Patent US3753390A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3753390A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Percussive photoflash lamp array with selective actuating mechanism
Assignee: GTE Sylvania Inc
•
Filing: 1972-06-09
•
Granted: 1973-08-21
•
Expires: 1992-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A photoflash assembly comprising a plurality of percussivelyignitable flashlamps arranged in a linear array with respectively associated reflectors and preenergized striker springs, a support member attached to an associated camera and adapted to slidably receive the flashlamp array, and an actuating mechanism retained in the support member for selectively conrolling the one or more lamps of the array to be fired in response to shutter operation. The selective actuating mechanism includes a channel member which is pivotally mounted parallel to the array and spring loaded within a recess of the support member. A spring-loaded sliding plate is retained in the channel with its position therealong being determined by engagement with one of the preenergized striker springs. Upon pivoting of the channel member in response to operation of the camera shutter, the slide plate releases the overlying striker spring to fire a corresponding one of the flashlamps. A spring-loaded latch enables the slide plate to be shifted so as to underlie two striker springs and thereby enable the firing of two lamps simultaneously. Subsequent to lamp firing, the spring-loaded plate automatically advances to the next preenergized striker spring.
Inventors
- 👤 W Hay
- 👤 H Hough
- 👤 E Audesse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:14
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
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A photoflash assembly comprising, in combination: a base member; a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted in a row on said base member; a plurality of preenergized strikers mounted on said base member and individually releasable to fire a respective one of said flashlamps; said base member defining access means adjacent each of said strikers for enabling engagement with and release of each preenergized striker; a channel member; means pivotally supporting said channel member parallel to said row of flashlamps; and a slide member retained in said channel member and having means engaging one of said preenergized strikers through said access means; said slide member being operative upon pivotal actuation of said channel member to release the striker with which it is engaged to fire a respective one of said flashlamps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A photoflash assembly comprising, in combination: a base member; a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted in a row on said base member; a plurality of preenergized strikers mounted on said base member and individually releasable to fire a respective one of said flashlamps; said base member defining access means adjacent each of said strikers for enabling engagement with and release of each preenergized striker; a channel member; means pivotally supporting said channel member parallel to said row of flashlamps; and a slide member retained in said channel member and having means engaging one of said preenergized strikers through said access means; said slide member being operative upon pivotal actuation of said channel member to release the striker with which it is engaged to fire a respective one of said flashlamps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
The assembly of claim 1 further including means urging said slide member toward one end of said channel member whereby the position of said slide member along said channel member is determined by the engagement of said slide member with one of said preenergized strikers, and wherein release of said striker disengages it from said slide member to permit said slide member to advance toward the end of said channel member toward which it is urged until engagement with the next preenergized striker.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said urging means comprises a spring of substantially constant force connected between said slide member and said one end of said channel member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 2 further including means for spring loading said pivotally supported channel member to normally assume a quiescent position with respect to said preenergized strikers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said base member defines upper and lower spaced surfaces; each of said flashlamps has a primer tube depending therefrom by which it is supported on the upper surface of said base; and said strikers are mounted on the upper surface of said base so that, in the preenergized condition, said strikers project beyond a boundary of said base defined access means to overlie a portion of said channel member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said slide member comprises a plate having a releasable latch mounted thereon for functioning as said striker engaging means, said plate normally underlying only the projecting striker engaged by said latch, and release of said latch to disengage it from a striker being operative to permit said plate to be shifted by said urging means to underlie at least two of said projecting strikers, whereby at least two of said strikers are released upon pivotal actuation of said channel member to simultaneously fire at least two of said flashlamps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein said channel member contains slots for clearing said projecting strikers during pivotal actuation of said channel member, and said plate is shaped to cover the one or more clearance slots of said channel member which correSpond to the one or more of said strikers selected for release to fire one or more of said flashlamps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 2 further including a support member upon which said base is removably mounted and which provides said means for pivotally supporting said channel member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The assembly of claim 8 further including a camera having a mechanical actuating member, and wherein said support member is attached to said camera with said channel member accessible to be pivotally displaced by said actuating member to cause the firing of a selected one of said flash lamps as determined by the position of said slide member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
261 words
The assembly of claim 8 wherein said base member defines upper and lower spaced surfaces, each of said flashlamps of said first row has a primer tube depending therefrom by which it is supported on the upper surface of said base, each of said first plurality of preenergized strikers are mounted on the upper surface of said base, and further including a second row of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted on the upper surface of said base parallel to said first row of flashlamps, each of the flashlamps of said second row having a primer tube depending therefrom, a second plurality of preenergized strikers mounted on the upper surface of said base member and individually releasable to fire a respective one of the flashlamps of said second row, a second access means defined by said base member adjacent each of said second plurality of strikers, first and second arrays of substantially concave reflectors located between said first and second rows of flashlamps and arranged back-to-back to face in opposite directions, each reflector of said first array being disposed behind a respective one of the flashlamps of said first row and each reflector of said second array being disposed behind a respective one of the flashlamps of said second row, and a transparent cover mounted on said base and enclosing said flashlamps, strikers and reflectors, said second plurality of strikers being accessible to said slide member through said second access means only upon removing and remounting said base on said support member to reverse the direction of said first and second arrays of reflectors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein each of said preenergized strikers is a portion of a folded torsional 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 the upper surface of said base, and a catch formed at the tip of said foot, said striker portion crossing said foot with said catch restraining said striker portion in a cocked condition, the springs providing said first plurality of strikers being mounted on said base so that each cocked striker projects beyond a boundary of said base defined access means to overlie a portion of said channel member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
140 words
A selective actuating mechanism for a photoflash lamp array; said array including a base, a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted in a row on said base, a plurality of preenergized strikers mounted on said base and individually releasable to fire a respective one of said flashlamps, and access means defined in said base adjacent each of said strikers for enabling engagement with and release of each preenergized striker; the selective actuating mechanism comprising: a support member defining a longitudinal recess and receiving means whereby said array may be removably mounted thereon; a channel member pivotally mounted within said longitudinal recess; a slide member retained in said channel member and having means adapted for engaging one of the preenergized strikers of said array through said access means; and means for urging said slide member toward one end of said channel member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
140 words
A selective actuating mechanism for a photoflash lamp array; said array including a base, a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps mounted in a row on said base, a plurality of preenergized strikers mounted on said base and individually releasable to fire a respective one of said flashlamps, and access means defined in said base adjacent each of said strikers for enabling engagement with and release of each preenergized striker; the selective actuating mechanism comprising: a support member defining a longitudinal recess and receiving means whereby said array may be removably mounted thereon; a channel member pivotally mounted within said longitudinal recess; a slide member retained in said channel member and having means adapted for engaging one of the preenergized strikers of said array through said access means; and means for urging said slide member toward one end of said channel member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mechanism of claim 12 further including means for spring loading said channel member to urge iT into said recess.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mechanism of claim 12 wherein said urging means comprises a spring of substantially constant force connected between said slide member and said one end of said channel member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mechanism of claim 12 wherein said channel member contains clearance slots adapted to be aligned with the strikers of said array, and said slide member comprises a plate shaped to cover a selected one or more of said slots.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The mechanism of claim 15 wherein said slide member further includes a spring loaded latch mounted on said plate for functioning as said striker engaging means, and a projection from said plate spaced from said latch for functioning as an alternative striker engaging means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mechanism of claim 12 wherein said receiving means comprises a longitudinal guide defined by said support member parallel to said longitudinal recess and adapted to slidably receive and removably engage a complementary portion of the base of said array.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mechanism of claim 12 wherein said support member is adapted to be mounted on a camera having a mechanical actuating member for pivotally displacing said channel member when operated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The mechanism of claim 12 further including a camera having a mechanical actuating member, and wherein said support member is integrated with said camera, and said actuating member is disposed in said recess for pivotally displacing said channel member when operated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3602618A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-20 | 1977-02-19 | 1977-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-20 | 1981-02-19 | 1981-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-20 | 1985-02-19 | 1985-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |