Electronic shutter switch means responsive to the movement of a mirror driving member in a single lens reflex camera

Claim 2

A shutter actuating device for a single lens reflex camera having a shutter successively movable to open and closed positions defining an exposure sequence, a timing circuit including an electromagnet for releasably holding the shutter to control the exposure sequence, the device comprising a reflecting mirror normally biased tOward a viewing position and movable between a viewing position and a photo-taking position, a driving mechanism for raising the mirror to photo-taking position and retracting the mirror to viewing position, the driving mechanism including a driving member engageable with the mirror and movable between a first position in which the driving member disengages from the mirror which is in the viewing position and a second position in which the driving member raises the mirror to the photo-taking position against the biasing force, a switch adapted to actuate the timing circuit disposed in the path of movement of said driving member, said switch being opened by the driving member in the first position and closed when the driving member starts movement toward the second position, means for releasably holding the shutter in closed position including a shutter release member in the path of movement of said driving member, whereby the shutter is opened after the mirror has been raised to photo-taking position, the timing circuit maintaining the electromagnet in an energized condition for a predetermined time, means responsive to the de-energization of the electromagnet for releasing the shutter to end the exposure sequence, and manually operable means for releasably holding said driving mechanism to allow placement of the mirror in a raised position prior to actuation of the shutter.

Claim 3

A photographic camera comprising a housing having a lens in the front, a focal plane shutter and an intermediate reflecting mirror pivotally mounted within the housing, means for positioning the reflecting mirror in the path of light coming through the lens for viewing an object and for raising the mirror out of the path of light, means for winding the shutter, a timing circuit including an electromagnet, an electric current source for energizing the timing circuit, a switch interposed between the timing circuit and the electric current source, means for retaining the shutter in wound condition and the switch in open state, means for releasing the shutter to the open position, means for releasing the shutter to the closed position, means for closing the switch in response to the release of the shutter independently of the upward movement of the mirror, whereby electric current is applied to the timing circuit and the electromagnet is energized, the timing circuit maintaining the electromagnet in an energized condition for a predetermined time, and means responsive to the de-energization of the electromagnet for actuating the means for releasing the shutter to the closed position.

Claim 4

A photographic camera comprising a housing having a lens in the front, a focal plane shutter and an intermediate reflecting mirror pivotally mounted within the housing, means for positioning the reflecting mirror in the path of light coming through the lens for viewing an object and for raising the mirror out of the path of light, means for winding the shutter, a timing circuit including an electromagnet, an electric current source for energizing the timing circuit, a switch interposed between the timing circuit and the electric current source, means for retaining the shutter in wound condition and the switch in open state, means for releasing the shutter to the open position, means for releasing the shutter to the closed position, means for closing the switch in response to the release of the shutter independently of the upward movement of the mirror, whereby electric current is applied to the timing circuit and the electromagnet is energized, the timing circuit maintaining the electromagnet in an energized condition for a predetermined time, and means responsive to the de-energization of the electromagnet for actuating the means for releasing the shutter to the closed position.

Claim 5

A shutter actuating device for a single lens reflex camera having a shutter successively movable to open and closed positions defining an exposure sequence, a timing circuit including an electromagnet for releasably holding the shutter to control the exposure sequence, the device comprising a reflecting mirror normally biased toward a viewing position and movable between a viewing position and a photo-taking position, a driving mechanism for raising the mirror to photo-taking position and retracting the mirror to viewing position, the driving mechanism including a driving member engageable with the mirror and movable between a first position in which the driving member disengages from the mirror which is in the viewing position and a second position in which the driving member raises the mirror to the photo-taking position against the biasing force, a switch adapted to actuate the timing circuit disposed in the path of movement of said driving member, said switch being opened by the driving member in the first position and closed when the driving member starts movement toward the second position, means for releasably holding the shutter in the closed position including a shutter release member in the path of movement of said driving member, whereby the shutter is opened after the mirror has been raised to photo-taking position, the driving member having three arms, the first arm being related to the mirror for raising and rEtracting the mirror, and the second and third arms being engageable with said switch and shutter release member, respectively, and manually operable means for releasably holding said driving mechanism to allow placement of the mirror in a raised position prior to actuation of the shutter.

Claim 6

A shutter actuating device for a single lens reflex camera having a shutter successively movable to open and closed positions defining an exposure sequence, a timing circuit including an electromagnet for releasably holding the shutter to control the exposure sequence, the device comprising a reflecting mirror normally biased toward a viewing position and movable between a viewing position and a photo-taking position, a driving mechanism for raising the mirror to photo-taking position and retracting the mirror to viewing position, the driving mechanism including a driving member engageable with the mirror and movable between a first position in which the driving member disengages from the mirror which is in the viewing position and a second position in which the driving member raises the mirror to the photo-taking position against the biasing force, a switch adapted to actuate the timing circuit disposed in the path of movement of said driving member, said switch being opened by the driving member in the first position and closed when the driving member starts movement toward the second position, means for releasably holding the shutter in the closed position including a shutter release member in the path of movement of said driving member, whereby the shutter is opened after the mirror has been raised to photo-taking position, the driving member having three arms, the first arm being related to the mirror for raising and rEtracting the mirror, and the second and third arms being engageable with said switch and shutter release member, respectively, and manually operable means for releasably holding said driving mechanism to allow placement of the mirror in a raised position prior to actuation of the shutter.