Headgear camera mount

• US 4,953,766 A
• Filed: 10/31/1989
• Issued: 09/04/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas R. Cruickshank
• Original Assignee: Thomas R. Cruickshank
• Inventors: Cruickshank, Thomas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US07/430,868
• Time in Patent Office: 308 Days
• Field of Search: 224/181, 224/908, 224/909, 2/6, 2/421, 2/422, 2/425, 2/418-420, 354/82, 354/81, 350/143, 351/206, 351/245, 352/242, 352/243, 358/210, 358/229, 128/207.11, 128/21-23, 128/200.27, 128/200.28, 128/201.22, 128/201.24, 128/206.27
• US Class Current: 224/181
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/24 with means for attaching articles thereto, e.g. memorandum tablets or mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/045 adapted to left-right translation movement
• 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 13/04 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: Y10S 224/908 Carrier for camera or other photographic equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/93 Attached to animate bearer

Abstract

A headgear device is provided for the mounting of a camera at substantially eye level alongside the photographer'"'"'s head. The device is comprised of a frame having an arcuate portion that fits on top of the photographer'"'"'s head, a side panel that rests against his ear, and shelf panel extending horizontally outward from the side panel. Straps which fit behind the head, below the chin, and upon the forehead secure the device upon the photographer'"'"'s head. A positionable mounting screw holds the camera upon the shelf panel.

Claims

1. A headgear device for mounting a camera substantially at eye level comprising:

(a) a frame having an elongated arcuate portion adapted to fit over the top of the wearer'"'"'s head, a flat side panel having opposed outer and inwardly directed surfaces and upper and lower extremities, said upper extremity being emergent from said arcuate portion as a continuous integral extension thereof in a manner permitting resilient movement of said arcuate portion, and a shelf panel positioned perpendicularly and connected to said side panel and adapted to be disposed in a horizontal orientation when in use, said shelf panel having a positioning slot elongated in the direction of said side panel and a threaded bolt adapted to more within said positioning slot and secure a camera to said shelf, and strap-holding slots disposed within said side panel and arcuate portion,

(b) a first retaining strap of adjustable length adapted to lie against the wearer'"'"'s forehead and engaging said strap-holding slots,

(c) a second retaining strap of adjustable length adapted to lie against the rear of the wearer'"'"'s head and engaging said strap-holding slots, and

(d) a third retaining strap of adjustable length adapted to lie beneath the chin of the wearer and engaging said strap-holding slots.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said frame is of monolithic construction, said shelf panel being emergent from the lower extremity of said side panel.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said shelf panel is slidably positionable upon said side panel in a vertical path, but coming to rest at the lower extremity of said side panel.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the resiliency of the arcuate portion with respect to the side panel is achieved by perforations located adjacent the upper extremity of the side panel.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein padding is disposed upon the inwardly directed surface of said side panel and positioned to contact the ear of the wearer.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said arcuate portion has a lower, inwardly directed surface which carries padding positioned to contact the head of the wearer.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said arcuate portion extends between a proximal extremity that merges with said side panel, and a downwardly directed free distal extremity, the amount of curvature in said arcuate portion being about 180 degrees, whereby the proximal and distal extremities are disposed in diametrically opposed facing relationship.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the strap-holding slots in said arcuate portion are disposed in said distal extremity and are comprised of paired diagonal slots, a vertical slot centered between said diagonal slots, and a second pair of horizontally disposed slots centered below said vertical slot.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said straps are equipped with quick-release buckles.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the strap-holding slots in said side panel comprise two upper vertical slots, two lower slots in vertical alignment with said upper slots, and a first pair of horizontal slots disposed midway between said lower slots.