Abstract:
A waterproof casing for enclosing a camera body with a lens, the waterproof casing having a housing defining a cavity for containing the camera body with the lens, the housing having a lens region positioned in front of the lens of the camera body, the lens region being transparent to light, and a wiper connected to the housing for clearing particles from the lens region.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention. 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to the field of photography. More particularly, the invention relates to a camera wiper. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art. 
         [0004]    The quality or clarity of photographs taken by a camera depends in part on the cleanliness of the camera lens. If the lens has dust or water droplets on its surface, the quality of the photograph is poor, typically hazy or blurry in the regions that are covered by dust or water droplets. 
         [0005]    Conventional cameras exposed to water, such as waterproof cameras, are designed to prevent water from entering the camera. Some waterproof cameras can be used in the rain or near the shoreline, while others can be used underwater. Both types of cameras have watertight connections to prevent the permeation of fluid inside the camera. 
         [0006]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the prior art waterproof camera assembly  11  has an opaque camera body  13  and a waterproof casing  15 . The waterproof casing  15  is transparent at least in the regions  17  and  19  in front of the lens  21  and the viewfinder  23 , respectively. The camera body  13  is configured to take photographs using, for example, a light-sensitive film or digital technology. 
         [0007]    Modem improvements in waterproof cameras have focused on overcoming water pressure effects or internal air-pressure effects, so that the cameras can be used in deeper waters. As described in Takamura et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,245, the camera can have an air-pressure adjusting mechanism for automatically keeping the air pressure in the inner space of the camera at a substantially constant level irrespective of the position of the lens barrel inside the waterproof casing. Homing et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,735, describes a water-resistant camera casing with support projections and a back frame that prevent the water-resistant casing from pushing the rear cover substantially into the film clearance space in deeper waters. 
         [0008]    While recent improvements have focused on the interior performance and functionality of the waterproof camera, little has been done to expand or improve on the functionality of its exterior casing  15 . For example, a waterproof camera used in the rain or the sea may get water droplets on its casing  15  in the region  17  in front of the lens  21 . A person will have to use a dry cloth or tissue to wipe off the water droplets on the region  17  of the casing  15 . However, if the person is swimming in a body of water with no access to a dry cloth or tissue, the person has no choice but to use the waterproof camera with water droplets on the front of the lens  21 . As a result, the quality of the photographs taken is poor since water droplets obscure the light entering into the camera. 
         [0009]    Similarly, if a conventional camera has dust on its lens, and there is no available dry cloth or tissue to wipe the dust off, the pictures taken by the camera will be blurry. 
         [0010]    With an ever increasing demand for improved picture quality, there remains a continuing need in the art for a convenient and functional camera lens wiper and/or a camera casing wiper. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In one embodiment, a waterproof casing for enclosing a camera body with a lens, the waterproof casing having a housing defining a cavity for containing the camera body with the lens, the housing having a lens region positioned in front of the lens of the camera body, the lens region being transparent to light, and a wiper connected to the housing for clearing particles from the lens region. The waterproof casing may include a carrier attached to the wiper and connects to the exterior surface of the housing using a track that defines a pathway in front of the lens region, a hinge that allows the carrier to travel in a defined path in front of the lens region, or a string that allows the wiper to travel across the lens region. The wiper comes into contact with the exterior surface of the housing to clear water droplets. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, a camera assembly having a camera body with a lens and a track coupled to an exterior surface of the camera body. The track defines a pathway in front of the lens. A carrier slidably travels on the track. The carrier holds a lens wiper so that it comes into contact with the exterior surface of the lens for removing dust. The lens wiper has a plurality of bristles. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The exact nature of this invention, as well as the objects and advantages thereof, will become readily apparent from consideration of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a prior art waterproof camera assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a waterproof camera assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a wiper assembly on a front cover of a waterproof camera, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a wiper assembly on a front cover of a waterproof camera, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a wiper assembly on a front cover of a waterproof camera, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a wiper assembly on a front cover of a waterproof camera, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the wiper assembly taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the wiper assembly taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an alternate cross-sectional view of the wiper assembly taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a wiper assembly on a front cover of a waterproof camera, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a wiper assembly on a front cover of a waterproof camera, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a top view of a camera body, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the wiper assembly of  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective of a waterproof camera assembly  25 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The waterproof camera assembly  25  has an opaque camera body  27  and a waterproof casing  29  formed of a front cover  31  and a rear cover  33 . The camera body  27  is configured to take photographs using, for example, a light-sensitive film or digital technology. The camera body  27  has a lens  43  and a viewfinder  45 . The camera body  27  is adapted to be nested inside the waterproof casing  29 . 
         [0028]    The front and rear covers  31  and  33  may be coupled to one another by a fastening mechanism, such as tab  35  and groove  37 , which is well known in the art. A waterproof sealing band (not shown), such as a rubber overlay, may be used between the front and rear covers  31  and  33  to prevent water from entering the casing  29 . 
         [0029]    The front cover  31  is transparent in at least two regions. It is transparent at lens region  39  in front of lens  43  and at viewfinder region  41  in front of viewfinder  45 . The rear cover  33  is transparent in at least the viewfinder region  44  in the rear of viewfinder  45 . 
         [0030]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the front cover  31  includes a wiper assembly  47 .  FIG. 3  shows a more detailed view of the wiper assembly  47 . The wiper assembly  47  has a track  49 , a carrier  51 , and a wiper  53 . 
         [0031]    Track  49  is coupled to the front cover  31 . For example, track  49  may be attached at both ends to vertical frame members  50  and  55 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The vertical frame members  50  and  55  may connect to or project from the front cover  31 . Similarly, track  49  may be attached at both ends to horizontal frame members  57  and  59  or diagonal frame members  61  and  63 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , respectively. The horizontal frame members  57  and  59  of wiper assembly  60  may connect to or project from the front cover  31 . The diagonal frame members  61  and  63  of wiper assembly  62  may connect to or project from the front cover  31 . 
         [0032]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the track connects to or projects from the front cover  31 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a wiper assembly  65  with a track  67  connecting to or projecting from the front cover  31 .  FIG. 7  is a side view of the wiper assembly  65  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , along lines  7 - 7 . Track  67  has a flange  69  that slidably engages an aperture  71  of carrier  51 . Track  67  has closed ends  73  to constrain the movement of the carrier  51  and prevent it from getting off track. 
         [0033]    Track  49  or  67  defines a pathway  75  along the front cover  31  that guides carrier  51  to slide across the lens region  39 . As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , carrier  51  has an aperture  52  that allows track  49  to pass therethrough, thereby constraining the movement of the carrier  51  to the defined pathway  75 . Tracks  49  or  67  may be made of plastic or metal material. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , carrier  51  may include a tab  56  to allow improved handling capability of carrier  51  for sliding it across the lens region  39 . Coupled to the carrier  51  is a wiper that comes into contact with the lens region  39 . The wiper may be made, for example, of a rubber or plastic material. The wiper may be fixed to the carrier  51  using a watertight adhesive.  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the wiper assembly  47  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , along lines  8 - 8 . The wiper assembly  47  has a wiper  53  with a tip  54  that comes into pressing contact with the lens region  39 . Tip  54  slides across the lens region  39  to remove water droplets or particles  85  on the surface. 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  shows an alternate shape of wiper  53 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a wiper  77  with a round tip  79  that comes into contact with the lens region  39 . Round tip  79  slides across the lens region  39  to remove water droplets  85  on the surface. 
         [0036]    In operation, carrier  51  is initially at a first position  87  on one end of track  49  or  67  that does not obstruct the lens  43  or lens region  39 . Carrier  51  is moved across the exterior surface of lens  43  or lens region  39  to a second position  89  on the other end of track  49  or  67 . In one embodiment, the second position  89  on the other end of track  49  or  67  does not obstruct the lens  43  or lens region  39 . In another embodiment, the second position  89  is at the edge of lens  43  or lens region  39 , in which case, the carrier  51  is moved back to the first position  87  so as not to obstruct the lens  43  or lens region  39 . As the carrier  51  is moved across the lens  43  or lens region  39 , wiper  53  or  77  slides across to remove water droplets  85  on the surface. 
         [0037]    According to an embodiment of the invention, a wiper assembly is hinged to the front cover  31 .  FIG. 10  shows a wiper assembly  91  with carrier  51  and wiper  53  coupled to the front cover  31  using a hinge  93 . The hinge  93  allows the carrier  51  to travel in a defined path  95  across the lens region  39 . Stoppers  97  and  99  may be used to keep carrier  51  traveling beyond the defined path  95 . 
         [0038]    Carrier  51  holds wiper  53  so that it comes into contact with the exterior surface of the waterproof casing for removing water droplets. Carrier  51  preferably has a length that is greater than or equal to the diagonal length or diameter of lens region  39 . Carrier  51  may include tab  56  that allows a user to slide carrier  51  along the defined path  95 . 
         [0039]    According to an embodiment of the invention, a wiper assembly is coupled to the waterproof casing  29  using a string.  FIG. 11  shows a wiper assembly  101  with carrier  51  and wiper  53  coupled to the front cover  31  using a string  103 . String  103  may be made of fabric or elastic material. 
         [0040]    The string  103  couples carrier  51  to the waterproof casing  29  while allowing carrier  51  to be within reach of sliding wiper  53  across the lens region  39 . The carrier  51  may be hanging on one side of the waterproof casing  29  by the string  103  or it may be fastened to the waterproof casing  29 , for example, using a reciprocal groove in the waterproof casing  29  for retaining the carrier  51 . In use, the carrier  51  is moved across the lens region  39  to allow wiper  53  to come into contact with the lens region  39 . 
         [0041]    According to an embodiment of the invention, a wiper assembly is used to remove dust on the surface of lens  43 .  FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of camera body  27  having a dust wiper assembly  105 .  FIG. 13  shows a more detailed view of the wiper assembly  105 . The wiper assembly  105  has a shutter  107  with a plurality of bristles  83 . The bristles  83  are held by the shutter  105  so that they come into contact with lens  43  of camera body  27 . The bristles  83  brush against the lens  43  to remove dust on the surface. 
         [0042]    While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. For example, while the embodiments show carrier  51  moved manually across lens  43  or lens region  39  using tab  56 , it is understood that the invention may have carrier  51  moved across lens  43  or lens region  39  electronically by techniques well known in the art. Furthermore, while the embodiments show a carrier holding a wiper, it is understood by a person skilled in the art that the wiper may be made of a self-supporting rigid material that does not require the use of the carrier to hold it in place. 
         [0043]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described preferred embodiments may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.