Handheld Camera Patents (Class 396/29)
  • Patent number: 11031194
    Abstract: A switch includes a first elastic member that is conductive and configured to contact the first signal pattern, a second elastic member that is conductive and configured to contact the second signal pattern, and a third elastic member that is conductive and configured to contact the third signal pattern. When a first pressing operation is performed for the press member so as to move the press member from an initial position in the pressing direction the first and second signal patterns are electrically connectable via the first and second elastic members. After the first pressing operation, when a second pressing operation is performed for the press member so as to move the press member in a direction opposite to the pressing direction by the first and second elastic members, the first to third signal patterns are electrically connectable via the first to third elastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Furuta
  • Patent number: 10714660
    Abstract: A light-emitting device package according to an embodiment includes a package body including a cavity and a recessed portion formed around the cavity, the recessed portion having at least one concave portion; at least one light-emitting device mounted in the cavity; a light-transmitting member disposed to cover a top of the cavity and configured to transmit light emitted from the at least one light-emitting device; and a bonding member accommodated in the at least one concave portion so as to allow the light-transmitting member and the package body to be bonded to each other in the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung Mok Kim, Ha Na Kim, Hiroshi Kodaira, Baek Jun Kim, Jung Woo Lee, Sang Ung Hwang
  • Patent number: 10338455
    Abstract: A camera comprising an at least partly transparent housing and an imaging device arranged inside the at least partly transparent housing, wherein the imaging device is configured to capture images through the at least partly transparent housing. The camera further comprising a casing at least partly enclosing the imaging device and arranged between the housing and the imaging device, the casing defining at least one cavity forming an intermediate space being in fluid communication with an inner space present between the casing and the imaging device and an outer space present between the housing and the casing. A method for controlled dew formation inside the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Axis AB
    Inventor: Daisuke Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10203587
    Abstract: An electronic device according to the present disclosure may include: a housing including a substantially transparent plate that includes a first surface facing in a first direction, and a second surface facing in a second direction; a display exposed in the first direction; and a camera device exposed in the first direction. The camera device may include: a barrel structure including a side wall defining a space therein and an opening facing the first direction and a camera housing structure including a side portion surrounding at least a portion of the side wall of the barrel structure and an upper portion facing the first direction. The camera housing structure may include a first protrusion formed on the upper portion. The present disclosure implements a waterproof/dustproof structure for capping at least a portion of the camera device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Hyeon Kim, Hee-Su Kim, Jang-Won Han, Chang-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9485336
    Abstract: A waterproof structure includes a body member, a lid member that includes a waterproof member that inhibits water from entering through the opening, a guide member and in which a shaft hole including a circular hole portion and a long hole portion communicating with the circular hole portion is formed, a shaft section that is provided in the lid member, is supported in the shaft hole, is rotated inside the circular hole portion, is regulated in the rotation thereof inside the long hole portion, and is guided to the body member side, a first biasing section that biases the shaft section in a removing direction away from the body member, a second biasing section that biases the shaft section in a rotation direction, and a locking member that locks the lid member to the body member in a state where the waterproof member inhibits water from entering through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Takao Shinoda
  • Patent number: 9386195
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus capable of reducing assembly man-hours to reduce fabrication costs and capable of improving appearance design thereof. An upper cover of the electronic apparatus has a first abutment portion abutted with a second abutment portion of a right cover. Engagement portions are formed on an inner face of the upper cover, and latch portions are disposed between adjacent ones of the engagement portions and provided to project toward the right cover beyond the first abutment portion. The right cover has engaged portions disposed along the second abutment portion and provided to project toward the upper cover beyond the second abutment portion, and latched portions are disposed between adjacent ones of the engaged portions. The engaged portions of the right cover are engaged with the engagement portions of the upper cover, and the latched portions of the right cover are latched to the latch portions of the upper cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Yamagata, Shinnosuke Torii
  • Patent number: 9258467
    Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to optical module assemblies, such as a camera module assembly, and methods of forming same. One embodiment is directed to an optical module assembly that includes a substrate having a first surface. An optical device is secured to the first surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the substrate. A molded body is located on the first surface of the substrate outward of the optical device. The molded body includes a first recess. A lens assembly is secured to the molded body over the first recess by an adhesive material located in the first recess. In some embodiments, the molded body of the optical module assembly further includes a second recess spaced apart from the first recess. A transparent material is secured to the molded body over the second recess by an adhesive material located in the second recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Pte Ltd.
    Inventor: Wing Shenq Wong
  • Patent number: 8970771
    Abstract: A waterproof camera includes an image pickup section, a display section that displays image data, a mode setting section that sets a semi-underwater mode in which both objects under water and above water are simultaneously photographed, and a display control section that limits a display range of the display section when the semi-underwater mode is set, wherein the mode setting section controls the position of a photographing lens or the like to adjust a focus balance of at least one of under water and above water, and the display control section displays both object images under water and above water within a limited display range of the display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Kazumi Ito, Osamu Nonaka
  • Patent number: 8913154
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises an estimation unit which estimates, from color distribution information of an image obtained by capturing an object, a depth of water at which the captured object is positioned, and a white balance control unit which performs white balance control along an axis different from a black body radiation axis in accordance with the depth of water estimated by the estimation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Takayama, Kenji Ouchi
  • Patent number: 8827575
    Abstract: The apparatus for stabilizing a camera when used in an underwater environment comprises a hand grab having a flat top surface, the flat top surface of the hand grab slidably engaging a pair of elongate parallel rods at a proximal end of the rods, the rods further slidably engaging, at a distal end thereof, a platform resting upon the rods which engages a camera base, and a fin of predetermined configuration, the fin being slidably engaged upon the rods at a position between the proximal and distal ends thereof, the structures being movable along the length of the rods to establish a stabilization of the camera as a user is moving through water, or as water is moving past the camera. Further, at least one distally directed light source is provided suitably engaged to or provided on an undersurface of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Brad W Caldeira
  • Patent number: 8792003
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera device including: a housing having an opening; a lens exposed from the opening of the housing; a lens barrel for holding the lens, the lens barrel being fitted in the housing to expose the lens from the opening of the housing; a packing provided between the lens barrel and the housing for preventing the entry of a water flow passed through the opening; an imaging mechanism having an imaging device for detecting incident light transmitted through the lens; and a buffer portion configured to reduce the pressure of the water flow in a water flow path between the opening and the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20130343736
    Abstract: The invention comprises an underwater camera housing having a body and handles on the body. The body also carries a pad positioned on the body so that the pad is accessible for use by a user substantially without the user being required to remove a hand from the most adjacent handle. The pad is able to be pressed at any point of its periphery and links mounted on the body between the pad and, in use, a position adjacent the controls of a camera are such that by pressing the pad the camera controls can be operated. The links comprise a compound lever system which in use extend between the pad and the multi selector of the camera when positioned within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Yuk Shing LAI
  • Patent number: 8588858
    Abstract: A portable terminal with a pair of housings is provided, in which a guide rib is formed in a first housing for providing a reception groove, a first hinge member is engaged with the first housing for rotating upon a first hinge axis extended along a length direction of the first housing, a second hinge member is formed in a second housing and includes a hinge housing extended along a width direction of the second housing, and an additional device is accommodated in the hinge housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seon-Hee Shim, Sang-Joon Park, Jong-Woo Kim, Seok-Gyu Lee
  • Patent number: 8399873
    Abstract: A waterproof sensing device including a base, a rear cover, a sensing module, and a lens is provided. The rear cover is selectively rotatably disposed on the base, wherein the rear cover has a side wall to enclose an accommodation space. The sensing module is disposed in the accommodation space. The lens covers the rear cover on the edge of the side wall of the rear cover and seals the accommodation space. A waterproof treatment is disposed between the lens and the edge of the side wall, such that moisture is prevented from intruding into the accommodation space to cause damage, no matter where the sensing device is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Emcom Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Chu-Li Wang
  • Patent number: 8374495
    Abstract: A user-configurable waterproof camera case includes a housing for sealingly holding different models of camera therein, an actuating shaft extending through an opening of the housing, a probe-carrying member connected to an inner end of the actuating shaft, and an adjustable probe carried by the probe-carrying member at a position engageable with an on/off button or a shutter button of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sanwa Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Wai Lam William Yim
  • Patent number: 8358923
    Abstract: A structure of a housing mounted with a lens unit is provided that is capable of withstanding internal pressure changes and ensures shock-resistance while being waterproof and thin. The housing structure includes a resin case, and a metal frame for preventing deformation of the resin case. A sliding groove with which the metal frame is engageable by being slid is formed in an inner section of the resin case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Kurokawa, Takayuki Satou
  • Patent number: 8295896
    Abstract: A waterproof cover for a mobile phone including: a cover body having the same outward appearance as a mobile phone to accommodate the mobile phone therein, the cover body being made of polyurethane in such a way that the cover body is in a close contact with the mobile phone to be accommodated therein, the cover body having a receiving hole formed on a front face of the cover body for allowing the mobile phone to be inserted into and removed from the cover body; and an adhesive member being continuously releasably-adhered on the front face of the cover body to seal and open the receiving hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Mayplus Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyoung Jin Jeon
  • Patent number: 8244118
    Abstract: A control system for an underwater camera housing, including a pin assembly within the housing wall. The pin has a clamp ring and a set of O-rings at an end of the pin. The pin is received into a well in the housing. A spring is received into a bushing also positioned within the well, with the pin inserted into the center of the spring, and the spring compressed against the seat of the bushing by the clamp ring. The pin is depress-able to contact a control button of the housed camera. The control system additionally includes a knob rotatably attached to the housing's exterior. The knob has a boss magnet to move a worker magnet positioned on the housing's interior. The knob is rotatable to move the boss magnet, and so move the worker magnet, to control functions of the housed camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Gregg M. Stansbury
  • Patent number: 8224167
    Abstract: An adjustment device including an enhanced underwater viewfinder having, in use, a substantially watertight body and including a plurality of prisms within the body, at least one of the prisms being moveable by element of a control mechanism operable from a position exterior of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nauticam International Limited
    Inventor: Yuk Shing Lai
  • Patent number: 8200074
    Abstract: An underwater camera apparatus for use in obtaining photograph images of underwater structures is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a sealed box having a defined interior space with a transparent front face. A lens adaptor is mounted in an opening on the rear face of the box and a camera having a lens is mounted onto the lens adaptor. The box is provided with a removable cap plate allowable sealable access to the interior space of the box. The removable cap plate is used to fill the box with clear water to assist in making the apparatus buoyant neutral in an underwater environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Paige Melancon
  • Patent number: 8170407
    Abstract: A structure of a housing mounted with a lens unit is provided that is capable of withstanding internal pressure changes and ensures shock-resistance while being waterproof and thin. This structure for a housing includes a lens unit 8 that is mounted in housings 3 and 4, a porous film 11 that is attached to the inner surface toward a ventilation hole 31 formed in the housing 3, an elastic member 9 that is interposed between the lens unit 8 and the porous film 11, and a shock-absorbing member 10 that is interposed between the housings 3 and 4 and the lens unit 8. The elastic member 9 is a lens holder that is interposed between the porous film 11 and a portion of the shock-absorbing member 10, and has a through-hole 91 in an area corresponding to the ventilation hole 31 in the housing 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Kurokawa, Takayuki Satou
  • Patent number: 7949242
    Abstract: A lens cover assembly comprises a lens cover and a water absorption portion. The lens cover has a transparent portion located in a center portion thereof. The water absorption portion is mounted to the lens cover surrounding the transparent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Mu-Wen Yang, Chih-Chiang Chang
  • Patent number: 7871205
    Abstract: A base, securely attachable to any type of watertight housing for an underwater camera without causing rotational displacement during its use for underwater photography, includes an elongated main body and a holder plate disposed on the main body which is transversely movable. The base has a protrusion for preventing transverse motion of a pedestal or a leg structure on the housing. A pair of set screws is provided in addition to a fixing screw that is passed through a fixing hole through the base main body to fasten the base to the camera housing. The base main body has a fixing hole for the fixing screw and a pair of elongated holes for passing the set screws so as to be transversely movable. The holder plate has an elongated hole for passing the fixing screw so as to be transversely movable and screw holes for engaging the set screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: INON, Inc.
    Inventor: Akihide Inoue
  • Patent number: 7760994
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus (210) for capturing an image (214) of a scene (12) that is within a fluid (16) includes an apparatus frame (228), a capturing system (230), and a control system (236). The capturing system (230) captures the image (214). The control system (236) adjusts a color content of the captured image (214) based on at least one of a separation distance (SDist) between the image capturing apparatus (210) and a subject (20) of the scene (12); an apparatus depth (AD) of the image capturing apparatus (210) below a fluid surface (21); a subject depth (SDep) of the subject (20) below the fluid surface (21); or a fluid type of the fluid (16). Additionally, the image capturing apparatus (210) can include a depth sensor (234) that provides an apparatus depth signal that corresponds to the apparatus depth (AD) of the image capturing apparatus (210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Takita
  • Patent number: 7653291
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water proof case for a digital camera. The water proof case for a digital camera according to the present invention comprises a housing having an inner space to accommodate the digital camera, an upper and a lower transparent films formed, respectively, on an upper and a lower sides of the housing, a first attaching member formed on an upper surface of the housing at a side of the upper transparent film, a corrugated header extended from the housing at a side of the first attaching member, a cover connected to the housing at the side of the first attaching member and positioned at a back of the corrugated header, a second attaching member formed on an upper surface of the cover, and a light tube unit heat-fused to the upper transparent film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventor: Myeong-Hwan Yeom
  • Patent number: 7623773
    Abstract: An accessory device mountable to an accessory shoe of an image-pickup apparatus includes a contact member electrically connecting with the accessory shoe, a lock mechanism allowing a lock operation for fixing the accessory device to the accessory shoe and an unlock operation for releasing the fix of the accessory device, a drip-proof member contacting the image-pickup apparatus to form a drip-proof space around the contact member and the accessory shoe. In response to the lock operation, the drip-proof member is moved to a first position where the drip-proof member is allowed to be brought into contact with the image-pickup apparatus. In response to the unlock operation, the drip-proof member is moved to a second position where the drip-proof member is retracted from the first position. The drip-proof member has a shape such that a length of a rear-end-side portion is longer than that of the front-end-side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichirou Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7587134
    Abstract: A camera having a barrier according to the present invention includes a barrier unit in a space between a front main body and a front metal cover serving as an exterior member. Rotation of a barrier driving motor is transmitted to a rotary shaft member passing through the front main body, thereby allowing opening/closing actions of the lens barrier between a protection position for a photographing lens and a lens-barrier retracted position. The front main body is sealed waterproof by an O-ring provided to the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft member. With the lens barrel of the camera, rotation of a rotary moving frame is effectively transmitted to a cam frame through a cam follower fit to a linear-action groove, using a circumferential groove and the linear-action groove of a bayonet mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Hidenobu Mochinushi, Kosaku Nishio, Moriya Katagiri, Satoru Yasutomi, Nobuyuki Tanaka, Naoki Matsumoto, Yasunari Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 7577345
    Abstract: A digital camera having an acoustic member includes a first cover, a water-proof sheet and a second cover. The second cover is spaced from the water-proof sheet. The first cover has a first sound hole opposed to the acoustic member. The water-proof sheet is disposed such as to covers the first sound hole. The second cover has a second sound hole. The second sound hole is deviated in position toward an outer periphery of the first sound hole so that the second sound hole is not located on an extension of an axis of the first sound hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Ko Tei, Masaya Ota, Kyoji Murayama, Nobuyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7477839
    Abstract: A waterproof housing is provided with an engaging member that can engage with rotary members provided respectively on a plurality of cameras. The rotary members can be rotated from the outside of the waterproof housing. Accordingly, the plurality of cameras can be stored and operated selectively in a single waterproof housing. For example, the engaging member can be configured in such a manner that a plurality of multiple recessed portions are provided concentrically so that each one of the plurality of rotary members can be fitted to any one of the recessed portion out of the multiple recessed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Funahashi, Shinichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7426339
    Abstract: A waterproof housing for storing a camera with a lens barrel includes, a cylindrical lens barrel storage section for storing the lens barrel portion with a through hole communicating the outside and inside of the waterproof housing; and a rotatable cylindrical operation ring supported on an outer periphery of the cylindrical lens barrel storage section and provided to enclose an outer periphery of a rotary ring on the stored lens barrel for rotating the same. The waterproof housing also includes a transmitting member in the hole on an outer wall of the cylindrical lens barrel storage section connected to the rotary ring for directly transmitting rotation of the operation ring thereto, and a waterproof member between the outside of the cylindrical lens barrel storage section and an inner periphery of the operation ring for waterproof between the interior and the exterior of the cylindrical lens barrel storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuo Takanashi
  • Patent number: 7422379
    Abstract: A stand for a camera device, the stand comprising an attachment element which is detachably fastened to the camera device and at least one support element which is displaceably connected to the attachment element. The support element is displaceable between at least two positions, a “storage” position where the at least one support element essentially lies up against an outer surface of the camera device and an “active” position where the at least one support element is displaced away from the outer surface of the camera device in order to provide a support for supporting the camera device in a steady orientation on a surface. The attachment element and the supporting element are furthermore arranged such that the attachment element remains fastened to the camera device during the displacement of the supporting element between its storage position and its active position. In this way, a stand is provided which may be very easy and convenient for the user to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Markus Agevik, Anders Lundquist
  • Patent number: 7409148
    Abstract: A waterproof type electronic device is composed of a disc lid 13 capable of opening and closing an opening portion (17) of a camera apparatus body (2), a buckle (12) capable of detachably fastening the disc lid (13) to the camera apparatus body (2) and a sealing member (24) provided on at least one of the buckle (12) and the camera apparatus body (2) to hermetically seal the buckle 12 and the camera apparatus body (2). When the disc lid (13) is fastened to the camera apparatus body (2) by the buckle (12), the camera apparatus body (2) is hermetically sealed at least at its part of the portion covered with the buckle (12). In this kind of related-art waterproof type electronic device, operation buttons are not formed so as to have waterproof structures and water and water component can therefore enter this waterproof type electronic device relatively easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobutatsu Takahashi, Seiya Amatatsu
  • Publication number: 20080170844
    Abstract: A waterproof casing for enclosing a camera body with a lens, the waterproof casing having a housing defining a cavity for containing the camera body with the lens, the housing having a lens region positioned in front of the lens of the camera body, the lens region being transparent to light, and a wiper connected to the housing for clearing particles from the lens region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventor: Ehab M. Samuel
  • Patent number: 7321096
    Abstract: A shell body assembly structure includes a first shell body, a second shell body and a frame. A plurality of fixing portions is projectively disposed at the peripheral edge of the first shell body. A locking point is formed on each of the fixing portions. The second shell body has a plurality of holes corresponding to the locking points to lock the locking points so that the first shell body and the second shell body can be locked together. A plurality of openings corresponding to the fixing portions is disposed at the peripheral edge of the frame. A locking hook is formed on each of the opening. When the locking point is pressed down, the fixing portion can be pushed away and then locked with the locking hook, thereby separating the first shell body and the second shell body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventor: Yu-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 6941066
    Abstract: This invention provides a camera case for stopping degradation of picture quality even if pictures are taken with a camera still in the case. Also, this invention provides a camera case with which it is possible to smoothly remove a strap from the case body. For example, a bent section is provided in a case body. Even if light emitted from a flash enters a thickened part of the case body, the light is diverged to the outside by the bent section. In this way, the amount of light transmitted from the flash to the lens of the camera is reduced. Further, a rib may be provided in the case body. In this way, light emitted from the flash and reflected by the inner surface of the case body is inhibited from reaching the lens of the camera. A strap is also supported by support pieces. If a strong tensile force is applied to the strap, the support pieces are deformed and the strap and the case body are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Ogram Design Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6751409
    Abstract: The exterior case of an electronic appliance is integrally molded by two-color molding or insert molding with a hard resin and a soft resin. A front case part and a back case part of the exterior case is formed of the hard resin, and a connecting part between the front case part and the back case part is formed of the soft resin. The front case part and the back case part are assembled into a case-like shape by bending the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6738570
    Abstract: A lens apparatus or optical instrument having a lens apparatus including a holding member that holds and moves a lens or a lens group in an optical axis direction, the holding member having a vent providing ventilation between the interior and the exterior of the lens apparatus, a water-repellent microporous member that covers the vent, and an appearance member disposed on the holding member, with a clearance provided between the appearance member and the holding member, so as to shield the water-repellent microporous member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuru Shinohara, Jun Sugita, Shigeki Satoh
  • Patent number: 6640053
    Abstract: A camera seal assembly has a first retainer having an opening. The first retainer defines an axis extending through the opening. A second retainer is disposed in fixed relation to the first retainer. The second retainer faces the first retainer in spaced relation along the axis. A barrel extends through the opening. The barrel has a cylindrical barrel wall. A collar has a side wall facing the barrel wall. The barrel is movable relative to the collar. A stack of alternating lesser and greater rings is disposed between the first and second retainers and between the barrel wall and side wall. The lesser rings are movable relative to the greater rings in directions radial to the axis. The stack has a centered state, in which each lesser ring more closely adjoins the barrel wall than the side wall and each greater ring more closely adjoins the side wall than the barrel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony Dirisio
  • Patent number: 6636695
    Abstract: A shutter release-thumbwheel brake for a camera has a thumbwheel, a shutter release, and a sprag. The shutter release is pivotable reative to the thumbwheel between a ready position and a first released position and also between the ready position and a second released position. The released positions are opposed. The sprag is joined to the shutter release and brakes the thumbwheel when the shutter release is in either of the released positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Wayne E. Stiehler, Stephen J. Smith, Craig A. Baker
  • Patent number: 6636697
    Abstract: In a photography method, a partial vacuum is provided within a pressure housing of a camera having an unexposed film unit. The camera is sealed against both air entry and venting, while in the partial vacuum. The camera is kept sealed until the film unit is fully exposed and while sealed, a relative pressure differential between the interior of the camera and an environment external to the camera is continuous indicated. The camera has a housing having an internal cavity water-tightly sealed from the external environment. The internal cavity has an unsubmerged internal pressure, at room temperature, less than air pressure at sea level. The camera has a camera frame assembly disposed in the internal cavity and a seal integrity indicator that provides the continuous indication of the relative pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Smith, Craig A. Baker, Wayne E. Stiehler
  • Patent number: 6597865
    Abstract: By pushing down a shutter release operation member (9), that is mounted on a front of a waterproof case of a waterproof type lens-fitted photo film unit, a release lever (70) is caused to rotate through a rotary shaft (71) that is put through a front wall of the waterproof case. Thereby, the release lever directly pushes an arresting member (59) through an opening (19c) provided on a front side of a unit body (3), releasing a shutter drive member (51) as having been arrested in a cocked position by the arresting member (59), and thus causing a shutter blade (45) to make an open-close movement. The waterproof case consists of a pair of case members that are put on the unit body from its front and rear sides, and are joined to each other by engagement. An elastic waterproof ring is force-fitted in a gap of the joint between the case members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Negishi, Hirofumi Katsura
  • Publication number: 20030118331
    Abstract: An underwater one-time-use camera has a housing having a front housing part and a rear housing part. A frame assembly is disposed within the housing. The housing and frame assembly have retention features releaseably sealing the has rear housing part water-tightly against said front housing part and holding the frame assembly in the front housing part independent of the rear housing part. The camera is unloaded by releasing the rear housing part from the front housing part. The film door of the frame assembly is then opened and the film unit is removed. The retention features retain the frame assembly in the front housing part, during and following the opening and the removing of the film unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Wayne E. Stiehler, Stephen J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030118334
    Abstract: In a photography method, a partial vacuum is provided within a pressure housing of a camera having an unexposed film unit. The camera is sealed against both air entry and venting, while in the partial vacuum. The camera is kept sealed until the film unit is fully exposed and while sealed, a relative pressure differential between the interior of the camera and an environment external to the camera is continuous indicated. The camera has a housing having an internal cavity water-tightly sealed from the external environment. The internal cavity has an unsubmerged internal pressure, at room temperature, less than air pressure at sea level. The camera has a camera frame assembly disposed in the internal cavity and a seal integrity indicator that provides the continuous indication of the relative pressure differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen J. Smith, Craig A. Baker, Wayne E. Stiehler
  • Publication number: 20030118333
    Abstract: An underwater camera has a frame assembly, which has a frame and front and rear covers mounted on the frame. The frame has a viewfinder tunnel. A pressure housing has an internal cavity holding the frame assembly. The pressure housing has opposed first and second viewports. The viewports each bear directly on the viewfinder tunnel and are disposed in non-load-bearing relation to said covers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen J. Smith, Craig A. Baker, Wayne E. Stiehler
  • Patent number: 6574435
    Abstract: An underwater housing has a shell having inside and outside surfaces and an opening extending between the surfaces. An actuator is disposed in the opening. The actuator has an outer member disposed external to the opening and an inner member disposed internal to the opening. The actuator has a torsion bar joining the members to the shell. The members are pivotable about an axis through the torsion bar, between an initial orientation and a pivoted orientation. The torsion bar is relaxed when the members are in the initial orientation and tensioned when the members are in the pivoted orientation. A facing is united with the shell and the actuator. The facing seals the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Smith, Wayne E. Stiehler, Craig A. Baker
  • Patent number: 6574429
    Abstract: An underwater camera has a frame assembly, which has a frame and front and rear covers mounted on the frame. The frame has a viewfinder tunnel. A pressure housing has an internal cavity holding the frame assembly. The pressure housing has opposed first and second viewports. The viewports each bear directly on the viewfinder tunnel and are disposed in non-load-bearing relation to said covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Smith, Craig A. Baker, Wayne E. Stiehler
  • Patent number: 6574434
    Abstract: In a camera to which the present invention is applied, a camera body having a pop-up ST unit attached thereto is sandwiched between front and back covers. A plugged rubber arranged inside the back cover is pressed by a front cover rib provided on the front cover in the state in which the front and back covers are joined to each other, whereby the front and back covers are kept liquid-tight to each other. Moreover, an ST rubber arranged on the periphery of the ST body is pressed by the front cover rib in the state in which the ST body is sandwiched between the front and back covers, whereby the front cover, the back cover, and the ST body are kept liquid-tight to one another. Simultaneously, the ST rubber is pressed by a cover rib provided on the back cover, whereby the back cover and the ST body are kept liquid-tight to each other. Thus, the water-proofing function can be secured among the three members, that is, the front cover, the back cover, and the ST body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Matsuoto, Toshifumi Nakano, Takashi Muroi
  • Patent number: 6571056
    Abstract: A waterproof case for containing a camera includes a case body configured such that the camera is freely inserted therein and removed therefrom, and an optical system arranged at a part of the case body where a photographic lens of the camera faces. The optical system serves as a conversion lens for the photographic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Shimamura, Keiji Enomoto
  • Patent number: 6466741
    Abstract: A waterproof camera includes a camera body having an actuation member that actuates an internal mechanism when pressed. A waterproof case is arranged to contain the camera body in a watertight fashion, with an opening arranged to face the actuation member and a stepped portion around the opening on an inside wall of the waterproof case. A resilient operation member having a button portion exposed to the outside through the opening has a mounting portion which fits on the stepped portion around the opening. The operation member can be resiliently deformed to press the actuation member when the button portion is depressed. A supporting member pushes the mounting portion against the stepped portion from inside the waterproof case, so as to secure the operation member. In one embodiment, the supporting member is fixed on the camera body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6434330
    Abstract: A waterproof lens-fitted photo film unit includes a lens-fitted photo film unit. Between a case body and a rear lid, the lens-fitted photo film unit is contained in a watertight manner. A separation opening is formed in the case body. A separation access chamber has an entrance connected to the separation opening, and closes the separation opening in a watertight manner in a position interior with reference to the case body. The separation access chamber includes a thin wall having a small thickness, and is breakable by a separator tool having a long shape with a small width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Uchiyama, Masahiro Akiyama, Yoshikazu Majima, Nobuyuki Kameyama