US3601487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microfiche step and repeat camera
Assignee: Terminal Data Corp
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Filing: 1970-02-26
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1990-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A microfiche camera suited to expose a wide selection of film widths at relatively high speeds and with required precision. The objective lens is stationary and the film is moved transversely to accomplish the multiple independent exposures characteristic of the fiche format. A photoelectric cell-format disk assembly accurately controls the lateral position of the film by coaction with a servomotor. A mechanical cable wound around a power drum translates a film-carrying carriage. The cable is kept taut by a torsion spring surrounding the hub of the drum. A stepper-motor supported by the film carriage translates the film longitudinally. A pinch roller system having spring flanges at the edges maintains precise transverse alignment at the lens aperture gate despite intervening transverse motion of the film.
Inventors
- 👤 John S Burton
- 👤 Harry F Rayfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:14
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/58; G03B27/583
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A microfiche camera comprising; a. a stationary objective lens (3), b. a movable carriage (5), carrying film (4) to be exposed, c. rotatable format means (10), having spaced indicia (102-3) corresponding to a selected fiche format, d. a servomotor (8), connected to said rotatable format means for servo position control thereby, e. drive means (6) attached to said carriage, f. rotatable means (7), connected to said servomotor and to said drive means (6) by resilient means (48) dynamically a damped by said rotatable means and said drive means, and g. motor means (15) upon said carriage, disposed to move said film (4) with respect to said carriage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A microfiche camera comprising; a. a stationary objective lens (3), b. a movable carriage (5), carrying film (4) to be exposed, c. rotatable format means (10), having spaced indicia (102-3) corresponding to a selected fiche format, d. a servomotor (8), connected to said rotatable format means for servo position control thereby, e. drive means (6) attached to said carriage, f. rotatable means (7), connected to said servomotor and to said drive means (6) by resilient means (48) dynamically a damped by said rotatable means and said drive means, and g. motor means (15) upon said carriage, disposed to move said film (4) with respect to said carriage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The camera of claim 1, in which said rotatable format means (10) is comprised of; a. a multiapertured disk (98), b. means (116) to rotate said disk by said drive means (6), c. means (117-8) to direct radiant energy toward the apertures of said disk, and d. plural radiant-energy-sensitive means (104-5 and 107-9) disposed to receive said radiant energy and produce an electrical signal therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
The camera of claim 2, in which; a. said plural radiant-energy-sensitive means (104-5) having to do with forward rotation of said rotatable format means (10) give an analog electricaL output proportional to the magnitude of energy falling upon them, and b. said plural radiant-energy-sensitive means (107-9) having to do with return rotation of said rotatable format means (10) give a digital electrical output of fixed magnitude for all appreciable magnitudes of energy falling upon them and no electrical output for less than that magnitude of energy falling upon them.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The camera of claim 1, in which; a. said drive means (6) is a flexible cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The camera of claim 1, in which; a. said rotatable means (7) is a pulley about which said drive means (6) is wrapped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The camera of claim 1, in which; a. said resilient means (48) is a torsional spring disposed within said rotatable means (7) and attached to one end of said drive means (6) and to said rotatable means (7) for tensioning said drive means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The camera of claim 1, in which; a. said motor means (15) is a stepper motor that is bidirectionally rotatable
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The camera of claim 1, which additionally includes; a. resiliently loaded flange metering rollers (21-2) mounted upon said carriage for holding the length of said film (4) upon said carriage at a fixed location thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The camera of claim 8, which additionally includes; a. a roller (13) located in conjunction with each said metering roller (21, 22), and b. a second roller (23) bearing upon each of said metering rollers (21, 22), to retain said film (4) in a curved configuration around each said metering roller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The camera of claim 1, which additionally includes; a. plural aperture plates (19) selectively mountable upon said carriage (5), and b. a film guide (18) upon each said aperture plate positioned to retain a film of selected width in contact with the flange of said metering rollers (21, 22).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
The camera of claim 1, in which; a. pairs of spaced indicia (102-3) are circumferentially disposed upon said rotatable format means (10) successively spaced, whereby the beginning of the first indicia provides a first aperture relation, the end of the first indicia and the beginning of the second indicia provides a second aperture relation, and the end of the second indicia provides a third aperture relation, for servocontrol of said servomotor (8) in acceleration and deceleration according to said aperture relations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The camera of claim 1, which additionally includes; a. a takeup motor (61) b. a pivoted sensor arm (72), and c. means (75) responsive to the position of said sensor arm and connected to said takeup motor to maintain a loop of film between said sensor arm and the film upon said carriage (5).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The camera of claim 1, which additionally includes; a. a magazine spool (134), b. a takeup motor (61), and c. torsional drive means (129) connected between said takeup motor and said magazine spool for temporarily storing mechanical energy from said motor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The camera of claim 1, which additionally includes; a. a film pressure roller assembly (63) contacting said film (4), and b. plural fingers (as 71) selectively laterally bearing upon said film for the guidance thereof.
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) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |