Exposure control apparatus

Claim 2

In a camera, exposure control apparatus comprising: diaphragm means constructed and mounted for movement for formIng an exposure aperture of a size ranging between a minimum and a maximum size; shutter means, mounted for movement between open and closed positions, for controlling the passage of light through said exposure aperture; means for actuating said shutter means to move to said open position a preselected time after actuation of said diaphragm means; light responsive means for arresting movement of said diaphragm means at a position wherein an exposure aperture of size related to scene brightness is formed; and means, cooperative with said light responsive means and said shutter means, for actuating said shutter means to close said exposure aperture a preselected time after arrest of said diaphragm means.

Claim 3

In a camera, exposure control apparatus comprising: diaphragm means constructed and mounted for movement to form an exposure aperture of size between a minimum and a maximum size; means for urging said diaphragm means toward said maximum aperture size; shutter means mounted for movement from a closed to an open and to a closed position relative to said exposure aperture to permit or terminate the passage of light therethrough; means for moving said shutter means from a closed to an open position of said exposure aperture; stop means for engaging and releasably retaining said shutter means in said position to open said exposure aperture; latch means, coupled to said shutter means, for retaining said shutter means in a closed position relative to said exposure aperture prior to opening of said exposure aperture; first control means, movable from an initial to a final position, including 1) first means, coupled to said diaphragm means, for permitting said urging means to move said diaphragm means toward said maximum aperture size in a controlled relationship to movement of said first control means towards said final position, and 2) second means, located relative to said shutter latch means to engage said shutter latch means at a preselected position in the movement of said first control means, for releasing said shutter means to move to said open position of said exposure aperture; light responsive means for arresting movement of said diaphragm means in relation to light intensity in a range of aperture sizes below said maximum aperture size; second control means, movable between an initial position and a final position, for releasing said shutter blade stop means to permit said shutter blade to move from an open to a closed position of said exposure aperture; and means, coupled with said light responsive means, for retaining said second control means in said initial position and, being responsive to operation of said light responsive means to arrest said diaphragm means, for releasing said second control means to move towards said final position.

Claim 4

In a camera, exposure control apparatus comprising: diaphragm means constructed and mounted for movement to form an exposure aperture of size between a minimum and a maximum size; means for urging said diaphragm means toward said maximum aperture size; shutter means mounted for movement from a closed to an open and to a closed position relative to said exposure aperture to permit or terminate the passage of light therethrough; means for moving said shutter means from a closed to an open position of said exposure aperture; stop means for engaging and releasably retaining said shutter means in said position to open said exposure aperture; latch means, coupled to said shutter means, for retaining said shutter means in a closed position relative to said exposure aperture prior to opening of said exposure aperture; first control means, movable from an initial to a final position, including 1) first means, coupled to said diaphragm means, for permitting said urging means to move said diaphragm means toward said maximum aperture size in a controlled relationship to movement of said first control means towards said final position, and 2) second means, located relative to said shutter latch means to engage said shutter latch means at a preselected position in the movement of said first control means, for releasing said shutter means to move to said open position of said exposure aperture; light responsive means for arresting movement of said diaphragm means in relation to light intensity in a range of aperture sizes below said maximum aperture size; second control means, movable between an initial position and a final position, for releasing said shutter blade stop means to permit said shutter blade to move from an open to a closed position of said exposure aperture; and means, coupled with said light responsive means, for retaining said second control means in said initial position and, being responsive to operation of said light responsive means to arrest said diaphragm means, for releasing said second control means to move towards said final position.

Claim 5

Exposure control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said light responsive means includes electromagnetic control means for arresting said diaphragm means, the electromagnetic control means including a movable armature which cooperates with the second control member for releasing the second control member when said electromagnetic control means is actuated to arrest said diaphragm means.

Claim 6

Exposure control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including means for controlling the movement of said first and second control means between said initial and final rest position.

Claim 7

Exposure control apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for controlling the movement of said first and second control means includes a retard mechanism.