Patent US3921189A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3921189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zoom lens view finder systems
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-10-11
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A camera with view finder for remote viewing in which an auxiliary view finder incorporating a fixed focus lens and a Fresnel lens are positioned within the camera to project an image corresponding to the image seen by the camera lens on a mirror at the top of the camera and available for viewing by an operator at the front or to the side of the camera. The mirror is rotatable so that it may be seen from varying positions remote from the camera. The improved view finder also provides for the use of a zoom lens and motor operation of the same with an adjustable mask associated with the view finder to restrict the portion of the panorama to that actually in focus within the camera and on the film to be exposed thereon. The drive system for the adjustable mask is operated by the zoom lens drive to simultaneously adjust the same. The purpose of this invention is to provide an image in the view finder that is substantially larger than the image that can be obtained with currently available zoom lenses. Zoom lenses are presently readily available only in sizes capable of covering a circle of a maximum diameter of about 44mm. In the view finder which is the subject of this invention, we wish the lens system to cover a circle of 100mm or more so that viewing at a distance from the camera is easily accomplished. In addition, the camera includes provisions for adjusting range and eliminating parallax error by coupling the view finder with the range adjustment of the camera lens to correct parallax error.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert F Gallistel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:26
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B13/00; G03B13/18; G03B13/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A camera with a view finder for remote viewing comprising, a camera including an adjustable lens with a shutter and film pack positioned within a camera housing and With the adjustable lens projecting through the front wall thereof, a view finder lens positioned through the front wall of the camera and focused on a first tiltable mirror positioned within the housing, a Fresnel lens positioned on the top of the camera and aligned with the tiltable mirror, a foldable housing including a second tiltable mirror positioned adjacent the Fresnel lens on the top of the camera and permitting viewing of the image seen by the adjustable lens of the camera from a position remote from the camera; and means coupling the tiltable mirror within the housing to the adjustable lens to adjust for parallax error between the camera lens and the view finder lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A camera with a view finder for remote viewing comprising, a camera including an adjustable lens with a shutter and film pack positioned within a camera housing and With the adjustable lens projecting through the front wall thereof, a view finder lens positioned through the front wall of the camera and focused on a first tiltable mirror positioned within the housing, a Fresnel lens positioned on the top of the camera and aligned with the tiltable mirror, a foldable housing including a second tiltable mirror positioned adjacent the Fresnel lens on the top of the camera and permitting viewing of the image seen by the adjustable lens of the camera from a position remote from the camera; and means coupling the tiltable mirror within the housing to the adjustable lens to adjust for parallax error between the camera lens and the view finder lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing of claim 1 in which the second mirror is pivoted about a position adjacent the Fresnel lens and in which the sides of the view finder cover fold on the second mirror with the top folding over the sides to enclose the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The camera with view finder for remote viewing of claim 2 and including means for adjusting the fixed angle of pivot of the second mirror connected between said second mirror and the top of the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing of claim 1 and including means mounting the view finder cover together with the second tiltable mirror to pivot the same about a vertical axis on the top of the camera housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing of claim 1 in which the means coupling the first tiltable mirror to the adjustable lens of the camera includes a cam on the camera lens and a cam follower engaging the first tiltable mirror for pivoting said first tiltable mirror with adjustment of the lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing of claim 1 in which the adjustable lens of the camera is adjustable for range and adjustable further to focal length as a zoom lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing of claim 6 in which the zoom portion of the camera lens is adjusted by a motor drive controlled by a power source and adapted to be operated by a remote control cable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing of claim 7 and including means associated with the Fresnel lens and coupled to the motor drive of the zoom lens for changing the mask opening through the Fresnel lens for light reflected from said first mirror to change the image size in the view finder in accord with the setting of the zoom lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing of claim 8 in which the means associated with the Fresnel lens are a pair of ''''L'''' shaped opening defining members movable toward and away from one another and coupled through gearing and cabling to the motor drive of the zoom lens to vary the light opening adjacent the Fresnel lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing of claim 8 in which the image size changing members are ''''L'''' shaped masking members positioned together to define a rectangular opening adjacent the Fresnel lens with the bracket members being guided along axes to decrease the size of the rectangular opening with adjustment of the zoom lens without changing the proportions of the rectangle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing of claim 8 and including an adjustment knob coupled to the zoom lens to operate the zoom lens manually from the front of the camera independent of the motor and adjust the size of the image size through adjustment of the image change means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
280 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing comprising, a camera including an adjustable focal length lens having a shutter member associated therewith and a film magazine positioned behind the shutter member and adjustable to expose the film with operation of the camera; said lens, shutter member and film magazine being positioned within a camera housing and with the adjustable focal length lens projecting through the front wall thereof; a view finder including a view finder lens posItioned in the front wall of the camera; said view finder including a first tiltable mirror positioned within the housing; a second lens positioned in the top of the camera and aligned with the first tiltable mirror; a second tiltable mirror positioned on the top of the housing adjacent the second lens and receiving light from the first lens reflected from the first tiltable mirror and through the second lens, means coupling the adjustable lens of the camera to the first tiltable mirror to tilt the mirror with changes in range adjustment of the adjustable lens to correct for parallax error between the adjustable lens and the view finder lens; an adjustable mask formed of size opening changing members positioned within the housing and behind the second lens and adapted to vary the size of the image seen from the view finder, and means coupling the adjustable portion of the adjustable focal length lens to said mask adjusting the image size in the view finder to couple the adjustable lens with the view finder and present in the second tiltable mirror an image corresponding in format and content to that seen by the film with focal length adjustment of the camera lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
280 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing comprising, a camera including an adjustable focal length lens having a shutter member associated therewith and a film magazine positioned behind the shutter member and adjustable to expose the film with operation of the camera; said lens, shutter member and film magazine being positioned within a camera housing and with the adjustable focal length lens projecting through the front wall thereof; a view finder including a view finder lens posItioned in the front wall of the camera; said view finder including a first tiltable mirror positioned within the housing; a second lens positioned in the top of the camera and aligned with the first tiltable mirror; a second tiltable mirror positioned on the top of the housing adjacent the second lens and receiving light from the first lens reflected from the first tiltable mirror and through the second lens, means coupling the adjustable lens of the camera to the first tiltable mirror to tilt the mirror with changes in range adjustment of the adjustable lens to correct for parallax error between the adjustable lens and the view finder lens; an adjustable mask formed of size opening changing members positioned within the housing and behind the second lens and adapted to vary the size of the image seen from the view finder, and means coupling the adjustable portion of the adjustable focal length lens to said mask adjusting the image size in the view finder to couple the adjustable lens with the view finder and present in the second tiltable mirror an image corresponding in format and content to that seen by the film with focal length adjustment of the camera lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The camera with view finder for remote viewing of claim 12 in which the view finder lens is a fixed focal length lens and the second lens of the view finder is a Fresnel lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The camera with a view finder for remote viewing of claim 13 and including enclosable cover means positioned over the second mirror and tiltable with the second mirror to expose the view finder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The camera with the view finder for remote viewing of claim 12 in which the adjustable focal length lens is a zoom lens and including a motor means coupled to the adjustable portion of the zoom lens for adjusting the same and for adjusting the mask members of the view finder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
The camera with view finder for remote viewing of claim 15 in which the mask members of the view finder are a pair of ''''L'''' shaped members positioned to define the rectangular opening behind the second lens and including cable drive means for moving the members toward and away from one another to change the size of the opening behind the second lens and the size of the image seen by the view finder with adjustments of the adjustable focal length lens.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2526144A
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US2737844A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |