Apparatus and system for flash photography

Claim 2

Photographic apparatus comprising: means for initiating the energization of a source of artificial illumination having a given output intensity characteristic; lens means adjustable to focus the image of a photographic subject positioned a given distance therefrom along an optical path at an image plane; focusing means movable between one terminus representing a distant focus and another terminus representing a nearest focus for adjusting said lens means; exposure mechanism means having at least one element movable along a locus of travel and defining a range of apertures over said optical path when said element is moved; interceptor means driveably movable into said exposure mechanism means locus of travel and positionable for halting said element thereof at locations wherein said exposure mechanism means defines select exposure apertures; cam means movable in correspondence with said focusing means movement, having a control surface contactable with said interceptor means and configured to position said interceptor means in accordance with the said intensity of said source of artificial illumination anticipated at said photographic subject; and tractive electromagnetic means stationary with respect to said cam means and said interceptor means for selectively driving and moving said interceptor means into said locus of travel during a photographic cycle of said apparatus.

Claim 3

The photographic apparatus of said claim 1 in which said cam means control surface includes a dwell portion configured to position said interceptor means to establish a said aperture of maximum area when said focusing means adjusts said lens means at a position between said one terminus representing a said distant focus at infinity and another position representing a said subject distance corresponding with the maximum range of said source of artificial illumination.

Claim 4

The photographic apparatus of claim 1 including trim means adjustable for altering the respective postions of said interceptor means and said cam means control surface for trimming the said position of said interceptor means so as to vary the value of exposure along said optical path by a predetermined amount.

Claim 5

The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said interceptor means is slideably moUnted about said cam means given axis.

Claim 6

The photographic apparatus of claim 3 including: means selectively actuable for controlling said exposure mechanism automatically in accordance with the ambient light level of a scene being photographed; ambient trim means for selectively varying the said automatic exposure mechanism control by a predetermined value of exposure; and manually adjustable trim control means for simultaneously adjusting said trim means and said ambient trim means to provide said predetermined variation of exposure value.

Claim 7

The photographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interceptor means includes a cam follower configured and arranged for positive drive contact with said cam means control surface.

Claim 8

The photographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interceptor means is rectilinearly movable along a locus including said cam means given axis to establish said position for halting said exposure mechanism means element.

Claim 9

The photographic apparatus of claim 7 including trim means for rotating said interceptor means about said cam means given axis by a predetermined amount to selectively alter the relative position thereof with respect to said cam means control surface thereby trimming the said position of said interceptor means.

Claim 10

The photographic apparatus of claim 8 wherein said focusing means includes a manually adjustable focusing component rotatable about said cam means given axis.

Claim 11

The photographic apparatus of claim 9 wherein said cam means control surface is positioned upon said manually adjustable focusing component.

Claim 12

The photographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interceptor means includes follower means having a contact portion in slidable contact with said control surface and being slidably mounted about said given axis and configured for developing rectilinear motion in response to said cam means rotation.

Claim 13

The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said interceptor means is mounted for radial cam follower contact with said cam means control surface and includes an arresting link having a surface portion of predetermined radial configuration arranged to selectively contact said exposure mechanism means for halting said element thereof.

Claim 14

The photographic apparatus of claim 12 in which said interceptor means is slidably mounted about said cam means given axis.

Claim 15

The photographic apparatus of claim 12 in which said surface portion of said arresting link is configured as an arc having a radius of length selected intermediate the distance of said surface portion from said given axis when said focusing means is at said distant focus and when said focusing means is at said nearest focus.

Claim 16

The photographic apparatus of claim 12 wherein said interceptor means includes a cam follower configured and arranged for positive drive contact with said cam means control surface.

Claim 17

The photographic apparatus of claim 13 in which: said focusing means includes a focus wheel rotatable about said cam means given axis; and said cam means control surface is formed as a component of said focus wheel.

Claim 18

An exposure control mechanism for photographic apparatus comprising: means defining an optical path including an optical objective adjustable to image a photographic scene at an image plane; focusing means movable to adjust said optical objective; means for initiating the energization of a source of artificial light to illuminate said scene; exposure regulator means having at least one element movable along a locus of travel and defining a range of apertures over said optical path in correspondence with said element movement; interceptor means having an interceptor assembly actuable to move into said locus of travel to arrest said element so as to define a select aperture value over said optical path, and including follower means drivable to position said interceptor assembly at locations along said locus of travel defining a said select aperture; cam means movable in correspondence with said focusing means movement and drivably contactable with said follower means for locating said interceptor assembly at a said select position establishing a said aperture value corresponding with the level of said artificial illumination anticipated at said scene; manual trim means connected with said interceptor means for altering the position of contact of said follower means with said cam means to selectively vary a said aperture value a predetermined amount; and actuator means for selectively actuating said interceptor assembly.

Claim 19

An exposure control mechanism for photographic apparatus comprising: means defining an optical path including an optical objective adjustable to image a photographic scene at an image plane; focusing means movable to adjust said optical objective; means for initiating the energization of a source of artificial light to illuminate said scene; exposure regulator means having at least one element movable along a locus of travel and defining a range of apertures over said optical path in correspondence with said element movement; interceptor means having an interceptor assembly actuable to move into said locus of travel to arrest said element so as to define a select aperture value over said optical path, and including follower means drivable to position said interceptor assembly at locations along said locus of travel defining a said select aperture; cam means movable in correspondence with said focusing means movement and drivably contactable with said follower means for locating said interceptor assembly at a said select position establishing a said aperture value corresponding with the level of said artificial illumination anticipated at said scene; manual trim means connected with said interceptor means for altering the position of contact of said follower means with said cam means to selectively vary a said aperture value a predetermined amount; and actuator means for selectively actuating said interceptor assembly.

Claim 20

The exposure control mechanism of claim 17 wherein: said cam means movement is rotational; and said interceptor means is mounted for rectilinear movement in response to said cam means rotation.

Claim 21

The exposure control mechanism of claim 18 in which said follower means and said cam means are mutually configured and arranged to provide a positive drive follower contact therebetween.

Claim 22

The exposure control mechanism of claim 17 wherein: said cam means movement is rotational about a given axis; and said interceptor means is slidably mounted in radial follower fashion about said axis and movable rectilinearly in response to said cam means rotation.

Claim 23

The exposure control mechanism of claim 20 wherein said manual trim means connection with said interceptor means is configured and arranged to selectively pivot said interceptor means about said axis to alter the position of contact of said follower means thereof with said cam means.

Claim 24

The exposure control mechanism of claim 20 in which: said focusing means includes a focus wheel manually rotatable about said given axis; said cam means includes a face-groove cam surface formed upon a surface of said focus wheel; and said interceptor means follower means is configured for positive drive contact with said cam surface.

Claim 25

The exposure control mechanism of claim 22 wherein said focusing means includes a positive stop means for restricting the extent of said rotation of said focus wheel to no more than one revolution.

Claim 26

The exposure control mechanism of claim 20 in which said interceptor assembly includes: an arresting linkage pivotally connected with said follower component and selectively movable by said actuator means into said exposure regulator means locus of travel to arrest the said movement thereof.

Claim 27

The exposure mechanism of claim 24 wherein said pivotal connection between said arresting link and said follower component is configured for selectively adjusting the relative positions thereof so as to provide for calibration of the performance of said arresting link.

Claim 28

The exposure mechanism of claim 24 wherein: said actuator means comprises tractive electromagnetic means energizable to move said interceptor component into said exposure regulator means locus of travel; and further including: resilient means for biasing said arresting link to retract from said locus of travel.

Claim 29

The photographic apparatus of claim 17 in which: said cam means includes a cam control surface rotatable about a given axis; and said interceptor means is slidably mounted about said cam means given axis.

Claim 30

The photographic apparatus of claim 27 wherein said interceptor means cam follower means is configured and arranged for positive drive contact with said cam means control surface.

Claim 31

The photographic apparatus of claim 27 in which said follower means is mounted for radial cam follower contact with said cam control surface and said interceptor assembly incorporates an arresting link having a surface portion of predetermined radial configuration movable into selective motion halting contact with said exposure regulator means.

Claim 32

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus operative in an ambient mode responsive to the light level of a scene being photographed and in a flash mode responsive to the level of flashlamp illumination anticipated at Said scene comprising: means defining an optical path including an optical objective adjustable to image said scene at an image plane; focusing means movable to adjust said optical objective; exposure mechanism means movable along a locus of travel to define a progressive variation of exposure apertures over said optical path; drive means selectively actuable for moving said exposure mechanism means; interceptor means actuable during said flash mode to move into said exposure mechanism means locus of travel and positionable to arrest the said movement thereof at locations defining select exposure aperture; cam means movable in correspondence with said focusing means movement and contactable with said interceptor means for locating said interceptor means within said locus of travel at a position arresting said exposure mechanism means to establish a said exposure aperture corresponding with said level of anticipated flashlamp illumination; actuator means for selectively actuating said interceptor means during said flash mode; control circuit means for selectively regulating said exposure mechanism means and including: light sensitive circuit means operative during said ambient mode to vary an electrical parameter in correspondence with the level of said scene light for selectively actuating said drive means to control the said exposure mechanism in accordance with said parameter; and flash mode circuit means operative during said flash mode for controlling said exposure mechanism means by selectively actuating said drive means and said actuator means to move said interceptor means into said locus of travel; selector means actuable to cause said exposure control system to operate in a select one of said flash or ambient modes; and trim means for simultaneously manually effecting a predetermined exposure value alteration of the exposure regulating performance of said light sensitive circuit means and said interceptor means.

Claim 33

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus operative in an ambient mode responsive to the light level of a scene being photographed and in a flash mode responsive to the level of flashlamp illumination anticipated at Said scene comprising: means defining an optical path including an optical objective adjustable to image said scene at an image plane; focusing means movable to adjust said optical objective; exposure mechanism means movable along a locus of travel to define a progressive variation of exposure apertures over said optical path; drive means selectively actuable for moving said exposure mechanism means; interceptor means actuable during said flash mode to move into said exposure mechanism means locus of travel and positionable to arrest the said movement thereof at locations defining select exposure aperture; cam means movable in correspondence with said focusing means movement and contactable with said interceptor means for locating said interceptor means within said locus of travel at a position arresting said exposure mechanism means to establish a said exposure aperture corresponding with said level of anticipated flashlamp illumination; actuator means for selectively actuating said interceptor means during said flash mode; control circuit means for selectively regulating said exposure mechanism means and including: light sensitive circuit means operative during said ambient mode to vary an electrical parameter in correspondence with the level of said scene light for selectively actuating said drive means to control the said exposure mechanism in accordance with said parameter; and flash mode circuit means operative during said flash mode for controlling said exposure mechanism means by selectively actuating said drive means and said actuator means to move said interceptor means into said locus of travel; selector means actuable to cause said exposure control system to operate in a select one of said flash or ambient modes; and trim means for simultaneously manually effecting a predetermined exposure value alteration of the exposure regulating performance of said light sensitive circuit means and said interceptor means.

Claim 34

The exposure control system of claim 30 wherein said trim means includes manually adjustable means for altering the position of contact between said interceptor means and said cam means to selectively vary the value of exposure deriving therefrom and, simultaneously adjust said light sensitive circuit means in a manner altering the said variation of said electrical parameter an amount substantially equivalent to said exposure value.

Claim 35

The exposure control system of claim 31 in which: said cam means includes a cam control surface rotatable about a given axis; said interceptor means includes cam follower means in radial contact with said cam control surface; and said trim means manually adjustable means includes first linkage means for altering the position of said contact of said cam follower means with said cam control surface.

Claim 36

The exposure control system of claim 32 in which said interceptor means cam follower means is slidably mounted about said cam means given axis; and said cam follower means is in positive drive contact with said cam control surface.

Claim 37

The exposure control system of claim 33 in which said trim means first linkage means is configured for selectively pivoting said interceptor means cam follower means about said given axis to provide said position of contact alteration.

Claim 38

The exposure control system of claim 32 in which said trim means manually adjustable means includes second linkage means movable in correspondence and simultaneously with said first linkage means to provide said light sensitive circuit means adjustment.

Claim 39

The exposure control system of claim 35 in which said second linkage means includes selective light attenuating means movable with respect to said light sensitive circuit means to effect a said variation of said electrical parameter.

Claim 40

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus operative in an ambient mode responsive to the light level of a scene being photographed and a transient mode for performing in accordance with the level of transient illumination anticipated at said scene comprising: means defining an optical path including an optical objective adjustably movable to image said scene at an image plane; exposure mechanism means for defining a progressive variation of exposure apertures over said optical path; means defining a cam movable in correspondence with said adjustive movement of said optical objective; follower linkage means drivably movable by said cam, when actuated, to establish by way of said exposure mechanism means an exposure aperture corresponding with said level of anticipated transient illumination; actuator means for selectively actuating said follower linkage means for said transient mode; light sensitive circuit means operative during said ambient mode to vary an electrical parameter in correspondence with the level of said scene light for regulating the interval of a said exposure; transient mode circuit means operative during said transient mode to regulate the interval of a said exposure; and unitary trim means for manually effecting a predetermined exposure value alteration of both the exposure regulating performance of said light sensitive circuit means and said follower linkage means.

Claim 41

An exposure control system for photographic apparatus operative in an ambient mode responsive to the light level of a scene being photographed and a transient mode for performing in accordance with the level of transient illumination anticipated at said scene comprising: means defining an optical path including an optical objective adjustably movable to image said scene at an image plane; exposure mechanism means for defining a progressive variation of exposure apertures over said optical path; means defining a cam movable in correspondence with said adjustive movement of said optical objective; follower linkage means drivably movable by said cam, when actuated, to establish by way of said exposure mechanism means an exposure aperture corresponding with said level of anticipated transient illumination; actuator means for selectively actuating said follower linkage means for said transient mode; light sensitive circuit means operative during said ambient mode to vary an electrical parameter in correspondence with the level of said scene light for regulating the interval of a said exposure; transient mode circuit means operative during said transient mode to regulate the interval of a said exposure; and unitary trim means for manually effecting a predetermined exposure value alteration of both the exposure regulating performance of said light sensitive circuit means and said follower linkage means.

Claim 42

The exposure control system of claim 37 further including selector means actuable to cause said exposure control system to operate in a select one of said transient or ambient modes.

Claim 43

The exposure control system of claim 37 in which: said cam is formed having a control surface rotatable about a given axis; and said follower linkage means is in contact with said control surface and movable with respect thereto in response to manual actuation of said unitary trim means.

Claim 44

The exposure control system of claim 37 in which said unitary trim means includes manually adjustable means for selectively altering the operational association of said cam and said follower linkage means to selectively vary the value of exposure deriving therefrom, and for simultaneously adjusting said light sensitive circuit means in a manner altering the said variation of said electrical parameter.

Claim 45

The exposure control system of claim 37 in which said follower linkage means includes aperture defining linkage means for operatively associating said exposure mechanism means and said cam movement.

Claim 46

The exposure control system of claim 37 in which: said cam is rotatably movable about a given axis; and said follower linkage means is radially contactable with said cam.

Claim 47

The exposure control system of claim 37 in which said trim means includes manually adjustable means for altering the orientation of said follower linkage means to selectively vary the value of exposure deriving therefrom and, simultaneously adjust said light sensitive circuit means in a manner altering the said variation of said electrical parameter an amount substantially equivalent to said exposure value.

Claim 48

The exposure control system of claim 43 in which said trim means manually adjustable means includes: first linkage means movable to alter the orientation of said follower linkage means; and second linkage means movable in correspondence and simultaneously with said first linkage means to provide said light sensitive circuit means adjustment.

Claim 49

The exposure control system of claim 44 in which said second linkage means includes selective light attenuating means movable with respect to said light sensitive circuit means to effect a said variation of said electrical parameter.

Claim 50

A camera system comprising: a housing adapted to mount a film unit; means on said housing for mounting a source of artificial light; variable aperture defining means positioned on said housing to be disposed intermediate a subject and the film unit to control the amount of scene light incident upon the film unit; first means operable in a transient illumination exposure mode for varying the size of said aperture as a function of camera-to-subject distance; second means operable in an ambient light exposure mode for determining an exposure value as a function of the level of ambient light; and unitary trim means for adjusting the response of said first means to camera-to-subject distances and the response of said second means to ambient light levels.

Claim 51

A camera system comprising: a housing adapted to mount a film unit; means on said housing for mounting a source of artificial light; variable aperture defining means positioned on said housing to be disposed intermediate a subject and the film unit to control the amount of scene light incident upon the film unit; first means operable in a transient illumination exposure mode for varying the size of said aperture as a function of camera-to-subject distance; second means operable in an ambient light exposure mode for determining an exposure value as a function of the level of ambient light; and unitary trim means for adjusting the response of said first means to camera-to-subject distances and the response of said second means to ambient light levels.

Claim 52

The camera system of claim 46 in which said first means includes: means defining a cam having a control surface movable to a position corresponding with said camera-to-subject distance; and follower linkage means contactable with said control surface and movable with respect thereto in response to manual actuation of said unitary trim means.

Claim 53

The camera system of claim 47 in which said unitary trim means includes manually adjustable means for selectively altering the operational association of said cam control surface and said follower linkage means to selectively vary the value of exposure deriving therefrom, and for simultaneously adjusting said second means in a manner altering the said determination of said exposure value.

Claim 54

The camera system of claim 48 in which said unitary trim means manually adjustable means is operative to simultaneously alter the value of exposure determined by said first and second means by a substantially equivalent amount.

Claim 55

The camera system of claim 48 in which: said unitary trim means manually adjustable means includes first linkage means coupled with said follower linkage means for selectively imparting movement thereto; and second linkage means movable in correspondence and simultaneously with said first linkage means to provide for adjustment of said second means exposure value.

Claim 56

The camera system of claim 50 in which said second linkage means includes selective light attenuating means movable with respect to said second means to effect said adjustment of said exposure value.

Claim 57

A camera system comprising: a housing adapted to mount a film unit; first means on said housing for mounting a source of artificial light; second means operable in a transient light exposure mode for determining the value of an exposure parameter as a function of camera-to-subject distance and operable in an ambient light exposure mode for determining the value of an exposure parameter as a function of the level of ambient light, said second means including means for defining an aperture in said artificial light exposure mode the size of which is a function of said camera-to-subject distance, said aperture being disposed intermediate a subject and the film unit to control the amount of scene light incident upon the film unit during said artificial light exposure mode; and unitary trim means for simultaneously adjusting the response of both of said exposure parameter values determined by said second means.

Claim 58

A camera system comprising: a housing adapted to mount a film unit; first means on said housing for mounting a source of artificial light; second means operable in a transient light exposure mode for determining the value of an exposure parameter as a function of camera-to-subject distance and operable in an ambient light exposure mode for determining the value of an exposure parameter as a function of the level of ambient light, said second means including means for defining an aperture in said artificial light exposure mode the size of which is a function of said camera-to-subject distance, said aperture being disposed intermediate a subject and the film unit to control the amount of scene light incident upon the film unit during said artificial light exposure mode; and unitary trim means for simultaneously adjusting the response of both of said exposure parameter values determined by said second means.

Claim 59

The camera system of claim 52 in which said second means includes: means defining a cam having a control surface movable to a position corresponding with said camera-to-subject distance; and follower linkage means contactable with said control surface and movable with respect thereto in response to manual actuation of said unitary trim means.

Claim 60

The camera system of claim 53 in which said unitary trim means includes manually adjustable means for selectively altering the operational association of said cam control surface and said follower linkage means to selectively vary said exposure parameter value deriving therefrom and for simultaneously adjusting the said value of exposure parameter representing a function of the said level of ambient light.

Claim 61

The camera system of claim 54 in which said unitary trim means manually adjustable means is operative to simultaneously alter said value of exposure parameter substantially equivalent amounts.

Claim 62

The camera system of claim 54 in which: said unitary trim means manually adjustable means includes first linkage means coupled with said follower linkage means for selectivelY imparting movement thereto; and second linkage means movable in correspondence and simultaneously with said first linkage means to provide for adjustment of said value of exposure parameter representing a function of the said level of ambient light.

Claim 63

The camera system of claim 56 in which: said second means includes light sensitive circuit means operative during said ambient light mode to vary an electrical parameter in correspondence with the level of said ambient light for regulating the interval of an exposure; and said second linkage means includes selective light attentuating means movable with respect to said light sensitive circuit means to effect an adjustment of said electrical parameter.