Eastman-Kodak Company

Stephen D Marra

Joseph A Watkins

Duane B Kirk

A method and apparatus for loading a cartridge in a camera frame assembly. In the method, a frame assembly is provided that includes a frame having a cartridge chamber, a supply chamber, and an intermediate section between the chambers. The frame assembly includes a thumbwheel attached in freely rotatable relation to the frame. The thumbwheel has a rotation member disposed external to the cartridge chamber and a drivekey extends axially into the cartridge chamber. A film cartridge is positioned in the cartridge chamber in close axial proximity to the thumbwheel drivekey. The film cartridge includes a spool and a filmstrip. The spool has opposed first and second ends. Each end has a spool engagement portion. The spool engagement portion of the first end is complementary in shape to the thumbwheel drivekey. The filmstrip has leading, main and tail portions. A quill drivekey is placed in close axial proximity to the second end of the spool. The quill drivekey is complementary in shape to the spool engagement portion of the second end. The thumbwheel is clamped. The quill drivekey is rotated. During the rotating, the quill drivekey is urged axially toward the cartridge, which is urged toward the thumbwheel drivekey, until both drivekeys mate engagingly with respective engagement portions.

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Fairport, NY, United States of America

Stephen D Marra