Patents Assigned to Think Tank Photo, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10856634
    Abstract: A case for a lens or telescope has a generally cylindrical side wall attached to a top wall and a bottom wall defining a compartment accessed by an opening extending across the top wall away from a belt mounting sleeve and down the side wall opposite the belt mounting sleeve. The top wall and the side wall are deformable to permit the opening to be enlarged by hand for insertion or removal of the lens or telescope. A zipper secures the opening. An additional opening may be provided at a juncture of the top wall and the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Allen Sturm
  • Patent number: 10754227
    Abstract: A cover for a camera body having a hot shoe and an attached lens has a flexible sleeve that has an opening for the end of the lens and an opening through which the camera body and lens can be inserted and through which the camera body can be manipulated. The sleeve is provided with a clear panel or window for viewing the camera body. The cover has a connector attached to the sleeve and protruding inwardly for detachable connection to the hot shoe of the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Allen Sturm
  • Patent number: 10058164
    Abstract: A backpack provided with a lower compartment holds a waist bag that may encircle the waist of a bearer. A hoisting system comprising a shoulder strap attached to the waist bag allows the bearer to elevate a receiver of the waist bag when the receiver is deployed to the front of the bearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph H. Hanssen
  • Patent number: 9801451
    Abstract: The invention provides improved backpack and waist bag carrying systems in which a waist bag rotates through a lower compartment of a backpack to allow the bearer of the backpack to access the contents of the receiver of the waist bag by rotating the waist bag to the front of the bearer's torso. One or more doors are provided in one aspect to secure the receiver of the waist bag in the lower compartment of the backpack but permit the egress of the receiver through the opening covered by the door, which may be tensioned away from the opening by a tensioning element when the free end of the door is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: 9756919
    Abstract: A method for attaching a carrier to a piece of rolling luggage employs a strap having an opening defined in the strap for receiving a handle assembly of the piece of rolling luggage in order for the carrier to be supported by the piece of rolling luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Allen Sturm
  • Patent number: 9510661
    Abstract: The invention provides improved backpack and waist bag carrying systems in which a waist bag rotates through a lower compartment of a backpack to allow the bearer of the backpack to access the contents of the receiver of the waist bag by rotating the waist bag to the front of the bearer's torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Publication number: 20160022003
    Abstract: A method for attaching a carrier to a piece of rolling luggage employs a strap having an opening defined in the strap for receiving a handle assembly of the piece of rolling luggage in order for the carrier to be supported by the piece of rolling luggage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: THINK TANK PHOTO, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Allen Sturm
  • Publication number: 20150313347
    Abstract: The invention provides improved backpack and waist bag carrying systems in which a waist bag rotates through a lower compartment of a backpack to allow the bearer of the backpack to access the contents of the receiver of the waist bag by rotating the waist bag to the front of the bearer's torso. One or more doors are provided in one aspect to secure the receiver of the waist bag in the lower compartment of the backpack but permit the egress of the receiver through the opening covered by the door, which may be tensioned away from the opening by a tensioning element when the free end of the door is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: THINK TANK PHOTO, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: 9027813
    Abstract: The invention provides improved backpack and waist bag carrying systems in which a waist bag rotates through a lower compartment of a backpack to allow the bearer of the backpack to access the contents of the receiver of the waist bag by rotating the waist bag to the front of the bearer's torso. One or more doors are provided in one aspect to secure the receiver of the waist bag in the lower compartment of the backpack but permit the egress of the receiver through the opening covered by the door, which may be tensioned away from the opening by a tensioning element when the free end of the door is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Publication number: 20150053735
    Abstract: The invention provides improved backpack and waist bag carrying systems in which a waist bag rotates through a lower compartment of a backpack to allow the bearer of the backpack to access the contents of the receiver of the waist bag by rotating the waist bag to the front of the bearer's torso.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: 8844689
    Abstract: The invention provides a carry-on wheeled luggage (1) for photographic equipment that has an interior compartment (80) deep enough to accommodate a large article of photographic equipment such as at least a 400 mm 2.8 f-stop aperture telephoto lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: 8814016
    Abstract: The invention provides improved backpack and waist bag carrying systems in which a waist bag rotates through a lower compartment of a backpack to allow the bearer of the backpack to access the contents of the receiver of the waist bag by rotating the waist bag to the front of the bearer's torso. One or more doors are provided in one aspect to secure the receiver of the waist bag in the lower compartment of the backpack but permit the egress of the receiver through the opening covered by the door, which may be tensioned away from the opening by a tensioning system when the free end of the door is released. The receiver is tapered to easily fit into the lower compartment and remain in that compartment due to friction with the walls defining the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Publication number: 20140194017
    Abstract: A water-resistant connector for use with fabric and sheet-like material comprises two plates stitched to each other on either side of and through the fabric or sheet-like material with at least one gasket made of an elastomeric material such as neoprene being placed between one of the plates and the fabric or sheet-like material. The gasket is stitched through and compressed between the plates so as to press against the stitching for water resistance. A suitable elastomeric material is a sheet of elastomeric compound adhered to either side of a reinforcing scrim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: THINK TANK PHOTO, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Sturm, Douglas Harland Murdoch
  • Patent number: 8690029
    Abstract: The invention provides a backpack (10) and cooperating waist bag (100) carrying system. In one embodiment the backpack has a lower or lumbar region below the bag portion of the backpack that releasably contains the receiver of the waist bag when the belt of the waist bag is secured around the bearer's waist and the backpack is worn on the bearer's back. The receiver of the waist bag can be moved without having to take off the backpack so that the receiver of the waist bag is disposed to the bearer's front and the bearer can gain access to the contents of the receiver. The bearer can then move the receiver back to the lower region of the backpack and the combination of the backpack and the waist bag then will appear to be a normal backpack with a waist belt. While moving the receiver, the waist bag remains operatively connected to the backpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: 8627777
    Abstract: A water-resistant connector for use with fabric and sheet-like material comprises two plates stitched to each other on either side of and through the fabric or sheet-like material with at least one gasket made of an elastomeric material such as neoprene being placed between one of the plates and the fabric or sheet-like material. The gasket is stitched through and compressed between the plates so as to press against the stitching for water resistance. A suitable elastomeric material is a sheet of elastomeric compound adhered to either side of a reinforcing scrim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sturm, Douglas Harland Murdoch
  • Publication number: 20130277407
    Abstract: The invention provides improved backpack and waist bag carrying systems in which a waist bag rotates through a lower compartment of a backpack to allow the bearer of the backpack to access the contents of the receiver of the waist bag by rotating the waist bag to the front of the bearer's torso. One or more doors are provided in one aspect to secure the receiver of the waist bag in the lower compartment of the backpack but permit the egress of the receiver through the opening covered by the door, which may be tensioned away from the opening by a tensioning element when the free end of the door is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: THINK TANK PHOTO, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: 8534523
    Abstract: A backpack and cooperating waist bag carrying system is provided. The bag portion of the backpack releasably contains the receiver of a waist bag when the belt of the waist bag is secured around the bearer's waist and the backpack is worn on the bearer's back. The receiver of the waist bag can be moved without having to take off the backpack so that the receiver of the waist bag is disposed to the bearer's front and the bearer can gain access to the contents the receiver. The bearer can then move the receiver back to the lower region of the backpack. The combination of the backpack and the waist bag then will appear to be a normal backpack with a waist belt. While moving the receiver, the waist bag remains operatively connected to the backpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: 8474673
    Abstract: A system for carrying articles from a belt worn on the body of a person or other animate bearer comprises a belt or elongated member (20) with a substantially planar rail (30) borne on the outside surface of the belt and a carrier (50) for articles attached to the rail by a sleeve sewn to the body of the carrier. The carrier (50) may be free to slide along the rail (30) or may be secured at least temporarily to the rail. The carrier (50) thereby can be moved along the rail when worn on the belt so that the bearer can place the carrier (50) in a more comfortable or useful position with respect to the body of the bearer and secure it in that position at least temporarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: 8474613
    Abstract: A carrier has a variable-length compartment for receiving a device of variable length, such as a lens with a hood that may be alternated between a reversed and an extended or operative position. The carrier has an expansion gusset region that allows expansion of the carrier along one dimension when the device is elongated, whereby the carrier is able to securely accommodate the elongated device within the compartment, and contraction of the carrier when the device is less elongated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: D852503
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Allen Sturm