Lens loading apparatus

A lens loading apparatus for loading a lens held by a holding plate therein, comprising:

• a support plate extending substantially in a horizontal direction;
• an aperture provided in a central portion of said support plate and having one end opened to load said lens therein, said lens being inserted substantially horizontally to a predetermined position within said aperture from said opened one end thereof, and said support plate having a first reference surface which is defined in a peripheral edge of said aperture extending along said lens insertion direction and which is used to maintain said holding plate at a predetermined height and to place the same thereon, said peripheral edge being included in an upper surface of said support plate;
• an elongated member disposed on said support plate along said lens insertion direction, for forming a second reference surface brought into abutment against one end surface of said holding plate, which extends along said lens insertion direction;
• and
• a first pressing member provided at a rear end, in said lens insertion direction, of said second reference surface, for bringing said holding plate into abutment against said second reference surface so as to guide the same in a desired direction and for pressing said holding plate against said second reference surface.

A lens loading apparatus suitable for use in a photographic processing system for printing an image on a photographic film onto photographic paper and used to load a printing lens held by a holding plate therein, comprising:

• a support plate extending substantially in a horizontal direction, said support plate having an aperture defined centrally therein and whose one end is opened to load a lens therein, said lens being inserted substantially horizontally inserted into a first predetermined position within said aperture from said opened one end thereof and having an axial center formed in an optical axis of light at said first predetermined position;
• a lens holder rotatably supported in a vicinity of said support plate, for holding said lens in a second predetermined position where said lens is withdrawn from said support plate, said lens holder having an elongated hole defined therein for causing said lens to be fitted therein;
• a first reference surface provided at a peripheral edge of said aperture along said lens insertion direction, said peripheral edge being included in an upper surface of said support plate, said first reference surface being used to maintain said holding plate at a predetermined height and to place the same thereon;
• a second reference surface provided at said support plate along said lens insertion direction and brought into abutment against one end surface of said holding plate, which extends along said lens insertion direction;
• and
• a first pressing member provided at a rear end, in said lens insertion direction, of said second reference surface, for bringing said holding plate into abutment against said second reference surface so as to guide the same in a desired direction and for pressing said holding plate against said second reference surface.