Patent ID: 6844988
Filing Date: 2005-01-18
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A lens barrel device comprising: a lens that includes an optical axis; a lens frame that holds said lens and that includes a screw thread on its outer periphery; an annular adjusting ring that includes a screw thread on its inner periphery for mating with the screw thread of the lens frame so that said lens frame translates generally in the direction of said optical axis relative to said annular adjusting ring when said lens frame is rotated relative to said annular adjusting ring with the screw thread of the annular adjusting ring engaged with the screw thread of the lens frame; a lens barrel that includes a first coupling structure on its inner periphery; a second coupling structure on the outer periphery of said annular adjusting ring for connecting with said first coupling structure in order to align said annular adjusting ring and said lens barrel generally along said optical axis; wherein said first coupling structure includes a first inner wall surface that extends generally perpendicular to said optical axis when said lens, said lens frame, said annular adjusting ring, and said lens barrel are assembled together; and said second coupling structure includes an elastic engagement part for elastically engaging with said first inner wall when said lens, said lens frame, said annular adjusting ring, and said lens barrel are assembled together and a regulating member, separate from said elastic engagement part, for separately regulating the rotational position of said annular adjusting ring generally about said optical axis relative to said lens barrel when said lens, said lens frame, said annular adjusting ring, and said lens barrel are assembled together.