Abstract:
A user-configurable waterproof camera case includes a housing for sealingly holding different models of camera therein, an actuating shaft extending through an opening of the housing, a probe-carrying member connected to an inner end of the actuating shaft, and an adjustable probe carried by the probe-carrying member at a position engageable with an on/off button or a shutter button of the camera.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefits of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/073,367 filed on Jun. 18, 2008, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF PATENT APPLICATION 
     The present patent application relates to a user-configurable waterproof camera case. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional waterproof camera cases were designed to be used with dedicated cameras. There is a need to provide an improved waterproof camera case which can be configured by users and can be used with different models of cameras. 
     SUMMARY 
     A user-configurable waterproof camera case includes a housing for sealingly holding different models of camera therein, an actuating shaft extending through an opening of the housing, a probe-carrying member connected to an inner end of the actuating shaft, and an adjustable probe carried by the probe-carrying member at a position engageable with a button of the camera. 
     The probe-carrying member may include an array of openings in which the adjustable probe is inserted. 
     The user-configurable waterproof camera case may include a slide slidably connected to the probe-carrying member along a first axis generally perpendicular to an axis of the actuating shaft, wherein the adjustable probe is mounted on the slide. The slide may be provided with a slot along which the adjustable probe slides along a second axis generally perpendicular to the first axis. The slide can be a C-clamp slidable along two opposite parallel tracks on the probe-carrying member. 
     The adjustable probe may include a threaded portion threadably engaged with a nut for locking the adjustable probe in a fixed position relative to the probe-carrying member. 
     The probe-carrying member may include a first opening in which the actuating shaft is inserted and a second opening in which a locking member is inserted for locking the actuating shaft in the first opening. 
     The user-configurable waterproof camera case may further include a spring for biasing the actuating shaft. 
     The user-configurable waterproof camera case may further include a plurality of cushions provided on inner surfaces of the housing for holding the camera inside the housing. 
     The user-configurable waterproof camera case may further include an actuating button connected to an outer end of the actuating shaft. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Specific embodiments of the user-configurable waterproof camera case disclosed in the present patent application will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a user-configurable waterproof camera case according to an embodiment disclosed in the present patent application; 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary perspective view of an opened waterproof camera case showing the interior of the front housing; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the front housing of the waterproof camera case; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the waterproof camera case; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a shutter actuator assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of an on/off actuator assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the shutter actuator assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the shutter actuator assembly in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a transverse cross sectional view of the shutter actuator assembly in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the C-clamp showing the slot and the probe of the shutter actuator assembly in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear view of the shutter and on/off actuator assemblies according to a further embodiment disclosed in the present patent application; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the on/off actuator assembly in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the shutter actuator assembly in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the on/off actuator assembly in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the shutter actuator assembly in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIGS. 16-18  are fragmentary perspective views showing three different positions of the probes of the shutter and on/off actuator assemblies; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the shutter and on/off actuator assemblies; 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom view of the shutter and on/off actuator assemblies in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the shutter and on/off actuator assemblies; 
         FIG. 22  is a bottom view of the shutter and on/off actuator assemblies in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  shows a plurality of back cushions provided at the rear housing; 
         FIG. 24  shows a frame-shape cushion provided at the rear housing; and 
         FIG. 25  shows the top and side cushions provided at the front housing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to a preferred embodiment of the user-configurable waterproof camera case disclosed in the present patent application, examples of which are also provided in the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the user-configurable waterproof camera case disclosed in the present patent application are described in detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not particularly important to an understanding of the user-configurable waterproof camera case may not be shown for the sake of clarity. 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The word “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, “top” or “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words noted above as well as derivatives thereof and words of similar import. In addition, as used herein, the term “button” refers to a shutter button or an on/off button of a camera. 
     Referring to the drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a front view of a user-configurable waterproof camera case  10  and  FIGS. 2-3  show the interior structure of the waterproof camera case  10  according to an embodiment disclosed in the present patent application. The waterproof camera case  10  is a user configurable hard protective case suitable for most compact type cameras, especially for digital cameras. The configuration can be changed in order to match different cameras of different sizes and with different locations of shutter button, on/off button and lens of different sizes and locations. 
     The camera case  10  can be used to protect the camera from water damaging the electronic, mechanical and optical parts inside the camera. It can also protect the camera against dust, sand and dirt. It can submerge into water at a depth of up to 40 meters. It is suitable for most water sports and activities e.g. swimming, surfing, wind surfing, water skating, yachting, snorkeling, water diving or under rain/snow photo taking. 
     The camera case  10  may include a front housing  12 , a rear housing  14 , a cavity  16 , a hinge  18 , an on/off actuator assembly/mechanism  20 , a shutter actuator assembly/mechanism  22 , a right handle  24 , a left handle  26 , feet  28 , and a heel plate  30 . The front and rear housing  12 ,  14  may be made of plastic or other suitable materials. The interior of the camera case  10  is large enough to accommodate different cameras of different sizes (width, height and thickness). 
     There are two major types of digital camera, namely round zoom lens type and flat lens type. Therefore, at least two types of waterproof camera case  10  may be designed in order to accommodate the two different types of camera. A configurable waterproof compact digital camera case  10  for round zoom lens type is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The lens cavity at the front housing  12  allows the zoom lens of respective camera type protruding out from the camera body. Waterproof compact digital camera case for flat lens type is similar to that for flat lens type, except that the lens window design is different. 
     The front housing  12  can be considered as the main body of the configurable waterproof camera case  10 . Most of the other components of the camera case  10  are contained in it or affixed to it, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The rear housing  14  has to match with the front housing  12 . It is normally transparent or with a transparent window. It can serve as a “cover” for the front housing  12  allowing the user to load the camera in the camera case  10 . The transparent rear housing  14  allows the user to view the object to be photo taken on the camera display on the digital cameras inside the camera case  10 . One end of the rear housing  14  may be attached with the hinge  18  connecting to the front housing  12 , while the other end of the rear housing  14  may be attached with a lock mechanism. A conventional O-ring gasket may be placed between the front and rear housing  12 ,  14  in order to seal the camera case  10 . 
       FIGS. 5-6  show a first embodiment of the on/off actuator mechanism  120  and the shutter actuator mechanism  122  respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the shutter actuator mechanism or assembly  122  can be provided at the front housing  12  of the camera case  10 . This is to allow the user to control the shutter of the camera from outside of the camera case  10  through a spring-loaded actuator shaft  140 . 
     The actuator shaft  140  extends through an opening provided on the camera case  10 . An inner end of the actuator shaft  140  is located inside the camera case  10  and an outer end of the actuator shaft  140  is located outside the camera case  10 . The actuator shaft  140  may be provided with a shutter knob or button  142  at the outer end of the actuator shaft  140 . The shutter knob  142  can be made of plastic or metal materials. The actuator shaft  140  may be installed with a spring  144 , a washer  146  and a little o-ring gasket  148  in the front housing  12 . The purpose of the spring  144  is to give a “bounce back” force to the shutter actuator mechanism  122 , so the shutter actuator mechanism  122  can move back to its original position when the shutter knob  142  is released. The purpose of the washer  146  is to hold the o-ring gasket  148  preventing it from moving up. The o-ring gasket  148  may be circular in cross section. It can be made of elastic material, such as rubber, silicone or plastic. The purpose of the o-ring gasket  148  is to seal and prevent water from flowing into the camera case  10  while the shutter actuator mechanism  122  is being pushed and released. The o-ring gasket  148  may have a smaller inner diameter than the diameter of the actuator shaft  140  when the o-ring gasket  48  is fitted at a shutter o-ring cavity. When the actuator shaft  140  is inserted into the ring, the o-ring gasket  148  can be deformed and pushed against both the actuator shaft  140  and the shutter o-ring cavity at the front housing  12 . Therefore, it can perform water sealing function. The gasket  148  may be lubricated with sealing compound for better sealing performance. 
     The shutter actuator mechanism  122  may include a probe-carrying member. In the illustrated embodiment, the probe-carrying member is an actuator block  150 . The actuator block  150  can be a rectangular block or in other shape with multiple holes on it. The actuator block  150  can be made of plastic or metal. The actuator block  150  may have one hole  180  on one side with a larger diameter on the top and a small diameter further down, with which the actuator block  150  can be installed with the actuator shaft  140  by pinching it into this hole  180 . The actuator shaft  140  may have one step smaller diameter near the end of the actuator shaft  140 , so that the actuator shaft  140  can stop there. The actuator shaft  140  can then be locked to the actuator block  150  by installing a locking member  154  through an opening  155  to a corresponding groove on the actuator shaft  140 . In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member is an E-ring. While the shutter knob  142  is pushed, the actuator block  150  moves downwards. The front housing  12  may be provided with a wall at one end of the actuator block  150  for preventing the actuator block  150  from rotating regardless of its vertical position. 
     The actuator block  150  can be provided with a plurality of probes  160  of different lengths and shapes (round, oval, etc.) at different holes  162  on the actuator block  150  in order to match different cameras of different models. Each probe  160  may be provided with a probe shaft  164  at the end and can be press fitted in the holes  162  on the actuator block  150 . Either the manufacturers or users can make changes on these probes by themselves. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an on/off actuator mechanism or assembly  120  is also provided at the top of the camera case  10  allowing the user to switch the camera on or off. The mechanism of the on/off actuator assembly  120  can be the same as the shutter actuator mechanism  122  described above. The on/off actuator mechanism  120  can also be provided with probes  160 ′ of different lengths and shapes at different holes  162 ′ on the actuator block  150 ′ in order to match different camera models similar to the shutter actuator mechanism  122 . Either the manufacturers or users can make changes on these probes by themselves. 
     Although it has been shown that the actuator block  150  or  150 ′ is in the form a generally square block, it is understood that the actuator block  150  or  150 ′ can be a probe-carrying member in any possible form so long as it can carry the probe  160  or  160 ′. 
       FIGS. 7-10  show another embodiment of the shutter actuator mechanism. A corresponding on/off actuator mechanism has a similar structure. The shutter actuator mechanism  222  may include actuator shaft  240 , shutter knob  242 , spring  244 , washer  246 , o-ring gasket  248 , probe-carrying member  270 , slide  272 , locking block  274 , probe shaft  276  and probe pad  278 . In the illustrated embodiment, the probe-carrying member  270  is an actuator block, and the slide  272  is a C-clamp. 
     The actuator block  270  may be in the form of a rectangular block or in other shapes with tracks on both sides. The actuator block  270  can be made of plastic or metal. The actuator block  270  has one hole  280  on one side with a larger diameter on the top and a small diameter further down, with which the actuator block  270  can be installed with the actuator shaft  240  by pinching it into this hole  280 . The actuator shaft  240  may have one step smaller diameter near the end of the actuator shaft  240 , so that the actuator shaft  240  can stop there. The actuator shaft  240  can then be locked to the actuator block  270  by fixing a locking member or an E-ring  254  through an opening  273  to a lower end of the actuator shaft  240 . While the shutter knob  242  is pushed, the actuator block  270  moves downwards. The front housing  12  may be provided with a wall  257  at one end of the actuator block  270  for preventing the actuator block  270  from rotating regardless of its vertical position. 
     The C-clamp  272  may be installed in a way that it hangs from the two tracks of the actuator block  270 . The C-clamp  272  can be made of stiff materials, such as metal. It can move freely in an X direction along the actuator block  270  when the C-clamp  272  is not locked. The C-clamp  272  can move in the X direction or along an X axis on a plane generally perpendicular to an axis of the actuator shaft  240 . 
     A nut or locking block  274  may be placed in between the actuator block  270  and the C-clamp  272 . There is a screw hole at the locking block  274  which allows the probe shaft  276  to screw in from the bottom through a slot  282  of the C-clamp  272 . The probe shaft  276  can be made of metal or other suitable materials. It is machined with screw thread on the upper portion and a hexagonal bolt or other shaped bolt in the middle. The probe shaft  276  can move in a Y direction freely along the slot  282  of the C-clamp  272  when it is not locked. The Y direction is generally perpendicular to the X direction. A web  284  of the C-clamp  272  can hold the locking block  274  from turning. The web  284  can also strengthen the C-clamp  272  and prevent it from being bent. When the probe shaft  276  is installed, the probe shaft  276  can be moved freely in the X or Y direction. If the probe shaft  276  screws further in, the locking block  274  will be pulling the C-clamp  272  against the actuator block  270 , thus introducing friction force between the actuator block  270 , the C-clamp  272 , the locking block  274  and the probe shaft  276 . The probe shaft  276  will then be locked at a fixed position relative to the actuator block  270 . The design allows the probe shaft  276  to be positioned at any location with no increment along the actuator block  270  and the slot  282  of the C-clamp  272 . Different camera may need to use probe shafts  276  of different lengths available with the product. The manufacturers or users can make changes of the probe shafts by themselves. 
     The probe pad  278  may be made of an elastic material with different shapes that may match the shape of the button of the camera. It can be installed at the bottom end of the probe shaft  276  facing the camera for pressing the button of the camera and preventing the shaft  276  from scratching the camera button surface. The probe pad  278  can easily be installed by pushing the probe pad  278  against the probe shaft  276 . It can be self-locked by a gap on the probe shaft  276 . 
       FIGS. 11-15  show a combined shutter actuator mechanism  322  and on/off actuator mechanism  320  according to a further embodiment disclosed in the present patent application. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 15 , the shutter actuator mechanism  322  may include actuator shaft  340 , shutter knob  342 , spring  344 , washer  346 , o-ring gasket  348 , probe-carrying member  370 , slide  372 , probe shaft  376  and probe pad  378 . In the illustrated embodiment, the probe-carrying member  370  is an actuator block, and the slide  372  is a C-clamp. 
     The actuator block  370  may be in the form of a rectangular block or in other shapes with opposite parallel tracks  371  on both sides. The actuator block  370  can be made of plastic or metal. The actuator block  370  may have one hole  380  on one side with a larger diameter on the top and a small diameter further down, with which the actuator block  370  can be installed with the actuator shaft  340  by pinching it into this hole  380 . The actuator shaft  340  may have one step smaller diameter near the end of the actuator shaft  340 , so that the actuator shaft  340  can stop there. The actuator shaft  340  can then be locked to the actuator block  370  by inserting a locking member or an E-ring  354  into an opening  373 , engaging the E-ring  354  into a corresponding groove on the shaft  340 , and locking the actuator shaft  340  in the hole  380 . While the shutter knob  342  is pushed, the actuator block  370  moves downwards. The front housing  12  may be provided with a wall  357  (FIGS.  11  and  16 - 18 ) at one end of the actuator block  370  for preventing the actuator block  370  from rotating regardless of its vertical position. 
     The C-clamp  372  may be installed in a way that it hangs from the two opposite parallel tracks  371  of the actuator block  370 . The C-clamp  372  can be made of stiff materials, such as metal. It can move freely in the X direction along the actuator block  370  when the C-clamp  372  is not locked. 
     The probe shaft  376  may be made of metal or other suitable materials. It is machined with screw thread on an upper portion and a hexagonal bolt or other shaped bolt in the middle. The probe shaft  376  can move in the Y direction freely along a slot  382  of the C-clamp  372  when it is not locked. When the probe shaft  376  is installed, the probe shaft  376  can be moved freely in the X or Y direction. If the probe shaft  376  screws further in, it bears against the actuator block  370 . The probe shaft  376  can then be locked at a fixed position relative to the actuator block  370 . The design allows the probe shaft  376  to be positioned at any location with no increment along the actuator block  370  and the slot  382  of the C-clamp  372 . Different cameras may need to use probe shafts  376  of different lengths available with the product. The manufacturers or users can make changes by themselves. 
     The probe pad  378  is an elastic material with different shapes that may match the shape of the button of the camera. It can be installed at the bottom end of the probe shaft  376  for the pressing the button of the camera and preventing the shaft  376  from scratching the camera button surface. The probe pad  378  can easily be installed by pushing the probe pad  378  against the probe shaft  376 . It can be self-locked by a gap on the probe shaft  376 . 
     Although it has been shown that the actuator block  370  is generally in the form a square block, it is understood that the actuator block  370  can be a probe-carrying member in any possible form so long as it can carry the probe shaft  376 . 
     The on/off actuator mechanism  320  in  FIGS. 12 and 14  has a similar structure as the shutter actuator mechanism  322  in  FIGS. 13 and 15 . 
       FIGS. 16-18  show three different configurations of the shutter actuator mechanism  322  and on/off actuator mechanism  320  for different cameras with different locations of the shutter and on/off buttons. 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  show a different embodiment of the shutter actuator mechanism  322  and on/off actuator mechanism  320 . In this embodiment, the two actuator blocks  370 ,  370 ′ and the two C-clamps  372 ,  372 ′ are both oriented at 90 degrees with respect to the previous embodiment.  FIGS. 21 and 22  show a further embodiment of the shutter actuator mechanism  322  and on/off actuator mechanism  320  in which the two actuator blocks  370 ,  370 ′ and the two C-clamps  372 ,  372 ′ are oriented at 90 degrees from each other. 
     In order to allow different sizes of camera to be fitted inside the camera case  10 , a plurality of cushions of different shapes and sizes may be provided on the inner surfaces of the front and rear housings  12 ,  14 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the inner surfaces of the front housing  12  may include a few setoffs where front cushions  34  can be attached to these setoffs. The cushions  34  can be round or other shapes and may be made of soft or elastic material, e.g. rubber, silicone, plastic or latex. The cushions  34  can have water resistance self-adhesive materials on the bottom side thereof. The cushions  34  can be installed easily into the setoffs simply by removing the wax paper and attached the cushions  34  to the housing  12  by applying some pressure on them. The cushions can have different thicknesses. The purpose of different thicknesses is to position the camera in an optimum distance from the front housing  12  within the cavity  16  of the camera case  10 . In addition, the camera can be positioned such that the shutter button and/or the on/off button fall within the shutter and on/off actuator mechanisms of the waterproof camera case  10 . 
       FIG. 23  shows a plurality of back cushions  134  which are made of soft material, such as sponge, silicone, latex or plastic, and can be attached on the inner surface of the rear housing  14 . The cushions  134  can be round, square, or some other shapes. It is use to press the camera in place to the front housing  12  preventing the camera from moving inside the camera case  10 . 
       FIG. 24  shows another embodiment of a back cushion  136 . The back cushion  136  can be in the shape of a generally rectangular frame. The window of the frame can be of the same size as the display of the camera, so it can act as a light hood for the camera display eliminating external light from affecting the display while viewing the camera display through the rear housing  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  25 , there are other locations with cushions holders for holding elastic cushions  36  to keep the camera in place. These cushions  36  are made of elastic material and may have a “fish tail” shape. These cushions  36  may be held in position by the cushion holders. 
     While the user-configurable waterproof camera case disclosed in the present patent application has been shown and described with particular references to a number of preferred embodiments thereof, it should be noted that various other changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appending claims.