Encodement-on-film recording apparatus utilizes flash components in a camera

• US 5,619,737 A
• Filed: 02/07/1996
• Issued: 04/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Horning, Randy E., Smart, David C., Constable, Douglas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAN, JANG K
• Application Number:
  US08/594,881
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 354/106, 354/129, 354/147, 354/149.11, 354/219, 354/222, 396/176, 396/180, 396/195, 396/315, 396/373, 396/378
• US Class Current: 396/195
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/245 Optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0503 Built-in units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0578 Flashtube mounting
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0582 Reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0592 installed in front of light emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/243 Optical devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/26 Power supplies; Circuitry or arrangement to switch on the power source; Circuitry to check the power source voltage

Abstract

A camera assembly comprises a plurality of encodement-on-film recording means adapted to receive electrical energy to provide various film encodements, an encodement-on-film selector movable to various selection positions to select one or more of the recording means to provide the film encodements, a flash charge storage capacitor, and a shutter-flash synch contact connected to the flash capacitor to enable the flash capacitor to supply electrical energy when a shutter blade impacts the synch contact. Respective ones of the recording means are coupled via the synch contact to the flash capacitor to receive electrical energy from the flash capacitor. The synch contact supports the selector for movement to its selection positions and is coupled to the selector to permit the selector to select one or more of the recording means to receive electrical energy from the flash capacitor. This arrangement provides a savings of parts desirable in a low cost camera.

Claims

1. A camera assembly comprising flash circuitry firing means including a shutter-flash synch contact, encodement-on-film recording means for providing a film encodement, and a selector movable to an encodement position to cause said recording means to provide the film encodement, is characterized in that:

said synch contact continuously supports said selector for movement to the encodement position.

2. A camera assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said recording means is adapted to receive electrical energy to provide the film encodement, said flash firing means includes a flash charge storage capacitor electrically coupled to said synch contact, and said selector is electrically coupled to said synch contact to allow said flash capacitor to supply electrical energy to said recording means when the selector is moved to the encodement position.

3. A camera assembly comprising a plurality of encodement-on-film recording means adapted to receive electrical energy to provide various film encodements, an encodement-on-film selector movable to various selection positions to select one or more of said recording means to provide the film encodements, a flash charge storage capacitor, and a shutter-flash synch contact connected to said flash capacitor to enable the flash capacitor to supply electrical energy when a shutter blade impacts said synch contact, is characterized in that:

one or more of said recording means are electrically coupled via said synch contact to said flash capacitor to receive electrical energy from the flash capacitor; and

said synch contact supports said selector for movement to its selection positions and is electrically coupled to the selector to permit the selector to select one or more of said recording means to receive electrical energy from said flash capacitor.

4. A camera assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said recording means provides print aspect ratio encodements-on-film, a masking blade is movable along a defined path into and out of the field of view of a viewfinder to vary the aspect ratio of the field of view, and said selector is located in the defined path of said masking blade to allow the masking blade to move the selector to its selection positions.

5. A camera assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein said synch contact continuously supports said selector to be moved to out of one of its selection positions and towards another of its election positions only when said masking blade is moved substantially into or out of the field of view of said viewfinder.