Carrier for photographic equipment such as cameras and lenses

Abstract

A carrier has a variable-length compartment for receiving a device of variable length, such as a lens with a hood that may be alternated between a reversed and an extended or operative position. The carrier has an expansion gusset region that allows expansion of the carrier along one dimension when the device is elongated, whereby the carrier is able to securely accommodate the elongated device within the compartment, and contraction of the carrier when the device is less elongated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carrier for carrying photographic gear such as a lens or a camera with a lens, comprising a wall and a bottom joined by an expanding gusset region to define a variable-length compartment. 
     
     
         2 . The carrier according to  claim 1  wherein the expanding gusset region comprises a gusset and a device at least partially secured to or adjacent to each of the wall and the bottom for reversibly engaging the bottom adjacent the wall. 
     
     
         3 . The carrier according to  claim 2  wherein the gusset has a contracted configuration in which the wall is adjacent the bottom and an expanded configuration in which the wall is spaced from the bottom. 
     
     
         4 . The carrier according to  claim 2  wherein the device is a zipper. 
     
     
         5 . The carrier according to  claim 1  wherein the wall defines an opening for access to the variable length compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The carrier according to  claim 5  further comprising a cord and a locking device for closing the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The carrier according to  claim 5  further comprising a top, the top being adapted for covering the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The carrier according to  claim 1  further comprising means attached to the carrier for attaching the carrier to a belt. 
     
     
         9 . The carrier according to  claim 1  wherein the variable-length compartment is sized and shaped to accommodate a lens unattached to a camera. 
     
     
         10 . The carrier according to  claim 9  wherein the lens may have a lens hood attached in either a reversed or extended position. 
     
     
         11 . The carrier according to  claim 1  wherein the variable-length compartment is sized and shaped to accommodate a camera and a lens attached to a camera. 
     
     
         12 . The carrier according to  claim 11  wherein the lens may have a lens hood attached in either a reversed or extended position. 
     
     
         13 . A carrier for carrying a camera with a lens comprising a wall and a bottom joined by an expanding gusset region to define a variable-length compartment for containing the camera and the lens. 
     
     
         14 . The carrier according to  claim 13  wherein the expanding gusset region comprising a gusset and a device at least partially secured to or adjacent to each of the wall and the bottom for reversibly engaging the bottom adjacent the wall. 
     
     
         15 . The carrier according to  claim 14  wherein the variable-length compartment is sized and shaped to accommodate a camera with a lens that may have a lens hood attached in either a reversed or extended position. 
     
     
         16 . The carrier according to  claim 13  further comprising a top reversibly secured to the wall above the variable-length compartment. 
     
     
         17 . A carrier for carrying a lens comprising a wall and a bottom joined by an expanding gusset region to define a variable-length compartment. 
     
     
         18 . The carrier according to  claim 17  wherein the expanding gusset region comprises a gusset and a device at least partially secured to or adjacent to each of the wall and the bottom for reversibly engaging the bottom adjacent the wall. 
     
     
         19 . The carrier according to  claim 17  wherein the compartment is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         20 . The carrier according to  claim 17  wherein the variable-length compartment is sized and shaped to accommodate a lens that may have a lens hood attached in either a reversed or extended position.