Camera with two position strobe

• US 4,734,733 A
• Filed: 09/21/1987
• Issued: 03/29/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Senshin Capital LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Polaroid Corporation (PLR IP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Clapp, Roger C., Whiteside, George D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, W. B.
• Application Number:
  US07/098,981
• Time in Patent Office: 190 Days
• Field of Search: 354/414, 354/419, 354/149.11, 354/413
• US Class Current: 396/164
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/03 Combinations of cameras with lighting apparatus; Flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0507 Pop-up mechanisms

Abstract

A photographic camera having a source of artificial illumination mounted for automatic movement from a first operative fill flash position to a second operative position. In its second position, the intensity of its illumination is greater than in the first position and its axis of illumination is spaced further away from the camera'"'"'s objective lens axis than in the first position.

Claims

1. A photographic camera comprising:

a housing;

an objective lens mounted in a wall of said housing for directing image-bearing light toward a film unit supported at a focal plane within said housing, said objective lens having an optical axis which defines a first axis;

means for initiating a photographic exposure cycle;

means for measuring the intensity of ambient light reflected from a scene; and

a source of artificial illumination having a second axis along which artificial illumination is directed toward the scene to be photographed subsequent to actuation of said initiating means, said source being mounted for automatic movement from a first position, wherein said first and second axes are relatively close, for illuminating the scene when said measuring means records an ambient light level being reflected from the scene which exceeds a predetermined value, to a second position, in which the distance between said first and second axes is greater than in said first position, for illuminating the scene when said measuring means records an ambient light level being reflected from the scene which is less than said predetermined value, the intensity of the illumination being directed toward the scene being greater in said second position than in said first position.

2. A photographic camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing includes a means for defining a recess for nestably receiving said source of artificial illumination within the contour of said housing when in said first position.

3. A photographic camera as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for defining a recess includes a light transmitting wall.

4. A photographic camera as defined in claim 3 wherein said light transmitting wall is translucent.

5. A photographic camera as defined in claim 2 further including latching means for releasably maintaining said source of artificial illumination in said first position.

6. A photographic camera as defined in claim 5 further including a solenoid energizable for moving said latching means to a release position when said measuring means records an ambient light level being reflected from the scene which is less than said predetermined value.

7. A photographic camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said source of artificial illumination is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel with said first axis during its movement between said first and second positions.

8. A photographic camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second axes are generally parallel with each other when said source of artificial illumination is in either of said first or second positions.

9. A photographic camera as defined in claim 8 wherein said source of artificial illumination is mounted for linear movement between said first and second positions.

10. A photographic camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said source of artificial illumination is mounted for automatic movement from said first position to said second position whenever said measuring means records an ambient light scene in which the illumination of the background of the scene is substantially equal to or greater than that of the foreground.

11. A photographic camera as defined in claim 10 wherein said housing includes means for defining a recess for nestably receiving said source of artificial illumination within the contour of said housing when in said first position.

12. A photographic camera as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for defining a recess includes a light transmitting wall.

13. A photographic camera as defined in claim 12 wherein said light transmitting wall is translucent.

14. A photographic camera as defined in claim 11 further including latching means for releasably maintaining said source of artificial illumination in said first position.

15. A photographic camera as defined in claim 14 further including a solenoid energizable for moving said latching means to a release position when said measuring means records an ambient light level being reflected from the scene which is less than said predetermined value or the illumination of the background of the scene is substantially equal to or greater than that of the foreground.

16. A photographic camera as defined in claim 10 wherein said source of artificial illumination is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel with said first axis during its movement between said first and second positions.

17. A photographic camera as defined in claim 10 wherein said first and second axes are generally parallel with each other when said source of artificial illumination is in either of said first or second positions.

18. A photographic camera as defined in claim 17 wherein said source of artificial illumination is mounted for linear movement between said first and second positions.