Mechanical Mechanism For Displacement Of Exposure Objective Patents (Class 396/144)
  • Patent number: 7401987
    Abstract: A photographing lens includes an eccentricity adjusting frame which holds an eccentricity adjusting lens group serving as a part of a photographing optical system of the photographing lens; a lens support frame, an axis of which is coincident with a predetermined optical axis of the photographing optical system, supporting the eccentricity adjusting frame in a manner to allow the eccentricity adjusting frame to move in a plane orthogonal to the predetermined optical axis during an assembly-stage of the photographing lens; and a fixed aperture member having a circular aperture, the fixed aperture member being integrally formed with the lens support frame so that a center of the circular aperture coincides with the axis of the lens support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Sato
  • Publication number: 20080131110
    Abstract: A digital lens assembly is provided, comprising a camera lens seat having an inner thread fragment formed on an inner wall thereof and a protruding contact portion, and a cone having an outer thread fragment and an outer ring portion formed on an outer wall thereof and a torsion adjustment portion disposed between the outer screw and the outer ring, the outer ring portion having an opposite portion on the camera lens seat, wherein the outer screw is engaged with the inner screw at least through the protruding contact portion so that the torsion adjustment portion urges against and supports the protruding contact portion and then a glue application space is defined by the outer ring and the opposite portion on the camera lens seat and into which a glue is applied to bond the cone and the camera lens seat to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: GLORY SCIENCE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuan-Lin Lee, Liang-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 7374431
    Abstract: A clamping device (100) for clamping a digital camera module (300) includes a base (12) and two legs (14). Two legs extend from two sides of the base. Each leg has at least one foot (18). The at least one foot defines an arcuate surface (180). The arcuate surfaces cooperatively define a space for receiving the digital camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Altus Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Ying-Tang Su
  • Patent number: 7359131
    Abstract: An improved lens mount and related lens and lens barrel positioning methods are provided. In one example, a lens mount for use with a miniature camera can include a ring member having a substantially cylindrical interior surface defining a substantially cylindrical interior space. A plurality of elongate ribs are disposed on the interior surface of the ring member and are adapted to exert pressure against an external surface of a lens barrel received by the ring member. In another example, a method of positioning a lens barrel includes inserting a lens barrel into a ring member having a substantially cylindrical interior surface. Pressure can be exerted against an external surface of the lens barrel from a plurality of elongate ribs disposed on the interior surface of the ring member. The pressure can prevent rotation of the lens barrel along at least three axes of rotational freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Siimpel Corporation
    Inventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Robert J. Calvet
  • Patent number: 7356253
    Abstract: A rotational driving apparatus with a motor, a worm pressingly fitted to an output shaft of the motor, and a worm wheel meshing with the worm, is provided to output rotation of the motor from the worm wheel via the worm. The apparatus includes support, pressing, plug, and urging members. The support member is placed forming a gap with respect to a tip end of the worm, and includes a through hole positioned on a same axis as the worm. The pressing member is inserted into the through hole, and protrudes from a tip end of the through hole to butt against a tip end face of the worm. The plug member is fitted into the through hole to close the through hole, in which its fitting degree into the through hole is adjustable. The urging member is interposed between the pressing member and the plug member to urge the pressing member toward the worm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Manabe, Kazuhiro Tsuyuki
  • Patent number: 7330648
    Abstract: There is provided an optical module having a circuit board that includes an imaging element, a lens barrel that is fixed onto the circuit board to movably accommodate a lens holder having a lens that forms an image on an imaging surface of an imaging element in a light axis direction, a cylindrical cam having a cam surface engaged with a protrusion disposed in the outside of the lens barrel and extending from a side face of the lens holder to move the lens holder, and a drive section in which an actuator drives the cylindrical cam via a gear train and also having a cover that integrally covers the lens barrel and the actuator and determines the positional relationship between the lens barrel and the drive section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Shinji Morinaga, Toshihiko Nakagawara
  • Publication number: 20080031612
    Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a first part and a second part. The first part has a camera module mounted therein, which includes a lens-barrel and a focusing mechanism engaged with the lens barrel. Wherein the focusing mechanism has a focusing lever. The second part is movably attached to the first part between a first position and a second position. The second part further has a first and second lever-driving portions for driving the focusing lever to rotate between a first focus position where the focusing lever is located adjacent to the first lever-driving portion and the second is moved to the first position, and a second focus position where the focusing lever is located adjacent to the second lever-driving portion and the second part is moved to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: JEN-TSORNG CHANG
  • Publication number: 20070286591
    Abstract: A lens module includes a base, a drive unit, a speed reduction unit, an outer barrel, and a lens unit. The speed reduction unit is coupled to and driven rotatably by the drive unit. The outer barrel is mounted to the base and has a barrel wall that surrounds an axis, that defines a receiving space, and that has an inner wall surface formed with an internally threaded portion. The lens unit includes a lens barrel that defines a chamber, and at least one lens disposed in the lens barrel. The lens barrel has an externally threaded portion that extends into the outer barrel to engage threadedly with the internally threaded portion of the barrel wall, and a driven portion driven rotatably by the speed reduction unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Ku-Yuan Chang, Po-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 7307663
    Abstract: A video surveillance camera comprising a lens, lens holder, image sensor, base, and ring. The base has a plurality of slots, and the image sensor is mounted on the base. The lens is positioned in the lens holder, which has a plurality of arms with a pin. Each of the arms is positioned so that its respective pin is located in one of the plurality of slots in the base. The ring has a plurality of grooves for engagement with the pins and is rotatably engaged with the base such that rotation of the ring imparts axial movement to the lens relative to the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Pelco
    Inventors: Alex Pokrovsky, Thomas Lyon, Erik Tews, Mark J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20070263998
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display module including housing, a flexible printed circuit board and a plurality of electric devices. The housing has at least a receiving notch. The flexible printed circuit board has a flexible substrate and at least an extension substrate projected from the flexible substrate to mount electric devices thereon. The extension substrate may be bent and received in the receiving notch of the housing to achieve the purpose of mounting more electric device on the flexible printed circuit board without having to increase the size of module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: WINTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chih-Hsien Lien, Chin-Wen Lo, Yu-Jen Tsai
  • Publication number: 20070212050
    Abstract: An exemplary lens module (20) includes a lens barrel (5), a focusing mechanism (7), a resilient member (9), and a bottom seat (6). The lens barrel is mounted with a lens (517) therein. The lens barrel is axially movable relative to the bottom seat due to a rotation of the focusing mechanism and the force generated by the resilient member. Such an axial movement, in turn, would change a position of the lens relative to the bottom seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TSUNG-WEI CHIANG
  • Publication number: 20070196094
    Abstract: An exemplary lens module (30) includes a lens barrel (31), a focusing mechanism (40), a resilient member (70), and a bottom seat (50). The lens barrel is mounted with at least one lens (36) therein and is fixed to one end of the focusing mechanism. One end of the resilient member resists the focusing mechanism and the other opposite end of the resilient member resists the bottom seat. The focusing mechanism is for controlling an amount of expansion permitted within the resilient member. The amount of expansion of the resilient member determines a degree of focus achieved by the lens module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TSUNG-WEI CHIANG
  • Patent number: 7146097
    Abstract: There is provided a focusing device capable of rapidly moving a lens to a minute focusing region and of realizing minute movement of focusing the lens in the minute focusing region. A lens moving mechanism comprises a first guide portion for guiding a lens to move in an optical-axis direction by a first predetermined distance to a minute focusing region and a second guide portion for guiding the lens 5 to minutely move in an optical direction by a second predetermined distance in the minute focusing region. The first guide portion is comprised of inclined portions 8a12 and 8a22 of guide grooves 8a1 and 8a2 of the outer cam 8. The second guide portion is comprised a first cam 4a1 and a second cam 4a2 of a lens holder 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuaki Kameyama
  • Patent number: 7133222
    Abstract: The described embodiments provide devices and methods for securing a lens member in a mobile electronic device. The lens member is positionable between a front housing and a rear housing of the device such that inner surfaces of the housings both exert a biasing force on the lens member such that the lens member is substantially immovable relative to the inner surfaces. As such, the lens member is securely fixed within the housings and cannot be removed or separated from one or both housings without evidence of tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Chintala, Scott R. Semenik
  • Patent number: 7127161
    Abstract: A lens barrel is proposed, in which the optical adjustment of its lens system can be performed easily and at a reduced cost, and also an optical instrument having such a lens barrel is provided. A lens barrel is provided, which comprises: a lens frame for holding a lens; a holding frame for holding the lens frame; and an adjustment mechanism which, while allowing the lens frame to be pressed and fit into the holding frame thereof with a predetermined abutting force resulting from an elastic force, and while retaining its fit-in state, can adjust a position of the lens frame with regard to said holding frame in the directions of an optical axis via a plurality of stepwise stages by rotating said lens frame around its own axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Koyama
  • Patent number: 7127162
    Abstract: A camera module having a lens unit; an intermediate part a hollow part of which the lens unit is affixed to; and a base unit which is opened in one direction and is equipped with a mounting part to which the intermediate part is mounted in such a way as to be able to rotate freely; wherein a latching protrusion that latches with the base unit is provided on an outer periphery of the intermediate part; a sliding hole having a movable step is provided on a mounting part side of the base unit; and the intermediate part moves in a direction perpendicular to the rotating direction, as the latching protrusion of the intermediate part rotates along the sliding hole of the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Mano
  • Patent number: 7102837
    Abstract: A one-way rotational transfer mechanism includes a rotary input shaft, a rotary output shaft, a clutch member, a differential rotating member, a circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on the rotary input shaft, a torque transfer member, and an associating device. The torque transfer member wedges between the circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion and the clutch member while making the torque transfer member contact the clutch so that the rotary input shaft and the clutch member become integral upon rotation of the rotary input shaft. The associating device causes the clutch member to transfer torque thereof to the rotary output shaft, and the clutch member to release engagement of the rotary input shaft with the clutch member when the rotary output shaft is rotated so that a relative rotational torque greater than a predetermined torque determined by a shape of the associating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Takuji Hamasaki, Makoto Iikawa
  • Patent number: 7103273
    Abstract: A worm gear is provided on a rotating shaft of an AF motor. A first supporting cylinder includes a gear portion and a receiving portion. A wheel gear, which is in engagement with the worm gear, is formed on an outer surface of the gear portion. A slit is formed at the receiving portion. A second supporting cylinder includes a supported portion which is placed in the receiving portion of the first supporting cylinder, and a receiving portion which supports an AF coupler. A gear is in engagement with a portion which connects the supported portion and the receiving portion of the 2nd supporting cylinder. A clutch spring is wound around the supported portion, being in contact with the outer surface of the supported portion. Both ends of the clutch spring cross each other and are in engagement with a pair of walls, of the slit, which are parallel to an axis of the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Hosokawa, Takuya Hasegawa, Naoki Itou
  • Patent number: 7099576
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a distance adjustment ring for moving a movable lens group; a hand-operated ring and a motor for rotating the distance adjustment ring; a one-way rotational transfer mechanism which transfers torque of the hand-operated ring to the distance adjustment ring when the hand-operated ring is manually rotated, and prevents torque of the distance adjustment ring transferring to the hand-operated ring when the distance adjustment ring is rotated by the motor. A circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on an annular overlapping portion of the hand-operated ring, is shaped so that a torque transfer member, installed in an accommodation space between the annular overlapping portion and-a torque transfer cylindrical surface on the distance adjustment ring, wedges between the circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion and the torque transfer cylindrical surface to transfer the torque of the manually rotated hand-operated ring to the distance adjustment ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Takuji Hamasaki, Makoto Iikawa
  • Patent number: 7066663
    Abstract: A weather-resistant monitoring camera has a case, a camera set, a frame, a lens and an adjusting assembly. The case has a body to receive the camera set, the frame, the lens and the adjusting assembly. The frame is used for holding the camera set in place and the camera lens is mounted on the camera set. The adjusted assembly is used for adjusting the lens and is mounted outside the body. Because the camera lens is mounted inside the body and can be adjusted by the external adjusting assembly, rain, wind and a force of shock will not damage the camera lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Yi-Jen Cheng
  • Patent number: 7065295
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving a lens in a camera includes a lens module installed in a reciprocating and sliding manner in an inside of a lens barrel, a lead screw installed on the lens barrel, for being rotated by a driving motor, and a power transferring member assembled on the lens module and equipped with a tooth-shaped part that corresponds to a tooth shape of the lead screw. The lens module has a lens and a slider having a mounting unit for mounting the lens and receiving the power transferring member in a movable manner. The mounting unit has a through groove in which one end of the power transferring member is fit and supported and a slit groove in which the other end of the power transferring member is fit to be supported for being movable in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeong-hyo Jeong, Seong-ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 6977784
    Abstract: An image-taking apparatus includes an image-taking portion provided with a taking lens system. A filter to be brought into close contact with the taking lens system is held by a filter holder. A moving mechanism moves a movable member in the direction of the optical axis of the taking lens system. A spring intervenes between the filter holder and the movable member and urges the filter holder toward the taking lens system in the direction of the optical axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidenori Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6965734
    Abstract: Pawls are formed on an outer peripheral portion of an operation dial at intervals equal to step rotating angles of the operation dial so that a user's finger nail can be placed on one of the pawls to rotate the dial. When the finger nail is placed on one of the pawls to rotate the operation dial, the finger nail placed on that pawl abuts against a stopper provided on a camera main body. Thus, rotation of the operation dial is stopped at each step rotating angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignees: IDT Data System Limited, Fuji Film Axia Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Raymond Chan, Yiu Hung Li, Nobuaki Higashi, Mikihiko Kato
  • Patent number: 6961189
    Abstract: Sliders of a movable lens holder are provided with cam followers respectively. Each of the sliders engages with a guide opening formed in a lens frame so that the movable lens holder is allowed to move in an optical-axis direction. The movable lens holder is retained in a cam barrel provided with cam grooves, which are formed so as to shift their positions in the optical-axis direction and in a rotational direction of the cam barrel. The cam followers engage with the cam grooves respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Syunji Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6922525
    Abstract: A control module between to a lens barrel and a camera body contains a focus driver and an iris and associated aperture control. The control module interacts electronically and mechanically with the camera body and the lens barrel to position lens systems within the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: VPR Matrix, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Lee
  • Patent number: 6860653
    Abstract: A cam era assembly has a support that defines an optical axis. A traveler is reversibly movable along the optical axis, relative to the support, from a retracted position, through a plurality of intermediate positions, to an extended position. The traveler has opposed first and second contact surfaces. A guide extends outward from the support. The guide has a forward rest that faces the first contact surface and a rear rest that faces the second contact surface. The rests are each aligned with the optical axis. A biaser biases the traveler against the rear rest, when said traveler is in the retracted position, and against the forward rest, when the traveler is in the extended position. The biaser is spaced from the rests and the contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony DiRisio
  • Patent number: 6839512
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a camera device having a posterior filter which is of compact design and facilitates attachment and detachment of optical elements such as a posterior filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Tamron Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Nishikawa, Takashi Itohiya
  • Patent number: 6834161
    Abstract: A camera assembly has a support that defines an optical axis. A positioner is held by the support. The positioner has an opening centered on the optical axis. The positioner is pivotable about the optical axis, to a plurality of different orientations relative to the support. A coverglass is rotatably supported exterior to the positioner. The coverglass has a window that is disposed over the opening and an adjuster that is joined to the window. The rotation of the coverglass rotates one of the positioner and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Wayne E. Stiehler
  • Patent number: 6788891
    Abstract: A back focus adjusting mechanism for an imaging camera includes a coil spring provided around a cylindrical portion of a lens mount of the camera, an imaging element holder holding an imaging element so that the imaging element is moved along an optical axis of an imaging lens by a guide of the lens mount, an adjusting ring provided with a cam the imaging element holder engages, a positioning holder fixed in the camera housing and positioning the adjusting ring so that the adjusting ring is rotatable around the cylindrical portion of the lens mount, the imaging element holder abutting the cam by rotation of the adjusting ring being moved, a spring member pressing the adjusting ring against the positioning holder and fixed in the camera housing, and a knob member operated outside the camera housing. The adjusting ring is fixed at an adjustment position while being subjected to a pressing force of the spring member by the knob member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Elmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Mitsugi
  • Patent number: 6778773
    Abstract: A viewing apparatus includes a viewing optical system having a positive objective optical system and a positive eyepiece optical system, an image of an object formed through the positive objective optical system being viewed through the positive eyepiece optical system; a photographing optical system, provided independently from the viewing optical system, for photographing the object image viewed through the positive eyepiece optical system; a first focusing mechanism for changing an image focal point of the object image formed through the positive objective optical system of the viewing optical system; a second focusing mechanism for changing an image focal point of an object image formed through the photographing optical system; an interconnection mechanism which interconnects the first focusing mechanism with the second focusing mechanism; and a release mechanism for releasing the interconnection mechanism so that the first focusing mechanism and the second focusing mechanism can operate independently of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Abe
  • Patent number: 6757490
    Abstract: A camera assembly has a support that defines an optical axis. The support has a forwardly extending cam finger. The cam finger has a first cam surface that is inclined relative to an imaginary line parallel to the optical axis. A guide has a forward rim that is spaced from the support. The support and guide are separate pieces that are joined together. The guide has a notch that receives the cam finger. The notch has a second cam surface that parallels and is spaced from the first cam surface. The cam surfaces together define a cam slot having first and second opposed ends. A lens barrel selectively translates along the optical axis between an inner position and an outer position relative to the support. The lens barrel has a cam follower that extends into the slot and is movable along the slot between the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony DiRisio
  • Patent number: 6751411
    Abstract: A camera assembly has a mount that defines an optical axis. A lens barrel has a main portion and a tracker protruding outwardly from the main portion. The lens barrel is movable along the optical axis between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the mount. The lens barrel is non-rotatable about the optical axis. A guide extends forward from the mount. A travel stop is mounted to the guide. The travel stop has a skid that is spirally sloped about the optical axis. The tracker defines a segment of the skid that is aligned with the tracker in a direction parallel to the optical axis and is contacted by the tracker in the extended position of the lens barrel. The segment can be shifted helically along the skid by pivoting the travel stop about the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony DiRisio
  • Patent number: 6735385
    Abstract: A viewing apparatus having a photographing function includes a viewing system including a viewing optical system, the viewing optical system having a positive objective optical system and an eyepiece optical system, an image of an object formed through the positive objective optical system being viewed through the eyepiece optical system; and a photographing system including a photographing optical system for photographing the object image viewed through the eyepiece optical system, the photographing optical system being provided independently of the viewing optical system. The photographing optical system includes a first lens group and a second lens group. The photographing system includes two focusing mechanisms, which operate independently from each other, for changing both absolute positions of the first lens group and the second lens group and a relative position of the first lens group and the second lens group on an optical axis of the photographing optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Abe
  • Patent number: 6711349
    Abstract: A camera assembly has a support that defines an optical axis. A traveler is movable along the optical axis between first and second positions relative to the support. A turret is disposed in and movable with the traveler. The turret has a primary aperture. The turret is pivotable relative to the traveler, between a first position in which the primary aperture is spaced from the optical axis, and a second position in which the primary aperture is aligned with the optical axis. The turret can have a secondary aperture that is aligned with the optical axis when the primary aperture is in the first position. An over-center mechanism is switchable between a first state, in which the over-center mechanism biases the traveler and turret into respective first positions, and a second state, in which the over-center mechanism biases the traveler and turret into respective second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony DiRisio
  • Patent number: 6707996
    Abstract: A camera includes a base, a focusing lens, a retaining wheel, a pushing member, and a retaining hook. The base has a cylindrical and vertical opening in it. The focusing lens is rotationally fixed within the opening. The retaining wheel is rotationally fixed in the base. The horizontal sides of the retaining wheel include a ratchet side, a smooth side, a first end, and a second end positioned over the connecting portions of the ratchet side and the smooth side. The pushing member is horizontally and movably fixed in the base for moving the focusing lens and the retaining wheel. The retaining hook includes a horizontal arm and a vertical arm. The horizontal arm can move across the upper side of the retaining wheel, and the vertical arm can thus contact each of the horizontal sides of the retaining wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen-Shuo Tsai
  • Patent number: 6701076
    Abstract: A focus retaining mechanism of a camera is disclosed. The camera includes a base, a focusing lens, a retaining member, and a retaining hook. The base has a cylindrical and vertical opening in it. The focusing lens is rotationally fixed within the opening. The retaining member is horizontally and movably fixed in the base. The horizontal sides of the retaining member include a ratchet side, a smooth side, a first end and a second end positioned over the connecting portions of the ratchet side and the smooth side. The retaining hook has a horizontal arm and a vertical arm installed under the horizontal arm. The horizontal arm can move horizontally across the upper side of the retaining member, and the vertical arm can thus contact each of the horizontal sides of the retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen-Shuo Tsai
  • Patent number: 6654557
    Abstract: A lens driving apparatus comprises a positioning dowel which rotatably supports a shaft of a driving member so as not to have a backlash. The positioning dowel is formed on a lens holding frame. A rack part and a coil spring mounting dowel are formed on the driving member. A coil spring is mounted on the coil spring mounting dowel of the driving member, and the rack part of the driving member is pressed against a feed screw of a motor by using the positioning dowel of the lens holding frame as a rotation fulcrum. The lens driving apparatus has an elastic rotating force in a direction along which the lens holding frame is made to abut a second guide pole, and a moment in a direction along which the lens holding frame is pressed against the second guide pole by self-weight of the lens holding frame, including the lens, is added to the elastic rotating force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kikuchi, Yukihiro Takabatake
  • Patent number: 6603930
    Abstract: In a camera, a main body is provided with a rotating member, which is rotated along a guide of the main body, and the rotating member is connected with an operating device for rotating the rotating member. A focusing screen is mounted to the rotating member so as to correspond to a luminous flux section of a lens unit. A reflecting member for reflecting a subject image captured from the lens unit to a finder provided in the main body is mounted at a backside of the focusing screen in the rotating member. A case member containing an image pickup member corresponding to the luminous flux section of the lens unit is provided at the other side of the focusing screen via the reflecting member in the rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Hitoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6571060
    Abstract: In a driving mechanism of an optical device that communicates the motive power generated at a drive source to an object to be driven by employing a plurality of gears, the plurality of gears are each constituted by using, at least, one of; polyester, polyamide and polyacetals. The plurality of gears include a gear having a low bending elastic modulus set to 10 kgf/mm2 or higher and 100 kgf/mm2 or lower and a gear having a high bending elastic modulus set to 50 kgf/mm2 or higher and 1000 kgf/mm2 or lower that meshes with the gear having the low bending elastic modulus, and thus, it becomes possible to reduce the noise generated at the gear meshing portion without compromising the durability of the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Moriya, Takashi Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20030091345
    Abstract: A camera includes a base, a focusing lens, a retaining wheel, a pushing member, and a retaining hook. The base has a cylindrical and vertical opening in it. The focusing lens is rotationally fixed within the opening. The retaining wheel is rotationally fixed in the base. The horizontal sides of the retaining wheel include a ratchet side, a smooth side, a first end, and a second end positioned over the connecting portions of the ratchet side and the smooth side. The pushing member is horizontally and movably fixed in the base for moving the focusing lens and the retaining wheel. The retaining hook includes a horizontal arm and a vertical arm. The horizontal arm can move across the upper side of the retaining wheel, and the vertical arm can thus contact each of the horizontal sides of the retaining wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Chen-Shuo Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030081949
    Abstract: A focus retaining mechanism of a camera is disclosed. The camera includes a base, a focusing lens, a retaining member, and a retaining hook. The base has a cylindrical and vertical opening in it. The focusing lens is rotationally fixed within the opening. The retaining member is horizontally and movably fixed in the base. The horizontal sides of the retaining member include a ratchet side, a smooth side, a first end and a second end positioned over the connecting portions of the ratchet side and the smooth side. The retaining hook has a horizontal arm and a vertical arm installed under the horizontal arm. The horizontal arm can move horizontally across the upper side of the retaining member, and the vertical arm can thus contact each of the horizontal sides of the retaining member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Chen-Shuo Tsai
  • Patent number: 6553185
    Abstract: An optical apparatus, such as a lens barrel, includes a first unit holding member and a second unit holding member arranged to hold a first optical unit and a second optical unit, respectively, a driven member arranged to be driven to move in an optical axis direction, and a cam member of a plate-like shape having a cam part, the cam member being capable of taking a first state in which the cam member rotates around a predetermined axis, without moving in the optical axis direction, according to movement of the driven member in the optical axis direction, and a second state, different from the first state, in which the cam member moves in the optical axis direction according to movement of the driven member in the optical axis direction, wherein, when taking each of the first state and the second state, the cam member drives the first unit holding member and the second unit holding member in the optical axis direction. More specifically, a normal zooming function is performed in the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Inaba, Masae Miyakawa, Tadanori Okada
  • Publication number: 20030072567
    Abstract: A viewing apparatus having a photographing function includes a viewing system including a viewing optical system, the viewing optical system having a positive objective optical system and an eyepiece optical system, an image of an object formed through the positive objective optical system being viewed through the eyepiece optical system; and a photographing system including a photographing optical system for photographing the object image viewed through the eyepiece optical system, the photographing optical system being provided independently of the viewing optical system. The photographing optical system includes a first lens group and a second lens group. The photographing system includes two focusing mechanisms, which operate independently from each other, for changing both absolute positions of the first lens group and the second lens group and a relative position of the first lens group and the second lens group on an optical axis of the photographing optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Abe
  • Publication number: 20030063906
    Abstract: A viewing apparatus includes a viewing optical system having a positive objective optical system and a positive eyepiece optical system, an image of an object formed through the positive objective optical system being viewed through the positive eyepiece optical system; a photographing optical system, provided independently from the viewing optical system, for photographing the object image viewed through the positive eyepiece optical system; a first focusing mechanism for changing an image focal point of the object image formed through the positive objective optical system of the viewing optical system; a second focusing mechanism for changing an image focal point of an object image formed through the photographing optical system; an interconnection mechanism which interconnects the first focusing mechanism with the second focusing mechanism; and a release mechanism for releasing the interconnection mechanism so that the first focusing mechanism and the second focusing mechanism can operate independently of
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Abe
  • Patent number: 6449434
    Abstract: A lens displacing mechanism for an objective lens comprising an actuator movable to displace the objective lens, and a shaped memory alloy (abbreviated to SMA) wire which when heated contracts to a memorized shape to move the actuator to displace the objective lens, is characterized in that the SMA wire has opposite ends that are fixed in place and an intermediate movable portion between the opposite ends that directly contacts the actuator to move the actuator when the SMA wire is heated to contract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuss
  • Patent number: 6442343
    Abstract: A first stop plate with a small stop opening is disposed behind a taking lens, and a second stop plate with a middle stop opening is disposed between a first and second lens, which comprise the taking lens. Upon moving a changeover knob to an ON position, a flash unit and the second stop plate are actuated such that the middle stop opening is retracted from an photographic light path PL. The small stop opening is retracted from the photographic light path PL when subject luminance is less than a predetermined value. In high-luminance condition, the small stop opening and the middle stop opening are set on the photographic light path PL, and in middle-luminance condition, the small stop opening is retracted. In low-luminance condition, the middle stop opening is retracted by operation of the changeover knob, so only a large stop opening is set on the photographic light path PL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kameyama, Shigeki Takahara, Yuji Mikami
  • Patent number: 6434334
    Abstract: A lens moving device comprises a lens frame to which a lens is attached and a drive mechanism which moves the lens frame along the optical axis of the lens. An arm-receiving opening is formed in a connecting member provided on the lens frame. The drive mechanism has a motor, and an output shaft of the motor is connected to a feed screw, on which a nut is fitted. A moving member is integrally formed on the nut, and first and second arms are provided on the moving member. The first and second arms are inserted into the arm-receiving opening. The first and second arms are arranged in order along the line, in which the lens is moved. A spring force of the first arm is greater than that of the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Ichinokawa
  • Publication number: 20020106205
    Abstract: In a lens driving apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a positioning dowel 2b which rotatably supports a shaft of a driving member 9 so as not to have a backlash is formed in a lens holding frame 2, a rack part 9f and a coil spring mounting dowel 9h are formed in the driving member 9, a coil spring 11 is mounted on the coil spring mounting dowel 9h of the driving member 9, and the rack part 9f of the driving member 9 is pressed against a feed screw 7a of a motor for driving 6 by using the positioning dowel 2b of the lens holding frame 2 as a rotation fulcrum, as well as the lens driving apparatus has an elastic rotating force in a direction along which the lens holding frame 2 is made to abut on a second guide pole 4, and further a moment in a direction along which the lens holding frame 2 is pressed against the second guide pole 4 by the self-weight of the lens holding frame 2 including the lens 1 is also added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kikuchi, Yukihiro Takabatake
  • Patent number: 6400904
    Abstract: A housing of a finder unit is attached to a camera body and cam follower pins of movable lenses are engaged with grooves of a finder cam provided in the camera body. The housing is moved back and forth in this state along a guide bar attached to the camera body. Thereby, a position of a view frame of a view frame switch unit, which serves as an image forming part of the finder unit, is adjusted with respect to the movable lenses so that the focus of the finder unit is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Kobayashi, Osamu Inaba
  • Patent number: 6349003
    Abstract: A camera having a manually operated zoom lens system, in which the magnification of the lens system is adjusted by manual rotation of a part of the lens systems. The camera includes a lens system having at least first and second optical elements, the first optical element being movable relative to the second optical element, a mechanism for moving the first optical element relative to the second optical element, and a rotatable element for operating the mechanism to change the magnification of the lens system. The camera further includes a view finder with adjustable magnification for providing a view representative of the image captured by the lens systems. The view finder includes first and second optical elements, the first element being moveable relative to the second element to change the magnification of the view finder and a mechanism for moving the first optical element relative to the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Tiffen Company LLC
    Inventor: Chi Yin Ko