US3584558A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for extending exposure range of a camera
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1969-01-31
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Granted: 1971-06-15
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Expires: 1989-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A device is provided to extend the exposure range of a camera, the camera having a diaphragm that is manually adjustable by an externally accessible control member to afford a plurality of aperture sizes. The device comprises a filter that is movable into the path of scene light when the diaphragm has been adjusted to its minimum-aperture condition. The filter is supported by a lever that is engaged by the externally accessible control member when the diaphragm is in its minimum-aperture condition for movement by the control member into the path of scene light to thereby attenuate said light and provide the equivalent of an even smaller diaphragm aperture. The device thus provides a means whereby unidirectional movement of the externally accessible control member by the camera operator effects a reduction in the amount of scene light admittable to film in the camera from a maximum amount corresponding to the maximum-size diaphragm aperture to a minimum amount corresponding to the minimum-size diaphragm aperture with the filter positioned in the path of scene light.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald O Easterly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:49
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/003; G03B19/00; G03B19/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
Exposure control means for controlling the amount of light from a scene that is provided along a light path to an exposure area of a camera, the exposure control means comprising: a. adjustable diaphragm means located along the light path and adjustable through a range of conditions for controlling the amount of light from the scene that is provided to the exposure area of the camera; b. a filter mounted in the camera for movement between (1) a first position wherein the filter is spaced from the light path and (2) a second position wherein the filter is in alignment with the light path, said filter being effective when in the light path to decrease the amount of light transmitted to the exposure area of the camera; and c. means for controlling adjustment of the diaphragm means through its range of conditions and movement of the filter between its two positions, said controlling means comprising a control member manually movable from a first position through a second position to a third position, and means on said control member detachably coupled to said diaphragm means for adjusting the diaphragm means during movement of the control member from its first position through its second position, said control member being coupled to said fIlter during movement of the control member from its second position to its third position thereby to effect movement of the filter from its first position to its second position, and means for preventing movement of said diaphragm means during movement of said control member from its second position to its third position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
Exposure control means for controlling the amount of light from a scene that is provided along a light path to an exposure area of a camera, the exposure control means comprising: a. adjustable diaphragm means located along the light path and adjustable through a range of conditions for controlling the amount of light from the scene that is provided to the exposure area of the camera; b. a filter mounted in the camera for movement between (1) a first position wherein the filter is spaced from the light path and (2) a second position wherein the filter is in alignment with the light path, said filter being effective when in the light path to decrease the amount of light transmitted to the exposure area of the camera; and c. means for controlling adjustment of the diaphragm means through its range of conditions and movement of the filter between its two positions, said controlling means comprising a control member manually movable from a first position through a second position to a third position, and means on said control member detachably coupled to said diaphragm means for adjusting the diaphragm means during movement of the control member from its first position through its second position, said control member being coupled to said fIlter during movement of the control member from its second position to its third position thereby to effect movement of the filter from its first position to its second position, and means for preventing movement of said diaphragm means during movement of said control member from its second position to its third position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
251 words
In a camera adapted to receive a member having a photosensitive surface, the camera having means for directing an image of a scene through the camera along a light path having an optical axis and onto the surface, the combination comprising: a. adjustable diaphragm means located along the light path and adjustable through a range of conditions for controlling the amount of light form the scene that is provided to the surface; b. stop means carried by the camera for limiting further movement of the diaphragm means in one direction at one end of its range of conditions; c. filter; d. a member supporting said filter for movement between (1) a first position wherein the filter is spaced from the light path and (2) a second position wherein the filter is in alignment with the light path and wherein the filter is effective to decrease the amount of light transmitted to the surface; and e. manually operable means for adjusting said diaphragm means and said filter including a manually movable control member, said control member being operatively coupled to said diaphragm means during adjustment of said diaphragm means and being movable independently of said diaphragm means after said diaphragm means reaches said one end of its range of conditions, said control member being operatively coupled to said member supporting said filter after the diaphragm means has been stopped by the stop means for moving said filter supporting member and thereby moving the filter from its first position to its second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
251 words
In a camera adapted to receive a member having a photosensitive surface, the camera having means for directing an image of a scene through the camera along a light path having an optical axis and onto the surface, the combination comprising: a. adjustable diaphragm means located along the light path and adjustable through a range of conditions for controlling the amount of light form the scene that is provided to the surface; b. stop means carried by the camera for limiting further movement of the diaphragm means in one direction at one end of its range of conditions; c. filter; d. a member supporting said filter for movement between (1) a first position wherein the filter is spaced from the light path and (2) a second position wherein the filter is in alignment with the light path and wherein the filter is effective to decrease the amount of light transmitted to the surface; and e. manually operable means for adjusting said diaphragm means and said filter including a manually movable control member, said control member being operatively coupled to said diaphragm means during adjustment of said diaphragm means and being movable independently of said diaphragm means after said diaphragm means reaches said one end of its range of conditions, said control member being operatively coupled to said member supporting said filter after the diaphragm means has been stopped by the stop means for moving said filter supporting member and thereby moving the filter from its first position to its second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 further comprising means coupled to said diaphragm means for biasing the diaphragm means toward said one end of its range of conditions, said control member being effective to move said diaphragm means away from said one end of its range of conditions in opposition to the influence of said biasing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 further comprising means operatively connected to said filter supporting member for biasing said filter supporting member and said filter in a direction for moving the filter to its first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said filter is a neutral-density filter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-14 | 1974-12-14 | 1975-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-14 | 1978-12-14 | 1979-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-14 | 1982-12-14 | 1983-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |