US4851870A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shutter apparatus for camera
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-04-20
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Granted: 1989-07-25
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Expires: 2008-04-20
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates a piezoelectric element-drive type shutter apparatus for camera. The shutter apparatus includes a main piezoelectric element having a free end which is able to move between a closed position and an opening position to drive shutter blades so as to be opened and closed, and an auxiliary piezoelectric element having a free end for urging the shutter blades toward its closed position when the free end of the main piezoelectric element returns from the opening position to the closed position. When the main piezoelectric element returns to the closed position, i.e. an initial position, the auxiliary piezoelectric element assists the returning movement of the main piezoelectric element. Accordingly, the shutter blades can be closed at a very high speed. This is very effective particularly when a small aperture of the shutter blade is desired. Furthermore, since the returning movement of the main piezoelectric element includes a compulsory force of the auxiliary element as well as a returning force of itself, the returning movement of the main piezoelectric element is insured to be stable as well as speedy, so that very accurate exposure can be obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshihiro Tanaka
- 👤 Tetsuya Uno
- 👤 Sadafusa Tsuji
- 👤 Hiroshi Ootsuka
- 👤 Shinichi Yokoyama
- 👤 Takeshi Hashimoto
- 👤 Michihiro Iwata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:00
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B9/00; G03B9/08; G03B9/10; G03B9/14; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/081; G03B7/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A shutter apparatus for camera, comprising; a main piezoelectric driving means having an operating portion which is able to move between a closed position and an opening position to drive a shutter blade so as to be opened and closed, and an auxiliary piezoelectric driving means having an operating portion for urging the shutter blade toward its closed position when the operating portion of said main driving means returns from the opening position to the closed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A shutter apparatus for camera, comprising; a main piezoelectric driving means having an operating portion which is able to move between a closed position and an opening position to drive a shutter blade so as to be opened and closed, and an auxiliary piezoelectric driving means having an operating portion for urging the shutter blade toward its closed position when the operating portion of said main driving means returns from the opening position to the closed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main and auxiliary driving means are plate-shaped, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising; a transmitting means for transmitting driving force of said main driving means to said shutter blade.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means takes an initial position which is within a range of movement of the operating portion of said main driving means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising; a control means which controls said both driving means such that when the shutter blade is to be opened, the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means moves toward said opening position ahead of movement of said main driving means, while when the shutter blade is to be closed, the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means urges the operating portion of said main driving means toward said closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said control means control said both driving means such that when said shutter blade is to be opened, the operating portions of said both driving means start moving toward said opening position substantially simultaneously.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control means control said both driving means such that moving speed of the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means is higher than that of the operating portion of said main driving means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said control means controls said both driving means such that when said shutter blade is to be opened, the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means starts moving before the fee end of said main driving means starts moving.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said both driving means are so arranged that when said both driving means are respectively located at the closed position, the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means substantially contacts the operating portion of said main driving means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising; a control means which controls said auxiliary driving means such that when said shutter blade is to be closed, the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means urges the operating portion of said main driving means toward said closed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said driving means has a fixed end. which is fixed to a support member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an initial position of the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means is remote from an initial position of the operating portion of said main driving means and a range of movement of the operating portion portion of said auxiliary driving means overlaps with that of the operating portion of said main driving means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein further comprising; a control means which controls said auxiliary driving means such that when said shutter blade is to be closed, the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means urges the operating portion of said main driving means toward said closed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising; a transmitting means for transmitting driving force of said main driving means to said shutter blade.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means is arranged so as to substantially contact said transmitting means in a range of movement of said transmitting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
83 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising; a control means which controls said both driving means such that when the shutter blade is to be opened, the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means moves in the same direction as that of movement of said transmitting means ahead of movement of said main driving means, while when the shutter blade is to be closed, the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means urges the transmitting means toward said closed position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein an initial position of the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means is remote from said transmitting means and a range of movement of said auxiliary driving means overlaps with that of said transmitting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A shutter apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein further comprising; a control means which controls said auxiliary driving means such that when said shutter blade is to be closed, the operating portion of said auxiliary driving means urges said transmitting means toward said closed position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-24 | 1993-01-23 | 1993-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-24 | 1997-01-23 | 1997-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-24 | 2001-01-23 | 2001-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |