Camera cover

Abstract

A cover for a camera that is mounted to the camera adjacent the camera lens. An exemplary embodiment includes a ring mounted to the camera and a second ring mounted to the first ring. A bag is captured between the first ring and the second ring, and the bag includes a closure proximate an opening for receiving the camera. Embodiments may include a tear-away portion temporarily covering the camera lens. The camera cover may be utilized in an operating room to permit photography within the sterile field, for example.

1 . A cover for a camera comprising:
 an attachment base including an engagement surface adapted to releasably couple with a camera;   a flexible bag coupled to the attachment base, the flexible bag having an opening adapted to allow passage of the camera therethrough; and   a closure mounted to the flexible bag, the closure being operative to substantially close the opening thereby at least substantially enclosing the camera within the flexible bag.   
     
     
         2 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment base includes a first ring and a second ring, the first ring including the engagement surface and the second ring being releasably couplable to the first ring. 
     
     
         3 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the bag is mounted to the second ring. 
     
     
         4 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the bag is captured between the first ring and the second ring. 
     
     
         5 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the second ring is releasably couplable to the first ring by releasable engagement of a threaded portion on the first ring with a corresponding threaded portion on the second ring. 
     
     
         6 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the second ring is releasably couplable to the first ring by releasable engagement of a projection extending from one of the first ring and the second ring with a recess on the other of the first ring and the second ring. 
     
     
         7 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the second ring includes an outer surface including one or more surface features adapted to increase friction when the outer surface is grasped by a user. 
     
     
         8 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first ring and the second ring includes an indicator providing an indication of whether the first ring and the second ring are positively engaged. 
     
     
         9 . The cover of  claim 8 , wherein the indication is at least one of audible, tactile, and visual. 
     
     
         10 . The cover of  claim 8 , wherein the indication includes a first color and a second color, the first color being indicative of a non-engaged condition and the second color being indicative of the first ring and the second ring being positively engaged. 
     
     
         11 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the second ring fully engages the first ring. 
     
     
         12 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the second ring partially engages the first ring. 
     
     
         13 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement surface includes a threaded annular surface adapted to engage a threaded surface on the camera. 
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement surface includes an adhesive adapted to releasably affix the engagement surface to an exterior of the camera. 
     
     
         15 . The cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a tear-away portion releasably mounted to the attachment base, wherein the attachment base includes a substantially open interior and the tear away portion substantially covers the substantially open interior. 
     
     
         16 . The cover of  claim 15 , wherein the tear-away portion is releasably mounted to the attachment base by an adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The cover of  claim 15 , wherein the tear-away portion is releasably mounted to attachment base by a perforated portion. 
     
     
         18 . The cover of  claim 15 , wherein the tear-away portion includes a tab. 
     
     
         19 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the bag includes at least one transparent portion. 
     
     
         20 . The cover of  claim 19 , wherein the bag includes at least one translucent portion. 
     
     
         21 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the bag includes at least one of a textured surface and a surface treatment. 
     
     
         22 . The cover of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of an extendable portion and a protruding portion. 
     
     
         23 . The cover of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the extendable portion or the protruding portion is adapted to receive at least one of a lens barrel and a projecting flash of the camera. 
     
     
         24 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the closure includes at least one of a purse string, an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener, a zipper, a tie, and a segment of elastic. 
     
     
         25 . The cover of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment mechanism mounted to an internal surface of the bag and adapted to releasably couple an exterior of the camera to the bag. 
     
     
         26 . The cover of  claim 25 , wherein the attachment mechanism includes first and second components of a hook and loop fastener; and wherein the first component is mounted to the camera and the second component is mounted to the internal surface of the bag. 
     
     
         27 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bag at least partially interposes the attachment base and the camera. 
     
     
         28 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bag includes at least one cable penetration separate from the opening. 
     
     
         29 . A method of installing a cover on a camera comprising:
 coupling a first ring to a camera proximate the lens of the camera;   aligning a second ring with the first ring, the second ring being mounted to a cover;   coupling the second ring with the first ring;   placing the camera into the cover through an opening in the cover; and   closing the opening in the cover using a closure.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising, before the step of aligning the second ring with the first ring, everting the cover to expose an engagement surface of the second ring. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the step of placing the camera into the cover through an opening in the cover is performed prior to the step of aligning the second ring with the first ring. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of removing a tear-away portion of the cover mounted within the second ring. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising, prior to the step of aligning the second ring with the first ring, sterilizing the cover. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the step of coupling the second ring with the first ring includes engaging a threaded portion of the second ring with a corresponding portion of the first ring. 
     
     
         35 . A cover for a camera comprising:
 a bag including a first opening sized to receive a camera therethrough and a second opening sized to encircle a lens of the camera;   adhesive provided on the bag proximate a periphery of the second opening; and   a closure proximate the first opening and operative to substantially close the first opening thereby at least substantially enclosing the camera within the bag.   
     
     
         36 . The cover of  claim 35 , further comprising a tear-away portion substantially covering the second opening. 
     
     
         37 . The cover of  claim 36 , wherein the tear-away portion is releasably mounted to the attachment ring by an adhesive. 
     
     
         38 . The cover of  claim 36 , wherein the tear-away portion is releasably mounted to attachment ring by a perforated portion. 
     
     
         39 . The cover of  claim 36 , wherein the tear-away portion includes a tab. 
     
     
         40 . The cover of  claim 35 , wherein the bag includes at least one transparent portion. 
     
     
         41 . The cover of  claim 40 , wherein the bag includes at least one translucent portion. 
     
     
         42 . The cover of  claim 35 , wherein the bag includes at least one of a textured surface and a surface treatment. 
     
     
         43 . The cover of  claim 35 , further comprising at least one of an extendable portion and a protruding portion. 
     
     
         44 . The cover of  claim 43 , wherein at least one of the extendable portion or the protruding portion is adapted to receive at least one of a lens barrel and a projecting flash of the camera. 
     
     
         45 . The cover of  claim 35 , wherein the closure includes at least one of a purse string, an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener, a zipper, a tie, and a segment of elastic. 
     
     
         46 . The cover of  claim 35 , further comprising an attachment mechanism mounted to an internal surface of the bag and adapted to releasably couple an exterior of the camera to the bag. 
     
     
         47 . The cover of  claim 46 , wherein the attachment mechanism includes first and second components of a hook and loop fastener; and wherein the first component is mounted to the camera and the second component is mounted to the internal surface of the bag. 
     
     
         48 . The cover of  claim 35 , wherein the flexible bag includes at least one cable penetration separate from the opening.