Abstract: A projector has a case, a zoom lens, a zoom ring, a control plate, a lodging element, a control rod, and a handle. The case has an opening, and the zoom ring is disposed within the case and nearby the opening, the zoom ring is moved back and forth to drive the zoom rod. The control plate is mounted on the case and laid over the opening movably, the lodging element is movably contacted with the control rod, wherein the handle accepts the force along the extending direction of the rectangular opening so as to let the control plate move the lodging element along the extending direction of the rectangular opening and further to move the control rod for continuously regulating the focal length of the zoom lens.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a focus cam ring that holds a focus lens group and moves in the optical axis direction of the focus lens group while rotating along a cam groove in response to a focusing operation, and a fixed tube having a fitting raised portion that can pivot the focus cam ring in the rotational direction thereof and movably supports the focus cam ring in the optical axis direction. The focus cam ring has a position restrictor that can engage the fitting raised portion, and the position restrictor includes a rotational-direction restrictor that restricts the position of the focus cam ring in the rotational direction and an optical axis-direction restrictor that restricts the position of the focus cam ring in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A slidable lens retracting device is provided for retracting a lens system that include lens group units all positioned on a common optical axis when the lens system is in an operational state. At least one lens group unit is retracted from the on-axis position on the optical axis to an off-axis space radially off the optical axis by the slidable lens retracting device when the lens system is moved to a retracted state. The slidable lens retracting device includes slides mounted to the lens group unit and fixed support members forming inclined surfaces with which the slides are engageable. The control tracks receive the slides therein and are movable along the optical axis to bring the lens system to the retracted position to cause the slides to engage and slide along the inclined surfaces and thus moving the lens group unit to the off-axis space.

Abstract: There is disclosed an adapter ring for rotation of a photographing lens barrel, the adapter ring being fitted into an outer periphery of the photographing lens barrel, the adapter ring being rotated through engaging with a ratchet wheel having a plurality of pawls which ratchet wheel rotates in conjunction with a dial disposed in a waterproof protector. This adapter ring has: a plurality of first projecting portions arranged in a predetermined angle range around an optical axis in the outer periphery to engage with the pawls of the ratchet wheel; and a plurality of second projecting portions which are the same plurality of projecting portions as the plurality of first projecting portions, the second projecting portions being arranged in a predetermined angle range but out of the predetermined angle range of the plurality of the first projecting portions.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a zoom optical system including a focusing lens unit, a first cam member that rotates around the optical axis and moves along the optical axis in a magnification-changing operation, the first cam member including a focus cam portion for driving the focusing lens unit, and a speed-changing mechanism that changes the relative rotational speed between the focusing lens unit and the first cam member in accordance with the focal length of the zoom optical system in the magnification-changing operation. The speed-changing mechanism moves along the optical axis in the magnification-changing operation. In addition, the speed-changing mechanism includes a transmission member that is rotatable around the optical axis with respect to the first cam member and that includes a speed-changing cam portion for changing at least one of the rotational speed and the rotational direction of the focusing lens unit.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a rotational ring, first and second movable members linearly movable having first and second followers, respectively; and first and second guide grooves formed on the rotational ring, the first and second followers being slidably engaged therein, respectively. The first movable member has a non-linear moving path. The first guide groove includes an inclined linear lead groove. The lens barrel includes a complementary cam mechanism for controlling the rotational ring to define a non-linear moving path of the first movable member via a cam track of the complementary cam mechanism and a track of the linear lead groove. The second guide groove includes first and second lead groove portions extending parallel to the linear lead groove at different positions in the optical axis direction, and a differential groove portion extending in the circumferential direction which connect the first and second lead groove portions.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes an imaging optical system having front and rear optical elements with a spring installed therebetween; a reference barrel which includes a forward-facing limit surface and a rearward-facing limit surface; a first position control mechanism which includes a first rotational member and a first limit member, and varies a position of the front optical element in the optical axis direction relative to the reference barrel; and a second position control mechanism which includes a second rotational member and a second limit member, and varies a position of the rear optical element in the optical axis direction relative to the reference barrel. The first limit member is brought into contact with the rearward-facing limit surface by a forward biasing force of the spring while the second limit member is brought into contact with the forward-facing limit surface by a rearward biasing force of the spring.

Abstract: A lens assembly has an image pickup device incorporated therein, and includes a zoom lens for passage of light to the image pickup device. A cam mechanism moves the zoom lens along an optical axis. The cam mechanism includes a rotatable zoom ring for zooming operation by rotating about the optical axis. There are an intake vent for air flow from an outside to an inner space, and an exhaust vent for air flow from the inner space to the outside. Plural fan blades are formed to project from the zoom ring, for propelling the air in the inner space upon the rotation for zooming, to dissipate heat by air flow. The fan blades are inclined relative to a rotational direction of the zoom ring. Furthermore, an air filter is porous and air permeable, secured inside each of the intake vent and the exhaust vent.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a linear guide member, a linearly advancing/retracting member guided by the linear guide member along an optical axis of an imaging optical system to be movable between operating and retracted positions, and a displaceable element supported by the linearly advancing/retracting member to be movable between an on-axis position in which the displaceable element is positioned on the optical axis and an off-axis displaced position in which the displaceable element is displaced from the optical axis. The linear guide member includes a linear guide projection which extends in a direction parallel to the optical axis to be engaged with the linearly advancing/retracting member. The linear guide projection includes an accommodation through-cutout formed through the linear guide projection in a radial direction, at least part of the displaceable element entering the accommodation through-cutout when the linearly advancing/retracting member is in the retracted position.

Abstract: An addendum of a gear portion and a tip end of a first cam follower are located on similar-diameter cylindrical planes centering at a center axis of a cam ring. A gear housing recess is provided in an inner peripheral surface of a fixed ring. A bottom surface of a first-cam-ring-movement cam groove engaging with the first cam follower, and a bottom surface of the recess are located on similar-diameter cylindrical planes centering at a center axis of the fixed ring. A release portion is provided at the inner peripheral surface of the fixed ring to provide communication between a protruding position cam groove portion of the first-cam-ring-movement cam groove and the recess. At the protruding position of the cam ring, a portion of the gear portion near the first cam follower passes through the release portion and is located inside the protruding position cam groove portion.

Abstract: The present application relates to an eyepiece for use with a viewing device. The eyepiece is configured to change the distance between a first edge of the eyepiece and a lens near a second edge of the eyepiece. The eyepiece includes a first element having a pin extending therefrom and a rotational axis having a first axial direction and a second axial direction. The eyepiece further includes a second element having a groove, the second element sharing the rotational axis and configured to rotate about the rotational axis relative to the first element. The groove comprises a first pin movement section and a second pin movement section. The groove further comprises a pin stopping section, the pin stopping section located between the first pin movement section and the second pin movement section. The pin stopping section is configured to prevent the second element from rotating relative to the first element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improve prior art zoom lens systems that have groups of lens pieces moved within a lens barrel for the zooming and the focusing and to provide an improved zoom lens system that is simplified and robust in configuration so as to withstand malfunctions well and is capable of effectively and assuredly eliminating stray light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens device provided on a lens barrel for a television camera, the lens device comprising: a master lens; a flange-back adjusting mechanism for moving the master lens forward/backward in an optical axis direction; a flange-back adjusting unit including the master lens and the flange-back adjusting mechanism, the flange-back adjusting unit being movable forward/backward in the optical axis direction; and a fixing member for fixing the flange-back adjusting unit on a predetermined position after the forward/backward movement.

Abstract: An internal focusing zoom lens includes a stationary barrel including a focus-guide cam groove; a zoom cam ring including a focus-shift cam groove and rotated about an optical axis during zooming; a focus cam ring including a focus cam groove and rotated about the optical axis and moved in the optical axis direction to move a focusing lens group during focusing; and a focus correction ring for moving the focus cam ring in the optical axis direction by rotation of the zoom cam ring. The focus correction ring includes a focus correction cam-follower engaged in the focus-shift cam groove, the focus cam groove and the focus-guide cam groove. A position of the focus correction cam-follower in the focus cam groove changes via the focus-shift cam groove and the focus-guide cam groove in accordance with the rotation of the zoom cam ring during zooming.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprises a first frame member having a plurality of cam grooves, a second frame member having a first cam follower and a second cam follower fitted to the plurality of cam grooves, respectively, and an external contact member projecting externally from the end surface of the second frame member, having a center axis along a direction which the second frame member extends, in the direction of the center axis in a region sandwiched between a first plane including the center axis and the first cam follower and a second plane including the center axis and the second cam follower adjacent to the first cam follower.

Abstract: An exemplary lens module includes: at least one lens; a lens barrel for receiving the lens therein, the lens barrel having at least three protrusions provided thereon; a motor having a stator and a rotator, the stator surrounding the rotator therein and being defined with coils thereon; a barrel holder having an inner space for receiving the lens barrel therein and an annular socket for receiving the rotator therein; a ring-shaped cam member attached to the rotator, the cam member having at least three sloping portions each having a lower end and a higher end sloping toward the lower end, the at least three sloping portions being arranged to be adjacent to one another in an end to end fashion; and at least one elastic member for applying a force on the lens barrel toward the cam member. Wherein the protrusions abut against and on their respective sloping portions.

Abstract: To provide a digital camera that captures object light with a solid-state image pickup device to generate an image signal and is effectively made thinner by retracting a part of a taking lens into a suitable position when a lens barrel is collapsed. A rear lens group is rotated between a position on an optical axis and a retracted position in a recess section at the side of a CCD solid-state image pickup device, and a focusing lens is rotated between a position on the optical axis and a retracted position in a front lens group side space. When the lens barrel is collapsed, the rear lens group is placed in the recess section, and the focusing lens is placed in the front lens group side space.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a compact zoom lens that attains a reduction in outermost diameter of the lens barrel and weight and that greatly enhances a forward stroke of a first group of lenses. The compact zoom lens has a telescopic structure of a grouped-lens sliding frame, a first cam barrel, and a linearly movable barrel underlaying a fixed barrel one over another in this order, with a second cam barrel overlaying the same. Both the lens-group sliding frame and the first cam barrel are fixed in rotational direction and are engaged with each other so as to enable a relative rotation with each other along the optical axis, and the rotation of the first cam barrel is transmitted to the second cam barrel by means of the lens-group sliding frame.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes at least two cam tubes, and an operation based on the rotation of an operation ring actuates the two cam tubes to move a lens group. The lens barrel includes a first cam tube that drives part of the lens group in response to an operation based on the rotation of the operation ring, and a second cam tube that moves part of the lens group in the optical axis direction in response to the operation based on the rotation of the operation ring. The second cam tube rotates at a speed different from that of the first cam tube.

Abstract: A cam mechanism of a zoom lens which includes a front optical element and a rear optical element positioned behind the front optical element in an optical axis direction, the front optical element and the rear optical element being guided linearly in the optical axis direction, the cam mechanism including a cam ring having a first cam groove, for moving the front optical element in the optical axis direction, and a second cam groove, for moving the rear optical element in the optical axis direction, both the first cam groove and the second cam groove being formed on one of an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring. The first cam groove is positioned behind the second cam groove in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for a lens device includes a stationary barrel, first and second barrel components, and a coupling pin. The stationary barrel surrounds an axis and has a first surface, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a guide slot formed through the first and second surfaces. The first barrel component engages sleevingly the stationary barrel and has a third surface. The second barrel component engages sleevingly the stationary barrel, and has a fourth surface that faces the second surface, and a cam slot that is formed in the fourth surface, and that is cooperatively defined by first and second slide surfaces, and first and second abutting portions. The coupling pin extends radially from the first barrel component through the guide slot in the stationary barrel to the second barrel component, and has a retaining section slidable along the first and second slide surfaces, and a reinforcing section extending between the first and second abutting portions.

Abstract: A cam pin (16) and a demating prevention pin (35) that are provided in a driving frame (15) and have an identical shape are allowed to mate with a cam groove (18) and a demating prevention groove (36) that are provided in a cam frame (17), respectively. A first protrusion (37) is provided on at least one side in an optical axis direction of a portion of the demating prevention groove (36) with which the demating prevention pin (35) mates when the driving frame (15) is advanced. When an external force is applied to the driving frame (15), a cylindrical portion (35f) of the demating prevention pin (35) and the first protrusion (37) come into contact with each other. This prevents the cam pin (16) from demating from the cam groove (18). The cam pin (16) and the demating prevention pin (35) are made of common components, making it possible to reduce the number of components.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a zooming lens structure comprising at least a fixed lens barrel, an diaphragm member, a front track lens barrel, a rear track lens barrel, a front lens barrel module and a rear lens barrel module, wherein the first guide screw cylinder of the front lens barrel module is driven through geometric correlation of the first guide slot of the fixed lens barrel and the first track of the front track lens barrel to enable the front lens barrel module to shift within the fixed lens barrel; again, the second guide screw cylinder of the rear lens barrel module is driven through geometric correlation of the second guide slot of the fixed lens barrel and the second track of the rear track lens barrel to enable the rear lens barrel module to shift within the fixed lens barrel, and since the screw bolt locks the front and rear track lens barrel, the front and rear track lens barrels rotate simultaneously, and the first guide screw cylinder and the second guide screw cylinder then are simulta

Abstract: A camera lens focus-setting mechanism enabling easy and precise focusing includes a first and a second rack member, and a first and a second adjusting assembly. The first and the second rack member are respectively associated with a first and a second focusing ring, which are respectively mounted around first and second lens holders on a camera, and the first and the second adjusting assembly are located corresponding to the first and the second rack member, respectively. Each of the first and the second adjusting assembly includes a turning bar and a gear driven to rotate by the turning bar, and the two gears separately mesh with racks on the two rack members. By turning the turning bars, the first and the second focusing ring are independently rotated to shift the first and the second lens holder of the camera forward or rearward.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lens barrel that is simplified in structure with the reduced number of components and is facilitated in assembly and associated adjustment. The lens barrel enables an appropriate frictional force against the rotation force caused by manipulating rotary operation rings such as a zooming ring and a focusing ring to effect the optimum operating force on the rotary operation rings.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a supporting member including a parallel engaging portion parallel to an optical axis direction and a circumferential engaging portion extending in the circumferential direction on a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction; a lens supporting member configured to supported an optical element; an eccentricity adjusting mechanism including a first adjusting member supported on the parallel engaging portion of the supporting member on the outer periphery of the lens supporting member in a rotatable manner around an axis orthogonal to the optical axis; and an inclination adjusting mechanism including a second adjusting member supported on the circumferential engaging portion of the supporting member on the outer periphery of the lens supporting member in a rotatable manner around an axis orthogonal to the optical axis.

Abstract: A cam mechanism of a zoom lens, includes a cam ring including cam grooves having different reference cam diagrams on at least one of inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the cam ring; and movable frames which include cam followers respectively engaged in the cam grooves, the movable frames being guided linearly in an optical axis direction. Each of the cam grooves includes a zooming section for moving an associated one of the movable frames between a wide-angle extremity position and a telephoto extremity position in the optical axis direction in accordance with rotation of the cam ring, and a zooming-range-extremity stop section, communicatively connected to one end of the zooming section, for preventing the associated one of the movable frames from moving in the optical axis direction from one of the wide-angle extremity position and the telephoto extremity position even when the cam ring rotates.

Abstract: A lens apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of keeping the engagement of a protruding portion of a first member and a cam groove portion of a second member even if an external force acts on the apparatus. The lens apparatus comprises: a first member including first and second protruding portions; and a second member including a first groove portion with which the first protruding portion engages, and a second groove portion into which the second protruding portion is inserted. The second protruding portion and the second groove portion are away from each other in a case where the first and second members are located in a specified positional relationship, and come into contact with each other in a case where the first and second members are located in another positional relationship.

Abstract: A lens assembly has an image pickup device incorporated therein, and includes a zoom lens for passage of light to the image pickup device. A cam mechanism moves the zoom lens along an optical axis. The cam mechanism includes a rotatable zoom ring for zooming operation by rotating about the optical axis. There are an intake vent for air flow from an outside to an inner space, and an exhaust vent for air flow from the inner space to the outside. Plural fan blades are formed to project from the zoom ring, for propelling the air in the inner space upon the rotation for zooming, to dissipate heat by air flow. The fan blades are inclined relative to a rotational direction of the zoom ring. Furthermore, an air filter is porous and air permeable, secured inside each of the intake vent and the exhaust vent.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lens barrel including a fixed frame, a rotary frame rotatable with respect to the fixed frame to advance or retract in an optical axis direction, and a rectilinear guide frame rotatable relative to the rotary frame to displace integrally with the rotary frame in the optical axis direction. In this structure, a front end portion of the rectilinear guide frame on a subject side in the optical axis direction is exposed from the rotary frame.

Abstract: An assembly-stage focus adjustment mechanism of a zoom lens barrel including a plurality of lens groups which are moved while distances therebetween are changed to perform a zooming operation, the assembly-stage focus adjustment mechanism including two lens fixing frames to which two of the plurality of lens groups are fixed, respectively; two moving frames which linearly move in an optical axis direction during the zooming operation, the two moving frames being respectively screw-engaged with the two lens fixing frames; and a rotational-direction integrating device which makes the two lens fixing frames rotate as one integral body in a direction of rotation relative to the two moving frames when an assembly-stage focus adjustment operation is performed.

Abstract: A lens supporting frame is provided and includes a lens holder supporting a lens and a moving frame which is fitted to a cylindrical part of the lens holder to support the same. Ribs are provided at equal intervals in a rotation direction on a rear end face of the lens holder, the ribs having a plurality of inclined surfaces inclined respectively toward the front or rear ends of an optical axis. Abutting parts are provided on a rear end face of the moving frame so as to abut on the ribs. When the lens holder is rotated after mounting it in the moving frame, parts of the lens holder facing the abutting parts are moved in directions along the optical axis as a result of abutment between the inclined surfaces of the ribs and the abutting parts to change the inclination of the lens holder relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel for zooming in the photographing region and retraction to the non-photographing region, equipped with a stationary barrel having a cam groove on the inner circumferential surface thereof, a cam barrel having a cam pin which is engaged with the cam groove, provided on the outer circumferential surface thereof and supported rotatably to the stationary barrel and movably along the optical axis. The inner circumferential surface of the stationary barrel has a first cam groove to be used at least in a part of the photographing region and a second cam groove to be used at least in a part of the non-photographing region, and the outer circumferential surface of the cam barrel has a first cam pin to be engaged with the first cam groove and a second cam pin to be engaged with the second cam groove.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a lens barrel and a compact lens system incorporating the lens barrel where notches defined in a cam barrel to serve as bolt holes and disengage the studs are reduced in dimensions both along and around the optical axis, thereby ensuring enlarged cam formation ranges in the cam barrel and resultantly downsizing the lens system as a whole.

Abstract: A projection lens barrel assembly comprises a rotatable cam barrel with cam slots and a restraining slot formed by cutting and a stationary lens barrel formed as a resin product made by injection molding. A restraining roller which is attached to the stationary lens barrel by a support shaft is received in the restraining slot so as thereby to restrain rotational movement of the rotatable cam barrel when the restraining roller strikes ends of the restraining slot.

Abstract: The present invention is a Twist Up device that consists of multiple pin-movement sections and pin-stopping sections. The pin-movement sections have Twist Up adjustment grooves in multiple steps, and these adjustment grooves allow the Twist Up ring to move the Twist Up adjustment pins in the direction of the set grooves. The pin-stopping sections are positioned next to the pin-movement sections so that they can stop the Twist Up adjustment pins to prevent the Twist Up ring to move in the direction of the set grooves.

Abstract: A lens retraction mechanism slantways retracts a lens from a shooting position to a receiving space. The lens retraction mechanism includes a base body, which includes a substrate, a guide wall disposed on the substrate and the receiving space, a lens guiding frame moveable with respect to the base body in the direction of an optical axis of the lens group, a pair of guiding shafts having one end fixed to the guiding frame, and a lens holding frame that fixes a lens group and includes a pair of slippage portions moveable with respect to the guide wall. When the lens retracts, the guiding frame draws the guiding shaft to move towards the substrate in the direction of the optical axis, and the lens holding frame moves along the guide means and also along the guiding shaft, and finally falls into the receiving space. The lens retraction mechanism retracts the lens group stably and securely.

Abstract: The lens unit includes an imaging lens including lenses, each of which includes a lens portion having an optical function and a flange portion on a periphery of the lens portion, and a ring-shaped lens holding member provided between the lenses and holds at least one of the lenses and a cylindrical-shaped lens-barrel including a lens holding portion that holds the imaging lens. The flange portion of each of the lenses is fittable to the flange portion of the other lens of the lenses, or the lens holding portion or an inner surface of the lens-barrel, and the lenses combined with each other through fitting to the flange portion of the other lens, the lens holding portion or the inner surface of the lens-barrel have respective shapes in which optical axes of the lenses coincide each other under a fitting state. The compact image pickup module includes the lens unit.

Abstract: A lens-barrel cam mechanism includes first and second ring members; and cam grooves and cam followers formed on the first and second ring members. A single groove/follower set, including one cam groove and one cam follower, and a groove/follower group, including front and rear groove/follower sets at different positions in the optical axis direction, are at different positions single groove/follower set intersects those of the groove/follower group, and condition (a) and/or (b) are satisfied: (a) the cam groove of the single groove/follower set is wider than that of the groove/follower group, and (b) an interval between the cam groove of the single groove/follower set and that of the front groove/follower set and an interval between the cam groove of the single groove/follower set and that of the rear groove/follower set in the circumferential direction are different.

Abstract: A lens device in which a first movable lens holding frame and a second movable lens holding frame are moved along an optical axis by rotating a cam cylinder rotatably provided on a lens barrel, an escape channel for escapement of a portion of the second movable lens holding frame being formed in the first movable lens holding frame, the lens device comprising: a light shielding member moved along the optical axis by the rotation of the cam cylinder, the light shielding member being moved to a position at which the light shielding member closes the escape channel of the first movable lens holding frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens apparatus including a fixed lens barrel, a cam ring that is rotatable relative to the fixed lens barrel, a first lens holding frame adapted to move, upon rotation of the cam ring, relative to the fixed lens barrel along the optical axis direction over the range from a collapsed position in which image taking is not allowed to an extended position in which image taking is allowed, a second lens holding frame disposed on the image side of the first lens holding frame, and a linear driving portion disposed outside the cam ring, for driving the second lens holding frame along the optical axis direction using a coil and a magnet. The length of the lens apparatus is relatively short and it is advantageous in portability.

Abstract: A guide bar used in a video lens barrel in the related art has problems of deterioration in supporting accuracy of the lens retaining frame, high manufacturing cost, and upsizing of the lens barrel. Also, in a cam pin type lens barrel, how the lens retaining frame is supported by the cam pins may not be clear. Therefore, by providing a plurality of guiding members on the inner surface of the fixed barrel of the lens barrel, and allowing a plurality of engaging portions on the lens retaining frames to engage the guiding members, the lens retaining frames are supported so as to be capable of moving in the direction of the optical axis. By differentiating the length of engagement of the respective engaging portions, the roles of the respective engaging portions on the lens retaining frames for supporting the lens unit in a space are clarified.

Abstract: A whole group focusing structure comprises a lens track cylinder, a first lens group, a second lens group, and a drive motor is used to rotate and move the lens track cylinder, so as to carry out focus between the first and second lens groups. A slant parallel section is formed in each of the two guiding tracks at the end of the guiding block, and the slant parallel section is used to perform focus. The whole group focusing structure only needs a set of drive and control system to perform focus and zoom, therefore, the present invention is a high quality whole group focusing structure that can meet market needs.

Abstract: For the purpose of miniaturizing a zoom lens barrel, a zoom lens of the present invention comprises one lens group which moves at the time of variable power, one diaphragm member which moves at the time of variable power, and a cam member which has a cam section for a lens group, which guides the movement of the above-mentioned lens group at the time of variable power, and a cam section for a diaphragms which guides the movement of the above-mentioned diaphragm member at the time of variable power, wherein the above-mentioned cam section for a lens group and the above-mentioned cam section for a diaphragm are coupled.

Abstract: An advancing/retracting mechanism of a lens barrel, including a rotatable ring; a non-rotatable advancing/retracting guide ring positioned inside the rotatable ring including an inclined lead slot, and at least one circumferential slot which is communicatively connected with the inclined lead slot; a driven member having a follower engaged in the inclined lead slot and the circumferential slot, and further engaged in the rotation transfer groove; an optical element supported by the driven member; and a ring spring positioned inside the rotatable ring along an inner peripheral surface thereof and supported by the rotatable ring. The follower is disengaged from the follower pressing portion of the ring spring when the follower is engaged in the inclined lead slot. The follower is engaged with the follower pressing portion and resiliently deforms the follower pressing portion when the follower is engaged in the circumferential slot.

Abstract: A lens body tube configured to support at least one lens inside an inner tube such that the at least one lens can be translated along the optical axis direction of the lens body tube includes a cam ring configured to be rotatably supported around the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube, the at least one lens being configured to be translated along the optical axis direction accompanied by the rotation of the cam ring, a plurality of cams provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cam ring, a plurality of cam followers provided on a lens frame supporting each of the at least one lens, each of the plurality of cam followers being engaged with a corresponding one of the plurality of cams through an opening provided on the inner tube, and a plurality of first protrusions, each of which is formed integrally with a corresponding one of the plurality of cams, and has contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a guide barrel, an outer ring, an inner ring, a cam ring and a movable lens frame, arranged in that order from outermost side, wherein the axes thereof coincide with a common optical axis, the outer ring being guided linearly in the optical axis direction by the stationary barrel, the inner ring being linearly guided in the optical axis direction by the outer ring, and the cam ring being rotatable to move the movable lens frame in the optical axis direction; and a lens barrier mechanism having an aperture positioned in front of the movable lens frame, the lens barrier mechanism being provided on a front opening of the inner ring, for opening and closing the aperture.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens-holding cylinder which supports a lens and is provided with a cam-follower and a rectilinear key; a cam-cylinder having a cam-groove which engages with the cam-follower so as to apply a driving force to the lens-holding cylinder in the optical-axis direction; and a guide cylinder which is enclosed by the cam-cylinder and has a rectilinear guide opening that engages with the rectilinear key so as to guide the lens-holding cylinder in the optical-axis direction. A segment of the cam-cylinder adjacent to an object to be photographed has a greater wall thickness such that the cam-cylinder has a level difference. A portion of the guide cylinder adjacent to an object to be photographed, which corresponds to the level difference of the cam-cylinder, is made thinner by the amount of the level difference.

Abstract: A lens apparatus which is easy to assemble, provides high strength at the flange portion, and achieves high degree of design freedom, too, is disclosed. The lens apparatus comprises first and second members. The first member has a guide portion to guide the member straight ahead in an optical axis direction. The second member is arranged outside the first member and has a circumferential wall, on which an engaging portion for guiding the guide portion is formed. An opening portion is also formed at the end of the optical axis direction of the second member at a different position from the engaging portion and connected with the engaging portion. The opening portion takes the guide portion in and out with respect to the second member.

Abstract: A lens holding barrel is fitted in a fixed barrel in a manner that the lens holding barrel is slidable in optical axis direction. A cam ring is rotatably fitted on outer periphery of the fixed lens. Front regulating members are formed on front end of the fixed barrel, and rear regulating member are formed on rear end of the fixed barrel. Three cutouts are formed on inner surface of the cam ring at even intervals, and cams are formed between these cutouts. Vertical walls are formed at both ends of each cam. The cam ring is fitted onto the fixed barrel after the each front regulating member is faced to the each cutout. After that, the cam ring is positioned between the front regulating member and the rear regulating member by rotation of the cam ring. When the cam ring is rotated in a predetermined range, each cam pushes a cam projection against the biasing of the biasing ring, to move the lens holding barrel in the optical axis direction.