Universal Protective Cap for Camera Lenses and Other Tubular-shaped Objects

Content Provider	The Lens
Abstract	A removable and flexible protective cap that is configured and dimensioned to stretch and slip over fixed camera lenses, detachable camera lenses and other tubular-shaped objects. The protective cap fits on objects having different diameters. The protective cap further includes integrated bumpers to provide improved protection against impacts. The protective cap has a memory such that when it is removed from a lens, it returns to its original shape. The protective cap may include a lint-resistant feature to prevent lint and dust from adhering to the cap. The protective cap is particularly suited for lenses used in photography, videography, hunting, military, and astronomy. The protective cap is also suited for use on non-optical devices, including gun barrels. In addition, the protective cap is suitable for use on other tubular-shaped objects.
Related Links	https://www.lens.org/lens/patent/010-479-072-442-335/frontpage
Language	English
Publisher Date	2019-02-21
Access Restriction	Open
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Patent
Jurisdiction	United States of America
Date Applied	2018-03-26
Applicant	Decker Cary Allen
Application No.	201815936287
Claim	1 - 10 . (canceled) A protective cap for tubular-shaped objects, said protective cap comprising: a base member having an outer surface and an inner surface; a sidewall extending rearwardly from the base member, the sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface; wherein the inner surface of the sidewall and the inner surface of the base member define a cavity for receiving an end of a tubular-shaped object; wherein the outer surface of the base member and the outer surface of the sidewall define a contiguous outer surface; wherein the contiguous outer surface has at least one bumper and at least one stretch channel; wherein the at least one stretch channel has a first thickness; wherein the at least one bumper has a second thickness; wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness; wherein a difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is between 0.3 and 2.0 millimeters. (canceled) The protective cap of claim 11 , wherein a difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is about 0.5 millimeters. The protective cap of claim 11 , wherein the first thickness is between 1.0 and 3.0 millimeters. The protective cap of claim 14 , wherein the second thickness is between 1.5 and 3.5 millimeters. The protective cap of claim 11 , wherein the first thickness is about 1.5 millimeters and the second thickness is about 2.0 millimeters. The protective cap of claim 11 , further comprising an annular rim around the sidewal The protective cap of claim 17 , wherein the sidewall comprises a terminal end, wherein the annular rim is adjacent the terminal end. The protective cap of claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of bumpers extending forwardly on the outer surface of the sidewall from the annular rim, wherein each of the plurality of bumpers are interconnected with the annular rim. The protective cap of claim 19 , further comprising a stretch channel interposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of bumpers, wherein a thickness of the stretch channel is thinner than a thickness of the plurality of bumpers. 21 - 25 . (canceled) A method of protecting a camera lens from damage, said method comprising: providing a protective cap; installing the protective cap onto the camera lens by stretching the protective cap to fit over an end of the camera lens; wherein the protective cap comprises a base member and a sidewall, the sidewall extending rearwardly from the base member; wherein the protective cap further comprises an outer surface having at least one bumper and at least one stretch channel formed thereon, wherein a thickness of the at least one stretch channel is less than a thickness of the at least one bumper; and further comprising installing a second protective cap on top of the protective cap already installed onto the camera lens. The method of claim 26 , wherein the protective cap comprises silicone. The method of claim 26 , wherein the at least one bumper and the at least one stretch channel are formed on the base member. The method of claim 26 , wherein the at least one bumper and the at least one stretch channel are formed on the sidewal The method of claim 26 , wherein the at least one bumper and at least one stretch channel are formed on the base member and the sidewal A protective cap for tubular-shaped objects, said protective cap comprising: a base member having an outer surface and an inner surface; a sidewall extending rearwardly from the base member, the sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface; wherein the inner surface of the sidewall and the inner surface of the base member define a cavity for receiving an end of a tubular-shaped object; wherein the outer surface of the base member and the outer surface of the sidewall define a contiguous outer surface; wherein the contiguous outer surface has at least one bumper and at least one stretch channel; wherein the at least one stretch channel has a first thickness; wherein the at least one bumper has a second thickness; wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness; wherein the first thickness is between 1.0 and 3.0 millimeters. The protective cap of claim 32 , wherein a difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is between 0.3 and 2.0 millimeters. The protective cap of claim 32 , wherein a difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is about 0.5 millimeters. The protective cap of claim 34 , wherein the second thickness is between 1.5 and 3.5 millimeters. The protective cap of claim 32 , wherein the first thickness is about 1.5 millimeters and the second thickness is about 2.0 millimeters. The protective cap of claim 32 , further comprising an annular rim around the sidewal The protective cap of claim 37 , wherein the sidewall comprises a terminal end, wherein the annular rim is adjacent the terminal end. The protective cap of claim 38 , further comprising a plurality of bumpers extending forwardly on the sidewall from the annular rim, wherein each the bumpers are interconnected with the annular rim. The protective cap of claim 39 , further comprising a stretch channel interposed between each of the bumpers, wherein a thickness of the stretch channel is thinner than a thickness of the bumpers. A protective cap for tubular-shaped objects, said protective cap comprising: a base member having an outer surface and an inner surface; a sidewall extending rearwardly from the base member, the sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface; wherein the inner surface of the sidewall and the inner surface of the base member define a cavity for receiving an end of a tubular-shaped object; wherein the outer surface of the base member and the outer surface of the sidewall define a contiguous outer surface; wherein the contiguous outer surface has at least one bumper and at least one stretch channel; wherein the at least one stretch channel has a first thickness; wherein the at least one bumper has a second thickness; wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness; wherein the first thickness is about 1.5 millimeters and the second thickness is about 2.0 millimeters. The protective cap of claim 41 , further comprising an annular rim around the sidewal The protective cap of claim 41 , wherein the sidewall comprises a terminal end, wherein the annular rim is adjacent the terminal end. The protective cap of claim 43 , further comprising a plurality of bumpers extending forwardly on the sidewall from the annular rim, wherein each the bumpers are interconnected with the annular rim. The protective cap of claim 44 , further comprising a stretch channel interposed between each of the bumpers, wherein a thickness of the stretch channel is thinner than a thickness of the bumpers. The protective cap of claim 11 , wherein the at least one bumper and at least one stretch channel are separated by an edge. The protective cap of claim 32 , wherein the at least one bumper and at least one stretch channel are separated by an edge. The protective cap of claim 41 , wherein the at least one bumper and at least one stretch channel are separated by an edge.
CPC Classification	APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM;APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES;ACCESSORIES THEREFOR FRAMES; CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES; MACHINES OR APPARATUS; NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES; MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE;STANDS;SUPPORTS
Extended Family	148-920-690-292-302 160-109-381-445-266 155-822-765-985-088 010-479-072-442-335 043-501-787-092-573 050-042-337-452-758
Patent ID	20190056638
Inventor/Author	Decker Cary Allen
IPC	G03B11/04
Status	Active
Owner	P&t Llc
Simple Family	148-920-690-292-302 160-109-381-445-266 010-479-072-442-335 155-822-765-985-088 043-501-787-092-573 050-042-337-452-758
CPC (with Group)	G03B11/041 F16M11/08 F16M11/2021 G03B15/00 G03B15/06 G03B17/00 G03B17/02 G03B17/04 G03B17/10 G03B17/24
Issuing Authority	United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Kind	Patent Application Publication