Image pick-up apparatus

An image pick-up apparatus that enables to be taken out from a pocket and the like quickly, to be held certainly, and to be operated easily by a user. An image pick-up unit takes a picture of a subject. An operation unit is operated to instruct about an image-pickup operation by the image pick-up unit. A strap mount is tightly connected to a strap, which is provided with a strap body that is an elastic string and a rigid fitting part fixed to at least one end of the strap body, and arranged at one or more positions of the image pick-up apparatus. The connected strap serves as a gripping part when operating the operation unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image pick-up apparatus to which a strap can be attached.

2. Description of the Related Art

When capturing an image by an image pick-up apparatus such as a digital still camera, a user has to hold the image pick-up apparatus certainly in order to prevent a camera shake. Accordingly, a conventional image pick-up apparatus has a grip projection etc. on an apparatus body (see Japanese laid-open patent publications (Kokai) No. 2003-241277 and No. 2000-152053 (JP2003-241277A and JP2000-152053A)).

Although the above-mentioned conventional image pick-up apparatus that is provided with the grip projection on the apparatus body can be held by the user certainly, it has the following problems.

That is, when the user wants to take out the image pick-up apparatus quickly to use, the grip projection may be caught by a cloth of a pocket and the like, which obstructs a quick taking out. An action to haul in the strap and to regrip the grip projection is troublesome for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an image pick-up apparatus that enables a user to take out the same from a pocket and the like quickly, to hold the same certainly, and to operate the same easily.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides an image pick-up apparatus that can equip with a strap, comprising an image pick-up unit adapted to take a picture of a subject, an operation unit adapted to be operated to instruct about an image-pickup operation by said image pick-up unit, and a strap mount adapted to be tightly connected to the strap, which is provided with a strap body that is an elastic string and a rigid fitting part fixed to at least one end of the strap body, wherein said strap mount is arranged at one or more positions of the image pick-up apparatus, and wherein the connected strap serves as a gripping part when operating said operation unit.

According to the present invention, since the attached strap functions as the gripping part when operating the operating unit, the image pick-up apparatus can be held certainly. Since the image pick-up apparatus does not require arranging a grip projection thereon, the grip projection is not caught by a pocket or the like, which enables the user to take out the apparatus from a pocket or the like quickly. Since the user can grip the gripping part by hauling in the strap, the apparatus is free from trouble to regrip the gripping part, and has an advantage in operability. As a result, the user can take out the image pick-up apparatus from a pocket or the like quickly, and can hold and operate the same easily and certainly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereafter, an image pick-up apparatus of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The image pick-up apparatus of this embodiment is a digital still camera that has strap mounts at four corners. A strap attached to at least one of the strap mounts acts as a gripping part for operating an operation unit.

FIG. 1is a front view showing an external appearance of the image pick-up apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a plan view showing the external appearance of the image pick-up apparatus when viewing from above inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a bottom view showing the external appearance of the image pick-up apparatus when viewing from below inFIG. 1.FIG. 4is a side view showing the external appearance of the image pick-up apparatus when viewing from a left-hand side inFIG. 1.FIG. 5is a side view showing the external appearance of the image pick-up apparatus when viewing from a right-hand side inFIG. 1.FIG. 6is a back view showing the external appearance of the image pick-up apparatus when viewing from back inFIG. 1.

The image pick-up apparatus1has a lens barrel10, the operation unit18, a display panel16, the strap mounts12, etc. As described below, the strap20will be attached to at least one of the strap mounts12.

FIG. 7is a block diagram schematically showing an entire electrical configuration of the image pick-up apparatus1. An apparatus body (a casing)11of the image pick-up apparatus1includes the lens barrel10and an image pick-up unit100. An image pick-up optical system101is installed in the lens barrel10. The image pick-up unit100has an image pick-up device103that is configured by a CCD, a CMOS sensor, etc. for capturing a subject image formed by the image pick-up optical system101.

The image pick-up apparatus1has an image-processing unit105that generates image data based on an image pick-up signal outputted from the image pick-up device103and records it into a storage medium104, and a display processing unit107that displays the image data on the display panel16. The image pick-up apparatus1has an optical system driving unit108that changes an image pick-up magnification, a focus, etc. of the image pick-up optical system101, a CPU109that performs various kinds of operations and control processes, and the operation unit18.

The operation unit18is operated in order to instruct an image pick-up operation etc., and comprises a shutter button18a, a cross key18b, a rotation dial, a plurality of operation buttons, etc. The apparatus body11has the strap mounts12at four corners thereof to which the strap20can be attached, as mentioned above.

FIG. 8is a view showing an external appearance of the strap. The strap20is provided with a strap body21that is an elastic string whose diameter is about 1 cm. The both ends of the strap body21are inserted and fixed inside fitting parts23that are formed of synthetic resin that is harder than the strap body21, metal, etc.

FIG. 9is a perspective view showing the image pick-up apparatus under the condition where the fitting part23of the strap20is attached to the strap mount12of the apparatus body11.FIG. 10is a perspective view showing a configuration of the fitting part23of the strap20when viewing from a tip side.FIG. 11is a perspective view showing a configuration of the fitting part23of the strap20when viewing from a side.

Since the rigid fitting part23is fixed to the strap mount12and the strap body21also has a predetermined thickness, a user can operate the operation unit18while holding the image pick-up apparatus1by grasping the fitting part23attached to the image pick-up apparatus1and a part of the strap body21that continues from the fitting part23. That is, the strap20serves as the gripping part when operating the operation unit18.

Projections25and27are formed on a tip portion23aof the fitting part23at two opposite positions on a circumference of the tip portion23aso as to be projected from a center in a radial direction. Slots25aare formed on the surfaces of the projections25and27at a body side of the fitting part, respectively. Hooks26and29(seeFIG. 12) that can move freely from the center of the tip portion23ain the radial direction are formed so as to slide along the slots25a, respectively.

Moreover, push-operation members24and28are formed on the side surface of the fitting part23at opposite positions on the circumference. The two hooks26and29are configured so as to retract to the center when the user pushes the push-operation members24and28, respectively, in the direction to the center as described below.

FIG. 12is a sectional view showing a configuration of the fitting part23of the strap20. The hook26and the push-operation member24are formed in one piece. Similarly, the hook29and the push-operation member28at the opposite side are also formed in one piece.

A composite member that consists of the hook26and the push-operation member24is connected to a composite member that consists of the hook29and the push-operation member28at the opposite side via an elastic body31(an elastic member). The composite member that consists of the hook26and the push-operation member24, and the composite member that consists of the hook29and the push-operation member28are projected in the radial direction by pressure from the elastic body31, when the user is not pushing the push-operation members24and28.

FIG. 13is a perspective view showing an external appearance near the strap mount12formed on the apparatus body11.FIG. 14is an enlarged view showing a configuration of the strap mount12. The strap mount12is formed in a concave shape so that the tip portion23aof the fitting part23of the strap20can be fitted. A pair of notch parts12aand a pair of guide parts12bare formed inside the strap mount12. The notch parts12aare formed by cutting portions that are sufficiently larger than the projections25and27of the fitting part23of the strap20. The pair of guide parts12bare formed on an inner circumferential side wall of the strap mount12so as to face to each other across the notch parts12a.

When the user presses the fitting part23of the strap20against the strap mount12and twists it in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around an axis in the pressed direction, the projections25and27are fitted inside the guide parts12bof the strap mount12.

At the time, since outer circumferential side walls of the guide parts12bare formed so that an inner diameter becomes small gradually (see a symbol “e” inFIG. 14), the hooks26and29are gradually pushed in the direction to the center as the user twists the fitting part23of the strap20.

A hole12cis formed in the middle of the outer circumferential side wall of the guide part12b. Arriving at the position of this hole12c, the hook26projects in the radial direction by the pressure from the elastic body31. As a result, the hook26is caught in the hole12c, and the user cannot twist the fitting part23of the strap20more. Accordingly, the fitting part23of the strap20is fixed to the strap mount12.

On the other hand, when the user wants to remove the strap20from the apparatus body11, the user is required to twist the fitting part23of the strap20in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction while pushing the push-operation members24and28. That is, when the user pushes the push-operation members24and28, the connections of the hooks26and29with the holes12care released, which enables the twist operation of the fitting part23of the strap20.

Thus, since a combination of two different operations is needed, the strap20does not come off from the apparatus body11suddenly when the user is grasping the strap20. Therefore, when the user operates the operation unit18, the strap20can be used as the gripping part.

Next, examples of uses of the strap20with which the image pick-up apparatus1is equipped will be described.FIG. 15AandFIG. 15Bare views showing an example of a use of the strap20when the strap20is attached to the strap mount12at a lower left corner of the apparatus body11, when viewing from the front, of the image pick-up apparatus1.FIG. 15Ashows a state where a photographer takes out the image pick-up apparatus1from a pocket of trousers, andFIG. 15Bshows a state where the photographer takes a picture while holding the image pick-up apparatus1.

In this case, the fitting part of the strap20at the end opposite to the fitting part23of the strap20with which the apparatus body11is equipped is hung by a belt hole of trousers, etc. using a well-known hanging member like a hook. It should be noted that the opposite end of the strap may be directly formed to mount the hanging member like a hook without attaching the fitting part.

The apparatus body11is stored in the pocket of the trousers etc. prior to use. When the photographer takes out the apparatus body11by hooking a finger to the strap20and slides the finger along the strap20until the finger reaches a position where the finger touches the apparatus body11or a vicinity thereof, the photographer can hold the image pick-up apparatus1by using the strap20as the gripping part.

Thus, the image pick-up apparatus1is configured so that the strap20serves as the gripping part when operating the operation unit. Therefore, the photographer can take out the image pick-up apparatus1from the pocket easily, can hold it certainly, and can operate the operation unit easily. That is, since a rigid gripping part is unnecessary to be formed on the apparatus body, the apparatus can be taken out from a pocket etc. easily. On the other hand, since the strap20serves as the gripping part, the photographer can hold the apparatus body certainly. Although the case where the lower left corner of the apparatus body11is connected to the strap20is shown here, there is the same advantage when a lower right corner of the apparatus body11of the image pick-up apparatus1is connected to the strap20.

FIG. 16AandFIG. 16Bare views showing an example of a use of the strap20when the strap20is attached to the two strap mounts12at the lower left and lower right corners of the apparatus body11, when viewing from the front, of the image pick-up apparatus1.FIG. 16Ashows a state where the photographer grasps the image pick-up apparatus1that is hung from a neck, andFIG. 16Bshows a state where the photographer takes a picture while holding the image pick-up apparatus1.

In this case, the apparatus body11is hung from the neck of the photographer with the strap20in an upside-down state so that a lens side touches a chest of the photographer. The photographer hooks a finger on the strap20and slides the finger along the strap20. And when the finger reaches a position where the finger touches the apparatus body11or a vicinity thereof, the photographer can turn up the apparatus body11in the upside-down state, and can hold the image pick-up apparatus1with one or both hands by using the strap20as the gripping part.

Thus, the image pick-up apparatus1is configured so that the strap20serves as the gripping part when operating the operation unit. Therefore, the photographer can turn up the apparatus body11hung from the neck, can hold it certainly, and can operate the operation unit easily.

FIG. 17is a view showing an example of a use of the strap20when the strap20is attached to the two strap mounts12at upper right and lower left corners of the apparatus body11, when viewing from the front, of the image pick-up apparatus1. In this case, the strap20is diagonally hung from a left shoulder to a right waist of the photographer. The apparatus body11is held in front of a body of the photographer while directing the lens side outside.

When the photographer hooks a finger to the strap20near the waist position and slides the finger along the strap20until the finger reaches a position where the finger touches the apparatus body11or a vicinity thereof, the photographer can hold and operate the image pick-up apparatus1by using the strap20as the gripping part.

Thus, the image pick-up apparatus1to which the strap can be attached is configured so that the strap20serves as the gripping part when operating the operation unit. Therefore, the photographer can grasp the apparatus body11held in front of the body, and can operate the operation unit easily. Although the case where the upper right and lower left corners of the apparatus body11are connected to the strap20is shown here, there is the same advantage when upper left and lower right corners of the apparatus body11of the image pick-up apparatus1are connected to the strap20.

As described above, according to the image pick-up apparatus of the embodiment, since the attached strap functions as the gripping part when operating the operating unit, the image pick-up apparatus can be held certainly. Since the image pick-up apparatus does not require arranging a grip projection thereon, the user can take out the apparatus from a pocket or the like quickly without being caught by the pocket or the like. Since the user can grip the gripping part by hauling in the strap, the apparatus is free from trouble to regrip the gripping part, and has an advantage in operability. As a result, the user can take out the image pick-up apparatus from the pocket or the like quickly, and can hold and operate the same easily and certainly.

Since the strap mounts are arranged at the four corners of the image pick-up apparatus, there are various ways of attaching the strap to the image pick-up apparatus, and various ways of using. Moreover, a part near the fitting part can be used as the gripping part. Since the projections are fitted into the guide parts by twisting the fitting part under the condition where the tip portion is inserted, the fitting part can be fixed to the strap mount by an easy operation.

Since the hook of the tip portion is connected to the hole formed on the guide part, the fitting part fixed to the strap mount does not come off suddenly. Since the fitting part separates from the strap mount by twisting the fitting part while pushing the push-operation members, there is excellent operability when removing the fitting part, and the fitting part fixed to the strap mount does not come off suddenly. Moreover, since the fitting part is made of material that is harder than the strap body, it becomes strong as the gripping part.

It should be noted that the present invention is applicable to not only the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, but also any configurations as long as the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configuration of the embodiment can be achieved.

For example, although the strap mounts are formed at the four corners (at the upper right and left, and the lower right and left) when viewing from the front of the image pick-up apparatus, it is sufficient that the strap mount is formed at least one of the four corners. Moreover, the strap mount may be formed at any position other than the corners as long as it is not inconvenience from the viewpoint of the functions.

Moreover, the configurations of the strap mount of the image pick-up apparatus and the fitting part of the strap attached thereto are not limited to that of the embodiment, various configurations can be used. Moreover, the strap may be seamless without a step between the strap body and the fitting part.

Moreover, although the compact type digital camera is described as an example in the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is applicable to a film camera, a digital video camera, a digital SLR (single-lens reflex) camera, etc.

Other Embodiments

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-315583 filed on Dec. 11, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.