US4040071A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for making stereoscopic pictures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-03-20
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Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1995-03-20
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates generally to stereo photography and particularly to a simple method and apparatus which enables an unskilled individual to produce three-dimensional stereoscopic pictures through the use of inexpensive, readily available cameras and viewing devices. In the practice of the invention, two cameras are mounted in an adjacent vertical orientation in a novel housing or holder, interaxial spacing between the cameras being either fixed or adjustable within defined limits to produce slide transparencies croppable according to the invention and mountable on available reel mounts for viewing with standard viewing devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce Shane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B35/00; G03B35/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
In combination with two fixed-focus cameras, apparatus for producing stereo photographs, comprising: holder means for mounting the two cameras at a predetermined interaxial spacing, the cameras being mounted with the longitudinal axes of their respective film planes disposed parallel to each other and essentially vertical with respect to a horizontal reference plane when in use: release means for simultaneously actuating the two cameras; advance means for simultaneously advancing the film in each of the two cameras; said holder means being formed of two housing portions, one housing portion for each camera, the housing portions being coupled together in a linearly adjustable manner so that the interaxial spacing between the cameras can be adjusted, the means coupling the housing portions comprising linearly adjustable means on the release means and on the advance means, said linearly adjustable means said linearly adjustable means comprising a threaded release bar and a threaded advance bar each having mateingly threaded nut means thereon for adjusting the interaxial spacing between the cameras.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
In combination with two fixed-focus cameras, apparatus for producing stereo photographs, comprising: holder means for mounting the two cameras at a predetermined interaxial spacing, the cameras being mounted with the longitudinal axes of their respective film planes disposed parallel to each other and essentially vertical with respect to a horizontal reference plane when in use: release means for simultaneously actuating the two cameras; advance means for simultaneously advancing the film in each of the two cameras; said holder means being formed of two housing portions, one housing portion for each camera, the housing portions being coupled together in a linearly adjustable manner so that the interaxial spacing between the cameras can be adjusted, the means coupling the housing portions comprising linearly adjustable means on the release means and on the advance means, said linearly adjustable means said linearly adjustable means comprising a threaded release bar and a threaded advance bar each having mateingly threaded nut means thereon for adjusting the interaxial spacing between the cameras.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for producing stereo photographs, comprising: providing two fixed-focus cameras of the 110 type; positioning the cameras at a predetermined interaxial spacing relative to each other and with the longitudinal axes of their respective film planes disposed substantially parallel to each other, essentially vertical with respect to a horizontal reference plane and horizontally spaced apart a distance substantially equivalent to said predetermined interaxial spacing; simultaneously activating the two cameras when so positioned; developing slide transparencies taken by the cameras when said cameras are oriented in said relative positions; cropping the slide transparencies only along horizontal edges thereof; and inserting the cropped slide transparencies into opposite apertures of a standard stereo reel mount.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for producing stereo photographs, comprising: providing two fixed-focus cameras of the 110 type; positioning the cameras at a predetermined interaxial spacing relative to each other and with the longitudinal axes of their respective film planes disposed substantially parallel to each other, essentially vertical with respect to a horizontal reference plane and horizontally spaced apart a distance substantially equivalent to said predetermined interaxial spacing; simultaneously activating the two cameras when so positioned; developing slide transparencies taken by the cameras when said cameras are oriented in said relative positions; cropping the slide transparencies only along horizontal edges thereof; and inserting the cropped slide transparencies into opposite apertures of a standard stereo reel mount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 and further comprising the step of: masking portions of the lenses and viewfinders of the two cameras during operation of the cameras.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for producing sterophotographs adapted for use in standard Viewmaster 3-D reel mounts comprising: two fixed-focus cameras of the 110 type; holder means for mounting the cameras at a predetermined interaxial spacing, the cameras being mounted such that, when in use, the longitudinal axes of their respective film planes are disposed substantially parallel to each other, essentially vertical with respect to a horizontal reference plane and horizontally spaced apart a distance substantially equivalent to said predetermined interaxial spacing; release means for simultaneously actuating the two cameras; and advance means for simultaneously advancing the film in each of the two cameras.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for producing sterophotographs adapted for use in standard Viewmaster 3-D reel mounts comprising: two fixed-focus cameras of the 110 type; holder means for mounting the cameras at a predetermined interaxial spacing, the cameras being mounted such that, when in use, the longitudinal axes of their respective film planes are disposed substantially parallel to each other, essentially vertical with respect to a horizontal reference plane and horizontally spaced apart a distance substantially equivalent to said predetermined interaxial spacing; release means for simultaneously actuating the two cameras; and advance means for simultaneously advancing the film in each of the two cameras.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said holder means comprises a unitary housing within which the cameras are mounted with a fixed interaxial spacing, 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said release and advance
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
means each include a linearly actuated bar member. 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said holder means comprises a housing, said advance means and release means being mounted exteriorly of said housing and comprising bar members extending through openings in said housing into operative engagement with the respective advance and release mechanisms of the
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
cameras. 8. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said cameras have lenses and viewfinders and including means for masking the light from predetermined portions of said lenses and viewfinders of said cameras, said predetermined masked portions of said lenses defining a cropping line on each of the film transparencies produced from the simultaneous exposure
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
of the film in each camera. 9. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said holder means includes two housing portions, one of said two cameras being mounted in a respective one of said two housing portions, means for coupling said housing portions together in a linearly adjustable manner for adjusting the interaxial spacing between said cameras, said coupling means comprising linearly adjustable means on both of said release means and advance means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |