US4410253A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera having lens protection cover
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1982-05-21
•
Granted: 1983-10-18
•
Expires: 2002-05-21
Abstract
Abstract Provided in the interior of a camera are an automatic focus adjusting mechanism which initiates a rearward motion from a position for focusing on an object at short distances to a position for focusing on an infinitely distant object when a distance adjusting member is released from the latching connection in the charged position against a bias force in response to actuation of a camera release, a protection cover arranged to shutter the front of a photographic objective lens when not in use, and an electric motor for charging the distance adjusting member. When a control knob for the protection cover is actuated, as the energized motor charges the distance adjusting member, the protection cover is caused to open. When the control knob is de-actuated, the protection cover is closed by the action of the bias force, while simultaneously the distance adjusting member is released from the arrested connection so that the objective lens is retracted to a position equivalent to focusing on an infinitely distant object.
Inventors
- 👤 Takayuki Tsuboi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:13
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/04; G03B11/00; G03B11/04; G03B11/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A camera having a photographic objective lens and a protection cover capable of shuttering off the front of at least said photographic objective lens, comprising: (a) actuating means for controlling the opening and closing operation of said protection cover; (b) electric motor means arranged upon movement of said actuating means in a first direction to be energized for a predetermined time; (c) driving means for opening and closing said protection cover, said driving means operating as the driving torque of said electric motor means is transmitted thereto; and (d) latching means arranged to latch said driving means when motion of said driving means by said electric motor means reaches a terminal end, said latching means being responsive to movement of said actuating means in a second direction releasing said latching connection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A camera having a photographic objective lens and a protection cover capable of shuttering off the front of at least said photographic objective lens, comprising: (a) actuating means for controlling the opening and closing operation of said protection cover; (b) electric motor means arranged upon movement of said actuating means in a first direction to be energized for a predetermined time; (c) driving means for opening and closing said protection cover, said driving means operating as the driving torque of said electric motor means is transmitted thereto; and (d) latching means arranged to latch said driving means when motion of said driving means by said electric motor means reaches a terminal end, said latching means being responsive to movement of said actuating means in a second direction releasing said latching connection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A camera according to claim 1, further comprising: (e) bias means urging said driving means in an opposite direction to that in which said driving means is moved by said electric motor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A camera according to claim 2, wherein said driving means is supported rotatably about an axis of said photographic objective lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
A camera having a photographic objective lens and a protection cover capable of shuttering off the front of at least said photographic objective lens, comprising: (a) electric motor means; (b) means for opening and closing said protection cover, said driving means operating as the driving torque of said electric motor means is transmitted thereto; (c) latching means arranged to latch said driving means when motion of said driving means reaches a terminal end; and (d) timer means controlling the period of current supply to said electric motor means, said timer means stopping current supply to said electric motor after latching of said driving means by said latching means is completed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
A camera having a photographic objective lens and a protection cover capable of shuttering off the front of at least said photographic objective lens, comprising: (a) electric motor means; (b) means for opening and closing said protection cover, said driving means operating as the driving torque of said electric motor means is transmitted thereto; (c) latching means arranged to latch said driving means when motion of said driving means reaches a terminal end; and (d) timer means controlling the period of current supply to said electric motor means, said timer means stopping current supply to said electric motor after latching of said driving means by said latching means is completed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A camera according to claim 4, wherein said timer means is actuated by said electric motor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A camera according to claim 5, wherein said timer means has a cam connected to be driven by said electric motor means, and an actuating lever contacting with said cam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
A camera having a photographic objective lens and a protection cover capable of shuttering off the front of at least said photographic objective lens, comprising: (a) actuating means; (b) electric motor means arranged so that current supply thereto is initiated by operation of said actuating means in an opening direction; (c) driving means for opening and closing said protection cover, said driving means being arranged to receive the driving torque of said electric motor means for moving said protection cover to an opening position; and (d) latching means arranged to effect a latching connection to latch said driving means when said protection cover is opened, said latching means being responsive to operation of said actuating means in a closing direction for releasing said latching connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
125 words
A camera having a photographic objective lens and a protection cover capable of shuttering off the front of at least said photographic objective lens, comprising: (a) actuating means; (b) electric motor means arranged so that current supply thereto is initiated by operation of said actuating means in an opening direction; (c) driving means for opening and closing said protection cover, said driving means being arranged to receive the driving torque of said electric motor means for moving said protection cover to an opening position; and (d) latching means arranged to effect a latching connection to latch said driving means when said protection cover is opened, said latching means being responsive to operation of said actuating means in a closing direction for releasing said latching connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera according to claim 7, further comprising: (e) bias means urging said driving means in a direction for closing said protection cover.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A camera according to claim 8, further comprising: (f) timer means controlling the period of current supply to said electric motor means, said timer means stopping current supply to said electric motor means after latching of said driving means by said latching means is completed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A camera according to claim 9, wherein said timer means has a cam connected to be driven by said electric motor means, and an actuating lever contacting with said cam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A camera according to claim 10, wherein said actuating lever is arranged upon engagement in a recess of said cam to cut off current supply to said electric motor means and upon riding on the outer periphery of said cam to allow current supply to said electric motor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A camera according to claim 11, wherein said actuating means is arranged upon movement in an opening direction to disengage said actuating lever from said cam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A camera according to claim 12, wherein said actuating means is held in either of the opening and closing positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
139 words
A camera having a photographic objective lens and a protection cover capable of shuttering off the front of at least said photographic objective lens; comprising: (a) actuating means; (b) electric motor means arranged so that current supply thereto is initiated by operation of said actuating means in an opening direction; (c) charging means for charging an exposure mechanism of said camera, said charging means being moved as the driving torque of said electric motor means is transmitted thereto; (d) driving means controlling the opening and closing operation of said protection cover in response to said charging means; and (e) first latching means arranged to effect a latching connection to latch said driving means when said protection cover is opened, said first latching means being responsive to movement of said actuating means in a closing direction releasing said latching connection.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
139 words
A camera having a photographic objective lens and a protection cover capable of shuttering off the front of at least said photographic objective lens; comprising: (a) actuating means; (b) electric motor means arranged so that current supply thereto is initiated by operation of said actuating means in an opening direction; (c) charging means for charging an exposure mechanism of said camera, said charging means being moved as the driving torque of said electric motor means is transmitted thereto; (d) driving means controlling the opening and closing operation of said protection cover in response to said charging means; and (e) first latching means arranged to effect a latching connection to latch said driving means when said protection cover is opened, said first latching means being responsive to movement of said actuating means in a closing direction releasing said latching connection.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A camera according to claim 14, further comprising: (f) bias means urging said driving means in a closing direction of said protection cover.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A camera according to claim 15, wherein said charging means is responsive to charging actuation to move said photographic objective lens forwards to a prescribed position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A camera according to claim 16, further comprising: (g) second latching means for latching said charging means in a charge-completed position; and (h) bias means urging said charging means in a direction to move said photographic objective lens rearwards.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A camera according to claim 17, wherein said second latching means responsive to movement of said actuating means in a closing direction releases connection with said charging means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A camera according to claim 18, wherein said charging means has a plurality of teeth engageable with said second latching means in an in-focus position of said photographic objective lens.
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) | 1986-10-17 | 1987-04-18 | 1987-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-17 | 1991-04-18 | 1991-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-17 | 1995-04-18 | 1995-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |