Connection arrangement for camera system components

• US 4,464,031 A
• Filed: 06/24/1982
• Issued: 08/07/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Iwashita, Tomonori, Mashimo, Yukio
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, William B.
• Application Number:
  US06/391,965
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 354/127, 354/128, 354/145, 354/173, 354/266, 354/268, 354/126, 354/288, 354/295, 354/127.11, 354/127.12, 354/173.1, 354/173.11, 354/295.1
• US Class Current: 396/388
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/425 motor drive cameras

Abstract

In the disclosed camera system, a camera is attachable to a motor drive unit and a flash unit. In the camera, a detector produces a first signal before wind-up of the camera is completed. An interconnection terminal receives a second signal from the flash unit before charging of the flash unit is completed. A disabling arrangement prevents shutter release as long as it senses one of the first and second signals.

Claims

1. A camera to which a motor drive unit and a flash unit ar attachable, comprising:

(a) detecting means for producing a first signal when winding of the camera is not yet completed;

(b) a interconnection terminal for receiving a second signal from said flash unit when charging of said flash unit is not yet completed and for delivering the first signal to a motor drive unit when a motor drive unit is mounted on the camera; and

(c) release prohibiting means for preventing a shutter release as long as at least one of said first and said second signal is applied thereto.

2. A camera according to claim 1, wherein said release prohibiting means has a release control electromagnet and a switching means responsive to at least one of said first and said second signals for hindering current supply to said release control electromagnet.

3. A motor drive device having a first face on which a camera can be mounted and a second face on which a flash unit can be mounted, comprising:

a first positioning member on the first face for engaging a positioning member on the camera and positioning the motor drive relative to the camera;

first securing means on the first face connectable to securing means on the camera to secure the motor drive to the camera by engagement of the first positioning member to the positioning member on the camera;

a first connecting terminal on the first face connectable to a connecting terminal on the camera to transfer a signal from the camera when the first securing means and first positioning member position and secure the camera to the motor drive device;

a second positioning member on the second face for engaging the flash unit and positioning the flash unit relative to the first face, second securing means on the second face for fixing the flash unit to the second face, and a second connecting terminal at the motor drive device for transferring the signal from the flash unit, the second positioning member, the second securing means, and the second connecting terminal being aligned respectively with the first positioning member, the first securing means, and the first connecting terminal, and arranged relative to each other along the same pattern so as to receive a camera and a flash unit whose positioning members, securing means, and connecting terminals are arranged to engage each other; and

conductive means for producing a conductive state between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal.

4. A motor drive unit according to claim 3, wherein said first connecting terminal is arranged to receive a first signal which is produced when the camera is not yet wound up, and said second interconnecting terminal is arranged to receive a signal which is produced when the flash unit is not yet fully charged.

5. A motor drive unit according to claim 4, further including:

a motor for performing a wind up of said camera; and

a switching means for supplying said motor with current during the time when said first signal is applied to said first interconnecting terminal, said switching means being set so as not to effect current supply when the second signal is applied to said second connecting terminal.