Unique prismatic element and mounting arrangement therefor

Claim 2

In combination with a compact motion picture film handling cassette, a product for use in photographic projection operations when mounted in receiving means including support surfaces, comprising: a light reflecting prismatic element having a pair of light transparent optical faces, a single reflective face and two lateral faces extending substAntially perpendicular to at least one of said pair of light transparent optical faces; and means for cooperating with said receiving means for mounting and aligning said product in its operative position within said cassette, said mounting and aligning means comprising a pair of ear extensions extending from said lateral faces of said prismatic element and having at least a portion thereof complementarily configured with respect to said supporting surfaces, said ear extensions being positioned and constructed so as to provide means for holding said prismatic element without interferring with the entrance and exit of light into and out of the optical faces of said prismatic element.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 in which said light transparent optical faces and said mounting and aligning means comprise an integral unitary member.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 2 in which said integral unitary member is formed of plastic.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1 in which said supporting surfaces define at least one V-shaped recess and said prismatic element portion is complementarily V-shaped.

Claim 6

In combination, a compact motion picture film handling cassette and a mounting station for a light reflecting prismatic element having a pair of light transparent optical faces, two non-optical lateral faces extending substantially perpendicular to at least one of said pair of light transparent optical faces, and mounting means therefore, said mounting means including a pair of ear extensions extending from the non-optical lateral faces of said prismatic element and extending beyond said optical faces having at least a portion thereof defining supporting surfaces, said mounting station including receiving means for mounting and aligning said prismatic element in its operative position, said receiving means including support surfaces complementarily configured with respect to said supporting surfaces of said prismatic element.

Claim 7

In combination, a compact motion picture film handling cassette and a mounting station for a light reflecting prismatic element having a pair of light transparent optical faces, two non-optical lateral faces extending substantially perpendicular to at least one of said pair of light transparent optical faces, and mounting means therefore, said mounting means including a pair of ear extensions extending from the non-optical lateral faces of said prismatic element and extending beyond said optical faces having at least a portion thereof defining supporting surfaces, said mounting station including receiving means for mounting and aligning said prismatic element in its operative position, said receiving means including support surfaces complementarily configured with respect to said supporting surfaces of said prismatic element.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 5 in which said receiving means are formed of a plastic material and include an integrally formed extension configured to be deformed over a portion of said prismatic element to secure said prismatic element in said mounting station.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 5 in which said support surfaces thereof define a V-shaped recess.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 7 in which said prismatic element is complementarily V-shaped with respect to said support surfaces.

Claim 11

Motion picture film handling cassette comprising a film strip, means for storing said film strip, a light reflecting prismatic element including a light reflecting surface and mounting means therefor, said light reflecting prismatic element mounting means including extension means extending from two non-optical lateral faces of said light reflecting prismatic element beyond said light reflecting surface having at least a portion thereof defining supporting surfaces, a mounting station including receiving means for mounting and aligning said light reflecting prismatic element in its operative position with respect to said film strip, said receiving means including support surfaces complementarily configured with respect to said support surfaces of said light reflecting prismatic element, said mounting station including tab means selectively deformable over a portion of said extension means when said light reflecting prismatic element is placed within said mounting station for securing said prismatic element within said mounting station.

Claim 12

Motion picture film handling cassette comprising a film strip, means for storing said film strip, a light reflecting prismatic element including a light reflecting surface and mounting means therefor, said light reflecting prismatic element mounting means including extension means extending from two non-optical lateral faces of said light reflecting prismatic element beyond said light reflecting surface having at least a portion thereof defining supporting surfaces, a mounting station including receiving means for mounting and aligning said light reflecting prismatic element in its operative position with respect to said film strip, said receiving means including support surfaces complementarily configured with respect to said support surfaces of said light reflecting prismatic element, said mounting station including tab means selectively deformable over a portion of said extension means when said light reflecting prismatic element is placed within said mounting station for securing said prismatic element within said mounting station.

Claim 13

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 9 in which mounting station includes cut-away portions of a similar size and shape as said ears for providing a base into which said ears are placed.

Claim 14

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 10 in which said light reflecting prismatic element is a prism comprising: a first transparent face for permitting light to enter said prism; a reflective surface angularly disposed with respect to said first transparent face for reflectively redirecting said ligHt entering said first transparent face; a second face, partially convex in nature through which said redirected light is exited through said prism; and two lateral faces, said extension means being formed as an integral part of said two lateral faces, said extension means being positioned and constructed so as to provide means for holding said prism without interfering with said entrance and exit of said light into and out of said prism.

Claim 15

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 11 in which said extension means have a generally triangular shape.

Claim 16

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 12 in which said mounting station is formed having correspondingly formed triangular shaped cut-away portions into which said extension means are placed, said extension means and said cut-away portions of said mounting station being oriented so as to correctly position said prism in its operable position.

Claim 17

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 13 in which said mounting station and said extension means are operative to retain said prism in its said operable position by a non-optical surface of said prism, said extension means and said mounting station being oriented so as to maximize the surface area of said prism which may be cooled.

Claim 18

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 14 in which said extension means are formed having a size which is compatable with providing an insulation between said prism and said mounting station for insulating said mounting station from heat generated in and around said prism, whereby said mounting station is prevented from distorting due to heat from said prism.

Claim 19

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 15 in which said prism is formed by the injection molding of plastic.

Claim 20

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 16 in which at least one of said extension means is formed having an extending pin means, said extending pin means providing an optically dislocated area into which said injection molding may be introduced for alleviating swirling within said prism.

Claim 21

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 17 in which said mounting station comprises: side wall structures having cut-away portions for receiving said extension means of said prism; a rear wall structure; and front wall structures connected to said side wall structures, one of said front wall structures having a cut-out portion for accepting said pin extension of said prism, said cut-out portion and said pin extension being configured for properly positioning said prism at its said operable position within said mounting station and being further configured for preventing any other positioning of said prism within said mounting station.

Claim 22

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 18 in which said tab means are integrally formed as part of said side wall structures, said tab means being deformable over a portion of said extension means for securing said prism wihtin said mounting station.

Claim 23

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 19 in which said extension means comprise: a top surface having a plane substantially parallel to said prism''s first transparent face; a vertical surface having a plane perpendicular to said top surface and positioned behind the plane established by said second face; and a slanted surface connecting said top surface to said vertical surface, said slanted surface being in the same plane established by said reflective surface for providing an accurate positioning element for correctly positioning said prism without recourse to sophisticated manufacturing components.

Claim 24

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 20 in which said tab means is deformable over a portion of said top surface for retaining said prism within said mounting station.

Claim 25

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 18 in which said side wall structures of said mounting station are operative to correctly locatE said prism laterally within said mounting station.

Claim 26

The motion picture film handling cassette of claim 18 in which said front wall structures are operative to correctly locate said prism forwardly within said mounting station.