US4724448A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fixed-focus amphibious camera
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-02-17
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Granted: 1988-02-09
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Expires: 2007-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A fixed focus amphibian camera comprises a foremost element of a taking lens group on a water tight camera body. The foremost element has a concave shaped surface on its front side. When the camera is used in water the refractive power of the concave shaped surface is reduced due to the difference in the refractive index between water and air, so that the subject distance that can be focused is shortened in water than in air.
Inventors
- 👤 Keisuke Maeda
- 👤 Yoshinobu Kudo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:48
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
An amphibious camera comprising: a camera casing having a front wall formed with an opening and waterproofed except for said opening; a focusing optical system including a front element having a concave front surface and said system as a whole has a positive power so as to focus on an object; and means for holding said front element in watertight register with said opening with said concave front surface interfacing with air and water when said camera is used on land and in water, respectively, wherein the curvature of said concave front surface is so selected that said focusing optical system focuses on a farther object at a first predetermined distance on land and on a closer object at a second predetermined distance in water, respectively, due to difference in the indices of refraction of air and water with which said concave front surface contacts, said first predetermined distance being longer than said second predetermined distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
An amphibious camera comprising: a camera casing having a front wall formed with an opening and waterproofed except for said opening; a focusing optical system including a front element having a concave front surface and said system as a whole has a positive power so as to focus on an object; and means for holding said front element in watertight register with said opening with said concave front surface interfacing with air and water when said camera is used on land and in water, respectively, wherein the curvature of said concave front surface is so selected that said focusing optical system focuses on a farther object at a first predetermined distance on land and on a closer object at a second predetermined distance in water, respectively, due to difference in the indices of refraction of air and water with which said concave front surface contacts, said first predetermined distance being longer than said second predetermined distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An amphibious camera as defined in claim 1, wherein said front element is formed as a lens having said concave front face.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1991-02-08 | 1991-08-10 | 1992-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-08 | 1995-08-10 | 1996-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-08 | 1999-08-10 | 2000-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |