Micro Bellows

 

Planar Bellows

for folding cameras

      In 1978 Kodak had a line of cameras that required an even number of mirrors (0, 2, etc.),  Steve Hines, in the Kodak Research Laboratories, proposed a folding camera with a 2-mirror support, covered with an ultra-stretchy black rubber membrane to lay flat against the back when closed, and to expand around the open mirror support when open. 

      Above is a highly enlarged drawing of the rubber covering with a peak-to-peak spacing of 2-3mm.  The surface has undulations in every direction so that it could expand equally in all directions.  There is a similar stretchy material in the clothing industry, called “popcorn fabric”.

---

 

      This is the subject of U.S. Patent 4,279,492 assigned to Eastman Kodak.  Please contact Steve Hines with questions at: