Abstract:
A multiuse platform and system having a flexible shape-retaining shaft for engaging, holding and pointing devices (e.g., imaging devices like cameras or video recorders). It includes a respositionable mounting system having a flexible assembly having a first end and a second end, the assembly adapted to be repetitively positioned into a plurality of orientations by moving the assembly into a first particular orientation wherein the assembly retains the particular orientation until the assembly is moved into a second particular orientation; and a first mounting head, coupled to the first end, for engaging a first mating structure.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/885,513, filed 19 Sep. 2010 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,196,878), which is a Division of application Ser. No. 10/618,847 filed on Jul. 14, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,798,452), the contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a device mounting system and more specifically to an apparatus including one or more flexible shape-retaining shafts for engaging, holding and pointing “things” (e.g., imaging devices like cameras or video recorders). 
     Portability is an important characteristic of many devices in use today, and in many cases the usefulness of the device is directly related to its efficiency in a portable mode. One particular class of device for which this is true is the class of imaging devices. This class includes portable cameras of all sorts including digital cameras and video cameras. These portable cameras range widely in size from the very small to the barely portable. Common uses of the portable camera include applications requiring particularly steady positioning and operation as well as remote operation. 
     The camera art has developed the tripod as a mounting system for engaging and holding the portable camera. It satisfies the requirements of providing a platform for steady positioning and operation, and permits easy remote operation. Many different tripods have been developed to address concerns with size and weight, as well as to adapting a camera to an imaging environment. 
     Tripods have an inherent disadvantage in that they require a stable, nearly planar surface upon which to be set up. Telescoping legs make the tripod somewhat adaptable to uneven surfaces. It is often the case that the more complex and adaptable the tripod is, the more inconvenient and difficult it is to setup. The more inconvenient and difficult it is to setup a tripod inhibits its use notwithstanding its usefulness. 
     The art has seen solutions to some of the drawbacks of the tripod, such as the requirement for a suitable, nearly flat, stable surface upon which to setup. One solution has been to mount a camera to the tripod, then lash the tripod to another nearby object using separate cords such as one or more bungee cords. 
     The present invention makes use of flexible shape-retaining shafts. It is known to provide flexible shape-retaining shafts in other contexts, such as for illumination systems or other lightweight device to be powered from an attendant portable electronic device. For example, the Snakelight Flexible Flashlight available from Black and Decker, 626 Hanover Pike, Hampstead, Md. 21074 as well as the Flylight™ and the FlyFan™ available from Kensington Technology Group, 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Second Floor, San Mateo, Calif. 94403-1289 are examples of prior art devices that have flexible shape-retaining shafts for positioning a device in a desired location. 
     The Snakelight provides a self-powered flashlight unit for hands-free lighting by bending, coiling draping or wrapping the flexible core in virtually any way to direct a light at one end as desired. The Flylight™ and the Flyfan™ provide for devices powered from the batteries of a portable electronic device (e.g., a laptop computer) through a port (e.g., a USB port of the laptop). Each device has a specialized function and includes a powered option for an active component integrated into a head of the device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a multiuse platform and system having a flexible shape-retaining shaft for engaging, holding and pointing devices (e.g., imaging devices like cameras or video recorders, though other devices and objects may also be used in cooperation with the device). The present invention includes a respositionable mounting system having a flexible assembly having a first end and a second end, the assembly adapted to be repetitively positioned into a plurality of orientations by moving the assembly into a first particular orientation wherein the assembly retains the particular orientation until the assembly is moved into a second particular orientation; and a first mounting head, coupled to the first end, for engaging a first mating receptacle. 
     The preferred embodiment permits simple efficient setup, use and storage of a device mounting system. When used in conjunction with an imaging device, the preferred embodiment allows the imaging device to be quickly positioned into a desired orientation that is steady in many different environments. 
     These and other novel aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the drawings and the remaining portions of the specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a set of components for a preferred embodiment of a multiuse mounting system in a single-legged mode; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the multiuse mounting system shown in  FIG. 1  engaging an imaging device in a freestanding support mode; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the multiuse mounting system shown in  FIG. 1  used in an engaging support mode; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment in a multi-membered mode; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  configured for draping over a horizontal member (e.g., a back of a chair); 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  configured for engagement with a vertical wall abutment; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment having four members. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a set of components for a preferred embodiment of a multiuse mounting system  100 . Flexible assembly  110  may be made in any number of different ways depending upon the particular application and type or types of devices to be used in conjunction with system  100 . U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,938 entitled “Sleeve Retention For Flexible Core Of a Flashlight” and issued on 16 Jun. 1998 (hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes) describes one suitable flexible shape-retaining shaft that may be easily adapted to the present invention. When desired, system  100  may be compactly coiled into a small convenient size for storage and transportation. For use, system  100  is easily uncoiled and attached to a device and suitable support, either in a freestanding support mode or an engaging support mode as will be later described. 
     Assembly  110 , assembled from members  115 , is constructed to be bent, twisted, coiled, draped, wrapped, torsioned, curved, bowed, arched, curled, spiraled, and/or turned into a desired configuration while supporting head  120  and a selected device coupled to head  120 . Some applications may require sturdier construction for relatively heavy devices or high use environments where a flex range limit of assembly  110  is frequently tested. Other applications for lighter devices or for uses not requiring particularly steady positioning may use a lighter construction. As explained below, including the discussion of  FIG. 4 , assembly  110  is formed from intercoupling two or more members  115  together. Members  115  correspond to members  405  shown in  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 7 . 
     Mounting head  120  of the preferred embodiment includes an engagement system  150  adapted for the type of device to be used with system  100 . For example, many imaging devices include a standard sized and threaded mating receptacle (e.g., a tripod screw adapter or hole) on one side for attaching a tripod or other structure. Other imaging devices are provided with a specialized or proprietary mating receptacle. Engagement system  150  of the preferred embodiment is complementary to the mating receptacles used with the devices for which system  100  is intended to be used. In some cases, engagement system  150  may be used in cooperation with an adaptor for increasing the types of mating receptacles that may be used with the present invention. 
     The preferred embodiment illustrates system  100  configured for use with a standard tripod screw hole. In this case, engagement system  150  includes a mounting plate  160  and a standard tripod screw  170  extending above a surface of plate  160 . In use after engagement of mounting head  120  with a device, plate  160  supports the device and screw  170  secures the device to system  100 . As discussed above, other devices may require use of a different engagement system or an adapter for use with engagement system  150 . For purposes of the present application, mount includes engagement system  150  and other systems for gripping, holding, securing, clipping, grabbing, snapping, screwing, clamping, buttoning, and all other manner of attaching, holding and/or securing one device to another (preferably using a releasable/reusable system/method). 
     Mounting head  120  optionally includes an ergonomic handle  180  used as an aid to move and position mounting head  120  as desired. Optionally, mounting head  120  may include a moveable coupling between engagement system  150  and assembly  110  or between mounting head  120  and assembly  110  permitting further refinements of device orientation without necessarily changing an orientation of assembly  110 . 
     Base  130  of the preferred embodiment is selectively mountable and dismountable to an end of assembly  110  opposite of an end having mounting head  120 . Base  130  permits system  100  to become freestanding above a surface supporting base  130 . The surface does not have to be particularly flat, level or even. System  100  having base  130  installed and supporting a generally vertical assembly  110  is termed a freestanding support mode. System  100  also includes an engaging support mode in which system  100  interacts with the environment other than through base  130  to support a device for use and/or operation. 
     The engaging support mode may be easier to implement for a user when base  130  is detached, but not all applications require detachment of base  130 . It is an advantage of system  100  is that when base  130  is detached and system  100  is in the engaging support mode, assembly  110  may have a second end (the end from which base  130  was detached) available for supporting a second mounting head or other function, for example simply by addition of a second mounting head  120  (not shown). The second mounting head could permit two imaging devices to be used concurrently, or the second mounting head could support a second device providing complementary feature or functions to the first device or to the operation. For example, a detachable self-powered illumination system could be used with the second mounting head, or a reflector/illumination system or other appropriate device may be used. 
     In some applications, base  130  may not be detachable, but mounted intermediate two ends of assembly  110 . This implementation permits two or more mounting heads to be used concurrently with base  130 . 
     In other applications, base  130  may include a controller or power source, or a port for attaching a controller or power source, for communicating with the devices through communication channels provided in assembly  110  and accessible using data/power connectors in mounting head  120 . The communication could be for control or coordination of functions of the devices, or other functions built into mounting head  120 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of multiuse mounting system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  engaging an imaging device  200  in the freestanding support mode. Device  200 , secured to system  100 , may be oriented into virtually any position. The orientation aims device  200  in any direction in three-dimensions and permits a height adjustment from near a height at a level near base  130  up to a maximum length of assembly  110  when assembly  110  is straight and unbent and extending away from base  130 . In some cases and configurations, it is possible to adjust a height of device  200  to be below base  130  such as when base  130  is near an edge and base  130  and assembly  110  can counterbalance the particular orientation. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of multiuse mounting system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  used in the engaging support mode. Engaging support mode includes establishing some other relationship (e.g., wrapping, draping, coiling, coiling, and the like) between system  100  and object  300  to secure system  100  to object  300 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , assembly  110  is wrapped about object  300  when object extends vertically. Object  300  could be a pole, a limb, a support column, a chair leg, a tree branch or virtually any other object. Object  300  need not be vertical, but it could be horizontal or assume some arbitrary angle. Attaching a device to system  100  shown in  FIG. 3  permits the device to assume virtually any desired orientation relative to object  300 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment for a multiuse device system  400  in a multi-membered mode. System  400  includes three flexible members  405  (shown combined as assembly  110  in  FIG. 1 ) and a modified version of mounting head  120  to provide a “tripod” mounting head  410  that engages a plurality of members  405  (e.g., three flexible members  405  to form assembly  110  as shown in  FIG. 1 ) in tripod mode. Mounting head  410  includes a mount system  420  and a member attachment system  430 . System  400  is transformable into system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3  by detaching two members  405  from head  410  and coupling all three members  405  together to form a single long flexible assembly  110  coupled to head  410 . Depending upon the desired implementation, a base  130  shown in  FIG. 1  may be added as well. 
     Each member  405  includes a coupler (e.g., an extended threaded member—not shown—though other engagements systems like snap couplers or ball/socket systems may be used) at a first end. The coupler engages a complementary receptacle provided in head  410  (e.g., provided in an underside of member attachment system  430 ). In the preferred embodiment, member attachment system  430  includes three mating receptacles on the underside (not shown), as well as one or more mating receptacles  435  on the sidewall. Additionally, mount system  420  is preferably coupled to member attachment system using a similar engagement system to permit member  405  to be inserted between mount system  420  and member attachment system  430  (as shown later in  FIG. 5 ). Each second end of member  405  includes a similar complementary receptacle to permit members  405  to be coupled together to form a single long flexible assembly coupled to head  410 , thus recreating the structure shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3 . Decoupling members  405  from each other and reengaging members  405  to head  410  recreates the tripod mode. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of system  400  shown in  FIG. 4  configured for draping over a horizontal object (e.g., a back of a chair). In this configuration, mount system  420  and member attachment system  430  are separated with a flexible member  110  removed from an underside of member attachment system  430  and inserted between them. The other two members  110  are moved from the underside of system  430  to the sidewall. The two sidewall-mounted members  110  engage the horizontal object to position and secure leg attachment system  430  in a specific location. Mounting system  420  is then adjustable relative leg attachment system  430  to position any device attached to screw  170  and/or plate  160 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of system  400  shown in  FIG. 4  engaging a vertical rectangular abutment  600  (e.g., an end of a wall). In this use, flexible members  110  are preferably configured for lateral engagement by use of a suitable material on one or more exterior portions of members  110 , or use of lateral engagement structures incorporated into one or more members  110 . A suitable material would be one having a relatively high coefficient of friction in cooperation with the abutment  600 . As the coefficient of friction is a relative measurement between two surfaces, the suitable material would one that exhibits the desired frictional force in the particular implementation. Certain materials, such as for example Latex®, have a high coefficient of friction relative to many surfaces and materials, and is the preferred material for this type of implementation to produce a surface that is “sticky” to a large number of surfaces. 
     Additionally, one or more flexible members  110  may be provided with lateral engagement surfaces, either as an intentional additional element or elements to facilitate positioning and engagement of system  400 , or as a consequence of the manufacture of flexible member  110 . For example, the preferred embodiment for flexible members  110  uses a series of interconnected balls that impart a non-uniformly cylindrical surface over its length, forming successive annular peaks and valleys as moving along its length. The natural annular peak and valley structures may be enhanced for the particular application, and in some implementations, only selected portions of the member may be sticky. For purposes of the present application, the term “sticky” includes not only a surface with a relatively high coefficient of friction with respect to intended surfaces for interaction, but also includes assemblies having lateral engagement surfaces or other types of gripping/grabbing structures (e.g., hooks or grippers) along the length or at the end of a member, or a combination of such elements. 
     In operation, system  400  is oriented generally horizontal, with two members  100  forming “lateral” engagement “arms” and a third member  110  forming a lower support “leg” for cooperative engagement with vertical abutment  600 . Edges of abutment  600  engage the valleys of the two lateral members  110 , the “sticky” exterior and the shape-retaining manufacture maintain the engagement, thereby maintaining system  400  attached. Additionally, the support leg  110  engages a front surface of abutment  600 . The three members  110  thus cooperatively maintain head  410  in a desired relationship to abutment  600  to position and/or secure a device in a desired orientation. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate implementation of system  400  having four members  110 . System  400  is adaptable for a great many uses, an example is shown in  FIG. 7 . As described above, leg attachment system  430  of the preferred embodiment includes mating receptacles for six flexible members  110  (three on the underside and three on the lateral surface). Each flexible member  110  includes a coupler at one end for mating to the receptacles and a receptacle for receiving a coupler, permitting daisy-chaining of two or more members  110  together to form a longer member  110 . Head  410  includes a mounting system  420  and a member attachment system  430  joined together by a coupler in one and a receptacle in the other to permit one or more flexible members  110  to be inserted between. System  400  includes a base that may be used in cooperation with many particular orientations of members  110 . Different types of mounts may be used in cooperation with mount system  420  for gripping, grabbing, holding, engaging, clamping, lashing, securing, etc. one or more different devices or objects. System  400  is thus able to form an interconnected web of different configurations of mounts, mounting systems, bases and members for engaging, supporting, positioning and securing virtually any device or set of devices in a desired relationship to each other and to the environment. As discussed above, the members, systems and structures of system  100  or system  400  are not limited to purely mechanical support. Bases, members, mounts and attachment systems may all be provided with power and/or data and/or communications channels use among the elements and in cooperation with the devices and/or objects supported, gripped, help, positioned, and/or secured (for example) using system  400 . The preferred embodiment employs, in certain implementations, different sizes of member assemblies  110 . System  400  is able to, in a single device, employ larger assemblies for one type of function (e.g., weight support) and smaller assemblies for other functions (e.g., fine positioning). Multiple types of multiple assemblies may be used. In some instances, system  400  employs adapters and/or extenders to permit construction of these elements, such as coupling one size/shape of member to another size/shape. Additionally, adapters enable further connectivity and coupling, such as by having adapters with two receptacles or two couplers. Some adapters may include multiple numbers of receptacles and/or couplers beyond two. Further, adapters may include additional power/data/communications sources, channels and or interface elements. In some instances, the mounting system may be integrated or otherwise incorporated into or become a part of a device or object. Such a mounting system may be removable, or remain permanently affixed. In such an embodiment, it may be convenient to provide storage or stowage for flexible members for instances when the device/object is used without the one or more flexible assemblies. 
     The types and numbers of objects, devices and “things” that may be attached, held, secured, and/or positioned using the present invention is virtually unlimited. The preferred embodiment is a device for attaching, holding, securing, and/or positioning a wide variety of imaging systems through use of standard types of mounting engagement systems used, for example, with conventional tripod devices. The present invention is not limited to use with just imaging devices, as various implementations may be used in many different contexts. For example, variations of the multiuse system may be also used for toy legs (to hold toys or objects to another toy or object), a holder for a flashlight, a support/rest for a firearm used by a marksman, “ties” or “wraps” to engage or wrap elements. The member assemblies need not be removable, but could be manufactured or relatively permanently affixed to an object. The flashlight and firearm support are examples that could be incorporated into the object. Virtually any object could be provided (during manufacture or retrofit) with a complementary mating system. A version of the member assembly could be provided in cooperation with electrical, data, pipe or other conduit (e.g., provide an assembly at five feet intervals along its length) to “lash” the conduit to a railing or other support. Such a system could provide many benefits, including temporary provision/deployment of power, water, communications, or whatever. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a version having four or more “members” could use three to support the other members, and the other members could actually be active devices, such as the flashlight or illumination system, lighted minor, thermometer, wireless hub transceiver. Adding a clip or cup to the additional member makes the device a general holder for signs, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3  and as further suggested above, a single member assembly having an integrated engagement system is very useful. Particularly in instances in which the assembly is a power/data/communications conduit and the engagement system includes a coupling system that connects to the desired power/data/communications channel. For example, a workspace could be outfitted with several assembly outlets, and a user is able to engage assemblies (e.g. possibly of different size, function or type) into the outlets. A suitable suite of devices (e.g., illumination, cutting, soldering, test equipment, polishing, welding, punching, drilling, etc.) may be used in cooperation with these assemblies by selectively engaging with the engagement system to provide a wide variety of tasks at the workspace. The suite of devices is designed and adapted for the range of tasks at the workspace. 
     The above-described arrangements of apparatus and methods are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 
     These and other novel aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the drawings and the remaining portions of the specification.