Abstract: A mounting assembly for a light bulb includes a soft start-up circuit as well as a DC-to-AC converter in order to prolong bulb life. In addition, the mounting assembly includes a removable socket to facilitate changing the bulb. When the socket is rotated from an "engaged" position for removal, an interlock causes power to be interrupted at a remote location from the mounting assembly. In addition, conducting portions of the mounting assembly are remotely located to reduce the possibility of accidental contact during socket installation and removal.

Abstract: A lens is mounted on a pair of parallel flexures so that it is rigidly constrained in every degree of freedom except axial movement. To achieve micro adjustments, the flexures are moved by a compound screw having two sections of different pitch to effect movement of the lens at a rate dependent on the pitch difference.

Abstract: The translation of an optical image into video signals by a video sensor illuminated by the optical image is adjusted by illuminating the sensor at a first level of light intensity sufficient to provide the video signals at maximum amplitude while adjusting the amplitude of the video signals to a first level, and then illuminating the sensor at a second reduced level of light intensity while adjusting the black level of the video signals so that the black level is at least equal to the amplitude of the signals produced by the sensor in the absence of illumination.

Abstract: A plurality of aperture blades are each provided with an opening having a V-shaped edge, such that when the blades are superimposed they cooperate to define a six-sided aperture. The blades are each mounted for rectilinear movement by a pair of guide pins. Cam pins supported on a driver rotated by a stepper motor engage cam slots in the blades and position them rectilinearly to change the aperture size.

Abstract: A cover latch mechanism is disclosed for a photographic cassette, such as an x-ray film sheet cassette. Such cassettes typically have side walls, end walls and opposing front and rear cover walls in which one of the cover walls is rigidly secured to the end walls and side walls. The other cover wall is slidably moved along grooves in the side walls from a normally closed position to an open position for allowing easy access to the inside of the cassette for cleaning and maintenance. A latch mechanism is disclosed for releasably latching the other cover wall in its normally closed position.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus for facilitating the calibrating and/or testing of a taking lens of a photographic camera comprises a photographic camera having a film chamber adapted to receive a conventional film cartridge having a code pattern on its surface. The camera includes a microprocessor provided with a first mode of operation for completing a picture taking cycle and a second mode of operation for facilitating the calibration and/or testing of the taking lens. The film chamber is provided with a plurality of electrical contacts for sensing the code pattern on the film cartridge. The photographic apparatus further includes a cartridge facsimile similar in shape and size to the conventional film cartridge. The cartridge facsimile has a diode attached thereto such that when the cartridge facsimile is inserted into the film chamber the diode will make contact between two of the electrical contacts.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding a moving web (10) of material in a predetermined travel path (15) relative to a stationary frame (14) is disclosed. A compliant roller (24) is mounted on a pivoted yoke (30) for rolling contact with the web (10) so that as the web moves, the roller (24) finds its natural rolling position on the web. An edge guide (40) is mounted on the roller shaft (26) and is rotatable and axially movable relative to the shaft. An edge guide adjustment mechanism (50) includes a stationary bracket (52) with spaced adjustment stations (58), and a laterally movable control rod (56). The control rod engages the edge guide (40) to determine its lateral position, and selectively locks with the bracket (52,58) to set this lateral position. A light tension spring (22) connects the frame (14) and the yoke (30) to urge the roller (24) and web (10) toward the edge guide (40).

Abstract: A zoom lens is driven by an oscillating drive in continuous motion between different states of magnification to cause an image on a video screen to expand and collapse about the point on the optical axis of the lens. The expanding and collapsing image is viewed on the video screen and the location of the optical axis of the lens assembly is determined by identifying the point on the screen that does not move. The lens assembly is then adjusted so that the stationary point coincides with a reticle at the optical center of the image sensor.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated shutter assembly for a camera includes permanent magnets which are affixed to shutter blades. An electromagnetic field is generated by a number of armatures which interact with the permanent magnets to cause the shutter blades to move between open and closed positions. The configurations of the permanent magnets and armatures permit the blades to be held in the open and closed positions without the further application of current to the armatures. The permanent magnets are "levitated" by the electromagnetic field in order to facilitate movement of the shutter blades between the opening and closing positions.

Abstract: A disc film and lens supporting unit (10) is assembled on a structural base plate (11). An exposure aperture (96) extends through the unit (10), and a film suporting spindle (25) is provided rotatably to support a disc film (33) such that the image frames (95) therein may be successively indexed into alignment with the exposure aperture (96). A disc film support and translational transport mechanism (18) is provided to move the spindle (25) between a load/unload position and a processing position in response to movement of a transport plate assembly (13) that is operatively connected both to the structural base plate (11) and the disc film support and translational transport mechanism (18). A film engaging mechanism (85) is presented from a film flattening assembly (75) to flatten at least that portion of the disc film (33) in register with the exposure aperture (96).

Abstract: A photographic camera includes a lens adjustable to different focus distances, means for supplying a flash illumination, and a rangefinder for indicating the distance to a subject as one of at least two zones. The camera is operable in a flash mode or a non-flash mode. A ratchet is provided defining at least three consecutive teeth connected to the lens, each one of the ratchet teeth defining a focus setting for the lens, the focus settings ranging from a relatively near focus setting to a relatively distant focus setting. A pawl is provided for engaging a selected one of the ratchet teeth to fix the focus of the lens at the focus distance associated with the selected ratchet tooth.

Abstract: An improved photographic cassette is disclosed having a pressure plate adjacent a rear cover wall thereof provided with laterally extending tabs on opposite side edges thereof. The cassette further has a floating plate adjacent a front cover wall which is unsecured to the front cover wall at least at all portions thereof except the center portion. The floating plate has ears laterally extending from the side edges thereof in register with and spaced from the tabs. The cassette has push-bar mechanisms adapted when the push-bar mechanisms are moved to an extended position to enter the space between the ears and tabs and to engage the tabs and move the pressure plate toward the rear cover wall, and to override the ears for latching the floating plate to the front cover wall whereby the pressure and floating plates are spaced apart for allowing a sheet to freely move into or exit the cassette.

Abstract: A film sheet presence indicating mechanism is disclosed for use in a photographic cassette, such as an x-ray cassette having one end wall with a slot therein through which a film sheet is moveable therethrough between screens along an inlet path to a loaded position adjacent an opposite end wall. The x-ray cassette has front and rear cover walls joined to the end walls in which the rear cover wall has an inner side facing an inner surface of the front cover. The film sheet presence indicating mechanism comprises a housing secured to the inner side of the rear cover adjacent the opposite end wall to define a cavity. The mechanism further comprises a film sheet presence indicator member that is mounted within the housing cavity for slidable movement between a normal first position indicating the absence of a film sheet in the x-ray cassette, and a second position indicating that a film sheet is loaded in the cassette.

Abstract: A polarity insensitive flash driver circuit for use in a photographic system including a camera for generating a flash trigger signal, and an electronic flash unit having a trigger circuit actuatable responsive to the flash trigger signal to initiate a flash illumination. This flash driver circuit includes a two conductor, polarity insensitive connector for connection to the flash driver circuit. A first gate controlled rectifier is connected between the two conductors for controllably conducting a current in a first polarity. A second gate controlled rectifier is connected between the two conductors for controllably conducting a current in a second polarity. Actuating means responsive to the flash trigger signal simultaneously actuate the first and second gate controlled rectifiers to conduct a current.

Abstract: Adjustable mount for positioning an image sensor in a device for generating video signals. All movement modes are controlled by five screws which are all accessible and operable from the same direction.

Abstract: A target system includes a target comprising a plurality of spaced, parallel, electrically conductive strips disposed on a target surface. An electrically conductive backplane is provided on a back surface of the target in a plane parallel to the target surface. The system further includes Time Domain Reflectometry pulse generator connected to the backplane and to one end of each of the conductive strips for generating a pulse on each of the strips. The characteristics of reflected pulse are measured to determine the size and location of any projectile hits through the target. The backplane is energized to provide the target with a thermal silhouette.

Abstract: A mechanism for maintaining a moving web of sheet material in its proper path along an edge guide in an apparatus such as a photographic printer. A compliant roller is mounted on a roller shaft which is pivoted at each end to a linkage which is itself pivoted relative to a stationary frame. This articulated linkage permits the roller to find its natural stable position, rolling on the moving web such that its axis, the roller shaft, is substantially perpendicular to the travel path of the web. A tension spring between frame and linkage biases the roller and the web toward its desired position along the edge guide.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting and drying photographic paper which has been chemically processed, includes a roller assembly for transporting the paper through a drying tank. Drying of the paper is accomplished by means of warm air which is propelled by a pump through a distribution duct network. The duct network includes a number of distribution tubes each of which has a tube body and a discharge chute for directing the air from the tube against the paper. Contoured upper and lower surfaces of the tube in combination with individual roller elements, which are spaced apart on a roller shaft, provide turbulence reducing return channels for routing the air, which has been deflected by the paper, back toward the pump.

Abstract: A flexible bag having front and back panels sealed along bottom and side edges. A pressure sensitive adhesive closure strip is adhered to the back panel and to the rear surface of the front panel. The front panel includes a transverse separation line intermediate the bottom edge of the bag and the closure strip. A portion of the front panel above the separation line may be removed from the bag so as to expose the closure strip for securing the back panel to the front surface of the front panel for closing the top of the bag.

Abstract: A method of forming one or more score lines or bands of weakness in a web formed of nonwoven thermoplastic fibers requires the application of sufficient energy such as ultrasonic energy to narrow bands of the web to change the fibers to a film. An envelope formed of tough nonwoven thermoplastic fibers for use in shipping documents may be formed with an easy open device by forming score lines in the envelope and the envelope and, if necessary, may be reinforced in the area of the score lines by a strip of oriented pressure-sensitive adhesive reinforcing tape applied over the bands and adjacent surfaces of the envelope on the interior side of the envelope and a tear tape may be applied to the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape in the area between the bands to afford means for tearing the envelope at the bands. Cuts are conveniently formed at the ends of the tape and bands to increase the ease of opening.