Abstract: A security camera has an adjustable turret that holds a lens assembly which can be aimed in various directions. The camera also has a compact housing which, in combination with the adjustable directionality of the turret, enables universal mounting to various structures and positions in an aircraft cabin. The camera operates in light and dark conditions, as the lens assembly is configured to focus visible and infrared light wavelengths onto a fixed focal plane. In an embodiment, the camera includes an infrared illumination source to illuminate a field of view during dark conditions. The lens assembly includes a rigid barrel with a pinhole aperture through which light enters a series of lens elements. An optical sensor is mounted to an opposite end of the barrel at the fixed focal plane to generate an electronic image signal, and the sensor is rotatably adjustable to yield a correct image orientation depending on the turret position.

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: The invention relates to a guide system for optical systems, particularly for zoom systems, with which optical assemblies such as lenses and/or sets of lenses can be moved along an optical axis (16). The proposed guide system comprises a housing (2) defining an internal diameter (1) and extending along the optical axis (16). A slide (3) is configured to accommodate an optical assembly (19) and has a sleeve segment (15) which has on its outside a plurality of contact surfaces (4) for abutment on the internal diameter (1) of the housing (2). For defined movement of the slide (3) along the optical axis (16) a drive unit (12) is provided. A device (17) serves to hold the sleeve segment (15) at the internal diameter (1), another device (18) serves to secure the slide (3) against rotation in the cross-sectional area of the housing. The guide system according to the invention provides guidance which is absolutely free from play and low in friction.

Abstract: A lens barrel and an imaging apparatus is provided for securely connecting an imaging element with an imaging circuit and advantageous in terms of downsizing of devices. A plurality of first connecting terminals is provided to a bottom face of an imaging element package. A flexible circuit board is constituted by an imaging element mounting section, an extending section and a connecting section. The imaging element mounting section includes a flexible circuit board and a plurality of second connecting terminals provided on a surface of the flexible circuit board so that each of the second connecting terminals match with a corresponding first connecting terminal. A metal plate is mounted at a position where the outline of the metal plate matches the outline of the package or the outline of the package is placed in the outline of the metal plate as viewed from the thicknesswise direction of the package, on the rear face of the imaging-element mounting section.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel comprises an exterior unit, which mainly forms an exterior portion, an optical unit having an image pickup optical system built therein, and a control unit and can be detachably mounted on a single-lens reflex camera. The optical unit includes first and second group lenses as the image pickup optical system, which can move forward and rearward in zooming and focusing, and a third group lens which can move forward and rearward in zooming. Particularly, in focusing, a first group lens holding frame for holding the first group lens and a second group lens holding frame for holding the second group lens are driven forward and rearward in a different amount in an optical axis direction through a cam follower and two cam grooves by driving a focus ring in rotation, thereby focusing is executed. The lens barrel can cope with a forward/rearward movement required in zooming and focusing and can be reduced in size.

Abstract: In a barrel of an optical unit a ring shaped support member is integrally arranged, and three projected portions are arranged on the upper surface of the support member. The projected portions support a lower surface of a parallel flat plate supported in direct contact. In this supported state, the parallel flat plate opposes a surface of the support member with a clearance of several ?m in between. With this arrangement, the space in one side of the parallel flat plate is substantially isolated from the space in the other side. Accordingly, for example, even if gas environment in the space on one side of the parallel flat plate is different from the other side, gases can be effectively kept from mixing. In addition, since the parallel flat plate is supported at three coplanar points, deformation of the parallel flat plate can be suppressed due to the force supporting the parallel flat plate, thereby suppressing the index of refraction from varying.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an image taking optical system that includes a first lens unit arranged on a most object side and a second lens unit movable in an optical axis direction further on an image surface side than the first lens unit, a first lens barrel that holds the first lens unit, a second lens barrel that is combined with the first lens barrel and houses the second lens unit so that the unit is movable, and a control unit that is arranged around an outer periphery of the second lens barrel and includes an operation member, which is operated in order to instruct driving of the second lens unit, and an electric component for controlling the driving of the second lens unit according to the operation of the operation member, in which a maximum outer diameter of the first lens unit is larger than a minimum inner diameter of the control unit.

Abstract: A first arm rotating within a predetermined angle about its rotational center is linked to a second arm rotating in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of said first arm. Two shrinking members are mounted on one end of the first arm. Two shrinking members shrink in opposite directions for each other each time when any one of them is energized. According to a switch of electricity to the two shrinking members, the first arm rotates to switch a rotational position thereof, with the second arm rotating to switch a rotational position of the second arm.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a fixed cylinder fixed to an imaging device body, a lens-holding frame, and a movable cylinder for supporting the lens-holding frame movably in an optical axial direction, in which the movable cylinder is located at a position collapsed relative to the fixed cylinder in a non-imaging mode while the movable cylinder is extended from the collapsed position to a zooming region in an imaging mode, and then the movable cylinder moves in the optical axial direction within the zooming region.

Abstract: A lens barrel has its length which is reduced by dispensing with guide rods or a travel mechanism long extending from a base which fixes an image pickup device. The optical axes of multiple lens groups can be easily aligned. An image taking apparatus has its body which has the lens barrel incorporated into it. A second lens group, third lens group and, via the travel mechanism, a fourth lens group are supported by a straight-ahead key ring, and the straight-ahead key ring also supports a front tube holding the first lens group. A zoom motor and a focus motor are also supported by the straight-ahead key ring.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes a first stationary cylinder defining an optical axis. The first stationary cylinder has a tubular wall surrounding a passage. A guiding and positioning slot is defined in the tubular wall along the optical axis with a plurality of anchor points and block points alternately arranged on edges thereof. A first lens carrier is held in the passage and has a driving pole. A second lens carrier surrounds the tubular wall and has a retainer and a first guiding slot. A second stationary cylinder surrounds the second lens carrier and has a stopper and a second guiding slot. The driving pole passes through the guiding and positioning slot, the first and the second guiding slot and is positioned in one of the anchor points. The spring is retained between the first stationary cylinder and the second lens carrier to push the second lens carrier moving with the first lens carrier till the retainer is blocked by the stopper.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes an optical system including a short focal length for a wide angle of view; and an ND filter in the shape of a disc which is provided on an optical axis of the optical system. An optical density of the ND filter decreases in a direction radially outwards from a center of the ND filter.

Abstract: A lens apparatus which enables to reduce size is disclosed. The lens apparatus has a first member which is movable in the optical axis direction and holds a first lens unit; a second member which holds a second lens unit and the first member; a first motor which is mounted to the second member and generates a driving force for driving the first member; a diaphragm unit which is mounted to the second member and performs open and close operations; a second motor which is mounted to the second member and generates a driving force for driving the diaphragm unit; and a guide member which is mounted to the second member and guides the first member in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A zoom lens mechanism foldable and retractable to be used in a digital still camera to control zooming of the zoom lens uses programmed data written in a micro controller unit (hereinafter referred to as MCU) instead of the conventional cylindrical grooved cams that are usually used to mechanically control zooming of a zoom lens of a digital still camera, and the assembly of the second lens group is rotatable inside the lens barrel, and the first lens group can be folded and retracted into the space provided by the rotation of the second lens assembly.

Abstract: A unit for performing light blocking and dust proof is disclosed. The light blocking and dust proof unit is fixed to a first optical unit, and is mounted to a second optical unit. The light blocking and dust proof unit is mounted to the second optical unit so as to be movable in the optical axial direction relative to the second optical unit, and to be regulated by different regulating portions of the second optical unit between cases where the light blocking and dust proof unit is contracted and where the light blocking and dust proof unit is expanded. The size of the light blocking and dust proof unit having such a structure can be reduced.

Abstract: A detachable zoom lens assembly includes a holder base, which has an insertion slot in the periphery and a light path through the two ends, a coupling structure for coupling the holder base to a photographic apparatus, a special effect unit detachably inserted into the insertion slot to hold a special effect lens in the light path, and a zoomer coupled to the front end of the holder base to hold a zoom lens for changing the focus of incident light.

Abstract: There is provided an optical device which comprises a fixed barrel, a movable cam ring, and collars and abutments. The movable cam ring is shifted relative to the fixed barrel to move an optical unit, the movable cam ring being fitted to the fixed barrel. Collars and abutments can be engaged with each other when the movable cam ring is in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the fixed barrel. The collars and abutments preventing the movable cam ring from being disengaged from the fixed barrel and displaced in a direction along an optical axis relative to the fixed barrel.

Abstract: A mechanism element for optical devices has a light-incident part on which light having a wavelength of 700 nm or more is incident, and the light-incident part is made of aluminum or an alloy of aluminum or magnesium. An anodizing process treatment to form an anodized coating is performed at least on the light-incident part, and then the surface of the light-incident part is colored to be black by a secondary electrolytic coloring method.

Abstract: A light shielding structure of a retractable lens barrel includes a lens system, a lens frame to which a lens group is fixed; at least one movable annular member into which the lens frame is screw-engaged, and which is moved along the optical axis in a predetermined moving manner; a light shield member which is supported by the movable annular member to be movable along the optical axis relative to the movable annular member, and having a rearward movement extremity relative to the movable annular member; and a biasing member which is positioned between the light shield member and the lens frame in a compressed fashion to bias the light shield member toward the rearward movement extremity thereof relative to the movable annular member.

Abstract: The invention provides a zoom lens device that can include lens groups. A third lens group (compensator lens group) can be disposed between two lens groups (a second and a fourth lens groups) forming a variator lens group. The two lens groups (the second and fourth lens groups) forming the variator lens group can be retained by a common variator-lens frame and moved together. Accordingly, a zoom lens device, an optical apparatus, and a projector can be provided in which, even when a plurality of lens groups are assembled, degradation of optical characteristics due to decentering between the lens groups can be prevented.

Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam ring including at least one cam rib which is formed on a peripheral surface of the cam ring to extend non-linearly; and a follower ring which is concentric with the cam ring, and includes at least one pair of cam followers which are formed on a peripheral surface of the follower ring to be positioned apart from each other in an axial direction of the follower ring to hold the cam rib between the pair of cam followers. Central positions of the pair of cam followers are offset from each other in a circumferential direction of the follower ring.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes a linear guide ring which is positioned about an optical axis and includes a linear guide slot; a cam ring which is coaxially positioned around the linear guide ring and includes a cam groove; and a movable lens frame which supports a lens group and includes a cam follower which passes through the linear guide slot and engages in the cam groove. The cam ring is provided with a large ring portion, a small ring portion having a smaller diameter than the large ring portion, and a radial flange portion positioned therebetween. The cam groove is formed on both the small ring portion and the radial flange portion so that one end of the cam groove constitutes an open end at the radial flange potion, whereby the cam follower can be inserted into the cam groove through the open end.

Abstract: A lens barrel device includes a lens mounted in a lens frame that is threaded into an annular adjusting ring. The adjusting ring is coupled using a bayonet to a lens barrel. The lens barrel includes first and second flanges on the inner periphery of the lens barrel that define grooves for receiving bayonet projections on the annular adjusting ring. The bayonet coupling structure of the annular adjusting ring includes semispherical projections for elastically engaging inner walls of the grooves and also includes a rotation regulating stopper for engaging an end wall of an opening in one of the inner flanges so as to regulate rotation of the annular adjusting ring, and hence the lens, relative to the lens barrel. The end wall includes a groove for receiving a jig that can release the bayonet coupling structure of the annular adjusting ring from the lens barrel.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which prevents interference of a lens barrel with an optical member and so forth with certainty and is advantageous in achievement of reduction in scale, weight and cost of the optical member and an adapter ring. If it is detected by a detection section that an adapter ring is attached to an adapter ring attachment portion, then a lens barrel control section moves a lens barrel so that a front end of the lens barrel is positioned within a range rearwardly of a front end of the adapter ring. Since the front end of the lens barrel does not project forwardly of the front end of the adapter ring, the end of the lens barrel does not interfere with a conversion lens or the like attached to the front end of the adapter ring. It is not necessary to form the wide conversion lens or the adapter ring with an increased size in order to prevent the front end of the lens barrel positioned at its projecting position from interfering with a lens of the wide conversion lens.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens that has a plurality of sliding surfaces on an outer peripheral edge of the lens; and a lens frame that has a plurality of lens-receiving sections on an inner peripheral edge of the lens frame and accommodates the lens. The sliding surfaces have different heights in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of incident light. Each of the lens-receiving sections comes in contact with one of the sliding surfaces.

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. On the circumferential wall of a second barrel member, a first groove portion is disposed to guide a guide portion provided in the first barrel member and at the end of optical axis direction of the circumferential wall, a flange portion is formed. On a third barrel member, a cam portion which engages with a cam follower portion provided on the guide portion is formed.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes a cam ring which is driven to rotate; a first lens frame which is positioned around the cam ring, supports a frontmost lens group of a zoom lens system, and includes a first cam follower; a light-shield exterior ring positioned around the first lens frame, and includes a second cam follower; and first and second outer cam grooves formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring so that the first and second cam followers are engaged in the first and second outer cam grooves, respectively. The second cam follower is engaged in the second outer cam groove through a linear guide slot formed on the first lens frame. Zooming ranges of the first and second outer cam grooves are shaped so as to move the first lens frame and the light-shield exterior ring in the same moving path.

Abstract: A mechanical device includes a female component having a right-circular cylindrical internal surface and a cylindrical axis, and a first helical recess in the internal surface of the female component. A male component having a right-circular cylindrical external surface is sized to be slidably received within the right-circular cylindrical internal surface of the female component and has a second helical recess in its external surface. The second helical recess has a helical pitch which is the same as that of the first helical recess, so that the second helical recess is in facing relationship along its length to the first helical recess when the male component is assembled to the female component. A retainer is received within the first helical recess and the facing second helical recess when the male component is assembled to the female component. The retainer has an organic plastic retainer outer surface, preferably a polytetrafluoroethylene retainer outer surface.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel assembly includes a first lens group including first and second sub-lens groups; a second lens group; a sub-lens group switching mechanism for moving the first or second sub-lens group away from the other in a short focal length photographing range, and toward the other in a long focal length photographing range; and a zoom cam mechanism having front and rear lens group cam grooves. The rear lens group cam groove includes first and second portions corresponding to the short and long focal length photographing ranges, respectively, the first and the second portions connected to each other via a discontinuous portion. The front lens group cam groove includes a non-linear portion which corresponds to the short focal length photographing range and provides a non-linear path, and a linear portion which corresponds to the long focal length photographing range and provides a linear path.

Abstract: A zoom camera having a lens barrel assembly with adjustable focus and resolution power of photographing lens, the zoom camera including a zoom lens barrel assembly including a plurality of barrels for performing a zooming and focusing operation while reciprocating in a direction of an optical axis, the zoom lens barrel assembly being fixed on a camera body, a rotational barrel coupled to one of the lens barrels of the zoom lens barrel assembly and rotatable and movable in the direction of the optical axis for adjusting the focus of the lens, and a lens frame containing a lens and rotatably coupled to the rotational barrel for adjusting the resolution power of the lens.

Abstract: To provide an image formation optical system which is excellent in image formation performance while reducing an opening angle of an anamorphic lens, and an image reading apparatus using the same. When a thickness of an anamorphic lens is da, a thickness of a meniscus lens arranged adjacent to the anamorphic lens is dm, an interval between the anamorphic lens and the meniscus lens adjacent thereto is tin, and a distance between a lens surface of the lens, of both the lenses, nearest an aperture stop, and a lens surface of the lens, other than both the lenses, facing that lens surface is tout, the constituent elements are set so as to satisfy the following condition: tin<dm+da<tout.

Abstract: For a camera lens barrel with helicoid threads, at the portion where the helicoid female thread of a fixed frame is threaded with the helicoid male thread of a rotary frame, six separation preventing pins are implanted in the portion of the helicoid male thread around the same circumference at the equal intervals. These separation presenting pins are implanted between convex thread portions of the helicoid male thread, respectively. Protruding portions of the separation preventing pins fit in and slidingly contact concave thread portions of the helicoid female thread that is threaded with the helicoid male thread in which the separation preventing pins are disposed. A contacting edge fits in and comes into sliding contact with the concave thread portion of the helicoid female thread by narrowing the circumferential surface thereof.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a stationary 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 having lens holding frames for holding a plurality of lenses is composed of a first lens, a second lens, one of the lens holding frames holding the first and second lenses, having a first opening disposed at one end in correspondence with the first lens, and having a second opening disposed at another end in correspondence with the second lens, first abutment portions prescribing the position of the first lens in an optical axis direction on the first opening side and disposed at a plurality of positions around the inner periphery of the lens holding frame, a second abutment portion prescribing the position of the second lens in the optical axis direction on the second opening side, first engagement portions disposed at a plurality of positions around the inner periphery of the lens holding frame on a side nearer to the first opening than the first and second abutment portions and engaged with the first lens, and a second engagement portion disposed around the inner periphery of the lens holding

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided which includes a stationary frame and a second holding frame. One end of a second main rod is attached to the second holding frame with a sleeve between. One end of the second sub rod is fixed to the second holding frame, and the other ends of the second main rod and second sub rod are attached to the stationary frame so that the second main rod and second sub rod can freely slide. Consequently, the second holding frame is borne while being permitted to freely advance or withdraw relative to the stationary frame without rotating by the main rod and second sub rod. The main rod is fixed to neither the stationary frame nor lens holding frame but can slide by itself. Therefore, even when the lens barrel is collapsed, the main rod will not jut backward beyond the stationary frame.

Abstract: A unit for performing light blocking and dust proof is disclosed. The light blocking and dust proof unit is fixed to a first optical unit, and is mounted to a second optical unit. The light blocking and dust proof unit is mounted to the second optical unit so as to be movable in the optical axial direction relative to the second optical unit, and to be regulated by different regulating portions of the second optical unit between cases where the light blocking and dust proof unit is contracted and where the light blocking and dust proof unit is expanded. The size of the light blocking and dust proof unit having such a structure can be reduced.

Abstract: A zoom lens control mechanism includes a lens barrel with a lens group arranged in advance therein, a lens barrel support portion for the lens barrel seated on, a guiding device and a driving device. The lens barrel has three cylinders with the same center, and each of the cylinders has a post disposed at the bottom edge thereof and arranged with the imaginary center of the cylinders on the same line. Each of the cylinders except the innermost cylinder further has an elongated slot extended along the outer surface thereof. The guiding device is received in the two elongated slots and fixed on the innermost cylinder for leading the cylinders of the lens barrel moving relatively along the optical axis in the range of the allowable deviation. The lens barrel support portion includes three protruding cylinders which have the same center thereof for mating with the corresponding cylinders of the lens barrel.

Abstract: A body of a lens frame, which is a lens barrel of the present invention, consists of an inner frame for holding a lens, an intermediate frame in which an adjusting screw is screwed, and an outer frame in which an adjusting screw is screwed. The frames are connected to one another by parallel springs. In the case of this lens frame, the inner frame is displaced in the direction of X-axis or a horizontal axis by screwing the adjusting screw thereinto in the direction of the horizontal axis and screwing another adjusting screw thereinto by the direction of a vertical axis. Thus, the inner frame is displaced in Y-direction through the intermediate frames. Consequently, the translation of the position of the optical axis of the lens is performed without inclination of the intermediate frame. Hence, the adjustment of the position of the optical axis is easily achieved. Moreover, this lens frame achieves a reduction in the cost of components thereof.

Abstract: A mount for optical elements includes a frame and a holder for holding optical elements such as lenses and/or an image detecting element such as a CCD. The frame and holder are cylindrical. The diameter of an interior screw of the holder is smaller than the diameter of a mating exterior screw of the frame so that backlash between the frame and the holder at the screw connection is substantially eliminated as the frame is rotated relative to said holder to tighten the inner surface of the holder against the outer surface of the frame. In one embodiment, at least one notch extends in a longitudinal direction of the holder to assist in elastic deformation of the holder. In another embodiment, a tightening ring formed in a C-shape is mounted around the exterior surface the holder to constrain elastic deformation outwardly when the screw connection is tightened.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes an optical system including a short focal length for a wide angle of view; and an ND filter in the shape of a disc which is provided on an optical axis of the optical system. An optical density of the ND filter decreases in a direction radially outwards from a center of the ND filter.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided which includes a first frame member having on an inner surface thereof a female helicoid, and a cam groove which has substantially a same lead angle as a lead angle of the female helicoid and which is deeper than the female helicoid. A second frame member is placed inside the first frame member. The second frame member includes a male helicoid engaged with the female helicoid, and a cam follower engaged with the cam groove. The first frame member is rotatable relative to the second frame member, so as to cause forward or backward movement of the second frame member.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a ring member having a cam groove formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof; a lens support ring positioned in the ring member and supported thereby to be rotatable with respect to the ring member, the lens support ring having a first cam follower which is engaged in the cam groove of the ring member; a biasing ring coupled to the lens support ring to be movable in an optical axis direction and to be non-rotatable with respect to the lens support ring, the biasing ring having a second cam follower which is engaged in the cam groove of the ring member; and a biasing device for biasing the lens support ring and the biasing ring in opposite directions to press the first and second cam followers against opposite guide surfaces of the cam groove.

Abstract: An optical-element holding mechanism includes a first holding member arranged to hold a first optical element, a second holding member arranged to hold a second optical element, a coupling member arranged to couple the first and second holding members with each other and to permit relative positions of the first and second holding members to be varied in process of being coupled, and an urging member disposed between the coupling member and the second holding member and arranged to urge and press the second holding member against the first holding member at least when the coupling member is in process of coupling the first and second holding members.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes an outer cylinder having a guide section and an inner cylinder for holding a lens and having a guided section, which is engaged with the guide section and moved in an optical axis direction in response to a rotation of the outer cylinder. The guide section has a guiding portion for introducing the inner cylinder into an operating and storing positions, and the guiding portion has a first guiding part, a second guiding part formed continuously to the first guiding part, having a lead angle different from that of the first guiding part, and a third guiding part formed continuously to the second guiding part, having a lead angle smaller than that of the second guiding part. The inner cylinder is positioned, at the storing position, within an area in which the guided section is engaged with the third guiding part.

Abstract: A lens device for mounting a flexible printed circuit board in a lens barrel and method of assembling the flexible printed circuit board in the lens barrel of the lens device is disclosed. The lens device includes a through-channel on a portion of the lens barrel. The through-channel includes first and second tiers formed by a first partition and a second partition that is perpendicular to the first partition which divides the second tier into separate through-channels. The flexible printed circuit board is assembled in the lens device by inserting the flexible printed circuit board into the first tier from one end of said through-channel, folding the flexible printed circuit board at the other end of the through-channel into a folded part, and inserting the folded part of the flexible printed circuit board into one of the separate through-channels of the second tier from the other end of the through-channel.

Abstract: A barrel assembly of a zoom camera includes a front lens frame where a front lens group is installed, a front guide frame for supporting the front lens frame, a zoom ring advancing and retreating along an optical axis of the front lens group, an inner helicoid ring installed to be capable of advancing and retreating with respect to the zoom ring, a rear lens frame where a rear lens group which is arranged on the same optical axis as the front lens group is installed, and a cam unit formed at the zoom ring and an inner rotator which is installed at the inner helicoid ring to be capable of advancing and retreating, for adjusting the interval between the front lens group and the rear lens group as the front lens group moves.

Abstract: The invention is aimed to miniaturize an angle adjustment mechanism of a mirror barrel and simplify the structure thereof. A ball joint mechanism in which a spherical portion provided to the base end of a mirror barrel is joined to a spherical portion support table provided to a main chassis by a joint ring is constructed, and the rotation of the mirror barrel in three axial directions around the center of the spherical portion can be performed.

Abstract: A zoom lens mechanism includes a switching lens group frame supporting a first sub-lens group frame and a second sub-lens group frame which support first and second sub-sub-lens groups, respectively; a lens group shift mechanism for causing the first and second sub-lens group frames to linearly move to a mutually close position or a mutually distant position, with respect to the optical axis direction, in accordance with relative rotation between the first sub-lens group frame and the second sub-lens group frame; and a focusing mechanism which integrally moves the first sub-lens group frame and the second sub-lens group frame in the optical axis direction while maintaining a distance therebetween after the first and the second sub-lens group frames are moved to one of the mutually close position and the mutually distant position by the lens group shift mechanism.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes first and second lens groups guided in an optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis, first and second support frames which support the first and second lens groups and include first and second cam followers, respectively; and a cam ring which is rotatable about the optical axis and includes a cam groove. The cam groove is formed as a continuous groove and includes first and second groove portions via which the first and second cam followers are guided to move the first and second lens groups, respectively. One of the first cam follower and the second cam follower enters one of the first groove portion and the second groove portion after passing through the other of the first groove portion and the second groove portion in a preparation stage of the lens barrel.

Abstract: A body of a lens frame, which is a lens barrel of the present invention, consists of an inner frame for holding a lens, an intermediate frame in which an adjusting screw is screwed, and an outer frame in which an adjusting screw is screwed. The frames are connected to one another by parallel springs. In the case of this lens frame, the inner frame is displaced in the direction of X-axis or a horizontal axis by screwing the adjusting screw thereinto in the direction of the horizontal axis and screwing another adjusting screw thereinto by the direction of a vertical axis. Thus, the inner frame is displaced in Y-direction through the intermediate frames. Consequently, the translation of the position of the optical axis of the lens is performed without inclination of the intermediate frame. Hence, the adjustment of the position of the optical axis is easily achieved. Moreover, this lens frame achieves a reduction in the cost of components thereof.