Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5600395?dq=U.S.+patent+number+7,325,728&ei=Y93TTteOAe702wW6uqi1BQ
Timestamp: 2015-02-28 00:31:10
Document Index: 780253991

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 68', 'art 70', 'art 68', 'art 68', 'art 76', 'art 68', 'art 68', 'art 68', 'art 68', 'art 68']

Patent US5600395 - One-time-use camera has driver for closing film cassette which cannot re ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA one-time-use camera comprising a film cassette having a light lock pivoted open to permit film movement into the cassette interior and pivoted closed to prevent ambient light from entering the cassette interior and a locking pawl movable into engagement with the light lock when the light lock is closed...http://www.google.com/patents/US5600395?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5600395 - One-time-use camera has driver for closing film cassette which cannot re-open closed cassetteAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5600395 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 08/605,238Publication dateFeb 4, 1997Filing dateFeb 9, 1996Priority dateFeb 9, 1996Fee statusLapsedPublication number08605238, 605238, US 5600395 A, US 5600395A, US-A-5600395, US5600395 A, US5600395AInventorsEdward N. Balling, Masami Fujita, Kiyoaki Hazama, Katsuyuki KoizumiOriginal AssigneeEastman Kodak CompanyExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (10), Referenced by (19), Classifications (14), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetOne-time-use camera has driver for closing film cassette which cannot re-open closed cassette
US 5600395 AAbstract
A one-time-use camera comprising a film cassette having a light lock pivoted open to permit film movement into the cassette interior and pivoted closed to prevent ambient light from entering the cassette interior and a locking pawl movable into engagement with the light lock when the light lock is closed to secure the light lock closed and movable out of engagement with the light lock when the light lock is closed to permit the light lock to be pivoted open, is characterized in that a driver is moveable in engagement with the light lock to pivot the light lock closed to allow the locking pawl to move into engagement with the light lock and has a void which prevents the driver from moving the locking pawl out of engagement with the light lock, whereby the driver can be pushed against the film cassette to push the film cassette out of the camera without any possibility of the driver being moved in engagement with the light lock to pivot the light lock open.
1. A one-time-use camera comprising a film cassette having a light lock pivoted open to permit film movement into the cassette interior and pivoted closed to prevent ambient light from entering the cassette interior and a locking pawl movable into engagement with said light lock when the light lock is closed to secure the light lock closed and movable out of engagement with the light lock when the light lock is closed to permit the light lock to be pivoted open, is characterized in that:a driver is moveable in engagement with said light lock to pivot the light lock closed to allow said locking pawl to move into engagement with the light lock and has a void which prevents the driver from moving the locking pawl out of engagement with the light lock, whereby said driver can be pushed against said film cassette to push the film cassette out of said camera without any possibility of the driver being moved in engagement with said light lock to pivot the light lock open. Description
Reference is made to commonly assigned copending applications 08/371,336, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLOSING LIGHT LOCK OF FILM CASSETTE AND UNLOADING CASSETTE FROM CAMERA and filed Jan. 11, 1995 in the names of David C. Smart and Thomas E. Dussinger, Ser. No. 08/590,968, entitled CAMERA WITH FILM SENSOR AND DRIVER TO INITIATE CLOSING OF CASSETTE RESPONSIVE TO RETURN OF FILMSTRIP TO CASSETTE and filed Jan. 24, 1996 in the names of David C. Smart and Douglas H. Pearson, Ser. No. 08/590,662, entitled ONE-TIME-USE CAMERA HAS DRIVER FOR CLOSING FILM CASSETTE WHICH IS REMOVED WITH CLOSED CASSETTE TO DISABLE CAMERA AFTER COMPLETED USE and filed Jan. 24, 1996 in the names of David C. Smart and Douglas H. Pearson, Ser. No. 08/590,666, entitled ONE-TIME-USE CAMERA HAS DRIVER FOR CLOSING FILM CASSETTE WHICH IS BROKEN TO DISABLE CAMERA AFTER COMPLETED USE and filed Jan. 24, 1996 in the names of David C. Smart and Douglas H. Pearson, Ser. No. 08/590,717, entitled ONE-TIME-USE CAMERA UNCOVERS INGRESS OPENING FOR INSERTION TOOL TO EJECT CASSETTE WHEN CASSETTE CLOSED and filed Jan. 24, 1996 in the names of David C. Smart and Thomas E. Dussinger, and Ser. No. 08/590,792, entitled CAMERA WITH MANUAL FILM REWIND LOCKED WHEN CASSETTE CLOSED, PREFERABLY TO POSITION FILM EXPOSED INDICATOR IN WINDOW OF CASSETTE and filed Jan. 24, 1996 in the names of David C. Smart and Thomas E. Dussinger, Ser. No. 08/590,719, entitled ONE-TIME-USE CAMERA WITH LID FLEXED TO UNCOVER CHAMBER WHEN CASSETTE FORCIBLY EJECTED FROM CHAMBER and filed Jan. 24, 1996 in the names of David C. Smart and Ralph M. Lyon and Ser. No. 08/595,339, entitled ONE-TIME-USE CAMERA WITH STOP-PROTRUSION FOR ENGAGING OPEN LIGHT LOCK OF CASSETTE TO PREVENT CASSETTE FROM DISLODGING LID CLOSING CHAMBER and filed Feb. 9, 1996 in the names of David C. Smart and Kauyoshi Sugano and Kiyohide Itoh and Takashi Shirahama.
The invention relates generally to the field of photography, and in particular to a one-time-use camera with a film cassette that can be opened and closed. More specifically the invention relates to a one-time-use camera having a driver for closing the film cassette, which cannot re-open the closed cassette when the driver is removed with the closed cassette from the camera after completed film use.
Commonly assigned prior art U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,357,303, issued Oct. 18, 1994, and 5,359,378, issued Oct. 25, 1994, each disclose a film cassette having a light lock pivoted open to permit film movement out of and into the cassette interior and pivoted closed to prevent ambient light from entering the cassette interior and a resilient locking pawl inherently biased to engage the light lock when the light lock is closed to secure the light lock closed and being flexibly movable out of engagement with the light lock when the light lock is closed to permit the light lock to be pivoted open. A separate driver is adapted to engage the light lock within a drive cavity of the light lock to be rotated in opposite opening and closing directions to pivot the light lock open and to re-close the light lock. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,378, the driver is configured to push the locking pawl out of engagement with the light lock when the driver is simply received in the drive cavity. Then the driver can be rotated in the opening and closing directions within the drive cavity to pivot the light lock open and to re-close the light lock. The locking pawl cannot re-engage the light lock until the driver is removed from the drive cavity. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,303, the driver is configured to push the locking pawl out of engagement with the light lock when the driver is initially rotated within the drive cavity in the opening direction. Then the driver can be further rotated in the opening direction within the drive cavity to pivot the light lock open and can be reversed to re-close the light lock. When the light lock is re-closed, the locking pawl re-engages the light lock. If, however, the driver is again rotated in the opening direction, the driver will again push the locking pawl out of engagement with the light lock.
The cross-referenced applications each disclose a one-time-use camera for use with a film cassette similar to the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,357,303 and 5,359,378. The camera comprises a cassette-receiving chamber, and a driver to be moved to close the light lock before the film cassette is removed from the chamber. An exterior ingress opening to the chamber is provided to admit a manual insertion tool into the chamber to push the film cassette out of the chamber. The driver is located for the tool to push the driver out of the chamber with the film cassette, whereby the camera will be permanently disabled to prevent its unauthorized reuse.
If the driver is the one disclosed in the '303 patent or the '378 patent, it might be rotated to re-open the light lock when the tool pushes the driver out of the chamber with the film cassette, because the tool might be unintentionally turned in engagement with the driver to rotate the driver in the opening direction. Thus, an exposed filmstrip inside the film cassette could be ruined.
A one-time-use camera comprising a film cassette having a light lock pivoted open to permit film movement into the cassette interior and pivoted closed to prevent ambient light from entering the cassette interior and a locking pawl movable into engagement with the light lock when the light lock is closed to secure the light lock closed and movable out of engagement with the light lock when the light lock is closed to permit the light lock to be pivoted open, is characterized in that:
a driver is moveable in engagement with the light lock to pivot the light lock closed to allow the locking pawl to move into engagement with the light lock and has a void which prevents the driver from moving the locking pawl out of engagement with the light lock, whereby the driver can be pushed against the film cassette to push the film cassette out of the camera without any possibility of the driver being moved in engagement with the light lock to pivot the light lock open.
FIG. 1 is an exploded partial perspective view of a one-time-use camera with a film cassette, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are assembled partial perspective views of the camera with the film cassette, depicting how the film cassette is ejected from a cassette chamber;
FIG. 18 is an exploded partial perspective, partial section view of a detail of FIG. 1;
FIG. 19 is an assembled partial perspective, partial section view of the same detail of FIG. 1;
FIG. 20 is an assembled partial perspective, partial section view of the same detail as seen in FIG. 3;
FIG. 21 is an assembled partial perspective, partial section view of the same detail as seen in FIG. 6; and
FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 21 but further in section.
Film Cassette--Background
Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a film cassette 10 similar in operation to ones disclosed in prior art U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,357,303, issued Oct. 18, 1994, and 5,231,438, issued Jul. 27, 1993. The film cassette 10 includes a cassette shell 12 that contains a flanged spool 14 on which is stored a wound unexposed/exposed filmstrip 16. A slightly elastic light lock 18 is supported within a film egress/ingress slot 20 in the cassette shell 12 to be pivoted open to permit film movement out of and back into the shell, through the slot, and to be pivoted closed to prevent ambient light from entering the shell, through the slot.
Camera--Background
Looking at FIG. 15, the camera 50 includes a cassette chamber 52 for the film cassette 10. The chamber 52 is open at its top and bottom, and has a film egress/ingress slot (not shown) opposite the film egress/ingress slot 20 in the cassette shell 12 to permit film movement out of and back into the chamber. An exterior top housing portion 54 of the camera 50 has a tool ingress opening 56 which is located coaxially above the drive cavity 28 of the light lock 18. A bottom lid 58 or plug of the camera 50 removably seals the chamber 52 at its bottom.
Looking at FIGS. 1 and 2, an actuator unit 60 for pivoting the light lock 18 closed after the trailing film end portion 22 is wound into the cassette shell 12 comprises an integral single-piece driver 62 and film sensor lever 64. The film sensor lever 64 has a sensor head 66 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in contact with the trailing film end portion 22. The driver 62 has a depending drive-part 68 located in the drive cavity 28 of the light lock 18 to rotationally engage the light lock in order to pivot the light lock closed, and a coaxial upstanding gear-support-part 70 on which is coaxially fixed a first spur gear 72. Rotation of the first spur gear 72 in a counter-clockwise direction in FIGS. 1 and 2 similarly rotates the drive-part 68 to pivot the light lock 18 closed.
Operation--Background
Also, the locking lever 82 uncovers the tool ingress opening 56 in the top housing portion 54. Then, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 a manual insertion tool 98 can be inserted through the ingress opening 56 and against the first spur gear 72 to force the actuator unit 60 and, therefore, the film cassette 10 downward in the chamber 52.
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the bottom lid 58 has a peripheral annular bead or lip 100 which is snugly received within a mating peripheral annular groove 102 in the chamber 52 to removably secure the lid in place to light-tightly close the chamber at its bottom. The lid 58 is flexible, and has a fixed x-shaped projection 104 inwardly adjacent the peripheral annular lip 100 and a fixed x-shaped projection 106 which is centered on the lid to be radially spaced from the lip. See FIG. 17. The projection 104 protrudes into the chamber 52 in line with the drive-part 68 of the actuator unit 60. The projection 106 protrudes into the chamber 52 in line with the drive-part 76 of the thumbwheel 74. The two projections 104 and 106 are the same height. When the manual insertion tool 98 is inserted through the ingress opening 56 and against the first spur gear 72 to force the actuator unit 60 and the film cassette 10 downward in the chamber 52, the cassette is pushed simultaneously against the two projections 104 and 106. Consequently, the lid 58 is flexed or bowed slightly out of the chamber 52 at a central portion 108 of the lid, beneath the projection 106, and is flexed or bowed slightly out of the chamber at an adjoining radial portion 110 of the lid, close to the projection 104. This distortion of the lid 58 causes the peripheral annular lip 100 of the lid to start to separate from the peripheral annular groove 102 in the chamber 52, beginning in the vicinity of the projection 104. Then, continued pushing of the cassette 10 against the projection 106 continues to progressively separate the peripheral annular lip 100 of the lid 58 from the peripheral annular groove 102 in the chamber 52. When the separation is completed, the lid 58 falls away from the chamber 52 and the cassette 10 is pushed out of the chamber. See FIG. 17.
If the camera 50 is dropped onto a relatively hard surface, with the film cassette 10 in the chamber 52, the resulting impact to the camera might jar the cassette against the two projections 104 and 106 of the bottom lid 58 to possibly dislodge the lid to open the chamber 52. To prevent the lid 58 from being dislodged to open the chamber 52, a fixed stop-protrusion 112 is located in the chamber 52 in the way of the light lock 18, when it is open, to keep the film cassette 10 from being jarred against the two projections 104 and 106. See FIG. 15. However, when the light lock 18 is completely closed, it is retracted from the stop-protrusion 112. Thus, the stop-protrusion 112 is clear of the light lock 18 to permit the film cassette 10 to be pushed against the two projections 104 and 106 to separate the lid 58 from the chamber 52 and to Push the cassette out of the chamber. See FIGS. 16 and 17.
The cassette shell 12 has an integral, resilient, internal locking pawl 114 that is inherently biased against the split periphery of a coaxial end post 116 of the light lock 18 when the light lock is not completely closed as shown in FIGS. 18-20, and is inherently biased to engage the end post at a stepped portion 118 of the end post to secure the light lock closed when the light lock is pivoted completely closed as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. The split periphery of the end post 116 defines the coaxial drive cavity 28 of the light lock 18. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,357,303 and 5,359,378, the locking pawl 114 can be flexibly moved away from the stepped portion 118 of the end post 116 to permit the light lock 18 to be pivoted open.
The drive-part 68 of the driver 62 has a radial drive wing 120 that is swung against a flat portion 122 of the end post 116, substantially at a right angle with the stepped portion 118 of the end post, to rotationally engage the end post when the drive-part is first rotated to pivot the light lock 18 closed. See FIGS. 18-20. Continued rotation of the drive-part 68 with its drive wing 120 against the flat portion 122 of the end post 116 then pivots the light lock 18 completely closed.
When the light lock 18 is completely closed, a gap 124 in the split periphery of the end post 116 is positioned opposite the locking pawl 114. This permits the locking pawl 114 to move against the stepped portion 118 of the end post 116 to secure the light lock 18 closed. See FIGS. 21 and 22. As shown in FIG. 22, the locking pawl 114 moves simultaneously into a void 126 in the drive-part 68 beneath the drive wing 120. The void 126 prevents the drive-part 68 from pushing the locking pawl 114 off the stepped portion 118 of the end post 116. This might otherwise occur when the tool 98 is pushed against the first spur gear 72 to force the actuator unit 60 (including the drive-part 68) and, therefore, the film cassette 10 downward in the chamber 52, because the tool might be unintentionally turned clockwise in FIGS. 16 and 17.
100. peripheral annular lip
102. peripheral annular groove
104. x-shaped projection
106. x-shaped projection
108. central portion
110. adjoining portion
112. stop-protrusion
114. locking pawl
116. end post
118. stepped portion
120. drive wing
122. flat portion
124. gap
126. void
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4751536 *May 19, 1987Jun 14, 1988Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Photographic film packageUS5231438 *Nov 25, 1991Jul 27, 1993Eastman Kodak CompanyCamera with interlock for cover piece and cartridge light shieldUS5317355 *Mar 22, 1993May 31, 1994Eastman Kodak CompanyFilm cassette with spool lock and light-shielding doorUS5319407 *Jun 16, 1993Jun 7, 1994Eastman Kodak CompanyFilm cassette with interacting spool lock and light shieldUS5357303 *Feb 17, 1994Oct 18, 1994Eastman Kodak CompanyFilm cassette with lockable light shieldUS5359378 *Jan 13, 1994Oct 25, 1994Eastman Kodak CompanyFilm cassette with lockable light shieldUS5384613 *Jan 14, 1994Jan 24, 1995Eastman Kodak CompanySingle-use camera with weakened area to access film cassetteUS5452038 *Aug 19, 1994Sep 19, 1995Eastman Kodak CompanyDriver device for opening light shield of film cassette biases light shield closedUS5495310 *Dec 14, 1993Feb 27, 1996Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Lens-fitted photo film unitUS5517270 *Mar 21, 1995May 14, 1996Eastman Kodak CompanyCamera with built-in means for closing film cassette and tearing open camera to remove closed cassette* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5689733 *Sep 13, 1996Nov 18, 1997Concord Camera Corp.Film loading method for a single use APS cameraUS5812884 *May 27, 1997Sep 22, 1998Eastman Kodak CompanyClosing light lock of film cartridge breaks anti-backup pawl for film winder wheel in one-time-use camera, to prevent unauthorized reuseUS5815754 *May 14, 1997Sep 29, 1998Eastman Kodak CompanyClosing light lock of film cassette turns off film-wind-into-cassette motor, in one-time-use cameraUS5832311 *May 13, 1997Nov 3, 1998Concord Camera Corp.Single use camera with battery located in film spoolUS5862414 *May 13, 1997Jan 19, 1999Concord Camera Corp.Film and battery loading method for a single use camera such as a single use APS camera and a camera loaded according to the sameUS5867739 *Apr 2, 1997Feb 2, 1999Eastman Kodak CompanyOne-time-use camera with break-away retainer for removable plugUS5923905 *Jun 3, 1997Jul 13, 1999Eastman Kodak CompanyManual film winder closes light lock of film cartridge in one-time-use cameraUS6011924 *Feb 3, 1999Jan 4, 2000Eastman Kodak CompanyCamera with film winder having single dual-function part for winding exposed filmstrip into cassette and for closing cassetteUS6011934 *Feb 3, 1999Jan 4, 2000Eastman Kodak CompanyCamera with closing mechanism to close cassetteUS6012857 *Feb 3, 1999Jan 11, 2000Eastman Kodak CompanyCamera with film sensor to determine when to close cassette not urged against filmstrip during exposureUS6014520 *Feb 3, 1999Jan 11, 2000Eastman Kodak CompanyOne-time-use camera with film sensor to determine when to close cassette disabled when cassette closedUS6014521 *Feb 8, 1999Jan 11, 2000Eastman Kodak CompanyOne-time-use camera with closing mechanism to close cassette disabled when unexposed film prewound from cassette during camera manufactureUS6014527 *Feb 3, 1999Jan 11, 2000Eastman Kodak CompanyCamera with closing lever pivotally supported on cassette to close cassetteUS6081666 *May 13, 1997Jun 27, 2000Concord Camera Corp.Film and battery loading method for a single use camera such as a single use APS camera and a camera loaded according to the sameUS6085037 *May 13, 1997Jul 4, 2000Concord Camera Corp.APS camera structure for film preloadingUS6404993 *Apr 26, 2000Jun 11, 2002Concord Camera Corp.APS camera structure for film preloadingUS6529687Mar 23, 2000Mar 4, 2003Concord Camera Corp.APS camera and methodUS6941065Aug 23, 2001Sep 6, 2005Concord Camera Corp.Camera interlocks that ensure proper movement of filmWO1998011469A1 *Aug 20, 1997Mar 19, 1998Concord Camera CorpFilm and battery loading method for a single use camera such as a single use aps camera and a camera loaded according to the same* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification396/6, 396/513, 396/538International ClassificationG03B17/30, G03B17/00, G03B17/28, G03B19/04Cooperative ClassificationG03B2217/268, G03B2217/265, G03B19/04, G03B17/30, G03B2219/045European ClassificationG03B19/04, G03B17/30Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionApr 5, 2005FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20050204Feb 4, 2005LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesAug 25, 2004REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedJul 31, 2000FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4May 26, 1998CCCertificate of correctionJun 10, 1996ASAssignmentOwner name: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, NEW YORKFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BALLING, EDWARD N.;FUJITA, MASAMI;HAZAMA, KIYOAKI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:007984/0088;SIGNING DATES FROM 19960521 TO 19960528Owner name: KONICA CORPORATION, JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BALLING, EDWARD N.;FUJITA, MASAMI;HAZAMA, KIYOAKI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:007984/0088;SIGNING DATES FROM 19960521 TO 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