US4038670A — Panoramic pickup camera

Claim 1

Independent Claim 182 words

In a panoramic pickup camera for producing pictures with randomly large viewing angles which may exceed 360°, wherein at the moment of light exposure the film is stationary, having a support, a camera structure containing the objective and rotatable relative to the support, and a film container and a film guide having a substantially cylindrical arched portion, the radius of which is equal to the focal length of the objective, the improvement comprising: the camera structure containing spaced from the objective the film container, said camera structure incorporating a housing enclosing the objective, the film guide including a ring positioned on the side of the housing which is situated opposite the support, said ring being freely rotatable respective to the camera structure, said support possessing a substantially cylindrical configuration, a first substantially cylindrical circumferential surface provided on said cylindrical support, said ring possessing a second substantially cylindrical circumferential surface, the film being held under contact at its one edge against the first cylindrical circumferential surface of the support and at its other edge against the second cylindrical circumferential surface of the ring.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 182 words

In a panoramic pickup camera for producing pictures with randomly large viewing angles which may exceed 360°, wherein at the moment of light exposure the film is stationary, having a support, a camera structure containing the objective and rotatable relative to the support, and a film container and a film guide having a substantially cylindrical arched portion, the radius of which is equal to the focal length of the objective, the improvement comprising: the camera structure containing spaced from the objective the film container, said camera structure incorporating a housing enclosing the objective, the film guide including a ring positioned on the side of the housing which is situated opposite the support, said ring being freely rotatable respective to the camera structure, said support possessing a substantially cylindrical configuration, a first substantially cylindrical circumferential surface provided on said cylindrical support, said ring possessing a second substantially cylindrical circumferential surface, the film being held under contact at its one edge against the first cylindrical circumferential surface of the support and at its other edge against the second cylindrical circumferential surface of the ring.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 36 words

The camera as defined in claim 1, further including a feed mechanism for the film by means of which the film is drawn from the film container and is continuously contacted against said cylindrical circumferential surfaces.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 152 words

A panoramic camera for producing pictures having large viewing angles comprising a fixed stationary component, a pivotal component mounted for rotational movement relative to the stationary component, an objective in the pivotal component located along the axis of rotation thereof, a ring rotationally mounted in the pivotal component, first and second circumferential surfaces, the first circumferential surface formed on the stationary component, the second circumferential surface formed on the ring, each of the circumferential surfaces being circular with the radius of the circle equalling the focal length of the objective, a film container carrier by the pivotal component, first and second spaced apart rollers in the film container with their axes positioned parallel to the axis of rotation of the pivotal component and located adjacent the circumferential surfaces, and at least two endless elastic bands extending over both of the first and second rollers adapted to hold film against the circumferential surfaces.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 152 words

A panoramic camera for producing pictures having large viewing angles comprising a fixed stationary component, a pivotal component mounted for rotational movement relative to the stationary component, an objective in the pivotal component located along the axis of rotation thereof, a ring rotationally mounted in the pivotal component, first and second circumferential surfaces, the first circumferential surface formed on the stationary component, the second circumferential surface formed on the ring, each of the circumferential surfaces being circular with the radius of the circle equalling the focal length of the objective, a film container carrier by the pivotal component, first and second spaced apart rollers in the film container with their axes positioned parallel to the axis of rotation of the pivotal component and located adjacent the circumferential surfaces, and at least two endless elastic bands extending over both of the first and second rollers adapted to hold film against the circumferential surfaces.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 27 words

A panoramic camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rollers are driven by contact against a third circumferential surface which is formed on the stationary component.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 40 words

A panoramic camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein an electric motor is provided to rotate the pivotal component and wherein there are photoelectric cells measuring the light incident to the camera to control the speed of the electric motor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 32 words

A panoramic camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein there is an aperture at one end or the pivotal component thereof to admit light, the aperture having an adjustable tapered conical configuration.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 51 words

A panoramic camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein there is a hinged mirror provided between the objective and the film container which closes the top of the camera in one position and serves to direct light to a ground glass plate to form a view finder in its other position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 24 words

A panoramic camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein the objective is enclosed in a housing which is vertically adjustable within the pivotal component.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1980-07-25	1981-01-24	1981-07-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1984-07-25	1985-01-24	1985-07-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1988-07-25	1989-01-24	1989-07-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Panoramic pickup camera

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