JPS6015934B2 - A device that combines a camera lens cap and a sunshade. - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a lens cover and sunshade combination for a camera.

In particular, the invention provides a device that, in the retracted position, covers and protects the lens of the camera without increasing the size of the camera, and in the extended position, provides a sunshade for optimal photographic purposes. It is related to. Technical Background Many photographers, including amateur photographers, utilize lens covers when the camera is not in use to protect the lens from scratches, dust, and direct sun exposure.

Such covers are usually rigid disk-shaped members that are carried or screwed onto the tubular lens housing or mounting frame. More avid amateur photographers are also increasingly utilizing sunshades as accessories to block glare or scattered light during outdoor photo shoots. These devices can take many shapes, but are typically cylindrical or somewhat conical in shape, extending from the camera and equipped with a lens to block light as described above. It is something to cover. Most of these devices are lens caps that are screwed or inserted into the lens housing or mounting frame. Having to remove these accessories makes photography difficult and inconvenient.

Iron-plated lens caps usually fit tightly to the camera inside the camera case, but many detachable sunshades
There would be no need for breakaway support means for the shade. Additionally, the lens cap must be removed before taking a photo. Not only does this cause the photographer to forget to remove the lens cap from time to time, it also causes the photographer to lose time and potentially miss out on the desired photo. If a sunshade is suitable for quick photographs, it is almost impossible to remove the lens cap, attach the sunshade, and snap such a photograph without delay. Therefore, there is a clear need to have a lens cap and sunshade combination and a type of easily manipulating the two.

Several attempts at such a policy have been made, one representative of which is disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,715,149. In that patent, a lens cap and sunshade combination is threaded into a tubular lens mounting frame and held by screws. Additional screw thread 1 Rotating the sunshade opens and closes the lens cover. However, in order to use a threaded lens mounting frame, the patented device always protrudes from the camera, which may also include several workpieces that must be precisely and expensively manufactured. Therefore, the device of that patent is impractical because the camera cannot be stored inside the camera case. Furthermore, the attachment of the set screw makes it difficult to quickly remove it when you want to take a picture without the sunshade, or to quickly install it when you want to do the opposite. US Patent No. 3909
Other typical patents, such as No. 107, suffer from similar deficiencies. Both devices are only applicable to cameras that have a threaded mounting frame, which, once attached to the camera, always overhangs the camera. Any prior art device that appears to be good is designed to provide sunshades and lens caps that are easily removable from the camera, are economically and efficiently manufactured, and are retractable but mounted so that they do not protrude inconveniently from the camera. not combined into one thing. Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a lens cap and lens combination for a camera that matches the size and shape of the tubular lens mounting frame, and thus fits into the existing camera case.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device as described above that can be easily attached to and removed from a tubular lens mounting frame and does not require any additional elements to hold the device in the frame. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a device as described above which converts from a lens cover to a sunshade in one simple operation.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a device as described above which can act as a shock absorber for the camera.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a device as described above which is economically manufactured with a minimum number of parts. These and other objects of the invention without departing from the following description will be accomplished by the following description and claims.

Typically, the loose combination of lens cover and sunshade for cameras that have a generally tubular mounting frame that extends outward around the lens is attached to the tubular mounting frame. including possible ring members.

The shade device is movable from a first position around the tubular mounting frame to a second position extending outwardly from the tubular mounting frame, the shade device serving as a shade when in the second position. From the first position where the lens cover covers the lens,
It can be moved to a second position exposing the lens. Means are provided for connecting the ring member with the sunshade for retaining the lens cover in its first and second positions. Additionally, means are provided for connecting the ring member to the lens cover for moving the lens cover from the first position to the second position. A preferred embodiment camera is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

Camera 10 includes a tubular lens mounting frame 11 (FIG. 2) that extends around a conventional lens 12. The inside of the overhanging portion of the tubular lens mounting frame 11 is usually dovetailed for screwing various camera accessories such as filters and the like. The shade portion of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 14 and has a slightly conical shape that flares out somewhat towards a cylindrical portion, but the overall shade portion 14 may be cylindrical without departing from the scope of the invention.

The sunshade part is preferably made of durable plastic material.
It is conveniently constructed and preferably has a slightly larger diameter than conventional lens mounting frames 11. Therefore, in the retracted position as shown in FIG.
The sunshade part is tightly fitted around the lens mounting frame. As shown in FIG. 2, when the sunshading portion 14 is in the extended position of the camera, it provides a tunnel-like opening for the lens 12, thus hiding it from the sun. The illustrated lens cap portion of the present invention includes two circular shaped portions or doors, generally designated by the reference numeral 15. The door 15 may be made of plastic material and has a number of thinned areas, as best shown in FIG.
The area extends in multiple threads through the door to form multiple panels. Thus, when the lens cover moves from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position shown in FIG. 2, the door 15 flexes at the thinning point. In the open position, the door fits arcuately into the shading portion 14, thus exposing the lens 12. In the closed position, the door is defined by an annular ring member. The ring member 18 has a radially inwardly extending tab 19 for allowing the door 15 to be stopped.
The method of attaching the device to the camera is described in the 8th and 10th
This is well illustrated in the figure.

An IJing member, which may be made of plastic material, is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20 and is attached to the lens mounting frame 1.
1, and a portion 22 extending outward from the portion 21 in the locking direction. Part 22 facing the direction of the flea
is equipped with two taps 23 for removal and removal. To adjust the flexibility of the axially oriented portion 21 of the ring member 20, the portion 21 is provided at two locations adjacent to each tab 23.
A notch is made at point 4). The inner end of the section 21 of the ring 20 is provided with a barb 25 designed for threading the inside of the tubular lens mounting frame 11 . The tab 23 is pressed by the user's finger or the like.
When pushed radially inward, the portion 21 of the ring section 20 becomes flexible at and near the notch and can be easily removed from the lens mounting frame. By pressing similarly, the part 21 of the ring member 20 can be inserted into the lens mounting frame, and then when the tap 23 is released, the ring member can be fixed in the lens mounting frame 11. The door 15 is attached to two ring members by a hinge indicated generally by the reference numeral 26 in FIG.

Two tabs 27 extend radially outward of ring member 20 and support one end of hinge 26 .

Hinge 2 6 is a ``living hinge'' (lMngh
The tab 27 can be made of a flexible plastic material such as polypropylene, which is commonly used to make what is commonly known as a stylus, and can be attached to the tab 27 by sonic welding, heat fusion, etc. obtain. The outer end of the tube 27 is at a first pivot point 28 relative to the hinge 26.
is formed. A first pivot arm 29 for each hinge 26 extends from a first pivot point 28 toward a second pivot point 30'. The second pivot arm 31 has one pivot point on each door 15 over its entire length.
One panel 17 is attached. The second pivot arm 31 terminates in a third pivot point 32 from which a mounting tap 33 extends. The tab 33 is the sunshade part 1
4 or ring 18, or between the two, in FIG. 6 it is shown attached to the shade portion 14. door 15
in the fully closed position, pivot points 28 and 3
0 has the deepest bend among the first pivot arms 29. The first pivot arm 29 is folded facing the second pivot arm 31, so that the ring 20 is located adjacent to the door 15. As will be explained in detail below, the door is opened by moving the sunshade portion 14 outward. As shown in FIG. 6, the bipot arm 29 pivots about 180 degrees at the second pivot point 30 to effectively pull the door so that the door is pushed toward the rear at the third pivot point 32. It moves. Similarly, pivot arm 29 pivots at a first pivot point 28 at approximately 90 degrees relative to tab 27. A ring member 20 is used to hold the door in either the open or closed position.
Four panel sections 34 extending from the top are provided.

These can also be made of flexible plastic parts.
They are attached to the ring member 2 by sonic welding, heat fusion, etc.
It is attached to 0. The spring sections are likewise attached at their other ends to the inside of the shading part 14, preferably in the middle of its length. Tabs 35 may be provided for this attachment. When the door is in the fully closed position, as shown in FIG. 7, the spring member 34 forces the ring 20 toward the door to hold it closed. Also at this time, the flexibility of the spring section 34 becomes absorbent when the camera receives a shock at a location near the lens. When the lens cover is opened by moving the sunshade portion 14 in a direction away from the camera (upward in FIG. 7), the spring member 34
The skewed bridges were resolved, and those spring villages began to become flexible.
It moves through its natural point and ends up as shown in FIG. 6 with the shade section folded upwards. The lens cover and sunshade combination described here is a substantial improvement over the prior art, and other variations may also be used.
It will be clear that the object of the present invention can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows, somewhat schematically, a camera having a combined lens cover and sunshade device according to the concept of the invention, with the sunshade retracted and the lens cover closed. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view;

FIG. 2 shows a somewhat schematic perspective view of a camera having a combined lens cover and sunshade arrangement according to the concepts of the invention, with the sunshade extended and the lens cover open; It is a diagram. FIG. 3 shows the lens cover in the closed position. FIG. 3 is a rear view of a lens cap and sunshade combination according to the concepts of the present invention. Figure 4 shows the third lens cover in the open position.
FIG. 3 is a rear view similar to the figure. FIG. 5 is a rear view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, except that the lens cap is shown partially open. Figure 6 is 6-6 in Figure 4.
FIG. 2 is a substantially cross-sectional view taken along a line. FIG. 7 is a substantial cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ring member with coupling means for combining a lens cover and a sunshade according to the concept of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a substantially enlarged sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. FIG. 10 is a substantially cross-sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 5 shown in connection with the camera's tubular lens mounting; 10... Native lamella, 11.
...Tubular lens installation frame, 12 ... Lens, 1
4...Awning part, 15...Door, 16...
...thin area, 17...panel, 18...
...Annular ring section, 19...Lip, 20.
...Ring member, 21...A portion facing the axial direction, 22...A portion facing the flea direction, 23, 27,
33, 35... tab, 25... hook, 26... hinge, 29, 31... pivot arm, 28, 30, 32...
…Pivot point, 34….・Spring member.

FIG. - FIG. 2 F! G. 3 FIG. 4 FIG. 5 FIG. 5 FIG. l0 FIG. 7 FIG. 8 FIG. 9

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A device comprising a lens cap for a camera in combination with a retractable sunshade having an outwardly projecting tubular mounting frame around the lens, comprising: (a) said tubular mounting frame; ring means attachable to the mounting frame; and (b) retractable sunshading means movable from a first position about the tubular mounting frame to a second position projecting outside the tubular mounting frame. , (c) in conjunction with said retractable sunshade means, said retractable sunshade from a first position covering a lens when said retractable sunshade means is in said first position; (d) lens cover means movable to a second position exposing the lens when the means is in the second position; (d) mounted on the ring means and connected to the retractable sunshade means; (e) spring means for maintaining the retractable sunshade means in the first and second positions; a retractable sunshade and a lens cover for a camera comprising: hinge means for moving from one position to said second position; 2. The device set forth in claim 1,
(a) barb means for engaging the interior of the tubular mounting frame; and (b) locking and release tab means for making the ring means flexible and selectively attaching and detaching the barring means from the tubular mounting frame. A device consisting of 3. The device as set forth in claim 2,
Apparatus, wherein at least a portion of said ring means is incised to promote flexibility of said ring means itself. 4. The device as set forth in claim 1,
The apparatus wherein the lens cover has two generally semicircular doors that meet in the first position and separate in the second position. 5. The device set forth in claim 4,
Apparatus wherein the door has a number of tapered areas forming panels therebetween, and wherein the door bends at the guiding tapered areas when moving from the first position to the second position. . 6. The device set forth in claim 1,
Apparatus wherein said means for connecting said ring means to said retractable shade means comprises a number of spring members. 7. The device set forth in claim 6,
The apparatus further comprising an annular ring member attached to an outer edge of the retractable sunshade means for retaining the lens cover means in the first position against bias of the spring member. . 8. The device as set forth in claim 1,
a point of connection between said hinge means and said ring means forms a first pivot point, said hinge means includes a first pivot arm extending from said first pivot point to a second pivot point; The apparatus wherein two pivot arms extend from said second pivot point and are attached to said lens cover means. 9. The device set forth in claim 8,
The apparatus wherein said hinge means comprises a tab member attached to said retractable shade means and extending to a third pivot point at one end of said second pivot arm. 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lens cover means has two doors, and there is one said hinge means for each door.