US3781099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic or presettable diaphragm apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1973-04-30
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1993-04-30
Abstract
Abstract Diaphragm apparatus for use in a camera for alternatively providing either a continuous variable setting of an exposure aperture to sizes related to received light intensity or a preselectable, fixed exposure aperture size. The apparatus includes diaphragm blades coupled to a self-balancing, light responsive control circuit for establishing the size of the exposure aperture as a function of received light intensity, and switch means which when actuated disable the self-balancing circuit and configures the control circuit to drive the diphragm blades in a direction to form a minimum exposure aperture size. A mode selecting control emement, coupled with a diaphragm stop member, in a first position controls the switch and locates the stop member to permit the control circuit to operate in a mode which establishes an aperture size related to received light intensity, and in at least one other position controls the switch means and locates the aperture stop member so that the apparatus operates in a mode in which the diaphragm blades are driven toward a minimum aperture setting but engage the stop member to establish the preset aperture size.
Inventors
- 👤 F Williams
- 👤 H Dudley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:11
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B9/00; G03B9/02; G03B9/07; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/081; G03B7/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In a camera, diaphragm apparatus comprising: diaphragm means movable for forming an exposure aperture; light responsive drive means coupled with said diaphragm means for varying said diaphragm means for forming said aperture to a size related to received light intensity; stop means movable in relation to said diaphragm means between an inactive position and an active position for stopping said diaphragm means at a position whIch corresponds to a preselected exposure aperture size; activatable switch means for actuating said light responsive drive means to drive said diaphragm means to form an aperture of minimum size; and a control element, operatively associated with said stop means and said actuating means, and being movable for moving said stop means between its inactive position and its active position and for activating said actuating means while said stop means is in its active position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a camera, diaphragm apparatus comprising: diaphragm means movable for forming an exposure aperture; light responsive drive means coupled with said diaphragm means for varying said diaphragm means for forming said aperture to a size related to received light intensity; stop means movable in relation to said diaphragm means between an inactive position and an active position for stopping said diaphragm means at a position whIch corresponds to a preselected exposure aperture size; activatable switch means for actuating said light responsive drive means to drive said diaphragm means to form an aperture of minimum size; and a control element, operatively associated with said stop means and said actuating means, and being movable for moving said stop means between its inactive position and its active position and for activating said actuating means while said stop means is in its active position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a camera, diaphragm apparatus comprising: diaphragm means movable for forming an aperture of varied size; drive means, coupled to said diaphragm means, for moving said diaphragm means to vary said aperture between a maximum and minimum size; control circuit means, including photosensitive means disposed to receive light, for providing a signal to said drive means to vary said aperture size in relation to received light conditions; first switch means for activating said control circuit means; stop means, displaceable relative to said diaphragm means, for engaging said diaphragm means at preselected positions in the movement of said diaphragm means for forming an aperture of preselected size; second switch means, connected in said control circuit means and being actuatable for activating said circuit means to drive said drive means to move said diaphragm means toward said minimum aperture size; and control means, coupled to said stop means and being located relative to said second switch means, for positioning said stop means in a position to permit said diaphragm means to be moved to form an aperture of size related to received light intensity, and being movable to at least one position in which said control means actuates said second switch means and positions said stop means to engage said diaphragm means to form an aperture of preselected size.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a camera, diaphragm apparatus comprising: diaphragm means movable for forming an aperture of varied size; drive means, coupled to said diaphragm means, for moving said diaphragm means to vary said aperture between a maximum and minimum size; control circuit means, including photosensitive means disposed to receive light, for providing a signal to said drive means to vary said aperture size in relation to received light conditions; first switch means for activating said control circuit means; stop means, displaceable relative to said diaphragm means, for engaging said diaphragm means at preselected positions in the movement of said diaphragm means for forming an aperture of preselected size; second switch means, connected in said control circuit means and being actuatable for activating said circuit means to drive said drive means to move said diaphragm means toward said minimum aperture size; and control means, coupled to said stop means and being located relative to said second switch means, for positioning said stop means in a position to permit said diaphragm means to be moved to form an aperture of size related to received light intensity, and being movable to at least one position in which said control means actuates said second switch means and positions said stop means to engage said diaphragm means to form an aperture of preselected size.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
269 words
In a camera, diaphragm apparatus comprising: first and second apertured blade means, located and movable relative to each other to align said apertures, for forming first and second apertures of varied size; drive means, coupled to said blade means and being movable in first and second directions, for moving said blade means to vary said aperture size between a maximum and minimum size; control circuit means, coupled to said drive means and including a photosensitive element disposed to receive light through said first aperture, for providing a signal to said drive means for positioning said blade means between said maximum and minimum size to form an aperture of size related to received light intensity; first switch means for activating said control circuit means; stop means, displaceable along an axis relative to said first and second blades, for engaging said blades at preselected positions during movement thereof to form apertures of preselected size; second switch means, connected in said control circuit means and being actuatable, for activating said control circuit means to provide a signal to cause said drive means to drive said blades means in a direction to form a minimum aperture size; and control means, coupled to said stop means and located in a first position relative to said second switch means positioning said displaceable member to permit said apparatus to provide an aperture of size related to received light intensity, and being movable to at least one position for actuating said second switch means and for positioning said stop means to be engaged by said blades during movement of said blades to form said preselected aperture size.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
269 words
In a camera, diaphragm apparatus comprising: first and second apertured blade means, located and movable relative to each other to align said apertures, for forming first and second apertures of varied size; drive means, coupled to said blade means and being movable in first and second directions, for moving said blade means to vary said aperture size between a maximum and minimum size; control circuit means, coupled to said drive means and including a photosensitive element disposed to receive light through said first aperture, for providing a signal to said drive means for positioning said blade means between said maximum and minimum size to form an aperture of size related to received light intensity; first switch means for activating said control circuit means; stop means, displaceable along an axis relative to said first and second blades, for engaging said blades at preselected positions during movement thereof to form apertures of preselected size; second switch means, connected in said control circuit means and being actuatable, for activating said control circuit means to provide a signal to cause said drive means to drive said blades means in a direction to form a minimum aperture size; and control means, coupled to said stop means and located in a first position relative to said second switch means positioning said displaceable member to permit said apparatus to provide an aperture of size related to received light intensity, and being movable to at least one position for actuating said second switch means and for positioning said stop means to be engaged by said blades during movement of said blades to form said preselected aperture size.
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) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |