Flexible lens mount system for rapid tilt photography

• US 8,773,571 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2012
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lensbaby, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lensbaby, Inc.
• Inventors: Strong, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Sinh
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLOHRE, JASON A
• Application Number:
  US13/653,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20130038788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 348/335, 348/375
• US Class Current: 348/335
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/02 for lenses supports for magnifying lenses G02B25/002
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/04 collapsible, foldable or extensible, e.g. book type
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/045 Bellows
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 5/06 Swinging lens about normal to the optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof

Abstract

The disclosure generally relates to photography, including both still photography and video photography. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a lens system that includes a lens, a fitting mountable to a camera, and a flexible body extending between the lens and the fitting. The fitting can be the sole support for the body relative to the camera. The body can be configured to position the lens among at least two operative positions relative to the camera when the fitting is mounted to the camera.

Claims

1. A lens system comprising:

a lens assembly having a lens support and a lens carried by the lens support;

a fitting mountable to a camera; and

a resiliently flexible body extending between the lens assembly and the fitting, the fitting being the sole support for the body relative to the camera, the body being configured to position the lens among at least two operative positions relative to the camera when the fitting is mounted to the camera, and wherein the body has a rest position to which it at least approximately returns after being moved away from the rest position and released.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an f-stop carried by the body.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a focusing collar coupled to the body.

4. The system of claim 1, in which the resiliently flexibly body is structured to compress to allow the lens to be moved toward the fitting when the lens is manually forced toward the fitting from the rest position.

5. The system of claim 1, in which the resiliently flexibly body is structured to extend to allow the lens to be moved away from the fitting when the lens is manually forced away from the fitting from the rest position.

6. The system of claim 1, in which light is capable of passing through the lens and at least a center portion of the fitting when the resiliently flexible body is in the rest position.

7. The system of claim 1, in which the resiliently flexible body is structured to hold the lens assembly relatively perpendicular to the camera when the flexible body is in the rest position.

8. A lens system comprising:

a lens;

a fitting mountable to a camera;

a resiliently flexible body extending between the lens and the fitting, the fitting being the sole support for the body relative to the camera, the body being configured to position the lens among at least two operative positions relative to the camera when the fitting is mounted to the camera, wherein the body includes a tubular segment and a lens support, the lens being coupled to the body by the lens support, at least one portion of the lens support being received by the tubular segment of the body and being movable relative to at least a portion of the tubular segment of the body, in which the lens support includes a tubular frustoconical lens support having a first part and second part, the first part being coupled to the body and at least one portion of the second part being received by the at least one portion of the body that is tubular, the lens being coupled to the second portion of the lens support.

9. The system of claim 8 in which at least one portion of the second part of the tubular frustoconical lens support having a smaller cross-sectional area than at least one portion of the first part of the tubular frustoconical lens support.

10. The system of claim 8, in which the resiliently flexible body is structured to compress to allow the lens to be moved toward the fitting when manually forced from the rest position.

11. The system of claim 8, in which the resiliently flexible body is structured to extend to allow the lens to be moved away from the fitting when manually forced from the rest position.

12. The system of claim 8, in which light is capable of passing through the lens and at least a center portion of the fitting when the resiliently flexible body is in the rest position.

13. The system of claim 8, in which the resiliently flexible body is structured to hold the lens assembly relatively perpendicular to the camera when the flexible body is in the rest position.

14. A lens system comprising:

a lens assembly structured to accept a lens therein;

a fitting mountable to a camera; and

a resiliently flexible body extending between the lens assembly and the fitting, the fitting being the sole support for the body relative to the camera, the resiliently flexible body being configured to position the lens among at least two operative positions relative to the camera when the fitting is mounted to the camera, the resiliently flexible body having a rest position to which it approximately returns when manual force is removed from the body, and the resiliently flexible body having a strength sufficient to hold the lens assembly approximately perpendicular to the camera when the resiliently flexible body is in the rest position.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising an f-stop carried by the body.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a focusing collar coupled to the body.

17. The system of claim 14 in which the lens includes a first lens, and in which the system further comprises at least one second lens coupled to the body.

18. The system of claim 14 in which at least one portion of the body is tubular.

19. The system of claim 14 in which at least one portion of the body is tubular, and in which the system further comprises a tubular frustoconical lens support having a first part and second part, the first part being coupled to the body and at least one portion of the second part being received by the at least one portion of the body that is tubular, the lens being coupled to the second portion of the lens support.

20. The system of claim 14 in which the body is couplable to at least one optical device.

21. The system of claim 14 in which the fitting is mounted to a camera.