Abstract
A strap changeable between a first and second modes. In the first mode, the strap is movable, and, in the second, the strap is locked. The strap includes a mount removably attaching the strap to a camera. The mount includes a first strap portion that includes a first plurality of strap elements, each including a hole. The first strap portion further includes a first line connected to the mount and extending through the hole of each strap element of the first plurality such that the first plurality are arranged adjacent to each other along the first line. The mount includes a line tightening mechanism to tighten the first line to change the strap from the first mode to the second. The first plurality of strap elements, in the first mode, are movable, and, in the second, the first plurality of strap elements are locked.
Claims
1. A camera strap, configured to be changeable between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the strap, when in the first mode, is configured to be movable, and when in the second mode, is configured to be locked in a rigid state; the strap comprising: a mount, intended for removably attaching the strap to a camera; a first strap portion; comprising: a first plurality of strap elements, each comprising a hole extending through the strap element; and a first line connected to the mount, the first line extends through the hole of each strap element of the first plurality of strap elements such that the first plurality of strap elements are arranged adjacent to each other along the first line; wherein the mount comprises a line tightening mechanism arranged to tighten the first line to change the strap from the first mode to the second mode; and wherein the first plurality of strap elements in the first mode are movable with regards to the adjacent strap elements, and in the second mode the first plurality of strap elements are locked with regard to the adjacent strap elements.
2. A camera strap according to claim 1, wherein said first line comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is connected to the mount.
3. A camera strap according to claim 2, wherein the second end of the first line is connected to the mount.
4. A camera strap according to claim 2, further comprising: a connecting portion, connected between the second end of the first line and the mount.
5. A camera strap according to claim 2, further comprising: a second strap portion, comprising: a second plurality of strap elements, each comprising a hole extending through the strap element; and a second line, with a first and a second end, the first end of the second line being connected to the mount, the second line extends through the hole of each strap element of the second plurality of strap elements such that the second plurality of strap elements are arranged adjacent to each other along the second line; and wherein the line tightening mechanism is further arranged to tighten the second line to change the strap from the first mode to the second mode; and wherein the second plurality of strap elements in the first mode are movable with regards to the adjacent strap elements, and in the second mode the second plurality of strap elements are locked with regard to the adjacent strap elements.
6. A camera strap according to claim 5, further comprising: a connecting portion, connected between the second end of the first line and the second end of the second line.
7. A camera strap according to claim 5, wherein the second end of the first strap portion and the second end of the second strap portion are configured to be connectable.
8. A camera strap according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of strap elements comprise: a plurality of first strap elements, and a plurality of second strap elements, and wherein the first plurality of strap elements are arranged adjacent to each other along the first line such that every other strap element along the first line is a first strap element.
9. A camera strap according to claim 8, wherein the first strap elements comprise a tube-shaped body, and wherein the second strap elements comprise a spherically shaped body.
10. A camera strap according to claim 9, wherein, in the second mode, at least a section of the spherically shaped body of the plurality of second strap elements are inserted into the tube-shaped body of the adjacent first strap elements such that an peripheral surface of the tube-shaped body bear against the spherically shaped body.
11. A camera strap according to claim 1, wherein in the second mode the friction between adjacent strap elements is higher than in the first mode, such that the strap elements are locked with regard to the adjacent strap elements.
12. A camera strap according to claim 4, further comprising: at least one end cap, arranged at a second end, and a locking member; and wherein the connecting portion is configured as a tube arranged around the at least one end cap; and wherein the locking member is arranged around the connecting portion, and configured to clamp the connecting portion between the at least one end cap and the locking member, such that the connecting portion is locked with regards to the at least one end cap.
13. A camera strap according to claim 1, wherein the line tightening mechanism is further arranged to tighten the first line to change the strap from the first mode to an intermediary mode and from the intermediary mode to the second mode; and wherein the plurality of strap elements in the intermediary mode are less movable with regards to the adjacent strap elements compared to the plurality of strap elements in the first mode.
14. A camera strap according to claim 1, wherein the line tightening mechanism is configured as at least one of a lever, a reel lock, a ratchet mechanism and a threaded bias mechanism.
15. A camera strap according to claim 14, wherein the line tightening mechanism is configured as a lever, configured to be switchable between at least two discrete positions.
16. A camera strap according to claim 1, wherein the mount is comprised by a first mount portion, and a second mount portion, wherein the mount is configured to be changeable between a locked state and an open state, wherein the first mount portion and the second mount portion, when in the locked state, are locked together, and when in the open state, are separated from each other.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Exemplifying embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic and perspective view of a camera strap according to one or more exemplifying embodiments of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic and perspective view of a camera strap according to one or more exemplifying embodiments of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a schematic and perspective view of a camera strap according to one or more exemplifying embodiments of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic and perspective view of a strap portion of a camera strap according to one or more exemplifying embodiments of the present invention.
[0041] All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate embodiments of the present invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] The present invention will now be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplifying embodiments of the present invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments of the present invention set forth herein; rather, these embodiments of the present invention are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote the same or similar components having a same or similar function, unless specifically stated otherwise.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic and perspective view of a camera strap according to one or more exemplifying embodiments of the present invention. The camera strap 1 in FIG. 1 is configured to be changeable between a first mode and a second mode. The strap 1, when in the first mode, is configured to be movable, and when in the second mode, is configured to be locked in a rigid state. The strap 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a mount 10 (not shown; see FIGS. 2 and 3), intended for removably attaching the strap 1 to a camera. In FIG. 1, a camera is shown as attached to the mount 10. The shown strap 1 comprises a first strap portion 20 and a second strap portion 30. The first and second strap portions 20,30 comprises a first plurality of strap elements 25 and a second plurality of strap elements 35, respectively. Each strap element comprises a hole extending through the strap element. The first and second strap portions 20,30 comprises a first line 40 (not shown; see FIG. 4) and a second line 50 (not shown; see FIG. 4), respectively. The first line has a first end 41 and a second end 42, and the second line has a first end 51 and a second end 52 (not shown; see FIG. 4). The first line 40 and the second line 50 are connected to the mount. The first line 40 extends through the hole of each strap element of the first plurality of strap elements 25 such that the first plurality of strap elements 25 are arranged adjacent to each other along the first line 40. The second line 50 extends through the hole of each strap element of the second plurality of strap elements 35 such that the second plurality of strap elements 35 are arranged adjacent to each other along the second line 50. The mount 10 comprises a line tightening mechanism 15 (not shown; see FIG. 3) arranged to tighten the first line 40 and/or the second line 50 to change the strap 1 from the first mode to the second mode. The first and the second pluralities of strap elements 25,35 in the first mode are movable with regards to the adjacent strap elements, and in the second mode the first and the second pluralities of strap elements 25,35 are locked with regard to the adjacent strap elements. The first ends 41,51 of the first line 40 and the second line 50 are connected to the mount 10. The shown strap 1 comprises a connecting portion 60. The connecting portion 60 is connected between the second ends 42, 52 of first line 40 and the second line 50, respectively. The first and the second plurality of strap elements 25, 35 comprise a plurality of first strap elements 21 and a plurality of second strap elements 22. The first and second plurality of strap elements 25,35 are arranged adjacent to each other along the first and second line 40,50 respectively, such that every other strap element along the first and the second line 40,50 is a first strap element 21. The first strap elements 21 comprise a tube-shaped body, and wherein the second strap elements 22 comprise a spherically shaped body. The spherically shaped body has a radius exceeding the radius of the tube-shaped body. A majority of the spherically shaped bodies are inside the two adjacent tube-shaped bodies of each spherically shaped body. The strap elements may be comprised by any material. For example, the strap elements may be comprised by plastic, rubber, metal, and or wood. Further, a strap element 21,22 may comprise a ring, arranged around the strap element 21, 22. The ring may be comprised by the same or a different material than the strap element 21,22. The ring may for example be comprised by rubber. The ring may improve the grip and/or friction of the camera trap while in the second mode. All the strap elements 21, 22 may have rings, or only the second strap elements 22 may have rings. Thereby, the ring(s) may help while the camera strap 1 is arranged to hang or to grip onto something, while in the second mode. The shown camera strap 1 further comprises two end caps 55. The end caps 55 are arranged at the second ends 42,52 of the first strap portion 20 and the second strap portion 30, respectively. The camera strap 1 further comprises two locking members 65. The connecting portion 60 is configured as a tube arranged around the two end caps 55. The connecting portion 60 is further configured as a tube arranged around at least a portion of the first and second strap portions 20,30. The locking member(s) 65 are arranged around the connecting portion 60, and configured to clamp the connecting portion 60 between the end cap(s) 55 and the locking member(s) 65, such that the connecting portion 60 is locked with regards to the end cap(s) 55. The connecting portion 60 further comprises two end members arranged at ends of the connecting portion 60 around the first strap portion 20 and second strap portion 30, respectively. The end members are adapted to prevent the connecting portion 60 from separating from the first strap portion 20 and the second strap portion 30.
[0044] However, the first line 40 (or the second line 50) may be arranged to extend through the hole of each strap element of the first and the second plurality of strap elements 25, 35 and the mount 10, such that the first and second plurality of strap elements 25,35 are arranged adjacent to each other along the first line 40 (or the second line 50). In other words, the camera strap 1 may comprise a first strap portion 10, a second strap portion 20 and a first or second line 40, 50, wherein the first or second line extends through the hole of each strap element of the first and second plurality strap elements 25. Thereby, the end caps 55 may be arranged at a first end 41,51 and/or a second end 42,52.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a schematic and perspective view of a camera strap 1 according to one or more exemplifying embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that FIG. 2 comprises features, elements and/or functions as shown in FIG. 1 and described in the associated text. Hence, it is also referred to that figure and the description relating thereto for an increased understanding. A difference between the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 and the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 is that the camera strap 1 does not comprise a connecting portion 60. Further, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 does not show a camera attached to the mount 10 of the camera strap 1. The camera strap 1 shown in FIG. 2 does not comprise a second strap portion 30, as shown in FIG. 1. The first end 41 of the first line 40 is connected to the mount 10. Further, the second end 42 of the first line 40 may be connected to the mount 10. Furthermore, the camera strap 1 may comprise a connecting portion 60 (not shown; see FIG. 1), connected between the second end 42 of the first line 40 and the mount 10. The shown camera strap 1 comprises an end cap 55 and a locking member 65. However, it should be understood that the present inventive concept is not limited to comprising either of an end cap 55 or a locking member 65. For example, the camera strap 1 could comprise an end cap 55, but not a locking member 65. Thereby, a connecting portion 60 may be connected between the end cap 55 and the mount 10. Further, the camera strap 1 could be connected to the mount 10 by the second end 42 of the first line 40. Hence, such an exemplary embodiment does not comprise either of an end cap 55 or a locking member 65. The mount 10 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a screw, intended for removably attaching the strap 1 to a camera. The shown screw is arranged through the mount 10. Further, the screw comprises a turning wheel. The turning wheel allowing attachment of a camera to the mount 10 via the screw. The screw could be fixed to the mount 10. The mount 10 further comprises camera padding (not shown), intended for securing a camera to mount 10. The mount 10 may be comprised by a first mount portion 11, and a second mount portion 12. The mount 10 may be configured to be changeable between a locked state and an open state, wherein the first mount portion 11 and the second mount portion 12, when in the locked state, are locked together, and when in the open state, are separated from each other. Either of the first mount portion 11 and the second mount portion 12 may comprise the locking mechanism 15. Further, either of the first mount portion 11 and the second mount portion 12 may comprise a screw, or other attachment means, for attaching a camera to the mount 10.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a schematic and perspective view of a camera strap according to one or more exemplifying embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that FIG. 3 comprises features, elements and/or functions as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described in the associated texts. Hence, it is also referred to those figures and the description relating thereto for an increased understanding. A difference between the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 and the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 3 is that there is no camera attached to the camera strap 1. Further, the camera strap 1 shown in FIG. 3 does not comprise a connecting portion 60 or a locking member 65. Additionally, the camera strap 1, shown in FIG. 3, is in the second mode. The camera strap 1 in the second mode is locked in a rigid state. The first strap portion 20 and the second strap portion 30 have been moved into a shape while in the first mode, and then locked in a rigid state, thereby keeping the shape. The shown shape is exemplary and the camera strap 1 may be in substantially any shape. The shape of the camera strap 1, while in the second state, may allow for the camera strap 1 to be configured as a camera stand. The second state may be understood as a camera stand state. The first state may be understood as a carrying and/or shaping state. In the second mode the friction between adjacent strap elements 25 is higher than in the first mode, such that the strap elements 25 are locked with regard to the adjacent strap elements 25. Additionally, in the second mode, at least a section of the spherically shaped body of the plurality of second strap elements 22 are inserted into the tube-shaped body of the adjacent first strap elements 21 such that an peripheral surface of the tube-shaped body bear against the spherically shaped body. The first line 40 and the second line 50 are arranged centrally through the first strap portion 20 and the second strap portion 30, respectively, and are arranged centrally in each respective end cap 55, wherein each line 40, 50 comprised a second end portion 42, 52. The mount 10 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a line tightening mechanism 15 arranged to tighten the first line 40 to change the strap 1 from the first mode to the second mode. The line tightening mechanism 15 may be configured to tighten the first line 40 and the second line 50. In FIG. 3, the line tightening mechanism 15 is configured as a lever. The lever is configured to be switchable between at least two discrete positions. the line tightening mechanism 15 may be further arranged to tighten the first line 40 to change the strap 1 from the first mode to an intermediary mode and from the intermediary mode to the second mode. The plurality of strap elements 25 in the intermediary mode are less movable with regards to the adjacent strap elements 25 compared to the plurality of strap elements 25 in the first mode. The lever may be in a middle position while in the intermediary mode. However, it is to be understood that the present inventive concept is not limited to the line tightening mechanism being configured as a lever. For example, the line tightening mechanism 15 may be configured as at least one of a lever, a reel lock, a ratchet mechanism and a threaded bias mechanism. Further, the camera strap 1 may comprise a connecting portion 60 connected between the first strap portion 20 and the second strap portion 30. Furthermore, the second end 42 of the first strap portion 20 and the second end 52 of the second strap portion 30 may be configured to be connectable. In other words, the end caps 55 of the first strap portion 20 and the second strap portion 30 may be configured to be connectable.
[0047] FIG. 4 is a schematic and perspective view of a strap portion of a camera strap 1 according to one or more exemplifying embodiments of the present invention. Further, FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a strap portion of a camera strap 1 according to one or more exemplifying embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that the strap portion 20, 30 shown in FIG. 4 may represent a first line 40 or a second line 50. The shown strap portion 20, 30 comprises a line 40, 50 and a plurality of strap elements 25, 35. The line 40, 50 comprises an end 41, 42, 51, 52 which is has a radius greater than the radius of the line 40, 50. However, the end 41, 42, 51, 52 may have the same radius as the line 40, 50. The line 40, 50 in FIG. 4 shows one end 41, 42, 51, 52, however it is to be understood that the line 40, 50 comprises another end. The shown plurality of strap elements 25, 35 each comprises a hole extending through the strap element 21, 22. The first strap elements 21 comprise a tube-shaped body. The second strap elements 22 comprise a spherically shaped body. The spherically shaped body has a radius substantially equal to the inner radius of the tube-shaped body. The spherically shaped body may have a radius which is smaller than the inner radius of the tube-shaped body. However, the spherically shaped body may have a radius exceeding the inner radius of the tube-shaped body. The shown first strap elements 21 further comprises a bottom, with a centrally arranged hole, which the line 40, 50 passes through. The bottom may be arranged to support an abutting second strap portion 22, when in a locked mode. The strap portion 20, 30 shown in FIG. 4 comprises three first strap elements 21 and three second strap elements 22. It is to be understood that this is purely exemplary, and the strap portion 20, 30 may comprise and number of first strap elements 21 and second strap elements 22, such as four, five, six, seven, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen, eighteen, any number in between, or more. The plurality of strap elements 25, 35 are configured such that, in the second mode, at least a section of the spherically shaped body of the plurality of second strap elements 22 are inserted into the tube-shaped body of the adjacent first strap elements 21 such that a peripheral surface of the tube-shaped body bear against the spherically shaped body. The spherically shaped body may bear against the bottom of the tube-shaped body.
[0048] While the present invention has been illustrated in the appended drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration is to be considered illustrative or exemplifying and not restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the appended claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
