JP2001083588A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To fix a back surface cover so that such possibility that it is accidentally opened because it is easily opened by a user is reduced. SOLUTION: This camera 10 is constituted of (a) the back surface cover 30, (b) a front surface cover 20 to which the cover 30 is assembled in order to shield the camera 10 from light, a camera main body (remaining part of the camera), (c) a film counter window 28 which is engaged with the assembled covers 30 and 20 and the camera main body so as to fix the cover 30 to the cover 20 and the camera main body and which achieves the function of the camera 10 in addition to the function fixing the cover 30 to the cover 20 and the camera min body, a film cassette door 44 and a battery door (fixing means).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a fixing means for fixing a camera, especially a rear cover to the rest of the camera, and the fixing means has a function of fixing the rear cover to the rest of the camera. In addition, the present invention relates to a camera that achieves functions of the camera.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION "Single use" or "disposable"
Cameras have been known for years, but have become very popular in the last decade. These cameras are sometimes referred to as “lens-fitte photographic film packages.
d photographic film package), which generally has a cover, body and many internal components of polymeric material, and is commonly referred to as a "prewind" camera. Cameras, for example, US
Patent Nos. 4,751,536, 4,833,495 and 4,855
No. 74, 4884087, 4995457, 497
Nos. 2649, 5063400, 5126775, 5
Nos. 235364, 5361111, 538200
No. 5,408,288, 5,436,685 and Reissue Patent No. 34168 (all of which are assigned to Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.), and US Pat. No. 5,581.
No. 321 (assigned to Eastman Kodak Company). The disclosures of each of these patents, as well as other patents and publications referenced in the specification of this invention, are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0003] In many of these cameras, the body is
For example, it supports a finder, a lens, a shutter mechanism, a film feed and film measurement mechanism, a flash and electronic components for flash, and photographing components such as a battery. Further, the main body has a pair of chambers for accommodating a film cassette and a hoisting spool provided at opposite ends of the exposure gate. In order to create a light-tight seal for the camera, a front cover and a rear cover are attached to the front and rear portions of the camera body, respectively, so as to provide light-tightness. Frequently, the body and the front cover are attached to each other to form one unit, for example, by screws, adhesives, or ultrasonic welding. And
Only the rear cover can be more easily removed from the rest of the camera (body and front cover).

[0004] Film cassette, typically 35m
m (ISO 1007) cassette is loaded inside the film cassette chamber of the camera body, and the film is pre-wound from the cassette onto a take-up spool, and during film exposure, the film is pulled out or into the cassette. Rewind. After all of the film has been exposed, the cassette is preferably removed from the camera and processed in a conventional manner.

In many such camera assemblies, the back cover of the camera must be attached to the rest of the camera before the film can be pre-wound on the take-up spool. This mounting requires that the proper film position be maintained within the camera body relative to the sprockets of the film advance and film measurement mechanism. As a result, the sprockets of the film feed and film measuring mechanism mesh with the edge perforations of the film.

Many "single-use" cameras are designed so that the front and / or rear covers cannot be separated from the camera body or from each other without breaking the covers. However, it is designed so that at least the rear cover can be separated from the rest of the camera without damaging the rest of the camera. This allows the manufacturer or re-use company to reload or reuse the camera.
Or, it facilitates the reuse or reuse of camera components.

The camera components are typically made of a polymeric material and the rear cover is generally attached to the rest of the camera by attachment means such as snaps, hooks, and press-fit members, all of which are included. The camera can be closed without additional fasteners such as screws due to the flexibility advantages of the polymer components. For cameras that are not designed to be easily reloaded by the user of the camera, these mounting means allow the user to destroy the rear cover without special tools or techniques, or at least reload the camera. It is designed so that it is difficult to open the camera without causing damage that would make it impossible.

[0008] If a reloadable camera is required by the user, the mounting means is simple enough that the user does not damage their components and uses special tools or jigs. Without having to be able to easily remove the rear cover, reload the camera with a new cassette of film, and reattach the cover to the rest of the camera. However, it would be undesirable if the rear cover could be removed from the rest of the camera too easily,
If there is partially exposed film in the camera, there is a risk that the cover will accidentally open.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A camera similar to a "single use" or "disposable" camera which, if necessary, can be reloaded by a user without special tools or experience. Can be handled as a "single use" camera, e.g., all cameras are returned to the developer, the film is easily removed by the developer, and the emptied camera is removed by the processor. It is worth developing a camera that is reloaded and recycled. Such a camera preferably has a rear cover glued to the rest of the camera so that it can be easily opened by a user, and further reduces the risk of accidental opening of the rear cover. It is preferable to fix to.

[0010]

As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides (a) a rear cover, and (b)
(C) the rest of the camera engaged with the assembled rear cover and the rest of the camera to shield the camera from light; Fixing means for fixing the rear cover to a portion thereof and achieving the function of the camera in addition to the function of fixing the rear cover to the remaining portion of the camera.

Further, (d) preferably comprises a sleeve or a label at least partially covering the engaged fixing means.

As another means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a rear cover and the remaining portion of the camera, and the rear cover and the remaining portion of the camera are combined to shield the camera from light. In a method for securely closing an attached camera, (a) assembling the rear cover to the rest of the camera, and (b) engaging fixing means to the assembled rear cover and the rest of the camera. Then, the rear cover is fixed to the rest of the camera, and the fixing means achieves the function of the camera in addition to the function of fixing the rear cover to the rest of the camera.

It is further preferred that (c) at least partially cover the engaged locking means by a sleeve or a label.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixing means is a film counter window and / or a battery cover. The sleeve or label is removable or openable, and the rear cover is positioned and assembled to the rest of the camera by mounting means at the respective opposite ends of the rear cover and the rest of the camera. .

An advantage of the present invention is that the camera can be treated as a "single use" camera by the user,
This involves providing a camera that can be reloaded by the user without special tools or experience if necessary. It also involves providing a user-reloadable camera that minimizes the risk of accidental opening. It also provides a securing means to achieve the necessary or desirable function of the camera in addition to the function of securing the rear cover to the rest of the camera, thus requiring additional components to achieve that additional function. Not included.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Terms such as "can be removed" and "can be opened" can be removed and opened by a general user of the camera without special tools or experience. Yes, which means that the components can be repositioned on the camera, closed, etc. by the user if necessary while reloading the camera.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a user-reloadable camera.

In a typical "single use" camera,
The user exposes the filmstrip contained in the camera and hands the entire film package (the camera and the included filmstrip) to a developer, who removes and develops the filmstrip. In many cases, the filmstrip is initially rewound on a winding spool contained within a film roll chamber of the camera body. As it is exposed, the filmstrip is rewound into the cassette and removed by the developer. When the camera is sent to the film processing step, the rear cover or the bottom cover or a part thereof is generally separated from the camera body and the film is taken out. However, in the camera of the present invention, as shown by this embodiment, the camera can be opened without damage and can be reloaded by a user or a manufacturer or reprocessor.

First, referring to FIG. 1, the assembled camera 10 of the present embodiment has a front cover 20, in which a main body (not shown in this figure) includes a screw 42 and a front cover. Secured by the corresponding screw on the left end. Front cover / body (“rest of camera”
The term has been used in the description and claims. ), A rear cover 30 is detachably attached. The front cover, the main body (most of the metal components such as the shutter mechanism, pins, springs, and most of the integral functional photographing components excluding electronic components such as the flash mechanism), and the rear cover are molded polystyrene Transparent components, such as, for example, lenses, viewfinders, film counter windows, etc., are typically made of poly (methyl methacrylate), such as acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene (ABS).
(PMMA) or the like.

The camera is shown partially covered by a sleeve 40. Sleeve 40 at least partially covers the securing means for securing the rear cover to the remainder of the camera, as described later herein. In the case of FIG. 1, the sleeve partially covers the film counter window 28. What protrudes from the cover 40 or can be seen through other windows includes the shutter button 22, flash 32, flash switch 34, lens 36 and viewfinder 38.
It is. On the other hand, the upper surface 24 of the film winding knob and the peripheral portion 2
Reference numerals 6 are shown in front of the front cover and the rear cover, respectively, through the windows in the rear cover. A flash indicator (not shown) also appears through the sleeve to inform the user that the flash has been charged for use. In embodiments without a flash, some or all of the flash components are usually omitted, and the sleeve covers other components (eg, a window for a flash indicator), thereby allowing the camera to be used regardless of need. It is easier to assemble. A portion of the film cassette door engages the camera body and creates a light tight closure to a film cassette chamber (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a top view of the camera without the sleeve, showing the entire film counter window 28 constituting one of the fixing means of the present embodiment. The film counter window 28 is partially covered by the sleeve 40 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the camera also without the sleeve. The bottom of the film cassette door 44 is shown. This film cassette door 44
Is typically pivotally mounted to at least one of the rear cover 30 and the rest of the camera, such as the front cover 20, to allow the film cassette to be opened and removed from the film cassette chamber without being separated from the camera. I can do it. However, in an alternative embodiment, the film cassette door is mounted on the rear cover and the bottom of the camera at the remainder of the camera such that the film cassette door operates as a securing means of the present invention (similar to the method described below for the battery cover). ) May be fixed by a method. The front hoist crank 46 is coupled to the hoist spool of the camera to enable pre-winding of the film from the cassette to the hoist spool when loading or reloading film into the camera. The battery door 50 covers the battery compartment of the camera, into which a flash battery is loaded in the form of a camera flash. The battery door 50 engages both the rear cover 30 and the rest of the camera and functions as the fixing means of the present invention. If the camera is provided with a sleeve or label, such as the sleeve 40 of FIG. 1, that sleeve or label will generally at least partially cover the battery door 50 and also cover the front hoist crank 46.

Next, the fixing means will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the camera 10 with the battery cover 50 removed. The groove 54 is formed in a lip 56 (of the front cover 20) and a lip 58 (of the rear cover 30) lying inward of the battery chamber located below.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the battery cover 50, and FIG. 6 is an end view of the battery cover 50, each showing a total of four hooks 52. When the camera is assembled and the battery cover is engaged with the assembled rear cover and the rest of the camera, 2
One hook 52 engages a groove 54 in the front cover 20,
Also, the two hooks 52 are engaged with the grooves 54 in the rear cover 30, and the battery cover is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Functions as a fixing means for fixing the rear cover to the portion.

As described above, the film cassette door 4
4 is not pivotally mounted to the bottom of the camera, but is secured by hooks interacting with the grooves at the bottom of the camera, such as a battery cover or equivalent, and the rear cover is engaged by the engagement of the film cassette door. If the camera is secured to the rest of the camera, the film cassette door also preferably functions as the securing means of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the film counter window of the camera. The film counter window 28 has a lens 62
Is provided on a portion of the upper surface of the window to facilitate reading the film counter. Also, two legs 64 protruding from opposite ends of the bottom surface of the window are provided to engage with the top surface of the camera. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7, and the two figures more clearly show the legs 64.

FIG. 10 is a top view showing a portion of the top of the camera with the film counter window engaged (eg, across the entire film counter of an assembled camera). In this drawing, the camera is shown in a state where the front cover 20 and the rear cover 30 are assembled so as to be in contact with each other. Complementary
The lips 66, 72 are also adjacent to each other and form the surface on which the film counter window lies (as shown in FIG. 11, which is a cross-section taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10). Complementary L-shaped grooves 68, 74 allow the legs 64 of the film counter window 28 to project from the top,
It also allows for the placement of a film counter window that secures the rear cover to the rest of the camera. The sliding of the film counter window 28 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 7 allows the complementary areas 70, 74 to engage the legs, locking the film counter window 28 in place and disengaging it upward. Is preventing that. Thus, when the camera is assembled and the film counter window is engaged with the rear cover and the rest of the camera, the film cover acts as a securing means of the present invention, while the additional film counter window Provides functions.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the camera according to the preferred embodiment. The main body 101 has a film cassette chamber 102 for holding a film cassette and a second chamber 103 for holding a take-up spool 108.
And the lower end of the second chamber engages the top of the front hoist crank 46 to allow for preloading of the film. Chamber 102, 1
03 is an exposure gate 104 that opens in the back direction of the camera.
Are arranged at positions on both sides. The body of the camera supports the components of the camera that are attached before attaching the front cover 20 and the rear cover 30 that "sandwich" the camera. These parts include a lens holder 105 and a lens 121, which are
Attached to the body at the front of a shutter 128 that pivots at 41 to open and close window 140.
Flash synchronization cont
act) 129 and 130 are attached near the shutter mechanism, and make the flash 127 emit light when the flash is turned on in conjunction with the shutter mechanism. Other flash-related components attached to the body include flash switch contacts 131, 132 (closed by opening flash switch 34 shown in FIG. 1) and horizontal (below exposure gate 104 at opposite ends of the battery compartment). (Not shown) and a flash printed circuit board 139, which are connected to flash capacitors (not shown) and other flash components by wires (not shown). Other components attached to the body include a finder objective lens 122 and an eyepiece lens 123, a film winder 107 having a top surface 24 and a thumbwheel periphery 26, as shown in FIG.
11, a shutter setting cam 113 to which a thumb wheel stopper 110, an on-axis film sprocket 112 is attached, and a shutter setting cam spring 13
7. When the shutter button is pressed, the shutter drive claw 115 is driven against the urging force of the shutter drive claw spring 136, and the shutter blade 1 is driven as described above.
28, such as a shutter drive arm 114 for moving
It includes a shutter mechanism and other components of the film winding mechanism. The imaging components located inside the camera 10 can be used in so-called "single use" camera designs.
For example, as described in the patent referred to in the related art, it is the same as the related art. That is, those skilled in the art of camera design will be fixed in accordance with the present invention by reference to the present invention, their references and other readily available information, and their own knowledge. There is no difficulty in constructing a proper body structure of the camera.

Next, means for attaching the main body 101 to the front cover 20 and means for attaching the rear cover 30 to the rest of the camera will be described. As previously mentioned,
The camera body is preferably attached to the front cover of the camera to form a unit by screws (shown in FIG. 1), adhesive or ultrasonic welding. This usually results in the camera being reloaded unless the camera is damaged or severely worn or one or more components are unusable and need to be replaced. It is not necessary to remove the unit or component while it is in use or while recycling. However, as described above, the features of the camera of the present invention are as follows.
The rear cover is removably attached to the rest of the camera, so that the rear cover can be easily opened for film reloading. Suitable attachment means include hooks, snaps, and press-fit members located on or near the back cover and the end of the remainder of the camera, which can be easily attached to the polymeric material forming the back cover. It is designed to take advantage of that flexibility.

A typical attachment is disclosed in US Pat.
No. 231 is included. That is, FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 18, as means for attaching the rear cover 16 of the camera to the front cover 14, which is the remaining portion,
The hook portions 152 and 154 shown in FIG.
And the complementary engagement portion 14 shown in FIG.
7, 149 (these are located on both sides of the rear cover 16 and the rest of the camera). Also, low force snap hooks 110 and 112 shown in FIG. 17 and complementary engagement portions 146 and 148 shown in FIG. 18 (these are the rear cover 16 and the rest of the camera). Are located at the center upper part and the bottom part.). Further, fitting nails 106 projecting from three corners of the rear cover 16 as shown in FIG. 17 and three corners of the front cover 14 as shown in FIG. There is an attachment means consisting of a hole 144 for receiving the part 106.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 13 to 15, the preferred mounting means of the present invention extends the full height of the right rear edge of the body 101 at the rear of the film cassette chamber 102 and includes a rear cover. Hooked into a corresponding groove 154 in the right inside edge of the hooked ridge 30
ridge) and a small hook 15 located on the side of the second chamber 103 at the left end of the main body 101 and engaged with a corresponding small groove (not shown in FIG. 14) in the left inside end of the rear cover 30.
Consists of two. As shown in FIG. 15, the front cover of the camera is provided with a small notch 156 to allow easy prying in the rear cover 30 to release the groove from the hook 152. The use of the small hook and groove on the left side of the camera facilitates the attachment of the rear cover to the rest of the camera and removal from the rest of the camera. Groove 1 corresponding to hook ridge 150
The 54 provides a relatively strong connection between the rear cover and the right side of the rest of the camera, as well as increasing the structural stability of the deadline. However, other attachment means, such as those described above, are possible, and the manner in which the rear cover is attached to the rest of the camera is not itself a feature of the present invention.

The assembly and loading of a camera will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The camera body is assembled and attached to the front cover. The film cassette is located inside the film cassette chamber, and the filmstrip is stretched and wound on a hoist spool. Next, the rear cover is attached to the rest of the camera, the film cassette door is closed and the camera is shielded from light. The battery is loaded inside the battery compartment (if the camera has a built-in flash) and the battery cover
Engage the assembled rear cover and the rest of the camera to secure the camera. The film counter window is similarly engaged with the assembled rear cover and the rest of the camera to secure the camera. The film is then pre-wound from the cassette onto the take-up spool by the front winding crank, the film counter is set to the correct display count, and the camera is ready for use. By exposing all the frames of the filmstrip, winding the film completely into the cassette, opening the film cassette door and removing the cassette,
Alternatively, the back side of the camera is completely opened, and the cassette is removed by reversing the above steps.

A suitable shape of the sleeve for the camera of the present invention is shown in FIG.
Indicates a fold of 0. Windows 172, 174, 176 and 1
Numeral 78 is capable of receiving a lens and a finder objective lens, a shutter button, a film counter, and a finder eyepiece lens, respectively. Sleeve 170 is preferably assembled by any suitable (removable) means, for example, a removable adhesive between the cover portion of the sleeve, such as the bottom shown in FIG. 16, interlocking tabs and grooves. The sleeve at least partially covers the securing means. In the case of the sleeve shown in FIG. 16, the battery cover is completely covered by the sleeve, and the film counter window is partially covered. Instead of one sleeve, as seen in a Kodak "Funsaver" camera, for example, a label covering the front and at least the top and bottom of the camera, and also the rear and at least the top and bottom of the camera. Adhesive labels, where two or more labels generally cover different portions of the camera, such as different labels partially covering the camera, may be used. Other variations in the arrangement of labels will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the disclosure, cited references, and knowledge of the present invention. The sleeve or label may be provided with desired indicia (eg, product information, instructions, etc.) on its surface. If the sleeve is detachable, for example, information and instructions may be further provided inside the sleeve.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the disclosure of the present invention allows those skilled in the art to make variations and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention, and to disclose specifically. Obviously, the equivalents of the materials and techniques applied apply to the present invention. Such variations, modifications and equivalents are included in the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a camera having a cover assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the camera of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the camera in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the camera of FIG. 1 with the battery cover removed.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a battery cover.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the battery cover.

7 is a plan view of a film counter window of the camera in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a partial cutaway view showing the top of the camera with the film counter window engaged.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the main body of the camera.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the main body of the camera, showing the mounting means.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a rear cover showing an attachment unit.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a front cover showing an attaching means.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view showing a sleeve for a camera.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a camera having a typical mounting means.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a camera having a typical mounting means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 camera 20 front cover (remaining part of camera) 28 film counter window (fixing means) 30 rear cover 44 film cassette door (fixing means) 50 battery door (fixing means) 101 camera body (remaining part of camera)

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 7, 2000 (200.12.
7)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All figures

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

FIG. 4

FIG. 5

FIG. 6

FIG. 7

FIG. 8

FIG. 9

FIG. 10

FIG. 11

FIG.

FIG. 13

FIG. 14

FIG.

FIG. 16

FIG.

FIG.

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. (a) a rear cover; (b) the rest of the camera to which the rear cover is attached to shield the camera from light; and (c) the rear cover and the camera attached. Fixing means engaged with the remaining part of the camera to secure the rear cover to the remaining part of the camera and to achieve the function of the camera in addition to the function of fixing the rear cover to the remaining part of the camera A camera comprising: 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said fixing means is at least one of a film counter window and a battery cover. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera has a plurality of the fixing units. 4. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the camera has two fixing means. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said two fixing means are a film counter window and a battery cover.
The camera according to. 6. The camera of claim 1, further comprising: (d) a sleeve or label that at least partially covers the engaged locking means. 7. The camera according to claim 6, wherein the sleeve or the label is removable. 8. The rear cover and the remaining portion of the camera are assembled by mounting means provided at respective opposite ends of the rear cover and the remaining portion of the camera. The camera according to claim 1. 9. A method of securely closing a camera comprising a rear cover and the rest of the camera, wherein the rear cover and the rest of the camera are assembled to shield the camera from light, wherein: (a) the rear cover; And (b) fixing the rear cover to the remaining portion of the camera by engaging fixing means to the rear portion of the camera and the remaining portion of the camera. A method of securely closing a camera, wherein the securing means achieves a function in the camera in addition to a function of securing the rear cover to the rest of the camera. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the fixing unit is at least one of a film counter window and a battery cover. 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of the fixing means are engaged. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the two locking means are engaged. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the two fixing means are a film counter window and a battery cover. 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising (c) at least partially covering the engaged securing means with a sleeve or label. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the sleeve or label is removable. 16. The step of assembling the rear cover and the rest of the camera includes engaging engagement means provided at respective opposite ends of the rear cover and the rest of the camera. The method of claim 14, wherein the camera is closed.