Importance

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Abstract

A panoramic camera is disclosed having a main body portion and a handle portion which is attached to the main body portion for rotation about a central axis. The main body portion includes a lens and slit arrangement with film being advanced within the camera with respect to the lens and slit arrangement. A lens of the arrangement is oriented radially with respect to a central axis of the panoramic camera. Means are provided within the main camera portion for rotating the handle with respect to the main body portion. The means for rotation preferably includes a resilient ribbon which is wound on a pair of spools. To provide a driving force for the panoramic camera, the ribbon is wound in a reverse manner on one of the spools and in a forward manner on the other spool. A tendency of the ribbon in favor of winding in a forward manner urges the main camera portion to rotate with respect to the handle. A speed governor is provided in the handle for limiting the relative rotation of the main camera portion with the handle to a constant velocity. The speed governor may take various forms such as a fluid and brush rotor arrangement. In preferred embodiments, the fluid may be either a viscous silicon oil, a hydrocarbon liquid or various colloidal suspensions. A pulley and belt arrangement is provided to operatively connect the handle with a film take-up mechanism of the main camera portion. A film cassette and a pair of film take-up spools of the mechanism are alternately driven by one-way roller clutches. Another one-way clutch in the speed governor allows the camera to automatically rewind the film.

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First Claim