IMAGING APPARATUS

• US 20110033179A1
• Filed: 07/16/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Sasaki, Daisuke
• Granted Patent: US 8,251,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/427
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04

Abstract

An imaging apparatus allows an interior structure including a camera unit to make a retreating movement in response to a shock applied to a cover from various directions. The imaging apparatus includes a camera unit including a lens and an image sensor, a dome cover covering the camera unit, a tilt support stand tilt-rotatably supporting the camera unit, a pan rotary support member pan-rotating together with the tilt support stand, and an elastic member arranged on the pan rotary support member and imparting an urging force to the tilt support stand. When a force is applied from the dome cover, the camera unit can make a retreating movement in a vertical direction and a slanting direction.

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus equipped with a shock absorbing mechanism, comprising:

a camera unit including a lens and an image sensor;

a cover configured to cover the camera unit; and

an elastic member configured to support the camera unit elastically so as to allow the camera unit to make a retreating movement in a vertical direction and a slanting direction when a force is applied from the cover.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first support member configured to tilt-rotatably support the camera unit; and

a second support member configured to pan-rotate together with the first support member,

wherein the elastic member is provided on the second support member and urges the first support member.

3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a stopper member configured to maintain the first support member urged by the elastic member at a predetermined position; and

a positioning member having a fit-engagement portion configured to be fit-engaged with at least one of a hole and a cutout provided in the first support member when the first support member is at the predetermined position,

wherein the positioning member is provided with a tapered portion continuous with the fit-engagement portion so as to be gradually reduced in diameter toward the second support member.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the stopper member also serves as the positioning member.

5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a support member configured to tilt-rotatably support the camera unit;

a stationary stand portion equipped with a movable base portion; and

a base portion supported by the movable base portion and configured to pan-rotatably support the support member,

wherein the elastic member is provided on the stationary stand portion and urges the movable base portion.

6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

a stopper member configured to maintain the movable base portion urged by the elastic member at a predetermined position; and

a positioning member having a fit-engagement portion configured to be fit-engaged with at least one of a hole and a cutout provided in the movable base portion when the movable base portion is at the predetermined position,

wherein the positioning member is provided with a tapered portion continuous with the fit-engagement portion so as to be gradually reduced in diameter from the fit-engagement portion toward the stationary stand portion.

7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the stopper member also serves as the positioning member.

8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least three elastic sub-members each exhibiting elasticity in a single direction are provided as the elastic member.