Patent Publication Number: US-7721893-B2

Title: Multi-functional storage apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION 
   This is a Continuation-In-Part of a non-provisional application having an application Ser. No. 11/752,461 and a filing date of May 23, 2007. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   The present invention relates to a capturing device such as a camera, and more particularly to a multi-functional storage apparatus for selectively supporting that capturing device in outdoor environment. 
   2. Description of Related Arts 
   When people go out, they generally take with them a handbag for storing various personal accessories, such as keys, mobile phones, cameras, napkins etc. A conventional handbag usually comprises a main body having a storing cavity formed therein for storing the personal accessories, some of which have become extremely popular in recent years. For example, with the advance of information technology, video or image capturing devices, such as digital cameras and digital video recording devices, have widely been utilized in many occasions for allowing the users to rapidly and conveniently capture short videos and images in their daily life. 
   A major disadvantage in using such digital accessories in outdoor environment is that in order to capture a short video clip or images with their digital accessories, such as the digital cameras or video capturing devices, the users require a secure and stable support. For example, when a user needs to capture a particular scene during nighttime, he or she may need to set his or her digital camera to have an extended exposure time for capturing a high-quality or even an acceptable night time scene. In such a situation, the user may need to hold the digital camera very stably so as not to make the captured image blurry. If the user is unable to do so, he or she may need to put his or her camera in a stable and secure place where it can act as a supporting platform for the digital camera. This is both inconvenient and time-consuming. In many occasions, the user simply cannot find such a place. 
   Conventionally, a tripod may be used for supporting the digital camera in an elevated and stable position so that the digital camera can capture a particular image very stably and produce a high quality picture or photograph. Needless to say, however, that a conventional tripod is usually very bulky and heavy, so that it is inconvenient to carry and transport. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   A main object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional storage apparatus for selectively supporting a camera in outdoor environment. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional storage apparatus which comprises a main casing and a supporting arrangement for operating the main casing between a normal storing mode that the main casing is adapted to act as a conventional portable carrying device, and a capturing mode that the supporting arrangement is adapted to extend from the main casing for securely and stably supporting a capturing device in a suspended manner for capturing an image or a video. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional storage apparatus which is adapted to be conveniently and easily transported when the main casing is in the normal storing mode so as not to interfere with the daily activities of the users of the present invention. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional storage apparatus which does not employ complicated mechanical structure. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the present invention can be effectively minimized. 
   Thus, the present invention provides a multi-functional storage apparatus for selectively supporting a capturing device, comprising: 
   a main casing having a receiving cavity formed therein; and 
   a supporting arrangement provided on the main casing to operate the main casing between a normal storing mode and a capturing mode, wherein in the normal storing mode, the supporting arrangement is arranged to rest on the main casing so as to allow the main casing to function as a portable carrying device through storing objects within the receiving cavity, wherein in the capturing mode, the supporting arrangement is selectively extended from the main casing to detachably attach to the capturing device, in such a manner that the capturing device is securely and suspendedly supported by the main casing as a supporting base for stably capturing image in a predetermined direction. 
   The above mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly described and shown in the following detailed description, drawings, and the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multi-functional storage apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a first alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a second alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a first schematic diagram of the second alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a second schematic diagram of the second alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a third schematic diagram of the second alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a third schematic diagram of the second alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a third alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram of the third alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the elongated connecting member can be selectively received into the main casing. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first alternative mode of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the elongated connecting member can be selectively received into the main casing. 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the third alternative mode of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the elongated connecting member can be selectively received into the main casing. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a multi-functional storage apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  is a sectional side view of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17A  and  FIG. 17B  are schematic views of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the 
       FIG. 18  is an alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 19  is a schematic diagram of the alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 11  of the drawings, a multi-functional storage apparatus for selectively supporting a capturing device is illustrated, in which the multi-storage apparatus comprises a main casing  1  having a receiving cavity and a supporting arrangement. The multi-functional storage apparatus is for a capturing device, such as an image capturing device (e.g. a digital camera) or a video capturing device (e.g. a digital video recorder). 
   The supporting arrangement is provided on the main casing  1  to operate the main casing  1  between a normal storing mode and an capturing mode, wherein in the normal storing mode, the supporting arrangement is arranged to rest on the main casing  1  so as to allow the main casing  1  to function as a portable carrying device through storing objects within the receiving cavity, wherein in the capturing mode, the supporting arrangement is selectively extended from the main casing  1  to detachably attach to the image capturing device, in such a manner that the image capturing device is securely and suspendedly supported by the main casing  1  as a supporting base for stably capturing image in a predetermined direction. 
   According to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main casing  1  is shaped and sized to normally store a plurality of personal accessories, such as coins, napkins, keys etc in a conveniently portable manner. Alternatively, the main casing  1  may also be utilized to store the capturing device so as to normally protect it from ambient environment. Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the main casing  1  comprises a first and a second case members  11 ,  12  movably coupled with each other to define the receiving cavity between the first and the second case members  11 ,  12  within the main casing  1 . Furthermore, the main casing  1  further comprises a zipping member  9  connecting a peripheral edge portion of each of the first and the second case members  11 ,  12  so as to selectively enclose the receiving cavity by the first and the second case members  11 ,  12 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 11  of the drawings, the supporting arrangement comprises a supporting frame  4  which may be movably extended from an outer surface of the main casing  1 , wherein when the main casing  1  is in the normal storing mode, the supporting frame  4  can be moved to align with the outer surface of the main casing  1  for resting thereon, and when the main casing  1  is in the capturing mode, the supporting frame  4  can be driven to extend from the outer surface of the main casing  1  to detachably attach to the capturing device for suspendedly and securely supporting the capturing device on the main casing. As such, a user of the present invention is able to utilize the capturing device for securely capturing an image or video in a stable manner. 
   The supporting frame  4  comprises a reinforcing base  5  mounted on the corresponding surface of the main casing  1 , and an elongated connecting member  6  rotatably extended from the reinforcing base  5  to detachably couple with the capturing device. In order to enhance an aesthetic appearance of the present invention and to ensure maximum convenience of using the multi-functional storage apparatus, the reinforcing base  5  has a receiving slot  51  indently formed thereon to normally receive the elongated connecting member  6  within the receiving slot  51  when the main casing  1  is in the normal storing mode. However, when the main casing  1  is in the capturing mode, the elongated connecting member  6  is adapted to be pivotally moved to extend from the reinforcing base  5  for securely and stably supporting the capturing device on the main casing  1 . 
   According to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elongated connecting member  6  has a threaded outer portion  61  defining a plurality of screwing teeth thereon. Accordingly, the elongated connecting member  6  is adapted for detachably coupling with a threaded connecting hole of the capturing device so as to detachably attach onto the capturing device. In other words, when the main casing  1  is in the capturing mode, a user is able to detachably connect the capturing device with the supporting frame  4  by screwing or unscrewing the threaded outer portion  61  into or from the threaded hole formed on the capturing device respectively. 
   The operation of the present invention is as follows: when the main casing  1  is in the normal storing mode, the elongated connecting member  6  is hidden into the receiving slot  51 , and the main casing  1  functions as a conventional portable carrying device, such as a handbag. The user of the present invention is allowed to store personal accessories into the receiving cavity of the main casing  1 . When the user wishes to take picture in a particular direction, he or she may rotatably extend the elongated connecting member  6  and screwing the outer threaded portion  61  thereof to a threaded hole of the capturing device. The user is then able to detachably attach the capturing device to the supporting frame  4  which, along with the main casing  1 , acts as a supporting base for securely and stably holding the capturing device in position. After that, the user is able to capture an image by the capturing device in a stable and secure manner so as to perform a high-quality image capturing. It is worth mentioning that since the main casing  1  is normally storing personal accessories, the weight of those personal accessories provides a secure supporting weight for the capturing device. Moreover, the main casing  1  can also be designed and crafted to store the capturing device within the receiving cavity, so that the user can normally carry the capturing device by the main casing  1 , and when he or she needs to capture an image, he or she may simply take out the capturing device from the receiving cavity and detachably connect it with the supporting arrangement. In such a situation, the main casing  1  should be shaped and sized to correspond with a size of a predetermined capturing device, so as to allow convenient and easy carrying of the capturing device. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, a first alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The first alternative mode is similar to the above-mentioned first preferred embodiment, except the supporting frame  4 ′ of the supporting arrangement. According to the first alternative mode, the supporting frame  4 ′ comprises a pivotal support  3 ′ provided on the outer surface (preferably by connecting means  2 ′) of the main casing  1 , and a connecting frame  40 ′ pivotally extended from the pivotal support  3 ′ to detachably connect with the capturing device when the main casing  1  is in the capturing mode. More specifically, the pivotal support  3 ′ comprises a plurality of supporting sleeves  31 ′ each having a through holding hole formed thereon for pivotally connecting with the connecting frame  40 ′. 
   On the other hand, the connecting frame  40 ′ comprises a main elongated member  401 ′, an outer transverse member  43 ′ integrally and transversely extended from an outer end portion of the main elongated member  401 ′, and an inner transverse latch member  41 ′ integrally and transversely extended from an inner end portion of the main elongated member  401 ′ to pivotally couple with the supporting sleeves  31 ′ of the pivotal support  3 ′ at the holding holes. When the main casing  1  is in the normal storing mode, the connecting frame  40 ′ is pivotally moved to align with the outer surface of the main casing  1  for allowing the main casing  1  to function as a regular portable carrying device. When the main casing  1  is in the capturing mode, the connecting frame  40 ′ is pivotally moved to extend from the pivotal support  3 ′ for detachably connecting with the capturing device. 
   Accordingly, the connecting frame  40 ′ further has a plurality of screwing teeth  402 ′ formed on an outer end portion of the outer transverse member  43 ′, and an outer end portion of the main elongated member  401 ′ to selectively and detachably engage with a threaded hole of the capturing device. The user is then able to detachably couple the capturing device to either the main elongated member  401 ′ or the outer transverse member  43 ′ to securely and stably capture an image or video at a desired orientation. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 8  of the drawings, a second alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The second alternative mode is similar to the above-mentioned first preferred embodiment, except that the multi-functional storage apparatus further comprises an elastic clipping member  7 ″ mounted on the main casing  1  for detachably attaching the main casing  1  with the user&#39;s body, such as the user&#39;s pants. Moreover, the connecting frame  4  is extended from the main casing  1  to detachably attach onto the capturing device. The clipping member  7 ″ has a through hole  70 ″ formed thereon wherein the elongated connecting member  6  is adapted to extend outwardly from the main casing  1  through the through hole  70 ″. 
   The clipping member  7 ″ comprises a main body  73 ″ having an attaching end portion attached on the outer surface of the main casing  1 , wherein the through hole  70 ″ is formed on the main body  73 ″ of the clipping member  7 ″ for allowing the supporting frame  4 ″ passing therethrough. The clipping member  7 ″ further comprises a supporting member  71 ″ provided on an inner surface of the main body  73 ″ for securely connecting with the inner end portion of the elongated connecting member  6  of the supporting frame  4  through the hole  70 ″. According to the third alternative mode of the present invention, the supporting member  71 ″ is rectangular in shape having an elongated slot formed thereon to align with the through hole  70 ″ of the main body  73 ″ of the clipping member  7 ″, wherein the inner end portion of the elongated connecting member  6  is arranged to securely connect with the supporting member  71 ″ via the through hole  70 ″ and the elongated slot of the supporting member  71 ″. 
   Referring to  FIG. 12  of the drawings, in order to enhance an aesthetic appearance of the present invention, a length of the through hole  70 ″ is preferably larger than a diameter of the elongated connecting member  6  which is pivotally connected with the through hole  70 ″ so that when the main casing  1  is in the normal storing mode, the elongated connecting member  6  is adapted to be pivotally moved to be received within the through hole  70 ″. When the main casing  1  is in the capturing mode, the elongated connecting member  6  is adapted to be pivotally moved to extend out from the main casing  1  to detachably attach to the capturing device. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 10  of the drawings, a third alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The third alternative mode is similar to the above-mentioned first preferred embodiment except that the supporting arrangement further comprises a detaching device provided on the main casing  1 . According to the third alternative mode, the detaching device comprises a securing member  5 A securely mounted on the outer surface of the main casing  1 , and a supporting housing  3 A, which is connected with the supporting frame  4 , detachably coupled with the securing member  5 A so as to detachably couple the supporting frame  4  with the main casing  1 . More specifically, the securing member  5 A has a plurality of engaging slots  30 A longitudinally formed on two sides thereof wherein the supporting housing  3 A has a plurality of corresponding engaging sleeves  321 A formed on two sides thereof for detachably inserting into the engaging slots  30 A so as to detachably coupling the securing member  5 A with the supporting housing  3 A. 
   As shown in  FIG. 13  of the drawings, the supporting housing  3 A has a coupling slot  31 A indently formed on a front surface thereof wherein the inner end portion of the elongated connecting member  6  is pivotally connected with the coupling slot  31 A of the supporting housing  3 A that the elongated connecting member  6  is adapted to outwardly extend from the main casing  1  when the supporting housing  3 A is detachably coupled with the securing member  5 A. 
   In order to ensure maximum convenience of using the multi-functional storage apparatus, the coupling slot  31 A is indently formed on the supporting housing  3 A to normally receive the elongated connecting member  6  within the coupling slot  31 A when the main casing  1  is in the normal storing mode. However, when the main casing  1  is in the capturing mode, the elongated connecting member  6  is adapted to be pivotally moved to extend from the supporting housing  3 A for securely and stably supporting the capturing device on the main casing  1 . As a slight alternative, the elongated connecting member  6  can also be securely (not pivotally) connected to the supporting housing  3 A for extending to detachably attach with the capturing device. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14  to  FIG. 16  of the drawings, a multi-functional storage apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the multi-functional storage apparatus comprises a main casing  1 B having a receiving cavity  13 B, and a supporting arrangement. The multi-functional storage apparatus is for selectively supporting a capturing device, such as a digital camera. 
   The supporting arrangement comprises a device connector  21 B and a supporting frame  4 B. The device connector  21 B detachably connects with the capturing device. 
   The supporting frame  4 B is detachably connected with the device connector  21 B in a quick-release manner and is operatively provided on the main casing  10 B to operate the main casing  10 B between a normal storing mode and an capturing mode, wherein in the normal storing mode, the supporting arrangement is arranged to rest on the main casing  1 B so as to allow the main casing  1 B to function as a portable carrying device through storing objects within the receiving cavity  13 B, wherein in the capturing mode, the supporting arrangement is extended from the main casing  10 B to detachably attach to the device connector  21 B which detachably connects to the capturing device, such that the capturing device is securely and suspendedly supported by the main casing  1 B as a supporting base through the device connector  21 B and the supporting frame  4 B for stably capturing image in a predetermined direction. 
   According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main casing  1 B is shaped and sized to normally store a plurality of personal accessories, such as coins, napkins, keys etc in a conveniently portable manner. Alternatively, the main casing  1 B may also be utilized to store the capturing device so as to normally protect it from ambient environment. Referring to  FIG. 14  of the drawings, the main casing  1 B comprises a first and a second case members  11 B,  12 B movably coupled with each other to define the receiving cavity  13 B between the first and the second case members  11 B,  12 B within the main casing  1 B. Furthermore, the main casing  1 B further comprises a zipping member  9 B connecting a peripheral edge portion of each of the first and the second case members  11 B,  12 B so as to selectively enclose the receiving cavity  13 B by the first and the second case members  11 B,  12 B. 
   The supporting frame  4 B comprises a pivotal supporting base  41 B which comprises a main body  411 B pivotally connected with the main casing  1 B, and a connector socket  412 B extended from the main body  411 B, wherein the device connector  21 B is adapted to detachably insert into the connector socket  412 B so as to detachably connect the main casing  1 B with the capturing device. 
   The supporting frame  4 B further comprises a reinforcing base  5 B mounted on the corresponding surface of the main casing  1 B, and an elongated connecting member  6 B extended from the device connector  21 B to detachably couple with the capturing device. In order to enhance an aesthetic appearance of the present invention and to ensure maximum convenience of using the multi-functional storage apparatus, the reinforcing base  5 B has a receiving slot  51 B indently formed thereon to normally receive the pivotal supporting base  41 B within the receiving slot  51 B when the main casing  1 B is in the normal storing mode. However, when the main casing  1 B is in the capturing mode, the pivotal supporting base  41 B is adapted to be pivotally moved to extend from the reinforcing base  5 B to detachably couple with the device connector  21 B for securely and stably supporting the capturing device on the main casing  1 . 
   According to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elongated connecting member  6 B has a threaded outer portion  61 B defining a plurality of screwing teeth thereon. Accordingly, the elongated connecting member  6 B is adapted for detachably coupling with a threaded connecting hole of the capturing device so as to detachably attach onto the capturing device. In other words, when the main casing  1 B is in the capturing mode, a user is able to detachably connect the capturing device with the device connector  21 B by screwing or unscrewing the threaded outer portion  61 B into or from the threaded hole formed on the capturing device respectively. 
   The device connector  21 B comprises a main body  211 B pivotally coupled with an inner root portion of the elongated connecting member  6 B. The elongated connecting member  6 B is normally threaded to the threaded connecting hole of the capturing device so that the device connector  21 B is capable of pivotally moving between an idle position and a connecting position, wherein in the idle position the device connector  21 B is pivotally moved to rest on a corresponding outer surface of the capturing device while the elongated connecting member  6 B is threaded into the threaded connecting hole of the capturing device, wherein in the connecting position, the device connector  21 B is pivotally moved to transversely extend from the capturing device so as to detachably connect with the connector socket  412 B of the pivotal supporting base  41 B. 
   Referring to  FIG. 17A  and  FIG. 17B  of the drawings, the multi-media supporting apparatus further comprises a strip attaching arrangement  50 B comprising an elongated attachment strip  51 B adapted for winding on an external object, and a secure attachment device  52 B connecting between an outer attachment surface of the main casing  1 B and the attachment strip  51 B for allowing the main casing  1 B to be attached onto the external object through the secure attachment device  52 B. As such, the main casing  1 B, which is detachably attached to the capturing device, is adapted to be mounted onto an external object, such as a circular column or a tree trunk, so that the user is able to stably and securely operate the capturing device while the main casing  1 B is securely attached onto that external object. This feature allows the multi-media supporting apparatus of the present invention to be mounted onto a wide variety of external objects so as to maximize the circumstances in which the present invention can be utilized. 
   The secure attachment device  52 B comprises a supporting panel  521 B, having a receiving hole  5211 B formed thereon, securely attached onto the attachment strip  51 B, an attachment frame  522 B connected with the outer attachment surface  11 B of the main casing  1 B, and a rotating connector  523 B connecting the attachment frame  522 B with the supporting panel  521 B in an adjustably rotatable manner for adjustably and rotatably connecting the main casing  1 B with the attachment strip  51 B. It is worth mentioning that the receiving hole  5211 B has a curved cross section having a plurality of indentions  5212 B spacedly and radially formed thereon. 
   According to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attachment frame  522 B has a U-shaped cross section defining a first and a second attachment panels  5221 B,  5222 B attaching the attachment surface of the main casing  1 B and the supporting panel respectively. The attachment frame  522 B further has a connection shaft  5223 B outwardly protruded from the second attachment panel  5222 B of the attachment frame  522 B to couple with the rotating connector  532 B within the receiving hole  5211 B of the supporting panel  521 B. On the other hand, the rotating connector  532 B has a curved cross section and a plurality of protrusions  5321 B spacedly and outwardly protruded from an outer surface of the rotating connector  532 B to engage with the indentions  5212 B of the receiving hole  5211 B respectively in such a manner that the rotating connector  532 B is adapted to be rotated and discretely locked up by the engagement between the protrusions  5321 B and the indentions  5212 B respectively. Furthermore, the rotating connector  532 B has a connecting seat  5322 B inwardly extended from an inner surface thereof to align with the connection shaft  5223 B of the attachment frame  522 B, wherein the connection shaft  5223 B is arranged to securely engage with the connecting seat  5322 B so that when the attachment frame  522 B is driven to rotate, the rotating connector  532 B is also driven to rotate until it is locked up by the engagement between the protrusions  5321 B and the indentions  5212 B respectively. As such, the attachment frame  522 B, which is connected with the main casing  1 B, is allowed to rotate and discretely locked with respective to the attachment strip  51 B. In other words, the main casing  1 B is rotatable and discretely lockable with respective to the attaching strip  51 B so that a user is able to utilize the attachment strip  51 B and the secure attachment device  52 B for attaching the main casing  1 B and the capturing device to a wide variety of external objects in a wide range of circumstances for optimally capturing image at a predetermined direction. 
   Referring to  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19  of the drawings, an alternative mode of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to the above second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The second alternative mode is similar to the second preferred embodiment, except the device connector  21 C and the supporting frame  4 C. According to the alternative mode, the device connector  21 C comprises a main connector body  211 C having a lower end portion  2111 C detachably connected with the supporting frame  4 C, and an upper end portion  2112 C integrally extended with the elongated connecting member  6 C which is threaded to the threaded connecting hole of the capturing device. The main connector body  211 C has a tubular cross section and defines an attaching slot  2113 C formed therein for detachably coupling with the supporting frame  4 C. 
   On the other hand, supporting frame  4 C comprises a pivotal supporting base  41 C which comprises a main body  411 C pivotally connected with the main casing  1 C, and a connector pin  412 C extended from the main body  411 C, wherein the lower end portion  2111 C of the main connector body  211 C is adapted to detachably couple with the connector pin  412 C so as to detachably connect the main casing  1 C with the capturing device. It is worth mentioning that the connector pin  412 C and the corresponding attaching slot  2113 C may be embodied as having a wide variety of shapes, such as circular cross section, hexagonal cross section, and the likes. Moreover, the connector pin  412 C is preferably integrally extended from the main body  411 C to detachably couple with the main connector body  211 C. 
   The supporting frame  4 C further comprises a reinforcing base  5 C mounted on the corresponding surface of the main casing  1 C, and the elongated connecting member  6 C extended from the device connector  21 C to detachably couple with the capturing device. In order to enhance an aesthetic appearance of the present invention and to ensure maximum convenience of using the multi-functional storage apparatus, the reinforcing base  5 C has a receiving slot  51 C indently formed thereon to normally receive the pivotal supporting base  41 C within the receiving slot  51 C when the main casing  1 C is in the normal storing mode. However, when the main casing  1 C is in the capturing mode, the pivotal supporting base  41 C is adapted to be pivotally moved to extend from the reinforcing base  5 C to detachably couple with the device connector  21 C for securely and stably supporting the capturing device on the main casing  1 C. 
   One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. It can be appreciated that the objects of the present invention have been effectively accomplished. The above embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications embraced within the spirit and scope of the following claims.