US3897998A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Definition correcting device incorporated in a mechanism for the axial adjustment of components of an optical system
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-04
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1993-06-04
Abstract
Abstract A definition correcting device arranged in a mechanism for relative adjustment of axially spaced movable components of an optical system, comprising means for rigidly securing said components in order to axially move the components, operable means capable of displacing the said securing means along the optical axis and definition adjusting means adapted for the operation of definition correction, and of correcting the definition of the movable components independently of both the relative adjustment of the axially spaced movable securing means and the operation of the operable means, whereby the definition correction eliminates the influence of mechanical errors associated with the said securing means and operable means.
Inventors
- 👤 Atsushi Someya
- 👤 Michiharu Suwa
- 👤 Mamoru Shimazaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/10; G02B7/105; G02B13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
An optical instrument having at least first and second optical components positioned in aligned, longitudinally spaced relation along an optical axis, which comprises, in combination, said first and second optical components being lenses, a first lens holding member securing said first optical component for movement along the optical axis, a second lens holding member securing said second optical component for movement along the optical axis, a first cylinder having a first guiding portion engageable with said first lens holding member, a second cylinder having a second guiding portion engageable with said second lens holding member, means releasibly coupling said first and second cylinders for operation in a predetermined synchronous manner to simultaneously move said first and second lens holding members in predetermined relation to vary the optical response of the instrument, and means for independently positioning said first and second cylinders when said coupling means are released, said positioning means including a third guiding portion defining a predetermined range of adjustment of the axial spacing between the first and second lens holding members, and an adjusting member cooperable with the third guiding portion to selectively set the axial spacing between the first and second lens holding members at any desired position within such predetermined range of adjustment, said adjusting member having means for continuously changing the distance between the first and second guiding portions along the optical axis in order to eliminate, when adjusted, optical effects resulting from manufacturing errors of said guiding portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
An optical instrument having at least first and second optical components positioned in aligned, longitudinally spaced relation along an optical axis, which comprises, in combination, said first and second optical components being lenses, a first lens holding member securing said first optical component for movement along the optical axis, a second lens holding member securing said second optical component for movement along the optical axis, a first cylinder having a first guiding portion engageable with said first lens holding member, a second cylinder having a second guiding portion engageable with said second lens holding member, means releasibly coupling said first and second cylinders for operation in a predetermined synchronous manner to simultaneously move said first and second lens holding members in predetermined relation to vary the optical response of the instrument, and means for independently positioning said first and second cylinders when said coupling means are released, said positioning means including a third guiding portion defining a predetermined range of adjustment of the axial spacing between the first and second lens holding members, and an adjusting member cooperable with the third guiding portion to selectively set the axial spacing between the first and second lens holding members at any desired position within such predetermined range of adjustment, said adjusting member having means for continuously changing the distance between the first and second guiding portions along the optical axis in order to eliminate, when adjusted, optical effects resulting from manufacturing errors of said guiding portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An instrument as defined in claim 1, in which the third guiding portion of said positioning means includes a groove formed in one of the first and second cylinders.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An instrument as defined in claim 1, in which the third guiding portion of said positioning means is oriented in the direction of the optical axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An instrument as defined in claim 1, in which the third guiding portion of said positioning means is oriented in a direction transverse to the optical axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An instrument as defined in claim 1, in which the adjusting member of said positioning means includes an eccentric pin fixed to at least one of said first and second carrier members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
An instrument as defined in claim 1, in which said positioning means is provided with a locking member for securing the adjusting member at a position corresponding to a desired relative position of said first and second carrier members within the predetermined range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
190 words
An optical instrument having first and second optical components movably positioned in aligned, longitudinallY spaced relation along an optical axis, which comprises, in combination, a cam tube having first and second cam grooves, defining a predetermined pattern of movement of said first and second components, said first and second components being lenses, first and second lens holding members respectively engageable within said first and second cam grooves to individually secure said first and second components, means releasibly secured to said first and second lens holding members for imparting simultaneous movement thereof within the associated cam grooves in accordance with said predetermined pattern, and means for independently positioning at least one of said first and second lens holding members when said imparting means are released to continually adjust the axial spacing of said one lens holding member with respect to the other lens holding member within a predetermined range of adjustment, said positioning means for continuously changing the distance between the first and second cam grooves along the optical axis being adjustable in order to eliminate, when adjusted, effects on the optical system resulting from manufacturing error of the cam grooves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
190 words
An optical instrument having first and second optical components movably positioned in aligned, longitudinallY spaced relation along an optical axis, which comprises, in combination, a cam tube having first and second cam grooves, defining a predetermined pattern of movement of said first and second components, said first and second components being lenses, first and second lens holding members respectively engageable within said first and second cam grooves to individually secure said first and second components, means releasibly secured to said first and second lens holding members for imparting simultaneous movement thereof within the associated cam grooves in accordance with said predetermined pattern, and means for independently positioning at least one of said first and second lens holding members when said imparting means are released to continually adjust the axial spacing of said one lens holding member with respect to the other lens holding member within a predetermined range of adjustment, said positioning means for continuously changing the distance between the first and second cam grooves along the optical axis being adjustable in order to eliminate, when adjusted, effects on the optical system resulting from manufacturing error of the cam grooves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An instrument as defined in claim 7, in which said components are lenses of variable focal length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instrument as defined in claim 7, in which said positioning means includes a cam ring cooperable with said cam tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
An instrument as defined in claim 7, in which said positioning means is provided with a groove portion to define the limits of the predetermined range of adjustment and a follower portion cooperable with the groove portion to axially position said one carrier member within the predetermined range of adjustment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
167 words
An optical instrument having at least first and second lenses movably positioned in aligned, longitudinally spaced relation along an optical axis, which comprises, in combination, a first cam ring having a first cam groove for moving said first lens along the optical axis in a predetermined pattern, a second cam ring having a second cam groove for moving said second lens along the optical axis in a predetermined pattern, means for releasibly coupling said first and second cam rings with the cam groove thereof disposed in predetermined relation, and means for independently positioning said first and second cam rings relative to each other when said coupling means are released for varying the spacing between said first and second cam grooves in the direction of the optical axis, said positioning means being adjustable for continuously changing the distance between the first and second cam rings along the optical axis in order to eliminate, when adjusted, effects on the optical system resulting from manufacturing error of the cam grooves.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
167 words
An optical instrument having at least first and second lenses movably positioned in aligned, longitudinally spaced relation along an optical axis, which comprises, in combination, a first cam ring having a first cam groove for moving said first lens along the optical axis in a predetermined pattern, a second cam ring having a second cam groove for moving said second lens along the optical axis in a predetermined pattern, means for releasibly coupling said first and second cam rings with the cam groove thereof disposed in predetermined relation, and means for independently positioning said first and second cam rings relative to each other when said coupling means are released for varying the spacing between said first and second cam grooves in the direction of the optical axis, said positioning means being adjustable for continuously changing the distance between the first and second cam rings along the optical axis in order to eliminate, when adjusted, effects on the optical system resulting from manufacturing error of the cam grooves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
208 words
A zoom lens system having at least first and second lenses movably positioned in aligned, longitudinally spaced relation along an optical axis whereby the simultaneous movement of said lenses along the optical axis in a predetermined relationship is effective to vary the focal length of the system while keeping its image plane constant, which comprises, in combination, guide means having first and second cam grooves for defining a predetermined zooming range of the first and second lenses, first and second lens holding means individually supporting the first and second lenses and respectively engageable within the first and second cam grooves, means for releasibly coupling the first and second lens holding means for simultaneous movement thereof within the associated cam grooves over the zooming range, and means for independently positioning one of said lens holding means relative to the other of said lens holding means when said coupling means is released to adjust the relative spacing of said first and second lenses at any point within the zooming range, said positioning means being adjustable for continuously changing the distance between the first and second cam grooves along the optical axis in order to eliminate, when adjusted, effecTs on the optical system resulting from manufacturing error of the cam grooves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
208 words
A zoom lens system having at least first and second lenses movably positioned in aligned, longitudinally spaced relation along an optical axis whereby the simultaneous movement of said lenses along the optical axis in a predetermined relationship is effective to vary the focal length of the system while keeping its image plane constant, which comprises, in combination, guide means having first and second cam grooves for defining a predetermined zooming range of the first and second lenses, first and second lens holding means individually supporting the first and second lenses and respectively engageable within the first and second cam grooves, means for releasibly coupling the first and second lens holding means for simultaneous movement thereof within the associated cam grooves over the zooming range, and means for independently positioning one of said lens holding means relative to the other of said lens holding means when said coupling means is released to adjust the relative spacing of said first and second lenses at any point within the zooming range, said positioning means being adjustable for continuously changing the distance between the first and second cam grooves along the optical axis in order to eliminate, when adjusted, effecTs on the optical system resulting from manufacturing error of the cam grooves.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
157 words
In an optical instrument having an optical axis, a first lens movable along the optical axis, a second lens movable along the optical axis, a first cam ring engageable with said first lens and including a first cam groove defining the course of movement of said first lens and a second groove axially spaced from said first groove and having an axial extent wider than that of said first groove, a second cam ring engageable with said second lens and including a portion slidably mounted on said first cam ring, said portion being provided with a third cam groove receivable within said second groove, means for releasibly coupling said first and second cam rings, and means operable when said coupling means are released for independently positioning said second cam ring axially with respect to said first cam ring within a predetermined range defined by the axial range of movement of said third groove within said second groove.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
157 words
In an optical instrument having an optical axis, a first lens movable along the optical axis, a second lens movable along the optical axis, a first cam ring engageable with said first lens and including a first cam groove defining the course of movement of said first lens and a second groove axially spaced from said first groove and having an axial extent wider than that of said first groove, a second cam ring engageable with said second lens and including a portion slidably mounted on said first cam ring, said portion being provided with a third cam groove receivable within said second groove, means for releasibly coupling said first and second cam rings, and means operable when said coupling means are released for independently positioning said second cam ring axially with respect to said first cam ring within a predetermined range defined by the axial range of movement of said third groove within said second groove.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
An instrument as defined in claim 13, in which said positioning means is provided with a locking member to secure said second cam ring with respect to said first cam ring to any point within said predetermined range.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
An instrument as defined in claim 13, in which said positioning means is provided with cooperable camming means on said first and second cam rings for continually adjusting the relative position of said second cam ring within said predetermined range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |