Patent Publication Number: US-2018045908-A1

Title: Easily assembled filter adaptor assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention related to a filter adaptor assembly, especially to an easily assembled filter adaptor assembly for a user to easily increase or decrease numbers of filters according to the user&#39;s need. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art(s) 
     An optical filter, such as a UV (Ultraviolet) filter, a polarizing (PL) filter, a circular polarizing (CPL) filter, a neutral density (ND) filter, and the like is a camera accessory that is mounted in front of a lens of the camera. In addition to lens protection, the optical filter also selectively transmits light in a particular range of wavelengths, so as to form particular lighting effects on photos or videos. 
     A conventional filter adaptor assembly comprises multiple filters. Each of the filters is held in a mounting frame by a holding frame. The mounting frames are connected to each other via adapting frames. The adapting frame that is arranged at an end of the conventional filter adaptor assembly can be mounted to the lens of the camera via a positioning frame. By assembling or rotating the filters with different effects, the conventional filter adaptor assembly can form variable lighting effects. 
     However, although a plurality of filters can be assembled in the conventional filter adaptor assembly, the number of the filters in the conventional filter adaptor assembly is constant. Thus, arrangement of the filters is invariable and lacks flexibility. Moreover, each of the mounting frames that are used for mounting the filters has to be connected to the other mounting frame via the adapting frame. The conventional filter adaptor assembly is bulky and has complicated structure. 
     To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides an easily assembled filter adaptor assembly to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main objective of the present invention is to provide an easily assembled filter adaptor assembly. The filter adaptor assembly has a front mounting ring, a holding ring, a rear mounting ring, multiple intermediate rings, and at least one inner mounting ring, which are detachably connected with each other. The holding ring is detachably mounted in the front mounting ring. The intermediate rings and the at least one inner mounting ring are alternately arranged between the front mounting ring and the rear mounting ring and are detachably connected to each other. The intermediate ring that is disposed next to the front mounting ring is detachably connected to the front mounting ring. The intermediate ring that is disposed next to the rear mounting ring is detachably connected to the rear mounting ring. Filters can be selectively held between the front mounting ring, the holding ring, the intermediate rings, and the at least one inner mounting ring. 
     The filter adaptor assembly has a simplified and compact structure. Accordingly, volume of the filter adaptor assembly can be reduced. Furthermore, numbers of the intermediate ring and the inner mounting ring can be increased or decreased so as to adjust numbers of the filters that can be assembled in the filter adaptor assembly. Accordingly, users can have high flexibility in using the filter adaptor assembly. 
     Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an easily assembled filter adaptor assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the filter adaptor assembly in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the filter adaptor assembly in 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the filter adaptor assembly in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of another preferred embodiment of an easily assembled filter adaptor assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an easily assembled filter adaptor assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a front mounting ring  10 , a holding ring  50 , a rear mounting ring  20 , multiple intermediate rings  30 , and at least one inner mounting ring  40 . 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the front mounting ring  10  has a rear end, a connecting ring portion  11 , an inner sidewall, a limiting flange  12 , and an inner thread  14 . The connecting ring portion  11  axially protrudes from the rear end of the front mounting ring  10  and has a distal end edge. The inner sidewall of the front mounting ring  10  is defined inside and around the front mounting ring  10  and has a sub inner sidewall. The sub inner sidewall is defined inside and around the connecting ring portion  11 . The limiting flange  12  radially protrudes from and is formed around the sub inner sidewall around the connecting ring portion  11  and is disposed adjacent to the distal end edge of the connecting ring portion  11 . The inner thread  14  is formed around the inner sidewall of the front mounting ring  10 . A dust-proof cap can be mounted to a front end of the front mounting ring  10  via the inner thread  14 , so as to be put on the filter adaptor assembly. 
     The holding ring  50  is detachably mounted in the connecting ring portion  11  of the front mounting ring  10 , so as to selectively hold a filter  60  between the holding ring  50  and the connecting ring portion  11  of the front mounting ring  10 . Specifically, the holding ring  50  is connected to the connecting ring portion  11  of the front mounting ring  10  via the inner thread  14 . 
     The rear mounting ring  20  is disposed at a rear of the front mounting ring  10  and is spaced apart from the front mounting ring  10 . The rear mounting ring  20  has a rear end, a front end, a positioning ring portion  21 , and an outer thread  22 . The front end of the rear mounting ring  20  is positioned toward the rear end of the front mounting ring  10 . The positioning ring portion  21  axially protrudes from the rear end of the rear mounting ring  20 . The outer thread  22  is formed around an outer sidewall of the positioning ring portion  21  and may engage with an inner thread formed around a front end of a lens of a camera, so as to mount the filter adaptor assembly on the lens of the camera. 
     The intermediate rings  30  are separately arranged between the front mounting ring  10  and the rear mounting ring  20 . Each of the intermediate rings  30  has an annular shoulder  31 , a front mounting ring portion  32 , and a rear mounting ring portion  33 . The annular shoulder  31  extends radially and has an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge. The front mounting ring portion  32  protrudes from the outer peripheral edge of the annular shoulder  31  toward the front mounting ring  10 . The rear mounting ring portion  33  protrudes from the inner peripheral edge of the annular shoulder  31  toward the rear mounting ring  20  and has a connecting end edge and a distal end edge. The connecting end edge of the rear mounting ring portion  33  is attached to the inner peripheral edge of the annular shoulder  31 . 
     Further, the front mounting ring portion  32  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the front mounting ring  10  is mounted around an outer sidewall of the front mounting ring  10  and is detachably connected with the front mounting ring  10 . A filter  60  may be selectively held between the limiting flange  12  of the front mounting ring  10  and the connecting end edge of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the front mounting ring  10 . Grease may be applied between the front mounting ring  10  and the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the front mounting ring  10 , so as to eliminate friction therebetween. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the front mounting ring  10  and the front mounting ring portion  32  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the front mounting ring  10  detachably engage with each other. 
     Specifically, the intermediate ring  30  has a first engaging protrusion  34  formed around an inner sidewall of the front mounting ring portion  32  of the intermediate ring  30 . The front mounting ring  10  has a first engaging recess  13 . The first engaging recess  13  is formed in and around the outer sidewall of the front mounting ring  10  and detachably engages with the first engaging protrusion  34  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the front mounting ring  10 . Thus, the front mounting ring  10  is detachably connected with the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the front mounting ring  10 . 
     The rear mounting ring  20  is mounted around an outer sidewall of the rear mounting ring portion  33  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the rear mounting ring  20  and is detachably connected with the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the rear mounting ring  20 . Grease may be applied between the rear mounting ring  20  and the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the rear mounting ring  20 , so as to eliminate friction therebetween. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the rear mounting ring  20  and the rear mounting ring portion  33  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the rear mounting ring  20  detachably engage with each other. 
     Specifically, the intermediate ring  30  has a second engaging recess  35  formed around the outer sidewall of the rear mounting ring portion  33  of the intermediate ring  30 . The rear mounting ring  20  has a second engaging protrusion  23 . The second engaging protrusion  23  is formed in and around an inner sidewall of the positioning ring portion  21  of the rear mounting ring  20  and detachably engages in the second engaging recess  35  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the rear mounting ring  20 . Thus, the rear mounting ring  20  is detachably connected with the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed next to the rear mounting ring  20 . 
     Each of the at least one inner mounting ring  40  is mounted between two of the intermediate rings  30  that are disposed next to each other and has a front end, a rear end, and a stop flange  41 . The front end of the inner mounting ring  40  is positioned toward the front mounting ring  10 . The rear end of the inner mounting ring  40  is positioned toward the rear mounting ring  20 . The stop flange  41  radially protrudes from and is formed around an inner sidewall of the inner mounting ring  40  and is disposed adjacent to the rear end of the inner mounting ring  40 . 
     The front mounting ring portion  32  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed at the rear end of the inner mounting ring  40  is mounted around an outer sidewall of the inner mounting ring  40  and is detachably connected with the inner mounting ring  40 . The rear mounting ring portion  33  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed at the front end of the inner mounting ring  40  is mounted around the inner sidewall of the inner mounting ring  40  and is detachably connected with the inner mounting ring  40 . A filter  60  may be selectively held between the stop flange  41  of the inner mounting ring  40  and the connecting end edge of the rear mounting ring portion  33  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed at the rear end of the inner mounting ring  40 . A filter  60  may be selectively held between the stop flange  41  of the inner mounting ring  40  and the distal end edge of the rear mounting ring portion  33  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed at the front end of the inner mounting ring  40 . Grease may be applied between the inner mounting ring  40  and the intermediate rings  30 , so as to eliminate friction therebetween. 
     In the preferred embodiment, each of the at least one inner mounting ring  40  is engaged with the front mounting ring portion  32  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed at the rear end of the inner mounting ring  40  and with the rear mounting ring portion  33  of the intermediate ring  30  that is disposed at the front end of the inner mounting ring  40 . 
     Specifically, each of the at least one inner mounting ring  40  has a third engaging recess  42  and a third engaging protrusion  43 . The third engaging recess  42  is formed in and around the outer sidewall of the inner mounting ring  40  and engages with the first engaging protrusion  34  of the intermediate ring  30  that is mounted at the rear end of the inner mounting ring  40 . The third engaging protrusion  43  is formed around the inner sidewall of the inner mounting ring  40  and engages with the second engaging recess  35  of the intermediate ring  30  that is mounted at the front end of the inner mounting ring  40 . Thus, each of the at least one inner mounting ring  40  is detachably connected with the intermediate rings  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the preferred embodiment, the filter adaptor assembly may include one front mounting ring  10 , one rear mounting ring  20 , two intermediate rings  30 , and one inner mounting ring  40 . The two intermediate rings  30  are respectively connected to the front mounting ring  10  and the rear mounting ring  20  and are connected to each other via the inner mounting ring  40 . At most four filters  60  can be assembled in the filter adaptor assembly. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 5 , in another preferred embodiment, the filter adaptor assembly may include one front mounting ring  10 , one rear mounting ring  20 , four intermediate rings  30 , and three inner mounting rings  40 . The four intermediate rings  30  and the three inner mounting rings  40  are alternately arranged between the front mounting ring  10  and the rear mounting ring  20 . At most eight filters  60  can be assembled in the filter adaptor assembly. 
     Moreover, the filter adaptor assembly may only include one front mounting ring  10 , one rear mounting ring  20 , and one intermediate ring  30 . The front mounting ring  10  and the rear mounting ring  20  are connected to each other via the intermediate ring  30 . At most two filters  60  can be assembled in the filter adaptor assembly. 
     That is, whenever one intermediate ring  30  and one inner mounting ring  40  are added, two more filters  60  can be assembled in the filter adaptor assembly. 
     The front mounting ring  10 , the rear mounting ring  20 , the intermediate rings  30 , and the at least one inner mounting ring  40  may be made of metal, such as aluminum alloy, copper alloy, and the like. Resilience of the front mounting ring  10  at where the first engaging recess  13  is formed, resilience of the intermediate ring  30  at where the second engaging recess  35  is formed, and resilience of the inner mounting ring  40  at where the third engaging recess  42  is formed can be adjusted by adjusting thickness of the front mounting ring  10  at where the first engaging recess  13  is formed, thickness of the intermediate ring  30  at where the second engaging recess  35  is formed, and thickness of the inner mounting ring  40  at where the third engaging recess  42  is formed. Thus, the front mounting ring  10 , the rear mounting ring  20 , the intermediate rings  30 , and the at least one inner mounting ring  40  can be engaged with each other with proper resilient force, so as to allow easy detachment and assembling. 
     The easily assembled filter adaptor assembly as described has the following advantages. Since the filters  60  are held between the front mounting ring  10 , the rear mounting ring  20 , the intermediate rings  30 , and the at least one inner mounting ring  40 , the filter adaptor assembly has a simplified and compact structure. Accordingly, volume of the filter adaptor assembly can be reduced. Furthermore, as the front mounting ring  10 , the holding ring  50 , the rear mounting ring  20 , the intermediate rings  30 , and the at least one inner mounting ring  40  are detachably connected to each other, numbers of the intermediate ring  30  and the inner mounting ring  40  can be increased or decreased so as to adjust numbers of the filters  60  that can be assembled in the filter adaptor assembly. Accordingly, users have high flexibility in using the filter adaptor assembly. 
     Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.