Combined viewfinder-rangefinder

Claim 2

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a plurality of optical elements positioned with respect to the light rays from a scene to be viewed so as to present a pair of images of the scene to be viewed to the eye of the user, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the respective orientations of the optical elements with respect to the light rays from said scene, said series of optical elements including a pair of laterally movable lenses which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the separation of said lenses; and means for moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single rotatable cam located between said pair of lenses, said cams axis being generally aligned to said lenses'' axes, the rotation of said cam resulting in equal lateral movement of each of said lenses.

Claim 3

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a housing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of spaced windows in said housing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the lateral spacing of said windows, said series of optical elements including a pair of laterally movable lenses, one disposed opposite each said window, which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the lateral separation of said lenses; and means for laterally moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, said cam''s axis being generally aligned to said lenses'' axes, the movement of said cam resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses.

Claim 4

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a housing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of spaced windows in said housing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the lateral spacing of said windows, said series of optical elements including a pair of laterally movable lenses, one disposed opposite each said window, which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the lateral separation of said lenses; and means for laterally moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, said cam''s axis being generally aligned to said lenses'' axes, the movement of said cam resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses.

Claim 5

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a housing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said housing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the separation of said lenses, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the lateral spacing of said lenses; and means for moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, said cam''s axis being generally aligned to said lenses'' axes, the movement of said cam resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses.

Claim 6

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a housing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said housing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the separation of said lenses, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the lateral spacing of said lenses; and means for moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, said cam''s axis being generally aligned to said lenses'' axes, the movement of said cam resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses.

Claim 7

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take acCording to the position of each lens the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the lateral spacing of said lenses; and each of said lenses being mounted in a frame, the frame each having a cam follower portion thereon; means for moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, said cam''s axis being generally aligned to said lenses'' axes, the follower portion of each lens frame being in constant contact with said cam and the movement of said cam resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses.

Claim 8

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take acCording to the position of each lens the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the lateral spacing of said lenses; and each of said lenses being mounted in a frame, the frame each having a cam follower portion thereon; means for moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, said cam''s axis being generally aligned to said lenses'' axes, the follower portion of each lens frame being in constant contact with said cam and the movement of said cam resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses.

Claim 9

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take according to the lateral position of each lens, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the lateral spacing of said lenses; and each of said lenses being mounted in a frame, each said frame having a cam follower portion thereon; means for moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide said means comprising a single rotatable cam positioned between said pair of lenses, said cam''s axis being generally aligned with said lenses'' axes, the follower portion of each lens frame being in constant contact with the peripheral surface of said cam, the portions of said peripheral cam surface contacting said follower portions being identical so that upon rotation of said cam each lens mounted in its frame will be moved equal amounts thus requiring a small increment of movement of each lens individually to cause the image of certain objects as viewed through the viewfinder-rangefinder to coincide.

Claim 10

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take according to the lateral position of each lens, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the lateral spacing of said lenses; and each of said lenses being mounted in a frame, each said frame having a cam follower portion thereon; means for moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide said means comprising a single rotatable cam positioned between said pair of lenses, said cam''s axis being generally aligned with said lenses'' axes, the follower portion of each lens frame being in constant contact with the peripheral surface of said cam, the portions of said peripheral cam surface contacting said follower portions being identical so that upon rotation of said cam each lens mounted in its frame will be moved equal amounts thus requiring a small increment of movement of each lens individually to cause the image of certain objects as viewed through the viewfinder-rangefinder to coincide.

Claim 11

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a plurality of optical elements positioned with respect to the light rays from a scene to be viewed so as to present a pair of images of the scene to be viewed to the eye of the user, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the respective orientations of the optical elements with respect to the light rays forming said scene images, said series of optical elements including a pair of laterally movable lenses which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the path which the light rays take according to the lateral spacing between said lenses; and means for moving each of said lenses between lateral positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the movement of said cam resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses; framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said framing means having portions engageable with said cam and being driven thereby so that they frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 12

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a plurality of optical elements positioned with respect to the light rays from a scene to be viewed so as to present a pair of images of the scene to be viewed to the eye of the user, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the respective orientations of the optical elements with respect to the light rays forming said scene images, said series of optical elements including a pair of laterally movable lenses which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the path which the light rays take according to the lateral spacing between said lenses; and means for moving each of said lenses between lateral positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the movement of said cam resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses; framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said framing means having portions engageable with said cam and being driven thereby so that they frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 13

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a housing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said housing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a pair of laterally movable lenses which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the path which the light rays take according to the lateral spacing between said lenses, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the spacing of said lenses; means for moving each of said lenses between lateral positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the movement of said cam resulting in equal lateral movement of each of said lenses; and framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said framing means having portions engageable with said cam and being driven thereby so that they frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 14

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a housing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said housing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a pair of laterally movable lenses which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the path which the light rays take according to the lateral spacing between said lenses, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the spacing of said lenses; means for moving each of said lenses between lateral positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the movement of said cam resulting in equal lateral movement of each of said lenses; and framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said framing means having portions engageable with said cam and being driven thereby so that they frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 15

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take according to the position of each lens, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the spacing of said lenses; means for moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the movement of said cam resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses; and framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said framing means having portions engageable with said cam and being driven thereby so that they frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 16

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take according to the position of each lens, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the spacing of said lenses; means for moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide, said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the movement of said cam resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses; and framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said framing means having portions engageable with said cam and being driven thereby so that they frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 17

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein:: a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take according to the position of each lens, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the spacing of said lenses; and each of said lenses being mounted in a frame, the frame each having a cam follower portion thereon; means for laterally moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the follower portion of each lens frame being in constant contact with said cam and resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses; and framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said framing means having portions engageable with said cam and being driven thereby so that they frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 18

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein:: a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take according to the position of each lens, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the spacing of said lenses; and each of said lenses being mounted in a frame, the frame each having a cam follower portion thereon; means for laterally moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the rangefinder-viewfinder coincide said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the follower portion of each lens frame being in constant contact with said cam and resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses; and framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said framing means having portions engageable with said cam and being driven thereby so that they frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 19

A photographic vIewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take according to the position of each lens, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the spacing of said lenses; and each of said lenses being mounted in a frame, the frames each having a cam follower portion thereon; means for moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the viewfinder-rangefinder coincide said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the follower portion of each lens frame being in constant contact with the peripheral surface of said cam and resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses, said cam also having at least one slot formed in a radial surface thereof; and framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said framing means having at least one cam slot engaging follower portion whereby the rotation of said cam is translated into movement of said framing means so that they frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 20

A photographic vIewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take according to the position of each lens, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the spacing of said lenses; and each of said lenses being mounted in a frame, the frames each having a cam follower portion thereon; means for moving each of said lenses between positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the viewfinder-rangefinder coincide said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the follower portion of each lens frame being in constant contact with the peripheral surface of said cam and resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses, said cam also having at least one slot formed in a radial surface thereof; and framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said framing means having at least one cam slot engaging follower portion whereby the rotation of said cam is translated into movement of said framing means so that they frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 21

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take according to the lateral position of each lens, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the spacing of said lenses; and each of said lenses being mounted in a frame, the frames each having a cam follower portion thereon; means for moving each of said lenses between lateral positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the viewfinder-rangefinder coincide said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the follower portion of each lens frame being in constant contact with the peripheral surface of said cam and resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses, said cam also having a pair of slots formed in a radial surface thereof; and framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user through the pair of windows in the viewfinder-rangefinder casing, said framing means including a pair of relatively movable superposed plates positioned behind said pair of windows, each plate having an opening positioned behind said pair of windows, said plate openings together framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said plates each having a follower portion engaging one of said slots in the radial surface of said cam whereby the rotation of said cam is translated into movement of each of said superposed plates in a manner to change the size of the framed opening formed by the openings in the pair of superposed plates, whereby the framing means frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 22

A photographic viewfinder-rangefinder comprising: a casing enclosing the elements of said viewfinder-rangefinder therein; a pair of laterally spaced windows in said casing through which light rays from the scene to be viewed may enter; a series of optical elements positioned with respect to each of said windows to present an image of the scene which enters as light rays through each of said windows to the eye of the user, said series of optical elements including a laterally movable lens mounted over each window which serve to deflect the light rays forming the two scene images, the amount of deflection depending upon the changing path which the light rays take according to the lateral position of each lens, the pair of images being superimposed and the coincidence of the images being affected by the spacing of said lenses; and each of said lenses being mounted in a frame, the frames each having a cam follower portion thereon; means for moving each of said lenses between lateral positions wherein the images of certain objects as viewed through the viewfinder-rangefinder coincide said means comprising a single cam located between said pair of lenses, the follower portion of each lens frame being in constant contact with the peripheral surface of said cam and resulting in equal movement of each of said lenses, said cam also having a pair of slots formed in a radial surface thereof; and framing means for framing the scene image as viewed by the user through the pair of windows in the viewfinder-rangefinder casing, said framing means including a pair of relatively movable superposed plates positioned behind said pair of windows, each plate having an opening positioned behind said pair of windows, said plate openings together framing the scene image as viewed by the user, said plates each having a follower portion engaging one of said slots in the radial surface of said cam whereby the rotation of said cam is translated into movement of each of said superposed plates in a manner to change the size of the framed opening formed by the openings in the pair of superposed plates, whereby the framing means frame a predetermined field of view at each position of said cam.

Claim 23

The photographic viewfinder-rangefinder as defined in claim 11 wherein the scene image is four sided and eacH plate opening frames two sides of the scene image.