Patents Examined by L. T. Hix
  • Patent number: 5097736
    Abstract: A tuning device includes a tuner housing extending from a string instrument, such as a guitar, with an integral orthogonal threaded mounting portion mounted in a peg head aperture. A tuner rod extends concentrically through the tuner housing and has a distal end with a transverse interior passageway extending at the end of the housing. A loose clamping pin or screw extends concentrically in the tuning rod to the transverse passageway. After a string end is pushed through the passageway and drawn taut a lock knob or the hex-headed screw at the tuner rod opposite end is threaded into the tuner rod forcing a separate or integral clamping pin against the taut end of the string and to clamp the string in the transverse passageway. An internally threaded tuning knob adjacent to lock knob or hex-headed screw is rotatable on outer threads of the tuner rod at its proximal end to move the tuner rod longitudinally inward in the tuner housing pulling with it the clamped string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: LSR Company
    Inventor: William T. Turner
  • Patent number: 5099274
    Abstract: Apparatus for transporting photographic sheet material from one unit to another, such as from an X-ray film cassette unloading unit to a processing unit, comprising a housing located between and locked to said units in a novel manner, the housing containing a film transfer device attachable to a wall of the housing adjacent the unloading unit to receive film through an entry opening, and readily positionable to transfer film to either of two exit openings in an opposing wall of the housing to accommodate processing units of different types having entry openings located at different elevations, the locking device also cooperating in the positioning of the transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Bernd Mirlieb, Gunter Weber
  • Patent number: 5097737
    Abstract: A tuner apparatus and methods for use thereof for harmonically tuning a variety of stringed instruments. More particularly, an apparatus and methods which provide a guitar or other chordophone with an alternative or supplemental nut secured to the headstock of the instrument, without requiring permanent modification or defacement of the instrument's structure. The supplemental nut is positioned to raise a particular string from a preexisting nut, thereby extending the effective scale length of the string. Alternative use of the supplemental nut and the preexisting nut allows the musician to selectively increase and decrease the effective scale length of the string to obtain a variation of sound. Thus, this invention enables the generation of deeper or lower notes on preexisting strings than would otherwise be available on such an instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Ira J. Uhrig
  • Patent number: 5099269
    Abstract: A sheet refeeding apparatus which comprises a belt laid between a first and a second shafts, wherein as the belt is wound around the first shaft, copy sheets ejected from a copying machine are wound around the first shaft together with the belt, and as the belt is wound around the second shaft, the sheets wound around the first shaft are fed out thereof back to the copying machine. In collecting sheets, the first shaft is rotated in the same direction as that of the rotation of a photosensitive drum, and a sheet turn-over section is disposed upstream of the belt with respect to sheet conveying direction. Marks are provided for the belt to recognize the position of the belt. An initial position mark is given to the belt, and the mark functions as a standard for a return of the belt to the initial position on a supply of power for the apparatus or on the completion of a sheet refeeding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Johdai, Keichi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 5099273
    Abstract: Image formation device includes an optical image memory which is shaped like a flat board and includes an image area formed almost in the center portion for storing an image and a void area surrounding the image area, where no image is written, the image stored being optically recognizable and able to be repetitively read; image writing means for writing the image in the optical image memory by the selectively irradiating the image area in accordance with data on a desired image; exposing means for exposing a photosensitive material by irradiating light through the optical image memory to the photosensitive material from which color coupler in a non-exposed portion is discharged by applying pressure; light control means for controlling a width of light irradiated to an area of the photosensitive material through the void area in the direction of the widthwise extension of the photosensitive material so that the width of light is identical with the width of the photosensitive material; and developing means for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichi Yamamoto, Masao Narumiya
  • Patent number: 5099262
    Abstract: A camera has a function of recording sounds as well as recording images. In this camera, in a self mode in which photographing is executed using a self timer, sounds are recorded during counting of the self timer and in a usual photographing mode in which no self timer is used, sounds are recorded after completion of the photographing. These two modes are changed over automatically according to a selection of one mode. When a user fails to record sounds in the sound recording operation in this camera, the sounds in correspondence with related recorded images can be recorded again from the beginning by operating a reset means. Further, the recording time can be elongated by operating a means for changing over the recording mode during the sound recording operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshito Tanaka, Hiroyuki Okada, Yoshihiro Tanaka, Nobuyuki Taniguchi, Shinji Tominaga
  • Patent number: 5097292
    Abstract: The invention is an improved removable film transport for photographic equipment. A roll of film is transported through the drive by a drive reel, a take-up reel, and a supply reel. The drive allows the presentation of a selected frame from the roll of film in precise relationship to photographic equipment on which it may be mounted, such as a printer or color analyzer. Incremental adjustment of the X-axis and Y-axis of the film in relation to the photographic equipment is easily located through the use of a stepper motor and a pair of nested, sliding and interconnected frames. The drive also includes a reading device for sensing and decoding machine readable marks placed on the roll of film, and includes the necessary interface between the drive and a computer or computer network. A special drive roller mechanism minimizes risk of damage to the surface of the film during operation of the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventor: Ray Hicks
  • Patent number: 5097285
    Abstract: A camera has an exposure device for effecting a photographing operation on a film in response to manipulation of a member, and a self-timer for causing the exposure device to effect the photographing operation after the counting of a predetermined time. The self-timer has a first state for causing the exposure device to effect the photographing operation only once and a second state for causing the exposure device to effect the photographing operation plural times. The camera comprises a first display for indicating that the self-timer is in an operable state, a second display for indicating that the exposure device functions plural times in response to the manipulation of the number, independently of the self-timer, and a control device for controlling the first and second display. The control device is adapted to only activate the first display in the first state of the self-timer and to activate both the first and second displays in the second state of the self-timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Wakabayashi, Kazuyuki Kazami, Toshiyuki Nakamura, Daiki Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 5097286
    Abstract: In an image recording method of the present invention, a photosensitive sheet having a transparent substrate coated on one surface with microcapsules encapsulating a photosensitive material, that undergoes a viscosity change upon irradiation by light, and a chromogenic material is superposed upon a photosensitive member and subjected to light exposure. As a result, a chemical latent image corresponding to an original image is formed on the photosensitive sheet and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image is formed on the photosensitive member. Subsequently, an electrostatically charged developer, which reacts with the chromogenic material, is deposited on the photosensitive sheet at a portion on which the chemical latent image is formed. The photosensitive sheet on which the develper is deposited is then superposed, microcapsule side down, on an optional recording medium and the microcapsules having low viscosity are ruptured and discharge the chromogenic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Sakai
  • Patent number: 5095328
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus for reproducing an image from an original, wherein a character portion and an intermediate contrast portion of an original are discriminated and different density converting tables are used for the character portion and for the intermediate contrast portion. When a original includes both a character portion and the intermediate contrast portion, the density converting table for a character portion is applied to the character portions and the density converting table for intermediate contrast portion is applied to the intermediate contrast portions to form the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshito Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 5093685
    Abstract: Scanner apparatus is disclosed for providing relative movement between a receiving medium and a recording device. The scanner apparatus comprises an elongated bar which supports the receiving medium. The bar is mounted for movement in a pair of support blocks. A movable support block is adapted to grip the bar and move the bar through a series of small steps of a fixed distance. The movable support block releases the bar at the completion of each step and returns to a starting position. When the movable support block releases the bar after each step, a fixed support block clamps the bar in position. In the operation of apparatus such as a laser printer, the fixed support block holds the receiving medium in a fixed position during the scan of one line of data, and the movable support block moves the carriage one step between line scans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Douglass L. Blanding
  • Patent number: 5093681
    Abstract: A flash apparatus which is detachably mounted on a camera main body is operated in a light emission mode of an open control scheme, in which the light emission amount of the light-emitting portion is controlled by a preset guide number, and in a light emission mode of an automatic control scheme, in which the light emission amount of the light-emitting portion is controlled by a metering result obtained by metering light reflected by an object to be photographed. The flash apparatus includes one of the following switches a bounce state detection switch which is turned on when the light emission axis of the light-emitting portion is inclined with respect to the optical axis of a photographing lens, an OFF-camera detection switch which is turned on when the flash apparatus is to be used while it is detached from the camera main body, and a converter mounting detection switch which is turned on when a converter is mounted on the photographing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Matsuzaki, Masaki Tokui
  • Patent number: 5093680
    Abstract: An image magnification control device for a camera. Control focal length required to maintain an image magnification constant is computed based upon defocus information detected by analyzing a light that passes through a photographic lens. In case a focal length of the photographic lens moves out of a range wherein the set image magnification can be obtained, various options, such as a shutter-release lock operation, can be executed depending upon the chosen design of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noboru Suzuki, Shigeo Toji, Masahiro Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 5093683
    Abstract: In an apparatus for forming an image sheet with adhesive tape, a roll type photosensitive pressure sensitive sheet, a developer sheet and a adhesive tape are stored. A latent image is formed on a surface of the photosensitive pressure sensitive sheet based on image information from outside, and a visible image is formed on the developer sheet by superposing the photosensitive pressure sensitive sheet and the developer sheet, and applying pressure. The visible image formed on the developer sheet is fixed, and adhesive tape is affixed onto the developer sheet for output. The image sheet outputted therefrom can be used for a seal or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yumio Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5093686
    Abstract: A processed film is wound again into the film cassette that contained the film therein before processing. The film is subjected to development and/or printing with one end fixed to a spool of the film cassette. Using a film cassette constituted by a rotatable spool having on its peripheral surface capture members for engaging in perforations of the film, a film guide member for guiding the film from a film gate of the cassette to the spool, and an urging device for pressing the film guide member onto the spool and enabling the guided film to be engaged with the capture members, it is possible to separate the film from the film cassette for development and printing and thereafter to wind up the film into the film cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Shigaki
  • Patent number: 5092214
    Abstract: A pitch changing device for a pedal steel guitar. The pitch changing device (10) includes at least one tension adjusting lever (24) pivotally mounted on the guitar body (14) for anchoring at least one guitar string (17) and selectively increasing or decreasing the tension on the string. At least one bracket assembly is provided including a first bracket (34) pivotally secured to the guitar body so as to selectively pivot at a first pivot point (40), and a second bracket (36) for engaging and pivoting the pitch adjustment lever (24), the second bracket (36) being pivotally secured to the first bracket (34) at a second pivot point (45) displaced from the first pivot point (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Inventor: J. Harold Flynn
  • Patent number: 5093560
    Abstract: The improved combination is comprised of a postage meter insertable into and removable from a base receptacle. The postage meter includes a housing, an aperture in housing and aperture shield positionable along the housing to selectively cover or uncover the aperture. The receptacle has an engaging assembly for engaging the shield of a predetermined location of the postage meter within the receptacle. A drive motor is provided for driving the engaging assembly for positioning the shield. The drive motor is mounted in the base and can be selectively coupled to the engaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Jovito N. Abellana
  • Patent number: 5090289
    Abstract: A double action pedal-activated beater assembly is provided for a percussion instrument. The beater mechanism provides multiple beats of the percussion instrument for each completed cycle of a foot operated pedal. One beat is provided by rotational movement of the rotatable beater assembly through a linkage between the beater assembly and one end of the foot operated pedal. Another beat is provided by the interaction of a cam surface located on the foot operated pedal with a cam contacting surface on the rotatable beater assembly. This construction provides a durable and simple beater mechanism which yields two beater strokes per cycle of a foot pedal, each at any desired power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Matthew L. Holcomb
  • Patent number: 5091739
    Abstract: A real image mode finder is provided with an objective lens, an image erection unit, and an eyepiece lens, and the image erection unit comprises a reflection member bending laterally an optical path and a prism constructed so that a light beam reflected at the reflection member enters a common surface, is reflected from a reflection surface toward the common surface, is further reflected from the common surface, and then emerges from an emergence surface. Whereby, the real image mode finder is adapted to eliminate longitudinal and lateral projections like a Porro prism, diminish the number of prisms and the number of times of reflections in comparison with a Pechan prism, and meet space-saving and low cost so as to be capable of accommodating a small-sized camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuteru Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5091633
    Abstract: In this arrangement the rolls of an odometer are serially built up on a support shaft and are sequentially interconnected by pinion gears which drivingly mesh with gear teeth internally of the rolls. These pinion gears are operatively mounted on partition plates which are interposed between each of the externally numbered rolls. The rolls are incrementally rotated by cooperating transfer and gear teeth on the rolls and the pinion gears so that distances traveled are accurately measured in predetermined increments. The rolls are initially stacked with number alignment and to maintain number alignment, the partition plates between each rolls are mechanically interlocked by pin and pocket construction that extend transversely from the extremity of a tangentially extending tang thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventors: Alfred H. Glover, Joseph T. Betterton, Richard L. Biegler