US3678836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ranging and focusing method and apparatus
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
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Filing: 1970-06-29
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1990-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A fluid-filled chamber 24 connected to the housing of the camera and is provided with a bubble 28, globule, or the like, moveably disposed therein. The viewfinder of the camera is provided with a fiducial mark which is brought into alignment with that portion of the subject intersecting the plane on which the photographer is standing. This action will cause a tilting of the camera from a horizontal position, effecting movement of the bubble, globule, or the like, with respect to a reference. The distance between the bubble, globule, or the like, and such reference is varied by adjusting the focus of the camera such that the camera will be properly focused when the reference and the bubble, globule, or the like, are coincident. In one embodiment, the reference line is mounted in the chamber and a cam 16, mounted on the lens, pivots the chamber as the lens is focused. In another embodiment, the cam is replaced with a spiral reference mark so that the reference mark moves as the lens is focused. In another embodiment, for a reference point, plural contacts are positioned partially within the chamber and an electrically conductive globule is in the chamber. When the globule touches both contacts, a circuit is closed and a small light in the viewfinder is energized to indicate correct focus.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton S Dietz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C3/00; G01C3/02; G03; G03B; G03B13/00; G03B13/18; G03B13/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
In combination with a camera having a housing, a viewfinder secured thereto, a lens, and a rotatable focusing ring for varying the focus of said lens; means for focusing said lens with respect to a remote subject, including: a chamber; gravity responsive means structurally independent of and moveably disposed within said chamber with respect to a reference indication so as to move with respect to said reference indication in response to the declination of said camera toward a predetermined portion of said subject; and means operably associated with said focusing ring for simultaneously effecting coincidence between said reference indication and said gravity responsive means and bringing said remote suBject into focus in response to rotation of said focusing ring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
In combination with a camera having a housing, a viewfinder secured thereto, a lens, and a rotatable focusing ring for varying the focus of said lens; means for focusing said lens with respect to a remote subject, including: a chamber; gravity responsive means structurally independent of and moveably disposed within said chamber with respect to a reference indication so as to move with respect to said reference indication in response to the declination of said camera toward a predetermined portion of said subject; and means operably associated with said focusing ring for simultaneously effecting coincidence between said reference indication and said gravity responsive means and bringing said remote suBject into focus in response to rotation of said focusing ring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further including: means for simultaneously viewing said subject and monitoring the relative positions of said gravity responsive means and said reference indication.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said viewing and monitoring means includes means for producing an electromagnetic signal indicative of coincidence between said gravity responsive means and said reference indication.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as recited in claim 3, wherein said gravity responsive means comprises an electrically conductive globule and said signal producing means includes a lamp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention according to claim 4, additionally including: a power supply; plural electrical contacts connected to said power supply and extending partially within said chamber at a predetermined position to provide a reference indication and disposed such that movement of said globule to said predetermined position will effect a conductive path between said contacts and energize said lamp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as related in claim 3, wherein said chamber is pivotally connected to said housing and operably connected to said coincidence effecting means so as to be pivoted thereby in response to rotation of said focusing ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as stated in claim 6, wherein said coincidence effecting means includes a cam surface connected to said focusing ring and said chamber is connected to a cam follower adapted to ride on said cam surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7, further including spring means for biasing said chamber and said cam follower into engagement with said cam surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention of claim 8, further including a fiducial mark visible through said viewing and monitoring means and adapted for alignment with a predetermined portion of the subject image visible in said viewing and monitoring means, whereby said camera will be properly positioned for focusing with respect to said remote subject.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein said gravity responsive means comprises an electrically conductive globule and said signal producing means includes a lamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination as recited in claim 10, additionally including: a power supply; plural electrical contacts connected to said power supply and extending partially within said chamber at a predetermined position such that movement of said globule to said predetermined position will effect a conductive path between said contacts and energize said lamp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
In combination with a camera having a housing and a focusable lens, means for focusing said lens with respect to a remote subject, including: a chamber; gravity responsive means structurally independent of and moveably disposed within said chamber with respect to a reference and moveable in response to the declination of said camera toward a predetermined portion of said subject; and means for simultaneously effecting coincidence between said reference and said gravity responsive means and focusing said lens with respect to said remote subject.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
In combination with a camera having a housing and a focusable lens, means for focusing said lens with respect to a remote subject, including: a chamber; gravity responsive means structurally independent of and moveably disposed within said chamber with respect to a reference and moveable in response to the declination of said camera toward a predetermined portion of said subject; and means for simultaneously effecting coincidence between said reference and said gravity responsive means and focusing said lens with respect to said remote subject.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 12, wherein said gravity responsive means comprises an electrically conductive globule and further including means for providing an electromagnetic signal indicative of coincidence between said electrically conductive globule and said reference.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus in conformity with claim 13, wherein said reference comprises plural electrical contacts disposed partially within said chamber and said electromagnetic signal providing means includes a power supply and a lamp serially connected with said plural contacts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination as related in claim 12, further including means for simultaneously viewing said subject and monitoring the relative positions of said gravity responsive means and said reference.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention as stated in claim 15, further including a fiducial mark visible through said viewing and monitoring means and adapted for Alignment with a predetermined portion of the image visible in said viewing and monitoring means, whereby said camera will be properly positioned for focusing with respect to a predetermined portion of said remote subject.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein said chamber is filled with a fluid and said gravity responsive means comprises a bubble.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said gravity responsive means comprises a globule.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as delineated in claim 16, additionally including a rotatable focusing ring having a bezel surface and operatively connected to said lens for adjusting the focus thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention as recited in claim 19, wherein said reference comprises a line disposed along said bezel surface and wherein said chamber is transparent and is connected to said housing over said bezel whereby said reference will be visible therethrough.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination as set forth in claim 20, wherein said reference line is of precisely predetermined spiral shape such that rotation of said focusing ring to establish coincidence between said gravity responsive means and said reference will bring said remote subject into proper focus for the creation of a photographic image thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as related in claim 21, wherein the pitch and axial displacement of said spiral shape reference line are a function of the range of said subject.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination set forth in claim 22, wherein said chamber is filled with a transparent fluid and said gravity responsive means comprises a bubble.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as related in claim 22, wherein said chamber is filled with a transparent fluid and said gravity responsive means comprises a globule.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said chamber is hinged to said housing and operably connected to said coincidence effecting means so as to pivot in response to actuation thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as related in claim 25, wherein said chamber is transparent and said reference comprises an index mark fixedly positioned along one surface of said chamber.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as recited in claim 26, wherein said coincidence effecting means includes a cam and said chamber is operatively connected to said cam so as to pivot about said hinge in response to movement of said cam.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as set forth in claim 27, further including spring means connected to said chamber for biasing same into engagement with said cam.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus in conformity with claim 19, wherein said chamber is hinged to said housing and further including cam means connected to said bezel surface and rotatable therewith and spring means connected to said chamber for biasing same into engagement with said cam means whereby said chamber will be caused to follow the surface of said cam in response to rotation of said focusing ring.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said chamber is transparent and said reference comprises an index mark on one surface of said chamber.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said chamber is filled with a transparent fluid and said gravity responsive means comprises a bubble.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as related in claim 30, wherein said chamber is filled with a transparent fluid and said gravity responsive means comprises a globule which always seeks the lowest point in said chamber.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for determining the range of a subject, including: a chamber; gravity responsive means structurally independent of and moveably disposed within said chamber with respect to a reference position so as to move away from said reference position in response to the declination of said apparatus toward a predetermined point on said subject; means for rotating said chamber about a predetermined axis an amount sufficient to establish coincidence between said gravity responsive means and said reference position; and means operably connected to said rotating means and moveable therewith an amount indicative of the angle Traversed by said chamber in returning said gravity responsive means to said reference position said angle being a function of the distance between said apparatus and said predetermined point.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for determining the range of a subject, including: a chamber; gravity responsive means structurally independent of and moveably disposed within said chamber with respect to a reference position so as to move away from said reference position in response to the declination of said apparatus toward a predetermined point on said subject; means for rotating said chamber about a predetermined axis an amount sufficient to establish coincidence between said gravity responsive means and said reference position; and means operably connected to said rotating means and moveable therewith an amount indicative of the angle Traversed by said chamber in returning said gravity responsive means to said reference position said angle being a function of the distance between said apparatus and said predetermined point.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 33, further including viewfinder means for simultaneously viewing said subject and monitoring the position of said gravity responsive means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as set forth in claim 34, wherein said means for rotating said chamber includes a cam rotatably mounted about an axis for rotation in a plane parallel to said predetermined axis.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 35, wherein said viewfinder means includes: a housing having a viewfinder lens at one end thereof and an eye lens at the other end thereof; reflecting means positioned to reflect an image of said gravity responsive means toward said viewfinder; and a prismatic refracting portion included within said viewfinder lens, said portion receiving the reflected image of said gravity responsive means and directing said image to said eye lens.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as described in claim 33, wherein said chamber is filled with a fluid and said gravity responsive means includes a bubble or the like disposed within said fluid.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention as delineated in claim 33, wherein said gravity responsive means includes a ball and further including a fluid disposed within said chamber for damping the movement of said ball and having a lower specific gravity than said ball.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
102 words
The invention of claim 33, wherein said gravity responsive means includes a globule of electrically conductive material disposed within said chamber and further including: a power supply; plural electrical contacts secured at least partially within said chamber at said reference position and connected to said power supply; and current indicating means connected between said power supply and at least one of said plural electrical contacts whereby rotation of said chamber an amount sufficient to return said globule to said reference position will effect an electrically conductive path between said contacts and cause an electrical current to flow through said current indicating means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as recited in claim 39, wherein said chamber is filled with an electrically non-conductive fluid.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 40, wherein said current indicating means comprises lamp means for emitting visible radiation in response to an electrical potential applied thereacross.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 39, further including viewfinder means for simultaneously viewing said subject and said current indicating means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as delineated in claim 41, further including viewfinder means for simultaneously viewing said subject and said lamp means.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for determining the range of a subject via a chamber having moveable gravity responsive means located therein, at a predetermined reference position when said chamber is level, and structurally independent of said chamber, including the steps of: positioning said chamber within a predetermined elevation range with respect to a reference plane; aiming said chamber at a point on said reference plane coincident with said subject so as to cause said gravity responsive means to move from said reference position; and rotating said chamber about a predetermined axis an amount sufficient to return said gravity responsive means to said reference position the amount of such rotation being an indication of the horizontal range between said chamber and said point.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for determining the range of a subject via a chamber having moveable gravity responsive means located therein, at a predetermined reference position when said chamber is level, and structurally independent of said chamber, including the steps of: positioning said chamber within a predetermined elevation range with respect to a reference plane; aiming said chamber at a point on said reference plane coincident with said subject so as to cause said gravity responsive means to move from said reference position; and rotating said chamber about a predetermined axis an amount sufficient to return said gravity responsive means to said reference position the amount of such rotation being an indication of the horizontal range between said chamber and said point.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 44, wherein the declination between said chamber and said point is such that aiming said chamber thereat will effect movement of said gravity responsive means away from said reference position by an amount limited solely by the size of said chamber.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
138 words
In combination with a camera having a housing, viewfinder apparatus secured thereto, focusing means, a chamber hinged to said housing and containinG gravity responsive means moveable with respect to a reference position and means operably connecting said focusing means and said chamber; a method of focusing on a remote subject, including the steps of: positioning said camera within a known elevation range with respect to a reference plane; sighting a point through said viewfinder common to said subject and said reference plane and thereby causing said gravity responsive means to move from said reference position an amount limited solely by the geometry of said chamber; and rotating said chamber about said hinge by changing the focus of said camera until said gravity responsive means is returned to said reference position to thereby focus said camera at said point.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
138 words
In combination with a camera having a housing, viewfinder apparatus secured thereto, focusing means, a chamber hinged to said housing and containinG gravity responsive means moveable with respect to a reference position and means operably connecting said focusing means and said chamber; a method of focusing on a remote subject, including the steps of: positioning said camera within a known elevation range with respect to a reference plane; sighting a point through said viewfinder common to said subject and said reference plane and thereby causing said gravity responsive means to move from said reference position an amount limited solely by the geometry of said chamber; and rotating said chamber about said hinge by changing the focus of said camera until said gravity responsive means is returned to said reference position to thereby focus said camera at said point.
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 |