US3836984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light sealed film cartridge
Assignee: Bell and Howell Co
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Filing: 1973-04-09
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A self-threading, light sealed film cartridge having a curtain device located outside the light sealed portion of the cartridge and adapted to automatically cover and uncover an exposure window in the cartridge. The film end is fixed to the core of a film supply reel, whereby a portion of the film remains adjacent the exposure window after the film in the cartridge has been exposed, enabling removal of the exposed film through the exposure window in the cartridge without destroying the cartridge. A combined film spring compression device, film footage indicator and endof-reel switch actuator is located in the cartridge, and is formed from a single piece of molded material.
Inventors
- 👤 H Hertel
- 👤 G Konagamitsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:48
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/26; G03B17/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
In a cartridge assembly adapted to mount a supply reel of film: a light sealed chamber in said cartridge; an exposure window adapted to permit light to enter said light sealed chamber; a take-up spool mounted in said light sealed chamber; means to guide said film along a path in said chamber extending from said supply reel past said exposure window to said take-up spool; and curtain means fixed at one end to said cartridge outside of said light sealed chamber and having another end slidable between parallel walls in said cartridge for selectively covering and uncovering said aperture window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a cartridge assembly adapted to mount a supply reel of film: a light sealed chamber in said cartridge; an exposure window adapted to permit light to enter said light sealed chamber; a take-up spool mounted in said light sealed chamber; means to guide said film along a path in said chamber extending from said supply reel past said exposure window to said take-up spool; and curtain means fixed at one end to said cartridge outside of said light sealed chamber and having another end slidable between parallel walls in said cartridge for selectively covering and uncovering said aperture window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cartridge assembly of claim 1 wherein said curtain means is normally spring biased to cover said exposure window, and movable to a position to open said exposure window upon application of a lateral force to a portion of said curtain means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cartridge assembly of claim 2 wherein said lateral force opposes said normal spring bias.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
The cartridge assembly of claim 1 wherein said curtain means comprises: a strip of spring material having one dimension at least equal to the width of said exposure window; said strip of spring material fixed at one end to anchor means provided on said cartridge; the other end of said strip of spring material adapted to slide between said parallel walls and between a position covering said aperture window and a position uncovering said aperture window; said cartridge having an opening therein adapted to receive means for applying a lateral force to said strip of spring material to distort said material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cartridge assembly of claim 4 wherein the distortion of said strip of spring material causes said other end to move between said parallel walls from said position covering said aperture window to said position uncovering said aperture window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The cartridge assembly of claim 5 wherein removal of said lateral force from said strip of spring material causes said strip of spring material to move from a position opening said aperture window to a position closing said aperture window solely under the influence of the inherent characteristics of said strip of spring material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a film cartridge assembly adapted to be inserted in and removed from a camera housing: a light sealed chamber in said cartridge; means to mount a reel of film and a take-up spool in said light sealed chamber; an exposure window in said cartridge; means to guide said film along a path in said chamber extending from said reel and past said exposure window to said take-up spool; curtain means fixed at one end to said cartridge outside of said light sealed chamber and having another end slidable between parallel walls in said cartridge for selectively covering and uncovering said aperture window upon the application or removal respectively of a lateral force to a portion of said curtain means; means extending from said housing adapted to engage said curtain means and apply said lateral force to said curtain means when said cartridge is inserted in said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a film cartridge assembly adapted to be inserted in and removed from a camera housing: a light sealed chamber in said cartridge; means to mount a reel of film and a take-up spool in said light sealed chamber; an exposure window in said cartridge; means to guide said film along a path in said chamber extending from said reel and past said exposure window to said take-up spool; curtain means fixed at one end to said cartridge outside of said light sealed chamber and having another end slidable between parallel walls in said cartridge for selectively covering and uncovering said aperture window upon the application or removal respectively of a lateral force to a portion of said curtain means; means extending from said housing adapted to engage said curtain means and apply said lateral force to said curtain means when said cartridge is inserted in said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
The cartridge assembly of claim 7 wherein: said curtain means comprises a strip of spring material having one dimension at least equal to the width of said exposure window; said strip of spring material fixed at one end to anchor means provided on said cartridge; the other end of said strip of spring material adapted to slide between said parallel walls and between a position covering said aperture window and a position uncovering said aperture window; said means extending from said housing adapted to engage and distort said strip of spring material when said cartridge is inserted in said housing, whereby said strip of spring material slides into said position uncovering said aperture window.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The cartridge assembly of claim 8 wherein said means extending from said housing is removed from engagement with said strip of spring material when said cartridge is removed from said housing, whereby said another end of said strip of spring material slides to said position covering said aperture window solely under the influence of the inherent characteristics of said strip of spring material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The cartridge assembly of claim 8 wherein said cartridge includes an opening adjacent said strip of spring material adapted to receive said means extending from said housing, said opening permitting said last named means to engage said strip of spring material when said cartridge is inserted in said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |