Abstract: A one-way rotational transfer mechanism includes a rotary input shaft, a rotary output shaft, a clutch member, a differential rotating member, a circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on the rotary input shaft, a torque transfer member, and an associating device. The torque transfer member wedges between the circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion and the clutch member while making the torque transfer member contact the clutch so that the rotary input shaft and the clutch member become integral upon rotation of the rotary input shaft. The associating device causes the clutch member to transfer torque thereof to the rotary output shaft, and the clutch member to release engagement of the rotary input shaft with the clutch member when the rotary output shaft is rotated so that a relative rotational torque greater than a predetermined torque determined by a shape of the associating device.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a distance adjustment ring for moving a movable lens group; a hand-operated ring and a motor for rotating the distance adjustment ring; a one-way rotational transfer mechanism which transfers torque of the hand-operated ring to the distance adjustment ring when the hand-operated ring is manually rotated, and prevents torque of the distance adjustment ring transferring to the hand-operated ring when the distance adjustment ring is rotated by the motor. A circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on an annular overlapping portion of the hand-operated ring, is shaped so that a torque transfer member, installed in an accommodation space between the annular overlapping portion and-a torque transfer cylindrical surface on the distance adjustment ring, wedges between the circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion and the torque transfer cylindrical surface to transfer the torque of the manually rotated hand-operated ring to the distance adjustment ring.

Abstract: A lens body tube configured to support at least one lens inside an inner tube such that the at least one lens can be translated along the optical axis direction of the lens body tube includes a cam ring configured to be rotatably supported around the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube, the at least one lens being configured to be translated along the optical axis direction accompanied by the rotation of the cam ring, a plurality of cams provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cam ring, a plurality of cam followers provided on a lens frame supporting each of the at least one lens, each of the plurality of cam followers being engaged with a corresponding one of the plurality of cams through an opening provided on the inner tube, and a plurality of first protrusions, each of which is formed integrally with a corresponding one of the plurality of cams, and has contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube.

Abstract: A lens body tube includes a main tube, at least one lens configured movable along the optical axis direction of the lens body tube in the main tube, a first ring configured to be rotated for a zooming operation, the first ring being disposed around the outer circumference of the main tube, a second ring configured to be rotated for a focusing operation, the second ring being disposed around the outer circumference of the main tube, a third ring configured to be rotated by the first ring, the third ring being disposed inside the main tube, a fourth ring configured to be translated along the optical axis direction by rotation of the third ring, the fourth ring being disposed inside the main tube, a fifth ring configured to be rotated by the second ring, and at least one lens frame, of the at least one lens, supported by the fifth ring. The fifth ring is screwed together with the fourth ring.

Abstract: A lens body tube configured to support at least one lens inside an inner tube such that the at least one lens can be translated along the optical axis direction of the lens body tube includes a cam ring configured to be rotatably supported around the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube, the at least one lens being configured to be translated along the optical axis direction accompanied by the rotation of the cam ring, a plurality of cams provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cam ring, a plurality of cam followers provided on a lens frame supporting each of the at least one lens, each of the plurality of cam followers being engaged with a corresponding one of the plurality of cams through an opening provided on the inner tube, and a plurality of first protrusions, each of which is formed integrally with a corresponding one of the plurality of cams, and has contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube.

Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus is provided that comprises an imaging device, a support member, a drive mechanism, and a fixed member. The support member supports the imaging device. The drive mechanism moves the support member in a plane parallel to an imaging surface of the imaging device and in an independent first and second directions. The fixed member is placed within a support-member movable-range, in which the support member is moved by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism induces impact on the support member by engaging the support member with the fixed member.

Abstract: A one-way rotational transfer mechanism includes a rotary input shaft; a hollow-cylindrical rotary output shaft positioned around the rotary input shaft; a circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on the rotary input shaft to form at least one accommodation space between the rotary input shaft and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface; a movable member; balls positioned between first and second holding surfaces; at least one roller member installed in the accommodation space; and a biasing device which biases the movable member so that the balls are sandwiched between the first and second holding surfaces and so that an normal surface and the roller member come into pressing contact with each other. The circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion is shaped so that a rotation of the rotary input shaft is transferred to the hollow-cylindrical rotary output shaft via the roller member when the rotary input shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A one-way rotational transfer mechanism includes a rotary input shaft, a rotary output shaft, a clutch member, a differential rotating member, a circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on the rotary input shaft, a torque transfer member, and an associating device. The torque transfer member wedges between the circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion and the clutch member while making the torque transfer member contact the clutch so that the rotary input shaft and the clutch member become integral upon rotation of the rotary input shaft. The associating device causes the clutch member to transfer torque thereof to the rotary output shaft, and the clutch member to release engagement of the rotary input shaft with the clutch member when the rotary output shaft is rotated so that a relative rotational torque greater than a predetermined torque determined by a shape of the associating device.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a distance adjustment ring for moving a movable lens group; a hand-operated ring and a motor for rotating the distance adjustment ring; a one-way rotational transfer mechanism which transfers torque of the hand-operated ring to the distance adjustment ring when the hand-operated ring is manually rotated, and prevents torque of the distance adjustment ring transferring to the hand-operated ring when the distance adjustment ring is rotated by the motor. A circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on an annular overlapping portion of the hand-operated ring, is shaped so that a torque transfer member, installed in an accommodation space between the annular overlapping portion and-a torque transfer cylindrical surface on the distance adjustment ring, wedges between the circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion and the torque transfer cylindrical surface to transfer the torque of the manually rotated hand-operated ring to the distance adjustment ring.

Abstract: A rotational transfer mechanism includes a rotary output shaft, a rotary input shaft positioned inside the rotary output shaft; a circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion having a cam surface, to form an accommodation space between the rotary input shaft and the torque transfer cylindrical surface; and a torque transfer member installed in the accommodation space. The cam surface shape is determined by defining a straight line through the rotational axis and the torque-transfer-member axis, defining an imaginary circle having the same shape as the torque transfer member on the straight line at a point where the imaginary-circle axis and the torque-transfer-member axis are symmetrical with respect to the rotational axis; determining a cam-surface determining circle which circumscribes the imaginary circle and the torque transfer member; and defining a circular arc which forms a part of the cam-surface determining circle as the cam surface.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a stationary member; a rotary input shaft; a manual operating ring rotatably supported by the stationary member and rotated by the rotary input shaft via a gear mechanism; an optical element movable along the optical axis by rotation of the manual operating ring; a hollow-cylindrical output gear having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface in which the rotary input shaft is fitted, and an outer gear portion; a non-circular cross section portion formed on the rotary input shaft to form an accommodation space between the rotary input shaft and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface; a ball installed in the accommodation space; and a biasing device for making the orthogonal surface and the ball come into pressing contact. The non-circular cross section portion is shaped so that the rotation of the rotary input shaft is transferred to the hollow-cylindrical output gear via the ball.

Abstract: A one-way rotational transfer mechanism includes a rotary input shaft; a rotary output shaft provided around the rotary input shaft; a circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on the rotary input shaft to form at least one accommodation space having different radial widths at different circumferential positions; a differential rotating member installed in the accommodation space, the differential rotating member revolving around the axis of the rotary input shaft in a same direction as a rotational direction of the rotary input shaft while revolving at a slower speed; and a freely movable torque transfer member installed in the accommodation space. The circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion is shaped so that the torque transfer member wedges between the circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion and an inner peripheral surface of the rotary output shaft to transfer torque from the rotary input shaft to the rotary output shaft.

Abstract: A one-way rotational transfer mechanism includes a rotary input shaft having a surface lying orthogonal to an axis of the rotary input shaft, a hollow-cylindrical rotary output shaft positioned around the rotary input shaft to be rotatable relative to the rotary input shaft, a circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on the rotary input shaft to be adjacent to the orthogonal surface to form at least one accommodation space between the rotary input shaft and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface, at least one rotatable member installed in the accommodation space, and a biasing device for pressing the orthogonal surface and the rotatable member toward each other. The circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion is shaped so that rotation of the rotary input shaft is transferred to the hollow-cylindrical rotary output shaft via the rotatable member to which rotation is given from the orthogonal surface.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a stationary barrel, first through third lens support rings, and a lens drive ring including a first guide engaged with a guide formed on the stationary barrel; an engaging portion engaged with a guide formed on the first lens support ring, the lens drive ring and the first lens support ring being relatively rotatable and integrally movable in the optical axis direction; a second guide, engaged with a guide formed on the second lens support ring, to move the second lens support ring in the optical axis direction relative to the lens drive ring via rotation of the lens drive ring; and a third guide engaged with a guide formed on the third lens support ring to move the third lens support ring in the optical axis direction relative to the lens drive ring via rotation of the lens drive ring.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a stationary member; a rotary input shaft; a manual operating ring rotatably supported by the stationary member and rotated by the rotary input shaft via a gear mechanism; an optical element movable along the optical axis by rotation of the manual operating ring; a hollow-cylindrical output gear having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface in which the rotary input shaft is fitted, and an outer gear portion; a non-circular cross section portion formed on the rotary input shaft to form an accommodation space between the rotary input shaft and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface; a ball installed in the accommodation space; and a biasing device for making the orthogonal surface and the ball come into pressing contact. The non-circular cross section portion is shaped so that the rotation of the rotary input shaft is transferred to the hollow-cylindrical output gear via the ball.

Abstract: A one-way rotational transfer mechanism includes a rotary input shaft having a surface lying orthogonal to an axis of the rotary input shaft, a hollow-cylindrical rotary output shaft positioned around the rotary input shaft to be rotatable relative to the rotary input shaft, a circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion formed on the rotary input shaft to be adjacent to the orthogonal surface to form at least one accommodation space between the rotary input shaft and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface, at least one rotatable member installed in the accommodation space, and a biasing device for pressing the orthogonal surface and the rotatable member toward each other. The circumferentially-uneven-width-space forming portion is shaped so that rotation of the rotary input shaft is transferred to the hollow-cylindrical rotary output shaft via the rotatable member to which rotation is given from the orthogonal surface.

Abstract: A varifocal lens barrel includes movable lens groups including a focusing lens group which is moved by different amounts of movement at different focal lengths, a focus operation ring, a focus lens frame which supports the focusing lens group, a guide ring positioned around the focus lens frame, a bottomed focusing cam groove formed on the focus lens frame or the guide ring, a spherical follower which is supported by the focus lens frame or the guide ring, a biasing member for pressing the spherical follower against the bottomed focusing cam groove, and an adjustment mechanism which varies a relative moving range of the spherical follower in the bottomed focusing cam groove in accordance with a variation of the focal length to vary an amount of movement of the focusing lens group per unit of rotation of the focus operation ring.

Abstract: A method for molding a cam ring which is provided on the peripheral surface thereof with convex cams whose shape in a developed view is non-linear, the cams overlapping each other at the ends thereof as viewed in the axial direction of the cam ring. The method includes setting first and second cylindrical split molding dies so that cam forming surfaces thereof are located in a normal molding position; and upon completion of a molding operation, rotating the first and second cylindrical split molding dies relative to each other and relative to the molded cam ring, in a direction of an angle not greater than the minimum angle defined between a tangential line on each corresponding the front and rear cam surfaces and the plane including the axis of the cam ring, to thereby part the first and second cylindrical split molding dies from the molded cam ring.

Abstract: A varifocal lens barrel includes movable lens groups including a focusing lens group which is moved by different amounts of movement at different focal lengths, a focus operation ring, a focus lens frame which supports the focusing lens group, a guide ring positioned around the focus lens frame, a bottomed focusing cam groove formed on the focus lens frame or the guide ring, a spherical follower which is supported by the focus lens frame or the guide ring, a biasing member for pressing the spherical follower against the bottomed focusing cam groove, and an adjustment mechanism which varies a relative moving range of the spherical follower in the bottomed focusing cam groove in accordance with a variation of the focal length to vary an amount of movement of the focusing lens group per unit of rotation of the focus operation ring.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a stationary barrel, first through third lens support rings, and a lens drive ring including a first guide engaged with a guide formed on the stationary barrel; an engaging portion engaged with a guide formed on the first lens support ring, the lens drive ring and the first lens support ring being relatively rotatable and integrally movable in the optical axis direction; a second guide, engaged with a guide formed on the second lens support ring, to move the second lens support ring in the optical axis direction relative to the lens drive ring via rotation of the lens drive ring; and a third guide engaged with a guide formed on the third lens support ring to move the third lens support ring in the optical axis direction relative to the lens drive ring via rotation of the lens drive ring.