Joints and connections – Member deformed in situ – Deformation occurs simultaneously with assembly
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-19
2002-06-11
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Member deformed in situ
Deformation occurs simultaneously with assembly
C403S274000, C403S230000, C403S367000, C396S029000, C348S081000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06402416
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connection of a plurality of members and, more particularly, to a waterproof structure of a connecting portion.
Recently waterproof portable goods used in daily life have tended to increase in number. For example, cameras are used outdoors with relatively high frequency, and thus it is important that they should have a so-called waterproof (splash-proof) function in order that they can be used in places such as a beach and a ski slope or under conditions of bad weather such as a rainy or snowy day.
A conventional waterproof structure for cameras is disclosed in, for example, Jpn. U.M. Appln. KOKAI Publications Nos. 63-173232 and 4-9931. These publications are directed to the techniques shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7
, respectively. In order to render a camera waterproof, a waterproof structure in which a packing (elastic member)
16
of a loop-shaped seal member is inserted between covers
14
and
15
of a camera body, is adopted.
In the foregoing waterproof structure, a groove is formed in a coupling portion of one of the covers
14
and
15
, e.g., the cover
15
, and a projection
17
is formed in that of the other cover
14
to be fitted into the groove. The packing
16
, which is held in advance in the groove, is pressed by the projection
17
, the bottom
18
of the groove and the wall surface
19
thereof, and both the covers
14
and
15
are coupled and brought into intimate contact with each other, thereby fulfilling a waterproof function sufficiently.
In the above-described prior art waterproof structure of a camera body, however, a waterproof elastic member such as a rubber and an O-shaped ring is inserted and pressed between front and rear covers which are mounted as exterior members of the camera body to waterproof the camera body. The material costs for the waterproof packing as an elastic member used for the waterproof is always needed. In assembling such a waterproof camera, an elastic member is inserted in a groove formed along the outer circumference of the camera cover (exterior member) and opposite to the projection of the cover, and then the cover with the projection is attached and coupled to the other cover. Consequently, it takes a long time to perform an operation of inserting the elastic member in the groove formed in the cover, and the operability of the assemblage is deteriorated.
The object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof structure of a coupling portion in which at least two covers constituting a camera body are simply coupled to each other without using any waterproof members, thereby producing a waterproof effect of the camera body.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above situation and takes the following measures in order to resolve the problems of the prior art and attain the above object.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waterproof structure of a connecting portion, comprising a first member having an elastically-deformable projection at one end and a second member having a contact surface contacting an outer surface and an inner surface of the projection, wherein the projection is pressed on the contact surface of the second member and deformed elastically when the first member and the second member are coupled to each other, and the contact surface and the projection are brought into contact with each other to form a waterproof region.
The projection is shaped like a hook and brought into contact with the contact surface to make the connecting portion waterproof (to prevent water from passing through the connecting portion).
The contact surface of the second member is formed such that when the first member and the second member are coupled to each other, a base of the projection is prevented from contacting the contact surface and an end portion thereof contacts the contact surface. The connecting portion of the second member is thus formed widely.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5512969 (1996-04-01), Harris
patent: 5610655 (1997-03-01), Wakabayashi et al.
patent: 5689735 (1997-11-01), Horning et al.
patent: 5832312 (1998-11-01), Rieger et al.
patent: 5897225 (1999-04-01), Rieger et al.
patent: 63-173232 (1988-11-01), None
patent: 04-9931 (1992-01-01), None
Fujikawa Naoki
Katagiri Moriya
Browne Lynne H.
Dunwoody Aaron
Frishauf, Holtz Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
Olympus Optical Co,. Ltd.
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