US3873189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable-position optical system
Assignee: Xerox Ltd
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Filing: 1973-06-19
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A movable lens for plural magnification is provided with positive stops at predetermined points corresponding to the several magnifications. The lens carriage actuates switches to control solenoids which position the stops into and out of the path of the lens carriage.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Whitaker
- 👤 Bryan S Haslam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:07
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/04; G03G15/041; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/12; G03B17/14; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/522
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for positioning an optical assembly in one of a plurality of predetermined positions along its optical path comprising means for driving the optical assembly in one direction and in the opposite direction along the optical path, a plurality of stops which are individually operable to Directly engage the optical assembly and stop it in said predetermined positions, and in the case where the assembly is to change position in said one direction means to actuate said drive means to bring the assembly directly against a selected, operated, one of said stops, and in the case where the assembly is to change position in the opposite direction, means to actuate the drive means to drive the assembly in said opposite direction past the stop, and means to operate the selected stop and reverse the drive means when the assembly has travelled past the stop, whereby in operation of the apparatus, the assembly always engages one of said stops in said one direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for positioning an optical assembly in one of a plurality of predetermined positions along its optical path comprising means for driving the optical assembly in one direction and in the opposite direction along the optical path, a plurality of stops which are individually operable to Directly engage the optical assembly and stop it in said predetermined positions, and in the case where the assembly is to change position in said one direction means to actuate said drive means to bring the assembly directly against a selected, operated, one of said stops, and in the case where the assembly is to change position in the opposite direction, means to actuate the drive means to drive the assembly in said opposite direction past the stop, and means to operate the selected stop and reverse the drive means when the assembly has travelled past the stop, whereby in operation of the apparatus, the assembly always engages one of said stops in said one direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stops are operated by solenoids to bring them into position for engagement by said optical assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means to operate the stop and reverse the drive means of the optical assembly is a microswitch actuable by the assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical assembly carries a lead-screw nut, and is driven by a motor-driven lead-screw which engages the lead-screw nut.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the lead-screw nut engages the optical assembly via a compression spring, and a switching means is arranged on the assembly to be normally actuated by the lead-screw nut, whereby in operation of the apparatus, when the assembly is stopped by a stop, the lead-screw continues to drive, compressing said spring, until the switching means is deactuated to stop the motor driving the lead-screw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for positioning an optical assembly in one of a plurality of predetermined positions along its optical axis including: a frame, a lens carriage including a lens assembly and being mounted for movement relative to said frame along said optical axis, a drive member operatively connected to and spring- biased relative to said lens carriage, a bi-directional motor operatively connected to said drive member to cause said drive member to motivate said lens carriage in either direction along said optical axis, abutment means mounted on said frame and selectively positionable in the path of said lens carriage to positively stop said lens carriage, switch means operatively connected to said motor to switch said motor off when said lens carriage traveling in a first direction meets said abutment means, said drive member absorbing any overtravel of said motor by means of said spring bias relative to said lens carriage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for positioning an optical assembly in one of a plurality of predetermined positions along its optical axis including: a frame, a lens carriage including a lens assembly and being mounted for movement relative to said frame along said optical axis, a drive member operatively connected to and spring- biased relative to said lens carriage, a bi-directional motor operatively connected to said drive member to cause said drive member to motivate said lens carriage in either direction along said optical axis, abutment means mounted on said frame and selectively positionable in the path of said lens carriage to positively stop said lens carriage, switch means operatively connected to said motor to switch said motor off when said lens carriage traveling in a first direction meets said abutment means, said drive member absorbing any overtravel of said motor by means of said spring bias relative to said lens carriage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 and further including switch means to reverse said motor when said lens carriage passes said abutment means traveling in a second direction opposite to said first direction and to position said abutment means in the path of said lens carriage as it travels back in said first direction to meet said abutment means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for positioning an optical assembly in one of a plurality of predetermined positions along its optical axis, including: a frame, a lens carriage including a lens assembly and being mounted for movement relative to said frame along said optical axis, a drive screw and nut mechanism operatively connected to said lens carriage, said nut being resiliently spring mounted to said lens carriage, a bi-directional motor operatively connected to said drive screw to rotate the same in either direction to motivate said lens carriage in either direction along said optical axis, a plurality of abutment means mounted on said frame corresponding to said plurality of predetermined positions and selectively positionable in the path of said lens carriage to positively stop said lens carriage in a first direction of its travel, first switch means to switch said motor off when said lens carriage meets one of said abutment means, said resiliently mounted nut absorbing any overtravel of said motor and said drive screw, second switch means to reverse said motor when said lens carriage passes a predetermIned one of said abutment means traveling in a second direction opposite to said first direction, third switch means to signal the positioning of said predetermined abutment means into the path of said lens carriage as it travels back in said first direction to meet said abutment means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for positioning an optical assembly in one of a plurality of predetermined positions along its optical axis, including: a frame, a lens carriage including a lens assembly and being mounted for movement relative to said frame along said optical axis, a drive screw and nut mechanism operatively connected to said lens carriage, said nut being resiliently spring mounted to said lens carriage, a bi-directional motor operatively connected to said drive screw to rotate the same in either direction to motivate said lens carriage in either direction along said optical axis, a plurality of abutment means mounted on said frame corresponding to said plurality of predetermined positions and selectively positionable in the path of said lens carriage to positively stop said lens carriage in a first direction of its travel, first switch means to switch said motor off when said lens carriage meets one of said abutment means, said resiliently mounted nut absorbing any overtravel of said motor and said drive screw, second switch means to reverse said motor when said lens carriage passes a predetermIned one of said abutment means traveling in a second direction opposite to said first direction, third switch means to signal the positioning of said predetermined abutment means into the path of said lens carriage as it travels back in said first direction to meet said abutment means.
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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |