Abstract:
A mounting assembly for an image capture device, such as camera, configured for mounting on a firearm is provided. The image capture device mounting assembly for a firearm comprises a base member attached to a scope of the firearm above the top of the scope, the base member having a longitudinal axis in substantial parallel relationship with a longitudinal axis of the scope; an intermediate plate, the intermediate plate being pivotally attached to the base member; a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket being mounted on the intermediate plate, the mounting bracket being adapted to support a camera, the mounting bracket having a camera attachment mechanism for allowing attachment of the camera to the mounting bracket at a predetermined position; and a locking mechanism for fixing the pivoting intermediate plate at a desired pivotal position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to mounts for image capture devices, such as cameras or the like and, more particularly, to an improved mounting assembly for supporting a camera, such as a movie or video camera, from a structure or other object such as a weapon. 
   The sport of target shooting has become very popular in recent years. This sport has taken several forms and includes the use of rifles, hand guns, air guns or the like. In the sport of hunting, it is often desirable to record the shoot on film such as through the use of a movie or video camera. Obtaining such a record of the hunt allows the hunter to later review his or her shots and receive valuable feedback particularly when the selected target is missed. Additionally, after group hunts, reviewing the film with the other members of the hunting party is entertaining and builds camaraderie by allowing the hunters to discuss both the big kills and the “one that got away.” Further, the hunter can use the video camera zoom set at his personal preference in yards to his targets (e.g. 50, 100, or 150) so that the hunter can see the outcome of the shoots just taken. 
   Camera mounts that attach to the side of a rifle or other firearms are known. While accuracy and precision are extremely important to target shooters, such considerations are also important to other applications including, but not limited to, hunting and military. However, the weight of the video camera may affect the rifle&#39;s balance, trigger pull and trajectory and, due to its weight, the camera should be removed from the rifle when it is not in use. The weight of the video camera can also prevent the hunter from instant response to the motion of targeting animals. Some known camera mounts for a rifle allows the video camera to be removably attached to the rifle. 
   Specific examples in the prior art illustrate these deficiencies. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,697, issued to Potts, discloses a mount for attachment to the structure, a camera support, and a pair of depending swing arms extending between the mount and the camera support and forming a parallelogram linkage, whereby at least one swing arm allows the camera support to swing to and fro while keeping a line of sight of the camera substantially parallel to the mount at all times. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,614, issued to Cliburn, discloses camera mounting systems for a firearm, such as a rifle, that incorporates a shock-absorbing mechanism to protect the camera from a “recoil” of the firearm. The systems comprise a pair of opposing mounting brackets, one for each side of the firearm, to be secured thereagainst by plural fastening members overriding and underriding the firearm. A first mounting bracket, on a face opposite to the firearm, includes a horizontally-movable shock-absorbing mechanism wherein the mechanism is intended to react to and absorb the recoil action of the firearm. A third, essentially planar plate, is secured to the shock-absorbing element and a rear end thereof mounts a laterally extending pivotal rod. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,375, issued to Watson, teaches a camera mount for firearms. The mount includes a base plate, an intermediate plate operatively attached to the base plate, a dampening material operatively attached between the base plate and the intermediate plate for dampening recoil forces transmitted to the intermediate plate, and a mounting bracket removably attached to the intermediate plate. The mounting bracket includes a camera attachment device for allowing attachment of a camera to the mounting bracket and an adjustment mechanism is provided that is operatively connected between the intermediate plate and the mounting bracket for allowing the camera to be aligned with respect to the firearm. The camera mount further includes a firearm mounting device, operatively attached to the base plate, for mounting the camera mount to the firearm. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,621, issued to Black, relates to a video camera having a gunstock and a support structure that includes a mounting platform adapted to receive thereon a hand-held video camera having a lens structure defining a line of sight, a recording medium for recording video information, and a viewfinder and mounting structure for mounting the viewfinder onto the gunstock. Structure is provided for effecting a sequential activating and deactivating of the video camera recording device for the purpose of starting a recording of video information onto the recording medium and stopping the recording, respectively. A gun sight is located in the line of sight so as to be visible through the viewfinder when the video camera recorder is recording video information on the recording medium. A trigger is provided on the gunstock and is adapted to be manually activated by a finger of a user&#39;s hand. A signal generator is also provided which generates a signal visible through the viewfinder in response to the user activating the trigger. The signal is also simultaneously recorded on the recording medium. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,262, issued to Pena, discloses a camera mount for use on a telescope in combination with a rifle. The mount is clamped onto the telescope and has a camera attached to the top of the mount. A cable mechanism is attached at one end to the shutter release of the camera and at the other end to the trigger of the rifle. The camera is arranged to photograph the image received through the telescope and reflected through the mount. The cable mechanism provides means for controlling the operation of the camera. A housing is clamped onto the telescope and has an eyepiece that fits onto the eyepiece of the telescope and contains a split prism that is positioned in the eyepiece at an angle such that it can be seen through for viewing the image of the target received through the telescope. The split prism has a reflective surface on one side that reflects the image of the target upwardly to a first surface mirror positioned in the housing above the split prism at an angle such that it receives the image reflected from the split prism, and then reflects the image forwardly to a second surface mirror. A second surface mirror is positioned at the forward end of the housing and at an angle such that it receives the image reflected from the first surface mirror, and then reflects the image upwardly to the camera lens. The image of the target is photographed when the trigger of the rifle is pulled. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,095, issued to Buckley, teaches a camera mounting device for mounting a camera to a hunting rifle. The device includes a first mounting bracket adapted to support a camera, a threaded fastener to detachably secure a camera to the first bracket, a variable diameter clamp to clamp the first mounting bracket to the barrel of the telescope sight of a rifle, a cable release for remote actuation of the camera, a second mounting bracket connected to the cable release, and threaded fasteners for detachably securing the second mounting bracket to the trigger guard of a rifle so that actuation of the cable release is coordinated to actuation of the rifle trigger. 
   Some known video camera mounts are attached to the side of the gun barrel or one side of the scope-mounting bracket. How a video camera is attached to the firearm can have an significant impact on the firearm&#39;s accuracy. Attachment of the camera to the side of the firearm is one significant source of firearm inaccuracy due to the resultant weight imbalance. Mechanical sights have limited value in many situations where an officer must quickly draw his gun, perhaps while moving, and fire at a close target without sufficient time to properly obtain a sight picture. Under these circumstances, instinctive aiming, that is, not using the sights but rather “feeling” where the gun barrel is pointing using the positioning of the hand holding the gun, is the preferred method. Many hunters and marksmen rely on their inner sense of balance to ensure that the firearm is not tilted. This attitude presupposes that the shooter has a fully functional, unimpaired sense of balance and that this sense of balance can somehow be translated over into the handling of the firearm. One&#39;s sense of balance is likewise subject to a number of disorienting influences including rifle recoil, the loud noises associated with shooting, repeated focusing on distant targets as viewed through one eye, and prolonged periods of standing. Weight imbalance can also be a disorienting influence. In addition, hunters may spend hours of hiking through rough and uneven terrain before firing a shot. The hunter&#39;s sense of balance can be confused under such circumstances. Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved video camera mount for firearms with greater stability in supporting the camera. 
   Moreover, the tip of the rifle barrel makes the video pictures more realistic and interesting. However, known mounts do not allow the tip of the rifle barrel to be visible through the video camera attached to the mount. Moreover, some known video camera mounts that attach to the top of the scope mounted on the top of the barrel, do not provide adjustment of the camera by rotation. However, it is desirable to realign the line of sight of the camera with the firing line of the rifle upon mounting of a video camera. 
   Thus, there is also a need in the art for an improved video camera mount for firearms. The present invention provides an advance in the art by providing an image capture device mounting assembly for firearms having greater stability than known mounts and providing the user with a simple means for adjusting the mount. 
   While the known mounts present a number of alternatives for video-recording of a target or potential “kill”, these alternatives are generally complex and less user-friendly than that found in the present invention. The manner by which the invention hereof offers an effective solution to providing the user, i.e., a hunter, with the opportunity to target a potential “kill”, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
   Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a detailed description provided hereinbelow with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The present invention, in one embodiment, includes an image capture device mounting assembly for a firearm, such as a rifle. The image capture device mounting assembly for a firearm comprises a base member attached to a scope of the firearm above the top of the scope, the base member having a longitudinal axis in substantially parallel relationship with a longitudinal axis of the scope; an intermediate plate, the intermediate plate being pivotally attached to the base member; a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket being mounted on the intermediate plate, the mounting bracket being adapted to support a camera, the mounting bracket having camera attachment means for allowing attachment of the camera to the mounting bracket at a predetermined position; and locking means for fixing the pivoting intermediate plate at a desired pivotal position. The base member comprises a variable diameter clamp means for clamping engagement to the scope of the firearm. The clamp means comprises a mounting plate for supporting the intermediate plate, a first clamp element having a concave recess adapted to receive the barrel of the scope, the first clamp element being attached to the mounting plate, and a second clamp element having a concave recess adapted to receive the barrel of the scope, the second clamp element being spaced apart from the first clamp element, the second clamp element being attached to the mounting plate. 
   The mounting bracket can be detachably mounted on the intermediate plate. Further, the mounting bracket can be adjustably mounted on the intermediate plate. The attachment means comprises an alignment pin adapted to align the camera. There is provided three angle shims adapted to adjust the vertical viewing angle of the camera. The locking means comprises a lever end and a locking end, wherein the locking means operates in a locked position in which the locking end engages the pivoting intermediate plate and holds the image capture device mounting assembly in position at one of the plurality of continuous points and in a release position in which the intermediate plate is allowed to rotate. The intermediate plate further comprises a locking knob, wherein the locking knob operates in a locked position in which the locking knob engages the mounting bracket and holds the mounting bracket in position and in a release position in which the mounting bracket is allowed to be detached. The mounting bracket can be slidably mounted on the intermediate plate. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings that form a part of the specification and that are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of an image capture device mounting assembly mounted to a rifle constructed in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the image capture device mounting assembly; 
       FIG. 3A  is a front plan view of the image capture device mounting assembly in which the mounting bracket is detached from the assembly; 
       FIG. 3B  is a front plan view of the image capture device mounting assembly in which the mounting bracket is attached to the assembly; 
       FIG. 4A  is an exploded perspective view of the image capture device mounting assembly; 
       FIG. 4B  is an exploded perspective view of the image capture device mounting assembly; and 
       FIGS. 5A  and B are side elevational views with a representative illustration showing the rotating motion of the image capture device. 
   

   It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1 and 2  which illustrate one embodiment of the inventive image capture device mounting assembly  10  for use on a firearm  12 . For purposes of illustration, firearm  12  is shown as a conventional rifle. It should be appreciated, however, that firearm  12  is shown as a rifle only for the purpose of describing one embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that mounting assembly  10  may be used on firearms other than rifles such as shotguns or the like, with or without the use of the specialized mounts and mounting adaptors disclosed hereinbelow. 
   Image capture device mounting assembly  10  includes a base member  14  attached to a scope  16  of firearm  12 , an intermediate mounting plate  18  pivotally attached to base member  14 , a mounting bracket  20  mounted on intermediate plate  18  in the form of a platform for supporting a camera  22 . It will be appreciated that camera  22  may be any type of photographic or moving picture device such as a film camera, digital camera, video camera, and the like. As illustrated, base member  14  is shown as a mounting plate having an upper surface  24  configured for receiving and engaging intermediate plate  18 . Further, base member  14  includes an elongate generally planar platform  26  having a longitudinal axis in substantially parallel relationship with a longitudinal axis of scope  16 . A lower surface  28  of base member  14  further includes clamp means  30  extending downwardly therefrom configured for clamping engagement to scope  16 . Mounting assembly  10  is securely attached to scope  14  and movement constrained thereon by clamps  30 . Each clamp  30  includes a clamp member  32  forming a scope-receiving throat  33  and having upper ends  34  connected to an mounting plate  36  integrally formed on lower surface  28  of base member  14 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , each clamp member  32  includes a first generally C-shaped clamp jaw  38  that is hingedly connected at a first end  40  at hinge pin  42  to a first end  44  of a second generally C-shaped clamp jaw  46 . Second ends  48 ,  50  of jaws  38  and  46 , respectively, are affixed or otherwise connected to opposing first and second side edges  52  and  54  of mounting plate  36 . A clamp lug  56  may be provided to apply pressure thereby holding clamp members  32  to mounting plate  54  at each of contact points  58 . Clamp lug  56  defines a first locking screw aperture  62  therethrough for receiving a locking screw  60  therein. Locking screw  60  passes through first aperture  62  and then into a threaded second locking screw aperture  64  defined by each of clamp jaws  38  and  46  whereby locking screw  60  may be threadably tightened to hold clamp member  32  in place on mounting plate  36 . In another embodiment, clamp screws (not shown) may also be used to tighten clamp member  32  by threadably inserting screws into threaded apertures (not shown) on lug  56 . 
   Intermediate plate  18  is positioned on an upper surface  24  of platform  26  of base member  14 . Intermediate plate  18  may be a plate having an angled flange  68  extending upwardly from each of side edges  70  and then inwardly at a generally 45° angle to define a channel  72  between flange  68  and an upper surface  78  of intermediate plate  18  wherein each channel  72  is configured to slidably receive one of side flanges  80  of mounting bracket  20 . To mount or dismount mounting bracket  20 , side flanges  80  of mounting bracket  20  operatively slide within channels  72  in a direction parallel to channels  72 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, channels  72  and side flanges  68  are cooperatively adapted to resist movement of the side flanges  68  out of channels  72  in a direction that is perpendicular to channels  72 . For example, channels  72  may include a relatively narrow opening (not shown) connected to a wider inner area and side flanges  68  may include a relatively narrow stem (not shown) extending through the narrow opening of channel  72 . The stem of side flange  68  may then be connected to a relatively wider portion that extends in the wider inner area of channel  72 . At least one of side flanges  68  also define alignment apertures  81  extending therethrough. Turning to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a pivot pin  82 , an O-shaped rotating washer  84 , and an O-shaped swivel bearing  86  are also provided to pivotally attach intermediate plate  18  to base member  14 . Pivot pin  82  passes through a pivot pin hole  88  formed through intermediate plate  18  then through a hole on rotating washer  84  and then through swivel bearing  38 . Finally, pivot pin  82  is anchored into a pivot pin hole  90  defined through platform  26 . Washer  84  rests between intermediate plate  18  and swivel bearing  86  thereby allowing free rotation of intermediate plate  18 . In other words, intermediate plate  18  may freely rotate with respect to base member  14  and is attached thereto by rotating washer  84 . Swivel bearing  86  has an aperture concentrically aligned with the pivot pin holes  88  and  90  for receiving pivot pin  82  inserted therethrough. Swivel bearing  86  is pressed into pivot pin hole  90  on platform  26  so as to be locked in place on platform  26 . Swivel bearing  86  also functions to allow intermediate plate  18  to rotate about the pivot axis. Alternatively, intermediate plate  18  can be adjustably connected to platform  26  of base member  14  (not shown). Other mechanisms that may be used to rotate intermediate plate  18  will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the scope of the present invention. 
   In one embodiment, a locking mechanism  92  is provided to lock intermediate plate  18  at a desired location along locking holes  94  and  96 . Locking mechanism  92  includes a lock and release lever  98  having a locking end  111 , an opposing lever end  112 , and a locking pin  100 . Lock and release lever  98  includes a generally L-shaped lever defining a pair of lever apertures  104  therethrough configured to receive lever screws or rivets  106  for securely affixing lock and release lever  98  to platform  26 . Lock and release lever  98  further defines a locking pin aperture  108  therethrough and also includes a locking nut  110  for securely attaching locking pin  100  to lock and release lever  98 . Locking pin  100  passes through locking pin aperture  108  and is threadably screwed through locking nut  110 . Locking pin  100  then extends through one of locking holes  94  or  96 . Lock and release lever  98  is normally urged clockwise by hand or a spring. Locking pin  100  thereby locks pivotable intermediate plate  18  in a fixed position relative to base member  14  when locking pin  100  passes through the locking pin aperture  108  and then passes through one of locking holes  94  or  96  on intermediate plate  18 . In one embodiment, intermediate plate  18  may have consecutive slots so that the user may adjust the pivotal angle of camera  22 . Lock and release lever  98  is securely attached to base member  14  by screws or rivets  106  at locking end  111 . Lock and release lever  98  is cantilevered to one side thereof. By pressing down at opposing lever end  112 , the pressure will release locking pin  100  when it disengages with locking holes  94  and  96  allowing intermediate plate  18  to rotate until it then reengages with locking pin  100  and is locked in place. To raise or lower lock and release lever  98  relative to intermediate plate  18 , a user presses in a downward direction on lever end  112  thereby overcoming the restoring force of resilient lever end  112 . This removes locking pin  100  from locking hole  94  or  96 . Intermediate plate  18  is then free to rotate relative to its center. When a desired position is reached and locking pin  100  is aligned with one of holes  94  or  96 , the user releases pressure on lever end  112  allowing the resilient lever end  112  to restore in an upward direction. This causes locking pin  100  to pass through the selected locking pin hole  94  or  96 . Thus, the image capture device mounting assembly  10  is locked at the selected position. 
   Mounting bracket  20  includes side flanges  80  extending outwardly from opposite lower side edges. Side flanges  80  may define at least one horizontally-aligned alignment aperture  126  extending therethrough. Mounting bracket  20  also includes a locking aperture  114  configured to receive adapter  124  and an aligning pin aperture  116  configured to receive an aligning pin  132 . Both locking aperture  114  and aligning pin aperture  116  are formed on the bottom surface of mounting bracket  20  and spaced apart from each other. In one embodiment, an angle shim  118  is also provided to allow for adjustments to be made to the vertical viewing angle of camera  22 . Angle shim  118  also includes a corresponding shim locking hole  120  and an aligning aperture  122 . An adapter  124  is inserted from the bottom surface of mounting bracket  20  and passed upwardly through locking aperture  114 , then is anchored into a hole (not shown) on the bottom surface of camera  22 . Adapter  124  attaches mounting bracket  20  to the bottom surface of camera  22 . When in use, mounting bracket  20  is slidably coupled to intermediate plate  18 . Side flanges  80  are slidably inserted into channels  72  of intermediate plate  18 . Alignment aperture  126  is therein provided to align mounting bracket  20  with corresponding alignment aperture  81  on intermediate plate  18  and to fix mounting bracket  20  in place. Once alignment aperture  126  on mounting bracket  20  is in alignment with corresponding alignment aperture  81  on intermediate plate  18 , at least one locking screw  130  may then be inserted and threadably tightened into aperture  81  and then aperture  126  to secure mounting bracket  20  to intermediate plate  18 . 
   To install mounting bracket  20  on camera  22 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , adapter  124  is secured in the tripod bore, not shown, commonly found on the underside of camera  22 . Angle shim  118  is then moved into an abutment with camera  22  and the free end of adapter  124  is secured in the tripod bore. Camera  22  is then aligned along adaptor  64  and aligning pin  132 . Once camera  22  is securely attached to mounting bracket  20 , the user slidably inserts mounting bracket  20  into channels  72  of intermediate plate  18 . As should be appreciated, if mounting bracket  20  is properly centered, locking screw  130  is tightened into apertures  81  and  126  to positively secure mounting bracket  20  in place and protect against recoil. If camera  22  is properly centered, but needs to shoot a different angle, intermediate plate  18  on platform  26  of base member  14  may be rotated to adjust the angular position of camera  22  and mounting bracket  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Upon achieving proper alignment and when locking pin  100  is aligned with at least one of locking pin apertures  94  or  96 , the user releases pressure on lever end  112  allowing resilient lever end  112  to restore in an upward direction. This causes locking pin  100  to pass through selected locking holes  94  or  96  to ensure that it remains held in the desired position. 
   To remove camera  22  from firearm  12 , locking screw  130  is loosened and mounting bracket  20  is slid from channels  72  of intermediate plate  18 . As should be appreciated, mounting bracket  20  can remain installed on camera  22 , with angle shim  118  ensuring that the previously determined position is maintained. To reinstall camera  22 , mounting bracket  20  is simply slid into channels  72  and locked in place using locking screw  130 . The alignment is memorized and, thus, no significant adjustment is necessary when camera  22  is returned to the support. 
   Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.