Patent ID: 7557995

Claim:
An imaging apparatus comprising: a base structure, a telescope having first and second optical ends for receiving light from an object, and a shade including a plurality of pivotable panels each panel having first and second panel ends, the first panel end hingedly coupled to the base structure about a hinge axis and arranged circumferentially about the telescope, and the second panel end extending away from the hinge axis, and the first optical end disposed adjacent to the first panel end and the second optical end disposed adjacent to the second panel end, the shade having at least (a) a collapsed state for preventing exposure of the telescope to the light, the collapsed state formed by the pivotable panels pivoted inwardly toward each other at their second panel end, and (b) a deployed state for exposing the telescope to the light, the deployed state formed by the pivotable panels pivoted outwardly away from each other at their second panel end.