Patents Examined by Daniel Chapik
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Patent number: 5721994Abstract: A data recording optical system which is to be used in cameras each having a plurality of photographing modes; comprises a display member and a single imaging lens system or a plurality of imaging lens systems; and is configured so as to modify data recording locations and change magnifications by moving a portion of the imaging lens system or selectively using the plurality of imaging lens systems.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1995Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuzi Ogata, Yuji Miyauchi
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Patent number: 5721971Abstract: A wireless slave electronic photoflash device is located separately from a camera body, and responsive to light emission of a master electronic flash unit built in or connected to the camera body, for emitting light synchronized therewith. The slave flash device includes a discharge tube, a trigger section responsive to a trigger signal for causing the discharge tube to emit light, a photodetector adapted to detect an optical signal from the master flash device, a one-shot section which is retriggerable and generates and issues a signal during a predetermined time period in response to the receipt of a signal from the photodetector, and a trigger signal output section which generates and issues the trigger signal based on the signal from the one-shot section and the signal from the photodetector.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1996Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toyoji Sasaki
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Patent number: 5719381Abstract: A postage meter has a secure housing, an accounting register within the secure housing, and a print rotor the rotation of which defines a paper path. The rotor axle is formed of two halves, and within the two haves is a lengthwise cavity along which setting racks are capable of axial movement. The racks engage with print wheels at one end and are accessible to the main body of the postage meter at the other end. Each rack engages with its value wheel in a rack-and-pinion engagement. The axle halves are made of plastic and they snap together. The racks slide within grooves, and are held in place with pins. The axle has journal bearings and a thrust bearing defining its movement relative to the secure housing. A worm gear in the housing engages a worm wheel in the rotor to bring about rotation of the rotor for the printing of postage.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1995Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Assignee: Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems AGInventors: Daniel Fluckiger, Christian Gillieron, Kurt Nast
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Patent number: 5717969Abstract: A lens barrel is provided with a lens group that can move against a camera main body, an electrical device that can move with the lens group, and a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards arranged one on top of the other within a space inside the lens barrel, in order to electrically connect the electrical device to an electrical device that is provided outside the lens barrel.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1997Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Hidenori Miyamoto, Isao Soshi, Minoru Kato, Junichi Omi, Yoshihiro Takeuchi
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Patent number: 5715482Abstract: A miniaturized collapsible zoom camera changes viewfinder magnification in accordance with a change in the photographic magnification. The camera is equipped with a collapsible cam tube to cause a first lens group, which rotates around the optical axis, to move from a collapsed position to a position just before a minimum magnification position. Likewise, a zoom cam tube causes the first lens group, which rotates around the optical axis, to move from the minimum magnification position to a maximum magnification position. Sector gears are formed on the outer circumference of the collapsible cam tube and the zoom cam tube. Furthermore, the camera is equipped with a cam tube drive gear which cooperates with the sector gears. A drive motor causes the drive gear to rotate. Another gear cooperates only with the sector gear of the zoom cam tube while a variable power and movement mechanism causes variable power operation in the viewfinder.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1997Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Hidenori Miyamoto, Minoru Kato, Isao Soshi, Junichi Omi
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Patent number: 5713057Abstract: A camera includes a chamber for receiving a cartridge having a light lock movable between an open position allowing a filmstrip to exit the cartridge and a closed position sealing the cartridge in a light-tight manner. The camera also includes means for moving the light lock between its open and closed positions. The invention is characterized by means actuateable by movement of the filmstrip from the cartridge, for preventing the moving means from moving the light lock from the open position to the closed position when the filmstrip protrudes out of the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Patricia Lynn Williams, Robert Louis Kuhn, Jr.
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Patent number: 5713048Abstract: A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera including a camera body having an opening, an openable cover connected to the camera body for opening and closing the opening, an elastic sealing member provided on the cover and surrounding the opening, and a contacting surface formed on the camera body around the opening, with which the sealing member comes into pressing contact when the cover is closed. The contacting surface includes a tapered surface formed such that an inner end of the tapered surface is closer to the cover than an outer end of the tapered surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masahiro Hayakawa
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Patent number: 5710415Abstract: A sales-registration-data processing apparatus includes a display unit being independent of a control unit housing and having a display portion on an outer surface thereof, and a tilt-angle adjustment and maintaining mechanism rotatably connecting the display unit to the housing, capable of tilting the display unit with respect to the housing and maintaining a desired tilt angle of the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1996Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TECInventors: Mitsunori Kono, Yukio Tsuchiya, Kunio Matsushita
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Patent number: 5710534Abstract: A coil for an electrical apparatus such as a transformer is disclosed which includes an electric field control means to minimize flashover or arching at a lead of the coil.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1995Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Lanoue, Terry D. Barber, Michael E. Haas
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Patent number: 5703558Abstract: A combined terminal block mount and lamination stack keeper has a metal keeper with a flat first portion of a size and shape to lie contiguous to and oriented with a stack of laminations. A part of the stack of laminations is adapted to receive an inductance coil, and the coil is adjacent a part of the keeper first portion. There is a bend in the keeper to establish a unitary mounting strip out of the plane of the keeper first portion, and the mounting strip has a width and thickness to mount a terminal block thereon. The foregoing Abstract is merely a resume of general applications, it is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1995Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: Acme Electric CorporationInventor: Daniel P. Wood
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Patent number: 5696997Abstract: A camera according to the present invention has an arrangement that a film is discharged to a side toward a subject after a picture has been taken, the instant camera comprising a grip portion formed on a right portion of a camera body when viewed in a normal photography state and from a position of a photographer operating the camera an optical system disposed on a left portion of the camera body when viewed from the said position of the photographer and including at least a photographing lens, and a film cartridge loading portion which is capable of loading a film cartridge into a position between the grip portion of the camera body and the optical system in such a manner that an exposure surface of the film accommodated in the film cartridge faces the optical system.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1995Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Matsuzaki, Kazunori Mizokami, Yuta Sato, Yoshitaka Naito, Fumio Tomikawa, Masaharu Hamada
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Patent number: 5689743Abstract: A camera comprising a viewfinder for defining a field of view provided with a given aspect ratio, and a pair of front and rear masks insertable in the field of view to position respective larger and smaller openings of the front and rear masks in the field of view to change the aspect ratio of the field of view, is characterized in that a differential gear mechanism connects the front and rear masks for moving the front mask a greater extent than the rear mask is moved, to position the larger and smaller openings in the field of view.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1996Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Randy Eugene Horning, Ralph Merwin Lyon
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Patent number: 5687411Abstract: A camera according to the present invention has an arrangement that a film is discharged to a side toward a subject after a picture has been taken, the instant camera comprising a grip portion formed on a right portion of a camera body when viewed in a normal photography state and from a position of a photographer operating the camera, an optical system disposed on a left portion of the camera body when viewed from the said position of the photographer and including at least a photographing lens, and a film cartridge loading portion which is capable of loading a film cartridge into a position between the grip portion of the camera body and the optical system in such a manner that an exposure surface of the film accommodated in the film cartridge faces the optical system.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1995Date of Patent: November 11, 1997Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Matsuzaki, Kazunori Mizokami, Yuta Sato, Yoshitaka Naito, Fumio Tomikawa, Masaharu Hamada
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Patent number: 5682025Abstract: A load alternation counting device for an actuation device that is periodically hydraulically loaded has a cylinder and a piston sealingly positioned within the cylinder and axially displaceable therein. A pressure connector is provided for connecting the cylinder to a hydraulic loading device of the actuation device such that the piston is axially loaded when hydraulic loading of the actuation device occurs. A counter is switchable by an axial displacement of the piston within the cylinder. A spring for biasing the piston in a direction away from the counter is provided. The spring has a spring force such that switching of the counter by the axial displacement of the piston occurs only when a preset hydraulic pressure is surpassed.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1996Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Inventors: Jorg Hohmann, Frank Hohmann
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Patent number: 5678076Abstract: A camera for use with a first group of successive flash lamps and with a second group of successive flash lamps, comprises a flash emission window and means for moving the first lamp group relative to the second lamp group to move the respective lamps of the first lamp group to a use position at the flash emission window and for moving the first and second lamp groups in unison after the respective lamps of the first lamp group have been used in order to move the respective lamps of the second lamp group to a use position at the flash emission window.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1996Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Michael Joseph O'Brien, Robert Cooper Bryant, Richard Alexander Colleluori
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Patent number: 5678100Abstract: The present invention discloses a mounting structure for dousers allowing a photographic camera to be selectively operated in a PANORAMA MODE, characterized in that an aperture frame is provided separately of a camera body so as to be mounted on the camera body from behind and to pivotally carry the dousers. The structure, according to the invention, facilitates operation of mounting the dousers and, in addition, makes a telescopic lens barrel retractable into the camera body as deeply as possible. The dousers are pivotally supported by fork-shaped support means provided on the front side of the aperture frame so that the dousers may be pivotally moved toward or away from upper and lower zones of the aperture. The aperture frame is detachably mounted on the rear side of the camera body from behind so that output means of a drive mechanism for the dousers are operatively associated with the dousers as the aperture frame is thus mounted on the camera body.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1994Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Nakamura
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Patent number: 5678105Abstract: A camera shutter and focus lens assembly includes a rotary motor having a central shaft, and a rotary beam actuator connected to the shaft. A moveable focus lens, a first shutter blade, and a second shutter blade are in mechanical communication with the actuator beam. Rotation of the shaft by the motor operates to cause movement of the focus lens to effect a selected focusing relationship between the focus lens and a fixed lens proximate thereto, and further operates to cause movement of the first and second shutter blades to cause the shutter blades cooperatively to define an opening to permit light to pass therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: Patrick W. Hopkins, Norman D. Staller
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Patent number: 5675834Abstract: A camera, an apparatus, or a device applied thereto which uses an image recording medium cartridge having a cover for allowing an image recording medium to come out from or in the image recording medium cartridge, has determination means for determining at least one of a state wherein the cover of the cartridge loaded in the camera or apparatus allows entrance of light into the cartridge and a state wherein the cover of the cartridge clamps the image recording medium, and regulating means for regulating at least one of recording an image on the image recording medium and obtaining a print of an image recorded on the image recording medium in accordance with a determination result of the determination means.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1994Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tetsuya Nishio
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Patent number: 5671451Abstract: A data recording unit in use with a camera for recording information data, obtained through a GPS receiver, on a photographing film. The data recording unit includes: a selector for selecting a geodetic system from plural geodetic systems; a data converter for converting position information data, obtained through the GPS receiver, to converted position information data in the geodetic system which is selected by the selector; and a printing LED for recording the converted position information data on the photographic film together with images photographed by the camera.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1996Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: Konica CorporationInventors: Yoshiharu Takahashi, Minoru Yamada, Yoshiyuki Nojima, Yasutoshi Fujii
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Patent number: 5669016Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit has a housing (2), in which a photo film roll chamber and a cassette containing chamber (8, 70) are formed. A cassette incorporates a port shutter (14) rotatable between a closed position of closing a photo film passage port and an open position of opening the passage port. The photo film is wound into the cassette as much as one frame each time one frame is exposed. The cassette is removed from the cassette containing chamber after winding the photo film entirely into the cassette. Through an exit opening, the cassette containing chamber is open externally. An openable bottom lid (7, 66, 75, 80) closes the exit opening, is opened for the removal of the cassette. A rotating mechanism (30, 76, 87, 93; 34, 78, 88, 90; 35, 50, 60, 72, 85) is engaged with the port shutter through a top wall (8a, 70a) of the cassette containing chamber, rotates the port shutter from the open position to the closed position in response to operation opening the bottom lid.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1996Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Negishi, Osamu Noguchi, Shinsuke Aoshima, Kazuo Kamata