Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed in which a press contact force for bringing a vibrator and a contact member into press contact with each other is generated between them, and thereby the reaction force of the press contact force is difficult to transmit outward. The optical apparatus comprises a lens holding member which holds a lens, and a vibration type linear actuator which drives the lens holding member in an optical axis direction. The vibration type linear actuator includes a vibrator on which vibration is produced through an electromechanical energy conversion action and a contact member which is in press contact with the vibrator. The vibrator and the contact member is in press contact with each other by a magnetic force acting between them.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which has a light amount adjusting unit, a lens to be driven by a linear actuator, and a detector for detecting the position of the lens, and which can be reduced in size. The optical apparatus includes a light amount adjusting unit which adjusts a light amount by light shield members translating in a first direction, a vibration type linear actuator which drives the lens in an optical axis direction, a guide member which guides the lens in the optical axis direction, and a detector which detects the position of the lens. When viewed from the optical axis direction of the optical apparatus, the vibration type linear actuator, the guide member, and the detector are arranged along an outer surface of the light amount adjusting unit, the outer surface being provided in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can well maintain a surface contact state between a vibrator and a contact member of a vibration type linear actuator to perform a stable lens drive. The optical apparatus comprises a vibration type linear actuator driving a lens in an optical axis direction. The vibration type linear actuator includes a vibrator on which vibration is produced through an electromechanical energy conversion action and a contact member which is in press contact with the vibrator. The apparatus comprises a holding mechanism which holds one member of the vibrator and the contact member so as to change at least one of the position and inclination of the one member in response to a force smaller than a press contact force between the vibrator and the contact member.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can suppress an increase in size thereof even if its lens is driven in a large movable range. The apparatus comprises a first linear actuator which includes a first member to which an electrical signal is input and a second member whose length in an optical axis direction is longer than the first member, and drives a first lens in a first movable range in the optical axis direction. The apparatus comprises a second linear actuator which includes a third member to which an electrical signal is input and a fourth member whose length in the optical axis direction is longer than the third member, and drives a second lens in a second movable range in the optical axis direction. The first member is moved together with the first lens in the optical axis direction, with respect to the second member.

Abstract: A compact optical apparatus with a high durability is disclosed. The optical apparatus comprises a first lens which is moved in an optical axis direction for varying magnification, and a second lens which is moved in the optical axis direction for focusing. The apparatus further comprises a vibration type linear actuator which drives the first lens with vibration produced through an electromechanical energy conversion action, and an electromagnetic type linear actuator which drives the second lens with electromagnetic power.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can well maintain a surface contact state between a vibrator and a contact member of a vibration type linear actuator to perform a stable lens drive. The optical apparatus comprises a vibration type linear actuator driving a lens in an optical axis direction. The vibration type linear actuator includes a vibrator on which vibration is produced through an electromechanical energy conversion action and a contact member which is in press contact with the vibrator. The apparatus comprises a holding mechanism which holds one member of the vibrator and the contact member so as to change at least one of the position and inclination of the one member in response to a force smaller than a press contact force between the vibrator and the contact member.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which has a light amount adjusting unit, a lens to be driven by a linear actuator, and a detector for detecting the position of the lens, and which can be reduced in size. The optical apparatus includes a light amount adjusting unit which adjusts a light amount by light shield members translating in a first direction, a vibration type linear actuator which drives the lens in an optical axis direction, a guide member which guides the lens in the optical axis direction, and a detector which detects the position of the lens. When viewed from the optical axis direction of the optical apparatus, the vibration type linear actuator, the guide member, and the detector are arranged along an outer surface of the light amount adjusting unit, the outer surface being provided in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which can suppress an increase in size thereof even if its lens is driven in a large movable range. The apparatus comprises a first linear actuator which includes a first member to which an electrical signal is input and a second member whose length in an optical axis direction is longer than the first member, and drives a first lens in a first movable range in the optical axis direction. The apparatus comprises a second linear actuator which includes a third member to which an electrical signal is input and a fourth member whose length in the optical axis direction is longer than the third member, and drives a second lens in a second movable range in the optical axis direction. The first member is moved together with the first lens in the optical axis direction, with respect to the second member.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed in which a press contact force for bringing a vibrator and a contact member into press contact with each other is generated between them, and thereby the reaction force of the press contact force is difficult to transmit outward. The optical apparatus comprises a lens holding member which holds a lens, and a vibration type linear actuator which drives the lens holding member in an optical axis direction. The vibration type linear actuator includes a vibrator on which vibration is produced through an electromechanical energy conversion action and a contact member which is in press contact with the vibrator. The vibrator and the contact member is in press contact with each other by a magnetic force acting between them.

Abstract: A light-quantity adjusting apparatus is disclosed, in which a light-blocking member and an optical filter can be driven with a single actuator, and which can be made compact. The light-quantity adjusting apparatus includes a light-blocking member that changes a quantity of light through an open/close operation within an optical path, an optical filter that can be inserted into and withdrawn from the optical path, independently from the light-blocking member, and a driving mechanism that has a single actuator as a driving source and that drives the light-blocking member and the optical filter. The driving mechanism drives the optical filter by operating the actuator further in an opening direction after the actuator has driven the light-blocking member into an open position, and operating the actuator further in a closing direction after the actuator has driven the light-blocking member into a closed position.

Abstract: A light-quantity adjusting apparatus is disclosed, in which a light-blocking member and an optical filter can be driven with a single actuator, and which can be made compact. The light-quantity adjusting apparatus includes a light-blocking member that changes a quantity of light through an open/close operation within an optical path, an optical filter that can be inserted into and withdrawn from the optical path, independently from the light-blocking member, and a driving mechanism that has a single actuator as a driving source and that drives the light-blocking member and the optical filter. The driving mechanism drives the optical filter by operating the actuator further in an opening direction after the actuator has driven the light-blocking member into an open position, and operating the actuator further in a closing direction after the actuator has driven the light-blocking member into a closed position.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a shaft member extending in an optical axis direction, the shaft member having a screw part formed thereon and arranged to be driven by a motor to rotate on an axis thereof A moving member has a screw-engaging part engaging the screw part of the shaft member and the moving member is arranged to move in the optical axis direction. A holding member holds a lens and the holding member and the moving member are moved together in the optical axis direction by rotation of the shaft member. An urging member is arranged to urge the holding member and the moving member to move together in the optical axis direction and permits relative movement of the holding member and the moving member. A stopper is arranged to have the holding member to abut thereon when the holding member moves relative to the moving member against an urging force of the urging member.

Abstract: In a lens barrel or an optical apparatus using the lens barrel, a first holding frame which holds a first lens and a second holding frame which holds a second lens are arranged to engage one and the same cam member, a cam disposed in the cam member is arranged to move the first and second holding frames along an optical axis, while keeping the relative positions of the first and second holding frames unvaried when shooting is not performed, and the second holding frame is moved in the direction of the optical axis while the first holding frame is kept stationary in the direction of the optical axis when shooting is performed. The first lens is located nearest to an object side within the lens barrel while the second lens is arranged to be movable along the optical axis for varying a magnifying power.

Abstract: In a lens barrel or an optical apparatus using the lens barrel, a first holding frame which holds a first lens and a second holding frame which holds a second lens are arranged to engage one and the same cam member, a cam disposed in the cam member is arranged to move the first and second holding frames along an optical axis, while keeping the relative positions of the first and second holding frames unvaried when shooting is not performed, and the second holding frame is moved in the direction of the optical axis while the first holding frame is kept stationary in the direction of the optical axis when shooting is performed. The first lens is located nearest to an object side within the lens barrel while the second lens is arranged to be movable along the optical axis for varying a magnifying power.

Abstract: A video camera system includes a camera body having a camera electrical connecting terminal which performs at least a communication, a camera mount, a color separation prism, and a plurality of imaging elements, and an optical accessory having an accessory mount which is attachable/detachable to/from the camera mount of the camera body, and having an accessory electrical connecting terminal which is connected with the camera electrical connecting terminal when the optical accessory is attached. The camera electrical connecting terminal is disposed at least at one side position of the direction of the color separation axis where is at the rear of a flange plane of the camera mount along the optical axis and is substantially the same as the direction of the color separation axis of the color separation prism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a red phosphorus flame retardant comprising a fine red phosphorus powder subjected to a surface modification treatment, said fine red phosphorus powder consisting of spherical red phosphorus particles and/or agglomerates thereof directly obtained by the thermal conversion of white phosphorus in the presence of a dispersant and has an average particle size of 10 .mu.m or smaller and of which at least 80% by weight is accounted for by particles having particle sizes of 20 .mu.m or smaller, said flame retardant having an average particle size of 15 .mu.m or smaller, with the particles having particle sizes of 35 .mu.m or smaller accounting for at least 80% by weight of the flame retardant; and a nonflammable resinous composition composed of a synthetic resin and the red phosphorus flame retardant.

Abstract: A lens barrel of simplified structure including a focusing member supported rotatably about the optical axis and having a gear portion, a lens support member moved in the axial direction in response to the rotation of the focusing member about the optical axis, a driving source provided in a part of the lens support member, and a gear mechanism provided in a part of the lens support member and meshing with the gear portion of the focusing member.

Abstract: A lens barrel incorporating electric parts such as motors. The lens barrel has a double-sided printed circuit board disposed such that its major plane extend substantially orthogonally to the optical axis. Chip elements such as circuit elements are mounted on the front side of the double-sided printed circuit board while flexible connecting members for connection to the electrical parts are provided on the rear side of the double-sided printed circuit board. A land for allowing electrical check of electric circuit is also provided on the rear side of the double-sided printed circuit board.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter apparatus has a code board having at least three patterns disposed thereon. One of the patterns represents a least significant bit and is arranged at the center between the other patterns. A reading device is provided for reading the patterns on the code board and for outputting a digital signal corresponding to the patterns. By arranging the least significant pattern in the center, adjustments between the reading device and the code board are not critical, and reading accuracy is improved.

Abstract: A lens drive device of the invention is disclosed comprising a motor drive for each lens of zoom means and focusing means, whereby a motor is made to have a concentric layer structure about a photographic optical axis, and a single magnetic circuit for the motor having the aforesaid layer structure is formed by a single permanent magnet.