Patent ID: 9720306
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: F16M,G03B,H04N

Claim:
1. A camera mounting assembly for adjustably mounting a camera on a vertical support comprising: (a) a base member having an upper portion configured to support a lower surface of the camera and a lower portion forming an opposite pair of lower slots; (b) a side member forming an opposite pair of side slots; and (c) a fastening element configured to detachably fasten together said side member and said base member such that when the lower surface of the camera is supported by the base member, at least a portion of the side member is aligned with a side surface of the camera and configured such that a pair of moveable jaws of a quick-release mechanism is selectively engageable with the lower slots and side slots to adjustably mount the camera in a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation, respectively, while maintaining the camera in a generally centered position over the vertical support, said fastening element comprising a rotatable member accessible from a bottom surface of said base member when said lower surface of said camera is supported by said base member where rotation of said rotatable member detachably interconnects said side member to said base member when said camera is supported by said base member, said rotatable member movable in a first manner that permits said side member to slide with respect to said base member in such a manner to modify the spacing between said side member and said side surface of said camera when said lower surface of said camera is said supported by said base member, said rotatable member movable in a second manner that prevents said side member to slide with respect to said base member in such a manner to maintain the spacing between said side member and said side surface of said camera when said lower surface of said camera is said supported by said base member, said base member being free from extending along a substantial portion of said side surface of said camera when said camera is supported by said base member and said side member is detached from said base member; (d) wherein said base member defines a cavity with a lower opening between said upper portion, said opposite pair of lower slots, and a lower surface of said base member; (f) wherein said side member includes a leg portion that extends within said cavity defined by said base member and said fastening element detachably fastens together said leg portion of said side member and said base member.