Photographic and video equipment bracket with deployable attachment point

A mounting bracket adapted for securing to photographic and video equipment. The bracket having a general L-shape formed from a coupling of a base portion and a bracket portion. The bracket portion and base portion coupling is generally movable in a slidable and hinged configuration, wherein the bracket portion is adapted to move and tilt outward from attached equipment relative to the base portion. The base portion including a deployable attachment member that is generally movable from a retained position to a deployed position.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an L-shaped mounting bracket or plate removably affixed to and configured to secure photographic and video equipment to a stabilizing element along two axes.

BACKGROUND

Photographic and video equipment are often mounted on stabilizing equipment, such as a tripod, through the use of a bracket or plate member. When stabilized on both axis of a camera (portrait and landscape), a generally L-shaped bracket is utilized to secure two sides of a camera body. Currently, within the prior art there exists a mounting bracket, generally referred to as a L-plate. This L-plate is positioned as a mounting plate that is affixed to a body portion of a photographic device or a video device and resembling an “L-shape” allowing a user to affix the photographic or video device to a stabilizing element along a horizontal axis of the camera body and parallel to a bottom portion of the body or along a vertical axis of camera body and parallel to a side portion of the body perpendicular to the bottom portion. This allows for placement of the photographic or video device in a position to capture images in a portrait or landscape configuration.

Accordingly, the L-plate or L bracket as it is referred within this specification is often affixed to the lower portion of the photo device body portion with a base portion receiving a fastener engaged in a standard threaded socket within the body portion and having a bracket portion affixed to the base portion that extends perpendicular to the base portion and is positioned on a side of the photo device body portion.

Typically, the L-style plates and brackets found within the prior art are constructed for a specific photo and video device body portion and formed from a single shaped material or provided from a base portion and bracket portion that is affixed to the base portion in a rigid assembly.

While these tradition L-style brackets are useful, there exists a need for an improved the L-style bracket that allows for more universal use, provides for adjustability, and generally allows for access to various ports, doors, and functional elements of the photographic or video device that may be otherwise obscured, blocked, or restricted by the installation of the L-shaped bracket. Preferably, this L-bracket includes a deployable attachment member that is movable from a retained position to a deployed position and adapted for securing to a strap member within this deployed position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, this disclosure is related to an L-shaped mounting bracket that is configured for securing to a photographic or video device and having a deployable attachment member.

In another aspect, this disclosure is related to an L-shaped mounting bracket configured for securing to a photographic or video device and having an L-shaped mounting bracket with a base portion and a bracket portion aligned perpendicular to the base portion and hingedly and slidably received on the base portion to allow for access to a side portion of the photographic or video device after the base portion has been installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present invention is described in such detail, however, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth and may, of course, vary. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s), to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure made herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases presented in this document have their ordinary meanings to one of skill in the art. Such ordinary meanings can be obtained by reference to their use in the art and by reference to general and scientific dictionaries.

The following explanations of certain terms are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. These terms have their ordinary meanings given by usage in the art and in addition include the following explanations.

As used herein, the term “and/or” refers to any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.

As used herein, the terms “include,” “for example,” “such as,” and the like are used illustratively and are not intended to limit the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances.

Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

As used herein, the terms “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGS., with “front,” “back,” and “rear” being relative to the apparatus. These terms are not meant to limit the elements that they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-12of the photographic and video equipment1bracket with deployable attachment point of the present disclosure, generally referred to as device10. The device10is configured as L-style bracket, wherein the device10has a base portion100and a bracket portion200generally positioned perpendicular to the base portion100in an engaged position resembling an L-shape. Accordingly, reference to the term L-style provides a device assembly with two portions aligned in a position where a first portion has a first axis and a second portion has a second axis that is positioned perpendicular to the first axis resembling an L-shape. Within this specification a device of this type is referred to interchangeably as an L-style bracket, L-plate, L-shaped bracket, or L-bracket.

The device10is configured in an assembly with the base portion100and the bracket portion200slidably and hinged coupled in an assembly to allow the bracket200to extend a direction outward and parallel from a first end wall101of the base portion100and angularly rotationally downward and perpendicular from a top side102of the base portion100along an axis. The base portion100generally configured for receipt on a body portion of the photographic and video equipment1through the use of a threaded fastener130received within a threaded socket typically found on the bottom side of photographic and video equipment1.

Preferably, the fastener130is received within a channel131on a bottom side103of the base portion100. The bottom side103opposite the top side102defining a planar body with a pair of opposed sidewalls104,105and the first end wall101and a second end wall106opposed the first end wall101, wherein the distance between the first end wall101and second wall106defines a length of the base portion100. The channel131forming an aperture between the bottom side103and top side102wherein the fastener130is retained within the channel131. To facilitate the retaining of the fastener130within the channel131, the channel131may include a threaded key hole having a diameter configured to receive a cooperating fastener130with a thread diameter corresponding to the diameter of the threaded key hole and having a body or shank portion adjacent to a head of the fastener130and prior to the threads, wherein the shank portion has a diameter and length substantially similar to the channel131. Accordingly, the fastener130can be placed within the key hole and slid within the channel131for alignment with the threaded socket of the photographic and video equipment the device10is placed upon. This channel131and fastener130coupling of the base portion100allows for installation of the device10on several sizes of photographic and video equipment1.

The base portion100includes an attachment loop300on the bottom side103movable via hinged rotation along a fixed axis between a deployed position (generally perpendicular to the length of the base portion100) and a retracted position (generally positioned parallel to the length of the base portion100). The attachment loop300hinged receipt within a recess132aligned with the channel131with the recess132sized to accommodate the attachment loop300in a flush position relative to the planar surface of the bottom side103when in the retracted position. The attachment loop300having an aperture301to receive a fastener, such as a clip with a strap, when in the deployed position. The positioning of the attachment loop300within the recess132and alignment with the channel131is configured to enable a user access to the fastener130through the aperture301when the attachment loop300is in the retracted position.

The bottom side103having at least one mortise134adjacent to the first end101and a tab135. The at least one mortise134configured for the receipt of a cooperating tenon2101,2111on the bracket portion200when in the engaged position. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom side103includes a pair of mortises134positioned on sides of the tab135to form a more secure connection when the bracket portion200is received in the engaged position in coupling with the base portion100.

The tab135extending from the first end wall101opposite the second end wall106along the length of the base portion100and configured with the corresponding structure to allow the hinged and slidable movement of the base portion100and the bracket portion200coupling. Accordingly, the tab135having a fixed end1351adjacent to the first end wall101and a free end1352opposite the fixed end1351and defining the length of the tab135. The tab135having an aperture1353generally elongate and extending a substantial length of the tab135and sized to receive a hinge pin213of the bracket portion200in a slidable engagement. The free end1352including a tenon1352ashaped for receipt within a corresponding mortise212of the bracket portion200when in the engaged position in coupling with the bracket portion200.

The base portion100opposed sidewalls104,105each including a groove140,150along the length. Each groove140,150configured with a size selected for receipt within a clamping member, such as a stabilizing element. In the preferred embodiment, each groove140,150is a dovetail-shaped groove shaped to allow for securing within an ARCA-Swiss styled clamp.

Preferably, the base portion100further includes an adjustable bar120configured to aid in securing equipment on the base portion100top side102and preventing rotation of the photographic and video equipment when secured upon the base portion100. The adjustable bar120positioned adjacent to an edge of the sidewalls104,105and adjustable a width of the base portion extending generally between the opposed sidewalls104,105of the device10. The adjustable bar120and having a projection121extending upward from the top side102of the base portion opposite the bottom side103. The adjustable bar120configured for movement within a notch122of the top side102, wherein the adjustable bar120is generally positioned flush with the surface of the top side102perpendicular to the base portion100length. Preferably, the adjustable bar120includes a plurality of apertures123sized for the receipt of a fastener to secure the position of the adjustable bar120. Accordingly, the bottom side103including a groove133aligned with the notch122along the bottom side103and sized to receive the fastener for securing the adjustable bar120.

The top side102of the device10base portion100including gripping surface124generally comprised of a compressible and resilient material, such as, but not limited to, a rubber, a foam, a foam rubber, or other similar material. Preferably, the top side includes a pair of gripping surfaces124extending the length of the top side and positioned on both sides of the channel131.

The bracket portion200having a first end201slidably and hingedly coupled to the first end wall101of the base portion100. The first end201opposite a second end202and extending perpendicular to a length between the first end201and second end202of the bracket portion200, wherein the first end201generally is positioned at a right angle relative to the length of the bracket portion200. The first end201bifurcated with a pair of legs210,211sized and positioned to straddle the tab135and configured with a means for interlocking with the base portion100in a generally perpendicular position when engaged.

Preferably this locking means is a mortise and tenon configuration. Accordingly, each leg of the pair of legs210,211includes the tenon2101,2111sized and shaped for engagement with the at least one mortise134of the base portion100and the mortise212positioned between the pair of legs210,211for engaging the tenon1352aof the free end1352of the base portion100in an engaged position. Each leg of the pair of legs210,211including an aperture2102,2112sized to receive the hinge pin213. The hinge pin213received within the apertures2102,2112of the legs210,211and aperture1353of the tab135to complete the slidable and hinged assembly. The hinge pin213preferably a threaded fastener, wherein the pin can be tightened and loosened within the apertures2102,2112for securing the hinged connection of the bracket portion200and base portion100.

The first end201and the second end202in communication with a pair of opposed sidewalls203,204and a first side205opposed a second side206to generally define the perimeter of the bracket portion200surrounding a cavity207. The cavity207extending between the first side205and the second side206and configured to allow for the ingress and egress of peripheral attachments to the of photographic and video equipment.

The bracket portion200opposed sidewalls203,204each including a groove230,240along the length. Each groove230,240configured with a size selected for receipt within a clamping member, such as a stabilizing element. In the preferred embodiment, each groove230,240is a dovetail-shaped groove shaped to allow for securing within an ARCA-Swiss styled clamp. Accordingly, the device10can be received within the clamping member along the axis of the bracket portion200length and the axis of base portion100length to generally allow for use in a portrait and landscape configuration.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, one side wall203,204of the pair of sidewalls203,204includes a means to retain a tool400, such as a hex style wrench. Preferably, the retaining means is a recess231within a sidewall203sized and shaped for the receipt of the tool400in an unobtrusive position. The securing of the tool within the recess may be further aided through the use of a magnet401for coupling the tool400within the recess231and to the sidewall230. Preferably, the tool400is selected for coupling with the several fasteners of the device10, wherein the tool400is quickly utilized and stored for assembly and fit of the features of the device10.

Preferably, the first side205includes a contact point250adjacent to the second end202and extending outward from the first side205opposite the second side206to generally engage the body of the of photographic and video equipment the device10is placed upon for support in a portrait orientation.

According to the assembly of the device10, the base portion100and bracket portion200may be moved to a folded position for storage, wherein the bracket portion200and the base portion100are positioned with their lengths parallel to each other (FIG. 12).