Patents by Inventor Satoru Yasutomi

Satoru Yasutomi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20190346657
    Abstract: A lens barrel in which an air flow path that causes an external space and an internal space to communicate is formed includes an aperture unit disposed in the internal space and configured to rotate a plurality of vane members within a predetermined range to form a predetermined opening, an optical unit disposed in the internal space and located on an object side with respect to the aperture unit, and a through-hole formed in the aperture unit and communicating with the internal space. When at least one of the optical unit and the aperture unit moves in an optical axis direction, the lens barrel discharges, through the air flow path and the through-hole, air in the internal space and static electricity charged in the plurality of vane members included in the air in the internal space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu HAYASHI, Kazunori YUGE, Takaaki UE, Satoru YASUTOMI, Tetsuya TAKAGI, Naoki MATSUMOTO, Takahiro KOYAMA
  • Patent number: 9007469
    Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel having, in order from an object side to an image side, a first to a third group lens, the lens barrel including: a fixed frame; a cam frame supported by the fixed frame so as to be rotationally movable in a optical axis direction between a forward and a backward movement ends; and a shutter frame which moves in the optical axis direction in a rotation restricted state, through the rotation of the cam frame, in which: a third group frame is fixed to the shutter frame so that the object side of the third group lens is arranged on an inner peripheral side of the shutter frame; and the second frame is configured so that the image side of the frame is stored on the inner peripheral side of the shutter frame when the cam frame is positioned at the backward movement end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Satoru Yasutomi, Manabu Yoshii, Kunio Yamamiya, Naoki Fujii, Masato Miyata
  • Publication number: 20120086821
    Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel having, in order from an object side to an image side, a first to a third group lens, the lens barrel including: a fixed frame; a cam frame supported by the fixed frame so as to be rotationally movable in a optical axis direction between a forward and a backward movement ends; and a shutter frame which moves in the optical axis direction in a rotation restricted state, through the rotation of the cam frame, in which: a third group frame is fixed to the shutter frame so that the object side of the third group lens is arranged on an inner peripheral side of the shutter frame; and the second frame is configured so that the image side of the frame is stored on the inner peripheral side of the shutter frame when the cam frame is positioned at the backward movement end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Satoru Yasutomi, Manabu Yoshii, Kunio Yamamiya, Naoki Fujii, Masato Miyata
  • Patent number: 7587134
    Abstract: A camera having a barrier according to the present invention includes a barrier unit in a space between a front main body and a front metal cover serving as an exterior member. Rotation of a barrier driving motor is transmitted to a rotary shaft member passing through the front main body, thereby allowing opening/closing actions of the lens barrier between a protection position for a photographing lens and a lens-barrier retracted position. The front main body is sealed waterproof by an O-ring provided to the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft member. With the lens barrel of the camera, rotation of a rotary moving frame is effectively transmitted to a cam frame through a cam follower fit to a linear-action groove, using a circumferential groove and the linear-action groove of a bayonet mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Hidenobu Mochinushi, Kosaku Nishio, Moriya Katagiri, Satoru Yasutomi, Nobuyuki Tanaka, Naoki Matsumoto, Yasunari Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 7394600
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a second group frame forwardly/backwardly movable, which is provided with plural pairs of cam followers, a first cam unit as a rotatable frame member that allows switching of engagement with the cam follower, and includes plural pairs of cam grooves and loose fit grooves, and a cam frame that allows switching of engagement with the cam follower, and includes a second cam unit formed of plural pairs of cam grooves and loose fit grooves. The cam frame rotational phase where the first cam unit switches engagement with the cam follower is different from the cam frame rotational phase where the second cam unit switches engagement with the cam follower. This makes it possible to increase a forward/backward movement of the second group frame and reduces fluctuation of resistance against the drive load, thus preventing the image blur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Satoru Yasutomi, Masaaki Sunaga
  • Publication number: 20080106788
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a second group frame forwardly/backwardly movable, which is provided with plural pairs of cam followers, a first cam unit as a rotatable frame member that allows switching of engagement with the cam follower, and includes plural pairs of cam grooves and loose fit grooves, and a cam frame that allows switching of engagement with the cam follower, and includes a second cam unit formed of plural pairs of cam grooves and loose fit grooves. The cam frame rotational phase where the first cam unit switches engagement with the cam follower is different from the cam frame rotational phase where the second cam unit switches engagement with the cam follower. This makes it possible to increase a forward/backward movement of the second group frame and reduces fluctuation of resistance against the drive load, thus preventing the image blur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Satoru Yasutomi, Masaaki Sunaga
  • Publication number: 20060115249
    Abstract: A camera having a barrier according to the present invention includes a barrier unit in a space between a front main body and a front metal cover serving as an exterior member. Rotation of a barrier driving motor is transmitted to a rotary shaft member passing through the front main body, thereby allowing opening/closing actions of the lens barrier between a protection position for a photographing lens and a lens-barrier retracted position. The front main body is sealed waterproof by an O-ring provided to the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft member. With the lens barrel of the camera, rotation of a rotary moving frame is effectively transmitted to a cam frame through a cam follower fit to a linear-action groove, using a circumferential groove and the linear-action groove of a bayonet mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Hidenobu Mochinushi, Kosaku Nishio, Moriya Katagiri, Satoru Yasutomi, Nobuyuki Tanaka, Naoki Matsumoto, Yasunari Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 6989944
    Abstract: A camera with a lens barrel is provided which includes a first frame member having on an inner surface thereof a female helicoid, and a cam groove which has substantially a same lead angle as a lead angle of the female helicoid and which is deeper than the female helicoid. A second frame member is placed inside the first frame member. The second frame member includes a male helicoid engaged with the female helicoid, and a cam follower engaged with the cam groove. The first frame member is rotatable relative to the second frame member, so as to cause forward or backward movement of the second frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Yasutomi, Tetsuya Takagi, Keita Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20040228006
    Abstract: A camera with a lens barrel is provided which includes a first frame member having on an inner surface thereof a female helicoid, and a cam groove which has substantially a same lead angle as a lead angle of the female helicoid and which is deeper than the female helicoid. A second frame member is placed inside the first frame member. The second frame member includes a male helicoid engaged with the female helicoid, and a cam follower engaged with the cam groove. The first frame member is rotatable relative to the second frame member, so as to cause forward or backward movement of the second frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Yasutomi, Tetsuya Takagi, Keita Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6813093
    Abstract: A lens barrel comprises a first frame and a second frame. A first female helicoid is formed in a first region on the inner circumference face of the first frame, and a second female helicoid is formed in a second region on the inner circumference face thereof with the same lead and a different groove depth from that of the first female helicoid. The second frame is disposed inside of the first frame, and a first male helicoid for spirally meshing with the first female helicoid, and a second male helicoid for spirally meshing with the second female helicoid, are formed on the outer circumference thereof. The second frame is linearly moved when rotated relative to the first frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Takagi, Satoru Yasutomi, Keita Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6751031
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first frame member supporting a first lens group, a second frame member supporting a second lens group and being capable of movable relative to the first frame member along an optical axis, a cam follower in the first frame member, a cam frame member having a cam groove engaged with the cam follower to permit the first frame member to be movable along the optical axis, a contact portion which is provided for the second frame member and can come into contact with the cam follower, and a pushing member pushing the second frame member in the direction the cam follower comes into contact with the contact portion. The pushing member pushes the second frame member and the contact portion comes into contact with the cam follower. Thus, the position of the second lens group with respect to the first lens group can be restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Yasutomi
  • Patent number: 6747809
    Abstract: A lens barrel is provided which includes a first frame member having on an inner surface thereof a female helicoid, and a cam groove which has substantially a same lead angle as a lead angle of the female helicoid and which is deeper than the female helicoid. A second frame member is placed inside the first frame member. The second frame member includes a male helicoid engaged with the female helicoid, and a cam follower engaged with the cam groove. The first frame member is rotatable relative to the second frame member, so as to cause forward or backward movement of the second frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Yasutomi
  • Publication number: 20030234986
    Abstract: A lens barrel comprises a first frame and a second frame. A first female helicoid is formed in the first region on the inner circumference face of the first frame, and a second female helicoid is formed in the second region on the inner circumference face thereof with the same lead and a different groove depth from that of the first female helicoid. The second frame is disposed inside of the first frame, and a first male helicoid for spirally meshing with the first female helicoid, and a second male helicoid for spirally meshing with the second female helicoid, are formed on the outer circumference thereof. The second frame is relatively rotated with respect to the first frame so that the second frame is linearly moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Takagi, Satoru Yasutomi, Keita Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20030072089
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first frame member supporting a first lens group, a second frame member supporting a second lens group and being capable of movable relative to the first frame member along an optical axis, a cam follower in the first frame member, a cam frame member having a cam groove engaged with the cam follower to permit the first frame member to be movable along the optical axis, a contact portion which is provided for the second frame member and can come into contact with the cam follower, and a pushing member pushing the second frame member in the direction the cam follower comes into contact with the contact portion. The pushing member pushes the second frame member and the contact portion comes into contact with the cam follower. Thus, the position of the second lens group with respect to the first lens group can be restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Yasutomi
  • Publication number: 20030072090
    Abstract: Briefly, according to the present invention, a lens barrel includes: a first frame member having on the inner surface thereof a female helicoid and cam grooves each of which has substantially the same lead angle as that of the female helicoid and which is deeper than the female helicoid; and a second frame member which is placed inside the first frame member and which has a male helicoid, which is engaged with the female helicoid, and cam followers which are engaged with the cam grooves. The first frame member is rotated relative to the second frame member, resulting in forward or backward movement of the second frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoru Yasutomi