Abstract:
A video camera comprises a lens unit to receive images to be captured; a display device to display the captured images; a main camera body; and one or more exterior decorative components, each being configured to be removed and replaced with a corresponding decorative component having different appearance, wherein one of the exterior decorative components includes a body and a first protrusion that extends outwardly from the body, and wherein the main camera body defines a first recess that is configured to receive the first protrusion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-428628, filed on Dec. 25, 2003.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a video cameral provided with replaceable external decorative members.  
         [0003]     Color-variation development for electronic devices has been pursued extensively by various entities to produce electronic devices of the same model in different colors or to provide different exterior panels for electronic devices of the same model to enable users to select desired exterior panels, to satisfy the tastes and interests of different users.  
         [0004]     The color-variation development has been successfully applied to portable telephones and the like, as described in JP-A No. 2002-125022 and JP-A No. 2003-143268. However, color-variation development has not been successfully applied to video cameras.  
         [0005]     This is in part due to the different configuration used for typical video cameras when compared to mobile telephones as wells as the difference in mode of use. Therefore, a part-changing system that permits a user to change the exterior panels of a procured portable telephone cannot be directly applied to the video camera.  
         [0006]     A typical video camera has a front unit provided with a lens mounting opening and a microphone, a liquid crystal display unit provided with a foldable, turnable liquid crystal display, a grip unit including a case containing a recording device, and a rear unit provided with a viewfinder and a battery mount. Each of these units has an exterior case and component parts contained in the exterior case. The component parts and the exterior cases are assembled and fastened together by fastening means, such as screws and/or adhesives.  
         [0007]     A color-variation development for the video camera of the foregoing construction changes the colors of the exterior cases of the front unit and the liquid crystal display unit, which are conspicuous units (see, http://www.jvc-victor.co.jp/dvmain/gr-d200/index.html). Exterior cases of different colors are colored by painting in most cases. Exterior cases are colored by painting for color-variation development. When only some of the exterior cases are painted, whether or not painted parts can be seen is dependent on the shapes of the exterior cases and the overlying components, if any. Therefore, the painted exterior cases having complicated shapes may have an undesirable, complicated appearance.  
         [0008]     A method for partial color-variation development is employed in solving such a problem. Generally, the method covers an exterior case with a painting mask and paints the exterior case partially through the painting mask. When the exterior cases are painted by this method, the appearance of the painted parts is not dependent on the shapes of the exterior cases and the exterior cases have an improved appearance. However, since the exterior cases of the video camera have complicated shapes, paint is liable to stick to parts covered with the painting mask. A conventional method of solving such a problem selects parts for color-variation development, forms parts separately, and attaches the separately formed parts to the exterior cases. For example, some method of color-variation development (see JP-A No. 7-43810) achieves its purpose by attaching metallic parts to a plurality of exterior cases to alter the feel of quality and appearance and to change color tone.  
         [0009]     However, since the exterior parts are attached to the exterior cases with screws and adhesives during production, color-variation development is applied to the stage of production. Therefore, a user buying a camera is able to select merely a color and the feel of quality and is unable to change the color and the feel of quality of the camera after buying the camera.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention provides a video camera including a plurality of exterior cases forming a camera body and at least one exterior decorative member. In one embodiment, the exterior decorative member includes or cooperates with an attaching mechanism that the decorative member to be securely attached to the video camera.  
         [0011]     The exterior decorative member preferably is configured to be easily replaced with another decorative member without using special tools to enable the user change the appearance of the video camera.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, a video camera comprises a lens unit to receive images to be captured; a display device to display the captured images; a main camera body; and one or more exterior decorative components, each being configured to be removed and replaced with a corresponding decorative component having different appearance, wherein one of the exterior decorative components includes a body and a first protrusion that extends outwardly from the body, and wherein the main camera body defines a first recess that is configured to receive the first protrusion. The exterior decorative component has a second protrusion having a width of no more than 5 millimeter. The second protrusion has a backend that extends no more than 0.7 millimeter from a backend of the body of the one exterior component.  
         [0013]     In another embodiment, a video camera comprises a lens unit to capture images; a display device to display the captured images; a main camera body; and at least one exterior decorative component that is configured to be removed and replaced with a corresponding decorative component having different appearance, wherein the at least one exterior decorative components includes a body and a first protrusion that extends outwardly from the body, wherein the main camera body defines a first recess that is configured to receive the first protrusion, and wherein the one exterior component defines a groove between the body of the exterior component and the first protrusion, the groove being configured to make the first protrusion less visible to human eyes.  
         [0014]     In yet another embodiment, a lens cover for a video camera includes a body having a cylindrical upper portion and a lower portion; a holding projection extending outward from the lower portion of the body, the holding projection being configured to be received by a recess defined on a case of the video camera; a groove defined between the lower portion of the body and the holding projection to make the holding projection less visible when the holding projection is inserted into the recess of the case, wherein the lens cover is a removable, exterior decorative component of the video camera. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a video camera according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a video camera according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a video camera with an LCD unfolded according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of assistance in explaining a lens cover attaching method according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of assistance in explaining a lens cover attaching method according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a video camera according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a fragmentary sectional view of a lens cover sliding structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a holding structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a holding structure and a locking structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a holding projection without a groove according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 10B  illustrates a holding projection with a groove to redirect reflecting lights according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 11A  illustrates a side view of a holding projection according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 11B  illustrates a side view of a holding projection having a wing according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 11C . illustrates a side view of a holding projection according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]     Video cameras in preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  9 .  
         [0030]     A video camera in a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  3  and  6 .  FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the video camera,  FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the video camera,  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the video camera in a state where an LCD (liquid crystal display) for displaying images taken by the video camera is unfolded, and  FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the video camera.  
         [0031]     The video camera in the first embodiment has a front unit including a lens unit  1 , a microphone unit  2 , a lens cover  14 , n, and a front case  15 , and holding the lens cover  14 . A liquid crystal display unit (or display device) includes an LCD  5 , an LCD support  6 , a main case  16 , an L case  20  and a base plate  21 . A grip unit includes a grip  11 , a grip cover  13 , a drive cover  17  and a drive unit  18 . A rear unit includes an EVF (electric viewfinder)  4  and a rear cover  19 . The lens cover  14  is illustrated as an exterior decorative component that may be replaced with other lens covers of different appearances.  
         [0032]     Images are taken through the lens unit  1  and sounds are recorded by the microphone unit  2 . A lens hood  3  mounted on a front part of the lens unit  1  can be attached to the front case  15  by a M37 screw mount specified in ISO 1948. The lens head (or cylindrical fastener)  3  has a cylindrical or ring shape in the present embodiment. When it is desired to change the optical ability of the lens unit  1 , the hood  3  is removed from the lens unit  1 , and an M37 conversion lens can be connected to the lens unit  1 . The EVF  4  displays an image to be taken, and LCD  5  displays a reproduced image. The LCD support  6  supports the LCD  5  for turning, and the LCD can be set in an optional angular position suitable for use. Reproduction control buttons  7  to be operated principally for image-reproducing operations are arranged in an area adjacent to the folded LCD  5 . Taking control buttons  8  to be operated principally for image-taking operations are arranged in an area that is exposed when the LCD  5  is unfolded. The LCD support  6  and the LCD  5  are put on the L case  20 , and the main case  16  is put on the L case  20 . A mode selector knob  9  is operated to turn on and off a power supply and to select either a moving-picture mode or a still-picture mode. A record button  10  is operated to start and stop a recording operation. The grip  11 , the grip cover  13  and the drive cover  17 , namely, exterior cases, protect a drive unit  18  for recording images in a recording medium. When changing the recording medium, an opening knob  12  is operated to open the grip cover  13  and the recording medium is replaced with another one.  
         [0033]     The lens cover  14  is a replaceable exterior decorative member. The lens cover  14  protects the side surface of the lens unit  1 . The lens cover  14  is a conspicuous member serving as a lens barrel, which is an exterior decorative member capable of effectively symbolizing the video camera. Thus, the conspicuous member enables color-variation development. The lens cover  14  is painted in an optional color or finished by a surface treatment, such as plating, for color-variation development. A plurality of kinds of lens covers  14  respectively having different appearances are available. The user is able to change the lens cover  14  to enjoy color variation. The lens cover  14  may be such as not finished by a surface treatment and formed by molding a semitransparent plastic material.  
         [0034]     A lens cover attaching mechanism will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4, 5  and  7 .  FIGS. 4, 5  and  7  are a front perspective view, a rear perspective view and a fragmentary sectional view showing a slide, respectively, of assistance in explaining a lens cover attaching method.  
         [0035]     The lens cover  14  has a cylindrical front part  14   a  and a substantially straight, semicylindrical rear legs  14   b . In putting the lens cover  14  on and taking the same off the front case  15 , the front part  14   a  of an inside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of cylindrical lens barrel of the front case  15  slides along the lens barrel of the front case  15 , and the substantially straight, semicylindrical rear legs  14   b  slides along the exterior case. Thus, the lens cover  14  can be easily put on and taken off the exterior case.  
         [0036]     The lens cover  14  is provided with holding projections  14   c  and  14   d  which engage with the main case  16 . The front case  15  has a cylindrical front part  15   a  and an M37 screw mount  15   b  on which the hood  3  is mounted. The main case  16  is provided with longitudinal steps  16   a  along which the semicylindrical rear legs  14   b  slide, and recesses  16   b  and  16   c  in which the holding projections  14   c  and  14   d  engage, respectively.  
         [0037]     The lens cover  14  is combined with the main case  16  by sliding the lens cover  14  along the main case  16 . The cylindrical front part  14   a  of the lens cover  14  slides along the cylindrical front part  15   a  of the front case  15 , and the substantially straight, semicylindrical rear legs  14   b  of the lens cover  14  is fit along the longitudinal steps  16   a  of the main case  16 . The longitudinal steps  16   a  determine the angular position of the lens cover  14  relative to the main case  16 , and serve as guides for guiding the rear legs  14   b  of the lens cover  14 . The lens cover  14  can be easily put on and taken off the main case  16  simply by sliding the lens cover  14  along the longitudinal steps  16   a.    
         [0038]     At the final stage of the sliding movement of the lens cover  14  in putting the lens cover  14  on the main case  16 , the holding projections (or protrusions)  14   c  and  14   d  engages in the recesses  16   b  and  16   c  so that the lens cover  14  may not easily fall off the main case  16 .  
         [0039]     After the lens cover  14  has been mounted on the main case  16 , the hood  3  is mounted on the M37 screw mount  15   b  of the front case  15 . The M37 screw mount  15   b  enables mounting the hood  3  on and dismounting the same from the front case  15  simply by turning the hood  3  in one direction and the opposite direction, respectively, without using any tool. The hood  3  has an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the lens cover  14 . The hood  3  attached to the front case  15  is contiguous with the lens cover  14 , restrains the lens cover  14  from axial movement and holds the lens cover  14  in place on the main case  16 . Thus, the lens cover  14  can be mounted on the main case  16  without using any tool and can be held on the main case  16  without using any special fastening means, such as screws or an adhesive. Consequently, the lens cover  14  can be easily replaced with another one. The lens cover  14  can be thus firmly held in place as compared with being held in place merely by the engagement of projections and recesses. Even if a force acts on the lens cover  14  in an axially outward direction while the video camera in this embodiment is being carried in a bag, the lens cover  14  will not come off the main case  16 , may not be lost or may not be damaged.  
         [0040]     The construction of a joint will be described with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  are a sectional view of a joint and a sectional view of a joint and a locking structure, respectively.  
         [0041]     In  FIG. 8 , the holding projection  14   c  is engaged in the recess  16   b  to hold the semicylindrical rear leg on the main case  16 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the holding projection  14   d  and the recess  16   c  are formed such that the semicylindrical rear legs do not separate from the main case  16 . The holding projection  14   d  is provided with a locking protrusion  14   e . When the rear leg is inserted in the recess  16   c , the locking protrusion  14   e  comes into contact with the main case  16 . Since the holding projection  14   d  is elastic, the elastic holding projection  14   d  bends as the holding projection  14   d  engages in the recess  16   c  of the main case  16 , and the locking protrusion  14   e  falls elastically in a locking recess  16   d  formed in the recess  16   c . Thus, the user is able to replace the lens cover  14  with another one without using any special tool.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , a groove  22  is formed on the holding projection  14   c ′ to make the holding projection  14   c ′ that slides into the recess  16   b  to make the inserted holding projection less visible to human eyes according to one embodiment. Such a groove is particularly useful if the holding projection has a different color than the surrounding main camera body. The groove  22  prevents light beams  24  entering into a crevice defined by the main body and holding projection from reflecting out perpendicularly. That is, the groove redirects the light beams, so that they are not reflected out with a perpendicular angle (or substantially perpendicular angle). Without the groove, the lights would reflect outward perpendicularly, as shown in  FIG. 10A .  
         [0043]     With the groove  22 , as shown in  FIG. 10B , part of the light beams  24  is trapped and absorbed therein and part of the light beams is provided with a non-perpendicular reflection angle. Accordingly, the portion of the light beams reflected out at a perpendicular angle is substantially reduced, so that the holding projection  14   c ′ inserted into the recess is made less visible, thereby providing the video camera with a more aesthetic look. The groove  22  is formed between the body of the lens cover  14  and the holding projection. The groove is a V-shaped slot in the present embodiment.  
         [0044]     In  FIG. 9 , the lens cover  14  can be removed from the main case  16  by reversing the steps of mounting the lens cover  14  on the main case  16 . More specifically, the hood  3  is removed from the M37 screw mount  15   b  and the lens cover  14  is pulled axially away from the main case  16 . Then, the elastic holding projection  14   d  provided with the locking protrusion  14   e  bends as the locking protrusion  14   e  is disengaged from the locking recess  16   d , so that the lens cover  14  is unlocked. The holding projection  14   c  may be formed as mentioned above.  
         [0045]      FIG. 11A  illustrates a holding projection  14   d  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The holding projection is configured to slide into the recess  16   b . The projection has a width  23  of about 1 cm and a length of at least 1 cm. The projection also has a sloping edge  29  for easy insertion into the recess, so that the opening of the recess  16   b  may be made smaller.  
         [0046]      FIG. 11B  illustrates a holding projection  14   f  according to another embodiment of the present invention. The holding projection  14   f  is provided with a narrower width  26  and a shorter length  28  than those of the holding projection  14   d . These smaller dimensions minimize the possibility of the holding projection being bent and not inserted into the recess  16   b . This smaller-sized holding projection  14   f  allows the opening of the recess  16   b  to be made smaller, so that it can be made less conspicuous to human eyes. In the present embodiment, the width  26  is about 3-5 mm and the length  28  (of the tip of the projection) is about 4-7 mm. The projection  14   f  also includes a sloping edge (not shown) to facilitate its insertion into the recess as with the projection  14   d  and a side portion or wing  30  that extends outwardly from the side of the lens cover  14 . The wing  30  provides a greater contact area for the holding projection  14   f  while keeping the width  26  of the holding projection  14   f  to a minimum.  
         [0047]      FIG. 11C  shows a holding projection  14   f  according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The holding projection  14   f  does not have a wing  30  unlike the holding projection  14   f.    
         [0048]     The video camera thus constructed is provided with the replaceable lens cover, and the lens cover can be replaced with another without using any special tool.  
         [0049]     The present invention has been described using specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the invention. These embodiments may be changed or altered without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention should be defined using the appended claims.