Electrical contact arrangement for photographic camera with interchangeable lens

Abstract

A camera body having a camera body and an interchangeable lens engageable with the camera body has an improved contact arrangement between camera body and lens. A lens mount has a first flat surface, a camera mount engages a lens mount to join the lens to the camera body, and the camera mount has a second flat surface abutting the first flat surface when the lens mount engages the camera mount. One or more first electrical contacts in the lens mount are movable normal to the first surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the first surface and an extended position projecting from the first surface. A spring urges the one or more first contacts toward the extended position. One or more stationary second electrical contacts in the camera mount open toward the second surface without protruding therefrom in alignment with the respective one or more first contacts when the lens mount engages the camera mount so the one or more first contacts normally bear against the respective one or more second contacts. A manually actuated device retracts the one or more first contacts into a position spaced from the respective one or more second contacts. The lens mount and the camera mount are electrically conductive so the manually actuated device connects and disconnects the one or more first contacts electrically to and from the lens mount to make and break electrical contact between the one or more second contacts and the mounts.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a camera having a camera body and an interchangeable lens engageable with the camera body, the improvement comprising: a lens mount having a first flat surface;   a camera mount engaging the lens mount to join the lens to the camera body, the camera mount having a second flat surface abutting the first flat surface when the lens mount engages the camera mount;   .[.one or more.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.first electrical .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.in the lens mount movable normal to the first surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the first surface and an extended position projecting from the first surface;   spring means for urging the .[.one or more.]. first .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.toward the extended position;   .[.one or more.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.stationary second electrical .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.in the camera mount opening toward the second surface without protruding therefrom in alignment with the .[.respective one or more.]. first .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.when the lens mount engages the camera mount so the .[.one or more.]. first .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.normally .[.bear.]. .Iadd.bears .Iaddend.against the .[.respective one or more.]. second .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact.Iaddend.; .[.and.].   means for manually retracting the .[.one or more.]. first .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.into a position spaced from the .[.respective one or more.]. second .[.contacts..]. .Iadd.contact;   a plurality of third contacts in the camera mount movable normal to the second surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the second surface and an extended position projecting from the second surface;   spring means for urging the third contacts toward the extended position; and   one or more stationary insulative regions in the lens mount opening toward the first surface without protruding therefrom in alignment with one or more of the third contacts so said one or more third contacts contact the respective one or more insulative regions when the lens mount engages the camera mount. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       2. The improvement of claim 1, in which the lens mount and the camera mount are electrically conductive, the .[.one or more.]. first .[.contacts are.]. .Iadd.contact is .Iaddend.electrically connected to the lens mount, and the .[.one or more.]. second .[.contacts are.]. .Iadd.contact is .Iaddend.electrically insulated from the camera mount, thereby making electrical contact between the .[.one or more.]. second .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.and the mounts only when the .[.respective one or more.]. first .[.contacts abut.]. .Iadd.contact abuts .Iaddend.the .[.one or more.]. second .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       3. The improvement of claim 2, in which the lens has a diaphragm operating ring rotatable from a manual position to an automatic exposure position and the retracting means comprises .[.one or more.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.switch .[.plates for the respective one or more first contacts, each switch plate.]. .Iadd.plate .Iaddend.having an angled leg movable between first and second positions, the switch plate retracting the first contact in the first position and releasing the first contact in the second position, and means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for moving the angled leg into the first position when the diaphragm operating ring is in one position and moving the angled leg to the second position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the other position. 
     
     
       4. The improvement of claim 2, in which the lens has a diaphragm operating ring rotatable from a manual position to an automatic exposure position and the retracting means comprises .[.one or more.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.switch .[.plates for the respective one or more first contacts, each switch plate.]. .Iadd.plate .Iaddend.having an angled leg movable between first and second positions, the switch plate retracting the first contact in the first position and releasing the first contact in the second position, and means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for moving the angled leg into the first position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the automatic position and moving the angled leg to the second position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the manual position. .[. 
     
     
       5.  The improvement of claim 1, additionally comprising a plurality of third contacts in the camera mount movable normal to the second surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the second surface and an extended position projecting from the second surface, spring means for urging the third contacts toward the extended position, and a plurality of stationary pins in the lens mount opening toward the first surface without protruding therefrom in alignment with the respective third contacts so the third contacts bear against the respective pins when the lines mount engages the camera mount, selective ones of the pins being conductive and the remainder of the pins being insulative..]. 
     
     
       6. The improvement of claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., in which the mounts are electrically conductive, the third .[.conductors.]. .Iadd.contacts .Iaddend.are insulated from the camera mount, and the .Iadd.insulative regions are insulative .Iaddend.pins .[.are electrically connected to.]. .Iadd.imbedded in .Iaddend.the lens mount. 
     
     
       7. In a camera having a camera body and in interchangeable lens engageable with the camera body, the improvement comprising: .[.an electrically conductive.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.lens mount having a first flat surface;   an electrically conductive camera mount engaging the lens mount to join the lens to the camera body, the camera mount having a second flat surface abutting the first flat surface when the lens mount engages the camera mount;   .[.one or more.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.first electrical .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.in the lens mount movable normal to the .Iadd.first .Iaddend.surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the first surface and an extended position projecting from the first surface;   spring means for urging the .[.one or more.]. first .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.toward the extended position;   .[.one or more.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.stationary second electrical .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.in the camera mount .[.electrically connected to the camera mount.]., the .[.one or more.]. second .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.opening toward the second surface without .[.proturding.]. .Iadd.protruding .Iaddend.therefrom in alignment with the .[.respective one or more.]. first .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.when the lens mount engages the camera mount so the .[.one or more.]. first .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.normally .[.bear.]. .Iadd.bears .Iaddend.against the .[.respective one or more.]. second .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact.Iaddend.;   means for insulating the .[.one or more.]. second .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.from the camera mount;   means for .[.mutually.]. .Iadd.alternately .Iaddend.connecting and disconnecting the .[.one or more first contacts.]. .Iadd.second contact .Iaddend.electrically to and from the .[.lens.]. .Iadd.camera .Iaddend.mount .Iadd.through the first contact; .Iaddend..[.to make and break electrical contact between the one or more second contacts and the mounts..].   .Iadd.a plurality of third contacts in the camera mount movable normal to the second surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the second surface and an extended position projecting from the second surface; spring means for urging the third contacts toward the extended position; and one or more stationary insulative regions in the lens mount opening toward the first surface without protruding therefrom in alignment with one or more of the third contacts so the one or more third contacts bear against the respective one or more insulative regions when the lens mount engages the camera mount. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       8. The improvement of claim 7, in which the lens has the diaphragm operating ring rotatable from a manual position to an automatic exposure position and the connecting and disconnecting means comprises .[.one or more.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.switch .[.plates.]. .Iadd.plate .Iaddend.for the .[.respective one or more.]. first .[.contacts, each.]. .Iadd.contact, the .Iaddend.switch plate having an angled leg movable between first and second positions, the switch plate retracting the first contact in the first position and releasing the first contact in the second position .Iadd.to bear against the second contact.Iaddend., and means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for moving the angled leg into the first position when the diaphragm operating ring is in one position and moving the angled leg to the second position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the other position. 
     
     
       9. The improvement of claim 7, in which the lens has a diaphragm operating ring rotatable from a manual position to an automatic exposure position, .[.each.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.spring means .Iadd.for the first contact .Iaddend.comprising a flat spring connected at one end to the first contact and means for securing the spring midway between its ends .[.(.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.the spring being movable at its other end.Iadd., .Iaddend..[.).]. and the connecting and disconnecting means comprises a .Iadd.fourth .Iaddend.contact on the other end of the spring and means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for moving the .Iadd.fourth .Iaddend.contact between a position in which the .Iadd.fourth .Iaddend.contact abuts the lens mount and a position in which the .Iadd.fourth .Iaddend.contact is spaced from the lens mount. 
     
     
       10. The improvement of claim 9, in which the moving means comprises a relay ring attached to the diaphragm operating ring, the relay ring having a recess in which the .Iadd.fourth .Iaddend.contact lies when spaced from the lens mount and a protrusion that engages the .Iadd.fourth .Iaddend.contact when the fourth contact abuts the lens mount. .[.11. The improvement of claim 7, additionally comprising a plurality of third contacts in the camera mount movable normal to the second surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the second surface and an extended position projecting from the second surface, spring means for urging the third contacts toward the extended position, and a plurality of stationary pins in the lens mount opening toward the first surface without protruding therefrom the pins in alignment with the respective third contacts so the third contacts bear against the respective pins when the lens mount engages the camera mount, selective ones of the pins being 
     
     
        conductive and the remainder of the pins being insulative..]. 12. The improvement of claim 10, in which the .[.mounts are.]. .Iadd.lens mount is .Iaddend.electrically conductive, the third .[.conductors.]. .Iadd.contacts .Iaddend.are insulated from the camera mount, and the .Iadd.insulative regions are insulative .Iaddend.pins .[.are electrically 
     
     
        connected to.]. .Iadd.imbedded in .Iaddend.the lens mount. 13. Electrical contact arrangement in a lens interchangeable camera to transmit a specific diaphragm values and switching information of individual interchangeable lenses, said contact arrangement comprising electrical contacts arranged on mount surfaces of each lens and a camera body, respectively, wherein each of said mounts is made of an electrically conductive material; a first group of electrical contacts serving for transmission of the information concerning the specific diaphragm values are so arranged that, on the camera body, they are normally biased to project from the associated mount surface while, on the lens, they are fixed against projection from the associated mount surface; a .[.second group.]. .Iadd.pair .Iaddend.of electrical contacts serving for transmission of the switching information are so arranged that, on the camera body, .[.they are.]. .Iadd.one contact is .Iaddend.fixed against projection from the associated mount surface while, on the lens, .[.they are.]. .Iadd.the other contact is .Iaddend.normally biased to project from the associated mount surface .[.and conductively connected to the mount associated with the lens.].; and operation of a switching member causes an electrical circuit to be closed or opened through said .[.second group.]. 
     
     
        .Iadd.pair .Iaddend.of electrical contacts. 14. Electrical contact arrangement in a lens interchangeable camera to transmit specific diaphragm values and switching information of individual interchangeable lenses according to claim .[.12.]. .Iadd.13.Iaddend., wherein said .[.group.]. .Iadd.pair .Iaddend.of electrical contacts serving for transmission of the switching information are switched by operation by the switching member between its first position at which the .[.contacts.].ep .Iadd.contact .Iaddend.on the lens normally under biasing effect actually .[.project.]. .Iadd.projects .Iaddend.from the associated mount surface to close the circuit and its second position at which said .[.contacts retract.]. .Iadd.contacts retracts .Iaddend.again into said associated 
     
     
        mount surface to open the circuit. 15. Electrical contact arrangement in a lens interchangeable camera to transmit specific diaphragm values and switching information of individual interchangeable lenses according to claim .[.12.]. .Iadd.13.Iaddend., wherein said .[.group.]. .Iadd.pair .Iaddend.of electrical contacts serving for transmission of the switching information are insulated from the mount associated with the lens and switched by a contact spring between its first position at which these contacts close the circuit and its second position at which they open the 
     
     
        circuit. 16. Electrical contact arrangement in a lens interchangeable camera to transmit specific diaphragm values and switching information of individual interchangeable lenses according to claim .[.12.]. .Iadd.13.Iaddend., wherein the mount associated with the lens is provided with a stationary insulator with respect only to .Iadd.an .Iaddend.OFF-signal when said specific diaphragm values are to be digitally transmitted. .Iadd.17. An interchangeable lens engageable with a camera body comprising: a bayonet connection for engaging a camera body;   an annular lens mount having a flat surface surrounding the bayonet connection;   a first electrical contact in the lens mount movable normal to the flat surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the flat surface and an extended position projecting from the flat surface;   spring means for urging the first contact toward the extended position; and   one or more stationary insulative regions in the lens mount opening toward the flat surface without protruding therefrom, the location of the insulative regions being representative of specific diaphragm values. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The lens of claim 17, additionally comprising:   a diaphragm operating ring rotatable from a manual position to an automatic exposure position; a switch plate for the first contact, the switch plate having an angled leg movable between first and second positions, the switch plate retracting the first contact in the first position and releasing the first contact in the second position, and means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for moving the angled leg into the first position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the manual position and moving the angled leg to the second position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the automatic exposure position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The lens of claim 17, in which the spring means comprising a flat spring connected at one end to the first contact, the lens additionally comprising a diaphragm operating ring rotatable from a manual position to an automatic exposure position, an insulative sleeve around the first contact, means for securing the spring midway between its ends, a fourth contact on the other end of the spring, an means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for moving the fourth contact between a position in which the fourth contact bears against the lens mount and a position in which the fourth contact is retracted from the flat surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The lens of claim 23, in which the moving means comprises a relay ring attached to the diaphragm operating ring, the relay ring having a recess in which the fourth contact lies when retracted and a protrusion that engages the   
     
     
        fourth contact to urge it against the lens mount. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21.  The lens of claim 17, additionally comprising a lock groove form in the flat surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The lens of claim 17, in which the lens mount is electrically conductive and the insulative regions are insulative pins 
     
     
        embedded in the lens mount. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23.  An interchangeable lens engageable with a camera body comprising: a bayonet connection for engaging a camera body;   an annular lens mount having a flat surface surrounding the bayonet connection;   a first electrical contact in the lens mount movable normal to the flat surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the flat surface and an extended position projecting from the flat surface;   spring means for urging the first contact toward the extended position;   one or more stationary insulative regions in the lens mount opening toward the flat surface without protruding therefrom, the location of the insulative regions being representative of specific diaphragm values;   a diaphragm operating ring rotatable from a manual position to an automatic exposure position;   a switch plate for the first contact, the switch plate having an angled leg movable between first and second positions, the switch plate retracting the first contact in the first position and releasing the first contact in the second position; and   means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for moving the angled leg into the first position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the manual position and moving the angled leg into the second position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the automatic exposure position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. An interchangeable lens engageable with a camera body comprising:   a bayonet connection for engaging a camera body;   an annular lens mount having a flat surface surrounding the bayonet connection;   a first electrical contact in the lens mount movable normal to the flat surface between a retracted position approximately flush with the flat surface and an extended position projecting from the flat surface;   spring means comprising a flat spring connected at one end to the first contact for urging the first contact toward the extended position;   one or more stationary insulative regions in the lens mount opening toward the flat surface without protruding therefrom, the location of the insulative regions being representative of specific diaphragm values;   a diaphragm operating ring rotatable from a manual position to an automatic exposure position;   an insulative sleeve around the first contact;   means for securing the spring midway between its ends;   a fourth contact on the other end of the spring; and   means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for moving the fourth contact between a position in which the fourth contact bears against the lens mount and a position in which the fourth contact is spaced from the lens mount. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The lens of claim 17, additionally comprising means electrically connected to the first contact for indicating a first mode of camera operation, means electrically connected to the first contact for indicating a second mode of camera operation, and means for alternatively selecting the first mode or the second mode. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The lens of claim 17, additionally comprising a diaphragm operating ring rotatable from a manual position to an automatic exposure position, an electrically conductive switching member electrically connected to the first contact, means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for placing the switching member in a first position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the manual position, and means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for placing the switching member in a second position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the automatic exposure position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. The improvement of claim 1, in which the second contact is slightly depressed from the surface of the camera mount. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The improvement of claim 7, in which the second contact is slightly depressed from the surface of the camera   
     
     
        mount. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29.  Electrical contact arrangement in a lens interchangeable camera to transmit specific diaphragm values and switching information of individual interchangeable lenses according to claim 13, wherein the one contact of the pair of electrical contacts serving for transmission of the switching information is slightly depressed from the 
     
     
        surface of the mount on the camera body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30.  The lens of claim 17, in which the lens mount is electrically conductive, the lens additionally comprising: an insulative sleeve around the first contact to insulate the first contact from the lens mount;   a switching member movable between a first position representative of AUTO photograhing mode and a second position representative of MANUAL photographing mode; and   means for electrically connecting the contact to the lens mount in one position of the switching member and electrically disconnecting the contact from the lens mount in the other position of the switching member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The lens of claim 30, additionally comprising a diaphragm operating ring rotatable from a manual position to an automatic exposure position, means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for placing the switching member in the first position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the automatic exposure position, and means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for placing the switching member in the second position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the manual position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. The lens of claim 17, additionally comprising:   a switching member movable between a first position representative of AUTO photographing mode and a second position representative of MANUAL photographing mode;   means for retracting the first contact into the lens mount when the switching member is in one position; and   means for freeing the first contact to project from the lens mount when the   
     
     
        switching member is in the other position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33.  The lens of claim 32, in which the lens mount is electrically conductive, the lens additionally comprising means for electrically connecting the first contact to the lens mount. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The lens of claim 33, additionally comprising a diaphragm operating ring rotatable from a manual position to an automatic exposure position, means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for placing the switching member in the first position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the automatic exposure position, and means responsive to the diaphragm operating ring for placing the switching member in the second position when the diaphragm operating ring is in the manual position. .Iaddend.