Lens Cap with Integrated Storage Mechanism

Abstract

Described is a lens cap with an integrated threaded screw that allows the cap to be stored on the camera securely without the use of any additional hardware. In one embodiment, a standard camera lens cap has a screw as found on standard male tripod mounts protruding from the front of the lens cap. When the camera is in use, the screw protruding from the lens cap may be used to secure the lens cap to the threaded female tripod mount found on the underside of most cameras.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 securing a front portion of a lens cap to a tripod nut within a camera;   wherein the lens cap comprises a front portion, a rear portion, a rim, and a bolt;   and wherein the bolt comprises a shank and is secured within the lens cap so that the shank protrudes from the front portion of the lens cap.   
     
     
         2 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the shank protrudes from the approximate center of the front portion of the lens cap. 
     
     
         3 . The method as in  claim 2 , wherein the shank includes threads on the shank. 
     
     
         4 . The method as in  claim 3 , wherein the bolt is a ¼ inch 20 UNC threaded bolt. 
     
     
         5 . The method as in  claim 3 , wherein the bolt is a ⅜ inch 16 UNC threaded bolt. 
     
     
         6 . The method as in  claim 3 , wherein the rim further comprises a plurality of rim portions having threads thereon. 
     
     
         7 . The method as in  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of rim portions having threads thereon protrude from the circumference of the rest of the rim when the plurality of rim portions having threads thereon are not compressed. 
     
     
         8 . The method as in  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of rim portions having threads thereon is movable during a compression action so as to substantially match the circumference of the rest of the rim. 
     
     
         9 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein the compression action comprises a squeezing action. 
     
     
         10 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein the compression action comprises a pinching action. 
     
     
         11 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the step of securing a front portion of a lens cap to a tripod nut within a camera comprises screwing the bolt into the tripod nut. 
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the step of securing a front portion of a lens cap to a tripod nut within a camera comprises using friction between the bolt and the tripod nut to secure the lens cap to the camera. 
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 12 , wherein the shank comprises rubber. 
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 12 , wherein the shank comprises an elastic material.