Camera LCD screen hood and viewing device

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment, an LCD screen hood is provided for use with digital cameras. The hood includes a hood tube that defines a light blocking sidewall having an open camera end and an opposite viewing end and enclosing a longitudinally extending viewpath therebetween. An eyepiece mounted on the viewing end includes an eyepiece lens for enlarging an image on an associated LCD screen disposed at the camera end of the hood tube. An eye cup is mounted on the eyepiece for shielding the eyepiece lens from ambient light. An objective tube fixed to the hood tube carries a three piece objective lens mounted between the eyepiece lens and the camera end of the hood tube. Magnification of the eyepiece lens varies as appropriate between 1× and 2.5×. Rotation of the eyepiece tube provides for diopter adjuxtment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a digital camera with an LCD screen hood in accordance with the invention being held by a user with a generally rectangular end against the camera back and covering the LCD screen;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the hood of FIG. 1 seen from the viewing end of the hood;

FIG. 3 is a wider side view of the hood;

FIG. 4 is a narrower side view of the hood;

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the hood taken through the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and showing the major components of the hood; and

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of the hood with the eyepiece raised to its extended position of diopter adjustment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to FIG. 1 of the drawings there is shown a pictorial view of an exemplary digital camera 100 of known construction having a body 102, a lens 104 mounted on the front, and a back 106 mounting an LCD view screen, not shown, but of known construction. Behind the camera, is shown a hand 108 of a user holding a light blocking hood 10 in the form of an LCD screen hood against the back 106 of the camera. The hood 10 is positioned so that it rests against the back 106 of the camera and covers the LCD screen, preventing the entry of ambient light into the hood 10 so that a user may view the screen and the images thereon clearly and free from external light. Hood 10 is an example of a light blocking hood in accordance with the present invention shown in use with a camera 100 for which the hood may be specifically designed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the hood 10 has a hood tube 12 with a generally rectangular camera end 14 that is open and, in use, engages the back 106 of the camera 100, enclosing the LCD screen. The hood tube 12 tapers inward to an opposite viewing end 16 on which an eyepiece 18, including an eye cup 20, is supported. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show exterior views from the viewing end 16, a wider side 22 and a narrower side 24, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the hood 10 taken through the dashed centerline 5-5 of FIG. 3 and shows the major components of the hood 10. These include the hood tube 12 comprising an opaque exterior member of the hood 10 and defining an enclosed viewpath 26. A rubber cushion 28 may be connected to the periphery of the camera end 14 of the hood tube and one or more rubber grips 30 may be connected to outer surfaces of the hood tube 12. The rubber cushion 28 reduces the possibility of scratching the LCD screen and the rubber grips 30 aid a user in gripping and holding the hood 10. A lanyard 32 may also be connected to the outer surface of the hood tube 12 to allow a user to conveniently carry the hood 10.

The LCD screen hood 10 also includes an eyepiece tube 34 and an objective tube 36. The eyepiece tube 34 and the objective tube 36 generally define a lens housing 38 of the hood 10. An eyepiece lens 40 is mounted within the eyepiece tube 34 and secured therein by a fixture ring 42 generally at the viewing end of the hood 10. A group 44 of three objective lenses 44A, 44B, 44C, is mounted within the objective tube 36 generally opposite the eyepiece lens 40. A cushion 46 may be disposed between two of the objective lenses. A diaphragm 48 is disposed within the objective tube 36 between the objective lenses 44 and the eyepiece lens 40, generally proximate the objective lenses.

The objective tube 34 is fastened to the inside of the hood tube 12 by a fastener 50. An inner portion of the eyepiece tube 32 is slidably disposed between the hood tube 12 and the objective tube 34. The eye cup 20 is externally mounted to the upper end of the eyepiece tube 32 and is rotatable therewith to provide for diopter adjustment. For this purpose, the eyepiece tube 32 may be threadably connected with the objective tube 34 so that rotation of the eyepiece 18 will perform the adjustment by sliding the eyepiece tube in or out on the objective tube 34. An eyepiece fastener 52 limits motion of the eyepiece tube to maintain the tube assembly together.

In an alternative adjustment arrangement, the eyepiece tube 32 could be threadably connected to the hood tube 12 and would still be adjusted in and out by rotating the eyepiece 18.

Although the invention has been described by reference to a specific embodiment, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiment, but that it have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims.

Claims

1. An LCD screen hood for use with digital cameras, said hood comprising: a hood tube that generally defines a light blocking sidewall of the hood, the hood tube having an open camera end and an opposite viewing end and defining a longitudinally extending viewpath therebetween;an eyepiece mounted on the viewing end of the hood tube and including at least one eyepiece lens for enlarging an image on an associated LCD screen disposed at the viewing end of the hood tube;an eye cup mounted on the eyepiece for shielding the eyepiece lens from ambient light; andan objective lens fixed within the hood tube and spaced longitudinally between the eyepiece lens and the camera end of the hood tube, the eyepiece lens being longitudinally movable relative to the objective lens to provide diopter adjustment to accommodate user vision focus variations.

2. The hood of claim 1 wherein the eyepiece is adjustable to provide a plus or minus 3 diopter adjustment.

3. The hood of claim 1 wherein the eyepiece includes an eyepiece tube extending longitudinally within the hood tube from the eyepiece lens and eye cup toward the open camera end of the hood tube, the eyepiece tube being slidable within the hood tube and carrying the eyepiece lens and eye cup.

4. The hood of claim 3 including an objective tube fixed to the inside of the hood tube below the eyepiece tube, wherein the objective lens comprises a group of lenses mounted within the objective tube.

5. The hood of claim 4 wherein the objective lens group includes 3 longitudinally spaced lenses.

6. The hood of claim 5 wherein magnification of the assembled lenses is approximately 1.5×.

7. The hood of claim 6 wherein the overall length of the hood is not more than about 5 inches.

8. The hood of claim 1 wherein magnification of the at least one eyepiece lens is in the range of from 1× to 2.5×.

9. The hood of claim 6 including a diaphragm disposed within the objective tube between the objective lenses and the eyepiece lens.

10. The hood of claim 1 wherein a soft resilient material is mounted on the periphery of the camera end of the hood tube to protect against scratching of the LCD screen.

11. The hood of claim 10 wherein the exterior of the hood is provided with grip aids to assist the user in holding the hood in position while viewing the LCD screen.

12. The hood of claim 1 wherein the hood in use is hand-held about the LCD screen of an associated camera.