Patent ID: 7955007

Claim:
A lens barrel comprising: a lens barrel member including an optical system; and a barrier device mounted on the lens barrel member, the barrier device comprising, a plurality of barrier blades that are openable and closable to protect a front surface of the optical system; a cover member mounted on the lens barrel member and having an opening portion for allowing light to pass therethrough; and a barrier driving member mounted on the lens barrel member and configured to drive the plurality of barrier blades such that the plurality of barrier blades are revolvable around an optical axis, wherein a size of a shielded area defined when the plurality of barrier blades are fitted together after rotating corresponds to a range capable of shielding the opening portion, wherein rotation shafts configured to allow the plurality of barrier blades to rotate therearound to be opened and closed are pivotally mounted on the barrier driving member, and wherein the barrier driving member is configured to rotate to bring the plurality of barrier blades into a closed state in such a manner as to shield a gap made between the shielded area and the opening portion.