Photography – Having variable focal length of camera objective – Power zoom
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-07-03
Perkey, W. B. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Having variable focal length of camera objective
Power zoom
C396S349000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256458
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lens housing for moving lens frames to a stowed position and an image-capturing position.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a camera coupling apparatus has been proposed as a structure of lens housing that allows variation in the focal length in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.9-152649. This coupling apparatus extends lens frames from a collapsed-barrel position up to a projected position (close to a wide angle position) where an image can be captured. It also extends lens frames in a zooming-operated region. While extending lens frames from the collapsed-barrel position to the projected position, the lens frames and a zoom-out, gear for zoom-driving are interengaged, enabling the lens housing for zoom-driving.
The aforementioned zoom-out gear in the camera coupling apparatus, as proposed in the aforementioned Japanese patent application, however, is axially and radially large, requiring a considerably large installation space. This is an obstacle to miniaturization of cameras in which the aforementioned coupling apparatus is installed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the problems described above, an object of the present invention to provide a lens housing that allows movement of lens frames to a stowed position and an image-capturing position, thereby promoting miniaturization of cameras and other related items.
To this end, the invention provides a lens housing for moving lens frames to a stowed position and an image-capturing position, and for varying the focal length. The lens housing has image-capturing lenses supported by lens frames and allowing variation in the focal length, a stationary frame having a female helicoid thread for moving all the lens frames and a rotatable drive gear provided parallel to an optical axis of the image-capturing lenses. The lens housing also has a helicoid member having a gear section engaged with the drive gear and a male helicoid thread, engageable with the female helicoid thread by rotation of the drive gear for moving all the lens frames to the stowed position and the image-capturing position. Also, the lens housing has a drive member supported by the stationary frame and rotatable about the optical axis. When all the lens frames are advanced fully, the drive member engages with the lens frames for rotating same. Consequently, the image-capturing lenses included in the lens frames are moved in a direction corresponding with the optical axis, and the focal length of the image-capturing lenses is varied.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5983033 (1999-11-01), Yamazaki et al.
patent: 9-152649 (1997-06-01), None
Olympus Optical Co,. Ltd.
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
Perkey W. B.
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