Circuit board arrangement for collapsible camera apparatus

Claim 1

A collapsible camera apparatus comprising: a first body section having a first substantially planar surface associated therewith; a second body section having a second substantially planar surface associated therewith; means for pivotally connecting said first and second body sections such that said first substantially planar surface is disposed for pivotal motion about an axis orthogonal to said second substantially planar surface; and a flexible circuit board including a flexible substantially planar insulating support member defining spaced apart first and second terminal portions in respective juxtaposed relation with respect to said first and second planar surfaces and interconnected by an elongated portion, said first and second terminal portions respectively including a plurality of spaced apart conductive pads in overlying relation thereto and interconnected respectively by a plurality of spaced apart conductive runs overlying said elongated portion, said flexible circuit board additionally being angularly and permanently prefolded about a single prefold line extending across said elongated portion with that part of said elongated portion extending from said prefold line to said first terminal portion assuming a gradual flexed condition over substantially the entire length thereof so that pivotal movement of the first planar surface about its axis orthogonal to the second planar surface operates to alter said flexed condition in a gradual manner only in the area of said elongated portion intermediate said prefold line and first terminal portion without any substantial flexing taking place about said prefold line.