Systems, methods, and apparatus for securing a recording device to a hunting apparatus

• US 20120151815A1
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smokin' Rack Products
• Original Assignee: Smokin' Rack Products
• Inventors: Tate, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 8,819,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/90
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/06 allowing pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/40 by means of coilable or bendable legs or spiral shaped legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/1492 with cameras; mounting of cameras on bows
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

The present invention provides a mounting apparatus for attaching to a hunting weapon and supporting a recording device. The apparatus includes means for removably securing a recording device to the apparatus; a connector adapted to removeably attach the apparatus to a hunting weapon; and a flexible, elongate member being semi-rigid and having a first end affixed to the securing means and a second end affixed to the connector, whereby upon attachment of the apparatus to a hunting weapon the flexible, elongate member permits manual repositioning of the secured recording device relative to the hunting weapon while supporting the secured recording device in a set position after manual repositioning occurs. Alternatively, the securing means may include an adjustable means to permit receipt and holding engagement of multiple form factors of recording devices and/or may include a rotating joint such that the securing means and secured recording device may be rotatably repositioned when mounted onto a weapon and/or may further include first and second adjustable brackets for holding the recording device in place. An adapter may form an intermediate connection between the apparatus and a weapon. A stabilizer may balance and offset the weight of the apparatus when mounted to a weapon. The invention may be integrated with other functional components of a weapon, such as a bow stabilizer or scope.

Claims

1. A mounting apparatus for attaching to a hunting weapon and supporting a recording device, the apparatus comprising:

means for removably securing a recording device to the apparatus;

a connector adapted to removeably attach the apparatus to a hunting weapon; and

a flexible, elongate member being semi-rigid and having a first end affixed to the securing means and a second end affixed to the connector, whereby upon attachment of the apparatus to a hunting weapon the flexible, elongate member permits manual repositioning of the secured recording device relative to the hunting weapon while supporting the secured recording device in a set position after manual repositioning occurs.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing means includes an adjustable means to permit receipt and holding engagement of multiple form factors of recording devices.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing means includes a rotating joint such that the securing means and secured recording device may be rotatably repositioned when mounted onto a weapon.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing means further comprises first and second adjustable brackets for holding the recording device in place.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adapter connected to the connector, wherein the adapter is configured to attach to one selected from the group consisting of:

a hunting bow, a gun barrel, and a gun scope, the adapter forming an intermediate connection between the apparatus and a weapon.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer adapted to balance and offset the weight of the apparatus when mounted to a weapon.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the stabilizer includes a second flexible, elongate member and is adapted to be positioned so as to balance the apparatus when mounted on a weapon.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adapter to permit mounting of an other device on to the weapon with the apparatus mounted on to the weapon.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible, elongate member includes at least one ball and socket joint and a means to permit repositioning of the member and to fix the member in a given position.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing means further comprises a means to prevent a recording device from inadvertently displacing relative to the securing means during repositioning of the flexible, elongate member.

11. A system comprising:

a hunting device;

an apparatus connected to the hunting device, the apparatus comprising;

means for removably securing a recording device to the apparatus;

a connector adapted to removeably attach the apparatus to the hunting device; and

a flexible, elongate member being semi-rigid and having a first end affixed to the securing means and a second end affixed to the connector, whereby upon attachment of the apparatus to the hunting device the flexible, elongate member permits manual repositioning of the secured recording device relative to the hunting weapon while supporting the secured recording device in a set position after manual repositioning occurs.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the securing means includes an adjustable means to permit receipt and holding engagement of multiple form factors of recording devices.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the securing means includes a rotating joint such that the securing means and secured recording device may be rotatably repositioned when mounted onto the hunting device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the securing means further comprises first and second adjustable brackets for holding the recording device in place.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising an adapter connected to the connector, wherein the adapter is configured to attach to one selected from the group consisting of:

a hunting bow, a gun barrel, and a gun scope, the adapter forming an intermediate connection between the apparatus and the hunting device.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a stabilizer adapted to balance and offset the weight of the apparatus when mounted to the hunting device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the stabilizer includes a second flexible, elongate member and is adapted to be positioned so as to balance the apparatus when mounted on the hunting device.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising an adapter to permit mounting of an other device on to the hunting device with the apparatus mounted on to the hunting device.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the flexible, elongate member includes at least one ball and socket joint and a means to permit repositioning of the member and to fix the member in a given position.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the securing means further comprises a means to prevent a recording device from inadvertently displacing relative to the securing means during repositioning of the flexible, elongate member.