Abstract:
The present invention relates to electronic devices of a particular structure, and to a method and apparatus for engaging and holding such devices with the user&#39;s person, clothing, equipment or vehicle. The apparatus includes a bracket that engages with the electronic device and a cover that provides protection to the electronic device and a camera lens augmentation element. Additional elements provide engagement between flat or cylindrical surfaces. The apparatus facilitates convenient carry, access and secure attachment of an electronic device during participation in a physical activity.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of mounting electronic devices and more particularly to system that promotes carrying, accessing, using and stowing an electronic device while participating in physical activities such as surfing, cycling, skiing, kayaking and the like. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Problem 
         [0004]    The need arises to secure specific electronic devices to one&#39;s person or to a helmet or other piece of clothing or equipment to facilitate carrying, accessing, using and stowing of such an electronic device that records images, video and sound. 
         [0005]    The present disclosure relates to electronic devices of a particular structure, and to a method and apparatus for engaging such devices with the user&#39;s person, clothing, equipment or vehicle. The apparatus comprises a bracket that engages with the electronic device and a cover that provides protection to the electronic device and a camera lens augmentation element. Additional elements provide engagement between flat or cylindrical surfaces. The apparatus facilitates convenient carry, access and secure attachment of an electronic device during participation in a physical activity. 
         [0006]    The present embodiment promotes carrying, accessing, using and stowing an electronic device while participating in physical activities such as surfing, cycling, skiing, kayaking and so forth. Various straps and elastic materials have been employed in attempts to secure cameras, video and/or sound recording equipment during use. Digital electronic devices provide increasing quality photographs and video with increasingly smaller envelopes. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of securing an electronics device to one&#39;s person, or equipment such as helmet, ski poles, handle bars or the like, allowing the user to employ the electronic device while leaving hands free, when taking part in activities. 
         [0008]    It is another primary object to provide an apparatus that engages securely with the electronics device and further engages with the body and with equipment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention relates to electronic devices of a particular structure, and to a method and apparatus for engaging such devices with the user&#39;s person, clothing, equipment or vehicle. The electronics device illustrated can be a hand-held phone, camera, video camera, recorder, player, memory storage device with internet/cell-phone connectivity. Although many styles and shapes are available for such devices, the method used to engage with such a device and the apparatus employed to further engage with a user&#39;s body or equipment is disclosed. A bracket made of a durable semi-rigid material such as polymers, composites or metal, provides flexible tabs that partially surround the electronics device and has features that engage with straps, screws, plastic tie straps, magnets or other fastening hardware. A cover comprising a protective shell that mates with both the electronics device and the bracket includes an additional lens that mates with the camera lens included in the electronics device. The additional lens may include optical augmentation features such as a wide angle view, telephoto, telescopic or other features associated with camera lenses. 
         [0010]    As understood by one skilled in the art, the formal principles the present disclosure are not restricted to a specific electronics device, and may apply to any electronics device of similar structure. For the purpose of clarity a given example compact electronics device is shown and described. 
         [0011]    These and other non-limiting features or characteristics of the present disclosure will be further described below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The following is a brief description of the drawings, which are presented for the purposes of illustrating the disclosure set forth herein and not for the purposes of limiting the same. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front right perspective, exploded view of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a front, right, perspective view the mounting bracket. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side, orthographic, section view of the bracket of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 2  engaged with a strap. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 2  engaged with a screw and mounting hardware that engages with cylindrical objects. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 2  engaged with a screw and mounting hardware that engages with cylindrical objects. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 2  engaged with the electronics device and with the cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a side, exploded perspective view of the bracket, electronics device and cover of the configuration of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a detail, side, exploded perspective view of the bracket, electronics device and cover of the configuration of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a front, right, perspective view of an iteration of the mounting bracket of the embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a rear, right, perspective view of an iteration of the mounting bracket of the embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    A more complete understanding of the components, processes, and apparatuses disclosed herein can be obtained by reference to the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to demonstrate the present disclosure and are not intended to show relative sizes and dimensions or to limit the scope of the disclosed embodiment(s). 
         [0026]    Although specific terms are used in the following description, these terms are intended to refer only to particular structures in the drawings and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like function. 
         [0027]    The term “about” when used with a quantity includes the stated value and also has the meaning dictated by the context. For example, it includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity. When used in the context of a range, the term “about” should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the range “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.” 
         [0028]    A clamping means of the present embodiment employs mechanical interference to securely engage an electronic device of a particular shape. The same mechanical interference may be employed to engage electronic devices of varying shapes. One example is illustrated, the principle may be employed with similar electronic devices as one skilled in the art will understand. 
         [0029]    In one configuration of the embodiment, a clamping means is engaged with the back and a portion of the sides of an electronic device, a cover is engaged with the front and remaining portion of the sides of said electronic device. Once the electronic device is engaged with the clamping means, the clamping means may be further engaged with such hardware as is common to engage with equipment or a vehicle such as a bicycle or motorcycle. In another configuration of the embodiment, a clamping means is engaged with an electronic device and further engaged with a strap or belt to fasten the electronic device to the user&#39;s body, clothing or gear such as a helmet. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, exploded view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  is a front, perspective view of a clamping device of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , an electronics device  130  has a body  132  with a camera lens  138 , and a raised edge  134 . The raised edge  134  has control buttons or plug ports, located about the perimeter of the device at locations such as those indicated by  135 ,  136 ,  139 . A cover  150  engages with the electronic device  130 . A primary surface  152  provides protection to the electronics device  130 . A recess  154  aligns with portions of the clamping device  110 . A lens  158  aligns with the camera lens  138  of the electronic device  130 . The cover provides access to plug ports or buttons by a recess  156  or integrated cover  159 . The integrated cover is explained in detail in  FIG. 7  through  FIG. 9 . 
         [0031]    The electronics device engages with a clamping device  110 . The clamping device is shown in detail in  FIG. 2 . The clamping device  110  is approximately symmetrical about vertical and horizontal axes. A primary surface  112  rests against the back surface of the electronics device. Flexible members, also known as clips  114  are engaged with the upper and lower regions of the primary surface and comprise grooves  120  that accept the raised edge  134  of the electronics device. Offset edges  116  and slots  118  ( FIG. 2 ) located on lateral sides of the primary surface  112  provide a buckle for a strap. Smaller holes  122  arranged in a rectangular configuration about the center of the primary surface  112  provide a means for employing plastic ties or other cord-like members to fasten the device to a surface. Protrusions  126  provide a guide for said cord-like members. A central hole,  124  located at the center of the primary surface, accepts a screw for affixing the device  110  to other objects. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a section view illustrates the engagement means between the clamping device  110  and the electronics device  130 . The means of engagement is symmetrical about the horizontal centerline  105 . The primary surface  112  of the clamping device engages with the back surface of the electronics device  130 . The flexible tab member  114  engages with the top of the electronics device  130 . The grove  120  has a notch  128  that engages with the corner of the raised edge  134  of the electronics device. A portion of material  131  interferes with the body of the electronics device, further interference, at location  133 , occurs at the bend between the primary surface  112  and flexible tab  114  of the clamping device  110 . Such a method of employing a small amount of material that exceeds the geometry necessary to provide a precise fit is often referred to as an interference fit. This particular interference fit provides a secure engagement between the clamping device and the electronics device sufficient to hold the electronics device securely while the user wears the device during physical activity or while the device is fastened to a vehicle or equipment such as handle bars or ski poles or the like. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the clamping device  110  is illustrated in combination with a belt or strap  170 . During certain physical activities it is useful to wear a camera strapped to one&#39;s chest or around the waist as a belt. Slots  118  through both sides of the primary surface  112  of the clamping device  130  combined with edge portions  116  provide a means of engaging a belt or strap  170  as one might engage a buckle with a belt. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  a means of engaging the clamping device to a cylindrical portion of equipment or a vehicle is illustrated. The clamping device  110  engages with a spacer  190 . The spacer comprises a cylindrical groove  198  for engaging with cylindrical portions of objects such as handlebars or ski poles or the like. The spacer  190  further comprises a hole in the center  196  for receiving a screw  180  that passes through the hole  124  in the clamp  110  and continues through the hole  196  to engage with the cylindrical piece of equipment (not shown). 
         [0035]    The spacer  190  further comprises grooves  194  and holes  192 . Grooves  194  are arranged radially about the spacer  190  and engage with a protrusion  127  in the clamp  110 . Holes  192  are spaced radially and align with holes  127  in the clamp  110 . The radial arrangement of the grooves  194  allow the spacer  190  to be rotated and affixed in a number of positions such that the clamp and its attached electronics device may be rotated to a desired orientation. Holes  127  allow for cords or plastic ties or the like to be passed through the clamp and spacer and engaged about a cylindrical portion of a piece of equipment. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7  through  FIG. 9 , an assembly of the cover  150 , electronic device  130  and clamp  110  is illustrated. An integrated button cover  159  provides both protection and access to specific buttons such as button  139  where the button cover aligns with such buttons, on the electronics device  130 . The integrated button cover is formed into the shape of the cover  150 , has no moving parts, occupies a portion of the cover  150 ; and comprises a flexible portion  155 , a relief slot  153  and a protrusion  151  ( FIG. 9 ). The protrusion  151  aligns with a button such as button  139 . The relief slot  153  permits a portion of the cover to flex. The flexible portion  155  of the cover  150  moves when depressed, sufficiently to depress button  139  and flexes back to its original position where it is aligned with but not depressing the button  139 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , an iteration of the embodiment  210  is illustrated. Like reference numerals refer to like components and features. The clamping device  210  is approximately symmetrical about vertical and horizontal axes. A primary surface  112  rests against the back surface of the electronics device. Flexible members, also known as clips  114  are engaged with the upper and lower regions of the primary surface and comprise grooves  120  that accept the raised edge  134  of the electronics device. Holes  122  arranged in a rectangular configuration about the center of the primary surface  112  provide a means for employing plastic ties or other cord-like members to fasten the device to a surface. Protrusions  126  provide a guide for said cord-like members. A central hole,  124  located at the center of the primary surface, accepts a screw for affixing the device  110  to other objects. 
         [0038]    The present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the present disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.