The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 02, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 30, 1997
William B Salvas, Rochester, NY (US);
Ronald W Grant, Caledonia, NY (US);
William F Dassero, Rochester, NY (US);
Dwight J Petruchik, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
Donald P McGinn, Palmyra, NY (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
A camera structure includes a multiple function shutter button assembly that is capable of performing multiple functions in combination with other camera elements. More specifically, the camera includes a camera body, a circuit board attached to the camera body, a shutter button assembly including a sliding member movably coupled to the camera body, wherein the sliding member comprises a shutter button arm, a shutter actuation arm, and an electrical contact arm, and a biasing mechanism for biasing the sliding member to an initial position. The shutter actuation arm includes a shutter actuation member that activates a shutter release mechanism of the camera when a force is applied to the shutter button arm to move sliding member from the initial position to a shutter actuation position. The electrical contact arm includes electrical contact elements that come into contact with contact pads provided on the circuit board when the force is applied to the shutter button arm to move the sliding member from the initial position to an electrical contact position. The electrical contact arm can either be fixed in a stationary manner or coupled to the sliding member by a yoke assemble that permits movement of the electrical contact arm along an arc. A lens cover assembly is provided that is moveable from a closed position to an open position, wherein the lens cover assembly includes a slide plate having a retainer portion that slides over the electrical contact arm to maintain a contact pressure. The slide plate further comprises a shutter lock member that is positioned beneath the shutter actuation arm to prevent movement of the slide member to the shutter actuation position.