US3678834A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reversible film camera with selectable exposure sizes
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-06-04
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1991-06-04
Abstract
Abstract A camera and film are adapted to provide an increased number of exposures of selectable sizes. A plurality of fixed aperture internal masks provide selected image frame sizes and permit exposures along two separate rows across the width of the film. The paper film leader and spools are symmetrical to permit reversal of a roll of film after completing the first row of exposures. The roll is then reinserted for successive winding of the second row from the opposite end. External viewing masks of different sizes corresponding to the internal masks are provided. Two separate film advancing controls with automatic stop means may be mounted on opposite sides of the camera to accommodate selection of four different sizes and numbers of exposures. An interchangeable crank handle may be used to engage the winding mechanism from either side to advance the film, and exposure counters on both sides of the camera indicate the advance of each frame along each row of the film corresponding to the selected size.
Inventors
- 👤 Dominic S Melino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:13
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/28; G03B17/30; G03B17/305; G03B17/26; G03B17/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
A camera apparatus comprising a housing, a reversible film supply spool rotatably mounted at one end of said housing, said supply spool being adapted to supply film from said one end and being insertable into the opposite end for taking up film, a reversible take-up spool substantially identical and interchangeable with said supply spool and mounted at said opposite end of said housing, a reversible film strip having symmetrical ends, said film strip being wound on said supply spool and adapted for winding onto said take-up spool, said strip being disposed to accommodate two adjacent longitudinal rows of exposures, each said row being positioned laterally along one half the width of said strip, optical means for admitting and directing an external image onto a portion of said film strip to form an exposure thereon, a plurality of individual selectable stationary apertured masks, each mask having a different fixed aperture size and being manually insertable adjacent the focal plane of said camera for exposing successive longitudinal portions of a selected size along each said film row on one half the width of said strip, means for manually advancing said film in successive lengths corresponding to the selected exposed film portion size, and an exposure counter having a plurality of selectable scales corresponding to each said selected exposed film size for indicating the film advance of each exposed film portion of each row, said reversible film supply spool and take-up spool being adapted to be reversed and interchanged upon completion of a predetermined number of exposures on one film row and winding of the film onto said take-up spool, said take-up spool becoming said supply spool and said supply spool becoming said take-up spool for winding said film from the opposite end to provide the second row of exposures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
297 words
A camera apparatus comprising a housing, a reversible film supply spool rotatably mounted at one end of said housing, said supply spool being adapted to supply film from said one end and being insertable into the opposite end for taking up film, a reversible take-up spool substantially identical and interchangeable with said supply spool and mounted at said opposite end of said housing, a reversible film strip having symmetrical ends, said film strip being wound on said supply spool and adapted for winding onto said take-up spool, said strip being disposed to accommodate two adjacent longitudinal rows of exposures, each said row being positioned laterally along one half the width of said strip, optical means for admitting and directing an external image onto a portion of said film strip to form an exposure thereon, a plurality of individual selectable stationary apertured masks, each mask having a different fixed aperture size and being manually insertable adjacent the focal plane of said camera for exposing successive longitudinal portions of a selected size along each said film row on one half the width of said strip, means for manually advancing said film in successive lengths corresponding to the selected exposed film portion size, and an exposure counter having a plurality of selectable scales corresponding to each said selected exposed film size for indicating the film advance of each exposed film portion of each row, said reversible film supply spool and take-up spool being adapted to be reversed and interchanged upon completion of a predetermined number of exposures on one film row and winding of the film onto said take-up spool, said take-up spool becoming said supply spool and said supply spool becoming said take-up spool for winding said film from the opposite end to provide the second row of exposures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The camera of claim 1 wherein each said mask includes one aperture disposed in a fixed position over one half the width of said strip for exposing each film row in turn to the selected exposure size.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The camera of claim 1 wherein said masks are a plurality of selectable apertured plates mounted in said housing at said focal plane adjacent said film to limit the size of said exposed film portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The camera of claim 3 wherein said film strip symmetrical ends are adapted for winding onto each spool from each end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The camera of claim 4 wherein said exposure counter includes at least two different exposure counting scales and means for selectively displaying one of said scales.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The camera of claim 5 including means for viewing said external image directed onto said film strip and a second plurality of selectable fixed aperture masking means adapted to fit over said viewing means for viewing different selected fixed image sizes corresponding to the size of the selected film portion exposed by said first masking means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The camera of claim 6 wherein said further plurality of masks include an aperture having an extension over a central area of said viewing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
The camera of claim 6 including first and second manual film advanciNg means disposed on opposite sides of said housing, each film advancing means manually advancing said film in accordance with different respective exposure sizes, and first and second automatic stop means for limiting the advance of respective said first and second advancing means in accordance with the selected exposure sizes, each stop means having a different respective predetermined fixed length film advance limit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The camera of claim 8 wherein each respective advancing means and associated automatic stop means accommodates two exposure sizes of the same length, one size being disposed across substantially the full width of said film strip and the other across one half said width.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The camera of claim 8 including means for coupling each side of said take-up and supply spools to respective first and second advancing means to permit each advancing means to drive said spools.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The camera of claim 8 including an interchangeable film winding handle selectively engageable with said first and second film advancing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The camera of claim 8 including first and second exposure counters disposed on said opposite sides for indicating the respective film advance of said first and second film advancing means.
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) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |