Bayonet Mount Patents (Class 396/531)
  • Patent number: 11592729
    Abstract: An accessory mount can be inserted through the camera body mount without any of the first through third tabs being hindered by any of three camera body-side tabs at the camera body mount, as long as the accessory mount is inserted into the camera body mount at a correct interlock phase. The first, second, and third tabs extend over varying lengths along the circumferential direction. The first tab extends over a greatest length and the third tab extends over a smallest length, along the circumferential direction. The accessory mount includes a restricting member, a fitting portion, and a lock pin hole. The restricting member is disposed at a position assumed on a side substantially opposite from the lock pin hole across the fitting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Hasuda, Noriyasu Kotani, Hideaki Hoshikawa
  • Patent number: 11550207
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a first mount portion and a first cylindrical member that has a color different from a color of the first mount portion and is disposed in a circumferential direction of the first mount portion, an accessory includes an exterior portion, a second mount portion, and a second cylindrical member having a color different from a color of the second mount portion and similar to a color of the first cylindrical member and disposed in a circumferential direction of the second mount portion, and in a state where the accessory is attached to the image capturing apparatus, reference surfaces of the first mount portion and the second mount portion are in contact with each other, and the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member are externally exposed regardless of whether the accessory is attached to or detached from the image capturing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruhisa Ueda, Kazuaki Yamana, Haruki Ota, Seishiro Takano, Masahisa Tamura, Kunihiko Sasaki, Katsuhiro Inoue, Toru Matsumoto, Shigehiro Torii, Toshinori Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11143841
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens assembly includes a plurality of lens-side claw portions configured to enable engagement with a plurality of camera-side claw portions, and a lock pin concave portion in which a lock pin is inserted. Furthermore, ?1 is an angle formed by a line passing through a fifth lens-side end and an optical axis, and a line passing through a center of a lock pin concave portion and the optical axis, and ?2 is an angle formed by a line passing through a fourth lens-side end and the optical axis, and a line that passes through the center of the lock pin concave portion and the optical axis. In the above, ?1 and ?2 satisfy a predetermined conditional expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Sasaki, Toshinori Yamazaki, Masahisa Tamura, Masayasu Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 9948836
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus which reduces the size of an operating ring in a radial direction while ensuring good operability using a click mechanism of the operating ring. A rotary member which rotates integrally with the operating ring has click holes formed on an inner peripheral side of concave portions and convex portions formed alternately in an outer peripheral portion. As the operating ring is rotationally operated, a ball is repeatedly engaged with and pulled out from the click hole to generate a click feel on the operating ring, and the concave and convex portions are repeatedly detected to detect a rotating direction and a rotationally-operated amount of the operating ring. The click holes, concave portions, and convex portions are formed in the rotary member such that the click holes and the concave portions are not aligned in a direction perpendicular to a rotation center of the rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9645476
    Abstract: A camera accessory can be detachably engaged with a camera body that includes a camera body mount, and is equipped with an accessory mount assuming a bayonet structure with a first tab, a second tab and a third tab set over intervals in a circumferential direction running along a circumference of a circle and projecting from the circumference along a radial direction. The accessory mount can be inserted through the camera body mount without any of the first through third tabs being hindered by any of three camera body-side tabs at the camera body mount, as long as the accessory mount is inserted into the camera body mount at a correct interlock phase. The accessory mount includes a restricting member disposed near the third tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Hasuda, Noriyasu Kotani, Hideaki Hoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9560937
    Abstract: A utensil 10 for flavoring fowl while cooking it over a heat source such as a barbecue has a pan-shaped base 53 with having an infuser cup 77 extending upward from the center portion 65 of the pan base. The infuser cup is sized to receive a standard beverage can that may be placed therein to provide a desired infusing liquid. The infuser cup can be detachably secured to the pan base by cooperative engagement of downwardly extending key tabs 89 on the bottom end 81 of the infuser cup into key tab receiving slots 69 located in the center portion 65 of the pan base 53.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Charcoal Companion Incorporated
    Inventors: Cory Thomas Borovicka, Sharon Ellen Kallenberger
  • Patent number: 9310669
    Abstract: A camera body includes a plurality of body-side bayonet lugs which are provided on the peripheral edge of an opening; and a protrusion which is positioned in a circular-arc opening formed between adjacent body-side bayonet lugs of the body-side bayonet lugs, the distance between the protrusion and either of adjacent two body-side bayonet lugs of the body-side bayonet lugs being shorter than each of the lens-side bayonet lugs; and a body-side mount surface with which the lens-side bayonet surface comes into contact from the front side when the lens-side bayonet lugs are positioned immediately behind the body-side bayonet lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Iikawa, Makoto Niwa, Yuji Kogure, Takahiro Kobayashi, Masahiro Inazuka, Ichiro Taguchi, Kosei Kosako
  • Patent number: 9197801
    Abstract: A camera body includes a body-side bayonet lug, wherein a lens-side bayonet lug of a lens barrel is positioned immediately behind the body-side bayonet lug when the lens barrel is mounted to the camera body; an opposed surface formed on the rear surface of the body-side bayonet lug and positioned immediately in front of the lens-side bayonet lug; a body-side mount surface positioned in front of the opposed surface and with which the lens-side bayonet surface comes into contact; and a body-side contact portion, the front end of which contacts the rear end of the lens-side contact portion when the opposed surface faces the lens-side bayonet lug, the front end of the body-side contact portion being positioned in front of the opposed surface and behind the body-side mount surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Iikawa, Makoto Niwa, Yuji Kogure, Takahiro Kobayashi, Masahiro Inazuka, Ichiro Taguchi, Kosei Kosako
  • Patent number: 9164360
    Abstract: An accessory mount can be inserted through the camera body mount without any of the first through third tabs being hindered by any of three camera body-side tabs at the camera body mount, as long as the accessory mount is inserted into the camera body mount at a correct interlock phase. The first tab, the second tab and the third tab extend over varying lengths along the circumferential direction. The first tab extends over a greatest length along the circumferential direction among the first through third tabs. The third tab extends over a smallest length along the circumferential direction among the first through third tabs. The accessory mount includes a restricting member disposed near the third tab, a fitting portion used to align an optical axis of the accessory mount with an optical axis of the camera body, and a lock pin hole through which a lock pin, retractably disposed at the camera body, is inserted so as to lock the camera accessory in a fully mounted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Hasuda, Noriyasu Kotani, Hideaki Hoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9075287
    Abstract: A camera accessory can be detachably engaged with a camera body that includes a camera body mount, and is equipped with an accessory mount assuming a bayonet structure with a first tab, a second tab and a third tab set over intervals in a circumferential direction running along a circumference of a circle and projecting from the circumference along a radial direction. The accessory mount can be inserted through the camera body mount without any of the first through third tabs being hindered by any of three camera body-side tabs at the camera body mount, as long as the accessory mount is inserted into the camera body mount at a correct interlock phase. The accessory mount includes a restricting member disposed near the third tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Hasuda, Noriyasu Kotani, Hideaki Hoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8858101
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which can provide a rotational operation member around a lens barrel formed with a bayonet coupling section without increasing the apparatus size. Three female pawl grooves and three open grooves are formed in a mount base. A first ring member is formed with three male pawl portions for being engaged with the female pawl grooves and open grooves. An operation ring member is rotationally operated, and a second ring member rotates in unison therewith. Photo reflectors detect rotation of the second ring member. A restriction unit restricts rotation of the first ring member when the mount base and the operation ring member are bayonet-coupled. A rotation locking member restricts rotation of the operation ring member and the second ring member with respect to the first ring member in accordance with an operation for releasing rotation restriction of the first ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Idera
  • Publication number: 20140193145
    Abstract: An accessory side mount of the camera accessory includes at least a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion that is different from the first limiting portion. When the first through third claws are rotated in a first rotational direction along the circumferential direction in order to install the accessory side mount that has been inserted in the proper installation and detachment rotational phase into the body side mount, the first limiting portion limits a range of rotation in the first rotational direction by abutting an end surface of one of the camera body side claws. When the first through third claws are rotated in a second rotational direction along the circumferential direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction in order to detach the accessory side mount from the body side mount, the second limiting portion limits a range of rotation in the second rotational direction by abutting an end surface of one of the camera body side claws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori HASUDA, Hideaki HOSHIKAWA, Noriyasu KOTANI
  • Patent number: 8770868
    Abstract: An accessory side mount of the camera accessory includes at least a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion that is different from the first limiting portion. When the first through third claws are rotated in a first rotational direction along the circumferential direction in order to install the accessory side mount that has been inserted in the proper installation and detachment rotational phase into the body side mount, the first limiting portion limits a range of rotation in the first rotational direction by abutting an end surface of one of the camera body side claws. When the first through third claws are rotated in a second rotational direction along the circumferential direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction in order to detach the accessory side mount from the body side mount, the second limiting portion limits a range of rotation in the second rotational direction by abutting an end surface of one of the camera body side claws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Hasuda, Hideaki Hoshikawa, Noriyasu Kotani
  • Publication number: 20140119721
    Abstract: A camera body includes a plurality of body-side bayonet lugs which are provided on the peripheral edge of an opening; and a protrusion which is positioned in a circular-arc opening formed between adjacent body-side bayonet lugs of the body-side bayonet lugs, the distance between the protrusion and either of adjacent two body-side bayonet lugs of the body-side bayonet lugs being shorter than each of the lens-side bayonet lugs; and a body-side mount surface with which the lens-side bayonet surface comes into contact from the front side when the lens-side bayonet lugs are positioned immediately behind the body-side bayonet lugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Iikawa, Makoto Niwa, Yuji Kogure, Takahiro Kobayashi, Masahiro Inazuka, Ichiro Taguchi, Kosei Kosako
  • Publication number: 20140119720
    Abstract: A camera body includes body-side bayonet lugs concentric with lens-side bayonet lugs, circular-arc openings, a circular arc protrusion positioned inside the camera body and projecting forward and concentric with the body-side bayonet lugs, body-side contact portions provided and arranged on the front end surface of the circular arc protrusion and come into contact with lens-side contact portions which are provided on the lens barrel, and rearward biasers provided immediately behind two of the body-side bayonet lugs to bias and move the lens-side bayonet lugs rearward, wherein two of the body-side contact portions located at both ends in the lengthwise direction and the two rearward biasers lie on radial-direction extension lines of the circular arc protrusion, respectively, as viewed in an optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Iikawa, Makoto Niwa, Yuji Kogure, Takahiro Kobayashi, Masahiro Inazuka, Ichiro Taguchi, Kosei Kosako
  • Patent number: 8573868
    Abstract: A camera accessory is detachably engaged with a camera body including a camera body mount and body-side electric contact points. The camera accessory includes a camera accessory mount assuming a bayonet structure with a first tab, a second tab and a third tab. The camera accessory mount is configured to be inserted through the camera body mount without any of the first through third tabs hindered by three camera body-side tabs disposed at the camera body mount as long as the camera accessory mount is inserted at the camera body mount at a correct interlock phase. The camera accessory mount is configured such that insertion of the camera accessory mount through the camera body mount is disallowed at any phase other than the correct interlock phase with at least two tabs among the first through third tabs coming into contact with at least two of the camera body-side tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Hasuda, Hideaki Hoshikawa, Noriyasu Kotani
  • Publication number: 20130287388
    Abstract: The camera accessory is attachable to a camera. The camera accessory includes an accessory mount to be detachably coupled with a camera mount). The accessory mount is provided with accessory bayonet claws and brought, by relative rotation with the camera mount, from a first state in which each of the accessory bayonet claws is inserted between camera bayonet claws provided in the camera mount into a second state in which the accessory bayonet claws engage with the camera bayonet claws to complete coupling of the accessory and camera mounts. The camera accessory is further provided with accessory contact surfaces arranged in a relative rotation direction of the mounts in the accessory mount. The accessory contact surfaces includes a first accessory contact surface used for indicating type of the camera accessory and is provided adjacent to the accessory bayonet claw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nishio, Yoshihiko Konno, Tatsuyuki Tokunaga, Takashi Hasegawa, Azusa Sugawara, Hiroshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8454250
    Abstract: A camera-attached lens device includes a lens barrel, a mount ring, pins, through holes, a positioning ring, and a fixing member. The lens barrel holds a lens system. The mount ring, attached to the lens barrel, has a tubular fitted portion coupling with the camera and a flange portion around the fitted portion. The pins are on the lens barrel and position a central axis of the mount ring with respect to an optical axis. The through holes are on the flange portion. The positioning ring outer diameter is smaller than a hole diameter of the through holes and has an opening where the pins are fitted. The fixing member fixes the positioning ring inside the through holes. The pins are restricted by the opening of the positioning ring fixed by the fixing member when the mount ring is positioned, positioning the lens barrel with respect to the mount ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8430582
    Abstract: A camera accessory is equipped with an accessory mount assuming a bayonet structure with first through third tabs set over intervals along a circumference and projecting from inside of the accessory toward the outside. The mount is structured so that insertion of the mount is allowed when the mount is inserted at a correct interlock phase without any of the first through third tabs contacting any of three camera body-side tabs, and that insertion of the mount is disallowed if the accessory mount is positioned at an incorrect interlock phase with at least two tabs contacting at least two of the camera body-side tabs. The first through the third tabs extend along varying lengths along the circumference. When the first tab and either other tab contacts two of the camera body-side tabs at a total of two contact locations, the first tab contacts near the second side end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Hasuda, Noriyasu Kotani, Hideaki Hoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20130071101
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which can provide a rotational operation member around a lens barrel formed with a bayonet coupling section without increasing the apparatus size. Three female pawl grooves and three open grooves are formed in a mount base. A first ring member is formed with three male pawl portions for being engaged with the female pawl grooves and open grooves. An operation ring member is rotationally operated, and a second ring member rotates in unison therewith. Photo reflectors detect rotation of the second ring member. A restriction unit restricts rotation of the first ring member when the mount base and the operation ring member are bayonet-coupled. A rotation locking member restricts rotation of the operation ring member and the second ring member with respect to the first ring member in accordance with an operation for releasing rotation restriction of the first ring member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi Idera
  • Patent number: 8393807
    Abstract: A camera accessory is equipped with an accessory mount assuming a bayonet structure with first through third tabs set over intervals along a circumference and projecting from inside of the accessory toward the outside. The mount is structured so that insertion of the mount is allowed when the mount is inserted at a correct interlock phase without any of the first through third tabs contacting any of three camera body-side tabs, and that insertion of the mount is disallowed if the accessory mount is positioned at an incorrect interlock phase with at least two tabs contacting at least two of the camera body-side tabs. The first through the third tabs extend along varying lengths along the circumference. When the first tab and either other tab contacts two of the camera body-side tabs at a total of two contact locations, the first tab contacts near the second side end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Hasuda, Noriyasu Kotani, Hideaki Hoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20130058640
    Abstract: There is provided a conductive sliding film applied to a surface of a member which moves slidably relative to other member, the conductive sliding film being formed of a metal-doped tetrahedral amorphous carbon which is doped with a metal element, wherein resistivity of the conductive sliding film is within a range of 102 to 10?4 [?cm] and surface hardness of the conductive sliding film is within a range of 10 to 30 [GPa]. The conductive sliding film has high wear resistance and satisfactory slidability, and is suitable for a mount member for a camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nikon Corporation
  • Patent number: 8346076
    Abstract: An inspection device for visually inspecting an image sensor of a digital recording device, such as a digital camera. The inspection device includes a tubular housing and a lens mounted therein. The housing is configured to engage a lens interface of a camera body. A lighting assembly is provided that is configured to illuminate the image sensor when the inspection device is coupled to a digital camera body so that the image sensor may be visually inspected for contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Delkin Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Wood, Walter Parkola
  • Patent number: 8308380
    Abstract: A lens barrel assembly that is attached to and detached from a camera includes: a lens barrel, which surrounds a lens and includes an inlet through which an external light enters; and an outlet through which light, which has passed through the lens, exits; a rotating unit, which is attached to the lens barrel such that the rotating unit rotates in a circumferential direction of the lens barrel; a shield plate, which has a first side rotatably connected to the rotating unit and a second side rotatably connected to the lens barrel and moves between a position of closing the outlet and a position of opening the outlet as the rotating unit rotates; and a driving unit, which contacts the camera when the lens barrel is attached to the camera, generates rotation force from friction force, and rotates the rotating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeo-tak Youn
  • Publication number: 20120201531
    Abstract: An accessory mount can be inserted through the camera body mount without any of the first through third tabs being hindered by any of three camera body-side tabs at the camera body mount, as long as the accessory mount is inserted into the camera body mount at a correct interlock phase. The first tab, the second tab and the third tab extend over varying lengths along the circumferential direction. The first tab extends over a greatest length along the circumferential direction among the first through third tabs. The third tab extends over a smallest length along the circumferential direction among the first through third tabs. The accessory mount includes a restricting member disposed near the third tab, a fitting portion used to align an optical axis of the accessory mount with an optical axis of the camera body, and a lock pin hole through which a lock pin, retractably disposed at the camera body, is inserted so as to lock the camera accessory in a fully mounted state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori HASUDA, Noriyasu KOTANI, Hideaki HOSHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20120201532
    Abstract: A camera accessory can be detachably engaged with a camera body that includes a camera body mount, and is equipped with an accessory mount assuming a bayonet structure with a first tab, a second tab and a third tab set over intervals in a circumferential direction running along a circumference of a circle and projecting from the circumference along a radial direction. The accessory mount can be inserted through the camera body mount without any of the first through third tabs being hindered by any of three camera body-side tabs at the camera body mount, as long as the accessory mount is inserted into the camera body mount at a correct interlock phase. The accessory mount includes a restricting member disposed near the third tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori HASUDA, Noriyasu KOTANI, Hideaki HOSHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20120063764
    Abstract: A camera-attached lens device includes a lens barrel, a mount ring, pins, through holes, a positioning ring, and a fixing member. The lens barrel holds a lens system. The mount ring, attached to the lens barrel, has a tubular fitted portion coupling with the camera and a flange portion around the fitted portion. The pins are on the lens barrel and position a central axis of the mount ring with respect to an optical axis. The through holes are on the flange portion. The positioning ring outer diameter is smaller than a hole diameter of the through holes and has an opening where the pins are fitted. The fixing member fixes the positioning ring inside the through holes. The pins are restricted by the opening of the positioning ring fixed by the fixing member when the mount ring is positioned, positioning the lens barrel with respect to the mount ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20120057860
    Abstract: A camera accessory is equipped with an accessory mount assuming a bayonet structure with the first through the third tabs set over intervals along a circumferential direction and projecting from an inner side of the accessory toward an outer side. The camera accessory mount is structured so that insertion of the accessory mount is allowed as long as the accessory mount is inserted at a correct interlock phase without any of the first through the third tabs coming into contact with any of three camera body-side tabs, and that insertion of the accessory mount is disallowed if the accessory mount is positioned at a phase other than the correct interlock phase with at least two tabs coming into contact with at least two of the camera body-side tabs. The first through the third tabs extend along varying lengths along the circumferential direction. The first tab has the greatest length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori HASUDA, Noriyasu KOTANI, Hideaki HOSHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8002483
    Abstract: A lens barrel comprising bayonet type mount projections to detachably attach to a lens-fitting unit of a camera body having a photographic region, wherein mount projections are formed to avoid cross-section of light path area where object light is introduced in the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Fujiwara, Yuuichi Katagishi
  • Patent number: 7988372
    Abstract: A camera having a detachable lens is provided. More particularly, the camera includes a main body and a lens module configured so that it can be mounted to or detached from the main body according to a rotating state of the lens module with respect to the main body. The camera also includes a first coupling structure that is configured to provide the lens module with coupling when the lens module is set to a mounting position. The camera also includes a secondary coupling structure that is configured to provide the lens module with temporary coupling when the lens module is set to a detaching position. As a result of this structure, an unwanted dropping of the lens module due to an instant loss of supporting force when the lens module is detached from the main body may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-bae Lee, Seung-yong Kim
  • Patent number: 7853137
    Abstract: A means for fixing an auxiliary lens to the outside of the original lens of a camera body includes an annular base, an annular lens mount and an annular abutting base. The inner edge of the base protrudes upwardly to form a wall. The wall protrudes outwards to form a plurality of blocks. The inner edge of the lens mount is provided with a plurality of notches corresponding to the blocks. A first end surface of the abutting base extends to form a plurality of L-shaped elastic arms corresponding to the blocks and notches. The L-shaped elastic arm extends obliquely from the first end surface toward the lens mount. A gap is formed between the L-shaped elastic arm and the abutting base, so that the L-shaped elastic arm can be bent inwardly when compressed. When the camera body is combined with the auxiliary lens by rotation, the blocks pass through the notches to abut and compress the L-shaped elastic arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Lumos Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 7832951
    Abstract: A digital still camera includes a camera main unit and a lens unit or lens assembly. The camera main unit has an image processor for image processing of an image being formed by image pickup. A frame memory stores the image during image processing. The lens unit is secured to the camera main unit removably, and has an image sensor for forming the image by detecting object light passed through a photographing lens. A subsidiary image memory has a storage capacity according to a pixel number of the image sensor, for storing the image in a temporary manner in addition to the frame memory, to shorten image processing time. In one embodiment, at least one of the frame memory and the subsidiary image memory is caused to store luminance component data and chrominance component data of the image obtained according to an image signal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Izumi Miyake
  • Patent number: 7805070
    Abstract: An inspection device for visually inspecting an image sensor of a digital recording device, such as a digital camera. The inspection device includes a tubular housing and a lens mounted therein. The housing is configured to engage a lens interface of a camera body. A lighting assembly is provided that is configured to illuminate the image sensor when the inspection device is coupled to a digital camera body so that the image sensor may be visually inspected for contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Apical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Parkola, Martin J. Wood
  • Patent number: 7802931
    Abstract: A lens accessory mounting device for mounting a lens accessory to a front end of a lens barrel, an outer diameter of the lens accessory being substantially the same as an outer diameter of the front end of the lens barrel, the lens accessory mounting device includes at least one inward bayonet lug which projects radially inwards from an inner peripheral surface of a front end of the lens barrel; and at least one outward bayonet lug which projects radially outwards from the lens accessory to be engageable with the two inward bayonet lugs, respectively. The outward bayonet lug is firstly inserted into the front end of the lens barrel and subsequently brought into engagement with the inward bayonet lug, respectively, when the lens accessory is mounted to the lens barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Kogure, Hiroaki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20100166417
    Abstract: A camera having a detachable lens is provided. More particularly, the camera includes a main body and a lens module configured so that it can be mounted to or detached from the main body according to a rotating state of the lens module with respect to the main body. The camera also includes a first coupling structure that is configured to provide the lens module with coupling when the lens module is set to a mounting position. The camera also includes a secondary coupling structure that is configured to provide the lens module with temporary coupling when the lens module is set to a detaching position. As a result of this structure, an unwanted dropping of the lens module due to an instant loss of supporting force when the lens module is detached from the main body may be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-bae Lee, Seung-yong Kim
  • Patent number: 7657174
    Abstract: A digital still camera includes a camera body. A lens unit is retained on the camera body in a removable manner. A protection cover is secured to the camera body, and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the protection cover, when in the closed position, closes an exposure opening formed in the camera body, and when in the open position, opens the exposure opening. Cover moving transmission levers set the protection cover in the open position when the lens unit is retained on the camera body, and set the protection cover in the closed position when the lens unit is removed from the camera body. Furthermore, bayonet claw portions engage the lens unit with the camera body. The transmission levers are actuated in response to movement of the bayonet claw portions. A compression coil spring biases the protection cover toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Arai
  • Publication number: 20100014851
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes: a barrel body; a mount that is attached to an end of the barrel body and has a connection portion to be connected to an imaging apparatus body; and a substrate that is disposed on an attachment surface of the mount that is attached to the barrel body and on which a controller for controlling the action of the barrel body is formed, wherein the mount has a locking member that protrudes from the attachment surface and locks an operation member for operating a mechanism in the barrel body, and the substrate has a clearance that prevents interference with the locking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyomitsu Furuyama, Takashi Koyama, Shohei Uno
  • Patent number: 7645080
    Abstract: A digital camera system is composed of a digital camera and a lens unit detachable to this digital camera. The digital camera includes a first taking lens and a first CCD image sensor to convert subject light into image data. The first taking lens is surrounded by a detachable decorative ring. When a hook release button is pressed to detach the decorative ring, a camera-side mount appears. The lens unit is attached to this camera-side mount, and photographing can be performed with a second taking lens and a second CCD image sensor in the lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeo Toji
  • Patent number: 7599617
    Abstract: A camera comprises a lens unit and a camera body to which the lens unit is attached by a rotational operation. The camera body is provided with terminals including a specific terminal. Arrangement of the specific terminal is different from that of the other terminals. In detaching the lens unit from the camera body, the specific terminal is adapted to be disconnected earlier relative to the other terminals while the other terminals are connected. After the disconnection of the specific terminal has been detected, the other terminals are set to high impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Tokiwa, Takashi Machida
  • Patent number: 7474482
    Abstract: A selectively mountable optical assembly having an optics body, at least one optical element, and a mounting base. Coupling structure allows the optics body to be selectively coupled to the mounting base such that a flange on the optics body is selectively aligned with the mounting base when in an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventor: Pierre-Marie Manine
  • Patent number: 7441967
    Abstract: A camera includes a main unit which has an arc-shaped groove and a fixed hook formed on and projecting from the groove; and a bayonet ring which has, on the back face thereof, an arc-shaped projection to be engaged in the groove and a stop hook to go under the fixed hook and stopped by the fixed hook when the projection is engaged in the groove and rotated. The bayonet ring has a mark formed in a position on the front face thereof and a part of the bayonet ring which is furthest away from the mark is lifted by pressing the mark in a state that the bayonet ring is rotated up to a detachment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7354207
    Abstract: To provide a lens mount structure which can align a lens optical axis with high accuracy without constituting a complicated lens mount structure, the lens mount structure for mounting a lens barrel to a main body of a camera, or the like, by retaining flange portions formed along an outer periphery of a base body of a lens barrel with retaining portions formed on a cylindrical mount disposed on a front of the support unit, the center of gravity of the cylindrical barrel between an front edge and the flanges, wherein reference surfaces for aligning a lens optical axis of the lens barrel mounted on the main body are formed on the respective flange portions; the reference surfaces are formed while facing the center of gravity of the lens barrel, and the reference surfaces are given a slope; and the retaining portions retain the flange portions while the reference surfaces formed on the flange portions remain in contact with retaining surfaces formed on the respective retaining portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Shuzo Kimura
  • Patent number: 7118295
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens is disclosed which prevents the camera body and interchangeable lens from being damaged even if an attempt is made to erroneously mount therebetween. The interchangeable lens is a second interchangeable lens whose flange back is the same as that of a first interchangeable lens and includes a protruding portion protruding from a mount reference surface. The protruding amount of the protruding portion is set when the second interchangeable lens has a specific phase relationship with a first camera, so that the protruding portion contacts a first wall portion of the first camera, and is set when the second interchangeable lens has a phase relationship with the first camera other than the specific phase relationship and a bayonet lug of the second interchangeable lens contacts a bayonet lug of the first camera, so that the protruding portion is away from the first wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Koyama, Masahisa Tamura, Jun Sugita
  • Patent number: 7004672
    Abstract: A bayonet coupling including an annular groove and bayonet lugs on an inner ring-shaped member and an outer ring-shaped member; and insertion openings formed on either the inner ring-shaped member or the outer ring-shaped member which includes the annular groove. The bayonet lugs includes first bayonet lugs associated with the insertion openings to be insertable into the annular groove through the insertion openings, and a second bayonet lug for which no associated insertion opening is formed. The insertion openings, the first bayonet lugs and the second bayonet lug are shaped so that the second bayonet lug is insertable into the annular groove with axes of the outer and inner ring-shaped members being inclined to each other, and so that the first bayonet lugs are insertable into the annular groove through the insertion openings, respectively, after the second bayonet lug is inserted into the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Iikawa, Masashi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6979138
    Abstract: A mount lock apparatus for a camera includes a projecting exterior portion provided substantially at a central portion of a front surface of a camera body; a circular annular mount plate, which is fitted to the projecting exterior portion, and to which a photographing lens unit is detachably attached; a mount lock pin which is biased to protrude from the circular annular mount plate to engage with the photographing lens unit; and a mount unlocking button which is operated to move the mount lock pin in a direction to retract from the connecting surface. The mount unlocking button is provided on a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the projecting exterior portion that is located closer to a lens optical axis thereof than a farthermost portion of the projecting exterior portion from the lens optical axis in a horizontal direction of the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Kawazura
  • Patent number: 6738570
    Abstract: A lens apparatus or optical instrument having a lens apparatus including a holding member that holds and moves a lens or a lens group in an optical axis direction, the holding member having a vent providing ventilation between the interior and the exterior of the lens apparatus, a water-repellent microporous member that covers the vent, and an appearance member disposed on the holding member, with a clearance provided between the appearance member and the holding member, so as to shield the water-repellent microporous member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuru Shinohara, Jun Sugita, Shigeki Satoh
  • Patent number: 6734895
    Abstract: A digital camera has a mounting part to mount a shooting lens or other optical equipment, and includes a mode switch that changes between a mode that shoots using the shooting lens and a mode that shoots using the other equipment. The camera includes an information interface that communicates with the shooting lens or with the other equipment, and receives information from the shooting lens or from the other equipment corresponding to the set mode. A camera controller controls the camera to change a type of information received through the interface from the shooting lens or from the other equipment based upon the set mode. When changed to the mode that shoots using the other equipment, the interface receives information corresponding to a color temperature or a brightness of a light source of the other equipment, and the controller controls the camera shooting state based upon that received information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Uehara, Akira Ohmura
  • Patent number: 6554503
    Abstract: A bayonet mount includes a mount main body constituted of resin and a metal member that, at least partially, reinforces a bayonet tab portion at the mount main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon, Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Imanari, Masateru Asayama, Hidefumi Iinuma, Satoshi Hara
  • Patent number: 6351612
    Abstract: A camera body includes a body mount adopted to detachably attach an interchangeable lens thereto, a body index mark which indicates a position of proper alignment of the interchangeable lens with respect to the body mount in order to attach the interchangeable lens to the camera body, and an illuminating device which illuminates the body index mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayuki Misawa
  • Publication number: 20020021904
    Abstract: A linear-motion helicoid mechanism for a CCTV camera, comprising a lens frame for holding lenses, a key member, a helicoid female member and a rotating frame that is formed integrally with the helicoid female member. The lens frame comprises a cylindrical lens holder having helicoids and keyways on an outer periphery of the cylinder. The key member comprises a cylindrical part having keys for engagement with the keyways provided on the key member. The helicoid female member comprises a cylindrical part having helicoids that engage with the helicoids of the helicoid female member. The rotating frame and the helicoid female member are engaged together with a bayonet mechanism, so that the rotating frame fixes a position of the helicoid female member to the key member in the optical axis direction and supports it rotatably about the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: ASAHI SEIMITSU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazunori Takahashi