The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 12, 1994
Filed:
Dec. 27, 1990
Takeshi Kawarai, Ibaraki, JP;
Michiaki Ezure, Katsuta, JP;
Seiko Nakasuna, Katsuta, JP;
Takanori Nishiyama, Koganei, JP;
Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A camcorder (1) has a VCR portion (2) including a video tape drive (2a), and a camera portion (3) including a lens block (4). The VCR portion and camera portion are rotatably connected (11) for movement to a configuration convenient for photographing (FIG. 2 ) and to a compact configuration convenient for carrying (FIG. 1 ). A switch (1010) switches between a camera mode in the photographing configuration and a VCR mode in the carrying configuration. In the camera mode, the VCR portion records video signals from the lens block on the video tape and, in a VCR operation mode, the VCR portion only plays back previously recorded video tapes. The switch is mounted within one of the VCR and camera portions such that the switch is not accessible from the outside. During rotation, a linkage (100) moves a lens cover (12) between lens covering and exposing positions. In the lens exposing position, infrared transmissive portions (109,110) align with a light emitting portion (202) and a light receiving portion (203) of an autofocus range finder (201). In this manner, the camcorder folds to a compact configuration for convenience in storing and carrying and unfolds to conform to the operator's hands and body for convenience in photographing.