Fast access camera mounting device

• US 5,137,238 A
• Filed: 09/09/1991
• Issued: 08/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Friedrich W. Hutten
• Original Assignee: Friedrich W. Hutten
• Inventors: Hutten, Friedrich W.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOTKOWSKI, KAREN
• Application Number:
  US07/756,347
• Time in Patent Office: 337 Days
• Field of Search: 248/206.3, 248/205.5, 248/206.2, 248/206.4, 248/187, 248/177, 248/180, 248/291, 248/674, 248/650, 248/467, 248/206.1, 108/44, 108/45, 354/81, 354/293, 352/243
• US Class Current: 248/206.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

A camera mounting device particularly for automotive vehicles is easily mountable or removable from the vehicle and allows fast setup and removal of the camera from the vehicle without removing the mounting. A double suction cup attachment bracket and a leveling support member provide resistance to longitudinal, transverse, and roll forces due to the velocity, acceleration, and centrifugal forces of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A camera mounting device for holding a camera in position for instantaneous use, which comprises:

a base consisting of first and second overlapping plates along a longitudinal axis, having spaced holes therethrough for adjusting the amount of overlap of the plates and the length of the base having ends, and having

fastening means extending through at least one hole in the first and second overlapping plates of said base;

suction cup attachment means attached to said base at one end of the base and adapted to attach the base to a smooth impervious surface by means of atmospheric pressure;

a leveling means attached to said base through one of the holes in at least one of the plates near the end opposite said suction cup attachment means, for supporting and leveling said base in a quasi-horizontal attitude;

attachment means for mounting a camera on said base located on said base between said suction cup attachment means and said leveling means, said attachment means including;

a flat plate having a hole pattern for attachment to a camera by recessed flat head screws the flat plate having angled edges with the larger dimension at the bottom of the plate; and

a clamp consisting of a base having a top and a bottom surface, and ends, and having a first block extending from the top surface at one end, the block having an angled inside side;

a fixed second block on the base opposite the angled side and having a threaded bore therethrough for receiving a screw;

a movable third block between the first and second blocks having an angled side facing the angled side of the first block;

screw means connecting said movable third block and said fixed second block forcing said third block toward said first block;

whereby the base, supported on the leveling means and fixed to a smooth surface transverse to the plane of the base by the suction cup attachment means, by atmospheric pressure, allows a camera attached to the base to point in a direction related to the longitudinal axis of the base and the level from horizontal.

2. A camera mounting device for holding a camera in position for instantaneous use, which comprises:

a base consisting of first and second overlapping plates along a longitudinal axis, having spaced holes therethrough for adjusting the amount of overlap of the plates and the length of the base having ends, and having

fastening means extending through at least one hole in the first and second overlapping plates of said base;

suction cup attachment means attached to said base at one end of the base and adapted to attach the base to a smooth impervious surface by means of atmospheric pressure;

a leveling means attached to said base through one of the holes in at least one of the plates near the end opposite said suction cup attachment means, for supporting and leveling said base in a quasi-horizontal attitude;

said leveling means including

a support for the base having a large diameter pedestal and having a screw extending therefrom in tight fitting engagement with a central bore of the base, and having an adjustment nut on the screw to adjust the level of the base, and providing vertical support for the base and the camera clamped to the base;

attachment means for mounting a camera on said base located on said base between said suction cup attachment means and said leveling means, said attachment means including;

a flat plate having a hole pattern for attachment to a camera by recessed flat head screws the flat plate having angled edges with the larger dimension at the bottom of the plate; and

a clamp consisting of a base having a top and a bottom surface, and ends, and having a first block extending from the top surface at one end, the block having an angled inside side;

a fixed second block on the base opposite the angled side and having a threaded bore therethrough for receiving a screw;

a movable third block between the first and second blocks having an angled side facing the angled side of the first block;

screw means connecting said movable third block and said fixed second block forcing said third block toward said first block;

whereby the base, supported on the leveling means and fixed to a smooth surface transverse to the plane of the base by the suction cup attachment means, by atmospheric pressure, allows a camera attached to the base to point in a direction related to the longitudinal axis of the base and the level from horizontal.