US3735679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera with impeller-actuated source of artificial light
Assignee: Agfa Gevaert AG
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Filing: 1971-05-24
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1991-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A still camera wherein the housing supports an indexible flashcube having cartridges which must be struck in order to fire the respective lamps. The housing contains a pivotable impeller which is released to the action of a torsion spring to strike against the cartridge for that lamp which faces the subject or scene when the user moves a pivotable release lever from its starting position. A resetting lever is provided to automatically return the impeller to its cocked position as soon as the impeller strikes against the adjacent cartridge. The resetting lever is then moved back to its normal position of engagement with an elastic pawl by a tensioning member which is actuated by the film transporting mechanism. The tensioning member thereby stresses the torsion spring for the impeller as well as a second spring which serves to pivot the resetting lever in a direction to return the impeller to its cocked position.
Inventors
- 👤 A Winkler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:47
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/04; G03B15/0478; G03B15/0484
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
In a camera, the combination of a housing; a source of artificial light supported by said housing and having an impact receiving portion; an impeller mounted in said housing for movement between cocked and uncocked positions and arranged to strike against said impact receiving portion in response to movement from said cocked position; release means movable from and back to a starting position and having retaining means for holding said impeller in said cocked position in the starting position thereof; resetting means movable between first and second positions to thereby move said impeller from said uncocked to said cocked position; first biasing means reacting against said resetting means and arranged to bias said impeller to said uncocked position; second biasing means for urging said resetting means to said second position; blocking means for yieldably holding said resetting means in said first position and for releasing said resetting means on movement of said impeller to said uncocked position in response to movement of said release means from said starting position whereby said second biasing means is free to move said resetting means to said second position with attendant movement of said impeller back to said cocked position; and tensioning means actuatable to move said resetting means to said first position with attendant tensioning of said first and second biasing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
In a camera, the combination of a housing; a source of artificial light supported by said housing and having an impact receiving portion; an impeller mounted in said housing for movement between cocked and uncocked positions and arranged to strike against said impact receiving portion in response to movement from said cocked position; release means movable from and back to a starting position and having retaining means for holding said impeller in said cocked position in the starting position thereof; resetting means movable between first and second positions to thereby move said impeller from said uncocked to said cocked position; first biasing means reacting against said resetting means and arranged to bias said impeller to said uncocked position; second biasing means for urging said resetting means to said second position; blocking means for yieldably holding said resetting means in said first position and for releasing said resetting means on movement of said impeller to said uncocked position in response to movement of said release means from said starting position whereby said second biasing means is free to move said resetting means to said second position with attendant movement of said impeller back to said cocked position; and tensioning means actuatable to move said resetting means to said first position with attendant tensioning of said first and second biasing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said source further comprises a lamp and said impact receiving portion comprises a cartridge arranged to fire said lamp when struck by said impeller on movement of the impeller to said uncocked position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said source further comprises an electronic flash unit and said impact receiving portion comprises a piezoelectric element arranged to produce a high-voltage pulse which fires said flash unit when struck by said impeller on movement of the latter to said uncocked position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said impeller comprises a disengaging portion arranged to disconnect said blocking means from said resetting means after the impeller completes a predetermined portion of its movement from said cocked to said uncocked position thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said impeller and said resetting means are pivotable about a common axis, said first biasing means being arranged to turn said impeller in a first direction during movement of the impeller from said cocked position and said second biasing means being arranged to turn said resetting means and said impeller in a second direction in response to disengaGement of said blocking means from said resetting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said disengaging portion is held by said retaining means in the cocked position of said impeller and in the starting position of said release means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said blocking means comprises a springy element which is deformable by said disengaging portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said impeller and said resetting means are pivotable about a common axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said impeller is reciprocable between said cocked and uncocked positions thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said resetting means is reciprocable between said first and second positions thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said impeller comprises an extension which reengages said retaining means in automatic response to movement of said resetting means to said second position in the starting position of said release means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising film transporting means actuatable to advance the film and to thereby actuate said tensioning means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said tensioning means is reciprocable with reference to said housing and said resetting means comprises an arm which is engaged by said blocking means in the first position of said resetting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a flexible diaphragm mounted on said housing and deformable to thereby move said release means from said starting position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising shutter means movable between open and closed positions, said impeller having means for moving said shutter means to open position in response to movement of said impeller to said uncocked position so that the shutter means is open when said source furnishes artificial light in response to propulsion of said impeller against said impact receiving portion under the action of said first biasing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |