Abstract: A lens drive system includes a lens frame having a lens element; a nut member secured to the lens frame, and which are both movable in an optical axis direction without rotating; a feed screw shaft having a male thread portion and a non-threaded portion, the male thread portion being engaged with a screw hole of the nut member; a motor for rotating the feed screw shaft; and a biasing member for biasing the nut member in a first direction toward the male thread portion. When the feed screw shaft is rotated to move the nut member and the lens frame in a second direction toward the non-thread portion, the female thread portion is disengaged from the male thread portion to move onto the non-threaded portion before the lens frame or the nut member abuts against an element of the lens drive system and stops thereby.

Abstract: An optical mount, including a first plate, a second plate, an adjustment screw, and a locking screw. The second plate may include an adjustment bore having an adjustment bore thread and a list separating a second plate flange from a second plate body and extends into the adjustment bore. The adjustment screw may engage the first plate for adjusting relative position of the first plate in relation to second plate. The locking screw may engage the second pate flange and the second plate body to press at least a portion of the adjustment bore thread into the adjustment screw thread for securing the adjustment screw. An attachment bore may be included for receiving an attachment. A method for using the optical mount is also disclosed.

Abstract: An external helicoid thread is provided which includes a helicoid thread having a first ridge whose both flanks are formed at a first flank angle, and a helicoid thread having a second ridge whose both flanks are formed at a second flank angle which is different from the first flank angle. An internal helicoid thread is kept in screwed-state engagement with the external helicoid threads. And in a lens barrel obtained using a connection based on such internal and external helicoid threads, the connection provided by these helicoid threads can remain secured even if a sudden outside force is applied to the lens barrel.

Abstract: A stopper structure for use in a lens barrel assembly, the lens barrel assembly having a helicoid ring which includes a male helicoid, on the outer periphery of the helicoid ring, for engaging with a female helicoid on an inner periphery of a fixed barrel secured to a camera body; and gear teeth formed along the male helicoids to extend between the male helicoids and arranged in a circumferential direction about an optical axis, the helicoid ring moving along the optical axis while been driven by a pinion which is engaged with the gear teeth; wherein the stopper structure includes a stopper member which engages with at least one tooth of the gear teeth in order to prevent rotation of the helicoid ring.

Abstract: A lens drive system includes a lens frame having a lens element; a nut member secured to the lens frame; a feed screw shaft having a male thread portion and a non-threaded portion, the male thread portion engaged with a screw hole of the nut member; an engagement portion formed on the nut member and having a deformable screw-engaging portion engaged with the male thread portion; and a motor for rotating the feed screw shaft. The screw-engaging portion is disengaged from the male thread portion when a large force is applied to the engagement portion in an axial direction. When the linear movement of the lens frame and the nut member is restricted during rotation of the feed screw shaft, the engagement portion remains on the male thread portion of the feed screw shaft while the female thread portion is moved onto the non-thread portion.

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: An adapter is interposed between the objective and the microscope. The adapter has a support structure to which are mounted an objective-engaging structure, a microscope-engaging structure, and a reflecting element. The objective-engaging structure and the microscope-engaging structure, when mounted to the support structure, are characterized by respective axes that are non-collinear, and the reflecting element is positioned and oriented so that light incident along the objective-engaging structure's axis is reflected to travel along the microscope-engaging structure's axis. The relative angle between the axes is preferably 90 degrees. A user mounts the adapter to the microscope and the objective to the adapter, at which point, the microscope is capable of viewing a sample at an angle displaced from the vertical. In the specific example of a 90-degree angle, a sample of any size can be viewed merely by bringing the sample beside the microscope and in front of the objective.

Abstract: An image-detecting device including: a body housing a sensor; a first supporting element, rigidly coupled with the body and defining a seat; and an objective including at least one optical unit having an optical axis. The seat forms a guide portion engaging directly and slidably an alignment portion formed by said optical unit to keep the optical axis orthogonal to the sensor.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel assembly includes a plurality of lens barrels including a rearmost lens barrel, secured to a camera body, and a frontmost lens barrel. At least one adjacent pair of lens barrels are connected to each other via a helicoid structure. The frontmost lens barrel and a first adjacent lens barrel are connected to each other via a cam structure. The helicoid structure allows the adjacent pair of the lens barrels to rotate and move in an optical axis direction relative to each other while the zoom lens barrel assembly moves from a retracted position to a minimally extended position for a photographing operation. At least a portion of the helicoid structure includes a slip region which allows the pair of adjacent lens barrels to rotate without relatively moving along the optical axis.

Abstract: A multi-stage-extension zoom lens barrel assembly includes an inner peripheral helicoid ring having a first helicoid formed on the outer periphery thereof which is engaged with a second helicoid formed on an inner periphery of an outer peripheral helicoid ring; a first linear guide ring provided in the inner peripheral helicoid ring and is relatively rotatable and integrally movable therewith in the optical axis direction; and a first outer barrel for covering the first linear guide ring, the first outer barrel being supported on the first linear guide ring so as to relatively rotate and move together in the optical axis direction therewith, wherein the first outer barrel is detachably attached to the inner peripheral helicoid ring, the first outer barrel being integrally rotatable about the optical axis and integrally movable along the optical axis with the inner peripheral helicoid ring.

Abstract: The lens driving apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a focus motor having a lead screw; a lens holding frame meshing with the lead screw so as to be movable along an optical axis as the lead screw rotates; a nut plate meshing with the lead screw so as to be movable along the optical axis as the lead screw rotates; and urging means for urging the lens holding frame and nut plate in a direction by which they approach each other or separate from each other.

Abstract: An external helicoid thread comprises a helicoid thread composed of a first ridge whose both flanks are formed at a first flank angle, and a helicoid thread composed of second ridge whose both flanks are formed at a second flank angle, which is different from the first flank angle; and an internal helicoid thread is kept in screwed-state engagement with the external helicoid thread. In a lens barrel obtained using a connection based on such helicoid threads, the connection provided by these helicoid threads can thereby remain secured even if a sudden outside force is applied to the lens barrel.

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: An image sensor package includes an image sensor, a window, and a molding, where the molding includes a lens holder extension portion extending upwards from the window. The lens holder extension portion includes a female threaded aperture extending from the window such that the window is exposed through the aperture. A lens is supported in a threaded lens support. The threaded lens support is threaded into the aperture of the lens holder extension portion. The lens is readily adjusted relative to the image sensor by rotating the lens support.

Abstract: A stopper structure for use in a lens barrel assembly, the lens barrel assembly having a helicoid ring which includes a male helicoid, on the outer periphery of the helicoid ring, for engaging with a female helicoid on an inner periphery of a fixed barrel secured to a camera body; and gear teeth formed along the male helicoids to extend between the male helicoids and arranged in a circumferential direction about an optical axis, the helicoid ring moving along the optical axis while been driven by a pinion which is engaged with the gear teeth; wherein the stopper structure includes a stopper member which engages with at least one tooth of the gear teeth in order to prevent rotation of the helicoid ring.

Abstract: The lens driving apparatus 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a focus motor 2 (driving source) having a lead screw 11; a lens holding frame 3 in mesh with the lead screw 11 so as to be movable alone an optical axis O as the lead screw 11 rotates; a nut plate 4 in mesh with the lead screw 11 so as to be movable along the optical axis O as the lead screw 11 rotates; and urging means 5 for urging the lens holding frame 3 and nut plate 4 in a direction by which they approach each other or separate from each other. Since a constant urging action is imparted by the urging means 5, no rattling occurs as the lead screw 11 rotates, and the load applied to the driving source 2 becomes constant, whereby no problem occurs in terms of control.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for motor vehicles has a mirror base and a mirror head connected to the mirror base. The mirror head is pivotable about a first pivot axis relative to the mirror base from a position of use into a parking position. A securing device exerting a securing force onto the mirror head at least in the parking position is provided. A tension spring exerting a spring force onto the mirror head is also provided, wherein the securing force counteracts the spring force. A cam disc is pivotably supported on the mirror base about a second pivot axis, wherein the mirror head has a support and wherein the tension spring has a first end connected to the cam disc and a second end connected to the support.

Abstract: An LCD assembly (10) having an LCD device mounted on a substrate (12) with a flex cable and connector assembly (14) electrically and mechanically attached thereto. A mounting border (16) has a plurality of border screw holes (40) isolated from a main body (30) of the mounting border (16) by a plurality of stress relief slots (34) such that the main body (39) connects to the border screw holes (40) only through a plurality of land areas (44). An aperture mask 18 is interposed between a LCD subassembly (28) and a frame (20). The frame (20) has a lens receptor (42) for accepting a field lens (22) secured in a lens mount. Mounting screws (26) secure the mounting border (16) to the frame (20).

Abstract: A raster output scanner is disclosed which utilizes a collimator assembly which can be replaced at the field. The collimator assembly is mounted on a raster output housing. Both the raster output housing and the collimator assembly have securing means to secure the collimator assembly to the raster output scanner housing. The raster output scanner housing and the collimator assembly are designed to provide automatic adjustment for the light beam exiting from the collimator assembly with the optical path within the ROS housing once the collimator assembly is secured to the raster output scanner housing.

Abstract: A camera lens barrel includes a multiple thread screw mechanism that rotates a drive tube. Drive tube moves along an optical axis while rotating with respect to a fixed unit. Due to an action of a first cam during the rotation of the drive tube, a cam tube moves along the optical axis with respect to the drive tube. A first lens unit is integrated with the cam tube and rotates with respect to the cam tube. During rotation of the first lens unit, a second lens unit moves along the optical axis with respect to the cam tube due to an action of a second cam. The multiple thread screw mechanism inhibits movement of the drive tube along the optical axis until the drive tube is rotated to a predetermined angle of rotation.

Abstract: A method and retainer assembly for securely retaining a lens in a cell or other holding structure so that the lens does not become displaced when the cell is subject to mechanical shock and vibration. The invention is particularly useful for use in retaining large, heavy optical elements, such as can be found in long focal length aerial reconnaissance camera systems. The method involves the step of seating and centering the lens into the cell. The lens has a peripheral surface having a beveled feature. A first rigid, e.g., metallic, ring having a complementary beveled surface is installed over the peripheral beveled surface of the lens. A second rigid, e.g., metallic, ring is installed over the first ring. A retaining ring is threaded onto the cells such that the retaining ring abuts against the second ring. The retaining ring is tightening onto the cell such that the second ring conforms to the retaining ring while maintaining the alignment of the lens in the cell.

Abstract: A method of achieving a focusing adjustment of an optical assembly, and of releasably locking this focusing adjustment, is described. A night vision weapon sight (10) which implements this method includes an objective lens assembly (14), an eyepiece lens (18), and an image intensifier tube (20) receiving light via the objective lens in order to provide an image via the eyepiece lens. The objective lens assembly includes a base portion (32) into which a lens housing (34) is threadably received. The threaded engagement of the base portion and lens housing is locked by a collet-like array of radially flexible fingers (42) each having a conical outer surface. A locking collar (44) having a conically tapering inner surface threadably engages the lens housing (34) and engages the collet fingers (42). Locking of the locking collar (44) is ensured by threaded engagement of a locking ring (54) with the locking collar (44) such that the prevailing torque tightens both of a pair of threaded engagements of opposite hand.

Abstract: An adapter is disclosed for operatively mating an optical laser interfere filter with an objective lens of night vision goggles, without causing an incompatibility between the night vision goggles and the Gideon NVG Head Up Display.

Abstract: A molding die assembly includes an outer molding die which forms an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical mold, and, an inner molding die which forms an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical mold, wherein the outer molding die is comprised of a plurality of split die elements which are split at an oblique separating surface inclined with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the cylindrical mold.

Abstract: A system for mounting a guide scope to a primary telescope is disclosed. The mounting system includes a mounting base member, a guide scope holder, and adjusting means between the mounting base member and the guide scope holder allowing horizontal and vertical adjustment of the holder relative to the mounting base member.

Abstract: A focal distance adjustable laser module including a cap having a tapered laser firing hole, a lens holder press-fitted into the cap to hold a rubber packing ring and a lens on the rubber packing ring and having an inner thread at the back side, a laser diode holder holding a mounting plate and a laser diode on the mounting plate and having an outer thread at the front side threaded into the inner thread of the lens holder, a circuit board secured to the mounting plate at the back and connected to the laser diode to control its operation, and a spring mounted inside the lens holder and imparting a backward pressure to the laser diode holder to prohibit displacement of the laser diode holder relative to the lens holder.

Abstract: A device for lenses of different lengths enables a user to replace different lenses of different lengths by only removing parts of the device without replacing a whole set of the device.

Abstract: A helicoid-structure characterized by width-enlarged parts formed by partially widening the respective troughs, which allow the crests to be linearly moved with the increment per unit rotational angle different from the increment per unit rotational angle with which the crests are linearly moved when they are guided by the troughs alone. In a specific embodiment, a stationary lens barrel is formed in its inner peripheral surface with three troughs, each describing a helical curve of appropriate length, on one hand, and a movable lens barrel is formed on its outer peripheral surface with three crests corresponding to the respective troughs each describing a helical curve of appropriate length, on the other hand. The respective troughs are partially widened transversely of the respective helical curves to form width-enlarged parts and a length of each width-enlarged part is dimensioned to be substantially equal to a length of each crest.

Abstract: A camera having an optical system which is shiftable to compensate for vibrations affecting the camera, a shift mechanism which shifts the optical system along an axis, and an urging mechanism. The urging mechanism provides an urging force along the axis to urge the optical system and to assist the shift mechanism in shifting the optical system. The urging force of the urging mechanism is approximately 1.5 to 5 times the weight of the optical system. Moreover, a feed screw mechanism includes a male portion and a female portion which cooperate, via a helical groove, to shift the optical system. The feed screw mechanism has an angle of friction and the helical groove has a lead angle that is smaller than the angle of friction.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a lens frame for holding a photographic lens; a guide member for guiding the lens frame in a direction of an optical axis of the lens; a lead screw for moving the lens frame in the optical axis direction; a drive source for rotating the lead screw; and a carriage for being in pressure contact with the lead screw and thereby for converting a rotational motion of the lead screw caused by the drive source to a linear motion in a direction parallel to the optical axis direction which is a moving direction of the guide member. When pressure contact points between the carriage and the lead screw are projected onto a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis of the lead screw, a projected image includes at least three pressure contact points.

Abstract: An opto-mechanical apparatus for moving and scanning in an optical system comprises a step motor, a timing belt, a first lead screw carrying a first optical assembly, and a second lead screw carrying a second optical assembly. Each of the lead screws has a spiral thread forming a lead path. The lead path of the second lead screw is twice as long as the lead path of the first lead screw. Each lead screw has a gear fastened to its one end. The timing belt connects the rotation axis of the step motor and the two gears on the lead screws. When the step motor rotates, the two gears are driven by the timing belt. The two lead screws are also rotated by the gears. The first optical assembly moves twice as fast as the second optical assembly because the two gears have identical radii but the second lead path is twice long. The different distances traveled by the two optical assemblies ensure that the optical system has a constant optical resolution while scanning.

Abstract: A rotary feed mechanism of a camera includes a stationary barrel secured to a camera body. Multiple-female threads are provided in an inner surface of the stationary barrel. A rotatable barrel is coaxially and movably inserted in the stationary barrel. The rotatable barrel is provided with multiple-male threads on an inner surface to engage the multiple-female threads of the stationary barrel. The linearly movable lens barrel is provided with multiple-male threads to engage the multiple-female threads of the stationary barrel. The linearly movable lens barrel supports a plurality of lenses arranged to be movable in an optical axis direction. A linear guide is provided on the linearly movable lens barrel, for moving the linearly movable lens barrel along the optical axis direction without causing rotation while the rotatable barrel is rotated. The linear guide has a projection to be guided by a linear guide groove formed on the stationary barrel.

Abstract: A cylindrical product with an inner gear formed by injection molding, a mold for the cylindrical product, and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The molded product may include a cylindrical base member, a spiral inner gear formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical base member so as to be inclined to a circumferential direction of the cylindrical base member, and a spiral relief groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical base member adjacent to the inner gear. The relief groove may be wider than a tooth width of the inner gear.

Abstract: A mounting adapter for coupling a TV lens or other type of lens to a night vision device is provided. The mounting adapter is a longitudinal tubular member that has an exterior surface that tapers from a wider first end to a narrower second end. The interior surface of the wider first end includes a first threaded region to removably couple the mounting adapter to a night vision device. A second threaded region is located on the interior surface of the narrower second end for removably coupling a TV lens or other optical device to the mounting adapter. The mounting adapter defines a cavity for receiving a portion of an image intensifier tube, this cavity being located just past the first threaded region. At the end of the cavity there is defined an annular-shaped seat which abuts against the image intensifier tube when the mounting adapter is coupled to the night vision device.

Abstract: A light beam line projecting device having a combination of two or more lenses which magnify in only one dimension; i.e., cylindrical and plano-cylindrical lenses, which are arranged so that the lenses' physical proximity to one another can be manipulated in order to dictate the angle of light emitted from the lens system. The axes of curvature of the respective lenses are maintained in the same plane by a lens holder comprising a stationary lens holder which houses one of the lenses, a sliding lens holder which houses the other lens, and a rotating adjustment ring which provides both the outside housing for the system and the means of adjustment of the proximity of the lenses relative to each other. The sliding lens holder has projections that slide longitudinally in grooves in the stationary lens holder and projection that slide circumferentially in grooves in the rotating adjustment ring.

Abstract: A zoom-lens structure for a camera is disclosed which comprises at least an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, a fastening ring and a lens mount assembly. The outer cylinder has a plurality of straight grooves for engaging with a plurality of projected keys, respectively, provided on a fastening ring so as to allow the fastening ring to be movably mounted outside the inner cylinder. The lens mount assembly includes a first lens mount and a second lens mount, and the fastening ring has at least two first positioning pieces to be engaged with positioning grooves provided on the second lens mount so as to limit the second lens mount from rotating. At least two second positioning pieces are provided on the first lens mount which are also engaged with the positioning grooves and are thus controlled by the second lens mount from being able to rotate. This arrangement controls the entire lens mount assembly to move back and forth along an optical axis to provide a zoom lens function.

Abstract: An improved zoom lens mechanism is disclosed which allows the outer diameter of the zooming assembly to be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting an intermeshing angle of a pin and feed screw in a mechanism in which rotational movement of a feed screw is converted to a linear movement of the pin. The apparatus includes at least one pin which is in mesh with the feed screw, and a linearly movable member which supports the pin and which moves in the axial direction of the feed screw. The linearly movable member includes an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the intermeshing angle of the pin and feed screw.

Abstract: A magnified mirror assembly has a frame, a mirror disposed along an edge of the frame and a centrally disposed magnifying lens which provides magnification of a reflected image. Such a magnified mirror is particularly useful in the application of make-up, the examination of the skin for cleansing, treating blemishes, removing blackheads and pimples and provides a means for producing increased image magnification with limited distortion at close range.

Abstract: A lens centering apparatus of a lens barrel having therein a lens supporting frame includes male threads provided on an outer periphery of the lens supporting frame, and female thread sets provided on the lens barrel and having different centers. The female thread sets can be selectively engaged by the male threads of the lens supporting frame.

Abstract: A multiple field of view sensor lens assembly suitable for inclusion in an infrared imaging system. The lens assembly includes a rotatable telescope 10 for providing first and second fields of view for the sensor, the first field of view being along a first axis thereof L and the second field of view being along a separate second axis T. A servo mechanism 30 is included for rotating the telescope 10 from a first orientation at which the first axis is aligned with the optical axis to a second orientation at which the second axis is aligned with the optical axis. In a preferred embodiment the inventive lens assembly is disposed to provide fields of view in opposing directions along the first axis L, and a third field along the second axis T.

Abstract: A conversion arrangement for mounting optical units on a camera such as a film or television camera has a generally cylindrical mounting body (12, 14) for attachments to the camera body, a generally cylindrical carrier (B) for attachment to the optical unit, the carrier being coaxially coupled to the mounting body for axle movement relative to the mounting body, and a focusing ring (22) which is co-axial with and coupled to both the mounting body (12, 14) and the carrier (B). The focusing ring is rotatable relative to the mounting body and carrier to move the carrier axially off the mounting body to focus the optical unit. Backlash during focusing is reduced to negligible proportions by use of a screw-thread arrangement in which a screw-thread is formed on a radially inner wall of the focusing ring by means of a wire coil (44), the pitch of the wire coil being set by end members (46) and gapped rings (48) acting as spacers between the turns of the wire coil.

Abstract: An improved method of collecting quasi-elastic light scattering (also known as QELS) data and time-average intensity simultaneously is disclosed, as is a novel apparatus therefor. The apparatus utilizes a novel optical element having a pair of diametrically aligned slits on a masking disc that eliminates the need of index matching fluids that are currently required to eliminate flare from the sample cell walls at the cell-sample and the cell-air interfaces. The novel optical element allows improved angular resolution and on-axis resolution for the fluctuation data obtained.

Abstract: An auxiliary lens attachment, installed a prescription or colored enhancement lens, is mounted onto an end of a rifle scope. The auxiliary lens attachment includes an adaptor having a lens receiving portion at a first end, a lens securing portion in a middle and a rifle scope mounting portion at a second end. A distance adjusting member is positioned on the securing portion of the adaptor to adjust the distance between the securing portion and the mounting portion.

Abstract: An accessory lens for a far-infrared thermal imager which is quickly insted or removed to double the range. The accessory uses two or three element with alternating dielectric constants and combinations of spherical and aspherical surfaces.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly has a stationary barrel, a middle barrel and a movable barrel. The middle barrel is formed on its outer periphery at a rear end thereof with a helicoidal thread, which engages with a helicoidal thread formed on the inner surface of the stationary barrel. The movable barrel holds a zoom lens system therein, and is formed on its outer periphery at a rear end portion with a helicoidal thread which engages with a helicoidal thread formed in the inner surface of the middle barrel. The middle barrel is provided at its rear end portion with a driven gear having a small face width. The driven gear meshes with a drive gear through a cut-out of the stationary barrel. Rotational movement of a zoom motor is transmitted to the driven gear of the middle barrel through the drive gear, so that the middle barrel is rotated to move in the direction of the optical axis of the assembly.

Abstract: A positioner for accurately and precisely positioning an optical member such as a lens aligned with the tip of an optical fiber in relation to an optical device such as a beam launcher/splitter; the positioner includes a tilt base mounted in a frame and angularly displaceable about orthagonal X and Y axes defined by three ball bearings all engaging one surface of the tilt base and all biased against the tilt base. Two differential screws mounted on the frame engage two of the ball bearings to effect angular yaw and pitch adjustments. The tilt base is connected to a retainer support in turn connected to a retainer member; two additional differential screws engage the support through further ball bearings to effect linear movements of the retainer member along the X and Y axes.