US4244591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for protecting the operating section of a camera from water drops and dust
Assignee: Pentax Corp
•
Filing: 1979-09-11
•
Granted: 1981-01-13
•
Expires: 1999-09-11
Abstract
Abstract Water- and dust-proof connections between movable components mounted externally on a camera and the camera casing are achieved by using a viscoelastic sheet inserted at one end into either the component or casing and frictionally engaging the other to provide the leak-proof seal.
Inventors
- 👤 Junji Umetsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:11
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/32; F16J15/3204; F16J15/3228; G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A seal for protecting the interior of a camera from water drops and dust, said seal of the type comprising an external casing member of said camera, an operating member outside of said casing member for controlling a camera function, said operating member passing through an opening in said external casing member to form a gap therebetween, and a sealing means for sealing said gap, wherein the improvement comprises: said sealing means comprising a viscoelastic sheet, having a substantially rectangular cross-section and an axial thickness which is small in relation to its radial thickness, fixedly secured to one of said members and tightly contacting the entire periphery of the other of said members around the entire periphery of said other member within said gap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A seal for protecting the interior of a camera from water drops and dust, said seal of the type comprising an external casing member of said camera, an operating member outside of said casing member for controlling a camera function, said operating member passing through an opening in said external casing member to form a gap therebetween, and a sealing means for sealing said gap, wherein the improvement comprises: said sealing means comprising a viscoelastic sheet, having a substantially rectangular cross-section and an axial thickness which is small in relation to its radial thickness, fixedly secured to one of said members and tightly contacting the entire periphery of the other of said members around the entire periphery of said other member within said gap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said operating member includes a shaft and wherein said sealing means is an annular viscoelastic sheet fixed at its outer diameter to the camera casing and having an inner diameter in its unstressed state which is slightly smaller than the diameter of said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing means is an annular viscoelastic sheet fixed at its inner periphery to said operating member and having an outer diameter, in its unstressed state, larger than the inner diameter of the opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A seal as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said operating member is axially movable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A seal as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said operating member is rotatable.
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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) | 1984-01-13 | 1984-07-14 | 1985-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-13 | 1988-07-14 | 1989-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-13 | 1992-07-14 | 1993-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |