Underwater camera housing having interchangeable back members to

Details Underwater camera housing having interchangeable back members to Underwater camera housing having interchangeable back members to

1995-11-02

1997-09-16

Metjahic, Safet

Photography

Underwater, waterproof, or water-resistant camera

Camera removable from handheld casing

2063162, 348 81, 348373, B65D 8538, G03B 1708, H04N 5225

Patent

active

056690207

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to camera housing systems and more particularly, it relates to a camera housing system which can be utilized for both still cameras and video cameras.
The use of cameras in an underwater or other hostile environment is well know in the art. Thus, cameras are widely used by many divers for taking photographs and/or videos and there presently exists on the market a number of housings adapted to protectively enclose the cameras. These housings fall into two categories--housings for still cameras (generally 35 mm cameras) and housings for video cameras (generally 8 mm; VHS or Beta formats). Each camera housing normally is designed for a specific model of camera.
It is occurring with increasing frequency that the people using these housings utilize both types of cameras (still and video) and accordingly, must purchase a separate housing for each type of camera. Not only does this create extra expense, it also creates problems when travelling with the equipment since this equipment tends to be somewhat bulky and heavy. However, since there are substantial differences between a video camera and a still camera, manufacturers have created completely different housings for the different types of cameras.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera housing system which is adaptable for both still and video cameras, and which minimizes the number of components which must be changed when converting from one format to the other format.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera housing system which is adaptable for both still cameras and video cameras. The system includes a front member which has a frame portion and a lens mounted in the frame portion. The front member has first cooperative locking means associated therewith. A first back member is adapted for use with a still camera and has associated therewith second cooperative locking means which are adapted to cooperatively engage with the locking means on the front member. A second back member is adapted to enclose a video camera and also includes cooperative locking means which are adapted to cooperatively engage with the locking means on the front member.
In greater detail, and as set forth above, the system utilizes a common front member with first and second interchangeable back members adapted to enclose a still camera and a video camera respectively. The system uses a common locking system such that the locking means on the front member can be cooperatively engaged with lock means on either of the back members. The engagement and sealing of the front and back members together may be accomplished in a known manner using "O" rings and the like. Locking systems can include, among others, a latch lock or a bolt lock means.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, the front member will have a frame portion with either flat or dome ports or lenses. The front member may also include a number of controls for the operation of the still camera. Naturally, the specific controls will depend on the model since some models of still cameras are substantially automated (focusing, exposure control, etc.) However, a number of the cameras are equipped with manual controls which are the preference of many photographers. In such an instance, a front member may have suitable controls for apertures and focus controls.
Other functions of the camera may be operated by controls placed on either the front member, which is common to both cameras or placed on the back member of the camera for still operation. These controls could include means for controlling shutter speed and/or film speed.
The front member also preferably includes means for mounting both the still camera and the video camera. Since both types of cameras commonly have a threaded aperture for mounting on tripods and the like, the system may include a single point of mounting with a suitable adaptor (for the different types of cameras). In other words, both cameras can be adapted for

REFERENCES:
patent: 4281343 (1981-07-01), Monteiro

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