US3731609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mirror mechanism for a single-lens reflex camera
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1972-07-12
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1992-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A mirror mechanism for a single-lens reflex camera whose lens aperture is stopped down with the mirror fixed at its upper position through manual operation comprises a mirror drive lever 12 and a diaphragm-interlocking lever 28 both rotatably journalled to a mirror box by means of a common shaft. A pressure spring 30 is provided between the two levers to urge them into mutual engagement. A mirror lifting-fixing lever 31 is rotatably journalled to the mirror box for lifting and fixing the mirror. A mirror actuator member 33 for actuating the mirror lifting-fixing lever and the diaphragm-interlocking lever is vertically slidably mounted to the body of the camera. The mirror actuator member is formed with a retainer portion 33a for releasing the engagement between the mirror drive lever and the pressure spring when the mirror is lifted and fixed.
Inventors
- 👤 N Kobayashi
- 👤 A Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:46
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A mirror mechanism in a single-lens reflex camera comprising: a mirror box; a mirror rotatably journalled to said mirror box and normally spring-biased downwardly; mirror charge means rotatably mounted on said mirror box; a retainer lever rotatably mounted on the body of said camera; a mirror drive lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box; a connector lever pivotally connected to said mirror drive lever and to a pivotable lever pivotally mounted on said mirror box; a lock lever rotatably mounted on said mirror box for locking said mirror drive lever, a diaphragm-interlocking lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box coaxially with said mirror drive lever; a pressure spring provided between said mirror drive lever and said diaphragm-interlocking lever to urge these two levers into mutual engagement, the engagement at least between said mirror drive lever and said pressure spring being releasable; a mirror lifting-fixing lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box for lifting and fixing said mirror; and a mirror actuator member vertically slidably mounted to the body of said camera for actuating said mirror lifting-fixing lever and said diaphragm-interlocking lever, said mirror actuator member being formed with means for releasing the engagement between said mirror drive lever and said pressure spring when said mirror is lifted and fixed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A mirror mechanism in a single-lens reflex camera comprising: a mirror box; a mirror rotatably journalled to said mirror box and normally spring-biased downwardly; mirror charge means rotatably mounted on said mirror box; a retainer lever rotatably mounted on the body of said camera; a mirror drive lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box; a connector lever pivotally connected to said mirror drive lever and to a pivotable lever pivotally mounted on said mirror box; a lock lever rotatably mounted on said mirror box for locking said mirror drive lever, a diaphragm-interlocking lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box coaxially with said mirror drive lever; a pressure spring provided between said mirror drive lever and said diaphragm-interlocking lever to urge these two levers into mutual engagement, the engagement at least between said mirror drive lever and said pressure spring being releasable; a mirror lifting-fixing lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box for lifting and fixing said mirror; and a mirror actuator member vertically slidably mounted to the body of said camera for actuating said mirror lifting-fixing lever and said diaphragm-interlocking lever, said mirror actuator member being formed with means for releasing the engagement between said mirror drive lever and said pressure spring when said mirror is lifted and fixed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A mirror mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said pressure spring is secured to a common shaft on which said mirror drive lever and said diaphragm-interlocking lever are rotatably mounted, and said pressure spring has one end thereof engageable with said retainer portion of said mirror actuator member and the other end engaged with an interlocking member formed on said diaphragm-interlocking lever.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mirror mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said mirror actuator member is operable by an operating member provided externally of said camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
211 words
A mirror mechanism in a single-lens reflex camera comprising: a mirror box; a mirror rotatably journalled to said mirror box and normally Spring-biased downwardly; mirror charge means rotatably mounted on said mirror box; a retainer lever rotatably mounted on the body of said camera; a mirror drive lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box; a connector lever pivotally connected to said mirror drive lever and to a pivotable lever pivotally mounted on said mirror box; a lock lever rotatably mounted on said mirror box for locking said mirror drive lever, a diaphragm-interlocking lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box coaxially with said mirror drive lever; a pressure spring provided between said mirror drive lever and said diaphragm-interlocking lever to urge these two levers into mutual engagement, the engagement at least between said mirror drive lever and said pressure spring being releasable; a mirror lifting-fixing lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box for lifting and fixing said mirror; and a mirror actuating member formed with means for releasing the engagement between the mirror drive lever and said pressure spring, connecting means for actuating said mirror lifting-fixing lever, and means for actuating said diaphragm-interlocking lever to effect stop-down of the lens aperture to a predetermined value when said mirror is lifted and fixed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
211 words
A mirror mechanism in a single-lens reflex camera comprising: a mirror box; a mirror rotatably journalled to said mirror box and normally Spring-biased downwardly; mirror charge means rotatably mounted on said mirror box; a retainer lever rotatably mounted on the body of said camera; a mirror drive lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box; a connector lever pivotally connected to said mirror drive lever and to a pivotable lever pivotally mounted on said mirror box; a lock lever rotatably mounted on said mirror box for locking said mirror drive lever, a diaphragm-interlocking lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box coaxially with said mirror drive lever; a pressure spring provided between said mirror drive lever and said diaphragm-interlocking lever to urge these two levers into mutual engagement, the engagement at least between said mirror drive lever and said pressure spring being releasable; a mirror lifting-fixing lever rotatably journalled to said mirror box for lifting and fixing said mirror; and a mirror actuating member formed with means for releasing the engagement between the mirror drive lever and said pressure spring, connecting means for actuating said mirror lifting-fixing lever, and means for actuating said diaphragm-interlocking lever to effect stop-down of the lens aperture to a predetermined value when said mirror is lifted and fixed.
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) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |