Patent US5422697A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5422697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Aperture device with edge reflection dispersement feature and optical apparatus using the same
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1993-03-30
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Granted: 1995-06-06
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Expires: 2013-03-30
Abstract
Abstract An aperture device for use in an optical apparatus has a plurality of aperture blades which cooperate in collectively defining an aperture of a desired size. The inner edge of at least one of such blades defining one side of the aperture is uneven over at least part of the length of the inner edge. The spacing between adjacent relatively high portions and relatively low portions, as well as the depth, is smaller than the exposed length of the inner edge of each aperture blade when the aperture device has been operated to the minimum aperture size. Preferably, the spacing between adjacent crests or between adjacent high portions and low portions of the unevenness varies in a non-periodic manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsuru Ichinomiya
- 👤 Kimio Tanaka
- 👤 Toshinori Higaki
- 👤 Shigeru Oshima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:53
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/0018; G02B5/00; G02B5/005; G03; G03B; G03B9/00; G03B9/02; G03B9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An aperture device, comprising: a plurality of aperture blades each having an inner edge, which collectively define an aperture of a desired size to restrict an amount of light reaching an image surface, wherein at least a portion of said inner edge of at least one of said aperture blades is uneven so as to have relatively high portions adjacent to relatively low portions, wherein said high portions and said low portions are significant enough to visibly effect the spreading of light incident thereon such that the intensity of the incident light directed towards the imaging surface is reduced; and wherein a spacing between adjacent high portions and low portions varies in a non-periodic manner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An aperture device, comprising: a plurality of aperture blades each having an inner edge, which collectively define an aperture of a desired size to restrict an amount of light reaching an image surface, wherein at least a portion of said inner edge of at least one of said aperture blades is uneven so as to have relatively high portions adjacent to relatively low portions, wherein said high portions and said low portions are significant enough to visibly effect the spreading of light incident thereon such that the intensity of the incident light directed towards the imaging surface is reduced; and wherein a spacing between adjacent high portions and low portions varies in a non-periodic manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
An aperture device according to claim 1, wherein a spacing between adjacent high portions and low portions is smaller than an exposed length of said inner edge of said at least one of said plurality of aperture blades when the aperture device has been operated to minimum aperture size.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An aperture device according to claim 1, wherein a difference in height between adjacent high portions and low portions is smaller than an exposed length of said inner edge of each aperture blade when the aperture device has been operated to a minimum aperture size.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
164 words
An aperture device, comprising: a plurality of aperture blades each having an inner edge, which collectively define an aperture of a desired size to restrict an amount of light reaching an image surface, wherein at least a portion of said inner edge of at least one of said aperture blades is uneven so as to have relatively high portions adjacent to relatively low portions, wherein said high portions and said low portions are significant enough to visibly effect the spreading of light incident thereon such that the intensity of the incident light directed towards the imaging surface is reduced; and wherein a spacing between adjacent high portions and a difference in height between adjacent high portions and adjacent low portions are smaller than an exposed length of said inner edge of each aperture blade when the exposure device has been operated to the minimum aperture size, and wherein the spacing between the adjacent high portions and adjacent low portions varies in a non-periodic manner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
164 words
An aperture device, comprising: a plurality of aperture blades each having an inner edge, which collectively define an aperture of a desired size to restrict an amount of light reaching an image surface, wherein at least a portion of said inner edge of at least one of said aperture blades is uneven so as to have relatively high portions adjacent to relatively low portions, wherein said high portions and said low portions are significant enough to visibly effect the spreading of light incident thereon such that the intensity of the incident light directed towards the imaging surface is reduced; and wherein a spacing between adjacent high portions and a difference in height between adjacent high portions and adjacent low portions are smaller than an exposed length of said inner edge of each aperture blade when the exposure device has been operated to the minimum aperture size, and wherein the spacing between the adjacent high portions and adjacent low portions varies in a non-periodic manner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
An aperture device, comprising: a plurality of aperture blades each having an inner edge, which collectively define an aperture of a desired size to restrict an amount of light reaching an imaging device; and an aperture plate projectable into a path of the light and having an aperture of a minimum aperture size, wherein at least a portion of said inner edge of said aperture plate is uneven so as to have relatively high portions adjacent to relatively low portions, wherein said high portions and said low portions are significant enough to visibly effect the spreading of light incident thereon such that the intensity of the incident light directed towards the imaging surface is reduced.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
An aperture device, comprising: a plurality of aperture blades each having an inner edge, which collectively define an aperture of a desired size to restrict an amount of light reaching an imaging device; and an aperture plate projectable into a path of the light and having an aperture of a minimum aperture size, wherein at least a portion of said inner edge of said aperture plate is uneven so as to have relatively high portions adjacent to relatively low portions, wherein said high portions and said low portions are significant enough to visibly effect the spreading of light incident thereon such that the intensity of the incident light directed towards the imaging surface is reduced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An aperture device according to claim 5, wherein a spacing between adjacent high portions and low portions is smaller than an exposed length of an inner edge of said aperture plate when the aperture device has been operated to the minimum aperture size.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
An aperture device according to claim 5, wherein a difference in height between adjacent high portions and said adjacent low portions is smaller than an exposed length of an inner edge of each aperture blade when the aperture device has been operated to the minimum aperture size.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An aperture device according to claim 5, wherein a spacing between adjacent high portions and low portions varies in a non-periodic manner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
An optical apparatus, comprising: optical means for focusing a light beam from an object along a light path on an imaging surface; and an aperture stop projectable into the light path and having an edge thereof, wherein a portion of said edge is formed to be uneven so as to have relatively high portions adjacent to relatively low portions, wherein said high portions and said low portions are significant enough to visibly effect the spreading of light incident thereon so that the intensity of light directed towards the imaging surface is reduced; and wherein a spacing between adjacent high portions and low portions varies in a non-periodic manner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
108 words
An optical apparatus, comprising: optical means for focusing a light beam from an object along a light path on an imaging surface; and an aperture stop projectable into the light path and having an edge thereof, wherein a portion of said edge is formed to be uneven so as to have relatively high portions adjacent to relatively low portions, wherein said high portions and said low portions are significant enough to visibly effect the spreading of light incident thereon so that the intensity of light directed towards the imaging surface is reduced; and wherein a spacing between adjacent high portions and low portions varies in a non-periodic manner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
95 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said aperture stop has a plurality of aperture blades each having an inner edge, which collectively define an aperture of a desired size to restrict an amount of light reaching an imaging surface, wherein at least a portion of said inner edge of at least one of said aperture blades is uneven so as to have relatively high portions adjacent to relatively low portions to effect the spreading of light incident thereon such that the intensity of the incident light directed towards the imaging surface is reduced.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
An aperture device according to claim 9, wherein a spacing between adjacent high portions and low portions is smaller than an exposed length of said inner edge of said at least one of said plurality of aperture blades when the aperture device has been operated to a minimum aperture size.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
An aperture device according to claim 9, wherein a difference in height between adjacent high portions and low portions is smaller than an exposed length of said inner edge of each aperture blade when the aperture device has been operated to a minimum aperture size.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3675562A
Cited
US3682075A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-06-05 | 1998-12-05 | 1999-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-05 | 2002-12-05 | 2003-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-05 | 2006-12-05 | 2007-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |