Patent US3767302A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3767302A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Microfiche camera
Assignee: Terminal Data Corp
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Filing: 1972-10-26
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1992-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A microfiche camera for exposing either relatively wide or narrow film at high speed with minimal inertial or frictional constraints. An objective lens is stationary, as are film path guides. A single pocket encloses a large loop of film prior to longitudinal movement of the film onto an orthogonally movable carriage, and also a small loop of film subsequent to photographic exposure of the film upon the carriage. The film guides are the width of the narrow film, save a wide transverse guide positioned near the entrance of the film onto the carriage. Suitable logic controls the motion of the carriage and the motion of the film thereon according to a desired fiche format. Vacuum adheres the film to a platen during exposure and air pressure separates these for rapid motion between exposures.
Inventors
- 👤 W Roberts
- 👤 R Whitney
- 👤 R Wickenhiser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:47
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/58; G03B27/583
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A microfiche camera comprising; a. a stationary image-forming lens (2), b. a carriage (4) carrying only a portion of a film strip (22) that is longitudinally movable therethrough and selectively positionable to receive an image from said lens, c. means (12, 14) to translate said carriage orthogonally with respect to the length of said film strip, d. microfiche-spacing format means (8) disposed upon said carriage, e. motion-producing and responsive means (11, 102) controlable by said format means and connected to said means to translate said Carriage for positioning said carriage, and f. stationary guide means (32, 33, 33'') including a pocket bearing upon that portion of said film strip adjacent to said carriage to guide said film strip with respect to the longitudinal and the orthogonal motion of said carriage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A microfiche camera comprising; a. a stationary image-forming lens (2), b. a carriage (4) carrying only a portion of a film strip (22) that is longitudinally movable therethrough and selectively positionable to receive an image from said lens, c. means (12, 14) to translate said carriage orthogonally with respect to the length of said film strip, d. microfiche-spacing format means (8) disposed upon said carriage, e. motion-producing and responsive means (11, 102) controlable by said format means and connected to said means to translate said Carriage for positioning said carriage, and f. stationary guide means (32, 33, 33'') including a pocket bearing upon that portion of said film strip adjacent to said carriage to guide said film strip with respect to the longitudinal and the orthogonal motion of said carriage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The camera of claim 1 in which said stationary guide means includes; a. a portion (32) of said guide means narrower than said film strip and bearing upon it before and after it moves through said carriage, and b. a transverse guide (33, 33'') wider than said film strip and bearing upon it before it moves through said carriage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
separate said film from said carriage by pressure when said film strip is moving with respect to said carriage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
separate said film from said carriage by pressure when said film strip is moving with respect to said carriage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The camera of claim 2 in which; a. the width of said narrow portion of said guide means is of the order of one-sixth of the width of said film strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The camera of claim 1 in which said stationary guide means includes; a. a single pocket substantially rectilinear (32) for containing both supply and takeup loops of said film, said single pocket positioned adjacent to said carriage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The camera of claim 4 which additionally includes; a. film strip supply means (27), b. film strip take-up means (73), c. a first film-loop-actuated switch (30) in said single pocket, positioned to actuate said supply means to provide a loop of given size before said film strip moves into said carriage, and d. a second film-loop-actuated switch (60) in said single pocket, positioned to actuate said take-up means to provide a loop of different size than said given size after said film strip moves out of said carriage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The camera of claim 5 in which; a. said loop of given size is relatively large with respect to said loop of different size, to accomplish titling.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The camera of claim 1, which additionally includes; a. valve means (103) pneumatically connected to said carriage to selectively apply vacuum or fluid pressure to said carriage adjacent to said film strip, b. longitudinal film strip pull-down means (16), c. electrical control means (144, 148) connected to said valve means and operable in synchronism with said pull-down means to;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The camera of claim 2 in which said stationary guide means additionally includes; a. a film strip guide (41) narrower than said film strip, surmounting the narrow portion of said guide means (32) and having a forward and downwardly extending shape to guide said film onto said carriage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The camera of claim 2 which additionally includes; a. plural lateral guides (88, 91) which selectively laterally constrain a narrow film strip within the narrow portion of said guide means (32), and b. means (87, 89, 92) to selectively insert said lateral guides into the film path for the selective transport of narrow film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The camera of claim 7 in which; a. said carriage (4) includes a flat platen (48) having separate operative sections of plural widths to selectively draw to and separate from said platen film strips (22) of corresponding plural widths.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The camera of claim 1 in which; a. said carriage (4) includes a flat platen (48), b. the surface of said platen includes plural grooves (52) in a recurrent diamond pattern, and c. holes (53) at each intersection of said grooves for selectively conveying vacuum or fluid pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
The camera of claim 1 in which said motional means (11, 102) is a servo system including; a. command means (110) to originate a saturated signal for accelerating said carriage orthogonally, b. a comparator (118) connected to said command means and controlable by said format means (8), to inaugurate deceleration of said carriage subsequent to said accelerating, and c. a carriage-motion-detector (126) connected to said comparator and to said command means to inhibit exposure of said film strip (22) when said carriage is in motion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
The camera of claim 1 in which said motional means (11, 102) is a stepper motor system including; a. a driving pulse clock (193), b. command means (110''), c. a comparator (118) connected to said command means and controlable by the format means (8''), and d. electrical gating means (194 & 195) connected to said clock and to said command means to drive the stepper means (190).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
73 words
The camera of claim 1 in which means to longitudinally move said film strip (22) includes; a. a stepper device (16), b. electrical command means (110), c. electrical gate means (153, 154) connected to said command means and to said stepper device for the control of said stepper device, and d. mechanical means (18), connected to said stepper device and bearing upon said film strip for accomplishing longitudinal motion of said film strip.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
The camera of claim 1 which additionally includes; a. an electric generator (120), to produce an output when said carriage is moving orthogonally, and b. plural networks (166-170 & 167-170'') connected to said generator to produce a unidirectional electrical output therefrom that is independent of the direction of the orthogonal motion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The camera of claim 15 in which; a. the plurality of said networks is two, b. each of said networks includes a Zener diode (166, 167), and c. the polarity of connection of the Zener diodes is opposite in each network.
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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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |