Mechanism for operating a camera shutter and a mechanically operable flash device in synchronism

Claim 2

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by striking and at least one striking mechanism including a pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receIving a flash unit of the type described; means for releasing the striking element of a striking mechanism of a received unit, said releasing means being movable from a first position to a second position to contact the striking mechanism and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element; and a shutter; the improvement comprising: means for actuating said shutter in response to movement of said releasing means from said second position to said third position; and means for applying a gradually increasing force to said releasing means urging said releasing means from said first position toward said third position to first move said releasing means into nonreleasing contact with said striking mechanism and then gradually increase the force on said striking mechanism until said striking element is released.

Claim 3

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by striking and at least one striking mechanism including a pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a shutter driver movable from a first position to a second position for actuating a shutter; means for urging said shutter driver from said first position toward said second position; and an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to contact a striking mechanism of a received flash lamp unit and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element of the striking mechanism; the improvement comprising: latch means coupled to said actuating member for movement therewith for holding said shutter driver in its first position during movement of said actuating member from its first to its second position and for releasing said shutter driver in response to movement of said actuating member from its second to its third position; and means for applying a gradually increasing force to said actuating member urging it from its first toward its third position to first move it into nonreleasing contact with said striking mechanism and then, as said force is increased, apply a releasing force to said striking mechanism to release said striking element and said shutter driver in timed relation.

Claim 4

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by striking and at least one striking mechanism including a pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a shutter driver movable from a first position to a second position for actuating a shutter; means for urging said shutter driver from said first position toward said second position; and an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to contact a striking mechanism of a received flash lamp unit and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element of the striking mechanism; the improvement comprising: latch means coupled to said actuating member for movement therewith for holding said shutter driver in its first position during movement of said actuating member from its first to its second position and for releasing said shutter driver in response to movement of said actuating member from its second to its third position; and means for applying a gradually increasing force to said actuating member urging it from its first toward its third position to first move it into nonreleasing contact with said striking mechanism and then, as said force is increased, apply a releasing force to said striking mechanism to release said striking element and said shutter driver in timed relation.

Claim 5

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by striking and at least one striking mechanism including a pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; means for releasing the striking element of a striking mechanism of a received unit, said releasing means being movable from a first position to a second position to contact the striking mechanism and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element; a shutter; and a body release movable from a first position to a second position; the improvement comprising: means for actuating said shutter in direct response to movement of said releasing means from its second position to its third position; and means for moving said releasing means from its first position to its third positionto release the striking element, said moving means including resilient coupling means between said body release and said releasing means gradually energizeable by movement of said body release from its first position to its second position, for urging said releasing means first into nonreleasing engagement with the striking mechanism and then for gradually increasing the force of said releasing means on said striking mechanism until said striking element is released and said releasing means moves to its third position.

Claim 6

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by striking and at least one striking mechanism including a pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; means for releasing the striking element of a striking mechanism of a received unit, said releasing means being movable from a first position to a second position to contact the striking mechanism and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element; a shutter; and a body release movable from a first position to a second position; the improvement comprising: means for actuating said shutter in direct response to movement of said releasing means from its second position to its third position; and means for moving said releasing means from its first position to its third positionto release the striking element, said moving means including resilient coupling means between said body release and said releasing means gradually energizeable by movement of said body release from its first position to its second position, for urging said releasing means first into nonreleasing engagement with the striking mechanism and then for gradually increasing the force of said releasing means on said striking mechanism until said striking element is released and said releasing means moves to its third position.

Claim 7

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by striking and at least one striking mechanism including A pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; means for releasing the striking element of a striking mechanism of a received unit, said releasing means being movable from a first positionto a second position to contact the striking mechanism and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element; and means for moving said releasing means from its first position to its third position to release the striking element; the improvement comprising: means for actuating said shutter in direct response to movement of said releasing means from said second position to said third position.

Claim 8

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by striking and at least one striking mechanism including A pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; means for releasing the striking element of a striking mechanism of a received unit, said releasing means being movable from a first positionto a second position to contact the striking mechanism and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element; and means for moving said releasing means from its first position to its third position to release the striking element; the improvement comprising: means for actuating said shutter in direct response to movement of said releasing means from said second position to said third position.

Claim 9

The improvement according to claim 4, wherein said apparatus includes: a shutter actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to actuate said shutter; means for releasably holding said shutter actuating member in its first position; means for urging said shutter actuating member from its first position toward its second position; and means coupled to said means for releasing the striking element for releasing said shutter actuating member during movement of said means for releasing the striking element from its second position to its third position.

Claim 10

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by strikingand at least one striking mechanism including a pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a shutter; a shutter driver holdable in an energized first position and releasable for movement to a second position for actuating said shutter; an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to contact a striking mechanism of a received flash unit and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element associated with the striking mechanism; the improvement wherein: said actuating element includes a latch movable therewith for releasably holding said shutter driver in its energized first position during movement of said actuating element from its first position to its second position and for releasing said shutter driver during movement of said actuating element from its second to its third position.

Claim 11

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by strikingand at least one striking mechanism including a pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a shutter; a shutter driver holdable in an energized first position and releasable for movement to a second position for actuating said shutter; an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to contact a striking mechanism of a received flash unit and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element associated with the striking mechanism; the improvement wherein: said actuating element includes a latch movable therewith for releasably holding said shutter driver in its energized first position during movement of said actuating element from its first position to its second position and for releasing said shutter driver during movement of said actuating element from its second to its third position.

Claim 12

The improvement according to claim 6, wherein said latchis integral with said actuating element.

Claim 13

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by striking, and at least one striking mechanism, including a pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a shutter; a shutter driver holdable in an energized first position and releasable for movement to a second position for actuating said shutter; a releasable latch for holding said shutter driver in said energized first position; and an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to contact a striking mechanism of a received flash unit and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element associated with the striking mechanism; the improvement comprising: means coupled to said actuating element for movement therewith for releasing said latch during movement of said actuating member from its second position to its third position.

Claim 14

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by striking, and at least one striking mechanism, including a pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a shutter; a shutter driver holdable in an energized first position and releasable for movement to a second position for actuating said shutter; a releasable latch for holding said shutter driver in said energized first position; and an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to contact a striking mechanism of a received flash unit and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element associated with the striking mechanism; the improvement comprising: means coupled to said actuating element for movement therewith for releasing said latch during movement of said actuating member from its second position to its third position.

Claim 15

The improvement according to claim 8 wherein said latch releasing means is integral with said actuating member.

Claim 16

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by striking, and at least one striking mechanism including a pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the Type described; a shutter; a shutter driver holdable in an energized first position and releasable for movement to a second position for actuating said shutter; a releasable latch for holding said shutter driver in said energized first position; an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to contact a striking mechanism of a received flash unit and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element associated with the striking mechanism; the improvement comprising: means coupled to said actuating element for movement therewith for releasing said latch during movement of said actuating member from its second position to its third position; and means for applying a gradually increasing force to said actuating member urging said member from said first position toward said third position to first move said actuating member into nonreleasing force applying contact with the striking mechanism and to then gradually increase the force on the striking mechanism until the striking element is released and said actuating member is moved to its third position thereby releasing said latch in timed relation with releasing the striking element.

Claim 17

In photographic apparatus for use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flash lamp fireable by striking, and at least one striking mechanism including a pre-energized striking element releasable to effect such striking, said apparatus including: means for receiving a flash unit of the Type described; a shutter; a shutter driver holdable in an energized first position and releasable for movement to a second position for actuating said shutter; a releasable latch for holding said shutter driver in said energized first position; an actuating member movable from a first position to a second position to contact a striking mechanism of a received flash unit and from said second position to a third position to release the striking element associated with the striking mechanism; the improvement comprising: means coupled to said actuating element for movement therewith for releasing said latch during movement of said actuating member from its second position to its third position; and means for applying a gradually increasing force to said actuating member urging said member from said first position toward said third position to first move said actuating member into nonreleasing force applying contact with the striking mechanism and to then gradually increase the force on the striking mechanism until the striking element is released and said actuating member is moved to its third position thereby releasing said latch in timed relation with releasing the striking element.

Claim 18

For use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flashlamp fireable by striking and at least one pre-energized striker lodged in an energized position from which it is dislodgeable to effect such striking, photographic apparatus comprising: a shutter; means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a synchronizing member movable from a first position to a second position into nonreleasing contact with a pre-energized striker of a received unit and from said second position to a third position beyond said second position in the absence of a striker in its pre-energized position; means for applying synchronizing force to said synchronizing member sufficient to urge said synchronizing member toward its third position in the absence of a striker in its pre-energized position but insufficient to dislodge a striker from its pre-energized position; means for dislodging said striker from its pre-energized position to permit said synchronizing member to move to its third position at least partially under the urging of said synchronizing force; and means coupled to said synchronizing member for actuating said shutter in response to movement of said synchronizing member to its third position.

Claim 19

For use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flashlamp fireable by striking and at least one pre-energized striker lodged in an energized position from which it is dislodgeable to effect such striking, photographic apparatus comprising: a shutter; means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a synchronizing member movable from a first position to a second position into nonreleasing contact with a pre-energized striker of a received unit and from said second position to a third position beyond said second position in the absence of a striker in its pre-energized position; means for applying synchronizing force to said synchronizing member sufficient to urge said synchronizing member toward its third position in the absence of a striker in its pre-energized position but insufficient to dislodge a striker from its pre-energized position; means for dislodging said striker from its pre-energized position to permit said synchronizing member to move to its third position at least partially under the urging of said synchronizing force; and means coupled to said synchronizing member for actuating said shutter in response to movement of said synchronizing member to its third position.

Claim 20

For use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flashlamp fireable by striking and at least one pre-energized striker for each such lamp releasably held in a pre-energized position from which said striker is releasable to effect such striking, photographic apparatus comprising: a shutter; means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a synchronizing member positionable in contact with a pre-energized striker of a received unit; means for applying a force to said synchronizing member urging it to move through an operative path, such movement being restrainable by a contacted pre-energized striker; means for releasing a contacted striker to permit movement of said synchronizing member through said operative path, and means coupled to said synchronizing member for actuating said shutter in response to movement of said synchronizing member through its operative path.

Claim 21

For use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flashlamp fireable by striking and at least one pre-energized striker for each such lamp releasably held in a pre-energized position from which said striker is releasable to effect such striking, photographic apparatus comprising: a shutter; means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a synchronizing member positionable in contact with a pre-energized striker of a received unit; means for applying a force to said synchronizing member urging it to move through an operative path, such movement being restrainable by a contacted pre-energized striker; means for releasing a contacted striker to permit movement of said synchronizing member through said operative path, and means coupled to said synchronizing member for actuating said shutter in response to movement of said synchronizing member through its operative path.

Claim 22

For use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flashlamp fireable by striking and at least one pre-energized striker for each such lamp releasably held in a pre-energized position from which such striker is releasable to effect such striking, photographic apparatus comprising: shutter; means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a synchronizing member positionable in contact with a pre-energized striker of a received unit; resilient means for applying a force to said synchronizing member urging it to move through an operative path such movement being restrAinable by a contacted pre-energized striker; means for releasing a contacted striker to permit movement of said synchronizing member through said operative path under the urging of said force applying means; and means coupled to said synchronizing member for actuating said shutter in response to movement of said synchronizing member through its operative path under the urging of said force applying means.

Claim 23

For use with photoflash units of the type having at least one flashlamp fireable by striking and at least one pre-energized striker for each such lamp releasably held in a pre-energized position from which such striker is releasable to effect such striking, photographic apparatus comprising: shutter; means for receiving a flash unit of the type described; a synchronizing member positionable in contact with a pre-energized striker of a received unit; resilient means for applying a force to said synchronizing member urging it to move through an operative path such movement being restrAinable by a contacted pre-energized striker; means for releasing a contacted striker to permit movement of said synchronizing member through said operative path under the urging of said force applying means; and means coupled to said synchronizing member for actuating said shutter in response to movement of said synchronizing member through its operative path under the urging of said force applying means.