Abstract: A lens cover mechanism which drives a lens cover to cover a from surface of a lens barrel of a camera, wherein the lens cover drive mechanism has a drive source to generate a drive force. The lens cover drive mechanism also includes a transmission member to receive the drive force from the drive source, an urging member to receive the drive force from the transmission member and to urge a buffer member in the direction of the drive force. In a situation where an external force is applied to the lens cover to prevent movement, the buffer member resiliently deforms when the drive force is received from the urging member, thereby preventing the drive force from being transferred to the lens cover. As a result, the lens cover and the lens cover drive mechanism do not get damaged. The axis of rotation of the lens cover, the urging member and the buffer member are all arranged on a single shaft.

Abstract: A lens barrier mechanism of a photographing lens which opens and closes a lens opening of a lens unit, includes a plurality of blades at least partially superimposed upon one another in an optical axis direction of the lens unit. At least one of the plurality of blades is a leading blade to which a driving force is applied, and the other is a trailing blade or trailing blades driven by the leading blade. Each of the plurality of blades has an open and closed position with respect to the lens opening.

Abstract: A camera with a lens barrier is provided with a slide member, which moves together with the lens barrier over a certain range of motion. A locking portion for keeping a shutter button locked and a stopper for limiting the push-down movement amount of the shutter button are integrated in the slide member. When the lens barrier is positioned at a position other than an opening position, the locking portion prevents the shutter button from being pushed down. When the lens barrier is positioned at the opening position, the locking portion moves away from the shutter button so that the shutter button can be pushed down, and the stopper limits the push-down movement amount of the shutter button. Thus, the locking portion for keeping the shutter button locked and the stopper for limiting the push-down movement amount of the shutter button are integrated so that the number of parts can be decreased to simplify the structure and lower the production cost.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photographic film package with a flash unit and a viewfinder optical system, which is thin and contributes to effective and economical automatic recycling operations. The taking lens system of the film package is accommodated in a lens holder incorporated in a photo-taking unit having photo-taking mechanisms, and is held immovably in the lens holder by a lens cover removably fitted on the lens holder by snap-in engagement. The viewfinder optical system is also incorporated in the photo-taking unit. The photo-taking unit is removably attached to a main body of the film package, and the flash unit is removably attached to the main body with its printed circuit board disposed between the photo-taking unit and a front surface of a film supply chamber. A light emitting portion of the flash unit is secured to a lateral side of the printed circuit board, so as to be disposed above the film supply chamber.

Abstract: A camera has a lens protection barrier member and an opening/closing mechanism that includes a cam and a spring member, the force of which varies. The cam is designed so as to compensate for the variation of spring force and maintain a uniform operating load.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electric camera which comprises a switch for switching a state of the camera between a state out of use and a state in use, a driving member for shifting the position of a member to be driven to change its state between a state out of use and a state in use in accordance with the state switched by the switch, detection unit for detecting whether the member to be driven is shifted during an operation of the driving member, counter unit for starting counting when the driving member is started to operate upon switching by the switch, change-over unit for changing over a driving speed of the driving member from a first speed to a second speed which is lower than the first speed, and control unit for stopping the drive of the driving member when the counter unit counts a predetermined time, so that the camera can be used continuously when the photographing lens or the barrier is stopped due to external forces, etc.

Abstract: A lens cover mechanism for a compact camera which uses a plurality of lens cover plates having a first state in which the cover plates partially overlap, and together cover a lens of the camera. In a second state, the cover plates are substantially overlapping and disposed to a side of the camera lens, completely exposing the lens.