U.S. patent application number 11/539953 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-12 for cleaning tool for photographing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to PENTAX CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Gouji FUNATSU.
Application Number | 20070079458 11/539953 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37944169 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070079458 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FUNATSU; Gouji |
April 12, 2007 |
CLEANING TOOL FOR PHOTOGRAPHING DEVICE
Abstract
A cleaning tool to remove foreign matter from a light receiving
surface of an imaging device in a photographing device includes a
body, a planar member, and a connecting member. The body extends in
a longitudinal direction thereof. The planar member is provided at
the end of the longitudinal direction, and has an adhesive surface
to adhere to the foreign matter, a first edge, and a second edge
that is at the opposite side of the first edge. The connecting
member connects the body and the planar member, and the connecting
member causes one of the first edge or the second edge of the
planar member that is contact with the light receiving surface to
detach from the light receiving surface earlier than the other, by
an operation of the body, so that said foreign matter adheres to
said adhesive surface.
Inventors: |
FUNATSU; Gouji; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
PENTAX CORPORATION
36-9, Maenocho 2-chome, Itabashi-ku
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
37944169 |
Appl. No.: |
11/539953 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/104.002 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 25/005 20130101;
B08B 7/0028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/104.002 |
International
Class: |
A47L 25/00 20060101
A47L025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 11, 2005 |
JP |
P2005-296211 |
Claims
1. A cleaning tool to remove foreign matter from a light receiving
surface of an imaging device in a photographing device, said
cleaning tool comprising: a body that extends in a longitudinal
direction thereof; a planar member that is provided at the end of
said longitudinal direction and that has an adhesive surface to
adhere to said foreign matter, a first edge, and a second edge that
is at the opposite side of said first edge; and a connecting member
that connects said body and said planar member, said connecting
member causing one of said first edge or said second edge of said
planar member that is in contact with said light receiving surface
to detach from said light receiving is surface prior to the other,
by an operation of said body, so that said foreign matter adheres
to said adhesive surface.
2. The cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein said adhesive
surface comprises a flat plate and an adhesive sheet on said flat
plate, said adhesive sheet adhering to said light receiving
surface.
3. The cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein said planar
member has a rectangular shape, and said first edge and said second
edge are long sides of an outline of said planar member.
4. The cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein said planar
member is perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.
5. The cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein said connecting
member comprises a first member that connects between a planar
member-side end of said body and said first edge, and a second
member that is in contact with said planar member-side end of said
body and that connects to said second edge, so that said connecting
member causes said first edge to detach from said light receiving
surface prior to said second edge.
6. The cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein said body and
said first member are formed as a single unit.
7. The cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein said body and
said connecting member are formed as a single unit.
8. The cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein a force applied
to said body for bringing said planar member into contact with said
light receiving surface is transmitted to said planar surface via
said first member and said second member, and a force applied to
said body for detaching said planar member from said light
receiving surface is transmitted to said planar surface via only
said first member.
9. The cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein said first
member and said second member are symmetric about said body.
10. The cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein said connecting
member further comprises a first rib that is in contact with said
first member around said planar-member-side end of said body, and
that connects to said second member.
11. The cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein said connecting
member further comprises a plate member that is connected to said
planar member at the opposite side of said adhesive surface, and a
second rib that extends from said first edge to said second edge on
said plate member, and that has a greater thickness at said second
edge side than thickness at said first edge side.
12. The cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein a notch is
provided on said second member for said first member to move with
said body.
13. The cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein said connecting
member further comprises a plate member that is connected to said
planar member at the opposite side of said adhesive surface, and a
side wall that extends from said second member along said plate
member; such that between said side wall and said plate member at
said first edge side, a slit is provided.
14. The cleaning tool according to claim 5, wherein said connecting
member comprises a plurality of said first members and a connecting
mechanism that connects said first members to each other.
15. The cleaning tool according to claim 14, wherein said
connecting member comprises a pair of said first members, said
connecting mechanism comprising a shaft that passes through a hole
provided at said second member to connect said first members to
each other; such that a force applied to said body for bringing
said planar member in contact with said light receiving surface is
transmitted to said planar force via said first member and said
second member by said shaft moving to a planar-member-side end of
said hole, and a force applied to said body for detaching said
planar member from said light receiving surface is transmitted to
said planar surface via only said first member, by said shaft
moving to body-side of said hole.
16. The cleaning tool according to claim 14, wherein said first
members are connected to the ends of said first edge.
17. The cleaning tool according to claim 14, wherein said
connecting member comprises a pair of said second members that are
connected to the ends of said second edge.
18. A cleaning tool to remove foreign matter from a subject plane
to be cleaned, said cleaning tool comprising: a body that extends
in a longitudinal direction thereof; a planar member that is
provided at the end of said longitudinal direction and that has an
adhesive surface to adhere to said foreign matter, a first edge,
and a second edge that is at the opposite side of said first edge;
and a connecting member that connects said body and said planar
member, said connecting member causing one of said first edge or
said second edge of said planar member that is in contact with said
subject plane to detach from said subject plane prior to the other,
by an operation of said body, so that said foreign matter adheres
to said adhesive surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a cleaning tool, especially
to a cleaning tool to remove foreign matter attached to an imaging
device or other components in a photographing device, such as a
digital camera.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Recently, the number of digital cameras with interchangeable
lenses has been increasing. In a digital camera with
interchangeable lenses, foreign matter, such as dust which enters
into it when a lens is changed, may attach to a surface of an
imaging device inside the digital camera.
[0005] Therefore, a tool for removing foreign matter from the
imaging device, by pressing an adhesive surface onto the surface of
an imaging device with a suitable force, and then detaching the
entire area of the adhesive surface from the surface of the~imaging
device at once, has been known.
[0006] In a cleaning operation using such a tool, when the entire
area of the adhesive surface is detached from the surface of the
imaging device at once, foreign matter that is lightly attached to
the adhesive surface may remain on the surface of the imaging
device, so that cleaning the imaging device may fail. Thus, for
efficient cleaning, if the adhesiveness of the adhesive surface is
strengthened, the required force to remove the cleaning tool from
the imaging device becomes greater, so that the operability of the
tool is lowered. Further, in such a case, the tool to which the
greater force is applied may cause damage to the imaging device by
scarring it or by causing other damage, or it may hit and possibly
damage components other than the imaging device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
a cleaning tool that can remove foreign matter from a surface of an
imaging device reliably, by contact with the surface.
[0008] A first cleaning tool, according to the present invention,
removes foreign matter from a light receiving surface of an imaging
device in a photographing device. The first cleaning tool includes
a body, a planar member, and a connecting member. The body extends
in a longitudinal direction thereof. The planar member is provided
at the end of the longitudinal direction and has an adhesive
surface to adhere to the foreign matter, a first edge, and a second
edge that is at the opposite side of the first edge. The connecting
member connects the body and the planar member, and the connecting
member causes one of the first edge or the second edge of the
planar member that is in contact with the light receiving surface
to detach from the light receiving surface prior to the other, by
an operation of the body, so that said foreign matter adheres to
said adhesive surface.
[0009] A second cleaning tool, according to the present invention,
removes foreign matter from a plane to be cleaned. The second
cleaning tool includes a body, a planar member, and a connecting
member. The body extends in a longitudinal direction thereof. The
planar member is provided at the end of the longitudinal direction
and has an adhesive surface to adhere to the foreign matter, a
first edge, and a second edge that is at the opposite side of the
first edge. The connecting member connects the body and the planar
member, and the connecting member causes one of the first edge or
the second edge of the planar member that is in contact with the
subject plane to detach from the subject plane prior to the other,
by an operation of the body, so that said foreign matter adheres to
said adhesive surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will be better understood from the
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention set forth
below together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool of a first
embodiment seen from a front angle;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning tool of the
first embodiment seen from a rear angle;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the cleaning tool in
contact with a digital camera;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool of a second
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of the cleaning tool of the second
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool of a third
embodiment, where a planar member is not pressed;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning tool of the
third embodiment, where the planar member is pressed; and
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side view of the cleaning tool of the third
embodiment/ where the planar member is pressed,
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present
invention are described with reference to the attached
drawings.
[0020] In the first embodiment, a cleaning tool 10 is used for
cleaning an imaging device unit or other devices (not shown) by
removing foreign matter, such as dust, attached to a light
receiving surface thereof in a digital camera (not shown) in which
light enters. That is, the cleaning tool 10 is used for cleaning
the light receiving surfaces of an imaging device, a low-pass
filer, a protection filter, or so on (all is not shown). As shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaning tool 10 has a body 20 that extends
in a longitudinal direction thereof, a planar member 12 that has a
rectangular shape and is provided at one of the longitudinal end of
the body 20, and a connecting member 14 that connects the body 20
and the planar member 12.
[0021] The planar member 12 includes a flat plate 13 that is a thin
plate, and that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in
which the body 20 extends, and an adhesive sheet 15 provided on the
flat plate 13 for adhering to foreign matter. A user holds the body
20 to bring the cleaning tool 10 close to a surface of an imaging
device or other subject surface, for cleaning, then brings the
adhesive sheet 15 into contact with the subject surface. After
that, the adhesive sheet 15 is detached from the subject surface by
moving the held body 20 away from the imaging device, so that the
foreign matter on the subject surface is attached to the adhesive
sheet 15 and removed from the subject surface. The adhesive sheet
15 can be brought into contact with the light receiving surface as
a subject of cleaning, because the adhesive sheet 15 is provided on
the flat plate 13. When the adhesive sheet 15 loses enough adhesive
due to much usage, it is peeled off from the flat plate 13 and
disposed of, then, a new adhesive sheet 15 is attached to the flat
plate 13 for further usage of the cleaning tool 10.
[0022] The flat plate 13, for example, is made of metal, so that
the flat plate 13 is harder and has more strength than the flat
plate 13 made of a thin rubber layer and other materials. The flat
plate 13 enables the soft adhesive sheet 15 to be distributed in
contact evenly over a subject surface of cleaning, such as a light
receiving surface of an imaging device. Further, as explained
below, the flat plate 13 prevents deformation of the adhesive sheet
15, even though the flat plate 13 is placed an angle while the
adhesive sheet 15 is being detached, so that it also prevents
foreign matter once attached to the adhesive sheet 15 from being
returned to the subject surface of cleaning.
[0023] The body 20 extends perpendicularly from the planar member
12, the width 12W of the planar member 12 is almost identical to
the length of a first long side 12U and a second long side 12D
which are outlines of the planar member 12, and the thickness 20T
of the body 20 is much lesser than the length of a short side of
the outline of the planar member 12. The connecting member 14
includes a first connecting member 16 and a second connecting
member 18. The first connecting member 16 connects an end 20E of
the body 20, which is the planar member 12 side end of the body 20,
to the first long side 12U, which is the upper side end of the
planar member 12. The end of the second connecting member 1HE
touches the end 20E, does not connect to the end 20E, and connects
to the second long side 12D, which is the lower side end of the
planar member 12.
[0024] The width and thickness of the first and second connecting
members 16 and 18 are identical to the width 20W and the thickness
20T, respectively. Note that over the other end of the body 20
opposite one end 20E, a ribbed area 20R is provided for a user to
hold the body 20 tightly. The body 20 is made of a plastic, and has
a suitable elasticity.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body 20 and the first
connecting member 16 are formed as a single unit. On the other
hand, between the end 20E of the body 20 and an end 18E of the
second connecting member 18, a gap is provided. Both the first and
the second connecting members 16 and 18 have an identical boomerang
shape.
[0026] That is, the first and second connecting members 16 and 18
extend in oblique directions from the body 20 on their sides of the
end 20E and the end 18E, respectively, and extend in parallel
directions to the body 20 on their planar member 12 sides, that is,
extend in perpendicular directions from the planar member 12 on
their planar member 12 sides. The first connecting member 16 and
the second connecting member 18 are symmetric about a plane that
runs through the center of the body 20, and that extends in the
longitudinal direction of the body 20.
[0027] The connecting member 14 includes a first rib 22 provided
around the end 20E of the body 20. The first rib 22 is formed as a
single unit with the second connecting member 18, and extends from
an inner surface 18I of the second connecting member 18. One of the
end surfaces of the first rib 22 in contact with an inside surface
16I of the first connecting member 16. The first rib 22 has a shape
symmetric about a plane that runs through a border line L on the
upper end of an are of contact that the inside surface 16I and the
inner surface 1SI together form, and that extends in the
longitudinal direction of the body 20.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting member 14 further
includes a plate member 24 that is between the first connecting
member 16 and the second connecting member 18, and that is
connected to the planar member 12, covering the back surface of the
planar member 12; i.e., that is provided at the opposite side of
the adhesive sheet 15. On the surface of the plate member 24, a
plurality of second ribs 26 are provided. The second ribs 26 extend
in a vertical direction; that is, the second ribs 26 extend from
the first long side 12U to the second long side 12D, or from the
first connecting member 16 to the second connecting member 18,
[0029] All of the second ribs 26 have a greater thickness at their
second long side 12D sides than at their first long side 12U sides.
The ends of the second ribs 26 are connected to the inner surface
18I of the second connecting member 18. Note that all of the first
connecting member 16, the second connecting member 18, and the
plate member 24 are formed as a single unit Therefore, all members
of the body 20 and the connecting member 14 are formed as a single
unit.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, when a user holding the body 20 moves is
the cleaning tool 10 close to a surface 32S of an imaging device 32
provided in a digital camera 30, as represented by the arrow A, and
brings the planar member 12 into contact with the surface 32S, a
force is applied to the body 20. This force applied to the body 20
is distributed over the planar member 12 evenly via both the first
connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 18, because
the connecting member 14 is formed as explained above. Further,
when a user moves the cleaning tool 10 away from the surface 32S in
a direction perpendicular to the surface 32S, as represented by the
arrow B, and moves the planar member 12 away from the surface 32S,
another force is applied to the body 20. The force for detaching
the planar member 12 from the surface 32S is transmitted to the
planar member 12 via only the first connecting member 16.
[0031] That is, a pressing force for pressing the surface 32S of
the imaging device 32 applied from the body 20 when the planar
member 12 is in contact with the surface 32S is distributed to the
first connecting member 16 and to the second connecting member 18
evenly. The reason is that the first and second connecting members
16 and 18 are symmetric with each other, and the first rib 22
prevents the movement or transformation of the first and second
connecting members 16 and 18, although only the first connecting
member 16 is connected to the body 20 directly, and the second
connecting member 18 is not. As a result, the planar member 12 is
pressed to the surface 32S of the imaging device 32 by a force
evenly distributed over the entire area of the surface 32S.
[0032] On the other hand, a pulling force for pulling the planar
member 12, with foreign matter attached, as the planar member 12
adheres to the surface 32S, applied to the body 20 in a
perpendicular direction to the surface 32S, is transmitted to the
planar member 12 via only the first connecting member 16, without
being distributed to the second connecting member 18. The reason is
that the second connecting member 18 is not connected to the body
20 directly, but simply touches the end 20R of the body 20, and the
first rib 22 is not connected to the first connecting member 16,
but simply touches the first connecting member 16. As a result, the
planar member 12 is gradually detached from the surface 32S of the
imaging device 32; that is, the area of the planar member 12 that
is closer to the first long side 12U is detached from the surface
32S earlier than the opposite side area, which is closer to the
second long side 12D.
[0033] Because the lower region in the second rib 26 has a greater
thickness (that is, a region of the second rib 26 that is closer to
the second connecting member 18 is thicker than the other region
closer to the first connecting member 16, as explained above), the
second rib 26 contributes to the planar member 12 being gradually
detached from the area of the first long side 12U prior to the area
of the second long side 12D. Therefore, the second long side 12D
can be reliably prevented from being detached prior to the first
long side 12U of the planar member 12; similarly, both the first
and second long sides 12U and 12D can be prevented from being
detached simultaneously. Thus, when the planar member 12 is
detached from the surface 32S at an angle, the area of the first
long side 12U of the planar member 12 becomes detached prior to the
area of the second long side 12D.
[0034] As a result, foreign matter is reliably removed from the
surface 32S to be cleaned in this embodiment, by providing the
connecting member 14 as a differential mechanism where the area of
the first long side 12U of the planar member 12 is detached in
advance, even though foreign matter tends to stay on the surface
32S, if the entire area of the planar member 12 is detached at
once.
[0035] In the case where foreign matter is removed by detaching the
planar member 12 gradually as explained above, the area of the
planer member 12 which is detached slightly later, that is, the
area of the second long side 12D in this embodiments cleans more
effectively the surface 32S than the other area which is detached
earlier, that is, the first ling side 12U. Usually, in photographs
whose subjects are people or scenery, there is a blue sky in the
upper area. Therefore, the color in the upper area in such
photographs tends to be light and evenly distributed, especially in
photographs taken under fine weather, so that spot stains caused by
foreign matter on the surface 32S of the imaging device 32 in upper
areas of such photographs easily stand out.
[0036] Considering this point, in this embodiment, an indication
mark 16M, which indicates that the first connecting member 16 side
should be placed up when using the cleaning tool 10, is provided on
an outside surface 160 of the first connecting member 16.
Therefore, when the cleaning tool 10 is used, the area of the
second long side 12D of the planar member 12 is placed down as
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, so that the area in the subject images
generated by the imaging device 32 corresponding to the area of the
second long side 12D of the planar member 12 is always located on
the upper side.
[0037] In the first embodiment explained above, foreign matter on
the surface 32S of the imaging device 32 is reliably removed, by
pressing the entire area of the planar member 12 evenly over the
surface 32S at once, and by detaching the planar member 12
gradually from the surface 32S, from one side of the planar member
12 to the other side. Further, because the planar member 12 is
detached gradually, it is possible to detach the planar member 12
from the surface 32S of the imaging device 32 using minimal force,
even if the planar member 12 adheres strongly.
[0038] Note that the first rib 22 may not be formed as a single
unit with the second connecting member 18, but may simply be
connected to the second connecting member 18.
[0039] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention is
described, mainly focusing on the differences from the first
embodiment. In the second embodiment (see FIGS. 4 and 5), a planar
member 12 and a body 20 of a cleaning tool 10 are formed by a thin
metal plate which has a constant thickness.
[0040] In the second embodiment, the first and second ribs 22 and
26 are not provided. The reason is as follows: In the first
embodiment, the connecting member 14 and the body 20 had elasticity
because they were made of plastic, so that adjusting a distribution
of a force applied to the body 20 by the first and second ribs 22
and 26 was possible. On the other hand, in the second embodiment,
such an adjustment for a force distribution is impossible because
the connecting member 14 and the body 20 are made of a thin metal
plate (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
[0041] At both ends of a first plate 18B, which is a plate member
on the body 20 side of the second connecting member 18, a pair of
projection members 18A, which project along the first plate 18B,
are provided. To arrange the projection members 18A, the width of
the first connecting member 16 is shorter than the width 20W of the
body 20 around the end 20E, which is the planar member 12 side of
the body 20. Except for the projection members 18A and the side
walls 28 that are explained below, both the first and the second
connecting members 16 and 19 have almost an identical boomerang
shape, and are symmetric about the flat body 20.
[0042] A force applied to the body 20, when a user holding the body
20 causes the cleaning tool 10 to move in a perpendicular direction
to the surface 32S (see FIG. 3) of the imaging device 32 or other
surfaces to be cleaned, as represented by the arrow A, while the
planar member 12 is in contact with the imaging device, is
distributed to the planar member 12 evenly via both the first
connecting member 16 and the second connecting member 18. The
reason is that the connecting member 14 is formed as explained
above.
[0043] The connecting member 14 includes a plate member 24 that is
connected to the rear surface of the planar member 12, and a pair
of side walls 28. The side walls 28 extend proximally along the
plate member 24 from a second plate 18C (which is in a lower side
of the second connecting member 18) to the first connecting member
16. A pair of slits S between the side walls 28 and the plate
member 24 are wider closer to the first long side 12U, and are
narrower closer to the second long side 12D, such that as the slits
S approach the second long side 12D, their width becomes
negligible.
[0044] On each of the projection members 18A, a notch 18L for the
first connecting member 16 to move with the body 20 when the planar
member 12 is detached from the surface 32S (see FIG. 3) of the
imaging device 32 is provided. Via the notches 18L, a pulling force
for pulling the cleaning tool 10 away from an imaging device,
applied to the body 20 when the planar member 12 is in contact with
the surface 32S of the imaging device 32, is transmitted to the
planar member 12 via only the first connecting member 16. The
reason is that the second connecting member 18 is not connected to
the body 20 directly, but, on the other hand, the first connecting
member 16 is directly connected to the body 20, and the first
connecting member 16 can move along the notches 18L.
[0045] Further, the side walls 28 arranged to form slits S as
explained above helps the planar member 12 to be gradually detached
from the surface 32S of the imaging device 32, even though the
second rib 26 is not provided. That is, the side walls 28 with
slits S assist an area of the planar member 12 that is closer to
the first long side 12U to be detached first, and reliably prevent
the second long side 12D from being detached earlier than the first
long side 12U side of the planar member 12, or both sides of the
first and second long sides 12U and 12D from being detached at
once.
[0046] Although the cleaning tool 10 is preferably used with the
area of the second long side 12D in the planar member 12 being
faced down as explained above, note that no indication mark 16M
indicating the vertical direction of the cleaning tool 10 is
required in the second embodiment. The reason is that the
projection members 18A can function together as the indication mark
16M.
[0047] The cleaning tool 10 in the second embodiment is
manufactured from a single metal plate, except for the adhesive
sheet 15, because the connecting member 14 and the body 20 have the
same thickness. That is, the connecting member 14 and the body 20
are manufactured by cutting off a T-shaped plate from a material
plate, then folding the T-shaped plate at lines between the body 20
and the first connecting member 16, at lines running through the
centers of both the first connecting member 16 and the second
connecting member 18, and at lines running between the second
connecting member 18 and the pair of side walls 28. Further, the
cleaning tool 10 is manufactured by cutting off the flat plate 13
from the same material plate as above, and connecting the flat
plate 13 to the body 20, and then adhering the adhesive sheet 15 to
the flat plate 13.
[0048] In the second embodiment, as explained above, the cleaning
tool 10 that enables reliably removing foreign matter from the
surface of an imaging device can be manufactured by a simpler
method than the cleaning tool in the first embodiment
[0049] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention is
explained, mainly focusing on the differences from the
aforementioned embodiments. In the third embodiment, each of a pair
of first connecting members 16 and second connecting members 18 are
provided (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The pair of the first connecting
members 16 are connected to the left and right ends of a planar
member 12, which are both ends of the first long side 12U.
Similarly, the pair of the second connecting members 18 are
connected to both ends of the second long side 12D. In each of the
second connecting members .sup.18, an oblong hole 36 extending
along the same second connecting member 18, is provided. The body
20 includes a shaft 34 that connects the first connecting members
16 to each other through the holes 36, and that is parallel to the
planar member 12.
[0050] When a user causes the planar member 12 to come into contact
with the surface 32S of the imaging device 32, the shaft 34 is
moved to the planar-member-side end 36E of each hole 36, so that a
force applied to the body 20 for pressing the planar member 12
against the surface 32S is distributed over the planar member 12
evenly via the first connecting members 16 and the second
connecting members 18 (see FIGS. 7 and 8).
[0051] Then, when a pulling force for pulling the planar member 12
as it adheres to the surface 32S, thus gradually detaching it from
the surface 32S, is applied to the body 20, the shaft 34 is moved
from each planar-member-side end 36E of corresponding hole 36 to
the corresponding body-side end 36F.
[0052] Therefore, the pulling force applied to the body 20 for
pulling the planar member 12 is not transmitted to the planar
member 12 via the second connecting members 18, but is transmitted
via only the first connecting members 16. Therefore, the planar
member 12 is gradually detached from the surface 32S; that is, the
area of the first long side 12U of the planar member 12 is detached
earlier than the area of the second long side 12D side.
[0053] In the third embodiment, as explained above, the cleaning
tool 10 can reliably remove foreign matter from the surface 32S of
the imaging device 30. This is achieved by providing the shaft 34
as a connecting mechanism to connect the first connecting members
16 to each other, by providing holes 36 in the second connecting
members 18 for the shaft 34 to pass through, and by adjusting a
distribution of forces applied to the body 12 in a direction
perpendicular to the surface 32S, for pressing the planar member 12
against the surface 32S, or for pulling the planar member 12 from
the surface 32S, using the first and second connecting members 16
and 16.
[0054] The shape of the planar member 12, the first and second
connecting members 16 and 18, and the other members are not limited
to those in the aforementioned embodiments, but can be adjusted in
accordance with the imaging device 32 as a subject of cleaning. For
example, the shape of the planar member 12 is not limited to being
rectangular, a rectangular shape is usually advantageous to cover
the entire area of the surface 32S of the imaging device 32.
[0055] Finally, it will be understood by those skilled in the art
that the foregoing description is of a preferred embodiments of the
apparatus, and that various changes and modifications may be made
to the present invention without departing from the spirit and
scope thereof.
[0056] The present disclosure relates to subject matters contained
in Japanese Patent application No. 2005-296211 (filed on Oct. 11,
2005), which is expressly incorporated herein, by reference, in its
entirety.
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