Photography – Camera shake sensing – Having stabilization system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-13
2001-09-25
Perkey, W. B. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Camera shake sensing
Having stabilization system
C396S090000, C396S349000, C396S448000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295412
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shake-proof camera for suppressing a camera shake by moving the optical axis of a shake-proof optical system, and more particularly to a shake-proof camera of a type to electromagnetically drive the shake-proof optical system.
2. Related Background Art
An example of the conventional shake-proof camera of this type is constructed in such a structure that locking means for locking or unlocking correction optical means at a predetermined position is operated in synchronization with movement of a lens barrel for holding an optical system including the correction optical means between a retracted (or collapsed) state and a photography preparation state (as disclosed for example in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 5-100280).
However, because the conventional shake-proof camera as described above was so arranged that the shake-proof optical system was not able to be locked without a retracting operation of the lens barrel, it was impossible to surely lock the shake-proof optical system in accordance with any photographic situations. Also, because the shake-proof optical system was not able to be locked without using a new actuator as locking means, the structure became complex and the size and the cost were increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention to provide a shake-proof camera which can lock and unlock the shake-proof optical system without using a new actuator or the like and without performing extra manipulation.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a shake-proof camera comprising a shake-correcting lens portion for correcting a shake by changing an optical axis of a photographic optical system, and a moving lens portion disposed in the vicinity of the shake-correcting lens portion and arranged as movable in the optical-axis direction, wherein the shake-proof camera is provided with a shake-correcting lens lock apparatus for locking the shake-correcting lens portion by bringing the moving lens portion into contact with the shake-correcting lens portion.
Preferably, the shake-proof camera further comprises a shake correction drive portion comprised of a permanent magnet and an iron core moving relative to each other, which electromagnetically drives the shake-correcting lens portion.
The shake-correcting lens lock apparatus may be arranged to lock the moving lens portion and the shake-correcting lens portion by attracting and holding them by the permanent magnet included in the shake correction drive portion.
Preferably, the moving lens portion is a zoom lens or a focus lens.
The shake-correcting lens lock apparatus preferably performs the locking in synchronization with off of a power switch, in synchronization with a closing operation of a photographic lens barrier, in synchronization with an end of a shutter release operation, or in synchronization with a return operation of the focus lens.
The shake-correcting lens lock apparatus preferably returns the shake-correcting lens portion to a shake-proof reference position before locking.
Further, the shake-correcting lens lock apparatus preferably returns the moving lens portion and the shake-correcting lens portion to respective lens receding positions after they are brought into contact with each other or as they are kept in contact with each other. Or, the shake-correcting lens lock apparatus preferably brings the moving lens portion and the shake-correcting lens portion into contact with each other after the moving lens portion and the shake-correcting lens portion have returned to the lens receding positions.
Also, the shake-correcting lens lock apparatus preferably performs the unlocking in synchronization with on of the power switch, in synchronization with an opening operation of the photographic lens barrier, in synchronization with manipulation of photography preparation start, in synchronization with the shutter release operation, or as holding the lock position.
In the present invention the moving lens such as the focus lens is moved to get into contact with the shake-correcting lens whereby the shake-correcting lens is locked in a non-moving state. Therefore, the shake-correcting lens can be surely locked according to photographic situation, and no new actuator is needed.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are explained hereinafter and may be better understood by reference to the drawings and the descriptive matter which follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4731669 (1988-03-01), Hayashi et al.
patent: 4990944 (1991-02-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 5117246 (1992-05-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 5153633 (1992-10-01), Otani
patent: 5181056 (1993-01-01), Noguchi et al.
patent: 5198856 (1993-03-01), Odaka et al.
patent: 5280320 (1994-01-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 5398132 (1995-03-01), Otani
Katano Yuji
Miyamoto Hidenori
Nikon Corporation
Perkey W. B.
Staas & Halsey , LLP
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