US3785728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microfilm viewer
Assignee: GELATT INVEST Inc
•
Filing: 1971-08-26
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1991-08-26
Abstract
Abstract A portable, compact viewer for illuminating, enlarging and viewing individual microfilm frames which are carried on a filmstrip prepackaged in a cassette. The viewer is provided with electrical drive means for transporting the filmstrip within the cassette in a forward or reverse direction, at a high speed for traversing or at a low speed for scanning. Means integral with the drive means are provided to inhibit overrun of the transport, so as to provide accurate location and alignment of single frames and to provide substantial inching control. The viewer includes a cassette receiving compartment whose cover may be spring biased toward operative positions, and which cover aids in aligning the cassette with the optical system, and may additionally cooperate to prevent excessive heating from a heat source such as an illumination bulb. The viewer housing is of an improved construction which assures a high-contrast image under normal light conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 A Peters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:26
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/10; G03B21/11; G03B21/111
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
353 words
In a microfilm viewer, wherein a reel-to-reel film having a large plurality of microphotographs thereon is carried in a cassette that is arranged for cooperation with a viewing apparatus that includes a casing, a planar mounting deck for the cassette, illuminating means for illuminating the film, optical means for projecting the illuminated film, a viewing screeN for viewing the projected illumination, and drive means separate from the cassette, but positioned and adapted to cooperate with the reels in the cassette for selectively moving the film in opposite directions; the improvement comprising, in combination: spaced elongated drive hubs journalled in and extending through said mounting deck and having ends shaped and arranged for releasable driving engagement with the reels of a cassette, an elongated driven shaft parallel to said hubs extending transversely to the side of the deck opposite the one upon which the cassette is positioned and being operatively associated with the drive means to rotate about the shaft axis in opposite directions as the drive means are driven in opposite directions, and transfer gear means between the shaft and the two hubs for effecting positive drive from the shaft to only one or the other of the two hubs depending upon the direction in which the shaft is rotated, said transfer gear means comprising four gears located in a plane transverse to the axes of the driven shaft and hubs, and adjacent and parallel to the mounting deck, a first of the four gears being mounted on the driven shaft to rotate therewith, second and third gears spaced from the first gear and each drivingly associated with only one of the two hubs, the fourth gear constantly meshing with the first gear and being held in spaced relation to the axis of the driven shaft, rotation of the first gear in either direction causing the fourth gear automatically to planet about the axis of the driven shaft into meshing and driving relation with one of the second and third gears, so that as the driven shaft rotates in opposite directions the fourth gear operates to drive either the second or third gears.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
353 words
In a microfilm viewer, wherein a reel-to-reel film having a large plurality of microphotographs thereon is carried in a cassette that is arranged for cooperation with a viewing apparatus that includes a casing, a planar mounting deck for the cassette, illuminating means for illuminating the film, optical means for projecting the illuminated film, a viewing screeN for viewing the projected illumination, and drive means separate from the cassette, but positioned and adapted to cooperate with the reels in the cassette for selectively moving the film in opposite directions; the improvement comprising, in combination: spaced elongated drive hubs journalled in and extending through said mounting deck and having ends shaped and arranged for releasable driving engagement with the reels of a cassette, an elongated driven shaft parallel to said hubs extending transversely to the side of the deck opposite the one upon which the cassette is positioned and being operatively associated with the drive means to rotate about the shaft axis in opposite directions as the drive means are driven in opposite directions, and transfer gear means between the shaft and the two hubs for effecting positive drive from the shaft to only one or the other of the two hubs depending upon the direction in which the shaft is rotated, said transfer gear means comprising four gears located in a plane transverse to the axes of the driven shaft and hubs, and adjacent and parallel to the mounting deck, a first of the four gears being mounted on the driven shaft to rotate therewith, second and third gears spaced from the first gear and each drivingly associated with only one of the two hubs, the fourth gear constantly meshing with the first gear and being held in spaced relation to the axis of the driven shaft, rotation of the first gear in either direction causing the fourth gear automatically to planet about the axis of the driven shaft into meshing and driving relation with one of the second and third gears, so that as the driven shaft rotates in opposite directions the fourth gear operates to drive either the second or third gears.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A microfilm viewer as in claim 1 wherein fifth and sixth gears are provided located in the same plane with said four gears, said fifth and sixth gears each being respectively carried by one of the two hubs to rotate therewith, and said fifth and sixth gears each drivingly meshing with one of said second and third gears.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
A microfilm viewer as in claim 1 wherein the drive means includes a motor whose rotor is constructed and arranged to run at two different speeds and in opposide directions, and including four manual controls operatively associated with the viewer and the motor for selecting both speed and direction of rotation of the motor to provide flexibility to a user in moving film within the cassette selectively forwardly or backwardly and at either high speed or low speed to provide means for locating a frame of the film desired to be read.
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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) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |