JP2000347283A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and intelligibly exchange a photographic film cartridge in a compact camera having a slide case and to exchange a battery even when the camera is not used. SOLUTION: In the case of loading a photographic film cartridge in a camera 2, a slide case 12 is slid to a cartridge exchanging position. Thus, a bottom cover 43 is exposed from the notch of the case 12. Thus, the cover 43 of a cartridge chamber 26 can be opened/closed even though the case 12 is not completely detached from a camera main body 10 in the case of loading/unloading the photographic film cartridge, so that the photographic film cartridge is rapidly and easily loaded and taken out. A situation that the slide case is detached from a camera main body and lost is also prevented, and the loading operation of the photographic film cartridge is made simple and intelligible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly, to an improvement of a small camera using a film cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When not in use, an IX240 type film cartridge in which a photo film is entirely housed in a cartridge body to facilitate loading into a device such as a camera, and after loading, a spool is rotated to send the photo film from the cartridge body. Is manufactured and sold by the present applicant and the like.

[0003] As cameras using this IX240 type film cartridge, those with a slide case described in JP-A-7-13242 and JP-A-10-104712 are known. In these cameras, a box-shaped slide case is used, and the slide case is configured to cover a cover of a photographic film cartridge chamber provided on the bottom surface of the camera body. The slide case moves between an unused position covering the front surface of the taking lens, a photographing position exposing the front surface of the taking lens and covering the lid of the cartridge chamber, and a cartridge replacing position exposing the cover of the cartridge chamber. It is designed so that the lid of the cartridge chamber cannot be inadvertently opened during photographing.

[0004]

However, in any of the small cameras having the above-mentioned slide case, the slide case is completely removed from the camera body when the photographic film cartridge is replaced, or the slide case is not largely slid until immediately before. And the cartridge chamber lid cannot be opened. For this reason, there has been a problem that it is troublesome to replace the photographic film cartridge especially outdoors, and the photographic film cartridge cannot be quickly replaced. Further, when the slide case is separated, there is a high possibility that the slide case removed from the camera body is lost.

On the other hand, in a small camera having a slide case as described above, when the slide case is closed and not in use, the lid of the battery chamber for storing the battery is covered with the slide case. There was a problem that it could not be replaced. Usually, most of the time the batteries are replaced except when photographing, so it is inconvenient if the batteries cannot be replaced when not in use as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and makes it easy and easy to replace a photographic film cartridge of a small camera having a slide case. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera capable of exchanging images.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a camera body having a cartridge chamber for loading a photographic film cartridge, a photographic lens, and a battery chamber for accommodating a battery serving as a power supply. A non-use position that is attached to the camera body and covers at least the front side of the photographing lens and prohibits operation of each part used during photographing, and is used at the time of photographing while opening the front side of the photographing lens. A camera case comprising a slide case movable between a photographing position enabling operation of each part to be operated and a cartridge exchange position exposing a cover of the cartridge chamber and allowing insertion and removal of a photographic film cartridge. At the bottom of the case, the lid of the cartridge chamber provided on the bottom of the camera body is It is obtained by forming a notch to issued.

It is preferable that the notch exposes a lid of the battery chamber provided on a bottom surface of the camera body at the unused position. It is also preferable to provide a lock mechanism for preventing an opening operation of the lid of the battery chamber at the photographing position.

The lid of the battery compartment may be opened by sliding and then rotating in a direction along the bottom surface of the slide case. The bottom surface of the slide case and the lid of the battery compartment may be Preferably, they are substantially coplanar.

[0010]

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a camera embodying the present invention is used. Camera 2
It comprises a camera body 10 and a slide case 12. The camera body 10 includes a thin box-shaped outer case 22.
In addition, there are provided a lens barrel 4 for holding the photographing lens 3, a strobe light emitting unit 5, a finder 6, a photometric light receiving window 7, a distance measuring light emitting window 8 constituting an active distance measuring device, a distance measuring light receiving window 9, and the like. Have been.

The end of the outer case 22 opposite to the side on which the slide case 12 is mounted has rounded front and rear corners for easy holding. This exterior case 2
Reference numeral 2 is made of plastic or a lightweight metal such as aluminum or titanium.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the back of the camera body 10, a liquid crystal display 20 for displaying the date, the number of photographed images, the photographing mode, etc. is provided. A panel switch 21 for setting and switching is arranged.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the camera. An aperture 25 for defining an exposure range for the photographic film is formed at a central portion in the camera body 10, and a cartridge chamber 26 is provided at one end so as to sandwich the aperture 25, and the film is taken up at the other end. A chamber 27 is formed. The lens barrel 4 is attached to the front side of the aperture 25.

A winding shaft 36 is mounted in the film winding chamber 27 via a motor holder 35, and a motor 37 is built in the winding shaft 36. A finder unit 38 is mounted above the motor holder 35.

A film cartridge 39 is loaded in the cartridge chamber 26. Then, the photographic film 40 sent out from the film cartridge 39 is wound around the winding shaft 36 of the film winding chamber 27.

As shown in FIG. 2, a strobe light emitting section 5 is formed at the center of the camera body 10. The strobe light emitting section 5 is popped up by a pop-up mechanism (not shown) when the slide case 12 is set at the photographing position, and becomes usable. In the non-use position, it is pressed by the upper surface of the slide case 12 and is set in the retracted position.

As shown in FIG. 6, a microswitch 42 is incorporated in the upper part of the camera body 10. When the slide case 12 is slid to the photographing position, the micro switch 42 is disposed at a position directly below the shutter button 11 provided on the upper surface of the slide case 12, and the slide case 12 slides to the photographing position. Only when it is pressed, the micro switch 42 can be pressed.

The micro switch 42 is connected to the camera body 10.
Connected to the control circuit inside. The button 42a of the micro switch 42 can be pressed in two stages, focusing and photometry are performed in the first stage which is turned on by light pressing, and the shutter release is performed in the second stage which is turned on by being deeply pressed. Will be

When the micro switch 42 is turned on at the first stage, the control circuit operates the distance measuring light projecting window 8 and the distance measuring light receiving window 9 to measure the distance to the subject, and based on the measured distance. The focusing is performed by moving the taking lens 3 along the optical axis direction. Further, the control circuit simultaneously measures the luminance of the subject via the light receiving window 7 for photometry, and determines a shutter speed and an aperture suitable for the luminance. Micro switch 4
When 2 is turned on at the second stage, the control circuit performs shutter release based on the shutter speed and aperture suitable for the luminance.

As shown in FIG. 1, a light-shielding lid opening / closing lever 63 for opening and closing the light-shielding lid 49 of the film cartridge 38 is incorporated in the lower portion of the rear surface of the camera body 10. The light-shielding lid opening / closing lever 63 rotates an engagement shaft 66 (see FIG. 6) formed inside the cartridge chamber 26. The engagement shaft 66 is provided with an engagement hole 49 at an end of the light shielding cover 49 shown in FIG.
a.

A drive shaft 4 is provided above the cartridge chamber 26.
4 is incorporated. Drive shaft 4
4 engages with the engagement hole 41a (see FIG. 1) of the spool 41 of the film cartridge 39. The drive shaft 44 is engaged with one end of a drive transmission gear train 47.

The drive transmission gear train 47 is incorporated on the upper surface side of the camera body 10, meshes with the other end of the interlocking gear 31 formed at one end of the winding shaft 36, and controls the rotation of the motor 37 to the drive shaft 44. To communicate.

As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 2 for inserting and removing a film cartridge 39 is provided at the bottom of the cartridge chamber 26.
The opening 26 a is opened and closed by a bottom cover 43. The bottom cover 43 is rotatably mounted on the camera body 10, and is locked to the cartridge chamber 26 when closed to close the cartridge chamber 26. This bottom cover 4
A support shaft 60 is rotatably provided on the upper surface of the inner wall 3. The support shaft 60 is inserted into an engagement hole 41a (see FIG. 1) formed at the end of the spool 41 of the film cartridge 38.

As shown in FIG. 9, on the bottom side of the camera body 10, there is formed a battery chamber 50 for accommodating the dry battery 14 serving as a power source of the camera 2. In the battery chamber 50, battery contact pieces 50a and 50b that come into contact with both poles of the dry battery 14 respectively.
Is provided (see FIG. 6). An opening 50 c for inserting and removing the dry battery 14 is formed on the bottom surface of the battery chamber 50, and the opening 50 c is opened and closed by a battery chamber lid 52.

As shown in FIG. 7, one end of the battery chamber cover 52 is mounted on a long groove 81 provided in the camera body 10. As a result, the battery chamber lid 52 can slide along the bottom surface of the camera body 10 within the range of the long groove 81, and rotates so that the opening 50c can be exposed. At the other end of the battery chamber lid 52, an engagement claw 52a for locking the battery chamber lid 52 at the closed position is formed. The battery chamber cover 52 is urged by a spring (not shown) in the direction of the engaging claw 52a along the bottom surface. As a result, the engagement claws 52a of the battery chamber lid 52 are held in a state of being engaged with the camera body 10 at the closed position.

A lock mechanism 85 is provided at a portion of the camera body 10 where the engaging claw 52a is engaged, to prevent the battery chamber cover 52 from being opened except at the unused position. The lock mechanism 85 includes a lock pin 86 capable of moving a predetermined amount in the vertical direction of the camera 2 and a spring 87 for urging the lock pin 86 in the bottom direction. The lock pin 86 is a substantially L-shaped member having one end protruding from the bottom surface of the camera body 10 and the other end engaging with the engaging claw 52 a of the battery chamber cover 52.

The lock mechanism 85 is a slide case 1
2 is in the non-use position, the notch 12
The protruding one end of the lock pin 86 is pressed on the inner surface of the slide case 12 inside a, and is pushed toward the upper surface of the camera 2 against the bias of the spring 87. Thereby, the engagement between the other end of the lock pin 86 and the engagement claw 52a is released. Then, the battery chamber lid 52 is slid to release the engagement between the engagement claw 52a and the camera body 10, and the battery chamber lid 52 is rotated to expose the opening 50c (see FIG. 7B). ).

On the other hand, when the slide case 12 is at a position other than the non-use position, the lock pin 86 does not come into contact with the slide case 12, so that the lock pin 86 is pushed up by the bias of the spring 87 toward the bottom surface of the camera body, and one end is moved from the bottom surface. Protrude. As a result, the other end of the lock pin 86 is engaged with the engagement claw 52a, so that the battery chamber lid 52 is prevented from sliding to release the engagement between the engagement claw 52a and the camera body 10, and the battery chamber The lid 52 cannot be opened (see FIG. 7A).

The outer surface of the battery chamber cover 52 is
The camera 2 is on the same plane where there is no step between the camera 2 and the camera 2 and the camera 2 is stably upright when the camera 2 is set up with the bottom face down.

The slide case 12 is formed to have a length substantially equal to 2/3 of the entire length of the camera body 10 in the sliding movement direction. The slide case 12 is integrally formed of, for example, a lightweight metal such as plastic or aluminum or titanium. This slide case 12
Is a non-use position shown in FIG. 4, a shooting position shown in FIG.
It is attached to the camera body 10 so as to be slidable between the cartridge replacement position shown in FIG.

On the upper surface of the slide case 12, a shutter button 11 for operating a shutter device is formed. The shutter button 11 operates the micro switch 42 on the upper part of the camera body 10 at the photographing position to perform shutter release. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a notch 12 a is formed on the bottom surface of the slide case 12.

The notch 12a is formed substantially in the battery chamber lid 52.
It has a shape along the outer circumference of. This notch 12a
As a result, even when the slide case 12 covers the camera body 10 in the non-use position, the battery chamber cover 52 is openably and closably exposed as shown in FIG.

In the cartridge replacement position shown in FIG. 1, since the notch 12a moves to the end of the camera, the bottom cover 43 of the cartridge chamber 26 is entirely exposed, and the bottom cover 43 can be opened. become.

In the photographing position, as shown in FIG. 10, the bottom lid 43 of the cartridge chamber 26 has a notch 1
Since only a part is exposed from 2a, the bottom cover 43 cannot be opened.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. When the camera 2 is not used, the slide case 12 is set at an unused position where the slide case 12 covers the photographing lens 3, the strobe light emitting unit 5, and the liquid crystal display 13. In this state, the slide case 12 covers almost two-thirds of the camera body 10, so that the camera 2 is almost the same size as the camera body 10, and portability is improved. Further, since the slide case 12 covers the photographing lens and the strobe light emitting portion of the camera body 10, dust and the like are prevented from entering between the camera body 10 and the slide case 12.

When the slide case 12 is in the non-use position, the shutter button 11 is at a position apart from the microswitch 42 of the camera body 10, so that photographing is not performed even if the shutter button 11 is erroneously pressed. Further, a photographing lens 3, a strobe light emitting section 5, a liquid crystal display 13
And the like are covered with the slide case 12, so that they are not damaged when being carried.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, a notch 12a having a shape substantially along the outer periphery of the battery compartment cover 52 is formed on the bottom surface of the slide case 12, so that the slide case 12 , The battery chamber lid 52 is openably and closably exposed. This makes it possible to easily replace the battery, which is normally performed at times other than when shooting, with the slide case 12 closed.

When the battery compartment cover 52 is opened, the battery compartment cover 52 is slid along the bottom surface of the camera 2 to release the engagement between the engagement claw 52a and the camera body 10, and then the battery compartment cover 52 is opened. Since the lid 52 is rotated and opened, even if the battery chamber lid 52 is exposed at the unused position due to the notch 12a, the battery chamber lid 52 does not accidentally open.

Further, since the outer surface of the battery chamber cover 52 is formed on the same plane with no step between the bottom surface of the slide case 12 and the camera 2, the battery 2 is stable when the camera 2 is turned upside down. It remains upright and does not fall or wobble.

At the time of photographing, as shown in FIG. 2, the slide case 12 is opened to the photographing position. Thereby, the photographing lens 3, the strobe light emitting unit 5, the liquid crystal display 13 and the like are exposed, and the main switch is turned on. Then, the shutter button 11 comes directly above the micro switch 42 of the camera body 10. When the photographer looks into the viewfinder 6 to check the photographing range of the subject and presses the shutter button 11 lightly, the micro switch 42 is turned on at the first stage. When the first stage is turned on, focusing and photometry are performed. If the brightness of the subject is low, or if the strobe forced light emission mode is selected by operating the panel switch 21, the power of the strobe light emitting unit 5 is turned on, and charging of the main capacitor is started.

When the shutter button 11 is depressed deeply, the micro switch 42 is turned on in the second stage. When the second stage is turned on, the shutter is released and an image is taken. When the power of the strobe light emitting section is turned on, strobe light is emitted at the time of photographing. When the shutter release ends,
The control circuit rotates the winding shaft 36 to wind up one frame of the photo film 40 into the film winding chamber 27, thereby completing the shooting of one frame.

At this time, since the photographer uses the slide case 12 slid laterally from the non-use position as a grip, it is possible to prevent the photographing lens 3 and the strobe light emitting unit 5 from being fingered.

On the other hand, when the slide case 12 is slid from the unused position, the lock pin 86 constituting the lock mechanism 85 does not come into contact with the slide case 12 and is pushed up by the bias of the spring 87, and the other end of the lock pin 86 And the engaging claw 52a are engaged. As a result, the battery chamber lid 52 cannot be opened except in the non-use position (see FIG. 7A).
The battery chamber cover 52 is reliably prevented from being opened by mistake.

When the photographic film cartridge 39 is loaded into the camera 2, the slide case 12 is slid to the cartridge replacement position as shown in FIGS. Thereby, the notch 12 of the slide case 12
The bottom cover 43 is exposed from a. By opening the bottom cover 43, the opening 26a of the cartridge chamber 26 is exposed, and the photographic film cartridge 39 can be replaced (see FIG. 1).

When the slide case 12 is slid to the cartridge replacement position, the light-shielding lid opening / closing lever 63 is moved.
Rotates, and the engagement shaft 66 rotates in conjunction with this,
When the photo film cartridge 39 is loaded in the cartridge chamber 26, the light shielding cover 49 engaged with the engagement shaft 66 is closed.

As described above, the notch 12a is formed in the slide case 12, so that when the photographic film cartridge is inserted / removed, the slide case 12 is inserted as in the conventional case.
Since the bottom lid 43 of the cartridge chamber 26 can be opened and closed without completely removing the photographic film cartridge from the camera body 10, loading and unloading of the photographic film cartridge can be performed quickly and easily. Also, unlike the conventional case, the slide case is not removed from the camera body and lost, and the loading operation of the photographic film cartridge becomes simple and easy to understand.

In the above embodiment, the lock mechanism 85
The battery compartment cover 52 cannot be opened and closed at positions other than the non-use position. However, the battery compartment cover 52 may be opened and closed at positions other than the non-use position without providing such a lock mechanism.

[0048]

As described above in detail, in the present invention, the notch is formed on the bottom side of the slide case to expose the lid of the cartridge chamber provided on the bottom of the camera body at the cartridge replacement position. When inserting or removing a photo film cartridge, the bottom lid of the cartridge chamber can be opened and closed without completely removing the slide case from the camera body, so that loading and unloading of the photo film cartridge can be performed quickly and easily. . Also, the slide case is not lost from the camera body. Furthermore, since the notch is formed to expose the lid of the battery compartment provided on the bottom surface of the camera body at the non-use position, the battery compartment cover is exposed so as to be openable and closable even at the non-use position. It is possible to easily perform battery replacement other than the above with the slide case closed.

By providing a lock mechanism for preventing the opening operation of the battery compartment cover at the photographing position, it is possible to reliably prevent the battery compartment cover from being erroneously opened by sliding the battery compartment cover at the time of photographing or the like. Also, when the battery compartment cover is opened, the battery compartment cover is slid along the bottom surface of the camera and then rotated to be opened, so that even when the battery compartment cover is exposed at the unused position. Also, there is no possibility that the lid of the battery chamber is opened carelessly.

Furthermore, since the outer surface of the battery chamber cover is formed on the same plane with no step between the bottom of the slide case and the bottom of the slide case, the camera is stably upright when the camera is upright with the bottom down. Is maintained, and does not fall or wobble.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a bottom cover is opened at a cartridge replacement position of a camera embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a camera embodying the present invention when viewed from the front at a shooting position.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a bottom cover of FIG. 1 is closed.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a camera embodying the present invention when viewed from the front at a non-use position.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a camera embodying the present invention when viewed from the front at a cartridge replacement position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a camera embodying the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing movements of a battery chamber cover and a lock mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the camera embodying the present invention in an unused position with the bottom face up.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a state where a battery chamber cover of FIG. 8 is opened.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a camera embodying the present invention, with a bottom face up at a shooting position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Camera 3 Shooting Lens 5 Strobe Light Emitting Unit 10 Camera Body 11 Shutter Button 12 Slide Case 12a Notch 39 Film Cartridge 43 Bottom Lid 52 Battery Chamber Lid

Continuing on the front page (72) Mitsuhiko Oka 1-324 Uetake-cho, Omiya City, Saitama Prefecture Inside Fuji Photographic Equipment Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiko 1-324 Uetake-cho, Omiya City, Omiya City, Saitama Fuji Fuji Photo Equipment Co., Ltd. In-company (72) Inventor Hiroshi Omura 3-13-45 Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama F-term within Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H020 DD08 2H100 AA33 AA55 DD04 2H105 DD06

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A camera body having a cartridge chamber for loading a photographic film cartridge, a photographic lens, and a battery chamber for storing a battery serving as a power supply, and is attached to the camera body and covers at least a front side of the photographic lens. A non-use position where operation of each part used at the time of shooting is prohibited, and a shooting position at which the front side of the shooting lens is opened and operation of each part used at the time of shooting is enabled,
In a camera comprising a slide case movable between a cartridge exchange position for exposing a cover of the cartridge chamber and allowing a photo film cartridge to be inserted and removed, a bottom surface of the slide case and a bottom surface of the camera body A camera, wherein a notch is formed to expose a lid of the provided cartridge chamber at the cartridge replacement position. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the notch exposes a lid of the battery chamber provided on a bottom surface of the camera body at the unused position. 3. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism for preventing an opening operation of the lid of the battery chamber at the photographing position. 4. The battery chamber according to claim 1, wherein the lid of the battery chamber is opened by sliding in a direction along a bottom surface of the slide case and then rotating.
Camera according to any of the above. 5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the slide case and a lid of the battery chamber are substantially flush with each other.