US3603781A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foldable strobo discharge flash system
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1969-04-15
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1989-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A foldable strobo discharge flash system comprising a cylindrical strobo discharge tube and a reflecting mirror forming a cylindrical curved surface which has the discharge tube at its focal line and is made of flexible and elastic metal plate so as to be folded compactly. One of the edges of the flexible reflecting plate is set on a movable frame member supporting the strobo discharge tube and the curvature of the reflecting plate is varied in coordinating with the operation of the movable frame member. At a full open state of the movable frame member the reflecting plate becomes a reflecting mirror for the strobo discharge tube and at a closed state the reflecting plate is folded flat. Further, the power switch of the strobo discharge tube is turned on or off in coordinating with the operation of the movable frame member.
Inventors
- 👤 Tatsuo Kobayashi
- 👤 Yoshifusa Fujii
- 👤 Hiroshi Ueda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:11
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05; G03B2215/0503; G03B2215/0507; G03B2215/051; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An electronic flash unit comprising: a base member having an opening therein, a movable frame cover hinged at one end to said base member to rotate from an open position in which the other end of said frame cover extends above said base member and to a closed position in which said frame cover is in closely spaced relationship to said base member, a flexible and elastic light reflecting member having one end mounted to the nonhinged end oF said movable frame cover and the other end supported by said base member, support means fixed to said frame cover for retaining a flash tube, said light reflecting member forming a parabolically shaped sheet with said frame cover in said open position and said flash tube positioned proximate to the focal line of said paraboloid, and said light reflecting member collapses with said frame cover in said closed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electronic flash unit comprising: a base member having an opening therein, a movable frame cover hinged at one end to said base member to rotate from an open position in which the other end of said frame cover extends above said base member and to a closed position in which said frame cover is in closely spaced relationship to said base member, a flexible and elastic light reflecting member having one end mounted to the nonhinged end oF said movable frame cover and the other end supported by said base member, support means fixed to said frame cover for retaining a flash tube, said light reflecting member forming a parabolically shaped sheet with said frame cover in said open position and said flash tube positioned proximate to the focal line of said paraboloid, and said light reflecting member collapses with said frame cover in said closed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electronic flash unit as in claim 1 further comprising a spring mounted between said movable frame cover and said base to retain said frame cover in said open position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
An electronic flash unit as in claim 1 further comprising a transparent member hinged at the free end of said frame cover and extending across both ends of said light reflecting member with said frame cover in said open position, the free end of said transparent member resting on said base member with said frame cover in said open position and sliding along said base member to swing within said light reflecting member with said frame cover in said closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electronic flash unit as in claim 3 wherein said end of said light reflecting member supported by said base member is mounted to the end of said transparent member which rests on said base member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
An electronic flash unit as in claim 1 wherein said movable frame cover includes sidewalls and said base member includes elongated apertures so that said sidewalls extend through said elongated apertures with said frame cover in said closed position, said flash unit further comprising side reflector members, each reflector member is internally mounted at one end thereof to a respective one of said sidewalls, the free ends of said side reflector members are biased to enclose the sides of said parabolically shaped sheet with said frame cover in said open position, the free ends of said side reflector members extending into and through said elongated apertures with said frame cover in said closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
An electronic flash unit as in claim 1 further comprising a switch for activating said flash tube and mounted to said base member and wherein said frame cover has a bottom surface engaging said switch with said frame cover in said closed position to open said switch, and said switch is closed with said frame cover in said open position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electronic flash unit as in claim 1 wherein said end of said light reflecting member supported by said base member is fixed thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |