US4071066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater camera casing
Assignee: National Geographic Society
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Filing: 1977-03-15
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Granted: 1978-01-31
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Expires: 1997-03-15
Abstract
Abstract An underwater camera casing is formed as a pouch of molded flexible waterproof material with front, back and side walls forming an upper body space adapted to contain a camera and a lower space into which a hand may be inserted for insertion of the camera. The side wall is provided with a side opening extending from the top of one side of the upper and lower body spaces to the top of the other side of the upper and lower body spaces. An opening is provided through the front wall of the upper body space into which a removable waterproof lens unit may be inserted to be detachably connected to a camera body removably positioned within the pouch camera body space thus securing the camera body within the pouch. Waterproof sealing means is provided for the lens opening for the lens unit and a waterproof closure is provided for the side opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Merle J. Schaeffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:17
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/08; A; A45; A45C; A45C11/00; A45C11/22; A45C11/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An underwater camera casing comprising, a pouch of molded flexible waterproof material having front, back and side walls formed in a contour to provide an upper body space into which a camera may be inserted and a lower body space into which a human hand may be inserted for insertion and placement of a camera body within the pouch, the side wall of said pouch having a side opening extending around the upper and lower body spaces from one side to the other side, a water pressure resistant closure for said side opening, the front wall of said pouch in the upper body space having a lens opening with a relatively hard inner ring surface into which a removable waterproof lens unit may be passed to be detachably secured to a camera body within the pouch thus aligning and removably securing the camera body within the pouch, and sealing means for said lens opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
An underwater camera casing comprising, a pouch of molded flexible waterproof material having front, back and side walls formed in a contour to provide an upper body space into which a camera may be inserted and a lower body space into which a human hand may be inserted for insertion and placement of a camera body within the pouch, the side wall of said pouch having a side opening extending around the upper and lower body spaces from one side to the other side, a water pressure resistant closure for said side opening, the front wall of said pouch in the upper body space having a lens opening with a relatively hard inner ring surface into which a removable waterproof lens unit may be passed to be detachably secured to a camera body within the pouch thus aligning and removably securing the camera body within the pouch, and sealing means for said lens opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 1 in which at least one transparent waterproof opening is provided in the back wall of the upper camera body space for observation of camera functions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 2 in which the upper side wall of the pouch is provided with a preformed flexible molded protrusion into which a camera trigger may extend to be operated by appropriate external pressure thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 1 in which the upper side wall of the pouch is provided with a preformed flexible molded protrusion into which a camera trigger may extend to be operated by appropriate external pressure thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 in which said water pressure resistant closure is a waterproof zipper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 5 in which the lens opening is circular and the pressure resistant sealing means in an O-ring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-30 | 1981-08-01 | 1982-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-30 | 1985-08-01 | 1986-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-01 | 1990-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |