POV video mounting system

• US 9,071,810 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2012
• Issued: 06/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fellowes Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fellowes Incorporated
• Inventors: Willenborg, John
• Primary Examiner(s): TORRES, MARCOS L
• Application Number:
  US13/411,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20130251330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.1, 455/575.8, 455/575.2, 455/575.6, 455/557, 396419-429, 396/25, 396/27, 396/29, 396/535, 396/544, 312/223.1, 359/511
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/79 Processing of colour television signals in connection with recording

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed. The POV video mounting system described herein includes a casing assembly and a mounting assembly. The casing assembly is operable to fit an electronic device therein wherein the electronic device has video recording and video display capability. The mounting assembly is coupled to said casing assembly and operable to mount the apparatus to sports equipment.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a casing assembly to contain an electronic device between a front casing plate and a back casing plate,

wherein said electronic device comprises a camera;

wherein said front casing plate is detachable from or hinged to said back casing plate;

wherein said casing assembly comprises a first optically clear area in front of an aperture of said camera;

wherein said first optically clear area comprises a fitting component to receive an interchangeable lens and align said interchangeable lens to said aperture, thus configuring said camera to capture images of external objects through said interchangeable lens;

a mounting assembly comprising a mounting hub and a top-hat assembly,

wherein said mounting hub is coupled to said casing assembly;

wherein said top-hat assembly comprises a flange and a plurality of flexible extensions radiating from a first end of said flange;

wherein a second end of said flange is inserted into a gaping portion of said mounting hub;

wherein unlocking said gaping portion from said flange allows adjustment of a first angle of said casing assembly by rotating said mounting hub around a first axis; and

wherein locking said gaping portion to said flange locks said first angle of said casing assembly;

wherein said mounting hub comprises a mounting base and a locking bar;

wherein positioning said locking bar in a first orientation allows adjustment of a second angle of said easing assembly by rotating said casing assembly around a second axis;

wherein positioning said locking bar in a second orientation locks said second angle of said casing assembly; and

wherein said first axis is different from said second axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said casing assembly includes a transparent portion through which a display portion of said electronic device is visible from outside said assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting assembly includes an adhesive component to affix said mounting assembly to a mobile surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting assembly includes a first locking mechanism:

wherein the first locking mechanism comprises a spring-loaded member that locks automatically when a user ceases to apply force.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible extensions are bent to conform to a helmet surface, thereby coupling said mounting assembly to said helmet.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said casing assembly hermetically seals said electronic device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible extensions are feathered-shaped.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said casing sleeve comprises features to accommodate a plurality of different types of electronic device including smart-phones or portable music players.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a base of said top-hat, assembly has an elliptical footprint.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a spring-loaded member having a row of teeth, wherein said teeth clench said flange during said locking of said portion to said flange.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second optically clear area to accommodate an additional interchangeable lens in front of an additional camera aperture of said electronic device.

12. A point-of-view video recording system, comprising:

a casing assembly comprising a front casing plate, a back casing plate, a transparent portion, and a first optically clear area;

wherein said casing assembly is configured to hold said electronic device between said front-casing plate and sail back-casing plate

said display visible through said transparent portion and said camera aimed through said first optically clear area;

a mounting hub coupled to a connection component of said casing assembly, wherein said mounting hub comprises;

a mounting base;

a first locking mechanism unlockable to allow adjustment of a casing assembly angle around a first rotation axis in response to an applied force to a part of said first locking mechanism, and lockable to hold said casing assembly at said casing assembly angle with respect to said first rotation axis in said absence of said applied force; and

a top-hat component between said mounting hub and an environmental surface supporting said point-of-view recording system, wherein said top-hat component comprises;

a flange extending from a center of said top-hat component into a gaping portion of said mounting hub to locate said first rotation axis;

a plurality of individual extensions radiating from an end surface of said flange opposite said mounting hub;

wherein said connected extensions are flexible, enabling said top-hat component to be affixed to uneven or even terrain of said environmental surface; and

an interchangeable lens attached to said first optically clear area of said casing assembly and aligned to said camera to capture images of objects outside said casing assembly.

13. The point-of-view video mounting system of claim 12, wherein a foam tape adhesive is disposed on the bottom side of said mounting hub.

14. The point-of-view video mounting system of claim 12, wherein said first locking mechanism comprises spring-loaded teeth clenching said flange to restrict said casing assembly from rotating when said first locking mechanism is engaged.

15. The point-of-view video mounting system of claim 12, further comprising a second locking mechanism which prevents said electronic device from moving in a backward or forward direction when said second locking mechanism is engaged.

16. The point-of-view video mounting system of claim 12 further comprising an additional interchangeable lens attached to a second optically clear area of the casing assembly.

17. The point-of-view video mounting system of claim 12 wherein said connection component of said casing assembly comprises a j-hook, and wherein said mounting hub comprises a coupling rod conforming to said j-hook.

18. A method, comprising:

affixing a plurality of individual extensions of a top-hat component to an even or uneven terrain of a mobile surface;

inserting a flange of said top-hat component into a gaping portion of a base of a mounting hub;

coupling said mounting hub to a casing assembly;

coupling an interchangeable lens to a first optically clear area of said casing assembly;

inserting an electronic device having a camera into said casing assembly such that an aperture of said electronic device is adjacent to said interchangeable lens;

unlocking a first locking mechanism of said mounting hub;

adjusting a rotation angle of said casing assembly around a first axis;

locking said first locking mechanism;

unlocking a second locking mechanism of said mounting hub;

adjusting a rotation angle of said casing assembly around a second axis different from said first axis;

locking said second locking mechanism; and

utilizing said interchangeable lens as part of an optical train of said camera to capture images of objects external to said casing assembly.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said mounting assembly mounts to said mobile surface through the use of an adhesive material.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein setting said casing assembly to said desired angle includes applying force to edges of a set of spring-loaded members.