Patent ID: 6175691
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
A foldable multiple mode imaging acquisition apparatus; said apparatus comprising, in combination: a first housing assembly; a second housing assembly; an erecting assembly operatively interconnected to and between the first and second housing assemblies for allowing movement of the housing assemblies between a folded first condition and an unfolded second condition; and, a pair of spaced apart and generally longitudinally extending hand gripping sections on the first housing assembly; the hand gripping sections are sized and constructed to allow a user to easily and in a stable manner grip the apparatus in both the first and second conditions without having to remove hands from the first housing assembly and while the housing assemblies transition between the first and second conditions; further including a viewfinder assembly mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the second assembly and capable of viewing a scene; the viewfinder assembly is oriented in such a fashion that an operator can hold the apparatus in a generally vertical mode when the housing assemblies are in the first folded condition and view the scene, and in a generally horizontal mode when the housing assemblies are in the second unfolded condition and view the same scene.