USPatentGranted
B2

Camera device and drive mechanism

Granted 5 Jun 2012 · 4 office actions

Current assignee: I-PRO CO., LTD. · originally Panasonic

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Inventors: Tamotsu Uchida, Jyouji Wada, Tetsurou Kajino · Examiner: Justin Krause · AU 3658 · TC 3600

Life of the patent

3 dated events
⤢ drag to zoomJul 2008Jan 2009Jul 2009Jan 2010Jul 2010Jan 2011Jul 2011Jan 2012Jul 2012Prosecution
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Abstract

A drive mechanism ( 1 ) of a camera apparatus includes a worm gear ( 4 ) to which a rotational driving force of a drive motor ( 2 ) is transmitted, a worm wheel ( 6 ) around which a helical gear ( 5 ) is formed to engage with the worm gear ( 4 ), and a support frame ( 7 ) which supports the worm wheel ( 6 ) rotatably and movably along a rotation axis. A rotational driving force of the worm gear ( 4 ) is transmitted to the worm wheel ( 6 ) with reduced gear ratio. An externally threaded portion ( 10 ) of a shaft portion ( 8 ) of the worm wheel ( 6 ) is engaged with an internally threaded portion in a supporting hole ( 14 ) of the support frame ( 7 ), so that the shaft portion ( 8 ) moves along the rotation axis when the worm wheel ( 6 ) rotates. Consequently, the rotational driving force transmitted to the worm wheel ( 6 ) is converted into a linear thrust force along the rotation axis. This makes it possible to provide a camera apparatus which can develop a larger thrust force and adjust an amount of travel more finely.

Claims

4 · 2 independent · depth 2
1234
4 granted claims

Classifications

5 codes
IPC · International Patent Classification
Section F — Mechanical engineering; lighting; heating; weapons
  • F16H37/16
  • F16H21/00
  • F16H25/08
USPC · US Patent Classification
74/22.R74/425

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File wrapper

Pendency
3.9 y
1,436 days filing → grant
Office actions
2
non-final + final
Responses
2
1 RCE
Examiner
Justin Krause
art unit 3658 · TC 3600
Citations: 12 back · 0 forward

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Priority chain

1 priority documents
›Priority documents — 1
TypeDocumentDate
related publicationUS 20100192712 A15 Aug 2010

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Citations

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