Monopod for marine vessels for powering and using of electrical and non-electrical accessories and method of attachment

A monopod for mounting to the navigation light power port of a marine vessel, such as a bass boat or speed boat, which provides power for mobile accessories, such as cameras and smart phones. The monopod may be fitted with extendable, bendable arms for mounting additional cameras or for providing additional accessories. An embodiment of the monopod includes an extension arm which may be maneuvered and bent such that it provides a fisherman access to multiple accessories even while the fisherman is located in the fishing chair of a bass boat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a monopod marine vessel accessory, and more specifically to a monopod which connects with the navigation light socket port(s) of a marine vessel and may provide power to mobile accessories.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many boating enthusiasts, from professional bass fisherman such as Casey Scanlon, to extreme water sport performers, desire to record their sporting feats using cameras such as GoPro® cameras manufactured by GoPro, Inc. of San Mateo, Calif. and other action cameras, including but not limited to the Garmin Virb®, manufactured by Garmin Ltd. of Olathe, Kans., and the iON™ action camera, manufactured by iON America, LLC of Moorestown, N.J. Other more casual boating enthusiasts, such as Roger Corley, may wish to similarly record family activities, charge mobile computing devices, or otherwise provide power to accessories or method of attachment for accessories while on a marine vessel.

Presently there are capabilities of providing power to mobile accessories using 12V ports (a.k.a. cigarette lighters). However, many boats, and certainly most older boats, lack such a power port. Similarly, when that power port exists in a boat, it typically is located near the steering column and not near the rear and/or front of the boat where activity generally occurs.

What is needed is a power solution for mobile devices, including smart phones, cameras, and other electronic devices consumers may want aboard, which is compatible for mounting non-electronic accessories also, and further which is compatible with virtually all marine vessels, which offers flexibility and versatility for multiple water sports and activities.

Heretofore there has not been available a monopod for marine vessels with the advantages and features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a monopod for mounting to the navigation light power port of a marine vessel, such as a bass boat or speed boat, which provides power for mobile accessories, such as cameras and smart phones. The monopod may be fitted with extendable, bendable arms for mounting additional cameras or other electronic devices or for providing additional accessories.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Introduction and Environment

Additional examples include a mobile smart device including a display device for viewing a typical web browser or user interface will be commonly referred to throughout the following description. The type of device, computer, display, or user interface may vary when practicing an embodiment of the present invention. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.

Power providing inputs in the embodiment of the invention may encompass any format of Uniform Serial Bus (USB) input, 12V input, or any other type of power adapter. However, the embodiment of the present invention is intended only to be inserted into the navigation light port located on a marine vessel. The marine vessel applies to any type of boat, ship, or any other waterborne vessel which encompasses a navigation light port. A standard navigation light port is considered to be a port on a marine vessel which is required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Referring to the figures in more detail,FIG. 1shows a marine vessel4employing a marine monopod system2. The monopod system2includes a monopod6which is inserted into a navigation light power port10and draws power from the port for electronic devices8, such as smart phones, cameras, global positioning system (GPS) devices, and other mobile electronic devices. Note that a second navigation light power port10is located at the front of the vessel4, which may accommodate a second monopod6. Other ports may be located in other locations around the vessel.

FIG. 2shows a closer view of the monopod6being inserted into the power port10.FIGS. 3A and 3Bshow more detail of the monopod6. This embodiment includes a monopod base12with contacts14for drawing power from the power port10. A pair of Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports16are shown on the top portion of the monopod. Cables18for charging mobile devices may be inserted into these ports, and power is drawn from the power port10. Other types of power adapters, such as 12V adapters, may be used instead of USB ports.

FIG. 4shows an alternative embodiment monopod26which includes a head portion28with the USB ports16mounted on one or more sides of the head portion.

FIG. 5shows an alternative marine monopod system52which uses a base monopod56with a telescoping arm60capable of extending a few inches or several feet above or away from the marine vessel. The monopod56includes the same base12for connecting with the navigation light port10and at least one USB port16for powering an accessory8. Here, it is likely that the accessory is a camera for capturing video images, but the accessory could be any electronic device.

The telescoping arm60may be connected to the base monopod56with an adjustable handle64which tightens or loosens to allow telescoping of the arm60. Other means may be employed which allow the arm to telescope. A second telescoping motion may be employed by releasing a locking device66at a second point along the arm60. This locking device as shown can be quickly unlocked or locked using one finger.

The base monopod56may include a rechargeable battery62, allowing the monopod to power or charge a device8even when it is not inserted into the navigational light port10. An accessory mount68, such as the screw-based camera mount shown here, may be connected to the top of the telescoping arm60.

FIG. 6employs many of the same features as the system52described above, but instead of the telescoping arm60of system52, this system employs a forked arm104which is connected to the base monopod56, and which allows for two devices to be connected to the same monopod system102. In this way, one camera could face forward while the other faces away. Alternatively, two devices could charge simultaneously while being used.

FIG. 7shows an alternative embodiment monopod system152which uses the same base monopod56setup as systems52and102, but which includes a telescoping arm160which allows an extension arm156to connect to the telescoping arm160, either using a clip, a connecting ring, or some other connecting device. The extension arm156may culminate at an elbow158, which may connect to a second extension arm156as shown. This type of connection could occur several times. It is important that the elbow158contain significant resistance against being bent such that the arms156retain any angle they are set at. This allows for dynamic camera angles using cameras as the electrical accessories. For example, in a boat, the extension arm156could place a camera close to the water as the boat moves through the water, while the other camera is placed far above the boat. The two cameras would capture video simultaneously.

Additional extension arms may be placed for two, three, four, or more camera angles.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 8, the accessory may instead be a cup holder162. It is common for bass fishing boats or older boats to lack sufficient space to store drinks, especially when a fisherman is in the fishing seat.FIG. 9shows how the arm can be positioned to provide a cup holder to the fisherman while a camera is still filming from atop the telescoping arm160.

FIGS. 10A and 10Bemploy a monopod206which includes a basic navigational lamp228atop the monopod206. As shown, two USB ports16are located atop the lamp. However, the USB ports could be placed along the sides of the monopod206, and an accessory mount, such as those shown inFIGS. 5-8above, may be placed atop the lamp. This would allow for a camera to be mounted to the navigational lamp and filming to take place even while the navigational light is in use or at night.

It should be noted that any and all commercial electronic devices could benefit from the present invention. GPS devices, fish finders, and tablet computers would be at the fisherman's fingertips using one or more of the embodiments of the present invention without the fisherman leaving the fishing chair.

It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.