US2811061A - Film cartridge lid remover - Google Patents

Description

1957 J. N. RADOVICH FILM CARTRIDGE LID REMOVER Filed April '4, 1956 To Z" "1 F FIG. 4

INVENTOR; RAD ICH TOM SHERRAR D ATTORNEY United States Patent FILM CARTRIDGE LID REMOVER John N. Radovich, San Diego, Calif.

Application April 4, 1956, Serial No. 575,996

1 Claim. (Cl. 81-336) My invention relates to improvements in means for opening film cartridges or containers of the commercial type which usually contains 35 mm. film for use in the candid camera.

An important object of my invention is to provide means whereby the dark room technician can readily and easily remove the end of such container, in the dark, whereby the film can be removed therefrom.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for performing the desired function by a single tool which contains no moving parts or assembly of units and which may be manufactured by the minimum of operations and expense.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my novel device,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modification of same.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the modification of my device, showing it in use.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the principal form of my invention, showing it in use.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, the number 1 indicates a body portion made of suitable material, such as a strap metal, which is shaped for easy gripping by the hand of the operator. In the principal form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 4 the number 2 indicates a convolution of the extension of the body portion and is so formed that its under surface acts as a bearing or fulcrum point in a second-order lever when in contact with the core of the cartridge as is illustrated in Figure 4; the numbers 3 indicate prongs of a U-shaped portion of the device which is formed to span the outside semi-circumference of the cartridge. The number 4 indicates a bearing point in an area midway between the extremities of the U-sh-aped portion which bearing point ice engages that portion of the cartridge lid which protrudes beyond or over-hangs the walls of the cartridge.

In the alternate form of the invention as is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, the number 5 indicates a bearing or fulcrum point formed by a bend of an extension of handle 1 in an area oppositely disposed from the open area of the U-shaped portion.

The operation of the device is as follows:

In the dark room, the technician takes the cartridge 6 containing the unexposed film on one hand and the device in the other hand. If the principal form of the invention is used, the U-shaped end of the tool is caused to semicircumscribe the outside of the cartridge near the end thereof which is provided with removable lid. The technician raises the handle of the device which thereby causes the mid-point of the U-shaped end to abut the rim or over-hang of the lid. Continued pressure on the handle causes the convolution area of the device to engage the central projection core of the cartridge. Leverage action, thus obtained, forces the lid from the cartridge whereby the film may be removed and developed.

Operation of the modification of the device is similar to the above described procedure except that the desired result is reached by a downward thrust of the handle. This action causes the lid to be removed by the action of a simple lever of the first order.

It is understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangements of the parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A lid remover for film cartridges comprising a body member having an elongated handle on one end thereof, a convolution on said body member foruse as a fulcrum of second-class lever action of the remover, a U-shaped spanning means at another end of said body member, said means having a lid-engaging portion laterally spaced from said convolution and longitudinally located between said convolution and said handle whereby force applied to the handle will cause disengagement of a lid from a film cartridge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,741,294 Halsey Dec. 31, 1929 2,612,800 Dreier Oct. 7, 1952 2,641,397 Sander June 9, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 16,112 Australia Jan. 11, 1935 257,556 Great Britain Sept. 2, 1926

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