Pulley Camera Strap And Camera Mounting System Using Same
The present invention is directed towards a retractable pulley strap assembly adapted to mount to the bottom of a camera, or other device, and to be used in a variety of configurations. The strap is adapted to allow for extension, and increase of the effective strap length, while the camera is in use. The strap is adapted to retract to a shorter effective length while the camera is not in use, such that the camera is held tightly against the user's body.
This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/641,631 to Hale, filed May 2, 2012.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera mounting and handling, and more specifically to a camera mount and adjustable strap.
2. Description of Related Art
Cameras may be handled by a user in a variety of ways, and may have different straps or tripod mounts attached depending upon the situation. In some uses, a short wrist strap may be used which adds security to holding the camera while photographing. In some uses, a longer strap may be used which allows the camera to be suspended from the neck of the user while not being used. In some uses, a user may want to mount the camera onto a tripod.
In another aspect, a strap may be used to support a camera wherein the strap is laid over both the neck and a shoulder of the user. A drawback of this aspect is that a strap long enough to allow for use of the camera will be long enough that the camera, when dangling from the strap while not in use, will be able to have too much mobility. The camera may be subject to too much motion, such that it is a distraction to the wearer. This may also present the risk of damage to the camera should it hit an object with this large range of possible motion.
What is called for is a body strap for a camera which may retract while the camera is not being used for photography such that the camera is held firmly against the body.
SUMMARYThe present invention is directed towards a retractable pulley strap assembly adapted to mount to the bottom of a camera, or other device, and to be used in a variety of configurations. The strap is adapted to allow for extension, and increase of the effective strap length, while the camera is in use. The strap is adapted to retract to a shorter effective length while the camera is not in use, such that the camera is held tightly against the user's body.
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The strap 202 is adapted to slide through the strap tab 203 such that the loop length may be altered. The system is adapted to have the loop remain at the selected length when the user is not moving the strap tab 203 along the strap 202. The strap tab 203 will remain in place on the strap 202 under the forces typically seen by the camera strap under normal use conditions. As the strap tab 203 moves along the strap 202, the relationship of the portion of the strap that is a single strand, towards one end of the strap pad, to the portion of the strap that is overlaid with three strands, changes. As this relationship changes, the loop length, or the effective length of the loop, changes, by changing this relationship. Thus, with an unchanging length of strap the loop length may be altered by manipulation of the location of the strap tab along the strap.
The strap slider 204 and the strap tab 203 provide routing for the strap 202 such that movement of the strap tab 203 along the strap 202 results in a change of length of the loop created by the strap and strap pad. Changes in the length of the loop allow for different uses, such as snug stowage of the camera strap and camera along the body of the user, or a looser strap allowing for use of the camera by the user with the strap still on the body of the user.
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As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general invention.
Claims
1. A camera strap and mounting system comprising: wherein said strap tab is adapted move along a portion of said strap.
- A strap pad, said strap pad coupled to a main strap on a first end;
- a main strap, said main strap coupled to said strap pad on a first end, said main strap coupled to a strap slider on a second end,
- a strap slider, said strap slider coupled to a second end of said strap pad;
- a strap tab; and
- a camera mount coupled to said strap tab;
2. The camera strap and mounting system of claim 1 wherein the loop length of the camera strap system increases when said strap tab is moved along said portion of said strap in a first direction.
3. The camera strap and mounting system of claim 2 wherein the loop length of the camera strap system decreases when said strap tab is moved along said portion of said strap in a second direction.
4. The camera strap and mounting system of claim 3 wherein said strap is overlaid in a plurality of layers between said strap tab and said strap slider.
5. The camera strap and mounting system of claim 4 wherein said strap is not overlaid in a plurality of layers between said strap tab and said first end of said main strap.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 15, 2013
Publication Date: Apr 17, 2014
Inventor: DayMen US, Inc. (Petaluma, CA)
Application Number: 13/844,342
International Classification: A45F 3/12 (20060101);