Patents by Inventor Toru Kando

Toru Kando has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4544251
    Abstract: A compact camera which includes an auto focus mechanism arranged above a shutter aperture between a film cartridge chamber and a film spool chamber at the same height above the light axis center as a strobe mechanism mounted above the spool chamber. A film winding and shutter charge gear is mounted above the film cartridge chamber and a film winding gear mounted between spool chamber and strobe mechanism. Gear transmission means are mounted between said gears and between an aperture and an auto focus mechanism, and serve for interlocking rotation of the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Haraguchi, Toru Kando
  • Patent number: 4522478
    Abstract: A cover-equipped camera includes a cover movable right and view left at the front of a camera body to shield or expose its lens and finder, and a fixed cover with and from which the movable cover is contacted or released. The opening and closing cover includes a sliding guide member integral to the cover, and sliders projected from the camera body. The movable cover is guided and slided with the sliders fitted into slits formed in the sliding guide member. When the movable cover is to be opened for exposure, a lock lever is released by the action of an operating lever to quickly open the movable cover. The movable cover is also kept open by magnetic force at the same time. The cover-equipped camera can achieve protection and dust-free effects, is excellent in quick shuttering capacity, and can take photos without failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kando, Keisuke Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 4500184
    Abstract: An electronic flash camera, in which a power source switch for an electronic flash unit contained in the camera is interlocked to the operation of opening and closing a cover of the front of an optical system of the camera such that said power source switch is turned off when resetting said electronic flash unit and/or when closing said cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Morizumi, Toru Kando, Keisuke Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 4333719
    Abstract: An adaptor for a camera for operating multiple flash units with a single camera device in which all of the flash units simultaneously emit light. Output signals from each of the flash units indicating that the corresponding individual flash unit is ready to emit light are coupled to corresponding inputs of a logical product circuit such as an AND gate. The single output of the AND gate is coupled to a single corresponding input of the camera device. The X contact of the camera device is coupled in common to the actuation terminals of each of the flash units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Takami, Teruo Hagiwara, Toru Kando, Yoshifumi Kuroki
  • Patent number: 4322152
    Abstract: An electromagnetic release mechanism for a camera in which a release member is returned to an energized and locked position through a spring which is energized and deenergized in response to rotation of a cam which is rotated upon performing a film winding operation. A rotatable release locking member has a forked end in which is engaged a first end of a release member and a cut in which an end of a slidable release drive member is lockably engaged. A movable member is mounted on the other end of the release member at a position to be attracted by an electromagnet the force of which is reduced by a coil wound thereon when a current is passed through the coil upon the start of a release operation. A spring joins the release member to one end of an arm which is rotated at its center and which has its other end riding upon the cam surface. With this construction, it is unnecessary to provide a separate mechanism for forcibly returning the release member after a release operation has been accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mituo Satoh, Koji Sato, Toru Kando
  • Patent number: 4293210
    Abstract: A release button device for controlling the release of a shutter in an electromagnetic release type camera in which commercially available cable release units and electrical remote release units can be both used. An electrically conductive release button which is adapted for receiving the cable release unit is coupled to an electrically insulative central core frame. The plunger of the cable release unit can pass through an aperture formed in the release button and central core frame. An electrically conductive central core frame is slidably disposed in the aperture in the core frame. A protrusion which forms a first contact of a release switch is positioned below a lower end of the central core and a dome-shaped contact piece forming the second contact is disposed therebetween. Upon depression of the release button or a plunger of a cable release unit, the contact piece is pushed into contact with the protrusion thus closing the release switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kando, Tahei Morisawa