Quick-Release Ball-and-Socket Joint Camera Mount

• US 20190369466A1
• Filed: 08/15/2019
• Published: 12/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
• Original Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
• Inventors: Clearman, Christopher Aaron
• Granted Patent: US 10,642,133 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• 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 11/22 with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs F16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/08 Foot or support base
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils

Abstract

A camera mounting system has an upper mount component, a lower mount component, and a base mount component. The upper mount component secures the camera and has a ball protrusion that reciprocally couples with a socket of the lower mount component. The upper mount component can rotate 360 degrees relative to the lower mount, and can pivot 90 degrees or more relative to the lower mount component. The lower mount component couples with the base mount component in a plurality of orientations. This camera mounting system allows for a large range of motion for the camera relative to the mounting system.

Claims

1. A mounting system for an image capture device, the mounting system comprising:

an upper mount configured to support the image capture device, the upper mount including a removable protrusion extending at a fixed, non-perpendicular angle relative to the image capture device; and

a lower mount including a top surface with a socket extending from the top surface, the socket configured to removably receive the protrusion, and the socket being tilted relative to the top surface.

2. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is removable via a securing mechanism.

3. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein the securing mechanism includes a screw.

4. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the upper mount is configured for releasable connection to the image capture device.

5. The mounting system of claim 4, wherein the upper mount is configured to at least partially enclose the image capture device.

6. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the socket is movable between an open configuration, in which the protrusion is insertable into and removable from the socket, and a closed configuration, in which protrusion is secured within the socket.

7. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the protrusion and the socket are configured such that the image capture device is rotatable relative to the lower mount through a 360 degree range of motion.

8. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the socket is configured for resilient compression during movement from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

9. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is configured as a ball component.

10. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the socket is tilted relative to the top surface of the lower mount at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

11. A mounting system for an image capture device, the mounting system comprising:

an upper mount in mechanical cooperation with the image capture device, the upper mount including;

a shaft extending at a fixed, non-perpendicular angle relative to the image capture device;

a ball component positioned at an end of the shaft; and

a removable securing mechanism engageable with the shaft;

a lower mount including a socket configured to removably receive the ball component, the socket extending from and being tilted relative to a top surface of the lower mount; and

a base mount configured for releasable connection to the lower mount.

12. The mounting system of claim 11, wherein the lower mount defines an internal space configured to receive the base mount.

13. The mounting system of claim 12, wherein the lower mount and the base mount are configured such that the lower mount and the base mount are positionable in four distinct relative orientations.

14. The mounting system of claim 11, wherein the lower mount includes a first coupling mechanism, and the base mount includes a second coupling mechanism, the first coupling mechanism being configured for releasable coupling to the second coupling mechanism to allow for connection and disconnection of the lower mount and the base mount.

15. The mounting system of claim 14, wherein the first coupling mechanism includes flexible prongs, and the second coupling mechanism includes securing surfaces configured for contact with the flexible prongs such that the flexible prongs are deflected inwardly during coupling of the first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism.

16. The mounting system of claim 11, wherein the removable securing mechanism includes a screw.

17. A mounting system for attaching an image capture device to a surface, the mounting system comprising:

an upper mount configured for connection to the image capture device, the upper mount including a removable ball component extending at a fixed, non-perpendicular angle relative to the image capture device; and

a lower mount configured for connection to the surface, the lower mount including an upper wall with a socket extending from the upper wall, the socket configured for rotational coupling to the ball component, and the socket being tilted relative to the upper wall.

18. The mounting system of claim 17, wherein the upper mount includes:

a shaft;

the ball component positioned at an end of the shaft; and

a removable securing mechanism engageable with the shaft to secure the shaft in relation to the image capture device.

19. The mounting system of claim 18, wherein the removable securing mechanism includes a screw.

20. The mounting system of claim 17, wherein the upper mount is configured to at least partially enclose the image capture device such that the upper mount is releasably connectable to the image capture device.