Patent US5506645A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5506645A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera having transmission wheel axis coincident with flash unit turning axis
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1994-07-27
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Granted: 1996-04-09
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Expires: 2014-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A camera has either a built-in flash unit or a removably attachable flash unit which is turnable between a retracted position and a projected position and which is provided with an illumination-angle varying mechanism. The camera includes a motor, disposed in a body of the camera, for driving the illumination-angle varying mechanism, and a transmission system, which transmits an output rotation of the motor to the illumination-angle varying mechanism. The transmission system includes a rotating wheel which has a central axis coincident with a turning axis of the flash unit. The flash unit may include a structure divided into at least three areas: a middle area, a first side area, and a second side area. A flash generating device is disposed in the middle area; a red-eye prevention lamp is disposed in the first side area; and a drive transmission system for driving the illumination-angle varying mechanism is provided in the second side area.
Inventors
- 👤 Shoji Kaihara
- 👤 Hidehiko Fukahori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:50
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/05; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05; G03B2215/0503; G03B2215/0507; G03B2215/051; G03B2215/0514; G03B2215/0517; G03B2215/0525; G03B2215/0528
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A camera including a flash unit, the flash unit being turnable between a retracted position and a projected position and provided with an illumination-angle varying mechanism, said camera comprising: (a) a motor, disposed in a camera body of said camera, for driving the illumination-angle varying mechanism; (b) a transmission system for transmitting an output rotation of said motor to the illumination-angle varying mechanism, said transmission system including a first rotating wheel having a central axis coincident with a turning axis of the flash unit and a second rotating wheel having a coaxial and fixed relationship with respect to said first rotating wheel, for transferring a rotational force from said first rotating wheel to the illumination-angle varying mechanism; and (c) a clutch mechanism for switching a direction of transmission of the output rotation of said motor in accordance with a direction of rotation of said motor, said clutch mechanism transmitting the output rotation of said motor to said transmission system during a rotation of said motor in a first direction, and transmitting the output rotation of said motor to a camera-operating mechanism during a rotation of said motor in a second direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A camera including a flash unit, the flash unit being turnable between a retracted position and a projected position and provided with an illumination-angle varying mechanism, said camera comprising: (a) a motor, disposed in a camera body of said camera, for driving the illumination-angle varying mechanism; (b) a transmission system for transmitting an output rotation of said motor to the illumination-angle varying mechanism, said transmission system including a first rotating wheel having a central axis coincident with a turning axis of the flash unit and a second rotating wheel having a coaxial and fixed relationship with respect to said first rotating wheel, for transferring a rotational force from said first rotating wheel to the illumination-angle varying mechanism; and (c) a clutch mechanism for switching a direction of transmission of the output rotation of said motor in accordance with a direction of rotation of said motor, said clutch mechanism transmitting the output rotation of said motor to said transmission system during a rotation of said motor in a first direction, and transmitting the output rotation of said motor to a camera-operating mechanism during a rotation of said motor in a second direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein the flash unit is disposed substantially at a middle position of a top cover of said camera body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein the illumination-angle varying mechanism varies a flash illumination angle by moving a flash element relative to a condenser lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A camera according to claim 3, wherein the illumination-angle varying mechanism includes a cam mechanism for moving the flash element, said cam mechanism being disposed on the same side as said rotating wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A camera according to claim 4, wherein the illumination-angle varying mechanism is capable of each of increasing and decreasing the flash illumination angle by rotating said rotating wheel in one direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein the illumination-angle varying mechanism is capable of each of increasing and decreasing the flash illumination angle by rotating said rotating wheel in one direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said camera-operating mechanism comprises a mirror swinging mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said transmission system transmits the output rotation of said motor to the illumination-angle varying mechanism through a gear train.
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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) | 1999-04-09 | 1999-10-09 | 2000-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-09 | 2003-10-09 | 2004-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-09 | 2007-10-09 | 2008-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |