MXPA98003101A - Camera assembly with push push for coupling a pelicum cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of apparatus for loading a cartridge into a frame assembly or camera frame. In the method a frame assembly is provided which includes a frame frame which has a cartridge chamber, a supply chamber and an intermediate section between the chambers. The frame assembly includes a finger wheel attached in a free rotational relationship with respect to the frame. The finger wheel has a rotating member disposed on the outside of the cartridge chamber and a drive wrench extending axially inside the cartridge chamber. A film cartridge is placed in the cartridge chamber in the axial vicinity of the finger wheel drive key. The film cartridge includes a spool and a film strip. The spool has opposite ends first and second. Each end has a spool coupling portion. The spool engagement portion of the first end complements the shape of the drive wrench of the finger wheel. The film strip has a leading or leading portion, a main portion and a back portion. A hollow sleeve or hollow sleeve or hollow sleeve drive wrench is positioned in the immediate axial vicinity of the second end of the spool. The drive key of the sheath complements the shape of the spool coupling portion of the second end. The finger wheel is swung, the pod drive key is rotated, during rotation the pod drive key is pushed axially towards the cartridge, which is forced towards the finger drive drive key, until both drive wrenches couple with each other with the respective coupling parts

Description

CAMERA ASSEMBLY WITH PUSH PUSH FOR COUPLING A FILM CARTRIDGE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: This invention relates to photographic equipment and more particularly to a method and apparatus for loading a cartridge into a frame assembly of a camera- Single-use cameras are commonly sold pre-loaded with a cartridge or film roll . In order to reduce complexity and expense, a re-winding mechanism in the camera is omitted. Instead, the film is prewound and during use advances back to the film reel. A number of attempts have been made in the loading and pre-winding field of film rolls for single-use cameras. In some attempts, such as that shown in U.S. Patent 4, 972, 649; The film is pre-wound on a roll outside the body of the camera and then loaded. A disadvantage of these attempts is that the roll of film must be handled before being formed. This presents the risk that the film will be damaged and can add complexity to the necessary equipment. In other attempts, also taught in US Patent 4, 972, 649, the cartridge is charged, the chamber is sealed to light and the film is pre-wound. in other attempts such as in 5, 311, 231; the cartridge is loaded and then the rear opening of the chamber is closed and the film is pre-wound through an opening in the bottom, which is then sealed. The last two attempts have the disadvantage that the film is guided primarily by the body of the camera instead of the loading apparatus. This establishes limitations in the body of the chamber in terms of the required tolerance and the like and may also have a slow running speed. Another attempt is taught by Japanese 6 295022, European patent application 0 743546-A and Japanese patent 8-171180. In this attempt, the film is wound in a second reel, instead of being wrapped in a roll of film. The back of the camera is not used to guide this film, since the second reel tends to stop the film. As part of the assembly of a single-use camera, a cartridge needs to settle against some kind of film drive mechanism. This is problematic if the film strip in the cartridge has to be pre-coiled after the cartridge is seated in a camera frame assembly, since the film drive mechanism of the camera should drive the film in the direction opposite. It is desirable to provide an apparatus and method for a cartridge to be seated by an automatic mechanism against a pre-locating wheel movable by the thumb. The present invention is defined in the claims. It is its broader aspects, it provides a method and an apparatus for loading a cartridge in a chamber frame assembly. In the method, a frame assembly is provided which includes a structure having a cartridge chamber, a supply chamber, and an intermediate section between the chambers. The structure or frame assembly includes a thumb-movable wheel attached in free rotatable relationship to the structure, the finger-operated wheel has a rotation member externally disposed to the camera. cartridge and a drive button extends axially in the cartridge chamber. A film cartridge is placed in the cartridge chamber in axial proximity to the drive button of the wheel. The film cartridge includes a spool and a film strip. The spool has opposite ends first and second. Each end has a coupling portion of the spool. That portion of coupling of the first end is complementary in shape to the push button of the wheel. The film strip has portions, guide, central and rear. A cuff impulse button is positioned in a close axial proximity to the second end of the spool. The sleeve drive button is complementary in shape to the coupling portion of the spool of the second end. The wheel is caught. The pod impulse or pod drive button is rotated.

During rotation, the sleeve drive button is forced axially towards the cartridge, which forced towards the sleeve drive button, until both drive buttons engage their respective coupling parts. It is an advantageous effect of at least some of the embodiments of the invention, that the assembly methods of the camera and the apparatus are provided, with which a cartridge can be seated by an automatic mechanism against a wheel moved by pre-positioned finger. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned and other characteristics and objects will become more evident with reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic view of a station of one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, showing a receiver and a film bridge. A palette rests on the receiver. The pallet carries a camera frame assembly shown in cross section) and a cartridge. The space of the movie is indicated by irupted lines. The axis of the film space is indicated by a cross, the invention is not limited to a particular camera frame assembly and several alternatives of frame assemblies are illustrated in the figures. Figure 2 is the same view of the frame assembly or camera structure shown in figure 1, after winding the film roll; Figure 3 is the same view of the chamber structure assembly shown in Figure 2 but after the installation of the rear cover that closes the rear opening. Figure 4 is a perspective view semi-dramatically of one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 5 is a semi-diagramatically perspective view of another embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 6 is a semiaragramatically perspective view of a station for moving a cartridge in a mode of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 7 is a semi-diagramatic cross-sectional view of a film transport station of the embodiment of the apparatus of the invention in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a semidiagmatical perspective view of a cartridge moving in another embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 9 is the same view of Figure 8, showing an initial stage of loading the cartridge; Figure 10 is the same view of Figure 8 showing a subsequent stage of loading the cartridge; Figure 11 is the same view as in Figure 8 showing the advancement of the film; Figure 12 is the same view as in Figure 8 showing a modified apparatus extraction that includes a film guide member; Figure 13 is a semi-diagramatic vertical cross-sectional view of a film guide member of Figure 12 placed in the chamber structure assembly; Figure 14 is a semidiagmatical vertical cross-sectional view of a film winding station of another embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, including a camera structure assembly; Figure 15 is a partial enlargement of the same view as in Figure 14 of another embodiment of the invention; Figures 16-19 are semi-diagrammatic perspective views of different stages of winding the film in a winding station of the apparatus of Figure 8; Figure 20 is a partial semidiagmatical cross-sectional view of the winding station of Figures 16-19. An optional component 56 is also shown.

In the apparatus and method of the invention, the film is pre-wound in an assembly of camera structure 10, that is, a camera or an incomplete camera sub-unit, in a dark room. The assembly 10 includes a chamber structure 12 having a cartridge chamber 14 and a supply chamber or spiral chamber 16. The supply and cartridge chambers 16, 14 each have an opening throat facing rearwardly., 17 respectively. The supply chamber 16 has one or two openings 18 which are continuous with the throat 17. The chamber structure 12 has an intermediate section or exposure frame 20 between the chambers 14, 16. the supply chamber 16 has an inner concave wall 22 defining an internal, cylindrical film space 24 basically having a film space axis 26. The assembly 10 does not have a film spool or other axial film support, so the film space 24 is empty, and remains empty except for the film roll. The assembly 10 defines a rear opening or rear access (indicated by the interrupted line 28 in Figure 2) on the supply chamber and preferably on the chambers 14, 16 and the intermediate section 20. The film cartridge 30 loaded in the assembly 10 includes a can 32, a spool 34, a film strip 36. The film strip 36 has a front portion 38 having a free end 40, a tail portion 42, which is attached to the reel 34 in the can 32 and a main portion 44 between the guide and tail portions 38, 42. The camera frame assembly may also include other camera components that have been previously installed in the camera structure. For example, the assembly 10 may include an exposure system 46, including one or more sub-components such as a baffle, a lens system, and a shutter. The structure assembly 10 may include a camera film impeller 48 having a film coupling member (indicated in diagram in Figure 2 by a semicircle 50) that is attached to the intermediate section 20 and engages with film perforations. (not shown) for the measurement of the film or for both the transport and the measurement of the film. A variety of such impellers are known to the artisan. In these impellers the coupling member with the film may be a linear reciprocating retainer, however, a toothed wheel is more commonly used as a film engaging member. In many APS film impellers, for example in Japanese Kokai 7-5526, presented on June 14, 1993, the film coupling member is a skate or wheel with incomplete teeth where an oval wheel has a pair of teeth at each end of the long axis and a portion without teeth at each end of the short axis. With some film transport mechanisms, such as conventional cogwheel, it is necessary to lift the film over the cogwheel or other member of the film coupling during the pre-winding. With other types of transport mechanisms such as skids, the film can be moved beyond the skate or other coupling member of the film without causing it to rotate or otherwise be driven. The apparatus and method of the invention, in different embodiments, can accommodate any type of film transport mechanism. The apparatus 52 of the invention includes a receiver 54, and active components 56 for loading the cartridge, film transport and winding the film. The method of the invention will be explained in relation to those parts. The method of the invention is particularly suitable for pre-winding the film in single-use cameras; but it is also suitable for multiple use cameras sold ready-to-use, that is, with a pre-loaded, pre-wound film cartridge. In the method of the invention, a film cartridge 30 is loaded into the cartridge chamber 14 of a structure assembly 10, and a film strip 36, attached to one end of a spool 34 in the cartridge 30, is wound in a roll of film 62 in the other film chamber 16. After winding the film, the film strip 36 extends from the cartridge 30, through the intermediate section 20 to the supply chamber 16, and the largest portion 44 of the film strip is a roll of film resting in the supply chamber 16. The method begins with the provision of camera frame assemblies 10. These assemblies can be manufactured as part of a continuous process with the method of the invention or with an independent process. However, they are placed in the receiver 54 of the apparatus 52 of the invention. The receiver 54 supports the assembly 10, in a predetermined position 10a, or series of positions 101, with respect to the components 56, of the apparatus 52, of the invention. The receiver 54 has a predetermined relationship with the other components 56, and thus during the assembly defines a predetermined relative location for each of the chambers, grooves, intermediate section, film space and rear opening. The locations correspond to the characteristics of the frame assembly, and are necessarily predetermined for a particular frame assembly by adjusting the physical constants or limitations, thereby, the relative positions of the receiver and other components of the apparatus. Fig. 4, representative sites are indicated in dotted lines and with figures identical to those similarly named but with the letter a. The receiver 54 can accept the camera frame assembly 10 directly or can be adapted to receive a pallet 64, or the like. In that case, the assembly 10 is maintained in a predetermined relationship to the pallet or nest 64, which in turn is maintained in a load orientation predetermined by the receiver 54.

Index features 65 can be provided in the palette to allow assembly 10, and receiver 54, to align quickly. The frame assembly 10 can be provided to the receiver 54, preassembled on a pallet or the frame pallet can be combined on the receiver. The receiver 54 may have a variety of features to support automatic assembly operations, for example, the apparatus may include a positioner indicated schematically in FIG. 1, by the numeral 66, to move a frame assembly of chamber 10, between the apparatus of the invention and one or more other assembly stations or between stations having different components of the apparatus of the invention. As is more convenient, the following discussion is generally directed to an apparatus 52, as shown schematically in Fig. 5, where the components 56, are divided between a series of stations 68, and the receiver 54, is a system of movement transporting assembly 10, from station to station. The components 56 can each include a mechanism of action 70. The mechanism can include a retraction extension system for moving the respective component between a non-use position 72, in which the component is separated from the receiver and an active position. 64. The drive mechanism may also include other parts to impart movement to the components, such as rotary or linear drives. Then, that the assembly 10, has been placed in the receiver 54, a film cartridge 30, is placed in the cartridge chamber 14, of the assembly 10, and the film strip is advanced to the supply chamber 16. Referring to Now to one embodiment of the invention, shown in Fig. 6, the apparatus 52 includes a cartridge mover 76, for positioning the cartridge 30, in the cartridge chamber 14. The cartridge mover 76 has a vacuum gripper. 78, which allows the mover 76, to place the cartridge 30, in the chamber 14, and optionally continues to grip or stop the cartridge 30, during the winding of the film. The cartridge 30 can be released after the winding of the film is finished. This is convenient if the assembly 10, has no features that prevent oscillation or other movement of the film cartridge 30, during winding of the film. The mover 76 can support others, such as an active lightweight opener 80, and a spool rotator 82. The opener 80, pivots to open the active light closure of a suitable film cartridge, such as an Advanced Photo System cartridge (registered trademark), before placing the cartridge in its chamber, this allows the camera frame assembly to include a grip not shown that retains the active light closure in the open position during the use of the film. The rotator 82, engages the spool 84, of the cartridge 30, and rotates to the spool 64, to remove the film strip 36, from the cartridge 30. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 7, in some embodiments of the invention, a film bridge 86, with respect to the assembly 10, moves to an active position on the intermediate section 20 of the frame assembly. This can be done in the same station 68, or the assembly 10, can be moved to a new station 68, which includes a film bridge 86. The film bridge 86, defines a film in its path 88, which extends from the camera of cartridge 14, to the cartridge chamber 16. (In Figs 1 and 7, the film path 88 is occupied by the film strip 36). In embodiments where the structure assembly 10 has a film engaging member 50, such as a wheel or gear, it extends continuously out of the intermediate section 20, it is preferred that the trajectory 88 be spaced from the seat of intermediate section 20a, since this separates the film strip 36, from the camera film drive, which does not need to be disarmed during the formation of the film roll. Within these limitations, the film bridge 86 can have various shapes. For example, the bridge 86 may be a turtle back as shown in Fig. 7, it is preferred that the back exhibit minimal friction to the film strip. The turtle back can provide one or more features indicated by the figure 87, in Fig. 7, such as holes and a pressurized gas connection for an air cushion or rotating bearings.

It is highly preferred that the film bridge 86 includes a film transport disposed in operative relation to the film path 88 to propel the film strip along the path to the supply chamber. Examples of film bridges including a film transport include a winch drive of a vacuum agitator, as presented in US Pat. 5, 125, 630 and an endless band mechanism. The endless band may be disposed between the film strip and the intermediate section 20, the assembly of the camera frame or as shown in Fig. 1, may be above the film strip 36. In the latter case, the mechanism endless belt can have holes (not shown), and include a vacuum unit of compressed gas 89, to provide a vacuum and pull the film strip against the band 90, for transport, and then direct the compressed gas against the strip 36, to release it from band 90. This mechanism includes a belt driver 91, and idle rollers 92, with position and tension of band 90. FIGS. 8-12, illustrate alternative embodiments of the apparatus of the invention that are used with a frame assembly 10b, which includes a finger wheel 94, mounted on an end wall 96, of the cartridge chamber 14, the wheel 94, is at united principle (not illustrated), to frame 12, and free joined to rotate with respect to frame 12. Wheel 94, has a rotation member 98, which in the finished chamber is rotated to advance the film. The finger wheel 94 has an axially positioned driving button 100 which extends into the cartridge chamber space 14b. A collar or an elastic flange or the like (not shown), keeps the wheel 94, in the proper place on the frame 12. The drive button of the wheel 100, is complementary in shape to a portion 102, of axial cut or Reel coupling either, a standard film cartridge or a cartridge with a unique shape cut for use in the specific camera. For use with an APS film, Advanced Photo System, the push button 100, has the shape shown in Fig. 9, and can be coupled with the cut 102, of the cartridge reel 84, in a single orientation. Referring now to Figs. 5 and 8, a first station 68, a camera frame assembly is placed on a pallet 64, by a suitable component 66, such as a pick-and-place device. Referring to Fig. 8, in the same or a second station 68, a first cartridge mover 86, such as a vacuum gripper, takes an APS film cartridge, or the like 30, from a storage or other storage not shown. and places the cartridge 30, within a nest 103, in the pallet 64. While the cartridge 30 is gripped, a lightweight active opener 80, (shown for a different embodiment in Fig. 6), engages and rotates the light closure, ninety degrees to completely open the film exit of the cartridge 30. In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the light closure opener 80 is illustrated by sharing a common support with the gripper 76, however, it is it is understood that this and other components 56 of the apparatus 52 can be assembled separately or in community in a wide variety of ways. In the discussed mode, the apparatus components 56 are then retracted from the assembly 10, and the pallet 64 moves over the receiver 54 to the next station 68. Referring to Figs. 5, 8 and 9, in the same station 68, or a third 68, in the same or in a second cartridge mover 76, grasps the cartridge 30, and places it in the chamber 14, in axial proximity or drive key 100 , of the finger wheel 94. The cartridge 30, does not move as much in the space 14b, to engage the cut 102, of the reel 4, and the push button 100, of the finger wheel. The reason is, that a film cartridge co-uu > _--- artuche - "-.-----, the opening of the cartridge door unlocks -Ll- car-: -: -: ai film.Thus, the coupling portion 102, and t-- t 100, may be misaligned and it is undesirable for the parts to come together.The removed cartridge mover and the frame assembly 10b, moves, to -a; station 68. Referring to Figs. 9, 10, in a fourth station, a sleeve 104, is moved by a linear actuator 106, in an axial direction (indicated by the arrow 108), in relation to the spool 84, of the film cartridge 30, the sleeve 104, has a drive key 110, would complement in shape to a second cut or coupling portion 12, indicated by interrupted lines in Fig. 9, of the spool, the cuts 102, 112, on opposite ends of the spool 84, may have the same or different shape. A grip member 114, moves as indicated in Fig. 9, by a double-headed arrow 116, from a non-use position spaced from the site of the supply chamber 14a, to a position of use where the member 114, bears against the finger wheel 98, which grips, and prevents rotation of the wheel 98, with respect to the frame 12. A light axial load (supplied by the driving device 106), on the sleeve or hollow shaft 104, it forces it against the cartridge reel 84, and the spool 84, against the drive key 100, of the finger wheel 94. At the same time, the sleeve 104, rotated by the drive device 70, in an actuator towards back, (indicated by arrow 116), that is, sleeve 104, rotated in a direction that if applied to the cartridge will return the film strip to the cartridge. This is the winding direction for the film cartridge, that is, the direction in which the spool rotates to return the film to the cartridge. With a push-type film cartridge, this direction is also opposite that of the thrust 5 of the film. The rotation of the sleeve 104, causes first one and then another, of the drive keys 100, 110, and the respective cuts 102, 112, to be aligned in two revolutions of the sleeve 104. When the first cut 102, of the spool 84, and the key 100, are eliminated, the cartridge 30, moves axially (generally in the direction indicated by the arrow 108), by the force applied by the sleeve 104, in relation to the finger wheel and the cartridge shafts 116, 118, until the first cut 102 , has been moved to the coupling with the wheel drive key for finger 100, and the cartridge is seated against the finger wheel 94, and the end wall 96. Similarly, when the second cut 112, of the reel 84, and the drive key 110, are aligned, the key 110, moves axially penetrating into the second cut 112. The key of drive 110, sleeve 104 may be spring loaded to moderate the force applied by sleeve 104, and prevent possible clogging during the movement of the sleeve before the coupling of both pairs of cuts 102, 112, and drive keys or buttons 100, 110. After that the cartridge has been seated, the grip member is pushed back from the thumb wheel, the spring load may be only axial or it may be provided both for elasticity in the axial direction and in one or more directions to accommodate possible erroneous alignment of the sleeve and the cartridge and wheel axles. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the second spool cut 112 is circular or radially symmetrical except for a radial recess 109, in that mode the sleeve drive key or empty shaft 110, includes a key member 111, configured for to be adjusted in the recess 109. The key member 111 moves independently of the body 113, of the key 110, in directions (indicated by the arrow 115), basically radial to the axis of rotation of the sleeve, it is elastically guided outwards. The key member 111 allows the sleeve key to penetrate the cut 112, even if it is poorly radially aligned. The sleeve key 110 can rotate within the cut 112, until the key member 111 is aligned and elastically moves within the cut 112. Here, the discussion is basically directed to one embodiment of the invention using an APS cartridge, however, this method is applicable to both push type film cartridges, such as APS cartridges, and non-push type cartridges, such as type 135 cartridges. In the latter case, it must be Careful to avoid the removal of the guide inside the cartridge during the settling of the same. A detector 120 may be mounted in operative relation to the cartridge chamber space 14a to sense the axial movement of the cartridge 30, or the like. The detector 120 can be integrated in a control system, which can stop the operation and remove the sleeve if a failure condition is detected. Referring to Figs. 11, 13, then, the sleeve is driven by the motor thereof or the drive mechanism 70, in a forward direction (indicated by the arrow 122), rotating the cartridge reel and pushing a leading portion 38, of the strip of film 36, from the cartridge 30. This can be done more conveniently in the same assembly station that was used to seat the cartridge. The thrust of the film can be continued until the free end 40, of the film strip 36, is driven into the supply chamber. A detector 124 may be positioned to sense optically or otherwise when the free end 40 reaches the supply chamber space 16a and sends a signal to the controller (not shown) to stop the thrust. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the frame or frame assembly has film retaining fingers 126, as presented in US Patent Application No. 08/796155, entitled "ONE-TIME USE CAMERA THAT HAS A PART OF MAIN BODY AND AN INSERTABLE LIGHT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH FILM RETAINERS TO FACILITATE THE CAMERA ASSEMBLY ", presented on February 6, 1997, by Douglas H. Pearson. The film retaining fingers 126 define a film inlet 128, which leads to the supply chamber space 16a. In this embodiment a film guide member 130 directs the free end 40, of the film strip 36, through the film inlet 128, and into the interior of the supply chamber space 16a. The member 130, is lowered to a position on the intermediate section 20, of the frame assembly 10, by a linear actuator 106, before or during the thrust of the film, in the same station that is used for the settlement of the cartridge or in another next station (as shown in Fig. 12). The guide member 130 has a concave bottom 132, remaining above the intermediate section 20. The guide member 130 has pockets 134, which receive the retention fingers 126, so that the film inlet 128, defined by the limbs 126, lying on an ellipse defined by the concave bottom 132, of the guide member 130, the detector 134, may be stored in the film guide member 130. Referring particularly to Figs. 14-20, after the free end 40, of the portion 38, of the film strip 36, has been advanced to the supply chamber 16, the frame assembly 10, moves to another station 68. In this station 68, a mandrel 136 is attached to the apparatus 52, which is introduced into the supply chamber 16, along one or preferably a plurality of film guides 138. The guide 138 defines a preliminary cylindrical film space 140, inside the supply chamber 16, centered on the mandrel 136, the space 140, has a radius 142, (hereinafter referred to as the preliminary radius 142), which is predetermined by the internal configuration of the film guides 138. guide portion or leader 38, of the film strip 36, is conveyed to the preliminary film space 140, and is entangled or bent around the mandrel 136, and of a bending axis (indicated by a cross 144, in FIG. 14). The bending axis 144 is disposed within the chamber 16, and at the time of bending it is coextensive with the axis of rotation of the mandrel. The guides 138, are interposed between the inner wall 146, of the supply chamber 16, and the mandrel 136, and both guide the front portion 38, of the film strip 36, around the mandrel 36, and limit the deflection of the strip 36, in a radial direction to the common axis of rotation of the mandrel and of the bending axis 144. The initial turn (not shown separately), of the film strip 36, is fixed to the mandrel 136, the guides 138, are pushed back from the chamber of supply (in presently preferred embodiments in a direction parallel to the bend axis and the majority of the film strip 36, is wound around the initial turn to form a roll of film 62, shown in Fig. 2 and 3). The mandrel 136 is preferably a vacuum mandrel, that is, a hollow cylinder pierced on its longitudinal surface by air passages 148, and is connected to a vacuum pump or a negative source of pressurized air (not shown), when the front portion 38, of the film 36, turns around the mandrel 136, the vacuum forces the film 36 into contact with the mandrel 136. This is rotated about the mandrel axis 150, starting either before or after the free end 40 of the film strip 36 makes contact with the mandrel 136, and the guide portion 38 of the film strip 36 is overlapped and cinched against the mandrel 136, after which the main portion 44, of the film strip 36, is wound on the first turn of the film roll. Referring particularly to Figs. 14-15, guide 138, may be relatively simple, for example, as shown in Figs. 14-15, a single belt ratchet 152, having a hook-shaped cross-section can be used. The pawl 152 is placed in the supply chamber 16, with handle 154, towards the distal side 155, and the opening of the hook 56, pointing towards the inlet direction of the film strip 76, in the supply chamber 16, then that the film strip is cinched, the ratchet 152 is withdrawn in an axial direction from the film chamber 16. In this embodiment, the mandrel 136 can be lowered into the supply chamber 16 during film winding ( in the direction indicated by the arrow 158 from an alternative bending axis indicated by the cross with circle 160), to thereby continuously maintain a tangent point between the outermost turn of the film roll and the entrance of the film 128, or the end downstream of the film bridge 86, so as to bring to a minimum the force applied to the film strip 36, during the winding. Thus, in this embodiment, the axis of rotation of the mandrel 136 moves away from the bending axis 160, during winding, and more deeply into the interior of the supply chamber 16. Referring to Figs. 16-20, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, an assembly of multiple film guides 138 is used. The multiple guides 138 surround the mandrel 136, in directions to the axis of the mandrel 150, except for an inlet 162, through which the film strip is allowed. In this embodiment, the film guides 138 prevent the guide portion 38 of the film 36 from deflecting in a direction radial to the axis 150 of the mandrel beyond a preliminary radius 142, which defines the boundaries of the film space. Preliminary 140. The glula portion 38, of the film strip 36, is isolated from the inner wall 146, of the supply chamber 16, when the guide portion 38, bends or curls around the mandrel 136, and is fixed. The mandrel axis 154, and the preliminary axis of the film, are coextensive. The mandrel 136 can be lowered into the supply chamber 16 during winding of the film to maintain the tangency between the outermost turn of the film roll and the section of the film strip 36, which penetrates the supply chamber 10. of film 16. In particular modalities the framework 12, has film retaining fingers 126, and mandrel 136, is maintained in a central position within supply chamber 16, during winding of the film. This last version has the advantage of requiring a simpler equipment for moving the mandrel 136. In a particular embodiment, shown in Figs. 16-20, wherein the mandrel 136 is held in a fixed position, the mandrel 136, the preliminary film space 140, and the film supply chamber 16, have a common axis 20 150. In this embodiment, the assembly of guide 138, includes upper and lower separable guides 164, 166, respectively. It is preferred that the lower guide 166 be an arcuate partial sleeve having a C-shaped cross section. The partial sleeve 166 has a concave internal surface 168, which is smooth or otherwise configured to exhibit low wing friction. film strip. The inner surface 168, of the partial sleeve 166, closely approaches the mandrel 136, in a particular embodiment, the spacing is seldom the thickness of the film strip 36, approximately lmm, the partial sleeve 166, is coaxial with the mandrel 136 , and extends about more than half, that is, more than 180 degrees, of the interposed mandrel 136. The lower guide 166 has a distal edge 170, which is at least almost parallel to the axis of the mandrel 150, and at a diameter horizontal mandrel 136. The lower guide 166 has a central edge 172 roughly parallel to the mandrel axis 150 and an imaginary horizontal tangent to the mandrel 126 (the terms vertical, horizontal and the like are used here in a relative sense where the longer dimension of the frame assembly defines a horizontal direction, the actual orientations can be varied as desired taking into account the effect of gravity on the loose parts). It is preferred that the upper guide 164, is a guide shoe that is movable independently of the partial sleeve 166. The guide shoe 164, has an arm 174, which extends downward and tightly is attached to or makes contact with the distant edge 170 , of the partial sleeve 166. The arm 174 may be continuous or divided into two discontinuous portions as shown in Figs. 16-20.

The arm 174 has an internal surface 176, concave low friction. The arm 174 has a lower edge 178, which meets the distant edge 170, of the partial sleeve 166, to present a guide path to the film strip 36, which is basically free of discontinuity. the lower edge 178, and the distant edge 170, can be found to provide a continuous curve interrupted only by a narrow seam, alternatively, the lower edge 178 can extend inward beyond the distant edge 170, to define a guide path for the film strip in which the film strip skips the discontinuity between the edges 78, 170. The last version has the advantage that small misalignments do not present the risk of stopping the film strip. The guide shoe 164 has a central support member 180, (to the left of FIG. 20), with respect to the arm 164, of the guide shoe. The support member 180, is positioned to be separated from the mandrel 136, by a contraction 182, when the upper and lower guides 164, 166, are in an operative position within the supply chamber 16, and the film strip 36, is positioned between the mandrel 136, and the support member 180, that member 180, can be integrally or elastically mounted, so that the contraction 182, is at least in part a function of the deflection of the support member during the use or the member may be a rigidly mounted non-compressible part. The support member 180 may be a motionless bushing that passes the film strip by sliding. The support member 180 can be a rotating member, such as a drive roller or band or the like rotating at the same or different speed as the mandrel. There are disadvantages in driving the support member, since there are relative differences in the speed of the film and support member, which gives a risk of scraping or other wear on the film strip. It is thus preferred that the support member be a rotating member without the energy such as a vacuum-running roller 180, which rotates freely with the passage of the film strip and presents a low friction to the film strip. For the same reason it is preferred that the vacuum-running roller 180 rotate about an axis parallel to the axis of the mandrel 150. The width of the support member 180, in a direction parallel to the axis 150, is not critical, however a relatively narrow support member presents fewer spatial constraints for other apparatus components, anchoring equipment and the like. A suitable width for the support member 180 would be less than about half the width of the film strip. In the embodiment of Figs. 16-20, the support member or vacuum running roller 180, has a width that is approximately one quarter of the film strip 36. The vacuum movement roller 180, may have a flange extending outward from the rest of the roller radially to the axis of the roller. The flange can help maintain the alignment of the front portion of the film strip and the mandrel by limiting both lateral movement and rotation of the film strip about its longitudinal axis. The flange can be superfluous if the camera is closed. The guide shoe 164 includes a support portion 184, which provides physical support for the arm 164, and the bearing member or bearing 180. For example, the support portion in Figs. 16, 20, carries the axis of the support member 180. The portion 184 is configured to avoid any possibility of unintentional contact with the film strip. As shown in Fig. 20, in particular embodiments of the invention, the support portion 184 can be attached to another component 56, such as a film or film guide bridge, in a single unit. The assembly of the guides can include a film separator 186, the separator 186, has a shoulder 188, (better seen in Fig. 18), which defines a lateral boundary for the film roll, the separator 186, may have a dimension in radial direction to the separator axis that is smaller , the same or greater than the dimensions of the supply chamber in the same directions. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the separator 186 is a complete sleeve coaxial with the mandrel 136, and is separate from the mandrel 136, by less than the thickness of the film strip 36, and preferably approximately one-half thick of the film strip. In this embodiment, the dimensions of the spacer 186, in radial directions to the spacer shaft (which is coextensive with the axis of the mandrel 150), are smaller than the dimensions of the preliminary film space 140, in the same directions and the partial sleeve 164 , is coaxial with the separator 186. This allows the mandrel 136, the partial sleeve 164, and the separator 186, to move along a common axis, independently of one another and without interference, and at the same time retains the General dimensions of the appliance and the small supply chamber. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 16-20, the guide assembly is used as follows. The guide or front portion 40, of the strip 36, is advanced into the supply chamber 16, until the free end is detected by a sensor (not shown in the Figs.), It may be mounted on the guide shoe 164, then, the separator 186, is moved by a linear actuator 106, towards the supply chamber until the shoulder 188, of the separator 186, contacts the edge of the film strip 36, then stops the separator 186 , then the partial sleeve 166, moves along the separator 186, and enters the chamber 16. The central edge 172, of the partial sleeve 176, is preferably beveled from a leading end 190, towards the base of the sleeve, when the cuff 166, extends to the supply chamber, the free end of the chamber, is raised by a sufficient distance to avoid the free end of the mandrel 136, when that enters the chamber. Then the mandrel 136 is inserted into the supply chamber 16, the rotation of the mandrel 136 is started, and the vacuum source is switched on, when the mandrel 136 has entered the chamber 16, or before. Then, the guide shoe 164, with respect to the place of supply chamber 16a, is lowered, until it makes contact with the partial sleeve 166, and the predetermined space 182, is defined between the roller 180, of vacuum running and the mandrel 136. When this occurs, the free end 40 of the film strip 36 is directed to the space 182. (The free end 40 of the film strip is illustrated as being partially cut back to form an angled tip. This is a typical feature of film but is not an indispensable requirement for the apparatus method of the invention). The mandrel 136 continues rotating. The roller 180 tightens the front portion 38 of the strip 36 against the mandrel 136, and the vacuum pulls the film strip 36 radially towards the mandrel shaft 150. After about one and a half revolutions, the guide portion 38 , of the film 36, is caught in the mandrel 136. A vacuum sensor not shown, placed in the vacuum line, detects the drop in air flow or air pressure resulting from the grip. The vacuum sensor sends a signal to a control that in response backs up the guide shoe 164, and the partial sleeve 166. The main portion 44, of the film strip is then pulled to the chamber 16, by the mandrel 136, and wound on the forward portion protruding from the film roll 62. Referring to Fig. 2, the film roll 62 has an outer extreme return 192, (indicated in Fig. 2 by an interrupted line), which defines a first radius 194, of the film roll that is larger than the preliminary radius 142. The winding of the film roll continues until the main portion 44, from the film strip 36, has reached the film roll 62, this is usually the largest portion of the film strip. The back portion 42 of the film necessarily remains attached to the reel 84 of the cartridge 30 and extends to the film roll 62. The mandrel rotation 136 stops before excessive stress is exerted on the rear portion 42, This can be done in different ways. For example, a sensor can detect an increased load on the mandrel due to reaching the rear portion, or a detector can count the rotation of the spool or other rotating part, a detector can measure the length or area of the film traveling to the roll of film, or the film can be wrapped for a predetermined time. With any of these variations, a sliding clutch can be provided on the mandrel to balance excessive stress. After the winding is complete, the mandrel 136 is removed from the film supply chamber, the vacuum is turned off and compressed air or other gas can be blown through the mandrel 136, to encourage release of the film roll. At this time, the mandrel 136 can rotate back a revolution or something to further encourage the loosening of the film roll. The combination of these effects allows the roll to be released and expanded, so that the outermost turn 196 defines a second radius 198, greater than the first radius 194. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the film roll it does not expand basically beyond the throat 17, of the supply chamber 16, this can be done in different ways. For example, the supply chamber may include a vacuum chamber (not shown), through which a vacuum is applied to the film roll in the manner presented in U.S. Patent 5, 608, 482. The frame 12 may be alternately having wedges 200, in the central margin of the groove 17, which narrows the throat to a width less than the width of the widest portion of the supply chamber 16, and thus limits the clockwise springing of the film roll. The mandrel 136 is then removed from the supply chamber by pushing back the mandrel to the separator 186, but leaving it in place against the edge of the film strip 36. Because the space between the mandrel 136, and the separator 186, is less than the thickness of the film -36, a Telescopic growth, at least basically. In a current non-preferred embodiment, the mandrel is detachable from the apparatus in the manner of a reel, although the reel may be relatively simple, this adds an additional part to the camera and increases the complexity of a release mechanism to remove the spool . In a mode in which a film bridge 86 is used, it moves with respect to the camera frame assembly 10, before removing the mandrel 136, so that the film strip 36 can be taken, embedding a final part of the film. throws it in the film roll or retracting that part of the film strip to the cartridge 30. The rear aperture 28, of the camera frame assembly 10, is then closed and the camera frame assembly becomes airtight, this can be done in a single stage in which a light-tight cover is attached to the frame 12, or may include several steps. For example, a cover can be attached through the rear opening, which is followed by a cover opening to make the assembly hermetic to light. The resulting chamber assembly can be a finished chamber or it can be a chamber sub-unit that requires additional assembly operations for its completion. In addition, of the features already discussed including a film cartridge, the camera assembly of this invention may include other conventional camera features well known in the art. It is understood that there are many variations and modifications that can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. Reference list. camera frame assembly 10 camera frame 12 cartridge chamber 14 supply chamber 16 throat or opening 15, 17 side openings 18 intermediate section or exposure frame 20 concave interior wall 22 film space 24 film space axis 26 back aperture or rear access 28 film cartridge 30 can 32 reel 34 film strip 36 guide portion 38 free end 40 rear portion 42 main portion 44 exposure system 46 drive of the camera film 48 film coupling member 50 apparatus 52 receiver 54 active components 56 loading position 58 film roller 62 paddle or nest 64 setter 66 stations 68 drive mechanism 70 non-use position 72 operating or active position 74 cartridge mover 76 vacuum gripper 78 lightweight active active opener 80 rotator reel 82 reel 84 film bridge 86 friction reducing features 87 film trajectory 88 vacuum and compression gas unit 89 band 90 belt impeller 91 vacuum rollers 92 finger wheel 94 end wall 96 rotation member 98 finger wheel drive key 100 engagement portion or axial cut 102 cartridge nest 103 sleeve or sleeve 104 linear actuator 106 arrow 108 notch 109 key or pod drive button 110 key member 111 second coupling or cutting portion 112 body 113 holding member 114 arrows 115 axes of the finger wheel and cartridge 116, 118 detector 120 arrow 122 detector 124 film retention fingers 126 film entry 128 film guide member 130 depth 132 bags 134 mandrel or reel 136 film guides 138 preliminary film space 140 preliminary radius 142 spin axis or curl 144 wall interior 146 air passages 148 mandrel shaft 150 girth ratchet 152 shank 154 distant side 155 hook 156 arrow 158 alternative curl shaft 160 enters 162 upper guide or guide shoe 164 lower guide or partial sleeve 166 internal surface 168 distant edge 170 central edge 172 arm 174 internal surface 176 lower edge 178 support member or vacuum running roller 180 contraction 182 support portion 184 separator 186 shoulder 188 front end 190 external end turn 192 first film roll radius 194 external end turn after release 196 second film roll radius 198 wedges 200 backing 202

Claims (14)

1. REVINDIC AC I ON ES 1. - A method for loading a cartridge into a chamber frame assembly, comprising the steps of: providing a frame frame assembly that influences a frame having a cartridge chamber, a supply chamber and an intermediate section between the chambers, the frame assembly includes a finger wheel attached to the frame to rotate freely, the finger wheel has a rotating member externally disposed to the cartridge chamber and a drive wrench extending axially inside the chamber. the cartridge chamber; placing a film cartridge in the cartridge chamber in the axial proximity close to the finger drive drive key, the film cartridge includes a spool and a film strip, the spool has opposite first and second ends, each has a coupling portion of the spool, the coupling portion of the first end, is complementary in the form of the drive wrench of the finger wheel, the film strip has a guide portion, a center, and a back portion; placing a hollow sleeve or sleeve drive key or button in the axial proximity of the second end of the spool, the sheath drive key being complementary in shape to the coupling portion of the second end; grasping or holding the finger wheel in an immobile relation to the frame; rotate the pod drive key; during that rotation force the pod drive key axially towards the cartridge and the cartridge towards the drive key of the finger wheel until the drive keys couple with the respective coupling portions of the spool.
2. 2. - The method according to claim 1, which continues to rotate by releasing the finger wheel.
3. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising following the release by pushing the front portion of the film strip into the supply chamber.
4. 4. - The method according to claim 3, further comprising lowering a film guide member over the intermediate section of the frame prior to rotation.
5. 5. - The method according to claim 1, comprising lowering a guide member on the intermediate section of the frame before rotation.
6. 6. - The method according to claim 1, wherein the coupling portions are axial cuts.
7. 7. - The method according to claim 1, wherein the rotation is performed in a rewinding direction for the film cartridge.
8. 8. - The method according to claim 1, further comprising opening a light active closure prior to the placement step.
9. 9. - The method according to claim 1, further comprising continuing the forcing step by advancing the leading portion of the film strip to the supply chamber.
10. 10. - The method according to claim 9, wherein the advance further comprises pushing the front portion of the film strip into the supply chamber.
11. 11. - A cartridge charging apparatus for use with a camera frame assembly that includes a frame having a cartridge chamber, a supply chamber, and an intermediate section between those cameras, the frame assembly or frame includes a finger wheel attached in a free rotation relationship to the frame, the finger wheel has a rotation member disposed externally to the cartridge chamber and an axially extending drive key inside the cartridge chamber, and a film cartridge disposed in the cartridge chamber, the film cartridge includes a box, a spool, and a film strip, the spool has opposite first and second ends, each having a reel engaging portion, the reel engaging portion of the The first end is complementary in shape to the drive key of the finger wrench, the film strip has a front, a rear and a central portion, the apparatus comprises: a ceptor for the camera frame assembly that defines seats for the cameras and the intermediate section and a cartridge camera shaft; a grip member movable between a non-use position disposed in a spaced-apart relationship to the frame and a use position wherein the grip member rests against the finger wheel and prevents rotation of that finger wheel with respect to the frame; a cartridge mover disposed in an operative relationship to the receiver, being movable in the seat of the cartridge chamber to place the cartridge in the cartridge chamber, wherein the engaging portion of the first end of the cartridge is disposed in close proximity to the cartridge. finger wheel drive key; and a sheath or sleeve having a drive key complementary in shape with the coupling portion of the second spool end, the sheath has an axis of rotation and the shaft is reversibly movable along the axis of rotation towards the chamber of cartridge to force the cartridge towards the finger wheel and couple the drive keys and the respective coupling portions.
12. 12. - The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a film guide member movable on the seat of the intermediate section.
13. 13. The apparatus according to claim 11, comprising an active light-closing opener arranged in proximity to the cartridge mover.
14. 14. - The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the sheath is rotatable in two opposite directions to push the film from the cartridge and re-wind the film in the cartridge. R E S UM E N A method of apparatus for loading a cartridge into a frame assembly or camera frame. In the method a frame assembly is provided which includes a frame or frame that has a cartridge chamber, a supply chamber and an intermediate section between the chambers. The frame assembly includes a finger wheel attached in a free rotational relationship with respect to the frame. The finger wheel has a rotating member disposed on the outside of the cartridge chamber and a drive wrench extending axially inside the cartridge chamber. A film cartridge is placed in the cartridge chamber in the axial vicinity of the finger drive drive key. The film cartridge includes a spool and a film strip. The spool has opposite ends first and second. Each end has a spool coupling portion. The spool engagement portion of the first end complements the shape of the drive wrench of the finger wheel. The film strip has a leading or leading portion, a main portion and a back portion. A hollow sleeve or sleeve drive wrench is located in the immediate axial vicinity of the second end of the spool. The drive key of the sheath complements the shape of the spool coupling portion of the second end. The finger wheel is gripped, the pod drive key is rotated, during rotation the pod drive key is pushed axially towards the cartridge, which is forced towards the finger drive drive key, until that both drive wrenches couple with each other with the respective coupling parts.