US3707903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flash indicator for photoflash lamps
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1970-12-04
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1990-12-04
Abstract
Abstract In an arrangement of photoflash lamps, one or more of the lamps is provided with a flash indicator pin adhered thereto by means of lacquer or other material which softens due to heat generated when the lamp is flashed, thus permitting the indicator pin to be movable upon the lamp flashing. The flash indicator pin extends from the lamp and coacts with an indicator mechanism in a camera for indicating in the viewfinder whether or not an unflashed lamp is available in position to be flashed, and/or for locking the camera mechanism to prevent operating the shutter if a previously flashed lamp is placed in operating position.
Inventors
- 👤 K Weber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:33
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/04; G03B15/0442
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A flash indicator mechanism for visually indicating whether a photoflash lamp has been flashed, wherein the improvement comprises a flash indicator member adhered to said lamp by means of heat-responsive material adapted to soften from heat generated by the lamp when flashed, thereby permitting movement of said indicator member, and visual flash indicator means having a movable part adapted to contact with said indicator member and move in response to said member becoming movable upon flashing of the lamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A flash indicator mechanism for visually indicating whether a photoflash lamp has been flashed, wherein the improvement comprises a flash indicator member adhered to said lamp by means of heat-responsive material adapted to soften from heat generated by the lamp when flashed, thereby permitting movement of said indicator member, and visual flash indicator means having a movable part adapted to contact with said indicator member and move in response to said member becoming movable upon flashing of the lamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which said flash indicator means is incorporated in a camera provided with a viewfinder, said movable member of the flash indicator means being arranged to cause visual indication in said viewfinder of whether said lamp has been flashed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which said flash indicator means is incorporated in a camera provided with a shutter, said movable member of the flash indicator means being arranged to render said shutter inoperable if said lamp has been flashed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which said heat-responsive material comprises a lacquer coating on said lamp and which also functions as a safety coating to reduce likelihood of the lamp fracturing upon flashing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which said flash indicator member comprises an elongated flash indicator pin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 5, in which the lamp is provided with lead wires extending in a given direction therefrom, and in which said flash indicator pin extends from said lamp in said given direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 6, including a housing containing said lamp, said lamp being attached to said housing by means of its lead wires, means causing the extending end of said flash indicator pin to be exposed to the exterior of said housing, said movable member of the flash indicator means being provided with spring means and being positioned to press against said end of the flash indicator pin so as to move when said flash indicator pin becomes movable upon the lamp flashing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 5, including a housing containing said lamp, said flash indicator pin being arranged to have an end thereof extend from said lamp, means causing said extending end of the indicator pin to be exposed to the exterior of said housing, and spring means arranged with respect to said housing and indicator pin to cause said indicator pin to move in a direction outwardly of said housing when the indicator pin becomes movable upon the lamp flashing, said movable member of the indicator means being in alignment with said end of the indicator pin so as to be contacted and moved thereby when the lamp flashes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 8, in which said indicator pin is provided with a shoulder thereon, and in which said spring means comprises an elongated spring member attached to said housing and engaging said shoulder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
A flash indicator mechanism for a photoflash array comprising a housing containing a plurality of photoflash lamps, wherein the improvement comprises at least one elongated flash indicator pin adhered to at least one of said lamps by means of heat-responsive material adapted to soften from heat generated by the lamp when flashed, thereby permitting movement of said indicator pin, and means causing an end of said indicator pin to be exposed to the exterior of said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
A flash indicator mechanism for a photoflash array comprising a housing containing a plurality of photoflash lamps, wherein the improvement comprises at least one elongated flash indicator pin adhered to at least one of said lamps by means of heat-responsive material adapted to soften from heat generated by the lamp when flashed, thereby permitting movement of said indicator pin, and means causing an end of said indicator pin to be exposed to the exterior of said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 10, in which said end of the indicator pin extends outwardly from the surface of said housing, said housing being provided with one or more outwardly extending projections at said surface near said outwardly extending pin thereby protecting said pin from damage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 10, in which said lamps are to be flashed in a predetermined sequence from first to last, and in which said array includes one flash indicator pin, said one flash indicator pin being adhered to said last lamp to flash.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 10, in which each of said flashlamps is provided with one of said flash indicator pins adhered thereto, an end of each of said flash indicator pins being exposed to the exterior of said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 13, in which said photoflash array is a flashcube arrangement having four flashlamps and adapted to be successively rotated ninety degrees to successively bring each of its four lamps into operating position, the exposed ends of the four flash indicator pins being at the bottom side of said flashcube and being substantially equally spaced apart along an imaginery circle centered on the axis of intended rotation of said flashcube whereby said exposed ends of the indicator pins will successively assume the same location as said flashcube is successively rotated to its operating positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
A flash indicator mechanism as claimed in claim 14, in which said exposed ends of the flash indicator pins extend downwardly from said bottom side of the flashcube, said flashcube being provided with an attachment post extending downwardly at the center of said bottom side thereof, and an annular shoulder extending downwardly from said bottom side and surrounding said extending ends of the flash indicator pins, whereby said extending ends of the flash indicator pins lie between said attachment post and said shoulder and are protected thereby.
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) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |