US5111222A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure alarm in water-sealed camera
Assignee: Pentax Corp
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Filing: 1990-08-01
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Granted: 1992-05-05
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Expires: 2010-08-01
Abstract
Abstract In a camera adapted to be sealed against water, the camera having a reciprocating lens barrel, a member for detecting water around the camera, and for controlling the lens barrel, so that the lens barrel will not be moved when water is detected by the detecting member. In another embodiment the camera is provided with a member for detecting water at a certain hydraulic pressure and a member for indicating an alarm when water at such a pressure is detected. Thus, by immobilizing the lens barrel, it is possible to prevent water damage to the camera that might result if the camera were submerged and the lens barrel moved.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiro Hayakawa
- 👤 Kousei Kosako
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:47
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/08; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/14; G01F23/18; G03B17/12; G03B17/18; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A camera adapted to be sealed against water, said camera comprising: detecting means for detecting the presence of water having a hydraulic pressure greater than a predetermined value about said camera; and means for generating an alarm signal when the presence of water at the predetermined hydraulic pressure is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A camera adapted to be sealed against water, said camera comprising: detecting means for detecting the presence of water having a hydraulic pressure greater than a predetermined value about said camera; and means for generating an alarm signal when the presence of water at the predetermined hydraulic pressure is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The camera according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises a closed-end hole provided on an outer surface of said camera whose diameter is selected so as to prevent a water droplet from penetrating into said closed-end hole because of the surface tension of the water, when the hydraulic pressure is less than said predetermined value and a water sensing member provided at a predetermined position in said closed-end hole for sensing the water penetrating into said closed-end hole against the surface tension.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The camera according to claim 2, wherein said water sensing member comprises a pair of conductor members positioned opposite to each other at said predetermined position in said closed-end hole, whereby said pair of conductor members are adapted to be electronically connected, when water at a hydraulic pressure greater than said predetermined value penetrates said closed-end hole, and when the air in said closed-end hole is compressed by said water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The camera according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises a through-hole provided on an outer surface of said camera whose diameter is selected so as to prevent a droplet from penetrating through said through-hole because of the surface tension of the water, when the hydraulic pressure is less than said predetermined value and a water sensing member provided in said through-hole for sensing the water penetrating into said through-hole against the surface tension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The camera according to claim 4 wherein said water sensing member comprises a pair of conductor members positioned opposite to each other in said through-hole, whereby said pair of conductor members are adapted to be electrically connected, when water penetrates into said through-hole against tension, and when the air in said through-hole is pushed toward the inside of said camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera according to claim 1, wherein said alarm means comprises a sounding member adapted to operate when the presence of water is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The camera according to claim 6, wherein said sounding member comprises a buzzer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera according to claim 1, wherein said alarm means comprises a light-emitting member adapted to operate when the presence of water is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The camera according to claim 8, wherein said light-emitting member comprises a light-emitting diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The camera according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined position is half the length of said closed-end hole.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The camera according to claim 4, which further comprises a breathable and water-impermeable filter located between the end of said through-hole and the
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
A camera adapted to be sealed against water, said camera comprising: detecting means for detecting presence of water having a hydraulic pressure greater than a predetermined value, said detecting means comprising a closed-end hole provided on an outer surface of said camera, said hole having a diameter which is adapted to prevent a droplet from penetrating into said closed-end hole because of the surface tension of the water when the hydraulic pressure is less than said predetermined value, and a water sensing member provided at a predetermined position in said closed-end hole for sensing water at the predetermined hydraulic pressure penetrating into said closed-end hole against the surface tension; and means for generating an audible alarm signal arranged to operate when the presence of water is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
A camera adapted to be sealed against water, said camera comprising: detecting means for detecting presence of water having a hydraulic pressure greater than a predetermined value, said detecting means comprising a closed-end hole provided on an outer surface of said camera, said hole having a diameter which is adapted to prevent a droplet from penetrating into said closed-end hole because of the surface tension of the water when the hydraulic pressure is less than said predetermined value, and a water sensing member provided at a predetermined position in said closed-end hole for sensing water at the predetermined hydraulic pressure penetrating into said closed-end hole against the surface tension; and means for generating an audible alarm signal arranged to operate when the presence of water is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The camera according to claim 12, wherein said water sensing member comprises a pair of conductor members positioned opposite to each other at said predetermined position in said closed-end hole, and wherein said alarm means comprises a buzzer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
129 words
A camera adapted to be sealed against water, comprising: detecting means for detecting the presence of water having a hydraulic pressure greater than a predetermined value, comprising a closed-end hole provided on an outer surface of said camera, said hole having a diameter which is adapted to prevent a droplet from penetrating into said closed-end hole because of the surface tension of the water when the hydraulic pressure is less than said predetermined value, and a water sensing member provided at a predetermined position in said closed-end hole for sensing the water at the predetermined hydraulic pressure penetrating into said closed-end hole; and alarm means for generating a visible alarm signal, said alarm means being adapted to operate when the presence of water is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
129 words
A camera adapted to be sealed against water, comprising: detecting means for detecting the presence of water having a hydraulic pressure greater than a predetermined value, comprising a closed-end hole provided on an outer surface of said camera, said hole having a diameter which is adapted to prevent a droplet from penetrating into said closed-end hole because of the surface tension of the water when the hydraulic pressure is less than said predetermined value, and a water sensing member provided at a predetermined position in said closed-end hole for sensing the water at the predetermined hydraulic pressure penetrating into said closed-end hole; and alarm means for generating a visible alarm signal, said alarm means being adapted to operate when the presence of water is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The camera according to claim 14, wherein said water sensing member comprises a pair of conductor members positioned oppositely to each other at said predetermined position in said closed-end hole, and wherein said alarm means comprises a light-emitting diode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
125 words
A camera adapted to be sealed against water, said camera comprising: detecting means for detecting the presence of water having a hydraulic pressure greater than a predetermined value, said detecting means comprising a through-hole provided on an outer surface of said camera whose diameter is adapted to prevent a droplet from penetrating through said through-hole because of the surface tension of the water when the hydraulic pressure is less than said predetermined value, and a water sensing member provided at a predetermined position in said through-hole for sensing water at the predetermined hydraulic pressure penetrating into said through-hole; and alarm means for generating an audible alarm signal, said alarm means being adapted to operate when the presence of water is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
125 words
A camera adapted to be sealed against water, said camera comprising: detecting means for detecting the presence of water having a hydraulic pressure greater than a predetermined value, said detecting means comprising a through-hole provided on an outer surface of said camera whose diameter is adapted to prevent a droplet from penetrating through said through-hole because of the surface tension of the water when the hydraulic pressure is less than said predetermined value, and a water sensing member provided at a predetermined position in said through-hole for sensing water at the predetermined hydraulic pressure penetrating into said through-hole; and alarm means for generating an audible alarm signal, said alarm means being adapted to operate when the presence of water is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The camera according to claim 16, wherein said water sensing member comprises a pair of conductor members positioned oppositely to each other in said through-hole, and wherein said alarm means comprises a buzzer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
126 words
A camera adapted to be sealed against water, said camera comprising: detecting means for detecting the presence of water having a hydraulic pressure greater than a predetermined value, said detecting means comprising a through-hole provided on an outer surface of said camera whose diameter is adapted to prevent a droplet from penetrating through said through-hole because of the surface tension of the water when the hydraulic pressure is less than said predetermined value, and a water sensing member provided at a predetermined position in said through-hole for sensing the water at the predetermined hydraulic pressure penetrating into said through-hole; and alarm means for generating a visible alarm signal, said alarm means being adapted to operate when the presence of water is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
126 words
A camera adapted to be sealed against water, said camera comprising: detecting means for detecting the presence of water having a hydraulic pressure greater than a predetermined value, said detecting means comprising a through-hole provided on an outer surface of said camera whose diameter is adapted to prevent a droplet from penetrating through said through-hole because of the surface tension of the water when the hydraulic pressure is less than said predetermined value, and a water sensing member provided at a predetermined position in said through-hole for sensing the water at the predetermined hydraulic pressure penetrating into said through-hole; and alarm means for generating a visible alarm signal, said alarm means being adapted to operate when the presence of water is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The camera according to claim 18, wherein said water sensing member comprises a pair of conductor members positioned oppositely to each other in said through-hole, and wherein said alarm means comprises a light-emitting diode.
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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) | 1995-05-05 | 1995-11-04 | 1996-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-05 | 1999-11-04 | 2000-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-05 | 2003-11-04 | 2004-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |