Patent US4055296A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3831184A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3831184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-timer attachment for camera
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-02
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1994-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A self-timing accessory having a casing configuration adapted for connection directly to the shutter housing of cameras particularly of the type in which an automatic electronic shutter supported in the shutter housing is actuated by depression of an exposure initiating actuator presented on one face of the shutter housing. The casing is designed to be secured by frictional engagement with opposed exterior surfaces on the shutter housing and is equipped with a timing mechanism operable after a time delay interval to depress and release the exposure initiating actuator thereby to avoid a drain on the electric power supply of the camera as a result of retention of the actuator in a depressed condition.
Inventors
- 👤 J Morse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:12
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B9/00; G03B9/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A self-timing accessory unit attachable to photographic cameras having an exposure initiating actuator presented at one of two oppositely facing exterior camera body surfaces, said unit comprising: a casing having a body portion and a pair of leg portions projecting therefrom, said leg portions having mutually facing surfaces spaced to fit snugly over the oppositely facing exterior camera body surfaces so that one of said leg portions overlies the exposure initiating actuator; a timing mechanism contained in said casing and having a firing assembly including a plunger positioned in said one leg portion for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in which it engages and depresses the exposure initiating actuator; and said timing mechanism including means operable after a timed delay interval to move said plunger automatically from said retracted position to said extended position and back to said retracted position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A self-timing accessory unit attachable to photographic cameras having an exposure initiating actuator presented at one of two oppositely facing exterior camera body surfaces, said unit comprising: a casing having a body portion and a pair of leg portions projecting therefrom, said leg portions having mutually facing surfaces spaced to fit snugly over the oppositely facing exterior camera body surfaces so that one of said leg portions overlies the exposure initiating actuator; a timing mechanism contained in said casing and having a firing assembly including a plunger positioned in said one leg portion for movement between a retracted position and an extended position in which it engages and depresses the exposure initiating actuator; and said timing mechanism including means operable after a timed delay interval to move said plunger automatically from said retracted position to said extended position and back to said retracted position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said firing assembly includes centrally pivoted lever means supporting said plunger at one end and having a striker face at the other end, said operable means including a movable striker adapted to engage said striker face to pivot said lever means to move said plunger from said retracted to said extended position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said striker is supported for movement in a linear path whereby after engagement with said striker face and movement of said other end in an arcuate pivotal path, said striker disengages said striker face, and said operable means includes spring means for returning said lever means and said plunger to said retracted position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said lever means includes first and second independently pivotal arms, said first arm extending to said one end to support said plunger, said second arm extending to said other end and having said striker face formed thereon, said second arm also having one-way abutment means for engaging and pivoting said first arm during engagement of said striker with said striker face.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus recited in claim 4 wherein said operable means includes spring means comprising a one-piece spring wire operable to hold said one-way abutment against said first arm and to bias said lever means to said retracted position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said one-piece spring wire is wrapped about said pivot and extends along said first arm, through an aperture formed therein and to a distal or free end anchored in said casing and extends in the other direction to engage the second arm to bias said one-way abutment thereon into engagement with said first arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said other leg of said casing supports at said facing surface thereof resilient friction means for retaining the accessory unit to the camera.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus recited in claim 7 wherein said friction means comprises a molded plate assembly having upstanding resilient fingers deflectable in a direction opposite to that which the accessory unit is attached to the camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said timing mechanism includes a winding assembly and a manually actuated initiator rendered operable upon actuation of said winding assembly to initiate a timing cycle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
An accessory for use with a camera of the type having a housing provided with a pair of oppositely facing exterior surfaces and an exposure initiating member presented at one of the exterior surfaces, said accessory unit comprising: a casing having an external configuration to establish an essentially U-shaped cavity bounded by a base wall portion and a pair of mutually facing projecting wall portions spaced to detachably receive the oppositely facing exterior faces on the camera body shutter housing; means on said base wall portion to position one of said mutually facing projecting wall portions to overlie the exposure initiating member; and a timing mechanism contained in said casing and having an output plunger in said one wall portion adapted to overlie and depress the exposure initiating member after a predetermined time delay interval.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
135 words
An accessory for use with a camera of the type having a housing provided with a pair of oppositely facing exterior surfaces and an exposure initiating member presented at one of the exterior surfaces, said accessory unit comprising: a casing having an external configuration to establish an essentially U-shaped cavity bounded by a base wall portion and a pair of mutually facing projecting wall portions spaced to detachably receive the oppositely facing exterior faces on the camera body shutter housing; means on said base wall portion to position one of said mutually facing projecting wall portions to overlie the exposure initiating member; and a timing mechanism contained in said casing and having an output plunger in said one wall portion adapted to overlie and depress the exposure initiating member after a predetermined time delay interval.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus recited in claim 10 wherein the housing supports a female receptacle in an exterior wall between said oppositely facing exterior surfaces, said casing having non-conductive positioning prongs projecting from said base wall portion and engageable in said receptacle to locate said accessory unit on the camera.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus defined in claim 10 further including resilient means mounted on one of said wall portions for frictionally securing said accessory unit on the housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3154951A
Cited
US3350992A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |