US5649258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for actuating and testing a camera
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1995-12-08
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Granted: 1997-07-15
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Expires: 2015-12-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed for actuating and testing a camera (426) of a type including a shutter trigger button (438) and externally accessible features (476, 508, 526, 530) for moving film within the camera. The apparatus may include a support frame (12); a nest (74) supported by the frame, the nest having a base (410) and walls (420, 422, 424) for guiding a camera into position on the base; a device (664-668) associated with the nest for depressing the trigger button to actuate and test a shutter mechanism of a camera; and camera drive mechanism (584-604) associated with the nest for engaging and operating the device for moving to drive exposed film from the exposed film chamber to the unexposed film chamber and then drive exposed film from the unexposed film chamber along the film guide track and out of the camera. Sensors may be included for detecting whether a lens cover is open or closed ((454-458), for detecting whether or not a flash switch is in a on or off position ((462-468), for detecting whether or not a flash ready light is illuminated (701,702), for releasing a zero lock mechanism (684), for sensing the presence of a camera in the nest (444-448) and for detecting whether or not a flash feature functions (698,700).
Inventors
- 👤 William Andrew Bergstresser
- 👤 Eric Peschan Hochreiter
- 👤 Dennis Roland Zander
- 👤 Bradley S. Bush
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/04; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for actuating and testing a camera of a type including a shutter trigger button and externally accessible means for moving film within the camera along a film guide track between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said apparatus comprising: a support frame; a nest supported by said frame; means supported by said frame for depressing the shutter trigger button to actuate and test the shutter mechanism of the camera; and camera drive means supported by said frame for engaging and operating the means for moving of the camera to drive exposed film from the exposed film chamber to the unexposed film chamber and then to drive exposed film from the unexposed film chamber along the film guide track and out of the camera.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for actuating and testing a camera of a type including a shutter trigger button and externally accessible means for moving film within the camera along a film guide track between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said apparatus comprising: a support frame; a nest supported by said frame; means supported by said frame for depressing the shutter trigger button to actuate and test the shutter mechanism of the camera; and camera drive means supported by said frame for engaging and operating the means for moving of the camera to drive exposed film from the exposed film chamber to the unexposed film chamber and then to drive exposed film from the unexposed film chamber along the film guide track and out of the camera.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera includes a lens cover actuator, further comprising sensor means supported by said frame for detecting whether the actuator is in an open or closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nest is movably supported by said frame for movement into engagement with said means for depressing the shutter trigger button.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said nest is pivotably supported.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said drive means comprises a driven gear, further comprising a motor mounted to said frame, said motor being operatively connected to a driver gear which engages said driven gear when said nest is moved into engagement with said means for depressing the shutter trigger button.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera further comprises a flash activation switch, further comprising means supported by said frame for detecting whether the switch is in a "flash on" or "flash off" position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the camera further comprises a flash ready light, further comprising means supported by said frame for detecting whether or not the light is illuminated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera further comprises a film advance mechanism operatively connected to the means for moving and a zero lock mechanism for preventing operation of the advance mechanism when all film in the camera has been exposed, further comprising means supported by said frame for releasing the zero lock mechanism to enable said camera drive means to operate the means for moving.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the said camera comprises an internal frame enclosed by an external housing, the housing having an opening giving access to the zero lock mechanism; and said means for releasing comprises a probe for entering the opening to release the zero lock mechanism, said probe having a surface for engaging the internal frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for sensing presence of the camera in said nest.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said means for sensing comprises a treadle pivotably mounted to said nest and a sensor for detecting a change in position of said treadle to indicate the presence of the camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nest is movably mounted on said frame for movement between a first position for installation of the camera into said nest and a second position for engagement of the camera by said means for depressing the shutter trigger button.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said nest is pivotably mounted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera includes a flash feature, further comprising means supported by said frame for detecting whether or not the flash feature functions upon depressing of the shutter trigger button.
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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) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-01-13 | 2001-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-14 | 2005-01-13 | 2005-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-14 | 2009-01-13 | 2009-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |