Camera erecting assembly

A folding camera comprising:

• a first housing including means defining a film chamber for receiving and locating a film cassette in position for the exposure of a film unit contained therein;
• a second housing pivotally connected to said first housing for movement between a folded inoperative position and an erected operative position, said second housing including means for directing image bearing rays emanating from a scene being photographed toward said chamber;
• a flexible bellows connected to said first and second housings to provide a tunnel within which image bearing rays may travel from said second housing toward said chamber and for excluding other rays from passage from said second housing to said chamber, said bellows including at least one wall;
• and
• an erecting assembly connected to said first and second housings at points exteriorly of said tunnel for movement between an extended position wherein it releasably maintains said second housing in said erected operative position and a collapsed position wherein it permits movement of said second housing into said folded position while simultaneously engaging and supporting said wall of said bellows as said wall is moved into said tunnel so as to prevent its movement into said chamber.