Dual actuator switches for flash and exposure modes

In an actuator apparatus for use with photographic apparatus having a housing, including an artificial illuminating device connected to said housing and being energizable for providing artificial illumination, means operable for initiating an exposure interval in response to being energized, means operable for energizing said device and said means for initiating an exposure interval, said actuator having first means operable for movement between inoperative and operative positions so that when in said operative position said energizing means energizes said device, and second means including a manually accessible portion movable between inoperative and operative positions in response to said accessible portion being manually actuated so that when in said operative position said energizing means energizes said exposure interval initiating means, the improvement comprising:

• said first means including a cover connected to a portion of said housing for movement between said inoperative and operative positions so that when in said inoperative position said cover is in substantially covering relationship to said manually accessible portion of said second means to thereby inhibit inadvertent movement of said manually accessible portion, said cover when moved to said operative position connects said energizing means to said device and simultaneously provides greater manual access to said manually accessible portion to facilitate subsequent manual movement of said second means from said inoperative to said operative position, wherein said cover is pivotally connected to said housing for pivotal movement between said inoperative and operative positions.

In an actuator apparatus for use with photographic apparatus having a housing, including an artificial illuminating device connected to said housing and being energizable for providing artificial illumination, means operable for initiating an exposure interval in response to being energized, means operable for energizing said device and said means for initiating an exposure interval, said actuator having first means operable for movement between inoperative and operative positions so that when in said operative position said energizing means energizes said device, and second means including a manually accessible portion movable between inoperative and operative positions in response to said accessible portion being manually actuated so that when in said operative position said energizing means energizes said exposure interval initiating means, the improvement comprising:

• said first means including a cover connected to a portion of said housing for movement between said inoperative and operative positions so that when in said inoperative position said cover is in substantially covering relationship to said manually accessible portion of said second means to thereby inhibit inadvertent movement of said manually accessible portion, said cover when moved to said operative position connects said energizing means to said device and simultaneously provides greater manual access to said manually accessible portion to facilitate subsequent manual movement of said second means from said inoperative to said operative position, wherein said manually accessible portion has depending therefrom a manually accessible tab constructed to extend below a space covered by said cover when in said inoperative position, thereby permitting independent movement of said second means.

In a photographic camera having a flash device operable when charged for producing scene illumination upon receipt of a flash trigger signal, a flash charging switch arrangement including a charge actuator manually displaceable between an off position wherein said flash device is decoupled from a source of electrical power and a charge position wherein said flash device is coupled in charging relation to said source, a camera actuator manually displaceable between an off position, wherein the camera exposure control system is inoperative to produce an exposure and an exposure position, wherein said exposure control system is rendered operative to produce an exposure and said flash trigger is provided to said flash device to illuminate the scene;

• the improvement wherein said charge actuator includes a cover portion which covers a finger engagable portion of said camera actuator when said charge actuator is in its said off position and uncovers said finger engagable portion when said charge actuator is in its said charge position such that the camera operator in displacing said charge actuator to uncover the camera actuator provides charging of said flash device, wherein said camera actuator includes a tab portion depending therefrom so as to extend below the space covered by said cover and being accessible to manual engagement for causing independent movement of said camera actuator relative to said charge actuator.