Patents Represented by Attorney Shinjyu Global IP
  • Patent number: 8351771
    Abstract: An optical element driving device is provided with at least one optical element, a moving member, a fixed member, a first actuator, a first detection element, a second actuator, and a second detection element. The first actuator has a first coil and a first magnet. The first detection element is substantially aligned in a first direction relative to the first coil to detect the position of the moving member in the first direction. The second actuator has a second coil and a second magnet. The second detection element is substantially aligned in the first direction relative to the second coil to detect the position of the moving member in a second direction. The optical element, the first actuator, and the second actuator are substantially aligned in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Ito
  • Patent number: 8348526
    Abstract: A focal plane shutter device includes a shutter base plate having an opening part, a front curtain, a first elastic member, a rear curtain, a second elastic member, and a drive unit. The front curtain is movable between a first and second position to cover and uncover the opening. The first urging member is configured to move the front curtain between the first and second positions. The rear curtain is movable between a first and second position to cover and uncover the opening. The second urging member is configured to move the rear curtain between the first and second positions. The drive unit is configured to resist the first and second urging members. The drive unit is also configured to hold the front curtain at the second position when resisting the first urging member and hold the rear curtain at the first position when resisting the second urging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Dai Shintani
  • Patent number: 8275255
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a flexible wire, a first supporting frame and a second supporting frame. The flexible wire has a first end with at least one terminal, a second end with at least one terminal and a bent portion disposed between the first and second ends. The bent portion includes a plurality of part overlapping each other. The first supporting frame supports the first end. The second supporting frame is movably disposed in a first direction with respect to the first supporting frame and supports the bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Iwasaki, Tetsuya Uno
  • Patent number: 8267728
    Abstract: A receptacle includes a signal terminal, a ground terminal, and a signal terminal. A second portion of the ground terminal is distanced from a first portion of the signal terminal in an extension direction. A third portion of the signal terminal is distanced from the first portion of the signal terminal in the extension direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Nakaie, Hirotsugu Fusayasu, Shouichi Mimura, Masafumi Kumoi, Ryo Matsubara
  • Patent number: 8265471
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first supporting frame, an optical element, a second supporting frame, and a guide shaft. The first supporting frame has a first base portion and a first seat portion that projects in a first direction from the first base portion. The second supporting frame supports the optical element and has a first bearing portion. The guide shaft is coupled to the first seat portion and inserted into the first bearing portion. The first seat portion is disposed within the circumference of the guide shaft when viewed in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Hasegawa, Tetsuya Uno
  • Patent number: 8184965
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an optical system, an imaging unit, a movable member, a drive unit, a second detection unit, and a selection unit. The optical system is configured to form an optical image of a subject. The imaging unit is configured to receive an image signal of the optical image. The first detection unit is configured to detect vibration of the imaging device. The movable member includes at least one of a portion of the optical system and a portion of the imaging unit. The drive unit is configured to move the movable member based on the detected vibration. The second detection unit is configured to detect movement of the movable member. The selection unit is configured to select a first image area based on the detected vibration and the detected movement, and the first image area is used to determine a characteristic value based on the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8167507
    Abstract: A focal plane shutter device is disclosed that includes a shutter base plate, a front curtain, a first urging member, a rear curtain, a second urging member, and a charge mechanism. The shutter base plate defines an opening. The front curtain is moved between different positions by the first urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The rear curtain is moved between different positions by the second urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The charge mechanism applies a first force to resist an urging force by the first urging member and a second force to resist an urging force by the second urging member. The first force applied by the charge mechanism terminates at a different time than the second force applied by the charge mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Dai Shintani
  • Patent number: 8162671
    Abstract: A receptacle structure includes a housing structure, a terminal insulating board, a first terminal and a second terminal. The housing structure is configured to be mounted on a printed wiring board and to accommodate a plug. The terminal insulating board includes a top face and a bottom face that is opposite to the top face. The terminal insulating board is disposed inside the housing structure with the bottom face facing towards the printed wiring board. The first terminal is connected to the printed wiring board via the first rear connection part and to the terminal insulating board. The second terminal is connected to the printed wiring board via the first front connection part and to the terminal insulating board. The first front connection part has a width narrower than the first rear connection part and is connected to the printed wiring board away from the first rear connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ryou Matsubara, Shouichi Mimura, Hirotsugu Fusayasu, Masafumi Kumoi, Toshiyuki Nakaie
  • Patent number: 8085485
    Abstract: A lens barrel support structure is provided that includes a base frame and a lens barrel. The base frame includes a first support portion, a second support portion, a third support portion, and a stopper. The lens barrel includes a substantially cylindrical shape body frame configured to accommodate at least part of an optical system, a first attachment portion fixedly coupled to the body frame and to the first support portion, a second attachment portion fixedly coupled to the body frame and to the second support portion, a third attachment portion fixedly coupled to the body frame and to the third support portion, and a receiver fixedly coupled to the body frame. The receiver and the stopper are disposed spaced apart and define a gap that extends along a first direction parallel to an optical axis of the optical system to allow the receiver to contact the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shusaku Yamamoto, Yukikazu Ujikane
  • Patent number: 8077412
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens unit comprises a second lens group support unit, a focus lens, a focus lens support frame, and a focus drive unit. The second lens group support unit supports the focus lens support frame movably in the Z-axis direction and has second cam pins disposed spaced apart around an optical axis. The focus drive unit is a unit for driving the focus lens support frame in the Z-axis direction with respect to the second lens group support unit and is disposed at a different position from those of the second cam followers when viewed in the Z-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Santo, Naoto Yumiki
  • Patent number: 8006957
    Abstract: The spool shaft comprises a shaft portion, two annular first annular portions arranged on opposite ends of the shaft portion, and an annular second larger diameter portion arranged on the end of the shaft portion positioned remote from a center of the spool. Each of the first annular portions and the second larger diameter portion have an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion. The second larger diameter portion is arranged on an outward side of the first annular portion in the axial direction so as to create a space therein between the first annular portion and second larger diameter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Shouji Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7918673
    Abstract: Each of a pair of signal terminals (TC+ and TC?) includes a signal terminal link portion (uCON) that links a first signal terminal end portion (u1) and a second signal terminal end portion (u2). A ground terminal (TGC) includes a ground terminal link portion (tCON) that links a first ground terminal end portion (t1) and a second ground terminal end portion (t2). The ground terminal link portion (tCON) is wired between the signal terminal link portion (uCON) and a mounting surface (11A) from the opposite side of the mounting surface (11A) relative to the signal terminal link portion (uCON).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shouichi Mimura, Masato Tobinaga, Shinkuro Fujino, Ryuya Yamamoto, Masahiro Hosoda, Hirotsugu Fusayasu
  • Patent number: 7905440
    Abstract: A fishing reel 100 includes a data communication unit 44 capable of wirelessly transmitting terminal tackle water depth data to a data communication unit 66 of a fishing data display device 60, which is arranged outside of a fishing reel 100. The fishing data display device 60 includes a display unit 65 that displays the terminal tackle water depth data obtained from the data communication unit 44 and fish depth data obtained from a data communication unit 91 of a fish finder 90. The fisherman is capable of easily performing jigging with a fishing reel, as well as ascertaining the water depth of terminal tackle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikuta, Ken'ichi Kawasaki, Shouoji Nakagawa, Yasuhiro Hitomi, Noboru Sakaguchi, Kazuhito Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7866587
    Abstract: A drag adjusting mechanism for a dual-bearing reel comprises a drag adjusting lever, a cam mechanism, and a rotation restricting portion. The drag adjusting lever rotates about a spool shaft between a drag release position and a maximum drag position. The cam mechanism has a cam surface that converts rotation of the drag adjusting lever into axial movement of the drag mechanism along the axial direction of the spool shaft. The rotation restricting member is provided on the cam surface and regulates rotation of the drag adjusting lever to the drag release position. The rotation restricting member has a protrusion with an apex, a first slanted surface extending from the apex toward a first position corresponding to a drag release position, and a second slanted surface extending from the apex in the direction opposite to the drag release position. The angle of the first slanted surface is smaller than the angle of the second slanted surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikuta, Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 7845590
    Abstract: A lever sound generating device is constructed to generate a sound in response to rotation of a drag adjusting lever mounted to an outer peripheral surface of a boss formed on a reel unit of a dual-bearing reel. The sound generating device comprises a sound generating member and a striker mechanism. The sound generating member includes a truncated cone-shaped member with an undulated surface. The sound generating member is mounted to the boss and restricted from rotating and moving in an axially inward direction. The striker mechanism is mounted to the drag adjusting lever and arranged to repeatedly contact the undulated surface when the drag adjusting lever is rotated about the spool shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikuta, Kunio Takechi
  • Patent number: 7823823
    Abstract: A drag adjusting device for a dual-bearing reel, including a reel unit with a drag operating member configured to pivot within a range between a minimum position and a maximum position. A plate member is attached to an outer side of the reel unit. A drag restricting member is detachably coupled to the outer side surface of the plate member and between the minimum and the maximum pivot position of the drag operating member. The drag restricting member is detachably coupled to the plate member so as to contact and restrict pivotal movement of the drag operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Hirayama
  • Patent number: 7815138
    Abstract: A handle assembly includes a handle shaft portion, a handle arm, a handle grip, and a tubular member. The handle shaft portion is mounted to the inner peripheral portion of a master gear shaft so as not to be allowed to rotate relative to the master gear shaft, and is disposed so that the tip end portion of the master gear shaft protrudes outward in the axial direction compared to the tip end portion of the master gear. The handle arm extends in the radial direction from the tip end portion of the handle shaft portion, and is mounted to the handle shaft portion so as to be capable of pivoting with respect to the handle shaft portion. The handle grip is mounted to the tip of the handle arm. The tubular member is non-rotatably engaged with the tip end portion of the master gear shaft and the base end portion of the handle arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Components (Malaysia) SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Sugahara, Yik Hui Chan
  • Patent number: 7798437
    Abstract: A rotor includes a rotor body, first to third cover members, and first and second mounting brackets. The rotor body includes a tubular member and first and second rotor arms. The first and second rotor arms extend forward from first and second sides of the rear end of the tubular member. The rotor arms are also spaced apart from the outer periphery of the tubular member. The first and second cover members cover a portion of the outside of the first and second rotor arms. The third cover member is coupled to the rear ends of the first and second cover members, and covers the rear end of the tubular member. The first and second mounting brackets are disposed in front of the third cover member so as to be covered by the first and second cover members. The first and second mounting brackets are used for mounting the third cover member to the rotor body by way of screw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Hiraoka, Keigo Kitajima, Shingo Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7789336
    Abstract: A spool includes a tubular bobbin trunk, a pair of flanges and a boss member. The bobbin trunk has a peripheral surface extending along the axial direction of the spool so that a fishing line can be wound around the bobbin truck. The peripheral surface of the bobbin trunk includes thickened wall portions disposed on opposing sides of an axial center part of the bobbin trunk. The flanges are integrally formed with the peripheral surface of the bobbin trunk as a one-piece, unitary member. Each of the flanges extends substantially in a radially outward direction of the spool. The boss member is disposed between axial ends of the bobbin trunk and extends along the radial direction of the spool. The boss member includes a disc portion with a through-hole to receive a spool shaft. Each of the thickened wall portions has a thickness greater than other portions of the bobbin trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shouji Nakagawa, Akira Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 7762489
    Abstract: A spool for a spinning reel is attached to a non-circular portion formed on a tip of a spool shaft. The spool shaft moves back and forth but is prevented from rotating with respect to a reel unit. The spool includes a spool unit and a bearing member. The spool unit includes a bobbin trunk and a drag accommodation part. The bobbin trunk is capable of winding a fishing line around its outer periphery. The drag accommodation part is formed on the inner peripheral side of the bobbin trunk. The bearing member is a tubular member made of synthetic resin. The bearing member rotatably supports the spool unit. The bearing member is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the bobbin trunk. The bearing member has an engagement hole non-rotatably engaged with the non-circular portion of the spool shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Matsuo, Keigo Kitajima