Lens cradle divider
A Lens or other equipment cradling device and protector, supporter and divider for camera, and other, carriers, bags and packs; specifically suited for the use of storing and transporting photography equipment, lenses and other delicate equipment
Provisional Application 61/209,034 and U.S. 61/209,034
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIXNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to the technical field of storing, transporting and organizing delicate equipment within a bag, case or pack and more particularly to organize lenses and other delicate items, for example in photography for use as camera bag, case or pack dividers, protectors and organizers. Most Photographers prefer to customize the space in which he or she carries his equipment and straight wall or square-shaped dividers have generally been used for this purpose.
As photography has become increasingly accessible to more individuals who engage in many activities from climbing to skiing while also engaging in outdoor photography, sport photography and adventure photography, etc., the need for better protection for delicate equipment particularly lenses is greater than ever. Photographers have become more and more mobile, active and taking photography, literally, to ever greater heights. Keeping up with the pace and still being able to safely transport delicate lenses, filters, and other equipment while on the go has become an objective. Protection, conformity, organization and accessibility have become key factors in storing and transporting modern photography gear.
Further, Lenses are not presently square, they are round and having a divider that actually conforms to the shape of a lens would not only conserve and better organize space but would be advantageous in separating, efficiently using the available space while protecting, and cradling lenses with the perfect shape. One that would conform to such cylindrical shapes while also having the ability to accommodate items and equipment of other shapes and sizes would make such an invention even more useful. Another desirable feature would be to have the ability to function as dividers which were both flexible and versatile and independently operational. It would also be advantageous for those who are used to a particular bag, case or pack to be able to customize internal organization, protection and division between items while maintaining simplicity, function and versatility.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ARTThe following listed invention includes a camera case divider system which differs substantially from the present invention in complexity and while it has two walls which have a reverse curve shape to conform to the shape of a lens it does not cradle the lens and requires several other pieces to protect a single lens.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,004 Date of Patent: Oct. 18, 1994
Inventor: Robert Weinreb
The following mentioned Camera bag has a dividing system which compensates for longer lenses but it does not have any separate part or piece that cradles the shape of a lens but only utilizes narrow wall shaped pieces with circular openings in the top in which to hold the lens.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,286 Date of Patent: Sep. 9, 1986
Inventor: Jesselyn T. Cyr
The following named invention is a lens case which holds the lens in a bag for use on a belt and may be used as a divider within a larger case. However, easy removal would be impeded and it could take a large amount of space from the interior of a bag if used to store items inside another as a versatile protector, and further it does not assist the organization, safety or protection of other items that might be stored around it as does the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,980 Date of Patent: Dec. 20, 1994
Inventor: Galen Rowell
Unlike the present invention, the following named invention features a lens-gate divider for use with lenses. It is formed from a divider wall supported between two sidewalls of a bag or case with a hinged square or rectangular shaped door or opening that is designed to hold a lens but will not support the whole lens independently of other pieces, side walls or supports as does the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,496 Date of Patent: Jul. 7, 1998
Inventor: Ryan Cyr
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a lens cradle and photographic equipment divider, protector, separator, supporter and organizer for use in storage and in transport of delicate gear.
This invention has been given the name of Lens Cradle Divider largely because of its cradle shape and its ability to cradle or conform to a lens or other equipment to provide protection, support, separations or division of equipment safely and effectively inside a camera case, bag or pack.
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Construction methods may include sewn, sonic welded, foam molded, injection or co-molding with gels or inserts and other method of construction, normally used to create soft goods and materials into an open and stiffened rectangular shaped support piece roughly half the diameter of the size of lens the cradle is intended to support or the hour glass or figure eight shape; although, a general size will accommodate almost any typically used lens size. The outer edges (5) should be finished and may be edged or piped or otherwise finished (5) with soft material again as seen in
The rectangular shape is then closed like a loop and sewn or otherwise attached together at the two ends. The shape should then resemble a rectangular shaped open box. The longer sides of the box may be attached together from the inside at the center with Velcro or other soft connective means so as to maintain an hour-glass shape or used as a rectangle shape to be used to cradle or protect other items such as cords, boxes or other items. When used with a round object such as a lens, the Lens Cradle Divider (1) will assume the hour-glass shape whether it is attached inside at the center or not. If the center is attached inside the Lens Cradle Divider (1) then the inside openings that remain once the rectangle shape is closed which form a triangular shape may also be used to store items which fit in those spaces efficiently such as lens cloth or other small items. Alternatively, the Lens Cradle Divider may be left in an open rectangle position to store and protect other items such as cords, filters, and other items.
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The Lens Cradle Divider may be laid out lengthwise or horizontally for use when it is desirable to place the lens lengthwise as shown in
Another way to use the divider is to place it vertically as shown in
The advantages of the present invention include without limitation, the ability to conform to the shape of a lens or other shapes, to provide protection and to be capable of being quickly, efficiently and effectively placed to best organize and support delicate equipment. The divider is constructed to be used in a variety of ways due to its flexibility in conforming to a many different organizational configurations. It is effective as a stand-alone support without attachment to or from any other surface or item but it may be attached to various surfaces and to other Lens Cradle Dividers; which makes it more versatile. It can be used to customize any pack, case or bag.
In broad embodiment, the present invention is a useful and easy way to support camera lenses and other delicate items and equipment. It may be used in a variety of different ways in many different configurations either singly or in tandem with another divider or dividers and may be used in any carrier, bag, case or pack.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
Claims
1. A divider constructed of soft and/or cushioning or cushioned fabric or other suitable material capable of conforming to the shape of the item or items it is to be used to support and protect, while being movably attachable to another or other divider(s) and/or to supporting outer or inner wall or walls of a bag, case, or pack 5 as in, for example, usage in storing and/or transporting items of delicate equipment.
- A. As a cradle shaped (figure eight or hourglass shaped) divider for use in conforming to and cradling, protecting, separating and supporting, round-shaped lenses or other delicate equipment while allowing efficient usage of space and serving as a protective divider or dividers such as in a camera or other bag, case, or pack for storage and/or transport.
- B. As a rectangular shaped divider capable of conforming to the item or items it is used to accommodate, having the longer two opposing sides of the rectangular shape capable of flexing outward to conform to various shapes or both sides simultaneously inward to form a cradle shape suitable for, and capable of, supporting lenses and/or other delicate gear while utilizing pace efficiently and having utility in dividing, protecting and organizing lenses and other delicate equipment or items which could be used to customize a photographic equipment carrier, case, bag or pack for storage or transport.
2. A camera lens or other delicate gear protector, supporter and divider having a cradle shape which conforms to the shape of a lens or lenses or other shaped gear and having additional utility for dividing, separating, organizing and protecting delicate gear with efficient use of space of a camera bag, case or pack.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 1, 2010
Publication Date: Sep 2, 2010
Inventors: Gordon Bryce Thatcher (Rexburg, ID), Melanie Alexandrine Madsen Thatcher (Rexburg, ID)
Application Number: 12/660,535
International Classification: B65D 85/38 (20060101); B65D 25/04 (20060101);