Abstract:
A camera strap comprises one or more instantly attachable and detachable coupling mechanisms for host multiple cameras. In some embodiments, the camera strap comprises six rotating points allowing the camera strap to adjust its configuration to fit the body configuration of the wearer, which provides comfort and prevents injury to the wearer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/174,137, filed Jun. 11, 2015 and titled, “A CAMERA STRAP,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of photographic equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wearable camera strap with an immobilizing mechanism. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In an aspect, a camera strap comprises one or more instant attachable and detachable coupling mechanisms for hosting multiple cameras. In some embodiments, the camera strap comprises six rotating points allowing the camera strap to adjust its configuration to fit the body configuration of a user, which provides comfort and prevents injury to the user. In some embodiments, the camera strap comprises hooking straps sliding along a body of the camera strap. Each hooking strap is able to couple with a camera, such that each of the cameras is able to have a sliding motion along the body of the user without dropping to the ground. In some embodiments, three cameras are coupled with the camera strap. Two cameras are able to be at each side of the user&#39;s legs and one camera is able to be secured near the chest of the user. In some embodiments, a first magnet is located at or around the waist of the user, which is able to immobilize or reduce the motion of the camera when the first magnet couples a second magnet on a securing member coupling with the camera. 
         [0004]    In another aspect, a camera strap comprises one or more overlapping straps over the shoulder portion. In some embodiments, a wide strap transverses around and on top of a user&#39;s shoulder, wherein the wide strap comprises a comfort pad. In some embodiments, the comfort pad comprises a leather piece, a sponge, and/or any other elastic materials such as polymers/silicone. The wide strap distributes the weight of the hanging camera and provides comfort to the user. 
         [0005]    In an aspect, a photographic equipment carrying device comprises a body, one or more rotating points coupling with the body allowing a snug-fit configuration of the carrying device, and one or more securing mechanisms for securing one or more cameras. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the body comprises one or more shoulder straps. In other embodiments, the body comprises one or more chest straps. In some other embodiments, the one or more rotating points connecting the one or more chest straps with the one or more shoulder straps. In some embodiments, the body comprises a back member. In other embodiments, the back member couples with the one or more chest straps and the one or more shoulder straps via the one or more rotating points. In some other embodiments, the one or more rotating points comprise four connectors at back side of the body. In some embodiments, two of the four connectors connect the one or more chest straps with the back member. In other embodiments, two of the four connectors connect the one or more shoulder straps with the back member. In some other embodiments, the one or more rotating points comprises two connectors at front side of the body connecting the one or more chest straps with the one or more shoulder straps. In some embodiments, the chest strap couples with one or more swing members, wherein the swing members couple with a photographic equipment. In other embodiments, the body comprises two snap-replaceable chest camera straps coupling with a photographic equipment. In some other embodiments, the body comprises a replacement strap having a length for snug-fit going under an armpit. In some embodiments, the body comprises a swing member having a magnet configured to immobilize a camera. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, a method of using a camera carrying device comprises wearing the camera carrying device having self-adjusting connectors, wherein the self-adjusting connectors adjust a configuration of the camera carrying device based on a body shape of a user and coupling a first photographic equipment with the camera carrying device. In some embodiments, the method further comprises coupling a second photographic equipment with the camera carrying device at an opposite side across a body of the user. In other embodiments, the method further comprises coupling a third photographic equipment with the camera carrying device near a chest of the user. In some other embodiments, the method further comprises decoupling a stabilizing device by reducing a magnetic force. In some embodiments, the method further comprises pulling up the photographic equipment sliding along a body strap of the camera carrying device. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, a photographic equipment carrying device comprising a body, at least two front rotating points located at a front side of the body, shoulder straps coupled with chest straps by the at least two front rotating points, at least four back rotating points located at a back side of the body, a back unit coupled with the shoulder straps by two of the at least four back rotating points, a swing member coupled with a camera, such that the camera is configured to be freely move along the chest straps, and one or more securing mechanisms coupled to the body securing the cameras. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Embodiments will now be described by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting. For all figures mentioned herein, like numbered elements refer to like elements throughout. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a prospective front view illustrating a multiple camera carrier in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a back view illustrating the multiple camera carrier in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a use of the multiple camera carrier in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates an operational mode of the chest strap in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the stabilizing mechanism in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates the swing member in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a replacement strap in accordance with some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    Reference is made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described in conjunction with the embodiments below, it is understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments and examples. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which can be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to more fully illustrate the present invention. However, it is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the prior art having the benefit of this disclosure that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods and procedures, components and processes have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. It is, of course, appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with application and business related constraints, and that these specific goals vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it is appreciated that such a development effort can be complex and time-consuming, but is nevertheless a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a prospective front view illustrating a multiple camera carrier  100  in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the carrier  100  comprises one or more shoulder straps  102 , one or more body straps  124 , one or more swing members  108 , and a back member  122 . The shoulder straps  102 , the body straps  124 , and the back member  122  are able to be connected by the connectors  106 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 , and  120 . In some embodiments, the connectors  106 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 , and  120  form a six pivot turning connector, which provides a function of a self-adjusting configuration based on the body figure and body type of a user. The connectors  106 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 , and  120  are able to be grouped into front connectors  106  and  120  and back connectors  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118 . The front connectors are able to self-adjust their configuration based on the front and side body shape of the user. Similarly, the back connectors are able to self-adjust their configuration based on the back and side body shape of the user. Each of the connectors  106 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 , and  120  are pivotally rotatable (horizontally or vertically). Each of the connectors  106 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 , and  120  are able to independently rotate. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, a shoulder pad  104  is underneath the shoulder straps  102 . The shoulder straps  102  carry substantially all of the weight of the objects  101  when the objects  101  (e.g., camera) are attached. In some embodiments, the shoulder pad  104  is wider than the shoulder straps  102  and distributes weight and provides comfort throughout the length of the user&#39;s shoulders. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the body strap  124  couples with one or more swing members  108  via a ring  108 A at a proximal end. In some embodiments, the distal end of the swing member  108  couples with a hook  110 , which can be coupled with a tripod mount connector of a camera. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the swing members  108  with the ring structure  108 A form a construction allowing the user to quickly raise a camera to a predetermined angle, position, or height without hindrance. Similarly, the swing members  108  with the ring structure  108 A form a safety construction allowing the user to release the camera with a support force generated by the carrier  100  preventing the camera falls on the ground. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, both side of the body straps  124  couple with the back member  122  via the connectors  114  and  118  at the lower end of the back member  122 . In some embodiments, both sides of the shoulder straps  102  couple with the back member  122  via the connectors  112  and  116  at the upper end of the back member  122 . For the back connectors  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118 , the back member  122  forms a base structure  140  allowing the back connectors  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118  to pivotally rotate and adapt/configure to the user&#39;s body figure. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a back view illustrating the multiple camera carrier  100  in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the upper connectors  116  and  112  are able to rotatably adjust their configurations into a wide or narrow configurations based on the shoulder and/or chest size of the user. In some embodiments, the lower connectors  114  and  118  are able to rotatably adjust their configurations into a wide or narrow configuration, such that the user is able to perform various movements of swinging the camera  101  independently without changing the positions of the shoulder pad  104 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the body strap  124  comprises a sliding and snapping size adjustment structure  124 A. In some embodiments, the body strap  124  comprises a ball shaped hardware  124 B to be retained by one or more holes  124 C. In some embodiments, the loops  132  on the swing member  108  are used as secondary attachment to camera tripod mount area. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates a use of the multiple camera carrier  100  in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the carrier  100  comprises a chest strap  130  for coupling with an object  302  (e.g., a camera). In some embodiments, the carrier  100  is able to carry/couple with three cameras including two cameras using the two hooks  110  and one camera using the chest strap  130 . In some embodiments, the chest strap  130  comprises two side hooks  130 C, which serve as a locking mechanism for immobilizing the camera  302 . The camera  302  is able to be quickly detached by unlocking and pulling the chest strap  130  upwards. The carrier  100  comprises two connectors  130 B allowing the chest strap  130  to independently rotate without affecting the positions of the shoulder pad  104 . 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the carrier  100  comprises a belt  128 . In some embodiments, the belt  128  comprises a metal  126 A (magnetic or paramagnetic material), which is able to couple with a magnetic or paramagnetic material of the disk  126  on the swing member  108 . The material  126 A and the disk  126  forms a stabilizing mechanism  502  ( FIG. 5 ) to secure the cameras from swinging while providing a quick shooting-mode disconnecting structure. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates an operational mode of the chest strap  130  in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the chest strap  130  is in a locked mode  130 A, such that the chest strap  130  is attached/locked to the carrier  100 . When in use for photo shooting, the lock  131 B is turned to a disconnecting mode  131 A, such that the locking bolt can come out of the hole of the lock  131 B and the chest strap  130  can be removed from coupling with the carrier  100 . In the disconnecting mode  131 A, the camera  302  is able to be quickly pulled up for photo shooting. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the stabilizing mechanism  502  in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, the disk  126  is immobilized on the metal  126 A. In some embodiments, the carrier  100  comprises a D-ring  504 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates the swing member  108  in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, the disk  126  (e.g., a magnetic disk) is at an unengaged state, which is not coupled with the metal  126 A. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the disk  126  and the metal  126 A are able to be configured in various shapes so long as the disk  126  and the metal piece  126 A are able to be coupled with each other through a magnetic force. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  illustrates a replacement strap  702  in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, one or more replacement straps  702  is used to replace a body strap  124 . The replacement strap  702  has a tapered portion for streamline fitting under the armpit region of the user while maintaining a secured hold on the body. 
         [0031]    In utilization, the camera strap is used to secure a camera and immobilize the position of the shoulder comforting pad. 
         [0032]    In operation, a user is able to couple a camera with the camera strap using the instant release hook on the strap and use six rotating points for self-adjusting configuration to fit the body shape of the user. 
         [0033]    The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other various modifications can be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.