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US4171890A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Dichroic rangefinder

Assignee: OSAWA SEIMITSU KOGYO (OSAWA PRECISION INDUSTRIES LTD) KK
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Filing: 1977-12-27
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Granted: 1979-10-23
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Expires: 1997-12-27
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Abstract

Abstract Disclosed is a reflex rangefinder system for a camera having a pair of li reflecting members mounted to reflect light rays from the scene in the viewfinder system. The members are dichroically coated with different complementary colors such that the dual image formed when the objective lens is out of focus have different colors to enhance the distinction for easy focusing.

Inventors

  • 👤 Yoshiaki Mizuki
  • 👤 Michiharu Suwa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 14:58
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B13/00; G03B13/02; G03B13/06; G03B13/08; G03B13/18; G03B13/20

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 198 words
In a camera having first and second lens elements having a common optical axis defining an optical path therebetween, the first lens element transmitting light rays along the optical path, a rangefinder system to facilitate focusing of said camera on a subject and comprising first dichroic reflecting means mounted in the optical path between the lens elements on one side of the optical axis for intercepting a portion of the light rays and reflecting in a predetermined direction only those light rays with a wave length greater than a predetermined value; second dichroic reflecting means mounted in said optical path between the lens elements on the other side of the optical axis for intercepting another portion of the light rays and reflecting in a predetermined direction only those light rays with a wave length less than about the predetermined value; and an optical system arranged to receive the light rays reflected by said first and second dichroic reflecting means to form a superimposed, naturally colored image in a predetermined plane when the camera is in focus on a subject, and to form separate, differently colored images in said plane when the camera is not focused on the subject.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 198 words
In a camera having first and second lens elements having a common optical axis defining an optical path therebetween, the first lens element transmitting light rays along the optical path, a rangefinder system to facilitate focusing of said camera on a subject and comprising first dichroic reflecting means mounted in the optical path between the lens elements on one side of the optical axis for intercepting a portion of the light rays and reflecting in a predetermined direction only those light rays with a wave length greater than a predetermined value; second dichroic reflecting means mounted in said optical path between the lens elements on the other side of the optical axis for intercepting another portion of the light rays and reflecting in a predetermined direction only those light rays with a wave length less than about the predetermined value; and an optical system arranged to receive the light rays reflected by said first and second dichroic reflecting means to form a superimposed, naturally colored image in a predetermined plane when the camera is in focus on a subject, and to form separate, differently colored images in said plane when the camera is not focused on the subject.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
In the camera of claim 1, wherein said predetermined wave length is 500 millimicrons.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1957128A Cited
US2373249A Cited
US2384552A Cited
US2973683A Cited
US3696724A Cited
US3618498A Cited
US4005447A Cited
US4072969A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1982-10-22 1983-04-23 1983-10-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1986-10-22 1987-04-23 1987-10-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1990-10-22 1991-04-23 1991-10-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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