IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,578,627
Granted Patent B2
US 7,578,627 · App. 11/526,588 · Granted Aug 25, 2009

Imager apparatus

Assignee: Sony Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,578,627
App. No.
11/526,588
Granted
Aug 25, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

An imager apparatus is provided, including a housing that stores a lens device with an imaging lens exposed to the front surface facing a subject; a lens cover movable between a first position covering the imaging lens and a second position opening the same; and a cover moving mechanism linearly moving the lens cover between the first and second positions. The cover moving mechanism includes a plurality of brackets provided on the lens cover; a plurality of opening portions provided in the front surface of the housing, corresponding to the plurality of brackets, through which the tips of the brackets penetrate; an arm member fixed to those brackets on the inner side of the housing; a guide member guiding the arm member in the moving direction of the lens cover; and a slide joining mechanism joining the arm member to the guide member in a slidable manner.

Claims (21)

1. An imager apparatus comprising:

a housing in which a lens device is stored with an imaging lens being exposed to the front surface facing a subject;

a lens cover movable between a first position to cover said imaging lens and a second position to open said imaging lens; and

a cover moving mechanism which linearly moves said lens cover between said first position and said second position;

wherein said cover moving mechanism includes a plurality of brackets provided on said lens cover; a plurality of opening portions provided in the front surface of said housing, corresponding to said plurality of brackets, through which the tips of said brackets penetrate; an arm member fixed to said plurality of brackets on the inner side of said housing; a guide member which guides said arm member in the moving direction of said lens cover; and a slide joining mechanism which joins said arm member to said guide member in a slidable manner.

2. An imager apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein said slide joining mechanism includes at least one guiding groove provided on one of said arm member and said guide member and extended in said moving direction; and at least one engagement pin provided on the other of said arm member and said guide member and engaged with said guiding groove in a slidable manner.

3. An imager apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein said engagement pins are two, and the distance between said two engagement pins is longer than the length of said lens cover in said moving direction.

4. An imager apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein said arm member has two engagement pins, and said two engagement pins are provided on an arm portion extending on both sides in said moving direction.

5. An imager apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein said arm member has two engagement pins, and said two engagement pins are provided on an arm portion extending on one side in said moving direction.

6. An imager apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein said arm member is formed of a spring material in the shape of a plate.

7. An imager apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein said arm member is provided with an auxiliary arm extending in a direction intersecting said moving direction and being fixed to said brackets.

8. An imager apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein a supporting roller is provided on the inner surface of said lens cover, being in contact with the front surface of said housing in a freely rotatable manner.

9. An imager apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein a wiping member which slides in contact with the front surface of said housing is provided on roughly the whole of the inner surface of said lens cover, except for parts corresponding to said plurality of brackets.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2006
From: IZUMI, KOJI; KISHI, MASANORI
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018349/0130 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2005-297904 · Oct 12, 2005 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070081820A1 · Apr 12, 2007