LEAST ONE PROTRUDING LENS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of a multifunctional strap for an optical viewing device having at least one protruding lens. Particularly, the present invention relates to multifunctional camera and binocular straps. More particularly, the present invention relates to camera and binocular straps that can be sized to fit across the shoulder, around the neck or over the hand of a user, as well as serve as a protective covering for a camera or binocular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cameras and binoculars are often expensive and fragile devices. Any bang, fall or scratch is liable to damage the same and affect its performance. In many cases the cost of repair or replacement can be prohibitive.

When holding a camera or binocular in one's hand the risk of damage to the device is high. The device may slip out of the hand due to an inadvertent loosening of one's grip or alternatively, by the hand being knocked by another object, thereby causing the grip to involuntarily loosen and release the device

In order to avoid the difficulties associated with gripping a camera or binocular with one's hand there exist a wide range of straps for allowing the user to hold the same without the use of one's hand. Some straps are long, and are meant to allow the user to wear the device around his neck like a necklace or across his shoulder. Thus, when the user desires to operate e.g., a camera he lifts it with his hands and takes a picture, and when the camera is not required it rests on the front or side of the user. Some straps are short, and are meant to allow the user to wear the camera around his wrist like a bracelet. Thus, when the user desires to operate the camera he grips the camera, typically with the hand around which the strap is situated, and takes a picture. When the camera is not required the user may let it hang from the strap around his wrist or alternatively, the user may still grip the camera, while the strap around his wrist functions as a backup to prevent the camera from falling if released from his grip. Similar arrangements and considerations apply to binoculars, although binoculars are normally not held by a wrist strap.

Another potential for damage occurs when placing the camera or binoculars on a surface such as a table or shelf. A careless shove or jolt to the device may cause the device to be knocked off the surface and fall to the floor. Without suitable protection for the device, such as a protective casing, irreparable damage might result.

A variety of camera and binocular cases exist for providing protection to the same. Some camera cases are bulky and contain pockets for camera accessories such as film or memory cards, extra lenses, cleaning material, etc. Some are compact, and only provide the padding necessary to protect the camera against potentially damaging occurrences.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to obviate these and other associated problems by providing a multi-functional strap for both holding and safeguarding a camera or binoculars from damage.

Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional strap that can be sized to fit across the shoulder, around the neck or over the hand of a user.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional strap that is wrapped around a camera or binocular and serves as a protective covering for the same

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional camera or binocular strap having a variable length.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional camera or binocular strap having a releasably securable attachment means for coupling with a camera or binocular.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional camera strap having an integral or independent camera lens cover.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional binocular strap having a pair of integral or independent binocular lens covers

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional camera or binocular strap that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and simple to use.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus according to the present invention there is now provided a multifunctional strap for an optical viewing device having at least one protruding lens, said strap comprising a length of fabric or leather having a first end with an inner loop defining an aperture of variable area and being provided with means along said length, distanced from said first end, for attachment to a camera or binocular, said aperture being sized to fit over the hand, around the neck or across the shoulder of a user, said strap being displaceable between a first position wherein said length of strap is wrapped around said camera or binocular device and said at least one protruding lens is passed through said loop, which loop secures said wrapped length around said device to form a protective casing therearound, and a second carrying position wherein said device is unwrapped and suspended from said attachment means.

In accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a multifunctional camera strap is disclosed, comprising a multi-functional camera strap for cameras of the type having a protruding lens. The strap comprises a length of fabric or leather having a first end with an inner loop defining an aperture of variable area and being provided with means along the length, distanced from the first end, for attachment to a camera. The aperture is sized to fit over the hand, around the neck or across the shoulder of a user. The strap is displaceable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the length of the strap is wrapped around the camera, and the protruding lens is passed through the loop. The loop secures the wrapped length around the camera to form a protective casing therearound. In the second carrying position the camera is unwrapped and suspended from the attachment means.

The strap is preferably formed from a looped strip of fabric or leather, wherein one portion of a side edge of the strap is joined to another portion of the same side edge by adjustable fastening means enabling the enlargement or reduction of the area of the aperture.

The adjustable fastening means is chosen from any one of the following: a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, and complementary magnets.

The strap is preferably provided with a pocket segment for storing a lens cap.

Preferably, the strap length is variable. A first portion of the strap is attached to a second segment of the strap. The first segment comprises a length of fabric or leather and the second segment comprises a webbing strap. The second segment is attached to the first segment of the strap via buckles, and the webbing strap is selectively pulled through said buckles. The first segment of the strap preferably further comprises a sleeve for accommodating the free ends of the second segment that are pulled through the buckles.

The attachment means are preferably screw means for attachment to a threaded socket provided on an underside of said camera.

Alternatively the attachment means optionally comprises at least one clip.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a multifunctional binocular strap is disclosed, comprising a multi-functional binocular carrying strap for binoculars which are characterized by having a pair of spaced apart protruding lens. The strap comprises a length of fabric or leather having a first end with an inner loop defining an aperture of variable area and being provided with means along the length, distanced from the first end, for attachment to a binocular. The aperture is sized to fit around the neck or across the shoulder of a user. The strap is displaceable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the length of the strap is wrapped around the binocular, and the protruding lenses are passed through the loop. The loop secures the wrapped length around the binocular to form a protective casing therearound. In the second carrying position the binocular is unwrapped and suspended from the attachment means.

As with the camera strap, the binocular strap is preferably formed from a looped strip of fabric or leather, wherein one portion of a side edge of the strap is joined to another portion of the same side edge by adjustable fastening means enabling the enlargement or reduction of the area of the aperture.

The adjustable fastening means is chosen from any one of the following: a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, and complementary magnets.

Preferably, the strap length is variable. A first portion of the strap is attached to a second segment of the strap. The first segment comprises a length of fabric or leather and the second segment comprises a webbing strap. The second segment is attached to the first segment of the strap via buckles, and the webbing strap is selectively pulled through said buckles. The first segment of the strap preferably further comprises a sleeve for accommodating the free ends of the second segment that are pulled through the buckles. To accomplish the above and related objects, the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings .With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the attached figures making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the multi-functional camera strap of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows the a bottom perspective view of a camera to which the multi-functional camera strap is attached, along with a section of the strap and coupling means;

Figs. 3a and 3b show a user wearing the strap around his shoulder and diagonally across his torso (Fig. 3a) and a user wearing the strap around his neck (Fig. 3b);

Fig. 4 shows the initial stage of forming the strap into a protective carrying case for the camera;

Fig. 5 shows the strap wrapped around the camera, thereby forming a protective carrying case;

Figs. 6a and 6b show a front view of a second embodiment of the multi-functional camera strap of the present invention (Fig. 6a) and a side perspective view with a user gripping the camera (Fig. 6b);

Fig. 7 shows an alternative aspect of the strap of the second embodiment with the strap wrapped around the camera, whereby the lens cover is a separate element from the strap;

Fig. 8 shows a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the multi-functional camera strap of the present invention;

Figs. 9a and 9b show a user wearing the strap around his shoulder and diagonally across his torso (Fig. 9a) and a user wearing the strap around his neck (Fig. 9b); Fig. 10 shows the attachment of strap segments of the embodiment of Figs. 9a and 9b to a camera.

Fig 11 shows a user wearing the binocular strap around his neck;

Fig. 12 shows the initial stage of forming the strap into a protective carrying case for the a pair of binoculars; and

Fig.13 shows the strap wrapped around the binoculars, thereby forming a protective carrying case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the multi-functional camera strap of the present invention is shown in a front perspective view in Fig. 1, generally designated by numeral (100). Strap (100) comprises a length of fabric or leather and has an inner side edge (102). A first segment (104) of side edge (102) is joinable to a second segment (106) of side edge (102) by adjustable fastening means (108). Adjustable fastening means (108) is shown in the figures comprising a zipper, although any suitable adjustable fastening means may be utilized, for example, hook and loop fasteners, buttons and complementary magnets. Thus, an aperture defining an adjustable inner loop (110) is formed.

As seen in Fig. 2, showing a bottom perspective view of a camera (114) and a section of strap (100), a coupling means (116) is situated along the length of strap (100), distanced from first end (112) (see Fig. 1) and closer to second end (113), for attaching to camera (114). Coupling means (116) is shown comprising a rigid element (118) that is integrally joined with strap (100), via slits (115) longitudinally extending along strap (100) adjacent end (113) and has two elongated slots (120), each one running transversely along strap (100), for passing a threaded screw (122) through one of them. Screw (122) is insertable into the standard opening

(124) that is used for mounting a camera on a tripod stand (not shown), at the bottom side (125) of camera (114). A base segment (119) for maintaining a level relationship between rigid element (118) and camera (114) is situated on the side of rigid element (118) facing bottom side

(125) of camera (114) and joined integrally with rigid element (118).

In order to couple rigid element (1 18) with camera (114), after insertion of screw (122) through one of slots (120) into opening (124), camera (114) and rigid element (118) are shifted relative to each other such that screw (122) slides within slots (120) to position rigid element (118) as desired. Knob (126) is rotated until rigid element (118) and base segment (119) are tightly secured between knob (126) and bottom side (125) of camera (114).

Rigid element (118) is optionally slidable along slits (115) of strap (100) and can be positioned adjacent the end (113) of strap (100) as seen in Figure 3a, especially for a camera with a long protruding lense (103) to increase the wrapping length of the strap therearound, or at a distance removed from said end as shown in Figure 3b.

In other aspects of the first embodiment (not shown in the figures), the coupling means comprises a rigid element with only one elongated slot or alternatively without elongated slots, and instead has one or more circular openings through which threaded screw (122) is passed and inserted into the opening (124) on the bottom of camera (114). Alternatively, the coupling means comprises knob (126) with threaded screw (122), whereby a hole is located in the material of strap (100) through which threaded screw may be passed for insertion into opening (124) in camera (114). Alternatively, the coupling means comprises any suitable coupling device for joining strap (100) to camera (114), such as a clip or bracket.

Referring to Figs. 3a and 3b, the first embodiment of multi-functional camera strap (100) of the present invention is shown in two operational positions. In Fig. 3a adjustable fastening means (108) is open such that first segment (104) and second segment (106) of strap (100) are separated from each other. First end (112) of strap (100) is positioned around a shoulder of the user (101), and depends diagonally along the front and back torso of user (101) such that camera (114) is suspended at the hip area on the opposing transverse side of user (101). The location on the body at which camera (114) hangs is determined by the length of strap (100) as well as whether adjustable fastening means (108) is entirely open as shown in Fig. 3a, or only partially open.

Fig. 3b shows user (101) wearing strap (100) around his neck and fastening means (108) is entirely open such that camera (114) is suspended on the front torso of user (101) and rests at the stomach area.

Multi-functional camera strap (100) also functions as a protective carrying case for the camera, preferably a camera of the type having a protruding lens, to which it is attached. Referring to Fig. 4, in order to transform strap (100) into a case, adjustable fastening means (108) is preferably fully closed, leaving a reduced size inner loop (110). Strap (100) is wrapped over and around camera (114) as indicated by arrow (128). The number of wraps around camera (114) is dependent on the longitudinal length of strap (100) as well as the size of camera (114).

As seen in Fig. 5, when the final wrap is made around the camera (covered by strap (100)), the protruding lens whose profile is seen in the figure covered by strap (100), and indicated by numeral (130), is passed through inner loop (110), thereby securing the wrapped length of strap (100) around the camera. Depending on, for instance, the diameter and/or length of lens (130), it may be necessary to enlarge inner loop (110) by opening adjustable fastening means (108) in order to pass lens (130) therethrough. If loop (110) is enlarged in the wrapping process, it is preferable to return loop (110) to its reduced size in order to maintain strap (100) tightly wrapped therearound.

According to a second embodiment shown in Figs. 6a and 6b, strap (200) comprises the same essential features as that of strap (100) of the first embodiment, including first and second side edge segments (204), (206) that are fastenable by adjustable fastening means (208) and form an inner loop (210), mutatis mutandis, with the following differences. Referring to Fig. 6b, loop (210) of strap (200) is sized to insert a hand (201) and grip the body (215) of camera (214). A pocket-like enclosure (202) is provided at the second end (213) of strap (200) for receiving the protruding lens of camera (214).

In one aspect, as shown in the figures, the bottom of pocket-like enclosure (202) comprises a lens cover (217) integral therewith. Lens cover (217) is selectively expandable and compressible via an adjustable fastening means (218) to accommodate different sizes of lenses on camera (214). Adjustable fastening means (218) has the same essential features and alternatives as adjustable fastening means (208) which is used for fastening first and second side edge segments (204), (206). In an alternative aspect, pocket-like enclosure (202) has an open bottom, and lens cover (217) is a separate component.

As seen in Fig. 7, multi-functional camera strap (200) also functions as a protective carrying case for the camera, and is transformed into a case in essentially the same way as described herein above in Figs. 4 and 5 regarding the first embodiment of strap (100), mutatis mutandis. Since strap (200) of the second embodiment is shorter than strap (100) of the first embodiment, strap (200) is generally just long enough to wrap around camera (214) a single time and allow the lens to extend through loop (210). A third embodiment of strap (300) is shown in Fig. 8 comprising the same essential features as that of the strap of the first embodiment, including first and second side edge segments (304), (306) that are fastenable by adjustable fastening means (308) and form an inner loop (310), mutatis mutandis, with the following differences. Strap (300) is comprised of a first segment (309) made of a length of fabric or leather as described herein above regarding the first and second embodiments, and a second segment (311) comprising a webbing strap. First ends (315), (317) of second segment (311) are joined respectively to opposing ends (305), (307) of first segment (309) of strap (300) by suitable webbing strap buckles (319a), (319b). The effective length of strap (300) is selectively increasable and decreasable by releasing and pulling respective ends (315) and (317) of second segment (311) through respective buckles (319a) and (319b).

The surplus free ends (321), (323) of second segment (311) that are pulled through buckles (319a), (319b) and locked at a pre-determined position therewith depending on the desired strap length as shown in figures 9(a) and 9(b) within spaced apart sleeves, and are preferably accommodated within sleeves (325), (327) to prevent them from causing disturbance by flapping.

Figs. 9a and 9b show the same two operational positions of camera strap (300) of the present invention as that shown in Figs. 3a and 3b regarding the first embodiment of strap (100), mutatis mutandis. Thus, in Fig. 9a first end (312) of strap (300) is positioned around a shoulder of the user (301), and depends diagonally along the front and back torso of user (301) such that camera (314) is suspended at the hip area on the opposing transverse side of user (301). Fig. 9b shows user (301) wearing strap (300) around his neck such that camera (314) is suspended on the front torso of user (301) and rests at the stomach area.

Referring to Fig.10, there is shown the attachment of strap segments (311) of Figs. 8, 9a and 9b, to camera (314). More specifically, second ends (313a) and (313b) of segments (311) are each attached to a rigid element or phalange (330) which is rigidly coupled via coupling screw know (322) into threaded socket (324) provided on the underside of camera (314).

Alternatively, strap segment ends (313a) and (313b) can each be looped through strap anchoring openings (not shown) provided on opposite back sides of camera 314 and then fastened to webbing strap buckles (319a) and (319b). Multi-functional camera strap (300) also functions as a protective carrying case for the camera, and is transformed into a case in essentially the same way as described herein above in Figs. 4 and 5 regarding the first embodiment of strap (100), mutatis mutandis.

A preferred embodiment of the multi-functional binocular strap of the present invention is shown in a front perspective view in Fig. 11,

Fig. 11 shows user (401) wearing strap (400) around his neck and fastening means (408) is entirely open such that binoculars (414) are suspended on the front torso of user (401 ) and rests at the stomach area.

As already described with regard to camera straps (100) - (200), etc., multi-functional binocular strap (400) also functions as a protective carrying case for the binoculars to which it is attached.

Referring to Fig. 12, in order to transform strap (400) into a case, adjustable fastening means (408) is preferably fully closed, leaving a reduced size inner loop (410). Strap (400) is wrapped over and around binoculars (414) as indicated by arrow (428). The number of wraps around binocular (414) is dependent on the longitudinal length of strap (400) as well as the size of binoculars (414).

As seen in Fig. 13, when the final wrap is made around the binoculars (covered by strap (400)), the protruding lenses, the profiles of which are seen in the figure covered by strap (400), and indicated by numerals (430), are passed through inner loop (410), thereby securing the wrapped length of strap (400) around the binoculars. Depending on, for instance, the diameter of lenses (430 or the distance therebetween), it may be necessary to enlarge inner loop (410) by opening adjustable fastening means (408) in order to pass lenses (430) therethrough. If loop (410) is enlarged in the wrapping process, it is preferable to return loop (410) to its reduced size in order to maintain strap (400) tightly wrapped therearound.

It is understood that the above description of the embodiments of the present invention are for illustrative purposes only, and is not meant to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or forms disclosed, as many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the accompanying claims.