Patent US3765313A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3765313A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
View finder
Assignee: Berkey Photo Inc
•
Filing: 1972-07-03
•
Granted: 1973-10-16
•
Expires: 1992-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A view finder is provided for a camera wherein the latter is adapted to accommodate film cartridges or packets of two different sizes. The viewfinder is carried on the camera and is adapted to automatically vary by means of an adjustably mounted masking piece the size of the viewing area to be observed through the viewfinder so as to coordinate same with the size film being used in the camera. The adjustment of the masking piece is effected during loading of a given size film cartridge into the camera. Thus, the viewfinder facilitates proper manual aligning of the camera lens with the subject being photographed.
Inventors
- 👤 E Faris
- 👤 R Kopala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/04; G03B19/06; G03B13/00; G03B13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A viewfinder and camera wherein said camera comprises a housing of fixed dimension, a focusing lens mounted on the front end of said housing and a film cartridge holder mounted within said housing adjacent the rear end thereof, said holder being capable of accommodating film cartridges of different sizes; said viewfinder comprising an elongated casing mounted on said camera housing, said casing being provided with aligned front and rear openings; lens means disposed within said casing and aligned with said front and rear openings; a masking piece adjustably mounted within said casing and disposed adjacent said lens means, said masking piece including a transversely extending portion movable between a first position adjacent the focal axis of said lens means and a second position remote from said focal axis upon adjustment of said masking piece, said masking piece portion when disposed in said first position restricting the size of the viewing area to be observed through the rear opening, lens means, and front opening of the viewfinder, said masking piece normally assuming one of said positions; and actuating means connected to said masking piece and having a portion thereof disposed adjacent the cartridge holder of said camera, said portion of said actuating means being engaged only when one size film cartridge is disposed within said holder whereby said masking piece is actuated and the transversely extending portion thereof is moved from its normally assumed position to the other of said positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
A viewfinder and camera wherein said camera comprises a housing of fixed dimension, a focusing lens mounted on the front end of said housing and a film cartridge holder mounted within said housing adjacent the rear end thereof, said holder being capable of accommodating film cartridges of different sizes; said viewfinder comprising an elongated casing mounted on said camera housing, said casing being provided with aligned front and rear openings; lens means disposed within said casing and aligned with said front and rear openings; a masking piece adjustably mounted within said casing and disposed adjacent said lens means, said masking piece including a transversely extending portion movable between a first position adjacent the focal axis of said lens means and a second position remote from said focal axis upon adjustment of said masking piece, said masking piece portion when disposed in said first position restricting the size of the viewing area to be observed through the rear opening, lens means, and front opening of the viewfinder, said masking piece normally assuming one of said positions; and actuating means connected to said masking piece and having a portion thereof disposed adjacent the cartridge holder of said camera, said portion of said actuating means being engaged only when one size film cartridge is disposed within said holder whereby said masking piece is actuated and the transversely extending portion thereof is moved from its normally assumed position to the other of said positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The viewfinder and camera of claim 1 wherein the axis of said front and rear openings of said casing is substantially parallel to the principal axis of the camera focusing lens, and said casing includes an eyepiece mounted within the rear opening of said casing; said eyepiece being axially aligned with said lens means and the front opening of said casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The viewfinder and camera of claim 1 wherein said masking piece portion normally assumes said first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The viewfinder and camera of claim 1 wherein said masking piecE is mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis, and the transversely extending portion of said masking piece is an upright opaque flange spaced from said pivotal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein the pivotal axis of said masking piece is disposed intermediate the opaque flange and the connection between said actuating means and said masking piece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein said masking piece is provided with a spring having one end thereof connected to a portion of said masking piece intermediate said opaque flange and the pivotal axis of said masking piece, and the opposite end of said spring fixedly connected to the camera housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein the connection between said masking piece and said actuating means is disposed intermediate the opaque flange and the pivotal axis of said masking piece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein said actuating means includes an elongated rod mounted for longitudinal movement and having one end thereof connected to said masking piece and the opposite end portion thereof being disposed within the camera housing and provided with abutting means disposed adjacent said cartridge holder for engagement by one size film cartridge when the latter is being loaded into said holder and effecting longitudinal movement of said rod in one direction and moving the opaque flange away from its normally assumed position with respect to the lens means axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein said actuating means includes an elongated rod pivotally mounted within said camera housing and having one end of said rod connected to said masking piece, said rod having a pad-like portion spaced from the pivotal axis of said rod and disposed adjacent said holder and engaged by one size film cartridge, when the latter is loaded into the holder, and effecting movement of the masking piece flange away from its normally assumed position with respect to the lens means axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2247104A
Cited
US2233239A
Cited
US2522387A
Cited
GB847990A
Cited
DE1280050B
Cited
US3678827A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |