Apparatus for mounting a video camera and method thereof

• US 6,300,979 B1
• Filed: 06/04/1997
• Issued: 10/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 8X8, Inc.
• Original Assignee: 8X8, Inc.
• Inventors: Parkinson, Joseph L., Crawford, Robert J., Martin, Bryan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Ngoc-Yen, VU, NGOC YEN T
• Application Number:
  US08/868,703
• Time in Patent Office: 1,588 Days
• Field of Search: D16/242, D16/243, 248/187.1, 248/918, 361/681, 361/682, 396/419, 396/427, 396/428, 348/13, 348/14, 348/15, 348/143, 348/152-155, 348/158, 348/159, 348/169, 348/207, 348/211, 348/222, 348/231-233, 348/333, 348/334, 348/373, 348/375, 348/376, 348/552, 348/20, 358/906, 358/909.1
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/24 changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each otherF16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A device for mounting a structure, such as a video camera, on a support includes a base and an arm projecting from the base. The video camera rests on one surface of the base and another surface rests on the support. The arm is adapted for insertion into a recessed cavity in the support, such as an antenna hole in a television set to provide a stable mounting device for the video camera. The angle of the video camera can be altered by pivoting the camera around the arm.

Claims

1. A video camera support apparatus for mounting a video camera in a recessed cavity of a television having a display screen, the apparatus comprising:

a base adapted to secure the video camera and position the video camera above the display screen; and

an arm projecting from the base, the arm adapted for insertion into the recessed cavity in the television, the recessed cavity configured and arranged for holding an antenna.

2. A method for mounting a video camera in a recessed cavity of a television having a display screen, the recessed cavity configured and arranged for holding an antenna, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a video camera apparatus having a base and an arm projecting from said base, the arm adapted for insertion into the recessed cavity; and

inserting the arm into the recessed cavity and positioning the video camera above the display screen.