Patent US5655155A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5655155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for opening and closing a photographic camera
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1995-12-08
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Granted: 1997-08-05
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Expires: 2015-12-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus (610) is disclosed for opening and closing a photographic camera (426) of a type including an external housing (428, 478) having a slidable closure (484) giving access to a film guide track (566) within the camera, the closure including an externally accessible slot (636), the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber (562) and an exposed film chamber (564). The apparatus may include a frame (12); a nest (74) supported on the frame for receiving a camera; and a door opening mechanism (612-646) supported by the frame, the mechanism including a member (632, 634) for engaging the slot and an actuator (616, 628) for moving the member to open the closure.
Inventors
- 👤 William Andrew Bergstresser
- 👤 Eric Peschan Hochreiter
- 👤 Paul Teremy
- 👤 Dennis Roland Zander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:05
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/26; G03B19/00; G03B19/02; G03B19/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for opening and closing a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a slidable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, said closure comprising an externally accessible slot, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a nest movably supported on said frame for receiving a camera; a door opening mechanism supported by said frame, said mechanism including a member for engaging said slot and an actuator for moving said member to open said closure; and means for moving said nest to a position in which said member engages said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for opening and closing a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a slidable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, said closure comprising an externally accessible slot, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a nest movably supported on said frame for receiving a camera; a door opening mechanism supported by said frame, said mechanism including a member for engaging said slot and an actuator for moving said member to open said closure; and means for moving said nest to a position in which said member engages said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nest is pivotably supported.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for sensing movement of said mechanism between a first, closed position of said closure; and a second, open position of said closure.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for opening and closing a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a slidable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, said closure comprising an externally accessible slot, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said method comprising steps of: supporting said camera; providing an actuator member for engaging said slot; then moving said actuator member in a first direction and stopping said actuator; then moving said actuator in a second, opposite direction and stopping said actuator in a position to engage said slot; then engaging said slot with said actuator member; then moving said actuator member further in said second direction to open said closure; and then moving said actuator in said first direction to close said closure.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for opening and closing a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a slidable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, said closure comprising an externally accessible slot, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said method comprising steps of: supporting said camera; providing an actuator member for engaging said slot; then moving said actuator member in a first direction and stopping said actuator; then moving said actuator in a second, opposite direction and stopping said actuator in a position to engage said slot; then engaging said slot with said actuator member; then moving said actuator member further in said second direction to open said closure; and then moving said actuator in said first direction to close said closure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein said engaging step is accomplished by moving said camera until said actuator member enters said slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for opening and closing a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a slidable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, said closure comprising an externally accessible slot including an angled side wall, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a nest supported on said frame for receiving a camera; and a door opening mechanism supported by said frame, said mechanism including a member for engaging said slot, said member including a hook with a ramp portion for engaging said side wall, whereby said closure is flexed away from said external housing as said closure is opened, and an actuator for moving said member to open said closure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for opening and closing a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a slidable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, said closure comprising an externally accessible slot including an angled side wall, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a nest supported on said frame for receiving a camera; and a door opening mechanism supported by said frame, said mechanism including a member for engaging said slot, said member including a hook with a ramp portion for engaging said side wall, whereby said closure is flexed away from said external housing as said closure is opened, and an actuator for moving said member to open said closure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said actuator is rotary and said member for engaging is comprised in an arm rotatable by said actuator, said arm being flexibly supported by said actuator to permit said arm to move upon engagement of said member with said slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said nest is movably supported on said frame, further comprising means for moving said nest to a position in which said member engages said slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said nest is pivotably supported.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for opening and closing a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a slidable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, said closure comprising an externally accessible slot, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a nest supported on said frame for receiving a camera; and a door opening mechanism supported by said frame, said mechanism including a rotary actuator, a member for engaging said slot, said member being comprised in an arm rotatable by said actuator, said arm being flexibly supported by said actuator to permit said arm to move upon engagement of said member with said slot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for opening and closing a photographic camera of a type including an external housing having a slidable closure giving access to a film guide track within the camera, said closure comprising an externally accessible slot, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a nest supported on said frame for receiving a camera; and a door opening mechanism supported by said frame, said mechanism including a rotary actuator, a member for engaging said slot, said member being comprised in an arm rotatable by said actuator, said arm being flexibly supported by said actuator to permit said arm to move upon engagement of said member with said slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said nest is movably supported on said frame, further comprising means for moving said nest to a position in which said member engages said slot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said nest is pivotably supported.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-04 | 2001-02-03 | 2001-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-04 | 2005-02-03 | 2005-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-04 | 2009-02-03 | 2009-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |