Patents Represented by Attorney Joseph W. Price
  • Patent number: 4150508
    Abstract: A combination vehicle toy and projectile firing mechanism is provided. The vehicle body member has a configuration that simulates a handgun when a plurality of appended members that provide locomotion are removed from the body member. A pair of guiderails and a pivoted lever trigger is mounted on the bottom of the body member and cooperates with a cross bar member to propel an arrow-like projectile. Preferably the body member has a tricycle configuration and an auxiliary motor assembly can be removably attached to provide independent locomotion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: Takara Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Iwakichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4147410
    Abstract: A wide angle zoom lens system for use with a 35 mm single lens reflex camera is provided. The zoom lens system is relatively compact and includes two lens groups that can be relatively displaced along the optical axis to provide variation in focal length as desired. The first lens group has a negative refractive power and the image side second lens group has a positive refractive power. The relationship of their refractive powers has been selected to provide adequate correction of aberrations while maintaining the size, weight and compactness required in a modern zoom lens system with wide angle capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaichi Shimomura, Mitsuaki Horimoto
  • Patent number: 4143545
    Abstract: A pressure gauge assembly for aircraft tires and the like having a helical coil bourdon tube sensor capable of indicating a pressure differential between a monitored source of pressure and a calibrated reference source of pressure. The reference pressure is applied to one surface of the bourdon tube coils while the monitored pressure is applied to the other surface of the coils. The resultant movement is a linear indication of any pressure differential. A valve assembly can be provided with the pressure gauge assembly to permit fluidic access to the monitored pressure. If the volume of the monitored pressure is variable such as an aircraft tire, the secondary source of calibrated pressure can be provided with a predetermined pressure relative to the normal tire pressure to compensate for any volumetric changes in the tire during operation. In an alternative embodiment, the bourdon tube can be used to monitor the pressure in a fire extinguisher for indicating any leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1979
    Assignee: HTL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Abdul N. Sitabkhan
  • Patent number: 4137666
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes an optical sighting system having a lens, a focusing screen upon which images are focused by the lens, and a mirror to invert and transmit the images upward out of the toy body to a viewer. The toy vehicle further includes a complementarily firing mechanism for launching a plurality of projectiles at sighted targets. Additionally, the toy vehicle can also support a detachable plane-like device which includes a wing, a propeller, and a means to drive the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: Takara Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Iwakichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4132028
    Abstract: A toy including a number of press-fitting parts configurable as a rocket plane is provided. A number of the parts include optical elements which may function as a kaleidoscope, or, in a second configuration, as a periscope. Some of the parts may be assembled to form a blow-gun for discharging a toy projectile at a toy target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Assignee: Takara Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Iwakichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4126378
    Abstract: A telephoto lens system having improved focusing capabilities is provided wherein a first lens group of an overall positive refractive power is mounted on the object side of a second lens group of an overall negative refractive power. The lens components of the second lens group are capable of providing a simplified focusing mode of operation. The second lens group can comprise a first negative lens component and an image side second positive lens component. The second positive lens component is movably mounted for focusing the entire lens system on relatively close objects as its translates toward the object side. The first lens group is spaced a distance from the second lens group having an absolute value greater than 0.15f wherein f is the focal length of the entire lens system. Additionally, the composite absolute values of the focal lengths of the front lens group and the negative lens component of the second lens group is greater than 1.2f.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuji Ogino
  • Patent number: 4126374
    Abstract: An optical assembly, such as binoculars, having an objective and ocular lens system is focused by the axial displacement of at least one lens system on the optical axis. A manually operated actuator is translationally displaced on the binocular housing to impart the focusing movement. Preferably the actuator is a segment of flexible belt connected to a forked cam arrangement for actually displacing a focusing lens. The binocular housing along with the cam focusing lens system can be both aligned and retained in an operative mode by an elongated shaft extending through the segments of the binocular housing. The binocular housing is split and rotatable about the shaft within the range of movement of the flexible belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Inventor: Paul R. Maguire
  • Patent number: 4126386
    Abstract: An optical scanner system such as a projector for the continuous transmission of images to provide image immobilization is provided. The optical scanner system includes an illumination system, a scanner mechanism, and a projection lens system. The scanner mechanism is capable of creating virtual images of successive film frames with at least one virtual image point of each film frame positioned on a stationary locus point and at least another virtual image point offset from the stationary image locus point and relatively movable during a scanning movement. The scanner mechanism can, for example, be of a reflective or refractive polygon geometry. The specific parameters of the projection lens system and illumination system recognizes the inherent limitations of the dynamic keystoning aberration in scanner assemblies and seeks to nullify its effect in the projected real image. The projection means is of a telecentric design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Inventor: Ulrich M. Fritzler
  • Patent number: 4124276
    Abstract: A variable soft focus lens system particularly adapted for photography is provided. The soft focus lens system includes at least two lens groups defining a meniscus shaped air space there between. The relative width of the air space can be variable by movement of one of the lens groups relative to the other. This movement can introduce a controlled amount of spherical aberration to provide within certain parameters a soft focus image with an acceptable Petzval sum and flatness of the image plane. Various embodiments of the present invention within the inventive parameters can be utilized and include both stationary and variable soft focus lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Okano, Akiyoshi Nakamura, Toshinobu Ogura
  • Patent number: 4119982
    Abstract: A small single lens reflex camera for use with a 110 film format cartridge is provided. The size of the camera body can be maintained at a minimum by an improved view finder optical system which coacts with a movable mirror movable into and out of the photographic path in correlation with the releasing operation of a shutter. A series of reflecting mirrors are utilized in the viewfinder assembly within certain angular design parameters to maintain a compact shape while permitting a highly accurate focusing system. The viewfinder optical system can be assembled as a relatively stationary sealed module unit. The movable mirror is adjustable relative to the optical path to optimize its alignment and calibration focusing of an image on the focusing plate of the module viewfinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshinori Imura, Maki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4118888
    Abstract: A versatile articulated magnetic toy having removable appendages is provided. Body shells encapsulate a magnet and pair of armature plates. The armature plates include beveled edges to form joints and are retained on either side of the magnet by the magnetic flux. The magnet is hollow and can be aligned by the respective body shells and can further accommodate a chest cavity projectile firing mechanism. The appendages advantageously resemble humanoid arms and legs. An arm appendage can include a spring-loaded firing mechanism capable of discharging the first portion of the arm as a projectile. The ease with which the appendages can be removed permits the addition of various accessories to form modified toy assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Assignee: Takara Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Iwakichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4113367
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multifaceted reflecting polygon scanner system that is suitable for incorporation into a projector, camera, or other optical scanning or image immobilizing apparatus. The rotating reflecting optical system of the present invention, is capable of being combined with a continuous film transport to produce an overlap frame dissolve of sequential frames for optical immobilization of a projected image. The present invention includes a primary roof reflecting polygon, a secondary reflecting polygon, and an image surface. By proper choice of the polygon parameters and their juxtaposition relative to the image surface, the present invention uniquely provides a significantly higher relative aperture with minimal kinetic aberrations such as dynamic keystone distortion and minimal static aberrations. In one embodiment, a pair of roof reflectors of a 60.degree. and 90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Ulrich M. Fritzler
    Inventor: Ulrich M. Fritzler
  • Patent number: 4105210
    Abstract: The present invention is an action game apparatus for two or more players and includes a disc, or puck, capable of simulating a mouse and a shell housing enclosing a playing surface and having a plurality of apertures creating an appearance of a Swiss cheese cake. An L-shaped stick is utilized by the respective players for insertion through the apertures to strike the game disc. A plurality of goal openings are mounted about the periphery of the shell housing and a player scores when a disc is propelled through a goal. A scoring device including a peg and a plurality of holes can also be mounted adjacent the shell housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: California R & D Center
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Jones, William Jacobs
  • Patent number: 4102095
    Abstract: An improved modular office screen system is provided having a hollow rigid frame member and a central sound-absorbing panel. Relatively movable support legs are adjustably mounted within the rigid frame member. A guide sleeve and fastener can form an aperture for receiving an upright channel of the support leg and further for adjustably holding a force bearing member to permit a subjective positioning of the support member relative to the frame member. Alternatively, a removable leg extension member can permit adjustment of the frame member when positioned above the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Pleion Corporation
    Inventor: Clifford W. Gartung
  • Patent number: 4102501
    Abstract: A deflector assembly for a spray gun includes a mounting collar and a pivotable deflector blade. The mounting collar has a plurality of locking tines, or fingers, for permanent snap engagement about a spray nozzle. The mounting collar further includes a support tube with a pivotable groove on an upper surface and a pair of locking detents on a lower surface. The mounting collar is rotatable about the spray nozzle. The deflector blade comprises a locking retainer having a pivotal shoulder of a complementary shape to that of the pivotal groove of the mounting collar. The deflecting blade further includes a camming or prong lock capable of interengaging with the locking detents on the mounting collar. The deflector blade includes a plate member extending from the locking retainer having a planar impact surface on one side and a serrated surface on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: The Leisure Group
    Inventors: Jacob De Gelder, William Harvey Hill, Ronald F. Englhard
  • Patent number: 4101929
    Abstract: A color encoding video system such as a single or double tube color television camera has an optical grating low pass filter positioned in a plane substantially adjacent the focal plane of the image pickup tube. A separate and interchangeable image forming objective optical system can be mounted on the body of the camera for focusing an object scene on the photosensitive element of the pickup tube. The filter grating pattern can be stripes or lenticular lenses and has a spatial frequency along the scanning direction limited to a value not greater than the highest spatial frequency available for detection of the luminous signals whereby optical imaging problems are prevented regardless of the aperture opening of the objective optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Ohneda, Yukio Okano
  • Patent number: 4101203
    Abstract: An improved Gauss type lens system having a long back focal length with a relatively high aperture ratio is provided. The Gauss type lens system can comprise a five group, seven lens element system wherein the overall length of the lens system is less than 90 percent of its focal length. The Gauss type lens system has design parameters within the following ranges, wherein the sub-numbers refer to respective lens characteristics, sequentially measured from the object to image side:1.7 < r8/r6 < 1.9, (1)0.9 < r10/r8 < 1.2, (2)0.67 < (d.sub.6 + d.sub.7)/(d.sub.3 + d.sub.4) < 0.87, (3)1.65 <n.sub.2 < 1.72, (4)n.sub.5 > 1.72, n.sub.6 > 1.72 (5)wherein,r represents the radius of curvature;d represents the axial distance, andn represents the refractive index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tamikazu Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 4095367
    Abstract: An articulated doll figure, such as a robot, having removable appendages and capable of locomotion is provided. The robot figure is particularly adaptable to be separated into subcomponents to form individually or in conjunction with accessory items, independent toys. In this regard, a body or trunk member having an electrical motor is connected to appropriate power transmissions to provide rotational couplings on at least four separate positions on the trunk member plus directly driving an endless track drive pivotally mounted on the back of the trunk member. A lower torso portion can support another transmission assembly to provide sequential linear displacement motion in either branch of the legs. Lower leg members like the lower torso, are removable and each includes a roller assembly capable of coacting with a clutching member to provide unidirectional rotation. Each lower leg member can be mounted for connection with the torso transmission means to provide a walking motion for the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Takara Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Iwakichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4090321
    Abstract: A space command toy station is provided including a pair of parallel substantially hexagonal frame members. Extending between the hexagonal frame members are front and rear planar surface members. The rear planar surface member is pivotally mounted and includes an observation platform displaced outwardly at an angle therefrom. The rear planar surface when rotated, closes its original space and causes the observation platform to close a space along the top between said frame members. A front platform member is mounted by a press-fit attachable pivot arm and is movable to extend from the frame of the space command station or to form a wall thereof. The toy also includes a pair of manually rotatable seats and a spring actuated ejection seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Assignee: Takara Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Iwakichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4083627
    Abstract: A two dimensional optical phase grating filter is provided that is capable of limiting the transmittance of spacial frequency signals in one or more scan directions. The two dimensional grating of the present invention can be utilized as an optical low pass filter to improve image resolution in a color video system. In the color video system, the two dimensional grating filter could be designed to optically complement a dichroic stripe filter to prevent the introduction of spurious signals by any interference of luminance and chrominance signals. The design parameters of the present invention provide an improved cut-off characteristic with grating widths larger than one-half of the filter period. The two dimensional phase grating filter of the present invention can also be utilized in other optical systems, such as an automatic focusing system, where it is desired to pass only a certain spacial frequency as a monitored signal for the automatic adjustment of the focus of the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Okano