US3741092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera strap retractor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-12
•
Granted: 1973-06-26
•
Expires: 1991-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A carrying strap accessory for a camera provides for automatic retraction of a flexible carrying strap. The accessory includes a pair of adapters each having a connector which mates with one of the conventional eye connectors provided as a standard feature on most existing camera housings. A pair of rigid strap connectors are attached to opposite ends of the flexible strap. Each strap connector is rotatable relative to an associated adapter about an axis defined by a boss projecting outwardly from the adapter and disposed in a receptacle in the strap connector. A spring bias mechanism connected between the adapter and the strap connector provides the driving force to retract the flexible strap. Stop means are provided to prevent rotation beyond a prefixed angle so that the strap does not spin around the camera case.
Inventors
- 👤 A Bohanec
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:30
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C11/00; A45C11/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S224/00; Y10S224/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An accessory for a camera having a pair of eye connectors on the camera body, which comprises: a carrying strap for the camera, the strap being elongated and flexible; means for urging the carrying strap to revolve around the camera in a preselected direction, which comprises a pair of strap retractor assemblies for pivotally connecting opposite end portions of the flexible strap to the camera body; each strap retractor assembly comprising an adapter; means for releasably attaching the adapter to a respective eye connector; a rigid strap connector attached to a respective end portion of the strap; means for rotatably mounting the strap connector to the adapter; a spring bias mechanism connected between the strap connector and the adapter for urging the strap connector to rotate in a preselected direction; and stop means for preventing rotation of the strap connector in the preselected direction beyond a prefixed relative angle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An accessory for a camera having a pair of eye connectors on the camera body, which comprises: a carrying strap for the camera, the strap being elongated and flexible; means for urging the carrying strap to revolve around the camera in a preselected direction, which comprises a pair of strap retractor assemblies for pivotally connecting opposite end portions of the flexible strap to the camera body; each strap retractor assembly comprising an adapter; means for releasably attaching the adapter to a respective eye connector; a rigid strap connector attached to a respective end portion of the strap; means for rotatably mounting the strap connector to the adapter; a spring bias mechanism connected between the strap connector and the adapter for urging the strap connector to rotate in a preselected direction; and stop means for preventing rotation of the strap connector in the preselected direction beyond a prefixed relative angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An accessory according to claim 1 including a boss integral with each said adapters projecting outwardly from the camera and wherein the rigid strap connector includes a receptacle for rotatable mounting over the boss.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An accessory according to claim 2 wherein the stop means comprises a first stop on the adapter and disposed in the receptacle and a second stop on the strap connector projecting into the receptacle and rotatable into engagement with the first stop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An accessory according to claim 3 wherein the spring bias mechanism includes a spiral spring having a stationary end attached to the adapter and a movable end attached to the strap connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
An accessory according to claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the strap connector to the eye connector includes a resilient washer disposed between the camera body and the adapter for protecting the finished surface of the camera and an elongated pin disposed through the bore of the eye connector and releasably attached to the adapter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
146 words
A camera strap retractor for connecting a flexible strap to a conventional eye connector on a side of a camera body, which comprises an adapter for releasably connecting the strap retractor to the eye connector; a rigid strap connector for attaching an end portion of the flexible strap to the strap retractor; means for rotatably coupling the strap connector to the adapter comprising a boss movable with one of said strap connector and adapter defining an axis about which said end portion is pivotable and a receptacle movable with the other of said strap connector and adapter rotatably mounted on the boss; a spring bias mechanism connected between the strap connector and the adapter for normally rotating the strap connector so as to pivot said end portion in a preselected direction; and stop means for preventing rotation of the strap connector beyond a prefixed angular position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
A camera strap retractor for connecting a flexible strap to a conventional eye connector on a side of a camera body, which comprises an adapter for releasably connecting the strap retractor to the eye connector; a rigid strap connector for attaching an end portion of the flexible strap to the strap retractor; means for rotatably coupling the strap connector to the adapter comprising a boss movable with one of said strap connector and adapter defining an axis about which said end portion is pivotable and a receptacle movable with the other of said strap connector and adapter rotatably mounted on the boss; a spring bias mechanism connected between the strap connector and the adapter for normally rotating the strap connector so as to pivot said end portion in a preselected direction; and stop means for preventing rotation of the strap connector beyond a prefixed angular position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A retractor according to claim 6 wherein the boss is on the adapter and the receptacle is on the strap connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A retractor according to claim 7 including a resilIent washer disposed between the adapter and the camera body for protecting the finished surface of the camera body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A retractor according to claim 6 wherein the stop means comprises a first stop on the adapter and disposed in the receptacle and a second stop on the strap connector projecting into the receptacle and rotatable into engagement with the first stop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
184 words
A carrying strap accessory for a camera having a pair of conventional eye connectors on the camera body, which comprises: an elongated, flexible strap; a pair of strap retractor assemblies for connecting opposite end portions of the flexible strap to the camera body; each strap retractor assembly comprising an adapter; means for releasably attaching the adapter to a respective eye connector; a rigid strap connector attached to a respective end portion of the strap; means for rotatably mounting the strap connector to the adapter, which includes a boss movable with one of said strap connector and adapter and a receptacle movable with the other of said strap connector and adapter rotatably mounted on the boss; a spring bias mechanism connected between the strap connector and the adapter for urging the strap connector to rotate in a preselected direction; and means for preventing rotation of the strap connector beyond a prefixed angle, which includes a first stop on the adapter and disposed in the receptacle and a second stop on the strap connector projecting into the receptacle and rotatable into engagement with the first stop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
184 words
A carrying strap accessory for a camera having a pair of conventional eye connectors on the camera body, which comprises: an elongated, flexible strap; a pair of strap retractor assemblies for connecting opposite end portions of the flexible strap to the camera body; each strap retractor assembly comprising an adapter; means for releasably attaching the adapter to a respective eye connector; a rigid strap connector attached to a respective end portion of the strap; means for rotatably mounting the strap connector to the adapter, which includes a boss movable with one of said strap connector and adapter and a receptacle movable with the other of said strap connector and adapter rotatably mounted on the boss; a spring bias mechanism connected between the strap connector and the adapter for urging the strap connector to rotate in a preselected direction; and means for preventing rotation of the strap connector beyond a prefixed angle, which includes a first stop on the adapter and disposed in the receptacle and a second stop on the strap connector projecting into the receptacle and rotatable into engagement with the first stop.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An accessory according to claim 10 wherein the spring bias mechanism includes a spiral spring having a stationary end attached to the adapter and a movable end attached to the strap connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |