Camera having resiliently biasing label and method

• US 6,263,159 B1
• Filed: 07/26/1999
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Smith, Stephen J., Boyd, James D., Cramer, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/360,432
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 396/6, 396/395, 396/411, 396/535, 396/536, 396/538, 396/541, 396/502
• US Class Current: 396/6
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 1/24 Sprockets engaging holes in the film
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2219/045 adapted for unloading the film in the processing laboratory, e.g. disposable, reusable or recyclable cameras

Abstract

A camera has a casing and a subsystem having a first mechanical element and a second mechanical element. The first mechanical element is movable relative to the casing, between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The mechanical elements are engaged. The subsystem is operative in the engaged position. The subsystem is inoperative in the disengaged position. A label is attached to the casing. The label biases the first mechanical element toward the engaged position. In a method for rendering a one-time use camera operative, a camera frame assembly and a compliant label are aligned. The camera frame assembly has the subsystem having a first and second mechanical elements and an uncovered gap. The first mechanical element is movable relative to the gap, between the engaged and disengaged positions. The mechanical elements are engaged and the subsystem is operative in the engaged position and inoperative in the disengaged position. A label is attached to the camera frame assembly over the gap to bias the first mechanical element toward the engaged position.

Claims

1. A camera comprising:

a casing;

a subsystem having a first mechanical element and a second mechanical element, said first mechanical element being movable relative to said casing, between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said mechanical elements being engaged and said subsystem being operative in said engaged position, said subsystem being inoperative in said disengaged position;

a label attached to said casing, said label bearing on said first mechanical element and biasing said first mechanical element toward said engaged position and away from said disengaged position.

2. The camera of claim 1 wherein said label is compliant.

3. The camera of claim 2 wherein said subsystem biases said first mechanical element in a direction away from said engaged position and said label overcomes said biasing by said subsystem.

4. The camera of claim 1 wherein said label is detachable from said casing and said first mechanical element is movable relative to said casing, between an engaged position and first and second disengaged positions, when said label is detached, said first disengaged position being between said engaged position and said second disengaged position;

and said label attached to said casing blocks movement of said first mechanical element from said first disengaged position to said second disengaged position.

5. The camera of claim 4 wherein said subsystem biases said first mechanical element toward said second disengaged position and said label attached to said casing overcomes said biasing.

6. The camera of claim 1 wherein said first mechanical element is a metering lever pivotably mounted in said casing, and said second mechanical element is a cam unit rotatably mounted in said casing.

7. The camera of claim 1 wherein said first mechanical element is a pawl and said second mechanical element is a thumbwheel rotatably mounted in said casing.

8. The camera of claim 7 wherein said pawl is resilient and is joined to said casing.

9. The camera of claim 8 wherein said pawl and said casing are a one-piece plastic casting.

10. The camera of claim 1 wherein said first mechanical element is a trigger accessible from an outside of said casing and said second mechanical element is a shutter actuator.

11. The camera of claim 1 wherein said casing has an openable portion and a non-opening portion, said openable portion moving relative to said non-opening portion from a closed position to an open position, said label overlaps said openable portion, and said moving of said openable portion disrupts said label sufficiently to cease said biasing of said first mechanical element.

12. A camera comprising:

a casing;

a subsystem having a resilient pawl joined to said casing and a thumbwheel rotatably mounted in said casing, said pawl being movable relative to said casing, between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said mechanical elements being engaged and said subsystem being operative in said engaged position, said subsystem being inoperative in said disengaged position;

a label attached to said casing, said label biasing said first mechanical element toward said engaged position;

wherein said casing has an openable portion and a non-opening portion, said openable portion moving relative to said non-opening portion from a closed position to an open position, said pawl having a frangible connection to said non-opening portion, said label being adhered to said openable portion and said pawl, and said moving of said openable portion disrupts said label sufficiently to break said pawl.

13. The camera of claim 12 wherein said pawl and said casing are a one-piece plastic casting.

14. A camera comprising:

a casing;

a subsystem having a first mechanical element and a second mechanical element, said first mechanical element being movable relative to said casing, between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said mechanical elements being engaged and said subsystem being operative in said engaged position, said subsystem being inoperative in said disengaged position;

a label attached to said casing, said label biasing said first mechanical element toward said engaged position;

wherein said casing has an openable portion and a non-opening portion, said openable portion moving relative to said non-opening portion from a closed position to an open position, said first mechanical element having a frangible connection to said non-opening portion, said label being adhered to said openable portion and said first mechanical element, and said moving of said openable portion disrupts said label sufficiently to break said first mechanical element.

15. A method for rendering a one-time use camera operative, said method comprising the step of:

aligning a camera frame assembly and a compliant label, said camera frame assembly having a gap and a subsystem having a first mechanical element and a second mechanical element, said gap being uncovered, said first mechanical element being movable relative to said gap, between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said mechanical elements being engaged and said subsystem being operative in said engaged position, said subsystem being inoperative in said disengaged position;

attaching a label to said camera frame assembly over said gap, said label bearing on said first mechanical element and biasing said first mechanical element toward said engaged position and away from said disengaged position.

16. A camera comprising:

a casing;

a plurality of subsystems, each said subsystem having a first mechanical element and a second mechanical element, said first mechanical element being movable relative to said casing, between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said mechanical elements being engaged and said subsystem being operative in said engaged position, said subsystem being inoperative in said disengaged position;

a label attached to said casing, said label biasing each of said first mechanical elements toward said engaged position.

17. The camera of claim 16 wherein said label is compliant and contacts said first mechanical elements.

18. The camera of claim 16 wherein said label biases each of said first mechanical elements toward a respective said engaged position.

19. The camera of claim 17 wherein said first mechanical element is mounted for free movement between said engaged position and said second disengaged position.

20. A camera comprising:

a casing;

a subsystem having a first mechanical element and a second mechanical element, said first mechanical element being movable relative to said casing, between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said mechanical elements being engaged and said subsystem being operative in said engaged position, said subsystem being inoperative in said disengaged position;

a label attached to said casing, said label biasing said first mechanical element toward said engaged position;

wherein said label is detachable from said casing and said first mechanical element is movable relative to said casing, between an engaged position and first and second disengaged positions, when said label is detached, said first disengaged position being between said engaged position and said second disengaged position; and

said label attached to said casing blocks movement of said first mechanical element from said first disengaged position to said second disengaged position; and

wherein said label has a minimal distortion when said first mechanical element is in said engaged position and said label has a maximal distortion when said first mechanical element is in said first disengaged position.