Kenneth R Thomson

US Patent:

42419867, Dec 30, 1980

Filed:

Aug 10, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/065471

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Thomson - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G03B 1704

US Classification:

354193

Abstract:

An improved folding camera includes a housing for supporting photographic film, a lens assembly covering door and a lens assembly supporting member. Both the door and the member are pivotally coupled to the housing and a link rod is pivotally coupled to both the door and the member. The coupling between the link rod and the member comprises an overcenter joint. This joint assumes an approximately center position when the lens assembly covering door is raised from a home position to a temporary position and moves to either side of the center position in response to return movement of the door to its home position. The particular side of center to which the joint moves is determined by the orientation of the camera relative to gravity. Since the member moves in response to movement of the overcenter joint the member may be pivoted towards or away from the housing when the overcenter joint moves from its center position. The camera may thus be either erected or folded by the same rocking movement of the lens assembly covering door.