Film cartridge loading and ejecting apparatus for camera

Abstract

A camera having a loading chamber for receiving an elongated film cartridge of the type having an engagement notch formed in the cartridge shell and having a combined insertion and ejection mechanism for engaging the engagement notch for positively pulling the film cartridge in and seating it with an audible "click" sound to reassure the user that the film cartridge is loaded properly in the loading chamber. A bell crank is attached for pivotal movement with respect to the film cartridge loading chamber and has spaced apart, insertion and ejection crank legs and rods that extend into the loading chamber to engage the inserted end and the notch of the cartridge, respectively, at different points during the insertion and ejection of the cartridge. An over center spring is attached to the bell crank to urge it into and resist movement from either the insertion or seated positions. During cartridge loading, the inserted end of the cartridge bears against the ejection crank rod and pivots the bell crank to an over center position where the insertion crank rod enters the notch. Upon passing the insertion over center position, the over center spring provides insertion force through the insertion crank leg and rod on the notch, thereby pulling the cartridge into the seated position. A loading chamber door actuated ejector comprises a lever and spring biased lifter which are actuated on opening the door through a predetermined angle and partially eject the film cartridge. The partial ejection pivots the bell crank toward the insertion position and past an ejection over center position, where the insertion crank leg and rod is released from the notch. The ejection crank leg and rod propels the cartridge out of the loading chamber as the over center spring urges the bell crank back into the insertion position to receive the next cartridge to be loaded.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.