JP2002090863A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera constituted with the front main part of a lens barrier being detachable as an outside barrier member and the outside barrier member functions as a remote controller, for remote controlling of a camera body. SOLUTION: This camera is equipped with the lens barrier, having the inside barrier member (barrier base substance) 63 with which at least the front of a photographic lens 11 can be covered, and the outside barrier member (decorative sheet) 64 which is detachably superposed and bonded on the surface of the member 63. The member 64 is equipped with a remote control function (65).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera provided with a lens barrier for protecting a photographic lens by covering the front surface of the photographic lens when the camera is not in use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional camera with a barrier of this type, for example, a structure as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 1-255839, 2-50143, 6-102570 and the like is disclosed. There is something. In any of the publications described above, the lens barrier is formed of a single barrier member.

[0003]

As shown in the above prior art, the lens barrier of this type of camera is generally formed of a single member. Therefore, there are the following problems.

[0004] The only way to achieve multicoloring of the surface of a lens barrier formed by a single member is to rely on painting. However, coloring by painting involves a complicated process for applying different colors, which leads to an increase in cost. Multicoloring was difficult. In addition, the design of the lens barrier surface cannot be easily changed without sufficient consideration so as to obtain consistency with the appearance of the camera body.

As described above, it is relatively difficult to make the surface of the lens barrier multi-colored and to develop a variety of designs. For this reason, there is a problem that users with various preferences cannot easily obtain a camera with a lens barrier that meets their preferences. Further, the mounting of the lens barrier is performed as a part of the assembling process of the camera body. Therefore, once the lens barrier is assembled to the camera body, replacement is impossible unless the camera is disassembled and assembled again.

[0006] Generally, a remote controller for a camera is formed extremely small so as to be convenient for carrying. For this reason, it is very convenient when the user carries the camera with the camera, but there is a disadvantage that the user easily loses the camera. For this reason, for example, it is conceivable to integrate the camera body with a camera using a strap or the like. However, such a format lacks compactness and may cause inconvenience when carrying or transporting.

The present invention has been made in view of such various circumstances, and has as its object to provide a camera having the following advantages.

(A) The dichroism of the lens barrier surface can be realized at low cost.

(B) It is possible to easily change the dichroic or design of the lens barrier surface to a state substantially desired by the user.

(C) It is possible to assemble the lens barrier independently of the assembling process of the camera body, and it is also possible for the user to assemble the lens barrier as appropriate.

(D) If necessary, the outer barrier member is detached from the inner barrier member, and this can be used as a so-called remote controller. Moreover, the storage operation after use is extremely easy, and the possibility of forgetting to store is extremely low. For this reason, it is possible to prevent loss while carrying the camera. Furthermore, since the camera is integrated with the camera body when not in use, there is no possibility that the compactness is impaired.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the camera of the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) The camera of the present invention is provided with a camera body provided with a photographic lens and the like, and is mounted on the front surface of the camera body so as to be movable between a first position and a second position. A lens barrier that covers at least the front surface of the photographing lens to protect the lens when in the position, and opens the front surface of the photographing lens to allow photographing when in the second position; The barrier includes an inner barrier member (barrier base) provided so as to cover at least the front surface of the photographing lens, and an outer barrier detachably superimposed on and joined to the surface of the inner barrier member (barrier base). And a barrier member (decorative plate), wherein the outer barrier member (decorative plate) has a remote control function.

(2) The camera according to (1), wherein the outer barrier member is engaged with the inner barrier member by fitting an uneven portion into the inner barrier member (such as a patchon). It is characterized by being detachably mounted using at least one of a magnetic attraction mechanism using a magnet.

[0015] (3) The camera according to (1), wherein the outer barrier member has a portion on the surface of the inner barrier member where the peripheral portion of the outer barrier member abuts. It is characterized in that a groove-shaped boundary portion is formed in which a protruding edge portion formed in the peripheral portion can engage.

(4) The camera according to the above (1), wherein the outer barrier member (decorative plate) is provided.
Is characterized by having an arc-shaped bulge protruding forward of the camera from the inner barrier member (barrier base).

(5) The camera according to the above (1), wherein the outer barrier member (decorative plate) is provided.
Is characterized by having a warped portion formed along the moving direction.

[0018]

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with a lens barrier opened. As shown in FIG. 1, a camera body 10 has a retractable photographing lens 11, a front viewfinder window 12, a self-timer window 13, a strobe light emission window 14, and the like on the front surface thereof. The camera body 10 has a release button 15 on its upper surface, a finder eyepiece window 16 on its rear surface, and a connector 17 on one end surface. Guide rails 18a and 18b for sliding a lens barrier 20 described below are formed on both upper and lower edges of the front surface of the camera body 10.

When the camera is not in use, the lens barrier 20 includes a taking lens 11, a front viewfinder window 12, a self-timer window 13, and a strobe light emission window 14 of the camera body 10.
And the like to protect them by covering them, and are formed as follows.

The lens barrier 20 includes the lens barrier 2
0 is mounted on the camera body 10 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction in the figure, and a shielding unit 2 for covering a predetermined area including a front area of the photographing lens 11.
It consists of two.

The mounting portion 21 has engagement members 21a and 21b formed by bending both upper and lower ends in the figure into a J-shape. These engaging members 21a and 21b are formed along the guide rails 18 formed along the front edges of the upper and lower surfaces of the camera body 10.
a and 18b are slidably engaged with each other.

As will be described later, the shielding portion 22 has a multi-layer structure (a double structure in the present embodiment) formed by stacking a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) barrier members.

Thus, the lens barrier 20 is provided on the front of the camera body 10 in the first position P1 and the second position P1.
2 and is mounted so as to be movable along the horizontal axis AX, and when in the first position P1, at least covers the front surface of the photographing lens 11 and the like to protect the lens 11 and the like. When in the position P2, the front surface of the photographing lens 11 and the like is opened to enable photographing.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing the structure of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a top view, FIG. 2B is a front view of the barrier closed state, and FIG. It is a front view in an open state, and (d) is a right end view showing the right end face when viewed from the front of the camera.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the shielding portion 22 of the lens barrier 20 in the present embodiment is an inner barrier member (barrier base) formed integrally with the mounting portion 21.
23, and an outer barrier member (decorative plate) 24 which is overlapped and integrally joined so as to cover the surface of the inner barrier member 23 from the outside. That is, the shielding portion 22 of the present embodiment is a double-layered shielding portion in which two barrier members 23 and 24 are overlapped. This will be described later in more detail with reference to FIG.

Thus, by making the color of the outer barrier member 24 different from that of the inner barrier member 24 in advance, it is possible to easily realize multicolor (two-color) of the lens barrier surface. Multicoloring (two-coloring) in coating is difficult in terms of cost. In addition, variations in the design of the lens barrier surface can be easily developed, and the lens barrier surface can be made as desired by the user.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the outer barrier member 24 has a warped portion 24a formed along the moving direction. Therefore, the opening / closing operation of the lens barrier 20 can be smoothly performed by using the warped portion 24a without particularly providing a projection or the like. In addition, it is preferable that the material of the outer barrier member 24 be rubber or the like having a relatively large coefficient of friction, since the finger does not need to be slipped even if the surface is not particularly caught.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the outer barrier member 24 is formed so as to cover a main area including a particularly conspicuous portion M of the inner barrier member 23.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2D,
The outer barrier member 24 has an arc-shaped bulged portion 24b that projects slightly larger than the inner barrier member 23 toward the front of the camera. That is, the camera body 1 of the outer barrier member 24
The protrusion dimension Tb of the inner barrier member 23 from the rear surface of the camera body 10 is larger than the protrusion dimension Tb of the inner barrier member 23 from the rear surface. Therefore, even when the camera is placed on the floor with the front of the camera facing downward, first, the bulging portion 24 of the outer barrier member 24
Since b contacts the floor surface, damage to the camera body 10 including the inner barrier member 23 can be prevented. As described later, if the outer barrier member 24 is configured to be detachable from the inner barrier member 23, the outer barrier member 24 can be easily replaced when it is damaged.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing the structure of the lens barrier of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3A is a front view of the lens barrier showing the connection state between the inner barrier member 23 and the outer barrier member 24. (B) is a sectional view taken along line bb of (a), (c) is a view from the inner barrier member 23 to the outer barrier member 2.
FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the shielding portion 22 moves the outer barrier member 24 from the outside of the camera body 10 to the inner barrier member 23 integrated with the mounting portion 21. It is configured to be able to be assembled by the superimposing and connecting means 30.

In the present embodiment, as the connecting means 30, as shown in (c), ridges 31 (31a to 31d) provided on the surface of the inner barrier member 23 and concave grooves (31) provided on the inner surface of the outer barrier member 24. 32a to 32d). The coupling means 30 may use a magnetic attraction mechanism using a magnet, or may use a combination thereof.

Therefore, the attachment of the outer barrier member 24 is
It can be performed independently and independently of the assembling process of the camera body 10. For this reason, it is possible to assemble, for example, at the end of the assembling process of the camera body without hindering the assembling process of the camera body. Further, the user can replace the outer barrier member 24 by himself. For this reason, the degree of freedom of variations regarding the design of the lens barrier 20 and the like is further increased.

A groove-shaped boundary portion GX is formed at a portion of the surface of the inner barrier member 23 where one peripheral portion of the outer barrier member 24 contacts. The boundary portion GX in the present embodiment has a cross section V with which an arc-shaped protruding edge portion 24a formed on one peripheral portion of the outer barrier member 24 can engage.
It comprises a groove 23a in the shape of a letter.

On the other peripheral portion of the outer barrier member 24,
An arc-shaped projecting edge 24b is formed so as to face the projecting edge 24a. The arc-shaped protruding edge portion 24b is covered so as to cover the peripheral portion 23b of the protruding end of the inner barrier member 23.

As described above, when the outer barrier member 24 is integrally joined to the inner barrier member 23, the boundary portion GX becomes prominent and the appearance is improved. In addition, since the boundary GX is formed by the groove 23a having a V-shaped cross section, the shape of the peripheral edge of the outer barrier member 24 with respect to the inner barrier member 23 does not need to be formed with high precision, and it is easy to manufacture parts. Become.

The material of the outer barrier member 24 may be the same as or different from that of the inner barrier member 23. For example, when a different material other than plastic such as metal or leather is used as the outer barrier member 24, the texture of the lens barrier surface can be changed. In addition, by changing the type of plating and embroidery patterns, the variations can be further increased,
This can be an optimal mode that meets the user's preference.

As an example, when the outer barrier member 24 is formed of metal, the logo portion (not shown) is subjected to alumite treatment or plating treatment as a convex portion, and then the logo portion is formed by shaving the surface of the convex portion. It can be raised with metallic luster. As another example, it is possible to enhance the texture by forming the inner barrier member 23 with a mold material which is easy to assemble, and forming the outer barrier member 24 with rubber or a metal having high gloss, which is a non-slip material. is there.

Thus, by designing the outer barrier member 24 corresponding to each destination area, it is possible to characterize and sort the cameras in terms of design.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing the configuration of a lens barrier 40 in a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a partially exploded perspective view, and FIG. )
Is a schematic diagram showing a shielding area, and (c) is a sectional view of a main part. The difference between the lens barrier 40 of the present embodiment and the lens barrier 20 of the first embodiment is that the inner barrier member 4
3 is that the portion facing the taking lens 11 is cut off.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the lens barrier 40 of the second embodiment, a mounting portion 41 for movably mounting the camera body 10 is partially provided. There is no difference in that a shielding part 42 provided so as to cover a predetermined area E including the front area E1 of the photographing lens 11 is provided in another part. However, the inner barrier member 43 forming the shielding portion 42
Of the outer barrier member 44 and the outer barrier member 44, the inner barrier member 43 has a shape and size such that it can cover the remaining area obtained by cutting off the front area E1 of the photographing lens 11 from the predetermined area E (cutting portion 43a). Is set. The outer barrier member 44 has a shape and a size set so as to cover the predetermined region E over the entire region, and is joined to the surface of the inner barrier member 43 by partially overlapping the surface.

In the above-described shielding section 22 of the first embodiment, the inner barrier member 23 having a shape and a size set so as to cover the predetermined area E over the entire area.
The outer barrier member 24 is joined to the inner barrier member 23 so as to cover the entire surface of the inner barrier member 23 over the entire area.
Of the shielding portion 4 of the present embodiment.
In No. 2, since the portion of the inner barrier member 43 facing the photographing lens 11 is cut away, the outer barrier member 44 is partially overlapped and joined to the surface of the inner barrier member 43, and the “partial double structure” It is a shielding part.

Accordingly, the shielding part 22 of the first embodiment described above is used.
Has a double structure over the entire area, so that the mechanical strength is sufficiently large, and it is preferable as an exterior part.
On the other hand, the shielding portion 42 of the second embodiment has a partially double structure in which the portion of the inner barrier member 43 facing the photographing lens 11 is cut off, so that the first embodiment has a mechanical strength. Although it is inferior to the shielding part 22 in the form, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the retractable photographing lens 11 is stored in the camera body 10, the position of the distal end of the lens 11 is changed to the inner barrier member 43. Can be advanced to the front of the camera by an amount corresponding to the thickness t of the cutout portion 43a. For this reason, there is an advantage that a storage space for the photographing lens 11 is easily secured.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 5A and 5B show a lens barrier 50 of a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
It is a perspective view which shows the structure of (50A, 50B). The main difference between the lens barrier 50 of the present embodiment and the lens barrier 20 of the first embodiment is that the outer barrier member 54 (54
A, 54B) are provided so that they can be replaced with other outer barrier members by the user as appropriate.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example.
The lens barrier 50A is provided at least for the photographing lens 11
The first embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has an inner barrier member 53A provided so as to cover the front surface of the inner barrier member, and an outer barrier member 54A which is overlapped and joined on the surface of the inner barrier member 53A. There is no change.

The outer barrier member 54A is one of a plurality of types of outer barrier members (decorative boards) having a specific design, and in this example, at least a part 56 of the outer surface of the member 54A can be painted. It is provided in a mode (material, surface shape). The outer barrier member 54A is detachably attached to the inner barrier member 53A by an attaching / detaching mechanism so that the user can replace it with another outer barrier member as appropriate.

In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned connecting means 30 is used as the attachment / detachment mechanism. That is, the inner barrier member 5
A plurality of ridges 31 (31a to 31d) provided on the surface of 3A
And a groove (32a) provided on the inner surface of the outer barrier member 54A.
To 32d).

By removing the outer barrier member 54A, the inner barrier member 53A is exposed.
Are provided with information recording areas 55a, 55b and 55c in which the owner name and other necessary information can be recorded.

FIG. 5B shows another example.
The lens barrier 50B is provided at least for the photographing lens 11
The first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an inner barrier member 53B provided so as to cover the front surface of the inner barrier member 53, and an outer barrier member 54B that is overlapped and joined on the surface of the inner barrier member 53B. There is no change.

The outer barrier member 54B is one of a plurality of types of outer barrier members (decorative boards) having a specific design, and in this example, the memory card 57 and other accessory parts are provided on the inner surface of the member 54B. It is provided with a pocket portion 58 capable of storing a talisman and the like. Then, the outer barrier member 54B is provided with respect to the inner barrier member 53B so that the user can replace it with another outer barrier member as appropriate.
It is detachably mounted by a detachable mechanism.

In this embodiment, a pocket 58 formed on the inner surface of the outer barrier member 54B is used as the attachment / detachment mechanism.
And a fitting structure of an escape hole 59 provided in the inner barrier member 53B so as to face the pocket portion 58. That is, the engagement action by the fitting of the pocket portion 58 as the convex portion and the escape hole 59 as the concave portion is utilized. Also, as shown in FIG.
1a, 31d) and a part of the concave groove (32a, 32d) by fitting.

By removing the outer barrier member 54B, the inner barrier member 53B is exposed.
Is provided with an information recording area 55d in which the owner name and other necessary information can be recorded as in the case described above.

In the third embodiment, the outer barrier member 54 (54A, 54B) is
(54A, 54B) so that the user can replace it with another outer barrier member as needed. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain a custom camera that meets the user's own preference.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a lens barrier 60 of a camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The lens barrier 60 of the present embodiment is the first barrier.
The main difference from the lens barrier 20 of the embodiment is that the lens barrier 60 has a remote control function for remotely controlling the camera body 10.

That is, the lens barrier 60 is provided with an inner barrier member (barrier base) 63 provided so as to cover at least the front surface of the photographing lens 11, and is detachably mounted on the surface of the inner barrier member 63. And an outer barrier member (decorative plate) 64 that is overlapped and joined. The outer barrier member 64 has a small remote controller 65 on its inner surface for remotely operating the camera body 10. An escape hole 66 for storage is provided at a position of the inner barrier member 63 facing the small remote controller 65. 32
a and 32b are formed of a ferromagnetic material such as an iron plate, and the corresponding 31a and 31b are formed of a magnet material. For this reason, both can be combined by magnetic adsorption.

A small remote controller for a camera is
Although it is convenient for portable use, it has a disadvantage that it is easily lost. For this reason, it is conceivable that the camera body is integrated with the camera body using, for example, a strap or the like. In the present embodiment, the small remote controller 6
Since 5 is integrated with the outer barrier member 64 of the lens barrier 20, the storage operation after use is easy and the possibility of forgetting to store is extremely low. For this reason, it is possible to prevent loss while carrying the camera, and there is no possibility that the compactness is impaired.

[0057]

According to the present invention, a camera having the following functions and effects can be provided.

(A) Since the lens barrier of the present invention has a double-structured shielding portion formed by laminating two barrier members, the color of the outer barrier member is set in advance to the color of the inner barrier member. By making them different, it is possible to easily and at low cost realize two-coloring of the lens barrier surface without performing a coating process.

(B) By specifying only the outer barrier member, substantially the entire barrier is changed to a predetermined mode, so that the dichroism and design of the lens barrier surface can be easily changed to a mode according to the user's preference. It is possible to change to

(C) Since the outer barrier member can be assembled independently of the camera body assembling process,
The camera body can be assembled in any step without hindering the assembling step. As a result, it is possible for the user to assemble it in a timely manner.

(D) The main part of the front surface of the lens barrier is made detachable as an outer barrier member, and the outer barrier member is provided with a remote control function for remotely controlling the camera body. Can be removed from the inner barrier member of the lens barrier to perform a so-called remote control operation. And since this small-sized remote controller is the outer barrier member (decorative board) of the lens barrier itself, the storing operation after use is easy, and the possibility of forgetting to store it is extremely low. For this reason, it is possible to prevent loss while carrying the camera. Moreover, since the camera is integrated with the camera body when not in use, there is no possibility that the compactness is impaired.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of an appearance of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a barrier-open state;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a configuration of a camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a top view, FIG. 2B is a front view of a barrier closed state, FIG. (D) is an end view on the right side when viewed from the front of the camera.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a configuration of a lens barrier in the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A is a front view of the lens barrier showing a coupling state between an inner barrier member and an outer barrier member, and FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is a perspective view showing an outer barrier member separated from an inner barrier member.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a configuration of a lens barrier in a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a partially exploded perspective view, FIG. c) is a sectional view of a main part.

5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a lens barrier in a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view illustrating one example, and FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view illustrating another example. Perspective view.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a lens barrier in a camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Camera main body 11 ... Retractable photography lens 12 ... Finder front window 13 ... Self-timer window 14 ... Strobe light emission window 20, 40, 50, 60 ... Lens barrier 21, 41, 51, 61 ... Mounting part 22, 42, 52 , 62 ... shielding part 23, 43, 53, 63 ... inner barrier member 24, 44, 54, 64 ... outer barrier member 31 (31a to 31d) ... ridge 32 (32a to 32d) ... concave groove 55a to 53c ... information Recording area 57 ... Memory card 58 ... Pocket part 59,66 ... Escape hole 65 ... Remote controller

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H020 FB00 MD15 2H083 CC02 CC22 CC32 2H100 AA41 AA61 FF05 2H101 BB05

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A camera main body having a photographing lens and the like, mounted on a front surface of the camera main body so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, and at least in the first position. A lens barrier that covers the front surface of the taking lens to protect the lens and, when in the second position, opens the front surface of the taking lens to enable photographing. An inner barrier member provided so as to cover the front surface of the lens, and an outer barrier member detachably superimposed on and joined to the surface of the inner barrier member, wherein the outer barrier member is remote. A camera having a control function. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer barrier member is detachably attached to the inner barrier member by using at least one of an engagement mechanism by fitting an uneven portion and a magnetic attraction mechanism by a magnet. Item 2. The camera according to Item 1. 3. A protruding edge formed on the periphery of the outer barrier member is engageable with a portion of the surface of the inner barrier member where the periphery of the outer barrier member abuts.
The camera according to claim 1, wherein a groove-shaped boundary portion is formed. 4. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the outer barrier member has an arc-shaped bulge protruding forward of the camera from the inner barrier member. 5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the outer barrier member has a curved portion formed along a moving direction.