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Description  |
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The present invention relates to a camera and, more particularly, to a grip
means for an auto-process camera having provided therein a drive means for
effecting developing and processing of diffusion type film units each
including a photosensitive sheet which has been exposed to image light in
the camera, and for directing processed film units to the exterior of the
camera.
Conventionally, there is known a photographic process, frequently referred
to as `auto-process`, according to which film is provided not in roll form
but in the form of individual units each of which comprises at least a
negative image layer and a transfer image layer and has associated
therewith processing solution contained in breakable pods, which are
usually embedded in an edge portion of the film unit. The negative image
layer is exposable to form a negative or latent image of an object, and a
corresponding, viewable image may be formed on the transfer image layer
under the influence of the processing solution, which is extruded from the
pods and spread through the film unit under the action of pressure means
between which the film unit is passed subsequent to exposure, which
pressure means are conveniently provided, for example, as a pair of
processing rolls mounted inside the associated auto-process camera for
also acting to move the film unit to the exterior of the camera, whereby a
finished photographic print may be made available to a photographer in a
very short time after a film unit is exposed, without it being necessary
for the photographer to proceed to a separate, specially equipped location
for development and processing of film.
For driving such processing rolls, however, considerably a large drive
output is necessary. The drive output may be supplied by an electric motor
or a coil-spring motor means, either of which is required to be larger in
size than motor means provided in a so-called 8 millimeter cinecamera or
the like, for example, and presents problems with respect to location
thereof within a camera.
In addition to this, the camera body must be made large because of
characteristics of film units employed, and the manner in which the camera
is held during taking of a photograph is different from that employed for
normal, smaller-type cameras, and it has been a desideratum to make it
possible for a photographer to be able to firmly grip an auto-process
camera and while thus holding the camera, to be able to actuate the camera
without difficulty. A particular requirement of auto-process camera
construction is that it be possible to support the camera without risk of
the hand or hands obstructing a processed film unit which is automatically
ejected from the camera subsequent to taking of a photograph.
Accordingly, an essential object of the present invention is to provide
grip means for an auto-process camera which simultaneously resolves
constructional problems relating to camera support and problems of
location of motor means.
Another important object of the present invention is to provide grip means
of the above described type which permits holding of a side portion of the
camera and may be firmly gripped with the right hand, for example, thereby
leaving the left hand free to perform focussing or other camera operations
and which comprises a mount portion accommodating motor means, such as an
electric motor for example, for actuation of drive means in the camera,
and a main portion accommodating means for supply of power to the motor
means.
A further object of the present invention is to provide grip means of the
above described type which is provided with a shutter button that may be
depressed by the thumb or index finger of the hand holding the grips means
and which, when so depressed, causes the drive means to be actuated by the
motor means.
There is provided according to the invention a grip means comprising a base
tube portion which is fixed to a side of a camera, at approximately
right-angles thereto, and a main tube portion which is aligned at
approximately right-angles to, and is in integral connection to the other
end of the base tube portion, and is shaped to permit easy gripping
thereof in the hand, the grip means having the approximate shape of the
letter T. Inside the base tube portion, there is provided motor means,
such as an electric motor, etc., which connects to a gear of and may
actuate a drive means mounted inside the camera body, while the main tube
portion accommodates batteries or other power supply means.
The abovementioned further object of the invention is achieved by the
provision on the grip means, for example on an upper portion of the main
tube portion, of a shutter button, which when depressed causes the power
supply means to be connected to the motor means.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the
preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera in illustration of a grip means
according to one embodiment of the invention, and
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of main internal elements of the grip means
of FIG. 1.
Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it is to be noted
that like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the
accompanying drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is schematically shown an auto-process camera 1
comprising a lens 2 supported in a lens mount 3 whose base portion is
mounted on the front wall of the camera main body 4 of box-like
configuration. To a generally central portion of one side wall of the
camera main body 4, which is the left-hand side wall 4a thereof as seen in
the drawing, there is fixed a grip means 5 according to the invention.
The grip means 5 comprises a base tube portion 6 which extends at
approximately right-angles to, and has one end in integral attachment to a
generally central portion of the side wall 4a, and a grip tube portion 7
which is integrally attached to the opposite end of, and is aligned at
approximately right-angles to the base tube portion 6. The grip tube
portion 7 is thus approximately parallel to the side wall 4a and
externally the grip means 5 has the general shape of the letter T.
The grip tube portion 7 is of convenient shape and size to permit firm
gripping or support thereof with the hand. Extending approximately
vertically upwards from the junction of the base tube portion 6 and the
grip tube portion 7, there is a small diameter tube portion 8 which is in
integral attachment to the side surface 7a of the grip tube portion 7
facing the camera main body, and at the top of which there is mounted a
projecting shutter button 9.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the space defined by the base tube portion 6, there
is accommodated an electric motor 11 whose axis is disposed at
right-angles to the camera side wall 4a, and which is for actuation of a
motor-drive means provided in the camera. The terminal portion of the
output shaft 11a of the motor 11 is supported in such a manner that it
extends into the camera main body, and has mounted thereon a drive gear
12. The drive gear 12 engages a transmission gear 13 which constitutes
part of the camera motor-drive means MD, which is not shown in detail in
the drawing.
When actuated by the motor 11, the motor-drive means MD causes a film unit,
not shown, which includes a photosensitive layer that has been exposed, to
be moved into engagement with a pair of processing rolls 14, which are
provided in a lower portion of the camera main body, and which, while the
film unit is passed therebetween, apply pressure to break open processing
solution pods associated with the film unit, and to spread processing
solution in a layer throughout the film unit, the film unit being moved
downwards as indicated by the arrow A in the drawing, and the processed
film unit being subsequently moved by the drive means MD to the exterior
of the camera, through an exit, not shown, in the camera bottom wall.
A predetermined number of batteries 15 constituting a power supply are
housed in the space defined inside the grip tube portion 7 of the grip
means 5. Upon depression of the shutter button 9, the main switch of an
electronic control circuit, not shown, which is provided in the camera
main body 4 and controls action of the motor-drive means MD, is closed,
and electrical power is supplied from the batteries 15, and the motor 11
is started, at a command signal given by the electronic control circuit.
As shown in FIG. 1, on top of the grip tube portion 7, there may be
provided a knob-fitted cover 10, which is openable and closeable, and
which may be opened to permit exchange of the batteries 15.
Still referring to FIG. 1, the grip means 5 can be firmly held in the right
hand of a photographer not shown, and thus permits support of the camera
1. The photographer may therefore use his or her left hand to turn the
focus adjustment gear 17 provided on the lens mount 3 adjacent to the lens
2, in order to focus the camera while looking through the camera
viewfinder 16 provided on the upper portion of the camera main body 4, and
then depress the shutter button 9 with the thumb or index finger of the
right hand. A set time after depression of the shutter button 9, the
motor-drive means MD is actuated, and a processed film unit is fed out
through the bottom of the camera main body 4, the film unit being moved
out of the camera by the processing rolls 14 without any hindrance
whatsoever by the photographer's hands. The terminal end portion of the
film unit is held in the bottom of the camera to prevent the film unit
from falling, after which it is simply necessary to withdraw the film
unit, which may be done with the left hand.
As described above, according to the present invention motor means for
actuation of motor-drive means of an auto-process camera and batteries or
other power supply means are housed within a grip means having a base
portion fixedly attached to a side portion of the camera main body.
According to the invention, since it is possible to support an auto-process
camera with one hand, the other hand is free to adjust focus or effect
other camera operations. Also, since the camera may be held securely and
steadily, problems of shaking, or blurr, etc., may be avoided.
By housing motor means for actuation of a drive means in spare space inside
a grip means base portion, mounting of the motor-drive means in the actual
camera body is made easier, and provision of batteries in the held portion
of the grip means facilitates replacement of the batteries. Alternatively,
the grip means may house a means for conversion of an external alternating
current power supply to direct current, and so may be used in association
with a camera using AC power supply.
Furthermore, because the grip means of the invention is fixed to a side
wall of a camera, there is no obstruction to exit of film units, if film
units are ejected through the bottom of the camera.
The invention also contributes to simplifying actions necessary for taking
photographs with these types of auto-process camera since the camera
shutter button may be mounted on the grip means and depressed by the thumb
or index finger of the hand holding the grip means.
Needless to say, although the motor means in the embodiment above was
described as an electric motor, it is equally possible to employ a
conventionally known coil-spring means. In this case the coil-spring
container may be contained in the grip means base portion 6, and to effect
wind-up of the coil-spring, there may be provided a construction whereby
the tube portion 7 may be grasped and the whole tube portion 7 may be
turned several times, with the base portion 6 acting as a pivot shaft, and
tighten the coil-spring while being turned. Thus, it is possible to locate
a coil-spring, which requires a comparatively large amount of space,
outside the main portion of a camera, and there is also the advantage that
the full strength of the wrist may be employed to wind up the coil-spring.
Gear trains, etc., for transmission of drive, at the output end of the
coil-spring shaft may be in a motor drive arrangement or have another
construction that is conventionally known.
Although the present invention has been fully described by way of example
with reference to the attached drawings, it is to be noted that various
changes and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart from the
scope of the present invention, they should be construed as included
therein.
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