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US5016032A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Lens shutter camera including zoom lens

Assignee: Pentax Corp
•
Filing: 1990-02-14
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Granted: 1991-05-14
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Expires: 2010-02-14
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Abstract

Abstract A lens shutter type of camera is disclosed in which a zoom lens is positioned in a lens block (1) which has a sector gear (15) rotatably associated with the lens block and with a rotatable cam ring (14). The cam ring and sector gear are rotatable in a substantially constant axial position. A movable finder optical assembly (8) and a movable strobe assembly (9) are movable in associated with movement of the zoom lens. The zoom lens is movable between an extreme telephoto position and an extreme wide angle position, as well as into a fully collapsed lens position beyond the extreme wide angle position and a macro or close-up photographing position beyond the extreme telephoto position. When the camera is in its macro mode, a prism (P1) is inserted into the finder optical assembly to correct for parallax; the strobe assembly is moved to change its illumination angle; and an optical wedge (4e) is pivoted into the path between a light receiver (4) and a light emitter (3e). A single cam plate (53) is provided to move the finder assembly and the strobe assembly. The photographic aperture (22b) can be selectively closed by barrier plates (31a) when the zoom lens is moved into its fully collapsed position. A light intercepting assembly (210) is provided for preventing light from entering the photographic optical assembly via cam grooves (20 and 21). This intercepting assembly includes a flexible code plate (90) which surrounds a peripheral portion of the cam ring (14) and which provides positional information relating to the position of the zoom lens.

Inventors

  • 👤 Keisuke Haraguchi
  • 👤 Shinsuke Kohmoto
  • 👤 Shigeru Kondoh

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 15:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/04; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/10; G02B7/102; G03B13/00; G03B13/02; G03B13/10; G03B13/12; G02B23/00; G02B23/14; G02B23/145; G03B2215/00; G03B2215/05; G03B2215/0503; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/002

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim 62 words
A light blocking mechanism used in a lens shutter camera including a rotatable cam ring with at least one camming groove therein, said mechanism comprising at least one light intercepting member positioned about the periphery of said cam ring, said member thereby comprising means for covering each said camming groove and for preventing light from entering the interior of said cam ring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 62 words
A light blocking mechanism used in a lens shutter camera including a rotatable cam ring with at least one camming groove therein, said mechanism comprising at least one light intercepting member positioned about the periphery of said cam ring, said member thereby comprising means for covering each said camming groove and for preventing light from entering the interior of said cam ring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
A light blocking mechanism in accordance with claim 1, wherein a photographing lens is positioned within the interior of said cam ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 55 words
A light blocking mechanism in accordance with claim 1, wherein said mechanism further comprises a flexible code plate wrapped about one peripheral portion of said cam ring, a light intercepting tape positioned about a second peripheral portion of said cam ring, and an annular gear positioned about a third peripheral portion of said cam ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
A light blocking mechanism in accordance with claim 3, wherein said gear is positioned between said code plate and said intercepting tape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
A light blocking mechanism in accordance with claim 3, wherein said cam ring includes a plurality of grooves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
A light blocking mechanism in accordance with claim 1, said light-intercepting member being independent of, and positioned about, said cam ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
A light blocking mechanism in accordance with claim 6, wherein said light-intercepting member comprises a flexible code plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 85 words
In a lens shutter type of camera having a cam ring mounted to a support member to be rotatable at a constant axial position, at least one movable lens barrel movable along an optical axis of a photographic optical system of said camera in association with rotation of said cam ring, a light interception member positioned in a space between a front end of said cam ring support member and a front cover having an opening through which said lens barrel is adapted to move.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 85 words
In a lens shutter type of camera having a cam ring mounted to a support member to be rotatable at a constant axial position, at least one movable lens barrel movable along an optical axis of a photographic optical system of said camera in association with rotation of said cam ring, a light interception member positioned in a space between a front end of said cam ring support member and a front cover having an opening through which said lens barrel is adapted to move.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 27 words
A camera accordance with claim 8, wherein said light interception member is annular, and wherein said space within which said annular member is positioned is also annular.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 30 words
A camera in accordance with claim 9, wherein the interior periphery of said light interception member comprises a flexible lip which slidably contacts the outer periphery of said lens barrel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 19 words
A camera in accordance with claim 10, wherein said flexible lip comprises means for minimizing rebound of said barrel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 43 words
A camera in accordance with claim 9, wherein an annular reinforcing plate is positioned about the outer periphery of said annular light interception member, said plate comprising metal or plastic which is more rigid than said annular member said annular member being elastic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 16 words
A camera in accordance with claim 9, wherein said annular light interception member comprises an O-ring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 86 words
In a lens shutter camera having a lens comprising a lens barrel movable along the optical axis of the lens, and an annular member rotatable about said lens barrel, such that rotation of said annular member is operative to move said lens barrel along the optical axis to change an operational parameter of said lens, means for minimizing rebound of said lens barrel with respect to said annular member and means for preventing light from entering into a space between said barrel and said annular member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 86 words
In a lens shutter camera having a lens comprising a lens barrel movable along the optical axis of the lens, and an annular member rotatable about said lens barrel, such that rotation of said annular member is operative to move said lens barrel along the optical axis to change an operational parameter of said lens, means for minimizing rebound of said lens barrel with respect to said annular member and means for preventing light from entering into a space between said barrel and said annular member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 33 words
A camera in accordance with claim 14, wherein said rebound minimizing means and said light preventing means comprise a ring member positioned within an annular space between said barrel and said annular member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 19 words
A camera in accordance with claim 15, wherein said ring member is secured to move with said annular member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 25 words
A camera in accordance with claim 15, wherein said ring member includes a flexible lip which slidably contacts the outer periphery of said lens barrel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 19 words
A camera in accordance with claim 15, wherein said flexible lip comprises means for minimizing rebound of said barrel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 37 words
A camera in accordance with claim 15, wherein an annular reinforcing plate is positioned about the outer periphery of said ring, said plate comprising a material which is more rigid than said ring, said ring being elastic.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 14 words
A camera in accordance with claim 12, wherein said ring member comprises an O-ring.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3809459A Cited
JPS52101027A Cited
JPS542668A Cited
US4168897A Cited
JPS6070411A Cited
JPS60178415A Cited
US4721972A Cited
JPH0618930A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-05-13 1994-11-12 1995-05-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-05-13 1998-11-12 1999-05-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-05-13 2002-11-12 2003-05-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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