Patent US3739706A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3739706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographic processor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-09
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1991-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A device for developing photographic prints, transparencies and the like automatically. The device consists of a plurality of tanks spaced longitudinally between a pair of parallel rails which carry a print support adapted to suspend the prints in the tanks. A transport mechanism is coupled to the rails for lifting the print support upwardly out of one tank and then longitudinally to position the print support above an adjacent tank, and finally to lower the print support into the adjacent tank. An agitator is also included to oscillate the print support vertically while the prints are in each of the tanks.
Inventors
- 👤 H Carstens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D3/00; G03D3/08; G03D3/10; G03D3/02; G03D3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
A device for processing photographic prints and the like automatically, the device comprising: a plurality of tanks for containing liquids used in photographic processing; means for supporting the tanks in a longitudinally-extending row; a pair of transport mechanisms coupled to the support means and positioned one at each of the longitudinal sides of the row of tanks for transporting a print support through the tanks; each said transport mechanism comprising: a rail on which the print support rests; a movable member coupled to the support means for vertical movement to elevate and lower the rail and thereby elevate and lower the print support, the rail being mounted on the movable member for longitudinal movement; means coupled to the movable member and to the support means and operable to sequentially move the movable member vertically and to move the rail longitudinally whereby the print support is moved vertically out of one tank, then longitudinally from above said one tank into a position above an adjacent tank, and finally vertically downwards into said adjacent tank, drive means coupled to said sequential moving means, said sequential moving means comprising: a link pivotally connected to the movable member intermediate the ends of the link and having an upper end coupled to said rail such that angular movement of the link results in longitudinal movement of the rail sufficient to transport the print support from above said one tank to above said adjacent tank; and means coupling the link to the drive means of said sequential moving means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
253 words
A device for processing photographic prints and the like automatically, the device comprising: a plurality of tanks for containing liquids used in photographic processing; means for supporting the tanks in a longitudinally-extending row; a pair of transport mechanisms coupled to the support means and positioned one at each of the longitudinal sides of the row of tanks for transporting a print support through the tanks; each said transport mechanism comprising: a rail on which the print support rests; a movable member coupled to the support means for vertical movement to elevate and lower the rail and thereby elevate and lower the print support, the rail being mounted on the movable member for longitudinal movement; means coupled to the movable member and to the support means and operable to sequentially move the movable member vertically and to move the rail longitudinally whereby the print support is moved vertically out of one tank, then longitudinally from above said one tank into a position above an adjacent tank, and finally vertically downwards into said adjacent tank, drive means coupled to said sequential moving means, said sequential moving means comprising: a link pivotally connected to the movable member intermediate the ends of the link and having an upper end coupled to said rail such that angular movement of the link results in longitudinal movement of the rail sufficient to transport the print support from above said one tank to above said adjacent tank; and means coupling the link to the drive means of said sequential moving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the link coupling means comprises a chain coupled to the support means for movement in a rectangular path and including means in engagement with a lower end of the link for transmitting motion from the chain to the link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
110 words
A device as claimed in claim 2 in which the longer sides of said rectangular path are vertical and in which said engagement means first moves along one of said vertical sides whereby said movable member is moved vertically upwards to lift the print support from said one tank, then along the upper of the horizontal sides of said path whereby the link is moved angularly and the print support is moved from above said one tank to above said adjacent tank, and then downwardly along the other of the vertical sides of said path whereby the movable member is lowered and the print support moves into said adjacent tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
150 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a control mechanism operably coupled to the drive means to start said sequential movement at intervals in a timing cycle, each interval being determined by desired times of print immersion in each of the tanks, said control mechanism including a pair of electrical switches coupled to a slider which extends between said sides of the row of tanks, the distance between the switches being less than the distance between said sides and the slider being movable between a first position in which one of the switches is in position for engagement by a corresponding one of the transport mechanisms and a second position in which the other of the switches is in position for engagement by the other of the transport mechanisms whereby the positions of the transport mechanisms are sensed by the switches for relay to the control mechanism.
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) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |