US3659933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Annotator for microfilm reader
Assignee: BOXTON BEEL Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-11
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Granted: 1972-05-02
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Expires: 1990-08-11
Abstract
Abstract An annotator adapted to erase any selected line of text or a part of the line appearing on a reduced image formed on a microfilm strip of thermoplastic material which is transported within a microfilm reader for projection on a screen. The annotator includes a retractable carriage supporting a pair of electrodes whose ends are bridged by a resistance wire acting as a stylus. The carriage is movable by a stepping motor or other means to cause the stylus, whose length corresponds to the width of the frame, to advance incrementally across the film strip and in engagement therewith in a direction normal to the direction of film travel. The stylus is arrested at a position in registration with a line of text to be erased, the stylus and text being viewable on the screen whereby the registration may be readily checked. By electrically energizing the arrested stylus, the selected line is fused and erased.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry Weitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:22
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/10; G03B21/11; G03B21/111
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An annotator for a microfilm reader, said reader having an optical projector for casting an enlarged image of a microfilm frame positioned within a film gate onto a viewing screen, said annotator comprising: A. a retractable carriage having an electrode holder for supporting a pair of spaced electrodes, B. a resistance wire bridged across the ends of said electrodes to define a stylus, C. means to drive said carriage to advance said stylus into said film gate across said film frame in engagement with the surface thereof, said drive means operating incrementally whereby said stylus, whose length corresponds to the width of said frame or to a portion thereof, may be registered with any selected line of text on said frame, and D. means to energize said stylus to heat same to effect fusion of the line aligned therewith, thereby to erase the line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
An annotator for a microfilm reader, said reader having an optical projector for casting an enlarged image of a microfilm frame positioned within a film gate onto a viewing screen, said annotator comprising: A. a retractable carriage having an electrode holder for supporting a pair of spaced electrodes, B. a resistance wire bridged across the ends of said electrodes to define a stylus, C. means to drive said carriage to advance said stylus into said film gate across said film frame in engagement with the surface thereof, said drive means operating incrementally whereby said stylus, whose length corresponds to the width of said frame or to a portion thereof, may be registered with any selected line of text on said frame, and D. means to energize said stylus to heat same to effect fusion of the line aligned therewith, thereby to erase the line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An annotator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said retractable carriage includes a traveling nut supported on guide rails, said nut being threadably engaged by a screw which is turned in either direction by said drive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
An annotator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reader includes means to advance said frame in a direction normal to the direction of carriage movement, and wherein said stylus length is less than the width of said frame, whereby a desired portion of said selected line may be erased by advancing said frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An annotator as set forth in claim 2, wherein said drive means is a stepping motor or a stepping relay.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An annotator as set forth in claim 3, wherein said carriage movement is limited in the forward and return directions by limit switches which are engaged by said nut and which, when actuated, cause cessation of said motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An annotator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said film gate and the components constituting said annotator are mounted on a common bracket to facilitate removal thereof from the reader.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1406507A
Cited
US3395204A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-02 | 1975-11-01 | 1976-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-02 | 1979-11-01 | 1980-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-02 | 1983-11-01 | 1984-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |