US3678837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exposure time control device for a camera shutter mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-04-13
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1990-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A camera having a shutter sector movable over and away from a shutter opening is provided with a variably settable holding means to releasably hold the opening is provided with a variably settable holding means to releasably hold the shutter sector in an open position away from the shutter opening for a preselected time duration. The shutter sector is always moved through nearly the same distance to effect an opening of the shutter opening regardless of the exposure time desired. The holding means comprises a lever which is moved into releasable engagement with the shutter sector by the shutter sector itself during its movement to the open position. The lever is moved out of engagement with the shutter sector after a predetermined time period by the action of a biasing spring afterwhich the shutter sector is rapidly moved over the shutter opening. The time duration in which the lever releasably holds the shutter sector in the open position is variable set in accordance with the desired exposure time.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiyoshi Kitai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:09
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B9/00; G03B9/08; G03B9/10; G03B9/16; G03B9/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An exposure control device for a camera shutter mechanism comprising: a movably mounted shutter cyclically movable from a normally closed position to an open position and back to said closed position defining an exposure time; biasing means constantly biasing said shutter to said closed position; drive means for driving said shutter from said closed position to said open position and variably settable holding means sequentially movable from an initial position by said shutter during opening movement thereof to one of a plurality of different preselected holding positions each corresponding to a different preselected exposure time and then back to said initial position for releasably holding said shutter in said open position for a time period variably set in accordance with one of said preselected exposure times.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An exposure control device for a camera shutter mechanism comprising: a movably mounted shutter cyclically movable from a normally closed position to an open position and back to said closed position defining an exposure time; biasing means constantly biasing said shutter to said closed position; drive means for driving said shutter from said closed position to said open position and variably settable holding means sequentially movable from an initial position by said shutter during opening movement thereof to one of a plurality of different preselected holding positions each corresponding to a different preselected exposure time and then back to said initial position for releasably holding said shutter in said open position for a time period variably set in accordance with one of said preselected exposure times.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
An exposure control device according to claim 1, wherein said variably settable holding means comprises a rotatably mounted control lever actuated during movement of said shutter to said open position to releasably hold said shutter in said open position; and means connected to said control lever for variably setting the time duration said control lever holds said shutter in said open position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
An exposure control device according to claim 2, wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a rotatably mounted member having a plurality of timing projections thereon each corresponding to a predetermined exposure time, a pivotally mounted regulating lever pivotal to a plurality of positions to effect releasable engagement with one of said projections during rotation of said member, and means connecting said control lever to said member to effect rotation of said member in response to rotational movement of said control lever.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
An exposure control device according to claim 3, wherein said shutter includes two camming surfaces; said control lever includes a first projection releasably engageable with one of said camming surfaces during movement of said shutter to said open position to effect rotational movement of said control lever in one direction and a second projection releasably engageable with the other of said camming surfaces when said shutter is in said open position; and biasing means for continually biasing said control lever in a direction opposite to said one direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
An exposure control device according to claim 4, wherein said drive means comprises a rotatably mounted driving lever rotatable in a driving direction to drive said shutter from said normally closed position to said open position; means for continually urging said driving lever iN said driving direction; and a manually operable release lever cooperative with said driving lever to effect opening of said shutter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
An exposure control device according to claim 2, wherein said shutter includes two camming surfaces, and wherein said control lever includes a first projection releasably engageable with one of said camming surfaces during movement of said shutter to said open position to effect rotational movement of said control lever in one direction and a second projection releasably engageable with the other of said camming surfaces when said shutter is in said open position; and biasing means for continually biasing said control lever in a direction opposite to said one direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
An exposure control device according to claim 6, wherein said drive means comprises a rotatably mounted driving lever rotatable in a driving direction to drive said shutter from said normally closed position to said open position; means for continually urging said driving lever in said driving direction; and a manually operable release lever cooperative with said driving lever to effect opening of said shutter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
An exposure control device according to claim 1, wherein said holding means comprises a movable control lever, means mounting said control lever for movement to said initial and holding positions, spring means continually biasing said control lever to said initial position, first means on said control lever engageable with said shutter to effect movement of said control lever from said initial position to one of said holding positions in response to opening movement of said shutter, second means on said control lever engageable with said shutter for releasably holding said shutter in said open position for a time period determined by the particular holding position of said control lever, and means for variably setting the desired holding position of said control lever in accordance with one of said preselected exposure times.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
176 words
An exposure control device for a camera shutter mechanism comprising: a movably mounted shutter blade cyclically movable along a path from a normally closed position to an open position and back to said closed position defining an exposure time; biasing means constantly biasing said shutter blade to said closed position; drive means for driving said shutter blade from said closed position to said open position; and holding means biased towards an initial position and having a first projection projecting into the opening path of said shutter blade such that said holding means is displaced from said initial position by said shutter blade during movement of said shutter blade to said open position, said holding means having a second projection projecting into said shutter blade path behind said shutter blade when said holding means is displaced from its initial position for holding said shutter blade in said open position while said holding means is displaced from its initial position and releasing said shutter blade when said holding means returns to its initial position by its own biasing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
176 words
An exposure control device for a camera shutter mechanism comprising: a movably mounted shutter blade cyclically movable along a path from a normally closed position to an open position and back to said closed position defining an exposure time; biasing means constantly biasing said shutter blade to said closed position; drive means for driving said shutter blade from said closed position to said open position; and holding means biased towards an initial position and having a first projection projecting into the opening path of said shutter blade such that said holding means is displaced from said initial position by said shutter blade during movement of said shutter blade to said open position, said holding means having a second projection projecting into said shutter blade path behind said shutter blade when said holding means is displaced from its initial position for holding said shutter blade in said open position while said holding means is displaced from its initial position and releasing said shutter blade when said holding means returns to its initial position by its own biasing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
An exposure control device according to claim 9, wherein said holding means comprises a rotatably mounted control lever actuated during movement of said shutter blade to said open position to releasably hold said shutter blade, a rotatably mounted member having a plurality of timing projections thereof each corresponding to a predetermined exposure time, a pivotally mounted regulating lever pivotal to a plurality of positions to effect releasable engagement with one of said projections during rotation of said member, and means connecting said control lever to said member to effect rotation of said member in response to rotational movement of said control lever.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
99 words
An exposure control device according to claim 9, wherein said shutter blade includes two camming surfaces; and wherein said holding means comprises a rotatably mounted control lever including a first projection releasably engageable with one of said camming surfaces during movement Of said shutter blade to said open position to effect rotational movement of said control lever in one direction and a second projection releasably engageable with the other of said camming surfaces when said shutter blade is in said open position; and biasing means for continually biasing said control lever in a direction opposite to said one direction.
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 |