Lens cover

Abstract

To achieve a lens cover that allows a user to securely perform an operation to rotate a zoom ring and the like provided on various interchangeable lenses without causing an excessive load on a lens with a simple and compact structure.SOLUTION: A lens cover is removably attached to an imaging apparatus comprising a rotation operation unit for performing an operation to move a lens group of an interchangeable lens 20 mounted thereon, and the lens cover comprises: a stationary barrel 310 that can be attached to the imaging apparatus 10; and a rotary barrel 320 that is rotatable with respect to the stationary barrel 310, is provided with one or more openings (H1, H2, H3) corresponding to the rotation operation unit, and covers the openings (H1, H2, H3) with a flexible member 322 to seal the openings. The lens cover has a first state in which the flexible member 322 is separated from the rotation operation unit, and a second state in which the flexible member 322 to which a holding load is applied is in contact with the rotation operation unit through the openings (H1, H2, H3) and the rotation operation unit can be operated through the cover.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lens cover that can be attached to and detached from an imaging device, and more particularly to a lens cover that allows a rotation operation of a rotation operation part such as a zoom ring of an interchangeable lens from outside the lens cover. [Background technology]

[0002] Imaging devices are often housed in a protective cover, such as a housing, to prevent water, dust, and other particles from entering the device. In particular, some "interchangeable lens imaging devices" equipped with interchangeable lenses, such as zoom lenses, have been designed with a configuration that allows zooming of the lens from outside the housing. Specifically, some include an "operation ring rotation mechanism" in the "lens barrel housing" of the housing. Patent Document 1 (Patent Document 1) discloses a waterproof housing that uses a through-hole in the operation ring of the "lens barrel housing" as the "operation ring rotation mechanism." The mechanism also discloses a mechanism that presses a pressure member inserted through the through-hole against a rotating ring, such as a zoom ring. In this pressed state, rotating the operation ring of the "lens barrel housing" allows the zoom ring inside the "lens barrel housing" to be rotated from outside the "lens barrel housing."

[0003] Incidentally, some "interchangeable lens imaging devices" are waterproof, allowing them to be used outdoors in bad weather or underwater. For such imaging devices, it is preferable to use a configuration that protects only the lens portion, rather than protecting the entire imaging device along with the interchangeable lens, as in the above-mentioned housing. This allows for a smaller size and also simplifies the operation of attaching and detaching the protective cover. Therefore, a small, detachable lens cover is sometimes used for such imaging devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-154518 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a pressure contact member is pressed against the zoom ring. This causes excessive load on the lens barrel. Furthermore, there is a concern that slippage between the zoom ring and the pressure contact member may hinder zoom operation. Furthermore, the provision of a pressure contact member separate from the operation ring of the "lens barrel housing" leads to problems such as an increase in size and complexity of the "lens barrel housing." Furthermore, the pressure contact member is positioned exclusively in a position optimized for a specific lens. This also creates the problem that the same "lens barrel housing" cannot be used when an interchangeable lens with a different zoom ring position or outer diameter is attached.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a lens cover that has a simple and compact structure and that allows for reliable rotation of rotation operating parts such as zoom rings provided on various interchangeable lenses without causing excessive load on the lens. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a lens cover that can be attached and detached to an imaging device having a rotation operating unit for operating to move the lens group of an attached interchangeable lens, and is characterized by comprising: a fixed barrel that can be attached to the imaging device; and a rotating barrel that can rotate relative to the fixed barrel and is provided with one or more openings that correspond to the rotation operating unit, and the openings are covered and sealed with flexible members, and has a first state in which the flexible member is separated from the rotation operating unit, and a second state in which the flexible member, when subjected to a gripping load, abuts against the rotation operating unit through the openings, and the rotation operating unit can be operated via the cover itself. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a lens cover that has a simple and compact structure and that allows for reliable rotation of rotation operating parts such as zoom rings provided on various interchangeable lenses without causing excessive load on the lens. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an imaging device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an interchangeable lens is attached to the imaging device. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lens cover of the present invention is attached to an imaging device. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are front and rear perspective views illustrating a state in which a lens cover is attached to and detached from an imaging device. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 7 is a partial enlarged view of parts D and E in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of the flexible member as viewed from the front, before and after a user applies a grip load when the lens cover is attached. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a lens cover according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an imaging device with a lens cover attached in a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interchangeable lens imaging device (hereinafter referred to as "imaging device 10") according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the imaging device 10 with an interchangeable lens 20 attached. In the following description, the lens side will be referred to as the "front" and the opposite side as the "rear." Furthermore, the vertically upper side of the imaging device 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the "top" and the vertically lower side as the "bottom." Furthermore, three-dimensional coordinates are set as shown in FIG. 1. Here, the "X direction," "Y direction," and "Z direction" correspond to the "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction," respectively.

[0012] 1, a mount 11 for mounting an interchangeable lens 20 is provided in front of the imaging device 10. The imaging device 10 is provided with a contact section 14. When the interchangeable lens 20 is mounted, the contact section 14 is electrically connected to a lens-side contact section (not shown) at the rear end of the interchangeable lens 20. This enables transmission and reception of various signals between the interchangeable lens 20 and the imaging device 10.

[0013] Light collected by the interchangeable lens 20 forms an image on an imaging element (not shown) inside the imaging device 10. In the mount 11 of this embodiment, when the mount ring 12 is rotated counterclockwise around the optical axis as viewed from the front, the mount claws 13 engage with claws (not shown) at the rear end of the interchangeable lens. As a result, the interchangeable lens 20 is pulled toward the imaging element in the optical axis direction and fixed to the mount 11.

[0014] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to employ a known coupling unit such as a "bayonet type" that fixes the interchangeable lens 20 to the image capture device 10 by rotating it around the optical axis. The image capture device 10 is also provided with a cover attachment member 15 that is provided with attachment claws 16a and 16b for attaching a lens cover 300 (described below). The image capture device 10 has a waterproof structure behind the mount 11. This waterproof structure makes it possible to prevent water from entering from the outside.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the interchangeable lens 20 is provided on its outer periphery with a zoom ring 21 and a focus ring 22 (rotation operation parts). These are, for example, rubber rings, and their outer periphery has grooves at equal intervals to make it easier for the user to grip and rotate them. The user can move the lens group inside the interchangeable lens 20 by rotating these rings around the optical axis direction. As a result, the focal length and focal position of the interchangeable lens 20 can be adjusted. In addition, a roughly ring-shaped accessory member 50 is attached to the outer periphery of the zoom ring 21. The accessory member 50 is, for example, a rubber bushing with a notch formed in part of its outer periphery. Note that F1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the "imaging device-side O-ring abutment surface," which will be described later.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the imaging device 10 when a lens cover 300 is attached. The lens cover 300 has a fixed barrel 310 and a rotating barrel 320 that is rotatable relative to the fixed barrel 310. The fixed barrel 310 has a holding member 311 for rotatably holding the rotating barrel 320, and a fixed barrel mount 312 that is fixed to the imaging device 10. The rotating barrel 320 also has a main frame 321, a glass holding frame 324 provided on the front end surface of the main frame 321, a cover glass 323 held by the glass holding frame 324, and a flexible member 322 provided on the rear side of the main frame 321. The cover glass 323 is held and fixed to the glass holding frame 324 on the front end surface of the main frame 321. The cover glass 323 is a transparent glass plate, and light incident from the front passes through the cover glass 323 and is guided to the interchangeable lens 20.

[0017] Furthermore, a flexible member 322 is provided at the rear of the main frame 321 so as to cover its outer peripheral surface. When the lens cover 300 is attached to the image capture device 10, the flexible member 322 is positioned in the front-to-rear direction so as to cover the contact surface 51, which is the outer peripheral surface of the zoom ring 21 and the accessory member 50 shown in FIG. 2. Also, "grip indexes 325a, 325b, 325c (however, "325b" is not shown in FIG. 3)" are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main frame 321 as markers for the grip when operating the zoom ring 21, which will be described later. The lock screw 316 shown in FIG. 3 will be described later. In this way, the lens cover 300 covers the "lens barrel" of the interchangeable lens 20 or the like of the image capture device 10.

[0018] The user grasps both sides of the flexible member 322 at positions adjacent to the grip indexes 325a, 325b, and 325c of the flexible member 322 and applies a grip load, thereby deforming the flexible member 322 inward. This deformation causes the inner circumferential surface of the flexible member 322 to abut against the abutment surface 51 of the accessory member 50. In this state, the zoom ring 21 can be rotated from outside the lens cover 300 by rotating the rotating barrel 320 relative to the fixed barrel 310 in the "CW direction" or "CCW direction" in FIG. 3. The detailed configuration will be described later.

[0019] Next, we will explain how to attach and detach the lens cover 300 to and from the imaging device 10. Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are perspective views of the imaging device 10 when the lens cover 300 is attached and detached, as seen from the front and rear.

[0020] When attaching the lens cover 300 to the image capture device 10, first, the O-ring S4 (first sealing member) is attached to the cover attachment member 15 so that it abuts against the image capture device-side O-ring abutment surface F1. The inner diameter of the lens cover 300 is configured to be larger than the outermost diameters of the interchangeable lens 20 and the accessory member 50. Therefore, the lens cover 300 can be inserted from the front into the image capture device 10 with the interchangeable lens 20 and accessory member 50 attached.

[0021] 4(a) and 4(b), the lens cover 300 has grooves 313a and 313b at the rear end of the fixed barrel mount 312 provided on the fixed barrel 310. The grooves 313a and 313b are pressed rearward toward the cover mounting member 15 at positions that avoid the mounting claws 16a and 16b, respectively. At this time, the O-ring S4 is sandwiched between the imaging device-side O-ring abutment surface F1 and the cover-side O-ring abutment surface F3, and is compressed in the front-to-rear direction.

[0022] In this state, fixed barrel mount 312 of lens cover 300 is rotated clockwise relative to image capture device 10 as viewed from the front. This causes grooves 313a and 313b to engage with mounting claws 16a and 16b, respectively. Mounting claws 16a and 16b then abut against groove ends (not shown) provided in grooves 313a and 313b, thereby fixing lens cover 300 to image capture device 10.

[0023] Furthermore, in this state, by tightening the lock screw 316 from the outside of the fixed barrel mount 312, the tip of the lock screw 316 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the cover attachment member 15. This makes it possible to more firmly fix the lens cover 300 to the imaging device 10. Note that since removal can be achieved by simply following the above steps in reverse, a detailed explanation of the procedure will be omitted.

[0024] Next, the detailed configuration of lens cover 300 will be described. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of lens cover 300 as viewed from the rear. Support pillars 328a, 328b, and 328c extending in the optical axis direction are provided on the rear side of main frame 321, with openings H1, H2, and H3 provided between each support pillar. Furthermore, gripping portion indicators 325a, 325b, and 325c are provided adjacent to each other at positions corresponding to openings H1, H2, and H3, respectively.

[0025] A ring-shaped flexible member 322 is attached to the front of the main frame 321 so as to cover the openings H1, H2, and H3. The flexible member 322 seals the openings H1, H2, and H3 from the outside. The flexible member 322 is made of a material such as rubber or elastomer.

[0026] That is, the rotating cylinder 320 has a cylindrical main frame 321 and a plurality of support columns (328a, 328b, 328c) that extend in the front-rear direction and are provided at appropriate intervals near the outer periphery of the rear side of the main frame 321. Furthermore, the rotating cylinder 320 has openings (H1, H2, H3) defined between adjacent support columns in the circumferential direction, and has a flexible member 322 that covers and seals the openings (H1, H2, H3). As a result, the openings (H1, H2, H3) are located at the rear of the rotating cylinder 320. Note that it is not necessary to provide a plurality of openings, as long as there is at least one opening.

[0027] The flexible member 322 can be attached to the main frame 321 in a position covering the openings H1, H2, and H3 by passing it through the front of the main frame 321 with its inner diameter expanded by a tensile load applied radially outward. After the flexible member 322 is attached to the main frame 321 at the front of the main frame 321, a glass holding frame 324 holding a cover glass 323 is screwed into a male thread (not shown) provided on the outer periphery of the front end of the main frame 321. A sealing member S1 is inserted between the cover glass 323 and the glass holding frame 324. The sealing member S1 is, for example, a waterproof sheet-like cushion.

[0028] Additionally, at the rear of the main frame 321, the holding member 311 has an O-ring S2 fitted into a sealing groove 329 provided on its inner periphery, and is fitted onto the outer periphery of the sliding wall w0 of the main frame 321. At this time, the O-ring S2 is sandwiched between the sliding wall w0 and the sealing groove 329 in a state of being compressed in the radial direction. Furthermore, a retaining plate 326 for preventing the holding member 311 from falling off is fixed to the main frame 321 from the rear by a retaining plate fixing screw 327.

[0029] At this time, a small gap is provided in the front-to-rear direction between the sliding wall portion w1 of the main frame 321 and the retaining plate 326, which are arranged to sandwich the holding member 311. As described above, the rotating cylinder 320 is held rotatably relative to the holding member 311 with the O-ring S2 compressed in the radial direction.

[0030] A sealing member S3 (second sealing member) is affixed to the rear surface of the holding member 311. The fixed barrel mount 312 is fastened to the holding member 311 by a fixed barrel mount fixing screw 314, with the sealing member S3 sandwiched between the fixed barrel mount 312 and the holding member 311. The sealing member S3 is made of, for example, a sheet-like cushion or the like that has the same waterproof properties as the sealing member S1.

[0031] Additionally, grooves 313a and 313b corresponding to the mounting claws 16a and 16b of the imaging device 10 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rear end of the fixed barrel mount 312. Furthermore, the fixed barrel mount 312 is provided with a female thread (not shown) that penetrates radially, and a lock screw 316 is threaded into the female thread.

[0032] Next, the waterproof structure of the interchangeable lens 20 using the lens cover 300 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 6, at the tip of the lens cover 300, a sealing member S1 is sandwiched in a compressed state between the glass holding frame 324, the cover glass 323, and the tip of the main frame 321. This seals the gap between the rear end of the glass holding frame 324, the front surface of the cover glass 323, and the tip of the main frame 321.

[0033] The inner peripheral surface of flexible member 322 is in close contact with main frame 321 while closing openings H1 and H2 (the same applies to opening H3, not shown). Furthermore, the contact area between the inner peripheral surface of flexible member 322 and main frame 321 is sealed with an adhesive or the like, not shown. Thus, airtightness is ensured between glass holding frame 324, cover glass 323, main frame 321, and flexible member 322.

[0034] Next, the waterproof structure between the fixed barrel 310 and the rotating barrel 320 will be described with reference to FIG. 7(a). FIG. 7(a) is a partial enlarged view of "location D" in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the O-ring S2 is fitted into the sealing groove 329 of the holding member 311. The O-ring S2 is then sandwiched between the sliding wall portion w0 of the main frame 321 and the holding member 311 in a state of being compressed in the radial direction. The front and rear ends of the holding member 311 are provided with sliding protrusions 315a and 315b, respectively. The sliding protrusions 315a and 315b are slidably held relative to the sliding wall portion w1 of the main frame 321 and the sliding wall portion w2 of the retaining plate 326, respectively.

[0035] Furthermore, a sealing member S3 is sandwiched between the holding member 311 and the fixed barrel mount 312 in a state compressed in the front-to-rear direction. This allows the rotating barrel 320 to rotate relative to the fixed barrel 310 while at the same time preventing water from entering the interior.

[0036] Finally, the waterproof structure between the lens cover 300 and the cover mounting member 15 of the imaging device 10 will be described. Fig. 7(b) shows a partial enlarged view of "location E" in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 7(b), an O-ring S4 is sandwiched between the cover-side O-ring abutment surface F3 and the imaging device-side O-ring abutment surface F1 in a state compressed in the front-to-rear direction.

[0037] As a result, the O-ring S4 seals the gap between the fixed barrel mount 312 and the cover mounting member 15. The mounting claw 16a is engaged with the groove 313a, and is biased by the O-ring S4 so that the mount claw abutment surface F2 comes into contact with the groove abutment surface F4.

[0038] With the configuration described above, the lens cover 300 can prevent water from entering the interchangeable lens 20 inside the lens cover 300 when attached to the imaging device 10.

[0039] Next, a method for operating the zoom ring 21 from outside the lens cover 300 when the lens cover 300 is attached to the imaging device 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the outer peripheral surface of the accessory member 50 forms an abutment surface 51. As a result, under normal circumstances, a gap G is provided around the entire circumference between the abutment surface 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the flexible member 322. The flexible member 322 is also disposed so as to cover the openings H1 and H2 and the abutment surface 51, and when the lengths of the abutment surface 51 and the flexible member 322 in the optical axis direction are "x1" and "x2," respectively, there is a relationship of "x2 > x1."

[0040] 8(a) and 8(b) are cross-sectional views, seen from the front, of the image capture device 10 with the lens cover 300 attached, showing states before and after a user applies a grip load P to the flexible member 322. Note that for simplicity, the user's hand is not shown in FIG. 8(b). As shown in FIG. 8(a), the user can use the image capture device 10 by gripping the flexible member 322, which is part of the exterior of the lens cover 300. Here, the locations where the flexible member 322 is gripped by the "thumb" and the opposing "fingers" (such as the index finger and middle finger) are defined as a first gripping portion "A1" and a second gripping portion "A2."

[0041] Both gripping parts are disposed at positions that avoid support pillars 328a and 328b provided on main frame 321, i.e., at positions that overlap with "openings H1" and "openings H2." At this time, as described with reference to Fig. 6, there is a "gap G" between the inner circumferential surface of flexible member 322 and contact surface 51, and the two are spaced apart (first state).

[0042] Here, a gripping load P is applied from both sides of the first gripping portion "A1" and the second gripping portion "A2" to the flexible member 322 in the direction of gripping the interchangeable lens 20. Then, as shown in Fig. 8(b), the flexible member 322 deforms toward approximately the center of the interchangeable lens 20, crossing each of the "opening H1" and "opening H2" in the first gripping portion "A1" and the second gripping portion "A2".

[0043] As a result, the inner circumferential surface of the flexible member 322 and the abutment surface 51 come into contact at each of the first grip portion "A1" and the second grip portion "A2" (second state). That is, in the "second state", the flexible member 322 to which a grip load is applied comes into contact with the accessory member 50 (rotation operation portion) through the opening, and operation by the accessory member 50 (rotation operation portion) is possible via its own cover.

[0044] Thereafter, while maintaining this state, the rotating barrel 320 can be rotated in the "CW direction" or "CCW direction" relative to the fixed barrel 310, thereby rotating the zoom ring 21. This enables zooming from outside the lens cover 300. Depending on the position of the rotating barrel 320 relative to the fixed barrel 310 when the lens cover 300 is attached, the first grip portion "A1" or the second grip portion "A2" may be positioned so as to overlap one of the support portions 328a, 328b, and 328c.

[0045] In such a case, the rotating barrel 320 can be rotated relative to the fixed barrel 310 so that both gripping portions are positioned away from the support posts 328a, 328b, and 328c. As described above, the gripping portion index 325a, the gripping portion index 325b, and the gripping portion index 325c are provided adjacent to the positions corresponding to the openings H1, H2, and H3. This allows the user to easily identify the positions of the support posts 328a, 328b, and 328c. If the diameter of the zoom ring 21 is changed by changing the interchangeable lens 20, the same lens cover 300 can be used by changing the accessory member 50 to one with a larger diameter.

[0046] As described above, according to the first embodiment, a grip load can be applied to the zoom ring 21 by applying a grip load to the flexible member 322 provided on the rotating cylinder 320, in the same way as when the user grips a normal zoom ring 21. Therefore, even when the lens cover 300 is attached, the zoom ring 21 can be rotated without compromising the operability before the lens cover 300 is attached. Furthermore, because the grip load P is applied so as to pinch the zoom ring 21, the magnitude of the grip load P can be easily adjusted.

[0047] Therefore, there is no concern that excessive load will be applied to the zoom ring 21 or that slippage will occur between the flexible member 322 and the abutment surface 51. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a separate pressure-contact member that presses the zoom ring 21 against the lens cover 300, it is possible to prevent the lens cover 300 from becoming larger and to achieve zoom operation with a simple configuration.

[0048] In other words, the effect is achieved of realizing a lens cover 300 that has a simple and compact structure and that allows reliable rotation of rotation operating parts such as zoom rings provided on various interchangeable lenses without causing excessive load on the lens.

[0049] 6, when the lengths of the abutment surface 51 of the accessory member 50 and the flexible member 322 in the optical axis direction are "x1" and "x2," respectively, the relationship "x2 > x1" is maintained. This makes it possible to use the same lens cover 300 even if a lens different from the interchangeable lens 20 is attached to the imaging device 10 and the position of the zoom ring 21 in the optical axis direction changes.

[0050] In this embodiment, the accessory member 50 is configured to be attached to the zoom ring 21 of the interchangeable lens 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by attaching the accessory member 50 to a focus ring or an aperture adjustment ring, it is possible to rotate the focus ring or aperture adjustment ring from outside the lens cover 300 instead of the zoom ring 21.

[0051] Second Embodiment 9 is an exploded perspective view of lens cover 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the rear. In the following description, components with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same configuration as those in the second embodiment, and therefore their description will be omitted. The only differences between lens cover 400 according to the second embodiment and lens cover 300 according to the first embodiment are that main frame 321 in the first embodiment is changed to "main frame 421" and that "flexible member 422" has been added.

[0052] 9, lens cover 400 has the following configuration in addition to openings H1, H2, H3, and support posts 328a, 328b, and 328c. That is, in lens cover 400, openings H4, H5, H6, second support posts 428a, 429b, and 429c are arranged forward of the above in the optical axis direction. Furthermore, similar to the relationship of flexible member 322 to openings H1, H2, and H3, flexible member 422 is assembled to main frame 421 from the front side so as to cover openings H4, H5, and H6.

[0053] 10 is a perspective view of the imaging device 10 fitted with the lens cover 400, as seen from the front. The method of attaching the lens cover 400 to the imaging device 10 is the same as that for the lens cover 300, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The lens cover 400 has a flexible member 422 provided on the front side of the flexible member 322.

[0054] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 10. As in the first embodiment, an accessory member 50 is attached to the zoom ring 21 of the interchangeable lens 20. In the second embodiment, a second accessory member 60 is also attached to the focus ring 22.

[0055] Similar to the relationship of openings H1 and H2 to flexible member 322, flexible member 422 is disposed so as to cover each of openings H4 and H5 and also cover second accessory member 60. A gap G2 is provided between a contact surface 61, which is the outer peripheral surface of second accessory member 60, and the inner peripheral surface of flexible member 422. Therefore, by applying the grip load P described in the first embodiment to flexible member 422 in the same manner, the contact surface 61 of second accessory member 60 and flexible member 422 can come into contact with each other.

[0056] In this state, the focus ring 22 can be rotated by rotating the rotating barrel 320 relative to the fixed barrel 310. That is, in this embodiment, when the rotating barrel 320 is rotated relative to the fixed barrel 310, if a grip load P is applied to the flexible member 322, the zoom ring 21 can be rotated. Also, if a grip load P is applied to the flexible member 422, the focus ring 22 can be rotated.

[0057] Furthermore, the same relationship as the relationship between "x1" and "x2" in the first embodiment holds. That is, "x4," which is the width of the flexible member 422 in the optical axis direction, is made larger than "x3," which is the width of the second accessory member 60 in the optical axis direction. This makes it possible to rotate the focus ring 22 using the lens cover 400, even if the interchangeable lens 20 is replaced with another lens and the position of the focus ring 22 shifts in the optical axis direction. Furthermore, if the diameter of the focus ring 22 changes, the diameter of the second accessory member 60 can be changed to a larger one, similar to how the diameter of the zoom ring 21 changes in the first embodiment. This makes it possible to operate the focus ring 22.

[0058] As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size and complexity of the lens cover. Furthermore, in addition to the rotational operation of the zoom ring 21 from the outside of the lens cover shown in the first embodiment, it is also possible to similarly rotate the focus ring 22.

[0059] In the first and second embodiments described above, the contact surfaces 51 and 61 that contact the flexible member 322 and the flexible member 422 are the outer peripheral surfaces of the accessory member 50 and the second accessory member 60, respectively. Alternatively, the outer peripheral surfaces of the zoom ring 21 and the focus ring 22 that the interchangeable lens 20 is provided with may be configured to be the contact surfaces.

[0060] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the flexible members 322 and 422 are annular in shape, but each opening may be covered by a plurality of substantially rectangular flexible members. The number of openings (H1 to H6) formed in the main frame 321 and the main frame 421 is not limited, and there is no limit to the number of openings. Furthermore, instead of being directly attached to the imaging device 10, the lens covers 300 and 400 may be, for example, components of a housing.

[0061] The rotation operation part may be, for example, any one of a zoom ring, a focus ring, and an aperture adjustment ring, and the abutment part may be provided on the rotation operation part of the lens barrel or on a generally ring-shaped accessory member attached to the rotation operation part.

[0062] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10. Imaging device 11 Mount 12 Mount ring 13 Mounting claws 14 Contact point 15 Cover mounting member 16a, 16b Mounting claws 20 Interchangeable Lenses 21 Zoom ring 22 Focus ring 50 Accessory parts 51 Contact surface 60 Second accessory member 61 Contact surface 300 Lens Cover 310 Fixed tube 311 Retaining member 312 Fixed barrel mount 313a, 313b Groove 320 Rotating tube 321 Mainframe 322 Flexible Members 323 Cover Glass 324 Glass holding frame 325a, 325b, 325c grip index 328a, 328b, 328c strut section 329 Sealing groove 400 Lens Cover 421 Mainframe 422 Flexible Member 428a, 428b, 428c Post section

Claims

1. A lens cover that is detachable from an imaging device and has a rotation operation unit for performing an operation to move a lens group of an attached interchangeable lens, a fixed barrel that can be attached to the imaging device; a rotating cylinder that is rotatable relative to the fixed cylinder, that is provided with one or more openings corresponding to the rotating operation unit, and that has the openings covered with flexible members to seal them; A lens cover characterized by having a first state in which the flexible member is separated from the rotation operating unit, and a second state in which the flexible member, when subjected to a gripping load, abuts against the rotation operating unit through the opening, making it possible to operate the rotation operating unit through the cover itself.

2. The rotating cylinder is A cylindrical main frame, a plurality of support columns extending in the front-rear direction and provided at appropriate intervals near the outer periphery of the main frame; The lens cover according to claim 1 , further comprising: an opening defined by the gap between adjacent support rods in the circumferential direction; and the flexible member covering and sealing the opening.

3. 3. The lens cover according to claim 1, wherein the width of the flexible member in the optical axis direction is longer than the width of the portion of the flexible member that abuts against the rotation operation portion in the optical axis direction.

4. 4. The lens cover according to claim 1, wherein the rotation operation portion is one of a zoom ring, a focus ring, and an aperture adjustment ring.

5. 5. The lens cover according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member has a circular ring shape.

6. A lens cover described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when an approximately ring-shaped accessory member is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating operating portion of the interchangeable lens, in the second state, it is the outer peripheral surface of the approximately ring-shaped accessory member that the flexible member abuts against through the opening.

7. 7. The lens cover according to claim 1, wherein the rotating cylinder is provided with a grip portion indicator that enables identification of the position of the opening for applying a grip load.

8. 8. The lens cover according to claim 1, wherein a first sealing member is provided between the imaging device and the fixed barrel, and a second sealing member is provided between the fixed barrel and the rotating barrel.

Images