Actuator locking mechanism for image capture device
AssigneeGoPro, Inc.
InventorsJonathan Stern, Ian Griggs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system includes a barrel mount disposed within a body, and the barrel mount includes a central axis. The system includes a lens barrel secured within the barrel mount and aligned with the central axis. The system includes an actuator that adjusts a position of the lens barrel by moving the barrel mount along the central axis. The system includes an actuator locking mechanism securable over the barrel mount and/or the lens barrel that prevents movement of the actuator and/or barrel mount when applying a force along the central axis towards the actuator.
Claims16
A system, comprising:
- a barrel mount disposed within a body, the barrel mount comprising a central axis;
- a lens barrel secured within the barrel mount and aligned with the central axis;
- an actuator configured to adjust a position of the lens barrel by moving the barrel mount along the central axis, wherein the actuator comprises a cam configured to adjust a position of the barrel mount along the central axis and a compressible component configured to apply a force against the cam;
- and
- an actuator locking mechanism securable over the barrel mount and/or the lens barrel and configured to prevent movement of the actuator and/or the barrel mount by applying a force along the central axis towards the actuator,
- wherein the barrel mount further comprises a flange connected with the actuator,
- wherein the actuator is configured to move the barrel mount along the central axis at the flange, and
- wherein the cam is positioned between the flange and the compressible component so that the compressible component and the actuator locking mechanism apply the respective forces along the central axis in opposing directions.
A method, comprising:
- applying, using an actuator of an image capture device, a first force on a barrel mount of the image capture device along a central axis extending longitudinally through the barrel mount;
- and
- applying, using an actuator locking mechanism, a second force on the barrel mount along the central axis such that movement of at least one of the barrel mount and a lens barrel of the image capture device disposed within the barrel mount is prevented by the applied first and second forces,
- wherein the first and second forces are applied in same directions or in different directions, and
- wherein the actuator locking mechanism comprises:
- a compressible component configured to apply the second force along the central axis towards the actuator when the actuator locking mechanism is secured over the barrel mount;
- and
- a securing component configured to secure the actuator locking mechanism over the barrel mount by exerting a force against the compressible component, wherein the securing component comprises a cover.
An image capture device, comprising:
- a housing that defines a receptacle;
- a lens barrel that is removably attachable with the receptacle;
- an actuator configured to connect with and adjust a focus of the lens barrel along a central axis;
- and
- an actuator locking mechanism comprising a cover connectable over a top of the lens barrel and configured to prevent movement of the lens barrel by applying a force along the central axis towards the actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.