Abstract:
A camera carrying enclosure for use with a camera having an engagement member. The enclosure includes a shoulder strap and a camera attachment strap with one end thereof slidably attached to the shoulder strap and the other end attachable to the camera or similar device. The enclosure permits the user to transition the camera from a secured transport position to a secured operating position. The enclosure is configurable to provide several manners of transporting the camera. A wrist strap is selectively connectable to the enclosure or the camera.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to an apparatus for storing and carrying a device such as a camera, while allowing the device to transition from a stored position to an operating position without disconnecting the device from the apparatus. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Conventional camera storage carrying systems help to store and transport cameras when not in use. Unfortunately, they include aspects that can hinder and slow down retrieval of a camera being stored so that photographic opportunities are missed. Further, cameras that are not stored in a protective enclosure risk damage by accidentally dropping them. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an implementation of the configurable apparatus, shown in a configuration of a shoulder strap, a slideably engaged coupler, an attachment strap and an enclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the enclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary side view of the implementation depicted in  FIG. 1 , further illustrating the storage of a camera within the enclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of the implementation depicted in  FIG. 3 , further illustrating the door of the enclosure in an open position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of the implementation depicted in  FIG. 3 , further illustrating the camera transitioning through an aperture of the enclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the implementation depicted in  FIG. 3 , showing the camera outside the enclosure and slideably engaging with the shoulder strap. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the implementation depicted in  FIG. 6 , further illustrating the shoulder strap disconnected from the enclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an implementation of the configurable apparatus, shown in a configuration of a shoulder strap connected unto itself, a slideably engaged coupler, an attachment strap, and a camera. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the implementation depicted in  FIG. 8 , further illustrating the attachment strap disconnected from the shoulder strap and a camera. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an implementation of the configurable apparatus, showing an enclosure, a wrist strap, an attachment strap, and a camera positioned outside of the enclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an implementation of the configurable apparatus, shown in a configuration of a wrist strap, an enclosure, an attachment strap, and a camera positioned within the enclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a side view of an implementation of the configurable apparatus, shown in a configuration of a wrist strap, an attachment strap, and a camera. 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is a side view illustrating the attachment strap alternately attached to a conventional camera attachment point. 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of a first alternative implementation of the configurable apparatus, shown in a configuration of a shoulder strap, a slideably engaged coupler, an attachment strap, and an enclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of the implementation depicted in  FIG. 14 , further illustrating the door of the enclosure in an open position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of the a second alternative implementation of the configurable apparatus shown in a configuration of a shoulder strap, a slideably engaged coupler, an attachment strap and an enclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of the implementation depicted in  FIG. 16 , further illustrating the door of the enclosure in an open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring now in detail to the drawings, an apparatus or camera carrying enclosure is illustrated that includes an enclosure  34  generally comprises an exterior  36  and an enclosed interior compartment or area  38  (see  FIG. 4 ). A camera  50  or similar device is stored within the interior area  38 , while not in operation. The interior area  38  may be accessed through an aperture  44  located at one end of the enclosure. The aperture is sized and shaped to allow passage of the camera  50 . A door  40  is situated and located to be hingely connected adjacent to the aperture so as to cover the aperture when in the closed position, thus limiting access to the interior area  38  of the enclosure  34 . While in the closed position, the door may be further secured to the enclosure by way of closures  42 , such as a pair of zippers. With the door  40  in the open position, the camera  50  is permitted to transition through the aperture  44 , allowing the camera to be located within the interior area  38  for transport and storage, or located outside  62  of the enclosure for use and operation. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a second coupler  12  has a first portion  16  and a second portion  14 . The first portion  16  of the second coupler  12  is attached to the exterior  36 , of the enclosure  34 . A third coupler  18  has a first portion  20  and a second portion  22 . The first portion  20  of the third coupler  18  is attached to the exterior of the enclosure, and is located a distance from the first portion  16  of the second coupler  12 . The second portion  14  of the second coupler  12  is attached to a first end portion  10   a  of a shoulder strap  10 . The second portion  22  of the third coupler  18  is attached to a second end portion  10   b  of the shoulder strap  10 . While the first portion  16  and second portion  14  of the second coupler  12  are connected to each other, and the first portion  20  and second portion  22  of the third coupler  18  are connected to each other, the strap  10  facilitates wearing the apparatus described on a shoulder of a user. The length of the strap may be adjusted by actuating an adjuster  11  located near the second end portion  10   b  of the shoulder strap  10 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , the camera  50  interfaces with the apparatus by using a camera attachment strap  30 . A second end portion  31  of the attachment strap  30  is attached to the camera by using an engagement point  52  located on the camera, or instead a camera tripod socket  54 . When using the camera&#39;s tripod socket  54 , the second end portion  31  of the camera attachment strap  30  is attached to a fastener  32  which is threadably engaged with the camera&#39;s tripod socket  54 . A first end portion  29  of the camera attachment strap  30  is attached to a second portion  26  of a first coupler  24 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , with the camera  50  positioned within the interior area  38  of the enclosure  34 , and the door  40  in the closed position, the camera attachment strap  30  is permitted passage from the interior to the outside  62  through a passageway  48 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first coupler  24  has a first portion  28  having an aperture  25  therein sized and shaped to allow sliding passage of the shoulder strap  10  therethrough. The first coupler  24  is slideably engaged with the shoulder strap  10 . When the first coupler  24  is coupled so that the first portion  28  and the second portion  26  are connected together, the camera attachment strap  30  and camera  50  become slideably engaged with the strap  10 , as illustrated by the movement  56 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the second and third couplers  12  and  18  may be selectively disconnected, having the first portion  16  of the second coupler disconnected from the second portion  14 , and the first portion  20  of the third coupler  18  disconnected from the second portion  22 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the apparatus  4  has the second portion  14  of the second coupler  12  connected to the second portion  22  of the coupler  18 , forming the shoulder strap  10  into a continuous loop, so as to be used in the absence of the enclosure  34 . The camera  50 , camera attachment strap  30 , and first coupler  24  are slideably engaged with the looped shoulder strap  10 , as illustrated by the movement  56 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the same apparatus depicted in  FIG. 8 , further having the first portion  28  and second portion  26  of the first coupler  24  disconnected from each other, allowing disconnection and removal of the camera from the apparatus. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , a wrist strap  58  and the camera  50  are selectively connectable to the enclosure  34 . The wrist strap  58  has a fourth coupler  60  sized and shaped to engage with the first portion  20  of the third coupler  18 . The second portion  26  of the first coupler  24  is sized and shaped to engage with the first portion  16  of the second coupler  12 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 11  illustrates the fourth coupler  60  of the wrist strap  58  connected to the first portion  20  of the third coupler  18 , thus engaging the wrist strap with the enclosure  34 . The second portion  26  of the first coupler  24  is connected to the first portion  16  of the second coupler  12 . The attachment strap  30  is permitted passage through the enclosure by the passageway  48  when the camera  50  is within the interior area  38  of the enclosure  34 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 12  illustrates the apparatus with the fourth coupler  60  of the wrist strap  58  sized and shaped to selectively connect with the second portion  26  of the first coupler  24  of the camera attachment strap  30 . In this configuration the user may carry and operate the camera  50  using only the wrist strap  58 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , the second end portion  31  of the attachment strap  30  may be attached to the alternate engagement portion  52  located on the camera  50 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 14  illustrates the enclosure  34  as having a passageway  48  formed by the door  40  in the closed position and the closure  42  in the engaged position. The attachment strap  30  is permitted passage through the passageway  48 . The door  40  is illustrated in the open position and the closure  42  in the disengaged position in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 16  illustrates the enclosure  34  as having the second coupler  12  and the third coupler  18  adjacent to opposite sides of the aperture  44 . The door  40  is in the closed position and forming the passageway  48  between the exterior  36  of the enclosure  34  and door.  FIG. 17  illustrates the configuration depicted in  FIG. 16 , showing the door  40  in the open position, with the aperture  44  exposed to allow transition of a camera from the interior area  38  to the outside  62 . The coupler  24  is slideably engaged with the shoulder strap  10 , as indicated by the movement  56 . 
         [0034]    As noted, a camera carrying enclosure is described for use with a camera having an engagement portion. The camera carrying enclosure includes an enclosure body having an enclosed interior area and an exterior defined by a wall. The wall has an aperture therein sized for passage of the camera therethrough between the interior area and the exterior. The enclosure body further has a door positioned at the aperture and selectively movable between an open position allowing passage of the camera through the aperture for moving the camera into and out of the interior area and a closed position closing the aperture. The interior area is sized to fully receive the camera therein and permit movement of the door into the closed position with the camera therein. 
         [0035]    The camera carrying enclosure further includes a shoulder strap with a first end portion and a second end portion, each attached to the exterior of the enclosure body 
         [0036]    Also included is a first coupler having a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together. The first portion of the first coupler is configured to slideably engage with the shoulder strap and be slidable therealong a sufficient distance to permit sliding movement of the first coupler along the shoulder strap between a lowered transport position for the camera and a raised operating position for the camera. 
         [0037]    A camera attachment strap is includes which has a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the camera attachment strap being attached to the second portion of the first coupler, and the second end portion of the camera attachment strap being attachable to the engagement portion of the camera. The camera attachment strap has a length permitting the camera to be to be passed through the aperture of the wall of the enclosure body and fully into the interior area when the first portion of the first coupler is attached to the second portion of the first coupler. The door of the enclosure body is configured to define a passageway between the wall and the door when the door is in the closed position sized to permit the camera attachment strap to extend therethrough and thereby pass from inside the interior area of the enclosure body to the exterior of the enclosure body when the door is in the closed position. 
         [0038]    The first end portion of the shoulder strap is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body by a second coupler and the second end portion of the shoulder strap is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body by a third coupler. The second coupler has a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together, the first portion of the second coupler being attached to the exterior of the enclosure body and the second portion of the second coupler being attached to the first end portion of the shoulder strap. The third coupler has a first portion and a second portion releasably attached together, the first portion of the third coupler being attached to the exterior of the enclosure body and the second portion of the third coupler being attached to the second end portion of the shoulder strap. The second portion of the first coupler and the first portion of the second coupler are configured to be releasably couplable together when the second portion of the first coupler is disconnected from the first portion of the first coupler and the first portion of the second coupler is disconnected from the second portion of the second coupler. The camera attachment strap has a length permitting the camera to be to be passed through the aperture of the wall of the enclosure body and fully into the interior area when the second portion of the first coupler is attached to the first portion of the second coupler, thereby the camera attachment strap can be selectively disconnected from the shoulder strap and connected directly to the enclosure body while being positionable within the interior area of the enclosure body. 
         [0039]    The first portion of the second coupler may be attached to the exterior of the enclosure body at a location closer to the aperture than the first portion of the third coupler is attached to the exterior of the enclosure body. Alternatively, the first portion of the second coupler may be attached to the exterior of the enclosure body at a location toward a first portion of the aperture, and the first portion of the third coupler may be attached to the exterior of the enclosure body at a location toward a second portion of the aperture spaced apart from the first portion of the aperture. 
         [0040]    The camera carrying enclosure may further include a wrist strap attached to a fourth coupler configured to be releasably couplable to the first portion of the third coupler when the second portion of the third coupler is disconnected from the first portion of the third coupler. Thereby, the shoulder strap can be selectively fully disconnected from the enclosure body and the wrist strap selectively connected to the enclosure body for carrying the enclosure body using the wrist strap in lieu of the shoulder strap with the camera attachment strap selectively connected directly to the enclosure body. 
         [0041]    Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.