CAMERA MOUNT VIBRATION DAMPENER

• US 20140105589A1
• Filed: 10/15/2012
• Published: 04/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
• Original Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
• Inventors: Samuels, Rudy Lucas
• Granted Patent: US 9,033,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/421
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/00 Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using fluid F16F5/00, F16F9/00; specific for rotary systems F16F15/10 ; belt tensioners F16H7/12
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/566 Accessory clips, holders, shoes to attach accessories to camera if integral part of camera body G03B17/02

Abstract

A vibration dampener for a camera mount is structured to reduce the movement of a first mount component relative to a second mount component. An upper camera mount component securing a camera couples to a lower camera mount component, which in turn couples to a base mount component configured to couple to a user, a sports board, a helmet, a vehicle, and the like. The vibration dampener is compressibly inserted between the lower mount component and the base mount component, causing the vibration dampener to exert an outward force on the lower mount component, and securing the lower mount component against a portion of the base mount component. The movement of the lower mount component relative to the base mount component is accordingly reduced by the vibration dampener.

Claims

1. A camera system comprising:

an upper mount component configured to enclose a camera, the upper mount component comprising a first plurality of protrusions, each of the first plurality of protrusions comprising a hole within the protrusion of a first size;

a lower mount component comprising a securing mechanism, one or more first securing surfaces, and a second plurality of protrusions, each of the second plurality of protrusions comprising a hole within the protrusion of the first size, wherein the first plurality of protrusions are interlocked with the second plurality of protrusions such that holes of the first and second pluralities of protrusions are aligned;

a pin inserted into the aligned holes of the first and second pluralities of protrusions, thereby coupling the upper mount component to the lower mount component;

a base mount component comprising one or more second securing surfaces, wherein the lower mount component is coupled to the base mount component via the securing mechanism; and

a vibration dampening component compressibly inserted between the lower mount component and the base mount component and configured to securely press the one or more first securing surfaces against the one or more second securing surfaces such that the movement of the lower mount component relative to the base mount component is reduced.

2. A camera mount comprising:

a lower mount component comprising a cavity and first and second compressible prongs, each compressible prong comprising a first securing surface and a securing lip;

a base mount component comprising first and second securing arms, each securing arm comprising a second securing surface and a third securing surface, wherein the lower mount component is configured to couple to the base mount component when the first and second compressible prongs are compressed, the lower mount component is slid onto the base mount component, and the compressible prongs are decompressed such that securing lip of each prong overlaps at least in part with the third securing surface of each securing arm; and

a vibration dampening component configured for insertion into the cavity of the lower mount component, and configured to compress when inserted into the cavity and when the lower mount component is coupled to the base mount component, the vibration dampening component configured to forcibly press the first securing surface of the first prong into the second securing surface of the first securing arm and to forcibly press the first securing surface of the second prong into the second securing surface of the second securing arm when compressed, thereby restricting the movement of the lower mount component relative to the base mount component.

3. The camera mount of claim 2, wherein the base mount component further comprises a spine, and wherein the vibration dampening component, when inserted into the cavity of the lower mount component and when the lower mount component is coupled to the base mount component, is forcibly compressed into the cavity by the spine.

4. The camera mount of claim 3, wherein the spine is located on a top surface of the base mount component, wherein the cavity is located on a bottom surface of the lower mount component, and wherein the bottom surface of the lower mount component and the top surface of the base mount component overlap at least in part when the lower mount component is coupled to the base mount component.

5. The camera mount of claim 4, wherein a bottom surface of the base mount component is configured to couple to one or more of the following:

a user, a helmet, a vehicle, a sports board, a piece of sporting equipment, or a surface.

6. The camera mount of claim 4, wherein a top surface of the lower mount component is configured to couple to an upper mount component configured to secure a camera.

7. A vibration dampening component comprising:

a top surface;

a bottom surface;

a left surface;

a right surface; and

a plurality of securing channels;

wherein the vibration dampening component is structured for insertion into a reciprocal cavity of a lower mount component, the reciprocal cavity comprising a plurality of securing protrusions structured for insertion into the plurality of securing channels when the vibration dampening component is inserted into the reciprocal cavity, the reciprocal cavity further comprising a top cavity surface, a left cavity surface, and a right cavity surface, wherein the top surface, the right surface, and the left surface of the vibration dampening component make flush contact with the top surface, the right surface, and the left surface of the reciprocal cavity, respectively, when the vibration dampening component is inserted into the reciprocal cavity, and wherein the vibration dampening component is forcibly compressed upward into the reciprocal cavity by a base mount component when the base mount component is coupled to the lower mount component.