US3727040A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Percussive photoflash lamp array
Assignee: GTE Sylvania Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-06
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1992-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A photoflash unit comprising a plurality of axially mounted, percussively-ignitable flashlamps arranged in a planar array with respectively associated reflectors and preenergized striker springs. The unit is receivable on a camera having a shutter responsive actuating member and includes a mechanism for sequentially releasing the striker springs to fire respective flashlamps in response to successive indexing by the camera actuating member. All reflectors of the array face in one direction, and each reflector is of flatted parabolic shape and disposed coaxially about its associated flashlamp so that the longitudinal axis of the flashlamp is substantially collinear with the optical axis of the reflector.
Inventors
- 👤 J Vetere
- 👤 D Armstrong
- 👤 D Broadt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:17
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/04; G03B15/0478; G03B15/0489; F; F21; F21K; F21K5/00; F21K5/02; F21K5/023; F21K5/026; G03B15/0484
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A multilamp flash unit comprising: in combination: a substantially planar base member; a substantially planar wall member secured to said base member and disposed substantially normal thereto; a plurality of percussively ignitable flashlamps mounted on one side of said wall member with the longitudinal axes of said lamps projecting parallel to said base member; a plurality of preenergized strikers mounted on said wall member and releasable to fire said flashlamps; and, a selective actuating mechanism supported on said wall member and having indexable means for sequentially releasing said strikers to fire respective flashlamps in response to successive indexing of said mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A multilamp flash unit comprising: in combination: a substantially planar base member; a substantially planar wall member secured to said base member and disposed substantially normal thereto; a plurality of percussively ignitable flashlamps mounted on one side of said wall member with the longitudinal axes of said lamps projecting parallel to said base member; a plurality of preenergized strikers mounted on said wall member and releasable to fire said flashlamps; and, a selective actuating mechanism supported on said wall member and having indexable means for sequentially releasing said strikers to fire respective flashlamps in response to successive indexing of said mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The unit of claim 1 wherein each of said flashlamps has a primer tube coaxially projecting therefrom, and said one side of said wall member contains a plurality of bores each for receiving the primer tube of a respective one of said flashlamps to provide support therefor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
The unit of claim 2 wherein each of said preenergized strikers is a portion of a folded torsion spring comprising a substantially hairpin torsional section having two segments joined by a bight, said striker portion projecting from one of said segments, a supporting foot projecting from the other of said segments and fixedly mounted on said one side of said wall member, and a catch formed at the tip of said foot, said striker portion crossing said foot with said catch restraining said strike portion in a cocked condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The unit of claim 1 further including an array of substantially concave reflectors each disposed coaxially about respective one of said flashlamps, the optical axes of said reflectors being substantially perpendicular to said wall member and said reflectors all facing in one direction away from the side of said wall member upon which said flashlamps are mounted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The unit of claim 4 wherein said array of reflectors are defined by an injection molded unitary structure of plastic material having a light reflective coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The unit of claim 4 wherein each of said reflectors is substantially parabolic and has a plurality of flats formed therein along the sides thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The unit of claim 4 wherein said lamps and reflectors are arranged in a unidirectional planar array of at least two rows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The unit of claim 4 wherein said array of reflectors are defined by a preformed sheet of plastic material having a light reflective coating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The unit of claim 4 further including means attached to said base and wall member for enclosing said flashlamps, strikers and reflectors, said enclosing means including a sheet of transparent material disposed over the light emitting side of said array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The unit of claim 9 wherein said base member has an aperture therethrough, and the indexable means of said selective actuating mechanism is accessible to be actuated through the aperture in said base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The unit of claim 1 wherein each of said strikers is individually releasable to fire a respective one of said flashlamps.
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) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |