Abstract:
A combination of a vehicle including a steering wheel assembly and an electronic cell phone device having a side positioned camera and a mounting system that enables said cell phone device to be mounted on said steering wheel assembly. The camera faces at least one front seat side window of the vehicle allowing handsfree recording and uploading to cloud storage of events inside and outside the vehicle without the necessity of the driver positioning the camera at the area being recorded.

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Applicant claims priority of the filing date of provisional application titled CELL PHONE WITH SIDE FACING VIDEO CAMERAS filed Sep. 27, 2016 Application No. 62/301,323 and NO SPIN STEERING WHEEL AND BELT ATTACHMENT DEVICE INCLUDING A STATIONARY SUPPORT/CHARGING WAND filed Jun. 21, 2017, Application No. 82/523,173. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present Invention relates to a self-leveling, hands free mounting device for a vehicle steering wheel, a mounting apparatus therefor and an electronic cell phone including a side facing camera to video record events inside and outside the vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The use of electronic devices, such as cell phones, Global Positioning Systems, or dashboard and rear view mirror cameras, by the driver of a vehicle has become commonplace in modern society. Typically use of this equipment is driver distracting particularly if the electronic device is required to be hand held or operated by the driver. These types of distractions are particularly dangerous and have been known to cause serious accidents. Even when mounting structures are provided on or above the dashboard, the driver typically must remove the hands from the steering wheel and/or remove the eyes from the road to engage the electronic device thereby diverting attention from the task of safely driving the vehicle. In the case of a traffic stop by law enforcement, the typical dash cam&#39;s lack of connectivity to cloud storage limits the security of the video recorded data from confiscation or destruction by rogue law enforcement officers, whereas the cell phone&#39;s cloud connectivity removes this issue, making it the preferred choice within this context. 
         [0004]    It has been recognized that mounting of an electronic device on the steering wheel of the vehicle provides easy access to the driver whereby the device is visually available requires a minimum use of the drivers hands while driving and in the case of the cell phone, provides connectivity to the cloud for uploading of data as needed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,217 shows a cell phone mounted on the steering wheel of the vehicle, however the cell phone holder is permanently attached whereby the cell phone rotates with the wheel as it is turned making it difficult to view and causing a potential distraction to the driver. 
         [0005]    An improved mounting device for a cell phone is shown in Application Number 2011/0024470 to Hajarian that discloses a cell phone mount on the center console of a typical steering wheel assembly that includes a rotatable platform mounted on the steering wheel to which the cell phone is attached. This structure maintains the cell phone mount vertical and in essentially the same position on the steering wheel. However, the apparatus to achieve this result is complex and subject to malfunction because of the precise movements of the relatively moving parts to achieve the intended purpose. 
         [0006]    Another patent of interest is U.S. Pat. No. 2,150,709 to Bake that shows a clipboard mounted on a steering wheel and the clipboard rotates with the wheel as it is turned. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,271 to Haage relates to a phone holder with a three-point fastener. 
         [0008]    Application Number 2007/0029359 to Smith shows a bracket mount for a cell phone that also rotates with the wheel. 
         [0009]    US application 2003/0081942 relates to a video recorder for a vehicle. 
         [0010]    US application 2004/0008255 discloses another vehicle recording system of interest. 
         [0011]    US application 2013/0044257 shows a cell phone with a side mounted camera. 
         [0012]    US application 2007/0206087 shows a cell phone with a top edge mounted camera. 
         [0013]    US application 2015/0085184 shows another cell phone with a side edge mounted camera. 
         [0014]    None of the above listed prior art references shows the mounting of a side facing camera equipped cell phone on a steering wheel assembly, either with or without an assembly that keeps the cell phone substantially vertical regardless of the rotational position of the steering wheel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention relates to the combination of a vehicle steering wheel assembly, including a steering wheel and a center hub attached to a steering column that the steering wheel rotates around during normal steering operations while driving the vehicle. The combination includes a cell phone electronic device having side facing cameras on both the sides of the cell phone for monitoring activity inside and outside of and adjacent to the vehicle. A mounting assembly attached to the vehicle steering wheel for mounting the cell phone electronic device allows the device to be self-leveling when me steering wheel is turned by the driver, thereby maintaining the camera in a photo ready position without the necessity of interaction by the driver. 
         [0016]    The cell phone electronic device is a conventional cell phone structure generally rectangular in shape having a thickness sufficient to encapsulate the components of the cell phone. In a normal upright position, the cell phone is formed with a top and bottom edge and side edges. In a preferred embodiment, at least one camera, and preferably two cameras, are included in the cell phone having a camera lens mounted on and facing outwardly from opposite side edges of the cell phone. When the cell phone is mounted on the steering wheel assembly with the front side of the cell phone facing the driver, the cameras positioned on the side of the cell phone face both front seat side windows of the vehicle and are capable of photographing or videoing activity both inside and outside and in close proximity of the vehicle without having to be hand held by the driver during the recording process. This structural combination is particularly useful in the event a person approaches the vehicle and interacts with the driver such as would occur when a law officer attempts to engage the driver based on an alleged violation. 
         [0017]    In another preferred embodiment, both sides of the cell phone are provided with side facing cameras such that activity at either the driver&#39;s side front window or the passenger side front seat side window of the vehicle can be recorded. 
         [0018]    The mounting assembly is simple in design, uses fewer parts and is easier to use than some of the prior art apparatus for accomplishing the same result. The mounting assembly maintains the cell phone in a vertical position where it is easy to see and use and also maintains the cell phone in precisely the same position at the center of the steering wheel console using a minimum number of easily interconnected parts. The mounting assembly is a quick release system using a mounting stud attached to the steering wheel hub or similar mounting platform that forms a part of the steering wheel assembly. The cell phone electronic device is provided with an attached clip that engages the stud and is freely rotatable on it. The mounting assembly provides a convenient, close proximity location, resulting in minimum use of the drivers hands allowing the driver&#39;s maximum attention to the road during the more important task of driving the vehicle, as well as unobtrusive access to activate the record function of the cameras when the vehicle is stopped. 
         [0019]    In the preferred embodiments, the clip is permanently attached to the electronic device and may be used to mount the device on the belt of the user or any other suitable mounting structure when not mounted on the steering wheel. 
         [0020]    This arrangement is almost entirely motionless whereby an electronic device mounted with the mounting assembly is able to hang in a vertical position regardless of the position of the steering wheel. 
         [0021]    A preferred embodiment of the invention uses a stabilizing support wand and cell phone charging cable that both stabilize the position of the cell phone and allow the cell phone to be mounted substantially above the center of rotation of the steering wheel. This higher position keeps the cell phone in the driver&#39;s normal forward looking field of view thereby eliminating any need for the driver&#39;s eyes to be away from the road. The higher mounting position also enables the cameras to capture a relatively distortion free video recording from a drivers visual perspective. 
         [0022]    In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting assembly includes a safety strap connected between the steering wheel rim and/or wheel spoke and the mounting stud to tether the cell phone and the mounting assembly limiting any projection toward the driver by the length of the strap and thereby preventing injury to the driver in the event of an accident where the airbag deploys. 
         [0023]    A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a cell phone having side facing cameras and a mounting assembly therefor that enables the cell phone to be vertically positioned on the steering wheel assembly regardless of the rotational position of the wheel to enable recording and uploading to cloud storage of events inside and outside the vehicle&#39;s front seat side windows without the necessity of the driver holding the camera in position. 
         [0024]    Another object of the present invention is the provision of a driver being able to hands free video record views and events in the direction of the driver side window and/or the passenger side window 
         [0025]    A further object of the present invention is to position the cell phone in a driver&#39;s normal field of vision while keeping the driver&#39;s eyes focused on the road. 
         [0026]    Another object is the provision of a steering wheel mounting assembly including a safety strap that maintains the mounting assembly and device being mounted connected to the steering wheel in the event of an air bag deployment. 
         [0027]    These and other objects will be apparent with reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view of a cell phone device mounted on a steering wheel assembly. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a right side perspective view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a left side perspective view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1   
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1  including a field of view of a side camera mounted on the cell phone. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1  including a passenger side field of view of a side camera mounted on the cell phone. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a frontal view of an alternate arrangement of a cell phone device mounted on a steering wheel assembly. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 9A  is a detail of  FIG. 9  showing the connection of the cell phone support wand. 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of  FIG. 7  including a driver&#39;s side field of view of a side camera mounted on the cell phone. 
           [0039]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of  FIG. 7  including a passenger&#39;s side field of view of a side camera mounted on the cell phone 
           [0040]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of a cell phone and mounting clip showing connection ports for a charging cable and a support wand. 
           [0041]      FIG. 13  is an elevational view of the lower end of the cell phone of  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]      FIGS. 1-4  show a conventional steering wheel assembly  10  including a steering wheel rim  12 , a center hub  14  and spokes  15  connecting the rim  12  to the center hub  14 . It will be appreciated that not all steering wheels are perfectly round and may not be located precisely equidistant from the center of rotation of the steering column  35 . A cell phone type electronic device  18  or smartphone having side mounted cameras  18  and  20  facing the driver side front window and the passenger side front window so that activity within a field of view of each camera Inside and outside of the vehicle may be recorded while the cell phone  18  is mounted on the steering wheel center hub  14  without the necessity of it being hand held by the vehicle driver. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  shows the cell phone type electronic device  16  having a side mounted camera  20  facing the passenger side window.  FIG. 3  shows the cell phone electronic device  16  with a camera  18  facing the drivers side front window. The cell phone  16  is mounted to the center hub  14  of the steering wheel assembly  10  that allows the cell phone  16  to hang vertically at any rotational position of the steering wheel rim  12 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view and illustrates the steering wheel rim  12 , center hub  14  and a rear view of the cell phone device  16  having a mounting clip  24  attached to a rear wall  26  of the cell phone  16  or a protective housing or cover therefor. The clip  24  may be attached In a conventional manner by adhesive or using a double sided adhesive strip  28 . A centrally located mounting stud  29  is attached to the hub  14  also in a conventional manner by adhesive and/or double face adhesive tape (not shown). 
         [0045]    The mounting stud  29 , attached to the center hub  14  of the steering wheel assembly  10 , positions the cell phone device  16  in close proximity to the driver. The mounting stud  29  is a smooth, cylindrical member with an enlarged head at the upper end thereof. The mounting clip  24  is formed with a generally inverted U-shape and includes a keyhole-shaped opening  27  on an outside leg  34  of the dip  24  to engage and be rotatably supported by the mounting stud  29 . Preferably the longest axis of the opening  27  is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clip  24  enabling the cell phone  18  to hang freely. 
         [0046]    A safety strap  36  is attached between the steering wheel rim  12  and the mounting stud  29  to maintain the cell phone device  16  in place in the event of a sudden movement or deployment of the airbag under the steering wheel assembly center hub  14 . A first end portion  38  of the safety strap  36  is connected to the mounting stud  29 , as shown in detail in  FIG. 4 , by looping the safety strap  36  through the opening  50  of the strap connection tab/base  40  coupled to the mounting stud  29 . A second portion of the strap  42  s preferably wrapped, preferably using a hook and loop separable fastener, around a spoke  15  adjacent the steering wheel rim  12  of the steering wheel assembly  10  in a loop or directly to the steering wheel rim  12  and may be adjusted using a conventional connector or formed of a hook and loop separable fastener or the like (not shown). The safety strap  36  is flexible and is made of high strength material such as nylon or similar high strength plastic or metal and limits the length the cell phone  16  and mounting assembly  22  can travel toward the driver by the length of the strap  38  in the event of airbag deployment. 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  illustrates a conical configuration area representing a driver&#39;s side camera field of view.  FIG. 6  illustrates a conical configuration area representing a passenger side camera field of view respectively. 
         [0048]    It will be appreciated that the driver of the vehicle may activate either camera  18  or  20  or both while the cell phone  16  remains in position attached to the steering wheel assembly  10 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 7 to 13  illustrate a second embodiment of the invention including the combination of a conventional steering wheel assembly  110  with a steering wheel rim  112  and center hub  114  and a cell phone type electronic device  116  having a side mounted camera  120  facing the passenger side front window and another camera (not shown) on an opposite side of the cell phone  116  facing the driver side front window so that activity inside and outside of the vehicle may be recorded while the ceil phone  116  is mounted on the steering wheel center hub  114  without the necessity of the cell phone  116  being hand held by the vehicle driver. 
         [0050]    The near wall  126  of the cell phone  115  is provided with a mounting clip  124  formed with as generally inverted U-shape and includes a keyhole-shaped opening  127  to engage and be rotatably supported by a mounting stud  129  in the same manner as described with respect to the first embodiment hereinabove. 
         [0051]    A safety strap  136  Is connected between a mounting stud  129  and a spoke  115  of the steering wheel rim  112 . This embodiment includes a stabilizing wand support  130  that connects to the mounting clip  124  as shown in  FIG. 9A . The stabilizing wand support  130  preferably is made of a bendable metal such as a length of aluminum that wraps around the steering wheel rim  112  with a fixed end  133  connected to the steering column  135 , vehicle frame or wall, as shown in  FIG. 8  or other solid part of the interior of the vehicle. A free end  131  of the wand  130  is insertable into a slot  132  in the mounting clip  124  that maintains the cell phone  116  in an upright, fixed position during the rotational movement of the steering wheel rim  112 . 
         [0052]    In this embodiment the mounting clip  124  is positioned at a lower end of the rear  126  of the cell phone  116 . This position of the mounting clip  124  allows the cell phone  116  to be supported in a higher position relative to the steering wheel assembly  110  whereby; 1) it is maintained in the driver&#39;s normal field of vision while looking at the road rather than having to look down away from the road while driving to view the cell phone  116  and 2) the resulting elevation of the side facing cameras allows recording at a similar elevation and perspective as the driver&#39;s eyes. 
         [0053]    A charging cable  126  extends from a conventional vehicle DC source  150  and terminates In a connector  128  that is inserted Into a charging port  140  of a conventional cell phone typically located at the bottom edge  142  of the cell phone  116  to charge the cell phone  118  while it is mounted as described above. Preferably the charging cable  126  is also semi-rigid and/or it is connected to the semi-rigid stabilizing wand support  130  whereby it also is bent around the steering wheel rim  112 , and connected to the cell phone  116 . Both the stabilizing wand support  130  and the charging cable  126  serve to maintain the cell phone  116  In a vertical position relative to the steering wheel assembly  110 . 
         [0054]    As with the first embodiment,  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate conical configuration areas of a driver&#39;s side camera field of view and a passenger side camera field of view respectively, however now in a higher position on the steering assembly  10 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 12 and 13  illustrate the cell phone  116  having a cell phone charging pod  140  on a bottom edge  142  of the cell phone  116  that is used to connect the charging cable connector  128 . The mounting clip  124  includes a slot  132  for receiving the stabilizing wand support end  131 . 
         [0056]    In use, both of the above described embodiments function essentially the same. In the event activity is to be recorded, the driver selects which camera, or both are activated by opening a smartphone app that has been programmed to start video recording using one or both of the side facing cameras and uploading this file using the smartphone&#39;s connectivity to cloud storage where it is safe from confiscation or tampering with by unauthorized parties. 
         [0057]    Modifications and alternate arrangements of the above described invention may be made in keeping within the spirit and scope of the following claims.