Active headwear for detachably mounting an imaging device

• US 20140027591A1
• Filed: 07/10/2013
• Published: 01/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fountain, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fountain, Inc.
• Inventors: Fountain, Thomas Lee
• Granted Patent: US 9,077,877 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/226.11
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 33/004 comprising two separate lenses joined by a flexible bridge
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/12 Diving masks
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• 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 13/04 for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains , e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera

Abstract

Disclosed is a mounting system and method for securing an imaging device to active headgear. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a headwear frame to which can be attached a head strap to form a diving mask. A digital camera or a video recorder can be secured to an attachment base in the mounting system to allow use thereof in a hands-free operating mode.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly, suitable for securing an imaging device to the head of a user, said mounting assembly comprising:

a headwear frame configured for placement over the face of the user, said headwear frame having a first mounting rim disposed at a first side of said headwear frame and a second mounting rim disposed at a second side of said headwear frame; and

an attachment base, said attachment base including at least two engagement tabs configured to mate with a camera mount, said attachment base further including a first clamp configured to mate with said first mounting rim and a second clamp configured to mate with said second mounting rim.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment base comprises a lateral beam having:

said first clamp disposed at a first end of said lateral beam;

said second clamp disposed at a second end of said lateral beam, and

said at least two engagement tabs disposed on said lateral beam between said first clamp and said second clamp.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein said first clamp comprises a through hole configured to align with a through hole in said first mounting rim and said second clamp comprises a through hole configured to align with a through hole in said second mounting.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein said headwear frame further has a right lens frame and a left lens frame, wherein the right lens frame is attached to the left lens frame by a nosepiece.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 2 wherein the attachment base further has a retainer engagement tab disposed on said lateral beam between said first clamp and said second clamp.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 3 wherein the attachment base is removably secured to the headwear frame by mechanical fasters, and wherein the mechanical fasteners pass through the hole of the first clamp configured to align with the through hole of the first mounting and the hole of the second clamp configured to align with the through hold of the second mounting respectively.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 5 wherein the engagement tabs and the retainer engagement tab are spaced apart so as to define open transverse slots suitable for the insertion of a camera mount.

8. The mounting assembly of claim 7 wherein the engagement tabs are located at a midpoint on the lateral beam.

9. The mounting assembly of claim 8 wherein the engagement tab comprises a boss with a recess configured to hold a fastening device.

10. A mounting assembly, suitable for securing an imaging device to the head of a user, said mounting assembly comprising:

an integrated headwear frame and attachment base, wherein said headwear frame is configured for placement over the face of a user, and wherein said attachment base includes at least two engagement tabs, and wherein the engagement tabs are configured to mate with a camera mount.

11. The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein said integrated headwear frame and attachment base further has a right lens frame and a left lens frame, wherein the right lens frame is attached to the left lens frame by a nosepiece.

12. The mounting assembly of claim 11, wherein said attachment base further has a retainer engagement adjacent to the at least two engagement tabs.

13. The mounting assembly of claim 12, wherein the engagement tabs and the retainer engagement tab are spaced apart so as to define open transverse slots suitable for the insertion of a camera mount.

14. The mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein the engagement tabs are located above a nose piece.

15. The mounting assembly of claim 14, wherein the engagement tab comprises a boss with a recess configured to hold a fastening device.