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US4019192A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Photographic camera of the retractable lens tube type with a movable lens cover

Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1975-05-20
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Granted: 1977-04-19
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Expires: 1995-05-20
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Abstract

Abstract The camera has a bodytube disposed in a retracted position and which is automatically brought to a picture-taking position in conjunction with the movement of a protective cover, covering the front surface of the lens tube or objective lens in the retracted position, to a position in which the protective cover is away from the path of movement of the lens tube to expose the same. In conjunction with the cover movement, the release button, which is hidden inside the camera, is also automatically brought to an operative position. The movable cover can carry a shield for a window for the view finder and/or the exposing light receiving section, if required.

Inventors

  • 👤 Fumihiro Miyagawa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 18:12
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/04; G03B11/00; G03B11/04; G03B11/043

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 187 words
A photographic camera of the retractable objective lens tube type comprising, in combination, a. an objective lens tube movable between a retracted position, in which the lens tube is disposed within the camera, and a picture-taking position, in which the lens tube projects outwardly of the camera from a front surface of the camera; b. means biasing said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; c. means locking said lens tube in its retracted position against the bias of said biasing means; d. protective cover means movable along a guide path parallel to said front surface of the camera between an operative position, in which it covers said lens tube in its retracted position, and an inoperative position, in which it is retracted from the path of movement of said lens tube; and e. means operative, in conjunction with the movement of said cover means to its inoperative position, to release said locking means thereby to permit said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position, said cover means consisting of a pair of halves movable in respective opposite directions along said guide path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 187 words
A photographic camera of the retractable objective lens tube type comprising, in combination, a. an objective lens tube movable between a retracted position, in which the lens tube is disposed within the camera, and a picture-taking position, in which the lens tube projects outwardly of the camera from a front surface of the camera; b. means biasing said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; c. means locking said lens tube in its retracted position against the bias of said biasing means; d. protective cover means movable along a guide path parallel to said front surface of the camera between an operative position, in which it covers said lens tube in its retracted position, and an inoperative position, in which it is retracted from the path of movement of said lens tube; and e. means operative, in conjunction with the movement of said cover means to its inoperative position, to release said locking means thereby to permit said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position, said cover means consisting of a pair of halves movable in respective opposite directions along said guide path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 203 words
A photographic camera of the retractable objective lens tube type comprising, in combination, a. an objective lens tube movable between a retracted position, in which the lens tube is disposed within the camera, and a picture-taking position, in which the lens tube projects outwardly of the camera from a front surface of the camera; b. means biasing said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; c. means locking said lens tube in its retracted position against the bias of said biasing means; d. protective cover means movable along a guide path parallel to said front surface of the camera between an operative position, in which it covers said lens tube in its retracted position, and an inoperative position, in which it is retracted from the path of movement of said lens tube; and e. means operative, in conjunction with the movement of said cover means to its inoperative position, to release said locking means thereby to permit said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; f. power source means contained in the camera; and g. switch means operable by said cover means to cut off said power source means when said cover means is moved into its operative position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 203 words
A photographic camera of the retractable objective lens tube type comprising, in combination, a. an objective lens tube movable between a retracted position, in which the lens tube is disposed within the camera, and a picture-taking position, in which the lens tube projects outwardly of the camera from a front surface of the camera; b. means biasing said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; c. means locking said lens tube in its retracted position against the bias of said biasing means; d. protective cover means movable along a guide path parallel to said front surface of the camera between an operative position, in which it covers said lens tube in its retracted position, and an inoperative position, in which it is retracted from the path of movement of said lens tube; and e. means operative, in conjunction with the movement of said cover means to its inoperative position, to release said locking means thereby to permit said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; f. power source means contained in the camera; and g. switch means operable by said cover means to cut off said power source means when said cover means is moved into its operative position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 269 words
A photographic camera of the retractable objective lens tube type comprising, in combination, a. an objective lens tube movable between a retracted position, in which the lens tube is disposed within the camera, and a picture-taking position, in which the lens tube projects outwardly of the camera from a front surface of the camera; b. first means biasing said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; c. a stop on said lens tube; d. a locking lever pivoted intermediate its ends on the camera; e. second means biasing said locking lever to a position in which an inner end thereof engages said stop in the retracted position of said lens tube to retain said lens tube in the retracted position against the bias of said first means; f. protective cover means movable along a guide path parallel to said front surface of the camera between an operative position, in which it covers said lens tube in its retracted position, and an inoperative position, in which it is retracted from the path of movement of said lens tube; and g. a coupling lever pivoted intermediate its ends on the camera and having a first end engaged with an outer end of said locking lever and a second end in the path of movement of said cover means to its inoperative position, said coupling lever, responsive to engagement of said cover means with its second end, pivoting said locking lever, against the bias of said second means, to disengage said stop for automatic movement of said lens tube to its picture-taking position under the bias of said first means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 269 words
A photographic camera of the retractable objective lens tube type comprising, in combination, a. an objective lens tube movable between a retracted position, in which the lens tube is disposed within the camera, and a picture-taking position, in which the lens tube projects outwardly of the camera from a front surface of the camera; b. first means biasing said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; c. a stop on said lens tube; d. a locking lever pivoted intermediate its ends on the camera; e. second means biasing said locking lever to a position in which an inner end thereof engages said stop in the retracted position of said lens tube to retain said lens tube in the retracted position against the bias of said first means; f. protective cover means movable along a guide path parallel to said front surface of the camera between an operative position, in which it covers said lens tube in its retracted position, and an inoperative position, in which it is retracted from the path of movement of said lens tube; and g. a coupling lever pivoted intermediate its ends on the camera and having a first end engaged with an outer end of said locking lever and a second end in the path of movement of said cover means to its inoperative position, said coupling lever, responsive to engagement of said cover means with its second end, pivoting said locking lever, against the bias of said second means, to disengage said stop for automatic movement of said lens tube to its picture-taking position under the bias of said first means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 52 words
A photographic camera as in claim 3 further comprising a window in the front surface of the camera additional to that of said bodytube; and a shield mounted on said cover means for movement therewith for shielding said window at least partially when said cover means is moved into its operative position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 225 words
A photographic camera of the retractable objective lens tube type comprising, in combination, a. an objective lens tube movable between a retracted position, in which the lens tube is disposed within the camera, and a picture-taking position, in which the lens tube projects outwardly of the camera from a front surface of the camera; b. means biasing said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; c. means locking said lens tube in is retracted position against the bias of said biasing means; d. protective cover means movable along a guide path parallel to said front surface of the camera between an operative position, in which it covers said lens tube in its retracted position, and an inoperative position in which it is retracted from the path of movement of said lens tube; e. means operative, in conjunction with the movement of said cover means to its inoperative position, to release said locking means thereby to permit said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; f. a shutter release button movable between an operative protruding position and an inoperative position in which the button is withdrawn into the camera a predetermined amount; and g. means operative in conjunction with the movement of said cover means to its inoperative position to bring said button from its inoperative position into its operative protruding position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 225 words
A photographic camera of the retractable objective lens tube type comprising, in combination, a. an objective lens tube movable between a retracted position, in which the lens tube is disposed within the camera, and a picture-taking position, in which the lens tube projects outwardly of the camera from a front surface of the camera; b. means biasing said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; c. means locking said lens tube in is retracted position against the bias of said biasing means; d. protective cover means movable along a guide path parallel to said front surface of the camera between an operative position, in which it covers said lens tube in its retracted position, and an inoperative position in which it is retracted from the path of movement of said lens tube; e. means operative, in conjunction with the movement of said cover means to its inoperative position, to release said locking means thereby to permit said lens tube to move forwardly from its retracted position; f. a shutter release button movable between an operative protruding position and an inoperative position in which the button is withdrawn into the camera a predetermined amount; and g. means operative in conjunction with the movement of said cover means to its inoperative position to bring said button from its inoperative position into its operative protruding position.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2865273A Cited
US3440939A Cited
US3585916A Cited
US3616738A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1980-04-18 1980-10-18 1981-04-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1984-04-18 1984-10-18 1985-04-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1988-04-18 1988-10-18 1989-04-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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