US5086313A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Operation switch unit for a camera
Assignee: Pentax Corp
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Filing: 1990-06-22
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Granted: 1992-02-04
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Expires: 2010-06-22
Abstract
Abstract An operation switch unit for actuating more than two switches comprising a substrate on which the switches are located on apexes of an imaginary polygon, the number of sides of the polygon corresponding to number of switches, and a single operating member which can swing about fulcra which are provided above intermediate portions of the apexes of the imaginary polygon to selectively actuate the switches in accordance with the swing movement of the operating member.
Inventors
- 👤 Masayuki Misawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H25/00; H01H25/04; H01H25/041; G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An operation switch unit for actuating more than two switches located at the apexes of an imaginary polygon, each said switch comprising at least one actuatable member, the number of sides of the polygon corresponding to the number of the switches, and a single operating member moveably positioned and having a plurality of actuating portions, said operating member being pivotable about discrete fulcra positioned intermediate the apexes of the imaginary polygon and spaced from the center of the imaginary polygon to bring a selected one of said actuating portions into contact with a said actuable member of one of said switches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An operation switch unit for actuating more than two switches located at the apexes of an imaginary polygon, each said switch comprising at least one actuatable member, the number of sides of the polygon corresponding to the number of the switches, and a single operating member moveably positioned and having a plurality of actuating portions, said operating member being pivotable about discrete fulcra positioned intermediate the apexes of the imaginary polygon and spaced from the center of the imaginary polygon to bring a selected one of said actuating portions into contact with a said actuable member of one of said switches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An operation switch unit according to claim 1, further comprising a fulcrum plate, said fulcra being provided on said fulcrum plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An operation switch unit according to claim 2, wherein said actuating portions comprise pushing leg portions, the number of said leg portions corresponding to the number of the switches, for actuating the corresponding switches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An operation switch unit according to claim 3, wherein said fulcrum plate has openings through which said corresponding pushing leg portions extend so as to come into contact with said corresponding switches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An operating switch unit according to claim 4, further comprising a spring for connecting and biasing said operating member and said fulcrum plate to come close to each other at a center of the imaginary polygon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An operation switch unit according to claim 3, wherein said switches comprise normally open electrical contacts, each said switch having a stationary contact element and a movable contact element which can be actuated by an said corresponding pushing leg portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An operation switch unit according to claim 6, wherein said movable contact elements are elastically deformable, so that when said movable contact elements are actuated by said corresponding pushing leg portions, said movable contact elements can be brought into contact with said corresponding stationary contact elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An operation switch unit according claim 7, wherein said movable contact elements are formed by leg portions for a single elastically deformable leaf spring which is secured to said fulcrum plate at the center of said fulcrum plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An operation switch unit according to claim 1, wherein the number of switches is three and said imaginary polygon is an imaginary triangle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An operation switch unit according to claim 1, wherein said number of switches is four and the imaginary polygon is an imaginary square.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
An operation switch unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said operation unit comprises means for operating an electrically drive zoom lens camera including a zoom lens system, a zoom lens motor, two switches for controlling said zoom lens motor and a further electromagnetic release switch, said two zoom switches and said release switch comprising said more than two switches.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An operation switch unit according to claim 1 and further comprising a plate on which said switches are located, said single operating member positioned above said plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The operating switch unit according to claim 1, said actuating portions and said actuating members comprising means enabling contact to occur in one of said switches independently of the other said switches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The operation switch unit of claim 1, further comprising means for selecting any one of said switches for actuation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
A multiple switch operating apparatus comprising a plurality of switches, each said switch comprising at least one actuating member, a single operating member, means for pivotably mounting said operating member above said switches, a plurality of discrete fulcra between said operating member and said switches, said fulcra defining a plurality of discrete pivot axes, and said operating member comprising means for selectively pivoting about a selected axis to acutate a selected one of said switches, each said axis being defined by a plurality of said fulcra.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
86 words
A multiple switch operating apparatus comprising a plurality of switches, each said switch comprising at least one actuating member, a single operating member, means for pivotably mounting said operating member above said switches, a plurality of discrete fulcra between said operating member and said switches, said fulcra defining a plurality of discrete pivot axes, and said operating member comprising means for selectively pivoting about a selected axis to acutate a selected one of said switches, each said axis being defined by a plurality of said fulcra.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
A multiple switch operating apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said multiple switch operating apparatus is provided in a zoom lens camera which is driven by a zoom motor provided in a camera body, and which has zoom switches for forward and reverse rotation of said zoom motor and an electromagnetic release switch, said zoom switches and said release switch comprising said plurality of switches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
A multiple switch operating apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said zoom switches are located on opposite lateral sides of said operating member and said electromagnetic release switch is located on a front portion of said operating member with respect to the camera body in which the multiple switch operating apparatus is provided.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The multiple switch operating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said switch unit is located on an upper surface of a camera body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The multiple switch operating apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising an upper decorative plate secured to said camera body, said plate including a recess comprising means for receiving said operating member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The multiple switch operating apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said recess includes a bottom comprising a full fulcrum plate on which said zoom switches and said electromagnetic release switch are mounted.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The multiple switch operating apparatus according to claim 15, and further comprising a plate on which a plurality of switches are mounted, said operating member pivotally mounted above said plate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The multiple switch operating apparatus according to claim 15, said actuating members and said operating member comprising means for enabling one switch to be actuated independently of said other switches.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multiple switch operating apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising means selecting any one of said plurality of switches for actuation.
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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) | 1995-02-03 | 1995-08-05 | 1996-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-03 | 1999-08-05 | 2000-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-03 | 2003-08-05 | 2004-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |