Adjustable device for mounting an electronic imaging camera to a surface by vacuum

• US 4,863,130 A
• Filed: 01/13/1989
• Issued: 09/05/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Marks, Franklin J. Jr.
• Original Assignee: Marks, Franklin J. Jr.
• Inventors: Marks, Franklin J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US07/297,559
• Time in Patent Office: 235 Days
• Field of Search: 248/206.3, 248/205.5, 248/205.6, 248/205.7, 248/205.8, 248/206.5, 248/359 A, 248/363, 248/467, 248/309.3, 248/205.3, 354/293
• US Class Current: 248/206.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/00 Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/00 Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable

Abstract

A support bracket for attaching an electronic imaging camera to a surface by vacuum comprised of suction cups attached to a bracket that is hinged to a second bracket that a camera is pivotally attached to. Also a mirror assembly that can be attached to the second bracket to provide a mirror image view for the camera when used on a vehicle as an electronic rear view mirror. This support bracket allows easy change of location and field of view of an electronic imaging camera while it is also capable of being adjusted to provide a horizontally aligned field of view for the camera.

Claims

1. An adjustable device for mounting an electronic image camera to a surface by vacuum, comprising:

(a) vacuum means comprised of one or more vacuum devices which can be retained on a surface by vacuum and that can be removed from said surface by relieving the vacuum;

(b) bracket means comprised of one or more brackets to hold said vacuum means;

(c) attaching means for adjustable attachment of said electronic imaging camera to said bracket means;

(d) locking means for restricting the movement in any axis of said attaching means so as to retain the field of view of said electronic imaging camera fixed after said attaching means has been adjusted;

(e) said vacuum means being joined to said bracket means so as to be able to support said bracket means in a fixed position with respect to said surface when said vacuum means is retained on the said surface by vacuum.

2. The adjustable device of claim 1 wherein said vacuum means is comprised of one or more suction cups.

3. The adjustable device of claim 1 wherein said vacuum means is comprised of one or more suction cups having:

(a) rearward extending bosses;

(b) a means for attaching the said rear extending bosses to said bracket means.

4. The adjustable device of claim 1 wherein said bracket means comprises:

(a) a bracket of sufficient size to accommodate said vacuum means.

(b) holes necessary for attachment of said vacuum means in said bracket;

(c) a means for adjustable attachment of said electronic imaging camera to said bracket so that said electronic imaging camera'"'"'s field of view can be adjusted.

5. An adjustable device for mounting an electronic imaging camera to a surface by vacuum, comprising:

(a) vacuum means comprised of one or more vacuum devices which can be retained on a surface by vacuum and that can be removed from said surface by relieving the vacuum;

(b) bracket means comprised of one or more brackets to hold said vacuum means;

(c) second bracket means comprised of a second bracket that attaches to said bracket means at a point or points so that said bracket and said second bracket shall act as a hinge;

(d) bracket locking means providing for locking of the said attachment point or points.

(e) attaching means for adjustable attachment of said electronic imaging camera to said second bracket means;

(f) locking means for restricting the movement of said attaching means so as to retain the field of view of said electronic imaging camera fixed after said attaching means has been adjusted;

(g) said vacuum means being joined to said bracket means so as to be able to support said bracket means in a fixed position with respect to said surface when said vacuum means is retained on the said surface by vacuum.

6. The adjustable device of claim 5 wherein said vacuum means is comprised of one or more suction cups.

7. The adjustable device of claim 5 wherein said bracket means comprises:

(a) a bracket or brackets of sufficient size to accommodate said vacuum means.

(b) hole or holes necessary for attachment of said vacuum means in said bracket or brackets;

(c) hole or holes in said bracket means necessary for attachment of said bracket means to said second bracket means at the said attachment point or points.

(d) a bolt or bolts adapted to project through said hole or holes at the said attachment point or points then screw into a nut or nuts so as to lock said attachment point or points.

8. The means providing for the adjustable attachment of said electronic imaging camera to the said second bracket of claim 5 comprises:

(a) a hole positioned centrally in the said second bracket;

(b) a bolt adapted to screw into a threaded hole on said electronic imaging camera for the purpose of adjustable attachment of said electronic imaging camera;

(c) the said bolt projects through said hole in said second bracket then screws into the said threaded hole on the said electronic imaging camera.

(d) a means for providing friction between said second bracket and the body of said electronic imaging camera.

9. The adjustable device of claim 5 wherein said attaching means for adjustable attachment comprises:

(a) an adhesive backed hook faced or loop faced strip;

(b) a mating faced strap to the adhesive backed strip;

(c) the said adhesive backed strip is attached by its adhesive backing to the opposite surface of the said second bracket to which the said electronic imaging camera is to be attached.

(d) a short portion of the said mating faced strap is attached to one end of the said adhesive backed strip by pressing the mating faces together;

(e) the remaining portion of the said mating faced strap is then passed around the electronic imaging camera'"'"'s body, pulled tight and then attached to the other end of the said adhesive backed strip by pressing the mating faces together.