Patent US3643891A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3643891A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Film transport unit
Assignee: Cubic Corp
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Filing: 1970-11-19
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Granted: 1972-02-22
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Expires: 1990-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A film transport unit for use as a microfilm camera, or the like, and having quick release means for attachment of a variety of standard film magazines. Film is drawn from the supply magazine and a supply loop is maintained by a drive which grips only the edges of the film, and is advanced incrementally through an exposure gate by an edge gripping capstan driven by a stepping motor. The film loading path is very simple and the guiding elements incorporate means for maintaining constantly precise film advance over long periods of use, without damaging stresses or wear on the film.
Inventors
- 👤 Willard D Isbell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:29
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B29/00; G03B17/00; G03B17/28; G03B17/30; G03B17/305; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; G03B21/32; G03B21/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A film transport unit for attachment to a lens assembly for microfilm photography comprising: a casing having a lighttight access door; one side of said casing having an aperture for registration with the camera lens assembly; the other side of said casing having clamp means for holding a film supply magazine and a film takeup magazine, with an inlet opening and an outlet opening extending through the casing for passage of film; a deck plate mounted in said casing; film-handling mechanism mounted on said deck plate, including a supply capstan adjacent said inlet opening, film guiding and supporting means at said aperture, and a drive capstan adjacent said supporting means; said supply capstan being continuously driven and having opposed radially inwardly convergent flange faces for gripping opposite edges of the film; guide rollers spaced from said supply capstan to hold the film around a substantial portion thereof; said film guiding and supporting means including an aperture block and a platen block spaced to define a narrow film-guiding channel therebetween; and said drive capstan having stepped drive means connected thereto for advancing film in single frame increments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A film transport unit for attachment to a lens assembly for microfilm photography comprising: a casing having a lighttight access door; one side of said casing having an aperture for registration with the camera lens assembly; the other side of said casing having clamp means for holding a film supply magazine and a film takeup magazine, with an inlet opening and an outlet opening extending through the casing for passage of film; a deck plate mounted in said casing; film-handling mechanism mounted on said deck plate, including a supply capstan adjacent said inlet opening, film guiding and supporting means at said aperture, and a drive capstan adjacent said supporting means; said supply capstan being continuously driven and having opposed radially inwardly convergent flange faces for gripping opposite edges of the film; guide rollers spaced from said supply capstan to hold the film around a substantial portion thereof; said film guiding and supporting means including an aperture block and a platen block spaced to define a narrow film-guiding channel therebetween; and said drive capstan having stepped drive means connected thereto for advancing film in single frame increments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A film transport unit according to claim 1, wherein said drive capstan has opposed, radially inwardly convergent flange faces for gripping opposite edges of the film, and a pinch roller mounted adjacent said drive capstan and biased to hold the film in contact with said flanges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A film transport unit according to claim 2, and including selectively operable lock means to hold said pinch roller clear of said drive capstan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A film transport unit according to claim 2, and including an arcuate film stripping blade secured at one end to said deck plate and extending partially around said drive capstan inside the film path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A film transport unit according to claim 4, and including a separation roller freely rotatably mounted on said stripping blade and projecting outwardly therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A film transport unit according to claim 2, and including a loop retaining member having an arcuate channel extending from adjacent said supply capstan towArd said film guiding means, said channel having radially outwardly convergent sides for gripping the edges of a loop of film forced into the channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A film transport unit according to claim 1, wherein said platen block has a film supporting face, a chamber in said platen block with means for connection to a source of vacuum, and ports opening from said face into said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A film transport according to claim 7, and including vacuum control means in said platen block.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A film transport unit according to claim 1, wherein said inlet and outlet openings are circular in cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A film transport unit according to claim 1, wherein said clamp means includes a block member having an elongated magazine receiving channel, pairs of jaw elements mounted on opposite ends of said block and having inwardly opposed clamp flanges to grip a magazine, and means for selectively closing and opening said jaw elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A film transport unit according to claim 10, wherein said last mentioned means comprises a clamp pin through each pair of jaw elements, an arm pivotally attached to one end of said pin and having a cam portion bearing on said block, and a spring mounted on the other end of said pin, biasing said jaw elements together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A film transport unit according to claim 11, and including outwardly biased separation springs between said jaw elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
A film transport unit according to claim 1, and including a film takeup motor mounted in said casing, with an external drive connection for engagement with the drive means of the takeup magazine, and control means for said takeup motor responsive to the advancement of film by said drive capstan.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
A film transport unit according to claim 13, wherein said control means includes a tension arm pivotally mounted on said deck plate, a tension roller on said arm around which the film is looped between said drive capstan and said outlet opening, said tension arm being biased to hold a return loop in the film, and a switch actuated by motion of said tension arm to switch said takeup motor on and off.
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) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |