Foldable Or Collapsible Patents (Class 359/817)
  • Patent number: 11714257
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens assembly includes a plurality of lens-side claw portions configured to enable engagement with a plurality of camera-side claw portions, and a lock pin concave portion in which a lock pin is inserted. Furthermore, ?1 is an angle formed by a line passing through a fifth lens-side end and an optical axis, and a line passing through a center of a lock pin concave portion and the optical axis, and ?2 is an angle formed by a line passing through a fourth lens-side end and the optical axis, and a line that passes through the center of the lock pin concave portion and the optical axis. In the above, ?1 and ?2 satisfy a predetermined conditional expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Sasaki, Toshinori Yamazaki, Masahisa Tamura, Masayasu Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 11700880
    Abstract: A sun-powered smoking pipe with a lens suspended by two arms, whose arms hold the lens at a fixed distance from the pipe's bowl, the distance being equal to the focal length of the lens. The arms have equal lengths and swivel in tandem both at their attachment points to the lens and at their attachment points to the pipe so that the entire device can be folded flat quickly. The only calibration required by a user is to rotate the lens so that the focal point is aimed inside the bowl when the lens is held in the direction of the sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventor: David John Yovino
  • Patent number: 11246384
    Abstract: Article of jewelry includes a main frame defining a cutout in a medial portion thereof, a magnifying glass received within the cutout, and a light source configured to disperse light proximal to the magnifying glass. The main frame comprises a first configuration where the main frame is pivoted inwardly to form a bracelet orientation, and a second configuration in which the main frame is pivoted outwardly to form a magnifying orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Alma Genevieve Berry
  • Patent number: 11235708
    Abstract: Provided is a head-up display for a vehicle. The head-up display may include a camera configured to capture an image of a road ahead of the vehicle. The camera may further be configured to be in communication with a processor. The head-up display may also include a display in communication with the processor. The processor may be configured to select a route on a map between a current position of the vehicle and a destination selected by a user, receive the image from the camera, correlate the image to an area of the map, and control the display to display an indication indicating the route. Based on correlation of the image to the area of the map, the indication on the display may be substantially aligned with the road when viewed from front of the display. Other embodiments are disclosed and additional embodiments are also possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Steve Cha
  • Patent number: 11067769
    Abstract: In a lens barrel, a first drive unit is driven to thereby cause a third lens holding frame to be movable in an optical axis direction relatively to a first lens holding frame and a second lens holding frame. One end of a guide shaft is fixed to the first lens holding frame, and another end of the guide shaft is fixed to the second lens holding frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsuto Noda, Nobuyoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11016273
    Abstract: A device includes a housing and a multi-aperture imaging device. The multi-aperture imaging device includes an array of optical channels arranged next to one another and a beam-deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels. In a first operating state of the device, the housing encloses a housing volume. In the first operating state of the device, the beam-deflector includes a first position within the housing volume. In a second operating state of the device, the beam-deflector includes a second position where the beam-deflector is arranged at least partly outside the housing volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Nicolas Lange, Oliver Pabst
  • Patent number: 10775585
    Abstract: An interchangeable lens assembly includes a plurality of lens-side claw portions configured to enable engagement with a plurality of camera-side claw portions, and a lock pin concave portion in which a lock pin is inserted. Furthermore, ?1 is an angle formed by a line passing through a fifth lens-side end and an optical axis, and a line passing through a center of a lock pin concave portion and the optical axis, and ?2 is an angle formed by a line passing through a fourth lens-side end and the optical axis, and a line that passes through the center of the lock pin concave portion and the optical axis. In the above, ?1 and ?2 satisfy a predetermined conditional expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Sasaki, Toshinori Yamazaki, Masahisa Tamura, Masayasu Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 10648853
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lens module. The lens module includes a lens barrel with an accommodation space; a lens group accommodated in the accommodation space; a filter, a bracket and a sensor set in turn by an image side of the lens group and located outside the accommodation space. The bracket includes a top wall forming an optical aperture. The top wall includes a first surface facing an object side, a second surface opposite to the first surface and a third surface connecting the first surface to the second surface for forming an optical aperture. The third surface is a curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Jia Wan
  • Patent number: 10606084
    Abstract: A collapsible viewer that may be used, for example, for viewing augmented reality and virtual reality content on a mobile device. The viewer includes a case for engaging a mobile computing device and an integral set of two lenses capable of transitioning between a first collapsed position and a second extended position such that when the set of two lenses is in the first collapsed position, the set of two lenses is hidden with the case and when in the second extended position, the set of two lenses is positioned for viewing content displayed on the mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Jason Pickersgill
  • Patent number: 10234650
    Abstract: A lens barrel that achieves modes with and without an optical element while reducing a size in an optical axis direction. A first drive mechanism moves a first optical element in the optical axis direction. A second optical element is located at an image surface side of the first optical element and is selectively inserted in an optical path. A second drive mechanism moves a holding member that holds the second optical element in a direction different from an optical axis. A control unit controls the first drive mechanism to move the first optical element to an object side to a position where the first optical element and the holding member are not in an overlap state when viewing in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, controls the second drive mechanism to remove the second optical element from the optical path, when they are in the overlap state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiko Nishide
  • Patent number: 9958637
    Abstract: An optical device whose impact resistance against an impact improved without increasing the size thereof. A first-group lens barrel holds has radially protruding follower pins formed thereon. A cam ring is disposed outside the first-group lens barrel, and has cam grooves formed therein for engagement with the follower pins. A diaphragm unit disposed rearward of the first-group lens barrel and a second-group lens barrel disposed rearward of the diaphragm unit move in the optical axis direction. When the diaphragm unit and the second-group lens barrel move in the optical axis direction, the optical device is switched between a wide angle position in which first protrusions formed on the diaphragm unit are positioned inside the follower pins and a telephoto position in which third protrusions formed on the second-group lens barrel are positioned inside the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akihiko Masuki
  • Patent number: 9829674
    Abstract: A lens barrel capable of maintaining a pivot regulating function of the lens holder even if a forceful impact is received from outside. A lens holder holds a lens and is movable in an optical axis direction. A fixing member supports both ends of a first guide shaft for guiding the lens holder in the optical axis direction and supports a second guide shaft in a cantilever manner. The second guide shaft is shorter than the first guide shaft and regulates a pivot of the lens holder on the first guide shaft by engaging with the lens holder. A pivot regulating mechanism is disposed between a wall portion of the fixing member that supports one end of the first guide shaft and the lens holder. The mechanism regulates the pivot of the lens holder in a case where engagement between the lens holder and the second guide shaft is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Katano
  • Patent number: 9684147
    Abstract: A changeable lens barrel includes a fixed barrel formed in an annular shape a straight-advancing barrel housed in the fixed barrel during non-photographing and extended to an outside of the fixed barrel during photographing, and a first annular member that turns according to manual operation. When the changeable lens barrel is in a photographable state, a part of an outer circumference of the first annular member is exposed to an outside and a front end face of the annular member forward in an optical axis direction is located further forward than a front end face of the fixed barrel, and, when the changeable lens barrel is in an un-photographable state, a rear end face backward in the optical axis direction is within the fixed barrel and the rear end face is present further backward in the optical axis direction than when the changeable lens barrel is in the photographable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Tamotsu Koiwai, Shigeo Hayashi, Naohiro Kageyama, Mitsuru Toyama
  • Patent number: 9274303
    Abstract: An adjusting device for an optical system has a first slider for a first optical element, which is arranged displaceably along an axial direction, a second slider for a second optical element, which is arranged displaceably along the axial direction, a control cam contour fixed in relation to the axial direction, a coupler between the first slider, the second slider and the cam contour, and a force element to exert force between the first slider and the second slider, so that the coupler is in contact with the first slider at a first point, is in contact with the second slider at a second point and is in contact with the control cam contour at a third point, the coupler including a first lever arm formed between the first and third points, and the coupler including a second lever arm formed between the second and third points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Roland Mueller, Rupert Demleitner
  • Publication number: 20150128471
    Abstract: A firearm sight including a base coupled to a firearm receiver. The base includes a body having opposed side defining a void therebetween. A sight housing having an end coupled to the base and an opposing end carrying a sight structure. The end coupled to the base is bifurcated with spaced apart furcated portions defining a central gap therebetween. A threaded support member extends transversely between the opposed side portions and concurrently through apertures formed through the furcated portions. A wheel member has a threaded bore and is received on the threaded support member between the furcated portions within the central gap. Rotation of the wheel member moves the sight housing laterally between the opposed sides of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen P. Troy, Sergey A. Monveldt
  • Publication number: 20150103420
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes: a fixed frame; a zoom ring rotatably held around an outer periphery of the fixed frame; a contact member; and a biasing member. The zoom ring has a first sliding surface to a fourth sliding surface. When the contact member moves on the first sliding surface, a first load is applied to the biasing member; when the contact member moves on the second sliding surface, a second load greater than the first load is applied to the biasing member; and when the contact member moves on the third sliding surface, a load which varies in a range from the first load to the second load is applied to the biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Takeo SANTO, Masayuki AKIEDA
  • Publication number: 20150098133
    Abstract: The following invention relates to an improved lens apparatus for use in a head up display (HUD), particularly for providing a deployment means for a HUD. The deployment device comprises a servomotor and cord assembly to move the carrier, wherein the carrier is biased, such that the first action is to deploy the lens, and then cause subsequent movement of the lens through an arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Leslie Charles Laycock, David Andrew Cocksedge
  • Publication number: 20150098142
    Abstract: A retractable lens barrel includes a first main bar, a second main bar, a fixed barrel including the first main bar, a linear movement barrel including a second main bar and movable in an optical axis direction, a leaf spring configured to adjust decentering of the second main bar relative to the first main bar in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, and leaf springs configured to adjust a tilt of the second main bar relative to the first main bar in the optical axis direction by pushing the linear movement barrel onto the fixed barrel at a plurality of positions in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. The first main bar and the second main bar are configured to guide a lens frame holding a lens. After the second main bar is moved closer to an object than the first main bar, tilt adjustment by the leaf springs is completed following decentering adjustment by the leaf spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Izumi
  • Patent number: 8970971
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a plurality of lens groups including a retractable lens group, a plurality of lens retaining frames to retain the plurality of lens groups, a movable lens barrel to retain the plurality of lens retaining frames therein, and a fixed cylinder portion to retain the movable lens barrel therein. The plurality of lens retaining frames, the movable lens barrel and the fixed cylinder portion are configured to move the plurality of lens groups between a collapsed state with at least one portion of the plurality of lens groups collapsed and a photographing state. The plurality of lens retaining frames include a retractable lens retaining frame configured to movably retain the retractable lens group so as to position the plurality of lens groups in photographing positions on a single optical axis in the photographing state and to retract the retractable lens group to a retracted position outside an inside diameter position of the fixed cylinder portion in the collapsed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ooya, Katsunobu Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20150022909
    Abstract: This invention includes a flexible Fresnel lens assembly which can be efficiently stowed into a small volume, and then deployed with a mechanism, including structural elements, that provides tensioning at the ends of the lens assembly to position and support the lens assembly in proper position relative to a photovoltaic receiver, onto which the lens assembly focuses sunlight for conversion into electricity. The flexible stretched lens assembly includes a transparent prismatic polymer film, comprising a refractive optical element, attached to flexible cords, fibers, or wires that carry the bulk of the tension load in the stretched lens assembly when it is deployed in its final functional position. This present invention represents a critical and mission-enabling improvement to an earlier stretched lens array invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,200 (Reference 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Mark Joseph O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8929004
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes lens groups, lens retaining frames retaining the lens groups, respectively, between a collapsed state and a photographic state are moved toward an object side, a movable cylinder retaining the plurality of lens retaining frames therewithin, and a driving mechanism to move the lens retaining frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Ooya
  • Publication number: 20150002947
    Abstract: Retractable magnifying glass accessory system to be attached to a watch band, bracelet, belt, purse strap, or any other strap to be easily pulled out and used instead of glasses when one can see the object well from the distance however is not able to read the price and other details on the label. The present invention can be mounted on any existing strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Grazyna Krajewska
  • Patent number: 8908285
    Abstract: The zoom lens includes a front unit including a first positive lens unit and a second positive or negative lens unit, a reflective mirror and a rear unit including two or more lens units. During zooming, the reflective mirror is not moved, and the first lens unit and at least two lens units of the rear unit are moved. When the zoom lens is retracted into a body of an image pickup apparatus, at least one of rotation of the reflective mirror such that a normal line thereto is brought closer to parallel to an optical axis of the rear unit and axial movement thereof in a direction of the optical axis of the rear unit is performed. The front unit is moved into a space formed by the at least one of the rotation and the axial movement. Conditions of 10.5<ft/|fn|<30.0 and 0.80<(Lf?L)/Lm<1.30 are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Wada
  • Publication number: 20140355138
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes: a barrel body; an optical element inside the barrel body; and a wiring which is inserted inside the barrel body, and at least a part of which has a three-dimensional curve shape capable of extending and contracting in a direction of an optical axis of the optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Itaru Doi
  • Publication number: 20140313602
    Abstract: A lens barrel which is capable of retracting a retractable lens group by a simple construction and realizing stable image quality. The lens barrel has a lens, a first lens holding member that holds the lens, a second lens holding member that holds the first lens holding member and moves in a direction of an optical axis in conjunction with the first lens holding member, a drive mechanism that moves the first lens holding member between a shooting position on the optical axis and a retracted position outside the optical axis, and a first guide bar and a second guide bar. The drive mechanism retracts the first lens holding member from the shooting position to the retracted position while holding the second lens holding member on the optical axis. The first and second guide bars guide the second lens holding member in the direction of the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kudoh
  • Patent number: 8861098
    Abstract: When the lens barrel is in the storage state, a part of a lens group and a group cylinder are inserted into an aperture of a diaphragm unit and a shutter blade of a shutter unit is closed for light shielding. With this arrangement, the cylinder length in the storage state is shortened, and the performance degradation of an image sensor and optical components provided on a front side of an image sensor can be prevented as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Ishimasa
  • Publication number: 20140204482
    Abstract: The lens barrel includes a stationary tube, a cam ring, and a rectilinear motion tube. The rectilinear motion tube is moved by the rotation of the cam ring in the optical axis direction. A lens frame holding a lens is moved by a driving unit (feed screw and a motor) in the optical axis direction. The stationary tube includes a main guide bar in the optical axis direction. The rectilinear motion tube includes another main guide bar in the optical axis direction. The lens frame includes first and second fitting portions slidably supported by the main guide bars in the optical axis direction, and the first and second fitting portions are disposed separately in the optical axis direction, and the main guide bars are disposed in different positions around the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Izumi
  • Publication number: 20140168795
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes an optical system including a first lens group having at least one lens; a cam frame including a first cam groove; and a first movable frame including a first cam follower engaged with the first cam groove. When the first movable frame relatively rotates with respect to the cam frame, the first movable frame relatively moves with respect to the cam frame in an optical axis direction together with the first lens group. A region of the first cam groove, through which the first cam follower passes when a focal distance of the optical system is changed from a wide-angle end to a tele end includes first and second regions adjacent to each other. The first region has a groove width narrower than that of the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi KUWAHARA, Tetsuya UNO
  • Patent number: 8730596
    Abstract: An imaging device comprises a lens barrel having an optical system with an adjustable focal point, and has a first state can focus relative to an imaging face, and a second state can not focus relative to the imaging face, a changing unit for changing the lens barrel from the second state to the first state when the imaging unit is activated, a discriminating unit which discriminates whether the state of the barrel is the first state or the second state, and a control unit which, at a time of activating the imaging unit, changes the lens barrel to the first state by the changing unit if it is discriminated that the state of the barrel is the second state, and which maintains the first state if it is discriminated that the state of the barrel is the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Hidefumi Ota
  • Publication number: 20130342721
    Abstract: For a lens barrel that restricts the rectilinear of a lens group using a restricting portion, the light-shielding property for external light, the degree of freedom of design relating to the arrangement of the interlocking section for a cam ring, and a change in the relative distance between a front group and a rear group are increased. A lens barrel has a first group (front group) and a second group (rear group) that are movable in the optical axis direction, and further includes a first group cam ring cam-engaged with and held by a holding member of the first group, a second group cam ring cam-engaged with and held by the holding member of the second group, a moving cam ring that guides the first group cam ring and the second group cam ring, and a fixed tube cam-engaged with the moving cam ring to rotatably support it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Seiji Iida
  • Publication number: 20130329292
    Abstract: A lens mechanism and a device using the same are provided. The lens mechanism has an optical axis and comprises a zoom module, a focus module and a focusing lens group. The zoom module performs an optical compensation. The focus module comprises a rotatable arm. The focusing lens group is disposed on the rotatable arm, wherein when the lens mechanism is in a stand-by state, the focusing lens group is located at the optical axis; when the lens mechanism is in a close-end, the focusing lens group is away from the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Chih-Jung WU
  • Patent number: 8576492
    Abstract: A zoom lens system comprising: a positive first lens unit; a negative second lens unit; a positive third lens unit; and one or more subsequent lens units, wherein in zooming, the first to third lens units are moved along an optical axis to perform magnification change, a lens unit ? which is one of the subsequent lens units does not move during zooming, but moves during transition from an imaging state to an accommodated state, and the conditions: 0.8<LT/fT<1.2, 0.12<D?/fG?<0.30 and fT/fW>9.0 (LT: overall length of lens system at a telephoto limit, D?: axial air-equivalent length between a most image side surface of the lens unit ? and an image surface, fG?: focal length of the lens unit ?, fW and fT: focal lengths of the entire system at a wide-angle limit and a telephoto limit) are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takakazu Bito
  • Patent number: 8547653
    Abstract: The present invention provides a miniaturized lens barrel and optical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yoh Wakamizu
  • Patent number: 8537477
    Abstract: A lens barrel comprises barrier blades that open and close in a directional orthogonal to an optical axis; an optical system retention frame that includes a first surface along a direction orthogonal to the axis, the optical system retention frame retaining the optical system and movable with respect to the barrier blades in a direction along the axis; and a coupling plate includes a second surface relatively movable with respect to the first surface, the coupling plate causing the barrier blades to open and close by the coupling plate rotating about the axis; wherein, when the barrier blades are opened, the first surface is can move in the axis direction without abutting against the second surface and, when the barrier blades are closed, the first surface abuts against the second surface and movement of the first surface in the axis direction is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Takanori Shioda
  • Patent number: 8520123
    Abstract: The image sensor and the imaging substrate are arranged in a space formed between the connection portion and the plane formed by the holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Terada, Shoji Harada
  • Patent number: 8503115
    Abstract: A lens drive control device for a lens barrel, which controls at least a part of a plurality of lens groups respectively including at least one lens, wherein a state of the lens barrel transits from a retracted state to a photographing extended state, the lens drive control device comprising: a detection device which detects that the at least one lens group reaches a reference position, and a determination device which determines an abnormal actuation based upon a detection by the detection device, upon actuation when the at least one lens group is moved from the retracted position to the position on the optical axis, wherein the determination device determines that the actuation is abnormal when the detection device detects that the at least one lens group reaches the reference position for a plurality of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8493667
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a first lens unit and a second lens unit each of which is configured to move in an optical axis direction, a first cam tube that includes a first cam part and a second cam part respectively on an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface and moves the first and second lens units respectively in the optical axis direction using the first and second cam parts as the first cam tube rotates around an optical axis, and a linearly moving guide tube that is arranged on an inner circumferential side of the first cam tube and configured to guide the first and second lens units in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kudoh
  • Patent number: 8446681
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a cam barrel configured to hold an optical member, which is movable back and forth along a first optical axis, on an inner periphery of the cam barrel, a bending member configured to bend a light flux from an object from the first optical axis towards a second optical axis, and a guiding member extending in a direction parallel with the second optical axis and configured to support and hold the bending member to be movable back and forth in the direction parallel with the second optical axis, wherein the guiding member is configured to enter into a notch, which is provided to the cam barrel, when the optical member is stored into a space along the first optical axis into which the bending member has retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Terada
  • Patent number: 8422152
    Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes a zoom optical system, a zooming unit, and a light adjusting mechanism. The zoom optical system includes a first, a second, and a third lens group. The second lens group is movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and configured to move the optical image in the same direction. The zooming unit causes the zoom optical system to perform a zooming operation. The lens barrel is configured to change between an imaging state and a retracted state. In the imaging state, the zooming operation is performed and all the lens groups are aligned with one another. During the zooming operation, the first and third lens groups move independently of each other, and the light adjusting mechanism moves integrally with the second lens group. In the retracted state, the third lens group is disposed off center from the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Onishi, Hironori Honsho
  • Patent number: 8379330
    Abstract: A lens frame radially-displacing mechanism of a retractable photographic lens, includes a photographing optical system; a linearly advancing/retreating ring guided linearly in an optical axis direction; a radially-displaceable support frame pivoted parallel to the optical axis, supports a radially-displaceable optical element and rotates between an on-axis position and an off-axis displaced position when the retractable photographic lens moves between the ready-to-photograph state and the retracted state; a rear support frame supporting a rear optical element; and a distance controller which controls approaching positions of the displaceable support frame and the rear support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Takamitsu Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20120268838
    Abstract: The invention features a scrolling thin film magnifier that is integrated into a composition and can be extended and retracted when used, compositions that include the scrolling thin film magnifier, methods of using the scrolling thin film magnifier to magnify printed indicia, and methods of manufacturing the scrolling thin film magnifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: James RITTENBURG, Lorna RITTENBURG
  • Patent number: 8284289
    Abstract: At least one object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel, including: a fixed frame (21) having a fixed cylinder (21); a telescopic cylinder (22, 23, 24, etc.) configured to be accommodated within the fixed cylinder (21); a plurality of lens groups (11, 12) configured to be retained in the telescopic cylinder; a lens driving device (51, 52, etc.) configured to drive the plurality of lens groups along a optical axis of the telescopic cylinder between a collapsed position and an extended position; and two retractable lens groups (13, 14) configured to be retracted into the telescopic cylinder when the telescopic cylinder is in the extended position and configured to be retracted out of the telescopic cylinder when the telescopic cylinder is in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20120229923
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a fixed cylinder, a first rotary cylinder rotatably provided around an axis relative to the fixed cylinder, and a moving cylinder disposed inside of the first rotary cylinder to move integrally with the first rotary cylinder on the axis and rotate around the axis relative to the first rotary cylinder. The moving cylinder includes a front protrusion group of three or more protrusions and a rear protrusion group of two or more protrusions on an outer circumference. The first rotary cylinder includes, in an inner circumference, a first circumferential groove, a second circumferential groove, a first guide having three or more depressions, and a second guide having two or more depressions. The first rotary cylinder and the moving cylinder are coupled with each other by fitting the front and rear protrusion groups into the first and second circumferential grooves, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Terunori KOYAMA
  • Patent number: 8243373
    Abstract: When the lens barrel is in the storage state, a part of a lens group and a group cylinder are inserted into an aperture of a diaphragm unit and a shutter blade of a shutter unit is closed for light shielding. With this arrangement, the cylinder length in the storage state is shortened, and the performance degradation of an image sensor and optical components provided on a front side of an image sensor can be prevented as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Ishimasa
  • Patent number: 8218255
    Abstract: A lens barrel unit includes a holder configured to hold a lens, a cam cylinder including a cam groove configured to engage with the holder and define a movement of the holder in an optical axis direction, and a projection that has a part of the cam groove and projects in the optical axis direction, and a straightforward movement cylinder configured to guide a straightforward movement of the holder, the straightforward movement cylinder including a flange forming a notch. In a process from a retraction state in which the projection is located in the notch to an image pickup state in which the projection is located outside of the notch, the straightforward movement cylinder moves relative to the cam cylinder in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Katano
  • Patent number: 8208805
    Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, a first slope is formed that inclines toward a second flash-unit cam at an end face of a first flash-unit cam on the second flash-unit cam side at a first position where a flash-unit follower is located on the first cam when the flash-unit follower is engaged with the first flash-unit cam and the lens barrel unit is changed into wide angle state, and a second slope is formed that inclines toward the first flash-unit cam at an end face of the second cam on the first flash-unit cam side at a second position where the flash-unit follower is located on the second flash-unit cam when the flash-unit follower is engaged with the second flash-unit cam and the lens barrel unit is changed into a wide angle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Honkai Tomimoto, Keita Iwai
  • Publication number: 20120087021
    Abstract: A moving device is disclosed. The moving device includes a first lens barrel, a second lens barrel, a shutter module, a pushing lever, a flexible element, and a third lens barrel. The first lens barrel includes an upper edge and a groove which is at the upper edge. The second lens barrel is sleeved within the first lens barrel. The shutter module is disposed on the second lens barrel. The pushing lever includes a first end and a second end which is fixed within the groove of the first lens barrel. The flexible element is disposed besides the pushing lever for pushing the pushing lever. The third lens barrel is sleeved outside the first lens barrel. The third lens barrel includes a convex block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Chih-Ta CHIEN, Chien-Hsin Lu
  • Patent number: 8154809
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a first lens barrel member and a second lens barrel member coupled with the first lens barrel member via a cam mechanism. The first lens barrel member includes a stopper portion and a gear portion. The stopper portion comes into contact with a first contact surface formed in the second lens barrel member, when the first lens barrel member protruding from the second lens barrel member in the optical axis direction receives the external force from a front end side of the first lens barrel member in its protruding direction, to restrict a displacement of the first lens barrel member with respect to the second lens barrel member due to the external force. The gear portion comes into contact with a second contact surface formed in the second lens barrel member to restrict the displacement due to the external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kudoh
  • Patent number: 8134784
    Abstract: A lens apparatus of the present invention includes a cam ring 7 having an inner circumferential surface on which first, second, and third cam groove portions 7a, 7b, and 7c with which first, second, and third cam followers 25, 26, and 6 provided on first, second, and third lens holding members 1, 2, and 3 engage. The cam ring introduces the first and second cam followers from an insertion opening 7d and includes an introducing groove portion 7b4 for introducing the third cam follower and a connecting groove portion 7a5. The third cam groove portion is divided at a middle of the introducing groove portion which connects the insertion opening with the second cam groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichiro Kato
  • Publication number: 20120050865
    Abstract: In a lens barrel including an image pickup optical system containing plural lens groups and a barrel member for holding the image pickup optical system and conducting protruding and retracting, the lens frame holding a prescribed lens group of the image pickup optical system is swung so that the prescribed lens group is moved to a position where the optical axis is different from those of other lens groups at the time of the retraction, and in the process of changing from the protruded state to retracted state, the lens frame is swung by engagement with a cam-shaped portion of a first engagement member, and is then engaged with a second engagement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Shigeo HOMME