Electronic camera scanning mechanism

Claim 2

In a scanner comprising a focusing lens (80) for focusing, at the image focal plane of said lens, the image of an object to be scanned; an array (10) of the type in which a row of light-sensitive devices is scanned to provide a train of output pulses proportional in magnitude to the light intensity falling upon each successively scanned light-sensitive device; and means (14, 40, 42) for holding said array (10) in the image plane of said lens, said means including carriage means (14) for allowing movement between said array (10) and said lens (80) such that relative motion between said array and said lens is allowed corresponding to a measured distance in said image plane, the improvement characterized by: a capstan (30); an idler wheel (32); a flexible band (18) having a first end, a second end, first and second portions between said first and second ends, and a middle portion between said first and second portions; said first portion of said flexible band being wrapped around said capstan (39) in engagement therewith, and said second portion of said flexible band being wrapped around said idler wheel (32) in engagement therewith; first means (54) for connecting said first end of said flexible band to said carriage (14); second means (56) for connecting said second end of said flexible band to said carriage (14); and, driving means (34 ... 39) coupled to said capstan for driving said capstan to cause said flexible band (18) to move.

Claim 3

The combination in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said means for holding said array comprises: a first slider frame guideway (46) having a first horizontal sliding surface cut therein; a second slider frame guideway (48) having a second horizontal sliding surface cut therein; said first and second slider frame guideways being held in a fixed relationship with respect to said image plane of said lens (80; said carriage (14) having a first horizontal tongue (50) on a first side thereof, said first horizontal tongue being adapted to engage said first horizontal sliding surface (46); said carriage having a second horizontal tongue (52) on a second side thereof, said second horizontal tongue being adapted to engage said second horizontal sliding surface (48); and, means for securing said array to said carriage.

Claim 4

In a scanner comprising a focusing lens (80) for focusing, at the image focal plane of said lens, the image of an object to be scanned; a linear array (10) of the type in which a row of light--sensitive devices is scanned to provide a train of output pulses proportional in magnitude to the light intensity falling upon each successively scanned light-sensitive device; and means (14, 40, 42) for holding said array (10) in the image plane of said lens, said means including means (40, 42) for allowing movement between said array and said lens such that relative motion between said array and said lens is allowed corresponding to a measured distance in said image plane, said means for holding said array (10) being characterized by: a first slider frame guideway (46) having a first horizontal sliding surface cut therein; a second slider frame guideway (48) having a second horizontal sliding surface cut therein; said first and second slider frame guideways (46, 48) being held in a fixed relationship with respect to said lens (80); a carriage (14); said carriage having a first horizontal tongue (50) on a first side thereof, said first horizontal tongue being adapted to engage said first horizontal sliding surface (46); said carriage having a second horizontal tongue (52) on a second side thereof, said second horizontal tongue being adapted to engange said second horizontal sliding surface (48); and, means for securing said array to said carriage.

Claim 5

In a scanner comprising a focusing lens (80) for focusing, at the image focal plane of said lens, the image of an object to be scanned; a linear array (10) of the type in which a row of light--sensitive devices is scanned to provide a train of output pulses proportional in magnitude to the light intensity falling upon each successively scanned light-sensitive device; and means (14, 40, 42) for holding said array (10) in the image plane of said lens, said means including means (40, 42) for allowing movement between said array and said lens such that relative motion between said array and said lens is allowed corresponding to a measured distance in said image plane, said means for holding said array (10) being characterized by: a first slider frame guideway (46) having a first horizontal sliding surface cut therein; a second slider frame guideway (48) having a second horizontal sliding surface cut therein; said first and second slider frame guideways (46, 48) being held in a fixed relationship with respect to said lens (80); a carriage (14); said carriage having a first horizontal tongue (50) on a first side thereof, said first horizontal tongue being adapted to engage said first horizontal sliding surface (46); said carriage having a second horizontal tongue (52) on a second side thereof, said second horizontal tongue being adapted to engange said second horizontal sliding surface (48); and, means for securing said array to said carriage.

Claim 6

The combination in accordance with Claim 3 further comprising: a capstan (30); an idler wheel (32); a flexible band (18) having a first end, a second end, first and second portions between said first and second ends, and a middle portion between said first and second portions; said first portion of said flexible band (18) being wrapped around said capstan (30) in engagement therewith, and said second portion of said flexible band being wrapped around said idler wheel (32) in engagement therewith; first means (54) for connecting said first end of said flexible band to said carriage (14); second means (56) for connecting said second end of said flexible band to said carriage (14); and driving means (34 ... 39) coupled to said capstan (30) for driving said capstan to cause said flexible band to move and thereby cause motion of said carriage with respect to said first and second slider frame guideways (46, 48).

Claim 7

A camera mechanism comprising; a camera body; a first slider frame guideway (46) having a first horizontal sliding surface cut therein; a second slider frame guideway (48) having a second horizontal sliding surface cut therein; said first and second slider frame guideways (46, 48) being affixed to said camera body; a carriage (14); said carriage having a first horizontal tongue (50) on a first side thereof, said first horizontal tongue being adapted to engage said first horizontal sliding surface (46); said carriage having a second horizontal tongue (52) on a second side thereof, said second horizontal tongue being adapted to engage said second horizontal sliding surface (48); a capstan (30); an idler wheel (32); a flexible band (18) having a first end, a second end, first and second portions between said first and second ends, and a middle portion between said first and second portions; said first portion of said flexible band being wrapped around said capstan (30) in engagement therewith, and said second portion of said flexible band being wrapped around said idler wheel (32) in engagement therewith; first means (54) for connecting said first end of said flexible band (18) to said carriage (14); second means (56) for connecting said second end of said flexible band to said carriage (14); and, driving means (34 ... 38) coupled to said capstan (30) for driving said capstan to cause said flexible band (18) to move and thereby cause motion of said carriage with respect to said first and second slider frame guideways (46, 48).

Claim 8

A camera mechanism comprising; a camera body; a first slider frame guideway (46) having a first horizontal sliding surface cut therein; a second slider frame guideway (48) having a second horizontal sliding surface cut therein; said first and second slider frame guideways (46, 48) being affixed to said camera body; a carriage (14); said carriage having a first horizontal tongue (50) on a first side thereof, said first horizontal tongue being adapted to engage said first horizontal sliding surface (46); said carriage having a second horizontal tongue (52) on a second side thereof, said second horizontal tongue being adapted to engage said second horizontal sliding surface (48); a capstan (30); an idler wheel (32); a flexible band (18) having a first end, a second end, first and second portions between said first and second ends, and a middle portion between said first and second portions; said first portion of said flexible band being wrapped around said capstan (30) in engagement therewith, and said second portion of said flexible band being wrapped around said idler wheel (32) in engagement therewith; first means (54) for connecting said first end of said flexible band (18) to said carriage (14); second means (56) for connecting said second end of said flexible band to said carriage (14); and, driving means (34 ... 38) coupled to said capstan (30) for driving said capstan to cause said flexible band (18) to move and thereby cause motion of said carriage with respect to said first and second slider frame guideways (46, 48).

Claim 9

The combination in accordance with Claim 2, Claim 3, or Claim 5 wherein said first slider frame guideway (46) further comprises: a cavity having an upper inner wall and a lower inner wall; and, means for affixing a sliding surface material to said lower and upper walls of said cavity.

Claim 10

The combination in accordance with Claim 1, Claim 4, or Claim 5 wherein one of said means for securing said flexible band to said carriage includes a tensioning spring.

Claim 13

The method in accordance with Claim 8 wherein said step A of forming a material to provide said first and second slider frame guideways is accomplished by extruding a metal stock to provide said slider frame guideway with cavities cut on inner sides thereof, and wherein said cavities have means for receiving and restraining slide ways said method comprising the further steps of: C. extruding slide ways to provide upper and lower sliding surfaces, said ways being adapted to fit in said cavities; D. inserting said slide ways in said cavities; and E. securing said slide ways in said cavities.

Claim 16

The method in accordance with Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein said slider frame guideway cavities for receiving and restraining said slide ways includes a lip on each inner edge of said cavities; and wherein said step E of securing said slide ways in said cavity comprises the further step of: F. inserting retaining means in said cavity, said retaining means being adapted to coact with said slide ways and said cavities so as to urge said ways into a restraining relationship with said lips.

Claim 17

The method in accordance with Claim 11 wherein said step F of inserting retaining means in said cavities comprises the further steps of: G. placing a resilient rod in each of said cavities behind said slide ways; and H. placing a nonresilient rod in said each of said cavities so as to hold said resilient rod in place.