US3665831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding camera
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1971-02-01
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1991-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A folding camera is provided with a lens support door hinged at one end to the camera housing and supporting the camera lens at its opposite end. A novel two-piece strut connects the door to the housing and is located inside a following bellows. The strut is spring biased toward an extended locked condition at which it accurately and positively holds the door in a predetermined open position to locate the lens in proper operative relation to the camera film. Finger pressure applied to an indicated spot on the flexible bellows releases the extended strut to allow the door to be closed.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald M Harvey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:38
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A foldable camera for exposing photographic film, said camera comprising: a housing including means for receiving the film and for defining an aperture through which the film is exposable; a substantially rigid lens-supporting door having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally coupled to said housing adjacent said aperture for movement of said door between a closed position extending across said aperture and an open position extending away from said housing in oblique relation to said housing; a lens carried by said second end of said door for effecting exposure of the film through said aperture in said housing when said door is in said open position; a bellows coupled to said door and to said housing and establishing a light-tight chamber between said lens and said housing, said bellows having an expanded condition when said door is in said open position wherein said bellows defines two substantially flat sides of generally triangular configuration and a third substantially flat side of generally rectangular configuration, said bellows being foldable to a collapsed condition between said door and said housing when said door is moved to said closed position; and a single strut means extending inside said light-tight chamber along said third bellows side from said second end of said door adjacent said lens to said housing adjacent said aperture, said strut means having an extended condition for establishing said open position of said door and being collapsible by pressing on said strut means through said bellows.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A foldable camera for exposing photographic film, said camera comprising: a housing including means for receiving the film and for defining an aperture through which the film is exposable; a substantially rigid lens-supporting door having first and second ends, said first end being pivotally coupled to said housing adjacent said aperture for movement of said door between a closed position extending across said aperture and an open position extending away from said housing in oblique relation to said housing; a lens carried by said second end of said door for effecting exposure of the film through said aperture in said housing when said door is in said open position; a bellows coupled to said door and to said housing and establishing a light-tight chamber between said lens and said housing, said bellows having an expanded condition when said door is in said open position wherein said bellows defines two substantially flat sides of generally triangular configuration and a third substantially flat side of generally rectangular configuration, said bellows being foldable to a collapsed condition between said door and said housing when said door is moved to said closed position; and a single strut means extending inside said light-tight chamber along said third bellows side from said second end of said door adjacent said lens to said housing adjacent said aperture, said strut means having an extended condition for establishing said open position of said door and being collapsible by pressing on said strut means through said bellows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A foldable camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third bellows side folds along a predetermined line centrally oriented relative to said third bellows side, and wherein saId strut means is collapsible by pressing on said strut means through said bellows adjacent said centrally oriented fold line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
A foldable camera as claimed in claim 2, wherein said strut means comprises: a substantially flat and elongated member having first and second rigid legs; hinge means pivotally connecting said first and second legs to said housing and door, respectively, and pivotally connecting said first and second legs to each other, said hinge means providing for folding movement of said member between said extended condition and said collapsed condition, said legs in said extended condition being in generally endwise alignment with each other and when collapsed being generally parallel to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
A folding camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strut means is collapsible by releasing means comprising an operating surface on one of said legs, said operating surface being located adjacent an inside surface of said third bellows side when said strut means is in said extended position, whereby said strut means is collapsible by manual flexing of said third bellows side adjacent said operating surface into strut displacing engagement with said operating surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A folding camera as claimed in claim 4, wherein said third bellows side includes a central fold line dividing said third wall into two rectangular sections adapted to fold together generally toward said first end of said door and into generally parallel relationship, said strut means being pivotally collapsible adjacent said fold line to straddle said two sections of said third wall in said collapsed condition of said bellows.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A folding camera as claimed in claim 5, wherein said two triangular bellows sides each include bending lines defining a plurality of triangular bellows sections that permit folding of said triangular sides towards each other between said door and said housing when said door is moved to said closed position, said strut means extending in its collapsed condition between said folded triangular sides when said door is in said closed position.
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) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |