US3678832A

US3678832A - Photographic apparatus having a handle for effecting film processing

Info

Publication number: US3678832A
Application number: US75565A
Authority: US
Inventors: Milton S Dietz; Frederick M Finnemore
Original assignee: Polaroid Corp
Current assignee: Polaroid Corp
Priority date: 1970-09-25
Filing date: 1970-09-25
Publication date: 1972-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-25

Abstract

Photographic apparatus effective for spreading a processing fluid across a sheet of photographic material as said sheet is manually withdrawn through an opening of the apparatus includes a handle which precludes relative motion of the apparatus housing with respect to the handle around an axis parallel to a preferred direction of film withdrawal so as to maintain a fixed orientation around this axis to facilitate grasping of film portions prior to withdrawal while providing other rotational degrees of freedom of the housing for self-alignment of it in the direction of withdrawal. The handle is a torsion-resistant member having a hand grip at one end and pivotally affixed at its other end to the housing by a pivot shaft located close to a longitudinal axis of the housing which extends through the opening, and the handle includes a hinge positioned intermediate the hand grip and the pivot shaft and disposed with its hinge axis perpendicular to the pivot shaft axis. Additionally, the pivotal motion of the handle is restrained so as to invitingly extend it from the housing, and the handle includes an integral self-locking arrangement for attachment to the housing.

Description

United States Patent ietz et al.

.[54] PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS HAVING A HANDLE FOR EFFECTING FILM PROCESSING [72] Inventors: Milton S. Dietz, Lexington; Frederick M.

Finnemore, North Reading, both of Mass.

[73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass.

[22] Filed: Sept. 25, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 75,565

Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard L. Moses Attorney-Brown and Mikulka, David R. Thornton and William D. Roberson 51 July 25,1972

[ ABSTRACT Photographic apparatus efiective for spreading a processing fluid across a sheet of photographic material as said sheet is manually withdrawn through an opening of the apparatus includes a handle which precludes relative motion of the apparatus housing with respect to the handle around an axis parallel to a preferred direction of film withdrawal so as to maintain a fixed orientation around this axis to facilitate grasping of film portions prior to withdrawal while providing other rotational degrees of freedom of the housing for selfalignment of it in the direction of withdrawal. The handle is a torsion-resistant member having a hand grip at one end and pivotally affixed at its other end to the housing by a pivot shaft located close to a longitudinal axis of the housing which extends through the opening, and the handle includes a hinge positioned intermediate the hand grip and the pivot shaft and disposed with its hinge axis perpendicular to the pivot shaft axis. Additionally, the pivotal motion of the handle is restrained so as to invitingly extend it from the housing, and the handle includes an integral self-locking arrangement for attachment to the housing.

7 28 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ill" I um PKTE'NTEDJ L25 m2 SHEET 1 BF 3 INVENTORS MILTON s. DIETZ BY FREDERICK M. FINNEMORE @zaw m nd W466;

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INVENTORS MILTON S. DIETZ FREDERICK M. FINNEMORE WWW ham: 4% 920mm.

ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to photographic apparatus and, more particularly, hand-held photographic apparatus having a handle for facilitating alignment of the apparatus for film processing by its manual extraction from the apparatus.

2. Prior Art In photographic apparatus, such as many of the selfdeveloping cameras in use today, the film is developed, at least in part, by spreading processing fluid across the film sheet as it is manually withdrawn from the camera. In such cases, the film unit generally comprises an image-recording and an image-receiving sheet which are superposed within the camera and manually withdrawn therefrom to effect spreading of the processing fluid. For example, the processing liquid is often enclosed in a pod located between the film sheets and at the leading edge thereof such that as the film sheets are moved through the narrow gap, the pod is ruptured and the liquid uniformly spread across the film unit. This arrangement generally requires substantially uniform movement of the film sheets along a preferred path as they are advanced through the spreader gap. Consequently, any large variation in the manual pulling force or deviation from the preferred direction of withdrawal can result in nonuniform and incomplete coverage of the film area. For example, it is generally desirable that the film be advanced centrally through the gap along a path approximately perpendicular to the plane of the gap. This is accomplished in the prior art by the camera system described in US. Pat. No. 3,522,766 issued to John Wolbarst on Aug. 4, 1970, in which a self-developing camera includes a hand strap effective for self-alignment of the camera body along the direction of film withdrawal. Although this prior art arrangement has proved quite satisfactory and, in fact, enjoys extensive commercial practice, it does not optimize orientation of the camera to facilitate grasping of the extended film tab and leader prior to actual withdrawal.

In some instances, the camera operator also avoids use of the strap under the mistaken impression that it is designed for carrying of the camera rather than for film development. Additionally, while the strap arrangement provides substantial alignment with the direction of withdrawal, the operator may inadvertently cause some oscillation of the camera body around an axis parallel to the direction of movement of the film from the unit. That is, although the strap in cooperation with the force of film withdrawal, tends to produce equilibrium conditions of the body in planes extending through the longitudinal center line of the film, it inadequately balances torque producing components in the plane transverse to the exiting film.

Accordingly, an important object of this invention is to provide improved photographic apparatus for facilitating film processing by manual extraction of the film from the apparatus housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hand-held photographic apparatus having holding means for providing proper orientation of the apparatus to facilitate grasping of extended film portions prior to film processing and self-alignment of the apparatus during film withdrawal.

Another object of this invention is to provide a self-developing camera having holding means which maintains a preferred orientation of the camera while producing camera alignment parallel to the longitudinal center line of exterior film portions during film withdrawal.

A further object of this invention is to provide a selfdeveloping camera having a camera-aligning handle which is invitingly extended for use during film processing.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a processing handle for a self-developing camera.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a handle adapted for simplified self-attachment to a camera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly, photographic apparatus provided in accordance with the invention comprises a housing including means for spreading processing fluid on sheet-like photographic film material as such material is withdrawn through a film exit passage of a wall of said housing, and holding means for maintaining orientation of the housing around an axis parallel to the direction of withdrawal while permitting other rotational degrees of freedom.

In its illustrated embodiment, the invention briefly comprises a self-developing camera having a pair of sheet-contacting surfaces defining a gap for spreading processing fluid on exposed photographic film material as it is advanced therethrough by manual withdrawal of the film from an adjacent exit aperture of the camera housing, and includes a torsion-resistant handle pivotally connected to the end of the camera opposite the exit aperture. The handle is a T-shaped member formed by an elongated shank of substantially rigid material, joined to a laterally extended crossbar at one end which defines a hand grip. At the other end, the shank includes a pivot arm which is afiixed to the camera such that its pivot axis is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the gap and laterally bisecting the gap. The shank also includes a living hinge, positioned between the crossbar and the pivot arm, with its hinge axis lying in a plane parallel to the plane which longitudinally bisects the gap.

In accordance with the invention, a handle for alignment of a self-developing camera during film processing by manual withdrawal of the film from the camera body comprises a torsion-resistant member having coupling means at one end thereof adapted for connection to such camera for providing a fulcrum operating along a given axis of such camera parallel to a preferred direction of film withdrawal for permitting motion of such camera relative to the handle only around axis approximately normal to the given axis.

In the illustrated embodiment, the handle includes a pivot shaft having a hollow, yieldable portion at its extended end with radial projections thereon which are adapted to be forced through an orifice in the camera wall so as to engage the inner surface thereof, and carries a plug member at its extended end for insertion in the hollow portion to prevent its contraction and removal from the camera opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers having been employed in the different figures to denote the same parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a self-developing camera embodying the handle arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the film chamber taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the film chamber illustrating the film position just prior to withdrawal;

FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting operation of the camera during film processing;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of the handle taken approximately along the longitudinal center line thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the inside of the camera back showing the pivot connection of the handle and its limit stops.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown a self-developing camera 10 of the type wherein a photosensitive sheet is exposed and thereafter treated with processing fluid as the sheet is manually withdrawn from the camera body. The camera includes a housing made up of a forward section 12 having a conventional lens and shutter assembly 14 adapted to expose a photosensitive sheet presented at exposure aperture 16, and a rear section 18 which is hinged to the forward section and clamped thereto by spring catch 20 so as to form a film chamber 22.

A pair of juxtaposed spreader surfaces or pressure-applying

members

24 and 26, providing an elongated pressure-generating gap 28 lying in plane a as shown in FIGS. 2, and 3 are mounted within the film chamber at one end thereof adjacent an opening or exit aperture 30 which defines an exit passage for withdrawal of the film. A handle 32, pivotally attached to rear wall 34, provides a novel hand grip or holding means for maintaining proper orientation of the camera for film processing. That is, the handle substantially precludes relative motion of camera around a longitudinal axis b of the film chamber while permitting other degrees of rotational freedom. Consequently, the handle is torsion-resistant, or that is, resists twisting forces so as to preclude rotation of the camera around this longitudinal axis. Hence, holding of the handle in one hand maintains proper camera orientation to permit grasping of the film tab and leader prior to film withdrawal and dampens'camera roll during film withdrawal. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the axis b is normal to the plane (plane a) of the gap 28 and extends centrally through the gap such that it defines the intersection of planes and d which bisect the gap as shown in FIG. 1: wherein plane 0 is the preferred film exit plane which is normal to plane a and extends in a bisecting manner lengthwise of the gap and through opening 30; and plane d is normal to both plane a and c and laterally bisects the gap. Preferably, the handle is a substantially inelastic body' of high rigidity; for example, 0.250 inch thick polypropylene is suitable. Other plastic materials or metals, such as aluminum or the like, of sufiicient cross section to provide torsion resistance would also be suitable.

Spreader gap 28 is aligned with aperture 30 at one end of the film chamber with the plane of the gap normal to the plane of rear wall 34 such that the film may be advanced through the gap and out of the exit aperture in a direction coextensive with axis b and in plane 0 which is parallel to the plane of the rear wall.

The handle is a substantially rigid member having a T- shaped body portion formed by a crossbar 36 rigidly affixed to one end of an elongated shank 38. At the other end, the shank is joined to the camera by a coupling member 40 which includes a hinge 42 and a pivot 44.

The coupling member 40 is affixed to the rear wall 34 by a pivot shaft 46, which extends perpendicularly through an opening or orifice 48 in this wall, and provides a pivot axis e lying in plane d and normal to axis b. The shank 38 is joined to the coupling member 40 by hinge 42 whose pivot axis f is disposed normal to the shaft axis e and, in this case, parallel to crossbar 36. Hence, the pivot and hinge permit pivotal motion of the camera with respect to the handle body only around orthogonal axes e and f which are parallel to planes 0 and d but preclude rotation around axis b such that holding of the handle maintains the camera in a fixed rotational position around its longitudinal axis while providing automatic self-alignment of the axis 'b coextensive with the direction of withdrawal.

Preferably, the handle is designed for incorporation in a self-developing camera such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,196 issued Mar. 3, 1970, in the name of P. L. Finelli. Hence, the camera is designed for use with a conventional film pack 47 having a plurality of film units 49, shown by way of example in FIG. 3, in which a photosensitive sheet 50 of film material is adapted to be superposed, after exposure, with an image-receiving sheet 52 and moved therewith between the juxtaposed

members

24 and 26 as the unit is withdrawn from the camera. Also included within the film unit is a rupturable pod or container 54 of processing fluid 56 such that, as the superposed sheets are withdrawn from the camera, the pressureapplying members first efiect a rupturing of the pod and, subsequently, a spreading of the processing fluid in a thin layer between the sheets. This facilitates the development of the latent image recorded in the photosensitive sheet and the production of a visible image therefrom in the image-receiving sheet by diffusion and transfer of reagents from the photosensitive stratum through the interposed fluid. For this purpose, a conventional spreader system such as the nonrolling members described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,196 or roller members such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,113,496, issued Dec. 10, 1970, in the name of W. H. Eburn .lr., et al, may be employed to rupture the pod container and uniformly spread the fluid.

In a typical camera of this type, after exposure of sheet 50, its leader 58 is extended through aperture 30, as shown in FIG. 3, by drawing a conventional film tab 60 through a tab port 62. This positions the pod 54 adjacent the

spreader members

24 and 26 such that the film unit is now ready for processing. Generally, the

film sheets

50 and 52 are disposed at this time such that the film sections in advance of the gap lie in plane c with their longitudinal center line aligned with axis b of the chamber. This is accomplished by conventional means such as film pack 47 (shown in FIG. 2) in cooperation with support elements 64 and 66. That is, the film pack, or other conventional margin guides (not shown), may be employed to guide and align the film laterally in the chamber while supports 64 and 66 vertically locate the film in plane c which extends through both the gap and the exit aperture 30.

In the novel structure, the processing is accomplished, as illustrated in FIG. 4, by grasping handle 32 in one hand and film leader 58 in the other hand and pulling the film through the spreader system and from the camera body. The handle is initially seized in one hand and the camera allowed to hang so as to free the other hand for successive withdrawal of the tab and the film unit. At this time, the handle maintains the film chamber in fixed rotational position around axis b (plane c is maintained substantially parallel to the hand grip) thereby providing a fixed orientation of the camera to facilitate seizing of first the tab and then, the film leader. Then, as the film unit is withdrawn, the camera is free to rotate with respect to the handle around axes e and f to maintain itself aligned in the direction of withdrawal.

Assuming, for the moment, that gravitation forces are negligible, the withdrawal of the film produces forces on the camera which are concentrated primarily at the spreader gap and the connection or fulcrum operating between the handle and the camera body. Accordingly, if the film is pulled in a direction which forms an acute angle to an imaginary line extended between the gap and the fulcrum point, torqueproducing components are produced on the body which tend to rotate the body until this line is coextensive with the direction of withdrawal. Consequently, in the ideal case, the handle would provide a fulcrum spaced from the gap along axis b. In the illustrated embodiment, rear wall 34 is positioned close to this axis with pivot 44 located on this wall in plane d at the chamber end opposite the exit aperture. Hence, the fulcrums provided by both the pivot and hinge are sufficiently spaced from the spreader gap and sufficiently close to the axis b such that a line passed between either fulcrum and the gap center will form only a small angle to this axis. In a specific example, the outer surface of camera back was approximately )4: inch over the plane of the film just prior to its entering the gap, and the handle was positioned on the camera back such that its connection point was centered over the film center line (in plane d) and spaced approximately six inches from the gap plane (plane a). Hence, the pivot fulcrum was laterally aligned over the film center line while the line between the hinge fulcrum and the gap center formed an angle of less than 6 to the preferred axis b.

Of course, the force of gravity also operates on the camera and can cause some deviation from the ideal operation outline above; however, if the mass of the camera is small so as to provide low gravitational force as contrasted to the withdrawal force, or if the center of mass is positioned not far from the fulcrum spreader axis, in a plane parallel to plane 0, substantially ideal operation may be achieved. For example, satisfactory operation was achieved with the camera described above which weighed 3 lbs. and whose center of mass was located in a plane 2 inches forward (toward lens 14) of the film plane 0. In this example, the center of mass was slightly displaced (approximately k inch) from plane d, or that is, to one side of the longitudinal center line of the film; however, this is of little consequence since the handle maintains stability of the camera around the longitudinal axis.

The operation of the camera and handle system can also be discussed in terms of pitch, yaw and roll relative to the handle wherein: pitch is defined as rotational motion of the camera with respect to the handle around an axis (as axis parallel to axis f of FIG. 1) which is close to and parallel with the lateral bisecting plane (plane a') of the gap and approximately parallel to the plane (plane a) of the gap; yaw is rotational motion around an axis (axis e) which is close to and parallel with the longitudinal bisecting plane (plane c) of the gap and approximately parallel to the plane of the gap; and roll is rotation around an axis (axis b) lying in both the lateral and longitudinal bisecting planes. Consequently, the handle precludes roll of the camera relative to the handle while permitting pitch and yaw relative thereto.

Preferably, both pitch and yaw are permitted and roll precluded, however, since alignment of the camera with the existing film is of more importance in one plane than in another, the novel structure can produce satisfactory results in some cases with only one degree of rotational freedom. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, yaw of the camera is most highly desired. That is, since the extended lips of exit opening 30 support the film in plane at a point external of gap 28 and since the superposed film sheets have a given stiffness, any attempt to withdraw the film at a small angle to plane c is not exceptionally detrimental. This is also true in cameras having roller type Spreaders, etc. On the other hand, maintenance of the film laterally centered in the gap is usually vital. For example, the margin guides and the gap, which often varies in height at its lateral ends so as to control fluid flow over the film, require passage of the film substantially centrally therethrough. Additionally, as the film is withdrawn, the arms follow a natural are which can cause the film to be drawn at an acute angle to the lateral bisecting plane of the gap, thereby causing edge portions of the film to hang up on the margin guides or on the lateral edges of either the gap or the opening, which interrupts the smooth film withdrawal. Consequently, it is preferable that the camera be allowed to yaw so as to maintain direction of withdrawal at least coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the chamber or, that is, maintain it in the lateral bisecting plane of the gap. Similarly, in structures where pitch is more vital, only the latter need be allowed.

Since it is most desirable to closely align the lateral bisecting plane of the gap with the direction of withdrawal, the yaw axis is preferably disposed in this plane. On the other hand, since the longitudinal bisecting plane need not be as precisely aligned with the direction of withdrawal, the pitch axis is, for convenience of attachment, arranged in a plane close to and parallel to the longitudinal plane.

It should also be noted that while both the pitch and yaw axes should always be close to and parallel to the indicated longitudinal and lateral bisecting planes and spaced from the gap in a direction normal thereto, they need only be approximately parallel to the plane of the gap for proper operation; for example, if the axes are inclined 5 0r to the gap plane, suitable operation may still be achieved.

In this embodiment, the handle is an integral unit having a plurality of angular indents 68 which form weblike sections 70 so as to provide a living hinge 42. The web sections 70 are of sufficient length so as to maintain the torsional rigidity of shank 42 and are spaced from pivot 44 so as to be approximately centered over the end wall 72 of the film chamber such that the handle may be folded against this wall or rear wall 34 for storage or the like. Advantageously, the plurality of hingeforming webs 70 results in a proportionately larger bend radius and lower stress on each web than would be the case if only a single web were employed. Moreover, to provide the same flexibility as the multiple webs, a single web would necessarily be of thinner cross section and, hence, weaker.

As shown in FIG. 5, pivot shaft 46 is a cylindrical member extended laterally from coupling member 40 and is of smaller diameter than its adjoining portion which forms a peripheral flange-like area 74. Moreover, the shaft 46 comprises a plurality of axially extending fingers 76, which carry outwardly extending protuberances or lateral projections 78, and essentially forms a hollow, yieldable shaft having a stepped or indented outer perimeter. The projection of one finger, which in the illustrated embodiment is equal in arc length to two of the other fingers, is extended as a tongue which carries a plug 82 which is designed to closely fit the hollow shaft, and upon insertion therein, to prevent its deformation or contraction. A pair of projections 86, laterally extended from the plug, mate with internal recesses 88 of the shaft to provide plug-locking means. To facilitate insertion of the plug, the tongue also includes a living hinge 84 which permits the tongue to be folded back on itself. For assembly of the handle to the camera, the plug and tongue are passed through the opening 48 of the rear wall, followed by the shaft which is inserted by forcing the projections through the opening. This traps the cover 34 between flange portion 74 and the finger projections. Finally, the plug is seated within the open end of the shaft, thereby preventing its contraction which locks the handle to the cover.

Advantageously, the handle is self-extending in a direction opposite to the preferred direction of film withdrawal so that the operator is reminded of its intended function. That is, the handle is invitingly extended, approximately along longitudinal axis b, at that edge of the film chamber which would most naturally be held during film withdrawal. This is accomplished by restraining or limiting the desired freedom of motion of the handle. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the hinge 32 is an elastic member which, while permitting flexing of the handle, tends to retain the handle generally aligned with the rear wall of the film chamber, and the pivot 46 cooperates with pivot stops which restrict its rotation to approximately l20 whereby, the handle cannot be rotated into position over the chamber. In this embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the pivot stops are provided by a recess 90 of the inner surface of rear wall 34 which accepts tongue 80 and limits its movement. That is, the tongue recess is made to exceed the tongue width by an amount sufficient to permit limited rotation of the pivot. For proper orientation of the handle, the tongue and recess are referenced to the handle and camera, respectively. That is, the tongue is extended parallel with the longitudinal center line of shank 38 and the recess is centered over axis b such that, while the handle may be folded against the camera, it tends to remain extended therefrom along an axis approximately parallel to axis b or that is, at a small angle to the latter axis. Other means of restraining the handle motion for providing self-extension are also possible. For example, instead of a recess, the inner surface of the rear wall may include extended stop members to engage the tongue. Additionally, pivot shaft 46 or its flange 74, etc., may include a projection which mates with a recess of camera.

Certain dimensions have been indicated on FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 in order to impart a full understanding of the present invention. However, it is to be expressly understood that these dimensions are exemplary only and are not to be interpreted as restricting the scope of this invention in any manner.

Advantageously, other handle arrangements which preclude rotation around the given axis while permitting other degrees or rotational freedom are possible. For example, instead of a hinge or pivot, the handle may be a flexible but torsion-resistant structure, that is capable of bending or flexing in the desired directions but resisting twisting around its longitudinal center line. Moreover, the handle may take a variety of forms; for example, the coupling member may be a yoke-like arrangement which is pivoted at the open ends of the yoke to the side walls of the film chamber (e.g., in plane c) and at its center to the handle body. Furthermore, triangular or L- shaped handles or the like may be suitable.

Those familiar with self-developing cameras will readily appreciate the novel and highly unique advantages of this invention wherein a simple, inexpensive camera handle is provided which facilitates proper film withdrawal while maintaining camera stability.

This invention may be practiced or embodied in still other ways without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The preferred embodiment described therein is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and all variations which come within the meaning of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

l. A self-developing camera system effective for spreading a processing fluid over a sheet of photographic material as such sheet of material is withdrawn therefrom responsive to a pulling force being exerted on such sheet of material and a restraining force being applied to such camera system, comprising:

a housing adapted to receiving such sheet material and including means defining an opening at one end thereof for withdrawal of such sheet material; and

holding means located at the other end of said housing and connected thereto at a point spaced from said opening and positioned close to a longitudinal axis of said housing which passes through said opening for precluding rotational motion of said housing relative to said holding means around said longitudinal axis while permitting other rotational degrees of freedom of said housing relative to said holding means.

2. The camera system of claim 1 wherein said holding means permits relative pivotal motion of said housing around at least one axis approximately normal to said longitudinal axis.

3. The camera system of claim 1 wherein said holding means is a torsion-resistant handle connected to said housing by means permitting pivotal motion thereof with respect to said handle only around axes approximately normal to said longitudinal axis.

4. The camera system of claim 1 including complimentary means in said housing and said holding means for limiting the relative motion between said housing and said holding means so as to inherently extend said holding means from said housing in a position suitable for holding during film withdrawal.

5. The camera system of claim 1 wherein said holding means permits two degrees of rotational freedom of said housmg.

6. The camera system of claim 1 wherein said holding means includes a substantially torsion-resistant body having a hand grip at one end and affixed at the other end to said housing by a pivot shaft providing a first pivot axis approximately normal to said longitudinal axis, and said handle body including a portion intermediate said hand grip and said pivot shaft for providing another pivot axis approximately normal to said firs t pivot axis.

7. The camera system of claim 1 wherein said housing includes sheet contacting surfaces defining a gap lying in a given plane, and said longitudinal axis is substantially normal to said plane and passes through said gap and said opening.

8. The camera system of claim 7 wherein said holding means permits relative motion of said housing around an axis lying close to and substantially parallel to a plane normal to the plane of said gap and laterally bisecting said gap.

9. The camera system of claim 7 wherein said holding means permits relative motion of said housing thereto around an axis substantially parallel to the plane of said gap and close to and substantially parallel with a plane normal to the plane of said gap and laterally or longitudinally bisecting said gap.

10. The camera system of claim 7 wherein said holding means is a torsion-resistant handle pivotally affixed at one end to said housing by means located thereon in a plane normal to the plane of said gap and laterally bisecting said gap.

11. The camera system of claim 7 wherein said holding means is a handle having a torsion-resistant body affixed to said housing by means providing a fulcrum for relative motion between said housing and said handle body around an axis approximately normal to said longitudinal axis, and said fulcrum spaced sufficiently close to said longitudinal axis and sufficiently far from the plane of said gap such that the line extending between said fulcrum and the center of said gap forms a small angle to said longitudinal axis,

12. The camera system of claim 7 including means for aligning sections of such film material immediately in advance of said gap such that the longitudinal center line of said sections is disposed coplanar with said longitudinal axis.

13. The camera system of claim 1 wherein said holding means includes an elongated shank member of substantially rigid material having a grip member extending laterally at one end thereof and a pivot arm extending laterally at the other end thereof for connection to said housing.

14. The camera system of claim 13 including stop means for limiting the rotation of said pivot arm to an acute angle with respect to said longitudinal axis so as to maintain said handle in extended relation to the camera body.

15. The camera system of claim 13 including a hinge intermediate said grip member and said pivot arm and disposed across said shank member for providing a hinge axis substantially normal to the pivot axis of said arm.

16. The camera of claim 15 wherein said shank includes a living hinge for permitting pivotal motion of said housing around an axis approximately normal to the axis of said pivot arm.

17. The camera of claim 15 wherein said pivot arm is located on said housing close to an end wall thereof, and said hinge is disposed between said pivot arm and said crossbar and is approximately positioned over said end wall such that the handle body may be folded flat against said end wall.

18. A photographic apparatus effective for spreading a processing fluid over a sheet of photographic material as such sheet of material is withdrawn therefrom responsive to a pulling force being exerted on such sheet of material and a restraining force being applied to such apparatus system, comprising:

first means for forming a chamber adapted to receive such sheet of material having an exit opening at one end thereof and for forming a pair of sheet-contacting surfaces defining an elongated pressure-generating gap lying in a given plane, said sheet-contacting surfaces being adapted to effect the spreading of such fluid over such sheet of material as it is manually withdrawn from said chamber through said gap; and

second means, connected to said first means in spaced apart relationship to said pressure-generating gap and adapted to be held in an operator's one hand as such pulling force is exerted on such sheet of material, for permitting said first means to automatically orient itself with respect to the direction in which said pulling force is exerted thereon so as to substantially eliminate any deviation between said direction and a line normal to said given plane and passing through the center point of said pressure-generating gap, in at least either a first plane which includes said line and substantially bisects said pressuregenerating gap extending lengthwise of said gap or a second plane perpendicular thereto which includes said line and laterally bisects said gap while tending to restrain any rotational movement of said first means around said line.

19. The camera of claim 18 wherein said second means includes a handle having a hand grip portion of substantially rigid material extending laterally at one end of a substantially torsion-resistant body portion, said body portion connected at its other end to said first means by means solely permitting ivotal motion of said first means with respect to said hand grip around axes close to and approximately parallel with said first and second planes.

20. A handle for alignment of a hand-held photographic apparatus during processing of a photographic film material by manual withdrawal of such material from an opening of the apparatus housing, said handle comprising a torsion-resistant member having a hand grip at one end and a coupling means at the other end for attachment to such housing so as to provide a fulcrum operating along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of such housing which passes through said opening for precluding rotation of such housing relative to said hand grip around said longitudinal axis while permitting other rotational degrees of freedom of such housing.

21. The handle of claim 20 wherein said coupling means includes a first pivot means at one end thereof for permitting pivotal motion of said torsion-resistant member relative to said coupling member around an axis approximately normal to the longitudinal axis of said torsion-resistant member, and said coupling means includes a second pivot means at the other end thereof for permitting pivotal motion of such apparatus housing around an axis approximately normal to both said first pivot axis and said longitudinal axis of said member.

22. The handle of claim 20 wherein said coupling means includes means for releasably attaching said handle to such housing for pivotal motion thereof.

23. A handle configured for attachment to a camera which includes a wall portion having an orifice therethrough for facilitating said attachment, said handle comprising:

a body;

a shaft joined at one end to said body and configured for insertion of its other end in such orifice;

a shaft locking member configured for passage through such orifice and for locking engagement with said other end of said shaft following its insertion in such orifice for precluding withdrawal thereof; and

a coupling member integral with said shaft member and extending from said other end thereof, said coupling member configured for passage through such orifice, said coupling member carrying said shaft locking member at its distal end, and said coupling member configured for folding back on itself so as to permit locking engagement of said locking member with said other end of said shaft.

24. A handle adapted for self-locking attachment to a camera, said handle comprising, a body portion having a shaft member extending therefrom and adapted to be inserted within a wall opening of such camera for attachment thereto, said shaft including at its extended end a tongue including means for engaging said shaft, said tongue configured to be inserted in said wall opening and folded back on itself to engage said extended end of said shaft so as to retain said shaft in said wall opening, and said tongue is adapted in its folded condition to be laterally extended from said shaft for cooperation with stop means of such camera for limiting the angular rotation of said shaft in said opening.

25. A handle adapted for self-locking attachment to a camera, said handle comprising, a body portion having a shaft member extending therefrom and adapted to be inserted within a wall opening of such camera for attachment thereto, said shaft including at its extended end a hollow yieldable portion and a tongue configured for insertion in said wall opening, said tongue including a plug member insertable in said hollow portion and configured for folding back on itself for insertion of said plug member in said hollow portion for retaining of said shaft in said wall opening.

26. The handle of claim 25 wherein said hollow, yieldable portion includes at its distal end a portion of larger diameter than said opening, and said plug is closely fitted to said hollow portion such that upon insertion therein, said plug prevents contraction of said hollow portion and removal of said shaft from said 0 ening.

27. The iiandle of claim 25 wherein said hollow, yieldable portion is provided by axially extending fingers of said shaft, and said fingers including laterally disposed outwardly extended projections 'at the distal end of said shaft forming an outer diameter larger than said opening.

28. The handle of claim 27 wherein the projection of at least one of said fingers is laterally extended to provide said tongue.

Claims

1. A self-developing camera system effective for spreading a processing fluid over a sheet of photographic material as such sheet of material is withdrawn therefrom responsive to a pulling force being exerted on such sheet of material and a restraining force being applied to such camera system, comprising: a housing adapted to receiving such sheet material and including means defining an opening at one end thereof for withdrawal of such sheet material; and holding means located at the other end of said housing and connected thereto at a point spaced from said opening and positioned close to a longitudinal axis of said housing which passes through said opening for precluding rotational motion of said housing relative to said holding means around said longitudinal axis while permitting other rotational degrees of freedom of said housing relative to said holding means.

5. The camera system of claim 1 wherein said holding means permits two degrees of rotational freedom of said housing.

11. The camera system of claim 7 wherein said holding means is a handle having a torsion-resistant body affixed to said housing by means providing a fulcrum for relative motion between said housing and said handle body around an axis approximately normal to said longitudinal axis, and said fulcrum spaced sufficiently close to said longitudinal axis and sufficiently far from the plaNe of said gap such that the line extending between said fulcrum and the center of said gap forms a small angle to said longitudinal axis.

18. A photographic apparatus effective for spreading a processing fluid over a sheet of photographic material as such sheet of material is withdrawn therefrom responsive to a pulling force being exerted on such sheet of material and a restraining force being applied to such apparatus system, comprising: first means for forming a chamber adapted to receive such sheet of material having an exit opening at one end thereof and for forming a pair of sheet-contacting surfaces defining an elongated pressure-generating gap lying in a given plane, said sheet-contacting surfaces being adapted to effect the spreading of such fluid over such sheet of material as it is manually withdrawn from said chamber through said gap; and second means, connected to said first means in spaced apart relationship to said pressure-generating gap and adapted to be held in an operator''s one hand as such pulling force is exerted on such sheet of material, for permitting said first means to automatically orient itself with respect to the direction in which said pulling force is exerted thereon so as to substantially eliminate any deviation between said direction and a line normal to said given plane and passing through the center point of said pressure-generating gap, in at least either a first plane which includes said line and substantially bisects said pressure-generating gap extending lengthwise of said gap or a second plane perpendicular thereto which includes said line and laterally bisects said gap while tending to restrain any rotational movement of said first means around said line.

19. The camera of claim 18 wherein said second means includes a handle having a hand grip portion of substantially rigid material extending laterally at one end of a substantially torsion-resistant body portion, said body portion connected at its other end to said first means by means solely permitting pivotal motion of said first means with respect to said hand grip around axes close to and approximately parallel with said first and second planes.

23. A handle configured for attachment to a camera which includes a wall portion having an orifice therethrough for facilitating said attachment, said handle comprising: a body; a shaft joined at one end to said body and configured for insertion of its other end in such orifice; a shaft locking member configured for passage through such orifice and for locking engagement with said other end of said shaft following its insertion in such orifice for precluding withdrawal thereof; and a coupling member integral with said shaft member and extending from said other end thereof, said coupling member configured for passage through such orifice, said coupling member carrying said shaft locking member at its distal end, and said coupling member configured for folding back on itself so as to permit locking engagement of said locking member with said other end of said shaft.

26. The handle of claim 25 wherein said hollow, yieldable portion includes at its distal end a portion of larger diameter than said opening, and said plug is closely fitted to said hollow portion such that upon insertion therein, said plug prevents contraction of said hollow portion and removal of said shaft from said opening.

27. The handle of claim 25 wherein said hollow, yieldable portion is provided by axially extending fingers of said shaft, and said fingers including laterally disposed outwardly extended projections at the distal end of said shaft forming an outer diameter larger than said opening.