US3584989A - Apparatus for arming percussion-ignitable flash units - Google Patents

Apparatus for arming percussion-ignitable flash units Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3584989A
US3584989A US868552A US3584989DA US3584989A US 3584989 A US3584989 A US 3584989A US 868552 A US868552 A US 868552A US 3584989D A US3584989D A US 3584989DA US 3584989 A US3584989 A US 3584989A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
striker
mounting
arming
units
lamp
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US868552A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David E Beach
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3584989A publication Critical patent/US3584989A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B15/00—Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor
    • G03B15/02—Illuminating scene
    • G03B15/03—Combinations of cameras with lighting apparatus; Flash units
    • G03B15/04—Combinations of cameras with non-electronic flash apparatus; Non-electronic flash units
    • G03B15/0478—Combinations of photographic apparatus with percussion type flash ignition systems
    • G03B15/0494—Means for mounting percussion type flash apparatus

Definitions

  • Multilamp, percussion-ignitable flash units include a striker element having a pair of arms, one for applying a percussive blow to a flashlamp and another, connected to the first arm through a torsion spring, for applying a biasing force to the first arm.
  • Photographic apparatus adapted to receive such flash units include an arming post having a cam surface positioned to engage the second arm of the striker element when the flash unit is mounted on the photographic apparatus to move the second arm to a position applying the biasing force to the first arm.
  • the present invention relates to flash photography, and more particularly to photographic apparatus for use with percussion-ignitable flash units.
  • a percussion-ignitable photoflash lamp has been developed.
  • One such percussion-ignitable flashlamp is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 765,930, entitled Multilamp Flash Unit, filed Oct. 8, 1968, in the name of David E. Beach.
  • Such units in general employ lamps having an envelope containing a combustible material such as shredded zirconium foil and a combustion supporting gas such as oxygen sealed in the envelope at a pressure of several atmospheres.
  • a percussive-activatable ignition tube is provided at the bottom end of such lamps, with the top of the ignition tube opening into the lamp envelope and the bottom end of the tube closed and extending outside the envelope to a location suitable for percussion striking.
  • the ignition tube contains an anvil rod coated with percussion-sensitive material such as a mixture of zirconium and fulminate; and, upon striking of the tube, the material is activated and ignites a combustible material in the envelope through the open end of the ignition tube.
  • percussion-sensitive material such as a mixture of zirconium and fulminate
  • photographic apparatus is adapted to receive percussion-ignitable flash units having preenergized strikers provided with disarming latch members which prevent accidental release of the strikers when the flash unit is not mounted on the photographic apparatus.
  • the disarming latch members have cam portions associatable with surfaces on the photographic apparatus for moving the latch members to an inoperative (or nonlatching) position upon mounting of the flash units on the apparatus. While such a safety device is adequate for its intended purpose, it does necessitate multiple moving parts in the flash unit with the resultant extra expense in manufacturing and increased chance of system failure.
  • the present invention is addressed to the problems outlined above and provides photographic apparatus and/or socket means for photographic apparatus having a device associa table with arming means of percussion-ignitable flash units to arm normally disarmed flash units upon attachment of the flash unit to the photographic apparatus.
  • photographic apparatus which is adapted to receive a percussion-ignitable flash unit having a percussion-ignitable flashlamp, a striker normally restrained in a position spaced from the lamp, and means actuable for energizing the striker by applying a spring force thereto in the direction of the lamp, includes means for detachably mounting such flash units to the photographic apparatus and arming means for actuating the striker energizing means of such flash units upon mounting such units on the mounting means.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially broken away showing the flash unit and photographic apparatus, in this instance a camera, which embody the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a top, sectional view of the flash unit and photographic apparatus of FIG, 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2 with the flash unit in FIG. 2 mounted on a socket with portions removed for illustration;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmental, perspective view of another embodiment of the flash unit and photographic apparatus which embody the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmental, perspective view showing still another embodiment of the flash unit and photographic apparatus which embody the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a fragmental, perspective view showing yet another embodiment of the flash unit and photographic apparatus which embody the present invention.
  • FIGS. l3 One embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in FIGS. l3 as employed on a photographic camera 10.
  • Camera 10 is of known type and a camera film advance lever 12, shutter release lever 14, viewfinder l6 and picture-taking opening 18 can be seen in FIG. I.
  • FIG. I Because photographic cameras having means to successively index and ignite received flash units are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to elements of such apparatus forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, the present invention, particularly elements not specifically shown or described herein being understood to be selectable from those known in the art.
  • Camera includes a socket which can be seen in FIG. 3.
  • Socket 20 is adapted to receive a flash unit 22 with four percussion-ignitable flashlamps 24.
  • Each flashlamp is of the type described in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 765,930 and has a depending anvil rod 26 coated with percussion-sensitive material.
  • This type flashlamp is ignited by percussive impact on anvil rods 26, and I have provided an equal number of striker elements 28 for this purpose.
  • striker elements 28 will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, it will be sufficient for the present to point out that this type of striker is normally spring biased towards anvil rod 26 and is retained in a spaced relation thereto by a lug 30 until lamp ignition is desired.
  • strikers 28 is normally spring biased towards anvil rod 26 and is retained in a spaced relation thereto by a lug 30 until lamp ignition is desired.
  • a more detailed discussion of the general operation of strikers 28 can be found in the aforementioned Poweska and Stoneham application
  • An actuating opening 32 is provided in the housing of camera 10, opening 32 being aligned with an access opening 34 in the lower wall of flash unit 22 when the flash unit has been received and indexed by socket 20.
  • a portion of an arming post 36, which forms a part of the present invention, can also be seen in FIG. 1. The o eration of post 36 will be subsequently described.
  • Flash unit 22 has a base portion 38 which can best be seen in FIG. 3.
  • Base portion 38 includes a hollow, cylindrical post 40 which cooperates with arming post 36 and a set of locating fingers 42 (of known type) in socket 20.
  • Arming post 36 has a conical upper portion 44 which passes through an opening 46 in post 40 and extends past base 38 into the interior of flash unit 22.
  • Each striker element 28 is formed of spring wire material and includes a striker arm 48, a tensioning arm 50 and a vertical portion. Each of the vertical portions is carried within a bearing member 52 and functions as a torsion spring in a manner to be described.
  • Normally arms 48 and 50 of striker elements 28 assume the positions shown in full line in FIG. 2, that is, striker arms 48 normally rest against the outer surfaces of posts 30 while tensioning arms 50 normally lightly press against posts 54 under only slight or no force. In this condition, the vertical portion is unstressed and there is no force urging striker arm 48 towards anvil rod 26. Therefore, there is no risk of accidental ignition as long as the flash unit is not mounted on the camera.
  • FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
  • a flash unit 22' which is similar to flash unit 22 of FIGS. 1-3 except that post 40 (FIG. 3) of base 38 need not be provided, is shown mounted on photographic apparatus 10.
  • FIG. 4 like reference numerals are used to refer to structure shown in FIGS. 1-3, except that in FIG. 4, prime marks have been added to all numerals.
  • An arming post 36' has an upper, conical portion 44' and a lower, cylindrical portion 56' which is of slightly lesser diameter than the adjacent region of conical portion 44'. Lower portion 56' has a series of flats 58 spaced circumferentially thereabout.
  • flash unit 22' is inserted over arming post 36' in the same manner as described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS.
  • flash unit 22 is held on photographic apparatus 10' by the coaction between tensioning arms 50' and the enlarged upper portion 44 of arming post 36'. Flash unit 22' is held in an aligned position with one of flashlamps 24 facing forward by the detent action between tensioning arms 50 and flats 58'.
  • the embodiment of FIG. 4 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1-3.
  • FIG. 5 is similar to that of FIG. 4 except that arming post 36" is formed with a square cross-sectional shape, terminating in a pyramid-shaped upper portion 44".
  • the operation of this embodiment is also similar to that of FIG. 4 except that the square cross-sectional shape of arming post 36" cooperates with tensioning arms 50" to provide a detent action to ensure that one of lamps 24 is facing forwardly of photographic apparatus 10''.
  • FIG. 6 still another embodiment of the present invention is shown having an arming post 36" in the form of a blade having a sloped upper surface 60".
  • Blade 36" extends from approximately the center of opening 46" in base 38" to one side of opening 46".
  • the blade is conformed to engage only that tensioning arm 50 of the striker element 28" associated with the forward facing lamp 24".
  • tensioning arm 50 of the striker element 28" associated with the forward facing lamp 24.
  • Photographic apparatus for use with flash units of the type having a percussion-ignitable flashlamp, striker means movable from a position spaced from the lamp into percussive contact with the lamp, and means actuable for energizing the striker for urging the striker in the direction of the lamp, said apparatus comprising: i
  • Photographic apparatus for use with flash units of the type having a percussion-ignitable flashlamp, a striker normally restrained in a position spaced from the lamp, and means actuable for applying a spring force to the striker in the direction of the lamp, said apparatus comprising:
  • Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said arming means includes a cam surface associatable with the force applying means to move such force applying means to an operative position.
  • Photographic apparatus for use with flash units of the type having a percussion-ignitable flashlamp, a striker normally restrained in a position spaced from the lamp, spring means for selectively applying a force to the striker in a direction towards the lamp, and a member connected to the spring means and movable from a rest position in which substantially no force is applied to the striker to an armed position causing the spring means to apply the force to the striker, said apparatus comprising:
  • Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said arming means comprises a cam surface associatable with the member tomove the member from its rest to its armed position upon mounting such units on said mounting means.
  • a mechanism comprising:
  • a flash unit having a percussion-ignitable flashlamp, a striker normally restrained in a position spaced from said lamp, spring means for selectively urging said striker towards said lamp, and a member connected to said spring means and movable from a rest position in which substantially no force is applied to said striker to an armed position causing said spring means to apply force to said striker;
  • a photographic apparatus including means for detachably mounting said flash unit, and arming means for moving said member from its rest position to its armed position upon mounting said flash unit on said mounting means.
  • a mechanism as defined in claim 6 further comprising means associated with said arming means for cooperating with said member to releasably retain said flash unit on said mounting means.
  • a mechanism as defined in claim 6 further comprising means associated with said arming means for cooperating with said member to hold said flash unit in a predetermined orientation relative to said photographic apparatus.
  • arming means cooperable with the force applying means of such flash units upon receipt of the units on said socket, for actuating the force applying means.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Stroboscope Apparatuses (AREA)
US868552A 1969-10-22 1969-10-22 Apparatus for arming percussion-ignitable flash units Expired - Lifetime US3584989A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US86855269A 1969-10-22 1969-10-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3584989A true US3584989A (en) 1971-06-15

Family

ID=25351910

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US868552A Expired - Lifetime US3584989A (en) 1969-10-22 1969-10-22 Apparatus for arming percussion-ignitable flash units

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3584989A (enExample)
DE (2) DE2051618A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2066142A5 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1297439A (enExample)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3702582A (en) * 1970-07-23 1972-11-14 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Multiflash device, such as flashcube, with mechanically ignitable flashlamps
US3737643A (en) * 1970-08-05 1973-06-05 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Multiflash device, particularly flashcube, with mechanical striking mechanism
US3807934A (en) * 1972-04-20 1974-04-30 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Flashcube construction

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3517182A (en) * 1968-02-07 1970-06-23 Sylvania Electric Prod Photoflash lamp unit

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3517182A (en) * 1968-02-07 1970-06-23 Sylvania Electric Prod Photoflash lamp unit

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3702582A (en) * 1970-07-23 1972-11-14 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Multiflash device, such as flashcube, with mechanically ignitable flashlamps
US3737643A (en) * 1970-08-05 1973-06-05 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Multiflash device, particularly flashcube, with mechanical striking mechanism
US3807934A (en) * 1972-04-20 1974-04-30 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Flashcube construction

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE7038840U (de) 1971-03-04
GB1297439A (enExample) 1972-11-22
FR2066142A5 (enExample) 1971-08-06
DE2051618A1 (de) 1971-04-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3584989A (en) Apparatus for arming percussion-ignitable flash units
US3537367A (en) Photographic apparatus for arming percussion-ignitable flash units
US3727040A (en) Percussive photoflash lamp array
US3576155A (en) Photographic apparatus for use with flash units having individual striker elements
US3537805A (en) Z-shape striker spring for percussionignitable,multilamp flash units
US3614413A (en) Percussion activatable flash units having individual striker elements
US3630129A (en) Camera mechanism for actuating mechanically fireable flash
US3550514A (en) Adapter for igniting electrically ignitable flash lamps
US3661063A (en) Mechanism for sensing the condition of a percussive flash device and for effecting synchronous percussive flash exposures
US3584551A (en) Mechanism for retaining a percussion-ignitable flashlamp unit
US3584556A (en) Torsion striking device for use in firing percussion-ignitable photoflash lamps
US3706265A (en) Photographic apparatus for firing a plurality of flash lamps
US4096549A (en) Multilamp photoflash assembly
US3687033A (en) Mechanism for operating a camera shutter and a mechanically operable flash device in synchronism
US3584794A (en) Firing mechanism for percussively ignitable flash units
US3589256A (en) Photoflash impact mechanism energizable by cam on lamp socket
US3581637A (en) Device for igniting percussion-ignitable flash lamps
US3590706A (en) Adapter for igniting percussion-ignitable flashlamp units
US3596581A (en) Photographic apparatus for firing percussion-ignitable flash lamps
US3584554A (en) Apparatus for actuating firing of percussion-ignitable flaslamps and operating mechanism therefor
US3866033A (en) Photoflash assembly with serially advancing percussive lamps
US3544250A (en) Firing mechanism for percussion-ignitable flash lamps
US3552287A (en) Photoflash lamp firing mechanism
US3646864A (en) Flashlamp-sensing and percussive-firing mechanism for photographic apparatus
US3584555A (en) Firing and shutter synchronization for use with percussive photoflash system