Patent US3884574A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3884574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plural magnification copying apparatus
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1974-02-21
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1994-02-21
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure is directed to a copying apparatus permitting copies of originals at a plurality of magnifications. Image rays from an original to be copied are directed onto a first mirror assembly, to a second mirror assembly, through a lens to a fixed mirror, and onto an exposure surface, the exposure surface, and first and second mirror assemblies being moved in the same direction at speeds which are in definite ratios. The second mirror assembly and lens may each be set to different initial positions, to produce different lens to original and lens to exposure surface ratios, and, depending on the initial settings of the lens and second mirror assembly, the first and second mirror assemblies are driven at different speed ratios relative to the speed of the exposure surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuhiko Doi
- 👤 Hiroshi Ikeda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:54
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/04; G03G15/041; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/522; G03B27/525; G03B27/526
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
In a copying apparatus wherein image rays from a stationary original to be copied are directed at a certain magnification by a first carriage supporting a mirror and a lamp, a second carriage supporting at least one further mirror, and a lens carriage supporting a lens onto a photosensitive material moving at a certain speed, said second carriage being moved at half the speed of said first carriage, the length of the light path from the original to said lens carriage being thereby kept constant irrespective of the position of said first carriage, the improvement which comprises a means for shifting said lens carriage and said second carriage to positions corresponding to predetermined magnification, and a means for changing moving speeds of said first and second carriages in accordance with said magnification, said shifting means comprised of a single cam having a plurality of cam surfaces with each of said surfaces defining a shifting distance of said second carriage, a rotatable member mounted for rotation about an axis and positioned in contact with one of said surfaces of said cam, a first cable connecting said rotatable member and said second carriage, and a means interconnecting said cam with said lens carriage, whereby upon rotation of said cam said rotatable member rotates about its axis for moving said second carriage by said first cable while said lens carriage is being moved through said interconnecting means, both of said second carriage and said lens carriage thereby being moved to positions corresponding to said predetermined magnification, and said speed changing means being comprised of a plurality of clutch means operatively associated with a plurality of gears having different tooth ratios for controlling the moving speeds of said first and second carriages in accordance with said predetermined magnification.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
In a copying apparatus wherein image rays from a stationary original to be copied are directed at a certain magnification by a first carriage supporting a mirror and a lamp, a second carriage supporting at least one further mirror, and a lens carriage supporting a lens onto a photosensitive material moving at a certain speed, said second carriage being moved at half the speed of said first carriage, the length of the light path from the original to said lens carriage being thereby kept constant irrespective of the position of said first carriage, the improvement which comprises a means for shifting said lens carriage and said second carriage to positions corresponding to predetermined magnification, and a means for changing moving speeds of said first and second carriages in accordance with said magnification, said shifting means comprised of a single cam having a plurality of cam surfaces with each of said surfaces defining a shifting distance of said second carriage, a rotatable member mounted for rotation about an axis and positioned in contact with one of said surfaces of said cam, a first cable connecting said rotatable member and said second carriage, and a means interconnecting said cam with said lens carriage, whereby upon rotation of said cam said rotatable member rotates about its axis for moving said second carriage by said first cable while said lens carriage is being moved through said interconnecting means, both of said second carriage and said lens carriage thereby being moved to positions corresponding to said predetermined magnification, and said speed changing means being comprised of a plurality of clutch means operatively associated with a plurality of gears having different tooth ratios for controlling the moving speeds of said first and second carriages in accordance with said predetermined magnification.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The improved copying apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rotatable member is biased in a first direction by said first cable, said cam being positioned adjacent said rotatable member and preventing movement thereof when a largest cam surface contacts said rotatable member, said rotatable member pivoting in the first direction when a smaller cam surface is positioned adjacent said rotatable member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
161 words
The improved device of claim 1 further comprising first and second carriage plates respectively coupled to said first and second carriages, a plurality of pulleys operatively associated with said device, a first tension spring having one end coupled to said first carriage plate, a second cable, one end of said second cable connected to said first carriage plate, said second cable being operatively threaded through said plurality of pulleys, the other end of said second cable coupled to the free end of said first tension spring, one of said plurality of pulleys being coupled to a motor through said speed changing means, whereby activation of said motor draws said second cable in one direction, thereby drawing said first carriage in said one direction from a first position to a second position, said first cable further being coupled to said first carriagE plate, said first carriage being returned to said first position from said second position by means of said first cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
204 words
The improved copying apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a bi-directional motor, and wherein said interconnecting means is comprised of a first gear coupled to said motor, a first shaft, a second gear mounted on said first shaft and engaging said first gear, a third gear and a first pulley mounted on said first shaft for rotation therewith, a second shaft, a fourth gear engaging said third gear and mounted on said second shaft, said cam being mounted on said second shaft adjacent said rotatable member and controlling the amount of rotation thereof, a third cable, one end thereof operatively connected to said lens carriage, a tension spring coupled to said lens carriage and to the other end of said third cable, second and third pulleys mounted on opposite sides of said lens carriage, said third cable engaging said first, second and third pulleys, contact means extending from said lens carriage, and a plurality of detector means respectively positioned at said predetermined positions and operatively coupled to said motor for discontinuing operation thereof upon contact between one of said detector means and said contact means, whereby said lens carriage may be selectively shifted with said second carriage to the positions corresponding to predetermined magnification.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The improved device of claim 4 further comprising a further pulley and a take-up shaft coupled to said further pulley, the end of said first cable engaging said rotatable member being coupled to said take-up shaft, said further pulley being positioned to engage said first cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
The improved device of claim 4 further comprising a take-up reel and a guide pulley, the end of said first cable engaging said rotatable member thereafter engaging said take-up reel and said guide pulley, said rotatable member being positioned above said take-up reel, a further tension spring coupled to said rotatable member, a further pulley coupled to said rotatable member and operatively engaging said first cable, said further tension spring biasing said further pulley away from said first cable, said rotatable member being maintained in position by said cam which prevents movement of said rotatable member when in one position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The improved device of claim 4 further comprising a take-up reel, said first cable being coupled thereto, said rotatable member being positioned generally upright, a further pulley mounted on said rotatable member and engaging said first cable, and a further tension spring coupled to said rotatable member and biasing said rotatable member toward said second mirror carriage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improved device of claim 4 further comprising a further pulley coupled to said rotatable member and engaging said first cable, said rotatable member being positioned generally upright, and a further tension spring coupled to said rotatable member and biasing said rotatable member toward said second mirror carriage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
The improved device of claim 7 further comprising means for controlling said motor and operatively coupled thereto and to said detector means, said controlling means comprised of a forward/reverse switch coupled to said motor, a current control means coupled to said forward/reverse switch for controlling the current direction, a plurality of selector switches operatively coupled to said current control means and said detector means and a plurality of holding switches operatively coupled to said detector means and to said current control means, whereby the lens carriage may selectively be moved to one of said predetermined positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3614222A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |