Abstract:
A mounting device typically used for mounting line-of-site equipment, that allows easy, steady, and incremental rotation of the device in the vertical axis, and 360° rotation in the horizontal axis, while also allowing rotation and tilt of the mounted equipment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/514,473, filed Aug. 2, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to mounting devices for use with equipment having line-of-sight requirements, such as, for example, optical and electronic equipment, and more particularly, for use with cameras, spotting scopes, camcorders, binoculars, or the like. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Mounting devices for cameras and other optical and electronic equipment allow the camera, or other equipment, to be moved into various positions and secured in order to hold the camera, or other equipment, steady for good, clear photos or accurate measurements. A variety of devices are available, such as single ball mounts, double ball mounts, post and arm ball mounts, segmented arm mounts, and multiple clamp devices 
         [0006]    Single ball mounts can be used to rotate a camera 360° and tilt it to various degrees. A single ball mount may also have a clamping device that holds the ball in a socket on one end and a support post on the other end, which allows the clamp to swing through 180° while the ball rotatable 360°. While single ball units operate smoothly and rotate a full 360°, they have a restricted tilt motion. 
         [0007]    A double ball mount may incorporate adjustable locking arms or clamps between the balls, which allows both balls to move independently and allows the camera to be moved and locked into various positions. Double ball devices can be moved into almost any position, but they cannot be easily adjusted while in use (i.e., when a camera is mounted) since both balls are generally free at the same time making precision adjustments difficult. 
         [0008]    Post and arm ball mounts allow the ball to rotate freely, but the arm can only rotate in one axis and not swivel. Segmented arms allow for adjustments in multiple positions, but do not lock securely when in the desired position. Multiple clamp devices allow for adjustments in many positions, but are not lightweight or portable enough to easily carry and use in the field. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1   a  is a side elevation view showing an example embodiment of the mounting device of the present invention, with an adjustment clamp assembly coupled to an attachment clamp assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1   b  is a side elevation view of the adjustment clamp assembly with clamp coupling member removed and the clamp members offset from the ball portions. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1   c  is a side elevation view of a clamp member of the adjustment clamp assembly of  FIG. 1   b,  as viewed from a position facing an inside surface of the clamp member. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is partial detail view of a circumferential ridge on the ball portion of the second linking member in FIG.  a.    
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is detail cross sectional view, viewed longitudinally along an example groove of the present disclosure, such as those grooves shown on the concave regions of the second end portions of the clamp members in  FIGS. 1   b  and  1   c.    
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a partial cutaway view showing the adjustment clamp assembly of  FIG. 1   b,  with the coupling member inserted through the clamp members to clamp them together, and further showing the circumferential ridge and grooves. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partial cutaway view showing the adjustment clamp assembly of  FIG. 4 , with the clamp members titled about 30 degrees from the position in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the adjustment clamp assembly showing the coupling member inserted through the clamp members to clamp them together. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the mounting device of  FIG. 1   a,  with the attachment clamp assembly clamped to a fixed position and a camera mounted on the adjustment clamp assembly. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  are side elevation views showing various embodiments of the ball portion of the second linking member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    In the present description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure. However, upon reviewing this disclosure one skilled in the art will understand that the various embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without many of these details. In other instances, some well-known structures and materials associated with mounting devices have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the embodiments of the disclosure. 
         [0020]    In the present description, the terms “about” and “approximately” mean±20% of the indicated range, value, or structure, unless otherwise indicated. In the present description, the terms “a” and “an” as used herein refer to “one or more” of the enumerated components. The use of the alternative (e.g., “or”) should be understood to mean either one, both, or any combination thereof of the alternatives. As used herein, the terms “include” and “comprise” are used synonymously, which terms and variants thereof are intended to be construed as non-limiting. 
         [0021]    Various embodiments in this disclosure are described in the context of use with cameras, and attachment clamps. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure, various other line-of-sight devices, or other equipment, may be suitable for use with the disclosed mounting devices, and various other base mounts, such as, for example, tripods, may be substituted for the attachment clamp. 
         [0022]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a  &amp;  7 , in some embodiments, a mounting device  2  of the instant disclosure allows for mounting, for example, a camera  7  to an attachment clamp  6 , and then accurately and precisely positioning the camera at various angles about a vertical and about a horizontal axis of the mounting device  2 , independently or simultaneously, without having to adjust or move the attachment clamp  6 . In other embodiments, the attachment clamp  6  can be replaced with a tripod or other base assembly. 
         [0023]    An exemplary mounting device  2  of the instant disclosure is shown in  FIG. 1   a,  which includes an adjustment clamp assembly  4  and an attachment clamp assembly  6 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1   b,  the adjustment clamp assembly can have a first clamp member  12  and second clamp member  12 ′, each clamp member having a first end portion  14 ,  14 ′ and a second end portion  16 ,  16 ′, and each end portion  14 ,  14 ′,  16 ,  16 ′ of the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ having an inner surface  17 ,  17 ′ formed with a concave region  20 ,  20 ′,  24 ,  24 ′, or socket, having an inside surface that approximates a portion of a sphere. Referring to  FIG. 1   c,  for example, the inside surfaces  18 ,  18 ′ of the first concave regions  20 ,  20 ′ on the first end portions  14 ,  14 ′ can be smooth (or may have bumps formed thereon, such as, for example, circular bumps  20 ″), whereas the inside surfaces  22 ,  22 ′ of the concave regions  24 ,  24 ′ for the second end portions  16 ,  16 ′ can comprise a plurality of grooves  26  that converge, or intersect, at a central portion  26 ′ of the concave regions  24 ,  24 ′ (as can be seen in  FIGS. 1   b,    1   c,    4  &amp;  5 ), or extend outwardly from the central portion toward and edge of the concave regions. The grooves can be circumferential in that they run along a surface of the concave regions, which themselves, can approximate a portion of a surface of a sphere. In some embodiments, the intersections  26 ′ of the grooves  26  on the respective concave regions  24 ,  24 ′ are disposed at diametrically opposed positions. Also, the intersections  26 ′ of the grooves  26  can define points on an axis about which a second ball portion  38   a  can pivot, as described further below. In some embodiments, the circular bumps  20 ″ can be, for example, about 0.015 inches high and about 0.2 inches in diameter at their base, and can have a surface that approximate a partial sphere. 
         [0025]    Each of the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ can have an aperture  28 ,  28 ′, which can be disposed at, or at about, a mid-point between the end portions  12 ,  12 ′,  16 ,  16 ′ of the clamp members. The apertures  28 ,  28 ′ are alignable to allow a shaft  32  of a coupling member  30  to be inserted through the apertures  28 ,  28 ′ to couple the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ together, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1   b  &amp;  6 , in some embodiments, a first linking member  36  (having a ball portion  36   a  and an attached rod  36   b  extended from the surface of the ball portion) can be coupled to a circular grip  40  (e.g., thumbwheel). An end portion of the rod  36   b,  or other extension member, can extend outward past the circular grip  40  and this outwardly extended portion can be formed with an external threaded surface (for mating with a female internal thread surface). The rod  36   b  itself can be a standard ¼-20 camera mounting screw (i.e., a screw having a ¼ diameter and 20 threads per inch), or the extension member can be configured like the external threaded portion of such standard camera mounting screw. A camera  7 , or other line-of-sight device can be mounted to this rob  36   b  or the extension member, as best seen in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0027]    A second linking member  38  (having a ball portion  38   a  with a circumferential ridge  38   b,  and rod  38   c  extended from a surface of the ball portion  38   a ) can also be coupled to a circular grip  40 ′ (e.g., thumbwheel). Again, an end portion of the rod  38   c,  or other extension member, can extend outward past the circular grip  40 ′, and this outwardly extended portion can be formed with an external threaded surface (for mating with a female internal threaded surface). Again, the rod  38   c  itself can be a standard camera mounting screw like the type noted above, or the extension member can be configured like the external threaded portion of such standard camera mounting screw. In other embodiments, the “rod” is not threaded, including in embodiments where it can be molded as one part to the sphere or truncated sphere. The rod  38   c,  or extension member can be pivotably connected to a base, such as, for example, an attachment clamp  6 , tripod (not illustrated), or other base. In some embodiments, a female threaded socket could be substituted for the rod  38   c.    
         [0028]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  show several alternative embodiments for the second linking member. For example, referring to  FIG. 8   a,  the ball portion  38   a ′ having a circumferential ridge  38   b ′ could comprise a bolt hole  38   f  on an end portion of the ball, which can receive a bolt (no illustrated) or other attachment member, for use in attaching the ball portion  38   a ′ to a coupling member (such as a female receiving member for the bolt) for attachment to a base mount  50  (e.g., attachment clamp or tripod). The circumferential ridge  38   b ′ can be solid or continuous about the ball  38   a ′, or it can be present or formed in segments, with gaps in between the segments (such as, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 8   a ). Referring to  FIG. 8   b,  the ball portion  38   a ′ having a circumferential ridge  38   b ′ could comprise a cylindrical stub  38   f,  having an axial aperture  38   g,  which can be threaded, again for use in attaching the ball portion to a base mount  50  (such as a male threaded stub mount—not illustrated), directly or indirectly. Referring to  FIG. 8   c,  the lower portion of the cylindrical stub  38   h  can be formed with a disc-like base  38   i  having an axial aperture  38   g  and a receiving indent  38   j.  The receiving indent  38   j  can receive a bead  38   k,  the bead being formed on a coupling member of the base mount  50  and matable within the indent  38   j,  to prevent the ball portion from turning and being unscrewed due to torque applied by the clamp members that are rotated about the ball portion. A screw  38   l,  or other attachment member, can be used to attach the base mount  50  to the ball portion  38   a ′, by being mated with the aperture  38   g,  as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the ball portions  36   a,    38   a  can be “clamped” within the concave regions  20 ,  20 ′,  24 ,  24 ′, of the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′, and the clamp members tightened together using the knob  34 , to secure the ball portions within the adjustable clamp assembly  2 . The ball portions  36   a,    38   a  provide two joints about which the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ can pivot and tilt to provide a greater range of positions than would be provided by a single ball joint. The concave regions  20 ,  20 ′ of the first end portions  14 ,  14 ′ of the clamp members can be aligned to receive respective surface portions of the ball portion  36   a  of the first linking member  36 , with the ball portion  36   a  fitting snugly between inside surfaces  22  of the concave regions  20 ,  20 ′. Also, the concave regions  24 ,  24 ′ of the second portion portions  16 ,  16 ′ of the clamp members can be aligned to receive respective surface portions of the ball portion  38   a  of the second linking member  38 , with the ball portion  38   a  fitting snugly between inside surfaces  22  of the concave regions  24 ,  24 ′. 
         [0030]    The circumferential ridge  38   b  of the ball portion  38   a  can rest snuggly within respective grooves  26  of each of the concave regions  24 ,  24 ′, or can be disposed between grooves on either concave region  24 ,  24 ′. When the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ are loosened, they can be tilted relative to the ball portion  38   b  of the second linking member  38 , with an axis of tilt being defined by the groove  26  intersections  26 ′. In this manner, the clamp members can be titled about the ball portion  38   a  in toggling fashion, or “clicked”, between high resistance positions and low resistance positions. In low resistance positions, the circumferential ridge  38   b  rests between corresponding grooves  26 , where the ball portion  38   a  and can be easily slidable relative to the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ when the clamp members are loosened. In high resistance positions, when the circumferential ridge  38   b  rests within corresponding grooves  26 , the ball portion  38   a  does not slide as easily as the ridge  38   b  must be pushed out of the grooves  26  (e.g., via sloped walls of the ridge  38   b,  as discussed below) in order for the ball portion  38   a  to move, even when the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ are in a loosened position, due to a biasing member that maintains force to bias the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ toward each other (as discussed further below). 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the circumferential ridge  38   b  can have slopped converging walls  38   d,  on either side of the ridge  38   b,  that converge toward and terminate at an apex, which can be an edge of a flat  38   e.  The width and height of the ridge can be sized to fit snuggly within the grooves  26 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the grooves  26  can be sized in width and depth to snugly receive the circumferential ridge  38   b  when the ridge is aligned within the grooves  26 . In other embodiments, the ridge  38   b  can have other shapes, such as, for example, a U-shaped lateral cross-section or a V-shaped lateral cross section. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 1   b  &amp;  6 , in some embodiments, a biasing member  42 , such a coil spring, is fitted about a portion of the shaft  32  of the coupling member  30 . The biasing member  42  can be positioned at a base of the shaft  32  against an inside surface of the knob  34 . The shaft  32  can be inserted through the aperture  28 ′ of the second clamp member  12 ′ and align within the aperture  28  of the first clamp member  12 . The aperture  28  of the first clamp member  12  can be lined with internal threads to mate with a threaded end portion of the shaft  32 , allowing the shaft  32  to screw into, or out of, the aperture  28 , to permit manual tightening or loosening of the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ relative to one another by turning the knob  34 . In some embodiments, the travel of the shaft  32  is limited to prevent completely removing the shaft from the aperture  28 . Also, in some embodiments, when the knob is turned to loosen the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ relative to one another, the biasing member  42  continues to bias the second clamp member  12 ′ toward the first clamp member  12 , to hold the ball portions  36   a  and  38   b  snuggly within the concave regions  20 ,  20 ′,  24 ,  24 ′. In this way, the knob can be loosened sufficiently to allow the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ to toggle relative to the ball portion  38   a  of the second linking member  38 , as described above, while the biasing member forces the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ together with sufficient force to impart resistance to movement of the ball portion  38   a  when the ridge  38   b  is disposed within the grooves  26  (e.g., in “high resistance positions” as discussed above). 
         [0033]    The second linking member  38  can be pitovably attached to, among other things, an attachment clamp  6 , tripod or other base assembly. As shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  7 , illustrating the second linking member  38  attached to an attachment clamp  6 , the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ can swivel about the second linking member by 360 degrees in a horizontal plane (e.g., perpendicular to an axis of the attachment rod  38   c ) and the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ can incrementally tilt about a horizontal axis, or within a vertical plane. A camera or other device can be mounted on the first linking member  36 , and then the first linking member  36  can either be kept in the vertical position, tilted, or rotated. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ can be toggled relative to the second linking member  38  through different positions off vertical at increments of, for example, 10, 15, 18, 20, 22.5, 30, 36, 45, 60, or 90 degrees, or any other increments. In some embodiments, such as that displayed in  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 , the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ can be toggled relative to the second linking member through a full 180 degrees, in 30 degree increments between toggles, along a vertical plane (e.g., parallel with the axis of the rod  38   c  extending from the lower thumbwheel  40 ′). Regardless of the tilt angle at which the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ are positioned relative to the second linking member  38 , the clamps member  12 ,  12 ′ can maintain such tilt angle in a high resistance position and can then be pivoted 360 degrees in the horizontal plane (e.g., relative to rod  38   c,  or an axis about which they swivel). This allows for free adjustment of the first linking member relative to the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ (as generally illustrated in  FIG. 7 ), without the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′ spontaneously tilting by rotation with respect to the second linking member  38 , while also allowing, for example, a mounted camera or other equipment to be panned (rotated) 360° in the horizontal axis. When a position is selected, the knob  34  can be tightened to lock both ball joints in static position relative to the clamp members  12 ,  12 ′. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the second linking member comprises a spherical head and a rod extending from the head surface, wherein the spherical head comprises a smooth peripheral surface with a ridge on the circumference of the spherical head. In further embodiments, the spherical head may be a truncated sphere or may be replaced by a disc having edge configuration that is similar to the ridge  38   b.  In still further embodiments, the ridge may be continuous and extend around the entire circumference of the spherical head (essentially forming a raised ring-like protrusion on the spherical surface) or the ridge may be discontinuous, or have sections, at spaced apart portions of the sphere along the same line as that of the disclosed ridge  38   b.    
         [0036]    Although specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described supra for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art after reviewing the present disclosure. The various embodiments described can be combined to provide further embodiments. The described structures and methods can omit some elements or acts, can add other elements or acts, or can combine the elements or execute the acts in a different order than that illustrated, to achieve various advantages of the disclosure. These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the above detailed description.