Waterproof housing for a device adapted to receive a removable sub-assembly

• US 6,311,017 B1
• Filed: 03/11/1998
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Mori, Ryuichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathews, Alan A.
• Application Number:
  US09/038,514
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• Field of Search: 396/25, 396/27, 396/29, 396/26, 396/28, 348/81, 206/316.1, 206/811
• US Class Current: 396/27
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings

Abstract

A waterproof housing for housing a device that is adapted to receive a sub-assembly. The waterproof housing includes a body having a wall. The wall includes an aperture. The aperture has dimensions corresponding to the sub-assembly. The aperture provides operative access to the device to allow it to receive the sub-assembly through the aperture. The waterproof housing is suitable for housing devices that may have compartments or portions which are to receive corresponding sub-assemblies. Such devices include, but are not limited to, film-based cameras that utilize film cartridges, digital imaging cameras that utilize replaceable data storage modules (RAM cards, magnetic media such as diskettes, etc.), video cameras that utilize magnetic tape cassettes, and devices that utilize batteries maintained in battery compartments.

Claims

1. A waterproof housing adapted to removably receive a camera having film cartridge compartment and a film cartridge compartment cover, comprising:

a body having at least two apertures, one aperture being a first aperture which allows the camera to be inserted and removed, and another aperture being a second aperture providing operative access to said film cartridge compartment of said cameras said first aperture being disposed in a first surface of said body, said second aperture being disposed in a second surface of said body, said first surface being substantially perpendicular to said second surface; and

at least two cover members for closing each of said at least two apertures and for preventing water from passing through each of said at least two apertures.

2. The waterproof housing according to claim 1, wherein said second aperture is disposed in a bottom wall of said waterproof housing.

3. The waterproof housing according to claim 1, wherein said second aperture is disposed in a side wall of said waterproof housing.

4. The waterproof housing according to claim 1, wherein said second aperture has dimensions that are substantially the same as corresponding dimensions of said film cartridge compartment.

5. The waterproof housing according to claim 1, wherein said film cartridge compartment of said camera is configured to receive a film cartridge having a particular width dimension, said second aperture having a dimension corresponding to said width dimension of said film cartridge.

6. The waterproof housing according to claim 1, wherein said second aperture has dimensions corresponding to dimensions of said film cartridge compartment cover.

7. The waterproof housing according to claim 1, wherein said cover members further comprise seal members for sealing said waterproof housing when said cover members cover said first and second apertures.

8. The waterproof housing according to claim 1, wherein said cover members further comprise locking members for locking said cover members to said waterproof housing when said cover members cover said first and second apertures, said first and second apertures being configured to permit said locking members to be inserted into said waterproof housing.

9. A waterproof housing adapted to removably receive an imaging device configured to receive a sub-assembly related to the operation of said imaging device, said waterproof housing comprising:

a body having a first aperture allowing said imaging device to be removably inserted into said body, and a second aperture providing operative access to a portion of said imaging device configured to receive said sub-assembly related to the operation of said imaging device, said first aperture being disposed in a first surface of said body, said second aperture being disposed in a second surface of said body, said first surface being substantially perpendicular to said second surface; and

two cover members corresponding to said first and second apertures for covering said first and second apertures and for preventing water from passing through said first and second apertures.

10. The waterproof housing according to claim 9, wherein said second aperture is disposed in a rear wall of said waterproof housing.

11. The waterproof housing according to claim 9, wherein said second aperture is disposed in a bottom wall of said waterproof housing.

12. The waterproof housing according to claim 9, wherein said second aperture is disposed in a side wall of said waterproof housing.

13. The waterproof housing according to claim 9, wherein said second aperture has dimensions that are substantially the same as corresponding dimensions of said portion of said imaging device that is configured to receive said sub-assembly related to the operation of said imaging device.

14. The waterproof housing according to claim 9, wherein said imaging device is a digital camera and said portion of said imaging device is a data storage module compartment, said second aperture providing operative access to said data storage module compartment.

15. The waterproof housing according to claim 9, wherein said portion of said imaging device is a battery compartment, said second aperture providing operative access to said battery compartment.

16. The waterproof housing according to claim 9, wherein said cover members further comprise seal members for sealing said waterproof housing when said cover members cover said first and second apertures.

17. The waterproof housing according to claim 9, wherein said cover members further comprise locking members for locking said cover members to said waterproof housing when said cover members cover said first and second apertures, said first and second apertures being configured to permit said locking members to be inserted into said waterproof housing.

18. The waterproof housing according to claim 9, wherein said second aperture is smaller than said first aperture and said sub-assembly is an image data recording medium.

19. The waterproof housing according to claim 9, wherein said second aperture is smaller than said first aperture and said sub-assembly is a battery.

20. A waterproof housing adapted to removably receive a device adapted to receive a sub-assembly, said waterproof housing comprising:

a body having a first aperture allowing said device to be removably inserted into said body, and a second aperture providing operative access to a portion of said device configured to receive said sub-assembly related to the operation of said device, said first aperture being disposed in a first surface of said body, said second aperture being disposed in a second surface of said body, said first surface being substantially perpendicular to said second surface; and

two cover members corresponding to said first and second apertures for covering said first and second apertures and for preventing water from passing through said first and second apertures.

21. The waterproof housing according to claim 20, wherein said cover members further comprise seal members for sealing said waterproof housing when said cover members cover said first and second apertures.

22. The waterproof housing according to claim 20, wherein said cover members further comprise locking members for locking said cover members to said waterproof housing when said cover members cover said first and second apertures, said first and second apertures being configured to permit said locking members to be inserted into said waterproof housing.