Abstract: There is provided a blade drive device including a substrate that has an opening, a front curtain and a rear curtain that are movable along an opening surface of the opening so as to open and close the opening, a front curtain locking portion that interlocks with opening and closing operations of the front curtain, a rear curtain locking portion that interlocks with opening and closing operations of the rear curtain, and a regulation lever that is configured to be pivotally movable around a lever axis, and that is capable of entry and escape between an entry position which enters each operation trajectory of the front curtain locking portion and the rear curtain locking portion in response to the opening and closing operations of the front curtain and the rear curtain and an escape position escaped from the operation trajectory.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter capable of suppressing production of foreign matter is provided. The focal-plane shutter includes a base plate, rear curtain drive arms, a blade that is driven by the rear curtain drive arms, and an elastically deformable cushioning member that comes into contact with the blade that moves from a retracted position to an unfolded position. The blade extends in a first direction. The rear curtain drive arms are swingable around the centers of swing motion provided on one side of the blade in the first direction. The cushioning member has a contact section that comes into contact with a side edge of the blade, a holding section that is arranged on the side opposite the blade with the contact section therebetween, and a connecting section that connects the contact section and the holding section to each other. The connecting section inclines with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and extends toward the centers of swing motion.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a first blade-driving unit that makes switches between normally open and normally closed methods; a second blade-driving first unit engaging with and locked by a locking unit in a cocking operation of the cocking unit so as to keep a second blade covering the exposure opening, and making the second blade move away from the exposure opening when the second blade-driving first unit is released from the engagement with the locking unit just before the cocking unit reaches to its cocking position; and a second blade-driving second unit rotated by the cocking operation of the cocking unit in a direction bringing the second blade-driving second unit to its cocking state, and rotating the second blade-driving first unit in a direction in which the second blade-driving first unit is made to perform its exposure operation, so as to make the second blade cover the exposure opening.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes: an image pickup element; a control portion artificially driving an electronic leading blade by resetting stored charges of the image pickup element in a predetermined direction at every pixel line; and a focal plane shutter includes a board including an opening exposing the image pickup element, a mechanical trailing blade capable of opening and closing the opening, a trailing blade drive lever driving the trailing blade, an actuator actuating the trailing blade drive lever, a shading member capable of opening and closing at least a part of the opening, a shading member drive lever driving the shading member, a connection member provided on the shading member drive lever, and a biasing member biasing the shading member drive lever such that the shading member recedes from the opening.

Abstract: A focal plane shuttering apparatus includes: front and rear curtains; a first elastic member which generates biasing force to make the front curtain run in such a direction as to get the front curtain retracted from an aperture; a second elastic member which generates biasing force to make the rear curtain run in such a direction as to have the rear curtain cover the aperture; a charging member which applies biasing force to the first and second elastic members; a front curtain locking mechanism which keeps the front curtain retracted from the aperture when the charging member applies biasing force to the first elastic member; a rear curtain locking mechanism which keeps the aperture covered with the rear curtain when the charging member applies biasing force to the second elastic member; and an unlocking member interlocked with the charging member that unlocks the front and rear curtain locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A shutter driving system and a camera device having the same, and a driving method thereof are provided. The shutter driving system includes a base plate including an opening part, a front-curtain and a rear-curtain, a front-curtain link and a rear-curtain link supporting respective folding and unfolding operations of the front-curtain and the rear-curtain, a front-curtain drive lever and a rear-curtain drive lever controlling respective drives of the front-curtain link and the rear-curtain link for opening and closing the opening part, a front-curtain electromagnet and a rear-curtain electromagnet selectively and respectively stopping the front-curtain and rear-curtain drive levers, a cam gear mechanically closing the opening part of the front curtain and mechanically opening the opening part of the rear-curtain, a motor rotating the cam gear, and a reduction gear train including at least one gear disposed between the cam gear and the motor.

Abstract: When a hold member rotates on a shaft counterclockwise in the set operation, pressing parts of a pressing member which is fitted on top end of the hold member press pressed parts of iron piece members to rotate a lock-releasing member for a first blade and a lock-releasing member for a rear blade so that the iron piece members are made to come into contact with iron-core members of electromagnets, while an engagement pin presses an arm of a connection spring to rotate a restraining member clockwise so that a restraining part of the restraining member moves into the trajectory of the movement of a restrained part of the lock-releasing member for the rear blade.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; an arm including: a rear end portion rotatably supported by the board; and a front end portion swingable in response to rotation of the rear and portion; blades coupled to the arm for opening and closing the opening; and a sensor arranged at a position opposite to the arm across the opening, and detecting a state of the blades.

Abstract: A blade room for a second blade group is formed between a shutter base plate and a middle plate and a blade room for a first blade group is formed between the middle plate and an auxiliary base plate, by separating a space between the shutter base plate and the auxiliary base plate by the middle plate. A push pin which is planted on the shutter base plate pushes a portion on the lower area of the middle plate toward the auxiliary base plate so that the middle plate bends in the shape of an arc. Also, the area of the middle plate below the exposure aperture has the narrowest width in the portion which is pushed by the push pin and the pushed portion of the middle plate has a shape by which the area of the middle plate below the exposure aperture is easy to bend.

Abstract: An aperture unit includes three or more diaphragm blades, a base plate that supports the diaphragm blades, a drive lever connected to the diaphragm blades, and an aperture motor that rotates the drive lever, wherein, in a range from a reference aperture value to a specific aperture value, a polygonal aperture is formed by aperture edges of two or more of the three or more diaphragm blades that linearly move in a first direction and an aperture edge of at least one of the three or more diaphragm blades that linearly moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and wherein, in a range from the specific aperture value to a closed aperture state, an aperture is formed by aperture edges of two diaphragm blades that move in opposite directions.

Abstract: A method of controlling an imaging apparatus and an imaging apparatus using the same are provided, wherein the method controls the imaging apparatus including an image sensor that performs an electronic shutter function by calculating a moving characteristic of a mechanical shutter based on an amount of electric charge accumulated in a first area and an amount of electric charge accumulated in a second area, and controlling the electronic shutter function of the image sensor based on the calculated moving characteristic of the mechanical shutter. Accordingly, the performance of the imaging apparatus using a focal plane shutter can be improved.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter device includes a shutter base plate having an opening part, a front curtain, a first elastic member, a rear curtain, a second elastic member, and a drive unit. The front curtain is movable between a first and second position to cover and uncover the opening. The first urging member is configured to move the front curtain between the first and second positions. The rear curtain is movable between a first and second position to cover and uncover the opening. The second urging member is configured to move the rear curtain between the first and second positions. The drive unit is configured to resist the first and second urging members. The drive unit is also configured to hold the front curtain at the second position when resisting the first urging member and hold the rear curtain at the first position when resisting the second urging member.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; an arm including: a rear end portion rotatably supported by the board; and a front end portion swingable in response to rotation of the rear and portion; blades coupled to the arm for opening and closing the opening; and a sensor arranged at a position opposite to the arm across the opening, and detecting a state of the blades.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter device is disclosed that includes a shutter base plate, a front curtain, a first urging member, a rear curtain, a second urging member, and a charge mechanism. The shutter base plate defines an opening. The front curtain is moved between different positions by the first urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The rear curtain is moved between different positions by the second urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The charge mechanism applies a first force to resist an urging force by the first urging member and a second force to resist an urging force by the second urging member. The first force applied by the charge mechanism terminates at a different time than the second force applied by the charge mechanism.

Abstract: An aperture unit includes three or more diaphragm blades, a base plate that supports the diaphragm blades, a drive lever connected to the diaphragm blades, and an aperture motor that rotates the drive lever, wherein, in a range from a reference aperture value to a specific aperture value, a polygonal aperture is formed by aperture edges of two or more of the three or more diaphragm blades that linearly move in a first direction and an aperture edge of at least one of the three or more diaphragm blades that linearly moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and wherein, in a range from the specific aperture value to a closed aperture state, an aperture is formed by aperture edges of two diaphragm blades that move in opposite directions.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes a lens barrel, and two barrier blade groups each configured to include a first barrier blade, a second barrier blade and a third barrier blade, each barrier blade group being movable between a closing position for covering a front face of the lens barrel and an opening position for opening the front face of the lens barrel. In each of the barrier blade groups at the opening position, the first and second barrier blades overlap with each other in an optical axis direction of the lens barrel, and the third barrier blade overlaps with the first and second barrier blades in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction without overlapping therewith in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter device includes a shutter base plate having an opening part, a front curtain, a first elastic member, a rear curtain, a second elastic member, and a drive unit. The front curtain is movable between a first and second position to cover and uncover the opening. The first urging member is configured to move the front curtain between the first and second positions. The rear curtain is movable between a first and second position to cover and uncover the opening. The second urging member is configured to move the rear curtain between the first and second positions. The drive unit is configured to resist the first and second urging members. The drive unit is also configured to hold the front curtain at the second position when resisting the first urging member and hold the rear curtain at the first position when resisting the second urging member.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter device is disclosed that includes a shutter base plate, a front curtain, a first urging member, a rear curtain, a second urging member, and a charge mechanism. The shutter base plate defines an opening. The front curtain is moved between different positions by the first urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The rear curtain is moved between different positions by the second urging member to cover and uncover the opening. The charge mechanism applies a first force to resist an urging force by the first urging member and a second force to resist an urging force by the second urging member. The first force applied by the charge mechanism terminates at a different time than the second force applied by the charge mechanism.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a focal plane shutter that has a simple mechanical structure, is easily manufactured and controlled, and provides a live view function. The focal plane shutter includes: a front curtain assembly including two or more front curtain links and two or more front curtain blades, wherein bosses are formed at one of the front curtain links and the front curtain blades, holes are formed in the remaining one of the front contain links and the front curtain blades, and the bosses are inserted into the holes; and a rear curtain assembly including two or more rear curtain links and two or more rear curtain blades, wherein bosses are formed at one of the rear curtain links and the rear curtain blades, holes are formed in the remaining one of the rear curtain links and the rear curtain blades, and the bosses are inserted into the holes.

Abstract: A method of controlling an imaging apparatus and an imaging apparatus using the same are provided, wherein the method controls the imaging apparatus including an image sensor that performs an electronic shutter function by calculating a moving characteristic of a mechanical shutter based on an amount of electric charge accumulated in a first area and an amount of electric charge accumulated in a second area, and controlling the electronic shutter function of the image sensor based on the calculated moving characteristic of the mechanical shutter. Accordingly, the performance of the imaging apparatus using a focal plane shutter can be improved.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus having a simple structure that enables reduction of shutter release time lag and shutter control with highly accurate shutter time.

Abstract: A shutter device includes first and second shutter blades, a shutter base plate rotatably supporting the first and second shutter blades, a partition plate arranged between the first and second shutter blades supported by the shutter base plate, and a cover plate fixed to the shutter base plate while the first and second shutter blades are supported by the shutter base plate and the partition plate is arranged between the first and second shutter blades. The first and second shutter blades, the partition plate, and the cover plate have conductivity. The cover plate is electrically connected to the partition plate. The cover plate has a potential at a ground level.

Abstract: An image projecting apparatus has an integrator for generating plural secondary-light-source images for generating illumination light with a uniform intensity; and a variable stop mechanism arranged at or near a position conjugate with the secondary-light-source images. The variable stop mechanism has a base plate having a fixed aperture; and a stop blade which moves across the aperture for changing a quantity of light. The change in the quantity of light passing through said variable stop caused by the movement of said stop blade is greater than a change in a size of an effective region of a stop aperture.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus includes a mirror moving into and out of an optical path, a shutter mechanism including shutter blades and a shutter-driving spring driving the shutter blades in an open direction, a charge-holding member holding the shutter mechanism with the shutter-driving spring charged, and a hold-releasing member releasing the holding of the shutter mechanism by the charge-holding member. The shutter blades and the charge-holding member are moved in a plane parallel to a light-receiving surface of an image-pickup element. The hold-releasing member is moved in a plane orthogonal to the light-receiving surface of the image-pickup element and drives the mirror in a moving-out direction when releasing the holding of the shutter mechanism. The apparatus has a small configuration associated with driving the shutter mechanism and is appropriate for providing a cleaning mechanism of the image-pickup element by using a movable member different from the shutter blades.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter for digital cameras includes a first driving member for a first blade and a second driving member for the first blade, mounted to the same shaft; arms for the first blade on which a set spring is hooked; and a set member for restraining the first driving member for the first blade in the proximity of the position where the exposure operation is completed, at a set position by rotating a restraining member, and actuating the first driving member for the first blade to the starting position of the exposure operation in the restoration to the initial position immediately after the release.

Abstract: A shutter assembly has an actuator for applying a whip action on a shutter wing for blocking or exposing an aperture. The shutter wing has a first blade fixedly connected to the actuator and a second blade movably connected to the first blade. When the shutter wing is in the closed position, the blades form a folded shape with a waist section large enough to cover the entire aperture. When the shutter wing is in the open position, the blades form an extended shape having a narrower waist section. The blades can be connected to each other by a hinge or a wire. Two shutter wings located on opposite sides of the aperture can be used to create a gap therebetween to control the exposure in a camera. As the shutter wings move from one side to another, the gap acts like a moving slit across the aperture.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter 105 includes a leading blade driving member 4 rotatably fitted onto a first shaft 1d and driven by a biasing force of a leading blade driving spring 8, a trailing blade driving member 5 rotatably fitted onto a second shaft 1e and driven by a biasing force of a trailing blade driving spring 9, a leading blade adjusting member 6 rotatably fitted onto the first shaft 1d and adjusting the biasing force of the leading blade driving spring 8, a trailing blade adjusting member 7 rotatably fitted onto the second shaft 1e and adjusting the biasing force of the trailing blade driving spring 9, and an upper base plate 3 including a first surface 3a and a second surface 3b that are thrust position limiters. An area of the first surface 3a is larger than that of the second surface 3b.

Abstract: Described is a compact focal plane shutter system adapted for large-format exposure shutters. The focal plane shutter includes at least one multi-segmented screen having multiple rigid blades. Each blade can be moved at a different velocity. By using multiple blades, the rotational inertia about a drive axis can be reduced compared to a conventional single screen shutter system, thus a greater acceleration can be achieved with the same amount of torque about the drive axis. Using smaller blades allows for greater acceleration, resulting in faster shutter speeds to support a wider range of applications. Additionally, the overlap between blades of a multi-segmented screen in an open position is greater than the overlap of the blades in a closed position, providing a compact system. A drive mechanism linearly translates the blades of the multi-segmented screen between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A shutter device includes first and second shutter blades, a shutter base plate rotatably supporting the first and second shutter blades, a partition plate arranged between the first and second shutter blades supported by the shutter base plate, and a cover plate fixed to the shutter base plate while the first and second shutter blades are supported by the shutter base plate and the partition plate is arranged between the first and second shutter blades. The first and second shutter blades, the partition plate, and the cover plate have conductivity. The cover plate is electrically connected to the partition plate. The cover plate has a potential at a ground level.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for using one or more virtual pivots in a shutter system for a miniature camera. A virtual pivot system may comprise one or more flexures, so that a shutter apparatus may be rotated about a center of rotation without a physical rotation element at the center of rotation. The virtual pivot system may provide a number of benefits, including the reduction or elimination of stiction.

Abstract: A shutter device comprising a fixed member which has a plurality of electrodes arranged on a surface, a light-transmitting region which is provided in the fixed member, a light-shielding member which is able to move between two positions where the light-transmitting region is closed and opened, respectively, and which have a plurality of electret parts, and a drive circuit which periodically applies a voltage to the electrodes provided on the fixed member, thereby to generate an electrostatic force acting on the electret parts of the light-shielding member and to drive the light-shielding member.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter has a first plate having a first opening, a second plate having a second opening, a shutter blade disposed between the first plate and the second plate, for opening and closing the first opening and the second opening, and a thin plate disposed at a side of the first plate facing the shutter blade and extending in such a direction that the shutter blade travel. A distance between an edge of the first opening and a center of the first opening is greater than that between an edge of the thin plate and the center of the first opening.

Abstract: A shutter device, which is capable of achieving power-saving when holding a shutter opening in an open state for a long time by mechanically inhibiting an operation of a second light shielding plate in a direction to close the shutter opening, is provided. The shutter device has a second light shielding plate locking member 37 displaceable to a locking position to inhibit a shutter opening closing operation of the second light shielding plates 10 to 13 and an unlocking position to allow the shutter opening closing operation of the second light shielding plates. The second light shielding plate locking member displaces to the locking position at a point of time when first light shielding plates 2 to 5 fully open the shutter opening, and displaces to the unlocking position immediately before the second light shielding plates start running.

Abstract: A drive member attached to the output shaft of a DC motor placed on a shutter base board includes a drive pin connected to the arm of a shutter blade within a blade chamber for driving the shutter blade to open and close an exposure opening with the reciprocal rotation of the DC motor. A brake member rotatably attached to the shutter base board and having a frictional force applied thereto by a spring washer brakes the rotation of the drive member when a bent portion is pushed by the drive pin to rotate.

Abstract: An aperture stop mechanism is composed of a small number of components, and accurately controls the position of a member that defines the rim of an aperture. The aperture stop mechanism (2) includes an aperture base plate (21), two aperture blades (22, 23), and a motor(24). The aperture blades (22, 23) are individually pivotable about pins (21a, 21b) provided on the aperture base plate (21). One aperture blade (22) has two gears (22a, 22b) formed along arcs about the pin (21a) with different pitch circle radii. The other aperture blade (23) has a gear along an arc about the pin (21b). The gear (22b) meshes with a motor gear (25), and the gear (22a) meshes with the gear (23a).

Abstract: A sector drive assembly for a camera which can open and close an aperture has a sector drive unit having an actuator, a drive force transmitting mechanism, and a sector position detecting unit that are removably mounted as a unit to a support plate, and a sector unit having a base plate formed with an aperture and one or more sectors for opening and closing the aperture. Since the sector drive unit is provided as a removably mountable unit, it is high in versatility and can be mounted to various different types of sector units. In addition, since it is configured to detect the state of the sectors before operation, reliable exposure or opening and closing of the aperture are achieved. In addition, a positional adjustment function is provided by a sector urging spring.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter for cameras is provided with a shutter blade which can be actuated to both directions for opening and for closing a photographing optical path by an electromagnetic apparatus. When a rotor is rotated to the direction corresponding to the direction of conduction of coils an actuating member which is formed in one with the rotor make arms rotate by its actuating pin and actuates four blades of the shutter blade about upward and downward direction. A brake member rotatably arranged together with on a friction plate on a shaft has bent portions formed near tip portions of the arm portions which are inserted in a slot on a shutter base plate. An operation for opening the shutter blade is braked by the actuating pin contacting, pressing and moving one of the bent portions at termination stage, and a closing operation is braked by the actuating pin contacting, pressing and moving another bent portion at the termination stage.

Abstract: Disclosed are shutter apparatus provided with a shutter base plate having a shutter aperture, a first arm member which rotates around a center of rotation at a first axis, relative to the shutter base plate, a second arm member which rotates around a center of rotation at a second axis, relative to the shutter base plate, and a plurality of shutter blades, wherein each of the plurality of shutter blades is coupled to the first and second arm members, wherein the first and second arm members rotate around their respective axes whereby the plurality of shutter blades run over the shutter aperture, wherein each shutter blade has a blade main body portion extending in a direction perpendicular to a running direction thereof, and wherein a first shutter blade with a smallest running travel comprises a light shielding portion projecting in the running direction on the coupling portion side to the first and second arm members and arranged to effect light shielding of the shutter aperture, and also disclosed are shut

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter for cameras is constructed so that the second blade group is placed in a blade chamber on the shutter base plate side and the first blade group is placed in a blade chamber on the auxiliary base plate side. The auxiliary base plate is placed on the image sensor side in a camera and secures projecting members, each having a spherical convex portion whose surface is palladium-plated. In the first blade group, five blades are pivotally supported by two arms, and immediately before, at least, a joint shank for pivotally supporting a slit-forming blade is moved inside the aperture for exposure of the auxiliary base plate during operation and reaches a position corresponding to the edge of the aperture, the arm strikes on the projecting member and is shifted to the object side so that the head of the joint shank does not abut against the edge of the aperture. Consequently, it is avoidable that the head of the joint shank abuts against the edge of the aperture to produce wear dust.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter for cameras is provided with a shutter blade which can be actuated to both directions for opening and for closing a photographing optical path by an electromagnetic apparatus. When a rotor is rotated to the direction corresponding to the direction of conduction of coils an actuating member which is formed in one with the rotor make arms rotate by its actuating pin and actuates four blades of the shutter blade about upward and downward direction. A brake member rotatably arranged together with on a friction plate on a shaft has bent portions formed near tip portions of the arm portions which are inserted in a slot on a shutter base plate. An operation for opening the shutter blade is braked by the actuating pin contacting, pressing and moving one of the bent portions at termination stage, and a closing operation is braked by the actuating pin contacting, pressing and moving another bent portion at the termination stage.

Abstract: A shutter device of the invention includes: a shutter base plate having a shutter opening; a first arm member which rotates with a first shaft as a rotation center relative to the shutter base plate; a second arm member which rotates with a second shaft as a rotation center relative to the shutter base plate; and plural shutter blades, wherein each of the plural shutter blades is joined to the first and second arm members and when the first and second arm members rotate with respect to each shaft, the plural shutter blades travel over the shutter opening in a predetermined direction, and in a state in which the plural shutter blades are positioned in their overlapping state, when an angle formed between a line connecting the rotation center of the first arm with a connecting center to the first arm member of a shutter blade, located on a front end side (opposite side to the first rotation center) of the first arm member and a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction is assumed to be &agr;, a con

Abstract: A first blade is made up of two arms and three blades supported by the arms, wherein one of the arms is rotated in the clockwise direction by a driving pin pressing a pressed portion thereof only when a first-blade driving member is rotated by the force from a driving spring, and the other arm is reciprocally rotated by an output pin fit to a slot when a motor is reciprocally rotated. A second blade is made up of two arms and three blades supported by the arms, wherein one of the arms is reciprocally rotated by a driving pin fit to a slot when a second-blade driving member is reciprocally rotated. One of two action methods can be selected by determining a driving sequence for the first-blade driving member and the motor as to the first blade. Thus, the present invention provides a focal-plane shutter for a digital still camera which can take a picture with both the normally-open method and the normally-closed method.

Abstract: A first blade actuating member and a second blade actuating member have pins, respectively. A movable contact member, which is urged to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, has locking arms and a contact piece member. When the first blade actuating member is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in photographing, the movable contact member causes a locking arm of to follow a pin of the first blade actuating member and causes the contact piece portion to come into contact with the contact piece portion of a stationary contact portion to thereby detect an abnormal actuation of the first blade actuating member by offset from normal timing.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter for cameras is constructed so that the second blade group is placed in a blade chamber on the shutter base plate side and the first blade group is placed in a blade chamber on the auxiliary base plate side. The auxiliary base plate is placed on the image sensor side in a camera and secures projecting members, each having a spherical convex portion whose surface is palladium-plated. In the first blade group, five blades are pivotally supported by two arms, and immediately before, at least, a joint shank for pivotally supporting a slit-forming blade is moved inside the aperture for exposure of the auxiliary base plate during operation and reaches a position corresponding to the edge of the aperture, the arm strikes on the projecting member and is shifted to the object side so that the head of the joint shank does not abut against the edge of the aperture. Consequently, it is avoidable that the head of the joint shank abuts against the edge of the aperture to produce wear dust.

Abstract: A first blade is made up of two arms and three blades supported by the arms, wherein one of the arms is rotated in the clockwise direction by a driving pin pressing a pressed portion thereof only when a first-blade driving member is rotated by the force from a driving spring, and the other arm is reciprocally rotated by an output pin fit to a slot when a motor is reciprocally rotated. A second blade is made up of two arms and three blades supported by the arms, wherein one of the arms is reciprocally rotated by a driving pin fit to a slot when a second-blade driving member is reciprocally rotated. One of two action methods can be selected by determining a driving sequence for the first-blade driving member and the motor as to the first blade. Thus, the present invention provides a focal-plane shutter for a digital still camera which can take a picture with both the normally-open method and the normally-closed method.

Abstract: A first blade actuating member and a second blade actuating member have pins, respectively. A movable contact member, which is urged to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, has locking arms and a contact piece member. When the first blade actuating member is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in photographing, the movable contact member causes a locking arm of to follow a pin of the first blade actuating member and causes the contact piece portion to come into contact with the contact piece portion of a stationary contact portion to thereby detect an abnormal actuation of the first blade actuating member by offset from normal timing.

Abstract: A shutter device includes a shutter base plate having a shutter aperture, a plurality of shutter blades, and an arm member arranged to swing on a predetermined shaft provided on the shutter base plate. The arm member is connected to each of the plurality of shutter blades to cause the shutter blades to travel over the shutter aperture when the arm member swings on the shaft. With a distance to the shaft from a connection part located farthest from the shaft among connection parts where the shutter blades are connected to the arm member assumed to be D, the dimension (length) of the shutter aperture in the direction of travel of the shutter blades assumed to be A, and the maximum angle of swing of the arm member assumed to be &thgr;, at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: 0.78 A≦D≦0.90 A, and 80°≦&thgr;≦94°.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter apparatus is constructed by a light shielding blade, a fitting pin attached to the blade and an arm which is slidably engaged with the fitting pin to open or close the blade. A surface hardness of the fitting pin is higher than that of the arm. Concretely, the surface hardness of the arm is Hv300 to 600, and the surface hardness of the fitting pin is Hv450 to 1000. The arm and the fitting pin are subjected to chemical polishing treatment. Furthermore, the fitting pin is plated with nickel, chromium, palladium or rhodium. The fitting pin and arm have a substantially equal material hardness, or the material hardness of the fitting pin is higher. As the case may be, the fitting pin or arm may be plated with gold. Such an arrangement can suppress generation and accumulation of abrasion powder in the focal plane shutter apparatus assembled into a digital camera.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter for digital still cameras includes a first blade covering an exposure aperture only immediately before an exposure operation is performed; a driving member for the first blade having an iron piece member, actuated in an exposure operation; an electromagnet for the first blade for attracting and retaining the iron piece member of the driving member for the first blade and actuating the driving member for the first blade; a cocking member for the first blade, actuating the driving member for the first blade when actuated from the initial position to the cocked position and actuated from the cocked position to the initial position only immediately after the current is supplied to the electromagnet for the first blade; a second blade covering the exposure aperture when the power is turned off and immediately after the exposure operation is completed; a driving member for the second blade having an iron piece member, actuated in the exposure operation; an electromagnet for the second blade fo

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter comprises a shutter plate having a shutter opening, opening blades and closing blades for opening and closing the shutter opening, and arms connected by connector portions to the opening and closing blades for driving the blades parallel to the shutter opening to effect an exposure. Resilient stopping members are disposed to make resilient contact with the opening blades at opening positions thereof where the opening blades are retracted from the shutter opening, and other resilient stopping members are disposed to make resilient contact with the closing blades at closing positions thereof where the closing blades close the shutter opening. The resilient stopping members are positioned on opposite sides of the connector portions so that when the blades strike the stopping members, reaction forces are produced which cancel each other out thereby preventing excessive wear of the connector portions.