US3810215A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Percussive flash extender
Assignee: GTE Sylvania Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-18
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Granted: 1974-05-07
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Expires: 1993-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A flash extender assembly for operatively attaching a percussive flashcube to a camera with the flash source sufficiently offset from the camera lens to reduce ''''red-eye'''' effect. The extender is a three-piece assembly comprising a retaining base identical to the flashcube base and insertable into a camera socket, a flashcube cover affixed to the retaining base and having its top wall adapted for receiving and detachably retaining the base of an inserted flashcube, and a plurality of rods extending from the retaining base toward the top wall of the cover and interconnected at one end by a flexible web attached to the retaining base. The retaining base has an aperture adjacent each rod through which the respective rod is accessible to be actuated by a flash actuating member in the camera, and each of the rods is aligned with a slot in the top wall of the cover and adapted to move therethrough upon actuation for firing a flashlamp in an inserted flashcube.
Inventors
- 👤 D Armstrong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:21
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/04; G03B15/0478; G03B15/0484
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
For use with a multilamp flash unit, including a plurality of precussively-ignitable flashlamps and associated preenergized strikers mounted on a connecting base, together with a camera having socket means for receiving said flash unit and a mechanical actuating member for firing one of said flashlamps, each of said strikers being individually releasable to fire a respective one of said flashlamps, and said connecting base having an aperture adjacent each striker through which the respective striker is accessible to be released by said actuating member to fire its respective flashlamp; the improvement of a flash extender comprising, in combination, a retaining base insertable into said camera socket means; a mounting means supported on and spaced a predetermined distance away from the retaining base of said extender for receiving and detachably retaining the connecting base of an inserted flash unit, said mounting means having an aperture corresponding to each striker access aperture in the connecting base of an inserted flash unit; and a plurality of rods extending from said retaining base toward said mounting means and interconnected at one end by a flexible web attached to said retaining base, the retaining base of said extender having an aperture adjacent each rod through which the respective rod is accessible to be actuated by said actuating member, and each of said rods being aligned with one of the apertures in said mounting means and adapted to move therethrough upon actuation for releasing a striker.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
For use with a multilamp flash unit, including a plurality of precussively-ignitable flashlamps and associated preenergized strikers mounted on a connecting base, together with a camera having socket means for receiving said flash unit and a mechanical actuating member for firing one of said flashlamps, each of said strikers being individually releasable to fire a respective one of said flashlamps, and said connecting base having an aperture adjacent each striker through which the respective striker is accessible to be released by said actuating member to fire its respective flashlamp; the improvement of a flash extender comprising, in combination, a retaining base insertable into said camera socket means; a mounting means supported on and spaced a predetermined distance away from the retaining base of said extender for receiving and detachably retaining the connecting base of an inserted flash unit, said mounting means having an aperture corresponding to each striker access aperture in the connecting base of an inserted flash unit; and a plurality of rods extending from said retaining base toward said mounting means and interconnected at one end by a flexible web attached to said retaining base, the retaining base of said extender having an aperture adjacent each rod through which the respective rod is accessible to be actuated by said actuating member, and each of said rods being aligned with one of the apertures in said mounting means and adapted to move therethrough upon actuation for releasing a striker.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The flash extender of claim 1 wherein said retaining base has a substantially planar surface, said flexible web is disposed substantially parallel with said planar surface and supports said rods substantially normal thereto, and said web is sufficiently resilient to return an actuated rod to its rest position subsequent to retraction of said actuaTing member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The flash extender of claim 2 wherein said rods are symmetrically arrayed about said retaining base, and said web is centrally attached to said retaining base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The flash extender of claim 3 wherein the apertures in said retaining base and mounting means comprise corresponding circular patterns of symmetrically located slots respectively aligned with said symmetrical array of rods.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The flash extender of claim 1 wherein each of said rods in the rest position extends through its respective aligned aperture in said mounting means by an amount sufficient to lightly contact a preenergized striker in an inserted flash unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The flash extender of claim 1 wherein the connecting base of said flash unit has a centrally disposed mounting post depending therefrom and a plurality of locating holes therethrough, and said extending mounting means defines a central access opening for receiving the mounting post of an inserted flash unit and inlcudes a plurality of lock pins for engaging said locking holes of an inserted flash unit to thereby detachably retain said unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flash extender of claim 1 wherein the retaining base of said extender is identical to the connecting base of said flash unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
The flash extender of claim 7 wherein the connecting base of said flash unit has a centrally disposed mounting post depending therefrom and a plurality of locating holes therethrough, and said extender mounting means comprises a cover affixed to said retaining base and substantially enclosing said rods, said cover having a top wall and a plurality of side walls, said apertures in the mounting means being contained in said top wall, said top wall defining a central access opening for receiving the mounting post of an inserted flash unit and having a plurality of lock pins projecting therefrom for engaging said locating holes of an inserted flash unit to thereby detachably retain said unit, and said top wall being spaced said predetermined distance away from said retaining base by the sidewalls of said cover.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The flash extender of claim 8 wherein said lock pins are split pins.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
The flash extender of claim 8 wherein aid retaining base has a substantially planar surface, said flexible web is disposed substantially parallel with said planar surface and supports said rods substantially normal thereto, said rods are symmetrically arranged about said retaining base, said web is centrally attached to said retaining base, the top wall of said cover is substantially parallel with the planar surface of said retaining base, and the apertures in said retaining base and the top wall of said cover comprise corresponding circular patterns of symmetrically locates slots respectively aligned with said symmetrical array of rods.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The flash extender of claim 10 wherein each of said rods in the rest position extends through its respective aligned slot in the top wall of said cover by an amount sufficient to lightly contact a preenergized striker in an inserted flash unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flash extender of claim 10 wherein each of the three components consisting of said retaining base, cover, and web-connected rods is a unitary molded piece of plastic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
186 words
A multilamp flash unit comprising, in combination, a supporting base, a plurality of precussively ignitable flashlamps and associated preenergized strikers mounted on said supporting base, each of said strikers being individually releasable to fire one of said flashlamps, said supporting base having an aperture adjacent each striker through which the respective striker is accessible to be released, a reatining base attached to and spaced a predetermined distance away from said supporting base on the side opposite that on which the lamps and strikers are mounted, said retaining base being insertable into socket means on a camera having a mechanical actuating member for firing one of said flashlamps, and a plurality of rods extending from said retaining base toward said supporting base and interconNected at one end by a flexible web attached to said retaining base, said retaining base having an aperture adjacent each rod through which the respective rod is accessible to be actuated by said camera actuating member, and each of said rods being aligned with one of the apertures in said supporting base and adapted to move therethrough upon actuation for releasing a striker.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
186 words
A multilamp flash unit comprising, in combination, a supporting base, a plurality of precussively ignitable flashlamps and associated preenergized strikers mounted on said supporting base, each of said strikers being individually releasable to fire one of said flashlamps, said supporting base having an aperture adjacent each striker through which the respective striker is accessible to be released, a reatining base attached to and spaced a predetermined distance away from said supporting base on the side opposite that on which the lamps and strikers are mounted, said retaining base being insertable into socket means on a camera having a mechanical actuating member for firing one of said flashlamps, and a plurality of rods extending from said retaining base toward said supporting base and interconNected at one end by a flexible web attached to said retaining base, said retaining base having an aperture adjacent each rod through which the respective rod is accessible to be actuated by said camera actuating member, and each of said rods being aligned with one of the apertures in said supporting base and adapted to move therethrough upon actuation for releasing a striker.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-06 | 1977-11-05 | 1978-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-06 | 1981-11-05 | 1982-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-06 | 1985-11-05 | 1986-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |