Lens barrel having a vibration compensation lens unit with moveable lens support member

Patent 5680251 Issued on October 21, 1997. Estimated Expiration Date:

January 23, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Nikon Corporation

Application

No. 376346 filed on 01/23/1995

US Classes:

359/557, By movable refractive structure359/554, IMAGE STABILIZATION396/55, Having stabilization system396/421Having stabilization

Examiners

Primary: Nguyen, Thinh

International Classes

G02B 027/64
G03B 001/18

Foreign Application Priority Data

1994-01-21 JP

Abstract

A zoom lens barrel containing a support member for supporting a vibration compensation lens and a vibration compensation drive unit thereof. The support member is held inside the lens barrel so that it is moveable in the direction of the optical axis. The support member is formed from a mold, with the molded support member including multiple gear shafts and cam followers. The multiple gear shafts are positioned on the molded support member in a row and in a direction which is perpendicular to the optical axis. The cam followers are positioned on the support member in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The multiple shafts are positioned on the support member at different angles from the cam followers so that the respective die extraction angles are different. The multiple gear shafts support a gear train which is positioned near an interior surface of the lens barrel. A flexible printed circuit board inside the lens barrel extends from a control circuit positioned outside of the lens barrel to various electrical components inside the lens barrel. A support member is also provided having multiple arms that extend away from the support member and a cover plate for covering the vibration compensation lens drive unit.