GB1580684A

GB1580684A - Sound movie cameras

Info

Publication number: GB1580684A
Application number: GB23835/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Braun GmbH
Current assignee: Braun GmbH
Priority date: 1977-06-18
Filing date: 1978-05-30
Publication date: 1980-12-03
Also published as: JPS5484726A; FR2401442A1; ATA346178A; AT360341B

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN SOUND MOVIE CAMERAS (71) We, BRAUN AKTIENGESELL SCHAFT, a body corporate organised and existing under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, of 22 Rüsselsheimer Strasse, 6 Frankfurt/Main, Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates generally to sound movie cameras and, more particularly, to a sound movie camera having sound pick-up means electrically connected to the sound recording device of the camera.

For some time now, films in the form of so-called Super-8 Cassettes have been available on the market for use by amateurs.

Such cassettes are substantially easier to operate than the previous normal 8 mm sound films. Nevertheless, the taking of movie pictures by means of amateur sound movie cameras that employ the aforementioned cassettes still has certain drawbacks.

It is, for example, disturbing that the noise of the running camera is picked up by the microphone and recorded on the sound track of the film. It is possible to reduce the undesirable effect of the camera noise by placing the microphone a relatively large distance from the camera during the picture taking operation.

It has been also proposed to mount the microphone on the arm of the camera operator in such a manner that during the picture taking operation it is directed in the acoustically desirable direction and is spaced at such a distance from the camera that the disturbing noises produced by the running camera are reduced to such an extent as to be negligible (German Offenlegungsschrift No. 24 32 136). Even if this solution results in a very good acoustical separation, it has nevertheless the disadvantage that the microphone and the camera are completely separate pieces and tend to be misplaced by the operator. For this reason, this solution has not proved to be popular with amateur sound movie camera operators.

In order to keep the camera and the microphone together, sound movie cameras have been devised in which the microphone is mounted on the body of the camera and telescopically extendable therefrom (magazine "Photo" 1976, II, pages 32, 34 and German Gebrauchsmuster No. 76 28 266.5).

The disadvantage of this cameramicrophone combination is that the microphone arranged on the camera body makes the whole structure bulky and difficult to manipulate.

In another sound movie camera the microphone is fixedly mounted on the free end of a forwardly directed and downwardly inclined handle of the camera (Kodak Ektasound 240, Kodak Consumer Markets Division, Rochester, New York 14650). This arrangement has the disadvantage that the microphone is immovable relative to the camera body and therefore optimum use of it can be made only in special picture taking situations.

The present invention aims to avoid the disadvantages of the afore-described prior art microphone arrangements in sound movie cameras. In particular, the invention aims to reduce to a minimum the recording of camera noises while maintaining the microphone or other sound pick-up means as a part of the sound movie camera and at the same time facilitating the operation and handling of the sound movie camera.

According to the invention, there is provided a sound movie camera comprising a casing and having sound pick-up means, wherein the sound pick-up means is removably attached to the camera and is electrically connected to sound recording means accommodated in the camera casing, at a least part of said sound pick-up means being accommodated in a recess in the camera casing.

The sound pick-up means preferably comprises a microphone although other means such as a radio receiver or an infra-red radiation receiver may be utilised if desired.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the camera casing includes a handle having a recess for accommodating at least part of the microphone. Electrical connecting means may be provided at the bottom of the recess in the handle for connecting the microphone to the sound recording means.

Preferably, the microphone has a handle provided with a coaxial connector including a central contact pin surrounded by at least one tubular contact member and the bottom portion of the recess in the handle of the camera casing is provided with a corresponding socket for said coaxial connector, said socket including a central spring resiliently abutting on said contact pin. With this arrangement, the microphone can be rotated about the axis of the handle.

The microphone handle may contain telescopic supporting means for extending the pick-up element of the microphone away from the camera; or in another modification the recess of the camera handle may contain an adapter for adjusting the parts of diffe rent sound pick-up members to a standard socket in the camera.

For mechanical holding of the mic rophone in a fixed position on the free end of the camera handle, clamping means may be provided for releasably securing the microphone to the camera handle. The detachable connection of the microphone to the camera makes it possible to replace the microphone with a radio receiver or a receiver of infra-red radiation, the two receivers acting as the sound pick-up means.

According to another embodiment of the invention, extendable means are disposed within the recess and are connected between the camera casing and the microphone for supporting said microphone in an extended position out of the casing. In the case where the camera casing is provided with a handle, the recess in which said extendable means are disposed may be provided in the said handle.

The extendable means may comprise a telescopic rod or a coiled band having an arched cross-section. The coiled band may be a steel band supporting at least one electrical conductor or a synthetic plastics band including an embedded pair of elec trical conductors.

The invention will now be further de scribed, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view, partially in section, of one embodiment of a sound movie camera according to the invention having a forwardly inclined handle with a sound pick-up element of a microphone attached to the outer, free, end of the handle; Figure 2 is an end view of a coaxial connector provided on the end of a handle of the microphone shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the arrangement of an electrical socket for receiving the connector shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view partly in section of a handle of a camera according to a second embodiment of the invention including an adapter for a microphone; Figure 5 shows a modification of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 in which the microphone has an adapter having the same length as the recess in the camera handle; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a standard microphone socket; Figure 7 shows a microphone for a sound movie camera with an adapter; Figure 8 is a side view of a further embodiment of a sound movie camera according to the invention having a built-in microphone; Figure 9 is a front view of the movie camera illustrated in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a sectional side view of the handle of the camera illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 showing an unfolded telescopic rod supporting the microphone; Figure 11 shows a modification of the arrangement for the telescopic support of the microphone; and Figure 12 is a side view of another embodiment of a camera according to the invention showing schematically an extend able microphone supporting member in the form of a coiled band.

In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

Reference will first be made tb Figure 1 of the drawings which shows a sound movie camera 1 consisting essentially of a camera body or casing 2, a camera handle 3, an objective lens 4 and an eye cup 5 for covering the eye of the camera operator during picture-taking. The camera handle 3 is provided with a tubular recess for accom modating a microphone handle 6 with a folded telescopic supporting rod 7 to which a pick-up element of a microphone 8 is attached. The microphone handle 6 is in serted into the camera handle from the free end thereof and extends substantially para llel to the longitudinal axis of the camera handle. The rear end of the microphone handle 6 is provided with a coaxial connec tor having a projecting contact pin 9 which is brought in contact with a corresponding contact spring 10 arranged in the camera handle 3.

The outer, free, end of the camera handle 3 is provided with a locking bar 11 which is engageable in a groove or keyway 12 provided in the microphone handle 6. The locking bar 11 is directed perpendicularly to the axis of the microphone handle 6 and is urged by a coil spring 13 into the groove or keyway 12. By this means the microphone handle 6 is secured against unintentional disengagement from the camera handle 3.

Figure 2 shows in detail the electric connector at the end of the microphone handle 6. The connector includes the aforementioned contact pin 9 which is surrounded by coaxially arranged tubular contact members 14 and 15. A socket for receiving the connectors 9, 14 and 15 is illustrated in Figure 3 and includes opposite contacts 16, 17 and 18 which are connected to electrical connectors 19, 20 and 21 leading to a sound recording device (not shown) in the body 2 of the camera. By disengaging the contacts 9, 14 and 15 as concentric rings it is possible to rotate the tubular microphone handle 6 within the recess of the camera handle 3 during the film and sound taking operation of the camera.

If the operator wishes to remove the microphone from the camera handle 3, he pushes the locking bar 11 several millimeters up against the force of spring 13 so that the locking bar 11 is disengaged from the groove or keyway 12 of the microphone handle and the microphone can then be detached and removed from the camera handle.

Figure 4 shows another possibility of arranging a microphone in a sound movie camera according to the invention in which an adapter 24 is insertable into the recess of the camera handle 22 and is connectable at one end thereof to a standard socket 25, for example, an eight-pole DIN socket. The other end of the adapter 24 is provided with a socket for receiving the plug of an extension cable 26 for the microphone. The adapter 24 as shown in Figure 4 is in alignment with the bottom of the camera handle 22. In the modified embodiment shown in Figure 5, the adapter 27 corresponds in size to the microphone handle 28.

Figure 6 shows a DIN socket 29 for receiving the corresponding plug on the adapter 24.

Figure 7 shows an additional adapter 30 connected by means of an extension cable 31 and a plug 32 to the microphone handle 33 supporting a pick-up element 34.

In the afore-described examples the microphone is always connected by wires to the sound recording device in the camera body.

As soon as an unimpeded mobility of the microphone is desired or necessary the disturbing cables can be dispensed with by using a wireless system wherein the microphone is connected to a remote transmitter which converts the picked up sound signals into electromagnetic waves or into infra-red waves. In the handle of the camera a radio receiver or infra-red radiation receiver is arranged instead of the microphone and delivers the detected signals to the sound recording device in the camera.

Reference will now be made to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings in which there is shown a sound movie camera 1 having a casing or housing comprising a rear body portion 2 and a bulged front housing portion 35 for receiving an objective lens 4 and a handle 3 supporting on its free end a microphone 8. The microphone is detachably connected to the handle 3 and in Figures 8 and 9 is shown in its folded position.

Figure 10 shows the microphone in its unfolded position. The microphone element 8 is mounted on a supporting base 36 which is open at the other end to form a cupshaped socket 37 adapted for receiving a ball end 38 of a telescopic rod 39. The other end of the rod 39 is secured to the bottom of a recess in the camera handle 3 and the upper part of the recess is extended in size to receive the supporting base 36 of the microphone element 8. In order to minimize the transfer of noises from the camera to the telescopic rod 39, a foam rubber lining 40 is provided between the wall of the recess in the camera handle and the outermost part of the telescopic rod that remains embedded in the recess. The camera handle may be provided with additional recesses 41 and 42 for accommodating batteries either for the microphone or for the sound recording device in the camera. The arrangement shown in Figure 10 makes it possible to unfold the microphone 8 in its extended position as shown in this Figure, or to fold it into engagement with the matching recess at the free end of the camera handle. In addition, due to the ball end 38 the microphone may be angularly adjusted to any desired pick-up position.

Figure 11 shows a modification of the arrangement of the extendable support 39 on the camera body or casing 2. In this modification, the telescopic support rod 39 is arranged at the top portion of the camera body or casing 2 and is directed upwardly at an acute angle to the optical axis of the camera. The microphone 8 in this embodiment may be again attached to the free end of the telescopic support rod 39 by means of a ball-and-socket connection and similarly as in the preceding embodiment a foam rubber or foam plastic layer 40 surrounds the part of the telescopic support rod 39 that has the largest diameter and is embedded in the camera body or casing 2 so that noises resulting from the movement of the camera drive can be effectively damped. The rest of the camera is designed in conventional manner, comprising a handle 3, a lens 4 and a rubber eye cup 5.

The angle defined between the optical axis of the camera and the telescopic support 39 corresponds to the maximum cone of light rays that can be received by the objective lens 4 during the film-taking operation so that the microphone 8 does not interfere with the field of vision of the camera.

Figure 12 shows still another modification of a camera according to the invention in which the extendable support is in the form of a coiled band similar to a metal band ruler. The extendable support 43 is arranged in a recess at the bottom portion of a camera handle 44 and is spring biased by a spring (not shown) controlled by a push-button 45.

The metal band 43 is arched in transversal direction so that, when it is pulled out of the camera handle 44, it keeps straight in its extended position. By pressing the pushbutton 45, the spring retrieves the extended band back into the camera handle 44.

Instead of an arched metal band, which may be steel, there can be employed a band of synthetic material whose mechanical stability is enhanced by means of electrical conductors embedded therein. An auxiliary cord 46 assists the metal or plastics band 43 in supporting the microphone 8 and also may be employed for adjusting the position of the microphone 8 in the desired direction.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of sound movie camera differing from the type described above.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A sound movie camera comprising a casing and having sound pick-up means, wherein the sound pick-up means is removably attached to the camera and is electrically connected to sound recording means accommodated in the camera casing, at least a part of said sound pick-up means being accommodated in a recess in the camera casing.

2. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the sound pick-up means comprises a microphone.

3. A camera according to claim 2, wherein the camera casing includes a handle having a recess for accommodating at least part of the microphone.

4. A camera according to claim 3, wherein electrical connecting means are provided at the bottom of the recess in the handle for connecting the microphone to the sound recording means.

5. A camera according to claim 4, wherein the microphone has a handle provided with a coaxial connector including a central contact pin surrounded by at least one tubular contact member and wherein the bottom portion of the recess in the handle of the camera casing is provided with a corresponding socket for said coaxial connector, said socket including a central spring resiliently abutting on said contact pin.

6. A camera according to claim 4, wherein the electrical connecting means includes an adapter removably disposed within said recess for adapting said connecting means in the camera handle to different connecting members on the microphone.

7. A camera according to claim 6, wherein said adapter includes at least one standard plug and the bottom part of said recess is provided with a corresponding standard socket.

8. A camera according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the microphone is held in the recess in the camera handle by releasable clamping means.

9. A camera according to claim 8, wherein the clamping means comprises a pin movably mounted in the camera handle and engageable in a groove or keyway provided in a casing or handle for the microphone.

10. A camera according to claim 9, wherein a spring is provided for urging said pin into the groove or keyway in the microphone casing or handle.

11. A camera according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the camera handle is inclined forwardly at an acute angle to the optical axis of said camera.

12. A camera according to claim 2, wherein telescopic supporting means are connected between said microphone and means electrically connecting the microphone to the sound recording means for extendably supporting said microphone.

13. A camera according to claim 12, wherein the microphone includes a pick-up element and a microphone handle, said telescopic supporting means being disposed within said microphone handle for extendably supporting said pickup element.

14. A camera according to claim 13, wherein the camera casing includes a handle having a recess for accommodating at least part of the microphone and wherein said recess in said camera handle extends off the centre axis of said camera handle, said pick-up element of the microphone being connected to said supporting means at such a point as to be in alignment with a wall of said camera handle when said microphone handle with said supporting means are inserted in said recess.

15. A camera according to claim 14, wherein the camera handle is inclined forwardly at an acute angle to the optical axis of the camera.

16. A camera according to claim 2,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. drive can be effectively damped. The rest of the camera is designed in conventional manner, comprising a handle 3, a lens 4 and a rubber eye cup 5. The angle defined between the optical axis of the camera and the telescopic support 39 corresponds to the maximum cone of light rays that can be received by the objective lens 4 during the film-taking operation so that the microphone 8 does not interfere with the field of vision of the camera. Figure 12 shows still another modification of a camera according to the invention in which the extendable support is in the form of a coiled band similar to a metal band ruler. The extendable support 43 is arranged in a recess at the bottom portion of a camera handle 44 and is spring biased by a spring (not shown) controlled by a push-button 45. The metal band 43 is arched in transversal direction so that, when it is pulled out of the camera handle 44, it keeps straight in its extended position. By pressing the pushbutton 45, the spring retrieves the extended band back into the camera handle 44. Instead of an arched metal band, which may be steel, there can be employed a band of synthetic material whose mechanical stability is enhanced by means of electrical conductors embedded therein. An auxiliary cord 46 assists the metal or plastics band 43 in supporting the microphone 8 and also may be employed for adjusting the position of the microphone 8 in the desired direction. It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of sound movie camera differing from the type described above. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A sound movie camera comprising a casing and having sound pick-up means, wherein the sound pick-up means is removably attached to the camera and is electrically connected to sound recording means accommodated in the camera casing, at least a part of said sound pick-up means being accommodated in a recess in the camera casing.

16. A camera according to claim 2,

wherein electrical extension means are detachably connected between the microphone and means electrically connecting said microphone to the sound recording means.

17. A camera according to claim 1, wherein said sound pick-up means includes a radio receiver.

18. A camera according to claim 1, wherein said sound pick-up means is an infra-red radiation receiver.

19. A camera according to claim 2, wherein extendable means are disposed within the recess and are connected between the camera casing and the microphone for supporting said microphone in an extended position out of the casing.

20. A camera according to claim 19, wherein the recess and extendable means are directed parallel to the maximum cone of light rays received during a picture taking operation by the camera.

21. A camera according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein extendable means are disposed within the recess in the camera handle and are connected between the camera casing and the microphone for supporting said microphone in an extended position out of the recess in the camera handle.

22. A camera according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the extendable means comprise a telescopic rod.

23. A camera according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the extendable means comprise a coiled band having an arched cross-section.

24. A camera according to claim 23, wherein said coiled band is a steel band supporting at least one electrical conductor.

25. A camera according to claim 23, wherein said coiled band is a transversely arched synthetic plastics band including an embedded pair of electrical conductors.

26. A sound movie camera substantially as described herein with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

27. A sound movie camera substantially as described herein with reference to any one of Figures 8 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.