US5070348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waterproof and/or water-resistant camera
Assignee: Pentax Corp
•
Filing: 1990-09-11
•
Granted: 1991-12-03
•
Expires: 2010-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera including a movable photographing lens barrel which moves in the optical axis direction of the camera, an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and the exterior of the camera, an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter provided in the air breathing passage, and a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter to constitute an air connecting assembly for the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiro Hayakawa
- 👤 Kosei Kosako
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:25
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/08; G03B17/12; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/02; G02B7/023; G03B5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera, comprising: a movable photographing lens barrel which moves in the optical axis direction of the camera; said camera including a curved surface portion; an air breathing passage formed in said curved surface portion for connecting the interior and the exterior of the camera; an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter provided in the air breathing passage, and, a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and constitutes an air connecting means for the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera, comprising: a movable photographing lens barrel which moves in the optical axis direction of the camera; said camera including a curved surface portion; an air breathing passage formed in said curved surface portion for connecting the interior and the exterior of the camera; an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter provided in the air breathing passage, and, a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and constitutes an air connecting means for the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 1, further comprising a grip portion having said curved surface portion projecting forwardly, and wherein said air breathing passage is formed in the curved surface portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 2, wherein said air-permeable and water-impermeable filter is bent along the curved surface portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 2, wherein said camera includes a camera body having a control circuit therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 4, further comprising a check land for checking the control circuit of the camera body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 5, wherein said check land has check terminals which are provided in a wall of the camera body, so that the air breathing passage is formed in the wall of the camera body so as to correspond to the check terminals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 5, wherein said check terminals of the check land are located in the vicinity of the grip portion in the camera body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 6, wherein said check terminals of the check land can be connected to a front end of an inspecting device which can be inserted in the air breathing passage when the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter is removed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 1, wherein said protection cover is semi-cylindrical to cover the curved surface portion of the grip portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 9, wherein said air connecting means comprises at least one air connecting groove formed in the semi-cylindrical protection cover.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 9, wherein said air connecting means comprises at least one air connecting groove formed in the curved surface portion of the grip portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 1, further comprising a stationary barrel, so that said air breathing passage is formed in the peripheral surface of the stationary barrel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 12, wherein said protection cover is bent along the peripheral surface of the stationary barrel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 12, wherein said protection cover has a curved profile corresponding to the peripheral surface of the stationary barrel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 1, wherein said protection cover is detachably attached to the camera body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 1, further comprising a filter support formed on a front wall of a camera body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 1, further comprising a sound generator located to correspond to the air breathing passage in a camera body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A waterproof and/or water resistant camera according to claim 1, further comprising a camera body which has an opening in which the photographing lens barrel is movable, and an annular seal member between the opening of the camera body and the photographing lens barrel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 18 further comprising a contracting ring which is attached to the outer periphery of the annular seal member to contract the diameter of the annular seal member to bring the inner peripheral edge of the annular seal member into press contact with the outer periphery of the photographing lens barrel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 19, wherein said annular seal member is provided, on its outer periphery, with a peripheral groove in which the contracting ring is fitted.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 20, wherein there is a following relationship: φa>φc, φb≦φd wherein φa: outer diameter of the photographing lens barrel, φb: inner diameter of the contracting ring, φc: inner diameter of the annular seal member when the contracting ring is fitted in the peripheral groove thereof, φd: outer diameter of the peripheral groove of the annular seal member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 19, wherein said contracting ring is made of synthetic resin.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 19, wherein said contracting ring is made of metal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
118 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera having a watertight camera body which is provided on its wall with an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and exterior of the camera body, and an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter attached to the air breathing passage, comprising a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and which has a center connecting groove corresponding to the air breathing passage, an inlet connecting groove connected to the center connecting groove and an outlet connecting groove from which water which may enter the camera body through the inlet connecting groove can be discharged, said inlet and outlet connecting grooves having a cross sectional area smaller than that of the air breathing passage.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
118 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera having a watertight camera body which is provided on its wall with an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and exterior of the camera body, and an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter attached to the air breathing passage, comprising a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and which has a center connecting groove corresponding to the air breathing passage, an inlet connecting groove connected to the center connecting groove and an outlet connecting groove from which water which may enter the camera body through the inlet connecting groove can be discharged, said inlet and outlet connecting grooves having a cross sectional area smaller than that of the air breathing passage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera comprising a watertight camera body which is provided on its wall with a filter support having a curved surface and a plurality of air breathing holes for connecting the interior and exterior of the camera body, and an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter which is attached to the filter support along the curved surface thereof to close the air breathing holes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera comprising a watertight camera body which is provided on its wall with a filter support having a curved surface and a plurality of air breathing holes for connecting the interior and exterior of the camera body, and an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter which is attached to the filter support along the curved surface thereof to close the air breathing holes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera comprising a watertight camera body which has therein a sound generator, said camera body being provided on its wall with an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and exterior of the camera body, said sound generator being opposed to the air breathing passage in the camera body.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera comprising a watertight camera body which has therein a sound generator, said camera body being provided on its wall with an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and exterior of the camera body, said sound generator being opposed to the air breathing passage in the camera body.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
85 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera comprising a watertight camera body which has therein a control circuit, and a check land provided in the camera body, having check terminals provided in the vicinity of a wall thereof, said camera body being provided, on the portion of the wall corresponding to the check terminals, with an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and exterior of the camera body, and an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter which is attached to the air breathing passage to close the same.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
85 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera comprising a watertight camera body which has therein a control circuit, and a check land provided in the camera body, having check terminals provided in the vicinity of a wall thereof, said camera body being provided, on the portion of the wall corresponding to the check terminals, with an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and exterior of the camera body, and an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter which is attached to the air breathing passage to close the same.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a waterproof and/or water-resistant camera comprising a watertight camera body which is provided on its front wall with an opening in which the photographing lens barrel is movable in the optical axis direction, and an annular seal member provided between the opening and the photographing lens barrel, wherein the improvement comprises a contracting ring which is mounted to the outer periphery of the annular seal member to contract the seal member thereby, to bring the inner peripheral edge of the seal member into press contact with the outer periphery of the photographing lens barrel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a waterproof and/or water-resistant camera comprising a watertight camera body which is provided on its front wall with an opening in which the photographing lens barrel is movable in the optical axis direction, and an annular seal member provided between the opening and the photographing lens barrel, wherein the improvement comprises a contracting ring which is mounted to the outer periphery of the annular seal member to contract the seal member thereby, to bring the inner peripheral edge of the seal member into press contact with the outer periphery of the photographing lens barrel.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
82 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera, comprising: a back cover; a movable photographing lens barrel which moves in the optical axis direction of the camera; an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and the exterior of the camera, said air breathing passage being formed in said back cover; an air-permeable and water-permeable filter provided in the air breathing passage, and, a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and constitutes an air connecting means for the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
82 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera, comprising: a back cover; a movable photographing lens barrel which moves in the optical axis direction of the camera; an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and the exterior of the camera, said air breathing passage being formed in said back cover; an air-permeable and water-permeable filter provided in the air breathing passage, and, a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and constitutes an air connecting means for the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 29, wherein said protection cover is a cover plate which is mounted to the back cover of the camera to close the air bleeding passage.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 29, wherein said air connecting means comprises at least one air connecting groove formed in the cover plate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 29, wherein said air connecting means comprises at least one air connecting groove formed in the back cover of the camera.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
131 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera, comprising: a movable photographing lens barrel which moves in the optical axis direction of the camera; an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and the exterior of the camera; an air-impermeable and water-impermeable filter provided in the air breathing passage; a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and constitutes an air connecting means for the air-permeable and water-impermeable filters; and said protection cover comprises a center connecting groove corresponding to the air-impermeable and water-impermeable filter, an inlet connecting groove connected to the center connecting groove, and an outlet connecting groove which is connected to the center connecting groove, so that when water which may enter the inlet connecting groove can be discharged from the outlet connecting groove through the center connecting groove.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
131 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera, comprising: a movable photographing lens barrel which moves in the optical axis direction of the camera; an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and the exterior of the camera; an air-impermeable and water-impermeable filter provided in the air breathing passage; a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and constitutes an air connecting means for the air-permeable and water-impermeable filters; and said protection cover comprises a center connecting groove corresponding to the air-impermeable and water-impermeable filter, an inlet connecting groove connected to the center connecting groove, and an outlet connecting groove which is connected to the center connecting groove, so that when water which may enter the inlet connecting groove can be discharged from the outlet connecting groove through the center connecting groove.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 33, wherein said inlet and outlet connecting grooves have a cross sectional area smaller than that of the center connecting groove.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
51 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 33, wherein said inlet and outlet connecting grooves are opposed to each other on the opposite sides of the center connecting groove, so that water which may enter the inlet connecting groove can flow into the outlet connecting groove due to the gravity.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
88 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera, comprising: a camera body having a front wall; a movable photographing lens barrel which moves in the optical axis direction of the camera; an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and the exterior of the camera; an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter provided in the air breathing passage; a filter support formed on said front wall of said camera body; and a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and constitutes an air connecting means for the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
88 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera, comprising: a camera body having a front wall; a movable photographing lens barrel which moves in the optical axis direction of the camera; an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and the exterior of the camera; an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter provided in the air breathing passage; a filter support formed on said front wall of said camera body; and a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and constitutes an air connecting means for the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 36, wherein said air breathing passage comprises a plurality of separate air breathing holes.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 37, wherein said filter support has a curved contour, so that the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter is provided on the curved filter support.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 38, wherein said air breathing holes have a diameter of about 3˜4 mm.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 38, wherein said air-permeable and water-impermeable filter is of a curved-shape and has a large thickness enough to self-maintain the shape.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
37 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 38, wherein said filter support comprises two arched bridging arms intersecting with each other, so that four air breathing holes are formed in quardrants defined by the bridging arms.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
80 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera, comprising: a movable photographing lens barrel which moves in the optical axis direction of the camera; an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and the exterior of the camera; an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter provided in the air breathing passage; a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and constitutes an air connecting means for the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter; and a sound generator located to correspond to said air breathing passage.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
80 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera, comprising: a movable photographing lens barrel which moves in the optical axis direction of the camera; an air breathing passage for connecting the interior and the exterior of the camera; an air-permeable and water-impermeable filter provided in the air breathing passage; a protection cover which covers the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter and constitutes an air connecting means for the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter; and a sound generator located to correspond to said air breathing passage.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 42, further comprising a printed circuit board on which the sound generator is provided.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 43, wherein said sound generator is a buzzer which warns a release time.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
A waterproof and/or water-resistant camera according to claim 43, wherein said source generator is a buzzer which warns that no focusing can be effected.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-02 | 1995-06-03 | 1995-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-02 | 1999-06-03 | 1999-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-02 | 2003-06-03 | 2003-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |