Camera film cassette assembly apparatus and method

A film cassette assembly comprising:

• an outer film cover comprising opposite lateral sides;
• a film clip situated between said lateral sides, said film clip comprising a winding housing at one end thereof;
• a film cartridge coupled to said film clip and distanced from said winding housing;
• and
• an inner film cover disposed over said film clip between said film cartridge and said winding housing such that film extending between said film cartridge and said winding housing is covered between said film cartridge and said winding housing, said inner film covet removably attached to said outer film cover.

A camera comprising;

• a camera body;
• a film housing within said body;
• a detachable film clip situated within said film housing, said film clip Comprising a winding housing coupled thereto, said winding housing at least partially contained a roll of unused film;
• a film cartridge coupled to said film clip and receiving used film as pictures are taken;
• an advancing element coupled to said body for advancing used film into said film curt ridge as pictures are taken;
• and
• first and second removable film covers enclosing a portion of said film clip when said film clip is removed from said film housing.

A method for installing film into a detachable film cassette assembly, that cassette assembly including a film clip adapted to receive a film cartridge, a winding housing attached to the film clip, and first and second film covers, said method comprising:

• coupling the film cartridge to the film clip;
• inserting the film clip into the first film cover;
• inserting the second film cover over the film clip;
• and
• engaging the first and second film covers to at least partially enclose the film clip between the winding housing and the film cartridge.

A method of installing film into a detachable film cassette assembly for a camera, the film cassette assembly including a film clip configured for attachment in a film cartridge, a winding housing extending from the film clip, and at least one guide track extending to the winding housing, the method further utilizing first and second film covers con figured for attachment to one another, said method comprising:

• attaching the film cartridge to the film clip;
• attaching the first and second film covers to one another over the film clip;
• and
• winding the film from the film cartridge between one of the film covers and the guide track from the film cartridge to the winding housing before the film is used.

A method for loading film into a camera including a body and a film housing therein, a detachable film clip situated within said housing and including a winding housing at one end thereon and at least one guide track extending adjacent the winding housing, the winding housing including a spool therein, the method further employing first and second removable film covers, said method comprising:

• removing the film clip from the film housing;
• attaching a film cartridge to the film clip;
• engaging a first end of a film with the spool;
• attaching the first and second film covers to the film clip on opposite sides of the film clip between the film cartridge and the winding housing;
• extending film from the film cartridge across the guide track to the winding housing before the film is used;
• removing the first and second film covers form the film clip;
• and
• returning the film clip to the film housing.

A method for installing film into a detachable film cassette assembly, the cassette assembly including a film clip adapted to receive a film cartridge, a winding housing attached to the film clip, a first film cover, and a second film cover, said method comprising:

• coupling the film cartridge to the film clip;
• feeding film from the film cartridge to the winding housing;
• attaching the film clip to the first film cover;
• and
• engaging the second film cover to the film clip and the first film cover between the winding housing and the film cartridge to cover exposed film and prevent light from contacting the exposed film.