BACKGROUND Photographic opportunities frequently occur in locations and situations requiring that the cameras employed to capture them be rugged, light weight, small and readily portable since they must usually be carried for considerable distances and for extended periods of time. For traveling photographers today, because all airlines specifically refuse to cover damage to any camera equipment, it is almost mandatory for photographers to carry camera equipment on the plane as carry-on baggage, rather than checking in the baggage. In addition, new airline regulations, regarding carry-on limitations, have limited the size, number, and weight of the carry-on baggage a person is allowed to have. With this in mind, there is a need for a medium format camera that is smaller, yet rugged and portable to reduce the weight of the equipment the photographer will be required to take along on a location shoot.

Most medium format cameras allow the photographer to interchange focal length lenses with the body of the camera. This gives the photographer the flexibility of utilizing the same camera body for a variety of different images. For example, a person might use a wide angle lens to take scenery photographs, a normal lens to take photographs of people, and a telephoto lens to take photographs of sports events. The disadvantage of this conventional method is that the photographer can have a number of lenses and only one camera body. With this invention, each lens and body is a single unit that is lighter in weight and lower in cost, thus giving the photographer multiple cameras rather then just multiple lenses, Moreover, because different photographic opportunities call for different types of film to be used and the option to use a Polaroid film back to verify a photographic set-up prior

actually shooting. Thus, by using a Polaroid film back the photographer can quickly determine the essential information on the image composition, exposure, lighting, and color control--in approximately 30-90 seconds. Other accessory backs include, direct digital imaging backs that offer photographers the option to instantly record the image directly into digital format, and a fine focusing back for images that require critical focusing and composition. Therefore, a compact, rugged camera that enables a photographer to use both film and digital imaging, and increases flexibility.

In view of the needs described, there are at present conventional cameras using roll film and Polaroid film, which comprises a body, a lens carrying portion and a roll film carrying portion or back. The roll film carrying portion is a separate unit comprising housing with a roll film in it. The body portion has projecting from its rear surface plates by means of which the roll film carrying portion can be attached/detached to the body portion. For example, US Pat. No. 3,474,714 discloses a camera for exposing different types of film packages with one camera. The apparatus disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,172,647 takes the form of a camera back, which may be readily attached to a conventional camera of the 35mm type.

In US Pat. No. 3,491,671, Engeldrum discloses an interconnecting plate assembly for making possible the use of Polaroid type pack film with the body and lens carrying portion of a conventional camera of the kind normally used with an interchangeable roll film back.

While the foregoing may perform its intended functions, it still has deficiencies, which detract from its usefulness. For example, the foregoing cameras are bulky and heavy and are not readily portable due to the extended lens making the camera more cumbersome.

Moreover, because the lenses are extended, and not retractable, they are less protected from the elements, even though there may be a cover on the extended lens. Furthermore, the aforementioned cameras will not enable the photographer to easily collapse the camera into its natural position without particular care to the lens when a photographer is in a rush to move to a different location.

No provision has previously been made for using different types of film and camera backs with bellows type cameras. It is often desirable for users of bellows type cameras to be able to use different types of film, Polaroid film backs, and digital imaging backs in the studio and in the field. For example, such cameras with medium format are widely used by

professional photographers and photography students for applications such as advertisement, magazine and landscape, photography which requires the added image quality that a larger format film delivers compared to 35mm film. Moreover, the invention allows the photographer to use different focal length lenses by enabling the photographer to attach the appropriate focal length main body housing portion to a film back, rather than changing the lens on the body of the camera, thereby forming a wide angle body, normal body or telephoto body. Because different interchangeable focal length main body housings are formed, multiple cameras comprising different backs are created.

To be able to use different types of film, Polaroid film, fine focusing backs and digital imaging photographic backs with the same bellows type body portion, that offers the rising and tilting of the objective, would fill a need for versatility and portability not matched by any existing conventional camera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides, by economical means, a superior compact, rugged photographic camera. The preferred embodiment, according to the invention, is a photographic camera that is comprised of a main body housing portion used with a detachable roll film back. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the main body housing portion having an objective includes a retractable collapsible bellows coupled with a detachable roll film back. With a retractable collapsible bellows on the main body housing portion of the camera, it enables a user to reduce the overall size of the camera, while at the same time protecting the lens portion of the camera. Moreover with a detachable roll film back, users are able to interchange different film types with the main body housing portion.

With this invention, when the user requires wide-angle, normal and telephoto applications, since each lens and body is a single unit, the user actually has multiple cameras rather then just one body with multiple lenses like conventional cameras offer today.

In one embodiment of the invention, the main body housing portion having an objective includes a retractable collapsible bellows coupled with different types of camera backs, including Polaroid backs and digital imaging backs, by means of an accessory attachment apparatus. The accessory attachment apparatus allows a user to interchange

different camera film backs with the main body housing portion with minimum amount of inconvenience to the user, thereby lessening the number of cameras needed for a photo shoot.

The preferred embodiment includes rotatable objective supports, attached to the tilt control knobs, and front rise control knobs to enable the user to adjust the objective on the camera. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment also includes a focusing viewfinder arrangement to enable the user to view the image area that the objective captures, thereby enabling the user to determine the exact focus for setting the objective.

One device practicing the present invention may include a camera having a body, a bellows platform rotatably connected to the front of the body, a retractable bellows connected to the front of the body and to the bellows platform, an objective lens mounted on the bellows and adjustably connected to the platform, and a medium format film back interchangeably mountable to the body. One aspect of this embodiment is that the adjustable connection of the objective lens to the bellows platform may include both a lens tilt control and a lens rise control, to facilitate focusing and perspective adjustment. The film back may be designed to wrap around the sides of the body. This film back may accept medium format photographic film, or may be adapted to Polaroid film or digital imaging. The shutter for the objective lens may be controlled by a flexible, detachable release cable, or, alternatively, by a remote shutter release which may be activated by an infrared signal, a radio signal or other means.

Another device practicing the present invention is a bellows assembly adapted to engage a medium format film back. In this embodiment, the invention is practiced as a camera body and bellows assembly, adapted for use with interchangeable film backs.

Similarly, a further device practicing the present invention is an interchangeable film back adapted to be used with the bellows assembly. The various aspects of these latter devises include all of the aspects of the first device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES FIG. 1 depicts a medium format camera practicing the present invention, including a bellows assembly and a film back. FIG. 2 is a side view of the camera. FIG. 3 depicts the camera as the bellows platform is being rotated and the bellows retracted.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the body of the bellows assembly.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the bellows assembly, from behind the body.

FIG. 6 shows the bellows assembly and film back separated.

FIG. 7 shows a film back for photographic film attached to a retracted bellows assembly.

FIG. 8 depicts a viewfinder assembly.

FIG. 9 illustrates components for attaching a film back to a body.

FIGS. 10-11 illustrate alternative embodiments of the film back adapted to Polaroid film and digital imaging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As best seen in FIGURES 1-5, the permanent main body housing 10 is generally rectangular and has a viewfinder 12 and a viewfinder focusing wheel 16. Extending forward from the center of the main body housing portion 10 is a retractable collapsible bellows 18.

On the front portion of the retractable collapsible bellows 18 are a leaf shutter objective 46, a rotating focus 48, a rotating aperture setting 50, a rotating speed setting 52 and a flash sync connector 54. On the upper surface of the main body housing portion 18 are the shutter release button 20 and the front bellows opening button 22. To expose the film to light, the shutter release button 20 is depressed, which engages a flexible metal rod or cable that is located in the center of a woven metal encasing. The encasing is attached to a detachable shutter cable connector 28, which connects to the shutter, thereby activating it after the shutter release button is depressed. Because the shutter release cable 30 is flexible, the collapsible bellows platform 40 can be easily opened and closed with the release cable attached. During situations when very slow shutter speeds are required, the shutter release cable 30 can be detached from the shutter cable connector 28. Detachment enables a user to attach a standard remote shutter cable release directly to the shutter in order to eliminate any vibration or movement that may occur when depressing the shutter release button 20.

Located on the detachable roll film back 56 are the exposed film reel securing button 24 and the unexposed film reel securing button 26 which secure the take up reel and the film reel in position, respectively. Because the securing mounts are movable they can be easily moved out of the secured position to allow for the easy loading and unloading of the film and

take up reels, respectively. When the film and take up reels are loaded/unloaded, the exposed film reel securing button 24 and the unexposed film reel securing button 26 are pushed upward, thereby moving them out of secured position. When the user completes unloading or loading the film the user simply pushes the exposed film reel securing button 24 and unexposed film reel securing button 26 back into place.

On each exterior side wall of the detachable roll film back 56 are the detachable back release buttons 32. As seen in FIG. 6, the detachable roll film back 56 is secured to the main body housing portion 10 by means of protruding side bars 72, attached to the interior side walls of the detachable roll film back 56. The main body housing portion 10 can be attached/detached from the detachable roll film back 56 by means of inserting the protruding side bars 72 into the indented sides 58, located on both exterior side walls of the main body housing portion 10, as shown in FIG. 6. The indented sides 58 have a securing attachment means which enable the detachable roll film back 56 to be automatically secured onto the main body housing portion 10. The securing attachment means is comprised of spring-loaded bars 34 located on both interior sides of the detachable roll film back 56, and engaging slots 36 on both exterior sides of the main body housing portion 10. The spring-loaded bars 34, are used to attach/detach the detachable roll film back 56 to the main body housing portion 10. Bars lock 34 into the slots 36 located on both exterior sides of the main body housing portion 10. When the user pushes on both of the detachable back release buttons 32, located on each exterior side wall of the detachable roll film back 56, the spring-loaded bars 34 disengage themselves from slots 36 on the main body housing portion 10, thereby enabling the user to remove the detachable roll film back 56 from the main body housing portion 10.

Again in FIG. 1, platform support 38 is pivotally attached to the side of main body housing 10 and the collapsible bellows platform 40. By pressing the front bellows opening button 22, located on top of the main body housing 10, a latch is released, thereby opening the collapsible bellows platform 40 and extending the retractable collapsible bellows 18 into position. The platform support 38 is located on both sides of the collapsible bellows platform 40. Because each platform support 38 is spring-loaded, it enables the opening of the collapsible bellows platform 40 by means of the internal springs attached to the top of each platform support 38. When both platform supports 38 are fully extended, they lock the

collapsible bellows platform 40 into the proper position, thereby serving as a support for the collapsible bellows platform 40. By simultaneously depressing on the centers of the pivoting points of both of the platform supports 38, the user unlocks the platform supports 38, thereby allowing the collapsible bellows platform 40 to return to the closed position.

Supporting and securing the objective to the collapsible bellows platform 40 are the rotatable objective supports 42, located on both sides of the collapsible bellows 18, by means of rotating hinges attached to the collapsible bellows platform 40. When both platform supports 38 are fully extended the collapsible bellows 18 and the rotatable objective supports 42 are locked into their proper positions. By loosening the tilt-control knobs 44, the user can tilt the objective forward or backward, thereby changing the plane of the sharp focus without distorting the shape of the object or changing its position on the film. This enables the user to extend the depth of field as explained by the well-known Scheimpflug effect. To secure the objective in the desired position, the user need only tighten the tilt-control knobs 44. To return the objective back into the closed position, the user loosens the tilt-control knob 44 and then simultaneously depresses on the center pivoting points of both platform supports 38, thereby unlocking the platform supports 38 and enabling the rotatable objective support 42 to rotate back into the closed position.

Referring back to FIG. 1, by loosening the front rise control knobs 14, located on both sides of the retractable collapsible bellows 18, the user enables the objective to rise upward or back into a neutral position, thereby changing the relationship between the objects that are closer to the camera and the objects that are farther away from the camera. Moreover, by moving the objective, the user shifts the position of the image in the picture. To return the objective back into the closed position, the user simply returns the objective back into the neutral position, loosens the tilt-control knob 44 and then simultaneously depresses on the center pivoting points of both platform supports 38. This action unlocks the platform supports 38 and enables the rotatable objective support 42 to rotate back into the closed position.

FIG 5 and FIG. 6 show a more detailed view of how the detachable roll film back 56 can be attached onto the main body housing portion 10. In particular, FIG. 5 shows indention 60, which surrounds the film exposure opening 62 and couples with ridge 66, located on the detachable roll film back 56 as shown in FIG. 6, to eliminate the possibility of light leaks by

forming a light tight seal around the film exposure opening 62. Furthermore, this arrangement adds rigidity to film back coupling and ensures accurate film positioning. The film exposure opening 62 is the opening of the camera designed to be the proper focal plane from the lens, thereby producing the sharpest image possible when light passes through the objective and projects onto the film.

FIG. 6, furthermore, shows a unique feature of the camera. The light shield means 74 can be inserted from atop within the light shield means slits 70, located on both sides directly in front of the film exposure opening 76, on the detachable roll film back 56. The insertion of the light shield means 74 enables the user to safely remove the detachable roll film back because the light from the film exposure opening 62 is blocked, thereby not exposing the film within. When the light shield means 74 is not in the slotted position, a thin rubber gasket in the light shield means slits 76 prevents light from entering the viewfinder 12 or the film exposure opening 62.

As best seen in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the film back door 68 is preferably attached to detachable roll film back by means of the full length film back door hinge 70. When the film back door release 78 is slid downwards, the film back door 68 opens by means of releasing two spring-loaded hooks which are attached to the film back door 68 from a slot located on the detachable roll film back 56. The film back door 68 is designed to open 180 degrees when it is open to enable user to load and unload of film.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the back of the detachable roll film back 56. There are four film reel securing mounts, two towards the top of the detachable roll film back 56 and two towards the bottom. The two towards the top are the top film and take-up reel protruding mounts 64, located under the unexposed film reel securing button 26 and exposed film reel securing button 24, respectively. The two towards the bottom are the bottom film and top film and take-up reel protruding mounts 82, located on the base of the detachable roll film back 56. The top film and take-up reel protruding mounts move upward when the user exerts upward pressure on the film or take up reels to facilitate the loading and unloading.

The film and take-up reels are secured when the exposed film reel securing button 24 and the unexposed film securing button 26 are pushed downward. The top film and take-up reel protruding mounts 64 secure the film reel and take-up reel in position by means of friction.

The film advance wheel 80, is located on the upper left hand corner of the detachable roll film back 56 and used to advance the film into the next frame. To facilitate the film advancement, thin vertical rollers 84 are used, which are located on both sides of the back of the film exposure opening 62. The thin vertical rollers 84 span the width of the roll film to ensure that the roll film is not scratched by the of the film exposure opening 62. Roll film cameras generally require a pressure plate 86 to ensure that the film is flat and positioned exactly at the proper focal plane. Mounted on the inside of the film back door 68, the pressure plate 86 is spring-loaded and exerts pressure on the roll film to keep it flat when the film back door 68 is closed. To decrease the chances of accidental film exposure, the detachable roll film back 56 is equipped with film pressure springs 90 which exerts a limited amount of pressure on the roll film to keep the roll film tightly rolled around the film reels. A translucent, light inhibiting window 88, located on film back door 68 and, subsequently, on the pressure plate 86, enables the user to read any indicia printed on a rear exposed surface of the protective paper which carries the film. Also, any additional information, such as the film exposure number, which printed or otherwise carried by the rear surface of the film back door can be seen through the window 88.

FIGURE 8 shows a front view of the focusing viewfinder 12. The viewfinder 12, located above the objective on the main body housing portion 10, enables the user to view the image area that the objective will capture on the film and to determine the exact focus for setting the objective by means of moving the viewfinder focusing wheel 16 left or right until the movable focusing lens 92, the lens in the center of the viewfinder and attached to the worm gear 94, is positioned in the correct position between the fixed front lens 96 and the fixed rear lens 98, thereby sharply focusing the subject to be photographed. When the viewfinder focusing wheel 16 is rotated, the gear 100, which is used to move the worm gear 94 with the movable focusing lens 92, will move forward or backward until the subject is sharply focused. Attached to the worm gear 94 is the translucent distance wheel 102 which is used to determine the proper focus setting in which the user will set on the main objective by means of reading the distance marking in feet and meters that is lined up with a fine line in the view finder. The user will set the focus on the objective by reading the distance on the wheel marker and aligning the corresponding distance on the rotating focus 48 with the

focusing indicator marked on the fixed point of the rotating aperture setting 50.

FIGURE 9 shows a top view of the accessory back attachment mechanism. The accessory back attachment mechanism 104 is used to attach detachable backs, including Polaroid backs, focusing screens and digital backs, onto the main body housing portion 10.

This attachment method will take up less room than the method used to attach roll film backs and will cost less to manufacture. The detachable backs are secured to the main body housing portion 10 by means inserting the fixed right side protruding bar 106, located on the accessory back attachment mechanism 104, into the fixed indention 108, located on the main body housing portion 10 having a fixed securing attachment slot to enable a user to align, secure, and attach/detach a detachable back. When the fixed right side protruding bar 106 is inserted into the fixed indention 108, the user can then insert the fixed left side protruding bar 106, located on the accessory back attachment mechanism 104, into the indentation with a movable securing attachment 112 that attaches/detaches accessories to the main body. A spring-loaded securing latch in the indention with a movable securing attachment 112 locks the fixed left side protruding bar 110 into position. By pushing the accessory back release button 114, the spring-loaded securing latch located in the indention with a movable securing attachment 112 is moved away from the fixed left side protruding bar 104, thereby enabling the user to remove the detachable backs.

FIGURE 10 is a view of optional attachable/detachable Polaroid film accessory back 115 with a dark slide 74, and protruding accessory mounting brackets 106,108.

FIGURE 11 is a view of an optional attachable/detachable Digital imaging accessory 116 back with protruding accessory mounting brackets 106,108.

While the present invention is disclosed by reference to the preferred embodiments and examples detailed above, it is understood that these examples are intended in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense. it is contemplated that modifications and combinations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, which modifications and combinations will be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims.