Abstract: A zoom lens system includes at least three lens groups, in which the distance between at least two lens groups of the at least three lens groups is varied during zooming, the zoom lens system having a first adjustment mechanism for mechanically adjusting a first lens group in the optical axis direction upon assembly and adjustment; a second adjustment mechanism for mechanically adjusting a second lens group, which is different from the first lens group, in the optical axis direction upon assembly and adjustment; and a third adjustment mechanism for mechanically adjusting a third lens group, which is different from the first and second lens group, in the optical axis direction upon assembly and adjustment.

Abstract: A lens eccentricity adjusting device includes a circular opening formed on a lens frame, a lens being fitted into the circular opening; at least three flat countersunk head screws each screwed into the lens frame, the flat countersunk head screws including a male thread portion that is screwed into the lens frame and a head portion having a tapered surface; and at least one elastic member positioned between the flat countersunk head screws and the rim of the lens. The eccentricity is adjusted by deforming at least one elastic member via pressure of the tapered surface of a corresponding flat countersunk head screw on the rim of the lens, in accordance with an amount the corresponding flat countersunk head screw is screwed into the lens frame, so that the lens is moved in the circular opening in a radial direction.

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 vari-focal lens includes power varying lens groups including a focusing lens group; a zooming ring; a focusing ring; a focusing lens frame supporting the focusing lens group; an intermediate moving frame supporting the focusing lens frame; a zoom cam ring; a focus cam ring which rotates with the zoom cam ring and is relatively movable thereto in the optical axis direction; and first and second cam followers formed on the focusing lens frame and intermediate moving member, respectively, which are engaged with focus cams of the focus cam ring. The focus cam ring moves in the optical axis direction relative to the focusing lens frame and the intermediate moving frame and rotates about the optical axis while being guided by the focus cams to thereby change a position of engagement of the first cam followers and the second cam followers relative to the focus cams.

Abstract: A lid (40) with which an opening (35) in a lens hood (30) is made open or closed is rotatably supported by a hinge pin (47) that is supported at both ends on pin support portions (37) of the lens hood (30) and which is passed through pin insertion holes (44). When the lid (40) closes the opening (35), retainer lugs (42) of the lid (40) retain stoppers (36) of the lens hood (30) to keep the opening (35) closed. If the stoppers (36) are removed from the constraint by the retainer lugs (42) and the lid (40) is turned about the hinge pin (47) under the urging force exerted by the spring (48), the lid (40) is brought to a state where it makes the opening 35 open.

Abstract: A lens eccentricity adjusting device includes a circular opening formed on a lens frame, a lens being fitted into the circular opening; at least three flat countersunk head screws each screwed into the lens frame, the flat countersunk head screws including a male thread portion that is screwed into the lens frame and a head portion having a tapered surface; and at least one elastic member positioned between the flat countersunk head screws and the rim of the lens. The eccentricity is adjusted by deforming at least one elastic member via pressure of the tapered surface of a corresponding flat countersunk head screw on the rim of the lens, in accordance with an amount the corresponding flat countersunk head screw is screwed into the lens frame, so that the lens is moved in the circular opening in a radial direction.

Abstract: A floating lens barrel includes a stationary barrel which can be connected to a camera body, a rotation ring which is rotatably supported by the stationary barrel and which is rotated in accordance with the focusing operation, a female helicoid ring provided on the stationary barrel, a front lens support ring which supports a focusing front lens group and which is guided to move linearly in the optical axis direction, a male helicoid ring which is supported by the front lens support ring so as to rotate relative thereto but not to move in the optical axis direction relative to the front lens support ring, a combination of rotation transmission grooves and pins for transmitting the rotation of the rotation ring to the male helicoid ring, and a rear lens support ring which holds a focusing rear lens group and which is guided to move linearly in the optical axis direction by the front lens support ring, in accordance with a cam groove formed in the male helicoid ring.

Abstract: A floating lens barrel includes a stationary barrel which can be connected to a camera body, a rotation ring which is rotatably supported by the stationary barrel and which is rotated in accordance with the focusing operation, a female helicoid ring provided on the stationary barrel, a front lens support ring which supports a focusing front lens group and which is guided to move linearly in the optical axis direction, a male helicoid ring which is supported by the front lens support ring so as to rotate relative thereto but not to move in the optical axis direction relative to the front lens support ring, a combination of rotation transmission grooves and pins for transmitting the rotation of the rotation ring to the male helicoid ring, and a rear lens support ring which holds a focusing rear lens group and which is guided to move linearly in the optical axis direction by the front lens support ring, in accordance with a cam groove formed in the male helicoid ring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lens hood including a cylindrical body that is mounted to a lens barrel of the camera. An accessing opening is formed on the cylindrical body. In order to cover the accessing opening, a cover piece is detachably attached to the cylindrical body. When the cover piece is attached to the cylindrical body, the cover piece forms a part of a circumference of said cylindrical body.

Abstract: A shutter/diaphragm apparatus includes an intermediate plate between a diaphragm cam plate and a diaphragm rotating plate. A plurality of blades are provided between the diaphragm cam plate and the intermediate plate and between the diaphragm rotating plate and the intermediate plate. The blades are driven by a relative rotation between the diaphragm cam plate and the diaphragm rotating plate to vary the size of an aperture defined by the blades. The relative rotation can also completely close the aperture. The invention can also be applied to a diaphragm apparatus which has no shutter function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cam mechanism for a lens barrel wherein the mechanism is provided with a cam ring and a movable annular member. The cam ring is typically provided with a plural number of cam grooves formed in a predetermined cam profile in the same shape, in the same positions, and in the circumferential direction, but in respective positions differentiated in the optical axis direction. The movable annular member is set in engagement with the cam ring and has a plural number of cam pins installed thereon. The cam pins are fitted into the cam grooves of the cam ring so as to permit the movable annular member to, move freely in the optical axial direction, without being liable to any slanting thereof, in its rotation centering around the optical axis.

Abstract: An aperture system includes aperture blades defining an aperture opening and an aperture mechanism for moving the aperture blades, both of which are provided in a barrel. The aperture system further includes a motor, for driving the aperture mechanism, supported on a motor support fixed to the barrel, and a detecting device for detecting that the aperture mechanism is in a predetermined state. The motor is controlled based on a detection by the detecting device. The motor support is constructed so that the mounting angle of the motor is adjustable with respect to a rotation axis of the motor to change the timing of motor pulses of the motor with respect to the timing of the detection of the detection device.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel includes an annular stationary barrel having a guide groove. A lens drive ring is rotatably fitted onto an outer peripheral surface of the stationary barrel, and is provided with a cam groove on an inner peripheral surface thereof. A first lens moving ring, holding at least two lens groups which are spaced in the optical axis direction, is provided with a guide groove and a cam follower which extends through the guide groove of the stationary barrel to be engaged in the cam groove of the lens drive ring. The first lens moving ring is movable along the guide groove in accordance with a rotation of the lens drive ring. A second lens moving ring, having a cam groove on an inner peripheral surface thereof, is rotatably fitted onto an outer peripheral surface of the first lens moving ring so as not to move in the optical axis direction relative to the first lens moving ring.

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus in a zoom lens in which a position of a zooming optical system in a zoom lens barrel is varied in an optical axis direction in accordance with an axial position of a rotatable cam ring. The apparatus includes a back focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the axial position of the cam ring, an axially movable member which is movable together with the cam ring in the optical axis direction in accordance with the axial movement of the cam ring upon back focus adjustment, and a detecting mechanism provided between the axially movable member and the cam ring for detecting an angular position of the cam ring.

Abstract: A supporting mechanism rotatably supports a rotatable ring on a cylindrical member in a lens barrel and includes a frictional member which is made from a member separate from the rotatable ring and the cylindrical member. The frictional member is provided on one of the rotatable ring and the stationary cylindrical member so as to come into sliding contact with the other of the stationary cylindrical member and the rotatable ring in a thrust direction.

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus in a zoom lens in which a position of a zooming optical system in a zoom lens barrel is varied in an optical axis direction in accordance with an axial position of a rotatable cam ring. The apparatus includes a back focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the axial position of the cam ring, an axially movable member which is movable together with the cam ring in the optical axis direction in accordance with the axial movement of the cam ring upon back focus adjustment, and a detecting mechanism provided between the axially movable member and the cam ring for detecting an angular position of the cam ring.

Abstract: A lens advancing mechanism which includes a stationary barrel having a linear guide groove arranged parallel to an optical axis, a ring rotatably coupled on the outer circumferential surface of the fixed barrel and a lens supporting member having a guide portion which is received in the linear guide groove. The ring has at least one lead groove formed on its inner surface and the guide portion has at least one protrusion which is received in the lead groove of the ring. When the ring is rotated, the lens supporting member is moved along the linear guide groove.

Abstract: A device for adjusting an optical axial position of a lens is disclosed. The device includes a lens frame for mounting at least one lens, a lens frame supporting member rotatably engaged with the lens frame via screw threads for supporting the lens frame in such a way that the lens frame is rotatable relative to the lens frame supporting member, coupled to a stationary member for adjustment of the optical axial position of the lens relative to the stationary member. Set screws are provided for selectively locking the lens frame to the lens frame supporting member at one of a plurality of stepwise, predetermined, relative angular positions between the lens frame and the lens frame supporting member after the optical axial position of the lens has been adjusted relative to the lens frame supporting member.

Abstract: A lens barrel for an automatic focusing camera is provided with an annular changeover member arranged so as to be manually rotatable about the optical axis, and further arranged so as to be manually movable in a direction of the optical axis. A first clutch mechanism is provided for releasing a connection between the annular changeover member and an annular focusing member, to permit independent rotation thereof, when the annular changeover member is in an AF mode setting position, and for forming the connection therebetween to thereby form a rotationally dependent structure when it is in an MF mode setting position. A second clutch mechanism is provided for forming a connection between a drive shaft and the annular focusing member when the annular changeover member is in the AF mode setting position, and for releasing the connection therebetween when it is in the MF mode setting position.

Abstract: A lens barrel operating mechanism for use in a lens barrel provided with a stationary ring is provided. An operating ring arranged on the outer circumference of the stationary ring is provided to be capable of moving in the optical axis direction of the stationary ring and rotating about the optical axis. The operating ring is provided with annular grooves formed on the inner circumferential surface thereof, with a sliding member having rollers set in the annular grooves in such a manner as to permit the rollers to move freely in the extending direction of the annular grooves and capable of moving in interlocking relation with the movement of the operating ring in the optical axis direction, and with a clicking mechanism arranged between the sliding member and the side of the stationary ring and giving the operator a clicking sensation for each of the terminal positions in the range of movement of the operating ring in the optical axis direction.