Patent ID: 6369956
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A zoom lens barrel comprising;a rotary feed cylinder which is moved in an optical axis direction while being rotated; a linear movement cylinder which is provided within the rotary feed cylinder and which is guided to linearly move in the optical axis direction; and a connecting structure for connecting the linear movement cylinder to the rotary feed cylinder so as to relatively rotate and so as not to relatively move in the optical axis direction; wherein said connecting structure comprises: at least two circumferential grooves centered about the optical axis, which are provided on one of said inner peripheral surface of the rotary feed cylinder and said outer peripheral surface of the linear movement cylinder, at different positions in the optical axis direction; and at least two radially extending engagement pawls which are provided on the other of said inner peripheral surface of the rotary feed cylinder and said outer peripheral surface of the linear movement cylinder, at different positions in the optical axis direction and which correspond to the at least two circumferential grooves, said engagement pawls being engaged in the circumferential grooves so as to slide in the circumferential direction and so as not to relatively move in the optical axis direction.