Patent US3798670A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3798670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera focusing mechanism
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-09-21
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A camera includes an objective lens which is focussable by a rotatable focus ring and a lens cover which is slideably or swingably supported by the camera for movement between open and closed positions. A lost motion connection couples the cover to the focus ring to urge the focus ring to a predetermine intermediate position with the closing of the cover and predetermined the coupling ring upon the opening of the cover to permit the manual rotation of the focus ring.
Inventors
- 👤 H Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:40
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B13/00; G03B13/18; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/12; G03B17/14; G03B3/00; G03B3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
In a camera including an objective lens barrel axially movable between advanced, retracted and reset positions, a focussing mechanism comprising a focussing member rotatable with the axial movement of said barrel, said focusing member being removable between advanced and retracted positions and through a predetermined reset position between said advanced and retracted positions with the axial movement of said barrel to its corresponding positions, a lens protector member movable between an open position and a closed position, and reset means responsive to the movement of said lens protector member towards its closed position for urging said focussing member to said reset position, said reset means being unresponsive to the movement of said lens protector member to its open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a camera including an objective lens barrel axially movable between advanced, retracted and reset positions, a focussing mechanism comprising a focussing member rotatable with the axial movement of said barrel, said focusing member being removable between advanced and retracted positions and through a predetermined reset position between said advanced and retracted positions with the axial movement of said barrel to its corresponding positions, a lens protector member movable between an open position and a closed position, and reset means responsive to the movement of said lens protector member towards its closed position for urging said focussing member to said reset position, said reset means being unresponsive to the movement of said lens protector member to its open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The mechanism as claimed in claim 1 in which said reset means comprises at least one abutment member provided on one of said lens protector member and said focussing member, and at least one cooperative member provided on the other of said members said abutment and cooperative members being in engagement when said lens protector member iS at said closed position and said focussing member is at its resets focus position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
The mechanism as claimed in claim 2, in which said focussing member comprises a cylindrical member mounted concentric with said lens barrel, said cylindrical member having two pins defining said abutment members and being located at diametrically opposite positions on a front surface thereof to axially project outwards from said camera wherein; said lens protector member is a lid provided in front of said cylindrical member with respect to said camera, said lens protector member being transversely movable and having two brackets defining said cooperative members, each mounted on the inner side of said lens protector member with respect to said camera and movable into releasable abutment with each of said pins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
The mechanism as claimed in claim 2, in which said focussing member comprises a rotatable cylindrical member mounted concentric with said lens barrel, said cylindrical member having one pin as said abutment member located at a peripheral portion on a front surface thereof to axially project outwards with respect to said camera, and said lens protector member is a lid provided in front of said cylindrical member with respect to said camera and is transversely movable relative to said lens barrel; said lid having a plate member as said cooperative member which is fixed on the inner side thereof and formed with a V-shaped notch the tip end of said pin being movable into abutment with the base of said notch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
The mechanism as claimed in claim, 1 in which said focussing member comprises a cylindrical member mounted concentric with said lens barrel and means transversely movable relative to said lens barrel into engagement with and to rotate said cylindrical member; said reset means comprising at least one abutment member provided on one of said transversely movable means and said lens protector member, and a cooperative member provided on the other of said members said abutment and cooperative members being in engagement when said lens protector member is at said closed position and when said cylindrical member is at said reset focus position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
The mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cylindrical member includes a toothed periphery and in which said transversely movable means comprises a toothed rack having a vertically projecting pin located thereon defining said abutment member and meshingly engaging the toothed periphery of said cylindrical member; said lens protector member is a transversely movable lid provided in front of said cylindrical member and having two brackets mounted on the inner side thereof in transverse registry with said pin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The mechanism as claimed in claim 6, including a lever pivotally mounted between its ends and in which one of said brackets movable abuts said pin at one side thereof, while the other bracket movable abuts one end of said lever pivoted at the center thereof, the other end of said lever movably abutting said pin at the other side thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The mechanism as claimed in claim 6, in which said transversely movable means further comprises a second toothed rack having a vertically projecting pin located thereon said first and second toothed racks being parallel to each other and engaging said peripherally toothed cylinder arranged therebetween, said brackets respectively being in registry with each of said pins.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
The mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cylindrical member includes a toothed periphery and in which said transversely movable means comprises two toothed racks parallel to each other and engaging said peripherally toothed cylindrical member arranged therebetween, each of said racks having a vertically projecting pin located thereon; said lens protector member is a lid transversely movable in front of said cylindrical member and has two verticaly projecting pins, said mechanism includes two levers, each respectively pivoted at its center thereof for independent angular movement, each of saId levers being swingable into abutment with the corresponding pair of pins located on said rack and said lid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
The mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cylindrical member includes a toothed periphery and in which said transversely movable means comprises two toothed racks parallel to each other and engaging said peripherally toothed cylindrical member arranged therebetween, each of said racks having a vertically projecting pin located thereon; said lens protector means is a lid hingedly provided in front of said cylindrical member for angular movement and has two levers angularly movable in response to the angular movement of said lid so that each free end of said two levers are movable into abutment with each of said pins.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
The mechanism as claimed in claim 5, including two pulleys and in which said transversely movable means is an endless cable extending between said two pulleys and engaging said cylindrical member, rotation of either of said pulleys angularly moving said cylindrical member, said cable having two stop members fixed at the upper and lower runs thereof; said lens protector means is a transversely movable lid provided in front of said cylindrical member and having two brackets mounted on the inner side thereof engagable with each of said stop members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3585916A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |