GB494527A - Improvements in and relating to photographic hand cameras - Google Patents

Abstract

494,527. Photographic gun - form cameras. STEWARD, H. April 28, 1937, No. 12107. [Class 98 (i)] A snapshot hand-camera comprises a complete light-tight structure enclosed within a further light-tight casing resembling a fire arm. The camera structure comprises a lens mount a, shutter b, body c, with film containers d and operating means for the shutter and film, a cover for the film, and a two-part outer casing of which one-half g is shown, containing film spools o in the handle. The lens mount a comprises a flat plate a<1> with a hollow conical projection a<2> carrying the lens a<3>, and an apertured plate a<5>. The shutter plate b<1>, Fig. 6, carries a spring-pressed obturator b<2>, operating lever b<3>, and trip lever b<4> having two flexible arms b<5> and b<7>. When the lever b<9> is moved down the projection b<6> moves the lever b<4> so that the end b<7> passes over the arm b<8> of the obturator b<2>. The projection b<6> then releases the lever b<4> which returns to its initial position, moves the obturator to uncover the aperture, and finally releases it to return to the pre-set position. When the lever b<9> is released, the lever b<4> is not affected. The camera body c comprises a die-casting having a plate c<1>, Fig. 5, with a box c<2> on one side having an exposure aperture c<5> at the end, and a recess c<6> for the shutter assembly. The recess is closed by the lens mount a. A trigger c', Fig. 9, is pivoted at the lower part of the plate c<1>, the spindle c<8> carrying also a lever c<11> which actuates the rewind mechanism. A spindle d<1> which engages the film, carries also a pinion d<3> gearing with a wheel k which is rotated in one direction only by a pawl k<1> pivoted on an arm k<2> which itself is pivoted at k<3>. The lever c<11> has a projection c<12> engaging a slot in the arm k<2>, so that when the trigger is pulled, the lever c<11> and arm k<2> move upward, and the projection k<7> actuates the shutter lever b<9> which projects through the slot b<4>. The pawl k<1> moves over the wheel k during pulling of the trigger, but when the latter is moved back, the wheel k is rotated to wind the film. The return movement of the trigger may be effected by the finger,' or by a spring not shown. The film chambers d are closed by a cover sliding in guides d4 and having a non-actinic window. The outer casing g, Fig. 2, is of thermoplastic material or sheet metal and completely encloses all the camera mechanism except the trigger. A foresight p may be provided by which the object may be sighted when the camera is held at arm's length. To facilitate handling of the miniature film spools, a guard clip m, Fig. 5, is provided, the projection m<1> being received in a notch d<7>.