Reversible film cartridge and camera

• US 4,146,321 A
• Filed: 08/08/1977
• Issued: 03/27/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dominic S. Melillo
• Original Assignee: Dominic S. Melillo
• Inventors: Melillo, Dominic S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Donald A.
• Application Number:
  US05/822,706
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 354/204, 354/205, 354/212, 354/213, 354/275, 354/120, 354/159, 354/222, 354/202, 354/203, 352/79, 352/80, 352/82, 352/83
• US Class Current: 396/442
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/30 Locating spools or other rotatable holders of coiled film

Abstract

A film cartridge includes two like film spools in a pair of symmetrical casings held in a spaced relationship by support means such as a side support bar or a hinged reusable cartridge case. An opening in the back of the cartridge between the two casings permits the pressure plate inside the back cover of the camera to hold the film tightly against the film aperture guide. The ends of the film are attached to both spools and the cartridge is reversible to permit exposures along two separate rows across the width of the film. Cooperating aperture and viewing masks limit the exposures to each row in succession as the film is advanced and then reversed. Larger rectangular or square frames across the width of the film may also be used without reversal of the film. The side openings in the cartridge case and extensions on both ends of the spools are symmetrical so that either side can engage the film driving mechanism. The usual sprocket gear, built in spool, and need for rewinding of a standard 35mm camera are eliminated, as well as the film sprocket holes, to permit utilization of larger areas of the film and simplification of the camera construction.

Claims

1. A film cartridge comprising:

first and second light tight film casings;

a film supply spool within said first casing;

a film take up spool within said second casing,

said take up and supply spools and casings being symmetrical and interchangeable, each said casing having opposite sides with central openings in each said side, each said spool having a hollow cylindrical shaft with annular extensions on each end extending through and out of each said casing opening;

support means extending between and around said annular extensions for holding said casings in a spaced relationship for insertion into a camera, said support means extending along open areas in upper and lower regions between said casings, said upper open area being adapted to receive the pressure plate of a camera cover, and said lower open area being adapted to fit over the camera film aperture guide;

a film roll extending between said casings and being connected at opposite ends to each spool; and

driving means extending within said ends of each spool.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said driving means are bevelled gear teeth within the ends of each spool.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said support means is a bar extending between and around the ends of each spool on one side of said casings.

4. The device of claim 3 including a second bar between the opposite ends of each spool, said bars being detachable.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises an enclosed cartridge case having upper and lower sections with a hinged connection at one end, a closure means at the opposite end to permit opening and closing of said upper and lower sections at said opposite end for insertion of said casings and film spools and securing said sections together, a pair of receiving chambers within the opposite ends of said cartridge case for receiving and enclosing said casings and spools, said open areas between said casings being rectangular openings in the upper and lower sections, said upper and lower sections having mating longitudinal sides extending between said opposite ends, and side openings at opposite sides of each end extending into said chambers for accommodating the ends of each spool.

6. A camera for use with the film cartridge of claim 1 having pairs of symmetrical interchangeable supply and take up film casings and spools in said casings at opposite ends, and upper and lower open areas between said casings comprising:

a housing including a supply compartment and a take up compartment at opposite ends for receiving respective said symmetrical interchangeable film casings, spools, and support means;

a film aperture guide including a light admitting aperture between said compartments for guiding film from said cartridge over said aperture;

film driving means extending into a side of said take up compartment for engaging said driving means of said take up spool to advance said film between said compartments over said aperture guide;

a cover enclosing the back of said camera housing over said compartments; and

a pressure plate within said cover adapted to extend through said upper opening between said casings to urge said film against said aperture guide.

7. The camera of claim 6 including second film driving means extending into a side of said supply compartment for engaging said drawing means of said supply spool, aperture masking means for masking one side of the width of said film while admitting light only onto the other side of the width of said film to permit a first row of exposures along only said other side of said film as the film is advanced from said supply spool to said take up spool and permitting a second row of exposures along said one side upon reversal of said film cartridge in said compartments and reversal of the movement of film so that said take up spool becomes a supply spool and said supply spool becomes a take up spool.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said film driving means include spring loaded posts having bevelled gear teeth at the ends.

9. The device of claim 7 including a viewing window and a viewing mask for masking one side of the viewing window to correspond with said aperture masking means.