US4707106A — Multiple format camera and accessory

Claim 1

Independent Claim 166 words

In photographic apparatus including a camera having an objective aperture and an automated exposure and film transport system operable normally to expose the image frame of a single film unit to a single light image, the improvement comprising in combination: manually operated override means accessible on the camera exterior for altering camera operation between a normal automated single-image format mode and a multiple-image format mode; and a masking accessory kit including an adapter mountable on the camera in fixed relation to the objective aperture, at least one mask adapted for multipositional support by said adapter, and means for establishing at least two positions of said mask in said adapter and relative to the camera objective aperture, said automated exposure and film transport system including directional photosensitive means spaced from said exposure aperture, and said adapter comprises at least a transparent portion to lie in the path of said photosensitive means and diffuse light passing thereto as so to diminish the directional response of said photosensitive means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 166 words

In photographic apparatus including a camera having an objective aperture and an automated exposure and film transport system operable normally to expose the image frame of a single film unit to a single light image, the improvement comprising in combination: manually operated override means accessible on the camera exterior for altering camera operation between a normal automated single-image format mode and a multiple-image format mode; and a masking accessory kit including an adapter mountable on the camera in fixed relation to the objective aperture, at least one mask adapted for multipositional support by said adapter, and means for establishing at least two positions of said mask in said adapter and relative to the camera objective aperture, said automated exposure and film transport system including directional photosensitive means spaced from said exposure aperture, and said adapter comprises at least a transparent portion to lie in the path of said photosensitive means and diffuse light passing thereto as so to diminish the directional response of said photosensitive means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

The photographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein said camera includes exposure adjustment means to compensate for diffusion of light by said transparent portion of said adapter.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 187 words

A multiple exposure accessory kit for a photographic camera having an objective lens, a viewfinder lens and a photocell presented at a forwardly facing exterior camera wall, said kit comprising: a set of opaque masks, each of said masks having at least one objective lens window, at least one viewfinder lens window, and at least one photocell window, each of said lens windows being of a configuration to block light from corresponding masked portions of said objective lens and of said viewfinder lens and to pass light through corresponding unmasked portions of said objective lens and of said viewfinder lens; a plate-like adapter of a configuration to overlie said exterior camera wall, said adapter having openings to register in unobstructing fashion with said objective lens and said viewfinder lens; means for fixing the position of said adapter on said exterior camera wall with said openings in registry with said lenses; and means on said adapter for receiving each of said masks and for fixing each of said masks in at least two positions in which at least one photocell window is in unobstructing registration with said photocell.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 187 words

A multiple exposure accessory kit for a photographic camera having an objective lens, a viewfinder lens and a photocell presented at a forwardly facing exterior camera wall, said kit comprising: a set of opaque masks, each of said masks having at least one objective lens window, at least one viewfinder lens window, and at least one photocell window, each of said lens windows being of a configuration to block light from corresponding masked portions of said objective lens and of said viewfinder lens and to pass light through corresponding unmasked portions of said objective lens and of said viewfinder lens; a plate-like adapter of a configuration to overlie said exterior camera wall, said adapter having openings to register in unobstructing fashion with said objective lens and said viewfinder lens; means for fixing the position of said adapter on said exterior camera wall with said openings in registry with said lenses; and means on said adapter for receiving each of said masks and for fixing each of said masks in at least two positions in which at least one photocell window is in unobstructing registration with said photocell.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The accessory kit of claim 3 wherein said adapter is transparent and covers the photocell to reduce directional sensitivity thereof.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 46 words

The accessory kit of claim 3 wherein said masks are generally rectangular to establish opposite parallel edges and wherein said means on said adapter for receiving said mask comprises a generally rectangular recess defining opposed edges for slidably engaging said opposite parallel edges of said masks.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

The accessory kit of claim 5 wherein the base of said recess is spaced inwardly of a pair of tabs positioned to overlie said parallel edges of said masks.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The accessory kit of claim 6 wherein one of said tabs is supported by a resilient arm carrying a detent behind said one tab.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

The accessory kit of claim 7 wherein each of said masks includes at least two notches in said parallel edges for positional engagement by said detent.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-11-16	1991-05-18	1991-11-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-11-16	1995-05-18	1995-11-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-11-16	1999-05-18	1999-11-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Multiple format camera and accessory

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag