US3638545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for controlling a flash circuit in a camera
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1969-07-30
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1989-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A device for controlling a flash in a camera in accordance with depression of the shutter release mechanism, a desired diaphragm setting, a predetermined range of movement of a distance adjusting mechanism, and a predetermined setting of an exposure control mechanism. The flash circuit is actuated when a first switch contact, moved by rotation of a pointer keeper mechanism in accordance with the setting of the distance adjusting mechanism, contacts a second switch contact, moved by rotation of a control lever rotated in accordance with the setting of the diaphragm control means.
Inventors
- 👤 Tatsuo Kobayashi
- 👤 Yoshikazu Hasegawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:28
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B9/00; G03B9/70; G03B7/00; G03B7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A device for controlling a flash in a camera having an automatic exposure control mechanism including an ammeter pointer operated in accordance with the brightness of the scene to be photoGraphed, a shutter release mechanism, a diaphragm control mechanism for effecting a desired diaphragm setting, and a distance adjustment mechanism, comprising: a pointer keeper mechanism slidably mounted to said camera and operated by said shutter release mechanism and including a surface having a portion for retaining said meter pointer and a notched portion engaging said pointer at an extreme range of movement thereof and of said pointer keeper mechanism and including a first switch contact, means interconnecting said pointer keeper mechanism and said distance adjustment mechanism, a scanning mechanism connected at one end thereof to said shutter release mechanism and rotatably mounted to said camera intermediate the ends thereof, a control lever connected at one end thereof to said diaphragm control mechanism and including at the other end thereof a second switch contact, said lever is rotatably mounted intermediate the ends thereof to said camera, a flash circuit for providing a flash and electrically interconnected between said first and second switch contacts, whereby depression of said shutter release mechanism rotates said first switch contact into engagement with said second switch contact to complete said flash circuit in accordance with a desired diaphragm setting, a predetermined range of movement of said distance adjusting mechanism and with said pointer and said pointer keeper mechanisms at said respective extreme range of movements.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
249 words
A device for controlling a flash in a camera having an automatic exposure control mechanism including an ammeter pointer operated in accordance with the brightness of the scene to be photoGraphed, a shutter release mechanism, a diaphragm control mechanism for effecting a desired diaphragm setting, and a distance adjustment mechanism, comprising: a pointer keeper mechanism slidably mounted to said camera and operated by said shutter release mechanism and including a surface having a portion for retaining said meter pointer and a notched portion engaging said pointer at an extreme range of movement thereof and of said pointer keeper mechanism and including a first switch contact, means interconnecting said pointer keeper mechanism and said distance adjustment mechanism, a scanning mechanism connected at one end thereof to said shutter release mechanism and rotatably mounted to said camera intermediate the ends thereof, a control lever connected at one end thereof to said diaphragm control mechanism and including at the other end thereof a second switch contact, said lever is rotatably mounted intermediate the ends thereof to said camera, a flash circuit for providing a flash and electrically interconnected between said first and second switch contacts, whereby depression of said shutter release mechanism rotates said first switch contact into engagement with said second switch contact to complete said flash circuit in accordance with a desired diaphragm setting, a predetermined range of movement of said distance adjusting mechanism and with said pointer and said pointer keeper mechanisms at said respective extreme range of movements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said means interconnecting said pointer keeper mechanism and said distance adjustment mechanism rotate in accordance with the setting of said distance adjusting mechanism whereby with said pointer and said pointer keeper mechanism at said respective extreme range of movements and with said distance adjusting mechanism set at a distance unsuitable for flash photography said first switch contact is rotated so that said first and second switch contacts are in noncontacting relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said first contact is restrained from contacting said second switch contact by engagement of said pointer keeper mechanism surface engaging said pointer in a range of movement thereof suitable for daylight photography.
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) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |