Rear Door Or Latch Detail Patents (Class 396/536)
  • Patent number: 11714338
    Abstract: A camera housing having a first housing portion that forms a first portion of a cavity to receive a camera and a second housing portion. The second housing portion that forms a second portion of the cavity to receive the camera. A hinge movably connecting the first housing portion to the second housing portion so that the second housing portion is movable relative to the first housing portion to expose the cavity. Fastening structures configured to connect the first housing portion to the second housing portion when the camera housing is in a closed position, wherein one of the fastening structures include a first latch component and a second latch component. The first latch component connected to the first housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Aaron Clearman, Rudy Lucas Samuels, Richard Gioscia
  • Patent number: 10955639
    Abstract: A filter driving device including a filter; a coupling part to which the filter is coupled; a crank arm of which one side is connected to the coupling part and of which the other side is connected to a driving shaft, and which reciprocatingly rotates around the driving shaft; a first stopper provided at a part close to the driving shaft from the center portion of the crank arm, and restricting the rotational angle of the crank arm; and an accommodation part for accommodating the filter, the coupling part and the crank arm is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hee Se Lee
  • Patent number: 9963913
    Abstract: A pivoting lever that is designed to hold open by same polarity magnets or hold closed by opposing polarity magnets using a difference in lever arm lengths. The magnet pair closest to the pivot point will repel to hold the lever open. The magnet pair furthest from the pivot point will attract to hold the lever closed, retaining an object. The magnet pair that keeps the lever open has a magnetic force advantage compared to the magnet pair that keeps the lever closed. The magnet pair that keeps the lever closed has a mechanical advantage due to the longer lever arm. An external force is required to either open or close the lever. Once open it will remain open until acted upon by an external force. Once closed it will remain closed until acted upon by an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventors: William Scott Howell, Scott Douglas Farner
  • Patent number: 9293167
    Abstract: Disclosed is a library apparatus capable of indicating an availability state of a slot according to the availability state of the slot that a magazine has. The storage library apparatus 1 rotates the first position P that indicates a usable state of a slot 7 by a first protection lever 4 being pushed by a accessor 3 which can convey, contacts against in a stopper 6, accordingly, is fixed by a lock component 5 and is fixed to the lock component 5 by rotating a second position R that indicates the unusable state of a slot 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Masuda
  • Patent number: 9157258
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly for housing an unlocking mechanism provided within a vehicle passenger compartment which is operably connected to a locking device of a trunk lid includes an interior body panel having an outer surface including an opening portion for receiving an unlocking mechanism. A lid is removably mounted to the body panel and has a closed position for covering the opening portion and an opened position. The lid defines a lid body having an exterior surface. An edge portion of the exterior surface is continuous and without interruption about a periphery of the exterior surface so that the lid body exterior surface is flush with the body panel outer surface about the entire periphery of the lid body exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Emily G. Lawrence, Toshimitsu Shimizu, Jason Dilley
  • Publication number: 20150030320
    Abstract: A camera housing comprises a four-sided frame. A first side of the four-sided frame includes a first segment, a second segment, and a latch mechanism with a first latch component and a second latch component. The first latch component and the second latch component are pivotally coupled such that in a closed position, the frame securely encloses a camera and in an open position, the first segment and the second segment are separable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Aaron Clearman, Rudy Lucas Samuels, Richard Gioscia
  • Patent number: 8588858
    Abstract: A portable terminal with a pair of housings is provided, in which a guide rib is formed in a first housing for providing a reception groove, a first hinge member is engaged with the first housing for rotating upon a first hinge axis extended along a length direction of the first housing, a second hinge member is formed in a second housing and includes a hinge housing extended along a width direction of the second housing, and an additional device is accommodated in the hinge housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seon-Hee Shim, Sang-Joon Park, Jong-Woo Kim, Seok-Gyu Lee
  • Patent number: 8503876
    Abstract: A camera viewfinder viewer accessory includes an elongated body portion having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. A connector for mounting the body portion to a camera viewfinder is located on a side of the body portion and adjacent to the first end. The body portion longitudinal axis is generally parallel to the camera viewfinder in a mounted disposition. An end assembly is connected to the body portion second end and is rotatable about the body portion longitudinal axis. A viewer assembly is connected to a side of the end assembly and has a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the body portion longitudinal axis. The viewer assembly extends away from the end assembly and terminates at an eyepiece. The viewer accessory directs an image from the camera viewfinder into the viewer assembly, to be viewed through the eyepiece in any rotatable disposition of the end assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hoodman Corporation
    Inventors: Louis J. Schmidt, Michael R. Schmidt, Robert P. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8395060
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing defining an interior space with an opening, a lid, a first locking member, a restricting member, and a second locking member. The lid is coupled to the housing to close and unclose the opening. The first locking member is coupled to the lid and movable in a first direction between a closed position to lock the lid over the opening and an open position to unlock the lid from over the opening. The restricting member is mounted to the lid and movable between a restricting position to prevent the first locking member from moving to the open position and a retracted position to permit the first locking member to move to the open position. The second locking member is coupled to the lid and movable in the first direction to allow the restricting member to switch between the restricting position and the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kajiyama, Yuji Tominaga, Tomoki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7940517
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic device including: a housing included in an exterior package; and a plate-like cover that is provided for one face of the housing and is movable between a close position and an open position. The one face includes an open/close face and a non-open/close. The open/close face is hidden by the cover at a close position of the cover and is exposed from the cover at an open position of the cover. The non-open/close face is exposed from the cover at the close position of the cover and is hidden by the cover at the open position of the cover. A support mechanism is provided to movably support the cover between the close position and the open position. The non-open/close face protrudes frontward from the face for a thickness of the cover in comparison with the open/close face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kitagawa, Michinobu Yanagisawa, Mamoru Abe, Takashi Uchiumi, Naoko Sema
  • Patent number: 7654406
    Abstract: A sliding cover includes an outside plate, a structural member fixed to the rear face of the outside plate, a movable holding member disposed between the outside plate and the structural member, and a toggle disposed between the holding member and the outside plate or the structural member. The holding member includes two parallel racks and guiding portions disposed at both end portions and extending in the same direction as the racks. The holding member includes a holding plate; an even number of pinions meshed with each other and supported by the holding plate so as to be rotatable; and guiding components supported by the holding plate. The pinions, disposed between the guiding components, are meshed with the racks, and the guiding components are engaged with the guiding portions so as to be slidable. The biasing direction in which the toggle biases the holding member is reversed substantially at the midpoint of the movable range of the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michinobu Yanagisawa, Hirokuni Miyai, Takuya Nakajyou, Hiroki Ueno
  • Patent number: 7502561
    Abstract: An image photographing apparatus includes an apparatus main body having a mounting portion. A display unit having a display is mounted on the mounting portion. The display unit can be positioned at first pose where the display unit faces the bottom surface of the mounting portion, or at a second pose where the display unit faces away from the bottom surface of the mounting portion. A hinge unit connects the display unit to the main body so that the display unit is openable and closable to and from the mounting portion with respect to a first axis. The hinge unit also has a second axis that allows the display unit to be moved from the first pose to the second pose. A locking unit locks the display unit mounted on the mounting portion in the first or second pose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-seok Lee, Sang-ki Min
  • Patent number: 6966709
    Abstract: A camera having a lens barrier movable between an open and a closed position, a lens movable between a photographing position and a non-photographing position and a locking member which, when driven by movement of the lens barrel to the photography position, enters into an opening in the barrier if an attempt is made to move the barrier from the open position towards the closed position. A pressing spring returns the locking member to the withdrawn position when the lens barrel is moved to the non-photographing position. An elastic pressing plate is preferably used to drive the locking member to the projected position against the force of the pressing spring when the lens is moved towards the photographing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuo Takanashi
  • Patent number: 6862406
    Abstract: A camera and method for promoting consumer loyalty for film developing services is provided. A loyalty camera is provided wherein a particular tool is required to rewind the exposed film and assist in manipulating the film door latch. In one embodiment, the tool is inserted into a combined film advance/rewind mechanism to move a lever arm against a portion of the anti-reversal pawl to bias the pawl out of contact with the film advance wheel and permit film rewinding. Additionally, in some embodiments the particular tool is additionally used to move the door lever to open the film door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Concord Camera Corp.
    Inventor: Yik Franco Kai Chung
  • Patent number: 6778772
    Abstract: A method of making an interface for adapting a photographic system for a specific format to a camera back for a different film format, in particular from a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a 4×5 format film back. The interface may be a modified CB 103 film magazine. An adaptor for changing a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a 4×5 film format or a different size film format, comprising the modified CB 103 interface and a 4×5 or different size connecting frame, wherein the total thickness of the CB 103 interface and the connecting frame is at least ⅜ inch. A different size format camera utilizing the body shell of a 3¼a×4¼ format camera and the adaptor. In particular, a method of making a coupled range finder/parallax camera that utilizes components from Polaroid Models 110, 110A, 110B, 120, 900 and 150 cameras and the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Guillermo E. Litman
  • Patent number: 6701083
    Abstract: A safety-lock mechanism for a camera includes a lock member that is rotatable between first and second lock positions for locking a lid open-close mechanism in a latching position where a lid of a cartridge chamber of the camera is latched closed; and an unlock position for allowing the lid open-close mechanism to unlatch the lid of the cartridge chamber. The lock member cooperates with a film transport mechanism such that the lock member moves from the unlock position to the first lock position as the film transport mechanism starts winding the photo filmstrip, and moves from the first lock position to the second lock position as the film transport mechanism starts rewinding the photo filmstrip. The lock member is urged by a spring to move to the unlock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Manabe
  • Publication number: 20030223744
    Abstract: The invention is to provide an opening device with self-flipping lid-body, which includes a shell body, a lid body, a pressing apparatus, and an opening apparatus. The shell body has an accommodation space. One side of the shell body is arranged with a groove hole. The lid body is connected to the shell body by a pivoting manner. The lid body has a wedging hook in corresponding to the groove hole. The lid body chooses that the wedging hook be connected with the groove hole to seal the accommodation space, or choose that the wedging hook be separated from the groove hole to open the accommodation space. The pressing apparatus is connected to the shell body and has a pivoting axis that be activated by touching off. The opening apparatus is connected to the pressing apparatus and has a convex block in corresponding to the groove hole. The wedging hook is separated from the groove hole by making the convex block abutted and contacted with the wedging hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: AIPTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Chin-Shu Wu
  • Patent number: 6658206
    Abstract: A camera and method for promoting consumer loyalty for film developing services is provided. A promotional camera including a film door latch is provided to a consumer. The latch for opening the film door is available to the consumer on the outside body of the camera, but is rendered inaccessible by a deterrent mechanism, such as an adhesive label or the like. The promotional camera is returned to a retailer for servicing including, pre-winding of the film onto a film spool prior to use. In use, after each film exposure is taken, the film advance wheel is used to rewind a single frame of film into the original film cartridge. After all pictures have been taken, the consumer returns the camera with the rewound film intact to the retailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Concord Camera Corp.
    Inventor: Urs Stampfli
  • Patent number: 6640058
    Abstract: A camera is provided which has a back cover for opening and closing an aperture, a spool chamber and a cassette chamber. A battery chamber for housing a battery is disposed on a supporting shaft side of the back cover, and the aforementioned battery chamber is present obliquely behind the cassette chamber inside the camera when the back cover is in a closed state. A part of the battery chamber protrudes from the back face of the back cover. Therefore, the exterior shape of the camera can be miniaturized and downsized without hindering loading of a film cassette. Further, since the battery chamber portion protruding from the back cover can be made to function as a grip portion of the camera, a camera superior in portability and favorable in holdability is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yokomae, Toshifumi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20030161618
    Abstract: A camera and method for promoting consumer loyalty for film developing services is provided. A promotional camera including a film door latch is provided to a consumer. The latch for opening the film door is available to the consumer on the outside body of the camera, but is rendered inaccessible by a deterrent mechanism, such as an adhesive label or the like. The promotional camera is returned to a retailer for servicing including, pre-winding of the film onto a film spool prior to use. In use, after each film exposure is taken, the film advance wheel is used to rewind a single frame of film into the original film cartridge. After all pictures have been taken, the consumer returns the camera with the rewound film intact to the retailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Urs Stampfli
  • Patent number: 6608971
    Abstract: An interface for adapting a photographic system for a specific format to a camera back for a different film format, in particular from a 3¼×4¼ format photographic system to a 4×5 format film back, comprises a frame having four walls defining two substantially parallel open planar sides, one side is adapted to be mounted onto the photographic system, the other side is adapted to be mounted onto the camera back for a different film format, wherein the distance between the two open planar sides is at least ⅜ inch. The interface may be a modified CB 103 film magazine. A 4×5 adaptor for changing a 3¼x4¼× format photographic system to a 4×5 film format, comprising the modified CB 103 interface and a 4×5 connecting frame, wherein the total thickness of the CB 103 interface and 4×5 connecting frame is at least ⅜ inch. A 4×5 camera utilizing the body shell of a 3¼×4¼ format camera and the 4x5 adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Guillermo E. Litman
  • Patent number: 6584288
    Abstract: A cartridge loading chamber for IX 240 type cartridge (so-called APS cartridge) usually has a bottom lid. A lid of the invention has a function for detecting whether the cartridge exists in the cartridge loading chamber by installing a detecting mechanism on the lid which includes a projection member spring-biased and a electric switch made of a pair of metal leaves capable of switching on/off in association with movement of the projection member made by being pushed by the bottom of the cartridge when the lid is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Takashi Kamoda, Yasuhiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6556786
    Abstract: There is provided a camera including a camera body having an inner space, a cover mounted to said camera body to open and close said inner space, and an operation member movably mounted to said cover. The operation member is manually operable from outside said camera. The camera further includes at least one switch provided in said camera body, and a motion transmitting mechanism provided between the at least one switch and the operation member. The motion transmitting mechanism is provided to the camera such that it switches a status of the at least one switch in response to an operation of said operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Taguchi, Shinya Suzuka
  • Patent number: 6529690
    Abstract: A camera uses a film cartridge having a light-shielding door for opening/closing a film inlet and outlet opening. A cartridge chamber accommodates the film cartridge. A cartridge chamber lid is provided at the opening of the cartridge chamber. A first driving mechanism drives the cartridge chamber lid. A second driving mechanism drives the light-shielding door. A control section controls the second driving mechanism to maintain the light-shielding door in an opened state when it is not possible to take out the film cartridge from the cartridge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Miyazaki, Yasuo Tambara
  • Patent number: 6526230
    Abstract: A compact camera for producing images on self-developing film, said camera comprising an assembly including a light-tight main frame, a first housing member, and a second housing member; wherein said assembly is arranged to minimize the height of said camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Norman D. Staller, Frank A. Nado
  • Patent number: 6512889
    Abstract: A camera back having a frame for receiving a camera component and a locking arm pivotally connected to the frame. The locking arm includes an engagement surface for holding the camera component securely to the frame. The locking arm comprises a top and bottom locking member pivotally mounted to the frame with a handle connecting the top and bottom locking members. A biasing element urges the engagement surface against the frame in a downward position to securely hold the camera component in the frame. A tension device is attached to the frame so that after the camera component is locked into place on the camera back, the tension device effectively holds the locking arm in one position to avoid inadvertent unlocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Sze Leung Tam
  • Patent number: 6490411
    Abstract: An APS camera having means for limiting removal and replacement of the film cartridge to those designated to do so. The camera includes an access door to provide access to a film cartridge receiving compartment. A latch disposed on the exterior sidewall of the camera main body, adjacent the film cartridge receiving compartment, secures the access door in the closed position. A lock mechanism, comprising an outer housing and an inner lever disposed within the outer housing, is secured to an exterior sidewall of the camera casing over the latch. The lever is structured for movement from a first blocking position, wherein the latch is inaccessible, to a second open position, wherein the latch may be accessed and the access door opened. The lever includes a pair of outwardly extending locking pins structured for mating engagement with corresponding holes in the housing so as to retain the lever in the first blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Concord Camera Corp.
    Inventors: Giorgio Mazzacani, Tony Ho Yin Yip
  • Publication number: 20020159776
    Abstract: The camera of the present invention has a back cover for opening and closing the aperture, spool chamber and cassette chamber. A battery chamber for housing a battery is disposed on the supporting shaft side of the back cover, and the aforementioned battery chamber is present obliquely behind the cassette chamber inside the camera when the back cover is in a closed state, and a part of such battery chamber protrudes from the back face of the back cover. Therefore, the exterior shape of the camera can be miniaturized and downsized without hindering the loading of the cassette. Further, since the battery chamber portion protruding from the back cover can be made to function as a grip portion of the camera, provided is a camera superior in portability and favorable in holdability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yokomae, Toshifumi Nakano
  • Patent number: 6470146
    Abstract: A one-time-use camera includes a rear cover part that has an integral door cover portion and an integral remaining cover portion, that is weakened between the door and remaining cover portions to allow the door cover portion to be pivoted open relative to the remaining cover portion to permit a film cartridge to be removed from the camera, and that has a carrystrap post on the door cover portion. An accessory belt clip has a plurality of co-acting fingers which are spaced apart less than a thickness of the carrystrap post and are resiliently flexible away from one another to be able to engage the carrystrap post to releasably grip the canrystrap post. The belt clip that rests against the remaining cover portion when the co-acting fingers releasably grip the carrystrap post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Jude A. Sangregory
  • Patent number: 6463221
    Abstract: In a battery accommodating device, a lock member 11 is disposed on a lid 5 which is pivotally supported by a case 1 and a protrusion 22 formed on an arm piece 28 of the lock member 11 is to be engaged with an engaging portion 27 of the case 1, and a second protrusion 23 is disposed on the arm piece 28. When a shock is applied to the device or the device drops, the engagement between the protrusion 22 and the engaging portion 27 may be canceled and the lid 5 may be opened. Even in this situation, the protrusion 23 is engaged with the engaging portion 27, and hence the lid 5 rests in a state where the lid is opened by a certain angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Funai Electric, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Morinaga
  • Publication number: 20020141755
    Abstract: A safety-lock mechanism for a camera comprises a lock member that is rotatable between first and second lock positions for locking a lid open-close mechanism in a latching position where a lid of a cartridge chamber of the camera is latched closed, and an unlock position for allowing the lid open-close mechanism to unlatch the lid of the cartridge chamber. The lock member cooperates with a film transport mechanism such that the lock member moves from the unlock position to the first lock position as the film transport mechanism starts winding the photo filmstrip, and moves from the first lock position to the second lock position as the film transport mechanism starts rewinding the photo filmstrip. The lock member is urged by a spring to move to the unlock position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Manabe
  • Patent number: 6442352
    Abstract: A film cartridge chamber cover opening-and-closing device of a camera has a first lock member arranged to switch the state of a cartridge chamber cover between an unlocked state in which the cartridge chamber cover can be opened and a locked state in which the cover is kept closed, by using a power for transporting a film, and a second lock member arranged to switch the state of the cartridge chamber cover between the unlocked state and the locked state by using a power for driving a photo-taking lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Ito
  • Patent number: 6442353
    Abstract: A camera has a cartridge chamber lid lock device arranged to allow the camera to be loaded with a film cartridge by opening a cartridge chamber lid irrespective of the position of a lens barrel in the optical axis direction when the film cartridge is not within the cartridge chamber and, when the film cartridge is loaded in the cartridge chamber, to prevent the cartridge chamber lid from being accidentally opened in a case where the film still remains outside the film cartridge or from being inadvertently opened while a using state of the film cartridge is in process of being set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hase
  • Patent number: 6435739
    Abstract: There is disclosed a camera with a cover sliding between a cartridge exchange position and a work position for permitting photography. A cam plate having a driving rack is mounted securely on inside the sliding cover. A coupling gear is mounted in a camera body with its teeth protruded out of the camera body. The driving rack is engaged with the teeth of the coupling gear only while the sliding cover moves between the work position and the cartridge exchange position, so the coupling gear is rotated as the sliding cover moves between the work position and the cartridge exchange position. The rotational movement of the coupling gear is transmitted to a pinion through a rack plate. The pinion is formed integrally with a door drive shaft. The door drive shaft is engaged with a door member of a loaded photo film cartridge, for rotating the door member to close or open a film port of the cartridge. The pinion is urged by a spring that functions as a toggle spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6390691
    Abstract: A focal-plane shutter for a camera has a base plate having a shutter opening and which is connectable to a body of the camera having a rear cover which can be opened and closed during a film replacement operation. The focal-plane shutter has an opening sector group having sectors for undergoing opening movement in an operational state to open the shutter opening during a shutter release operation, and a closing sector group having sectors for undergoing closing movement in an operational state to close the shutter opening during the shutter release operation. A control device controls the opening sector group and the closing sector group to open and close the shutter opening, respectively. A holding device holds the closing sector group at a nonoperational position during an opening state of the rear cover of the camera and releases the hold of the closing sector group in the nonoperational position during a closing state of the rear cover of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6386769
    Abstract: A camera arranged to automatically open and close the cover of a film cartridge chamber includes a gear member having a gear part arranged to rotate for feeding and rewinding a film by engaging a supply spool of a film cartridge, a revolving member arranged to engage the gear part and to be caused to revolve by the rotation of the gear member, an opening operation member provided for opening the cover of the film cartridge chamber, and a lock member arranged to lock the cover in a closed state or to unlock the cover. In the camera, the lock member moves from outside of a revolving travel locus of the revolving member to inside of the revolving travel locus of the revolving member in association with an operation of the opening operation member, and the lock member is driven by a revolving motion of the revolving member to unlock the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masakazu Taku
  • Patent number: 6375367
    Abstract: An optical apparatuses having a cartridge chamber lid, includes a motor, a sun gear which is driven by the motor, a planet gear meshing with the sun gear and arranged to move from a first position to a second position while rotating when the sun gear rotates in a first direction, and to move from the second position to the first position while rotating when the sun gear rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a lock mechanism which unlocks the cartridge chamber lid when the planet gear moves from the first position to the second position, and which maintains locking the cartridge chamber lid when the planet gear moves from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masakazu Taku
  • Patent number: 6371666
    Abstract: A hook of a cartridge-chamber lid is engaged with one end of an engagement lever to be kept in a closed position. The other end of the engagement lever is engaged with an intermediate lever attached to an upper face of a cartridge chamber. When a photo film is wound up, a winding-up lock mechanism comprising an urging gear, a lever member and a winding-up lock member prevents the intermediate lever from rotating, namely prevents the engagement lever from swinging to lock the cartridge-chamber lid. When the photo film is rewound, a rewinding lock mechanism comprising an urging gear, a lever member, a rewinding lock member and a torsion spring prevents the intermediate lever from rotating, namely prevents the engagement lever from swinging to lock the cartridge-chamber lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Manabe, Toru Ito
  • Patent number: 6357935
    Abstract: A camera or a lens barrel control apparatus of a type in which the locking or unlocking of the cover of a cartridge chamber is controlled by the position of a lens, includes a structure in which, when an abnormality occurs in a driving operation of the lens, or a situation in which the lens does not stop at a predetermined position occurs, the lens is forcibly driven to move to a position for locking or unlocking the cover of the cartridge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Taka, Takanobu Tsunemiya
  • Publication number: 20020021893
    Abstract: The present invention is a self-developing compact camera having a housing that encloses, in a common cavity thereof, an arrangement comprising a taking lens, shutter, a light-reflector, viewfinder, power source, actuator, a self-developing film compartment, and a spring biased exit flap. The present invention also includes a method of manufacturing said camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Norman D. Staller, Paul D. Gjeltema, Patrick W. Hopkins, Michael G. Rider, Lawrence J. Salvo
  • Patent number: 6337955
    Abstract: An SLR camera system includes a camera body, an interchangeable lens having a lens shutter, a film back and a digital back which are selectively attached to the camera body, a drive mechanism, provided in the digital back, which drives the image pick-up device in a direction of an optical axis of the interchangeable lens, and a controller. When digital back and the interchangeable lens are attached to the camera body, upon receiving a shutter release signal, the controller controls a focal plane shutter provided in the camera body to fully open and subsequently controls the drive mechanism to advance the image pick-up device to the focal plane before controlling the lens shutter to operate, controls the drive mechanism to retreat the image pick-up device, and subsequently controls the focal plane shutter to shut after controlling the lens shutter to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuji Shono
  • Patent number: 6327441
    Abstract: A camera includes a film compartment, and a cover for closing the film compartment which is configured to hold a battery. The cover has a main portion for the battery and a fold-over portion that folds against the main portion to hold the battery between the main portion and the fold-over portion. Preferably, the film compartment is configured to receive a film cartridge having an end opening, and the fold-over portion has a support post that is arranged to fit into the end opening in the film cartridge when the fold-over portion is folded against the main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: John H. Alligood
  • Patent number: 6325555
    Abstract: A camera having means for pre-winding unexposed film, in non-darkroom conditions from a film cartridge to a take up spool and limiting removal and replacement of the film cartridge to those designated to do. A latching member includes a pair of slots structured to slidingly engage a pair of guide pins disposed on the main body side wall and a pair of hooks structured to matingly engage a pair of hooks extending out from the rear door to prevent the camera door from being opened. A pair of outwardly biased locking pins, extending out from the main body side wall, are structured for movement from a first extended position, wherein the pins extend through a pair of corresponding holes in the latching member, thereby retaining the latching member in a first upper, locking position, to a second depressed position, wherein the latching member may be slid downward to a second lower, unlocking position, thereby permitting the rear door to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Concord Camera Corp.
    Inventors: Arthur Zawodny, Franco Yik Kai Chung
  • Patent number: 6321042
    Abstract: A camera having a manual film winding apparatus in which a film is wound in association with the rotation of a wind lever from a start position to an end position includes a double wind prevention device which prevents the wind lever from rotating from the start position toward the end position when the wind lever is returned to a predetermined position beyond the start position after the wind lever has been rotated to the end position from the start position, and a double wind prevention releasing device for electrically releasing the double wind prevention of the double wind prevention device, in accordance with the operation state of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeru Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6317569
    Abstract: A camera includes a cartridge loading chamber for receiving a film cartridge with a rotatable film spool having an exposed spool end, a rotatable support spindle which projects into the chamber to coaxially engage the spool end when the film cartridge is in the chamber, a door which pivots open to open the chamber and pivots closed to close the chamber, and a multi-function spring which urges the film cartridge to coaxially engage the spool end with the support spindle and urges the door to pivot open. The multi-function spring is a single springy piece which has a cartridge-positioning springy portion that is permanently positioned inside the chamber to urge the film cartridge to coaxially engage the spool end with the support spindle, regardless whether the door is closed, and has a door-opening spring portion that is permanently positioned outside the chamber to press against the door when the door is closed, regardless whether the film cartridge is in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Dennis R. Zander
  • Publication number: 20010033746
    Abstract: A camera of the kind using a cartridge with the cartridge accommodated inside a cartridge chamber is required to ensure that the lid of the cartridge chamber is openable only when film has been rewound into the cartridge. To meet this requirement, there is a known method for unlocking the cartridge chamber lid only when the film has been rewound. However, in the event of some accident, it might become impossible to rewind the film to make the cartridge chamber lid no longer unlockable. To solve this problem, a camera according to the invention disclosed is arranged to make the cartridge chamber lid unlockable in response to a specific operation performed differently from an ordinary photo-taking operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Hajime Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20010028795
    Abstract: A camera includes an operation member operable for bringing a back lid or a cartridge chamber lid from a closed state into an open state, a lock member arranged to be displaceable between a first position in which the lock member permits an opening operation on the operation member and a second position in which the lock member inhibits the opening operation, and an interlocking member arranged to displace the lock member from the first position to the second position in association with a film beginning to move in a winding direction thereof. The interlocking of the interlocking member with the lock member is cut off in response to the lock member having been displaced to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Kazushige Ichino
  • Patent number: 6295421
    Abstract: A camera includes a cartridge chamber, a cartridge chamber lid which opens and closes the cartridge chamber, a first engagement device for engaging the cartridge chamber lid in a closed state thereof, and a second engagement device for engaging the cartridge chamber lid in a closed state thereof at least when the first engagement device is not operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6276846
    Abstract: A camera comprising a cartridge receiving chamber for a film cartridge with a filmstrip having a protruding film leader, a film door that opens and closes to uncover and re-cover the chamber, a backframe opening for exposing successive sections of the filmstrip, a film platen positioned over the backframe opening to support each section of the filmstrip at the backframe opening, and a film support positioned within the backframe opening to prevent the film leader from becoming jammed in the backframe opening when the film cartridge is placed in the chamber, is characterized in that the film platen is movable to at least partially uncover the backfrane opening in order to provide a film entry zone for the film leader into the backframe opening when the film door is opened, and the film support is coupled with the film platen for movement to the film entry zone to be positioned to prevent the film leader from becoming jammed in the backframe opening when the film platen is moved to partially uncover the backfra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Patricia L. Williams, Dennis R. Zander
  • Patent number: 6275660
    Abstract: A manual-wind camera having a wind lever in which a film having no sprocket holes is loaded, the film being wound on a take-up spool, frame by frame, by manually operating the wind lever, includes a pulse generator which generates pulses in accordance with movement of the film wound by the wind lever; a rear-cover state detector which detects whether a rear cover of the camera is open or closed; and a control device. The control device determines whether the film is loaded into the camera in accordance with pulses generated by the control device when the wind lever is fully turned from an initial operational position to a maximum operational position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeru Iwamoto