Camera Mount

The field of invention relates to camera mount structure, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved camera mount wherein the same is arranged for selective securement relative to an available support post, tree, and the like.

Camera mounts of various types have been utilized throughout the prior art such as indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,481, wherein a camera holder is arranged for securement to a manual grip permitting various angulations of the camera.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,603, provides a mount structure for securement to a bicycle.

Various mounting devices utilized throughout the prior art employing strap-like structure are indicated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,117,779 and 5,098,051.

The present invention relates to camera mount structure wherein the same employs a strap mechanism to secure a support boss to an associated post member and wherein plural angulated head structures are arranged to provide for pivoting and articulation of an associated camera secured to the organization relative to the support boss.

Objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

FIG. 1 is an orthographic view of a prior art camera mount, as indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,481.

FIG. 2 is an orthographic view, as indicated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,603, for securing an article to a bicycle.

FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an orthographic partial view of the support boss structure and its securement to an associated post member.

FIG. 5 is an orthographic side view of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 6--6 of FIG. 5 in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 7 is an orthographic top view of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an orthographic cross-sectional illustration of the first and second body members arranged in an orthogonal fixed association relative to one another.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

The camera mount structure 10 of the invention is arranged for supporting to an available support post 11 not specifically forming a part of the invention but available for having the invention secured thereto such as an available tree, telephone pole, etc. A bifurcated support boss 12 is provided in the invention having an aligned elongate slot 13, with the support boss 12 including at least one concave base plate 14, wherein a plurality of such base plates 14 are provided for receiving the support post 11. A flexible strap 17 is provided received through a receiving slot 18 within the support boss, that in turn is orthogonally oriented relative to the elongate slot 13, or at least obliquely oriented thereto, such that the flexible strap 17 having a strap coupling 17a is arranged for securement about the support post 11. First and second support rods 15 and 16 directed through the elongate slot 13 in an orthogonal relationship pivotally mount respective first and second levers 19 and 20. The second lever 20 is provided with a second lever slot 21, such that a first clamp 22 is slidable throughout the second lever slot 21 for selectively securing the outermost distal end of the first lever 19 to the second lever 20 along the second lever slot 21. To this end, a rod fixedly secured to the second lever outer distal end 19 is provided, with a wing-nut type member as exemplified in FIG. 3 clamping the second lever 20 between the first lever 19 and the noted wing-nut forming a part of the first clamp 22. The second lever 20 fixedly is secured to a first head 23 at an outermost distal end of the second lever 20, with the first head 23 rotatably mounting a first body 24 thereto about a first axle 25 directed through the first head 23 and rotative by manipulation of a first axle lever 26. The first body 24 orthogonally and fixedly is secured to a second body 27 that has at a first end of the second body 27 a second head 28 mounting a second axle 29 through the second head 28, the second body 27, and directed into a first pivot block 31 about the second axle 29 that is rotatable by the use of a second axle lever 30. The first pivot block is accordingly clampable against the second body 27 upon rotatably securing and drawing the second head 28 and the first pivot block 31 against the second body 27 by rotation of the second axle 29 by the second axle lever 30. A first flange 32 is fixedly secured to the first pivot block 31 and is orthogonally oriented relative to the second axle 29, that in turn is orthogonally oriented relative to the first axle 25. The first flange 32 extends to a second pivot block 33 that is rotatably mounted relative to a third pivot block 34 about a third axle 35, that in turn is orthogonally oriented to and spaced from the second axle 29. A lock rod 36 is rotatably directed through the third pivot block 34 to engage the third axle 35 to effect its arresting and thereafter prevent rotation of the second pivot block 33 relative to the third pivot block 34. A second flange 37 is fixedly mounted to and extends from the third pivot block 34 and is arranged generally parallel to the third axle 35, The second flange 37 extends to a support plate 38 that has a fastener 39 directed therethrough for securement to a camera 40 positioned upon the support plate 38.

In this manner, it is understood that the camera 40 may be rotated and articulated into a myriad of infinite combinations relative to the support post 11 for proper positioning of the camera 40 for use.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.