US5335115A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lens barrel
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1993-03-08
•
Granted: 1994-08-02
•
Expires: 2013-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A lens barrel includes a vibrating motor which serves as a driving source, a rotating member driven by the vibrating motor, a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting the rotating member, and a urging member for urging the rotating member and the roller in a direction in which they make contact with each other. The bearing mechanism includes a roller having an axis which lies in a radial direction of an axis of the vibrating motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Tohru Kawai
- 👤 Masahisa Tamura
- 👤 Ryuji Suzuki
- 👤 Haruhiko Yamanouchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:23
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02N; H02N2/00; H02N2/10; H02N2/16; H02N2/163; G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/04; G02B7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller that rotates about an axis which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor; and urging means for urging said rotating member and said roller in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller that rotates about an axis which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor; and urging means for urging said rotating member and said roller in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said bearing mechanism comprises hollow rollers which are rotatably supported on roller supporting shafts and which are disposed at at least three points on a circumference of a circle whose center is on said axis of said vibrating motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said roller has a tapered outer periphery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said roller includes a flange, and wherein said rotating member includes a shoulder which bears against said flange to prevent radial backlash of said rotating member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said vibrating motor is a hollow vibrating motor which is rotatable about an optical axis, and wherein said hollow vibrating motor and said roller are disposed at radial distances from the optical axis that are substantially the same.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A lens barrel according to claim 5, further comprising a lens which is moved in a direction parallel to the optical axis for focusing by the driving of a lens moving mechanism which is caused by the rotation of said rotating member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lens barrel according to claim 6, wherein said lens moving mechanism is driven by said rotating member which is in contact with said roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lens barrel according to claim 6, wherein said lens moving mechanism is driven by a second rotating member which is formed integrally with said rotating member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having a vibrating member, a vibrated member, and an axis of rotation, said vibrating motor including an urging means for pressing the vibrating member against the vibrated member; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; and a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller that rotates about an axis which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor, wherein said rotating member and said roller are urged by said urging means in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having a vibrating member, a vibrated member, and an axis of rotation, said vibrating motor including an urging means for pressing the vibrating member against the vibrated member; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; and a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller that rotates about an axis which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor, wherein said rotating member and said roller are urged by said urging means in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A lens barrel according to claim 9, wherein said bearing mechanism comprises hollow rollers which are rotatably supported on roller supporting shafts and which are disposed at at least three points on a circumference of a circle whose center is on said axis of said vibrating motor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lens barrel according to claim 9, wherein said roller has a tapered outer periphery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lens barrel according to claim 9, wherein said roller includes a flange, and wherein said rotating member includes a shoulder which bears against said flange to prevent radial backlash of said rotating member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A lens barrel according to claim 9, wherein said vibrating motor is a hollow vibrating motor which is rotatable about an optical axis, and wherein said hollow vibrating motor and said roller are disposed at radial distances from the optical axis that are substantially the same.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A lens barrel according to claim 13, further comprising a lens which is moved in a direction parallel to the optical axis for focusing by the driving of a lens moving mechanism which is caused by the rotation of said rotating member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lens barrel according to claim 14, wherein said lens moving mechanism is driven by said rotating member which is in contact with said roller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lens barrel according to claim 14, wherein said lens moving mechanism is driven by a second rotating member which is formed integrally with said rotating member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
73 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller that rotates about an axis which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said motor; and urging means for urging said rotating member and said roller in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
73 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller that rotates about an axis which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said motor; and urging means for urging said rotating member and said roller in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A lens barrel according to claim 17, wherein said bearing mechanism comprises hollow rollers which are rotatably supported on roller supporting shafts and which are disposed at at least three points on a circumference of a circle whose center on said axis of said motor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lens barrel according to claim 17, wherein said roller has a tapered outer periphery.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lens barrel according to claim 17, wherein said roller includes a flange, and wherein said rotating member includes a shoulder which bears against said flange to prevent radial backlash of said rotating member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
A lens barrel according to claim 17, wherein said motor is a hollow motor which is rotatable about an optical axis, and wherein said hollow motor and said roller are disposed at radial distances from the optical axis that are substantially the same.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
77 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller that rotates about an axis which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor; and a holder member for holding said vibrating motor, said rotating member and said bearing mechanism as one unit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
77 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller that rotates about an axis which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor; and a holder member for holding said vibrating motor, said rotating member and said bearing mechanism as one unit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
A lens barrel according to claim 22, wherein said bearing mechanism comprises hollow rollers which are rotatably supported on roller supporting shafts and which are disposed at at least three points on a circumference of a circle whose center is on said axis of said vibrating motor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lens barrel according to claim 22, wherein said roller includes a flange, and wherein said rotating member includes a shoulder which bears against said flange to prevent radial backlash of said rotating member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
A lens barrel according to claim 22, wherein said vibrating motor is a hollow vibrating motor which is rotatable about an optical axis, and wherein said hollow vibrating motor and said roller are disposed at radial distances from the optical axis that are substantially the same.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lens barrel according to claim 22, wherein said holding member is detachably fixed to a fixed cylinder of said lens barrel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A lens barrel according to claim 26, wherein said holding member is shaped into a cylindrical form.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
A lens barrel according to claim 22, wherein said holding member further incorporates a rotation output member used to move a lens group, and a rotation input means for receiving rotation of a manually operated ring.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
A lens barrel according to claim 22, wherein said vibrating motor includes a urging means for pressing a vibrating member against a vibrated member, and wherein said rotating member and said roller are urged by said urging means in a direction in which they make contact with each other.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
76 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller having a roller supporting shaft which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor; and urging means for urging said rotating member and said roller in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
76 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller having a roller supporting shaft which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor; and urging means for urging said rotating member and said roller in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
102 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having a vibrating member, a vibrated member, and an axis of rotation, said vibrating motor including an urging means for pressing the vibrating member against the vibrated member; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; and a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller having a roller supporting shaft which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor, wherein said rotating member and said roller are urged by said urging means in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
102 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having a vibrating member, a vibrated member, and an axis of rotation, said vibrating motor including an urging means for pressing the vibrating member against the vibrated member; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; and a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller having a roller supporting shaft which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor, wherein said rotating member and said roller are urged by said urging means in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
73 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller having a roller supporting shaft which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said motor; and urging means for urging said rotating member and said roller in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
73 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller having a roller supporting shaft which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said motor; and urging means for urging said rotating member and said roller in a direction to contact each other.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
77 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller having a roller supporting shaft which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor; and a holder member for holding said vibrating motor, said rotating member and said bearing mechanism as one unit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
77 words
A lens barrel comprising: a driving source including a vibrating motor having an axis of rotation; a rotating member driven by said vibrating motor; a bearing mechanism for rotatably supporting said rotating member, said bearing mechanism including a roller having a roller supporting shaft which extends in a radial direction of the rotational axis of said vibrating motor; and a holder member for holding said vibrating motor, said rotating member and said bearing mechanism as one unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-01 | 1998-01-31 | 1998-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-01-31 | 2002-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-01 | 2006-01-31 | 2006-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |