Film magazine and camera

• US 5,475,454 A
• Filed: 11/18/1994
• Issued: 12/12/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Ezawa, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US08/344,607
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 354/21, 354/275, 354/212, 354/289.1
• US Class Current: 396/207
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/26 Holders for containing light sensitive material and adapted to be inserted within the camera holders for X-ray films G03B42/04
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/30 Locating spools or other rotatable holders of coiled film
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/004 using markings on the photographic material, e.g. to indicate pseudo-panoramic exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/008 using holders for the photographic material
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/261 Details of spools
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/263 Details of exposure status indicators; Double exposure prevention
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/268 Unloading the cartridge from the camera; Loading the cartridge into the camera

Abstract

A film magazine comprises an output unit for outputting "unused" information when built-in film is unused or "used" information when built-in film is used, and a display unit for displaying use information based on the information sent from the output unit.

Claims

1. A camera which can accommodate a film magazine having a moving means which can freely move from a first position to a second position, comprising:

drive means which moves said moving means from said first position to said second position when film is exposed; and

inhibition means for inhibiting loading of said film magazine when the moving means of the film magazine has moved to the second position;

said drive means including a photosensor for detecting whether said moving means is at the first position or second position.

2. A film magazine for a camera, comprising:

a spool around which film is wound;

displacement means freely displaceable from a first position indicating that the film is unused to a second position indicating that the film is used according to the rotation of said spool;

clutch means for moving said displacement means to a fitted position at which the rotation of said spool is transmitted to said displacement means or an unfitted position at which the rotation of said spool is not transmitted to said displacement means; and

holding means for holding said displacement means at the first or second position when said film magazine is unattached to a camera; and

wherein

said displacement means includes a plate member which is provided in a lower part of said spool, and is displaceable in an axial line direction of said spool and rotatable around said axial line, said plate member engaging and rotating unitedly with said spool when positioned at an upper position, and disengaging from and not rotating with said spool when moved downward;

said clutch means includes a wavy spring for pressing said plate member downward; and

release means is included to release the holding function of said holding means when said displacement means and said spool rotate unitedly.

3. A film magazine for a camera, comprising:

a spool around which film is wound;

displacement means freely displaceable from a first position indicating that the film is unused to a second position indicating that the film is used according to the rotation of said spool;

clutch means for moving said displacement means to a fitted position at which the rotation of said spool is transmitted to said displacement means or an unfitted position at which the rotation of said spool is not transmitted to said displacement means; and

holding means for holding said displacement means at the first or second position when said film magazine is unattached to a camera; and

wherein

said displacement means includes a plate member which is provided in a lower part of said spool, and is displaceable along an axial line direction of said spool and rotatable around said axial line, said plate member engaging and rotating unitedly with said spool when positioned at an upper position, and disengaging from and not rotating with said spool when moved downward;

said clutch means includes a wavy spring for pressing said plate member downward; and

said holding means is released from its holding function by a release means of a camera which accommodates said film magazine when said film magazine is loaded therein.

4. A camera system comprising:

a film magazine containing a film and having first, second and third states according to the status of use of said film;

a first camera capable of being loaded with said magazine when it is in said first and second states, said first camera including inhibition means for inhibiting the loading of said magazine when it is in said third state; and

a second camera capable of being loaded with said magazine when it is in said first state, said second camera including inhibition means for inhibiting the loading of said magazine when it is in said second and third states.

5. A camera system according to claim 4, wherein said first state indicates that all the phototaking areas of the film in said magazine are unexposed, said second state indicates that the phototaking areas of the film in said magazine are partly exposed, and said third state indicates that all the phototaking areas of the film in said magazine are exposed.

6. A camera system according to claim 5, wherein said magazine comprises a rotary member capable of rotation for rewinding the film into said magazine, and each of said cameras comprises drive means for rotating said rotary member and control means for controlling said drive means, and wherein each said control means controls the corresponding said drive means, after causing that drive means to rewind the film into said magazine, in such a manner that said rotary member stops at one of three rotational positions according to the state of use of the film, and the three different stop positions of said rotary member respectively correspond to said first, second and third states.

7. A camera system according to claim 4, wherein said first camera comprises a first housing for being loaded with said magazine and said second camera comprises a second housing for being loaded with said magazine;

said inhibition means of the first camera comprises a first protrusion member capable of protruding by a predetermined length from an internal surface of said first housing, and said inhibition means of the second camera comprises a second protruding member capable of protruding by a length larger than said predetermined length from an internal surface of said second housing, said first and second protruding members being provided in mutually corresponding positions in said first and second housings;

said magazine comprises space forming means for forming a space capable of accommodating said second protruding member in said first state, a space capable of accommodating said first protruding member but incapable of accommodating said second protruding member in said second state, and a space incapable of accommodating said first and second protruding members in said third state; and

the space formed by said space forming means corresponds in position to, said first and second protruding members.

8. A camera system according to claim 7, wherein said magazine comprises a rotary member capable of rotation for rewinding the film into said magazine, and said space forming means is so constructed as to rotate integrally with said rotary member.

9. A camera system according to claim 4, wherein said first camera comprises a first housing for being loaded with said magazine and said second camera comprises a second housing for being loaded with said magazine;

said inhibition means of the first camera comprises a first protrusion member capable of protruding from an internal surface of said first housing, and said inhibition means of the second camera comprises a second protrusion member capable of protruding from an internal surface of said second housing, said first and second protrusion members being provided in different positions of said first and second housings;

said magazine comprises first space forming means for forming a space capable of accommodating said first protrusion member in said first and second states but incapable of accommodating said first protrusion member in said third state, and second space forming means for forming a space capable of accommodating said second protrusion member in said first state but incapable of accommodating said second protrusion member in said second and third states; and

the space formed by said first space forming means corresponds in position to said first protrusion member while that formed by said second space forming means corresponds in position to said second protrusion member.

10. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film; and

indicating means which is fixed to said spool, said indicating means being rotatably movable, by rotation of said spool, between a first rotational position indicative of an unused condition of the film and a second rotational position indicative of a used condition of the film.

11. A film magazine according to claim 10, which further comprises limiting means having a first condition for limiting movement of said indicating means in said first position and in said second position and a second condition for allowing unrestricted movement of said indicating means.

12. A camera capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and indicating means, comprising:

a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein;

driving means for rotating said spool of the loaded film magazine so that said indicating means is rotated integrally with said spool;

discriminating means for discriminating a use status of said film; and

control means responsive to said discriminating means for controlling said driving means, said control means causing said driving means to arrange said indicating means at a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film when said discriminating means discriminates that said film is unused, said control means causing said driving means to arrange said indicating means at a second position indicative of a used condition of said film when said discriminating means discriminates that said film is used.

13. A camera according to claim 12, wherein said film magazine comprises limiting means having a first condition for limiting movement of said indicating means in said first position and in said second position and a second condition for allowing unrestricted movement of said indicating means, and wherein said camera comprises means for shifting said limiting means from said first condition to said second condition when said film magazine is loaded in said magazine chamber and for shifting said limiting means from said second condition to said first condition when said film magazine is removed from said magazine chamber.

14. A camera capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and indicating means, comprising:

a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein, said indicating means being fixed to said spool and movable, by rotation of said spool, between a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film and a second position indicative of a used condition of said film; and

means for permitting said magazine chamber to load said film magazine when said indicating means is at said first position, and inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine when said indicating means is at said second position.

15. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film; and

indicating means which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool, said indicating means having a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film.

16. A film magazine according to claim 15, which further comprises limiting means having a first condition for limiting rotation of said indicating means and a second condition for allowing unrestricted rotation of said indicating means.

17. A camera capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and indicating means, comprising:

a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein;

driving means for rotating said spool of the loaded film magazine so that said indicating means is rotated integrally with said spool;

discriminating means for discriminating a use status of said film; and

control means responsive to said discriminating means for controlling said driving means, said control means causing said driving means to arrange said indicating means at a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film when said discriminating means discriminates that said film is unused, at a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film when said discriminating means discriminates that said film is partially used, and at a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film when said discriminating means discriminates that said film is fully used.

18. A camera according to claim 17, wherein said film magazine comprises limiting means having a first condition for limiting rotation of said indicating means and a second condition for allowing unrestricted rotation of said indicating means, and wherein said camera comprises means for shifting said limiting means from said first condition to said second condition when said film magazine is loaded in said magazine chamber and for shifting said limiting means from said second condition to said first condition when said film magazine is removed from said magazine chamber.

19. A camera capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and indicating means, comprising:

a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein, said indicating means being fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool and having a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film; and

means for permitting said magazine chamber to load said film magazine when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said second position, and for inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine when said indicating means is at said third position.

20. A camera capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and indicating means, comprising:

a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein, said indicating means being fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool and having a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film; and

means for permitting said magazine chamber to load said film magazine when said indicating means is at said first position, and for inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine when said indicating means is at said second position and when said indicating means is at said third position.

21. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film; and

indicating means which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicating means having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a camera;

first exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said third position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said second position; and

second exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said second position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said third position.

22. A camera system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, indicating means which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicating means having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a camera, first exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said third position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said second position, and second exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said second position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said third position; and

a camera having a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein and means for permitting said magazine chamber to load said film magazine by cooperation with said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said second position, and for inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicating means is at said third position.

23. A camera system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, indicating means which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicating means having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a camera, first exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said third position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said second position, and second exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said second position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said third position; and

a camera having a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein, first inhibiting means arranged at a position corresponding to said first exposing means and second inhibiting means arranged at a position corresponding to said second exposing means, said first inhibiting means inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicating means is at said third position, said second inhibiting means inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicating means is at said second position.

24. A film magazine, comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film; and

indicating means which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicating means having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a camera;

first exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said third position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said second position; and

second exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said second position and when said indicating means is at said third position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position.

25. A camera system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, indicating means which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicating means having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a camera, first exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said third position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said second position, and second exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said second position and when said indicating means is at said third position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position; and

a camera having a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein and means for permitting said magazine chamber to load said film magazine by cooperation with said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said second position, and for inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicating means is at said third position.

26. A camera system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, indicating means which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicating means having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a camera, first exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said third position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position and when said indicating means is at said second position, and second exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said second position and when said indicating means is at said third position and exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position; and

a camera having a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein and means for permitting said magazine chamber to load said film magazine by cooperation with said second surface when said indicating means is at said first position, and inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicating means is at said second position and when said indicating means is at said third position.

27. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film;

indicating means which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicating means having a first surface, a second surface and a third surface which may be exposed; and

means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said first position, exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said second position and exposing said third surface when said indicating means is at said third position.

28. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated about an axis thereof to wind and feed a film;

a gear-like part rotatable with said spool about said axis and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced engagement portions corresponding to different use states of said film; and

a limiting device having a first state in which said limiting device is cooperable, selectively, with engagement portions of said gear-like part corresponding to each said use state of said film for preventing rotation of said spool outside predetermined limits corresponding to that use state, and a second state for allowing unrestricted rotation of said spool.

29. A film magazine according to claim 28, wherein said gear-like part rotates integrally with said spool when said limiting device is in said second state.

30. A film magazine according to claim 28, wherein said limiting device includes a lock part cooperable with the engagement portions of said gear-like part, and a dimension of said lock part in a circumferential direction of said gear-like part is substantially less than a spacing between adjacent engagement portions of said gear-like part in said circumferential direction.

31. A camera capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and indicating means, comprising:

a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine, said film magazine including limiting means having a first condition for limiting the rotation of said spool and a second condition for allowing unrestricted rotation of said spool; and

means for shifting said limiting means from said first condition to said second condition when said film magazine is loaded in said magazine chamber and for shifting said limiting means from said second condition to said first condition when said film magazine is removed from said magazine chamber.

32. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film;

moving means for moving between a first position indicating that said film is unused and a second position indicating that said film has been used;

clutch means for causing said spool to rotate integrally with said moving means when said moving means is at said first position, and for causing said spool to rotate independently of said moving means when said moving means is at said second position; and

holding means for holding said moving means at said second position.

33. A film magazine according to claim 32, which further comprises limiting means having a first condition for limiting the movement of said moving means from said first position to said second position and a second condition for not limiting the movement of said moving means.

34. A camera system comprising:

a film magazine having a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, moving means for moving between a first position indicating that said film is unused and a second position indicating that said film has been used, clutch means for causing said spool to rotate integrally with said moving means when said moving means is at said first position, and causing said spool to rotate independently of said moving means when said moving means is at said second position, and holding means for holding said moving means at said second position; and

a camera having a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein, and means for permitting said magazine chamber to load said film magazine when said moving means is at said first position, and for inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said moving means when said moving means is at said second position.

35. A camera system according to claim 34, wherein said film magazine comprises limiting means having a first condition for limiting the movement of said moving means from said first position to said second position and a second condition for not limiting the movement of said moving means, and wherein said camera comprises means responsive to the loading of said film magazine for switching said limiting means from said first condition to said second condition.

36. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film;

moving means for moving from a first position indicating that said film is unused to a second position indicating that said film has been used;

pressing means for pressing said moving means to move said moving means from said first position to said second position;

stopping means capable of moving between a stopping position for stopping said moving means at said first position and a releasing position for not stopping said moving means; and

releasing means responsive to the rotation of said spool for moving said stopping means from said stopping position to said releasing position.

37. A camera system comprising:

a film magazine comprising a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, moving means for moving from a first position indicating that said film is unused to a second position indicating that said film has been used, pressing means for pressing said moving means to move said moving means from said first position to said second position, stopping means capable of moving between a stopping position for stopping said moving means at said first position and a releasing position for not stopping said moving means, and releasing means responsive to the rotation of said spool for moving said stopping means from said stopping position to said releasing position; and

a camera comprising a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein, and means for permitting said magazine chamber to load said film magazine when said moving means is at said first position, and for inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine when said moving means is at said second position.

38. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film;

indicating means for being moved from a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film to a second position indicative of a used condition of said film by the rotation of said spool;

moving means responsive to movement of said spool in a film winding direction for moving said indicating means from said first position to said second position; and

holding means for holding said indicating means at said first position and for holding said indicating means at said second position.

39. A camera system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, indicating means which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film, and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicating means having a first surface, a second surface with a blocking portion and a non-blocking portion, and a third surface, and exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said first position, exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said second position, and exposing said third surface when said indicating means is at said third position; and

a camera having a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein and means for permitting said magazine chamber to load said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicating means is at said first position and by cooperation with said non-blocking portion of said second surface when said indicating means is at said second position, and inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said third surface when said indicating means is at said third position.

40. A camera system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, indicating means which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film, and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicating means having a first surface, a second surface with a blocking portion and a non-blocking portion, and a third surface, and exposing means for exposing said first surface when said indicating means is at said first position, exposing said second surface when said indicating means is at said second position, and exposing said third surface when said indicating means is at said third position; and

a camera having a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine therein and means for permitting said magazine chamber to load said film by cooperation with said first surface when said indicating means is at said first position, and inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said blocking portion of said second surface when said indicating means is at said second position and by cooperation with said third surface when said indicating means is at said third position.

41. A camera system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated about an axis thereof to wind and feed a film, a gear-like part rotatable with said spool about said axis and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced engagement portions corresponding to different use states of said film, and limiting device having a first state in which said limiting device is cooperable, selectively, with engagement portions of said gear-like part corresponding to each said use state of said film for preventing rotation of said spool outside predetermined limits corresponding to that use state, and a second state for allowing unrestricted rotation of said spool; and

a camera including a magazine chamber for loading said film magazine, and device for changing said limiting device from said first state to said second state when said film magazine is loaded in said magazine chamber and for changing said limiting device from said second state to said first state when said film magazine is removed from said magazine chamber.

42. A camera which can accommodate a film magazine having a moving member which can freely move from a first position to a second position, comprising:

a drive unit which moves said moving member from said first position to said second position when film is exposed; and

an inhibition device which inhibits loading of said film magazine when the moving member of the film magazine has moved to the second position;

said drive unit including a photosensor which detects whether said moving member is at the first position or second position.

43. A film magazine for a film loading device, comprising:

a spool around which film is wound;

a displacement member displaceable from a first position indicating that the film is unused to a second position indicating that the film is used according to the rotation of said spool;

a clutch member which enables said displacement member to assume a fitted position at which the rotation of said spool is transmitted to said displacement member or an unfitted position at which the rotation of said spool is not transmitted to said displacement member; and

a holding member to hold said displacement member at the first or second position when said film magazine is unattached to a film loading device; and

wherein

said displacement member includes a plate member which is provided in a lower part of said spool, and is displaceable in an axial line direction of said spool and rotatable around said axial line, said plate member engaging and rotating unitedly with said spool when positioned at an upper position, and disengaging from and not rotating with said spool when moved downward; and

said clutch member includes a wavy spring to press said plate member downward;

a release member is included to release the hold of said holding member when said displacement member and said spool rotate unitedly.

44. A film magazine for a film loading device, comprising:

a spool around which film is wound;

a displacement member displaceable from a first position indicating that the film is unused to a second position indicating that the film is used according to the rotation of said spool;

a clutch member to enable said displacement member to assume a fitted position at which the rotation of said spool is transmitted to said displacement member or an unfitted position at which the rotation of said spool is not transmitted to said displacement member; and

a holding member to hold said displacement member at the first or second position when said film magazine is unattached to a film loading device; and

wherein

said displacement member includes a plate member which is provided in a lower part of said spool, and is displaceable along an axial line direction of said spool and rotatable around said axial line, said plate member engaging and rotating unitedly with said spool when positioned at an upper position, and disengaging from and not rotating with said spool when moved downward;

said clutch member includes a wavy spring to press said plate member downward; and

the hold of said holding member is released by a release member of a film loading device which accommodates said film magazine when said film magazine is loaded therein.

45. A film loading system comprising:

a film magazine containing a film and having first, second and third states according to the status of use of said film;

a first loading device capable of being loaded with said magazine when it is in said first and second states, said first loading device including an inhibition device which inhibits the loading of said magazine when it is in said third state; and

a second loading device capable of being loaded with said magazine when it is in said first state, said second loading device including an inhibition device which inhibits the loading of said magazine when it is in said second and third states.

46. A film loading system according to claim 45, wherein said first state indicates that all the phototaking areas of the film in said magazine are unexposed, said second state indicates that the phototaking areas of the film in said magazine are partly exposed, and said third state indicates that all the phototaking areas of the film in said magazine are exposed.

47. A film loading system according to claim 46, wherein said magazine comprises a rotary member capable of rotation for rewinding the film into said magazine, and each of said loading devices comprises a respective drive unit which rotates said rotary member and a controller to control said drive unit, and wherein each said controller controls the corresponding said drive unit, after causing that drive unit to rewind the film into said magazine, in such a manner that said rotary member stops at one of three rotational positions according to the state of use of the film, and the three different stop positions of said rotary member respectively correspond to said first, second and third states.

48. A film loading system according to claim 45, wherein said first loading device comprises a first housing to be loaded with said magazine and said second loading device comprises a second housing to be loaded with said magazine;

said inhibition device of the first loading device comprises a first protrusion member capable of protruding by a predetermined length from an internal surface of said first housing, and said inhibition device of the second loading device comprises a second protruding member capable of protruding by a length larger than said predetermined length from an internal surface of said second housing, said first and second protruding members being provided in mutually corresponding positions in said first and second housings;

said magazine comprises a space forming member to form a space capable of accommodating said second protruding member in said first state, a space capable of accommodating said first protruding member but incapable of accommodating said second protruding member in said second state, and a space incapable of accommodating said first and second protruding members in said third state; and

the space formed by said space forming member corresponds in position to Said first and second protruding members.

49. A film loading system according to claim 48, wherein said magazine comprises a rotary member capable of rotation for rewinding the film into said magazine, and said space forming member is so constructed as to rotate integrally with said rotary member.

50. A film loading system according to claim 45, wherein said first loading device comprises a first housing to be loaded with said magazine and said second loading device comprises a second housing to be loaded with said magazine;

said inhibition device of the first loading device comprises a first protrusion member capable of protruding from an internal surface of said first housing, and said inhibition device of the second loading device comprises a second protrusion member capable of protruding from an internal surface of said second housing, said first and second protrusion members being provided in different positions of said first and second housings;

said magazine comprises a first space forming member to form a space capable of accommodating said first protrusion member in said first and second states but incapable of accommodating said first protrusion member in said third state, and a second space forming member to form a space capable of accommodating said second protrusion member in said first state but incapable of accommodating said second protrusion member in said second and third states; and

the space formed by said first space forming member corresponds in position to said first protrusion member while that formed by said second space forming member corresponds in position to said second protrusion member.

51. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film; and

an indicator which is fixed to said spool, said indicator being rotatably movable, by rotation of said spool, between a first rotational position indicative of an unused condition of the film and a second rotational position indicative of a used condition of the film.

52. A film magazine according to claim 51, which further comprises a limiting device having a first condition for limiting movement of said indicator in said first position and in said second position and a second condition for allowing unrestricted movement of said indicator.

53. A film loading device capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and an indicator, comprising:

a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein;

a drive unit to rotate said spool of the loaded film magazine so that said indicator is rotated integrally with said spool;

a discriminating device to discriminate a use status of said film; and

a controller responsive to said discriminating device to control said drive unit, said controller causing said drive unit to arrange said indicator at a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film when said discriminating device discriminates that said film is unused, said controller causing said drive unit to arrange said indicator at a second position indicative of a used condition of said film when said discriminating device discriminates that said film is used.

54. A film loading device according to claim 53, wherein said film magazine comprises a limiting device having a first condition to limit movement of said indicator in said first position and in said second position and a second condition to allow unrestricted movement of said indicator, and wherein said loading device comprises a shift member to shift said limiting device from said first condition to said second condition when said film magazine is loaded in said magazine chamber and to shift said limiting device from said second condition to said first condition when said film magazine is removed from said magazine chamber.

55. A film loading device capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and an indicator, comprising:

a magazine chamber which loads said film magazine therein, said indicator being fixed to said spool and movable, by rotation of said spool, between a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film and a second position indicative of a used condition of said film; and

a load permitting/inhibiting device which permits said magazine chamber to load said film magazine when said indicator is at said first position, and which inhibits said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine when said indicator is at said second position.

56. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film; and

an indicator which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool, said indicator having a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film.

57. A film magazine according to claim 56, which further comprises a limiting device having a first condition to limit rotation of said indicator and a second condition to allow unrestricted rotation of said indicator.

58. A film loading device capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and an indicator, comprising:

a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein;

a drive unit to rotate said spool of the loaded film magazine so that said indicator is rotated integrally with said spool;

a discriminating device to discriminate a use status of said film; and

a controller responsive to said discriminating device to control said drive unit, said controller causing said drive unit to arrange said indicator at a first position indicative of a unused condition of said film when said discriminating device discriminates that said film is unused, at a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film when said discriminating device discriminates that said film is partially used, and at a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film when said discriminating device discriminates that said film is fully used.

59. A film loading device according to claim 58, wherein said film magazine comprises a limiting device having a first condition to limit rotation of said indicator and a second condition to allow unrestricted rotation of said indicator, said loading device further comprising a shifting device to shift said limiting device from said first condition to said second condition when said film magazine is loaded in said magazine chamber and to shift said limiting device from said second condition to said first condition when said film magazine is removed from said magazine chamber.

60. A film loading device capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and an indicator, comprising:

a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein, said indicator being fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool and having a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film; and

a load permitting/inhibiting member to permit said magazine chamber to load said film magazine when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said second position, and to inhibit said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine when said indicator is at said third position.

61. A film loading device capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and an indicator, comprising:

a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein, said indicator being fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool and having a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film; and

a load permitting/inhibiting member to permit said magazine chamber to load said film magazine when said indicator is at said first position, and to inhibit said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine when said indicator is at said second position and when said indicator is at said third position.

62. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film; and

an indicator which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicator having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a film loading device;

a first exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said third position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said second position; and

a second exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said second position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said third position.

63. A film loading system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, an indicator which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicator having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a film loading device, a first exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said third position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said second position, and a second exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said second position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said third position; and

a film loading device having a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein and a load permitting/inhibiting member to permit said magazine chamber to load said film magazine by cooperation with said second surface when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said second position, and to inhibit said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicator is at said third position.

64. A film loading system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, an indicator which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicator having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a film loading device, a first exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said third position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said second position, and a second exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said second position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said third position; and

a film loading device having a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein, a first inhibiting member arranged at a position corresponding to said first exposing device and a second inhibiting member arranged at a position corresponding to said second exposing device, said first inhibiting member inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicator is at said third position, said second inhibiting member inhibiting said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicator is at said second position.

65. A film magazine, comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film; and

an indicator which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicator having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a film loading device;

a first exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said third position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said second position; and

a second exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said second position and when said indicator is at said third position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position.

66. A film loading system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, an indicator which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicator having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a film loading device, a first exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said third position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said second position, and a second exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said second position and when said indicator is at said third position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position; and

a film loading device having a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein and a load permitting/inhibiting member to permit said magazine chamber to load said film magazine by cooperation with said second surface when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said second position, and to inhibit said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicator is at said third position.

67. A film loading system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, an indicator which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicator having a first surface and a second surface which may be exposed in predetermined fashion in order to inhibit and permit loading of the film magazine into a film loading device, a first exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said third position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position and when said indicator is at said second position, and a second exposing device to,expose said first surface when said indicator is at said second position and when said indicator is at said third position and to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said first position; and

a film loading device having a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein and a load permitting/inhibiting member to permit said magazine chamber to load said film magazine by cooperation with said second surface when said indicator is at said first position, and to inhibit said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicator is at said third position.

68. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film;

an indicator which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicator having a first surface, a second surface and a third surface which may be exposed; and

an exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said first position, to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said second position and to expose said third surface when said indicator is at said third position.

69. A film loading device capable of loading a film magazine which has a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film and an indicator, comprising:

a magazine chamber to load said film magazine, said film magazine including a limiting device having a first condition for limiting the rotation of said spool and a second condition for allowing unrestricted rotation of said spool; and

a shifting member to shift said limiting device from said first condition to said second condition when said film magazine is loaded in said magazine chamber and to shift said limiting device from said second condition to said first condition when said film magazine is removed from said magazine chamber.

70. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film;

a moving member to move between a first position indicating that said film is unused and a second position indicating that said film has been used;

a clutch member to enable said spool to rotate integrally with said moving member when said moving member is at said first position, and to enable said spool to rotate independently of said moving member when said moving member is at said second position; and

a holding member to hold said moving member at said second position.

71. A film magazine according to claim 70, which further comprises a limiting device having a first condition for limiting the movement of said moving member from said first position to said second position and a second condition for not limiting the movement of said moving member.

72. A film loading system comprising:

a film magazine having a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, a moving member to move between a first position indicating that said film is unused and a second position indicating that said film has been used, a clutch member to enable said spool to rotate integrally with said moving member when said moving member is at said first position, and to enable said spool to rotate independently of said moving member when said moving member is at said second position, and a holding member to hold said moving member at said second position; and

a film loading device having a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein, and a load permitting/inhibiting member to permit said magazine chamber to load said film magazine when said moving member is at said first position, and to inhibit said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said moving member when said moving member is at said second position.

73. A film loading system according to claim 72, wherein said film magazine comprises a limiting device having a first condition to limit the movement of said moving member from said first position to said second position and a second condition not to limit the movement of said moving member, and wherein said film loading device comprises a member responsive to the loading of said film magazine to switch said limiting device from said first condition to said second condition.

74. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film;

a moving member to move from a first position indicating that said film is unused to a second position indicating that said film has been used;

a pressing member to press said moving member to move said moving member from said first position to said second position;

a stopping member capable of moving between a stopping position for stopping said moving member at said first position and a releasing position for not stopping said moving member; and

a releasing member responsive to the rotation of said spool to move said stopping member from said stopping position to said releasing position.

75. A film loading system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, a moving member to move from a first position indicating that said film is unused to a second position indicating that said film has been used, a pressing member to press said moving member to move said moving member from said first position to said second position, a stopping member capable of moving between a stopping position to stop said moving member at said first position and a releasing position not to stop said moving member, and a releasing member responsive to the rotation of said spool to move said stopping member from said stopping position to said releasing position; and

a film loading device having a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein and a load permitting/inhibiting member to permit said magazine chamber to load said film magazine when said moving member is at said first position, and to inhibit said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine when said moving member is at said second position.

76. A film magazine comprising:

a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film;

an indicator to be moved from a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film to a second position indicative of a used condition of said film by the rotation or said spool;

a moving member responsive to movement of said spool in a film winding direction to move said indicator from said first position to said second position; and

a holding member to hold said indicator at said first position and to hold said indicator at said second position.

77. A film loading system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, an indicator which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film, and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicator having a first surface, a second surface with a blocking portion and a non-blocking portion, and a third surface, and an exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said first position, to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said second position, and to expose said third surface when said indicator is at said third position; and

a film loading device having a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein and a load permitting/inhibiting member to permit said magazine chamber to load said film magazine by cooperation with said first surface when said indicator is at said first position and by cooperation with said non-blocking portion of said second surface when said indicator is at said second position, and to inhibit said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said third surface when said indicator is at said third position.

78. A film loading system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated to wind and feed a film, an indicator which is fixed to said spool and rotatable by said spool among a first position indicative of an unused condition of said film, a second position indicative of a partially used condition of said film, and a third position indicative of a fully used condition of said film, said indicator having a first surface, a second surface with a blocking portion and a non-blocking portion, and a third surface, and an exposing device to expose said first surface when said indicator is at said first position, to expose said second surface when said indicator is at said second position, and to expose said third surface when said indicator is at said third position; and

a film loading device having a magazine chamber to load said film magazine therein and a load permitting/inhibiting member to permit said magazine chamber to load said film by cooperation with said first surface when said indicator is at said first position, and to inhibit said magazine chamber from loading said film magazine by cooperation with said blocking portion of said second surface when said indicator is at said second position and by cooperation with said third surface when said indicator is at said third position.

79. A film loading system comprising:

a film magazine including a spool capable of being rotated about an axis thereof to wind and feed a film, a gear-like part rotatable with said spool about said axis and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced engagement portions corresponding to different use states of said film, and a limiting device having a first state in which said limiting device is cooperable, selectively, with engagement portions of said gear-like part corresponding to each said use state of said film for preventing rotation of said spool outside predetermined limits corresponding to that use state, and a second state for allowing unrestricted rotation of said spool; and

a film loading device including a magazine chamber to load said film magazine, and a member to change said limiting device from said first state to said second state when said film magazine is loaded in said magazine chamber and to change said limiting device from said second state to said first state when said film magazine is removed from said magazine chamber.