US3597065A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for the automatic control of an objective lens system having variable focal length
Assignee: COMITETUL DE STAT PENTRU CULTU
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Filing: 1968-03-06
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1988-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A device for automatically controlling and adjusting the focusing mechanism and the mechanism for varying the focal length of an objective lens system of a movie camera mounted on dolly. The device of the invention includes a pair of spiral cams which are operatively connected to one or more wheels of the dolly to the focusing mechanism and the means mechanism for varying the focal length of the objective lens system respectively.
Inventors
- 👤 Toma Radulet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:14
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B3/00; G03B3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
Device for controlling and adjusting the focusing means and the means for varying the focal length of a variable focal length objective zoom lens system of a movie camera which is mounted on a dolly having at Least one rotatable wheel, comprising in combination, first and second drive trains connected at one end of each to the focusing means and the means for varying the focal length of the zoom lens system, respectively, and at the other end of each to respective cam followers, first and second rotatable cam means cooperating with the respective cam followers, a third drive train extending between and connected to the said wheel of the dolly and the cam means, said third drive train including a selectively disconnectable clutch interposed between the wheel of the dolly and the two cam means, and a fourth, manually driven, drive train connected to the cam means, whereby the cam means for focusing and varying the focal length of the zoom lens may selectively be driven manually, and automatically by movement of the dolly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
Device for controlling and adjusting the focusing means and the means for varying the focal length of a variable focal length objective zoom lens system of a movie camera which is mounted on a dolly having at Least one rotatable wheel, comprising in combination, first and second drive trains connected at one end of each to the focusing means and the means for varying the focal length of the zoom lens system, respectively, and at the other end of each to respective cam followers, first and second rotatable cam means cooperating with the respective cam followers, a third drive train extending between and connected to the said wheel of the dolly and the cam means, said third drive train including a selectively disconnectable clutch interposed between the wheel of the dolly and the two cam means, and a fourth, manually driven, drive train connected to the cam means, whereby the cam means for focusing and varying the focal length of the zoom lens may selectively be driven manually, and automatically by movement of the dolly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the cam means has a spiral cam track therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The device as defined in claim 2, wherein the spiral cam means and the cam followers cooperating therewith are so constructed and arranged that the cam followers are automatically disengaged at the inner and outer ends of the spiral surfaces, whereby when the clutch is engaged, control of the focusing and variation of the focal length of the zoom lens by the wheel of the dolly ceases when the dolly travels outside a predetermined range of distance from the principal object being photographed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device as defined in claim 1, comprising disengageable drive means interposed in each of the first and second drive trains adjacent the focusing means and the means for varying the focal length of the zoom lens, whereby the focusing means and the means for varying the focal length of the zoom lens may be manually operated separately.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device as defined in claim 1, including first and second gear racks which meshingly respectively engage first and second gear wheels, on the one hand, and are operatively respectively connected to said first and second spiral cam means, on the other hand; and first and second cable means operatively respectively connecting said first and second gear wheels to said focusing means and said means for varying the focal length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said first and second spiral cam means comprise respectively first and second wheel means having a groove of predetermined spiral configuration, said first and second gear racks having rollers mounted thereon which respectively extend into the grooves of said first and second wheel means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said rollers are slidably mounted on said first and second gear racks, each roller including biasing means urging it into one of said grooves of spiral configuration, each groove having at each one of its ends an upwardly inclined portion which causes the respective roller to exit from the groove when reaching that portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as defined in claim 5, including first and second biasing means respectively operatively connected to said first and second cable means for keeping them continuously under tension during the operation of the device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said focusing means and said means for varying the focal length of an objective lens system are rotatably mounted in said movie camera, a first ring adapted to be connected to said focusing means and a second ring adapted to be connected to said means for varying the focal length, said first and second cable means being respectively wound around said first and second rings, each one of said first and second biasing means including spiral spring means mounted on a respective ring of said first and second rings and being respectively connected to one end of said first and second cable means thereby keeping sand cable means continuously under tension.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device as defined in claim 9, including means operatively connected to said first and second rings, on the one hand, and to said movie camera, on the other hand, for shiftiNg said first and second rings from an operative position, in which they are respectively connected to said focusing means and said means for varying the focal length, to an inactive position, in which they are disconnected therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device as defined in claim 9, wherein said first and second rings are mounted on a common plate which is slidably movable with respect to said camera, a pin having one eccentric portion rotatable in said camera, said eccentric portion being disposed in an accommodating portion of said common plate so that when said pin is manually turned said common plate shifts position in relation to said camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device as defined in claim 11, wherein each one of said first and second rings has a lever pivotally mounted thereon and a spring operatively connected to said lever for respectively urging it into frictional engagement with the means on which the ring is mounted.
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) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |