SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTING A MOUNTING DEVICE TO FACILITATE CAPTURING OF IMAGES

• US 20120288269A1
• Filed: 04/26/2012
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cinetics Of Texas, LLC
• Original Assignee: Cinetics Of Texas, LLC
• Inventors: Jensen, Justin
• Granted Patent: US 8,678,677 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/428
• 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 11/242 by spreading of the legs F16M11/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/40 by means of coilable or bendable legs or spiral shaped legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/04 for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains , e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

Systems and methods for recording images and providing a selected movement or position to a recording device include use of attachment members having a receptacle that receives and is engageable with the distal end of an elongate member of a device for mounting a camera or similar apparatus. As such, the camera may be rolled providing movement suitable for video capture or capture of other types of images that require camera movement, or otherwise positioned as needed.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a mounting device, comprising at least one elongate member;

at least one attachment member, each attachment member comprising a receptacle removably coupled with a respective distal end of one of the at least one elongate members, the receptacle having an aperture and a central axis generally perpendicular to the aperture of the receptacle, and each attachment member configured to provide a selected position, a selected movement, or combination thereof

2. The system of claim 1, at least one of the attachment members comprising a wheel configured to provide a selected position, a selected movement, or combination thereof.

3. The system of claim 2, at least one attachment member comprising a locking mechanism for securing the wheel in a selected orientation with respect to its respective distal end.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one wheel comprises a bearing assembly for enabling smooth movement thereof

5. The system of claim 1, the mounting device comprising a plurality of flexible legs, and wherein at least one leg is movable such that a first portion of the at least one leg extends parallel to the central axis of the receptacle, and a second portion of the at least one leg extends at a non-parallel angle relative to the central axis.

6. The system of claim 2, further comprising a motor engaged with the wheel, wherein the motor is configured to impart a force to the wheel to provide movement to the mounting device.

7. A system comprising:

a recording device; and

a plurality of wheels coupled to the recording device, the wheels configured to be adjustably fixed in a particular orientation with respect to the recording device such that the recording device travels in a desired path when at least one of the plurality of wheels are rolled.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the orientation of the plurality of wheels is selected such that the recording device travels in an arcuate path.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of attachment members and a mounting apparatus, wherein each of the plurality of wheels is coupled to a respective attachment member, and wherein each of the plurality of attachment members is removably coupled to a respective elongate member of the mounting apparatus, and wherein the recording device is removably coupled to the mounting apparatus.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein a lens of the recording device is lower than 12 inches off of the ground.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the orientation of the plurality of wheels is selected such that the recording device travels in a substantially linear path.

12. A method comprising:

removably coupling one or more attachment members to one or more elongate members of a mounting apparatus having a recording device attached thereto, using at least one of the attachment members to provide a selected position, a selected movement, or combination thereof, to the mounting apparatus, the recording device, or combination thereof and

using the recording device to record an image while providing the selected position, the selected movement, or combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein using at least one of the attachment members to provide a selected position, a selected movement, or combination thereof, comprises using at least one attachment member comprising a wheel to roll the mounting apparatus.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein using at least one attachment member comprising a wheel to roll the mounting apparatus further comprises using a wheel comprising a bearing assembly for enabling smooth movement thereof

15. The method of claim 13, wherein using at least one attachment member comprising a wheel to roll the mounting apparatus further comprises using a wheel comprising a locking mechanism for securing the wheel in a selected orientation with respect to a respective distal end of the elongate member.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein removably coupling one or more attachment members to one or more elongate members of a mounting apparatus having a recording device attached thereto comprises engaging a support member of at least one attachment member with a receptacle component of the at least one attachment member.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein removably coupling one or more attachment members to one or more elongate members of a mounting apparatus having a recording device attached thereto comprises using an attachment member comprising a receptacle comprising a central axis, the central axis extending generally vertically through the receptacle.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein removably coupling one or more attachment members to one or more elongate members of a mounting apparatus having a recording device attached thereto comprises using a mounting device comprising a plurality of flexible legs, and wherein at least one leg is movable such that a first portion of the at least one leg extends parallel to the central axis of the receptacle, and a second portion of the at least one leg extends at a non-parallel angle relative to the central axis.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein engaging each of the plurality of attachment members comprises inserting a distal end of a first elongate member into a coupling component of one of the attachment members and removably securing such attachment member to the elongate member.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein using the recording device to record an image comprises at least one of recording and storing, recording and broadcasting, recording and streaming, or recording and discarding an image.