US20120043360A1

US20120043360A1 - Camera transport system

Info

Publication number: US20120043360A1
Application number: US13/031,127
Authority: US
Inventors: Tyler R.M. Kope; Ronald D. Henry; Carrie A. Gunnersen; Kurt K. Peterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: BLACK RAPID Inc
Priority date: 2010-02-19
Filing date: 2011-02-18
Publication date: 2012-02-23
Also published as: RU2012139956A; JP2013520689A; EP2537066A2; WO2011103511A3; SG183415A1; CN102725686A; BR112012020890A2; WO2011103511A2; SG193215A1; KR20110110122A

Abstract

A camera carrying enclosure for use with a camera having an engagement member. The enclosure includes a shoulder strap and a camera attachment strap with one end thereof slidably attached to the shoulder strap and the other end attachable to the camera or similar device. The enclosure permits the user to transition the camera from a secured transport position to a secured operating position. The enclosure is configurable to provide several manners of transporting the camera. A wrist strap is selectively connectable to the enclosure or the camera.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for storing and carrying a device such as a camera, while allowing the device to transition from a stored position to an operating position without disconnecting the device from the apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional camera storage carrying systems help to store and transport cameras when not in use. Unfortunately, they include aspects that can hinder and slow down retrieval of a camera being stored so that photographic opportunities are missed. Further, cameras that are not stored in a protective enclosure risk damage by accidentally dropping them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an implementation of the configurable apparatus, shown in a configuration of a shoulder strap, a slideably engaged coupler, an attachment strap and an enclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the enclosure.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the implementation depicted in FIG. 1, further illustrating the storage of a camera within the enclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the implementation depicted in FIG. 3, further illustrating the door of the enclosure in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the implementation depicted in FIG. 3, further illustrating the camera transitioning through an aperture of the enclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the implementation depicted in FIG. 3, showing the camera outside the enclosure and slideably engaging with the shoulder strap.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the implementation depicted in FIG. 6, further illustrating the shoulder strap disconnected from the enclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an implementation of the configurable apparatus, shown in a configuration of a shoulder strap connected unto itself, a slideably engaged coupler, an attachment strap, and a camera.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the implementation depicted in FIG. 8, further illustrating the attachment strap disconnected from the shoulder strap and a camera.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an implementation of the configurable apparatus, showing an enclosure, a wrist strap, an attachment strap, and a camera positioned outside of the enclosure.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an implementation of the configurable apparatus, shown in a configuration of a wrist strap, an enclosure, an attachment strap, and a camera positioned within the enclosure.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an implementation of the configurable apparatus, shown in a configuration of a wrist strap, an attachment strap, and a camera.

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the attachment strap alternately attached to a conventional camera attachment point.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a first alternative implementation of the configurable apparatus, shown in a configuration of a shoulder strap, a slideably engaged coupler, an attachment strap, and an enclosure.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the implementation depicted in FIG. 14, further illustrating the door of the enclosure in an open position.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the a second alternative implementation of the configurable apparatus shown in a configuration of a shoulder strap, a slideably engaged coupler, an attachment strap and an enclosure.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the implementation depicted in FIG. 16, further illustrating the door of the enclosure in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now in detail to the drawings, an apparatus or camera carrying enclosure is illustrated that includes an enclosure 34 generally comprises an exterior 36 and an enclosed interior compartment or area 38 (see FIG. 4). A camera 50 or similar device is stored within the interior area 38, while not in operation. The interior area 38 may be accessed through an aperture 44 located at one end of the enclosure. The aperture is sized and shaped to allow passage of the camera 50. A door 40 is situated and located to be hingely connected adjacent to the aperture so as to cover the aperture when in the closed position, thus limiting access to the interior area 38 of the enclosure 34. While in the closed position, the door may be further secured to the enclosure by way of closures 42, such as a pair of zippers. With the door 40 in the open position, the camera 50 is permitted to transition through the aperture 44, allowing the camera to be located within the interior area 38 for transport and storage, or located outside 62 of the enclosure for use and operation.
As shown in FIG. 1, a second coupler 12 has a first portion 16 and a second portion 14. The first portion 16 of the second coupler 12 is attached to the exterior 36, of the enclosure 34. A third coupler 18 has a first portion 20 and a second portion 22. The first portion 20 of the third coupler 18 is attached to the exterior of the enclosure, and is located a distance from the first portion 16 of the second coupler 12. The second portion 14 of the second coupler 12 is attached to a first end portion 10 a of a shoulder strap 10. The second portion 22 of the third coupler 18 is attached to a second end portion 10 b of the shoulder strap 10. While the first portion 16 and second portion 14 of the second coupler 12 are connected to each other, and the first portion 20 and second portion 22 of the third coupler 18 are connected to each other, the strap 10 facilitates wearing the apparatus described on a shoulder of a user. The length of the strap may be adjusted by actuating an adjuster 11 located near the second end portion 10 b of the shoulder strap 10.
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the camera 50 interfaces with the apparatus by using a camera attachment strap 30. A second end portion 31 of the attachment strap 30 is attached to the camera by using an engagement point 52 located on the camera, or instead a camera tripod socket 54. When using the camera's tripod socket 54, the second end portion 31 of the camera attachment strap 30 is attached to a fastener 32 which is threadably engaged with the camera's tripod socket 54. A first end portion 29 of the camera attachment strap 30 is attached to a second portion 26 of a first coupler 24. As shown in FIG. 3, with the camera 50 positioned within the interior area 38 of the enclosure 34, and the door 40 in the closed position, the camera attachment strap 30 is permitted passage from the interior to the outside 62 through a passageway 48.
As shown in FIG. 6, the first coupler 24 has a first portion 28 having an aperture 25 therein sized and shaped to allow sliding passage of the shoulder strap 10 therethrough. The first coupler 24 is slideably engaged with the shoulder strap 10. When the first coupler 24 is coupled so that the first portion 28 and the second portion 26 are connected together, the camera attachment strap 30 and camera 50 become slideably engaged with the strap 10, as illustrated by the movement 56.
As shown in FIG. 7, the second and third couplers 12 and 18 may be selectively disconnected, having the first portion 16 of the second coupler disconnected from the second portion 14, and the first portion 20 of the third coupler 18 disconnected from the second portion 22.
As shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus 4 has the second portion 14 of the second coupler 12 connected to the second portion 22 of the coupler 18, forming the shoulder strap 10 into a continuous loop, so as to be used in the absence of the enclosure 34. The camera 50, camera attachment strap 30, and first coupler 24 are slideably engaged with the looped shoulder strap 10, as illustrated by the movement 56. FIG. 9 illustrates the same apparatus depicted in FIG. 8, further having the first portion 28 and second portion 26 of the first coupler 24 disconnected from each other, allowing disconnection and removal of the camera from the apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 10, a wrist strap 58 and the camera 50 are selectively connectable to the enclosure 34. The wrist strap 58 has a fourth coupler 60 sized and shaped to engage with the first portion 20 of the third coupler 18. The second portion 26 of the first coupler 24 is sized and shaped to engage with the first portion 16 of the second coupler 12.
FIG. 11 illustrates the fourth coupler 60 of the wrist strap 58 connected to the first portion 20 of the third coupler 18, thus engaging the wrist strap with the enclosure 34. The second portion 26 of the first coupler 24 is connected to the first portion 16 of the second coupler 12. The attachment strap 30 is permitted passage through the enclosure by the passageway 48 when the camera 50 is within the interior area 38 of the enclosure 34.
FIG. 12 illustrates the apparatus with the fourth coupler 60 of the wrist strap 58 sized and shaped to selectively connect with the second portion 26 of the first coupler 24 of the camera attachment strap 30. In this configuration the user may carry and operate the camera 50 using only the wrist strap 58.
As shown in FIG. 13, the second end portion 31 of the attachment strap 30 may be attached to the alternate engagement portion 52 located on the camera 50.
FIG. 14 illustrates the enclosure 34 as having a passageway 48 formed by the door 40 in the closed position and the closure 42 in the engaged position. The attachment strap 30 is permitted passage through the passageway 48. The door 40 is illustrated in the open position and the closure 42 in the disengaged position in FIG. 15.
FIG. 16 illustrates the enclosure 34 as having the second coupler 12 and the third coupler 18 adjacent to opposite sides of the aperture 44. The door 40 is in the closed position and forming the passageway 48 between the exterior 36 of the enclosure 34 and door. FIG. 17 illustrates the configuration depicted in FIG. 16, showing the door 40 in the open position, with the aperture 44 exposed to allow transition of a camera from the interior area 38 to the outside 62. The coupler 24 is slideably engaged with the shoulder strap 10, as indicated by the movement 56.
As noted, a camera carrying enclosure is described for use with a camera having an engagement portion. The camera carrying enclosure includes an enclosure body having an enclosed interior area and an exterior defined by a wall. The wall has an aperture therein sized for passage of the camera therethrough between the interior area and the exterior. The enclosure body further has a door positioned at the aperture and selectively movable between an open position allowing passage of the camera through the aperture for moving the camera into and out of the interior area and a closed position closing the aperture. The interior area is sized to fully receive the camera therein and permit movement of the door into the closed position with the camera therein.
The camera carrying enclosure further includes a shoulder strap with a first end portion and a second end portion, each attached to the exterior of the enclosure body
Also included is a first coupler having a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together. The first portion of the first coupler is configured to slideably engage with the shoulder strap and be slidable therealong a sufficient distance to permit sliding movement of the first coupler along the shoulder strap between a lowered transport position for the camera and a raised operating position for the camera.
A camera attachment strap is includes which has a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the camera attachment strap being attached to the second portion of the first coupler, and the second end portion of the camera attachment strap being attachable to the engagement portion of the camera. The camera attachment strap has a length permitting the camera to be to be passed through the aperture of the wall of the enclosure body and fully into the interior area when the first portion of the first coupler is attached to the second portion of the first coupler. The door of the enclosure body is configured to define a passageway between the wall and the door when the door is in the closed position sized to permit the camera attachment strap to extend therethrough and thereby pass from inside the interior area of the enclosure body to the exterior of the enclosure body when the door is in the closed position.
The first end portion of the shoulder strap is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body by a second coupler and the second end portion of the shoulder strap is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body by a third coupler. The second coupler has a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together, the first portion of the second coupler being attached to the exterior of the enclosure body and the second portion of the second coupler being attached to the first end portion of the shoulder strap. The third coupler has a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together, the first portion of the third coupler being attached to the exterior of the enclosure body and the second portion of the third coupler being attached to the second end portion of the shoulder strap. The second portion of the first coupler and the first portion of the second coupler are configured to be releasably couplable together when the second portion of the first coupler is disconnected from the first portion of the first coupler and the first portion of the second coupler is disconnected from the second portion of the second coupler. The camera attachment strap has a length permitting the camera to be to be passed through the aperture of the wall of the enclosure body and fully into the interior area when the second portion of the first coupler is attached to the first portion of the second coupler, thereby the camera attachment strap can be selectively disconnected from the shoulder strap and connected directly to the enclosure body while being positionable within the interior area of the enclosure body.
The first portion of the second coupler may be attached to the exterior of the enclosure body at a location closer to the aperture than the first portion of the third coupler is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body. Alternatively, the first portion of the second coupler may be attached to the exterior of the enclosure body at a location toward a first portion of the aperture, and the first portion of the third coupler may be attached to the exterior of the enclosure body at a location toward a second portion of the aperture spaced apart from the first portion of the aperture.
The camera carrying enclosure may further include a wrist strap attached to a fourth coupler configured to be releasably couplable to the first portion of the third coupler when the second portion of the third coupler is disconnected from the first portion of the third coupler. Thereby, the shoulder strap can be selectively fully disconnected from the enclosure body and the wrist strap selectively connected to the enclosure body for carrying the enclosure body using the wrist strap in lieu of the shoulder strap with the camera attachment strap selectively connected directly to the enclosure body.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A camera carrying enclosure for use with a camera having an engagement portion, the camera bag comprising:

an enclosure body having an enclosed interior area and an exterior defined by a wall, the wall having an aperture therein sized for passage of the camera therethrough between the interior area and the exterior, the enclosure body further having a door positioned at the aperture and selectively movable between an open position allowing passage of the camera through the aperture for moving the camera into and out of the interior area and a closed position closing the aperture, the interior area being sized to fully receive the camera therein and permit movement of the door into the closed position with the camera therein;

a shoulder strap with a first end portion and a second end portion, each attached to the exterior of the enclosure body;

a first coupler having a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together, the first portion of the first coupler being configured to slideably engage with the shoulder strap and being slidable therealong a sufficient distance to permit sliding movement of the first coupler along the shoulder strap between a lowered transport position for the camera and a raised operating position for the camera; and

a camera attachment strap having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the camera attachment strap being attached to the second portion of the first coupler, and the second end portion of the camera attachment strap being attachable to the engagement portion of the camera, the camera attachment strap being of a length permitting the camera to be to be passed through the aperture of the wall of the enclosure body and fully into the interior area when the first portion of the first coupler is attached to the second portion of the first coupler, and the door of the enclosure body being configured to define a passageway between the wall and the door when the door is in the closed position sized to permit the camera attachment strap to extend therethrough and thereby pass from inside the interior area of the enclosure body to the exterior of the enclosure body when the door is in the closed position.

2. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first end portion of the shoulder strap is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body by a second coupler and the second end portion of the shoulder strap is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body by a third coupler, and wherein the second coupler has a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together, the first portion of the second coupler being attached to the exterior of the enclosure body and the second portion of the second coupler being attached to the first end portion of the shoulder strap, and wherein the third coupler has a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together, the first portion of the third coupler being attached to the exterior of the enclosure body and the second portion of the third coupler being attached to the second end portion of the shoulder strap, the second portion of the first coupler and the first portion of the second coupler being configured to be releasably couplable together when the second portion of the first coupler is disconnected from the first portion of the first coupler and the first portion of the second coupler is disconnected from the second portion of the second coupler, the camera attachment strap being of a length permitting the camera to be to be passed through the aperture of the wall of the enclosure body and fully into the interior area when the second portion of the first coupler is attached to the first portion of the second coupler, thereby the camera attachment strap can be selectively disconnected from the shoulder strap and connected directly to the enclosure body while being positionable within the interior area of the enclosure body.

3. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 2, wherein the first portion of the second coupler is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body at a location closer to the aperture than the first portion of the third coupler is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body.

4. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 2, wherein the first portion of the second coupler is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body at a location toward a first portion of the aperture, and the first portion of the third coupler is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body at a location toward a second portion of the aperture spaced apart from the first portion of the aperture.

5. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 2, further including a wrist strap attached to a fourth coupler configured to be releasably couplable to the first portion of the third coupler when the second portion of the third coupler is disconnected from the first portion of the third coupler, thereby the shoulder strap can be selectively fully disconnected from the enclosure body and the wrist strap selectively connected to the enclosure body for carrying the enclosure body using the wrist strap in lieu of the shoulder strap with the camera attachment strap selectively connected directly to the enclosure body.

6. A camera carrying enclosure for use with a camera having an engagement portion, the camera bag comprising:

a shoulder strap with a first end portion and a second end portion, each attached to the enclosure body for carrying of the enclosure body;

7. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 6, wherein the first end portion of the shoulder strap is attached to the enclosure body by a second coupler and the second end portion of the shoulder strap is attached to the enclosure body by a third coupler, and wherein the second coupler has a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together, the first portion of the second coupler being attached to the enclosure body and the second portion of the second coupler being attached to the first end portion of the shoulder strap, and wherein the third coupler has a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together, the first portion of the third coupler being attached to the enclosure body and the second portion of the third coupler being attached to the second end portion of the shoulder strap, the second portion of the first coupler and the first portion of the second coupler being configured to be releasably couplable together when the second portion of the first coupler is disconnected from the first portion of the first coupler and the first portion of the second coupler is disconnected from the second portion of the second coupler, the camera attachment strap being of a length permitting the camera to be to be passed through the aperture of the wall of the enclosure body and fully into the interior area when the second portion of the first coupler is attached to the first portion of the second coupler, thereby the camera attachment strap can be selectively disconnected from the shoulder strap and connected directly to the enclosure body while being positionable within the interior area of the enclosure body.

8. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 7, wherein the first portion of the second coupler is attached to the enclosure body at a location closer to the aperture than the first portion of the third coupler is attached to the enclosure body.

9. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 7, wherein the first portion of the second coupler is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body at a location toward a first portion of the aperture, and the first portion of the third coupler is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body at a location toward a second portion of the aperture spaced apart from the first portion of the aperture.

10. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 7, further including a wrist strap attached to a fourth coupler configured to be releasably couplable to the first portion of the third coupler when the second portion of the third coupler is disconnected from the first portion of the third coupler, thereby the shoulder strap can be selectively fully disconnected from the enclosure body and the wrist strap selectively connected to the enclosure body for carrying the enclosure body using the wrist strap in lieu of the shoulder strap with the camera attachment strap selectively connected directly to the enclosure body.

11. A camera carrying enclosure for use with a camera having an engagement portion, the camera bag comprising:

an enclosure body having an enclosed interior area and an aperture therein sized for passage of the camera therethrough between the interior area and an exterior of the enclosure body, the enclosure body further having a door positioned at the aperture and selectively movable between an open position allowing passage of the camera through the aperture for moving the camera into and out of the interior area and a closed position closing the aperture, the interior area being sized to fully receive the camera therein and permit movement of the door into the closed position with the camera therein;

a camera attachment strap having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the camera attachment strap being attached to the second portion of the first coupler, and the second end portion of the camera attachment strap being attachable to the engagement portion of the camera, the camera attachment strap being of a length permitting the camera to be to be passed through the aperture of the enclosure body and fully into the interior area when the first portion of the first coupler is attached to the second portion of the first coupler, and the door of the enclosure body when in the closed position defining a passageway sized to permit the camera attachment strap to extend therethrough and thereby pass from inside the interior area of the enclosure body to the exterior of the enclosure body when the door is in the closed position.

12. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 11, wherein the first end portion of the shoulder strap is attached to the enclosure body by a second coupler having a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together, the first portion of the second coupler being attached to the enclosure body and the second portion of the second coupler being attached to the first end portion of the shoulder strap, the second portion of the first coupler and the first portion of the second coupler being configured to be releasably couplable together when the second portion of the first coupler is disconnected from the first portion of the first coupler and the first portion of the second coupler is disconnected from the second portion of the second coupler, the camera attachment strap being of a length permitting the camera to be to be passed through the aperture of the enclosure body and fully into the interior area when the second portion of the first coupler is attached to the first portion of the second coupler, thereby the camera attachment strap can be selectively disconnected from the shoulder strap and connected directly to the enclosure body while being positionable within the interior area of the enclosure body.

13. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 12, further including a wrist strap attached to a wrist strap coupler configured to be releasably couplable to the second portion of the first coupler when the second portion of the first coupler is disconnected from the first portion of the first coupler, thereby the camera attachment strap can be selectively fully disconnected from the shoulder strap and the enclosure body, and the wrist strap selectively connected to the camera attachment strap for carrying the camera using the wrist strap without connection of the camera attachment strap to the shoulder strap or the enclosure body.

14. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 11, wherein the enclosure body has a wall portion with the aperture therein, and the door has a lower portion and first and second opposed side portion, the lower portion of the door being hingely connected to the wall portion below the aperture and the first side portion being connectable to the wall portion to one side of the aperture by a first zipper portion and the second side portion being connectable to the wall portion to another side of the aperture by a second zipper portion, the first and second zipper portions terminating above the aperture at spaced apart locations to define the passageway for the camera attachment strap to extend through when the camera is within the interior area of the enclosure body and the door is in the closed position.

15. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 11, wherein the enclosure body has a wall portion with the aperture therein, and the door has an first attachment portion and a second attachment portion spaced away from the first attachment portion, the first attachment portion of the door being hingely connected to the wall portion adjacent to the aperture and the second attachment portion being releasably attachable to the wall portion to maintain the door in the closed position with at least a portion of the door being disconnected from the wall portion when in the closed position to define a passageway for the camera attachment strap to extend through when the camera is within the interior area of the enclosure body and the door is in the closed position.

16. A camera carrying enclosure for use with a camera having an engagement portion, the camera bag comprising:

a first coupler configured to slideably engage with the shoulder strap and being slidable therealong a sufficient distance to permit sliding movement of the first coupler along the shoulder strap between a lowered transport position for the camera and a raised operating position for the camera; and

a camera attachment strap having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the camera attachment strap being attached to the first coupler, and the second end portion of the camera attachment strap being attachable to the engagement portion of the camera, the camera attachment strap being of a length permitting the camera to be to be passed through the aperture of the enclosure body and fully into the interior area when the first coupler is engaged with shoulder strap, and the door of the enclosure body when in the closed position defining a passageway sized to permit the camera attachment strap to extend therethrough and thereby pass from inside the interior area of the enclosure body to the exterior of the enclosure body when the door is in the closed position.

17. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 16, wherein the enclosure body has a wall portion with the aperture therein, and the door has a lower portion and first and second opposed side portion, the lower portion of the door being hingely connected to the wall portion below the aperture and the first side portion being connectable to the wall portion to one side of the aperture by a first zipper portion and the second side portion being connectable to the wall portion to another side of the aperture by a second zipper portion, the first and second zipper portions terminating above the aperture at spaced apart locations to define the passageway for the camera attachment strap to extend through when the camera is within the interior area of the enclosure body and the door is in the closed position.

18. The camera carrying enclosure of claim 16, wherein the enclosure body has a wall portion with the aperture therein, and the door has an first attachment portion and a second attachment portion spaced away from the first attachment portion, the first attachment portion of the door being hingely connected to the wall portion adjacent to the aperture and the second attachment portion being releasably attachable to the wall portion to maintain the door in the closed position with at least a portion of the door being disconnected from the wall portion when in the closed position to define a passageway for the camera attachment strap to extend through when the camera is within the interior area of the enclosure body and the door is in the closed position.

19. A camera carrying enclosure for use with a camera having an engagement portion, the camera bag comprising:

an enclosure body having an enclosed interior area and an aperture therein sized for passage of the camera therethrough between the interior area and an exterior of the enclosure body, the interior area being sized to fully receive the camera therein;

a camera attachment strap having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the camera attachment strap being attached to the first coupler, and the second end portion of the camera attachment strap being attachable to the engagement portion of the camera, the camera attachment strap being of a length permitting the camera to be to be passed through the aperture of the enclosure body and fully into the interior area when the first coupler is engaged with shoulder strap.