Camera with waterproof function

• US 7,751,696 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2005
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
• Original Assignee: Hoya Corporation
• Inventors: Tatamiya, Hisashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Koval; Melissa J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hancock; Dennis
• Application Number:
  US11/316,996
• Publication Number:
  US 20060139443A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,652 Days
• Field of Search: 396 25- 29
• US Class Current: 396/25
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 31/00 Associated working of cameras or projectors with sound-recording or sound-reproducing means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

A camera according to the present invention has a housing that has a first hole and a second hole, a microphone, a loudspeaker, and a waterproof sheet that covers the microphone and the loudspeaker, and allows air-vibration to be transmitted. The microphone is arranged in the housing, in accordance with a position of the first hole. The loudspeaker is arranged in the housing, in accordance with a position of the second hole. The loudspeaker and the microphone are adjacent to each other, and the waterproof sheet is constructed as one-piece sheet.

Claims

1. A camera, comprising:

a housing that has a first hole and a second hole;

a microphone configured to be arranged in said housing at a position corresponding to a location of said first hole;

a loudspeaker configured to be arranged in said housing at a position corresponding to a location of said second hole, said loudspeaker and said microphone being adjacent to each other;

a holder that fixes said microphone and said loudspeaker;

a single waterproof sheet that covers said microphone and said loudspeaker, and transmits air-vibrations; and

a unitary support member positioned between said waterproof sheet and both said microphone and loudspeaker,

wherein said support member is position on each of said microphone, said loudspeaker, and said holder, and

wherein said support member supports said waterproof sheet so as to define a first inner space between said waterproof sheet and an input of said microphone and a second inner space between said waterproof sheet and an output of said loudspeaker.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein said first and second holes are formed on a same surface of said camera.

3. The camera of claim 1, wherein said first and second holes are formed on an upper surface of said camera.

4. The camera of claim 1, wherein said waterproof sheet comprises a moisture permeable and breathable sheet.

5. The camera of claim 1, wherein said support member has a numeral “

8 ”

shape in a plain view.

6. The camera of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a rubber seal.

7. A waterproof mechanism, comprising:

a housing that has a first hole and a second hole;

a single waterproof sheet that covers a microphone configured to be arranged in said housing at a position corresponding to a location of said first hole and covers a loudspeaker configured to be arranged in said housing at a position corresponding to a location of said second hole, said waterproof sheet transmitting air-vibrations,

wherein said loudspeaker and said microphone are adjacent to each other;

a holder that fixes said microphone an said loudspeaker; and

a unitary support member positioned between said waterproof sheet and both said microphone and loudspeaker,

wherein said support member is position on each of said microphone, said loudspeaker, and said holder, and

wherein said support member supports said waterproof sheet so as to define a first inner space between said waterproof sheet and an input of said microphone and a second inner space between said waterproof sheet and output of said loudspeaker.

8. The waterproofing of mechanism of claim 7, wherein said first and second holes are formed on a same surface of said housing.

9. The waterproofing of mechanism of claim 7, wherein said first and second holes are formed on an upper surface of said housing.

10. The waterproofing of mechanism of claim 7, wherein said waterproof sheet comprises a moisture permeable and breathable sheet.

11. The waterproof mechanism of claim 7, wherein said support member has a numeral “

8”

shape in a plan view.

12. The waterproof mechanism of claim 7, wherein said support member comprises a rubber seal.