GB2276750A

GB2276750A - Coin-operated photographic equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2276750A
Application number: GB9319922A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael James Watters
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-26
Filing date: 1993-09-27
Publication date: 1994-10-05
Also published as: GB9306382D0; GB9319922D0

Abstract

Photographic equipment for use at, for example, seaside locations, comprises a housing (10) within which a camera is located. The housing (10) is pivotally mounted on a post (11) with a view finder (15) on one side of the housing (10) and a telescopic lens (12) on the opposite side of the housing (10). A user of the equipment inserts a coin into a coin insertion slot (16), selects the view he wishes to photograph and then presses a shutter button (20) to take a picture. The film is then developed automatically by developing means within the housing and the developed film delivered to the user through a delivery slot (23). The equipment may be electrically powered from a solar panel 21. <IMAGE>

Description

PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT Field of the Invention This invention relates to photographic equipment and has for its object the provision of improvements in such equipment.

Background to the Invention Automatic photographic systems are known from, for example, US Patent Specification No. 4,891,660, which shows a system for location in a store or the like so that members of the public can obtain single or group photographs automatically, i.e. without the necessity for the intervention of other personnel. Another form of automatic photographic system, in which a customer sits in a booth, is shown in US Patent Specification No. 5,072,246.

The use of such systems for the provision of portrait photographs is well established, but such systems have a limited application. It is accordingly a more specific object of the invention to provide photographic equipment which is more versatile than the systems referred to above.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided photographic equipment comprising a mounting element, a housing pivotally mounted on the mounting element, a camera and developing means contained within the housing, a view finder on one side of the housing and a telescopic lens on the other side of the housing to enable the camera image to be viewed by a customer so that the housing can be pivoted into position by the customer to obtain the required view, and coin-operated means for permitting operation of the camera and developing means and the delivery to a customer of a developed photograph.

The mounting element is preferably a vertical post relative to which the housing can be pivoted about a vertical axis, the post being secured to a base which is itself anchored or otherwise secured to the ground to prevent unauthorised removal of the equipment.

Operation of the camera may be effected by pressing a shutter button and the coin-operated means may include a mechanism which, on insertion of a correct coin, displaces a shutter cover to enable the customer to view the camera image and also either permits the shutter button to be pressed or moves an interlock element into a position in which pressing of the shutter button serves to operate the camera, the developing means then being actuated and, when the film has been developed, the developed photograph delivered to the customer through a delivery slot in the housing.

The telescopic lens is preferably adjustable by the customer to permit the customer to focus on the desired view before pressing the shutter button.

The base of the housing may include a coin box access to which is obtainable only by operation of a key mechanism and the base of the housing preferably also includes a film box within which the film to be exposed and then developed is stored. A sensing means is preferably provided to sense when the film box is empty and to operate a blocking mechanism to prevent the insertion of further coinage and to provide an indication to potential customers that the equipment cannot be operated.

The equipment is preferably located at a scenic location which is frequented by, for example, a large number of holidaymakers who will then be able to take their own photographs of the location. If, for example, the equipment is located at a seaside at a position facing westwards over the sea, the holiday-makers will be able to take their own photographs of the sun setting over the sea. Of course, as the housing is pivotally mounted, the customer is not limited to seaward views but is free to take photographs in any direction from the given location.

Brief Description of the Drawing The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment As shown in the drawing, the equipment includes a housing 10 mounted at the upper end of a post 11. The post 11 is itself bolted or otherwise secured to a base (not shown) anchored to the ground to prevent unauthorised removal of the equipment.

The housing 10 is formed from steel plate of, for example, 3 mm. thickness so as to act as a theft deterrent. The mounting of the housing 10 on the post 11 is such as to enable the housing 10 to be rotated through 3600 about a vertical axis so that, as explained below, a customer can point the equipment in any desired direction.

A camera (not shown) is located within the housing 10 and, at one side of the housing 10, there is a lens 12 carried by a lens holder 13 adjustably mounted on a lens tube 14 while, at the opposite side of the housing 10, there is a view finder 15.

In the top of the housing there is a coin insertion slot 16 and, within the housing, there is a coin-operated mechanism which responds to insertion of a correct coin to initiate the sequence of operations described below. Adjacent the coin insertion slot 16 there is a reset button 17 which can be pressed by a customer in the event that an incorrect coin has been inserted and the incorrect coin will then be returned to the customer via a return slot (not shown) in the side of the housing 10.

Correct coins pass from the coin insertion slot 16 to a cash box 18 located in the base of the housing 10 beneath the lens tube 14 and can be collected from the cash box 18 by the owner of the equipment using a key to operate a lock 19.

On the top of the housing 10 there is a shutter button 20 which is pressed to operate the camera and a solar cell 21 which acts as a non-rechargeable, permanent power source for operation of the camera and other mechanisms.

The base of the housing 10 includes a film box 22 to which access can be obtained by the owner of the equipment by opening a panel (not shown) beneath the view finder 15 50 that a used film can be replaced. Just above the film box 22, and adjacent the end of the housing 10, there is a delivery slot 23 through which a developed photograph is delivered to a customer.

On or adjacent the housing 10 there will be an instruction notice (not shown) giving an intending customer instructions as to the method of use of the equipment.

Prior to insertion of a correct coin, a shutter cover (not shown) will be in its closed position so that a person looking into the view finder 15 will only be able to see the cover. When, however, a correct coin is inserted into the coin slot 16 and is accepted, the coin will pass into the coin box 18 and, in its travel within the housing 10 will operate switches which: a) cause movement of the shutter cover into its open position, and b) put the shutter button 20 into an enabled condition.

Putting of the shutter button 20 into its enabled condition can be effected by operating a motor which moves a locking element out of engagement with the shutter button 20 to permit the shutter button 20 to be depressed. Alternatively, the shutter button 20 is normally free to move without producing any result whereas, when the motor is operated, a link is moved into the path of movement of the shutter button 20 so that depression thereof serves to operate the camera.

In any event, once the requisite coinage has been inserted, which may be a 1 coin, the shutter cover is opened and the customer is free to view the scene to be photographed through the view finder 15. He will pivot the housing 10 so that the lens 12 is facing in the required direction and he will effect any necessary focussing by rotating the lens holder 13.

Once the customer is satisfied with the view that he has chosen, he will press the shutter button 20 to operate the camera. Pressing of the shutter button 20 will also initiate operation of a timer motor which controls the subsequent developing process carried out within the housing 10. A frame of the film will be exposed and the exposed film will then be developed automatically using known developing equipment. The developed film will then be issued to the customer through the delivery slot 23.

The equipment of the present invention is ideally suited for location in a holiday resort or other scenic area. The owner of the equipment will attend the equipment regularly to empty the money which has been collected in the cash box 18 and to put in a new film. If, however, all the film has been used up, a sensing mechanism will be operated and will cause a blocking member to move into a position in which it serves to prevent the insertion of further coinage into the coin insertion slot 16 and to provide an indication to intending customers that the equipment cannot be used.

Although the coin insertion slot 16 is shown as being located in the top of the housing 10, it is preferably for the coin insertion slot to be located in a vertical wall of the housing 10 since this will reduce the likelihood of rain entering the interior of the housing 10. The structure of the housing 10 will preferably also include weather-proof seals since the equipment will normally be located out of doors at a location at which it is exposed to the elements.

Claims

Claims:

1. Photographic equipment comprising a mounting element, a housing pivotally mounted on the mounting element, a camera and developing means contained within the housing, a view finder on one side of the housing and a telescopic lens on the other side of the housing to enable the camera image to be viewed by a customer so that the housing can be pivoted into position by the customer to obtain the required view, and coinoperated means for permitting operation of the camera and developing means and the delivery to a customer of a developed photograph.

2. Photographic equipment as claimed in Claim 1, in which the mounting element is a vertical post relative to which the housing can be pivoted about a vertical axis.

3. Photographic equipment as claimed in Claim 2, in which the post is secured to a base which is itself anchored or otherwise secured to the ground.

4. Photographic equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a shutter button for effecting operation of the camera and the coin-operated means includes a mechanism which, on insertion of a correct coin, displaces a shutter cover to enable the customer to view the camera image.

5. Photographic equipment as claimed in Claim 4, in which the mechanism operated on coin insertion either permits the shutter button to be pressed or moves an interlock element into a position in which pressing of the shutter button serves to operate the camera.

6. Photographic equipment as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the telescopic lens is adjustable by the customer to permit the customer to focus on the desired view before pressing the shutter button.

7. Photographic equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the base of the housing includes a coin box access to which is obtainable only by operation of a key mechanism.

8. Photographic equipment as claimed in Claim 7, in which the base of the housing also includes a film box within which the film to be exposed and then developed is stored.

9. Photographic equipment as claimed in Claim 8, in which sensing means is provided to sense when the film box is empty and to operate a blocking mechanism to prevent the insertion of further coinage.

10. Photographic equipment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.