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This application is related to the following co-pending applications, with some common inventors, and same exact assignee: (The teaching of all the applications below are incorporated herein by reference.)
Also: CIP of the following case: U.S. application Ser. No. 11/695,625, filed 4-3-07.
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/696,740, filed 4-5-07.
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/695,624, filed 4-3-07.
The cameras or video recorders, especially expensive cameras, need protection against impact, heat, sun, dirt, moisture, and water. Thus, a protective outer layer of skin or armor is a very important feature on cameras or video recorders (or any other electronic gadgets and devices). In this invention, we concentrate on Battery Grip Armor. In one embodiment, we have a rubber skin that fits a range of battery grips. This is the same or similar material as our main camera armor, described in our earlier disclosure. It has a number of cut-outs that allow the material to stretch and accommodate different cameras and also access the different camera control locations. Some of the related prior art are listed here:
However, none of the above teaches the features of the current application and invention, as described below.
In one embodiment, we have a rubber skin that fits a range of battery grips. This is the same or similar material as our main camera armor, described in our earlier disclosure. It has a number of cut-outs that allow the material to stretch and accommodate different cameras and also access the different camera control locations.
This is an improvement to the current state-of-the-art. It provides more protection for the device, in terms of water, impact, and scratch resistance, for example.
It also features plug-in covers for gaps, plus any or all of the below (in combination with our other disclosures/inventions, described before, in our co-pending applications):
To customize for one model, all of the access points and holes/plugs are predetermined. However, in another embodiment, to apply to 2 or more models, the access points and holes/plugs are usually more than needed, to get all the models covered. In addition, there are extra plugs or covers, to hide and cover the unused access points. To compensate for the different sizes, one uses an elastic material or stretchable material, or alternatively, uses the folded skin, or a skin sewed/stapled/attached to the elastic band.
As another embodiment, we are introducing an elastomeric skin, which covers the battery grip and provides protection against dirt and general wear-and-tear on the battery grip. The skin covers many, most, or all surfaces and replicates the existing battery grip buttons with elastomeric/rubber buttons, which the user can press on, to activate all the existing functions of the camera, without exposing the buttons to any dirt or moisture. The skin has both open and “open-able” areas, to allow the user access to functional areas on the camera or video recorder battery grip (in this example), e.g. to replace the battery or memory card, if they exist within the battery grip.
FIG. 1 shows armor applied to the battery.
FIG. 2 shows holes and access points, for predicting and providing, in advance, different access points for different cameras, so that it can fit and satisfy the shape and configuration of many cameras in the market.
FIG. 3 shows the battery grip/armor, on battery, alone.
FIG. 4 is a different view/variation for FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a different view/variation for FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a different view/variation for FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is a different view/variation for FIG. 3.
FIG. 8 shows a different view/variation for FIG. 3. In one embodiment, it has a rubber shell for shock absorption and protection of camera.
FIG. 1 shows armor applied to the battery grip. FIG. 2 shows holes and access points, for predicting and providing, in advance, different access points for different camera battery grips, so that it can fit and satisfy the shape and configuration of many camera battery grips in the market. It also shows the battery grip. In one embodiment, the material is flexible, to be able to stretch and fit others, as well. It also reduces the cost of production, and cost to consumers.
FIG. 3 shows the battery grip/armor, on battery grip, alone, without being attached to the camera. FIG. 4 is a different view/variation for FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a different view/variation for FIG. 3. It shows that how easy it is to change the battery, with the armor on it. FIG. 6 is a different view/variation for FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is a different view/variation for FIG. 3. In one embodiment, it displays the logo through an opening, similar to the access points for other knobs and buttons, as well as other places/things to access on the camera, by the user. In one embodiment, it uses Velcro band, for the bottom of the unit, for attachment. In one embodiment, other equivalent material and devices, such as belt, string, cable, or hook, could be used, instead. It indicates ease of attachment and flexibility, plus adjustability to fit other models.
FIG. 8 shows a different view/variation for FIG. 3. In one embodiment, it has a rubber shell for shock absorption and protection of camera. In one embodiment, it indicates where it sticks to the battery grip. In one embodiment, it can be adhered. In one embodiment, it is 1 piece, only. In one embodiment, it is 2 pieces, or more. This makes it more adjustable, for size, and for different models. The Velcro connecting different pieces, or other means of attachment, can be adjusted for different sizes, distances, or dimensions, to grab the device very tightly, for many models, to have a good impact protection for the device, as well as being scratch resistant.
The upgrade kit, optional, has a set of plugs for different size of holes. It can be for media opening, battery opening, or general purpose.
In one embodiment, the water flaps cover openings. In one embodiment, the flaps could be removed or pulled away or out. In one embodiment, the rest of the cover is permanent. In one embodiment, the skin looks like shingles, or fish's scales, in which one layer partially covering previous layer, but the whole arrangement can be loose, or attached/rigid. In one embodiment, one uses flexible membrane for the finger condom, on the skin of the device.
In general, whatever we mentioned above, or below, can be applied to the video cameras or any electronic devices, as well.
In one embodiment, one can add a belt clip to the camera skin, so that it could be worn on the belt. Also, the skin itself (without any additional parts) can be wrapped over a belt, so that it can be worn by a user on his belt. Also, the skin can be attached to the belt, pants, skirt, shirt, or purse, with a string, tether, band, belt, or chain, through the skin, on the skin, in-between the skin (e.g. a pocket), or inside the skin.
In one embodiment, one can add different designs, text, and patterns inside or outside of the skin, for decoration, advertisement, instructions, or convenience of the user.
In one embodiment, the skin is made of one or more of the following materials or structures: plastic, elastic material, nylon, bubble-protection material, layered material, soft material, synthetic material, shock absorbent material, hard material, solid material, liquid-containing material, gas-containing material, pressurized-gas-containing material, balloon-type material, inflatable material, gel-type material, natural material, leather, water-proof material, oil-protected surface, paper, cardboard, stretchable material, elastic band network, net-shape material, magnetic material, metallic material, metallic chain, array of metallic rings, multi-dimensional structure, folded structure, hinges, hinged plates, hinged micro-plates, connected tiles, Lego-shaped material, brick-shaped material, ceramic tiles, stone tiles, artificial material tiles, glass tiles, transparent material, translucent material, reflective material, fluorescent material, metal-plated material, painted material, rug, woven material, bamboo, carpet material, wooden material, sticks, insulation material, water-cooling jacket, air-cooling jacket, heating-element jacket, insulation jacket, or any similar, compound, chemical, or composite material.
In one embodiment, the skin includes (in, attached to, or on it) one or more of the following items: a picture frame, clock, notebook, calculator, solar cell array, battery, pen holder, pen, pencil, magnetic plate, magnetic decoration, light, LED, LCD, display, small TV, small radio, thermometer, pressure gauge, biometric sensor, thumb/fingerprint recognition module, combination lock, lock, Velcro, hook-and-loop, password entry input, small keyboard, input device, pointing device, speaker, microphone, small telephone set, keychain ring, hook (for hanging the unit), small video game, music player, downloading unit (from Internet or satellite), wireless unit, communication unit, antenna, small computer, small web browser, recorder, or any other electronic or mechanical device, apparatus, system, toy, decoration, or equipment.
In one embodiment, the skin cover comprises multiple layers. In one embodiment, the skin cover is inflatable. In one embodiment, the skin cover is inflated using one or more of the following, or combination or mixture of the following: gas, liquid, solid, dust, gel-type, liquidated-solid, pressurized fluid, water-absorbent sponge, sponge-type material, or any expandable solid, liquid, fluid, chemical, gas, or material, caused by chemical reaction, heat, temperature variation, catalyst, chain reaction, exceeding critical mass, seed material, mixing, or pressure.
In one embodiment, the size or shape of said skin cover is adjusted based on the size, model, or type of the camera battery grip. In one embodiment, the inflation is adjusted based on the size, model, or type of the camera battery grip. In one embodiment, the size or shape of said skin cover is adjusted by one or more of the following, or a combination of the following: a user, a computer, feedback from one or more sensors, feedback module, pressure gauges at different points, data about the model number or type of said camera or camera battery grip, data about the dimensions or weight of said camera or camera battery grip, fuzzy logic system, a training module, or a neural network module. In one embodiment, the skin cover has multiple parts or chambers, each of which can be optimized, or inflated separately, or in concert, with respect to each other.
In one embodiment, a database holds all the information about specific cameras, or camera battery grips, to inflate the components or parts accordingly, to fit the camera. The more individual chamber or parts we have (smaller chambers), the easier one can make it fit to the shape of a specific camera battery grip. The chambers can be connected together, or can be individually inflated, independent of each other.
This embodiment is useful for semi-custom-made or generic skin cover, to act or behave as a custom-made skin cover (fit perfectly with the camera).
Any other variation of the above teaching is also meant to be protected by the current patent.