Patent US2700747A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3672280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera with retractable lens barrel
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1970-05-04
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of guides 11 are mounted symmetrically about the optical axis of a camera to support a lens structure between picture taking and rest position. A spring is mounted around each guide to urge the lens barrel out from the camera casing. First interlocking members (28a), (28b) restrain the lens barrel at its rest position. Second interlocking members (27a), (27b) support the barrel at a selected picture taking position. A ring 25 is rotated to unlock the interlocking members from detents (13a), (13b) to allow the lens barrel to be moved.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshinori Imura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:20
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B3/00; G03B3/02; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/12; G03B17/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for moving the lens structure of a camera, comprising: a lens barrel bearing an objective lens which is advanced to a picture taking position and retracted to a rest position and a shutter casing surrounding said objective lens, a plurality of guide means mounted on the camera casing symmetrically about the optical axis of said objective lens to guide said lens barrel slidably parallel to said optical axis; a plurality of spring means mounted to the camera casing symmetrically with respect to said optical axis to project said lens barrel from the camera casing; a plurality of first interlocking means mounted to the camera casing symmetrically about said optical axis and biased to a position to restrain said lens barrel at said rest position against said spring means; means for stopping said lens barrel at said picture taking position; a plurality of second interlocking means mounted to the camera casing symmetrically about said optical axis and biased to a position to support said lens barrel at said picture taking position; and a manually operative means for releasing said first and second interlocking means from said restraining and supporting positions respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for moving the lens structure of a camera, comprising: a lens barrel bearing an objective lens which is advanced to a picture taking position and retracted to a rest position and a shutter casing surrounding said objective lens, a plurality of guide means mounted on the camera casing symmetrically about the optical axis of said objective lens to guide said lens barrel slidably parallel to said optical axis; a plurality of spring means mounted to the camera casing symmetrically with respect to said optical axis to project said lens barrel from the camera casing; a plurality of first interlocking means mounted to the camera casing symmetrically about said optical axis and biased to a position to restrain said lens barrel at said rest position against said spring means; means for stopping said lens barrel at said picture taking position; a plurality of second interlocking means mounted to the camera casing symmetrically about said optical axis and biased to a position to support said lens barrel at said picture taking position; and a manually operative means for releasing said first and second interlocking means from said restraining and supporting positions respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising: a shutter release member mounted on the camera case parallel to said optical axis and interlocking with said plurality of second interlocking means; and a lock member mounted on said lens barrel for locking said release member when said lens barrel is retracted to said camera casing and interlocked with said first interlocking means at said rest position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said first and second interlocking means comprise: a flange mounted on said lens barrel and having a plurality of holes through which a corresponding plurality of guide rods extend from said camera casing symmetrically to said optical axis; a plurality of restraining notches; a restraining member rotatably mounted on said camera casing; a plurality of restraining arms having first and second restraining steps extending symmetrically from said restraining member; a plurality of spring means mounted between said restraining member and said camera casing for interlocking each of said first or second restraining steps with each of said restraining notches; and a releasing lever extending from said restraining member to the outside of said camera casing to rotate said restraining member against said spring means so as to release the engagement between said first or second restraining steps and said restraining notches.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |