Camera controls for blocking light entering through a viewfinder ocular

Claim 2

In a single lens reflex camera, mirror means movable between a lower viewing position and an upper exposure position, viewfinder means situated over said mirror means for receiving light reflected therefrom when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof, said viewfinder means including a rear ocular for the camera operator and a prism in front of said ocular and over said mirror means for directing light from said mirror means to said ocular, said viewfinder means having behind said prism a free space through which light travels from said prism to said ocular, photosensitive means situated in said free space to receive light from said prism when said miror means is in said lower viewing position thereof to provide an electrical quantity, memory means for retaining said electrical quantity for utilization in determining the extent of exposure, light-blocking means having a blocking position situated in said free space between said ocular and photosensitive means to prevent light which enters said viewfinder means through said ocular from reaching said prism to be reflected thereby to said photosensitive means, said light-blocking means having a nonblocking position situated beyond the path of light travel from said prism to said ocular, electrical, automatically operable moving means operatively connected with said light-blocking means for automatically moving the latter from said non-blocking to said blocking position thereof, blocking switch means electrically connected with said electrical moving means for automatically actuating the latter, memory switch means having a normal position preventing operation of the memory means and an operating position rendering said memory means operative, shutter-tripping means for tripping a shutter of the camera to initiate an exposure, manually operable rElease means having a normal holding position and being movable by the operator from said holding position to a release position, and motiontransmitting means held by said manually operable release means in a predetermined starting position when said manually operable release means is in said holding position thereof, said motiontransmitting means being released for movement from said starting position thereof when said manually operable release means is displaced by the operator to said release position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being operatively connected with said blocking switch means, said memory switch means, said mirror means, and said shutter-tripping means for operating all of the latter means in a sequence according to which said blocking switch means is first actuated for first operating said moving means automatically to move said light-blocking means to said blocking position thereof, said memory switch means is then operated to be displaced from said normal to said operating position thereof, said mirror means is then at least started by said motion-transmitting means to move from said lower viewing position to said upper exposure position thereof, and said shutter-tripping means is then actuated by said motiontransmitting means to open the camera shutter.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 and wherein said memory switch means is normally closed and is open when in said operating position thereof.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1 and wherein said electrical, automatically operable moving means is an electromagnet means electrically connected with said blocking switch means to be operated automatically thereby.

Claim 5

In a single lens reflex camera, mirror means movable between a lower viewing position and an upper exposure position, viewfinder means situated over said mirror means for receiving light reflected therefrom when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof, said viewfinder means including a rear ocular for the camera operator and a prism in front of said ocular and over said mirror means for directing light from said mirror means to said ocular, said viewfinder means having behind said prism a free space through which light travels from said prism to said ocular, photosensitive means situated in said free space to receive light from said prism when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof to provide an electrical quantity, memory means for retaining said electrical quantity for utilization in determining the extent of exposure, light-blocking means having a blocking position situated in said free space between said ocular and photosensitive means to prevent light which enters said viewfinder means through said ocular from reaching said prism to be reflected thereby to said photosensitive means, said light-blocking means having a non-blocking position situated beyond the path of light travel from said prism to said ocular, moving means operatively connected with said light-blocking means for moving the latter from said non-blocking to said blocking position thereof, memory switch means having a normal position preventing operation of the memory means and an operating position rendering said memory means operative, shutter-tripping means for tripping a shutter of the camera to initiate an exposure, manually operable release means having a normal holding position and being movable by the operator from said holding position to a release position, and motion-transmitting means held by said manually operable release means in a predetermined starting position when said manually operable release means is in said holding position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being released for movement from said starting position thereof when said manually operable release means is displaced by the operator to said release position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being operatively connected with said moving means, said memory switch means, said mirror means, and said shutter-tripping means for operating all of the Latter means in a sequence according to which said moving means is first operated to move said light-blocking means to said blocking position thereof, said memory switch means is then operated to be displaced from said normal to said operating position thereof, said mirror means is then at least started by said motion-transmitting means to move from said lower viewing position to said upper exposure position thereof, and said shutter-tripping means is then actuated by said motion-transmitting means to open the camera shutter, said motion-transmitting means including a mirror-drive means for driving the mirror means from said lower viewing position to said upper position thereof and a switch-operating means for displacing said memory switch means from said normal to said operating position thereof, said switch-operating means cooperating with said mirror-drive means to block the same against operation until said memory switch means has been displaced by said switch-operating means to said operating position thereof.

Claim 6

In a single lens reflex camera, mirror means movable between a lower viewing position and an upper exposure position, viewfinder means situated over said mirror means for receiving light reflected therefrom when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof, said viewfinder means including a rear ocular for the camera operator and a prism in front of said ocular and over said mirror means for directing light from said mirror means to said ocular, said viewfinder means having behind said prism a free space through which light travels from said prism to said ocular, photosensitive means situated in said free space to receive light from said prism when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof to provide an electrical quantity, memory means for retaining said electrical quantity for utilization in determining the extent of exposure, light-blocking means having a blocking position situated in said free space between said ocular and photosensitive means to prevent light which enters said viewfinder means through said ocular from reaching said prism to be reflected thereby to said photosensitive means, said light-blocking means having a non-blocking position situated beyond the path of light travel from said prism to said ocular, moving means operatively connected with said light-blocking means for moving the latter from said non-blocking to said blocking position thereof, memory switch means having a normal position preventing operation of the memory means and an operating position rendering said memory means operative, shutter-tripping means for tripping a shutter of the camera to initiate an exposure, manually operable release means having a normal holding position and being movable by the operator from said holding position to a release position, and motion-transmitting means held by said manually operable release means in a predetermined starting position when said manually operable release means is in said holding position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being released for movement from said starting position thereof when said manually operable release means is displaced by the operator to said release position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being operatively connected with said moving means, said memory switch means, said mirror means, and said shutter-tripping means for operating all of the Latter means in a sequence according to which said moving means is first operated to move said light-blocking means to said blocking position thereof, said memory switch means is then operated to be displaced from said normal to said operating position thereof, said mirror means is then at least started by said motion-transmitting means to move from said lower viewing position to said upper exposure position thereof, and said shutter-tripping means is then actuated by said motion-transmitting means to open the camera shutter, said motion-transmitting means including a mirror-drive means for driving the mirror means from said lower viewing position to said upper position thereof and a switch-operating means for displacing said memory switch means from said normal to said operating position thereof, said switch-operating means cooperating with said mirror-drive means to block the same against operation until said memory switch means has been displaced by said switch-operating means to said operating position thereof.

Claim 7

In a single lens reflex camera, mirror means movable between a lower viewing position and an upper exposure position, viewfinder means situated over said mirror means for receiving light reflected therefrom when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof, said viewfinder means including a rear ocular for the camera operator and a prism in front of said ocular and over said mirror means for directing light from said mirror means to said ocular, said viewfinder means having behind said prism a free space through which light travels from said prism to said ocular, photosensitive means situated in said free space to receive light from said prism when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof to provide an electrical quantity, memory means for retaining said electrical quantity for utilization in determining the extent of exposure, light-blocking means having a blocking position situated in said free space between said ocular and photosensitive means to prevent light which enters said viewfinder means through said ocular from reaching said prism to be reflected thereby to said photosensitive means, said light-blocking means having a non-blocking position situated beyond the path of light travel from said prism to said ocular, moving means operatively connected with said light-blocking means for moving the latter from said non-blocking to said blocking position thereof, memory switch means having a normal position preventing operation of the memory means and an operating position rendering said memory means operative, shutter-tripping means for tripping a shutter of the camera to initiate an exposure, manually operable release means having a normal holding position and being movable by the operator from said holding position to a release position, the motion-transmitting means held by said manually operable release means in a predetermined starting position when said manually operable release means is in said holding position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being released for movement from said starting position thereof when said manually operable release means is displaced by the operator to said release position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being operatively connected with said moving means, said memory switch means, said mirror means, and said shutter-tripping means for operating all of the latter means in a sequence according to which said moving means is first operated to move said light-blocking means to said blocking position thereof, said memory switch means is then operated to be displaced from said normal to said operating position thereof, said mirror means is then at least started by said motion-transmitting means to move from said lower viewing position to said upper exposure position thereof, and said shutter-tripping means is then actuated by said motion-transmitting means to open the camera shutter, said moving means including an electromagnetic means which when energized displaces said light-blocking Means from said non-blocking to said blocking position thereof and an additionally normally open blocking switch means electrically connected with said electromagnetic means for energizing the latter when said blocking switch means is closed, said motion-transmitting means including a switch-operating means operatively connected with said blocking switch means for closing the latter and a mirror-drive means for driving said mirror means from said lower viewing position to said upper exposure position thereof, said switch-operating means cooperating with said mirror-drive means to prevent operation thereof until said switch-operating means has operated to an extent sufficient to provide for closure of said blocking switch means.

Claim 8

In a single lens reflex camera, mirror means movable between a lower viewing position and an upper exposure position, viewfinder means situated over said mirror means for receiving light reflected therefrom when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof, said viewfinder means including a rear ocular for the camera operator and a prism in front of said ocular and over said mirror means for directing light from said mirror means to said ocular, said viewfinder means having behind said prism a free space through which light travels from said prism to said ocular, photosensitive means situated in said free space to receive light from said prism when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof to provide an electrical quantity, memory means for retaining said electrical quantity for utilization in determining the extent of exposure, light-blocking means having a blocking position situated in said free space between said ocular and photosensitive means to prevent light which enters said viewfinder means through said ocular from reaching said prism to be reflected thereby to said photosensitive means, said light-blocking means having a non-blocking position situated beyond the path of light travel from said prism to said ocular, moving means operatively connected with said light-blocking means for moving the latter from said non-blocking to said blocking position thereof, memory switch means having a normal position preventing operation of the memory means and an operating position rendering said memory means operative, shutter-tripping means for tripping a shutter of the camera to initiate an exposure, manually operable release means having a normal holding position and being movable by the operator from said holding position to a release position, the motion-transmitting means held by said manually operable release means in a predetermined starting position when said manually operable release means is in said holding position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being released for movement from said starting position thereof when said manually operable release means is displaced by the operator to said release position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being operatively connected with said moving means, said memory switch means, said mirror means, and said shutter-tripping means for operating all of the latter means in a sequence according to which said moving means is first operated to move said light-blocking means to said blocking position thereof, said memory switch means is then operated to be displaced from said normal to said operating position thereof, said mirror means is then at least started by said motion-transmitting means to move from said lower viewing position to said upper exposure position thereof, and said shutter-tripping means is then actuated by said motion-transmitting means to open the camera shutter, said moving means including an electromagnetic means which when energized displaces said light-blocking Means from said non-blocking to said blocking position thereof and an additionally normally open blocking switch means electrically connected with said electromagnetic means for energizing the latter when said blocking switch means is closed, said motion-transmitting means including a switch-operating means operatively connected with said blocking switch means for closing the latter and a mirror-drive means for driving said mirror means from said lower viewing position to said upper exposure position thereof, said switch-operating means cooperating with said mirror-drive means to prevent operation thereof until said switch-operating means has operated to an extent sufficient to provide for closure of said blocking switch means.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 5 and wherein said switch-operating means is also operatively connected with said memory switch means for placing the latter in said operating position immediately after closing said blocking switch means and said switch-operating means cooperating with said mirror-drive means for preventing operation thereof until said blocking switch means is closed and said memory switch means is in said operative position thereof.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 6 and wherein a third switch means is electrically connected with said photosensitive means for rendering the latter operative, and said switch-operating means cooperating also with said third switch means for actuating the latter to render said photosensitive means operative during a time interval extending between the closure of said blocking switch means and the displacement of said memory switch means to said operative position thereof.

Claim 11

In a single lens reflex camera, mirror means movable between a lower viewing position and an upper exposure position, viewfinder means situated over said mirror means for receiving light reflected therefrom when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof, said viewfinder means including a rear ocular for the camera operator and a prism in front of said ocular and over said mirror means for directing light from said mirror means to said ocular, said viewfinder means having behind said prism a free space through which light travels from said prism to said ocular, photosensitive means situated in said free space to receive light from said prism when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof to provide an electrical quantity, memory switch means for retaining said electrical quantity for utilization in determining the extent of exposure, light-blocking means having a blocking position situated in said free space between said ocular and photosensitive means to prevent light which enters said viewfinder means through said ocular from reaching said prism to be reflected thereby to said photosensitive means, said light-blocking means having a non-blocking position situated beyond the path of light travel from said prism to said ocular moving means operatively connected with said light-blocking means for moving the latter from said non-blocking to said blocking position thereof, memory switch means having a normal position preventing operation of the memory means and an operating position rendering said memory means operative, shutter-tripping means for tripping a shutter of the camera to initiate an exposure, manually operable release means having a normal holding position and being movable by the operator from said holding position to a release position, and motion-transmitting means held by said manually operable releast means in a predetermined starting position when said manually operable release means is in said holding position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being released for movement from said starting position thereof when said manually operable release means is displaced by the operator to said release position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being operatively connected with said moving means, said memory switch means, said mirror means, and said shutter-tripping means for operating all oF the latter means in a sequence according to which said moving means is first operated to move said light-blocking means to said blocking position thereof, said memory switch means is then operated to be displaced from said normal to said operating position thereof, said mirror means is then at least started by said motion-transmitting means to move from said lower viewing position to said upper exposure position thereof, and said shutter-tripping means is then actuated by said motion-transmitting means to open the camera shutter, said motion-transmitting means including a mirror-driving lever means for driving said mirror means from said lower viewing position to said upper exposure position thereof, a switch-operating lever means for displacing said memory switch means from said normal to said operating position thereof, said switch-operating lever means having an initial position blocking movement of said mirror-driving lever means, and a release lever means which moves before said switch-operating lever means and said mirror-driving lever means upon displacement of said manually operable release means from said holding to said release position thereof, said release lever means cooperating with said switch-operating lever means for first actuating the latter to displace said memory switch means from said normal to said operating position thereof, and said release lever means when thus operating said switch-operating lever means displacing the latter to a location where it no longer blocks operation of said mirror-driving lever means.

Claim 12

In a single lens reflex camera, mirror means movable between a lower viewing position and an upper exposure position, viewfinder means situated over said mirror means for receiving light reflected therefrom when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof, said viewfinder means including a rear ocular for the camera operator and a prism in front of said ocular and over said mirror means for directing light from said mirror means to said ocular, said viewfinder means having behind said prism a free space through which light travels from said prism to said ocular, photosensitive means situated in said free space to receive light from said prism when said mirror means is in said lower viewing position thereof to provide an electrical quantity, memory switch means for retaining said electrical quantity for utilization in determining the extent of exposure, light-blocking means having a blocking position situated in said free space between said ocular and photosensitive means to prevent light which enters said viewfinder means through said ocular from reaching said prism to be reflected thereby to said photosensitive means, said light-blocking means having a non-blocking position situated beyond the path of light travel from said prism to said ocular moving means operatively connected with said light-blocking means for moving the latter from said non-blocking to said blocking position thereof, memory switch means having a normal position preventing operation of the memory means and an operating position rendering said memory means operative, shutter-tripping means for tripping a shutter of the camera to initiate an exposure, manually operable release means having a normal holding position and being movable by the operator from said holding position to a release position, and motion-transmitting means held by said manually operable releast means in a predetermined starting position when said manually operable release means is in said holding position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being released for movement from said starting position thereof when said manually operable release means is displaced by the operator to said release position thereof, said motion-transmitting means being operatively connected with said moving means, said memory switch means, said mirror means, and said shutter-tripping means for operating all oF the latter means in a sequence according to which said moving means is first operated to move said light-blocking means to said blocking position thereof, said memory switch means is then operated to be displaced from said normal to said operating position thereof, said mirror means is then at least started by said motion-transmitting means to move from said lower viewing position to said upper exposure position thereof, and said shutter-tripping means is then actuated by said motion-transmitting means to open the camera shutter, said motion-transmitting means including a mirror-driving lever means for driving said mirror means from said lower viewing position to said upper exposure position thereof, a switch-operating lever means for displacing said memory switch means from said normal to said operating position thereof, said switch-operating lever means having an initial position blocking movement of said mirror-driving lever means, and a release lever means which moves before said switch-operating lever means and said mirror-driving lever means upon displacement of said manually operable release means from said holding to said release position thereof, said release lever means cooperating with said switch-operating lever means for first actuating the latter to displace said memory switch means from said normal to said operating position thereof, and said release lever means when thus operating said switch-operating lever means displacing the latter to a location where it no longer blocks operation of said mirror-driving lever means.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 8 and wherein a shutter-operating lever means forms part of said motion-transmitting means and cooperates with said mirror-driving lever means to be driven thereby for acutating said shutter-tripping means to trip the shutter.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 8 and wherein said moving means includes an electromagnetic means which when energized moves said light-blocking means from said non-blocking to said blocking position thereof and blocking switch means having a normally open position and electrically connected with said electromagnetic means for energizing the latter when said blocking switch means is closed, said switch-operating means being operatively connected both with said blocking switch means and with said memory switch means for first bringing about closure of said blocking switch means and for then displacing said memory switch means to said operative position thereof in response to operation of said switch-operating means by said release lever means, prior to displacement of said switch-operating means to release said mirror-driving lever means for operation.

Claim 15

The combination of claim 10 and wherein a diaphragm-control lever means for controlling a diaphragm of the camera is operatively connected with said mirror-driving lever means to be operated thereby, and said motion-transmitting means including a spring means connected between said release lever means and said diaphragm-control lever means for moving said release lever means upon displacement of said manually operable release means from said holding to said release position thereof.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 11 and wherein said motion-transmitting means further includes a shutter-operating lever means operatively connected with said mirror-driving lever means to be operated thereby for actuating said shutter-tripping means.