Patent Abstract:
A camera having a lens and display. The camera also includes a main camera body and a display housing. The display housing has a front side and a back side. The display is encased in the back side of the display housing. The main camera body has a front end and a back end. The display housing is movably connected to the main camera body. The camera lens is of a given diameter and is encased in the front end of the main camera body. The display housing has first and second positions relative to the camera lens. In the first position, the display housing covers the lens and in the second position, the lens is exposed.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/179,603 filed Jun. 25, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,006,144, titled “Video Camera Recorder” and commonly assigned, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/179,603 is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/264,587 filed Mar. 8, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,556,245, titled “Game Hunting Video Camera” and commonly assigned, the entire contents of which is also incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FILED OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a design of a video camera for recording game hunting. More specifically it relates to a video camera design that is mountable on a weapon so a hunter can records what he or she sees as he or she is hunting without the help of a third party and without the limitations of related art. Game hunting videos are very popular to the sportsman, both as an instruction tool and a way of capturing the hunt on film. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     A motion picture camera attached to the barrel of a rife is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,427102 (Wade). This invention is cumbersome to use and is only designed to be attached to an elongated barrel of a firearm. Moreover, its use requires the operator to physically change the structure of the firearm. 
     A gun mounted video camera is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,621 (Black). This patent discloses a device that looks like a rifle but is really just a video camera recording device. 
     Video cameras mounted to firearms with head mounted video displays are disclosed in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,966 (Hanson), U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,137 (Hanson), U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,589 (Hanson), U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,213 (Hanson), U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,827 (Hanson), U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,104 (Schmitz). A similar invention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,676 (Elliot). These patents relate to using a video camera to transmit a video signal to a head mounted video display for aiming purposes and are generally designed for military or police purposes not for recording game hunting. 
     The previous related art does not enable the use of a video camera for effectively recording game hunting under the conditions a game hunter is likely to encounter. The need for a simple and efficient way to record game hunting without hindering the hunt has long been felt. My present invention satisfies those needs. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The above-mentioned problems with video camera systems and other problems are addressed by the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. 
     In one embodiment, a camera is disclosed. The camera includes a display, a main camera body, a camera lens and a display housing. The display housing has a front side and a back side. The display is encased in the back side of the display housing. The main camera body has a front end and a back end. The display housing is movably connected to the main camera body. The camera lens is of a given diameter and is encased in the front end of the main camera body. The display housing has first and second positions relative to the camera lens. In the first position, the display housing covers the lens and in the second position, the lens is exposed. 
     In another embodiment, a camera comprises a main camera body, a lens a display housing and a display. The lens is received in the main camera body. The display housing is movably coupled to the main camera body to selectively cover and uncover the lens. The display is received in the display housing to display images received by the lens. 
     In further another embodiment, a camera lens and display apparatus is disclosed. The camera lens and display apparatus includes a lens, a display and a display housing. The lens is used to receive images and is received in a camera body. The display is used to display the received images. The display is received in the display housing. The display housing is movably coupled to the camera body to selectively cover and protect the lens and the display. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method of operating a camera is disclosed. The method comprising moving a display housing containing a display from a first position that covers a lens to a second position that uncovers the lens. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The forgoing and other features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the specification and the following illustrations of the preferred embodiments in which like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views. Referring to the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the game hunting video camera in its non-operational mode. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the game hunting video camera in its operational mode. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the game hunting video camera in its operational mode. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the first embodiment of the game hunting camera in its operational mode. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment illustrating how the cassette drive and battery are accessed. 
         FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional representation of the components of the game hunting video camera. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the circuit that controls the video recorder and the liquid crystal display in the first embodiment of the game hunting video camera. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the second embodiment of the game hunting video camera in its non-operation mode. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the game hunting video camera illustrating how the LCD housing member moves. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the game hunting video camera in its operational mode. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the game hunting video camera illustrating the mechanism that controls LCD housing member. 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram of the mechanism that controls the movement of the LCD housing member for the second embodiment of the game hunting video camera. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view illustrating the bracket mount system. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating how the video camera is mounted on a barrel of a firearm. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded cross-sectional view of the components of the mount system. 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom cross-sectional view of the mount system locked in place. 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom cross-sectional view of the mount system being released by the quick release buttons. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the game hunting video camera mounted on a barrel of a firearm. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the game hunting video camera mounted on a bow. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     My first embodiment of my game hunting video camera invention, in its non-operational mode, is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The video camera is shown having a main camera body  10 , a camera weather cover  12 , a camera base  16 , a liquid crystal display housing member  18 , a liquid crystal display weather shield  20 , a camera mount member  14 , a zoom in button  22  and a zoom out button  24 . The video camera in its operational mode is illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the front side of the camera base  16 . The front side of the camera base  16  contains the lense  26  of the camera, a circular recess portion  34 , a front facing microphone  28  for recording the sounds produced by the game and normally closed SPDT push button camera record switch  30  that turns the video camera on and off. 
     An liquid crystal display housing member  18  is attached by hinges  11  to the camera base  16 . When the video camera is in its non-operational transportation mode, the liquid crystal display housing member  18  is rotated on its hinges  11  so it is in front of the camera base  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . When the liquid crystal display housing member  18  is in this position the normally closed camera record switch  30  is open and the video camera is off. The liquid crystal display housing member  18  is held in this position by a protruding circular semi pliable seal  32  that has one side solidly connected to the liquid crystal display housing member  18  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The other side of the circular semi pliable seal  32  is tightly received in the circular recess  34  located in front of the camera base  16 . This seal connection not only keeps the liquid crystal display housing member  18  in the non-operational position, it also protects the lense  26  when the video camera is turned off. This is an important feature because the video camera is likely to be exposed to harsh environments as a hunter pursues his or her game. My design not only protects the lense  26  from scratches, as the hunter makes his or her way through the woods or brush, it also protects the lense from weather conditions. 
     When the hunter sees game he or she simply rotates the liquid crystal display housing member  18  about its hinges  11 . This action closes the camera record switch  30  completing the circuit that starts the video camera recording. The ease and speed in which the video camera is started is very important in a hunting situation because a hunter may not have much time to react when the game is sighted. My design minimizes the time needed to get the video camera recording. In addition, the hinges  11  are tightly bound so that the liquid crystal display housing member  18  is put in a position by the operator it will stay there until the operator once again acts upon it. 
     The back side of the camera base  16  and the liquid crystal display housing member  18  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . A rear microphone  19  is placed on the back side of the camera base  16  for recording the sounds produced by the hunter. The back side of the camera base  16  also has a indicator light  23  that lights up when the video camera is recording. A liquid crystal display  36  is encased in the back side of the liquid crystal display housing member  18 . The operation controls of the camera are also placed in the back side of the liquid crystal display housing member  18  around the liquid crystal display  36 . The operating controls are common in the art of video cameras and may include the following: a menu control  38 , a liquid crystal display brightness control  39 , a speaker control  40 , an on/off record switch  42 , a play control  44 , a search control  46 , a menu select dial  48 , a battery charge connect port  50 , a s-video terminal  52 , a audio out port  54  and a video out port  56 . 
     A weather shield is connected by pivots  27  on the back side of the liquid crystal display housing member  18  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The liquid crystal display  36  is activated when the liquid crystal display weather shield  20  is rotated in an upward direction. This action closes the normally closed SPST push button liquid crystal display switch  25  activating the liquid crystal display  36 . Besides controlling the liquid crystal display switch  25  the liquid crystal display weather shields also shields the liquid crystal display  36  from the weather. In addition, the liquid crystal display weather shield  20  has a liquid crystal display weather shield tab portion  21  that protrudes out beyond the body of the liquid crystal display housing member  18  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . This tab portion allows the hunter to quickly flip the liquid crystal display weather shield  20  up to activate the liquid crystal display  36 . The pivots  27  are also tightly bound so that when the operator puts the weather shield in a position it will remain there until the operator once again acts upon it. 
     The circuit that turns the video recorder and the liquid crystal display  36  on and off is an important feature of my invention and is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . A simplified circuit is shown having a battery source  60 , a video recorder portion, a liquid crystal display portion, a relay  68 , the camera record switch  30 , the on/off record switch  42 , the liquid crystal display switch  25 , an upper wire  72  and a lower wire  74 . The circuit is shown, having the liquid crystal display housing member  18  rotated in front of, and attached to, the camera base  16 . Accordingly, the normally closed camera recorder switch  30  is in its open position  71 . The circuit is also shown having the on/off switch  42  in its open position  75 . If this situation occurs, the relay  68  automatically acts on the on/off record switch  42  switching it to the closed position  77 . This ensures that every time the liquid crystal display housing member is rotated to the camera&#39;s operational position, the camera starts recording automatically. The operator will not have to waste time manually pushing the on/off record switch  42  on the liquid crystal display housing member  18  to get it in the right position. When the camera recorder switch  30  is in its closed position  73  and the on/off record switch  42  in its closed position  77 , the circuit is complete and the video camera starts recording. The liquid crystal display  36  is turned on when the liquid crystal display switch  25  is closed. This occurs when the liquid crystal display weather shield  20  is flipped up. 
     My video camera has a cylindrical weather cover  12  that screws onto the main camera base  10 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . As the weather cover  12  is screwed onto the main camera body  10  it comes in contact with a rubber ring  41  thereby sealing the internal components from the weather. The weather cover  12  also provides easy access to the cassette holder  58  and the battery  60 . The operator simply has to unscrew the weather cover  12  to put in a video cassette or replace the battery  60 . The main camera body  10  is also cylindrical in shape and houses the main components of a standard analog or digital video camera recorder known in the art. These components are illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     The second embodiment of my invention is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Instead of the operator manually moving the liquid crystal display housing member  18  and the liquid crystal display weather shield  20  to activate the video recorder and the liquid crystal display  36  respectively, this embodiment uses electronic switches.  FIG. 8  illustrates the video camera in the non-operational mode. In addition to the zoom in button  22  and the zoom out button  24 , the main camera body  10  also has an on/off button  76 . When the on/off button  76  is activated the liquid crystal display housing member  18  slides out from the camera base  16  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . As in the first embodiment, the liquid crystal display housing member  18  covers and protects the lense  26  when the camera is in its non-operational mode. When the liquid crystal display housing member  18  is fully extended, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the camera automatically starts recording and the liquid crystal display  36  is activated. 
     This embodiment has a remote port hookup  86  on the camera base  16 . A remote pad  78  having a zoom in the button  80 , a zoom out button  82  and an on/off button  84  can be attached to the remote port hookup  86 , the remote pad  78  becomes operational. This design allows the operator to place the camera controls in a convenient location for optimal efficiency, like the forearm  100  of a firearm or the riser  104  of a bow. 
     Although, there are equivalent ways, common in the art, to control the movement of the liquid crystal display housing member  18 , my preferred method is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The liquid crystal display housing motor  81  has threaded shaft  83 . The liquid crystal display housing member  18  has an internally threaded insert  85  that is threadably engaged with the threaded shaft  83  of the liquid crystal display housing motor  81 . An “H” switch circuit controls the direction that the threaded shaft rotates. When the threaded shaft  83  rotates clockwise the liquid crystal display housing member  18  sides into the camera base  16 . When the threaded shaft  83  rotates counter clockwise the liquid crystal display housing member  18  sides out of the camera base  16 . The use of this system is common in the art and an example of an “H” switch circuit can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,454 issued to Valentine entitled Mosfet “H” Switch Circuit for a DC motor. In addition, a block diagram of the system is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     A bracket that mounts to a weapon is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The upper mount member  91  has a number of screw holes  97 . The lower mount member  92  has the same number of threaded screw holes  99 . A foam rubber insert  93  covers the inner surface of the upper mount member  91  and the inner surface of the lower mount member  92  to protect the surface of what the mounting bracket is being mounted to. The bracket mounted to a barrel  98  of a firearm is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The upper mount member  91  is placed over the top of the barrel  98  of the firearm. The lower mount member  92  is placed under the barrel  98 . The screw holes  97  in the upper mount member  91  are then lined up with the threaded screw holes  99  in the lower mount member  92 , securing the mounting bracket to the weapon. In addition, the thickness of the foam rubber insert  93  can be changed to accommodate different size barrels  98 . 
     As  FIG. 14 . illustrates, the video camera is attached to the mounting bracket by sliding the camera mount member  14  into the track of the lower mount member  92 . When the camera mount member  14  is positioned far enough into the track of the lower mount member  92  it is locked into place. This is to ensure that the camera will not inadvertently fall off the weapon. The mechanism that locks the camera into place is illustrated in  FIGS. 15 ,  16  &amp;  17 . A pair of biasing springs  107  are inserted into cavities  111  in the camera mount member  14 . A pair of fastening buttons  105  are then inserted into the cavities  111  engaging the biasing springs  107 . The fastening buttons  105  are held in place by a pair of camera mount member plates  103 . The camera mount member plates  103  have circular holes that allow the fastening buttons  105  to protrude through them from the force of the biasing spring  107 . The camera mount member plates  103  are secured by the camera mount plate screws  101  being screwed into the threaded holes  109  in the camera mount member  14 . 
     A pair of release push buttons  115  are inserted into the push button cavities  116  in the lower mount member  92 . The release push buttons  115  are held in place by the mount member plates  114 . The mount member plates  114  are secured to the lower mount member  92  by the mount member plates screws  113  being screwed into the threaded screw holes  117 . The mount member plates  114  have circular holes in them that are large enough for the fastening buttons  105  to fit through. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates how the camera mount member  14  locks into place with the lower mount member  92 . As the camera mount member  14  slides along the track in the lower mount member  92 , the biasing springs  107  assert an outward pressure on the fasting buttons  105 . When the fasting buttons  105  encounter the holes in the mount member plates  114  they are forced into them. This action locks the video camera on the mount system. To remove the camera the operator simply presses in on the release push buttons  115 . This action forces the fastening buttons  105  out of the holes in the mount member plates  114 . This illustrated in  FIG. 17 . The camera will then slide off the mount effortlessly. Having this simple method of removing the camera is important to the invention because it allows, without undue delay, the use of the camera without it being attached to a weapon. 
     The first embodiment of the video camera mounted to the barrel  98  of a firearm is illustrated in  FIG. 18 . The firearm is shown having a barrel  98  and a forearm  100 . One reason for the cylindrical design of the camera body is so it is natural for the operator to use the body of the video camera as he or she would the forearm  100  of the firearm. If the operator does this, his or her thumb will be in a natural position to operate the zoom in button  22  and the zoom out button  24  with little effort or movement. In addition, the remote pad  78  in my second embodiment can be attached to the forearm  100  of the firearm by Velcro, or by some similar fashion, for ease of operation. 
     The first embodiment of my invention mounted to a bow is illustrated in  FIG. 19 . The bow is shown having a riser  104 , a flexible bow element  106 , a cable guard  110 , bow string  112 , an internally threaded metal insert  108  is shown having the counter weight bar  102  threadably attached. A counter weight bar  102  is used to stabilize the bow when the bow string  112  is drawn back. The mounting bracket is attached to the counter weight bar  102  the same way it is attached to the barrel  98  of a firearm. In addition, the thickness of the foam rubber insert  93  in the mounting bracket can be changed to accommodate the diameter of the counter weight bar  102 . Moreover, the remote pad  78  in my second embodiment can be attached to the riser  104  of the bow by Velcro, or by some similar fashion, for ease of operation. 
     I have designed a game hunters video camera that overcomes the limitations of a prior art. My video camera is designed for hunting situations where the ease of the use and ability to function properly and quickly in extreme situations and weather conditions are paramount to filming the hunting experience. Although, alternative embodiments and modifications are contemplated, I have disclosed my preferred embodiments. In addition, changes and alterations may be made to my preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit of and scope of my invention, as defined by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7