Abstract: The present invention provides a lens barrel that has a first barrel member and a second barrel member, and arranges the first barrel member on an outer circumference of the second barrel member to enable the first barrel member to move in an optical axis direction. The lens barrel includes a plurality of engaging members configured to be held by the first barrel member and engaged with an engagement groove formed in the second barrel member, and to move in the optical axis direction along the engagement groove when the second barrel member rotates, and an annular urging member provided in an outer circumferential portion of the first barrel member and configured to urge the plurality of engaging members to the engagement groove formed in the second barrel member.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus in which the movement of a barrier blade in a direction toward the lens surface caused by external force can be limited without increasing the strength of the barrier blade. The apparatus comprises a barrier blade which is movable between a closing position at which the barrier blade closes a light entrance aperture of an image pickup lens and an opening position at which the barrier blade opens the light entrance aperture, and a drive member which drives the barrier blade. The drive member includes a supporting portion which limits the movement of the barrier blade toward a lens surface side, and the supporting portion is located outside the light entrance aperture when the barrier blade is at the opening position and located inside the light entrance aperture when the barrier blade is at the closing position.

Abstract: A lens barrel capable of reliably housing a flexible printed circuit board without increasing the number of its component parts and its outer diameter. A guide member is inserted in a through hole of a fixing member and projects from a holding member in a direction opposite to the direction toward the subject when the lens barrel is in a collapsed position.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed in which the movement of a barrier blade in a direction toward the lens surface caused by external force can be limited without increasing the strength of the barrier blade. The apparatus comprises a barrier blade which is movable between a closing position at which the barrier blade closes a light entrance aperture of an image pickup lens and an opening position at which the barrier blade opens the light entrance aperture, and a drive member which drives the barrier blade. The drive member includes a supporting portion which limits the movement of the barrier blade toward a lens surface side, and the supporting portion is located outside the light entrance aperture when the barrier blade is at the opening position and located inside the light entrance aperture when the barrier blade is at the closing position.

Abstract: A gas jetting nozzle is used for etching an object to be etched by jetting etching gas onto the object from the gas jetting nozzle. A gas jetting pipe for jetting an etching gas and a suction pipe for discharging the jetted gas are provided to have a coaxial dual pipe structure. The etching gas is jetted from the gas jetting pipe toward the object for etching and, at the same time, excess etching gas for reaction is discharged through the suction pipe.

Abstract: A gaseous polishing apparatus and a nozzle device designed for gaseous polishing perform precision polishing on a surface of an object to be polished. The nozzle device includes a nozzle body having a nozzle opening provided at a downstream end thereof for ejecting polishing gas. A shutter device is disposed in proximity to the nozzle opening so as to control ejecting and stopping of the polishing gas towards the object surface. A control mechanism controls opening and closing action of the shutter device.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus can replace or be used in association with a conventional chemical mechanical polishing method to produce a high quality flat surface in a more efficient manner. The polishing apparatus utilizes a nozzle device, disposed to face a work surface of a workpiece, for performing gas polishing by ejecting a reactive polishing gas to the work surface. The nozzle device comprises a nozzle assembly having nozzles that has a plurality of differing diameters. A nozzle selection device is provided for selecting an operative nozzle having a desired diameter from the nozzle assembly and ejecting the polishing gas through a selected nozzle.

Abstract: Etching of an object is achieved by jetting etching gas onto the object from a gas jetting nozzle. A gas jetting pipe for jetting the etching gas and a discharge pipe for discharging the jetted gas are designed as a coaxial dual pipe structure. The etching gas is jetted from the gas jetting pipe toward the object and, at the same time, excess etching gas is discharged through the discharge pipe.