US3981564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lens selector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-03
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Granted: 1976-09-21
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Expires: 1995-10-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for selecting the focal length of a camera lens which focal length will provide a desired field size, image size and angle of view. The apparatus has a housing and three lens axially aligned therein: A first lens of the converging meniscus type, a second lens of the plano-convex type, and a third lens system of the biconcave type mounted for axial movement between the first and second lenses. The biconcave lens element is formed of plastic and has a handle means preferably integral therewith which extends through a longitudinal slot in the housing to facilitate such movement. Indicia means adjacent the slot on the housing indicates focal lengths. The third lens system is configured to move within opposed, parallel inside walls of the housing smoothly.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald Hoos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:37
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
388 words
A lens selector comprising A. an elongated opaque housing having 1. an axis, 2. a generally cross-sectionally rectangular configuration, B. a converging meniscus lens means fixed coaxially in said housing in spaced relationship to one end thereof, including mounting means therefor, C. a plano-convex lens means fixed coaxially in said housing adjacent the opposite end thereof, including mounting means therefor, said plano convex lens means generally conforming in its perimeter contour approximately with the interior cross section of said housing and also approaching said interior cross section in its length and width dimensions, D. said housing further having 1. a generally constant interior cross section between said converging meniscus lens means and said plano convex lens means, and 2. a longitudinally extending slot defined therein between said converging meniscus lens means and said plano convex lens means, E. a biconcave lens means comprised of a clear plastic and coaxially located in said housing between said converging meniscus lens means and said plano convex lens means said biconcave lens means generally conforming in its perimeter contour approximately with said constant interior cross section and also approaching said constant interior cross section in its length and width dimensions, said biconcave lens means being adapted for longitudinal sliding movements coaxially in said housing, F. handle means located adjacent said slot and accessable exteriorly relative to said housing for so slidably moving said biconcave lens means, G. first rail means fixed to a first perimeter portion of said biconcave lens means and also fixed to said handle means extending transversely through said slot and being slidably engagable with longitudinal edge portions of said slot for guidance of said biconcave lens means during said longitudinal sliding movements thereof, H. second rail associated with at least a second perimeter portion of said biconcave lens means and slidably engagable with portions of said housing, said second rail means cooperating with said first rail means to stabilize said biconcave lens means during said longitudinal sliding movements thereof, I. said converging meniscus lens means said plano convex lens means and said biconcave lens means coacting together so that, as said biconcave lens means is so slidably moved, a focused image is substantially continuously visible adjacent said one end over a range of focal lengths extending at least about 10:1 focal length from wide angle to telephoto positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
388 words
A lens selector comprising A. an elongated opaque housing having 1. an axis, 2. a generally cross-sectionally rectangular configuration, B. a converging meniscus lens means fixed coaxially in said housing in spaced relationship to one end thereof, including mounting means therefor, C. a plano-convex lens means fixed coaxially in said housing adjacent the opposite end thereof, including mounting means therefor, said plano convex lens means generally conforming in its perimeter contour approximately with the interior cross section of said housing and also approaching said interior cross section in its length and width dimensions, D. said housing further having 1. a generally constant interior cross section between said converging meniscus lens means and said plano convex lens means, and 2. a longitudinally extending slot defined therein between said converging meniscus lens means and said plano convex lens means, E. a biconcave lens means comprised of a clear plastic and coaxially located in said housing between said converging meniscus lens means and said plano convex lens means said biconcave lens means generally conforming in its perimeter contour approximately with said constant interior cross section and also approaching said constant interior cross section in its length and width dimensions, said biconcave lens means being adapted for longitudinal sliding movements coaxially in said housing, F. handle means located adjacent said slot and accessable exteriorly relative to said housing for so slidably moving said biconcave lens means, G. first rail means fixed to a first perimeter portion of said biconcave lens means and also fixed to said handle means extending transversely through said slot and being slidably engagable with longitudinal edge portions of said slot for guidance of said biconcave lens means during said longitudinal sliding movements thereof, H. second rail associated with at least a second perimeter portion of said biconcave lens means and slidably engagable with portions of said housing, said second rail means cooperating with said first rail means to stabilize said biconcave lens means during said longitudinal sliding movements thereof, I. said converging meniscus lens means said plano convex lens means and said biconcave lens means coacting together so that, as said biconcave lens means is so slidably moved, a focused image is substantially continuously visible adjacent said one end over a range of focal lengths extending at least about 10:1 focal length from wide angle to telephoto positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lens selector of claim 1 further including cooperating indicator means on said handle means and on the outside of said housing adjacent said slot for identification of focal lengths determined by the positions of said biconcave lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lens selector of claim 1 wherein said housing, said lenses, said handle means and said rails are comprised of plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
The lens selector of claim 1 wherein: A. a second longitudinally extending slot is defined in said housing in opposed generally parallel relationship to said first slot, B. a second handle means is located adjacent said second slot and is accessable exteriorly relative to said housing for so slidably moving said biconcave lens means and C. said second rail means is further fixed to said second handle means including mounting means therefor, said second rail means extending transversely through said slot and being slidably engagable with longitudinal edge portions of said second slot for guidance of said biconcave lens during said longitudinal sliding movements thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The lens selector of claim 1 wherein said second rail means is located adjacent said first rail means one on each opposed side thereof and said second rail means is slidably engagable with adjacent interior wall surfaces of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lens selector of claim 1 wherein said biconcave lens means, said handle means, and said first and second rail means are integral and comprise a single piece of molded plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lens selector of claim 1 wherein said biconcave lens means utilizes a single biconcave lens element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lens selector of claim 1 wherein said biconcave lens means utilizes a pair of coaxial biconcave lens elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lens selector of claim 1 wherein said first rail means is comprised of a plastic different from that comprising said biconcave lens means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The lens selector of claim 1 wherein said first rail means and said second rail means are integral with said biconcave lens means in one piece of molded plastic and said handle means is initially comprised of another piece of molded plastic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lens selector of claim 1 wherein most of the perimeter portions of said biconcave lens means are maintained in spaced relationship to adjacent interior wall surfaces of said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-21 | 1980-03-22 | 1980-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-21 | 1984-03-22 | 1984-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-21 | 1988-03-22 | 1988-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |