Zoom lens barrel

Claim 2

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting means for supporting said first lens group, said first lens group supporting means being movable along said optical axis; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a drive ring provided in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis to cause said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and drive cam means fitted to said first lens group supporting means in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis, said drive cam means being rotated by said drive ring so as to cause said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means.

Claim 3

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said first lens group is supported by said first lens group supporting means through a focusing means.

Claim 4

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said second lens group supporting means is provided inside said first lens group supporting means.

Claim 5

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said drive ring is provided with a first cam groove for causing said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis and a second cam groove for causing said drive cam means to rotate around said optical axis.

Claim 6

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said drive cam means is provided with a cam surface for determining the position of said second lens group supporting means.

Claim 7

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting means for supporting said first lens group, said first lens group supporting means being movable along said optical axis; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a drive ring provided in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis to cause said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and drive cam means fitted to said first lens group supporting means in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis, said drive cam means being rotated by said drive ring so as to cause said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means, said drive cam means being provided with a cam surface for determining the position of said second lens group supporting means, while said second lens group supporting means is provided with a guide pin which is pressed against said cam surface of said drive cam means by a means for biasing said second lens group supporting means.

Claim 8

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting means for supporting said first lens group, said first lens group supporting means being movable along said optical axis; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a drive ring provided in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis to cause said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and drive cam means fitted to said first lens group supporting means in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis, said drive cam means being rotated by said drive ring so as to cause said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means, said drive cam means being provided with a cam surface for determining the position of said second lens group supporting means, while said second lens group supporting means is provided with a guide pin which is pressed against said cam surface of said drive cam means by a means for biasing said second lens group supporting means.

Claim 9

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 6, wherein said biasing means is a coil spring.

Claim 10

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 6, wherein said first lens group supporting means is provided with a straight groove extending in the direction of said optical axis, said guide pin being engaged with said straight groove so as to move along said straight groove.

Claim 11

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting means for supporting said first lens group, said first lens group supporting means being movable along said optical axis; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a drive ring provided in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis to cause said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and drive cam means fitted to said first lens group supporting means in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis, said drive cam means being rotated by said drive ring so as to cause said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said drive ring is rotated from a short focal length side toward a long focal length side, said first lens group supporting means moves forward along said optical axis and, at the same time, said second lens group supporting means is caused by said drive cam means to move forward along said optical axis more than said first lens group supporting means, so that said first and second lens groups come closer to each other.

Claim 12

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting means for supporting said first lens group, said first lens group supporting means being movable along said optical axis; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a drive ring provided in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis to cause said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and drive cam means fitted to said first lens group supporting means in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis, said drive cam means being rotated by said drive ring so as to cause said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said drive ring is rotated from a short focal length side toward a long focal length side, said first lens group supporting means moves forward along said optical axis and, at the same time, said second lens group supporting means is caused by said drive cam means to move forward along said optical axis more than said first lens group supporting means, so that said first and second lens groups come closer to each other.

Claim 13

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting means for supporting said first lens group, said first lens group supporting means being movable along said optical axis; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a drive ring provided in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis to cause said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and drive cam means fitted to said first lens group supporting means in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis, said drive cam means being rotated by said drive ring so as to cause said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said drive ring is rotated from a short focal length side toward a long focal length side beyond a longest focal length position, said first lens group supporting means does not move beyond said longest focal length position, while said second lens group supporting means is caused by said drive cam means to move backward along said optical axis, thereby attaining a macrophotography state.

Claim 14

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting means for supporting said first lens group, said first lens group supporting means being movable along said optical axis; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a drive ring provided in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis to cause said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and drive cam means fitted to said first lens group supporting means in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis, said drive cam means being rotated by said drive ring so as to cause said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said drive ring is rotated from a short focal length side toward a long focal length side beyond a longest focal length position, said first lens group supporting means does not move beyond said longest focal length position, while said second lens group supporting means is caused by said drive cam means to move backward along said optical axis, thereby attaining a macrophotography state.

Claim 15

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting means for supporting said first lens group, said first lens group supporting means being movable along said optical axis; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a drive ring provided in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis to cause said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and drive cam means fitted to said first lens group supporting means in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis, said drive cam means being rotated by said drive ring so as to cause said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said drive ring is rotated from a long focal length side toward a short focal length side beyond a shortest focal length position, said first lens group supporting means moves backward along said optical axis.

Claim 16

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting means for supporting said first lens group, said first lens group supporting means being movable along said optical axis; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a drive ring provided in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis to cause said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and drive cam means fitted to said first lens group supporting means in such a manner as to be rotatable around said optical axis, said drive cam means being rotated by said drive ring so as to cause said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said drive ring is rotated from a long focal length side toward a short focal length side beyond a shortest focal length position, said first lens group supporting means moves backward along said optical axis.

Claim 17

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 11, wherein, when said drive ring is rotated from a long focal length side toward a short focal length side beyond a shortest focal length position, said second lens group supporting means abuts against a stopper and thus stops moving.

Claim 18

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means.

Claim 19

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means.

Claim 20

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 13, wherein said first lens group is supported by said first lens group supporting means through a focusing means.

Claim 21

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 13, wherein said first drive means is provided with a cam groove for causing said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis.

Claim 22

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means, wherein said second drive means includes a guide groove rotated in response to the axial movement of said first lens group supporting means, a guide pin being provided on said second lens group supporting means, said guide pin being engaged with said guide groove, and biasing means for pressing said guide pin against a wall surface of said guide groove.

Claim 23

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means, wherein said second drive means includes a guide groove rotated in response to the axial movement of said first lens group supporting means, a guide pin being provided on said second lens group supporting means, said guide pin being engaged with said guide groove, and biasing means for pressing said guide pin against a wall surface of said guide groove.

Claim 24

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 16, wherein said biasing means is a coil spring.

Claim 25

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 16, wherein said first lens group supporting means is provided with a straight groove extending in the direction of said optical axis, said guide pin being engaged with said straight groove so as to move along said groove.

Claim 26

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said first drive means is activated from a short focal length side toward a long focal length side, said first lens group supporting mean moves forward along said optical axis and, at the same times, said second lens group supporting means is caused by said second drive means to move forward along said optical axis more than said first lens group supporting means, so that said first and second lens groups come closer to each other.

Claim 27

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said first drive means is activated from a short focal length side toward a long focal length side, said first lens group supporting mean moves forward along said optical axis and, at the same times, said second lens group supporting means is caused by said second drive means to move forward along said optical axis more than said first lens group supporting means, so that said first and second lens groups come closer to each other.

Claim 28

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said first drive means is activated from a short focal length side toward a long focal length side beyond a longest focal length position, said first lens group supporting means further moves forward along said optical axis and, at the same time, said second lens group supporting means is caused by said second drive means to move backward along said optical axis, thereby attaining a macrophotography state.

Claim 29

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said first drive means is activated from a short focal length side toward a long focal length side beyond a longest focal length position, said first lens group supporting means further moves forward along said optical axis and, at the same time, said second lens group supporting means is caused by said second drive means to move backward along said optical axis, thereby attaining a macrophotography state.

Claim 30

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said first drive means is activated from a short focal length side toward a long focal length side beyond a longest focal length position, said first lens group supporting means does not move beyond said longest focal length position, while said second lens group supporting means is caused by said second drive means to move backward along said optical axis, thereby attaining a macrophotography state.

Claim 31

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said first drive means is activated from a short focal length side toward a long focal length side beyond a longest focal length position, said first lens group supporting means does not move beyond said longest focal length position, while said second lens group supporting means is caused by said second drive means to move backward along said optical axis, thereby attaining a macrophotography state.

Claim 32

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said first drive means is activted from a short focal length side toward a short focal length side beyond a shortest focal length position, said first lens group supporting means moves backward along said optical axis.

Claim 33

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; a first drive means for driving said first lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis; and a second drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back and forth along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means in response to the movement of said first lens group supporting means, wherein, when said first drive means is activted from a short focal length side toward a short focal length side beyond a shortest focal length position, said first lens group supporting means moves backward along said optical axis.

Claim 34

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 22, wherein, when said first drive means is rotated from said long focal length side toward said short focal length side beyond said shortest focal length position, said second lens group supporting means abuts against a stopper and thus stops moving.

Claim 35

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting cylinder for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting cylinder in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting cylinder; a drive means for driving said first lens group supporting cylinder to move back and forth along said optical axis; a split cam cylinder comprising two cam cylinder members which are combined together so as to define a cam groove therebetween for driving said second lens group supporting means to move along said optical axis; a guide pin provided on said second lens group supporting means said guide pin being engaged with said cam groove; and a resilient member for biasing said cam cylinder toward said first lens group supporting cylinder in the direction of said optical axis, thereby constantly bringing both wall surfaces of said cam groove into close contact with said guide pin.

Claim 36

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting cylinder for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being supported by said first lens group supporting cylinder in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting cylinder; a drive means for driving said first lens group supporting cylinder to move back and forth along said optical axis; a split cam cylinder comprising two cam cylinder members which are combined together so as to define a cam groove therebetween for driving said second lens group supporting means to move along said optical axis; a guide pin provided on said second lens group supporting means said guide pin being engaged with said cam groove; and a resilient member for biasing said cam cylinder toward said first lens group supporting cylinder in the direction of said optical axis, thereby constantly bringing both wall surfaces of said cam groove into close contact with said guide pin.

Claim 37

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 24, wherein said cam cylinder is provided with means for preventing said cam cylinder members from rotating relative to each other.

Claim 38

A zoom lens barrel according to claim 24, wherein said cam cylinder rotates in response to an axial movement of said first lens group supporting cylinder.

Claim 39

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being provided inside said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; and drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means, when said first lens group supporting means is in a longest focal length position.

Claim 40

A zoom lens barrel having first and second lens groups which are moved through different distances along an optical axis in interlocking relation to each other to effect zooming, comprising: a first lens group supporting means for supporting said first lens group; a second lens group supporting means for supporting said second lens group, said second lens group supporting means being provided inside said first lens group supporting means in such a manner that said second lens group supporting means is movable along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means; and drive means for driving said second lens group supporting means to move back along said optical axis relative to said first lens group supporting means, when said first lens group supporting means is in a longest focal length position.