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US3693527A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Camera actuator mechanism with an electronic timer

Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1970-05-13
•
Granted: 1972-09-26
•
Expires: 1990-05-13
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Abstract

Abstract In the camera actuator mechanism disclosed, two series main switches serve to energize an electronic timer. One of the switches is normally closed. A shutter release holds the other switch open. As the shutter release is depressed to snap a picture it first performs preliminary functions other than opening the shutter. During this stage of depression the shutter release closes the open switch. The shutter release forms a ratchet-pawl arrangement with a pivotally mounted locking member. When the shutter release reaches a second position from its first, undepressed position, the locking member locks the shutter release in the second position and simultaneously is pivoted by the shutter release to open the normally-closed switch. In that second position the open switch closes. When the shutter release reaches a third position it allows the locking member to pivot around. This releases the shutter release and at the same time allows the normally-opened switch to close. The other switch remains closed. Thus both switches are closed only when the shutter release is depressed to its third position. This prevents needless use of electrical power while the shutter release performs its preliminary function in the first and second position. From its third position the shutter release returns to its first position.

Inventors

  • 👤 Mutsuhide Matsuda

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 15:51
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/081; G03B7/083

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 191 words
An apparatus for actuating an electrically timed camera shutter control, comprising two switch means connected in series with each other and with the shutter control for passing current through the shutter control when both of said switch means are closed, manually operable shutter actuating means biased into an inactive position and coupled to one of said switch means to open the one of said switch means in the inactive position, said actuating means being movable toward a shutter actuating position at which both of said switch means are closed, locking mean coacting with a portion of said actuating means for preventing said actuating means from returning to the inactive position when said actuating means has been moved from the inactive position and for allowing said actuating means to return to the inactive position after said actuating means reaches the actuating position, said locking means being coupled to the other one of said switch means for opening the other one of said switch means when said actuating means has moved from the inactive position and for closing the other one of said switch means when said actuating means reaches the actuating position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 191 words
An apparatus for actuating an electrically timed camera shutter control, comprising two switch means connected in series with each other and with the shutter control for passing current through the shutter control when both of said switch means are closed, manually operable shutter actuating means biased into an inactive position and coupled to one of said switch means to open the one of said switch means in the inactive position, said actuating means being movable toward a shutter actuating position at which both of said switch means are closed, locking mean coacting with a portion of said actuating means for preventing said actuating means from returning to the inactive position when said actuating means has been moved from the inactive position and for allowing said actuating means to return to the inactive position after said actuating means reaches the actuating position, said locking means being coupled to the other one of said switch means for opening the other one of said switch means when said actuating means has moved from the inactive position and for closing the other one of said switch means when said actuating means reaches the actuating position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said actuating means moves said locking means relative to said actuating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 41 words
An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said locking means assumes a given orientation when said actuating means has advanced from the inactive position, the other one of said switch means being responsive to the given orientation of said locking means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 42 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said actuating means includes a ratchet and said locking means includes a pawl located adjacent said ratchet for engagement therewith, the other one of said switch means being responsive to the position of said pawl.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said ratchet disengages from said pawl when said actuating means reaches the actuating position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 64 words
An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said actuating means includes a movable rod having projections extending transversely to the rod, and wherein said pawl is rotatable and disengageable from said ratchet, said pawl being effective to close the other one of said switch means when disengaged from the ratchet and open the other one of said switch means when engaged with the ratchet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 51 words
An apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said ratchet is mounted on said rod, said rod moving from the inactive to the actuating position and actuating the shutter with said projections, said pawl being disengaged from said rod in the inactive and actuating positions and engaging the rod between the positions.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3513761A Cited
US3504604A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-09-26 1976-03-27 1976-09-26 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-09-26 1980-03-27 1980-09-26 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-09-26 1984-03-27 1984-09-26 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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