Patent ID: 7633693

Claim:
A retractable lens system comprising at least one optical element positionable at an on-axis position on a common optical axis to constitute an optical system in an operational state and movable from the operational state to a retracted state, a support member having an inclined surface that guides the optical element to move from the on-axis position to an off axis position radially off the optical axis when the retractable lens system is caused to move from the operational state to the retracted state, and a control track that is movable along the optical axis when the retractable lens system is moved between the operational state and the retracted state, the control track forming a sliding passage extending in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis and movably and partially receiving the optical element therein so that when the control track is set in movement along the optical axis, the optical element is caused to engage and slide along the inclined surface, wherein the control track further has top and bottom portions delimiting therebetween the sliding passage, the sliding passage having first and second ends axially offset with respect to each other, the sliding passage further forming an enlarged section between the first and second ends.