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US5032861A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Film cassette with lock-out means for preventing load of exposed film

Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1990-10-15
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Granted: 1991-07-16
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Expires: 2010-10-15
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Abstract

Abstract A film cassette comprises a film spool supported inside a lighttight shell for rotation to thrust a filmstrip coiled about the spool automatically to the exterior of the shell, and a film exposure status indicator supported for rotation relative to the shell from an unexposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstrip is unexposed to an exposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstrip is exposed. The status indicator includes a lock-out means arranged for engagement by a blocking member in a camera to prevent insertion of the cassette into the camera, when the status indicator is in the exposed position, and a cut-out located with respect to the lock-out means for receiving the blocking member to allow insertion of the film cassette into the camera, when the status indicator is in the unexposed position. The shell includes cam means aligned with the cut-out for moving the blocking member out of the way of the cassette, when the status indicator is the unexposed position, and covered by the lock-out means to be prevented from moving the blocking member out of the way of the cassette, when the status indicator is in the exposed position.

Inventors

  • 👤 Daniel M. Pagano

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 15:26
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/28; G03B17/30; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/26; G03B2217/263; G03B2217/266; G03B2217/268

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 202 words
A film cassette comprising a film spool supported inside a lighttight shell for rotation to thrust a filmstrip coiled about said spool automatically to the exterior of said shell, and a film exposure status indicator supported for rotation relative to said shell from an unexposed position for providing a visible indication that said filmstrip is unexposed to an exposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstrip is exposed, is characterized in that: said status indicator includes lock-out means arranged for engagement by a blocking member in a camera to prevent insertion of said cassette into the camera, when said status indicator is in the exposed position, and a cut-out located with respect to said lock-out means for receiving the blocking member to allow insertion of the film cassette into the camera, when the status indicator is in the unexposed position; and said shell includes cam means aligned with said cut-out for moving the blocking member out of the way of said cassette, when said status indicator is the unexposed position, and covered by said lock-out means to be prevented from moving the blocking member out of the way of the cassette, when the status indicator is in the exposed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 202 words
A film cassette comprising a film spool supported inside a lighttight shell for rotation to thrust a filmstrip coiled about said spool automatically to the exterior of said shell, and a film exposure status indicator supported for rotation relative to said shell from an unexposed position for providing a visible indication that said filmstrip is unexposed to an exposed position for providing a visible indication that the filmstrip is exposed, is characterized in that: said status indicator includes lock-out means arranged for engagement by a blocking member in a camera to prevent insertion of said cassette into the camera, when said status indicator is in the exposed position, and a cut-out located with respect to said lock-out means for receiving the blocking member to allow insertion of the film cassette into the camera, when the status indicator is in the unexposed position; and said shell includes cam means aligned with said cut-out for moving the blocking member out of the way of said cassette, when said status indicator is the unexposed position, and covered by said lock-out means to be prevented from moving the blocking member out of the way of the cassette, when the status indicator is in the exposed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 58 words
A film cassette as recited in claim 1, wherein said shell includes window-like means located adjacent said cam means for revealing said lock-out means to cover the cam means, when said status indicator is in the exposed position, and for revealing said cut-out means to uncover the cam means, when the status indicator is in the unexposed position.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4423943A Cited
US4834306A Cited
US4846418A Cited
US4848693A Cited
US4878075A Cited
US4875638A Cited
US4887110A Cited
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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) 1994-07-15 1995-01-14 1995-07-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-07-15 1999-01-14 1999-07-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-07-15 2003-01-14 2003-07-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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