Abstract:
One embodiment of a manual focus driving ring comprised of two base rings ( 10  and  11 ), each having a through-hole near their edge ( 20  and  21 ), roll pins ( 17 ) conjoining the base rings, a pressure mount ring ( 16 ) adhered to the inner surface of the base rings, or a threaded mount ring ( 24 ), either of which frictionally secures the manual focus driving ring to the camcorder body ( 25 ). A sliding ring ( 12 ) is sandwiched between the base rings and slides along their outer surface of the base rings. An extension rod ( 13 ) with a gear ( 14 ) or friction-driven o-ring ( 23 ) is inserted into the through-hole in the base rings, and is rotationally driven by the sliding ring&#39;s inner surface, and a flanged tube ( 15 ) on the outer tip of the extension rod that acts as a focus driver and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the sliding ring.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/082,868, filed 2008, Jul. 23 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field 
     This application generally relates to hand-held camcorders, specifically to hand-held camcorders made with a side-mounted manual focus wheel. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Presently, several models of hand-held camcorders are made with a small manual focus wheel mounted on the side of the camcorder. A user manually focuses the camcorder by rotating the focus wheel with the tip of his or her finger(s). There are several disadvantages to this small focus wheel:
         a) The small size and placement of the focus wheel is awkward for the user, and can only be manipulated using the tip of the finger or fingers.   b) The small size of the focus wheel only allows for a limited amount of rotation, thereby only permitting users to manually focus in small, erratic increments.   c) The limited amount of rotation allowed by the small focus wheel makes it impossible for the user to manually create a long, smooth, focal transition. Instead the user can only manually create short, rough, focal transitions.       

     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a manual focus driving ring is comprised of two circular base rings, each having a through-hole near their edge, roll pins that conjoin the base rings, a pressure mount ring adhered to the inner surface of the base rings, a textured sliding ring that is sandwiched between the two base rings and slides along the outer surface of the base rings, an extension rod with a gear that is inserted into the through-hole in the base rings and is rotationally driven by the inner surface of the sliding ring, and a flanged tube on the outer tip of the extension rod that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the sliding ring. 
     To solve the above-mentioned disadvantages, it is an object of the present embodiment to provide an enlarged and superior manual focus driving ring that can be easily mounted onto any camcorder supplied with a side-mounted manual focus wheel. As the user rotationally manipulates the sliding ring, the extension rod and flanged tube rotate in conjunction, causing friction against the camcorder&#39;s manual focus wheel, thereby affording the user greater control over the rotation of the focus wheel, thus allowing for smoother and longer manual focal transitions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a manual focus driving ring. 
         FIG. 1B  shows a sectional view of a manual focus driving ring. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a manual focus driving ring supplied with a gear, a sliding ring with an internal gear, and a pressure mount ring in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  shows an exploded view of one embodiment of a manual focus driving ring as it relates to a camcorder. 
         FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a manual focus driving ring mounted on a camcorder. 
         FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of a manual focus driving ring supplied with a friction-driven o-ring, a sliding ring with a smooth internal surface, and a threaded mount ring in accordance with an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 5A  shows an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a manual focus driving ring as it relates to a camcorder. 
         FIG. 5B  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a manual focus driving ring mounted on a camcorder. 
       
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DRAWINGS-REFERENCE NUMERALS 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                     
                     
                   10 Front base ring 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   11 Back base ring 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   12 Sliding ring with internal gear 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   13 Extension rod 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   14 Gear 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   15 Flanged tube 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   16 Pressure mount ring 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   17 Roll pin 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   18 Front Indentation 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   19 Back Indentation 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   20 Front through-hole 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   21 Back through-hole 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   22 Sliding ring with smooth internal surface 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   23 Friction-driven O-ring 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   24 Threaded mount ring 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   25 Camcorder body 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   26 Camcorder focus wheel 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   27 Camcorder lens barrel 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                   28 Camcorder lens barrel internal threading 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Before explaining the present embodiment in detail, it is important to understand that the embodiment is not limited in its application to the details of the construction illustrated and the steps described herein. Other embodiments may exist and may be practiced or carried out in a variety of ways, including a combination of the embodiments described. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     The first embodiment of the manual focus driving ring is illustrated in  FIG. 1A  (perspective view) and  FIG. 1B  (sectional view), as well as  FIG. 2  (exploded view).  FIG. 3A  illustrates the manual focus driving ring as it relates to a camcorder (exploded view).  FIG. 3B  illustrates the manual focus driving ring mounted on a camcorder (perspective view). An alternative embodiment of the manual focus driving ring is illustrated in  FIG. 4  (exploded view), and in  FIG. 5A  (exploded view), which illustrates the manual focus driving ring as it relates to a camcorder, as well as in  FIG. 5B  (perspective view), which illustrates the manual focus driving ring mounted on a camcorder. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the manual focus driving ring has a front base ring  10  consisting of a rigid material, a back base ring  11  also consisting of a rigid material, and a textured sliding ring with internal gear (termed gear sliding ring)  12  consisting of a rigid material and being sandwiched between front base ring  10  and back base ring  11 . The outer texture of gear sliding ring  12  provides grip for the user. In the present embodiment, base rings  10  and  11  and gear sliding ring  12  are made of anodized aluminum with a PTFE hard coat and are turned on a lathe. However, base rings  10  and  11  and gear sliding ring  12  can consist of any other rigid material such as steel, brass, polycarbonate plastic, ABS plastic, Acetal plastic, etc. As shown in  FIG. 2 , front base ring  10  has a front indentation  18  and a front through-hole  20 . Back base ring  11  has a back indentation  19 , and a back through-hole  21 . The indentations and holes are cut on a vertical mill. 
     On the inner surface of front base ring  10  and back base ring  11  is a pressure mount ring  16 , shown clearly in  FIG. 1A . In the present embodiment, mount ring  16  is made of neoprene; however, mount ring  16  can also consist of any other rubber such as silicone, latex, urethane, etc. Mount ring  16  adheres to the inner surface of front base ring  10  and back base ring  11  by virtue of fast acting glue. Holding together front base ring  10  and back base ring  11  are multiple roll pins  17 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , consisting of steel. Inserted through front base ring  10  and back base ring  11  is an extension rod  13 . In the present embodiment, extension rod  13  consists of metal; however, it can also consist of any other rigid material such as plastic. 
     Surrounding a portion of extension rod  13  is a gear  14 , clearly illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Gear  14  consists of metal in the current embodiment. However, it can also consist of any other rigid material such as plastic. Gear  14  is placed between front and back indentations  18  and  19  respectively, of front base ring  10  and back base ring  11 . Extension rod  13  is then inserted through front and back through-holes  20  and  21  respectively, and through gear  14 . On the outer, portion of extension rod  13  is a flanged tube  15 . In the present embodiment, flanged tube  15  is made of rubber using a mold. Flanged tube  15  can be made of several rubbers such as silicone, latex, urethane, etc. 
       FIG. 3A  shows the first embodiment as it relates to a camcorder body  25 . Mount ring  16  frictionally secures the manual focus driving ring to a camcorder lens barrel  27  on camcorder body  25 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3B . Flanged tube  15  provides friction against a camcorder focus wheel  26 . 
     Operation 
     First Embodiment 
     The manner of using the first embodiment of the manual focus driving ring is as follows. The manual focus driving ring is mounted onto camcorder lens barrel  27  of camcorder body  25 , which has side-mounted camcorder focus wheel  26 , as depicted in  FIG. 3B . Pressure mount ring  16  is sized to a specification such that it frictionally secures the manual focus driving ring onto camcorder lens barrel  27  of camcorder body  25 . Pressure mount ring  16  makes it easy for the user to both mount and remove the manual focus driving ring from camcorder lens barrel  27  of camcorder body  25 . With the manual focus driving ring mounted onto camcorder lens barrel  27 , extension rod  13  and flanged tube  15  are sized to a specification such that they reach side-mounted camcorder focus wheel  26  of camcorder body  25 . Flanged tube  15  is contiguous to camcorder focus wheel  26 , providing friction and acting as a focus driver. As the user rotationally manipulates gear sliding ring  12 , the inner surface of gear sliding ring  12  rotationally drives gear  14 , clearly shown in  FIG. 2 , which conjointly rotationally drives extension rod  13  and flanged tube  15 . Flanged tube  15 , rotating against camcorder focus wheel  26 , acts as a focus driver, causing camcorder focus wheel  26  to also rotate, in conjunction with the rotation of gear sliding ring  12 . As the user rotates gear sliding ring  12 , camcorder focus wheel  26  rotates in conjunction, thereby manually focusing the camcorder. Because of the enlarged size of the manual focus driving ring in comparison to camcorder focus wheel  26 , the amount of rotation possible is significantly increased. The manual focus driving ring&#39;s function is to frictionally rotate camcorder focus wheel  26 . 
     Advantages 
     From the description above, a number of advantages of the present embodiments of the manual focus driving ring become evident:
         a) The placement of the manual focus driving ring at the front end of camcorder body  25 , around camcorder lens barrel  27 , makes it more practical and convenient to use than camcorder focus wheel  26 .   b) The enlarged size of the manual focus driving ring in comparison to camcorder focus wheel  26  allows for significantly more rotation.   c) The increase of rotation provided by the enlarged size of the manual focus driving ring affords the user more manual control, thus allowing the user to create a significantly improved manual focal transition. By manipulating gear sliding ring  12 , the user can create long, smooth, manual focal transitions, whereas using only camcorder focus wheel  26 , such transitions are impossible to achieve. With camcorder focus wheel  26  alone, focal transitions are short and somewhat erratic.   d) By manipulating gear sliding ring  12 , the user can also control the speed of the manual focal transitions.   e) The manual focus driving ring can be easily mounted and removed from camcorder lens barrel  27 .       

     Description 
     Alternative Embodiment 
       FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5A , and  FIG. 5B  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the manual focus driving ring. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the manual focus driving ring is comprised of front base ring  10 , back base ring  11 , and a textured sliding ring with a smooth internal surface (termed smooth sliding ring)  22 , being sandwiched between front base ring  10  and back base ring  11 . The outer texture of smooth sliding ring  22  provides grip for the user. As shown in  FIG. 4 , front base ring  10  has a front indentation  18  and a front through-hole  20 . Back base ring  11  has a back indentation  19  and a back through-hole  21 . Holding together front base ring  10  and back base ring  11  are multiple roll pins  17 . Inserted through front base ring  10  and back base ring  11  is extension rod  13 . 
     Surrounding a portion of extension rod  13  is a friction-driven o-ring  23 , clearly illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Friction-driven o-ring  23  consists of rubber in the alternative embodiment. Friction driven o-ring  23  is placed between front and back indentations  18  and  19  respectively, of front base ring  10  and back base ring  11 . Extension rod  13  is then inserted through front and back through-holes  20  and  21  respectively, and through friction-driven o-ring  23 . Friction driven o-ring  23  provides pressure against the inner surface of smooth sliding ring  22 . On the outer portion of extension rod  13  is flanged tube  15 . Proximal to front base ring  10  is a threaded mount ring  24 , shown clearly in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows the alternative embodiment as it relates to camcorder body  25 . Threaded mount ring  24  is placed contiguous to front base ring  10 . Threaded mount ring  24  threads securely onto a camcorder lens barrel internal threading  28 , such that the manual focus driving ring is secured to camcorder lens barrel  27  on camcorder body  25 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B . Flanged tube  15  provides friction against camcorder focus wheel  26 . 
     Operation 
     Alternative Embodiment 
     The manner of using the manual focus driving ring of the alternative embodiment is as follows. The manual focus driving ring is mounted onto camcorder lens barrel  27  of camcorder body  25 , which has side-mounted camcorder focus wheel  26 , as depicted in  FIG. 5B . Threaded mount ring  24  is sized to a specification such that it threads securely onto camcorder lens barrel internal threading  28 . Threaded mount ring  24  makes it easy for the user to both mount and remove the manual focus driving ring from camcorder lens barrel  27  of camcorder body  25 . With the manual focus driving ring mounted onto camcorder lens barrel  27 , extension rod  13  and flanged tube  15  are sized to a specification such that they reach side-mounted camcorder focus wheel  26  of camcorder body  25 . Flanged tube  15  is contiguous to camcorder focus wheel  26 , providing friction and acting as a focus driver. As the user rotationally manipulates smooth sliding ring  22 , the inner surface of smooth sliding ring  22  rotationally drives the friction-driven o-ring  23 , which conjointly rotationally drives extension rod  13  and flanged tube  15 . Flanged tube  15 , rotating against camcorder focus wheel  26 , acts as a focus driver, thereby causing camcorder focus wheel  26  to also rotate, in conjunction with the rotation of smooth sliding ring  22 . As the user rotates smooth sliding ring  22 , camcorder focus wheel  26  rotates in conjunction, thereby manually focusing the camcorder. Because of the enlarged size of the manual focus driving ring in comparison to camcorder focus wheel  26 , the amount of rotation possible will be significantly increased. The manual focus driving ring&#39;s function is to frictionally rotate camcorder focus wheel  26 . 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     Accordingly the reader will see that the manual focus driving ring of both embodiments is more conveniently placed on the camcorder for ease of use, increases the amount of rotation allowed by the camcorder focus wheel, thus affording the user more manual control of smoothness and speed, and significantly improves the quality of the camcorder&#39;s manual focal transitions. In addition, the manual focus driving ring can be easily mounted onto the camcorder lens barrel, as well as easily removed. 
     While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. For example, the size of the manual focus driving ring can be altered to fit any camcorder lens barrel. The shape of the base rings can be altered in thickness or can be offset. The base rings and sliding ring of the manual focus driving ring can be comprised of several rigid materials such as any metal or any plastic or resin. The gear and roll pins can also be comprised of any metal or plastic. The gear can be substituted with an o-ring made of any rubber. The flanged tube and mount ring can also be made of any rubber. The flanged tube can be substituted with any frictional driving means. The pressure mounted ring can be substituted with a threaded mount ring that threads onto the inside of the lens barrel. The manual focus driving ring&#39;s design can also be used to control other camcorder functions such as aperture, exposure, etc, if these functions are controlled by the camcorder&#39;s side-mounted wheel. 
     Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.