US 2003/0210480 A1 · Lens barrel

Abstract

A lens barrel comprises a first cylindrical member having an inner peripheral surface, and a second cylindrical member internally fitted to the first cylindrical member and having an outer peripheral surface that facing in a radial direction to the inner peripheral surface. One of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface is formed with first and second helical grooves extending in an axial direction in parallel with each other, and a third groove extending in only a circumferential direction continuously from one side ends of the first and second grooves. The other of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface are formed with first and second protruded portions engaging respectively with the first and second grooves in alignment in the circumferential direction and enabling relative rotations between the first and second cylindrical members and relative movements in the axial direction therebetween. The first and second protruded portions engage respectively with the first and second grooves with the result that the fist and second cylindrical members make the relative rotations and the relative movements in the axial direction, and, when reaching the third groove, move through within the third groove, and the first and second cylindrical members are allowed to make only the relative rotations without moving in the axial direction. The third groove includes a guide portion, formed in continuation from the first groove, for guiding the first protruded portion into the first groove.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A lens barrel comprising:

a first cylindrical member having an inner peripheral surface;
and
a second cylindrical member internally fitted to said first cylindrical member and having an outer peripheral surface that facing in a radial direction to the inner peripheral surface,
wherein any one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface is formed with first and second grooves taking a helical shape and extending in an axial direction in parallel with each other, and a third groove extending in only a circumferential direction continuously from one side ends of said first and second grooves,
the other of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface are formed with first and second protruded portions engaging respectively with said first and second grooves in alignment in the circumferential direction and enabling relative rotations between said first and second cylindrical members and relative movements in the axial direction therebetween,
said first and second protruded portions engage respectively with said first and second grooves with the result that said fist and second cylindrical members make the relative rotations and the relative movements in the axial direction, and, when reaching said third groove, move through within said third groove, and said first and second cylindrical members are allowed to make only the relative rotations without moving in the axial direction, and
said third groove includes a guide portion, formed in continuation from said first groove, for guiding said first protruded portion into said first groove.

4 more elements

A lens barrel comprising:

a first cylindrical member;
and
a second cylindrical member fitted to said first cylindrical member, said first and second cylindrical members operating so as to consecutively change over a helical movement of moving along an axis of rotation while relatively rotating and a circumferential movement of making relative rotations with no movement in the direction along the axis of rotation,
wherein said second cylindrical member includes a first crested portion and a second crested portion,
said first cylindrical member includes a first helical groove engaging with said first crested portion when making the helical movement, and a second helical groove provided adjacent to said first helical groove and engaging with said second crested portion, and
said first and second crested portions make relative movements to positions to which the adjacent grooves are extended through the circumferential movement, and have guide portions for abutting on said first or second crested portion and guiding the first crested portion and said second crested portion so that said first crested portion and said second crested portion advance into said first helical groove and said second helical groove when changing over to the helical movement from the circumferential movement.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lens barrel

Life of this patent

Lens barrel

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14