Patent Application
20090250362
The invention relates generally to bags and cases for storage of cameras or other objects.
Camera bags and cases are common and range from simple cases supplied by camera manufacturers to correspond to a particular model of camera, to bags and full-sized suitcases with multiple compartments adapted to take varying sizes of cameras, lenses, filters, flashes, lighting equipment and other accessories useful to professional and serious amateur photographers.
Professional photographers working outside a portrait studio require fast, convenient and sequential access to the contents of their bags and cases. These photographers also consider mobility, flexibility and versatility important overall characteristics that must be part of the design and manufacture of the cases and bags that they invest in.
Protection of equipment is also a high priority to photographers, and even more so for photographers that work in extreme environmental conditions. Water, sand, dust, and dirt are some of the hazards posed by the environment to cameras and camera equipment. Protection from these hazards is critical to a photographer traveling through these environmental conditions.
In accordance to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a bag equipped with a separate, but fully integrated dry bag features the desired qualities and characteristics described above.
For the sake of simplicity, the invention is described in detail for usage with cameras, camera equipment and accessories. Nevertheless, the invention described herein can apply to usage with any object or device that requires protection from environmental conditions, and as such, the teaching is the same for each application.
The invention describes a protective bag for an electronic or optical device such as a camera and its related accessories. The bag provides protection from several sources: environmental (e.g. rain, sand, or dirt), user abuse (e.g. scratching or excessive physical shock or vibration), and wear from excessive usage. The invention also provides for a convenient method of carrying the equipment, yet at the same time, allows the user easy access to the equipment.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the system combines an exterior enclosure with an internal waterproof enclosure. The system seamlessly integrates the waterproof enclosure within an exterior carrier bag as a single unit.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system integrates a waterproof dry bag component optimized for storage of cameras and camera accessories, with a sling bag component of substantially the same size and shape of the dry bag into a single unit. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the dry bag features a roll top closure. The dry bag includes quick release buckles at each end of the roll top and a set of quick release buckles at each end of the bottom the dry bag mated with the buckles from the roll top. The sling bag of substantially the same size and shape of the dry bag features pre-manufactured with openings to accept the bottom buckles from the dry bag. When the bottom buckles of the dry bag are pulled taut through the openings, the dry bag is seated into the sling bag. As such, the two components, a sling bag and a dry bag are designed to be seamlessly integrated for use as a single unit. When separated, the two components can perform as individual units.
It should be noted that although a preferred embodiment of the system is described herein as a sling bag and waterproof dry bag, it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that the system may be adapted for use with any two bags or cases, including but not limited to the following: bags, satchels, purses, suitcases, hard cases, soft cases, backpacks, side packs, hip packs, fanny packs, sling bags, messenger bags, rolling bags, and rolling backpacks.
The drawings illustrate the design and utility of embodiments of the invention, in which similar elements are referred to by common reference numerals and in which:
Various embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of specific embodiments of the invention. The embodiments are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition, an aspect described in conjunction with a particular embodiment of the invention is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiment of the invention.
Turning to the drawings,
Seal 110 sits across both sides of the opening. To ensure that the opening of dry bag 105 is watertight and waterproof, first, the top opening is brought together via seal 110, which forms a band across the top of dry bag 105. Seal 110 may include, but is not limited to: Velcro®, magnets, clips, snaps, latches, tension mechanism, pressure mechanism, locks, cables, or any other sealing mechanism or structure. Second, the band is then rolled over at roll top 107 several times to create an air tight seal. Dry bag 105 also features top buckles 115 and top straps 120 and bottom buckles 125 (not shown in
Dry bag 105 is an elastomer or elastomer-impregnated fabric and is well known in the art. As is typical of modern waterproof bags, dry bag 105 utilizes either no stitching or a minimal amount of stitching if required. Any form of stitching introduces puncture holes in the material, a potential source of leaks or cracks, thereby defeating the air tight requirement of a waterproof bag. In lieu of sewing, material is often bonded with adhesive or the material is melted together with other similar materials. However, any known methods of manufacturing a waterproof bag in the industry may be used to produce dry bag 105 described herein.
As shown in
Top buckles 115 and bottom buckles 125 may be replaced with any other type of fastening means, including but not limited to the following: magnetic mechanism, buckles, clips, snaps, latches, hooks, friction mechanism, tension mechanisms, locks, cable ties, Velcro®, or any other similar type of fastening mechanism or structure.
When the user swings sling bag 135 around to the user's front, he can quickly and easily access the contents in storage compartment 150. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, cover flap 140 over the sling bag is held entirely in place by a substantially large area of Velcro®. Zippers are an alternative method of closure as zippers offer a relatively secure fastening method, while Velcro® is typically thought of as less secure, but more convenient than a zipper for quick access. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, Velcro® is used advantageously because the main contents of sling bag 135 are typically stored in another enclosure, for example, in dry bag 105. Opening cover flap 140 allows a user access to dry bag 105 (not shown in
When cover flap 140 of sling bag 135 is open, the internal dry bag 105 is exposed. Dry bag 105 features roll top 107, seal 110, top buckle 115, top strap 120, bottom buckle 125, and bottom strap 130. Sling bag 135 features cover flap 140, sling strap 145, and openings 155. Openings 155 are at opposing sides of sling bag 135. As shown in
As shown in
In accordance to one embodiment of the invention, sling bag 135 employs traditional non-waterproof bag materials and sewing techniques because it is completely external and separate from dry bag 105. This makes the attachment of straps, pockets and pouches to the system easier and more cost effective, as these additions can be placed on sling bag 135 rather than dry bag 105. While sling bag 135 will naturally shed off water, dirt and other debris, the complete environmental protection is accomplished by dry bag 105.
Because of the adjustment of the single sling strap 145, when the user swings sling bag 135 around to the user's front side, sling bag 135 may be presented too high to allow convenient access. In order to lower sling bag 135 quickly, sling strap 145 utilizes quick release 160. Quick release 160 may be a latch, tension mechanism or any other quick release mechanism known in the art. When the user pulls this quick release 160, sling strap 145 lengthens, thereby lowering sling bag 135 to a desired position. Sling strap 145 further features stopper 165 (a ring, fob, or other device) that prevents sling strap 145 from sliding through quick release 160 and dropping sling bag 135 to the ground.
This application claims priority benefit to provisional application, U.S. Application No. 61/123,152, filed Apr. 7, 2008, entitled “Protective Camera Transport Bag.” This application is related to the following co-pending applications, with the same inventors, and the same assignee. The teaching of the following application listed below is herein incorporated by reference: U.S. application Ser. No. not yet assigned, filed Sep. 22, 2008, entitled “Protective Camera Enclosure.”
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61123152 | Apr 2008 | US |
