Forearm camera mount

[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of prior provisional application No. 60/391,218 filed 26 Jun. 2002.

[0002] Video camera mountings consisting basically of familiar expected and obvious structural configurations are known in the art and have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. Known prior art devices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,244,500; 4,509,667; 4,692,807; 4,746,043; and 5,229,798. While these devices fulfill their particular respective objectives and requirements, none of the aforementioned devices allow the hand free use or proper camera angle for filming an archery shot.

[0003] The present invention relates to video camera mounting and more particularly pertains to a new video camera mounting apparatus for mounting to a person's forearm for use in, but not limited to, archery.

[0004] The camcorder support includes an arm/wristband which completely envelopes the arm and wrist to minimize relative movement there between and a support bracket for supporting and positioning the camera/camcorder. A thumb hole is provided permitting the arm/wrist band to cover most of the hand while providing free finger and thumb movement.

[0005] The arm/wrist band and support bracket are strapped to the arm and wrist of the user using straps and fasteners to hold the arm, wrist, support and camera/camcorder in a fixed relationship so that movement of the camera/camcorder is basically limited to movement of the user's elbow.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new video camera mounting apparatus that allows an archer to hold the bow while the video camera records.

[0011] The camcorder bracket 9 of the present invention is designed to support a camcorder, videocam or other lightweight video camera 22 by mounting it to a person's forearm 23 using an arm/wrist band 10.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment, the arm/wrist band 10 and the palm strap 11 are made of leather or other suitable, flexible and non-stretchable material. The arm/wrist band 10 includes multiple holes 18, clips 9 each including two slots 4, 5, a Velcro fastening material 8 extending along substantially ⅔ of the length of the outer surface of the band or glove 10, straps 2 secured to a side of the band or glove opposite the clips 9, Velcro connectors 7 located on the straps 2, and a palm strap 11 connected to the arm/wrist band 10. While Velcro brand fastening material is used for the connecting elements 7 and 8 because of the convenience and inherent adjustability to accommodate the varying physical contours of users, it is readily understood by those skilled in the art that other known fastening means could be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Clips 3 are secured to the band 10 via material 6 extending through the slots 4 and sewed to the band at the ends of the material.

[0013] The support bracket 9 is made of a relatively rigid, unitary construction and is formed from a material such as steel, hard plastic or the like. The bracket 9 comprises multiple bore holes 15 formed in one section of the bracket for mounting the camera 22 via the video camera tripod mounting hole. The location of the tripod mounting hole for the particular camera one wishes to mount to the device will determine which of holes 15 is used. One of the holes 15 is also used to connect the camera securing strap 13 to the bottom of bracket 9. The bracket 9 further comprises curved slot 16 and holes 17 formed in an angled section of the bracket. Holes 17 are used for assembling the bracket to the band 10 and also enable vertical movement of the bracket 9 relative to the band 10. Curved slotted hole 16 permits vertical adjusting or tilting of the bracket and camera relative to the band and arm of the user.

[0014] The bracket 9 is connected to the band 10 by screws 20 inserted through washers 19, through holes 18 within the band and then through holes 16, 17 in the bracket 9. Locking nuts 21 are then screwed onto the shank of the screws or bolts 20. When secured, the inner surface of the bracket 9 will lie flush with the outer surface of the band 10.

[0015] In use, the band 10 and palm strap 11 are positioned over the forearm and hand of the user with four fingers extending through slot 12. Straps 2 are positioned around the forearm of the user, through slots 5 and then secured via the fastening material 7 and 8 onto the band 10. Camera 22 is mounted to the bracket using one of the holes 15 and then strap 13 is wrapped around the camera and secured to the band using the fasteners 14 and 8. Strap 13 helps stabilize the movement of the camera 22. To facilitate recordation of the archery shot, adjustment of the camera and bracket is provided by the connection of the bracket to the band at holes 16 and 17. Also, the use of palm strap 11 to engage the fingers of the hand assists in accurately positioning the device along the forearm.

[0016] Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.