US4025930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Submersible camera
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-01-12
•
Granted: 1977-05-24
•
Expires: 1996-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A submersible camera having a waterproof housing has a plurality of magnetically operated switches for controlling normal shutter operation, self-locking operation and zoom functions. The camera is electrically operated with the electrical operating mechanism interconnected with the magnetically controlled switches. The switches do not penetrate the housing and provide simple and reliable control of the camera.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifford Wolff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:29
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
533 words
A submersible camera comprising: a camera having an electrically operated film drive and shutter mechanism and an electrically operated zoom lens mechanism; housing means defining a sealed chamber for receiving and housing said camera therein, said housing means having at least a portion which allows a magnetic field to pass therethrough and having at least a transparent portion in registration with the zoom lens of said camera; first magnetically operated switching means located within said chamber of said housing means without physically penetrating through said housing means, said first switching means being electrically connected in an electrical operating circuit of said camera for selectively opening and closing an electrical circuit of at least the shutter mechanism of said camera to thereby selectively operate the shutter of said camera; first magnetic means located outside of said housing means and adapted to be located in selective magnetic communication with said first switching means, without physically penetrating through said housing means, to close said first switching means and operate said shutter of said camera, said first magnetic means comprising: a trigger member carrying a first permanent magnet adjacent an outer surface of said housing means, said trigger member being selectively operable to slide said first permanent magnet along said outer surface of said housing means between a first "inoperative" position spaced in the direction of sliding movement thereof out of magnetic communication with said first switching means and a second "operative" position wherein said permanent magnet is located opposite to and in registration with said first switching means with a wall of said housing means interposed therebetween so as to be in magnetic communication with said first switching means to thereby close said first switching means; and means biasing said trigger member toward said second "inoperative" position of said first permanent magnet; second magnetically operated switching means including at least first and second magnetically operated switches located within said chamber of said housing means without physically penetrating through said housing means, said second switching means being connected in an electrical operating circuit of said zoom lens mechanism of said camera for selectively opening and closing the electrical operating circuit of said zoom lens mechanism to thereby selectively operate said zoom lens mechanism; and second magnetic means located outside of said housing means and adapted to be located in selective magnetic communication with said at least first and second magnetically operated switches of said second switching means, without physically penetrating through said housing means, to selectively close at least one of said first and second magnetically operated switches of said second switching means to selectively operate said zoom lens mechanism, said second magnetic means comprising: at least a second permanent magnet adjacent an outer surface of said housing means and being movable between a first "inoperative" position spaced from at least one switch of said second switching means and a second "operative" position wherein said permanent magnet is located opposite to and in registration with said at least one switch of said second switching means so as to be in magnetic communication therewith through said housing means to thereby close said at least one switch; and means biasing said second permanent magnet towards said "inoperative" position thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
533 words
A submersible camera comprising: a camera having an electrically operated film drive and shutter mechanism and an electrically operated zoom lens mechanism; housing means defining a sealed chamber for receiving and housing said camera therein, said housing means having at least a portion which allows a magnetic field to pass therethrough and having at least a transparent portion in registration with the zoom lens of said camera; first magnetically operated switching means located within said chamber of said housing means without physically penetrating through said housing means, said first switching means being electrically connected in an electrical operating circuit of said camera for selectively opening and closing an electrical circuit of at least the shutter mechanism of said camera to thereby selectively operate the shutter of said camera; first magnetic means located outside of said housing means and adapted to be located in selective magnetic communication with said first switching means, without physically penetrating through said housing means, to close said first switching means and operate said shutter of said camera, said first magnetic means comprising: a trigger member carrying a first permanent magnet adjacent an outer surface of said housing means, said trigger member being selectively operable to slide said first permanent magnet along said outer surface of said housing means between a first "inoperative" position spaced in the direction of sliding movement thereof out of magnetic communication with said first switching means and a second "operative" position wherein said permanent magnet is located opposite to and in registration with said first switching means with a wall of said housing means interposed therebetween so as to be in magnetic communication with said first switching means to thereby close said first switching means; and means biasing said trigger member toward said second "inoperative" position of said first permanent magnet; second magnetically operated switching means including at least first and second magnetically operated switches located within said chamber of said housing means without physically penetrating through said housing means, said second switching means being connected in an electrical operating circuit of said zoom lens mechanism of said camera for selectively opening and closing the electrical operating circuit of said zoom lens mechanism to thereby selectively operate said zoom lens mechanism; and second magnetic means located outside of said housing means and adapted to be located in selective magnetic communication with said at least first and second magnetically operated switches of said second switching means, without physically penetrating through said housing means, to selectively close at least one of said first and second magnetically operated switches of said second switching means to selectively operate said zoom lens mechanism, said second magnetic means comprising: at least a second permanent magnet adjacent an outer surface of said housing means and being movable between a first "inoperative" position spaced from at least one switch of said second switching means and a second "operative" position wherein said permanent magnet is located opposite to and in registration with said at least one switch of said second switching means so as to be in magnetic communication therewith through said housing means to thereby close said at least one switch; and means biasing said second permanent magnet towards said "inoperative" position thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A submersible camera according to claim 1 wherein said sealed chamber comprises an openable portion for enabling access to the camera mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A submersible camera according to claim 1 including means for slidably mounting said trigger member for slidable movement along the outer surface of said housing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A camera housing according to claim 1 including means within said chamber for releasably mounting said magnetically operated switches to a wall of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A submersible camera according to claim 1 wherein each of said magnetically operated switches are reed relays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A submersible camera according to claim 1 wherein said first and second magnetically operated switches of said second switching means each include multiple contact magnetically operated switching arrangements coupled in said electrical operating circuit of said zoom lens mechanism to apply opposite polarity voltage to a drive motor of said zoom lens mechanism when respective ones of said first and second switches of said second switching means is operated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
231 words
A submersible camera according to claim 1 further comprising magnetically operated control means including: at least one normally open magnetically operated control switch located within said chamber of said housing means without physically penetrating through said housing means, said control switch being connected in the electrical operating circuit of said camera and in series with said first switching means for selectively opening and closing said electrical circuit of at least the shutter mechanism of said camera to selectively provide a lock-out to prevent operation of said camera shutter; and control magnet means located outside of said housing means and adapted to be located in selective magnetic communication with said control switch of said control means, without physically penetrating through said housing means, to selectively close said control switch of said control means to enable operation of said camera shutter under control of said first switching means, said control magnet means including at least a further permanent magnet adjacent an outer surface of said housing means and being operable between at least a first "inoperative" position spaced from said control switch of said control means and a second "operative" position wherein said further permanent magnet is located opposite to and in registration with said control switch of said control means so as to be in magnetic communication therewith through said housing means to thereby close said control switch of said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A submersible camera according to claim 7 wherein said control magnet means includes means for sliding said further permanent magnet substantially along the outer surface of said housing means between said inoperative and operative positions thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
A submersible camera according to claim 7 wherein said magnetically operated control means includes a further normally open magnetically operated control switch coupled to the electrical circuit of at least the shutter mechanism of said camera for independently operating said shutter mechanism of said camera, said further control switch being located within said housing, spaced from said first-mentioned control switch and in selective communication with said further permanent magnet of said control magnet means, said further permanent magnet being operable between at least a third "continuous-run" position wherein said further permanent magnet is located opposite to and in registration with said further control switch so as to be in magnetic communication therewith through said housing to thereby close said further control switch to operate said shutter independently of the position of said trigger member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A submersible camera according to claim 9 comprising means for sliding said control magnet means between said first, second and third positions, said second position being intermediate said first and third position and being such that said control magnet means is out of communication with both said first-mentioned and said further control switches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A submersible camera according to claim 9 comprising means for pivotally mounting said control magnet means to the outside of said housing means for slidably mounting said control magnet means for pivoting, sliding movement between at least said first, second and third positions thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A submersible camera according to claim 7 comprising means for pivotally mounting said control magnet means to the outside of said housing means for slidably mounting said control magnet means for pivoting, sliding movement between at least said first and second positions thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
511 words
A submersible camera comprising: a camera having an electrically operated film drive and shutter mechanism; housing means defining a sealed chamber for receiving and housing said camera therein, said housing means having at least a portion which allows a magnetic field to pass therethrough and having at least a transparent portion in registration with the lens of said camera; first magnetically operated switching means located within said chamber of said housing means without physically penetrating through said housing means, said first switching means being electrically connected in an electrical operating circuit of said camera for selectively opening and closing an electrical circuit of at least the shutter mechanism of said camera to thereby selectively operate the shutter of said camera; first magnetic means located outside of said housing means and adapted to be located in selective magnetic communication with said first switching means, without physically penetrating through said housing means, to close said first switching means and operate said shutter of said camera, said first magnetic means comprising: a trigger member carrying a first permanent magnet adjacent an outer surface of said housing means, said trigger member being selectively operable to slide said first permanent magnet along said outer surface of said housing means between a first "inoperative" position spaced in the direction of sliding movement thereof out of magnetic communication with said first switching means and a second "operative" position wherein said permanent magnet is located opposite to and in registration with said first switching means with a wall of said housing means interposed therebetween so as to be in magnetic communication with said first switching means to thereby close said first switching means; and means biasing said trigger member toward said second "inoperative" position of said permanent magnet; magnetically operated control means including: at least one normally open magnetically operated control switch located within said chamber of said housing means without physically penetrating through said housing means, said control means being connected in the electrical operating circuit of said camera and in series with said first switching means for selectively opening and closing said electrical circuit of at least the shutter mechanism of said camera to selectively provide a lock-out to prevent operation of said camera; and control magnet means located outside of said housing means and adapted to be located in selective magnetic communication with said control switch of said control means, without physically penetrating through said housing means, to selectively close said control switch of said control means to enable operation of said camera shutter under control of said first switching means, said control magnet means including at least a further permanent magnet adjacent an outer surface of said housing means and being operable between at least a first "inoperative" position spaced from said control switch of said control means and a second "operative" position wherein said further permanent magnet is located opposite to and in registration with said control switch of said control means so as to be in magnetic communication therewith through said housing means to thereby close said control switch of said control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
511 words
A submersible camera comprising: a camera having an electrically operated film drive and shutter mechanism; housing means defining a sealed chamber for receiving and housing said camera therein, said housing means having at least a portion which allows a magnetic field to pass therethrough and having at least a transparent portion in registration with the lens of said camera; first magnetically operated switching means located within said chamber of said housing means without physically penetrating through said housing means, said first switching means being electrically connected in an electrical operating circuit of said camera for selectively opening and closing an electrical circuit of at least the shutter mechanism of said camera to thereby selectively operate the shutter of said camera; first magnetic means located outside of said housing means and adapted to be located in selective magnetic communication with said first switching means, without physically penetrating through said housing means, to close said first switching means and operate said shutter of said camera, said first magnetic means comprising: a trigger member carrying a first permanent magnet adjacent an outer surface of said housing means, said trigger member being selectively operable to slide said first permanent magnet along said outer surface of said housing means between a first "inoperative" position spaced in the direction of sliding movement thereof out of magnetic communication with said first switching means and a second "operative" position wherein said permanent magnet is located opposite to and in registration with said first switching means with a wall of said housing means interposed therebetween so as to be in magnetic communication with said first switching means to thereby close said first switching means; and means biasing said trigger member toward said second "inoperative" position of said permanent magnet; magnetically operated control means including: at least one normally open magnetically operated control switch located within said chamber of said housing means without physically penetrating through said housing means, said control means being connected in the electrical operating circuit of said camera and in series with said first switching means for selectively opening and closing said electrical circuit of at least the shutter mechanism of said camera to selectively provide a lock-out to prevent operation of said camera; and control magnet means located outside of said housing means and adapted to be located in selective magnetic communication with said control switch of said control means, without physically penetrating through said housing means, to selectively close said control switch of said control means to enable operation of said camera shutter under control of said first switching means, said control magnet means including at least a further permanent magnet adjacent an outer surface of said housing means and being operable between at least a first "inoperative" position spaced from said control switch of said control means and a second "operative" position wherein said further permanent magnet is located opposite to and in registration with said control switch of said control means so as to be in magnetic communication therewith through said housing means to thereby close said control switch of said control means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A submersible camera according to claim 13 wherein said control magnet means includes means for sliding said further permanent magnet substantially along the outer surface of said housing means between said inoperative and operative positions thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
134 words
A submersible camera according to claim 13 wherein said magnetically operated control means includes a further normally open magnetically operated control switch coupled to the electrical circuit of at least the shutter mechanism of said camera for independently operating said shutter mechanism of said camera, said further control switch being located within said housing, spaced from said first-mentioned control switch and in selective communication with said further permanent magnet of said control magnet means, said further permanent magnet being operable between at least a third "continuous-run" position wherein said further permanent magnet is located opposite to and in registration with said further control switch so as to be in magnetic communication therewith through said housing to thereby close said further control switch to operate said shutter independently of the position of said trigger member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A submersible camera according to claim 15 comprising means for sliding said control magnet means between said first, second and third positions, said second position being intermediate said first and third position and being such that said control means is out of communication with both said first-mentioned and said further control switches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A submersible camera according to claim 15 comprising means for pivotally mounting said control magnet means to the outside of said housing means for slidably mounting said control magnet means for pivoting sliding movement between at least said first, second and third positions thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
A submersible camera according to claim 13 comprising means for pivotally mounting said control magnet means to the outside of said housing means for slidably mounting said control magnet means for pivoting, sliding movement between at least said first and second positions thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A submersible camera according to claim 13 wherein said first switching means and said at least one control switch are both mounted within a tubular structure, said housing including means for removably receiving said tubular structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
105 words
A submersible camera according to claim 13 wherein said camera includes an electrically operated zoom lens mechanism and magnetically operated switching means electrically coupled in an electrical circuit of said zoom lens mechanism for control thereof, and wherein said magnetically operated control means includes a zoom lens control switch coupled in the electrical circuit of said zoom lens mechanism for selectively disabling said zoom lens mechanism, said zoom lens control switch being mounted within said housing in registration with said second position of said control magnet means so as to be selectively actuated by said control magnet means when it is in said second position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
A submersible camera according to claim 20 wherein said zoom control switch is a normally closed switch which is opened when said control magnet means is in said second position to thereby inhibit operation of said zoom lens mechanism.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3899790A
Cited
US3860937A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-23 | 1980-11-22 | 1981-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-23 | 1984-11-22 | 1985-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-23 | 1988-11-22 | 1989-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |