US5978602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photographic lens unit and photographing method
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1997-08-07
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Granted: 1999-11-02
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Expires: 2017-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A photographic lens unit having a stepping motor to drive a cam ring that has a cam portion for driving a counter-cam portion of a lens frame for automatic focus of photographic lenses, and projections for driving a diaphragm. The cam ring is rotated for moving the counter-cam portion in an optical-axis direction with the counter-cam portion in contact with the cam portion. Automatic focus of the photographic lenses and photometry are carried out. Thereafter, the cam ring is further rotated so that the projection can bring the diaphragm to an aperture-narrowing state. The cam ring is then rotated reversely for moving the photographic lenses to an automatic focus position. Photographic operations are then carried out. After photography is completed, the diaphragm is reset by moving the counter-cam portion. The photographic lens unit is thus brought to a ready state for subsequent photography. According to this photographic lens unit, since the driven part enabling automatic focus and the diaphragm can be driven by a simple driving mechanism, the structure of the photographic lens unit can be simplified and a space occupied by the photographic lens unit can be limited.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiyuki Toyofuku
- 👤 Yasuo Isashi
- 👤 Fuminori Ueno
- 👤 Shigeo Hayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:49
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B7/00; G03B7/08; G03B7/10; G03B9/00; G03B9/02; G03B9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A photographic lens unit in which an automatic focus driving mechanism for driving a driven part enabling automatic focus of photographic lenses and a diaphragm driving mechanism for driving a diaphragm share a common driving element, wherein: said driving element is a cam mechanism having a cam portion used for automatic focus, wherein a center interval within a movable range on said cam mechanism is used to drive said driven part enabling automatic focus, and end intervals within the movable range on said cam mechanism are used to drive said diaphragm and wherein an interval different from the intervals used for automatic focus and diaphragm drive within the movable range on said cam mechanism is used as an interval for adjusting a position of a strobe unit for macrophotography.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A photographic lens unit in which an automatic focus driving mechanism for driving a driven part enabling automatic focus of photographic lenses and a diaphragm driving mechanism for driving a diaphragm share a common driving element, wherein: said driving element is a cam mechanism having a cam portion used for automatic focus, wherein a center interval within a movable range on said cam mechanism is used to drive said driven part enabling automatic focus, and end intervals within the movable range on said cam mechanism are used to drive said diaphragm and wherein an interval different from the intervals used for automatic focus and diaphragm drive within the movable range on said cam mechanism is used as an interval for adjusting a position of a strobe unit for macrophotography.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A photographic lens unit according to claim 1, wherein a driving unit for causing a strobe optical system to pivot is formed in the interval on said cam mechanism for use in adjusting the position of the strobe unit for macrophotography.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
A photographic lens unit in which an automatic focus driving mechanism for driving a driven part enabling automatic focus of photographic lenses and a diaphragm driving mechanism for driving a diaphragm share a common driving element, wherein: said driving element is a cam mechanism having a cam portion used for automatic focus, wherein a center interval within a movable range on said cam mechanism is used to drive said driven part enabling automatic focus, and end intervals within the movable range on said cam mechanism are used to drive said diaphragm and wherein said diaphragm driving mechanism is made movable relative to said cam mechanism so that a displacement of an entire lens frame caused by adjusting a flange-focus distance of said photographic lenses can be absorbed with movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
129 words
A photographic lens unit in which an automatic focus driving mechanism for driving a driven part enabling automatic focus of photographic lenses and a diaphragm driving mechanism for driving a diaphragm share a common driving element, wherein: said driving element is a cam mechanism having a cam portion used for automatic focus, wherein a center interval within a movable range on said cam mechanism is used to drive said driven part enabling automatic focus, and end intervals within the movable range on said cam mechanism are used to drive said diaphragm and wherein said diaphragm driving mechanism is made movable relative to said cam mechanism so that a displacement of an entire lens frame caused by adjusting a flange-focus distance of said photographic lenses can be absorbed with movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A photographic lens unit according to claim 3, wherein said diaphragm driving mechanism is located near the interval within the movable range on said cam mechanism which is used for automatic focus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
A photographic lens unit in which an automatic focus driving mechanism for driving a driven part enabling automatic focus of photographic lenses and a diaphragm driving mechanism for driving a diaphragm share a common driving element, wherein: said driving element is a cam mechanism having a cam portion used for automatic focus, wherein a portion of said cam mechanism serving as said automatic focus driving mechanism is a stepped position restricting portion, and wherein part of said position restricting portion is associated with positions of said lenses for macrophotography.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
A photographic lens unit in which an automatic focus driving mechanism for driving a driven part enabling automatic focus of photographic lenses and a diaphragm driving mechanism for driving a diaphragm share a common driving element, wherein: said driving element is a cam mechanism having a cam portion used for automatic focus, wherein a portion of said cam mechanism serving as said automatic focus driving mechanism is a stepped position restricting portion, and wherein part of said position restricting portion is associated with positions of said lenses for macrophotography.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5311239A
Cited
US5710949A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-01 | 2003-05-03 | 2003-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-01 | 2007-05-03 | 2007-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-01 | 2011-05-03 | 2011-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |