Electric generator drive mechanism

Claim 2

In a camera having a shutter operatable for making a photographic exPosure, a device for driving an electric generator of the type having a stator and a rotor mounted therein for relatively free rotation for a limited duration, said device comprising: a. a member movable from an initial position through a path for driving the generator rotor, said movable member including means for drivingly coupling said movable member to said generator rotor during only a first portion of the movement of said member through said path so that said movable member is not coupled to said generator rotor during the second portion of the movement of said member through said path, whereby said generator rotor can continue movement independent of said movable member after said member has moved through said first portion of said path; b. releasable means for preventing movement of said member; c. means movable from a first position to a second position for operating said shutter and for releasing said movement preventing means, thereby rendering said movable member free to move; d. means for transmitting force to said movable member for imparting movement thereto, said force transmitting means being alternatively placeable in a de-energized condition wherein said means is incapable of transmitting said force to said movable member, and an energized condition wherein said means is capable of transmitting said force to said movable member, said force transmitting means assuming said de-energized condition when said releasing means is in said first position; and e. means for placing said force transmitting means in said energized condition in response to movement of said releasing means from said first position towards said second position.

Claim 3

In a camera having a shutter operatable for making a photographic exPosure, a device for driving an electric generator of the type having a stator and a rotor mounted therein for relatively free rotation for a limited duration, said device comprising: a. a member movable from an initial position through a path for driving the generator rotor, said movable member including means for drivingly coupling said movable member to said generator rotor during only a first portion of the movement of said member through said path so that said movable member is not coupled to said generator rotor during the second portion of the movement of said member through said path, whereby said generator rotor can continue movement independent of said movable member after said member has moved through said first portion of said path; b. releasable means for preventing movement of said member; c. means movable from a first position to a second position for operating said shutter and for releasing said movement preventing means, thereby rendering said movable member free to move; d. means for transmitting force to said movable member for imparting movement thereto, said force transmitting means being alternatively placeable in a de-energized condition wherein said means is incapable of transmitting said force to said movable member, and an energized condition wherein said means is capable of transmitting said force to said movable member, said force transmitting means assuming said de-energized condition when said releasing means is in said first position; and e. means for placing said force transmitting means in said energized condition in response to movement of said releasing means from said first position towards said second position.

Claim 4

In a camera having a shutter operatable for making a photographic exPosure, a device for driving an electric generator of the type having a stator and a rotor mounted therein for relatively free rotation for a limited duration, said device comprising: a. a member movable from an initial position through a path for driving the generator rotor, said movable member including means for drivingly coupling said movable member to said generator rotor during only a first portion of the movement of said member through said path so that said movable member is not coupled to said generator rotor during the second portion of the movement of said member through said path, whereby said generator rotor can continue movement independent of said movable member after said member has moved through said first portion of said path; b. releasable means for preventing movement of said member; c. means movable from a first position to a second position for operating said shutter and for releasing said movement preventing means, thereby rendering said movable member free to move; d. means for transmitting force to said movable member for imparting movement thereto, said force transmitting means being alternatively placeable in a de-energized condition wherein said means is incapable of transmitting said force to said movable member, and an energized condition wherein said means is capable of transmitting said force to said movable member, said force transmitting means assuming said de-energized condition when said releasing means is in said first position; and e. means for placing said force transmitting means in said energized condition in response to movement of said releasing means from said first position towards said second position.

Claim 5

A device according to claim 1 further comprising means for moving said movable member to said initial position in response to movement of said releasing means to said first position.

Claim 6

A camera having a movable shutter and electrically energizable means for facilitating the making of an exposure, said camera comprising: a. an electric generator including a rotor mounted for rotation through at least one complete revolution; b. a member movable from an initial position through a path c. means for drivingly coupling said movable member to said generator rotor during only the first portion of the movement of said member through said path to drive the generator and for decoupling said member and said rotor during the second portion of the movement of said member through said path; d. a release lever movable between an initial and a release position; e. spring means for biasing said movable member for movement through said path; f. a first latch releasably retaining said movable member in said initial position; g. means for releasing said first latch in response to movement of said release lever to said release position to release said movable member, thereby allowing said spring means to move said movable member through said path to drive said generator; h. means for storing electrical energy produced by said generator prior to the exposure; i. a shutter drive lever displaceable between cocked and uncocked positions for moving the shutter and for connecting said energy storage means to the exposure facilitating means; j. means biasing said shutter drive lever for displacement from said cocked position to said uncocked position; k. a second latch releasably holding said shutter drive lever in said cocked position; and l. means disposed for engagement with said movable member during the second portion of the movement of said member through said path for releasing said second latch, whereby said shutter drive lever is displaced to said second uncocked position to substantially simultaneously move the shutter and to cause energization of said exposure facilitating means.

Claim 7

A camera having a movable shutter and electrically energizable means for facilitating the making of an exposure, said camera comprising: a. an electric generator including a rotor mounted for rotation through at least one complete revolution; b. a member movable from an initial position through a path c. means for drivingly coupling said movable member to said generator rotor during only the first portion of the movement of said member through said path to drive the generator and for decoupling said member and said rotor during the second portion of the movement of said member through said path; d. a release lever movable between an initial and a release position; e. spring means for biasing said movable member for movement through said path; f. a first latch releasably retaining said movable member in said initial position; g. means for releasing said first latch in response to movement of said release lever to said release position to release said movable member, thereby allowing said spring means to move said movable member through said path to drive said generator; h. means for storing electrical energy produced by said generator prior to the exposure; i. a shutter drive lever displaceable between cocked and uncocked positions for moving the shutter and for connecting said energy storage means to the exposure facilitating means; j. means biasing said shutter drive lever for displacement from said cocked position to said uncocked position; k. a second latch releasably holding said shutter drive lever in said cocked position; and l. means disposed for engagement with said movable member during the second portion of the movement of said member through said path for releasing said second latch, whereby said shutter drive lever is displaced to said second uncocked position to substantially simultaneously move the shutter and to cause energization of said exposure facilitating means.

Claim 8

A camera as defined in claim 3 wherein said energy storage means comprises: a. an electrical capacitor for storing energy produced by said generator; b. a Normally open switch and a flash lamp receptacle connnected in series across said capacitor, said switch being responsive to opening movement of said shutter to connect said flash lamp receptacle to said capacitor.