U.S. patent application number 13/031127 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-23 for camera transport system.
Invention is credited to Carrie A. Gunnersen, Ronald D. Henry, Tyler R.M. Kope, Kurt K. Peterson.
Application Number | 20120043360 13/031127 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44483606 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120043360 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kope; Tyler R.M. ; et
al. |
February 23, 2012 |
CAMERA TRANSPORT SYSTEM
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.
Inventors: |
Kope; Tyler R.M.; (Seattle,
WA) ; Henry; Ronald D.; (Seattle, WA) ;
Gunnersen; Carrie A.; (Mountlake Terrace, WA) ;
Peterson; Kurt K.; (Lynnwood, WA) |
Family ID: |
44483606 |
Appl. No.: |
13/031127 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61306351 |
Feb 19, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/257 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B 17/56 20130101;
A45C 13/30 20130101; G03B 17/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/257 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/14 20060101
A45F003/14 |
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: 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 enclosure body for
carrying 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.
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 shoulder strap
with a first end portion and a second end portion, each attached to
the enclosure body for carrying 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 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: 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 shoulder strap
with a first end portion and a second end portion, each attached to
the enclosure body for carrying of the enclosure body; 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 shoulder strap with a first end
portion and a second end portion, each attached to the enclosure
body for carrying of the enclosure body; 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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] 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.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] 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
[0005] 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.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a top view of the enclosure.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the implementation
depicted in FIG. 1, further illustrating the storage of a camera
within the enclosure.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a side view of the implementation depicted in FIG.
6, further illustrating the shoulder strap disconnected from the
enclosure.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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.
[0017] FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the attachment strap
alternately attached to a conventional camera attachment point.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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 10a of a
shoulder strap 10. The second portion 22 of the third coupler 18 is
attached to a second end portion 10b 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 10b of
the shoulder strap 10.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the
appended claims.
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