Swivel camera mount locking mechanism

A swivel mount locking apparatus is configured to mount a camera system onto a target user, an object, or a surface. The camera system is mounted on a swivel component which can be rotated to a variety of different positions relative to a base component. To fix the camera position, a locking protrusion of a release lever in the base component is compressibly inserted into a detent located on the swivel component. When a new orientation of the camera system is desired, a user may forcibly pivot the release lever away from the swivel component to decouple the locking protrusion from the detent. The user can then rotate the mounted camera system and the swivel component to the new orientation relative to the base component. At the new orientation, the user may recouple the locking protrusion of the release lever into a different detent of the swivel component, thereby fixing the camera system into the desired, new orientation.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure relates to camera mounts, and more specifically, to a rotatable locking camera mount system.

Description of the Related Art

Digital cameras are often mounted to a device worn by a user (e.g. helmet, wrist mount) to enable the capture of pictures or videos. However, once mounted, digital cameras are locked in a particular orientation determined by the mount, thereby making it difficult to capture pictures or videos that are not located in a line of sight of the camera's particular orientation. For example, if a camera is mounted on a helmet worn by a user, the user must rotate his/her head to achieve a different camera line of sight that encompasses the desired target. Similarly, if the camera is mounted on a user's wrist, the user must alter the positioning of his/her wrist. However, requiring a physical change in a user's body orientation may be inconvenient or dangerous in particular environments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview Configuration

A camera system includes a camera mounted on a lower mount component, which in turn, is coupled to a swivel mount locking apparatus. The camera comprises a camera body having a camera lens structured on a front surface of the camera body, various indicators on the front of the surface of the camera body (such as LEDs, displays, and the like), various input mechanisms (such as buttons, switches, and touch-screen mechanisms), and electronics (e.g., imaging electronics, power electronics, etc.) internal to the camera body for capturing images via the camera lens and/or performing other functions.

A swivel camera mount locking apparatus includes a rotatable swivel component. The top face of the swivel component couples with the camera system in order to mount and lock the camera system in a particular orientation, enabling the camera to remain stable when capturing images. The swivel component includes a release lever with a locking protrusion, and the bottom face of the swivel component includes multiple detents oriented in a circular fashion, each detent designed to reciprocally receive the locking protrusion of the release lever. Therefore, a user can place the camera system in a particular orientation by rotating the swivel component to that desired orientation, and engaging the locking protrusion of the release lever with a corresponding detent on the swivel component. In various embodiments, the release lever can be separated from the swivel component by applying a downward force on one end of the release lever, causing the release lever to forcibly pivot away from the swivel component. The camera system may be placed in a different orientation by rotating the swivel component and inserting the locking protrusion of the release lever with a different detent on the swivel component.

Example Camera System Configuration

FIG. 1illustrates a camera system100, according to one example embodiment. A camera105is included within the camera system100described herein, according to one example embodiment. The camera105is configured to capture images and video, and to store captured images and video for subsequent display or playback. The camera may be enclosed within a camera frame110, which in turn is coupled to a lower mount component150via the turnable handscrew130. A first plurality of protrusions of the camera frame140is inserted between a second plurality of protrusions of the lower mount component150. Each protrusion of the first plurality of protrusions and the second plurality of protrusions includes a hole, and the turnable handscrew130is inserted through the aligned holes, pivotally coupling the camera frame110to the lower mount component150. The camera frame110includes a latch mechanism120configured to enable a first portion of the camera frame coupled to a first portion of the latch mechanism to flexibly separate from a second portion of the camera frame coupled to a second portion of the latch mechanism when the latch mechanism is configured in an open configuration (the configuration illustrated inFIG. 1), thereby enabling a user to insert a camera105into or remove a camera105from the camera frame110. The latch mechanism120can also be configured in a closed configuration, thereby securing a camera105within the camera frame110.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a lower mount component150decoupled from a swivel component240, according to one embodiment. The lower mount component150includes a plurality of protrusions170. In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions170are configured to interlock with the plurality of protrusions140of the camera frame110ofFIG. 1such that the holes in each protrusion in the sets of protrusions align. When a screw or pin is inserted into the aligned holes, the camera frame110can be rotatably secured to the lower mount component150.

The lower mount component150also includes two prongs180aand180bthat can be flexibly compressed inward when squeezed. The prongs180aand180binclude side securing surfaces182aand182b(not shown), top securing surfaces184aand184b, and securing lips186aand186b(not shown), respectively. The swivel component240includes securing arms190aand190b, each with side securing surfaces192aand192b, top securing surfaces194aand194b, and back securing surfaces196aand196b, respectively. The swivel component240additionally includes two spines198and a hole210located at the center of the swivel component240. The assembly of the swivel camera mount locking apparatus is described inFIG. 3.

When the prongs180aand180bof the lower mount component150are squeezed together, the width of the prong-side of the lower mount component is reduced to less than the width between the securing arms190aand190b, such that the lower mount component150can be slid onto the swivel component240. When the lower mount component150is slid onto the swivel component240, the side securing surfaces182aand182bmake contact with and slide along the side securing surfaces192aand192b, respectively. Similarly, the top securing surfaces184aand184bmake contact with and slide along the top securing surfaces194aand194b, respectively. When the lower mount component150is completely slid into the swivel component240, the securing arms decompress outward when the securing lips186aand186bare slid past the back securing surfaces196aand196b. The securing arms flexibly exert force outward such that the securing lips extend outwards and make contact with the back securing surfaces or overlap at least partially with the back securing surfaces, preventing the lower mount component150from sliding backwards. This securely couples the lower mount component150to the swivel component240as illustrated inFIG. 2B. The lower mount component150can be decoupled from the swivel mount240component by compressing the securing arms of the lower mount component such that the width of the prong-side of the lower mount component is again reduced to less than the width between the securing arms of the swivel component, and sliding the lower mount component backwards past the swivel component.

The lower mount component150may include a spine groove on the bottom side of the lower mount component150to allow for the reciprocal sliding and insertion of the two spines198of the swivel mount component240into the spine groove when the lower mount component is slid onto and secured to the swivel component. The spine of the swivel component exerts a force upwards on the lower mount component, forcing the lower mount component upward such that the top securing surfaces184aand184bare forced upward into the top securing surfaces194aand194b.

The upward force of the lower mount component150into the top securing surfaces194aand194bof the securing arms190aand190bresult in the vertical securement of the lower mount component150onto the swivel component240. In other words, by forcing the lower mount component150upwards, the spine198prevents any up or down motion by the lower mount component150relative to the swivel component240. In addition, the upwards force exerted by the spine198into the lower mount component150(the force exerted by the top securing surfaces182aand182binto the top securing surfaces192aand192b, respectively), in combination with the coefficient of friction between both the top securing surfaces182aand192aand the top securing surfaces182band192b, results in a friction force between the lower mount component150and the swivel component240. The friction force prevents any horizontal movement of the lower mount component relative to the base mount component resulting from horizontal forces on the lower mount component less than the friction force. Thus, the spine198secures the lower mount component150onto the swivel component240by preventing both the vertical and the horizontal movement of the lower mount component150relative to the swivel component240.

It should be noted in alternative embodiments, the lower mount component150is configured to securely couple to the swivel component240using other means than those described with regards toFIGS. 2A and 2B. For example, the lower mount component150can include a securing protrusion on the bottom side of the lower mount component configured for insertion into a reciprocal opening within the swivel component240, and secured using, for example, a securing pin or other locking mechanism. Similarly, the securing arms190aand190bof the base mount component can be compressible or flexible such that the arms can be squeezed apart, the lower mount component150can be slid onto the swivel component240, and the arms can be released, securely coupling the lower mount component150to the swivel component240. The lower mount component150can be securely coupled to the swivel component240using adhesives, buttons, ties, latches, springs, or any combination of the mechanisms described herein. Any other suitable securing mechanism can be used to secure the lower mount component150to the swivel component240. In addition, as will be described below in greater detail, the lower mount component150, the swivel component240, or both can be configured to detach such that a camera frame110can decouple from the lower mount component150or such that the lower mount component150can decouple from a swivel component240in response to a force exerted on the camera frame110, the lower mount component150, the swivel component240, or any combination thereof.

Example Swivel Camera Mount Locking Apparatus

FIG. 3illustrates an assembled swivel mount locking apparatus300, according to one embodiment. The swivel mount locking apparatus includes the swivel component240, a release lever350that is rotatably locked relative to the swivel component240, and a wrist clamp320that is in contact with the bottom of the release lever350. The swivel mount locking apparatus300is able to receive the camera system100as illustrated inFIG. 1by sliding the lower mount component150into the swivel component240as illustrated inFIG. 2A. The wrist clamp320may be situated on a wrist of a user and secured in a reciprocal device. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the swivel mount locking apparatus300includes a mounting base other than the wrist clamp320for rotatably coupling a camera to other portions of a user, or to sports equipment or other objects or surfaces according to the principles described herein.

In various embodiments, one end of the release lever350of the fully assembled swivel mount locking apparatus300extends out from underneath the swivel component240. This end of the release lever350can receive a downward force from a user that forcibly pivots the release lever350downward and away from the swivel component240, thereby separating the release lever350from the swivel component240. Conversely, the release lever350may receive an upward force from a user (or may forcibly compress upward and into the swivel mount component240without input from a user) to compress the release lever350into an available detent of the swivel component240. Further detail of the rotating and locking process is described below.

FIG. 4illustrates an exploded view of the swivel mount locking apparatus300, according to one embodiment. In various embodiments, the individual pieces of the swivel mount locking apparatus300include a screw410, the swivel component240, the release lever350, a rippled washer430, a wrist clamp320, and an insert component440. The release lever350, rippled washer430, and wrist clamp320are collectively referred to herein as the base component405.

The screw410is designed to be coupled to the insert component440through a hole of each of the swivel component240, the release lever350, the rippled washer430, and the wrist clamp320, thereby holding the components of the swivel mount locking apparatus300together. In one embodiment, the end of the screw410is threaded and tightened by rotating into the insert component440. In other embodiments, the screw410has a diameter that allows it to enter into a reciprocal cavity of the insert component440and remain in circumferential contact with the walls of the cavity of the insert component440. Thus, the end of the screw410remains coupled with the insert component440as the frictional force between the screw410and insert component440prevents vertical slippage.

In various embodiments, the screw410may be a flathead, so as to prevent the head of the screw410from protruding above the top surface of the swivel component240. Additionally, the screw410vertically stabilizes the swivel mount locking apparatus300but allows the swivel component240to rotate around the center hole210relative to the base component405.

The release lever350has a first end450that is designed to receive a downward force from a user. As previously described, the first end450may be designed to extend out from underneath the swivel component240when fully assembled. In various embodiments, the first end450is further tactilely designed to improve the ease with which a user can apply a downward force. For example, the first end450may be downwardly angled 45 degrees from the horizontal plane. In another example, the first end450may include a rippled grip. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the first end450has multiple etches that traverse the surface of the first end450of the release lever350. Therefore, a user can readily differentiate the first end450of the release lever450from other components of the swivel mount locking apparatus300through physical contact.

In various embodiments, the release lever350includes a locking protrusion420positioned on the top face of the release lever350. When the swivel mount locking apparatus300is assembled, the locking protrusion420enters into a reciprocal detent located on the swivel component240when the swivel mount locking apparatus is configured in a locked configuration, thereby locking the relative positioning of the release lever350to the swivel component240.

The opposing, second end of the release lever350includes a circular hole that the screw410passes through to vertically lock the base component405relatively to the other components of the swivel mount locking apparatus300. In various embodiments, the release lever350may include a middle region425between the locking protrusion420and the second end that may be structurally reinforced or composed of a different material. As the release lever350flexes in response to a downward force, the middle region bears the brunt of the angular flexion. Structurally reinforcing the middle region425of the release lever350prevents mechanical failure of the release lever350over repeated applications of the downward force input.

A rippled washer430is situated between the release lever350and a cavity in the wrist clamp320. In various embodiments, the rippled washer430is contoured along its circumference. For example, the circumference of the rippled washer430may have a particular curvature (e.g. wavy) to ensure that only parts of the top surface of the rippled washer430are in contact with the release lever350when the swivel mount locking apparatus300is assembled. Thus, in certain locations, there are gaps between the top surface of the rippled washer430and the release lever350. These gaps enable the release lever350to sufficiently deflect when a downward force input is received on the first end450. The center of the rippled washer430is a hole that the screw410passes through to fixably hold the base component405.

The wrist clamp320is designed to receive the rippled washer430in a top cavity. In various embodiments, the cavity is shaped so that the outer circumference of the rippled washer430is in contact with the walls of the cavity of the wrist clamp320. This further prevents the rippled washer430from laterally shifting when the swivel mount locking apparatus300is assembled.

In various embodiments, the wrist clamp320may be coupled to a reciprocal attachment on a user's wrist (not shown). In other embodiments, the wrist clamp320may be coupled to an object (e.g. a helmet, a vehicle). In some embodiments, the wrist clamp320is configured to be mounted to a pole of various diameters. For example, the wrist clamp320may have multiple protrusions470that have substantially aligned holes. A screw or pin may be inserted into the aligned holes of the protrusions470to fix the wrist clamp320to a user or an object such as a pole.

In some embodiments the wrist clamp320also includes a curved cavity460that is designed to receive the first end450of the release lever350when a downward force input is applied on the first end450. The curved cavity460provides a sufficient opening for the release lever350to flexibly deform and separate the locking protrusion420from the swivel component240. As noted above, in some embodiments, the swivel mount locking apparatus300includes a component other than the wrist clamp320to secure the swivel mount locking apparatus300to an object, user, or surface.

Rotating and Locking the Swivel Component

FIG. 5Aillustrates a bottom view of the release lever350rotatably locked relative to the swivel component240, according to one embodiment. In various embodiments, the bottom face of the swivel component240includes multiple detents510that are each located equidistant from the center of the swivel component240(e.g. center of the hole210). The distance of each detent510from the center of the swivel component240is equal to the distance between the locking protrusion420of the release lever350and the center of the circular hole on the release lever350. This enables the locking protrusion420to insert into a detent510while also substantially aligning the circular hole on the release lever350with the circular hole210of the swivel component240. When the swivel mount locking apparatus300is fully assembled (e.g. when the locking protrusion420of the release lever350is inserted into a detent510on the swivel component240), the swivel component is rotatably affixed relative to the base component405of the swivel mount locking apparatus300. In this configuration, the locking protrusion510of the release lever350exerts a compressive force into the bottom face of the swivel component240such that if the swivel component240receives a rotational force from the user, the locking protrusion420abuts the sides of the detent510, preventing the rotation of the swivel component240relative to the base component405.

As depicted inFIG. 5A, there are eight total detents510. All detents on the bottom surface of the swivel component240are generally referred to herein as detents510. Furthermore, individual detents520and530are referenced by their respective numbers.

In various embodiments, the eight total detents510are equally spaced around the center circle210(e.g. 45 degree rotation between each detent510). In the embodiment ofFIG. 5A, seven of the detents are available and one is currently occupied by the locking protrusion420of the release lever350. One may appreciate that there may be more or fewer detents available, and the detents510may be arranged in configurations other than that illustrated herein. In another embodiment, instead of eight discrete detents510, as is the case inFIG. 5A, the bottom surface of the swivel component240may have a single continuous, circular detent designed to receive the locking protrusion420at any point along the circular path. Thus, when rotatably locked relative to the release lever350, the swivel component240may be situated at any rotational angle between 0 and 360 degrees. In such embodiments, the walls of the circular detent may prevent the locking protrusion420from readily separating through frictional forces.

In various embodiments, the shape and design of each detent510ensures that the locking protrusion420is able to be inserted into any of the detents510. As depicted inFIG. 5A, each detent is rectangular in shape. However, the detents510can be any other suitable shape (such as circular or polygonal). In such embodiments, the detents510mirror the shape of the locking protrusion420of the release lever350to enable insertion of the locking protrusion420into the detent510. The depth of each detent510can be, at minimum, the height of the locking protrusion420. However, the depth of each detent510is less than the thickness of the swivel component240to ensure that the detents510are not exposed on the top surface of the swivel component240.

In various embodiments, the locking protrusion420may be designed with a non-uniform top surface. For example, as depicted inFIG. 4, the edge of the locking protrusion420closest to the first end may be substantially elevated compared to the edge of the locking protrusion420closest to the circular hole. Similarly, the detent510may be designed with a corresponding cavity to receive the substantially elevated edge of the locking protrusion420. For example, the detent510may be substantially deeper along the edge that is farther from the circular hole210. When inserted into the detent510, the substantially elevated surface of the locking protrusion420may assist in locking the release lever350with the swivel component.

In various embodiments, the walls of the locking protrusion420are vertically oriented such that, when compressively inserted into a corresponding detent510, the walls of the locking protrusion420are in contact against the walls of the detent510. In other embodiments, the walls of the locking protrusion420are designed with a ramp such that the damage to the locking protrusion420would be minimized if the camera system100experiences an unexpected force (e.g. is accidentally bumped).

FIG. 5Billustrates a bottom view of the release lever350rotatably locked relative to the swivel component240in a rotated configuration, according to one embodiment. To achieve the rotated configuration depicted inFIG. 5Bfrom the initial configuration depicted inFIG. 5A, the release lever350receives a downward force on a first end450, configuring the swivel component240in a released configuration (e.g. the locking protrusion420of the release lever350is separated from the detent530). The swivel component240receives a rotational force in a counter clockwise direction (as viewed from the bottom of the swivel component240). The locking protrusion420of the release lever350is inserted into an adjacent detent520(seeFIG. 5A), thus achieving the rotatably locked configuration depicted inFIG. 5B. Therefore, in comparison to the orientation of the swivel component240depicted inFIG. 5A, the swivel component240inFIG. 5Bis rotated 45 degrees in the counter clockwise direction.

FIG. 6Aillustrates a side view of the swivel component240rotatably locked relative to the release lever350which is further coupled to the wrist clamp320, according to one embodiment. When the release lever350is rotatably locked relative to the swivel component240, the locking protrusion420of the release lever350is inserted into a corresponding detent510. Additionally, the top face of the release lever350forcibly abuts the bottom face of the swivel component240.

FIG. 6Billustrates a side view of the swivel component and the release lever in a released configuration, according to one embodiment. In various embodiments, the release lever350flexibly deforms to the illustrated position after receiving a downward force on the first end450of the release lever350that causes the release lever350to forcibly pivot away from the bottom surface of the swivel component240. In one embodiment, a continuous application of the downward force is required to hold the release lever350in the flexibly deformed position. When the downward force is removed, the release lever350may revert to the position illustrated inFIG. 6A. In other embodiments, the release lever350may be held in the reciprocal cavity460of the wrist clamp320even after the downward force is discontinued. For example, the reciprocal cavity may be designed such that when a user compressively forces the release lever350into the reciprocal cavity460, the vertical walls of the reciprocal cavity460abut the sides of the release lever350and hold the release lever350in place through frictional forces.

FIG. 6Cillustrates a side view of the swivel component240in a rotated configuration and the release lever350in a rotatably locked position, according to one embodiment. In this depiction, the swivel component has been rotated 90 degrees relative to the wrist clamp320. In various embodiments, the user rotates the swivel component240(and the attached camera system100) to the desired rotational position when the release lever350is compressed downward. For example, the user aligns the locking protrusion420of the release lever350with the desired detent510and may provide an additional compressive force to insert the locking protrusion420into the detent510of the swivel component240. In various embodiments, the locking protrusion420of the release lever350may automatically insert into an available detent510when aligned and when a downward force being applied to the first end450abates.

Additional Configuration Considerations

Throughout this specification, some embodiments have used the expression “coupled” along with its derivatives. The term “coupled” as used herein is not necessarily limited to two or more elements being in direct physical or electrical contact. Rather, the term “coupled” may also encompass two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other, or are structured to provide a thermal conduction path between the elements.