Structure of manual operation button

• US 20020039493A1
• Filed: 09/26/2001
• Published: 04/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co. Ltd (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co. Ltd (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Yasuhiko
• Granted Patent: US 6,466,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/543
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04

Abstract

A decorative frame that may be made of metal is arranged at the periphery of a manual operation button, and the manual operation button with decorative frame are designed so that they may be fixedly attached to the exterior cover of a camera body within an opening in the cover. More specifically a structure of a manual operation button is disclosed that includes: a decorative frame having an exterior portion that will not fit within the opening and an interior portion that will fit within the opening; a manual operation button positioned within an inner periphery of the decorative frame; and a holding member that is installed within the camera body, with a portion of the holding member abutting the inside surface of the camera body exterior cover and a portion of the decorative frame abutting the outside surface of the camera body exterior cover so that the decorative frame and holding member, when assembled as a unit, envelope the rim portion of the opening so as to attach the decorative frame and the holding member to the cover. The holding member holds the manual operation button so that it may be depressed to various positions when operating the camera.

Claims

1. A structure of a manual operation button of a camera, comprising:

an opening, defined by a rim portion, in a camera body exterior cover;

a decorative frame having an exterior portion that will not fit within the opening and an interior portion that will fit within the opening;

a manual operation button positioned within an inner periphery of the decorative frame;

a holding member, installed within the camera body, with a portion of the holding member abutting the inside surface of the camera body exterior cover, and a portion of the decorative frame abutting the outside surface of the camera body exterior cover so that the decorative frame and holding member, together, envelope the rim portion of the opening so as to attach the decorative frame and the holding member to the cover, said holding member guiding the manual operation button so that it is movable along an axis.

2. The structure of a manual operation button of a camera as set forth in claim 1, wherein the decorative frame is made of metal.

3. The structure of a manual operation button of a camera as set forth in claim 1, wherein the decorative frame is ring-shaped.

4. The structure of a manual operation button of a camera as set forth in claim 1, wherein the decorative frame extends above the surface of the camera body exterior cover at least as far as the movable range of the manual operation button along said axis, to thereby reduce the occurrence of unintentionally depressing the manual operation button.

5. A structure of a manual operation button of a camera, comprising:

an opening, defined by a rim portion, said opening formed in a camera body exterior cover;

a ring-shaped decorative frame that is made of metal having an exterior portion that will not fit within the opening and an interior portion that will fit within the opening;

a manual operation button positioned within an inner periphery of the decorative frame;

a holding member, installed within the camera body, with a portion of the holding member abutting the inside surface of the camera body exterior cover, and a portion of the decorative frame abutting the outside surface of the camera body exterior cover so that the decorative frame and holding member, together, envelope the rim portion of the opening so as to attach the decorative frame and the holding member to the camera body exterior cover, said holding member guiding the manual operation button so that it is movable along an axis.

6. A structure of a manual operation button of a camera, comprising:

an opening having a rim portion, said opening formed in a camera body exterior cover;

a decorative frame that is made of metal having an exterior portion that will not fit within the opening and an interior portion that will fit within the opening, said interior portion including;

a manual operation button positioned within an inner periphery of the decorative frame; and

a holding member, installed within the camera body, with a portion of the holding member abutting the inside surface of the camera body exterior cover, and a portion of the decorative frame abutting the outside surface of the camera body exterior cover so that the decorative frame and holding member, together, envelope the rim portion of the opening so as to attach the decorative frame and the holding member to the camera body exterior cover, said holding member guiding the manual operation button so that it is movable along an axis;

wherein

the interior portion of the decorative frame is a first sleeve that is positioned within said opening;

a second sleeve, which is integral with the holding member, is positioned within the first sleeve;

a flange, which is formed on the outer periphery of the second sleeve, abuts against the inside surface of the cover; and

,

engagement means are formed on facing portions of the first sleeve and second sleeve, thereby enabling the decorative frame and the holding member to be attached to each other as a unit, which in turn enables said unit to be fixedly attached to the cover within the opening in the cover.