Vibration resistant camera for mounting to archery bow

• US 7,371,021 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2005
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digital Ally Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Digital Ally Incorporated
• Inventors: Ross, Charles Andrew Jr., Haler, Robert Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): MAHONEY, CHRISTOPHER E
• Application Number:
  US11/198,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20060029383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 396/419, 396/420, 396/421, 396/426
• US Class Current: 396/419
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/467 for bows
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• 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: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

A digital camera is adapted for being mounted to a bow for archery. The camera comprises a self-contained digital unit within a housing and is protected from vibrational disturbances caused by the release of the bowstring. A viscoelastic material is used to reduce vibrations. The housing is water resistant to protect the internal circuitry of the camera from environmental elements encountered during hunting. A secure digital slot is connected to the digital camera circuitry and can accept a SD flash memory card. The camera may also be connected for transmitting images to an external device for viewing.

Claims

1. A camera apparatus for mounting on an object, the camera apparatus comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a camera;

c) a vibration-dampening member comprised of a visco-elastic substance, wherein the vibration-dampening member has an outer dimension approximating an interior dimension of the housing such that free movement of the vibration-dampening member within the housing is eliminated; and

d) an attachment bracket member,

the camera being contained in the housing, the vibration-dampening member engaging the camera within the housing to minimize disturbance to the camera caused by vibrations of the object, the attachment bracket member being adapted to mount the housing of the camera apparatus to the object.

2. The camera apparatus of claim 1 in which the housing has an internal dimension adapted to receive and contain therein a power supply for the camera and a circuitry board for controlling operation of the camera.

3. The camera apparatus of claim 2 in which a secure digital slot for receiving a flash memory card is mounted to the circuitry board within the housing.

4. The camera apparatus of claim 3 in which an interior of the housing is accessible through an end thereof for gaining access to the secure digital slot.

5. The camera apparatus of claim 4 in which a cover member is provided at an end of the housing.

6. The camera apparatus of claim 5 in which the cover member is pivotable.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which the cover member is adapted to display the camera operating parameters.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the apparatus is adapted to be in electronic communication with an external device for transmitting images from the camera for viewing.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the housing is water resistant.

10. The camera apparatus of claim 1 in which the camera is embedded within the vibration-dampening member.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the camera has a single fixed focal length lens.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the object is an archery bow, in which the attachment bracket member is adapted to mount to the archery bow such that the camera apparatus is capable of being disposed laterally from the archery bow at varying distances.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 in which the attachment bracket member defines an attachment point adapted for mounting with the archery bow to permit pivotal movement about the attachment point, whereby a level orientation of the camera is capable of being maintained when the archery bow is held at an angle other than perpendicular to the ground.

14. A camera apparatus for mounting on a projectile-firing apparatus, the camera apparatus comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a camera; and

c) a vibration-dampening member,

the camera being contained in the housing, the vibration-dampening member engaging the camera within the housing to minimize disturbance to the camera caused by vibrations of the projectile-filing apparatus, and

the housing having an internal dimension adapted to receive and contain therein a power supply for the camera and a circuitry board for controlling operation of the camera, with a secure digital slot for receiving a flash memory card being mounted to the circuitry board, and an interior of the housing being accessible through an end thereof for gaining access to the secure digital slot.

15. The camera apparatus of claim 14 in which a cover member is provided at an end of the housing.

16. The camera apparatus of claim 15 in which the cover member is pivotable.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 in which the cover member is adapted to display the camera operating parameters.

18. The camera apparatus of claim 14 in which the vibration-dampening member is comprised of a viscoelastic substance.

19. The camera apparatus of claim 18 in which the camera is embedded within the vibration-dampening member.

20. The camera apparatus of claim 18 in which the vibration-dampening member has an outer dimension approximating the interior dimension of the housing such that free movement of the vibration-dampening member within the housing is eliminated.

21. The apparatus of claim 14 in which the apparatus is adapted to be in electronic communication with an external device for transmitting images from the camera for viewing.

22. The apparatus of claim 14 in which the housing is water resistant.

23. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 in which the camera includes an onboard digital recording medium.

24. A camera apparatus for mounting on an archery bow, the camera apparatus comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a camera;

c) a vibration-dampening member; and

d) an attachment bracket member adapted to attach to the archery bow at an attachment point such that the camera is capable of being disposed laterally from the archery bow at varying distances and of pivoting about the attachment point to allow for maintaining a level orientation of the camera when the archery bow is held at an angle other than perpendicular to the ground,

wherein the camera is contained in the housing, the vibration-dampening member engages the camera within the housing to minimize disturbance to the camera caused by vibrations of the archery bow, and the attachment bracket is adapted to mount the housing to the archery bow.