Protective inserts for camera bags and storage systems including the same

Abstract

A protective case is defined by inflatable panels and an inflatable top. When the panels of the protective case are inflated, they may protect an object (e.g., a camera, other photography equipment, a portable electronic device, etc.) that has been placed within a receptacle of the protective case from impacts on the protective case. The protective case may be used alone to carry the object, or it may be introduced into a bag (e.g., a backpack, a camera bag, etc.) that may in turn be carried by an individual. Methods for storing and transporting objects, such as photography equipment and portable electronic devices, are also disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A protective case for a camera bag, comprising:
 a base;   walls extending from the base, the base and the walls defining a cavity capable of receiving a camera, ends of the walls located opposite from the base defining an opening of the cavity, the walls including at least a first wall and a second wall located adjacent to one another, each wall of the walls including a pair of superimposed layers joined together at selected locations defining elongated cells that are parallel to one another, in flow communication with one another, and capable of being selectively inflated and deflated, first elongated cells of the first wall extending in a first orientation, second elongated cells of the second wall extending in a second orientation, the first orientation and the second orientation being different from one another; and   a lid capable of being positioned over the opening of the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein, when the walls are inflated, the first orientation of the first elongated cells of the first wall and the second orientation of the second elongated cells of the second wall capable of preventing the protective case from collapsing along a height, a width, and a depth of the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The protective case of  claim 2 , wherein the first orientation and the second orientation are perpendicular to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The protective case of  claim 3 , wherein the first orientation is parallel to a width of the first wall and the second orientation is parallel to a height of the second wall. 
     
     
         5 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the lid are inflatable. 
     
     
         6 . The protective case of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a valve in communication with the elongated cells of the walls and cells of the base and the lid.   
     
     
         7 . The protective case of  claim 5 , wherein cells of the lid are aligned with elongated cells of a wall of the walls. 
     
     
         8 . The protective case of  claim 7 , wherein the cells of the lid are aligned with elongated cells of a rear wall of the walls. 
     
     
         9 . The protective case of  claim 8 , wherein the walls comprise four walls, including the rear wall, a front wall opposite from the rear wall, a first side wall adjoining first edges of the rear wall and the front wall, and a second side wall opposite from the first side wall and adjoining second edges of the rear wall and the front wall. 
     
     
         10 . The protective case of  claim 9 , wherein the cells of the lid, the elongated cells of the rear wall, and elongated cells of the front wall are oriented parallel to one another and perpendicular to elongated cells of the first side wall and elongated cells of the second side wall. 
     
     
         11 . The protective case of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the elongated cells of the rear wall and the elongated cells of the front wall are oriented substantially perpendicular to the base; and   the elongated cells of the first side wall and the elongated cells of the second side wall are oriented substantially parallel to the base.   
     
     
         12 . The protective case of  claim 7 , wherein cells of the base are aligned with the elongated cells of the wall. 
     
     
         13 . A protective storage system for a camera, comprising:
 a pack including:
 a shell; 
 an interior defined by the shell, the interior including:
 a primary receptacle; 
 
   a protective case caseable into and removable from the primary receptacle of the pack, the protective case comprising an inflatable cavity with:
 a base; 
 walls extending from the base, the base and the walls defining a cavity capable of receiving a camera, ends of the walls located opposite from the base defining an opening of the cavity, the walls including at least a first wall and a second wall located adjacent to one another, each wall of the walls including a pair of superimposed layers joined together at selected locations defining elongated cells that are parallel to one another and capable of being selectively inflated and deflated, first elongated cells of the first wall extending in a first orientation, second elongated cells of the second wall extending in a second orientation, the first orientation and the second orientation being different from one another; and 
 a lid capable of being positioned over the opening of the cavity. 
   
     
     
         14 . The protective storage system of  claim 13 , wherein the pack lacks padding. 
     
     
         15 . The protective storage system of  claim 13 , wherein the pack lacks a structural support element. 
     
     
         16 . The protective storage system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an inflatable frame caseable into and removable from the primary receptacle of the pack, the inflatable frame, when inflated, capable of imparting the pack with structural rigidity.   
     
     
         17 . The protective storage system of  claim 16 , wherein the protective frame has a shape that corresponds to a shape of a major panel of the shell of the pack. 
     
     
         18 . A method for protecting photography equipment, comprising:
 introducing at least one piece of photography equipment into a cavity of a protective case;   inflating panels of the protective case defining the cavity of the protective case; and   introducing the protective case into a receptacle of a bag.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein inflating panels occurs before introducing the at least one piece of photography equipment into the cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein inflating panels occurs after introducing the at least one piece of photography equipment into the cavity. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , introducing the protective case comprises introducing the protective case into a receptacle of a bag that lacks padding.