US4045808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera mounted flash extender and power pack therefor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-06-02
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Granted: 1977-08-30
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Expires: 1995-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A photographic apparatus including a telescopic extender connected between a camera and an electronic flash or strobe unit by a pair of universal joints at the respective ends of the extender. The extender and flash unit may be selectively adjusted to virtually any position with respect to the camera and the subject being photographed. In one embodiment the universal joint coupling the extender to the camera is a ball type joint. In another embodiment the universal joint is an adjustable swivel joint which permits rotation about two mutually perpendicular axis. Elements are provided for retaining the flash unit and extender in a compact storage position. The flash extender described may comprise a plurality of oval shaped telescoping sections. The strobe unit consists of two separate housings, a main housing for the power source and a second housing for the flash lamp and trigger element therefor.
Inventors
- 👤 Dwayne L. King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:04
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B15/04; G03B15/041; G03B15/06; G03B15/07; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05; G03B2215/0514; G03B2215/056; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32262; Y10T403/32286; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32631; Y10T403/32737; Y10T403/32762
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A photographic apparatus including in combination a telescopic extender means, coupling means for coupling a first end of said extender to a camera and a flash illumination means coupled to a second end of said extender, the improvement comprising: universal joint means connected to said coupling means for providing pivotal movement of said telescopic extender about two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said first end of said extender, said universal joint means including a bifurcated collar having a substantially cylindrical base and a pair of upstanding ear portions, said base including a central bore and a circular bottom flange, base plate means for supporting said bottom flange and said bifurcated collar for pivotal movement therein about one of said axes, said base plate including an upstanding post extending into said central bore, said post having cam surfaces which engage the sides of said bore, bolt means journaled in said ear portions, hinge means for pivotally supporting said first end of said telescopic extender on said bolt means, for movement about the other of said axes; and means for turning said bolt means to lock said joint against pivotal movement about either of said mutually perpendicular axes; and ball joint means coupling said flash illumination means to said second end, said ball joint means providing pivotal movement of said flash illumination means about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said second end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A photographic apparatus including in combination a telescopic extender means, coupling means for coupling a first end of said extender to a camera and a flash illumination means coupled to a second end of said extender, the improvement comprising: universal joint means connected to said coupling means for providing pivotal movement of said telescopic extender about two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said first end of said extender, said universal joint means including a bifurcated collar having a substantially cylindrical base and a pair of upstanding ear portions, said base including a central bore and a circular bottom flange, base plate means for supporting said bottom flange and said bifurcated collar for pivotal movement therein about one of said axes, said base plate including an upstanding post extending into said central bore, said post having cam surfaces which engage the sides of said bore, bolt means journaled in said ear portions, hinge means for pivotally supporting said first end of said telescopic extender on said bolt means, for movement about the other of said axes; and means for turning said bolt means to lock said joint against pivotal movement about either of said mutually perpendicular axes; and ball joint means coupling said flash illumination means to said second end, said ball joint means providing pivotal movement of said flash illumination means about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said second end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
184 words
A photographic apparatus including in combination a telescopic extender means, coupling means for coupling a first end of said extender to a camera and flash illumination means coupled to a second end of said extender, the improvement comprising: first ball joint means connecting said coupling means to said first end of said extender for pivotal movement about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said first end; second ball joint means coupling said flash illumination means to said second end, said second ball joint means providing pivotal movement of said flash illumination means about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said second end; said coupling means including a housing means connected between said camera and said first ball joint means for containing at least a power source for said flash illumination means; first catch means disposed on said housing means for snapping engagement with said telescopic extender in a predetermined position of said extender; and second catch means disposed on said flash illumination means for snapping engagement with said extender in a predetermined position of said flash illumination means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
184 words
A photographic apparatus including in combination a telescopic extender means, coupling means for coupling a first end of said extender to a camera and flash illumination means coupled to a second end of said extender, the improvement comprising: first ball joint means connecting said coupling means to said first end of said extender for pivotal movement about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said first end; second ball joint means coupling said flash illumination means to said second end, said second ball joint means providing pivotal movement of said flash illumination means about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said second end; said coupling means including a housing means connected between said camera and said first ball joint means for containing at least a power source for said flash illumination means; first catch means disposed on said housing means for snapping engagement with said telescopic extender in a predetermined position of said extender; and second catch means disposed on said flash illumination means for snapping engagement with said extender in a predetermined position of said flash illumination means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
188 words
A photographic apparatus including in combination a telescopic extender means, coupling means for coupling a first end of said extender to a camera and flash illumination means coupled to a second end of said extender, the improvement comprising: a first universal hinge means connected to said means for coupling for providing pivotal movement of said telescopic extender about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing through said first end; a second universal hinge means coupling said flash illumination means to said second end of said extender, said second universal hinge means providing for pivotal movement of said flash illumination means about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing through said second end; said coupling means including a housing means connected between said camera and said first universal hinge means for containing at least a power source for said flash illumination means; first catch means disposed on said housing means for snapping engagement with said telescopic extender in a predetermined position of said extender; and second catch means disposed on said flash illumination means for snapping engagement with said extender in a predetermined position of said flash illumination means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
188 words
A photographic apparatus including in combination a telescopic extender means, coupling means for coupling a first end of said extender to a camera and flash illumination means coupled to a second end of said extender, the improvement comprising: a first universal hinge means connected to said means for coupling for providing pivotal movement of said telescopic extender about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing through said first end; a second universal hinge means coupling said flash illumination means to said second end of said extender, said second universal hinge means providing for pivotal movement of said flash illumination means about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing through said second end; said coupling means including a housing means connected between said camera and said first universal hinge means for containing at least a power source for said flash illumination means; first catch means disposed on said housing means for snapping engagement with said telescopic extender in a predetermined position of said extender; and second catch means disposed on said flash illumination means for snapping engagement with said extender in a predetermined position of said flash illumination means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
195 words
A photographic apparatus comprising: camera means; telescopic extender means; flash illumination means; housing means for containing at least a power source for said flash illumination means, said housing means including a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second end surfaces; coupling means connecting said bottom surface of said housing means to a central portion of the top of said camera means adjacent said first end surface of said housing means; first ball joint means connecting said top surface of said housing means adjacent said second end surface thereof to a first end of said extender means for pivotal movement about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said first end; second ball joint means coupling said flash illumination means to a second end of said extender means, said second ball joint means providing pivotal movement of said flash illumination means about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said second end; whereby said flash illumination means may be pivoted to a compact storage position adjacent said top of said camera in juxtaposition to said housing means; and catch means for holding said flash illumination means in said storage position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
A photographic apparatus comprising: camera means; telescopic extender means; flash illumination means; housing means for containing at least a power source for said flash illumination means, said housing means including a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second end surfaces; coupling means connecting said bottom surface of said housing means to a central portion of the top of said camera means adjacent said first end surface of said housing means; first ball joint means connecting said top surface of said housing means adjacent said second end surface thereof to a first end of said extender means for pivotal movement about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said first end; second ball joint means coupling said flash illumination means to a second end of said extender means, said second ball joint means providing pivotal movement of said flash illumination means about at least two mutually perpendicular axes passing substantially through said second end; whereby said flash illumination means may be pivoted to a compact storage position adjacent said top of said camera in juxtaposition to said housing means; and catch means for holding said flash illumination means in said storage position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photographic apparatus of claim 4 wherein said telescopic extender means comprises a plurality of oval shaped telescoping sections.
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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) | 1980-08-29 | 1981-02-28 | 1981-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-29 | 1985-02-28 | 1985-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-29 | 1989-02-28 | 1989-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |