US5617167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lens cover drive mechanism for a camera
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1995-08-07
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Granted: 1997-04-01
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Expires: 2015-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A lens cover mechanism which drives a lens cover to cover a from surface of a lens barrel of a camera, wherein the lens cover drive mechanism has a drive source to generate a drive force. The lens cover drive mechanism also includes a transmission member to receive the drive force from the drive source, an urging member to receive the drive force from the transmission member and to urge a buffer member in the direction of the drive force. In a situation where an external force is applied to the lens cover to prevent movement, the buffer member resiliently deforms when the drive force is received from the urging member, thereby preventing the drive force from being transferred to the lens cover. As a result, the lens cover and the lens cover drive mechanism do not get damaged. The axis of rotation of the lens cover, the urging member and the buffer member are all arranged on a single shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Hidenobu Kaji
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:11
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A lens cover mechanism which drives a lens cover to cover a surface of a lens, said lens cover drive mechanism comprising: a drive source to generate a drive force; a transmission member to receive the drive force from the drive source; an urging member to receive the drive force from said transmission member; a buffer member to receive the drive force from said urging member and, in response, rotating the lens cover to one of cover and uncover the surface of the lens if there is no external force of a given amount preventing movement of the lens cover and preventing the drive force from being transmitted from said urging member to the lens cover if the external force prevents movement of the lens cover; and a shaft, on which an axis of rotation of the lens cover, said urging member and said buffer member are arranged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A lens cover mechanism which drives a lens cover to cover a surface of a lens, said lens cover drive mechanism comprising: a drive source to generate a drive force; a transmission member to receive the drive force from the drive source; an urging member to receive the drive force from said transmission member; a buffer member to receive the drive force from said urging member and, in response, rotating the lens cover to one of cover and uncover the surface of the lens if there is no external force of a given amount preventing movement of the lens cover and preventing the drive force from being transmitted from said urging member to the lens cover if the external force prevents movement of the lens cover; and a shaft, on which an axis of rotation of the lens cover, said urging member and said buffer member are arranged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said buffer member has a first end which receives the drive force from said urging member and a second end which receives the external force, said buffer member being a spring which twists in response to the drive force and the external force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said buffer member has a first end which receives the drive force from said urging member and a second end connected to the lens cover and which receives the external force, said buffer member being a spring which rotates to transmit the drive force from said urging member to the lens cover if the external force does not exist, and which twists to absorb the drive force and prevent transmission of the drive force from said urging member to the lens cover if the external force exists.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said buffer member is a resilient member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said buffer member is a resilient member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein said buffer member is a resilient member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive source is an electric motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmission member comprises a plurality of gears.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said buffer member comprises a first coil spring having a first end connected to the lens cover and a second end; said urging member comprises a second coil spring having a first end connected to said transmission member and a second end, and an intermediate lever connected to the second ends of said first and second coil springs, wherein said coil spring is between said first coil spring and said intermediate lever; and the lens cover drive mechanism further comprises a spacer arranged between said first and second coil springs to prevent direct contact between said first and second coil springs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one transmission member comprises: a first gear; a planetary gear train having a sun gear for alternately engaging and disengaging the drive source and a planetary gear which engages said sun gear and revolves about said sun gear to alternately engage said first gear and a second gear formed on a circumference of a lens barrel which holds the lens; and a plurality of gears engaging one another, wherein one of said plurality of gears engages said first gear and another one of said plurality of gears is connected to said urging.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
149 words
A lens cover drive mechanism which drives a lens cover to cover a surface of a lens, said lens cover drive mechanism comprising: a drive source to generate a drive force; a transmission member to receive the drive force; an urging member to receive the drive force from said transmission member; a buffer member to receive the drive force from said urging member and, in response, rotating the lens cover to one of cover and uncover the surface of the lens if there is no external force of a given amount preventing movement of the lens cover and preventing the drive force from being transmitted from said urging member to the lens cover if the external force prevents movement of the lens cover; and a spacer arranged between said urging member and said buffer member to prevent direct contact between portions of said urging member and said buffer member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
149 words
A lens cover drive mechanism which drives a lens cover to cover a surface of a lens, said lens cover drive mechanism comprising: a drive source to generate a drive force; a transmission member to receive the drive force; an urging member to receive the drive force from said transmission member; a buffer member to receive the drive force from said urging member and, in response, rotating the lens cover to one of cover and uncover the surface of the lens if there is no external force of a given amount preventing movement of the lens cover and preventing the drive force from being transmitted from said urging member to the lens cover if the external force prevents movement of the lens cover; and a spacer arranged between said urging member and said buffer member to prevent direct contact between portions of said urging member and said buffer member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein said buffer member has a first end which receives the drive force from said urging member and a second end which receives the external force, said buffer member being a spring which twists in response to the drive force and the external force.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
97 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 11, said buffer member has a first end which receives the drive force from said urging member and a second end connected to the lens cover and which receives the external force, said buffer member being a spring which rotates to transmit the drive force from said urging member to the lens cover if the external force does not exist, and which twists to absorb the drive force and prevent transmission of the drive force from said urging member to the lens cover if the external force exists.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein said buffer member is a resilient member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein said buffer member is a resilient member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 13, wherein said buffer member is a resilient member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein said drive source is an electric motor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein said transmission member comprises a plurality of gears.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
The lens cover drive mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one transmission member comprises: a first gear; a planetary gear train having a sun gear for alternately engaging and disengaging the drive source and a planetary gear which engages said sun gear and revolves about said sun gear to alternately engage said first gear and a second gear formed on a circumference of a lens barrel which holds the lens; and a plurality of gears engaging one another, wherein one of said plurality of gears engages said first gear and another one of said plurality of gears is connected to said urging member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5461441A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-31 | 2000-09-30 | 2001-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-31 | 2004-09-30 | 2005-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-31 | 2008-09-30 | 2009-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |