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  Camera with film chamber for selective loading of film roll or cartridge and method of selective loadingUSPTO Application #: 20080050106Title: Camera with film chamber for selective loading of film roll or cartridge and method of selective loading Abstract: A camera assembly includes an endcap assembly for closing off the bottom end of a second film chamber, which is sized to selectively receive a roll of film or a secondary film cartridge housing a roll of film. The endcap assembly can include a movable shutter blade enclosed between two plates. The endcap assembly can be removably secured to the camera assembly. At least a portion of the endcap assembly can be formed with the camera assembly. Embodiments further relate to a method of loading such cameras, especially in the daylight. The method involves bringing a sleeve into light-tight engagement with the endcap assembly and then inserting a winding rod through the sleeve and the endcap assembly and into a second film chamber of the camera. The winding rod can then be used to wind film out of a cassette in the first chamber and into a roll in the second chamber. (end of abstract)
Agent: Akerman Senterfitt - West Palm Beach, FL, US Inventor: Yet Chan USPTO Applicaton #: 20080050106 - Class: 396006000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Photography, Disposable Or Recyclable Camera The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080050106. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/637,548, filed Dec. 12, 2006, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/815,266, filed Apr. 1, 2004. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] (Not Applicable) FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The invention relates in general to cameras and, more particularly, to a camera assembly configured to facilitate film loading and an associated film loading method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] In recent years, cameras known as disposable cameras, single-use cameras or lens-fitted photographic film packages have become increasingly popular. Such cameras are of relatively simple construction and are low cost. In addition, these types of cameras are usually pre-loaded with film by the manufacturer. In some cameras, the film can be arranged such that the film is unwound from a standard film cassette or cartridge during the assembly of the camera. Thus, as pictures are sequentially taken, the film can be wound back into the cassette by the user. When the user is finished with the film, the user can return the entire camera to a photo processor to have the film developed. With the empty cameras, the manufacturer can discard the camera in its entirety, reload the camera if it is still operational, or salvage individual components of the camera. Alternatively, the user can remove the exposed film from the camera and only take the film to a photo processor. In such case, the user can reload the camera with a new roll of film. [0005] One consideration with such cameras is the ease of loading of the film, particularly for those cameras in which the film must be wound out of a film cassette before use. In view of the low cost of the camera itself, costs associated with the manufacture and assembly of the camera are also important, including the cost of loading the film into the camera at the factory. It is highly desirable to utilize a method which is simple and cheap and yet reliable. It is also highly desirable if the camera is configured to facilitate reloading by an end user. [0006] Thus, there is a need for a camera assembly that can facilitate film loading by a manufacturer or a user. Further, there is a need for a method of loading such a film assembly. Further, there is a need for a loading method that can be performed in the daylight or under lighted conditions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] In one respect, embodiments of the invention relate to a camera including a main body, an endcap assembly and a back cover. The main body supports a taking lens and a closeable exposure aperture. Further, the main body defines a cartridge chamber and a film chamber disposed on opposite sides of the exposure aperture. The back cover operatively engages the main body to enclose the chambers light-tightly therein. [0008] The film chamber is defined at an upper end by an upper wall of the main body and at a lower end by the endcap assembly. The film chamber is sized to selectively receive either a roll of film or a secondary cassette housing a roll of film light-tightly therein. The upper wall and an inner face of the endcap assembly of the film chamber can be substantially smooth. Further, the upper wall and the inner face of the endcap assembly of the film chamber each can define a plane. In one embodiment, these planes can spaced at least about 36.7 millimeters apart; in another embodiment, these planes can be spaced at least about 35.2 millimeters apart. [0009] The endcap assembly includes a shutter support plate with an aperture extending therethrough, and a shutter blade movably mounted on the shutter support plate. The shutter blade is movable between a first position, in which the aperture is substantially closed, and a second position, in which the aperture is substantially unobstructed. Thus, a shaft can pass through the endcap assembly and into the film chamber for winding of film into the film chamber. The shutter support plate can include a collar that substantially peripherally surrounds the aperture and extends therefrom. At least a portion of the shutter support plate of the endcap assembly can be formed with either the main body or the back cover. In one embodiment, the endcap assembly can be removably mounted on the main body. In such an instance, the main casing can provide a cradle at the lower end of the film chamber on which the endcap assembly can be mounted. [0010] The endcap assembly can further include a second shutter support plate with an aperture extending therethrough. The apertures in the shutter support plate and the second shutter support plate can be substantially aligned, thereby allowing a shaft to pass simultaneously through the apertures in both shutter support plates of the endcap assembly and into the film chamber for winding of film into the film chamber. The shutter blade can be disposed between the two shutter support plates such that, in the first position, both apertures are substantially closed and, in the second position, both apertures are substantially unobstructed. The endcap assembly can further include a spring for biasing the shutter blade into the first position. [0011] When the endcap assembly includes two shutter support plates, at least a portion of one of the shutter support plates can be formed with the main body or with the back cover. In one embodiment, one of the shutter support plates can be made of at least two pieces: one piece can be formed with the main body and another piece can be formed with the back cover. Thus, when the back cover is mounted on the front cover, the first and second piece can engage to form one of the shutter support plates of the endcap assembly. [0012] The cartridge chamber can be sized to selectively receive either a 35 millimeter film cartridge or a primary cassette of a DCS film system. Thus, the camera can further include either a 35 millimeter film cartridge or a primary cartridge of a DCS film system disposed in the cartridge chamber. The cartridge can contain at least one end of a roll of film light-tightly therein. At least a portion of the film extending from the 35 millimeter film cartridge can be wound in a roll in the film chamber. In one embodiment, the roll can be housed light-tightly within a secondary cassette. A lower side of the secondary cassette can contact the endcap assembly of the film chamber. Alternatively, a lower side of the secondary cassette can be substantially adjacent to or spaced from the endcap assembly of the film chamber. [0013] Another camera assembly according to embodiments of the invention includes a main body, an endcap assembly, and a back cover. The main body supports a taking lens and a closeable exposure aperture. The main body defines a cartridge chamber and a film chamber disposed on opposite sides of the exposure aperture. The back cover operatively engages the main body to enclose the chambers light-tightly therein. The film chamber is defined at an upper end by an upper wall of the main body and at a lower end by an endcap assembly. The upper wall and the lower wall of the film chamber can be substantially smooth. The upper wall defines an upper plane and an inner face of the endcap assembly defines a lower plane; the upper and lower planes are spaced from about 36.7 millimeters to about 37.7 millimeters apart. [0014] The endcap assembly includes a shutter support plate with an aperture extending therethrough. At least a portion of the shutter support plate can be formed with the main body or the back cover. The shutter support plate can include a collar that substantially peripherally surrounds the aperture and extends therefrom. Further, the endcap assembly includes a shutter blade movably mounted on the shutter support plate. The shutter blade is movable between a first position, in which the aperture is substantially closed, and a second position, in which the aperture is substantially unobstructed. Thus, a shaft can pass through the endcap assembly and into the film chamber for winding of film in the film chamber. The shutter blade can be biased into the first position by a spring, for example. [0015] In one embodiment, the endcap assembly can further include a second shutter support plate with an aperture extending therethrough. The apertures in the two shutter support plates can be substantially aligned. Accordingly, a shaft can simultaneously pass through the apertures in both shutter support plates of the endcap assembly and into the film chamber for winding of film into the film chamber. In the case of two shutter support plates are provided, the shutter blade can disposed between the two shutter support plates such that, in the first position, both apertures are substantially closed and, in the second position, both apertures are substantially unobstructed. The endcap assembly can further include a spring for biasing the shutter blade into the first position. [0016] At least a portion of one of the shutter support plates of the endcap assembly can be formed with either the main body or the back cover. In one embodiment, one of the shutter support plates of the endcap assembly can be made of at least two pieces. For instance, one piece can be formed with the main body and another piece can be formed with the back cover. Thus, when the back cover is mounted to the main body, the first and second piece can engage each other so as to form one of the shutter support plates. In another embodiment, the endcap assembly can be removably mounted on the main body. To that end, the main casing can provide a cradle at the lower end of the film chamber on which the endcap assembly can be mounted. [0017] Still other aspects according to the invention relate to a camera assembly with an improved film chamber. The camera includes a main body supporting a taking lens and a closeable exposure aperture. The main body defines a cartridge chamber and a film chamber disposed on opposite sides of the exposure aperture. The film chamber is defined at an upper end by an upper wall of the main body and at a lower end by an endcap assembly. The endcap assembly includes a movable shutter blade mounted to a shutter support plate having a closeable aperture. The camera also includes a back cover operatively engaging the main casing to enclose the chambers light-tightly therein. In such a camera, the improvement according to the invention can include the film chamber being sized between the upper wall and the endcap assembly to selectively receive either a roll of film or a secondary cassette housing a roll of film light-tightly therein. [0018] Aspects of the invention also relate to a method of loading film into a camera assembly. The method includes providing a camera assembly, including any of the previously described camera assemblies. If the camera includes an endcap assembly that can be removably mounted on the main body, the method can include the step of mounting the endcap assembly onto the main body. [0019] A substantially light-tight sleeve and a winding rod are provided. The sleeve has a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. Similarly, the winding rod has a proximal end and a distal end. At least the distal end of the winding rod extends substantially light-tightly into the sleeve from the proximal end of the sleeve. The winding rod is movable within the sleeve substantially along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. Continue reading... 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