GB2431860A

GB2431860A - A retractable camera holder

Info

Publication number: GB2431860A
Application number: GB0522276A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard David Cartwright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-01
Filing date: 2005-11-01
Publication date: 2007-05-09
Also published as: GB0522276D0

Abstract

A retractable camera holder comprises a retractable device 110 attached to a strap and a retractable cord 104 that has one end attached to the retractable device 110 and the other detachably attached to the camera 112. In use the user pulls the camera from the device thereby increasing the length of the cord and upon releasing the camera, the retractable device automatically winds in the cord to retract the camera back to the camera holder. The retractable device may have a helical spring inside (Fig 1.0, 101) to provide the tension required to retract the camera back into position. The strap may be adjustable to allow the strap to be attached to various sized bodies or limbs. Preferably the components are made from anti-corrosive materials. Alternatively the camera holder may have slide guides to allow the camera to retract into a secure position (Fig 5.1.

Description

Retractable Camera Holder The invention relates to camera carrying

supports either for film or digital cameras.

The invention will be used to fi tkle camera to a photographer using straps and binding supports such as Velcib&jttons, release buckles, webbing straps and a

retractable cord.

Camera carrying equipment that is currently available lacks the ease and speed efficiency within robust environments for retrieval and replacement of the camera from the camera support.

This invention will provide the photographer with a camera support in which the camera can easily retract into a fixed body support without the need to assist the camera into position, allowing freedom for arms. Typically the invention could be used for watersports activities where the user has mobile restrictions accessing the operation of a camera, thus the invention provides this function for the user to operate a camera without the responsibility of placing the camera into a holster. Typically the invention is intended for extreme sports use, for example when a photographer engages in a water sport they need to be quick in replacing the camera to avoid being struck by a wave of water. Climbers are also restricted in operating camera equipment as they have mobile restrictions when moving around on a cliff or mountain face.

Accordingly, this invention provides adjustable straps to allow users of various sizes attachment to their body or limbs. These straps are fixed to the device where the cord retracts into. A helical spring fixed within a moulded housing is connected to the adjustable strap and retractable cord is wound around the housing of the helical spring and is fixed to the moulded housing. Attached to the other end of the retractable cord is a secure clip, which provides fixture for a camera.

Preferably the components are made from anti-corrosive materials, whether it's plastic, rubber or metal. Particular the helical spring is made from a plastic which retains its elasticity and will not corrode in a marine environment. Other embodiments may not have material components with anti-corrosive properties.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1.0 shows an exploded, isometric view of the major functional components of the invention.

Figure 1.1 shows an isometric view of the major internal components assembled.

Figure 1.2 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of the assembled retractable device.

Figure 2.0 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention with the cord extended.

Figure 2.1 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention with the cord retracted.

Figure 3.0 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention with the cord extended with a typical camera attached.

Figure 3.1 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention with the cord retracted with a typical camera attached.

Figure 4.0 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention fixed to the arm of a user.

Figure 4.1 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention fixed to the leg of a user.

Figure 5.0 show one embodiment of the invention with Positioning guides fixed to the

retractable device.

Figure 5.1 shows one embodiment of the invention with a camera secure by means of positioning guides.

Figure 1.0 shows the invention 1 11 comprises of a retractable cord 104 where one end of the cord is connected to a clip 105 and the other end connected to the spring housing 102. The spring housing 102 and spring housing Lid 103, houses the helical spring 101. The helical spring 101 is connected to the external housing 106 and 107 by means of fixing through the centre of the components 101, 106 and 107. The other end of the spring is fixed to the spring housing 102. The external housing bottom 107 is fixed to the strap 108 where the user attaches the strap 108 to any of their limbs i.e. arm or leg.

Figure 1.1 shows the constructed internal components, the cord 104 wounded around the spring housing 102, with the spring housing lid 103 fixed to the top of the spring housing 102. One end of the cord 104 is connected to the spring housing 102 and the other end is connected to the clip 105. The clip 105 can be in the form of any coupling device which attaches to a camera 112.

Figure 2.0 shows the external housing top and bottom 106, 107 respectively, fixed together containing the components from figure 1.1. Figure 2.0 also shows the cord 104 extended out from the external housing 106 and 107, this scenario would occur when the user pulls the camera 112 away from the retractable device 110. Figure 2.1 shows the invention fully retracted with the cord 104 wound back into position. One embodimef a strap 108 could be made from an elastic fabric such as Neoprene with Velcr9fixings. Therefore the user is able to secure the invention to his/her arm or leg.

Figure 3.0 indicates a typical configuration of a camera 112 attached to the invention by means of the clip 108. As many cameras provide the ability for common straps to fix to a camera, the clip 108 will able to attach to a fixture on any camera.

One embodiment shown in figure 4.0 shows the user has attached the invention 111 by fixing the strap 108 to his arm and figure 4.1 shows another embodiment of the Strap 108 fixed to the users Leg.

Another embodiment shown in figure 5.0 has Slide Guides 109, which provides a custom made camera 113 to retract back into a secure position. As the helical spring 101 contracts, the Cord 104 will wind around the spring housing 102, therefore holding the custom made camera 113 in position by the clip 108 and slide guides 109.

Figure 5.1 represents how a typical custom made camera 113 would fit into position.

The slide guides 109 can be constructed in any configuration to secure any camera.

All components within any embodiment of the retractable camera holder Ill can be manufactured to any shape and size.

Claims

Claims 1. A retractable camera holder which can be attached to body or

limbs by the aid of strapping the retractable device to ones arm or leg and able to withdraw a camera which is fixed to one end of a cord to then use the camera, then after use let go of the camera which then enables the retractable device to reel in the camera.

2. A retractable camera holder as claimed in claim 1 where the camera is secure when not in use by means of positioning guides to hold the camera, also acts as slide guides to position the camera when the cord is retracting.

3. A retractable carna holder as claimed in claim I where the straps are adjustable by using Velcii?ached to Neoprene and adjusting the size of the strap.

4. A retractable camera holder as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, where any camera type or custom built camera is used to connect to the retractable device.

5. A retractable camera holder as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from metal, rubber or plastics material, or from a combination of these materials.

6. A retractable camera holder substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows c Claims 1. A retractable device holder which has adjustable straps allowing it to be fitted to the body or limbs of users of various sizes, these straps are fixed to the device where the cord retracts into, a helical spring fixed within a housing component, is connected to the adjustable strap and a retractable cord is wound around the housing of the helical spring and is fixed to the housing, attached to the other end of the retractable cord is a secure clip, which provides fixture for a device, this enables persons to extract the device from the secure position using their hand to operate the device and the ability to release the device at any time, this invokes the spring component to contract and reel in the cord to which the device is attached; bringing the device to a secure and stationary position.

2. A retractable device holder as claimed in claim I where the device is secure when not in use by means of positioning guides or holster to hold the device, which also acts as slide guides to position the device into the secure position.

3. A retractable device holder as claimed in claim I where the straps are adjustable by using hook and loop fasteners therefore providing the ability to adjust the size of the strap.

4. A retractable device holder as claimed in claim I and claim 2, where any device type or custom built device is used to connect to the retractable device.

5. A retractable device holder as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from metal, rubber or plastics materials, or from a combination of these materials.

6. A retractable device holder substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.