US3798667A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature responsive switch for use in a self-developing camera
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
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Filing: 1973-03-05
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1993-03-05
Abstract
Abstract Photographic apparatus, e.g., a camera, for exposing a photosensitive element located in position for exposure within the camera. The camera is provided with temperature responsive structure for preventing the initiation of an exposure cycle when the ambient temperature is outside a predetermined range. In a preferred embodiment, the camera includes a motor connectable to a source of energy, e.g., a battery, for operating various subsystems of the camera, e.g., a shutter, and the aforementioned temperature responsive structure is a bimetallic structure which functions to connect the motor to the source of energy when the ambient temperature is within the predetermined range and to disconnect the motor from the source of energy when the ambient temperature is outside the predetermined range. In an alternative embodiment, the temperature responsive structure takes the form of a resilient bimetallic member which defines one contact of a normally open switch located in an exposure control circuit. During normal operation, the resilient member is manually flexed to close the switch and initiate an exposure cycle. As the ambient temperature changes to a value outside of the predetermined range, the curvature of the bimetallic member increases to a point whereat the member can no longer be manually flexed into a position wherein the switch will be closed.
Inventors
- 👤 E Land
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:26
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B9/00; G03B9/58; G03B19/00; G03B19/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: means for exposing a photosensitive element located in position for exposure within said photographic apparatus; and means for operatively connecting said exposing means to a source of energy, said connecting means including temperature responsive means for disconnecting said exposing means from the source of energy when the ambient temperature is outside a predetermined range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: means for exposing a photosensitive element located in position for exposure within said photographic apparatus; and means for operatively connecting said exposing means to a source of energy, said connecting means including temperature responsive means for disconnecting said exposing means from the source of energy when the ambient temperature is outside a predetermined range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes an electrical circuit connectable to a source of electrical energy, and said temperature responsive means includes bimetallic means for disconnecting the source of electrical energy from said exposing means when said ambient temperature is outside said predetermined range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said bimetallic means includes first means for opening said electrical circuit when said ambient temperature is below said predetermined range and second means for opening said electrical circuit when said ambient temperature exceeds said predetermined range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second means comprise a pair of battery contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said electrical circuit includes a pair of contacts at least one of which is coupled to and movable by said temperature responsive means between a conducting and a nonconducting position, said photographic apparatus further including means engageable by at least said one contact for preventing movement of said contact by said temperature responsive means to said nonconducting position until said ambient temperature is outside of said predetermined range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said photographic apparatus is a camera of the self-developing type.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: means for exposing a photosensitive element located in position for exposure within said photographic apparatus; means for connecting said exposing means to a source of electrical energy for operating said exposing means, said connecting means including normally open switch means movable into a closed position for initiating an exposure cycle, said switch means including temperature responsive means operable to prevent closure of said switch means when the ambient temperature is outside a predetermined range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: means for exposing a photosensitive element located in position for exposure within said photographic apparatus; means for connecting said exposing means to a source of electrical energy for operating said exposing means, said connecting means including normally open switch means movable into a closed position for initiating an exposure cycle, said switch means including temperature responsive means operable to prevent closure of said switch means when the ambient temperature is outside a predetermined range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said temperature responsive means includes a resilient membrane adapted to be manually flexed into said closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said resilient membrane includes a bimetallic section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said bimetallic section is adapted to render said membrane incapable of being manually flexed to said closed position when said ambient temperature is outside said predetermined range.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said resilient membrane forms one contact of said normally open switch means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure; means for exposing the photosensitive element; and temperature responsive means for preventing actuation of said exposing means when the ambient temperature is outside a predetermined temperature range.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
Photographic apparatus comprising: means for locating a photosensitive element in position for exposure; means for exposing the photosensitive element; and temperature responsive means for preventing actuation of said exposing means when the ambient temperature is outside a predetermined temperature range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2794377A
Cited
US3171109A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |