Abstract: A shutter and a photographing apparatus are provided. The shutter includes: a shutter base including an exposure opening; a shutter mechanism including a blade assembly and a synchronizer ring for driving the blade assembly, the synchronizer ring being movable between a first position and a second position, and the exposure opening being open when the synchronizer ring is in the first position and closed when the synchronizer ring is in the second position; and a braking member for decelerating the shutter mechanism. In the shutter and the photographing apparatus according to the present disclosure, the shutter mechanism may be buffered when the blade assembly closes the exposure opening of a camera, so as to prevent the shutter mechanism from being damaged.

Abstract: A shutter unit includes a base plate having an opening, a first blade member movable between a closed state and a retracted state, a first driving member biased by a first biasing member, a second driving member biased by a second biasing member, a first charging member configured to cause the first driving member to move in the second direction against a biasing force, a second charging member configured to cause the second driving member to move in the first direction against a biasing force, and a motor configured to supply a driving force to the first and second charging members. In a case where the first charging member causes the first driving member to move, the motor rotates in a direction opposite to a rotation direction in a case where the second charging member causes the second driving member to move.

Abstract: A light amount adjustment device includes a base member, a rotation member rotatably held with respect to the base member, and a light amount adjustment member engaged with the rotation member and configured to be driven by the rotation member to adjust an amount of passing light. The rotation member includes a first surface area in contact with the base member and a second surface area not in contact with the base member. A surface roughness of the first surface area is greater than a surface roughness of the second surface area.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter that has a shutter base plate that has an opening; a shutter blade that opens/closes the opening; a blade arm that pivotally supports the shutter blade; and a blade drive member that has a drive pin that is connected to the blade arm. The blade drive member rotates the blade arm so as to drive the shutter blade. The blade arm has a connection hole into which the drive pin is inserted; and a restriction member that is between an inner circumferential surface of the connection hole and an outer circumferential surface of the drive pin and that restricts the movement of the drive pin inside the connection hole.

Abstract: A shutter unit includes a base plate with an aperture, a blade member, a first drive member, a second drive member, and a charge member configured to move the second drive member from a movement completion position to a movement start position against a biasing force on the second drive member, wherein while an image obtained from an image sensor is being displayed in an imaging apparatus during continuous imaging and the first drive member is engaged in order to maintain the retreat state of the blade member, the second drive member is moved to the movement start position by the charge member, and wherein before a display of the image ends, the first drive member moves toward the first direction so that the blade member moves from the retreat state to the closed state.

Abstract: A blade driving device includes an opening forming member forming an opening portion, a pivotal member pivoting about the opening portion, blades configured to enter or exit from the opening portion upon receiving power transmitted from the pivotal member, a cover member arranged so that the pivotal member and the plurality of blades are located between the cover and the opening forming member, and engaging portions engaging the of blades with the opening forming member. The pivotal member comes into slidable contact with the engaging portions in a process of pivoting. A pivotal position of the pivotal member with respect to the opening forming member is defined by the engaging portions.

Abstract: A control unit for acquiring information relating to an environment in which a shutter device is used, and changing at least one of a driving start timing at a time of driving a motor and a driving speed at the time of driving the motor.

Abstract: A lens assembly for a camera or a camera including a first lens mounted to a base portion, and a second lens mounted to a lens frame, where the first lens and the second lens are positioned co-axially along a central axis. The lens assembly includes a linear guide system for maintaining alignment of the first and second lenses. An embodiment of the linear guide system includes a first elongated element elongated along a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, parallel to and offset from the central axis. The elongated element may support and guide the lens frame for linear movement along a linear path parallel to the central axis. Some embodiments of the lens assembly include a second elongated element or rotation restriction element.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a shutter opening and closing the opening; a drive source driving the shutter; a drive lever driven by the drive source; a drive arm connected to the drive lever and driving the shutter; a restriction portion defining a stop position of the drive lever; and a buffering member elastically deformable, wherein, when the drive lever drives, abuts the restriction portion, and stops, at least one of the drive arm and the shutter temporarily abuts the buffering member, is spaced from the buffering member, and stops.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: first, second, and third boards respectively including openings through which light enters an image pickup element from an object side, and arranged in this order from the object side toward the image pickup element side; a blade arranged between the first and second boards and capable of opening and closing the openings; and a holding member arranged between the second and third boards, not coupled to the blade, and holding the second board from the image pickup element side.

Abstract: A friction member for a brake mechanism in a camera shutter is provided. The friction member includes at least two carbon nanotube composite layers stacked on each other, each carbon nanotube composite layer includes a polymer and a carbon nanotube structure including a number of carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a same direction. An angle defined by the carbon nanotubes oriented along the same direction in adjacent carbon nanotube composite layers ranges from greater than 0 degrees, and less than or equal to 90 degrees. The camera shutter using the friction member is also provided. The camera shutter includes a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism including a blade driving lever having a moving path. The brake mechanism includes two abovementioned friction members and a brake lever clamped between the two friction members. The brake lever is located at a termination of the moving path to brake the blade driving lever.

Abstract: A friction member for a brake mechanism in a camera shutter is provided. The friction member includes a carbon nanotube polymer composite. The carbon nanotube polymer composite includes a polymer and a carbon nanotube structure mixed with the polymer. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes joined by van der Waals attraction force. The camera shutter using the friction member is also provided. The camera shutter includes a drive mechanism and a brake mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a blade driving lever having a moving path. The brake mechanism includes two abovementioned friction members and a brake lever clamped between the two friction members. The brake lever is located at a termination of the moving path to brake the blade driving lever.

Abstract: A shutter charging device for a focal plane shutter with which a stable charging time can be obtained and frame speed can be improved during continuous capture. A shutter charging device charges a focal plane shutter device comprising an opening and a first curtain blade and second curtain blade that can block off the opening. The shutter charging device comprises a charging member that drives the first curtain blade and the second curtain blade in a predetermined sequence, a gear component that includes a drive gear for driving the charging member one sequence by each rotation and transmits the rotation of a DC motor to the charging member, and a lock lever that stops the drive gear. The lock lever operates so as to stop the drive gear at a predetermined timing within one sequence.

Abstract: A shutter charging device for a focal plane shutter with which a stable charging time can be obtained and frame speed can be improved during continuous capture. A shutter charging device charges a focal plane shutter device comprising an opening and a first curtain blade and second curtain blade that can block off the opening. The shutter charging device comprises a charging member that drives the first curtain blade and the second curtain blade in a predetermined sequence, a gear component that includes a drive gear for driving the charging member one sequence by each rotation and transmits the rotation of a DC motor to the charging member, and a lock lever that stops the drive gear. The lock lever operates so as to stop the drive gear at a predetermined timing within one sequence.

Abstract: In a first blade unit-driving unit which is rotated by elastic force of a first blade unit-driving spring in shooting, its driving pin rotates a first brake member counterclockwise and a second brake member clockwise against the elastic force of a coil spring fitted to a fitting shaft and against friction resistance force of a friction-providing part including a plate spring or the like at the final stage of the rotation of the first blade unit-driving unit, the plate spring being fitted to the fitting shaft, so that the first blade unit-driving unit is braked, and, at this point, one end part of the first blade unit-driving spring contacts a part to be pushed of the first brake member and controls the counterclockwise rotation of the first brake member, so that braking force to the first blade unit-driving unit acts on the first blade unit-driving unit larger and more surely.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: first, second, and third boards respectively including openings through which light enters an image pickup element from an object side, and arranged in this order from the object side toward the image pickup element side; a blade arranged between the first and second boards and capable of opening and closing the openings; and a holding member arranged between the second and third boards, not coupled to the blade, and holding the second board from the image pickup element side.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a shutter spring which urges a shutter drive member for driving shutter blades, a shutter charge unit which is used to charge the shutter spring, and is switched between a fixed state in which a charge operation of the shutter spring is complete, and the shutter drive member is fixed and a released state, and a drive unit which drives the shutter charge unit. When a second determination unit determines that a switching ready state of a mirror from a mirror-down state to a mirror-up state is set when a first determination unit determines that a charge operation of the shutter spring is complete, the drive unit is controlled to drive the shutter charge unit to the released state without latch the shutter charge unit in the fixed state after the charge operation of the shutter spring is complete.

Abstract: A thermal imaging camera, with an electromechanical shutter device for interrupting the ray path from time to time, has a motor (1), a motor shaft (2) and a shutter flag (3). The motor shaft (2) and the shutter flag (3) are in connection with one another via a crank-and-rocker mechanism. The crank-and-rocker mechanism includes a crank (4) rotatable about the motor shaft (2) with a crank pin (5) and with a rocker (6), at one end of which an elongated hole (8) is provided, which forms a rectilinear sliding joint together with the crank pin (5), and at the other end of which the shutter flag (3) is formed.

Abstract: A rotary photographic shutter includes a base plate, a rotating ring, a plurality of shutter blades pivotally connected to the base plate, and moveable between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of the ring, and an actuation assembly connected to the base plate, the actuation assembly includes a drive arm operable to selectively rotate the ring. The exemplary rotary photographic shutter also includes a bumper assembly comprising at least one resilient element fixedly disposed with respect to the base plate. The drive arm impinges the resilient element when the plurality of shutter blades is in the open and closed positions, and the drive arm is isolated from contact with the resilient element when the plurality of shutter blades is between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a plurality of shutter blades movable between an open position and a closed position, a drive ring having first and second oppositely-facing sides, at least one of the shutter blades being movably coupled to the first side, and a first permanent magnet coupled to the second side of the drive ring. The shutter assembly also includes a first solenoid selectively energizable to alternately attract and repel the first permanent magnet along an arcuate path beneath the first solenoid, thereby transitioning the plurality of shutter blades between the open and closed positions. The shutter assembly also includes a sensor assembly configured to detect a location of the first permanent magnet along the path.

Abstract: A first driving member for front blade that connects a front blade and a second driving member for front blade are rotatably mounted to a shaft 1g, a rear blade driving member that connects a rear blade is rotatably mounted to a shaft, the first driving member follows the second driving member and is rotated by a biasing force of a set spring in a setting operation, and is pressed by the second driving member and rotated in photography. The restraining means has a restraining member that can go in and out of an operation path of the restrained portion of the first driving member. When the present invention is adopted in a single-lens reflex camera, the restraining member can be within the operation path of the restrained portion in the setting operation for photography using an optical finder, and the restraining member can be outside the operation path of the restrained portion in the setting operation for photography using an electronic finder.

Abstract: A friction member for a brake mechanism in a camera shutter is provided. The friction member includes at least two carbon nanotube composite layers stacked on each other, each carbon nanotube composite layer includes a polymer and a carbon nanotube structure including a number of carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a same direction. An angle defined by the carbon nanotubes oriented along the same direction in adjacent carbon nanotube composite layers ranges from greater than 0 degrees, and less than or equal to 90 degrees. The camera shutter using the friction member is also provided. The camera shutter includes a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism including a blade driving lever having a moving path. The brake mechanism includes two abovementioned friction members and a brake lever clamped between the two friction members. The brake lever is located at a termination of the moving path to brake the blade driving lever.

Abstract: A friction member for a brake mechanism in a camera shutter is provided. The friction member includes a carbon nanotube polymer composite. The carbon nanotube polymer composite includes a polymer and a carbon nanotube structure mixed with the polymer. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes joined by van der Waals attraction force. The camera shutter using the friction member is also provided. The camera shutter includes a drive mechanism and a brake mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a blade driving lever having a moving path. The brake mechanism includes two abovementioned friction members and a brake lever clamped between the two friction members. The brake lever is located at a termination of the moving path to brake the blade driving lever.

Abstract: A speed reducing mechanism includes: a driven member; and a decelerating member transmitting a drive force from an actuator to the driven member. The driven member includes an engagement pin. The decelerating member includes: a teeth portion engaging a rotor pinion portion serving as the drive force from the actuator; and a cam slot engaging the engagement pin. The decelerating member is rotatably supported and is formed into a sheet shape thinner than a face width of the rotor pinion portion.

Abstract: A thermal imaging camera, with an electromechanical shutter device for interrupting the ray path from time to time, has a motor (1), a motor shaft (2) and a shutter flag (3). The motor shaft (2) and the shutter flag (3) are in connection with one another via a crank-and-rocker mechanism. The crank-and-rocker mechanism includes a crank (4) rotatable about the motor shaft (2) with a crank pin (5) and with a rocker (6), at one end of which an elongated hole (8) is provided, which forms a rectilinear sliding joint together with the crank pin (5), and at the other end of which the shutter flag (3) is formed.

Abstract: A rotary photographic shutter includes a base plate, a rotating ring, a plurality of shutter blades pivotally connected to the base plate, and moveable between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of the ring, and an actuation assembly connected to the base plate, the actuation assembly includes a drive arm operable to selectively rotate the ring. The exemplary rotary photographic shutter also includes a bumper assembly comprising at least one resilient element fixedly disposed with respect to the base plate. The drive arm impinges the resilient element when the plurality of shutter blades is in the open and closed positions, and the drive arm is isolated from contact with the resilient element when the plurality of shutter blades is between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of shutter blades activated by a solenoid to move the plurality of shutter blades between an open position and a closed position includes reducing an electrical signal applied to the solenoid while the plurality of shutter blades is in transit between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: An iris damper comprising a housing, a plurality of iris blades moveable to open and close the damper, and the plurality of iris blades comprising a first cooperating pair of iris blades, each iris blade of the first cooperating pair having a linear edge which is cooperatively contactable along a predetermined length (L) with an opposing linear edge of the other iris blade in order to form a substantially gas tight seal between the first pair linear edges when the iris damper is closed.

Abstract: A shutter device makes it possible to restrict bounding of a shutter blade using a shock-absorbing member when movement of the shutter blade is completed. In addition, the shutter device makes it possible to reduce production of dust that is produced when the shock-absorbing member and the shutter blade collide with each other. Examples of dust are wear powder and flake.

Abstract: A shutter base plate is made of synthetic resin and is configured with one overhang section on the blade-chamber-side surface at one end of an arcuate slot and the other overhang section on the blade-chamber-outside surface. A shock absorbing member made from elastic material is configured with concave portions on the blade-chamber-side surface and three concave portions on the blade-chamber-outside surface. The shock absorbing member is mounted to the shutter base plate in such a way that these concave portions come in contact with the overhang sections, and as is well known, when an exposure operation is completed, the driving pin of a driving member abuts on the shock absorbing member.

Abstract: A damping system for an electromagnetically operable rotary shutter includes a damper for arresting the motion of a pivotally supported shutter actuating drive arm. The damper has a first portion composed of an ultrahigh density polyethylene and a second portion composed of a damped polyurethane that are arranged to strike one against the other during operation of the shutter. Moreover the first portion of the damper has a straight edge and the second portion has a surface that is curved so as to maintain substantially a point contact between the two portions throughout the duration of the impact between the two. The combination of materials and configuration of the surfaces of the two portions provides energy absorption while avoiding the adherence of the two portions upon impact.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging optical unit for focusing light on an image-forming plane; a solid-state image pickup unit for photo-electrically converting light; a data transfer unit for controlling transfer of image data; a substrate disposed in an imaging optical path of the imaging optical unit and provided with an exposure aperture; a shutter blade for closing the exposure aperture at a closed position and opening the exposure aperture at an open position; a shutter driving unit having an exciting coil for driving the shutter blade between the closed position and the open position; and a control unit for controlling the shutter driving unit. A blade restriction member is provided for restricting a motion of the shutter blade at the closed position. A shutter blade holding unit is provided for holding the shutter blade at the open position when no driving current is supplied to the exciting coil.

Abstract: A shutter operating system is provided that depends on electromagnetic energy to operate shutter blades. A permanent magnet and solenoid system operate the shutter blades. Movement of the magnet causes the shutter blades to move between an open and a closed position over a lens. The permanent magnet can be moved between a pair of spaced coils by selectively energizing first one coil then the other. The magnet can be attached directly to a shutter blade or in the case of a rotary shutter, the magnet can be attached to a drive ring that in turn is mechanically coupled to the shutter blades.

Abstract: A shutter device makes it possible to restrict bounding of a shutter blade using a shock-absorbing member when movement of the shutter blade is completed. In addition, the shutter device makes it possible to reduce production of dust that is produced when the shock-absorbing member and the shutter blade collide with each other. Examples of dust are wear powder and flake.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operable rotary shutter is rendered bi-stable by the use of two linear electric motors, one to open the shutter and a second to close the shutter together with a latch that holds the shutter in either an open or a closed position in the absence of power to purposefully open or close the shutter.

Abstract: A light controller includes a substrate having an optical path opening, a blade unit with a blade mounted on the substrate for opening and closing the optical path opening, a driver unit for driving the blade, and a stopper unit for restricting a movement of the blade between an open position and a closed position. The stopper unit includes a long hole formed in the blade and extending in a direction that the blade moves, and a stopper pin fitted into the long hole. The long hole is disposed at a position away from the optical path opening in an entire range that the blade moves. Accordingly, when the blade unit has a plurality of blades, it is necessary to arrange only the stopper pins having a number equal to the number of the blades on the substrate, thereby reducing a size of an apparatus.

Abstract: A normally closed shutter in a camera has at least one blade that is moved to open and close the shutter. A movable blade-driver in the camera has a supporting connection with a fixed support to support the blade-driver for movement, and has a driving connection with the shutter to drive at least the one blade to open and close the shutter when the driver is moved. A fixed blocking ramp in the way of the blade-driver stops the blade-driver once the blade-driver has moved to drive at least the one blade to close the shutter. The fixed ramp is inclined to urge or cam the blade-driver to create a high friction-type force at the supporting connection that impedes movement of the blade-driver to drive at least the one blade to re-open the shutter, whereby the shutter is prevented from being reopened unintentionally.

Abstract: A shutter device has a shutter drive lever striking a shutter blade to expose an exposure opening, a mooring lever, a cam, and a speed governor. The speed governor includes an escapement wheel with integrally formed two gear wheels, an anchor, and a movable mounting board on which the escapement wheel and anchor are mounted. One of the gear wheels of the escapement wheel is engaged with a claw of the anchor to slow down a rotational speed of the escapement wheel. The other gear wheel is engaged with a shutter speed adjustment gear formed in a periphery of the shutter drive lever. The shutter drive lever rotates at the same rotational speed as the escapement wheel, so that exposure time becomes long. When flash charge is turned off, the mounting board moves to an evacuation position in which the escapement wheel is disengaged with the shutter speed adjustment gear.

Abstract: A damping system for an electromagnetically operable shutter includes a detent for arresting the motion of a pivotally supported shutter actuating drive arm. The detent has damper portions that are fixed to the pivotally supported drive arm and bumper portions that are fixed t positions to receive the impact of the dampers as the arm is pivoted in one direction or another to operate the shutter. The damper portions each has a straight edge and the surface of each bumper portion is curved so as to maintain substantially a point contact between the two throughout the duration of the impact. In addition the damper portions are formed of a damped polyurethane and each bumper portion is formed of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, the combination of materials providing energy absorption while avoiding the adherence of damper and bumper portions upon impact.

Abstract: A camera shutter has a base plate provided with a shutter opening. Sectors are mounted on the base plate to undergo movement to open and close the shutter opening. A driving lever has a driving pin that extends through through-holes in the sectors for operating the sectors. One of the through-holes is configured so that a gap is formed between an edge of the through-hole and the driving pin in the direction of movement of the driving pin. As the driving pin moves to drive the sectors to close the shutter opening, the movement of the driving pin is abruptly stopped when the sectors fully close the shutter opening thereby causing the driving pin to rebound. The rebounding motion is not transmitted to the sector in which the gap is formed, and inertia permits further movement of the sector in the closing direction over a distance equal to the gap. This maintains the sectors in overlapping relation and prevents reexposure when the shutter is in a fully closed state.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a camera having at least one image capture system. A timer latch is biased for movement between a lock position preventing image capture system from capturing an image and a release position that allows the image capture system to capture an image. An actuator is biased for movement between a first position separated from the timer latch and a second position moving the timer latch into the release position. A damper slows the movement of the actuator.

Abstract: To prevent rebounding motion of sectors caused in stopping the sectors and achieve small-sized formation of a shutter, there is provided a shutter for a camera including sectors for opening and closing a shutter opening by reciprocal and pivotal movement, a motor for reciprocally and pivotally moving the sectors by forwardly and reversely rotating a rotor of the motor by applying current to a coil in forward and reverse directions, a control circuit for controlling current applied to the coil for exposure control in accordance with a brightness of an object to be photographed and a memory circuit for outputting data used for applying current to the control circuit in correspondence with operational characteristics of the motor and the sectors. The memory circuit is provided with current data for applying current to the coil for rotating the rotor in a direction reverse to a rebounding direction of the sectors to prevent a rebounding motion of the sectors.

Abstract: A camera focal plane shutter according to the invention comprises a shutter blade for opening and closing an exposure aperture to carry out an exposure operation; an electromagnetic actuator for directly driving the shutter blade, and a positioning means for positioning the shutter blade at an operation starting position. This positioning means is comprised of a swing arm supported in a manner enabling it to swing so as to comes into contact with and separate from a drive pin of a rotor, a torsion spring for applying a pushing force so as to push one end of the swing arm against the drive pin, and an eccentric pin which stops the swing arm at a position with a predetermined angle against the pushing force of the torsion spring. Therefore, an impulse force caused by the movement of the shutter blade is eased, and the shutter blade is easily positioned with high accuracy at the operation starting position.

Abstract: A camera comprising an aperture through which ambient light is passed to cause a film exposure, a shutter blade pivotable open to uncover the aperture to permit ambient light to pass through the aperture and pivotable closed to re-cover the aperture and susceptible of being moved accidentally due to mechanical shock such as when the camera is dropped or jarred, and a shutter actuator movable to pivot the shutter blade open to uncover the aperture, is characterized in that a blocking device is positioned within a blocking range of the shutter blade to block the shutter blade from being pivoted open to uncover the aperture when the shutter blade is moved accidentally due to mechanical shock, and the shutter blade is supported to be moved out of the blocking range of the blocking device when the shutter actuator is moved to pivot the shutter blade open to uncover the aperture.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism comprising an aperture through which ambient light is passed to cause a film exposure, a pair of shutter blades supported for pivotal opening movement in opposite opening directions away from one another to uncover the aperture to permit ambient light to pass through the aperture and for pivotal closing movement in return closing directions towards one another to re-cover the aperture and supported to allow them to be pivoted simultaneously in the same direction to cause accidental shutter opening when a physical shock is applied to the shutter blades in the opening direction of one of the shutter blades, is characterized in that each one of the shutter blades completely covers the aperture in order that both of the shutter blades must be removed from the aperture to uncover the aperture to permit ambient light to pass through the aperture, and a single fixed stop is positioned between the shutter blades to prevent either one of the shutter blades from pivoting in the same direction as the

Abstract: A brake apparatus includes a reciprocally rotating member which reciprocally rotates by an angular displacement smaller than 360.degree.. Two cam surfaces of different shapes are formed on the reciprocally rotating member. A brake drum rotates in association with the reciprocally rotating member. A brake lever is provided with a control arm which engages with a cam surface, and a brake arm which engages with the brake drum. The brake lever swings the brake arm toward or away from the brake drum in accordance with the shape of a cam surface. The control arm of the brake lever can elastically deform, so that it can be located in a position in which it can selectively engage with one of the cam surfaces at the same phase of rotation of the reciprocally rotating member during the forward and reverse rotations thereof.

Abstract: In order to provide a durable and strong brake apparatus for a shutter, provision is made of a first shaft, a first brake mechanism rotatably fitted on the first shaft, a second shaft disposed at a predetermined distance from the first shaft, a second brake mechanism rotatably fitted on the second shaft, and a connecting mechanism for connecting the first brake mechanism and the second brake mechanism together and operatively associating them integrally with each other.