Abstract: An optical assembly includes a barrel including a slot, a lens installed inside the barrel for magnifying an image, a magnification-adjusting mechanism installed outside and around the barrel including an adjusting loop installed outside the barrel in a rotatable manner including a groove on a side facing the barrel, and a roller installed between the adjusting loop and the barrel. The optical machine further includes a rod for adjusting the magnification of the lens. One end of the rod is installed inside the slot of the barrel in a slidable manner, and another end of the rod is installed inside the groove of the adjusting loop in a slidable manner.

Abstract: A holding mechanism for holding an optical element includes a rear side block that includes a rear side holding engagement part that is engageable with a rear side engagement part provided on a rear side of an optical element, a front side block that is coupled with the rear side block and includes a front side holding engagement part that is engageable with a front engagement part provided on a front side of the optical element or the holding member, wherein one of the rear side engagement part and the rear side holding engagement part has a groove and the other has a spherical part that has an at least partially spherical shape engageable with the groove, and wherein one of the front side engagement part and the front side holding engagement part has another groove, and the other has another spherical part that has an at least partially spherical shape engageable with the other groove.

Abstract: A lens device in which a first movable lens holding frame and a second movable lens holding frame are moved along an optical axis by rotating a cam cylinder rotatably provided on a lens barrel, an escape channel for escapement of a portion of the second movable lens holding frame being formed in the first movable lens holding frame, the lens device comprising: a light shielding member moved along the optical axis by the rotation of the cam cylinder, the light shielding member being moved to a position at which the light shielding member closes the escape channel of the first movable lens holding frame.

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 switching mechanism of a lens barrel includes a stationary barrel having a stop groove; a lens holding ring, a distance adjustment ring and an AF/MF switching ring, each positioned concentrically with the stationary barrel. The AF/MF switching ring is prevented from rotating relative to the stationary barrel by engagement of the engaging member with the stop groove while a driving force is transferred from a power source to the distance adjustment ring to move the lens holding ring along the optical axis when the AF/MF switching ring is in the AF position. Rotation of the AF/MF switching ring is transferred to the distance adjustment ring to move the lens holding ring along the optical axis while the driving force is prevented from being transferred from the power source to the distance adjustment ring when the AF/MF switching ring is in the MF position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lens assembly comprising an enclosure, annular rotating means, gear assembly, spring, leaf spring, cap, and lens. The enclosure has a housing and haft. The housing has a lower hole for supporting the image capture apparatus, and an upper hole, which is consisted of three slope sets. Each slope set has a sub-slope and a main slope, the main slopes of the slope sets having a same gradient and being in a same height at highest points or lowest points of the main slopes. The annular rotating means having three extrusive portions is connected to the slope sets of enclosure. The gear assembly, which is supported by the haft of enclosure and connected with the annular rotating means, is applied for driving the annular rotating means. The spring is mounted on the first inner rim of the upper surface of the annular rotating means. The leaf spring is placed on the second inner rim of the upper surface of the annular rotating means.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes cam ring which is rotated about an optical axis to move a lens group in the optical axis direction, and a rotational ring which transfers a rotational motion to the cam ring. The rotational ring includes a rotation-transmission arm extending in the optical axis direction. The cam ring includes a bottomed engaging recess which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring. The rotation-transmission arm is slidably inserted to be movable in the optical axis direction. The rotation-transmission arm and the engaging recess include a guide groove which extends parallel to the optical axis and a guide projection which is engaged in the guide groove, respectively or vice versa, the rotational ring transferring rotational motion thereof to the cam ring via engagement of the guide groove with the guide projection.

Abstract: A cemented lens group includes two lens elements, cementing surfaces of the two lens elements being cemented to each other by an adhesive, wherein the adhesive forms an adhesive layer between the cementing surfaces. A filler made of minute solid material is dispersed throughout the adhesive layer. Alternatively, a spacer which determines the thickness of the adhesive layer is provided around the peripheral portions of the cementing surfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a lens mounting apparatus for mounting a lens to a substrate having a sensor in a sensor housing mounted on the substrate. The apparatus comprises a lens mount member including a lens mount body coupled with the lens housing. The lens mount body includes a locating element configured to register the lens mount body to the sensor housing mounted on the substrate. The lens mount member includes a flexible mounting element configured to be attached to the substrate and permit movement of the lens mount body toward and away from the sensor housing. A focus ring includes a slip ring portion coupled with the coupling surface of the lens housing.

Abstract: A linear-motion helicoid mechanism for a CCTV camera, comprising a lens frame for holding lenses, a key member, a helicoid female member and a rotating frame that is formed integrally with the helicoid female member. The lens frame comprises a cylindrical lens holder having helicoids and keyways on an outer periphery of the cylinder. The key member comprises a cylindrical part having keys for engagement with the keyways provided on the key member. The helicoid female member comprises a cylindrical part having helicoids that engage with the helicoids of the helicoid female member. The rotating frame and the helicoid female member are engaged together with a bayonet mechanism, so that the rotating frame fixes a position of the helicoid female member to the key member in the optical axis direction and supports it rotatably about the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens shutter mechanism includes, between front and rear support frames having photographing apertures, shutter sectors which open and close the photographing apertures; a shutter drive ring which is rotatable about the optical axis to drive the shutter sectors; diaphragm sectors which change an aperture diameter of the photographing apertures independently of the shutter sectors; and a diaphragm drive ring which is rotatable about the optical axis to drive the diaphragm sectors. The shutter drive ring and the diaphragm drive ring are located at different radial positions and at the same optical axis position. One and the other of the shutter drive ring and the diaphragm drive ring is provided with an inner flange and an outer flange respectively, which radically project toward each other so as to overlap in the axial direction, and engage so as to be relatively slidable in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A multi-stage-extension zoom lens barrel assembly includes an inner peripheral helicoid ring having a first helicoid formed on the outer periphery thereof which is engaged with a second helicoid formed on an inner periphery of an outer peripheral helicoid ring; a first linear guide ring provided in the inner peripheral helicoid ring and is relatively rotatable and integrally movable therewith in the optical axis direction; and a first outer barrel for covering the first linear guide ring, the first outer barrel being supported on the first linear guide ring so as to relatively rotate and move together in the optical axis direction therewith, wherein the first outer barrel is detachably attached to the inner peripheral helicoid ring, the first outer barrel being integrally rotatable about the optical axis and integrally movable along the optical axis with the inner peripheral helicoid ring.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes first and second lens groups guided in an optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis, first and second support frames which support the first and second lens groups and include first and second cam followers, respectively; and a cam ring which is rotatable about the optical axis and includes a cam groove. The cam groove is formed as a continuous groove and includes first and second groove portions via which the first and second cam followers are guided to move the first and second lens groups, respectively. One of the first cam follower and the second cam follower enters one of the first groove portion and the second groove portion after passing through the other of the first groove portion and the second groove portion in a preparation stage of the lens barrel.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a cam ring which rotates about an optical axis while moving in the optical axis direction and has a cam groove formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof; a movable lens frame provided inside the cam ring so as to be movable in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis; a cam mechanism for moving the movable lens frame in the optical axis direction by an amount of movement greater than that of the cam ring via rotation of the cam ring in accordance with a profile of the cam groove; and an outer ring which is provided around the cam ring and is engaged therewith so that the cam ring is rotatable about the optical axis relative to the outer ring and so that outer ring moves together with the cam ring in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel assembly includes a first lens group including first and second sub-lens groups; a second lens group; a sub-lens group switching mechanism for moving the first or second sub-lens group away from the other in a short focal length photographing range, and toward the other in a long focal length photographing range; and a zoom cam mechanism having front and rear lens group cam grooves. The rear lens group cam groove includes first and second portions corresponding to the short and long focal length photographing ranges, respectively, the first and the second portions connected to each other via a discontinuous portion. The front lens group cam groove includes a non-linear portion which corresponds to the short focal length photographing range and provides a non-linear path, and a linear portion which corresponds to the long focal length photographing range and provides a linear path.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a stationary barrel, an outer ring, an inner ring, a cam ring and a movable lens frame, arranged in that order from outermost side, wherein the axes thereof coincide with a common optical axis, the outer ring being guided linearly in the optical axis direction by the stationary barrel, the inner ring being linearly guided in the optical axis direction by the outer ring, and the cam ring being rotatable to move the movable lens frame in the optical axis direction; and a lens barrier mechanism having an aperture positioned in front of the movable lens frame, the lens barrier mechanism being provided on a front opening of the inner ring, for opening and closing the aperture.

Abstract: A lens guide mechanism includes a lens frame which supports a photographing lens group, the lens frame including a plurality of guide holes extending in a direction parallel with an optical axis; a support barrel in which the lens frame is provided; a gear holding member which is provided at a front end of the support barrel; a gear train which is held between the support barrel and the gear holding member, the gear train constituting a drive mechanism for the lens frame; and a plurality of linear movement guide rods provided in the gear holding member, which extend through the guide holes of the lens frame and support the lens frame to move linearly in the optical axis direction relative to the support barrel.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel assembly includes a plurality of lens barrels including a rearmost lens barrel, secured to a camera body, and a frontmost lens barrel. At least one adjacent pair of lens barrels are connected to each other via a helicoid structure. The frontmost lens barrel and a first adjacent lens barrel are connected to each other via a cam structure. The helicoid structure allows the adjacent pair of the lens barrels to rotate and move in an optical axis direction relative to each other while the zoom lens barrel assembly moves from a retracted position to a minimally extended position for a photographing operation. At least a portion of the helicoid structure includes a slip region which allows the pair of adjacent lens barrels to rotate without relatively moving along the optical axis.

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 corrective lens for a rifle scope comprising a removable flexible tubular boot attachable to an end of the scope and having a corrective lens suited to the user to eliminate the wearing of eyeglasses while sighting through the scope. The lens can fit within the boot or be threaded onto the boot by means of a lens cap.

Abstract: An eccentricity-prevention mechanism includes a pair of lens-supporting rings for supporting a pair of lens groups, respectively; and a pair of positioning recesses and a follower projection formed on one and the other of opposed surfaces of the pair of lens-supporting rings, such that the follower projection engages with one of the pair of positioning recess to define a relative position of the pair of lens-supporting rings with respect to the optical axis, at a mutually close position and at a mutually distant position. At least three pairs of the positioning recesses and at least three follower projections are provided at different positions in a circumferential direction, so that eccentricity between the pair of lens-supporting rings is eliminated when all of the follower projections are concurrently brought into engagement with corresponding positioning recesses.

Abstract: A shift mechanism includes first and second ring bodies which are relatively rotatable; a shift cam surface formed on the first ring body on an end surface thereof which faces the second ring body, the shift cam surface being inclined with respect to a circumferential direction of the first ring body; a follower projection formed on the second ring body for engaging with the shift cam surface; and a rotating mechanism for relatively rotating the first and second ring bodies. The shift cam surface and the follower projection are arranged to move the first and second ring bodies toward and away from each other in the axial direction as the first and second ring bodies are relatively rotated. An annular rib is formed along the circumference of the first ring body outside the shift cam surface over the follower projection of the second ring body.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens frame, for supporting a photographing lens group, which have guide bore which extends in a direction parallel to the optical axis; a support barrel including front and rear rod support portions which face each other, with the guide bore provided therebetween; guide rod supported by the front and rear rod support portions by the front and rear ends thereof, respectively, the guide rod being placed through the guide bore and guiding the lens frame to move relative to the support barrel in the optical axis direction; and a coil spring for biasing the lens frame in an optical axis direction, the coil spring provided around the guide rod so as to be positioned between the lens frame and one of the front rod support portion and the rear rod support portion.

Abstract: An image capturing device has a base plate with a solid-state optical sensor mounted on the top surface. The base plate has a plurality of apertures defined therethrough. A glass frame is detachably mounted on the base plate and has an opening defined therethrough and a piece of glass mounted at the upper end of the opening. A lens retainer is detachably mounted on the glass frame and has a tubular portion with a hole in alignment with the optical sensor, a male thread formed at an outer periphery of the tubular portion; and an adjusting ring covering the tubular portion and having a female thread engaged with the male thread on the tubular portion and a lens installed therein.

Abstract: In the case of a lens system, in particular a projection lens system in semiconductor lithography, with a plurality of optical elements, such as lenses, which are mounted in mounts, the mounts being connected to one another, if appropriate by means of adjusting rings, at least one inner mount of an optical element which is intended for removal and/or later fitting is connected to an outer mount by means of a three-point mounting.

Abstract: A light interception structure for an automatic focus detection surveying instrument includes a telescopic optical system having an objective optical system and an ocular optical system, a beam splitting optical element which splits object light transmitted through the objective optical system from the telescopic optical system, and a focus detector having a light receiver which receives the object light split by the beam splitting optical element. One surface of the beam splitting optical element upon which external light entering the telescopic optical system through the ocular optical system is first made incident after the external light passes through or is reflected by a beam splitting surface of the beam splitting optical element is subject to an anti-reflection treatment.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprises an optical system provided within a main body of the barrel, an operation ring used for a photographer to operate the optical system, driving means, used for an electric drive, for generating a driving force transferred to the operation ring via a driving force transfer member, and a rotation restricting stopper for restricting a range of rotation of the operation ring. The rotation restricting stopper is movable between a position for restricting the range of the rotation of the operation ring and a position where the range of the rotation is not restricted, and substantially simultaneously restricts a range of rotation of the driving force transfer member in the position for restricting the range of the rotation of the operation ring.

Abstract: A barrier opening and closing apparatus for opening and closing a barrier according to a rotation of a lens barrel containing an optical lens system comprises a ring member disposed rotatable about an optical axis of the optical lens system and adapted to open and close the barrier according to a rotation thereof, whereas the ring member forms a plurality of rotational force transmitting parts extending rearward therefrom in parallel to the optical axis so as to be engaged with the lens barrel. The ring member is directly rotated by way of the plurality of rotational force transmitting parts engaged with the lens barrel, so as to open and close the barrier, whereby the cost of apparatus can be cut down.

Abstract: A focuser having a drawtube on which an eyepiece can be mounted, a track secured to the drawtube, and a base adapted to be mounted to an optical tube of a telescope. The base is movably engaged with the drawtube such that the drawtube and track are able to move relative to the base along an optical axis. A shaft is rotatably secured to the base and operatively engaged with the track such that rotation of the shaft effects movement of the drawtube relative to the base. This, in turn, results in relative movement between the eyepiece and optical tube along the optical axis, so as to focus the telescope. The drawtube, track and base are configured such that the base applies a first force to the drawtube and a second opposing force to the track to align the drawtube and track as they move along the optical axis.

Abstract: A zoom control connector, to which a zoom controller is connected, is disposed at the bottom of a drive unit of an ENG lens. When connecting the connector with the zoom controller, a unit discrimination circuit connects a changeover circuit with an A/D converter, and an analog control signal outputted from the zoom controller is converted into a digital signal to be sent to a CPU. In contrast, when connecting the connector with a personal computer, the unit discrimination circuit connects the changeover circuit with a communication IC, and a digital control signal outputted from the personal computer is sent to the CPU through serial communication. Thus, the CPU can execute respective control in accordance with the control signal from the zoom controller or the personal computer received through one connector.

Abstract: A bayonet fixing device includes a cylindrical member; an annular member attached to one end of the cylindrical member; and a retainer ring attached to the cylindrical member to fix the annular member to the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member includes engaging lugs and insertion areas which are alternately arranged along the circumference at one end of the cylindrical member; grooves formed behind the engaging lugs; and recesses formed behind the grooves. The annular member includes a plurality of projections which are respectively fitted into the recesses via the insertion areas and the grooves. The retainer ring includes engaging blades which are fitted into the grooves via the insertion areas to be positioned between the engaging lugs and the projections in an axial direction of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A method of achieving a focusing adjustment of an optical assembly, and of releasably locking this focusing adjustment, is described. A night vision weapon sight (10) which implements this method includes an objective lens assembly (14), an eyepiece lens (18), and an image intensifier tube (20) receiving light via the objective lens in order to provide an image via the eyepiece lens. The objective lens assembly includes a base portion (32) into which a lens housing (34) is threadably received. The threaded engagement of the base portion and lens housing is locked by a collet-like array of radially flexible fingers (42) each having a conical outer surface. A locking collar (44) having a conically tapering inner surface threadably engages the lens housing (34) and engages the collet fingers (42). Locking of the locking collar (44) is ensured by threaded engagement of a locking ring (54) with the locking collar (44) such that the prevailing torque tightens both of a pair of threaded engagements of opposite hand.

Abstract: A lens barrel capable of selecting an autofocus mode and a manual focus mode includes a fixed drum, a focusing lens movable in an optical axis direction, a driving motor, constructed of a rotor and a stator, for moving the focusing lens, the rotor rotating with respect to the stator when in an autofocus mode, the rotor and the stator rotating together as a whole with respect to the fixed drum when in the manual focus mode, a focusing lens moving mechanism for converting a rotational motion of the rotor into a motion in an optical axis direction and transmitting the optical-axis-directional motion to the focusing lens, and a subassembly constructed of a manual focus ring, a connection member for connecting the stator to the manual focus ring, and an elastic member, provided between the manual focus ring and the connection member, for making the manual focus ring and the connection member frictionally engaged with each other.

Abstract: A device for focusing optical instruments, for example a telescope or microscope, includes a drive assembly having a fine and a coarse control knob. The knobs operatively connect with a drive shaft that extends transversely through a concave shaped support area of the drive. Seated in this support area is a tubular-shaped housing having an opening that fits over the drive shaft. Respective pairs of longitudinally spaced apart bearings then are attached to an inside wall of the housing to proximately align one each with ends of the housing shaft opening. A tubular-shaped drawtube then movably fits in the housing where a friction plate carried by a bottom portion of the drawtube engages the drive shaft. In an outer surface of the drawtube on each side of the friction plate is a longitudinal slot. Each slot has a bottom offset for a self-locating rail. Respective upper flat segments of the rails are in rolling contact with one each of the bearing pairs.

Abstract: A lens barrel has an immovable cylindrical member adapted to be detachably attached to a camera body, and a lens holder for holding a group of focusing lenses. The holder is disposed in the member so as to be movable along an optical axis of the focusing lenses for a focusing adjustment. A manual-focusing ring, rotatably mounted on the member, is manually movable along the optical axis between an auto-focusing (AF) position and a manual-focusing (MF) position, and has a plurality of recesses circumferentially arranged and formed on an inner wall surface thereof. A drive mechanism, provided between the member and the holder to convert a rotation into a translation of the holder along the optical axis, has at least a pin which is subjected to the rotation. The pin is engaged in one of the recesses of the ring when the ring is at the MF position, such that a rotation of the ring is transmitted to the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus for an optical apparatus comprises an operating member having a rotary shaft and an operating handle for rotating the rotary shaft, a support member provided with a bearing member and supporting a lens barrel having the focusing optical system of the optical apparatus and also rotatably supporting the rotary shaft of the operating member through the bearing member, a guide member engaged with the rotary shaft to move the support member in a predetermined direction with the rotation of the operating handle, and a rotational couple adjusting member disposed between the bearing member and the operating handle for adjusting the rotational couple of the operating handle.

Abstract: A modified objective lens focus assembly of a night vision image intensif monocular for providing focus control travel adjustment that has substantially free movement for a full range of travel. The focus ring and lock ring are cemented together as one subassembly which is then cemented to the monocular housing. The objective cell is then rotational within the assembly without use of separate focus ring and lock ring.

Abstract: Four specified lenses 22.sub.1 to 22.sub.4 of a plurality of lenses in a projection optical unit are subjected to special processing (astigmatic surface processing) so that asymmetric component aberration relative to an optical axis is generated. Each of the lenses 22.sub.1 to 22.sub.4 is held by each of secondary lens frames 20 set in each of primary lens frames 14. Each of the secondary lens frames 20 is constructed so that it can be rotated from the outside of a lens barrel 12. The asymmetric component aberration relative to the optical axis of an optical system comprising all lenses for constituting the projection optical unit 10 can be easily corrected by rotating a pair of two of the lenses 22 subjected to the astigmatic surface processing. The projection optical unit is used for a projection exposure apparatus.

Abstract: In a zoom lens system in which the movement locus of a focusing lens unit is defined by synthesizing a focus cam and a zoom compensation cam, when the sensitivity of movement of an image point in association with the movement, in the direction of the optical axis, of the focusing lens unit in a closest in-focus state is larger than that in an infinity in-focus state, the ratio of the amount of rotation for focusing upon focusing from the infinity position to the closest distance position to the amount of rotation for zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end in the focus cam is set to fall within a predetermined range, so that the sensitivity of movement of an image point in association with the movement, in the direction of rotation, of the focusing lens unit satisfies a specific condition.

Abstract: In order to provide a zoom lens barrel in which the direction of rotation of a zoom ring or a focus ring during the operation thereof can be independently determined even if use is made of a cam cylinder in which the mutual relation between the movement locus of a lens for focusing and the movement locus of a lens for focal length change cannot be destroyed, provision is made of a fixed cylinder, a zoom ring operated during a focal length change, a focus ring operated during focusing, a cam mechanism for moving each of lens units in the direction of the optical axis thereof by the rotational force of the zoom ring without rotating them about the optical axis, and moving the lens units in the direction of the optical axis while rotating them about the optical axis by the rotational force of the zoom ring, an interlocking ring rotatably fitted to the fixed cylinder, and a rotatable gear for transmitting the rotational force of the focus ring while reversing the direction thereof, and the interlocking ring guide

Abstract: An adjustable rack focus stop on a focusing lens incorporates an arm mounted to the focusing lens housing and extending over the focus ring. A stop in the form of an adjustable band is positioned on the focus ring and includes a catch which is capable of engaging the arm. Two objects at different distances from the lens may be focused on through the focusing of the lens on the second object, adjustment of the stop so that it contacts the arm and then readjusting the focus to the first object. The two objects may be filmed in sequence without turning off the camera by adjusting the focus to engage the catch with the arm when refocusing to the second object.

Abstract: An optical apparatus has an optical lens unit, a manual operation device for manually operating the optical lens unit, and a drive device for driving the optical unit by electrical power, in which the manual operation device and the drive device are coupled by magnetic force, in which when driven by the drive device, the optical lens is driven as the two devices are coupled, and in which when the manual operation device is operated manually, the optical lens is driven as the drive device is fixed.

Abstract: A surface wave motor built-in lens barrel has a manual focus adjusting mode and an autofocus adjusting mode. The lens barrel comprises a photographing optical system, a fixed drum, a surface wave motor so fitted to the fixed drum as to be rotatable about an optical axis and having a fixed member capable of generating surface waves and a moving member friction-contacting the fixed member, rotating about the optical axis by the surface waves and thereby capable of moving the photographing optical system and a manual operation member capable of moving the photographing optical system by an outside operation. The photographing optical system is, in the manual focus adjusting mode, moved when the moving member and the fixed member of the surface wave motor become integral and rotated interlocking with a manual operation of the manual operation member.

Abstract: A working force quantity imparting member disposed between a fixed member and an operation member moving relative to the fixed member imparts a working force quantity to the operation member. This working force imparting member includes an elastic portion, fixed to one of the fixed member and the operation member, for biasing both of the fixed member and the operation member in such directions to get away from each other and a thin-film portion formed on a surface, contiguous to the other member, of the elastic portion and exhibiting a high slidableness.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel of a camera has an outer ring and an inner ring located inside the outer ring. The inner ring moves relative to the outer ring during zooming. A brush holder having zoom brushes at both ends is supported by one of the inner and outer rings. The zoom brushes are made of an elastic conductive material. Zoom brushes provided at one end of the brush holder come into slidable contact with a zoom code plate, which is supported by the one of the inner and outer rings that does not support the brush holder. Zoom brushes, provided at the other end of the brush holder, contact brush contacting terminals of a flexible printed circuit board. A contact reaction force is created between the zoom brushes, the zoom code plate and the flexible printed circuit board, which provides bias force to press the brush holder against one of the inner or outer rings.

Abstract: A lens bodytube has an auto-focusing mode in which a photographing lens is automatically driven to an in-focus position by a drive force of a motor and a manual focusing mode in which the photographing lens is driven to the in-focus position by manually rotating a distance ring. A movable member is driven to a first position in the auto-focusing mode and to a second position in the manual focusing mode. When the movable member is at the first position, it is coupled to the motor to transmit a drive force of the motor to a rotary ring which drives the photographing lens along an optical axis. When the movable member is in the second position, it is coupled to the distance ring to transmit a manual drive force from the distance ring to the rotary ring.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes two moving members and an intermediate member contacting both of the two moving members. The intermediate member is selectively linked and non-linked to the two moving members to change an operation resistance to the movement of the moving members.

Abstract: A lens barrel having a focusing optical system, a rotatable moving member for moving the focusing optical system for the focusing operation, an rotatable operating mechanism for driving the moving member for focusing, a biasing member for giving a friction torque to the rotation of the operating mechanism, a driving member secured to the operating mechanism for rotating the moving member, a connecting device secured to the operating mechanism for connecting and non-connecting the operating mechanism with the moving member, and a detecting device for detecting the rotation of the operating mechanism. Auto focusing is possible when the connecting device is in its non-connecting state and the focusing optical system is driven by the driving member through the moving member.

Abstract: A lens barrel having a fixed cylinder for holding a photographic optical system, and a rotary cylinder surrounding the fixed cylinder which is provided with a fitting portion for holding the rotary cylinder rotatively, and also, a diametral portion whose diameter is smaller than this fitting portion. The lens barrel further having a printed-circuit board having electric components assembled thereon. This printed-circuit board is arranged on the aforesaid diametral portion of the fixed cylinder in the space formed between the inner circumference of the rotary cylinder and the diametral portion.

Abstract: When moving frames are incorporated in a fixed frame and a cam ring, the lens barrel according to this invention is ready for fitting cam followers of the moving frames in the fixed frame or a plurality of moving cain grooves disposed on the cam ring irrespective of the number of moving frames to be incorporated, thus inserting the cam followers in the moving cam grooves by way of a single assembling cam groove. Accordingly, an assembling work of the moving frames in the fixed frame and the cam ring will be greatly facilitated and in an arrangement for which the moving cam grooves are provided on the cam ring, since the cam grooves may be bottomed cam grooves, a high rigidity cam ring will be realized. The lens barrel is further provided with a barrier closing assembly for selectively covering and uncovering an object end of the lens barrel.