Patent US3680458A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3680458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring-actuated mechanism particularly for single-lens reflex cameras
Assignee: Pentax Corp
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Filing: 1971-01-20
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1991-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A spring-actuated mechanism particularly adapted for use in a single-lens reflex camera for actuating a tiltable reflector and diaphragm lever thereof. The mechanism includes a lever assembly supported for swinging movement about a given axis in a plane normal to the latter axis. A single spring, such as a coil spring, has a pair of elongated springy portions, which may form elongated free end portions of the coil spring respectively acting on the lever assembly to urge the latter in opposite directions about the above axis. One of the springy portions of the single spring is situated at a greater distance from the axis than the other, so that the lever assembly will be urged to turn about the axis by that one of the springy portions which is at the greater distance from said axis and with a moment the magnitude of which is determined by the difference in the distances between said springy portions from the axis about which the lever assembly turns.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuhiko Nomura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:52
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
290 words
A spring-actuated mechanism comprising cocking lever means for cocking a spring and actuating lever means for actuating at least one component, support means supporting said cocking lever means and actuating lever means for turning movement about a common axis with each lever means being turnable about said axis between a cocked position and a release position, a pair of releasable holding means respectively coacting with said cocking lever means and actuating lever means for releasably holding them in their cocked positions and for releasing them for return from said cocked positions to said release positions, and a single spring having a pair of springy portions respectively acting on said cocking lever means and actuating lever means for respectively urging them in opposite directions about said axis and with the springy portion which acts on said cocking lever means situated at a greater distance from said axis than the springy portion which acts on said actuating lever means, said cocking lever means, when turned in a direction opposite to that in which it is urged by said spring, cocking said spring and being held in its cocking position by that one of said releasable holding means which holds said cocking lever means in its cocked position until the latter holding means is actuated to release said cocking lever means for return to its release position, while the other releasable holding means holds said actuating lever means in its cocked position when said cocking lever means is turned from its release to its cocked position, until said other holding means is actuated to release said actuating lever means for movement by said spring from its cocked to its release position during which said component is acted upon by said actuating lever means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
290 words
A spring-actuated mechanism comprising cocking lever means for cocking a spring and actuating lever means for actuating at least one component, support means supporting said cocking lever means and actuating lever means for turning movement about a common axis with each lever means being turnable about said axis between a cocked position and a release position, a pair of releasable holding means respectively coacting with said cocking lever means and actuating lever means for releasably holding them in their cocked positions and for releasing them for return from said cocked positions to said release positions, and a single spring having a pair of springy portions respectively acting on said cocking lever means and actuating lever means for respectively urging them in opposite directions about said axis and with the springy portion which acts on said cocking lever means situated at a greater distance from said axis than the springy portion which acts on said actuating lever means, said cocking lever means, when turned in a direction opposite to that in which it is urged by said spring, cocking said spring and being held in its cocking position by that one of said releasable holding means which holds said cocking lever means in its cocked position until the latter holding means is actuated to release said cocking lever means for return to its release position, while the other releasable holding means holds said actuating lever means in its cocked position when said cocking lever means is turned from its release to its cocked position, until said other holding means is actuated to release said actuating lever means for movement by said spring from its cocked to its release position during which said component is acted upon by said actuating lever means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein said single spring is a coil spring having a pair of elongated free end portions forming said springy portions thereof and respectively acting on said cocking lever means and actuating lever means, said free end portions of said coil spring respectively extending substantially perpendicularly to parallel planes in which said cocking lever means and actuating lever means respectively turn about said common axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 2 and wherein said mechanism forms part of a single-lens reflex camera and including a tiltable reflector and a reflector lever forming said component and acted upon by said actuating lever means for tilting said reflector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 2 and wherein said mechanism forms part of a single-lens reflex camera and includes a diaphragm lever which forms said component and is acted upon by said actuating lever means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 3 and wherein a diaphragm-actuating lever forms a second component acted upon by said actuating lever 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) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |