Structure for attaching drying agent to lens barrel

Details Structure for attaching drying agent to lens barrel Structure for attaching drying agent to lens barrel

1999-08-23

2001-01-09

Wilson, Pamela (Department: 3749)

Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids

Apparatus

With means to treat gas or vapor

C034S082000, C034S095000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06170167

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the structure for attaching a drying agent, which dehumidifies the inside of a lens barrel to prevent lenses therein from getting fogged, to the lens barrel.
2. Description of Related Art
A lens apparatus for use in a TV camera, etc. uses a drying agent, which dehumidifies the inside of a lens barrel to prevent lenses therein from being fogged. For example, tablets of the drying agent or a bag holding powders or grains of the drying agent is contained in a cavity provided at the lens barrel. Alternatively, a hollow for containing the drying agent and an opening for connecting the hollow with the inside of the lens barrel are formed at the circumference of the lens barrel, and a cover is attached to close the hollow after the drying agent is placed in the hollow.
In the above-mentioned conventional methods, however, the lens barrel must be large in order to include the drying agent therein. In addition, the drying agents, contained in the hollow integrated with the lens barrel, must be exchanged after the cover is removed, and this is very troublesome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide the structure for attaching a drying agent to a lens barrel that facilitates the exchange of the drying agents without increasing the size of the lens barrel.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is directed to a structure for attaching a drying agent to a lens barrel, the structure comprising: an opening formed in a circumference of the lens barrel; and a drying agent unit including a container containing the drying agent, the drying agent unit being attached to the lens barrel, the container having an opening, the container communicating with an inside of the lens barrel through the openings in a state where the drying agent unit is attached to the lens barrel.
According to the present invention, the drying agent unit is constructed in such a manner that the drying agent is contained in the container, which is detachably attached to the lens barrel. The entire unit including the container is attached to and detached from the lens barrel. When the drying agent unit is attached to the lens barrel, the inside of the lens barrel communicates with the container, and the drying agent in the container dehumidifies the inside of the lens barrel. This facilitates the attachment of the drying agent without increasing the size of the lens barrel.
Preferably, the container has a transparent window, through which a state of the drying agent is observed from outside. Thus, the state of the drying agent can be observed from outside and it is possible to know when the drying agents should be exchanged.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is directed to a structure for attaching a drying agent to a lens barrel, the structure comprising: an opening formed in a circumference of the lens barrel; and the drying agent formed in a shape capable of fitting into the opening, the drying agent being fitted in the opening to be attached to the lens barrel, a part of a surface of the drying agent exposed in a state where the drying agent is fitted in the opening being coated with an unbreathable coating.
According to the present invention, the drying agent itself can be fitted directly into the opening without providing the container for containing the drying agent. This facilitates the exchange of the drying agents without increasing the size of the lens barrel.
Preferably, the unbreathable coating has a transparent part, so that the state of the drying agent can be observed from outside. It is therefore possible to know when the drying agents should be exchanged.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4755031 (1988-07-01), Daviau et al..
patent: 4796163 (1989-01-01), Dressier
patent: 4809144 (1989-02-01), Suzuki

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