Waterproof casing

• US 5,285,894 A
• Filed: 01/11/1993
• Issued: 02/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kono, Takaji, Kubo, Takashi, Kamata, Kazuo, Tasaka, Hisashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Foster, Jimmy G.
• Application Number:
  US08/005,973
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 206/316.1, 206/316.2, 206/316.3, 206/525, 206/524.6, 354/64
• US Class Current: 206/316.1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings

Abstract

A waterproof casing contains a lens-fitted photographic film unit in a watertight manner so as to take underwater photograph. The waterproof casing is provided with an air flow opening. An air-permeable waterproof sheet is attached to the air flow opening form the inside so that air can pass through the sheet freely so as to regulate the internal pressure of the waterproof casing but water will not enter the waterproof casing. In a preferred embodiment, the waterproof casing consists of a transparent main body with a bottom opening and a bottom lid. The air flow opening is formed os as to be covered by a film winding knob of the waterproof casing. Structure to be fitted in the bottom opening is formed with another air flow opening to which the air-permeable waterproof sheet is attached. Outside this structure is disposed a waterproof sheet having an opening at a position facing the air flow opening of this structure. The waterproof sheet is covered by the bottom lid.

Claims

1. A waterproof casing for containing equipment in a watertight manner, comprising:

an air flow opening formed in said waterproof casing; and

an air-permeable waterproof sheet formed of a film and a supporting member and attached to an inside surface of said waterproof casing with said film closing said air flow opening, said film being adapted to let air but not water pass therethrough and said supporting member being adapted to let both air and water pass therethrough.

2. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting member is a non-woven fabric having a mesh construction.

3. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 2, wherein said film is made of acrylic resin.

4. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting member is on the side of said film opposite said air flow opening.

5. A waterproof casing for containing a lens-fitted photographic film unit so as to perform underwater photography, comprising:

a box-shaped main body for containing said film unit, said main body having a bottom opening through which said film unit is inserted;

a first waterproof sheet sealing said bottom opening in a watertight manner;

a bottom lid attached to said main body so as to protect said first waterproof sheet;

an air flow opening formed in said main body; and

an air-permeable waterproof sheet formed of a film and a supporting member and attached to an inside surface of said waterproof casing with said film closing said air flow opening, said film being adapted to let air but not water pass therethrough and said supporting member being adapted to let both air and water pass therethrough.

6. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 5, wherein said air flow opening is formed on a rear surface of said main body.

7. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 6, wherein said supporting member is a non-woven fabric having a mesh construction.

8. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 7, wherein said film is made of acrylic resin.

9. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 5, wherein said supporting member is on the side of said film opposite said air flow opening.

10. A waterproof casing for containing a lens-fitted photographic film unit so as to perform underwater photography, comprising:

a box-shaped main body having a bottom opening through which said film unit is inserted in said main body;

fixing means for fixing said film unit within said main body, said fixing means being fitted in said bottom opening;

an air flow opening formed in said fixing means;

an air-permeable waterproof sheet formed of a film and a supporting member for sealing said bottom opening outwardly of said fixing means in a watertight manner, said film being adapted to let air but not water pass therethrough and said supporting member being adapted to let both air and water pass therethrough; and

a bottom lid attached to said main body so as to protect said air-permeable waterproof sheet.

11. A waterproof casing for containing photographic equipment in a watertight manner, comprising:

operating means mounted on the outside surface of said waterproof casing for operating said equipment from outside of said waterproof casing;

an air flow opening formed in said waterproof casing at a position where said air flow opening is covered by said operating means; and

an air-permeable waterproof sheet for sealing said air flow opening, said air-permeable waterproof sheet being adapted to let air but not water pass therethrough and being protected by said operating means.

12. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 11, said casing comprising a transparent and box-shaped main body, a bottom opening for inserting said photographic equipment in said main body and a bottom lid for closing said bottom opening.

13. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 12, further comprising:

fixing means fitted in said bottom opening for fixing said lens-fitted photographic film unit within said main body;

a second air flow opening formed in said fixing means;

a second air-permeable waterproof sheet adapted to let air but not water pass therethrough and sealing said second air flow opening; and

a waterproof sheet which seals said bottom opening at a position inside said bottom lid in a watertight manner and is formed with an opening at a position facing said second air flow opening.

14. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 13, wherein said bottom lid is formed with at least one small opening at a position facing said opening of said waterproof sheet.

15. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 14, further comprising a spacer sheet inside said bottom lid for pressing said waterproof sheet.

16. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 11, wherein said photographic equipment is a lens-fitted photographic film unit having a photograph-taking function.

17. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 11, wherein said operating means is a film winding knob disposed on an upper surface of said casing.

18. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 11, wherein said air flow opening is formed in a projection on said casing, said air-permeable waterproof sheet covering a free end of said projection and being fixed by a ring.

19. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 11, wherein said air flow opening is formed in a projection on said casing, on a free end of which projection said air-permeable waterproof sheet is attached in a watertight manner.

20. A waterproof casing for containing photographic equipment so as to perform underwater photography, comprising:

a box-shaped main body having a bottom opening through which said film unit is inserted in said main body;

fixing means fitted in said bottom opening for fixing said photographic equipment within said main body;

an air flow opening formed in said fixing means;

an air-permeable waterproof sheet adapted to let air but not water pass therethrough and sealing said air flow opening;

a waterproof sheet formed with an opening at a position facing said air flow opening for sealing said bottom opening in a watertight manner; and

a bottom lid fitted on said main body from over the last-named said waterproof sheet.

21. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 20, wherein said photographic equipment is a lens-fitted photographic film unit having a photograph-taking function.

22. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 20, wherein a peripheral area of said opening of said waterproof sheet is attached to said fixing means so as to prevent water from entering said waterproof casing.

23. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 20, wherein said bottom lid is formed with at least one small opening at a position facing said opening of said waterproof sheet.

24. A waterproof casing as defined in claim 20, further comprising a spacer sheet inside said bottom lid for pressing said waterproof sheet.