Patent US4783155A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4783155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical device with variably shaped optical surface and a method for varying the focal length
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1984-05-03
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Granted: 1988-11-08
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Expires: 2004-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An optical device having a variable optical surface is given by the combination of an elastic body and a relatively rigid member having an opening and disposed to contact the elastic body to expose a part of the surface of the elastic body. The exposed surface part forms a variable optical surface, the shape of which is changed by deforming the elastic body to vary the focal length.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroyuki Imataki
- 👤 Takashi Serizawa
- 👤 Masayuki Usui
- 👤 Takeshi Baba
- 👤 Hiroyasu Nose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0875; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0825; G02B3/00; G02B3/12; G02B3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
An optical device, comprising an elastomeric body and a relatively rigid member having an opening and contacting the elastomeric body to expose a part of the surface of the elastomeric body through the opening, the exposed surface part of the elastomeric body being changeable in shape so as to form a variable optical surface by release of volumetric stress of the elastomeric body through the exposed surface part.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
An optical device, comprising an elastomeric body and a relatively rigid member having an opening and contacting the elastomeric body to expose a part of the surface of the elastomeric body through the opening, the exposed surface part of the elastomeric body being changeable in shape so as to form a variable optical surface by release of volumetric stress of the elastomeric body through the exposed surface part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein said member having an opening is movable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein a movable member is provided on a side of the elastomeric body opposite to the member having an opening so that the elastomeric body is sandwiched between both members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical device according to claim 1, further comprising a movable member disposed in contact with a face of the elastomeric body substantially perpendicular to the face of the elastomeric body having the exposed surface part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein the opening of said relatively rigid member retains its shape during the deformation of the elastomeric body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical device according to claim 4, wherein the movable member is a piezoelectric element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical device according to claim 6, wherein the piezoelectric element is cylindrical in shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
An optical device according to claim 1, further comprising, on a side of the elastomeric body opposite to said member having an opening, another member having an opening capable of allowing formation of another optical surface on the elastomeric body, so that the elastomeric body is sandwiched between both the members having openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric body has a modulus of elasticity of 10 8 dyn/cm 2 or less.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical device according to claim 9, wherein the elastomeric body has a modulus of elasticity of 10 6 dyn/cm 2 or less.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
An optical device according to claim 1, which is provided with a member having a concave or convex face contacting the elastomeric body on the side opposite to the member having an opening so that the elastomeric body is sandwiched between both members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein the member having an opening is capable of changing the area and the shape of the opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein all or a part of the surface except for the surface for forming the optical surface is hardened.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein said elastomeric body is substantially transparent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein said opening is circular in shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein said opening is rectangular in shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical device according to claim 2, wherein said member having an opening is made of a ferromagnetic material and moved by an electromagnet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical device according to claim 3, wherein said movable member is made of a ferromagnetic material and moved by an electromagnet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical device according to claim 1, wherein the member having an opening is capable of changing the area or the shape of the opening.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
An optical device, comprising an elastomeric body having a reflective surface and a relatively rigid member having an opening and contacting the reflective surface of the elastomeric body so as to expose a part of the reflective surface of the elastomeric body through the opening, the exposed part of the reflective surface of the elastomeric body being changeable in shape so as to form a variable optical surface by release of volumetric stress of the elastomeric body through the exposed surface part.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
82 words
An optical device, comprising an elastomeric body having a reflective surface and a relatively rigid member having an opening and contacting the reflective surface of the elastomeric body so as to expose a part of the reflective surface of the elastomeric body through the opening, the exposed part of the reflective surface of the elastomeric body being changeable in shape so as to form a variable optical surface by release of volumetric stress of the elastomeric body through the exposed surface part.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
86 words
An optical device, comprising plural layers of elastomeric bodies, a separating member interposed between an adjacent pair of said plural layers of elastomeric bodies, and a pair of relatively rigid members respectively having an opening and sandwiching the elastomeric bodies through the openings, the surfaces of the exposed parts of the elastomeric bodies being changeable independently from each other so as to form variable optical surfaces respectively separated by the separating member, by release of volumetric stress of each of the elastomeric bodies through the openings.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
86 words
An optical device, comprising plural layers of elastomeric bodies, a separating member interposed between an adjacent pair of said plural layers of elastomeric bodies, and a pair of relatively rigid members respectively having an opening and sandwiching the elastomeric bodies through the openings, the surfaces of the exposed parts of the elastomeric bodies being changeable independently from each other so as to form variable optical surfaces respectively separated by the separating member, by release of volumetric stress of each of the elastomeric bodies through the openings.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
An optical device, comprising an elastomeric body, a relatively rigid member having an opening and contacting the elastomeric body to expose a part of the surface of the elastomeric body, and a medium having a reflective surface contacting the exposed surface part of the elastomeric body, said exposed surface part of the elastomeric body being changeable in shape by release of volumetric stress of the elastomeric body through the exposed surface part, and the reflective surface of the medium being changeable in shape corresponding to the deformation of the exposed surface part.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
92 words
An optical device, comprising an elastomeric body, a relatively rigid member having an opening and contacting the elastomeric body to expose a part of the surface of the elastomeric body, and a medium having a reflective surface contacting the exposed surface part of the elastomeric body, said exposed surface part of the elastomeric body being changeable in shape by release of volumetric stress of the elastomeric body through the exposed surface part, and the reflective surface of the medium being changeable in shape corresponding to the deformation of the exposed surface part.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical device, comprising an elastomeric body, a relatively rigid member having an opening and contacting the elastomeric body to expose a part of the surface of the elastomeric body through the opening, and means for constantly applying a force to the elastomeric body and maintaining a constant shape of the exposed surface part of the elastomeric body formed by release of volumetric stress of the elastomeric body through the exposed surface part.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical device, comprising an elastomeric body, a relatively rigid member having an opening and contacting the elastomeric body to expose a part of the surface of the elastomeric body through the opening, and means for constantly applying a force to the elastomeric body and maintaining a constant shape of the exposed surface part of the elastomeric body formed by release of volumetric stress of the elastomeric body through the exposed surface part.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of varying focal length, which comprises: providing an optical device comprising an elastomeric body and a relatively rigid member having an opening and contacting the elastomeric body to expose a part of the surface of the elastomeric body so that the exposed part will form an optical surface, and including a volumetric stress in the elastic body, which is released through the exposed surface part so as to change the shape of the optical surface.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of varying focal length, which comprises: providing an optical device comprising an elastomeric body and a relatively rigid member having an opening and contacting the elastomeric body to expose a part of the surface of the elastomeric body so that the exposed part will form an optical surface, and including a volumetric stress in the elastic body, which is released through the exposed surface part so as to change the shape of the optical surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of varying focal length according to claim 24, wherein the elastomeric body is deformed by moving said relatively rigid member relative to the elastomeric body.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of varying focal length as claimed in claim 24, wherein the elastomeric body is deformed by moving a movable member disposed on a side of the elastomeric body opposite to the member having an opening.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of varying focal length as claimed in claim 24, wherein the elastomeric body is deformed by moving a movable member disposed on a face of the elastomeric body substantially perpendicular to the optical surface.
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) | 1991-11-08 | 1992-05-09 | 1992-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-08 | 1996-05-09 | 1996-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-08 | 2000-05-09 | 2000-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |