Patent ID: 6507705
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
In a zoom lens having a tubular lens barrel, and a pair of cylindrical lens housings disposed coaxially in said barrel, an improved mechanism for mounting and guiding said housings for axial adjustment in the bore of said barrel, comprisinga plurality of elongate, parallel rails secured in said bore of said barrel to extend axially thereof and in a predetermined angularly spaced relation to each other about the axis of said bore, means rotatably mounting on each of said housings a plurality of sets of rollers for rotation about spaced axes extending parallel to tangents to said housing, and having rolling engagement with said rails upon axial adjustment of said housings, said sets being equal in number to said rails and being in said predetermined angularly spaced relation to each other, and means interposed between said housings and said barrel and operative to prevent rotation of said housings relative to said barrel.