Mount for a mobile media device

Headgear for mounting a camera or other mobile media device is disclosed. The head gear includes a band for circling the head and means for enlarging or decreasing the diameter of the band to make it adjustable for various head sizes. A head mount is secured to the band for holding the device. The mount includes an enclosure with a flap for closing a pocket. The flap is secured to the mount proximate the head and folds over the front of the mount and is secured thereto to maintain the device in the pocket. The front of the pocket contains openings which are aligned with the lens of the held device to focus and record events in front of the user. The pocket has hinged side panels to allow expansion and contraction, caused by a bladder within, so that the camera may be pointed at a desired angle by the mount, thereby achieving the desired angle of view of the camera.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a mounting device for a mobile media device such as a phone that can capture video hands-free.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cameras and other imaging devices have significantly reduced in size making them lighter, more compact and easier to store and carry. As a result, recording everyday activities of people has grown exponentially so that they are now a major factor in such diverse activities as regime change, law enforcement and recreational activities.

As a result of this expanded interest, it is now desirable to find a means for mounting a camera or other mobile media device so that it might take photographs or video on a hands-free basis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention includes headgear for mounting a camera or other mobile media device. The head gear comprises a band for circling the head and means for enlarging or decreasing the diameter of the band to make it adjustable for various head sizes. In accordance with the present invention there is a head mount secured to the band for holding the device. The mount includes an enclosure with a flap for closing a pocket. The flap is secured to the mount proximate the head and folds over the front of the mount and is secured thereto to maintain the device in the pocket. The front of the pocket contains openings which are aligned with the lens of the held device to focus and record events in front of the user. The pocket has hinged side panels to allow expansion and contraction, caused by a bladder within, so that the camera may be pointed at a desired angle by the mount, thereby achieving the desired angle of view of the camera.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the subject invention includes a headband10which is wrapped around a user's head. The headband10has a circumferential strap40on which is held a holder or mount21for the mobile media device45. The holder21includes a flap20and an aperture15through which the lens of the mobile media device may have a line of sight. The aperture15may be of transparent material, such as glass or plastic. The glass or plastic material may be held in place with adhesive, or if plastic, by stitching. The strap may generally be formed from a suitable synthetic webbing material such as nylon or cotton. The strap body40may comprise a continuous loop of material and the support can be held on a user's head by the elastic force of the material. The headband10, strap40, and holder21, may be formed of leather, or plastic such as neoprene. Neoprene gives the device of the subject invention waterproof properties. Other materials may be used to give the subject invention other properties, such as color, wear resistance and the like.

In another embodiment, the strap may include a Velcro ® buckle apparatus (not shown) to allow the strap to be adjustably tightened and held about the user's head, thereby allowing the strap to fit various sized heads.

The camera pocket50shown inFIGS. 3 and 4is conformed and secured to the head strap40. The pocket50can be of the same material as the strap45. A device compartment51may be located in the pocket for retention of the device. The compartment51(FIGS. 3a,3b,3c) may have an opening circumscribed by two opposing and overlapped flaps52and53. By squeezing the ends of the flaps, the device compartment may open as shown inFIG. 3b, to allow insertion of the device45, after which the flaps are allowed to relax into the closed position shown inFIG. 3c, thereby holding the device securely. A pocket flap54may be used to cover the entire pocket, including the device compartment and further secure the device within the pocket. The pocket flaps20can have Velcro® or similar hooks and loops attaching means over most of the contact surface, with the same amount of Velcro® on the mating surface of the pocket exterior, thereby providing flexibility for the flap to accommodate different thicknesses of devices and still close tightly and effectively. If neoprene is the material of choice, then the overlapping flaps, in combination with the pocket flap will keep the device within dry.

The pocket has accordion-like hinged side panels secured at a bottom end for pivotal movement, to allow for a variable sizing of the pocket. In this manner the pocket can be flattened or pivoted to a larger size from a minimum flat position to a maximum angled position with the sides fully extended. The accordion-like sides are connected at the front side to a front panel and comprise at least two panels35and36joined at a hinged area37with the bottom of the front panel pivotally attached to the strap45; thus, when the pocket is compressed, the two panels35and36angle outwardly along the hinge lines37and pivot point38to the desired angle. When the pocket is open the panels35and36flex along the hinge line37to the desired angle or until the panels form a 180° angle to one another at maximum opening.

When in use, the mobile media device is slipped into the pocket and secured by flaps52and53. A bladder30, is positioned in the pocket and inflated or deflated to achieve the desired angle of the device. The flap head20is secured over the bladder30and device pocket onto a fastener on the front side of the pocket, thereby securing the camera in the pocket at the desired angle. The fastener may be Velcro®, snaps or any other suitable fastener. The bladder is equipped with a valve39to allow adjustment of the air pressure within the bladder and thus the angle of the camera with respect to horizontal. In such a manner the camera may be pointed at any desired angle straight ahead (horizontal or 0°) to straight down (vertical or 90°) and preferably 0°-30°. A vertical position would require wider panels to achieve the distance necessary to allow the device to lay flat. As a result, the line of sight of the camera of the mobile media device can be aimed as desired with the line of sight varied by using different inflation pressure in the bladder.

The bladder may have a valve that is manually activated to let air out. Air may be introduced into the bladder by squeezing a bulb that may be attached to the bladder through the valve. Thus the air pressure and the size of the bladder may be increased, and by increasing and decreasing the size of the bladder through the increase and decrease of the air pressure in the bladder the angle of the device in the pocket may be controlled, thereby controlling the angle of view of the device.

In another embodiment the bladder may comprise memory foam, i.e., visco-elastic polyurethane foam. Such foam may be manually squeezed to push the air out, whereupon the valve is closed to maintain the bladder at a desired size. When the valve is opened, the memory foam will reacquire the air and return to its original size or whatever intermediate size is desired through the controlled air input of the valve.

The mobile media device amount of the subject invention may be used in conjunction with or as a integral part of a cap or hat as desired.

It will be understood that the foregoing description is of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown or described herein. Various modifications may be made in the design, arrangement, and type of elements disclosed herein, as well as the steps of making and using the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.