Patent US3673938A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3673938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple function frame member for cameras
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1971-04-02
•
Granted: 1972-07-04
•
Expires: 1991-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A self-processing camera adapted to be loaded with a film pack is provided with a novel internal metal frame member that serves a number of functions including, increasing the structural rigidity of the camera housing, accurately establishing the operative location of the film pack within the camera housing, providing for convenient light-tight attachment of the camera bellows to the camera housing, and resiliently supporting a film processing pressure member to provide uniform pressure at the nip defined between that member and a roller or the like carried by the movable cover door of the camera housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Chester W Michatek
- 👤 Donald M Harvey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:13
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/48; G03B17/50; G03B17/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
In a self-processing film pack camera including: a housing having an interior compartment adapted to accommodate in an operative position a film pack having an edge portion and provided with a plurality of self-processing film units, a cover door mounted on said housing, said cover door being openable to provide access to said compartment and closable to cover said compartment, a lens, lens support means adapted to support said lens at an operative position forwardly of said compartment in said housing, and a first pressure member carried by said cover door and a second pressure member supported by said housing, said pressure members being located in confronting adjacent relation to each other when said cover door is closed to provide a pressure applying nip through which successive ones of the film units are movable to effect processing thereof, the improvement comprising: a frame member having an end portion and secured to said housing within said compartment essentially forwardly of and generally parallel with the operative position occupied by the film pack, said frame member including: a centrally located flexible tongue integral with said end portion, a cross bar integral with said flexible tongue, and means for supporting said second pressure member on said cross bar, whereby said flexible tongue maintains resilient pressure between said pressure members when said cover door is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a self-processing film pack camera including: a housing having an interior compartment adapted to accommodate in an operative position a film pack having an edge portion and provided with a plurality of self-processing film units, a cover door mounted on said housing, said cover door being openable to provide access to said compartment and closable to cover said compartment, a lens, lens support means adapted to support said lens at an operative position forwardly of said compartment in said housing, and a first pressure member carried by said cover door and a second pressure member supported by said housing, said pressure members being located in confronting adjacent relation to each other when said cover door is closed to provide a pressure applying nip through which successive ones of the film units are movable to effect processing thereof, the improvement comprising: a frame member having an end portion and secured to said housing within said compartment essentially forwardly of and generally parallel with the operative position occupied by the film pack, said frame member including: a centrally located flexible tongue integral with said end portion, a cross bar integral with said flexible tongue, and means for supporting said second pressure member on said cross bar, whereby said flexible tongue maintains resilient pressure between said pressure members when said cover door is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention defined by claim 1 in which said frame member further includes means defining a generally rectangular exposure opening in rearward alignment with the operative position of said lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention defined by claim 2 in which said first pressure member is a roller rotatably supported by said cover door, and in which said second pressure member defines a substantially flat rearwardly facing surface confronting said roller when said cover door is closed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention defined by claim 3 in which said housing and said cover door are made of molded plastic material, and in which said frame member is secured to said housing by a Plurality of fastening members adjacent to said exposure opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined by claim 3 further comprising rearwardly extending positioning means carried by said frame member and engageable with the edge portion of the film pack to position the film pack edgewise within said compartment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention defined by claim 5 further comprising a lateral locating surface extending rearwardly from said frame member, and in which said positioning means includes a spring member attached to said frame member for engagement with the edge portion of the film pack to urge the film pack laterally so that it is pressed against said lateral locating surface in fixed relation to said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined by claim 3 in which said camera further includes a collapsible bellows provided with a rearward lip, and wherein said lip is attached to said frame member adjacent to said exposure opening therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |