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US5255035A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Focusing control apparatus for a camera

Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
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Filing: 1992-09-18
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Granted: 1993-10-19
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Expires: 2012-09-18
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Abstract

Abstract The invention is directed to a focusing mechanism that provides additional focal movement of the lens system without increasing the depth of the camera. This is accomplished by a bearing connected to lens mounting unit that is slidable along a guide shaft, because a part of the bearing can enter a recess in a support on the main body of the camera.

Inventors

  • 👤 Mutsuhito Kichima

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 23:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim 134 words
A camera comprising a main body provided with an aperture, a photographic lens, a mounting unit on said main body and movable with respect thereto, a guide shaft for said mounting unit, a support mounted on said main body and comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having a recess on one face and a projecting portion complementary to said recess on another face, said projecting portion engaging said aperture, one end of said guide shaft on said first portion and another end of said guide shaft on said second portion, whereby said guide shaft extends in an optical axis direction of said lens; and a bearing connected to said mounting unit and slidable along said guide shaft, at least part of said bearing being adapted to enter said recess.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 134 words
A camera comprising a main body provided with an aperture, a photographic lens, a mounting unit on said main body and movable with respect thereto, a guide shaft for said mounting unit, a support mounted on said main body and comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having a recess on one face and a projecting portion complementary to said recess on another face, said projecting portion engaging said aperture, one end of said guide shaft on said first portion and another end of said guide shaft on said second portion, whereby said guide shaft extends in an optical axis direction of said lens; and a bearing connected to said mounting unit and slidable along said guide shaft, at least part of said bearing being adapted to enter said recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The camera of claim 1 wherein said one end is fixed in said recess.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The camera of claim 1 wherein said aperture is at said rear portion, said projecting portion engaging said rear portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The camera of claim 1 wherein said aperture is at a rear portion of said camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The camera of claim 4 wherein said one end is fixed in said recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 35 words
The camera of claim 5 comprising a film feeding plane, at or adjacent said rear portion, of said camera adapted to receive film fed to said camera, said projecting portion being clear of said plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
The camera of claim 6 wherein said plane is behind said projecting portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
The camera of claim 5 wherein said mounting unit comprises a lens barrel frame in which said lens is mounted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
The camera of claim 8 wherein said barrel frame is connected to said bearing thereby moving said mounting unit with said bearing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 30 words
The camera of claim 5 further comprising a driver for said mounting unit, said driver having a driving shaft which transmits driving power from said driver to said mounting unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 25 words
The camera of claim 10 wherein one end of said driving shaft is connected to said second portion and is parallel to said guide shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 21 words
The camera of claim 11 wherein another end of said driving shaft is connected to said first portion of said support.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 35 words
The camera of claim 1 comprising a film feeding plane, at or adjacent said rear portion, of said camer adapted to receive film fed to said camera, said projecting portion being clear of said plane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 13 words
The camera of claim 13 wherein said plane is behind said projecting portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 20 words
The camera of claim 14 wherein said mounting unit comprises a lens barrel frame in which said lens is mounted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 22 words
The camera of claim 15 wherein said barrel frame is connected to said bearing thereby moving said mounting unit with said bearing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 13 words
The camera of claim 4 wherein said plane is behind said projecting portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 30 words
The camera of claim 1 further comprising a driver for said mounting unit, said driver having a driving shaft which transmits driving power from said driver to said mounting unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 25 words
The camera of claim 18 wherein one end of said driving shaft is connected to said second portion and is parallel to said guide shaft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 21 words
The camera of claim 19 wherein another end of said driving shaft is connected to said first portion of said support.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 164 words
A camera comprising a body having a front portion and a rear portion, an aperture at said rear portion, a photographic lens, a mounting unit on said front portion and movable with respect thereto, a guide shaft for said mounting unit, a support for said shaft; said support including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having a recess on one face and a projecting portion complementary to said recess on another face; one end of said guide shaft on said first portion and another end of said guide shaft on said second portion, said support being between said front portion and said rear portion, said projecting portion of said support engaging said aperture whereby said guide shaft extends between said front portion and said rear portion substantially parallel to an optical axis of said lens; a bearing connected to said mounting unit and slidable along said guide shaft, at least a part of said bearing adapted to enter said recess.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 164 words
A camera comprising a body having a front portion and a rear portion, an aperture at said rear portion, a photographic lens, a mounting unit on said front portion and movable with respect thereto, a guide shaft for said mounting unit, a support for said shaft; said support including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having a recess on one face and a projecting portion complementary to said recess on another face; one end of said guide shaft on said first portion and another end of said guide shaft on said second portion, said support being between said front portion and said rear portion, said projecting portion of said support engaging said aperture whereby said guide shaft extends between said front portion and said rear portion substantially parallel to an optical axis of said lens; a bearing connected to said mounting unit and slidable along said guide shaft, at least a part of said bearing adapted to enter said recess.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 17 words
The camera of claim 21 wherein said one end of said guide shaft is in said recess.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 35 words
The camera of claim 22 comprising a film feeding plane, at or adjacent said rear portion of said camera adapted to receive film fed to said camera, said projecting portion being clear of said plane.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 13 words
The camera of claim 23 wherein said plane is behind said projecting portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 122 words
A camera comprising a main body provided with an aperture, a photographic lens, a mounting unit on said main body and movable with respect thereto, a guide shaft for said mounting unit, a support mounted on said main body and comprising a first portion and a second portion said first portion having a recess on one face and a projecting portion complementary to said recess on another face, said projecting portion engaging said aperture, one end of said guide shaft on said first portion and another end of said guide shaft on said second portion, whereby said guide shaft extends in an optical axis direction of said lens; and a bearing connected to said mounting unit and slidable along said guide shaft.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 122 words
A camera comprising a main body provided with an aperture, a photographic lens, a mounting unit on said main body and movable with respect thereto, a guide shaft for said mounting unit, a support mounted on said main body and comprising a first portion and a second portion said first portion having a recess on one face and a projecting portion complementary to said recess on another face, said projecting portion engaging said aperture, one end of said guide shaft on said first portion and another end of said guide shaft on said second portion, whereby said guide shaft extends in an optical axis direction of said lens; and a bearing connected to said mounting unit and slidable along said guide shaft.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 17 words
The camera of claim 25 wherein said one end of said guide shaft is in said recess.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 13 words
The camera of claim 26 wherein said plane is behind said projecting portion.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5005038A Cited
US4868590A Cited
US4950061A Cited
US4990945A Cited
US5146254A Cited
US5150260A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-10-18 1997-04-19 1997-10-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-10-18 2001-04-19 2001-10-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-10-18 2005-04-19 2005-10-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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