US3665832A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molded plastic bellows
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1970-05-01
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1990-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A one-piece molded plastic bellows particularly suited for use in a photographic camera comprises a plurality of relatively rigid telescoping sleeves joined in lighttight relation to one another by integral flexible membranes which define the relative positions of the sleeves when the bellows is extended.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald M Harvey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/04; G03B17/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A bellows comprising a plurality of relatively rigid opaque tubular sleeves adapted to telescope in first and second directions relative to each other for extending and collapsing said bellows, respectively, and a plurality of flexible opaque membranes connecting said tubular sleeves in adjacent lighttight relation, each of said membranes being dimensioned and attached to adjacent sleeves to limit telescoping of said sleeves in said first telescoping direction substantially to prevent any spacing between adjacent sleeves in said first telescoping direction, said membranes being adapted to evert to accommodate telescoping of said tubular sleeves relative to each other in said second direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A bellows comprising a plurality of relatively rigid opaque tubular sleeves adapted to telescope in first and second directions relative to each other for extending and collapsing said bellows, respectively, and a plurality of flexible opaque membranes connecting said tubular sleeves in adjacent lighttight relation, each of said membranes being dimensioned and attached to adjacent sleeves to limit telescoping of said sleeves in said first telescoping direction substantially to prevent any spacing between adjacent sleeves in said first telescoping direction, said membranes being adapted to evert to accommodate telescoping of said tubular sleeves relative to each other in said second direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bellows according to claim 1 wherein said tubular sleeves and said membranes comprise a single piece of plastic material defining an integral bellows construction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bellows according to claim 1 wherein said tubular sleeves define different leNgths in said first direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A bellows according to claim 2 for use with a camera, and wherein said tubular sleeves include rearwardmost and forwardmost tubular sleeves both having integral light barrier means for mating respectively with the camera to provide lighttight cooperation between said bellows and said camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bellows according to claim 1 wherein said sleeves are extendable and said membranes limit said telescoping movement of said tubular sleeves relative to each other to maintain said sleeves in slightly overlapping relation to each other when said sleeves are extended.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A bellows according to claim 1 wherein said bellows has a collapsed condition and said membranes are located between said tubular sleeves in said collapsed condition to reduce said bellows to its minimum length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bellows according to claim 5 wherein said tubular sleeves define an interior chamber when extended, and said membranes are located internally of said tubular sleeves within said interior chamber and are enclosed by said tubular sleeves when said bellows is extended.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bellows according to claim 1 wherein said tubular sleeves define a generally rectangle configuration with rounded corners.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
A bellows comprising a plurality of relatively rigid opaque tubular sleeves arranged to telescope relative to each other between collapsed and extended conditions, and a plurality of flexible opaque tubular membranes connecting said tubular sleeves in lighttight relation, said tubular sleeves each including first and second ends and a central section, and said membranes each extending from one of said tubular sleeves to said central section of another of said tubular sleeves, said membranes being adapted to evert to accommodate telescoping of said tubular sleeves between said collapsed and extended conditions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
A bellows comprising a plurality of relatively rigid opaque tubular sleeves arranged to telescope relative to each other between collapsed and extended conditions, and a plurality of flexible opaque tubular membranes connecting said tubular sleeves in lighttight relation, said tubular sleeves each including first and second ends and a central section, and said membranes each extending from one of said tubular sleeves to said central section of another of said tubular sleeves, said membranes being adapted to evert to accommodate telescoping of said tubular sleeves between said collapsed and extended conditions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A bellows as claimed in claim 9, wherein said tubular sleeves define a telescoping axis about which said sleeves are concentric, and wherein said sleeves lie in closely adjacent relationship relative to each other in directions perpendicular to said telescoping axis in said extended condition to increase the structural rigidity of said bellows in said extended condition.
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 |