Integumentary enclosure for video equipment

• US 5,848,299 A
• Filed: 12/05/1997
• Issued: 12/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Shepper
• Original Assignee: John Shepper
• Inventors: Shepper, John
• Primary Examiner(s): BLANKENSHIP, HOWARD BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US08/985,885
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 396/25-29, 396/419, 396/420, 348/81, 348/1, 206/316.1, 206/316.2, 206/316.3, 206/811
• US Class Current: 396/29
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings

Abstract

A waterproof integumentary enclosure for electronic equipment, especially video cameras, is comprised of a thin transparent skin or membrane which enables submerged use of the equipment, provides a barrier to damaging water and particulate matter and simultaneously permits uninhibited access to and operation of audio, video and infra-red components of the equipment. The apparatus is comprised of three primary components including the integument, a support platform upon which the equipment is secured, and a combination air extraction and membrane closure means. The latter is comprised generally of an elongated tubular shaft rotatably mounted to the support platform. In operation, the shaft is rotated about the platform causing the membrane within to twist and seal itself about the exterior walls of an air evacuation tube. Air within the system is then withdrawn either manually or mechanically causing the membrane to collapse around and closely conform to the video equipment thereby forming the integumentary barrier. A closure apparatus is provided to seal the system and a secondary sealing apparatus is provided. An optional lens adapter is also included to provide a flat surface against which the optical membrane can rest to avoid distortion thereof when exposed to sub-atmospheric pressure when the camera is submerged. The lens adapter is also designed to prevent condensation which might occur upon exposure of the system to temperature differences between air and water.

Claims

1. An integumentary enclosure for electronic equipment, particularly video cameras, comprising:

(a) an optically transparent membrane of bag-like configuration for the reception of the electronic equipment;

(b) a support platform upon which the electronic equipment is secured for use;

said platform being adapted with an aperture disposed through its center;

(c) a tubular shaft having proximal and distal ends;

said proximal end being rotatably mounted to said platform and in communication with said aperture of said platform such that an open end of said membrane may be inserted through said aperture and through said shaft until it emerges from said distal end of said shaft;

(d) membrane closure means removably attached to said distal end of said shaft; and

(e) air extraction means capable of slidable insertion into said shaft for the removal of air within said membrane.

4. The integumentary enclosure of claim 1, further adapted with a ratchet assembly between said platform and said shaft such that said shaft is capable of incremental rotation about said platform.

2. An integumentary enclosure for electronic equipment, particularly video cameras, comprising:

(a) an optically transparent membrane of bag-like configuration for the reception of the electronic equipment;

(b) a support platform upon which the electronic equipment is secured for use;

said platform being adapted with an aperture disposed through its center;

(c) a tubular shaft having proximal and distal ends;

said proximal end being rotatably mounted to said platform and in communication with said aperture of said platform such that an open end of said membrane may be inserted through said aperture and through said shaft until it emerges from said distal end of said shaft;

(d) first membrane closure means removably attached to said distal end of said shaft;

(e) second membrane closure means disposed through said shaft;

said second membrane closure means being comprised of a compression screw capable of closing said membrane by forcing same against the interior wall of said shaft; and

(f) air extraction means capable of slidable insertion into said shaft for the removal of air within said membrane.

5. The integumentary enclosure of claim 2, further adapted with a ratchet assembly between said platform and said shaft such that said shaft is capable of incremental rotation about said platform.

3. A method of sealing electronic equipment within an integumentary enclosure comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting the electronic equipment within an optically transparent membrane;

(b) threading an open end of said membrane through an aperture disposed through the center of an electronic equipment support platform;

(c) threading said open end of said membrane through a tubular shaft having proximal and distal ends;

said proximal end being rotatably mounted to said platform and in communication with said aperture of said platform;

(d) permitting said open end of said membrane to emerge from the distal end of said shaft;

(e) folding said open end of said membrane over the outside of said distal end of said shaft;

(f) inserting air evacuation means into said open end of said membrane;

(g) withdrawing air through said air evacuation means until said membrane closely conforms to the contours of said electronic equipment;

(h) closing said distal end of said shaft with shaft closing means such that the open end of said membrane is closed to form an airtight and watertight seal.