Camera case

This invention provides a camera case for stopping degradation of picture quality even if pictures are taken with a camera still in the case. Also, this invention provides a camera case with which it is possible to smoothly remove a strap from the case body.For example, a bent section is provided in a case body. Even if light emitted from a flash enters a thickened part of the case body, the light is diverged to the outside by the bent section. In this way, the amount of light transmitted from the flash to the lens of the camera is reduced. Further, a rib may be provided in the case body. In this way, light emitted from the flash and reflected by the inner surface of the case body is inhibited from reaching the lens of the camera. A strap is also supported by support pieces. If a strong tensile force is applied to the strap, the support pieces are deformed and the strap and the case body are separated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera case that can be used with a camera (for example, a film with lens).

2. Description of the Related Art

As a case for a film with lens, there has been proposed a case that enables pictures to be taken with the case still attached to the film with lens. This case has the following problems.

(1) It is easy for light from a flash to go around the lens via the case. If the light goes around the lens, the quality of photographs taken is degraded due to the effects of this light. There are two causes of this light going around the lens. One is that light is reflected by the inside of the case. The other is due to a pipeline effect where light passes through the thickness of the case.

(2) The case often has a strap. With a conventional case, a strap is attached firmly to the case body. However, when the strap can be worn around the neck, it is desirable to avoid having a strong force act on the person's body via the case body or the strap. In order to achieve this, it is desirable for the strap and the case body to separate when a strong tensile force is applied to the strap.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above described situation. A first object of the present invention is to provide a camera case that can improve the quality of photographs. A second object of the present invention is to provide a camera case where it is possible for a strap and a case body to separate smoothly when a strong tensile force is applied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A camera case of the present invention has a camera storage space and a inhibiting section. The inhibiting section is constructed to inhibit light emitted from a camera flash stored in the storage space from being transmitted to a lens of the camera.

The camera case of the present invention can also be provided with a transparent section for a lens and a transparent section for a flash. In this case, the transparent section for a lens and the transparent section for a flash can be arranged at positions corresponding to a camera lens and a flash stored in the storage space. It is also possible for the inhibiting section to be arranged between the transparent section for a lens and the transparent section for a flash.

The inhibiting section can be a rib projecting in an inward direction of the storage space.

It is also possible for the inhibiting section to be a bent section formed by bending the camera case itself.

The inhibiting section can also be a slit formed in the camera case.

It is also possible for the camera case of the present invention to have the following structure. Specifically, this case has a camera storage space and an inhibiting section. The inhibiting section is constructed to inhibit light emitted from a camera flash stored in the storage space from being transmitted to a sensor of the camera.

This camera case can also be provided with a transparent section for a flash and a transparent section for a sensor. The transparent section for a flash and the transparent section for a sensor can be arranged at positions corresponding to a camera flash and a sensor stored in the storage space. The inhibiting section can be arranged between the transparent section for a flash and the transparent section for a sensor.

It is possible for the inhibiting section to be a slit formed in the camera case.

The sensor can be a distance sensor.

The transparent section for a lens and the transparent section for a flash may be separated in the horizontal direction, and the rib may extend in a vertical direction of the storage space.

The rib may extend to close to upper and lower ends of the storage space.

The inhibiting section may comprise a rib projecting towards the inside of the storage space and a bent section formed by bending the camera case itself, the bent section being formed in a step shape having a section at the camera flash side further inwards than a section at the camera lens side, and the rib being arranged closer to the lens than the curved section.

The transparent section for a flash may be a through hole.

The inhibiting section may be an indented section formed around the transparent section for a lens.

The inhibiting section may be an indented section formed around the transparent section for a sensor.

The camera case of the present invention can also have the following structure. Specifically, this case is provided with a case body and a strap attached to the case body. The case body has a support piece for supporting the strap. The support piece is capable of deformation under tensile force acting between the strap and the case body.

This camera case can be further provided with a contact section for contacting the support piece that has been deformed by the tensile force.

The support piece can be provided with a weakening section for making deformation of the support piece easy.

The strap can become capable of being removed from the case body as a result of deformation of the support piece.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A camera case of an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings. First of all, the film-with-lens1as one example of a camera stored in this camera case will be described based on FIG.1. This film-with-lens1is a well known camera provided with a camera lens11, a flash12, a viewfinder13, a flash switch14, a distance sensor15, a shutter button16and a display window17for the number of exposures remaining. This film-with-lens1measures a distance to a photographic subject using the distance sensor15and adjusts the light emission conditions of the flash.

The camera case of this embodiment is provided with a case body2and a strap3(refer to FIG.2and FIG.3). The case body2is provided with an internal storage space4for storing the film-with-lens1(camera). The case body2is mainly composed of a front case body21and a rear case body22(refer to FIG.2-FIG.4). An end part of the front case body21is attached to an end part of the rear case body22in such a way that it can be opened and closed (refer to FIG.3). It is possible to use a semi-transparent or transparent resin, for example, as the material for the case body2, but the material is not limited.

As shown in FIG.5-FIG. 10, the front case body21is provided with a lens hole (corresponding to a transparent section for a lens)211, a flash hole (corresponding to a transparent section for a flash)212, a viewfinder hole213, a sensor hole (corresponding to a transparent section for a sensor)214, a switch hole215, a bent section (corresponding to the inhibiting section)216(refer to FIG.8), a rib (corresponding to the inhibiting section)217, a shutter button cut-away218(refer to FIG.7), a display cut-away219, strap grooves21aand21b(refer to FIG.10), a boss hole21c, and engagement hole21d(refer to FIG.8-FIG.10).

The lens hole211is provided at a position corresponding to the lens11of the film-with-lens1in a state where the film-with-lens1is stored in the storage space4. Similarly, the flash hole212, viewfinder hole213, sensor hole214, and switch hole215are provided at positions corresponding to the flash12, viewfinder13, sensor15and switch14of the film-with-lens1. The lens hole211, flash hole212, viewfinder hole213and sensor hole214are made through holes in this embodiment. However, as long as light necessary for taking photographs can pass through, it is possible to use, for example, a transparent material instead of these holes.

An indented section21fis formed around the lens hole211(refer toFIG. 4, FIG.5and FIG.8). The indented section21fhas a thin groove shape, and forms a ring substantially concentric with the lens hole211(refer to FIG.5).

An indented section21gis formed around the lens hole211(refer to FIG.5). Similarly to the indented section21f, the indented section21ghas a thin groove shape.

It is possible to embed material having a refractive index or light absorption spectrum that is different to that of the front case body2inside these indented sections21fand21g.

As shown inFIG. 8, the bent section216is formed by bending the front case body21itself (that is, the case body2itself). The bent section216is arranged between the lens hole211and the flash hole212(refer to FIG.5). Also, the bent section216extends in a vertical direction of the case body2(up and down direction in FIG.5).

The bent section216is formed in a step shape with a section at the flash12of the film-with-lens1side being further inwards than a section at the lens11side (refer to FIG.4).

The rib217, as shown inFIG. 8, is provided on an inner surface of the front case body21. In this way, the rib217is formed projecting the case body2in an inward direction of the storage space4. The rib217is preferably made from a material that can attenuate or reflect transmission of light from the flash12. The rib217is arranged between the lens hole211and the flash hole212that are separated in the horizontal direction, and extends in a vertical direction of the case body2(vertical direction in FIG.6). Both upper and lower ends of the rib217extend almost to positions reaching the upper and lower ends of the camera storage space4(refer to FIG.6). Also, the rib217is positioned closer to the lens11than the step-shaped bent section216(refer to FIG.4and FIG.8.

The shutter button cut-away218and the display cut-away219are combined with corresponding sections of the rear case body22, which will be described later, to allow the shutter button and display section of the film-with-lens1to be exposed to the outside (refer to FIG.2).

The strap grooves21aand21bare for passing the strap3through. The boss hole21cis for housing a shaft (boss) of the rear case body22, which will be described later.

The engagement hole21dengages with an engagement projection22aof the rear case body22, which will be described later, to support the front case body21and the rear case body22in a closed state.

The rear case body22comprises support pieces221and222, ribs2231and2231, strap grooves224and225, a viewfinder hole226, a cut-away section227for the shutter button and film wind-on dial, a display cut-away section228, a shaft (boss)229, and an engagement projection22a.

As shown in FIG.11andFIG. 13, the support pieces221and222are respectively provided projecting in an inward direction on the inner surface of a side wall of the rear case body22. The support pieces221and222are inserted into holes31aand32a(refer toFIG. 3b) formed in the strap end sections31and32. Weakening sections221aand222aare respectively formed on the support pieces221and222. With this embodiment, these weakening sections221aand222aare notches formed in the support pieces221and222(refer to FIG.13).

The rib2231is formed in a side wall inner surface of the rear case body22, and extends in a direction orthogonal to the support piece221. Similarly, the rib2232is formed on a side wall inner surface of the rear case body22, and extends in a direction orthogonal to the support piece222. The two ends of the ribs2231and2232constitute contact sections2231aand2232afor contacting the support pieces221and222deformed by tensile force on the strap3.

The viewfinder hole226is provided at a position corresponding to the viewfinder13of the film-with-lens I, similarly to the viewfinder hole213of the front case body21.

The cut-away section227for the shutter button and the film wind-on dial is provided at a position corresponding to the shutter button16and film wind-on dial of the film-with-lens1. In this way, it becomes possible to operate the shutter button16and the film wind-on dial.

The display cut-way section228is provided at a position corresponding to the display window17of the film-with-lens1for remaining exposures. In this way, it is possible to confirm how many film exposures are left.

The shaft229is a so-called boss, and is fitted into the boss hole21c. In this way, it becomes possible to join the front case body21and the rear case body22in a hinged manner.

The engagement projection22ais fitted into the engagement hole21d, as previously described.

Next, a method of using the camera case of this embodiment will be described. First of all, the lens-with-film1is stored in the storage space4of the camera case (refer to FIG.3). The engagement hole21dof the front case body21is then fitted over the engagement projection22aof the rear case body22. The storage space4is thus put into a closed off state (refer to FIG.4). It is then possible to take the film-with-lens1out of the case storage space4by taking the engagement hole21doff from the engagement projection22a.

According to the camera case of this embodiment, since there are holes, such as the lens hole211etc., and cut-away sections, such as the shutter button cut-away section218, it is possible to carry out operations required to take pictures, such as winding on the film and pressing the shutter button, without removing the camera from the case.

Also, with the camera case of this embodiment, the bent section216is provided on the front case body21as an inhibiting section. By doing this, transmission of light discharged from the flash12is inhibited by the bent section216, even if the light gets into the inside of the front case body21. This is because if a light transmission member is bent, light will leak out at the curved section. There is therefore the advantage that it is possible to reduce the amount of light that is discharged from the flash12that goes around the lens11. In this way, with the camera case of this embodiment, it is possible to improve the quality of obtained pictures.

Further, with this embodiment, a rib217is provided on the front case body21as an inhibiting section separate from the bent section216. If the rib217is not provided, light discharged from the flash12is reflected at the inner surface of the camera case and may be forced around the lens11. With the camera case of this embodiment, however, since the rib217is provided, it is possible to reflect or reduce light that is heading in the direction of the lens11. Accordingly, with the camera case of this embodiment it is possible to improve the quality of obtained pictures.

Also, with the camera case of this embodiment, since the rib217is arranged in a vertical direction, light from the flash12going towards the lens11can be efficiently blocked out.

Further, with the camera case of this embodiment, since the rib217is attached at a position closer to the lens11than the step shaped bent section216, it is possible to make the case body2thinner compared to the case where the rib217is attached at a position closer to the flash12than the curved section216.

Moreover, with the camera case of this embodiment, since the rib217is attached at a position closer to the lens11than the step shaped bent section216, it is possible to bring the front case body21in the vicinity of the flash12closer to the flash12(refer to FIG.4). If the front case body21is removed from the flash12, the amount of light coming into the inside of the front case body21from the flash hole212is increased. This is because light emitted from the flash12spreads in radiation at a particular angle. With this embodiment, by bringing the front case body21close to the flash12, it is possible to reduce the amount of light getting into the front case body21.

Further, since with this embodiment the flash hole212is a through hole, it is possible to reduce the amount of light getting into the front case body21compared to when the flash hole is blocked using a transparent material such as resin or the like.

Also, with this embodiment, since the indented section21fis provided on the front case body21, it is possible to reduce the amount of light from the flash12going through the inside of the front case body21towards the lens11. Similarly, since the indented section21gis provided in the front case body21, it is possible to reduce the amount of light from the flash12going through the inside of the front case body21towards the distance sensor15.

The camera case of this embodiment also has support pieces221and222for supporting a strap3. If a strong tensile force is applied to the strap3, the support pieces221and222are deformed so as to collapse, as shown inFIG. 20A(only the support piece222is shown in the drawing). Here, resistance (strength) of the support pieces221and222against the tensile force can be designed based on whether or not there are weakening sections221a,222a, and on the shape and material selection of the support pieces221and222. With this embodiment, since the weakening sections221aand222aare provided, the support pieces221and222collapse with the weakening sections221aand222aas fulcrums. If this is implemented, upper sections of the support pieces221and222come into contact with contact sections2231aand2231aof the ribs2231and2232. In this way, if there is a light tensile force it is possible to mitigate the tensile force by allowing slight deformation of the support pieces221and222. Also, since the strap3is maintained in a state of being supported by the support pieces221and222, it is possible to prevent loss of the strap3.

If the tensile force is excessive, the support pieces221and222shift by climbing over the contact sections223aand223b(refer to FIG.20B). If this happens, the strap3is in a state where it can move by climbing over the support pieces221and222. In this way, the strap3can be separated from the case body2. Accordingly, with the camera case of this embodiment, if an excessive tensile force is applied between the strap3and the case body2, it is possible to detach at least one end of the strap3from the case body2. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the risk of a large tensile force acting on the user.

In the described embodiment, the bent section216has been provided as the inhibiting section. However, it is also possible to form a slit1216in the front case body21instead of the bent section216(refer to FIG.21). The slit1216is formed, for example, passing through the front case body21. However, it is not necessary for the slit to penetrate, and it is actually possible to form the slit1216by making it of sufficient thickness to inhibit transmission of light.

By forming the slit1216, it is possible to more efficiently reduce light from the flash12being forced via the case body2towards the lens11or distance sensor15. By reducing the light being forced into the distance sensor15, it is possible to allow the sensor15to be operated accurately. It is preferable to position the slit1216between the flash12, and the lens11and distance sensor15. The length of the slit1216can be set appropriately based on a relationship between required strength of the case body2and the effect of stopping light that goes around.

The disclosures of each of the embodiments described above are only examples, and do not indicate the essential structure of the present invention. The structure of each part is not limited to the above as long as it is possible to achieve the spirit of the present invention. For example, it is possible to have a film-with-lens stored in the case body2that does not have a distance sensor15.

According to the invention of this application, it is possible to obtain a camera case that can bring about improved picture quality.

According to other inventions of this application, it is possible to obtain a camera case where it is possible to smoothly detach a strap from the camera case body.