# US 5,345,284 A · Electronic flash unit with two integrated flash heads > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,345,284 A - Document ID: US5345284A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/877,257 - Filed: 1992-04-28 - Granted: 1994-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 1990-02-16 - Inventors: Yuzo Tsuruta - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5345284A ## CPC - G03B 15/05: Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units - G03B 2215/0539: Ringflash - G03B 2215/0553: with second integrated flash - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract An integrated flash head having a ring flash for taking shadowless pictures and a bar flash for taking contoured pictures. The bar flash is pivotably mounted on the ring flash housing and the ring flash housing is movable relative to the camera lens to change the orientation of the bar relative to the camera lens. An electrical circuit is provided for selectively activating either the ring flash or bar flash. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flash unit for a camera of the type having a lens, comprising: a support member; means for releasably connecting the support member to the camera; a first flash means; a second flash means mounted to said first flash means; means for mounting said first flash means to said support member such that the angular position of the second flash means relative to the camera can be changed without removing the flash unit from the camera; a first trigger circuit having a low voltage input and a high voltage output for triggering the first flash means;. a second trigger circuit having a low voltage input and a high voltage output for triggering the second flash means and means in circuit with the low voltage side of both said first and second trigger circuits for selecting which of the trigger circuits respond to the camera flash output signal whereby operation of the camera simultaneously operates the selected first or second flash means. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flash unit according to claim 1, wherein said first flash means includes a ring shaped flash tube extending around the circumference of the camera lens. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The flash unit according to claim 2, wherein said first flash means is mounted on the support means such that the ring shaped flash tube can be rotated relative to the camera lens. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flash unit according to claim 1, wherein the means for coordinating includes an electrical circuit that can selectively energize either the first or second flash means. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The flash unit according to claim 1, wherein the second flash means includes a bar shaped flash tube mounted on said first flash means such that the flash from said second flash means is at an angle relative to the axis of the camera lens whereby contoured photographs can be taken. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The flash unit according to claim 1, wherein the means for mounting includes means for maintaining the position of said first flash means relative to said support member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The flash unit according to claim 6, wherein said means for maintaining the position includes a movable member supported by said first flash means selectively engageable with one of a plurality of holes formed on the support member whereby rotation of said first flash means will disengage said movable member from said support member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The flash unit according to claim 1, wherein the means for releasably connecting includes screwthreads formed on said support member matably engaging screwthreads formed on the camera. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The flash unit according to claim 5, further including means for adjusting the angle of said flash. ### Claim 10 In a combination point flash and ring flash unit for a camera the improvement comprising: a support member supporting both the point and ring flash including means for allowing the support member to rotate relative to the camera and be temporarily fixed in a plurality of positions relative to the camera and means for releasably connecting the support member to the camera; a first trigger circuit having a low voltage input and a high voltage output for triggering the point flash; a second trigger circuit having a low voltage input and a high voltage output for triggering the ring flash; and means in circuit with the low voltage side of both said first and second trigger circuits for selecting which of the trigger circuits respond to the camera flash output signal; whereby operation of the camera simultaneously operates the selected first or second flash means. ### Claim 11 In a dual flash unit having a camera which provides a flash output signal, said flash unit having both a bar flash and a ring flash thereon, the improvement comprising: a. a first trigger circuit having a low voltage input and a high voltage output for triggering the bar flash; b. a second trigger circuit having a low voltage input and a high voltage output for triggering the ring flash and; c. means in circuit with the low voltage side of both said first and second trigger circuits for selecting which of said trigger circuits respond to the camera flash output signal; whereby operation of the camera simultaneously operates the selected bar or ring flash.