Control device for an endoscope

Claim 2

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: at least one steering member which is rotated to bend said steerable bendable portion; at least one locking member which is rotated to lock said steering member, said steering member and said locking member being rotated about a common axis; and at least one axially-movable lock member which moves relative to said steering member along said common axis without rotating about said common axis to lock and unlock said steering member when said locking member is turned in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction, respectively.

Claim 3

The endoscope according to claim 1 , further comprising a rotational shaft which supports said locking member in a rotatable manner about an axis of said rotational shaft; and a non-cylindrical portion having a non-circular cross section which formed on said rotational shaft, wherein said axially-movable lock member is positioned around said non-cylindrical portion in a manner so that said axially-movable lock member can move along said axis of said rotational shaft relative to said non-cylindrical portion without rotating about said axis of said rotational shaft.

Claim 4

The endoscope according to claim 2 , further comprising a drive force transmitting mechanism via which said axially-movable lock member moves along said axis of said rotational shaft in accordance with rotational of said locking member.

Claim 5

The endoscope according to claim 2 , further comprising: a removable retaining member which is fitted on said non-cylindrical portion in a direction perpendicular to said axis of said rotational shaft, wherein said removable retaining member is prohibited from moving along and rotating about said axis of said rotational shaft relative to said non-cylindrical portion in a state where said removable retaining member is fitted on said non-cylindrical portion, and wherein said removable retaining member is engaged with said axially-movable lock member to prohibit said axially-movable lock member from rotating about said axis of said rotational shaft relative to said non-cylindrical portion.

Claim 6

The endoscope according to claim 4 , further comprising a guide portion, formed on said axially-movable lock member, for preventing said removable retaining member from coming out of said non-cylindrical portion in a state where said guide portion is fitted on said removable retaining member, wherein said guide portion is fitted on said removable retaining member so that said guide portion is movable in a direction of said axis of said rotational shaft without rotating about said axis of said rotational shaft relative to said removable retaining member.

Claim 7

The endoscope according to claim 2 , wherein said steering member comprises a steering knob which is mounted around said rotational shaft, and wherein said non-cylindrical portion is formed on said rotational shaft in an inner space of said steering knob.

Claim 8

The endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein said steering member comprises: a first steering member which is rotated to bend said steerable bendable portion in a first bending direction; and a second steering member which is rotated to bend said steerable bendable portion in a second bending direction, said first steering member and said second steering member being rotated about said common axis; wherein said locking member comprises: a first locking member which is rotated to lock said first steering member; and a second locking member which is rotated to lock said second steering member, said first locking member and said second locking member being rotated about said common axis; and wherein said axially-movable lock member comprises: a first axially-movable lock member which moves relative to said first steering member along said common axis without rotating about said common axis to lock and unlock said first steering member when said first locking member is turned in said first rotational direction and said second rotational direction, respectively; and a second axially-movable lock member which moves relative to said second steering member along said common axis without rotating about said common axis to lock and unlock said second steering member when said second locking member is turned in said first rotational direction and said second rotational direction, respectively.

Claim 9

The endoscope according to claim 7 , further comprising: an inner body shaft which is fixed to a body of the endoscope; and an outer cylindrical body which is coaxially provided around said inner body shaft; wherein said first axially-movable lock member is mounted to said to inner body shaft to be movable along an axis of said inner body shaft without rotating about said inner body shaft, and wherein said second axially-movable lock member is mounted to said outer cylindrical body to be movable along an axis of said outer cylindrical body without rotating about said outer cylindrical body.

Claim 10

The endoscope according to claim 8 , wherein said first steering member comprises a first cylindrical shaft, wherein said second steering member comprises a second cylindrical member which is coaxially fitted on said first cylindrical shaft, and wherein said first cylindrical shaft and said second cylindrical member are fitted in a cylindrical space which is provided between said inner body shaft and said outer cylindrical body in a radial direction thereof, said first cylindrical shaft and said second cylindrical member being rotatable relative to each other about said axis of said inner body shaft.

Claim 11

The endoscope according to claim 8 , wherein said first locking member is mounted to said inner body shaft to be rotatable about said axis of said inner body shaft, and wherein said second locking member is mounted to said outer cylindrical body to be rotatable about said axis of said outer cylindrical body.

Claim 12

The endoscope according to claim 3 , wherein said drive force transmitting mechanism comprises male and female threads which mesh with each other, said male and female threads being formed on said locking member and said axially-movable lock member, respectively.

Claim 13

The endoscope according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one axially-immovable lock member which is fixed to said steering member, wherein said axially-movable lock member moves toward said axially-immovable lock member to lock said steering member when said locking member is turned in said first rotational direction.

Claim 14

The endoscope according to claim 12 , further comprising: a first friction pad fixed to said axially-movable lock member; and a second friction pad fixed to said axially-immovable lock member, wherein said axially-movable lock member moves toward said axially-immovable lock member to bring said first friction pad into pressing contact with said second friction pad to thereby lock said steering member when said locking member is turned in said first rotational direction.

Claim 15

The endoscope according to claim 13 , further comprising an adjusting device for adjusting a position of said axially-immovable lock member relative to said steering member in a direction of said common axis.

Claim 16

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: at least one control knob which is manually turned about an axis to bend said steerable bendable portion so as to direct the tip of said steerable bendable portion toward a target part; at least one lock knob which is manually turned about said axis to lock said control knob; and at least one axially-movable lock member which moves relative to said control knob along said axis without rotating about said axis to lock and unlock said control knob when said lock knob is turned in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction, respectively.

Claim 17

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: at least one control knob which is manually turned about an axis to bend said steerable bendable portion so as to direct the tip of said steerable bendable portion toward a target part; at least one lock knob which is manually turned about said axis to lock said control knob; and at least one axially-movable lock member which moves relative to said control knob along said axis without rotating about said axis to lock and unlock said control knob when said lock knob is turned in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction, respectively.

Claim 18

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a first steering portion which is rotated to bend said bendable portion in a first bending direction; a second steering portion which is rotated to bend said bendable portion in a second bending direction, said first steering portion and said second steering portion being rotated about a common axis; a first axially-movable lock member which moves along said common axis to bias said first steering portion in a first direction away from said second steering portion to lock said first steering portion; and a second axially-movable lock member which moves along said common axis to bias said second steering portion in a second direction away from said first steering portion to lock said second steering portion.

Claim 19

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a first steering portion which is rotated to bend said bendable portion in a first bending direction; a second steering portion which is rotated to bend said bendable portion in a second bending direction, said first steering portion and said second steering portion being rotated about a common axis; a first axially-movable lock member which moves along said common axis to bias said first steering portion in a first direction away from said second steering portion to lock said first steering portion; and a second axially-movable lock member which moves along said common axis to bias said second steering portion in a second direction away from said first steering portion to lock said second steering portion.

Claim 20

The endoscope according to claim 16 , wherein said first axially-movable lock member and said second axially-movable lock member move away from each other to bias said first steering portion and said second steering portion, respectively, to lock said first steering portion and said second steering portion, respectively.

Claim 21

The endoscope according to claim 16 , further comprising: a first locking portion which is rotated about said common axis to move said first axially-movable lock member along said common axis toward and away from said first steering portion when said first locking portion is turned in forward and reverse rotational directions thereof; and a second locking portion which is rotated about said common axis to move said second axially-movable lock member along said common axis toward and away from said second steering portion when said second locking portion is turned in forward and reverse rotational directions thereof.

Claim 22

The endoscope according to claim 18 , wherein said first locking portion is engaged with said first axially-movable lock member via first screw threads so that said first axially-movable lock member moves along said common axis, due to an engagement of said first screw threads, when said first locking portion is turned, and wherein said second locking portion is engaged with said second axially-movable lock member via second screw threads so that said second axially-movable lock member moves along said common axis, due to an engagement of said second screw threads, when said second locking portion is turned.

Claim 23

The endoscope according to claim 16 , wherein each of said first axially-movable lock member and said second axially-movable lock member moves along said common axis without rotating about said common axis.

Claim 24

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a first steering portion which can be rotated independently to bend said steerable bendable portion in a first bending direction; and a second steering portion which can be rotated independently to bend said steerable bendable portion in a second bending direction, said first steering portion and second steering portion being rotated about a common shaft; at least one axially-movable lock member which moves along an axis of said common shaft toward and away from one of said first steering portion and said second steering portion to one of lock and unlock said one of said first steering portion and said second steering portion, wherein said at least one axially-movable lock member moves along said axis to bias said one of said first steering portion and said second steering portion in a direction away from said other of said first steering portion and said second steering portion when locking said one of said first steering portion and said second steering portion.

Claim 25

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a first steering portion which can be rotated independently to bend said steerable bendable portion in a first bending direction; and a second steering portion which can be rotated independently to bend said steerable bendable portion in a second bending direction, said first steering portion and second steering portion being rotated about a common shaft; at least one axially-movable lock member which moves along an axis of said common shaft toward and away from one of said first steering portion and said second steering portion to one of lock and unlock said one of said first steering portion and said second steering portion, wherein said at least one axially-movable lock member moves along said axis to bias said one of said first steering portion and said second steering portion in a direction away from said other of said first steering portion and said second steering portion when locking said one of said first steering portion and said second steering portion.

Claim 26

The endoscope according to claim 21 , wherein said axially-movable lock member comprises: a first axially-movable lock member which moves along said axis to bias said first steering portion in a first direction away from said second steering portion to lock said first steering portion; and a second axially-movable lock member which moves along said axis to bias said second steering portion in a second direction away from said first steering portion to lock said second steering portion.

Claim 27

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a steering member which is rotated about a shaft to bend said bendable portion; a locking member which is rotated about said shaft to lock said steering member; and a retaining member which is fixed to an end of said shaft to prevent said locking member from coming out of said shaft from said end thereof; and a spring which rotates together with said locking member when said locking member is turned, wherein said locking member comprises an engaging portion, wherein said retaining member comprises at least one stop portion and at least one stop recess, and wherein said spring is engaged with said stop recess with a click when said engaging portion abuts against said stop portion.

Claim 28

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a steering member which is rotated about a shaft to bend said bendable portion; a locking member which is rotated about said shaft to lock said steering member; and a retaining member which is fixed to an end of said shaft to prevent said locking member from coming out of said shaft from said end thereof; and a spring which rotates together with said locking member when said locking member is turned, wherein said locking member comprises an engaging portion, wherein said retaining member comprises at least one stop portion and at least one stop recess, and wherein said spring is engaged with said stop recess with a click when said engaging portion abuts against said stop portion.

Claim 29

The endoscope according to claim 23 , wherein said stop portion and said stop recess are positioned substantially on opposite sides of said shaft in a radial direction thereof.

Claim 30

The endoscope according to claim 23 , wherein said stop portion and said stop recess comprise two stop portions and two stop recesses, respectively.

Claim 31

The endoscope according to claim 25 , wherein said two stop portions and said two stop recesses are formed on said retaining member at different circumferential positions thereof, wherein one of said two stop portions and one of said two stop recesses are positioned substantially on opposite sides of said shaft in a first radial direction thereof, and wherein the other of said two stop portions and the other of said two stop recesses are positioned substantially on opposite sides of said shaft in a second radial direction thereof.

Claim 32

The endoscope according to claim 23 , wherein said spring elastically presses said retaining member in a direction toward an axis of said shaft.

Claim 33

The endoscope according to claim 23 , wherein a non-circular hole is formed on said retaining member, and wherein said end of said shaft is formed to have a cross sectional shape corresponding to the shape of said non-circular hole so that said retaining member can be fitted on said end of said shaft.

Claim 34

The endoscope according to claim 23 , wherein said retaining member is fixed to said end of said shaft via a set screw which is screwed into said end of said shaft to prevent said retaining member from coming out of said end of said shaft.

Claim 35

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a steering member which is rotated about a shaft to bend said bendable portion; a locking member which is rotated about said shaft to lock said steering member; a retaining member fixed to an end of said shaft to prevent said locking member from coming out of said shaft from said end thereof; a projection which projects from said locking member; a spring which is fixed to said locking member so that part of said spring elastically presses said retaining member in a direction toward said projection, wherein said part of said spring and said projection are positioned substantially on opposite sides of said shaft in a radial direction thereof, wherein said retaining member comprises at least one stop face and at least one stop recess, and wherein said part of said spring is engaged with said stop recess with a click when said projection abuts against said stop face.

Claim 36

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a steering member which is rotated about a shaft to bend said bendable portion; a locking member which is rotated about said shaft to lock said steering member; a retaining member fixed to an end of said shaft to prevent said locking member from coming out of said shaft from said end thereof; a projection which projects from said locking member; a spring which is fixed to said locking member so that part of said spring elastically presses said retaining member in a direction toward said projection, wherein said part of said spring and said projection are positioned substantially on opposite sides of said shaft in a radial direction thereof, wherein said retaining member comprises at least one stop face and at least one stop recess, and wherein said part of said spring is engaged with said stop recess with a click when said projection abuts against said stop face.

Claim 37

The endoscope according to claim 30 , wherein said stop face and said stop recess comprise two stop faces and two stop recesses, respectively.

Claim 38

The endoscope according to claim 31 , wherein said two stop faces and said two stop recesses are formed on said retaining member at different circumferential positions thereof, wherein one of said two stop faces and one of said two stop recesses are positioned substantially on opposite sides of said shaft in a first radial direction thereof, and wherein the other of said two stop faces and the other of said two stop recesses are positioned substantially on opposite sides of said shaft in a second radial direction thereof.

Claim 39

A manually rotating device comprising: a shaft; a manual operation member which is mounted to said shaft to be turned manually about said shaft; a retaining member fixed to an end of said shaft to prevent said manual operation member from coming out of said shaft from said end thereof; and a spring which is associated with said retaining member, wherein said spring rotates together with said manual operation member when said manual operation member is turned, wherein said manual operation member comprises an engaging portion, wherein said retaining member comprises at least one stop portion and at least one stop recess, and wherein said spring is engaged with said stop recess with a click when said engaging portion abuts against said stop portion.

Claim 40

A manually rotating device comprising: a shaft; a manual operation member which is mounted to said shaft to be turned manually about said shaft; a retaining member fixed to an end of said shaft to prevent said manual operation member from coming out of said shaft from said end thereof; and a spring which is associated with said retaining member, wherein said spring rotates together with said manual operation member when said manual operation member is turned, wherein said manual operation member comprises an engaging portion, wherein said retaining member comprises at least one stop portion and at least one stop recess, and wherein said spring is engaged with said stop recess with a click when said engaging portion abuts against said stop portion.

Claim 41

The manually rotating device according to claim 33 , wherein said stop portion and said stop recess are positioned substantially on opposite sides of said shaft in a radial direction thereof.

Claim 42

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a hollow steering knob which is manually turned about a shaft to bend said steerable bendable portion, an opening being formed on said steering knob; a first friction brake member which rotates together with said steering knob when said steering knob is turned; a lock operation member which can be manually turned relative to said steering knob; a second friction brake member which is driven to move toward and away from said first friction brake member to lock and unlock said steering knob in accordance with rotation of said lock operation member relative to said steering knob; and a locking force adjusting device for adjusting an initial space between said first friction brake member and said second friction brake member, said locking force adjusting device being accessible from the outside of said endoscope via said opening of said steering knob.

Claim 43

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a hollow steering knob which is manually turned about a shaft to bend said steerable bendable portion, an opening being formed on said steering knob; a first friction brake member which rotates together with said steering knob when said steering knob is turned; a lock operation member which can be manually turned relative to said steering knob; a second friction brake member which is driven to move toward and away from said first friction brake member to lock and unlock said steering knob in accordance with rotation of said lock operation member relative to said steering knob; and a locking force adjusting device for adjusting an initial space between said first friction brake member and said second friction brake member, said locking force adjusting device being accessible from the outside of said endoscope via said opening of said steering knob.

Claim 44

The endoscope according to claim 35 , wherein said locking force adjusting device moves said first friction brake member relative to said steering knob to adjust said initial space in a direction of an axis of said shaft when said locking force adjusting device is operated via said opening.

Claim 45

The endoscope according to claim 36 , wherein said locking force adjusting device comprises: first and second thread portions which mesh with each other, said first thread portion being positioned in said steering knob, said second thread portion being formed on said first friction brake member; and at least one engaging portion formed on said first friction brake member to be exposed to said opening, wherein said first friction brake member moves in said direction of said axis of said shaft relative to said steering knob in accordance with said first and second thread portions when said first friction brake member is rotated relative to said steering knob with said at least one engaging portion.

Claim 46

The endoscope according to claim 37 , wherein said steering knob is formed as a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, and is provided with an end face extending substantially perpendicular to said axis of said shaft, wherein said opening is formed at said end face of said steering knob, and wherein said second friction brake member and said first friction brake member are positioned in said steering knob in said opening thereof so that an outer surface of each of said second friction brake member and said first friction brake member is substantially flush with said end face of said steering knob.

Claim 47

The endoscope according to claim 36 , wherein said first friction brake member is mounted to said steering knob to be movable in said direction of said axis of said shaft and to be rotatable about said axis of said shaft together with said steering knob, wherein said locking force adjusting device comprises: a first thread positioned in said steering knob; an adjusting ring having a second thread which meshes with said first thread; and at least one engaging portion formed on said adjusting ring to be exposed to said opening, wherein said first friction brake member moves in said direction of said axis of said shaft relative to said steering knob if said adjusting ring is rotated relative to said steering knob with said engaging portion.

Claim 48

The endoscope according to claim 39 , wherein said steering knob is formed as a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, and is provided with an end face extending substantially perpendicular to said axis of said shaft, wherein said opening is formed on said end face of said steering knob, and wherein said second friction brake member and said first friction brake member are positioned in said steering knob in said opening thereof so that an outer surface of each of said second friction brake member, said first friction brake member and said adjusting ring is substantially flush with said end face of said steering knob.

Claim 49

The endoscope according to claim 39 , wherein said adjusting ring prevents said first friction brake member from moving out of said opening.

Claim 50

The endoscope according to claim 37 , wherein said engaging portion comprises at least one hole which is formed on the surface of said first friction brake member which is exposed to said opening.

Claim 51

The endoscope according to claim 42 , wherein said engaging portion comprises two holes which are formed on said surface of said first friction brake member, and wherein two pins of a pin face wrench can be engaged in said two holes, respectively.

Claim 52

The endoscope according to claim 39 , wherein said engaging portion comprises at least one hole which is formed on that surface of said adjusting ring which is exposed to said opening.

Claim 53

The endoscope according to claim 44 , wherein said engaging portion comprises two holes which are formed on said surface of said adjusting ring, and wherein two pins of a pin face wrench can be engaged in said at least two holes, respectively.

Claim 54

The endoscope according to claim 35 , wherein said first friction brake member and said second friction brake member can be mounted to and dismounted from said steering knob via said opening.

Claim 55

The endoscope according to claim 35 , wherein said lock operation member is positioned to face said opening of said steering knob, and wherein said locking force adjusting device is accessible from the outside of said endoscope via a portion of said opening to which said lock operation member does not face.

Claim 56

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: first and second hollow steering knobs which are manually turned independently of each other about a shaft to bend said bendable portion, wherein said first and second hollow steering knobs are positioned adjacent to each other in a direction of an axis of said shaft; a first opening formed on said first hollow steering knobs; a second opening formed on said second said two hollow steering knobs; a first friction brake member, provided for each of said first and second hollow steering knobs, which rotates together with associated one of said first and second hollow steering knobs when associated one of said first and second hollow steering knobs is turned; a lock operation member, provided for each of said first and second hollow steering knobs, which can be manually turned relative to associated one of said first and second hollow steering knobs; a second friction brake member, provided for each of said first and second hollow steering knobs, which is driven to move toward and away from associated said first friction brake member to lock and unlock associated one of said first and second hollow steering knobs in accordance with rotation of associated said lock operation member relative to said associated hollow steering knob; and a locking force adjusting device for adjusting an initial space between said first friction brake member and said second friction brake member for each of said first and second hollow steering knobs, said locking force adjusting device being accessible from the outside of said endoscope via associated one of said first and second openings, wherein said first and said second openings are formed on said first and second hollow steering knobs to be open in opposite directions so as not to face each other.

Claim 57

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: first and second hollow steering knobs which are manually turned independently of each other about a shaft to bend said bendable portion, wherein said first and second hollow steering knobs are positioned adjacent to each other in a direction of an axis of said shaft; a first opening formed on said first hollow steering knobs; a second opening formed on said second said two hollow steering knobs; a first friction brake member, provided for each of said first and second hollow steering knobs, which rotates together with associated one of said first and second hollow steering knobs when associated one of said first and second hollow steering knobs is turned; a lock operation member, provided for each of said first and second hollow steering knobs, which can be manually turned relative to associated one of said first and second hollow steering knobs; a second friction brake member, provided for each of said first and second hollow steering knobs, which is driven to move toward and away from associated said first friction brake member to lock and unlock associated one of said first and second hollow steering knobs in accordance with rotation of associated said lock operation member relative to said associated hollow steering knob; and a locking force adjusting device for adjusting an initial space between said first friction brake member and said second friction brake member for each of said first and second hollow steering knobs, said locking force adjusting device being accessible from the outside of said endoscope via associated one of said first and second openings, wherein said first and said second openings are formed on said first and second hollow steering knobs to be open in opposite directions so as not to face each other.

Claim 58

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a steering device having a first operation member which is manually turned to bend said bendable portion so as to direct the tip of said bendable portion toward a target part; and a locking device having a second operation member which is manually turned to lock said steering device; wherein a first friction member provided on said locking device comes into pressing contact with a second friction member provided on said steering device by an operation of said second operation member, and wherein said first friction member is shaped so as to facilitate compression thereof in a direction of the thickness of said first friction member.

Claim 59

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a steering device having a first operation member which is manually turned to bend said bendable portion so as to direct the tip of said bendable portion toward a target part; and a locking device having a second operation member which is manually turned to lock said steering device; wherein a first friction member provided on said locking device comes into pressing contact with a second friction member provided on said steering device by an operation of said second operation member, and wherein said first friction member is shaped so as to facilitate compression thereof in a direction of the thickness of said first friction member.

Claim 60

The endoscope according to claim 49 , wherein said first friction member comprises a plurality of gaps for facilitating compression of said first friction member in said direction.

Claim 61

The endoscope according to claim 50 , wherein said plurality of gaps are formed by a plurality of projections and depressions.

Claim 62

The endoscope according to claim 51 , wherein said first friction member has a general cylindrical shape, and wherein said plurality of projections and depressions extend across said first friction member in radial directions.

Claim 63

The endoscope according to claim 50 , wherein said plurality of gaps comprises a plurality of holes.

Claim 64

The endoscope according to claim 53 , wherein said first friction member has a general cylindrical shape, and wherein said plurality of holes extend across said first friction member in radial directions.

Claim 65

The endoscope according to claim 52 , wherein said plurality of projections and depressions are arranged at equi-angular intervals about a center of said first friction member.

Claim 66

The endoscope according to claim 54 , wherein said plurality of holes are arranged at equi-angular intervals about a center of said first friction member.

Claim 67

The endoscope according to claim 49 , wherein said first friction member is formed in a disk shape so as to be compressed in a direction of the thickness of said first friction member easier than in a radial direction of said first friction member.

Claim 68

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a steering device having a first operation member which is manually turned about a shaft to bend said bendable portion so as to direct a tip of said bendable portion toward a target part; a locking device having a second operation member which is manually turned about said shaft to lock said steering device; a first friction member which is provided as an element of said locking device which is movable in a direction of an axis of said shaft and does not rotate about said axis; a second friction member which rotates together with said first operation member; and a cam mechanism, elements of which are provided on said second operation member and said first friction member; wherein said first friction member is moved in said direction of said axis of said shaft to come into contact with said second friction member to restrict rotation of said first operation member via said cam mechanism.

Claim 69

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided at a distal end thereof with a steerable bendable portion, said endoscope comprising: a steering device having a first operation member which is manually turned about a shaft to bend said bendable portion so as to direct a tip of said bendable portion toward a target part; a locking device having a second operation member which is manually turned about said shaft to lock said steering device; a first friction member which is provided as an element of said locking device which is movable in a direction of an axis of said shaft and does not rotate about said axis; a second friction member which rotates together with said first operation member; and a cam mechanism, elements of which are provided on said second operation member and said first friction member; wherein said first friction member is moved in said direction of said axis of said shaft to come into contact with said second friction member to restrict rotation of said first operation member via said cam mechanism.

Claim 70

The endoscope according to claim 58 , wherein said locking device comprises: a rotational member which is provided integral with said second operation member; and an axially-movable lock member which is positioned to face said second friction member and is movable in said direction of said axis of said shaft without being rotatable about said axis, said first friction member being fixed to said axially-movable lock member; wherein said cam mechanism comprises: at least one cam follower fixed to said rotational member; and at least one cam groove which is formed on said axially-movable lock member and in which said cam follower is engaged, wherein turning said second operation member causes said axially-movable lock member to move in said direction of said axis of said shaft via an engagement of said cam follower and said cam groove so that said first friction member comes into contact with said second friction member to restrict rotation of said first operation member.

Claim 71

The endoscope according to claim 59 , wherein said cam groove comprises an inclined groove portion which is inclined with respect to a plane which is perpendicular to said axis of said shaft.

Claim 72

The endoscope according to claim 59 , wherein said axially-movable lock member comprises at least one leaf spring portion which can elastically bend with respect to said axially-movable lock member, and wherein an under surface of said leaf spring portion constitutes a part of a cam surface of said cam groove.

Claim 73

The endoscope according to claim 61 , wherein said leaf spring portion of axially-movable lock member comprises a slit, wherein said cam groove connects with an external portion of said axially-movable lock member via said slit.

Claim 74

The endoscope according to claim 59 , wherein at least one end of said cam groove is formed to be wider than a middle portion of said cam groove.

Claim 75

The endoscope according to claim 59 , wherein each of opposite ends of said cam groove is formed to have a substantially circulr cross section, and wherein a diameter of each of said opposite ends of said cam groove is slightly greater than a diameter of said cam follower.