US3744389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic coin-operated photographic apparatus utilizing self-developing film units
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-27
•
Granted: 1973-07-10
•
Expires: 1992-03-27
Abstract
Abstract Automatic coin-operated photographic apparatus comprises a camera and a magazine for cassettes each comprising a number of self-developing film units, transfer means for replacing an expended cassette at the camera by a cassette from the magazine, and means for extracting the film units one by one from the cassette at the camera. The finished film may be delivered to a slot for collection.
Inventors
- 👤 C Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:37
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/48; G03B17/50; G03B17/53
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
Automatic photographic apparatus comprising a camera, a magazine for cassettes of self-developing film units, transfer means for replacing an expended cassette at said camera by a cassette from said magazine, means for extracting the film units one by one from said cassette at said camera, and means for determining the emptiness of the cassette at the camera to initiate the operation of said transfer Means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
Automatic photographic apparatus comprising a camera, a magazine for cassettes of self-developing film units, transfer means for replacing an expended cassette at said camera by a cassette from said magazine, means for extracting the film units one by one from said cassette at said camera, and means for determining the emptiness of the cassette at the camera to initiate the operation of said transfer Means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said camera is arranged with its optical axis vertical and there is at least one mirror directing the image to be photographed to said camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said transfer means includes a carrier for said cassette mounted to raise said cassette vertically towards the bottom of said camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said transfer means includes conveyor means having a horizontal surface for the transfer of a cassette horizontally from the bottom of said magazine to said carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which a cassette being conveyed from said magazine to said carrier is arranged to expel an expended cassette from said carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said magazine includes a vertical chute constructed to carry a stack of flat cassettes with their planes horizontal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 which includes a first mirror above said camera in a plane inclined about a horizontal axis and a second mirror in a plane inclined about a vertical axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said extraction means is arranged to extract the film units in a direction which is horizontal and is perpendicular to the direction of transfer of a cassette from the magazine to the camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
Automatic photographic apparatus comprising a camera having its optical axis vertical, at least one mirror directing the image to be photographed to said camera, a magazine for cassettes including a vertical chute constructed to carry a stack of flat cassettes with their planes horizontal, and transfer means including a carrier for said cassettes mounted to raise said cassettes vertically towards the bottom of said camera.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
Automatic photographic apparatus comprising a camera having its optical axis vertical, at least one mirror directing the image to be photographed to said camera, a magazine for cassettes including a vertical chute constructed to carry a stack of flat cassettes with their planes horizontal, and transfer means including a carrier for said cassettes mounted to raise said cassettes vertically towards the bottom of said camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 in which a cassette being conveyed from said magazine to said carrier is arranged to move an expended cassette from said carrier to a position where said expended cassette is unsupported, whereby said expended cassette falls from said apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 which includes means for extracting the film units one by one from said cassette at said camera in a direction which is horizontal and is perpendicular to the direction of transfer of a cassette from the magazine to the camera.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 in which said cassette contains film units having rupturable pods, and which includes squeezing means positioned for said film units to be passed through the squeezing means by said extraction means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 in which said squeezing means consists of a pair of rollers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
Automatic photographic apparatus comprising a camera, means for supporting a cassette of self-developing film units in said camera, means for extracting the film units one by one from said cassette at said camera, drive means for driving said extraction means, and control means for said drive means arranged to hold said film unit in an intermediate dwell position for a predetermined period of time for development of said film unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
Automatic photographic apparatus comprising a camera, means for supporting a cassette of self-developing film units in said camera, means for extracting the film units one by one from said cassette at said camera, drive means for driving said extraction means, and control means for said drive means arranged to hold said film unit in an intermediate dwell position for a predetermined period of time for development of said film unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 in which said cassette contains film units each of which comprises a photosensitive sheet and an image-receiving sheet, said apparatus including means for separation of the image-receiving sheet from the photosensitive sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 in which said extraction means includes at least one gripper and there is means for releasing the gripper at the point of travel remote from the cassette.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 in which said extraction means comprises a pair of clamp means which are movable along parallel paths and are arranged to engage two separate tabs on the film unit to be extracted and to draw such tabs away from said cassette, said first clamp means being coupled to said second clamp means by a lost mostion connection and being coupled to driving means by which said first clamp means can be reciprocated towards and away from said cameRa, entraining said second clamp means over part of its travel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 in which said driving means comprises an endless chain extending parallel with the said parallel paths and carrying an abutment arranged to contact abutment means carried by said first clamp means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |