Abstract: A switch member is provided. The switch member includes a mounting board, a moveable plate, a first blade and a second blade. The mounting board includes a mounting board opening. The moveable plate is slidably connected to the mounting board, wherein the moveable plate includes a moveable plate opening, and the moveable plate further includes a first moveable plate abutting portion and a second moveable plate abutting portion. The first blade includes a first blade pivoting portion, a first blade abutting portion and a first blade covering portion, wherein the first blade pivoting portion is located between the first blade abutting portion and the first blade covering portion. The second blade includes a second blade pivoting portion, a second blade abutting portion and a second blade covering portion, wherein the second blade abutting portion is located between the second blade pivoting portion and the second blade covering portion.

Abstract: A shutter includes a driver ring, a plurality of shutter blades coupled to the drive ring such that movement of the drive ring transitions the plurality of shutter blades between an open position exposing a central aperture of the shutter, and a closed position blocking the central aperture, and a first stop and a second stop movable relative to the first stop. At least one of the first and second stops limits travel of the shutter blades.

Abstract: A micro shutter with an iris function includes a base plate with a transparent portion formed in a circular shape corresponding to an image sensor which allows light to pass through; a plurality of rollup blades which block the light, arranged in a regular polygon at a circumference of the transparent portion on the base plate to cover the transparent portion, and each of the plurality of rollup blades to have a fixing portion fixed to the base plate and a moving portion rolled up toward the fixing portion; and a controller electrically connected with the base plate and the plurality of rollup blades which controls unrolling degrees of the plurality of rollup blades.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus includes a mirror moving into and out of an optical path, a shutter mechanism including shutter blades and a shutter-driving spring driving the shutter blades in an open direction, a charge-holding member holding the shutter mechanism with the shutter-driving spring charged, and a hold-releasing member releasing the holding of the shutter mechanism by the charge-holding member. The shutter blades and the charge-holding member are moved in a plane parallel to a light-receiving surface of an image-pickup element. The hold-releasing member is moved in a plane orthogonal to the light-receiving surface of the image-pickup element and drives the mirror in a moving-out direction when releasing the holding of the shutter mechanism. The apparatus has a small configuration associated with driving the shutter mechanism and is appropriate for providing a cleaning mechanism of the image-pickup element by using a movable member different from the shutter blades.

Abstract: There is provided a light control apparatus that maintains the overall apparatus size small, increases the number of stop stages, and is suitable for both the shutter and stop actions. A light control apparatus includes a first actuator, a second actuator, a first light shielding member driven by the first actuator, and a second light shielding member driven by the second actuator, wherein in a stop adjusting action, the first and second actuators drive the first and second light shielding members and adjust an aperture formed by the first and second light shielding members, and wherein in a shutter action, the second actuator drives the second light-shielding member for a light shielding action.

Abstract: A lens shutter has a diaphragm blade, a shutter blade, and a motor with a rotor reciprocatingly turned between an initial position and a final position by a current applied to a coil, to move the diaphragm blade to stop at an aperture regulating position and the shutter blade between an aperture open position and an aperture close position in cooperation with a first forcing member urging the diaphragm blade toward the aperture regulating position, a stopper for keeping the diaphragm blade at the aperture regulating position and a second forcing member urging the rotor against movement for the final position at least after the diaphragm blade abuts on the stopper. A magnetic device is provided to keep the rotor at positions where the aperture is fully opened and closed, respectively, even when the current to the coil is interrupted.

Abstract: An image capture device is provided including more compact components to enable the fabrication of more compact image capture devices. In one particular embodiment, a compact shutter mechanism is provided that requires less space within the camera when the shutter is open. In another particular embodiment, a rotary to linear switch is provided to reduce the amount of real estate required by the switch on the outside housing of the image capture device.

Abstract: A lens shutter mechanism includes a support frame having a photographing aperture; at least three shutter sectors which open and close the photographing aperture via rotating axes which extend parallel to the optical axis; and at least three diaphragm sectors which vary an aperture diameter formed by the diaphragm sectors to restrict the diameter of the photographing aperture, independently from the shutter sectors, via rotating axes which extend parallel to the optical axis. The support frame is provided with rotational center portions spaced from each other at equi-angular intervals about the optical axis, the number of the rotational center portions being same as each of the number of the shutter sectors and the number of the diaphragm sectors. Each of the rotational center portions rotatably and coaxially supports a one of the shutter sectors and one of the diaphragm sectors.

Abstract: An optical device capable of controlling its optical transmittance. The optical device has a first liquid conductive or having a polarity and a second liquid. The first and second liquids are substantially equal in refractive index but differ in transmittance. The first and second liquids do not mix with each other. The first and second liquids are sealingly contained in a container in such state that the boundary therebetween has a predetermined shape. When a voltage is applied between these liquids through electrodes formed in such a place or condition as to avoid interference with passage of a bundle of rays incident upon the optical element, the output of the applied voltage is selected under control to change the shape of the boundary, thereby changing the quantity of transmitted light in the bundle of rays traveling through the optical device.

Abstract: The camera shutter unit of the present invention is provided with a diaphragm blade arranged to be capable of moving between a stopping-down position wherein an aperture is stopped down, and an evacuating position wherein the aperture is opened. A shutter blade is arranged to be capable of moving between an opening position, wherein the aperture is opened, and a closing position, wherein the aperture is closed. A drive-control mechanism is provided for drive-controlling the shutter blade and the diaphragm blade. The drive-control mechanism has a single electromagnetic drive source, and a spring for restricting movement of the shutter blade toward the closing position when the diaphragm blade is positioned in the stopping-down position, and for releasing its restriction by a predetermined or more drive force generated by the electromagnetic drive source. Therefore, the unit can be of a small size and low in cost, and its reliability of function can be improved.

Abstract: The camera shutter unit of the present invention comprises a diaphragm blade arranged to be capable of moving between a stopping-down position wherein an aperture is stopped down, and an evacuating position wherein the aperture is opened. A shutter blade is arranged to be capable of moving between an opening position, wherein the aperture is opened, and a closing position, wherein the aperture is closed. A dive-control mechanism is provided for drive-controlling the shutter blade and the diaphragm blade. The drive-control mechanism has a single electromagnetic drive source, a spring for restricting movement of the shutter blade toward the closing position when the diaphragm blade is positioned in the stopping-down position, and for releasing its restriction by a predetermined or more drive force generated by the electromagnetic drive source, and a control means for controlling the electromagnetic drive source.

Abstract: A shutter device for a camera includes a shutter blade for providing an exposure by opening/shutting a photographic light path, and a shutter drive lever for driving the shutter blade. The shutter device includes a shutter release button. A photometric switch is turned on in response to depression of the shutter release button. A photometric circuit is operated by turning on of the photometric switch, for measuring object brightness. An aperture stop changeover mechanism changes over an aperture stop of the photographic light path according to the photographic light path. A delay structure such as a delay lever detects completion of actuation of the aperture stop changeover mechanism and responsively moves the shutter drive lever.

Abstract: A diaphragm driving device for a camera with a single type sector includes a shutter base, a driver installed on the shutter base, and a diaphragm ring rotatably placed on the shutter base with the same center and connected to the driving source to receive rotational force from the driving source. The diaphragm ring has a cam side composed of a plurality of circular arc portions spaced apart from each other with a respective radius corresponding to an appropriate diaphragm value and rectilinear portions interconnecting the neighboring circular arc portions. A sector opening and closing device is rotatably fixed on the shutter base at its bottom portion. The head of the sector opening and closing device contacts the cam side of the diaphragm ring. The sector opening and closing device opens and closes the sector by rotating along the cam side.

Abstract: A light-shielding blade for use in cameras utilizes a film of para-type aromatic polyamide for its base material. The light-shielding blade has a single-layer structure using an aramid film as its blade material. The film is added with carbon black at a ratio of 2 to 10 percent by weight relative to a total weight of the blade material. Alternatively, the light-shielding blade has a laminated structure with a plurality of aramid films stacked each other and having a thickness of 2 to 30 microns each, a total thickness being set to a range of 50 to 200 microns.

Abstract: A camera lens shutter having separate aperture blades and shutter blades arranged in a manner to provide a shutter unit having decreased thickness. The lens shutter includes a first shading member to expose an exposure aperture when in an open state and to cover the exposure aperture when in a closed state. A first circular cam drives the primary shading member. A second shading member forms a plurality of aperture diameters, and a second circular cam drives the second shading member. The inner diameter of either the first or second cam is made larger than the outer diameter of the other. The lens shutter may also include a shading member to expose an exposure aperture wherein an open state, a first circular cam to drive the first shading member, a second shading member to cover or close the exposure aperture, a second circular cam to drive the second shading member, a third shading member to form a plurality of aperture diameters, and a third circular cam to drive the third shading member.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit is pre-loaded with photo film (31). An exposure is taken through an exposure opening (43) upon depression of a shutter button (14) to a full depressed position. A halfway position of the shutter button is less deep than the full depressed position. A power source switch (44) is switched on upon movement of the shutter button to the halfway position. A photometric circuit (50, 60) receives light of an object, and for generating a changeover signal when brightness of the object is a predetermined brightness or more. The photometric circuit is rendered effective when the power switch is switched on. A changeover plate (46a) has a stop-down opening (46b) which is formed therein, and has a size smaller than the exposure opening. The changeover plate is movable between an inserted position and a retracted position. The stop-down opening of the inserted position is superposed on the exposure opening to intercept a periphery of the exposure opening.