Film transporting mechanism for still cameras

Abstract

A film transporting mechanism for use in still cameras wherein a lever or wheel constitutes the input member of a planetary transmission. The sun gear or planet carrier of the transmission is held against rotation by a film scanning device during a first stage of rotation of the input member from its starting position to a fixed end position and while the input member rotates a spur gear or an internal gear by way of one or more planet pinions whereby the spur gear or internal gear rotates the takeup reel in a direction to collect the film. When the transport of film by the length of a frame is completed, the scanning device releases the sun gear or the planet carrier and arrests the spur gear or internal gear to thus terminate the transport of film while the input member continues to rotate toward its fixed end position and drives the sun gear or planet carrier. This enables the input member or a part which derives motion therefrom to perform one or more additional functions, such as the indexing of a multiple flash lamp holder and/or the cocking of a shutter or impeller, subsequent to completion of film transport by the length of a frame. The extent of movement of the input member from its starting to its fixed end position is independent of the angle through which the takeup reel must be rotated in order to advance the film by the length of a frame.

I claim: .[. 
     
       1.  In a photographic apparatus for use with roll film which is collected by a rotary takeup member during forward transport to place successive film frames into a position for exposure to scene light, a combination comprising transmission means including input means movable from a starting position to an end position, first output means receiving motion from said input means to rotate the takeup member during a first stage of movement of said input means to said end position, and second output means receiving motion from said input means during a second stage of movement of said input means to said end position, one of said stages preceding the other of said stages; first arresting means arranged to effect a termination of movement of said first output means in response to completion of film transport by the length of a frame so that said input means is free to move relative to said first output means during said second stage of movement to said end position; and second arresting means for holding said second output means against movement during said first stage of movement of said input means..]. .[. 
     
     
       2.  A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said first arresting means comprises a scanning device which is arranged to track the film and said second arresting means comprises a locking portion which is moved by said scanning device in response to completed film transport by the length of the frame from a first position in which said locking portion blocks said second output means to a second position in which said locking portion permits said second output means to move in response to movement of said input means..]. 
     
     
       3. A combination as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.17.Iaddend., wherein said first stage precedes said second stage of movement of said input means to said end position so that the movement of said first output means precedes the movement of said second output means in response to movement of said input means from said starting to said end position thereof. 
     
     
       4. A combination as defined in claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.16.Iaddend., wherein said second output means comprises a toothed rotary member and said locking portion engages with the teeth of said toothed rotary member during said first stage of movement of said input means. 
     
     
       5. A combination as defined in claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.16.Iaddend., wherein the film is provided with a row of perforations, one for each film frame, and said scanning device comprises follower means arranged to track the film during said first stage of movement of said input means and to enter an oncoming perforation of the film to thus complete said first stage and to simultaneously effect the movement of said locking portion from said first to said second position. 
     
     
       6. A combination as defined in claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.16, .Iaddend.wherein said locking portion is movable relative to said scanning device and comprises follower means tracking said scanning device, said scanning device comprising means for moving said locking portion from said first to said second position in response to completed transport of film by the length of a frame. 
     
     
       7. A combination as defined in claim .[.6.]. .Iadd.16.Iaddend., wherein said first arresting means further comprises first biasing means for urging said scanning device into engagement with the film and said second arresting means further comprises second biasing means for urging said locking portion toward engagement with said second output means. 
     
     
       8. A combination as defined in claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.7.Iaddend., wherein said first biasing means comprises a first resilient element which biases said scanning device against the film with a relatively large first force and said second biasing means comprises a second resilient element which urges said locking portion toward engagement with said second output means with a relatively small second force. 
     
     
       9. A combination as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.17.Iaddend., wherein said first and second output means are rotatable relative to each other and said transmission means further comprises a step-down gearing interposed between said output means to enable said first arresting means to hold said first output means against rotation with said second output means with a relatively small force. 
     
     
       10. A combination as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.16.Iaddend., wherein said transmission means is a planetary transmission and said output means are coaxial gears, said transmission means further comprising at least one planet pinion mating with said gears and a planet carrier for said pinion. 
     
     
       11. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said second output means is the sun gear of said planetary transmission and comprises a ratchet wheel which is engaged by said locking portion in the first position of said locking portion. 
     
     
       12. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said second output means is said planet carrier. 
     
     
       13. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said planetary transmission includes a gear cluster having a first pinion mating with one of said coaxial gears and a second pinion mating with the other of said coaxial gears. 
     
     
       14. A combination as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.17.Iaddend., further comprising coupling means interposed between said first output means and the takeup member. 
     
     
       15. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said planet carrier is rigid with said input means. .Iadd. 16. In a photographic apparatus for use with roll film which is collected by a rotary takeup member during forward transport to place successive film frames into a position for exposure to scene light, a combination comprising transmission means including input means movable from a starting position to an end position, first output means receiving motion from said input means to rotate the takeup member during a first stage of movement of said input means to said end position, and second output means receiving motion from said input means during a second stage of movement of said input means to said end position, one of said stages preceding the other of said stages; first arresting means including a scanning device which is arranged to track the film and to effect a termination of movement of said first output means in response to completion of film transport by the length of a frame so that said input means is free to move relative to said first output means during said second stage of movement to said end position; and second arresting means for holding said second output means against movement during said first stage of movement of said input means, including a locking portion which is moved by said scanning device in response to completed film transport by the length of the frame from a first position in which said locking portion blocks said second output means to a second position in which said locking portion permits said second output means to move in response to movement of said input means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. In a photographic apparatus for use with roll film which is collected by a rotary takeup member during forward transport of the film in exact length segments so as to place successive film frames into a position for exposure to scene light, a combination comprising transmission means including input means movable from a starting position to an end position, first output means receiving motion from said input means to rotate the takeup member only during a first stage of movement of said input means to said end position, and second output means receiving motion from said input means only during a second stage of movement of said input means to said end position, one of said stages preceding the other of said stages; first arresting means arranged to immediately effect a termination of movement of said first output means in response to completion of film transport by the exact length of a film frame so that said input means is free to move relative to said first output means during said second stage of movement to said end position; and second arresting means for holding said second output means against movement during said first stage of movement of said input means. .Iaddend.