Zoom lens barrel capable of close up photography

A zoom lens barrel which is capable of zoom and close up photography includes a generally cylindrical barrel part, one end of which is mountable to a camera body. Optical system having an optical axis which coincides with the axis of the barrel part is arranged in the barrel part for relative sliding movement to perform zoom and close up photography. A generally cylindrical guide member is coaxially rotatably mounted on the barrel part and has a number of guide slots for engaging the optical system. The guide member also has a guide edge formed on one end, and is axially movable between a first position whereat the guide slots axially guide the optical system relative to the barrel part so that the optical system zooms on an object to be photographed when the guide member is rotated, and a second position whereat the guide member axially displaces the optical system for close up photography of the object. An operation member is mounted on the barrel part next to the guide edge of the guide member for engaging the guide edge of the guide member to move it in the direction of the optical axis between the first and second positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to zoom lenses, and particularly to 
a zoom lens which can be actuated to perform close up photography at 
either the telephoto end or the wide angle end of the range of its optical 
system. 
Zoom lens barrels which can be used for close up photography are known, an 
example being disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,544. A cylindrical guide 
member is typically used to control movement of the optical system in the 
zoom lens barrel so as to properly vary the magnification factor, and a 
guide groove in the guide member, which engages a cam, serves to select a 
close up photographing range when the guide member is rotated about the 
lens barrel axis. The guide is usually formed as an extension of the 
groove provided in the guide member which corresponds to the zoom 
photographing range. However, such an arrangement has the disadvantage 
that the overall length of the guide groove becomes undesirably long. This 
is so because, in order to enable zoom photography to be carried out 
smoothly by rotation of the cylindrical guide member, several guide 
grooves must be provided in the circumferential surface of the guide 
member, each groove serving to transfer movement to one of a number of 
lens systems in the barrel. When the length of a guide groove is too long, 
the distance between adjacent guide grooves in the guide member becomes 
relatively small, giving rise to poor accuracy and the possibility of 
deformation of the guide member during manufacture. While these 
disadvantages may be overcome by increasing the wall thickness or axial 
length of the guide member, such dimensional changes will increase the 
overall diameter and/or length of the lens barrel, so that such changes 
are not a desirable countermeasure. 
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,847 discloses the use of a cylindrical guide 
member, which is engaged in a fixed portion of the lens barrel, to control 
movement of the lens systems in the barrel between a zoom photographing 
range and a close up photographing range. In lens barrels capable of both 
zoom photography and close up photography, the lens systems are moved in 
the lens barrel in the direction of the optical axis in order to focus on 
an object to be photographed. A number of lens systems for providing 
variation of the magnification factor and for optical compensation are 
thus moved by following guide surfaces or grooves formed in the 
cylindrical guide member as the guide member is rotated. 
Consequently, the positioning of the guide member on the lens barrel is 
most important. However, since the guide member is usually arranged either 
on an internal or external surface of a fixed part of the lens barrel, 
adjustment of its position from the outside, particularly along the 
direction of the optical axis, is extremely difficult. Thus, it is 
difficult to accurately control the optical distance between the principal 
point of the lens systems and the standard position for the lens barrel 
mount. This results in a lower efficiency for the zoom lens. 
An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned 
shortcomings in the conventional zoom lenses, and to enable close up 
photography without the necessity of providing a guide member groove which 
is an extension of the guide groove provided for the zoom photographing 
range. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens capable 
of close up photography at both the telephoto and the wide angle ends of 
the range of the lens barrel optical systems, as well as at any point 
within the operational range of the lens. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens which 
can be placed into a close up photography mode of operation by way of an 
operating member which is separate from the focusing and zoom operation 
members to avoid misoperation while a photographer is taking a picture in 
the ordinary zoom photographing range. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable, 
high precision zoom lens barrel which can be easily assembled wherein the 
position of the cylindrical guide member on the lens barrel can be 
adjusted in the direction of the optical axis of the lens barrel to change 
over between the zoom and close up photography operating modes. 
In accordance with the present invention, a zoom lens barrel for use in 
zoom and close up photography includes a cylindrical barrel part one end 
of which is arranged to be mounted on a camera body. An optical system is 
provided within the barrel part for performing zoom and close up 
photography, the system having an optical axis which coincides with the 
axis of the barrel part and being arranged for axial sliding movement 
relative to the barrel part. A generally cylindrical guide member is 
coaxially rotatably mounted on the barrel part, the guide member having a 
number of guide slots for engaging the optical system and a guide edge 
formed on one end of the guide member. The guide member is axially movable 
between a first position whereat the guide slots axially guide the optical 
means relative to the barrel part so that the system zooms on an object to 
be photographed when the guide member is rotated, and a second position 
whereat the guide member axially displaces the optical system for close up 
photography of the object. An operation member is mounted on the barrel 
part nest to the guide edge on the guide member for engaging the guide 
edge to move the guide member axially between the first and second 
positions. 
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are 
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part 
of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its 
operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference 
should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which 
there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention 
.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a generally cylindrical fixed part 1 of a lens barrel. 
At the right end of the barrel part 1, as viewed in FIG. 1, a connecting 
arrangement (not shown) is provided for mounting the barrel part 1 to a 
camera body (not shown). A first annular member 2 is arranged for axial 
sliding movement within the barrel part 1 in the direction of the lens 
barrel optical axis 0--0'. The first member 2 holds and guides a first 
optical system 4 for movement within the lens barrel. A second annular 
member 6 is arranged for axial sliding movement within the barrel part 1 
in the direction of the optical axis 0--0'. The second member 6 surrounds 
an annular holding member 12 which holds and guides a second optical 
system 10 for axial movement within the lens barrel. A helical thread 6a 
formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second member 6 engages 
a helical thread 8a formed on the outer circumferential surface of the 
annular holding member 12. Thus, the second optical system 10 can be moved 
in the direction of the optical axis 0--0' by rotation of the holding 
member 12 relative to the second annular member 6. 
A generally cylindrical guide member 14 is arranged coaxially over the 
outer circumferential surface of the barrel part 1. Guide member 14 has 
guide grooves or slots 14a and 14b (see FIG. 2) provided therein, these 
grooves enabling the magnification provided by the first and second 
optical systems 4, 10 to be varied efficiently. A zoom operation ring 16 
is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the guide member 14 to 
allow the guide member to be rotated from the outside. The zoom operation 
member 16 may be integral with the guide member 14. 
A pin 18 extends radially outwardly from the first annular member 2 which 
holds the first optical system 4. Pin 18 passes through a groove or slot 
1a which extends longitudinally in the circumferential surface of the 
barrel part 1. Pin 18 also engages the guide groove 14a in the guide 
member 14, thereby enabling the first optical system 4 to be moved in the 
direction of the optical axis 0--0' by rotation of the guide member 14. 
A pin 20 extends radially outwardly from the surface of the second annular 
member 6 and passes through a straight groove or slot 1b which extends 
longitudinally in the circumferential surface of the barrel part 1, pin 20 
engaging the guide groove 14b in the guide member 14. Accordingly, the 
second optical system 10 is also moved in the direction of optical axis 
0--0' upon rotation of the guide member 14. 
A generally cylindrical distance adjusting or focusing member 22 extends 
coaxially over the end of the barrel part 1 further from the camera. 
Focusing member 22 has a helical thread 22a formed on its inner 
circumferential surface for engaging a helical thread 1c formed on the 
outer circumferential surface of the barrel part 1. Accordingly, focusing 
member 22 will move in the direction of optical axis 0--0' when it is 
rotated about the axis. 
A pin 24 extends radially outwardly from one end of the holding member 12 
to engage a longitudinally extending groove 22b in the inner 
circumferential surface of the focusing member 22. Thus, when the focusing 
member 22 is rotated, the holding member 12 will also be rotated by way of 
the pin 24. The second optical system 10 will then rotate and move axially 
relative to the second annular member 6 so as to effect a distance 
adjustment. 
An annular, close up photography operation member 26 is arranged coaxially 
over the barrel part 1, and is seated in an annular recess in the barrel 
part 1 for rotational movement about optical axis 0--0'. Operation member 
26 allows the operating mode of the lens barrel to be changed between 
close up photography and zoom photography. An outer circumferential 
portion 26a of the operation member 26 is exposed on the external surface 
of the lens barrel, and a cam 28 extends from the end of the operation 
member 26 which faces the guide member 14. The cam 28 contacts an edge of 
the guide member 14 and is fixed to the operation member 26 by a screw 30. 
An elongated hole is provided in the cam 28 for the screw 30, so that the 
guide member 14 can be moved in the direction of the optical axis 0--0' to 
allow initial distance adjustments such as back focus of the lens systems 
to be easily made. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the guide member 14 has the guide grooves 14a and 14b 
for providing the desired variation in magnification factor and the 
required optical compensation by causing the pins 18, 20, associated with 
the first and second lens systems 4, 10, to move in the direction of the 
optical axis 0--0' when the guide member 14 is rotated about the axis. 
Further, guide member 14 has at its end facing the cam 28 a cam plane or 
edge 14c which serves to maintain the guide member 14 axially fixed 
between the telephoto and wide angle ends of the zoom range. Member 14 
also has an edge 14d to enable close up photography to be selected at the 
telephoto end of the range, and an edge 14e to enable close up photography 
to be selected at the wide angle end of the range. At the axial end of the 
guide member 14 opposite the end on which the edges 14c, 14d and 14e are 
provided, the guide member 14 has an edge 14f. Rollers 34 are urged 
against the guide member edge 14f by spring members 32 extending from the 
barrel part 1. 
Both the zoom and close up photographing modes of operation of the lens 
barrel of FIGS. 1 and 2 will now be explained in detail. 
When the cam 28 fixed to the close up photography operation member 26 is in 
contact with the edge 14c on the guide member 14, the lens barrel will 
provide normal zoom operation. That is, the positions of the first optical 
system 4 and the second optical system 10 relative to the optical axis 
0--0' can be varied upon rotation of the zoom operation ring 16. The first 
and second optical systems 4, 10 will move at rates determined by the 
paths of the grooves 14a, 14b in the guide member 14, the optical systems 
4, 10 moving axially within the barrel part 1 by way of the pins 18, 20 
provide a variable magnification factor along with optical compensation. 
When a desired optical magnification is obtained by rotating the zoom 
operation ring 16 to a particular position relative to the barrel part 1, 
focusing on the object to be photographed is then performed by rotation of 
the focusing member 22, thereby moving the second optical system 10 toward 
or away from the camera along the direction of optical axis 0--0' as a 
result of the threaded engagement between the holding member 12 and the 
second annular member 6, and the engagement of pin 24 in slot 22b. 
The lens barrel can then be changed over from the zoom photography mode 
into the close up photography mode by rotation of the close up photography 
operation member 26 in either direction. The cam 28 will then move from 
contact with the edge 14c into contact with edge 14d or 14e, thereby 
causing the guide member 14 to move axially by a distance L against the 
bias force provided by the spring members 32 and rollers 34. Accordingly, 
both the first and the second optical systems 4, 10 are moved to a close 
up photography position relative to barrel part 1. 
FIGS. 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the present invention wherein 
parts which are similar to those in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 are 
indicated by the same reference characters. 
As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide member 14 shown in FIGS. 3 
and 4 has guide grooves or slots 14a and 14b for engaging pins 18, 20 
connected with the first and second optical systems 4, 10, and for moving 
the optical systems 4, 10 along optical axis 0--0' through a zoom 
photography range. However, the edges 14c, 14d and 14e on the guide member 
in the previous embodiment are replaced by a single end plane or edge 14g 
on the guide member 14. Further, an eccentric cam 50 is supported by the 
barrel part 1 for rotation about the axis of cam shaft 50a which extends 
through the barrel part 1. A changeover operation member 50b at the 
exterior of the barrel part 1 is integrally formed at the other end of the 
shaft 50a. The eccentric cam 50 is in contact with the edge 14g so that, 
upon rotation of the changeover operation member 50b, the guide member 14 
is moved in the direction of the optical axis 0--0'. The first and second 
optical systems 4, 10 then move in the same direction in accordance with 
the degree of eccentricity of the cam 50. When cam 50 has its least 
eccentric point 50c relative to shaft 50a in contact with edge 14g, the 
guide member 14 is in the zoom photography mode. The first and second 
optical systems 4, 10 will move in the direction of the optical axis 0--0' 
in accordance with the guide grooves 14a, 14b upon rotation of the zoom 
operation ring 16, thereby providing variable magnification and 
compensation. 
The lens barrel can then be changed over into the close up photography mode 
by rotating the operation member 50b so that the most eccentric point of 
the cam 50 contacts the guide member edge 14g. The guide member is then 
axially moved against the bias force applied to its edge 14f by the 
rollers 34 and spring members 32, so that the guide member is displaced 
from the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 to the position indicated 
by the two-dot chain line, wherein both of the optical systems 4, 10 are 
displaced in the direction of the optical axis 0--0' in accordance with 
the maximum eccentricity of the cam 50. 
FIGS. 5-8 show further embodiments of a zoom lens barrel according to the 
present invention, wherein the cylindrical guide member which controls 
movement of the optical systems can be finely adjusted in the direction of 
the optical axis 0--0'. In these figures, parts which are similar to those 
described above are indicated with the same reference characters. 
As with the embodiments described above, a generally cylindrical fixed part 
1 of a lens barrel has a connecting arrangement at one end (not shown) for 
mounting the lens barrel to a camera body (not shown). A first annular 
member 2 is arranged for axial sliding movement along the inner 
circumferential surface of the barrel part 1. A pin 18 extends radially 
outwardly from the member 2 and passes through an axially extending slot 
1a in the barrel part 1 to engage a guide groove or slot 42a formed in a 
cylindrical guide member 42. A first optical system 4 held by the annular 
member 2 is moved by way of the pin 18 in the direction of the optical 
axis 0--0' upon rotation of the guide member 42. An annular holding member 
12 is provided for holding and moving a second optical system 10 in 
alignment with the optical axis 0--0'. A second annular member 6 is 
secured coaxially against the inner circumferential surface of the barrel 
part 1, and has a helical thread 6a formed on its inner circumferential 
surface. The thread 6a engages a helical thread 12a formed on the outer 
circumferential surface of the holding member 12, so that the second 
optical system 10 can be axially displaced by rotation of the holding 
member 12. A pin 20 extends radially outwardly from the surface of the 
annular member 6, and passes through an axially extending slot 1b in the 
barrel part 1 to engage a groove 42b in the guide member 42. The second 
optical system 10 will then move by way of the pin 20 in the direction of 
the optical axis 0--0' upon rotation of the guide member 42. 
The guide member 42 is arranged to extend over the outside surface of the 
barrel part 1. The guide grooves 42a, 42b serve to set the distance 
between the first and second optical systems 4, 10 in accordance with the 
desired magnification and the optical compensation, the paths of the guide 
grooves 42a, 42b acting to determine the distance between the first and 
the second optical systems 4, 10 as the pins 18, 20 engage the grooves 
42a, 42b and the guide member 42 is rotated. 
A third guide groove or slot 42c is provided in the guide member 42, and a 
pin 44 which extends radially from the barrel part 1 engages this groove. 
A section 42c.sub.1 of the third groove serves to maintain the guide 
member 42 at a suitable position relative to the optical axis 0--0' 
through the zoom photography adjustment range of the lens barrel. 
Preferably, the pin 44 is supported for eccentric movement so that the 
guide member 42 can be adjustably moved a certain axial distance from a 
reference position when the pin 44 is rotated. Also, a zoom operation ring 
16 is fixed coaxially about the outer surface of the guide member 42, as 
shown. 
A generally cylindrical focusing member 22 extends coaxially from the end 
of the barrel part 1 further from the camera. A helical thread 22a formed 
on the inner circumferential surface of the focusing member 22 engages a 
helical thread 1c formed on the outer circumferential surface of the 
barrel part 1. A pin 24 extends radially outwardly from the holding member 
12 and engages an axially extending groove 22b in the inner 
circumferential surface of the focusing member 22. A third optical system 
46 may also be provided and held in axial alignment by the barrel part 1. 
Referring to FIG. 6, guide groove 42a has a set of guide groove sections 
42a.sub.1, 42a.sub.2 and 42a.sub.3 for controlling the movement of the 
first optical system 4. A set of groove sections 42b.sub.1, 42b.sub.2 and 
42b.sub.3 forming the groove 42b are provided for controlling the movement 
of the second optical system 10, and another set of groove sections 
42c.sub.1, 42c.sub.2 and 42c.sub.3 forming the groove 42c determine the 
axial position of the guide member 42 relative to the barrel part 1. 
Within the normal zoom photography range, the groove sections 42a.sub.1 and 
42b.sub.1 serve to determine the distance between the first and second 
optical systems 4, 10. The groove sections 42a.sub.2, 42b.sub.2 and 
42a.sub.3 act to hold the optical systems 4, 10 at fixed distances from 
one another when they are both axially displaced by the guide member 42 
for close up photography either at the telephoto or at the wide angle end 
of the zoom operating range. 
In each set, the groove sections 42a.sub.1, 42a.sub.2 and 42a.sub.3, and 
the groove sections 42b.sub.1, 42b.sub.2 and 42b.sub.3 are serially 
connected. The groove sections 42a.sub.2 and 42a.sub.2 and 42a.sub.3 and 
the groove sections 42b.sub.2 and 42b.sub.3 extend parallel to one 
another, each of these groove sections extending along the circumference 
of the guide member 42 and perpendicularly to the optical axis 0--0'. 
The groove section 42c.sub.1 serves to hold the guide member 42 at a 
suitable axial position relative to the optical axis 0--0' for carrying 
out normal zoom photography between the ends of groove section 42c.sub.1 
which correspond to the telephoto and wide angle ends of the zoom 
photography range. Groove sections 42c.sub.2 and 42c.sub.3 act to displace 
the guide member 42 axially at the telephoto and wide angle ends of the 
zoom photography range to a position whereat close up photography can be 
carried out. 
The operation of the zoom lens barrel of FIGS. 5 and 6 will now be 
explained in detail. 
During a normal zoom photography operation, the pin 44 extending from the 
barrel part 1 engages the groove section 42c.sub.1 so that the guide 
member 42 is held at a certain axial position relative to the barrel part 
1 over the range of rotation L1 of the guide member 42. Guide member 42 is 
rotated by turning the zoom operation member 16, and the pins 18, 20 
extending from the holding member 2 and the annular member 6 of the first 
and second optical systems 4, 10 are guided by the groove sections 
42a.sub.1 and 42b.sub.1. Accordingly, the axial distance between the first 
and second optical systems 4, 10 will be determined by the groove sections 
42a.sub.1 and 42b.sub.1 to vary the magnification factor and optical 
compensation. 
The object focus adjustment is carried out by movement of the second 
optical system 10 in the direction of the optical axis 0--0' either toward 
or away from the camera. The second optical system 10 is axially moved by 
rotation of the holding member 12 relative to the annular member 6 as the 
focusing member 22 is rotated and the pin 24 slidably engages the groove 
22b in the focusing member 22. 
When the zoom photography operation member 16 is turned to rotate the guide 
member 42 in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 6), and the pins 18, 20, and 
44 are at the positions shown in the drawing (the optical systems 4, 10 
are at the telephoto end of the zoom range), changeover from the zoom 
photography mode into the close up photography mode will occur when the 
pin 44, which was engaged in the groove section 42c.sub.1 moves into the 
groove section 42c.sub.2 in such a manner that the guide member 42 and the 
optical systems 4, 10 are displaced together in the direction of the 
optical axis 0--0' by a distance 1.sub.1. This movement brings the optical 
systems 4, 10 into the close up photography mode of operation. 
During the displacement of the guide member 42 from the zoom photography 
mode to the close up photography mode at the telephoto end of the zoom 
range, the distance between the optical systems 4, 10 required for close 
up photography is maintained by way of the groove sections 42a.sub.2 and 
42b.sub.2 which are parallel to each other as they extend from the groove 
sections 42a.sub.1 and 42b.sub.1. The close up photography mode can also 
be carried out at the wide angle end of the zoom range by movement of the 
pins out of the positions 18', 20' and 44' into the groove sections 
42a.sub.3, 42b.sub.3 and 42c.sub.3, thereby axially displacing the guide 
member 42 and the optical systems 4, 10. The object distance or focus 
adjustment in the close up photography mode is carried out by way of axial 
movement of the second optical system 10 either toward or away from the 
camera, in the same manner as in the case of the zoom photography mode, by 
rotation of the distance adjusting member 22. 
FIG. 7 shows a portion of the guide member 42 wherein parts similar to 
those described above are indicated by the same reference characters. The 
guide member 42 of FIG. 7 allows close up photography to be carried out at 
the telephoto end of the zoom lens range. Groove section 42a.sub.11 serves 
to axially move the first optical system 4, and extends parallel to groove 
section 42c.sub.2 which serves to axially displace the guide member 42. 
Groove section 42b.sub.11 operates to axially move the second optical 
system 10, and extends along the circumference of the guide member 42, 
perpendicularly to the optical axis 0--0'. 
When the guide member 42 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, it is 
axially displaced in the direction of arrow C (toward the object), while 
the first optical system 4 is held at its initial position. The second 
optical system 10 is advanced in the direction of the arrow C by a 
distance 1.sub.2 to vary the distance between the second optical system 10 
and the first optical system 4, wherein close up photography is made 
possible at the telephoto end of the zoom range. 
FIG. 8 shows a further modification of the guide member 42, wherein parts 
similar to those discussed above are indicated by the same reference 
characters. The embodiment of FIGS. 8 enables close up photography to be 
carried out at the wide angle end of the zoom range. Groove section 
42c.sub.21 is provided for axially displacing the guide member 42. Groove 
sections 42b.sub.1 and 42b.sub.21 which serve to axially move the second 
optical system 10 are serially connected, the groove section 42b.sub.21 
extending parallel to the groove section 42c.sub.21. Groove sections 
42a.sub.1 and 42a.sub.21 which serve to axially move the first optical 
system 4 are also serially connected, the groove section 42a.sub.21 
extending along the circumference of the guide member 42, perpendicularly 
to the optical axis 0--0'. 
When the guide member 42 is rotated in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 8, 
it is axially displaced by a distance 1.sub.3. The second optical system 
10 remains at its initial position and the first optical system 4 is 
axially displaced by the distance 1.sub.3, so that close up photography at 
the wide angle end of the zoom range is then possible. 
In accordance with the present invention, the guide member 42 is displaced 
in the direction of the optical axis 0--0' by an arrangement (guide groove 
42c.sub.1, pin 44) which holds the guide member 42 at a certain position 
relative to the barrel part 1 over an operating range for zoom 
photography, and by a further arrangement (groove sections 42c.sub.2, 
42c.sub.3 and pin 44) which axially displaces the guide member 42 to 
enable closeup photography. 
Moreover, the first optical system 4 and the second optical system 10 are 
each guided by the groove sections 42a (42a.sub.1, 42a.sub.2, 42a.sub.3, 
42a.sub.11, 42a.sub.21) and 42b (42b.sub.1, 42b.sub.2, 42b.sub.3, 
42b.sub.11, 42 b.sub.21) through the pins 18, 20, so that the axial 
distance between the optical systems is varied in a predetermined manner. 
Thus, the positioning of the optical systems within the lens barrel, and 
the adjustment of the distances between them and the camera, are carried 
out with relative ease by adjusting the reference position of the guide 
member 42 relative to the barrel part 1 through an adjustment mechanism 
(eccentric pin 44 or an eccentric roller). In view of the above 
construction and arrangement, the present invention enables closeup 
photographs to be carried out easily either at the telephoto end or the 
wide angle end of the zoom range by axially displacing the guide member 42 
fixed to the operation member 16 in a relatively simple manner. Thus, the 
construction as well as the operation of the zoom lens barrel is 
simplified. 
While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described 
in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it 
will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without 
departing from such principles.