Device for supporting a camera on a surface

• US 6,330,992 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1999
• Issued: 12/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patricia A. Swayhoover, Robert D. Swayhoover
• Original Assignee: Patricia A. Swayhoover, Robert D. Swayhoover
• Inventors: Swayhoover, Patricia A., Swayhoover, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WUJCIAK, ALFRED J
• Application Number:
  US09/476,169
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 248/230.8, 248/632, 248/633, 248/634, 248/205.2, 248/214, 248/228.8, 248/346.2, 248/176.1
• US Class Current: 248/230.8
• 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 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/08 Foot or support base

Abstract

A device for supporting a camera. The device includes a cushion, a strap, and apparatus. The cushion has a pocket disposed on the upper surface thereof, at one corner thereof. The upper surface of the strap has a first portion of hook and loop fasteners thereon that are disposed on the pair of free terminal ends of the strap. The lower surface of the strap has a second portion of hook and loop fasteners thereon that are disposed on the pair of free terminal ends of the strap. The second portion of hook and loop fasteners on one free terminal end of the strap releasably mates with the first portion of hook and loop fasteners on the other free terminal end of the strap so as to allow either free terminal end of the strap to overlap and engage the other free terminal end of the strap. The apparatus includes a third portion of hook and loop fasteners that is disposed on the upper surfaces of the cushion, a bolt for threadably engaging in the camera, and a fourth portion of hook and loop fasteners that covers the head of the bolt and releasably engages the third portion of hook and loop fasteners. The bolt is stored in the pocket on the upper surface of the cushion when not in use.

Claims

1. A device for supporting a camera on one of a surface with a contour and an object with a contour, comprising:

a) a cushion for supporting the camera;

said cushion having;

i) a lower surface for facing one of the surface and the object;

ii) an upper surface for facing the camera; and

iii) at least one corner;

b) a strap assembly extending from said cushion;

said strap assembly comprising a strap extending from said lower surface of said cushion, at diametrically opposite sides thereof, and at different lengths therefrom;

said strap of said strap assembly having;

i) an upper surface;

ii) a lower surface; and

iii) a pair of free terminal ends;

said upper surface of said strap having a first portion of hook and loop fasteners thereon being disposed on each of said pair of free terminal ends of said strap;

said lower surface of said strap having a second portion of hook and loop fasteners thereon being disposed on each of said pair of free terminal ends of said strap;

said second portion of hook and loop fasteners on one free terminal end of said strap releasably mating with said first portion of hook and loop fasteners on the other free terminal end of said strap so as to allow either free terminal end of said strap to overlap and engage said other free terminal end of said strap when said strap is utilized to hold said cushion on the object, and thereby eliminating a need to think about which free terminal end of said strap has to go on top of the other free terminal end of said strap; and

c) apparatus for releasably attaching the camera to said cushion;

said apparatus comprising;

i) a third portion of hook and loop fasteners being disposed centrally on said upper surfaces of said cushion;

said cushion further having a socket disposed on said upper surface of said cushion, at one of said at least one corner of said cushion and storing a portion of said apparatus when not in use;

ii) a bolt having;

A) a head; and

B) a threaded shaft extending from said head of said bolt for threadably engaging in the camera; and

iii) a fourth portion of hook and loop fasteners covering said head of said bolt and releasably engaging said third portion of hook and loop fasteners, with said bolt being stored in said pocket on said upper surface of said cushion when not in use.

2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said cushion is filled with cushioning and deforming matter for providing a cushion for the camera and for assuming the contour of one of the surface and the object.