US3552283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ground plane indicia means
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1968-03-27
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1988-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A ground plane indicia device purpose providing an image on exposed photographic film for the purpose of indicating the ground plane on the developed negative or positive print, regardless of the camera attitude at the time of shooting. The device comprises a transparent body which houses a weighted element adapted to nest in the lowermost corner of the body, under the discipline of the gravitational force. The transparent body may be positioned within the camera body proper, or within a roll film cartridge, the only requirement being that the transparent body be in the path of the exposing light from the subject being photographed to the film at the film plane of the camera. The developed negative or positive film contains an arrowlike imprint on the periphery of the film frame, the arrow pointing toward the ground plane, so that it may be used to conveniently orient the film or transparency.
Inventors
- 👤 David Lockman Babcock
- 👤 Hubert Nerwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:23
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/24; G03B17/245; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/24; G03B2217/242; G03B2217/243; G03B2217/246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A ground plane indicia means for a camera having light admitting means through which a film in the camera is exposed, comprising: a. body means mounted within the camera, said body means defining a unitary chamber in the path of the light passing through the light admitting means when an image exposure is made, said chamber having a plurality of corners; b. weighted means freely movable within the chamber under gravitational force discipline, and seatable in one of said corners as a function of the orientation of the camera relative to a ground plane; and said weighted means and said chamber cooperating to define a light passageway of a configuration forming an indicia on the film when an image exposure is made, and which when developed indicates the ground plane for the image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A ground plane indicia means for a camera having light admitting means through which a film in the camera is exposed, comprising: a. body means mounted within the camera, said body means defining a unitary chamber in the path of the light passing through the light admitting means when an image exposure is made, said chamber having a plurality of corners; b. weighted means freely movable within the chamber under gravitational force discipline, and seatable in one of said corners as a function of the orientation of the camera relative to a ground plane; and said weighted means and said chamber cooperating to define a light passageway of a configuration forming an indicia on the film when an image exposure is made, and which when developed indicates the ground plane for the image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Ground plane indicia means according to claim 1 wherein said chamber has the geometric configuration of a rhombus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Ground plane indicia means according to claim 1 wherein said chamber has the geometric configuration of a rhomboid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Ground plane indicia means according to claim 1 wherein said chamber has the geometric configuration of a rectangle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Ground plane indicia means according to claim 1 wherein said chamber has the geometric configuration of a square.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Ground plane indicia means according to claim 1 wherein said weighted means has the geometric configuration of a disc arranged to be moveable between said transparent windows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
Ground plane indicia means according to claim 1 wherein said chamber has parallel, spaced apart transparent windows, and said weighted means is interposed between said windows and has the geometric configuration of a disc, the planar faces of which are arranged in spaced relationship from and substantially parallel to said parallel transparent windows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
A roll film cartridge adapted for loading into a camera having light admitTing means through which a film in the camera is exposed, comprising: a. body means mounted within the camera, said body means defining a unitary chamber in the path of the light passing through the light admitting means when an image exposure is made, said chamber having a plurality of corners; b. weighted means freely movable within the chamber under gravitational force discipline, and seating in one of said corners as a function of the position of the camera relative to a ground plane; and said weighted means and said chamber cooperating to define a light passageway of a configuration forming an indicia on the film when an image exposure is made which when developed indicates the ground plane for the image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
A roll film cartridge adapted for loading into a camera having light admitTing means through which a film in the camera is exposed, comprising: a. body means mounted within the camera, said body means defining a unitary chamber in the path of the light passing through the light admitting means when an image exposure is made, said chamber having a plurality of corners; b. weighted means freely movable within the chamber under gravitational force discipline, and seating in one of said corners as a function of the position of the camera relative to a ground plane; and said weighted means and said chamber cooperating to define a light passageway of a configuration forming an indicia on the film when an image exposure is made which when developed indicates the ground plane for the image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A roll film cartridge according to claim 8 wherein said chamber has the geometric configuration of a rhombus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A roll film cartridge according to claim 8 wherein said chamber has the geometric configuration of a rhomboid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A roll film cartridge according to claim 8 wherein said chamber has the geometric configuration of a rectangle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A roll film cartridge according to claim 8 wherein said chamber has the geometric configuration of a square.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A roll film cartridge according to claim 8 wherein said weighted means has the geometric configuration of a disc the planar faces of which are arranged in spaced relationship from and substantially parallel to said parallel transparent windows.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |