US3568585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shock-absorbing mechanism for the viewing mirror of a single lens reflex camera
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1968-07-10
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1988-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A shock-absorbing mechanism is provided for the viewing mirror of a single lens reflex camera. A spring-biased shock-absorbing lever having a pin or protuberance in the path of the mirror absorbs the impact forces. A spring-biased latch cooperation with the shock-absorbing lever latching the lever immediately before the mirror is moved into its raised position. The viewing mirror is thus moved to its raised position without impact.
Inventors
- 👤 Sunao Ishizaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:14
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
Shock-absorbing mechanism for the viewing mirror of a single lens reflex camera having a mirror-operating mechanism for moving the mirror between a viewing position and a raised position, the combination comprising: a viewing mirror support plate pivotably mounted within the camera body; a shock-absorbing lever pivotably mounted within the camera body; a pin on the shock-absorbing lever extending into the path of the mirror plate; a first spring biasing the shock-absorbing lever in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the mirror from its viewing position to its raised portion; a latch lever pivotably mounted within the camera body; a second spring biasing the latch lever in a direction opposite to the biased direction of the shock-absorbing lever; a detent portion on the latch lever cooperating with the shockabsorbing lever; a pin on the mirror plate abutted by the latch lever when the mirror is in its viewing position; and movement of the mirror towards its raised position bringing about the abutment of the mirror and the shock-absorbing lever pin to move said lever against the bias of the first spring; the latch lever, being released by the movement of the mirror to its raised position, is moved by the bias of the second spring to bring the detent portion thereof into latching position to latch the shock-absorbing lever immediately before the mirror is moved to its raised position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
Shock-absorbing mechanism for the viewing mirror of a single lens reflex camera having a mirror-operating mechanism for moving the mirror between a viewing position and a raised position, the combination comprising: a viewing mirror support plate pivotably mounted within the camera body; a shock-absorbing lever pivotably mounted within the camera body; a pin on the shock-absorbing lever extending into the path of the mirror plate; a first spring biasing the shock-absorbing lever in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the mirror from its viewing position to its raised portion; a latch lever pivotably mounted within the camera body; a second spring biasing the latch lever in a direction opposite to the biased direction of the shock-absorbing lever; a detent portion on the latch lever cooperating with the shockabsorbing lever; a pin on the mirror plate abutted by the latch lever when the mirror is in its viewing position; and movement of the mirror towards its raised position bringing about the abutment of the mirror and the shock-absorbing lever pin to move said lever against the bias of the first spring; the latch lever, being released by the movement of the mirror to its raised position, is moved by the bias of the second spring to bring the detent portion thereof into latching position to latch the shock-absorbing lever immediately before the mirror is moved to its raised position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
Shock-absorbing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: a U-shaped member having two spaced arms is pivotably supported aT the spaced ends of the arms to the camera body; the viewing mirror support plate being pivotally supported at the opposite ends of the U-shaped member arms, the shock-absorbing lever and the latch lever being pivotably mounted on an arm of the U-shaped member; and means interconnecting the mirror plate with the mirror plate operating mechanism of the camera to move the mirror plate between its viewing position and its raised position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
Shock-absorbing mechanism according to claim 2, wherein a drive lever is pivotably mounted at one end to the camera body and movable by the mirror-operating mechanism of the camera; a first connecting lever pivoted at one end to an arm of the U-shaped member and pivoted at the other end to the free end of the drive lever; a second connecting lever pivoted at one end with the first connecting lever to the free end of the drive lever and pivotably connected at the other end to the mirror support plate; and the two connecting levers and portions of the U-shaped member arm and mirror plate between the pivotal connections forming substantially a parallelogram linkage system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
Shock-absorbing mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the pivot point of the mirror support plate and the pivot point of the free end of the lever and the two connecting levers are on diagonally opposite corners of the parallelogram linkage system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a reflex camera having a mirror-operating mechanism for moving the viewing mirror between a viewing position and a raised position, the combination comprising: a U-shaped member having two spaced arms pivotably supported at the spaced ends of the arms to the camera body, the viewing mirror support plate of the camera being pivotably supported at the opposite ends of the arms; a drive lever pivotably mounted at one end to the camera body and movable by the mirror-operating mechanism of the camera; a first connecting lever pivoted at one end to an arm of the U-shaped member and pivoted at the other end to the free end of the drive lever; a second connecting lever pivoted at one end with the first connecting lever to the free end of the drive lever and pivotally connected at the other end to the mirror plate; and the two connecting levers and portions of the U-shaped member arm and mirror plate between the pivotal connections forming substantially a parallelogram linkage system for moving the mirror between its viewing and raised position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a reflex camera having a mirror-operating mechanism for moving the viewing mirror between a viewing position and a raised position, the combination comprising: a U-shaped member having two spaced arms pivotably supported at the spaced ends of the arms to the camera body, the viewing mirror support plate of the camera being pivotably supported at the opposite ends of the arms; a drive lever pivotably mounted at one end to the camera body and movable by the mirror-operating mechanism of the camera; a first connecting lever pivoted at one end to an arm of the U-shaped member and pivoted at the other end to the free end of the drive lever; a second connecting lever pivoted at one end with the first connecting lever to the free end of the drive lever and pivotally connected at the other end to the mirror plate; and the two connecting levers and portions of the U-shaped member arm and mirror plate between the pivotal connections forming substantially a parallelogram linkage system for moving the mirror between its viewing and raised position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2992602A
Cited
US3468232A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |