The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 11, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 21, 1997
Masashi Tazawa, Kawasaki, JP;
Takahiro Ikeda, Tokyo, JP;
Eisaku Maeda, Sakura, JP;
Maki Suzuki, Ichikawa, JP;
Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A film scanner device is provided with a support device that can load and hold a cartridge having a cartridge shaft. The cartridge houses a transmissive original medium that is stored around the cartridge shaft. In a device housing, a detector detects the presence or absence of the cartridge and whether or not the transmissive original medium in the cartridge has been developed. The detector has a minimal number of components to reduce the device costs. The detector can be a single electrical switch that detects at least three states of the support device holding the cartridge. A cover opens to expose and closes to cover a loading unit on the support device. The cover is provided on one portion of the outer surface of the device housing. The cover slides between an open position and a closed position by moving in a surface direction of the outer surface. Accordingly, the cover does not protrude outside the outer surface. Thus, the device provides an efficiency of space for arranging external apparatuses around the device housing while smoothly loading the film cartridge. In addition, a pressing member in the support device moves into the loading unit with the closing motion of the cover to support the cartridge shaft in the closed position of the cover. A film feeding shaft engages the cartridge shaft with the closing motion of the cover. Further, a guard unit is provided that protects the film feeding shaft during loading of the cartridge. The feeding shaft is provided in a notch that is accessed through an opening in the guard unit. The film feeding shaft can be inserted or withdrawn through the opening.