REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims an invention, which was disclosed in Provisional Application Number 61/827,069, filed May 24, 2013, entitled "CAMERA HAND STRAP AND LENS POUCH". The benefit under 35 U.S. C. § 119(e) of the United States Provisional Application is hereby claimed, and the complete disclosure of the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains to the field of photography. More particularly, the invention pertains to a hand strap for carrying and positioning a camera.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Photographers routinely carry their cameras with them to be ready for any opportune shot that occurs. However, often it is necessary for a photographer to have a camera at hand, ready to use, without having to carry it manually. Carrying the camera manually is not always feasible, particularly such as in outdoor situations, for example. Often a photographer needs his/her hands to climb the terrain, and carrying a camera can be a hindrance or even fatigue the user, and can expose the camera to potential damage as well. Thus often there is a trade-off between ease of access to the camera and safe and secure transportation thereof. For example, one common method for carrying a camera includes attaching the camera to various configurations of a strap that hangs about the neck of the photographer. One such solution is to affix the camera to a strap, such as is worn over the shoulder and across the chest. For example, a carabineer-like or other type of hooking or clipping mechanism can clip to a ring on the camera and receive a strap. In an alternative example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,899 discloses a single coupler, which has a threaded end and locknut at one end to screw into the camera and a strap attachment means through which the strap passes at the other end. U.S. Pat. No. 8,579,523 discloses a system for securing and securely transporting a camera. The system comprises a mount plate, one or more mount plate connectors, a camera connector, a strap connector, and, optionally, a strap and camera. The mount plate engages the camera at one of the attachment means provided thereon via the camera connector and is configured to slidably receive a strap via one of the mount plate connectors, which are threadably engaged with the mount plate and with a strap connector. Also provided is a device for engaging a camera for transport, which comprises the mount plate, the mount plate connectors, the camera connector, and, optionally, the strap connector and the strap, which are assembled. It is also known for a camera to include a flexible carry or wrist strap. The carry strap is attached to the housing of the camera to permit the carry strap to be longitudinally extended from the housing as a closed loop, to receive one's hand or wrist in the closed loop.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,367 discloses a still video camera with hand strap. The hand strap is arranged in such a manner that an accessory is detachably provided on the hand strap by means of a connecting member. Thus, it becomes possible to prevent the accessory from being lost. Further, the hand strap, by accommodating a connection cord for connecting the still video camera and the accessory within the hand strap, prevents the connection cord from obstructing the operations of the still video camera.

It is also known for a camera to have a positioning strap attached to a lateral surface of the camera. The positioning strap typically is secured to the camera to permit the carry- strap to extend as a loop from the camera. The positioning strap thus allows the upper part of the hand to pass through, such that the camera is held tight to the palm of the hand by the strap around the back of the hand. The fingers of the hand are then above the strap while the thumb stays below, allowing the hand to operate the camera while the strap steadies the camera against the hand.

Although there are known methods and apparatus that are intended to aid in carrying and positioning a camera, one problem is the camera straps of the prior art typically are not rigid enough to provide adequate support and thus are unstable, and/or are uncomfortable and cumbersome to use. Thus, there is a continuing need in the art for methods and apparatus suitable for safely carrying and positioning a camera. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are novel apparatus and methods for carrying and positioning cameras and camera accessories, thus overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art. Briefly stated, a hand strap for carrying and positioning cameras and attached accessories includes a strap assembly having top and bottom attachment points for securely, reversibly attaching the strap to the camera top slot and the camera bottom tripod thread attachment points. The top and bottom attachment points include a flexible material having a substantially rigid dimension for connecting the strap to the top and bottom attachment points of the camera. The material at the attachment points has sufficient rigidity to maintain a predetermined form of the strap assembly. The hand strap is formed and arranged such that the camera can be used with the strap attached and the user's hand either inside or outside the strap.

In the preferred embodiment, the bottom attachment point allows the strap to be attached between the bottom side of the camera and any type of plate affixed to the bottom of the camera, or the camera bottom tripod threads.

In an alternative embodiment, a quick-release connection to a wrist component that loops around the user's wrist prevents the camera from accidentally falling or separating from the user's hand. The quick-release connector preferably is arranged on the outside of the hand strap assembly near the central portion of the strap.

The invention thus provides the unique advantages of enabling a user to easily carry and position a camera, with the hand inside or outside the strap, and can quickly and easily be removed and attached from the camera. These and other features and advantages will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale, with the emphasis instead placed upon the principles of the present invention. Additionally, each of the embodiments depicted are but one of a number of arrangements possible utilizing the fundamental concepts of the present invention. The drawings are briefly described as follows. Fig. 1 shows a camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention, as used with a camera.

Fig. 2 shows a rear view of a larger (vertical grip) camera with an attached camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3A shows a top view of a camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention, including the top attachment point.

Fig. 3B shows a top view of a camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention, including an alternative arrangement for the top attachment point.

Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of a camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention, including the bottom attachment point.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of a camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows a side view opposite that of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows an alternative side view of a camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows samples of suitable materials for the internal components of a camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows samples of suitable materials for the external components of a camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 10 shows samples of suitable shapes for the external components of a camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 11 shows a strap buckle for a camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 12 shows a camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention in use with an optional, removable wrist strap.

Fig. 13A shows a more detailed view of the removable wrist strap and its attachment to the camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 13B shows an alternative detail view of the removable wrist strap attached to the camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description relates to certain preferred embodiments of a camera hand strap for carrying and positioning cameras and camera accessories. Numerous variations and modifications other than those specifically indicated will be readily apparent to those of sufficient skill in the art. In addition, certain terms are used throughout the discussion in order to provide a convenient frame of reference with regard to the accompanying drawings, such as "top", "bottom", and the like. However, such terms are not intended to be specifically limiting of the invention, except where so indicated in the claims. Referring now to Fig. 1 , a camera hand strap in use with a camera is shown in accordance with the present invention. The camera hand strap assembly 100 fits over the user's hand 400 around the knuckles, providing ideal positioning for support of the camera 200 and any attached lens 250 or other accessories. The apparatus is well suited for use with larger sized (e.g., vertical grip) camera bodies (Fig. 2). The hand strap assembly is formed and arranged such that the camera can be used with the strap attached and the user's hand either inside or outside the strap. The strap assembly includes a flexible material throughout, which has a substantially rigid dimension for connecting the strap to the top and bottom attachment points of the camera. The flexible material has sufficient rigidity to maintain the predetermined form of the strap, particularly at the attachment points. In the preferred embodiment, the strap is substantially "S" shaped in profile. This provides for easy insertion of a user's hand in and out of the strap in conjunction with the semi-rigid points of contact with the camera slot (on the top) and the camera tripod thread point at the bottom. The curved "S" shape also allows for the user's hand to operate the camera either engaged (slid inside the strap) or for the user's hand to hold the camera securely and conveniently without engaging the hand strap at all. This feature is essential for holstering the camera in/out of the holster, but it is very beneficial for instances when the user does not have the time to get the hand into the strap (grab shots). The curved "S" shape also allows the user to reach the memory card compartment easily and with no interference from the hand strap material.

Referring to Figs. 2-3B, the strap assembly includes top 120 and bottom 130 attachment means for securely, reversibly attaching the strap assembly to the camera top slot attachment point 220 and the camera bottom tripod thread point 230 respectively. Fig. 3A shows a closer detail view of the top attachment means 120, including a semi-hard connection and threaded webbing attached to the camera top slot attachment point 220. Fig. 3B shows a camera having an alternative top attachment means 121, including a more rigid semi-hard connection that comprises a semi-rigid material component 122, in addition to the threaded webbing, attached to the camera top. This embodiment is more suitable for cameras that have a slightly different top attachment point 221, which has a taller connector pin. Referring to Fig. 4, the thin, semi-rigid, slotted bottom attachment means 130 allows the strap to be attached between the bottom side of the camera and any type of plate 300 affixed to the bottom of the camera, or the camera bottom tripod thread point 230. This is a truly universal attachment that enables any plate mount to work with this strap.

Fig. 5 shows the outer side of a camera hand strap assembly, wherein the thin, semi- rigid, slotted bottom attachment means 130, comprises nylon 6/6, which runs through the length of the strap assembly. The padded central portion 430 preferably comprises leather or a similar material on the outer side. The webbing material in this embodiment preferably is a strip about 3/8 inch wide and 3 3/4 inch long. Fig. 6 shows the inner side of the camera hand strap assembly, on which padded central portion 430 preferably comprises a suede-like material on the inner side. The material should not cause excessive sweating. The hand strap assembly interior materials preferably are nylon 6/6, with two material thicknesses (Fig. 8, parts 1, 2), that are attached together and are encased throughout the inside of the hand strap, running through it. Under the outer layers padding preferably comprising a 1/4 inch memory foam layer and a thin 1/8 inch foam underneath the outer fabrics. Referring now to Fig. 9, memory foam padding 6 preferably is medium density, slow recovery foam that is water resistant. Medium density. Additional thin foam layer 7 preferably is low density for extra padding. Fig. 11 shows a close up of strap buckle 500 from Fig. 3A, also preferably made from Nylon 6/6. Referring now to Figs. 12-13B, in an alternative embodiment, a quick-release connection to a wrist component loops around the user's wrist prevents the camera from accidentally falling or separating from the user's hand. The optional, removable wrist strap 600 quick-release connection means preferably is arranged on the outside of the hand strap assembly near the central portion of the strap. Fig. 13A shows a more detailed view of the removable wrist strap and its attachment to the camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 13B shows an alternative detail view of the removable wrist strap attached to the camera hand strap assembly in accordance with the present invention.

The invention provides for easy insertion of a user's hand in and out of the strap due to semi-rigid points of contact with the camera slot (on the top) and the camera tripod threads at the bottom. The thin, semi-rigid, slotted mount of the strap can be sandwiched between any photographic plate (tripod, etc.) and the camera body. This is a truly universal attachment that enables any plate mount to work with this strap. The curved "S" shape allows for the user's hand to operate the camera either engaged (slid inside the strap) or for the user's hand to hold the camera securely and conveniently without engaging the hand strap at all. This feature is essential for holstering the camera in/out of the holster, but it is very beneficial for instances when the user does not have the time to get the hand into the strap (grab shots). The curved "S" shape allows the user to reach the memory card compartment easily and with no interference from the hand strap material.

It is to be understood that the architectural and operational embodiments described herein are exemplary of a plurality of possible arrangements to provide the same (or equivalent) general features, characteristics, and general system operation. Therefore, while there have been described the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it is intended to claim all modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, it must further be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.