing an enclosed light path between said forward section and said base section, said intermediate section including a first wall extending from the other end of said base section at an acute angle with respect to said exposure plane; and a mirror mounted within said housing on said first wall and having a substantially plane reflecting surface intersecting said optic axis at an acute angle other than 45* for reflecting light from said lens toward said exposure plane.

Claim 28

A self-developing camera as defined in claim 20 wherein said processing means are constructed and positioned to move said photosensitive element through said opening in a plane at least generally parallel with said exposure plane and intersecting said optic axis of said lens outside of said camera.

Claim 29

A self-developing camera as defined in claim 20 wherein said mirror is located with the geometric center of said reflective surface substantially at said optic axis.

Claim 30

A self-developing camera as defined in claim 20 wherein said intermediate section includes a second wall coupled between and to said first wall and said forward section.

Claim 31

A self-developing camera as defined in claim 23 wherein said housing sections including said first and second walls are coupled for pivotal movement with respect to one another between folded and operative positions.

Claim 32

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: a housing including at least first and second sections defining sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light to a photosensitive element positioned within said housing; pivot means pivotally connecting said housing sections to one another near ends thereof for movement between a folded position and an extended position, said housing sections defining an acute angle with respect to each other in said extended position; means within said first section for positioning a photosensitive element for exposure; means within said chamber on said second section for directing light toward a photosensitive element positioned for exposure within said first section; linkage means providing, at least in said extended position, a rigid link coupled to said first and second sections at locations thereon remote from said pivot means and cooperating with said sections when in said extended position to form a rigid triangle; a third section defining another side of said chamber, said third section being pivotally coupled with said first section at a position remote from said pivot means; exposure means mounted within said third section for admitting light to said chamber; and a member pivotally coupled to said second housing section at a position remote from said pivot means and to said third section for supporting said third section in fixed relation to said first and second sections in said extended position.

Claim 33

A compact folding camera comprising, in combination: a housing including at least first and second sections defining sides of a lighttight chamber for transmitting light to a photosensitive element positioned within said housing; pivot means pivotally connecting said housing sections to one another near ends thereof for movement between a folded position and an extended position, said housing sections defining an acute angle with respect to each other in said extended position; means within said first section for positioning a photosensitive element for exposure; means within said chamber on said second section for directing light toward a photosensitive element positioned for exposure within said first section; linkage means providing, at least in said extended position, a rigid link coupled to said first and second sections at locations thereon remote from said pivot means and cooperating with said sections when in said extended position to form a rigid triangle; a third section defining another side of said chamber, said third section being pivotally coupled with said first section at a position remote from said pivot means; exposure means mounted within said third section for admitting light to said chamber; and a member pivotally coupled to said second housing section at a position remote from said pivot means and to said third section for supporting said third section in fixed relation to said first and second sections in said extended position.

Claim 34

A compact folding camera comprising: a first section having means therein for positioning a photosensitive element at a film plane for exposure; a mirror in said camera for reflecting light from a scene onto said film plane; lens means for directing light from a scene into said camera; a second section having means for positioning said mirror with its reflective surface in a reflecting plane such that the position of said reflecting plane is determined by the position of said second section; means interconnecting said first and second sections to permit relative movement of said sectiOns between a folded position in which said reflecting plane and said film plane are substantially parallel with each other and an extended position in which said reflecting plane forms an acute angle other than 45* with said film plane; means for releasably securing said first and second sections in said extended position; and means for positioning said lens means such that when said first and second sections are in the extended position, said lens means lies within the acute angle formed by said reflecting plane and said film plane, with the optic axis of said lens means oriented to direct scene light onto said reflecting plane.

Claim 35

A compact folding camera comprising: a first section having means therein for positioning a photosensitive element at a film plane for exposure; a mirror in said camera for reflecting light from a scene onto said film plane; lens means for directing light from a scene into said camera; a second section having means for positioning said mirror with its reflective surface in a reflecting plane such that the position of said reflecting plane is determined by the position of said second section; means interconnecting said first and second sections to permit relative movement of said sectiOns between a folded position in which said reflecting plane and said film plane are substantially parallel with each other and an extended position in which said reflecting plane forms an acute angle other than 45* with said film plane; means for releasably securing said first and second sections in said extended position; and means for positioning said lens means such that when said first and second sections are in the extended position, said lens means lies within the acute angle formed by said reflecting plane and said film plane, with the optic axis of said lens means oriented to direct scene light onto said reflecting plane.

Claim 36

A compact folding camera comprising: at least four body sections each having at least one primary exterior planar surface forming a part of the exterior of the body of said camera at all times; means pivotally coupling said sections to each other near their ends in series fashion to form a closed loop and to permit movement of said four sections relative to each other between a folded position in which said planar surfaces of said sections are substantially parallel to each other and an extended position in which each of said planar surfaces forms an angle with the planar surfaces of the two adjacent pivotally coupled sections; lens means in one of said sections for admitting scene light to the camera; film-supporting means in another of said sections for positioning a photosensitive element for exposure; and extensible light sealing means forming a lighttight enclosure with said four sections.

Claim 37

A compact folding camera comprising: at least four body sections each having at least one primary exterior planar surface forming a part of the exterior of the body of said camera at all times; means pivotally coupling said sections to each other near their ends in series fashion to form a closed loop and to permit movement of said four sections relative to each other between a folded position in which said planar surfaces of said sections are substantially parallel to each other and an extended position in which each of said planar surfaces forms an angle with the planar surfaces of the two adjacent pivotally coupled sections; lens means in one of said sections for admitting scene light to the camera; film-supporting means in another of said sections for positioning a photosensitive element for exposure; and extensible light sealing means forming a lighttight enclosure with said four sections.

Claim 38

A compact photographic camera of the self-developing type comprising: a first section having means therein for positioning a photosensitive element at a film plane for exposure; processing means mounted adjacent one end of said film plane, said processing means being adapted to engage a photosensitive element and move the latter toward the exterior of said camera; a mirror in said camera for reflecting light from a scene onto said film plane; lens means for directing light from a scene into said camera; a second section having means for positioning said mirror with its reflecting surface oriented in a preselected reflecting plane; said first and second sections being oriented in relation to each other such that an acute angle of less than 45* is formed between said film plane and said reflecting plane; a third section supporting said lens means within the acute angle formed by said film plane and said reflecting plane with the optic axis of said lens means oriented to direct scene light onto said reflecting plane; means blocking the direct transmission of scene light through said lens means onto said film plane; means interconnecting said first, second and third sections to form a lighttight enclosure; and means for moving the photosensitive element into engagement with said processing means.

Claim 39

A compact photographic camera of the self-developing type comprising: a first section having means therein for positioning a photosensitive element at a film plane for exposure; processing means mounted adjacent one end of said film plane, said processing means being adapted to engage a photosensitive element and move the latter toward the exterior of said camera; a mirror in said camera for reflecting light from a scene onto said film plane; lens means for directing light from a scene into said camera; a second section having means for positioning said mirror with its reflecting surface oriented in a preselected reflecting plane; said first and second sections being oriented in relation to each other such that an acute angle of less than 45* is formed between said film plane and said reflecting plane; a third section supporting said lens means within the acute angle formed by said film plane and said reflecting plane with the optic axis of said lens means oriented to direct scene light onto said reflecting plane; means blocking the direct transmission of scene light through said lens means onto said film plane; means interconnecting said first, second and third sections to form a lighttight enclosure; and means for moving the photosensitive element into engagement with said processing means.

Claim 40

A compact photographic camera as defined in claim 28 further including a fourth section extending between said second and third sections such that said four sections form in combination a compact four element body and said interconnecting means connects said four sections to form in combination therewith a lighttight enclosure.

Claim 41

A folding photographic camera extendable from a generally flattened configuration to an operative extended configuration preparatory to the making of a photographic exposure comprising: an articulated frame including at least four frame sections and means articulating each frame section to adjacent frame sections to form a four-sided assembly having variable included angles near each extremity thereof to permit said articulated frame to be folded flat with two of said frame sections substantially coplanar and parallel to a plane containing the other two frame sections; means in one of said frame sections for positioning a photosensitive element at a focal plane of said camera; and optical means inclUding lens means in another of said frame sections for imaging a subject at said focal plane.

Claim 42

A folding photographic camera extendable from a generally flattened configuration to an operative extended configuration preparatory to the making of a photographic exposure comprising: an articulated frame including at least four frame sections and means articulating each frame section to adjacent frame sections to form a four-sided assembly having variable included angles near each extremity thereof to permit said articulated frame to be folded flat with two of said frame sections substantially coplanar and parallel to a plane containing the other two frame sections; means in one of said frame sections for positioning a photosensitive element at a focal plane of said camera; and optical means inclUding lens means in another of said frame sections for imaging a subject at said focal plane.

Claim 43

The folding photographic camera of claim 30 wherein said optical means comprises a mirror pivoted adjacent one end of said focal plane and wherein the other of said frame sections mounting said lens means is located at the opposite end of said focal plane to project an image onto said focal plane by reflection from said mirror.

Claim 44

A compact photographic camera of the self-developing type comprising: a housing; means within said housing for positioning a photosensitive element at a focal plane of said camera; processing means mounted adjacent one end of said focal plane; a mirror; means for positioning said mirror at the other end of said focal plane oriented at an angle of less than 45* thereto; a photographic objective; means for positioning said photographic objective near said one end of said focal plane with its optical axis inclined at an angle of less than 45* to said focal plane and diverging therefrom to direct a focused image from said objective onto said focal plane by reflection from said mirror; and means for moving the photosensitive element into engagement with said processing means.

Claim 45

A compact photographic camera of the self-developing type comprising: a housing; means within said housing for positioning a photosensitive element at a focal plane of said camera; processing means mounted adjacent one end of said focal plane; a mirror; means for positioning said mirror at the other end of said focal plane oriented at an angle of less than 45* thereto; a photographic objective; means for positioning said photographic objective near said one end of said focal plane with its optical axis inclined at an angle of less than 45* to said focal plane and diverging therefrom to direct a focused image from said objective onto said focal plane by reflection from said mirror; and means for moving the photosensitive element into engagement with said processing means.

Claim 46

A compact folding camera comprising: at least four frame sections; means pivotally coupling said frame sections to each other near their ends in series fashion to form a closed loop and to permit movement of said frame sections relative to each other between a folded position in which said frame sections are nested together in two sets of pairs, which sets are adjacently positioned in substantially parallel relationship to each other, and an extended position in which said frame sections form a four element body having included angles at each junction of said sections; lens means in one of said frame sections for admitting scene light to the interior of said four sided body; film-supporting means in another of said frame sections for positioning a photosensitive element for exposure; and extensible light sealing means forming a lighttight enclosure with said frame sections.

Claim 47

A compact folding camera comprising: at least four frame sections; means pivotally coupling said frame sections to each other near their ends in series fashion to form a closed loop and to permit movement of said frame sections relative to each other between a folded position in which said frame sections are nested together in two sets of pairs, which sets are adjacently positioned in substantially parallel relationship to each other, and an extended position in which said frame sections form a four element body having included angles at each junction of said sections; lens means in one of said frame sections for admitting scene light to the interior of said four sided body; film-supporting means in another of said frame sections for positioning a photosensitive element for exposure; and extensible light sealing means forming a lighttight enclosure with said frame sections.