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US4231646A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Camera which permits automatic focusing and manual focusing

Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1979-01-29
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Granted: 1980-11-04
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Expires: 1999-01-29
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Abstract

Abstract A camera which permits automatic focusing and manual focusing comprising an objective lens structure, an automatically focusing device, and actuating means. The objective lens structure includes a focusing lens system, a focusing lens system supporting member, biasing means for biasing the supporting member in one direction of the optic axis of the lens system, and an extraneously operable, manually focusing operating member for moving the supporting member in said one direction through the biasing means and for directly moving the supporting member in the opposite direction. The actuating means is used for moving the supporting member in the direction of the optic axis against the biasing force of the biasing means by the output of the automatically focusing device, independently of the manually focusing operating member.

Inventors

  • 👤 Yozo Iida

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 01:30
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/08

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 139 words
A camera which permits automatic focusing and manual focusing, comprising: (1) an objective lens structure including: (a) a focusing lens system; (b) a focusing lens system supporting member for supporting said focusing lens system; (c) biasing means for biasing said lens system supporting member in one direction of the optic axis of said focusing lens system; and (d) an externally operable, manual focusing operating member for moving said lens system supporting member in said one direction through said biasing means and for directly moving said lens system supporting member in the opposite direction; (2) an automatic focusing device; and (3) actuating means for moving said lens system supporting member in the direction of the optic axis against the biasing force of said biasing means by the output of said automatic focusing device, independently of said manual focusing operating member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 139 words
A camera which permits automatic focusing and manual focusing, comprising: (1) an objective lens structure including: (a) a focusing lens system; (b) a focusing lens system supporting member for supporting said focusing lens system; (c) biasing means for biasing said lens system supporting member in one direction of the optic axis of said focusing lens system; and (d) an externally operable, manual focusing operating member for moving said lens system supporting member in said one direction through said biasing means and for directly moving said lens system supporting member in the opposite direction; (2) an automatic focusing device; and (3) actuating means for moving said lens system supporting member in the direction of the optic axis against the biasing force of said biasing means by the output of said automatic focusing device, independently of said manual focusing operating member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 54 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said biasing means is spring means connected between said lens system supporting member and said manual focusing operating member, and said manual focusing operating member has a bearing portion adapted to bear against said lens system supporting member to move said supporting member in said opposite direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 69 words
A camera according to claim 2, wherein said manual focusing operating member has a focusing ring rotatable about the optic axis of said focusing lens system and an intermediate member slidable in the direction of the optic axis upon rotation of said focusing ring, said spring means is connected between said intermediate member and said lens system supporting member, and said bearing portion is provided on said intermediate member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 47 words
A camera according to claim 2, wherein said spring means biases said bearing portion and said lens supporting member so as to ensure said bearing portion to bear against said lens supporting member, and said actuating means moves said lens supporting member away from said bearing portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said biasing means is spring means connected between the fixing portion of said objective lens structure and said lens system supporting member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 46 words
A camera according to claim 5, wherein said manual focusing operating member has a rotatable knob and a cam connected to said knob, said cam being effective to move said lens system supporting member in the direction of the optic axis upon rotation of said knob.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 155 words
A camera which permits automatic focusing and manual focusing, comprising: (1) a focusing lens system; (2) a supporting member for supporting said focusing lens system; (3) biasing means for biasing said supporting member in one direction of the optical axis of said focusing lens system; (4) an externally accessible, manual focusing operating member for moving said supporting member in said one direction through said biasing means and for directly moving said supporting member in the opposite direction; (5) an automatic focusing device; and (6) means connected to said automatic focusing device and slid thereby in the direction of the optic axis, said slide means moving said supporting member in the opposite direction when said slide means is slid in the same direction by said automatic focusing device, and moving said supporting member in said one direction through said biasing means when said slide means is slid in said one direction by said automatic focusing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 155 words
A camera which permits automatic focusing and manual focusing, comprising: (1) a focusing lens system; (2) a supporting member for supporting said focusing lens system; (3) biasing means for biasing said supporting member in one direction of the optical axis of said focusing lens system; (4) an externally accessible, manual focusing operating member for moving said supporting member in said one direction through said biasing means and for directly moving said supporting member in the opposite direction; (5) an automatic focusing device; and (6) means connected to said automatic focusing device and slid thereby in the direction of the optic axis, said slide means moving said supporting member in the opposite direction when said slide means is slid in the same direction by said automatic focusing device, and moving said supporting member in said one direction through said biasing means when said slide means is slid in said one direction by said automatic focusing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
A camera according to claim 7, wherein said biasing means is spring means connected between said supporting member and said slide means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 117 words
An objective lens structure for a camera which has an automatic focusing device, said objective lens structure comprising: a focusing lens system; a supporting member for supporting said focusing lens system; biasing means for biasing said supporting member in one direction of the optical axis of said focusing lens system; and an externally accessible, manual focusing operating member for moving said supporting member is said one direction through said biasing menas and for directly moving said supporting member in the opposite direction, said supporting member being moved in the direction of the optical axis against the biasing force of said biasing means by the output of said automatic focusing device, independently of said manual focusing operating member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 117 words
An objective lens structure for a camera which has an automatic focusing device, said objective lens structure comprising: a focusing lens system; a supporting member for supporting said focusing lens system; biasing means for biasing said supporting member in one direction of the optical axis of said focusing lens system; and an externally accessible, manual focusing operating member for moving said supporting member is said one direction through said biasing menas and for directly moving said supporting member in the opposite direction, said supporting member being moved in the direction of the optical axis against the biasing force of said biasing means by the output of said automatic focusing device, independently of said manual focusing operating member.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3871756A Cited
US4110769A Cited
US4083057A Cited
US4153903A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-11-04 1984-05-05 1984-11-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-11-04 1988-05-05 1988-11-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-11-04 1992-05-05 1992-11-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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