# US 2019/0377240 A1 · Vehicle camera lens protective cover

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- Number: US 2019/0377240 A1
- Document ID: US20190377240A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/434,120
- Filed: 2019-06-06
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-06-06
- Inventors: Phyllis Florence Lowe; Wayne Richard Feldhacker
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190377240A1

## CPC

- G03B 11/043: {Protective lens closures or lens caps built into cameras}
- B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
- B60S 1/0848: {Cleaning devices for cameras on vehicle}
- G03B 17/55: with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft
- H04N 23/50: Constructional details
- H04N 23/52: Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
- H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
- B60R 2011/004: {outside the vehicle}
- B60R 2011/0043: {for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts}
- B60R 2011/0094: {characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like}
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A vehicle camera lens protective cover structured and arranged to open in any direction that will improve protection, while allowing the camera to telescope out, if necessary, for a better wide-angle view.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle camera lens protective cover comprising:
(a) a cover including a base part and a shutter part;
(b) a sensor, wherein the sensor is operably connected to receive the signal to open or close the shutter part of the cover; and
(c) a motor, wherein the motor is controllable by the sensor and operably connected to the shutter part of the cover to open or close the shutter part according to the signal received by the sensor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle camera lens protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the signal received by the sensor to open the shutter part indicates the user's vehicle is in reverse, and wherein the signal received by the sensor to close the shutter part indicates the user's vehicle is no longer in reverse.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The vehicle camera lens protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover is color matched to the user's vehicle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The vehicle camera lens protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the protective cover further comprises:
(d) a heater operably connected to the cover and the motor to defrost the shutter part and the motor prior to opening.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The vehicle camera lens protective cover according to claim 4, wherein the heater is controllable by the signal received by the sensor.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The vehicle camera lens protective cover according to claim 5, wherein the heater operates immediately upon receipt of the open signal or the close signal by the sensor, and wherein the motor operates to open the shutter part or close the shutter part three or four seconds after receipt of the open signal or close signal by the sensor, so that the shutter part and motor are heated by the heater prior to opening or closing the shutter part.

### Claim 7

A vehicle camera lens protective cover comprising:
(a) a cover including a base part and a shutter part;
(b) a sensor, wherein the sensor is operably connected to receive the signal to open or close the shutter part of the cover;
(c) a motor, wherein the motor is controllable by the sensor and operably connected to the shutter part of the cover to open or close the shutter part according to the signal received by the sensor; and
(d) a heater operably connected to the cover and the motor to defrost the shutter part and the motor prior to opening,
wherein the heater is controllable by the signal received by the sensor,
wherein the signal received by the sensor to open the shutter part indicates the user's vehicle is in reverse, and wherein the signal received by the sensor to close the shutter part indicates the user's vehicle is no longer in reverse, and
wherein the heater operates immediately upon receipt of the open signal or the close signal by the sensor, and wherein the motor operates to open the shutter part or close the shutter part three or four seconds after receipt of the open signal or close signal by the sensor, so that the shutter part and motor are heated by the heater prior to opening or closing the shutter part.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The vehicle camera lens protective cover according to claim 7, wherein the cover is color matched to the user's vehicle.