US3781102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular structure for viewing apparatus
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1971-03-19
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1991-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A viewing apparatus comprises at least two or, in some instances, three distinct modules. A base module includes a light source, a condenser lens system, a projection lens system, and a carrier for the type of photographic medium to be viewed, all of which are arranged in said base module. The base module also serves to support a housing module in which one or more mirrors are arranged for directing the projected image onto a front surface screen that is also mounted within the housing module. Filter means is arranged between the screen and a viewing opening in the housing module for compensating for the color temperature of the light source, thereby optimizing the luminance of the projected image reflected by the screen when viewed through the opening by an observer. The filter means also serves to reduce ambient light and is mounted in such a way as to seal the housing module against the entry of dust and dirt from the environs. In addition, the filter means provides a level of light (image luminance) that is suitable and comfortable for extended periods of viewing.
Inventors
- 👤 J Chandler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:17
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/10; G03B21/11; G03B21/115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
Viewing apparatus having an optical axis normal to which a selected one of a plurality of images carried by a photographic medium in the form of either a sheet or a roll is projected onto a front surface screen optically aligned with the axis, comprising: a housing module having a viewing opening and an image entry opening, and including light filter means optically aligned with the axis and arranged intermediate the screen and the viewing opening and an image reflecting system comprising at least one reflecting member and the screen optically aligned with the axis and arranged between the image entry opening and the filter means; a base module having an open top which is positioned relative to the image entry opening when the modules are detachably secured as a unit, and comprising a projection lens system optically aligned with the axis and the image entry opening and having a focal plane in and through which a selected form of the medium is movable, first and second means alternately detachably mounted on the base module, the first means supporting and moving a first form of the medium through the focal plane and the second means supporting and moving the other form of the medium through the focal plane, and an illuminating system opticAlly aligned with the axis for illuminating the selected one image that is moved into position relative to the axis; and mounting means associated with each of the housing and the base modules and interacting to releasably secure the modules together as a unit so that the projection and reflecting systems are in optical alignment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
Viewing apparatus having an optical axis normal to which a selected one of a plurality of images carried by a photographic medium in the form of either a sheet or a roll is projected onto a front surface screen optically aligned with the axis, comprising: a housing module having a viewing opening and an image entry opening, and including light filter means optically aligned with the axis and arranged intermediate the screen and the viewing opening and an image reflecting system comprising at least one reflecting member and the screen optically aligned with the axis and arranged between the image entry opening and the filter means; a base module having an open top which is positioned relative to the image entry opening when the modules are detachably secured as a unit, and comprising a projection lens system optically aligned with the axis and the image entry opening and having a focal plane in and through which a selected form of the medium is movable, first and second means alternately detachably mounted on the base module, the first means supporting and moving a first form of the medium through the focal plane and the second means supporting and moving the other form of the medium through the focal plane, and an illuminating system opticAlly aligned with the axis for illuminating the selected one image that is moved into position relative to the axis; and mounting means associated with each of the housing and the base modules and interacting to releasably secure the modules together as a unit so that the projection and reflecting systems are in optical alignment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
Viewing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the housing module is provided with a bottom wall comprising a number of angularly disposed surfaces, one of which is provided with the image entry opening, and the base module is provided with spaced, parallel side walls having angularly contoured edges for engaging the bottom wall of the housing module to support the latter in an optically aligned relationship with the base module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
Viewing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the illuminating system comprises a light source and an ellipsoidal reflector arranged between the light source and the medium for directing light onto the image positioned in the focal plane and relative to the axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
Viewing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first form of the medium is a microfiche having a number of images thereon arranged in both X and Y directions, and the first supporting and moving means is supported on the base module for movement in the focal plane and in both X and Y directions so as to position a selected image on the microfiche relative to the optical axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
Viewing apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the first supporting and moving means is slidably mounted on the base module and moves the microfiche in the focal plane and relative to the optical axis in one of the X and Y directions and is movable as a unit with the microfiche in the other of the X and Y directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
Viewing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of feet spaced from and parallel to each other, extending from a bottom surface of the housing module at an angle toward the image entry opening and engaging a bottom surface of the base module, the feet being joined the ends adjacent the bottom surface of the housing module throughout a portion of their length by a flat section forming a part of the bottom wall of the base module, when the modules are in an assembled relation, and lug members carried by the base module for engaging the flat section to orient the housing and base modules relative to each other in both longitudinal and lateral directions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
Viewing apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the base module comprises an illumination section in which the illumination system is arranged, a projection section arranged between the housing module and the illumination section and in which the projection lens system is arranged, and means associated with the housing module and each of the sections for interconnecting and maintaining the same in an assembled relation as a unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
Viewing apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the projection section comprises spaced side walls, a front wall and an intermediate wall extending from the front wall, the latter wall supporting the projection lens system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Viewing apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein either the first or the second supporting and moving means is mounted on the intermediate wall for moving the selected form of the medium in at least one direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
Viewing apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the base module comprises spaced, side walls having edges for engaging and supporting the housing module, a front wall and a bottom wall, the edges of the side walls being at an angle to the horizontal for maintaining the viewing opening at an angle from the vertical, and the feet extending into the base module from the vertex end as formed by the edges of the side walls and the bottom wall to position the flat section in a coextensive relation with the bottom wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
Viewing apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the lug members are arranged along And extend from the inner portion of the side walls and the bottom wall for engaging the flat section and maintaining the housing and base modules in an assembled relation without lateral movement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
126 words
Viewing apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the housing module is provided with a bottom wall comprising at least two angularly disposed surfaces, one of which is provided with the entry opening, and a hollow, cylindrical sleeve extending from the one surface and aligned with the opening. and the base module comprises spaced side walls, the edges of which are contoured to engage the bottom wall of the housing, the sleeve being generally aligned with the optical axis, when the housing module is positioned on the side walls of the base module, and means arranged between and engaging the free end of the sleeve and the projection lens system for effectively sealing the housing module against the entry of dust and dirt from the environs.
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 |