Lens assembly

Claim 2

A lens fixing member for a lens assembly of the type comprising a lens housing having an interior surface, and at least one lens accommodated in said housing and held in place therein by said lens fixing member, said lens fixing member being formed of a flexible plastic material and comprising: a generally cylindrical body having an axis and having a first and a second end; a first group of projections integral with and circumferentially approximately equally spaced about said body, and oriented to extend in a first axial direction and to project axially beyond said first end of said body in said first axial direction for engaging one surface of a lens; and a second group of projections integral with said body, equal in number to and axially aligned with respective ones of said first group of projections, and oriented to extend generally in a second axial direction opposite said first axial direction for engaging the interior surface of said housing.

Claim 3

The lens fixing member of claim 1, wherein each of said projections of said first group of projections comprises a lens abutment piece extending axially in said first axial direction and obliquely toward said axis of said body.

Claim 4

The lens fixing member of claim 1, wherein each of said projections of said second group of projections comprises an engagement piece extending axially in said second axial direction and obliquely away from said axis of said body, for engaging said interior surface of said housing.

Claim 5

A lens assembly comprising: (A) a barrel for housing a lens; (B) support means for supporting one end of a lens in said barrel; (C) a lens having a first end and a second end, said first end of said lens being supported by means of said support means; (D) a flexible, plastic lens fixing member having a first end and a second end and including: (1) a generally cylindrical body having an axis and having a first and a second end; (2) at least three first projections integral with and circumferentially approximately equally spaced about said body, and oriented to extend generally parallel to said axis in a first axial direction and to project axially beyond said first end of said body in said first axial direction for engaging one surface of a lens; and (3) a second plurality of projections integral with said body, equal in number to and axially aligned with respective ones of said first plurality of projections, and oriented to extend generally parallel to said axis in a second axial direction opposite said first axial direction for engaging the interior surface of said housing; and (E) said lens fixing member being disposed in said barrel and said first end of said lens fixing member snugly engaging said second end of said lens; and a plurality of detents formed in said barrel, each of said second plurality of projections engaging a respective said detent.

Claim 6

A lens assembly comprising: (A) a barrel for housing a lens; (B) support means for supporting one end of a lens in said barrel; (C) a lens having a first end and a second end, said first end of said lens being supported by means of said support means; (D) a flexible, plastic lens fixing member having a first end and a second end and including: (1) a generally cylindrical body having an axis and having a first and a second end; (2) at least three first projections integral with and circumferentially approximately equally spaced about said body, and oriented to extend generally parallel to said axis in a first axial direction and to project axially beyond said first end of said body in said first axial direction for engaging one surface of a lens; and (3) a second plurality of projections integral with said body, equal in number to and axially aligned with respective ones of said first plurality of projections, and oriented to extend generally parallel to said axis in a second axial direction opposite said first axial direction for engaging the interior surface of said housing; and (E) said lens fixing member being disposed in said barrel and said first end of said lens fixing member snugly engaging said second end of said lens; and a plurality of detents formed in said barrel, each of said second plurality of projections engaging a respective said detent.

Claim 7

The lens assembly of claim 4, wherein said first end and second end of said lens fixing member are, respectively, nearer said first and second ends of said body, and wherein the axial spacing between said first and second ends of said lens fixing member is greater than the axial spacing between said first end of said lens fixing member and said detent means.

Claim 8

The lens assembly of claim 4, wherein said barrel has an interior surface and each of said detents comprises an aperture formed in said interior surface.

Claim 9

The lens assembly of claim 6, wherein each of said apertures has a peripheral wall beveled at an angle radially outward and in said second axial direction, said peripheral wall engaging a respective one of said second plurality of projections.

Claim 10

The lens assembly of claim 4, wherein said barrel has a guide recess for receiving said lens fixing member when said lens fixing member is inserted into said barrel, for guiding said second plurality of projections into engagement with said detents.