JP4408265B2 - Connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector for connecting a camera and an optical device.

Conventionally, a connector for connecting a camera and an optical device such as a telescope is known (see the following non-patent document). The camera and the telescope are used by being attached to a tripod via a bracket, for example. At this time, the telescope is attached to one slidable seat of the bracket, the camera is attached to the other seat that can be rotated and tilted, and the camera and the telescope are connected via a connector.
Nikon Vision Co., Ltd. Universal Bracket Catalog March 3, 2004

When replacing the ocular lens, may eye relief varies, no Banara is weep adjust the distance between the eyepiece and the camera at this time.

  However, in the above-described connector, the adjustment work between the telescope mounting seat and the camera mounting seat when adjusting the distance between the eyepiece lens and the camera is complicated, which has been one of the causes of poor usability.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its object is to facilitate the adjustment of the interval between the optical device to be connected and the camera, and to improve the usability.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a connector for connecting a camera having a photographing optical system and one optical device among a plurality of optical devices having different eye reliefs , provided in the cylindrical body, and a connector body having an optical device connecting means for connecting said one optic, the adjustment amount of distance between the camera and the one optical device connected to the tubular body , The distance on the optical axis between the lens closest to the camera side of the one optical device and the exit pupil, and the most optical devices other than the one optical device among the plurality of optical devices having different eye reliefs An interval adjusting means corresponding to the difference between the lens near the camera side and the interval between the exit pupil and the optical axis is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the first aspect, the cylindrical body is provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and the optical device is inserted in the optical axis direction of any one of the plurality of optical devices. And the interval adjusting means can be attached to and detached from the cylindrical body, and can be disposed between the cylindrical body regulating portion and the camera side end surface of the optical device. annulus der is, the thickness of the annular body, the one closest to the camera-side lens of the optics and spacing on the optical axis of the exit pupil, closest to the camera side of the other optical instruments It corresponds to the difference between the distance between the lens and the exit pupil on the optical axis .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the second aspect, the annular body has a cylindrical portion on the camera side end surface, and is opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion in the radial direction. A first groove is formed on one of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, an elastic ring is accommodated in the first groove, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion is opposed to the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction. A second groove for supporting a part of the elastic ring exposed from the first groove is formed on the other side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to any one of the first to third aspects, the optical device connecting means is screwed into a screw hole formed in the cylindrical body, and at the time of connection. The fixing screw is inserted into a recess formed on the outer peripheral surface of the optical device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the first aspect, the cylindrical body is provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and the optical device is inserted in the optical axis direction of any one of the plurality of optical devices. The interval adjusting means has an inner cylinder that is rotatably accommodated around the optical axis in the cylindrical body, and the inner cylinder is connected to a camera side end surface of the optical device. A flange portion facing in the optical axis direction; a hole is provided in one of the restriction portion and the flange portion; and the other of the restriction portion and the flange portion is opposed to the hole in the optical axis direction. And a protrusion that can be inserted into the hole. The height of the protrusion is determined by the distance between the lens closest to the camera side of the optical device and the exit pupil on the optical axis, and the other The distance on the optical axis between the lens closest to the camera side of the optical instrument and the exit pupil Characterized in that it corresponds to.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the fifth aspect, the number of the protrusions is at least three, and the number of the holes is at least the same as the number of the protrusions.

 According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the fifth aspect, the number of the holes is larger than the number of the protrusions, and the holes have at least a depth that allows the entire protrusions to be accommodated. The same number of deep holes as the protrusions and at least the same number of shallow holes as the protrusions have a depth that allows only a part of the protrusions to be accommodated.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the connector according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the inner cylinder has a long hole formed in a circumferential direction thereof, and the optical device connecting means is It is a fixing screw that is screwed into a screw hole formed in a cylindrical body, is tightened at the time of connection, and is inserted through the long hole into a recess formed on the outer peripheral surface of the optical device. Features.

  The adjustment of the distance between the connected optical device and the camera can be facilitated, and the usability can be improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the upper side of the optical axis L shows a cross section when the eyepiece 1 having a long eye relief is connected, and the lower side of the optical axis L shows a cross section when the eyepiece 2 having a short eye relief is connected. The eyepieces 1 and 2 correspond to the optical apparatus according to claim 1. For example, a telescope body is connected to the eyepieces 1 and 2.

  The connector 3 and the digital camera, for example, are connected using a screw portion (not shown) formed on the lens barrel 11a of the digital camera 11 or a tripod fixing screw (not shown).

  The connector 3 includes a cylindrical body 3 </ b> A, a fixing screw (optical device connecting means) 4, and an annular body (interval adjusting member) 6. The tubular body 3A and the fixing screw 4 constitute the connector main body of claim 1.

  The inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 3Aa of the cylindrical body 3A is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the eyepieces 1 and 2. The fitting portions 1c and 2c of the eyepieces 1 and 2 are inserted into the large diameter portion 3Aa. Fixing grooves (recesses) 1b and 2b into which the distal ends of the fixing screws 4 are inserted are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the fitting portions 1c and 2c of the eyepieces 1 and 2, respectively. A fixing screw 4 is screwed into a screw hole 3g formed in the large diameter portion 3Aa. A screw drop prevention fitting 5 for preventing the fixing screw 4 from falling off is attached to the fixing screw 4.

  The small diameter portion 3Ab of the cylindrical body 3A is formed integrally with the large diameter portion 3Aa. The small-diameter portion 3Ab is opposed to the camera-side end surfaces 1a and 2a of the eyepieces 1 and 2, and has a contact surface (regulation portion) 3d that restricts insertion of the eyepieces 1 and 2.

  As shown in the figure, the annular body 6 is used when the eyepiece 1 is connected. The eyepieces 1 and 2 that are different optical devices have different optical characteristics. The eye relief when the eyepiece 1 is connected to the connector 3 (the distance A1 between B1 (described later) and D (exit pupil) in FIG. 1) is the eyepiece 2 connected to the connector 3. Larger than the eye relief (distance A2 between B2 (described later) and D in FIG. 1).

  In order to cope with the difference in optical characteristics between the eyepieces 1 and 2, the annular body 6 is attached to and detached from the cylindrical body 3A, and the camera side end faces 1a and 2a of the eyepieces 1 and 2 and the contact face 3d are connected. Adjust the gap difference.

  The thickness of the annular body 6 is the distance between the point B1 where the center of the curved surface of the lens EP closest to the camera side of the eyepiece 1 and the optical axis L intersect with the exit pupil D, and the lens closest to the camera side of the eyepiece 2. This corresponds to the difference between the point B2 intersecting the center of the curved surface of the EP and the exit pupil D.

  Points B1 and B2 where the center of the curved surface of the lens EP closest to the camera side of the eyepieces 1 and 2 intersects the optical axis L, the center of the curved surface of the lens IP closest to the subject of the imaging optical system of the digital camera 11, and the light The distances A1 and A2 from the point C where the axis L intersects are derived for each eyepiece lens 1 and 2 as follows.

  The apparent field of view (eyepiece magnification × actual field of view: about 72 °) with the eyepieces 1 and 2 connected is the angle of view at the wide end of the digital camera 11 (for example, about 60 ° when the focal length at the wide end is 38 mm). The distances A1 and A2 are derived from the positions of B1, B2 and C in the included state (view angle of the digital camera 11 <eyepiece + apparent field of view of the optical device).

  A1 is the interval when the eyepiece 1 with the longer eye relief is connected, and A2 is the interval when the eyepiece 2 with the shorter eye relief is connected.

  Next, how to use the connector 3 will be described.

  In order to connect the eyepiece 1 and the digital camera 11, the fitting portion 1c of the eyepiece 1 is inserted into the large diameter portion 3Aa of the cylindrical body 3A via the annular body 6, and the fixing screw 4 is tightened.

  In order to connect the eyepiece 2 instead of the eyepiece 1, the fixing screw 4 is loosened to remove the eyepiece 1 and the annular body 6, and the camera side end surface 2 a of the eyepiece 2 is a small diameter portion of the cylindrical body 3 </ b> A. The fitting portion 2c of the eyepiece 2 is inserted into the large diameter portion 3Aa of the cylindrical body 3A so as to be in close contact with the contact surface 3d of 3Ab, and the fixing screw 4 is tightened.

  According to this embodiment, when the eyepieces 1 and 2 are replaced with each other, the distance between the eyepieces 1 and 2 and the digital camera 11 can be changed by attaching and detaching the annular body 6. The connection work between the eyepieces 1 and 2 and the digital camera 11 is simplified, and the usability is improved.

  When there are three or more eyepieces having different optical characteristics, an annular body 6 (or one corresponding to the annular body 6) having a thickness suitable for each eyepiece may be prepared.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross-section of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 2, the upper side of the optical axis L shows a cross section when the eyepiece 1 having a long eye relief is connected, and the lower side of the optical axis L shows a cross section when the eyepiece 2 having a short eye relief is connected.

  The annular body (spacing adjusting member) 7 has an annular body main body 7A having a flange portion 7a capable of contacting the contact surface 3d and a finger hooking portion 7e for hooking a finger, and a camera side end surface of the annular body main body 7A. It is comprised by the cylindrical part 7B formed integrally. The cylindrical portion 7B has an outer peripheral surface 7b that can come into contact with the inner peripheral surface 3e of the small diameter portion 3Ab of the cylindrical body 3A.

  The annular body 7 is used when the eyepiece 1 is connected. The flange portion 7a can be disposed between the camera side end surfaces 1a and 2a of the eyepieces 1 and 2 and the contact surface 3d of the small diameter portion 3Ab.

  A groove (first groove) 7c facing the inner peripheral surface 3e of the small diameter portion 3Ab of the cylindrical body 3A in the radial direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 7B. An O-ring (elastic ring) 8 is accommodated in the groove 7c. The diameter of the O-ring 8 is larger than the depth of the groove 7c.

  On the inner peripheral surface 3e of the small diameter portion 3Ab, a V-groove (second groove) 3a that is opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 7B in the radial direction is formed. When the fitting portion 1c of the eyepiece 1 is inserted into the large-diameter portion 3Aa of the connector 3 until just before the flange portion 7a comes into contact with the contact surface 3d, the V groove 3a faces the groove 7c.

  Next, how to use the connector 3 will be described.

  In order to connect the eyepiece 1 and the digital camera 11, first, the fitting portion 1c of the eyepiece 1 is inserted into the large-diameter portion 3Aa of the cylindrical body 3A via the annular body 7. At this time, the cylindrical portion 7B of the annular body 7 enters the small diameter portion 3Ab of the cylindrical body 3A, and the O-ring 8 is compressed and deformed. When the flange portion 7a of the annular body 7 is pushed in until just before it hits the contact surface 3d of the small diameter portion 3Ab, a part of the O ring 8 enters the V groove 3a of the small diameter portion 3Ab, and the compression force applied to the O ring 8 is released. Then, the O-ring 8 returns almost to its original shape. Since a part of the O-ring 8 that has returned to its original shape is accommodated in the V-groove 3 a, the annular body 7 is held by the connector 3. Next, the fixing screw 4 of the connector 3 is tightened.

  Further, in order to connect the eyepiece 2 instead of the eyepiece 1, the fixing screw 4 is loosened to pull out the eyepiece 1, and then the finger 7 is pulled out on the finger rest 7 e of the ring 7 to remove the ring 7. Thereafter, the fitting portion 2c of the eyepiece 2 is inserted into the cylindrical body 3A so that the camera side end surface 2a of the eyepiece 2 is in close contact with the contact surface 3d of the small diameter portion 3Ab, and the fixing screw 4 is tightened.

  According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the annular body 7 does not fall off when the eyepiece 1 is removed from the connector 3, so that the usability is further improved.

  When there are three or more eyepieces having different optical characteristics, an annular body 7 having a flange portion 7a having a thickness suitable for each eyepiece may be prepared.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the second embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 3, the upper side of the optical axis L shows a cross section when an eyepiece having a long eye relief is connected, and the lower side of the optical axis L shows a cross section when an eyepiece having a short eye relief is connected.

In this embodiment, an O-ring 8 is accommodated in a groove (first groove) 3b formed on the inner peripheral surface 3e of the small diameter portion 3Ab of the cylindrical body 3A, and a V-groove (second groove) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular body 7. The groove) is different from the second embodiment in that 7f is formed.

  Next, how to use the connector 3 will be described.

  In order to connect the eyepiece 1 and the digital camera 11, first, the fitting portion 1c of the eyepiece 1 is inserted into the small diameter portion 3Ab of the cylindrical body 3A via the annular body 7. At this time, the cylindrical portion 7B of the annular body 7 enters the small diameter portion 3Ab of the cylindrical body 3A, and the O-ring 8 is compressed and deformed. When the flange portion 7a of the annular body 7 is pushed in until just before it hits the contact surface 3d of the small diameter portion 3Ab, a part of the O-ring 8 enters the V-groove 7f of the annular body 7 and the compression force applied to the O-ring 8 is released. Then, the O-ring 8 returns almost to its original shape. A part of the O-ring 8 that has returned to its original shape is accommodated in the V-groove 7 f, so that the annular body 7 is held by the connector 3. Next, the fixing screw 4 of the connector 3 is tightened.

  Further, in order to connect the eyepiece 2 instead of the eyepiece 1, the fixing screw 4 is loosened to pull out the eyepiece 1, and then the finger 7 is pulled out on the finger rest 7 e of the ring 7 to pull out the ring 7. Thereafter, the fitting portion 2c of the eyepiece 2 is inserted into the cylindrical body 3A so that the camera side end surface 2a of the eyepiece 2 is in close contact with the contact surface 3d of the small diameter portion 3Ab, and the fixing screw 4 is tightened.

  According to this embodiment, there exists an effect similar to 2nd Embodiment.

  In addition, when there are three or more eyepieces having different optical characteristics, an annular body 7 having a flange portion 7a having a thickness suitable for each eyepiece may be prepared.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an operation ring. Is omitted.

  In FIG. 4, the upper side from the optical axis L shows a cross section when an eyepiece having a long eye relief is connected, and the lower side from the optical axis L shows a cross section when an eyepiece having a short eye relief is connected.

  The operation ring (inner cylinder) 9 has a cylindrical shape and is accommodated in the outer cylinder 3A so as to be rotatable around the optical axes of the eyepieces 1 and 2. The inner diameter of the operation ring 9 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fitting portions 1c and 2c of the eyepieces 1 and 2 of the optical device. A flange portion 9d extending radially inward is formed at one end of the operation ring 9, and a flange portion 9a extending radially outward is formed at the other end.

  The cylindrical body 3A has a contact surface 3d that faces the flange portion 9d in the optical axis direction. Three bosses (projections) 9e that can come into contact with the contact surface 3d of the cylindrical body 3A are formed at equal intervals (120 ° intervals) on the flange portion 9d. In the present embodiment, the interval adjusting member includes an operation ring 9, a boss 9e, a hole (hole) 3f, and the like. Further, a substantially L-shaped long hole 9 c is formed in the circumferential direction in the cylindrical portion 9 s of the operation ring 9. The male thread portion 4a of the fixing screw 4 is inserted into the fixing groove 1b through the long hole 9c. The three holes 3f that can accommodate the boss 9e are formed in the contact surface 3d at the same interval as the boss 9e.

  The boss 9e is used when the eyepiece 1 is connected. The thickness of the boss 9e is determined by the distance between the point B1 where the center of the curved surface of the lens EP closest to the camera side of the eyepiece lens 1 intersects the optical axis L and the camera side end surface 1a of the eyepiece lens 1 and the most of the eyepiece lens 2. This corresponds to the difference between the point B2 intersecting the center of the curved surface of the lens EP close to the camera side and the distance between the camera side end surface 2a of the eyepiece lens 2.

  Next, how to use the connector 3 will be described.

  In order to connect the eyepiece 1 and the digital camera 11, it is confirmed that there is a gap 10 between the flange portion 9a and the cylindrical body 3A, and the camera side end surface 1a of the eyepiece 1 is connected to the operation ring 9 with the flange portion. Insert until it hits 9d. Then, it tightens with the fixing screw 4 of the connector 3.

  In order to connect the eyepiece 2 instead of the eyepiece 1, the fixing screw 4 is loosened, the eyepiece 1 is pulled out, and the operation ring 9 is rotated in a predetermined direction. Due to the rotation of the operation ring 9, the fixing screw 4 of the connector 3 is relatively moved from the one end 9ca to the other end 9cb of the long hole 9c. The boss 9e disposed on the flange portion 9d of the operation ring 9 also moves counterclockwise, and the boss 9e falls into the hole 3f of the contact surface 3d of the cylindrical body 3A. As a result, the insertion depth of the eyepiece 1 and the eyepiece 2 changes.

  According to this embodiment, while exhibiting the same effect as 1st Embodiment, the removal of the annular body 7 becomes unnecessary and usability improves more.

  When there are three or more eyepieces having different optical characteristics, three holes (deep holes and shallow holes) having different depths are formed on the contact surface 3d of the cylindrical body 3A, and the length of the long hole 9c is increased. This can be dealt with by adjusting the sheath angle.

  In this embodiment, the boss hole 3f is formed on the contact surface 3d and the boss 9e is disposed on the flange portion 9d. However, the boss is disposed on the contact surface 3d and the boss hole is formed on the flange portion 9d. May be.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the operation ring.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2 Eyepiece 1b, 2b Fixing groove (concave)
3 connector 3a, 7f V groove (second groove)
3b, 7c groove (first groove)
3f Hole 3g, 9g Screw hole 4 Fixing screw (optical equipment connection means)
5 Screw drop-off prevention bracket 6, 7 Annular body (space adjustment means)
7B Cylindrical part 8 O-ring (elastic ring)
9 Operation ring (inner cylinder)
9d Flange 9e Boss (projection)
10 Clearance

Claims (8)

In a connector for connecting one optical device among a plurality of optical devices having different eye relief from a camera having a photographing optical system ,
A connector main body having a cylindrical body and an optical device connecting means provided on the cylindrical body and connecting the one optical device;
The adjustment amount of the interval between the camera connected to the cylindrical body and the one optical device is an interval on the optical axis between the lens closest to the camera side of the one optical device and the exit pupil, A distance adjusting means corresponding to the difference between the distance on the optical axis between the lens closest to the camera of the other optical apparatus other than the one optical apparatus and the exit pupil among the plurality of optical apparatuses having different eye reliefs ; A connector characterized by comprising. The tubular body is provided on its inner peripheral surface has a regulating portion for regulating the insertion of the optical axis of any optical instruments of the plurality of optical devices,
The interval adjusting unit is detachable with respect to said tubular body, Ri annulus der capable disposed between the camera-side end face of the optical device and the regulating portion of the tubular body, said annular body The thickness of the one optical device is on the optical axis between the lens closest to the camera and the exit pupil of the one optical device, and on the optical axis between the lens closest to the camera side of the other optical device and the exit pupil. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector corresponds to a difference between the distance and the distance . The annular body has a cylindrical portion on the camera side end surface,
A first groove is formed on one of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body facing the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction;
An elastic ring is accommodated in the first groove;
A second supporting the part of the elastic ring exposed from the first groove on the other of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body facing the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction. The connector according to claim 2, wherein a groove is formed.   The optical device connecting means is a fixing screw that is screwed into a screw hole formed in the cylindrical body and is inserted into a recess formed in an outer peripheral surface of the optical device by being tightened at the time of connection. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The tubular body is provided on its inner peripheral surface has a regulating portion for regulating the insertion of the optical axis of any optical instruments of the plurality of optical devices,
The interval adjusting means has an inner cylinder that is rotatably accommodated around the optical axis in the cylindrical body,
The inner cylinder has a flange portion facing the camera side end surface of the optical device in the optical axis direction,
A hole is provided in one of the restriction portion and the flange portion,
The other of the restricting portion and the flange portion is provided with a protrusion that opposes the hole in the optical axis direction and can be inserted into the hole, and the height of the protrusion is the height of the one optical device. Corresponds to the difference between the distance on the optical axis between the lens closest to the camera side and the exit pupil and the distance on the optical axis between the lens closest to the camera side of the other optical device and the exit pupil. The connector according to claim 1. 6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the number of the protrusions is at least three, they are arranged at substantially equal intervals, and the number of the holes is at least the same as the number of the protrusions. The number of the holes is larger than the number of the protrusions, and in these holes, there are at least the same number of deep holes as the protrusions and a part of the protrusions. The connector according to claim 5, wherein at least the number of the shallow holes having the same depth as the protrusions is included. The inner cylinder has a long hole formed in its circumferential direction,
The optical device connecting means is screwed into a screw hole formed in the cylindrical body, and is tightened at the time of connection and inserted into the recess formed in the outer peripheral surface of the optical device through the long hole. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the connector is a fixing screw.

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