Camera mount vibration dampener

• US 9,033,596 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2012
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
• Original Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
• Inventors: Samuels, Rudy Lucas
• Primary Examiner(s): BLACKMAN, ROCHELLE ANN J
• Application Number:
  US13/652,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20140105589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 396/421, 396/428, 396/25, 455/557, 455/575.1, 348/373
• US Class Current: 396/421
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/00 Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using fluid F16F5/00, F16F9/00; specific for rotary systems F16F15/10 ; belt tensioners F16H7/12
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/566 Accessory clips, holders, shoes to attach accessories to camera if integral part of camera body G03B17/02

Abstract

A vibration dampener for a camera mount is structured to reduce the movement of a first mount component relative to a second mount component. An upper camera mount component securing a camera couples to a lower camera mount component, which in turn couples to a base mount component configured to couple to a user, a sports board, a helmet, a vehicle, and the like. The vibration dampener is compressibly inserted between the lower mount component and the base mount component, causing the vibration dampener to exert an outward force on the lower mount component, and securing the lower mount component against a portion of the base mount component. The movement of the lower mount component relative to the base mount component is accordingly reduced by the vibration dampener.

Claims

1. A camera mount comprising:

a lower mount component comprising a cavity and first and second compressible prongs, each compressible prong comprising a first securing surface and a securing lip;

a base mount component comprising first and second securing arms, each securing arm comprising a second securing surface and a third securing surface, wherein the lower mount component is configured to couple to the base mount component when the first and second compressible prongs are compressed, the lower mount component is slid onto the base mount component, and the compressible prongs are decompressed such that securing lip of each prong overlaps at least in part with the third securing surface of each securing arm; and

a vibration dampening component configured for insertion into the cavity of the lower mount component, and configured to compress when inserted into the cavity and when the lower mount component is coupled to the base mount component, the vibration dampening component configured to exert and outward force in a first direction on a bottom surface of the lower mount component and in a second direction opposite the first direction on a top surface of the base mount component such that the first securing surface of the first prong is forcibly compressed upward into the second securing surface of the first securing arm and such that the first securing surface of the second prong is forcibly compressed upward into the second securing surface of the second securing arm when the vibration dampening component is compressed, thereby restricting the movement of the lower mount component relative to the base mount component.

2. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the base mount component further comprises a spine, and wherein the vibration dampening component, when inserted into the cavity of the lower mount component and when the lower mount component is coupled to the base mount component, is forcibly compressed into the cavity by the spine.

3. The camera mount of claim 2, wherein the spine is located on a top surface of the base mount component, wherein the cavity is located on a bottom surface of the lower mount component, and wherein the bottom surface of the lower mount component and the top surface of the base mount component overlap at least in part when the lower mount component is coupled to the base mount component.

4. The camera mount of claim 3, wherein a bottom surface of the base mount component is configured to couple to one or more of the following:

a user, a helmet, a vehicle, a sports board, a piece of sporting equipment, or a surface.

5. The camera mount of claim 3, wherein a top surface of the lower mount component is configured to couple to an upper mount component configured to secure a camera.

6. A vibration dampening component comprising:

a top surface;

a bottom surface;

a left surface;

a right surface; and

a plurality of securing channels;

wherein the vibration dampening component is structured for insertion into a reciprocal cavity of a lower mount component, the reciprocal cavity comprising a plurality of securing protrusions structured for insertion into the plurality of securing channels when the vibration dampening component is inserted into the reciprocal cavity, the reciprocal cavity further comprising a top cavity surface, a left cavity surface, and a right cavity surface, wherein the top surface, the right surface, and the left surface of the vibration dampening component make flush contact with the top surface, the right surface, and the left surface of the reciprocal cavity, respectively, when the vibration dampening component is inserted into the reciprocal cavity, and wherein the vibration dampening component is forcibly compressed upward into the reciprocal cavity by a base mount component when the base mount component is coupled to the lower mount component such that the vibration dampening component exerts an outward force in a first direction on a bottom surface of the lower mount component and in a second direction opposite the first direction on a top surface of the base mount component.