JP2005115182A - Waterproof case for photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof case for a photographing device capable of preventing a photographing unfeasible state from occurring because a photographic lens is covered with a lens cover by inhibiting a photographing operation from being started in a state where the photographic lens is still covered with the lens cover. <P>SOLUTION: The waterproof case for the photographing device is equipped with: a front case 21 and a rear case 22 which are engaged in an attachable/detachable manner; and a buckle 23 engaging the cases 21 and 22 in a liquid-tight state. A digital still camera 1 having a lens cover 7 with which the photographic lens 5 is covered to be freely opened/shut is housed in an attachable/detachable manner in a hollow chamber formed by engaging the cases 21 and 22. At least part of the case 21 opposed to the lens 5 of the camera 1 housed in the hollow chamber is formed of material which transmits light. The shape of the hollow chamber is designed so that the cases 21 and 22 are engaged in the liquid-tight state only when the lens 5 is exposed by moving the cover 7 to an open side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof case for a photographing apparatus for housing a photographing apparatus such as a digital still camera or a digital video camera and photographing underwater, and in particular, photographing in which a lens cover capable of opening and closing a photographing lens is integrally provided. The present invention relates to a waterproof case for a photographing apparatus that can be accommodated only when the photographing lens is opened.

  As a conventional waterproof case for this type of photographing apparatus, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a waterproof housing in which a device is housed and an opening is closed with a lid. The waterproof housing described in Patent Document 1 is a waterproof housing in which an apparatus is housed and an opening is closed by a lid, and is provided rotatably on one of the lid and the waterproof housing body. A lock member provided on the other of the lid and the waterproof housing body, and a lock member provided on the other, and when the lock member is engaged with the lock member, the lock member is frictionally engaged with the lock member. And a fixed guide for holding the rotational position.

  According to the waterproof housing having such a configuration, when the engagement between the lock member and the member to be locked is released, the rotation position is maintained because the lock member is frictionally engaged with the fixed guide. The effect of preventing the lid from opening suddenly is expected.

  However, in the case of such a waterproof housing, the open / close state of the lens cover of the electronic still camera is not taken into consideration. Of course, when the lens cover is moved to expose the photographing lens, the lens cover is not moved. Even when the photographing lens is closed, the electronic still camera can be mounted on the waterproof housing. Therefore, if the photographic lens is stored in a waterproof housing with the lens cover closed, and if it is found in water that the photographic lens remains closed by the lens cover, the lens cover cannot be moved underwater. There was a problem that work could not be done.

  Further, as a second example of a conventional waterproof case for a photographing apparatus, there is one described in Patent Document 2, for example. Patent Document 2 describes a film unit with a different type of waterproof lens. The film unit with a waterproof lens described in Patent Document 2 is a strobe having a main body base in which a photographic film and a simple exposure mechanism are incorporated, a strobe device is not incorporated, and a front cover covering at least the front surface thereof. In a film unit with a waterproof lens comprising a non-built-in lens-equipped film unit body and a waterproof case for storing the unit body in a watertight manner, a built-in part for incorporating a strobe device is formed on the base of the body, The front cover is formed with an opening for exposing the strobe light emitting portion, and means for covering the opening is provided so that the opening cannot be seen from the outside of the waterproof case.

  According to the film unit with a waterproof lens having such a configuration, the unit main body with a built-in strobe and the unit main body with no built-in strobe are composed of common parts having the same shape and the same dimensions. The waterproof case to be accommodated is expected to be able to cope with slight changes based on the built-in waterproof case.

However, in the case of such a film unit with a waterproof lens, the unit body is not provided with a lens cover that covers the photographing lens so as to be freely opened and closed, and the photographing lens is always open. Therefore, the film unit with a waterproof lens does not have the problem as in Patent Document 1, but the waterproof case made up of the front and rear case members and the waterproof cover is removed, and the photographing lens of the unit body remains exposed. Therefore, there is a problem that dust and dirt are easily attached to the photographing lens.
JP 2003-107569 A JP 2000-267230 A

  The problem to be solved is that the conventional waterproof case for a photographing device has a structure that can be stored in a predetermined position even when the photographing lens of the camera is closed by the lens cover. Even when the cover is closed and attached to a predetermined position, it has the problem of being housed in the waterproof case as it is.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present application includes a front case and a rear case that are detachably joined, and a tightening device that joins the front case and the rear case in a liquid-tight manner, and joins the front case and the rear case. A photographic device having a lens cover that opens and closes the photographic lens is detachably accommodated in the hollow chamber formed by doing so, and is opposed to the photographic lens of the photographic device accommodated at least in the hollow chamber of the front case In a waterproof case for a photographic device where the portion to be formed is made of a material that transmits light, the shape of the hollow chamber is changed between the front case and the rear case only when the lens cover is moved to the open side to expose the photographic lens. The main feature is that liquid-tight joining is possible.

  In the invention according to claim 2 of the present application, the front case is provided with a positioning member that positions the photographing device at a predetermined position only when the lens cover is opened, and the rear case is stored at the predetermined position. A pressing member that presses the image-capturing device to the positioning member side is provided.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is characterized in that the hardness of the pressing member is set lower than the hardness of the positioning member and is elastically pressed by the pressing member.

  In the invention according to claim 4 of the present application, the front case and the rear case are rotatably connected by a hinge provided on one side of the opening direction, and a tightening device is provided on the other side of the opening direction. It is characterized by that.

  According to the first aspect of the present application, the shape of the hollow chamber formed by the front case and the rear case is such that the lens cover that can open and close the photographing lens of the photographing device moves to the open side to expose the photographing lens. Since the lens can be positioned at a predetermined position only in the closed state, there is no risk of storing the photographing device with the lens cover positioned on the closed side and the photographing lens closed, and the photographing device is stored in the predetermined position. When this is done, the lens cover is always moved to the open side and the taking lens is exposed. Therefore, the photographing operation is not started while the photographing lens is covered with the lens cover, and it is possible to prevent the photographing impossible state due to the photographing lens being covered with the lens cover.

  According to the invention described in claim 2 of the present application, the imaging device is positioned at a predetermined position by the positioning member provided on the front case, and the positioned imaging device is pressed by the pressing member provided on the rear case. The imaging device can be reliably positioned and fixed in the hollow chamber.

  According to the invention described in claim 3 of the present application, since the hardness of the pressing member is set lower (softer) than the hardness of the positioning member, the photographing apparatus can be elastically supported in the hollow chamber, and the anti-vibration performance Can be improved.

  According to the invention described in claim 4 of the present application, the front case and the rear case, which are connected by the hinges, are tightened by the tightening device, so that the front case and the rear case can be securely tightened even with simple operation. It is possible to provide a waterproof case for a photographing apparatus that is capable of providing high waterproof performance and excellent operability.

  A waterproof case for a photographing device that does not have the risk of storing the photographing device in a waterproof case with the photographing lens covered with a lens cover has been realized with a simple structure.

  1 to 18 show an embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a waterproof case for a photographing apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is also a front perspective view, FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for superimposing the front case and the rear case, FIG. 6 is a front view of the front case, FIG. 7 is a rear view of the front case, and FIG. 8 is a left and right positioning on the inner surface of the front case. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the light guide tube, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the front side of the rear case, FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the tightening device, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are views of the tightening device. FIG. 14 is a front perspective view showing an embodiment of the photographing apparatus, FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view, FIG. 16 is a mode dial perspective view, FIG. 17 is a side view, and FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a mode dial.

  First, the photographing apparatus used for the waterproof case for the photographing apparatus of the present invention will be described. 14 and 15 show a specific example of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention, which is applied to a digital still camera. The digital still camera 1 uses a semiconductor recording medium as an information recording medium, converts an optical image into an electrical signal by a CCD (charge coupled device) and records it on the semiconductor recording medium, a liquid crystal display or the like. It can be displayed on a display device.

  However, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the digital still camera 1 and can be applied to an analog still camera, a digital video camera recorder, an analog video camera recorder, and other imaging apparatuses. Further, the information recording medium is not limited to a semiconductor recording medium, and a digital video cassette, an analog video cassette and other tape cassettes using a tape-shaped recording medium can be used as well as a DVD (digital Versatile discs), CD-ROMs and other recordable optical discs, magneto-optical discs, magnetic discs and other disc-shaped recording media can be applied.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the digital still camera 1 includes a camera body 2 having a hollow housing, a lens device 3 disposed in the upper left portion of the camera body 2, and the vicinity of the lens device 3. And a flash unit 4 arranged side by side, an image pickup unit that forms a video signal of a subject based on light input from the photographing lens 5 of the lens unit 3, and a video signal formed by the image pickup unit or information in advance The display device 6 includes a display device 6 that displays an image based on information recorded on a recording medium (a storage device of an imaging unit or a semiconductor recording medium), a lens cover 7 that opens and closes the photographing lens 5, and the like.

  The “video” and “image” in the present invention are defined as follows. In other words, in the present invention, an image for each frame shown on the display surface of the display device 6 is referred to as an “image”, and an arbitrary number of sets of the images is referred to as a “video”. The “waterproof case” according to the present invention can be used not only for underwater photography, but also for example on land such as the coast or poolside, on the water, on the water such as on a boat or yacht, etc. It can be done. In other words, the waterproof case herein includes the meaning of a drip-proof case, a dust-proof case, or a rain jacket.

  The image pickup means of the digital still camera 1 is housed in the camera body 2 and does not appear in the drawing, but a recording medium holder to which a semiconductor recording medium is detachably attached and a semiconductor attached to the recording medium holder The recording / reproducing apparatus records (writes) and reproduces (reads) information signals with respect to the recording medium, and a control apparatus that performs drive control and other controls of the recording / reproducing apparatus. The recording / reproducing apparatus includes a CCD, and the CCD is disposed on the rear side of the optical axis of the lens apparatus 3, and information converted into an electrical signal by the CCD is recorded on a semiconductor recording medium. The semiconductor recording medium can be taken in and out from an opening provided on the lower surface of the camera body 2, and the opening can be opened and closed by a lid 8.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the photographing lens 5 and the light emitting unit of the flash unit 4 arranged at the upper front of the camera body 2 can be opened and closed by a lens cover 7 that can be moved in the vertical direction. The lens cover 7 is supported so as to be slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the camera body 2, and is a lens open position located at a substantially central portion indicated by a solid line in FIG. The closed position can be taken selectively. As a result, when the lens cover 7 is in the lens open position, the photographing lens 5 and the light emitting portion of the flash unit 4 are both opened, and a photographing operation is possible. On the other hand, by moving the lens cover 7 to the lens closing position, both the photographing lens 5 and the light emitting unit are closed, and the photographing operation becomes impossible.

  A power button 10 and a shutter button 11 are provided on the upper surface of the camera body 2. As shown in FIG. 15, on the back of the camera body 2, there are a liquid crystal display 6 showing a specific example of the display device, a zoom button 12 that can perform a zoom operation, and various controls such as a control button and a reset button. An operation button group 13 including operation buttons is provided. The liquid crystal display 6 is formed in a large size on the back surface of the camera body 2 so as to occupy a large area from the center to the left side. The zoom button 12 is disposed on the upper side of the right side, and the operation button group 13 is disposed on the lower side. Has been placed.

  The zoom button 12 can perform a zoom operation not only during photographing but also during reproduction. The operation button group 13 includes, for example, a control button such as a play button, a stop button, a fast forward button, and a return button, a reset button, a backlight button for a screen display and an LCD, and the like. The operation buttons are not limited. A plurality of through holes 14 are provided between the operation button group 13 and the zoom button 12, and a speaker is built inside the through holes 14.

  A mode switch 15 is attached to the upper part of the right side surface of the camera body 2 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The mode switch 15 switches a camera function. Examples of the function mode include a moving image shooting mode, a still image shooting mode, and an image reproduction / editing mode. The mode switch 15 is provided with a convex portion 15a for engaging with a mode dial of a waterproof case for a photographing apparatus described below. Reference numeral 16 shown in FIG. 15 denotes a strap attachment portion, and a wrist strap for hooking and holding on the wrist is attached to the strap attachment portion 16 (not shown).

  The waterproof case 20 for the photographing apparatus of the present embodiment, in which the digital still camera 1 having such a configuration is detachably mounted, has a configuration as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the photographing device waterproof case 20 includes a front case 21, a rear case 22, and a buckle 23 showing a specific example of a tightening device. The front case 21 has a recessed portion 24, and the rear case 22 has a recessed portion 25, and the two cases 21 and 22 are overlapped with the recessed portions 24 and 25 facing each other as a whole. A housing having a hollow chamber having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is configured. The digital still camera 1 is housed in a hollow chamber formed by the front case 21 and the rear case 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the front case 21 has a front surface portion 21a that is substantially rectangular, an upper surface portion 21b and a lower surface portion 21c that are continuous above and below the front surface portion 21a, and a left and right surface of the front surface portion 21a. It consists of a left side surface portion 21d and a right side surface portion 21e. A lens window 26 that is opposed to the photographing lens 5 of the lens device 3 of the stored digital still camera 1 is opened at the upper right corner of the front portion 21a of the front case 21, and the lens window 26 has a rectangular shape. Two glass plates 27 and 28 are attached. The two glass plates 27 and 28 are provided so that external light can be input to the lens device 3 in a form as natural as possible. The front glass 27 disposed on the outer side and the rear glass 28 disposed on the inner side thereof. It is made up of.

  The rear glass 28 is formed to be slightly smaller than the front glass 27. In order to hold the front glass 27 and the rear glass 28, a front holding frame 30, a seal member 31, and a rear holding frame 32 are provided in the lens window 26 of the front case 21. And are attached. The lens window 26 has a two-stage structure with stepped portions. A front holding frame 30 is attached to the outer large hole portion, and a rear holding frame 32 is attached to the inner small hole portion. A windshield 27 is held on the front holding frame 30, a rear glass 28 is held on the rear holding frame 32, and a seal member 31 is interposed between the two glasses 27 and 28.

  A presser frame 33 made of a rectangular frame is in contact with the peripheral edges of the four sides of the windshield 27 held by the front holding frame 30. The presser frame 33 is detachably fixed by fixing means such as a fixing screw, thereby preventing the two glass plates 27 and 28 from falling off. A glass cover 34 forming a quadrangular frame is detachably attached to the peripheral portion of the windshield 27.

  A pair of side holders 35, 36 showing a specific example of a positioning member for positioning the digital still camera 1 with respect to the front case 21 are fixed on both side portions of the front case 21 in the left-right direction. Is attached by. The left side holder 35 supports the left side of the digital still camera 1, and includes an upper support portion 35 a that supports the upper left corner portion of the camera body 2, and a lower support portion 35 b that supports the lower left corner portion of the camera body 2. And a lens corresponding portion 35 c having an opening hole 38 facing the lens window 26.

  Further, the lens corresponding portion 35 c is provided with a light shielding portion 39 that is pressed against the front surface of the camera body 2 so as to surround the photographing lens 5 of the digital still camera 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the light shielding portion 39 is formed in a tapered pyramid shape, and is given great flexibility by reducing its thickness. As a result, the front end of the light-shielding portion 39 is brought into close contact with the front surface of the digital still camera 1 mounted at a predetermined position to prevent flash light from entering the photographing lens 5 from the side.

  A light guide tube 40 is attached to the central side of the light shielding unit 39 as a specific example of an optical path changing unit that covers the photographing lens 5 so as to surround the light emitting unit of the flash device 4 arranged side by side. The light guide tube 40 is for shifting the light emitting position of the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the flash device 4 to the radiation position where the light is transmitted through the front case 21 and emitted to the outside. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 9, the light guide tube 40 includes a main body portion 40 a having a horizontally long pyramid shape and a fixing portion 40 b for fixing the main body portion 40 a to the front case 21. Is formed.

  The main body portion 40a of the light guide tube 40 includes a left side surface portion 41a and a right side surface portion 41b opposed to the left and right, and an upper surface portion 41c and a lower surface portion 41d opposed to each other in the vertical direction. The left and right side surface portions 41a and 41b are provided in parallel to each other at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the vertical direction with respect to the front surface of the camera body 2. On the other hand, the upper and lower surface portions 41c and 41d are provided so as to open slightly outward, so that the emitted light spreads and travels outward. The fixing portion 40b of the light guide tube 40 is provided on the upper surface of the upper surface portion 41c of the main body portion 40a. The fixing portion 40b is provided with an insertion hole 42 through which the shaft portion of the fixing screw 37 is inserted, and the front surface 40c of the fixing portion 40b is curved in accordance with the inner surface shape of the front portion 21a of the front case 21. .

  The entire inner surface of the main body portion 40a of the light guide tube 40 is formed as a light reflecting surface composed of a mirror surface so that light can be efficiently reflected. Such a light reflecting surface can be formed by means such as vacuum deposition, sputtering, plating or the like of a metal such as aluminum. However, it is not limited to this, For example, you may make it form a light reflection surface by sticking aluminum foil etc. on the inner surface of the main-body part 40a.

  The right side holder 36 supports the right side of the digital still camera 1, and includes an upper support portion 36 a that supports the upper right corner portion of the camera body 2, and a lower support portion 36 b that supports the lower right corner portion of the camera body 2. It is made up of. Between the upper support part 36a and the lower support part 36b, a cover holding part 44 made of a notch having a predetermined length in the height direction is provided. The cover holding unit 44 is for holding the lens cover 7 of the digital still camera 1.

  A power button 45 and a shutter button 46 on the case side are provided on the upper surface portion 21 b of the front case 21. The power button 45 and the shutter button 46 are provided at positions corresponding to the power button 10 and the shutter button 11 of the digital still camera 1 mounted at a predetermined position on the waterproof case 20 for the photographing apparatus. As a result, the camera-side power button 10 is pressed by pressing the case-side power button 45, and the camera-side shutter button 11 is pressed by pressing the case-side shutter button 46. It is like that. Since the shapes and structures of the power button 45 and the shutter button 46 are the same as those of a case-side operation button group to be described later, they will be described later together.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a fixing plate 47 for fixing the photographing device waterproof case 20 to a tripod is fixed to a substantially central portion of the lower surface portion 21 c of the front case 21 by fixing means using a fixing screw 48. A pair of leg portions 49 are provided on both outer sides of the fixed plate 47 with an appropriate interval.

  Further, a lever receiving portion 50, a pressure receiving convex portion 51, and a fixed convex portion 52 related to a fastening device to be described later are provided at a substantially central portion of the left side surface portion 21d of the front case 21. The lever receiving portion 50 and the pressure receiving convex portion 51 are provided at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, and the lower surface 50a of the lever receiving portion 50 and the upper surface 51a of the pressure receiving convex portion 51 are both substantially parallel to the opening side end surface of the front case 21. It is assumed to be a flat surface. A holding member 53 for holding at the time of shooting is fixed to the fixed convex portion 52. Further, a strap attachment portion 54 for attaching a hand strap (not shown) is provided below the left side surface portion 21d of the front case 21.

  An annular groove 55 is provided on the back surface of the front case 21 so as to surround the periphery of the recessed portion 24. The annular groove 55 is provided with a drip-proof packing 56 in the form of a ring for liquid-tight sealing with the rear case 22. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the drip-proof packing 56 has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape, and in a state where the drip-proof packing 56 is attached to the annular groove 55, one corner portion thereof extends from the annular groove 55 over the entire circumference. It is protruding. As a result, in the state where the rear case 22 is superimposed on the front case 21, one corner of the drip-proof packing 56 is brought into contact with the end surface of the rear case 22 over the entire circumference and is deformed by the elasticity of the packing itself. Thus, it is configured to be in close contact with the contact surface. As a material for the drip-proof packing 56, for example, EPDM (ethylene / propylene rubber) is suitable, but other packing materials may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the front case 21 is rotatably connected to the rear case 22 by a hinge 60. The hinge 60 includes two front bearings 61 provided on the right side of the front case 21, three rear bearings 62 provided on the right side of the rear case 22, and the adjacent bearings 61 and 62. It consists of two hinge screws 63 to be connected. The front and rear bearing portions 61 and 62 are formed with a predetermined width at predetermined intervals so as to mesh with each other, and two hinge screws 63 are inserted from above and below in the direction in which they are overlapped. Thus, the front and rear bearing portions 61 and 62 are rotatably connected via the two hinge screws 63, and both cases 21 and 22 are connected to each other by the hinge 60 so as to be opened and closed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and the like, the rear case 22 includes a substantially rectangular back surface portion 22 a, an upper surface portion 22 b and a lower surface portion 22 c that are continuous above and below the back surface portion 22 a, and a back surface portion 22 a. It consists of a left side surface portion 22d and a right side surface portion 22e which are continuous from side to side. A monitor hood 70 facing the liquid crystal display 6 of the stored digital still camera 1 is attached to the inner surface of the rear surface portion 22 a of the rear case 22. The monitor hood 70 surrounds the outer periphery of the display surface of the liquid crystal display 6 in a square, and prevents external light from entering from the side and irradiating the display surface.

  The monitor hood 70 is formed in a rectangular frame shape, and screw fixing portions 71 are provided at four corners thereof. Corresponding to these four screw fixing portions 71, screw fixing convex portions 72 are provided on the inner surface of the back surface portion 22a. The monitor hood 70 is fixed to the inner surface of the back surface portion 22a by tightening these four screw fixing portions 71 to the convex portions 72 with fixing screws 73, respectively. As a material of the monitor hood 70, for example, silicon rubber or other synthetic rubber is suitable, but relatively soft plastic can also be used.

  Further, a large number of case-side operation buttons are arranged on the side of the monitor hood 70 on the back surface portion 22a of the rear case 22. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the operation buttons on the case side are a pair of zoom buttons 74 a and 74 b corresponding to the zoom button 12 of the digital still camera 1 and an operation button group 75 corresponding to the operation button group 13. The pair of zoom buttons 74 a and 74 b and the operation button group 75 are disposed at positions overlapping the zoom button 12 and the operation button group 13 of the digital still camera 1 positioned at predetermined positions of the waterproof case 20.

  The pair of zoom buttons 74 a and 74 b correspond to the wide-angle side and the telephoto side of the camera-side zoom button 12. That is, the zoom button 12 is operated to the wide-angle side by pressing one zoom button 74a, and the zoom button 12 is operated to the telephoto side by pressing the other zoom button 74b. On the other hand, the operation button group 75 on the case side corresponds to the operation button group 13 on the camera side as it is.

  The configuration of these operation buttons 74a, 74b, and 75 is the same as that of the power button 45 and the shutter button 46, and will be described together here. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation buttons 74 a, 74 b, and 75 include an operation unit 76 a disposed outside the rear case 22 (or the front case 21), an action unit 76 b disposed inside, and the rear case 22 ( Alternatively, a button shaft 76c having an operation portion 76a fixed to one end through the front case 21) and an action portion 76b fixed to the other end, a seal member 76d into which the button shaft 76c is inserted in a liquid-tight manner, and an operation The coil spring 76e urges the portion 76a outward.

  A through hole 77a is provided in the rear case 22 (or the front case 21) so as to pass through the button shafts 76c of the operation buttons 74a, 74b, 75, and a large diameter hole 77b is formed on the outer surface thereof. An annular convex portion 77c formed on the outer side of the hole 77b is provided. A coil spring 76e loosely fitted to the button shaft 76c is accommodated in the large-diameter hole 77b, and the operation buttons 74a, 74b, 75 are always urged toward the outer operation portion 76a by the spring force of the coil spring 76e. Has been. Further, the annular convex portion 77c is provided with a water drain groove 78 for allowing the water in the large diameter hole 77b to escape to the outside when the operation portion 76a is pressed.

  Reference numeral 79 shown in FIG. 10 is a cushion that is in contact with the upper and lower sides of the camera body 2 on the side opposite to the liquid crystal display 6 of the digital still camera 1. Each cushion 79 is fastened and fixed to the screwing convex portion of the rear case 22 by a fixing screw 73.

  A mode dial 80 for sliding the mode switch 15 of the digital still camera 1 is provided between the pair of zoom buttons 74 a and 74 b and the operation button group 75 of the rear case 22. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the mode dial 80 is arranged on the outer side of the rear case 22, and on the inner side of the rear case 22, and the rotary operation body 81 is rotated. And a slide member 82 that is slidably operated.

  A shaft portion 180 projecting to one side is provided at the center of the rotating operation body 81 of the mode dial 80, and an arm portion 181 is fixed to the tip of the shaft portion 180. An operation pin 182 that protrudes toward the rotating operation body 81 is fixed to the tip of the arm portion 181. The operation pin 182 is slidably engaged with a vertical guide groove 183 provided in the slide member 82. The slide member 82 is provided with a lateral guide groove 184, and the shaft portion 180 of the rotating operation body 81 is slidably inserted into the lateral guide groove 184.

  The slide member 82 is made of a flat plate-like member, and is formed so that the arm portion 185 protrudes laterally at one end in the longitudinal direction. An engaging claw 83 having a groove 83 a that is engaged with the convex portion 15 a of the mode switch 15 of the digital still camera 1 is provided at the distal end portion of the arm portion 185. The engaging claw 83 is formed in a mountain shape, and a groove portion 83 a extending in the direction in which the shaft portion 180 extends is provided at the center portion thereof. Further, the slide member 82 is provided with a second lateral guide groove 186 extending in parallel with the lateral guide groove 184. The second lateral guide groove 186 serves as a guide for sliding the slide member 82 in the lateral direction, and a guide projection 187 provided on the front case 21 is slidably engaged therewith.

  The mode dial 80 having such a configuration is attached in a state where the shaft portion 180 is passed through the through hole 188 of the front case 21. A rotating operation body 81 is disposed on the outer surface of the front case 21, and a slide member 82 is disposed on the inner surface thereof. Reference numeral 190 shown in FIG. 17 is an O-ring attached to the annular groove of the shaft portion 180.

  Further, an annular convex portion 65 is provided on the front surface of the rear case 22 so as to project around the recessed portion 25. An annular groove 66 that is continuous in the circumferential direction is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion 65. An O-ring 67 that seals the space between the rear case 22 and the rear case 22 is attached to the annular groove 66. As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the O-ring 67 is in pressure contact with the inner surface on the opening side over the entire circumference in a state where the rear case 22 is superimposed on the front case 21. Thereby, the drip-proof packing 56 and the O-ring 67 have a double structure and exhibit a waterproof function, and water can be reliably prevented from entering even at deep water positions. As a material of the O-ring 67, for example, Si (silicon rubber) is suitable, but other sealing materials can also be used.

  A pair of leg portions 68 are provided on the lower surface portion 22c of the rear case 22 at a predetermined interval. The pair of leg portions 68 are set at positions that coincide with the pair of leg portions 49 of the front case 21.

  The front case 21 and the rear case 22 having such a configuration are configured to be firmly fastened and fixed by a buckle 23. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the buckle 23 includes a buckle body 90 rotatably attached to the rear case 22, and a pair of sliding operation members 91 slidably held by the buckle body 90. 91, a coil spring 92 showing a specific example of an elastic body that biases the pair of sliding operation members 91, 91 outward, and a presser plate that restricts the movement of the pair of sliding operation members 91, 91 to the outside 93 and a lock plate 94 to which a pair of sliding operation members 91, 91 are engaged and fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 11 and the like, the buckle body 90 is formed of a member having a substantially quadrangular planar shape covering a side surface where the front case 21 and the rear case 22 overlap each other and having an arcuate cross-sectional shape. Is provided with a lever action portion 95 formed in a shape like a tangential cam. The lever action portion 95 is inserted between a pair of bearing portions 96, 96 provided on the right side surface portion 22e of the rear case 22, and the buckle body 90 is rotated with respect to the rear case 22 by a buckle shaft 97 passing therethrough. It is supported freely.

  On both sides in the width direction of the buckle body 90, side portions 90a, 90a that also serve as reinforcement are provided. Each side surface portion 90a extends from the base portion of the lever action portion 95 to the tip portion, and a notch portion 90b opened inside the radius of curvature of the arc portion is provided in the middle portion thereof. Inside each notch portion 90b of the buckle body 90, a slide storage portion 98 is provided in which a pair of sliding operation members 91, 91 are stored so as to be slidable.

  The pair of sliding operation members 91 and 91 are the same, and have a pressing portion 91a, a shaft portion 91b, a joining piece 91c, and a spring receiving convex portion 91d that are integrally formed. The pressing portion 91a of the sliding operation member 91 has a shape that fits loosely into the notch portion 90b of the buckle body 90, and a shaft portion 91b extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lower surface thereof. A joining piece 91c is provided at a midway portion in the axial direction of the shaft portion 91b so as to protrude sideways.

  A claw portion 91e protruding toward the pressing portion 91a is provided at the tip of the joining piece 91c of the sliding operation member 91. The spring receiving convex portion 91d is provided so as to protrude in the axial direction from the tip of the shaft portion 91b. A coil spring 92 is loosely fitted to the spring receiving convex portion 91d, and one end thereof is seated on the tip surface of the shaft portion 91b. The slide storage portion 98 in which the pair of sliding operation members 91 and 91 having such a configuration is stored includes a pair of slide grooves 98a and 98a that hold the pair of shaft portions 91b facing each other from the opposite side, and a coil spring 92. It has a pair of spring receiving parts 98b and 98b which support the other end.

  The pair of shaft portions 91 b and 91 b and the pair of coil springs 92 and 92 housed in the slide housing portion 98 are prevented from coming off by a presser plate 93. The presser plate 93 is fixed to the inner surface of the buckle body 90 by fixing means using fixing screws. The presser plate 93 is provided with a pair of notches 93a and 93a for allowing the joint pieces 91c of the pair of sliding operation members 91 and 91 to pass through. The claw portions 91e of the joining piece 91c are urged by the spring force of the coil spring 92 at the portions of the pressing plate 93 facing the joining pieces 91c of the notches 93a.

  A lock plate 94 to which the pair of claw portions 91e and 91e are engaged is fixed at a corresponding position on the front case 21. The lock plate 94 is formed of a plate having an opening 94a into which the pair of claw portions 91e and 91e of the pair of sliding operation members 91 and 91 are inserted, and the upper and lower ends of the opening 94a are bent into a dogleg shape. Thus, upper and lower fixing portions 94b and 94c are formed. The lock plate 94 is attached to the front case 21 by tightening the upper and lower fixing portions 94 b and 94 c with a fixing screw 99. A fixing piece 53a of the gripping member 53 is interposed between the upper fixing portion 94b and the fixing convex portion 52, and is fastened and fixed together with the upper fixing portion 94b.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, a pressing convex portion 100 capable of pressing the pressure receiving convex portion 51 of the front case 21 is provided between the lever action portion 95 of the buckle body 90 and the slide storage portion 98. It has been. The pressing convex portion 100 urges the front case 21 toward the rear case 22 and abuts against the front surface of the pressure receiving convex portion 51 of the rear case 22. The inner surface 101 of the pressing convex portion 100 is inclined outward with respect to the buckle shaft 97 that is the rotation center of the buckle body 90, and the pressing convex portion 100 is longer than the length from the base portion of the pressing convex portion 100 to the buckle shaft 97. The length from the tip of the portion 100 to the buckle shaft 97 is set to be longer.

  As the material of the front case 21 and the rear case 22, for example, PC (polycarbonate) is suitable, but other plastics can be used, as well as metals such as aluminum alloys in addition to synthetic resins. It can also be used. In particular, when plastics such as PC are used, it is preferable to use a transparent resin so that the internal structure can be seen, but semi-transparent or opaque plastics may be used. Further, as the material of the buckle main body 90 and the gripping member 53, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene resin), POM (polyacetal) and the like are suitable, but it is needless to say that other plastics can be used. A metal such as an aluminum alloy can also be used.

  The waterproof case 20 for a photographing apparatus having such a configuration can be used as follows, for example. First, as shown in FIG. 4, after the lock by the buckle 23 is released, the front case 21 and the rear case 22 are opened to the left and right so that the waterproof case 20 for the photographing apparatus fits into the recessed portion 24 of the front case 21. A digital still camera 1 showing a specific example of the imaging apparatus configured as described above is faced. The digital still camera 1 is housed in the recessed portion 24 of the front case 21 in a state where the lens cover 7 is slid to the center side and the photographing lens 5 is opened.

  In this case, the digital still camera 1 is positioned at a predetermined position by the left and right side holders 35 and 36 installed in the recessed portion 24. At this time, the photographing lens 5 of the digital still camera 1 is opposed to the opening hole 38 surrounded by the light shielding part 39 disposed inside the windshield 27 of the front case 21. Further, the light emitting unit of the flash device 4 is opposed to the opening inside the light guide rod 40 arranged on the side of the light shielding unit 39. The action part 76b of the case side power button 45 is opposed to the power button 10 on the camera side, and the action part 76b of the case side shutter button 46 is opposed to the shutter button 11 on the camera side.

  Further, the mode switch 15 of the digital still camera 1 is engaged with a groove 83 a provided on the engaging claw 83 of the mode dial 80. At this time, since both sides of the engaging claw 83 in the sliding direction are inclined surfaces and the mode switch 15 is slidable, the mode switch 15 can be operated even when the convex portion 15a and the groove portion 83a are slightly shifted. By slightly rotating the dial 80, the convex portion 15a and the groove portion 83a can be easily engaged. By connecting the mode dial 80 to the mode switch 15 in this way, the mode switch 15 can be switched from outside by rotating the mode dial 80 from the outside.

  Further, since the O-ring 190 is attached to the shaft portion 180 of the mode dial 80, liquid leakage does not occur from the portion of the shaft portion 180. In addition, the shaft sealing structure can prevent liquid leakage with certainty despite being very simple in that only the O-ring 190 is attached to the shaft portion 180.

  Next, the rear case 22 is overlapped with the front case 21 by being rotated by the hinge 60 (see FIG. 5). At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the front case 21 and the rear case 22 are in a state where a slight gap is generated due to the presence of the O-ring 67. From this state, the buckle body 90 of the buckle 23 is rotated to the tightening side (direction approaching the front case 21) while slightly pressing the front case 21 toward the rear case 22 side. Accordingly, the pressing convex portion 100 of the buckle body 90 rides on the pressure receiving convex portion 51 of the front case 21, and the upper end edge of the pressure receiving convex portion 51 is brought into contact with the inner surface 101 of the pressing convex portion 100.

  At this time, the inner surface 101 of the pressing convex portion 100 has a shorter length from the buckle shaft 97 to the base of the pressing convex portion 100 than the length of the pressing convex portion 100, so that the pressure receiving pressure is received as the buckle body 90 approaches the front case 21. The convex portion 51 is pressed by the pressing convex portion 100, and the upper end edge of the pressure receiving convex portion 51 moves along the inner surface 101 to the base side. Then, when the buckle body 90 is completely rotated to the front case 21 side, the state shown in FIG. 12 is obtained, and the buckle 23 is locked. As a result, the space between the front case 21 and the rear case 22 is sealed in a liquid-tight manner by the drip-proof packing 56 and the O-ring 67, thereby preventing water such as seawater from entering.

  Further, the digital still camera 1 positioned at a predetermined position of the front case 21 by the left and right side holders 35 and 36 is pressed by the monitor hood 70 attached to the rear case 22, so that no play occurs in the hollow chamber. Securely and securely.

  That is, in a waterproof case corresponding to a camera-type digital still camera having a monitor such as a liquid crystal display on the back, the waterproof case is configured so that the front case 21 and the rear case 22 can be opened and closed by a hinge, and the rear case 22 has a motor. When the front hood 21 and the rear case 22 are closed, the rear hood of the digital still camera 1 is pushed with the rubber hood. As a result, the digital still camera 1 can be firmly fixed in the waterproof case in a distributed form. Moreover, since the hardness of the monitor hood 70 is set to be softer than the hardness of the side holders 35 and 36, the monitor hood 70 can be elastically pressed and fixedly supported. And since the digital still camera 1 is elastically supported, the transmission of vibration can be suppressed, and the anti-vibration property can be improved.

  Thus, through the above assembly process, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is obtained, and the digital still camera 1 is liquid-tightly accommodated in the waterproof case 20 for the photographing apparatus, thereby enabling underwater photographing. In this state, by operating the mode dial 80 to select still image shooting, flash shooting using the flash device 4 can be performed. At this time, the function of the digital still camera 1 is set in a state in which flash photography is possible in advance. In this state, after pressing the power button 10 on the case side to press the power button 10 on the camera side, the shutter button 11 on the camera side is pressed through the pressing operation of the shutter button 46 on the case side, thereby the flash device 4. Is activated to emit light, and still image shooting is executed in conjunction with the light emission operation.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a digital still camera is applied as the imaging device has been described. However, other video cameras, analog video cameras, camera-integrated video tape recorders, and other imaging devices as well as other still cameras. Is applicable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a waterproof case for a photographing apparatus according to the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a front case and a rear case are closed and liquid-tightly sealed with a tightening device. It is the perspective view which looked at one Example of the waterproof case for imaging devices of this invention from the front side. It is the perspective view which looked at one Example of the waterproof case for imaging devices of this invention from the back side. 1 is a perspective view showing a waterproof case for a photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a rear case is opened and a digital still camera showing an embodiment of the photographing apparatus is mounted in a photographing device storage portion of a front case. It is. 1 shows an embodiment of a waterproof case for a photographing apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1A is an explanatory view showing a state in which a rear case is superimposed on a front case equipped with a digital still camera showing an embodiment of the photographing apparatus; FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the photographing lens is closed with a lens cover and a digital still camera is mounted. It is a front view of the front case of the waterproof case for imaging devices shown in FIG. It is a rear view of the front case of the waterproof case for imaging devices shown in FIG. It is a rear view of the state which fixed the left and right side holder to the inner surface of the front case shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the light guide tube which shows the 1st Example of the optical path change means of the waterproof case for imaging devices shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the rear case of the waterproof case for imaging devices shown in FIG. 1 from the front side. It is a disassembled perspective view of the buckle which shows one Example of the fastening apparatus of the waterproof case for imaging devices shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a buckle that is a tightening device for a waterproof case for a photographing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a buckle that is a tightening device for a waterproof case for a photographing apparatus shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the digital still camera which shows one specific example of the imaging device used for the waterproof case for imaging devices of this invention from the front side. It is the perspective view which looked at the digital still camera which shows one specific example of the imaging device used for the waterproof case for imaging devices of this invention from the back side. It is a perspective view which shows the mode dial of the waterproof case for imaging devices of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which cross-sections and shows the mode dial of the waterproof case for imaging devices of this invention. The operation of the mode dial of the waterproof case for the photographing apparatus of the present invention will be described. FIG. A is a state in which the rotating operation body is rotated to one side, FIG. B is a neutral state, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which rotated to the other.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital still camera (shooting device), 2 ... Camera body, 3 ... Lens device, 4 ... Flash device, 5 ... Shooting lens, 6 ... Liquid crystal display (display device), 7 ... Lens cover, 20 ... Waterproof for shooting device Case, 21 ... Front case, 22 ... Rear case, 23 ... Buckle (tightening device), 27 ... Windshield, 35, 36 ... Side holder (positioning member), 38 ... Opening hole, 39 ... Light-shielding part (light-emitting light-shielding means) ), 40, 110... Light guide tube (optical path changing means), 80... Mode dial, 81.

Claims (4)

A front case and a rear case that are detachably joined;
A tightening device for liquid-tightly joining the front case and the rear case,
A photographing device having a lens cover that covers the photographing lens in an openable / closable manner is detachably housed in a hollow chamber formed by joining the front case and the rear case, and at least in the hollow chamber of the front case. In the waterproof case for a photographing apparatus formed of a material that transmits light, a portion facing the photographing lens of the stored photographing apparatus,
For the photographing apparatus, the shape of the hollow chamber can be liquid-tightly joined between the front case and the rear case only when the lens cover is moved to the open side to expose the photographing lens. Waterproof case.   The front case is provided with a positioning member that positions the photographing device at a predetermined position only when the lens cover is opened, and the rear case is provided with the photographing device stored at the predetermined position. The waterproof case for a photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing member that presses toward the positioning member.   The waterproof case for a photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a hardness of the pressing member is set lower than a hardness of the positioning member and is elastically pressed by the pressing member.   3. The front case and the rear case are rotatably connected by a hinge provided on one side of the opening direction, and the tightening device is provided on the other side of the opening direction. A waterproof case for the photographing apparatus described.

Images