Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for attaching cameras, such as the GoPro® camera, to a portable electronic device (“PED”). In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a device for attaching a camera to a portable electronic device. The device comprises a camera mount, a proximal frame, and a distal frame. The camera mount comprises three prong-like protrusions having through-holes, and the camera mount is molded as a unitary piece with the proximal frame.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for attaching cameras, such as the GoPro® camera, to a portable electronic device (“PED”). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There has been research and development directed to mobile phone cases. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 7,609,512 is allegedly directed to the following: “A protective enclosure for an electronic device such as a laptop computer or tablet computer that comprises a shell that is capable of enclosing and substantially surrounding the electronic device. The shell is substantially watertight, substantially rigid and substantially crush-resistant. The inside of the shell has a hook and loop liner with shock absorbing corner bumpers having hook and loop type bases so that the bumpers may attach at any point on the liner inside the shell to accommodate electronic devices of various sizes and to secure the device inside the enclosure in a shock absorbent suspended manner. The shell may further comprise a USB connector hub for connection to the USB port of a laptop computer or PC tablet enclosed in the protective shell.” Abstract. 
         [0003]    Despite research and development in this area, there is still a need in the art for new devices and methods for attaching cameras to portable electronic devices. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of one embodiment of a device according to the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows a back view of one embodiment of a device according to the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of one embodiment of a device according to the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of one embodiment of a device according to the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of one embodiment of a device according to the present invention, where a camera is attached to the device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  shows a front view of a second embodiment of a device according to the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  shows a back view of the second embodiment of device according to the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  shows a bottom view of the second embodiment of the device according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of the second embodiment of the device according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of the second embodiment of a device according to the present invention, where a camera is attached to the device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of a third embodiment of a device according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  shows a back view of the third embodiment of device according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  shows a bottom view of the third embodiment of the device according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  shows a top view of the third embodiment of the device according to the present invention. 
           [0018]    FIG.  15 ′ shows a front view of the third embodiment of a device according to the present invention, where a camera is attached to the device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 16  shows a back view of a device according to the present invention, where a support member has been added along the back of the device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 17  shows a device according to  FIG. 1 , where the device surrounds the smart phone. 
           [0021]      FIG. 18  shows a device according to  FIG. 6 , where the device surrounds the smart phone. 
           [0022]      FIG. 19  shows a device according to  FIG. 11 , where the device surrounds the smart phone. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a device for attaching a camera to a portable electronic device. The device comprises a camera mount, a proximal frame, and a distal frame. The camera mount comprises three prong-like protrusions having through-holes, and the camera mount is molded as a unitary piece with the proximal frame. 
         [0024]    In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a device for attaching a camera to a portable electronic device. The device comprises a camera mount and a frame. The camera mount comprises three prong-like protrusions having through-holes, and the camera mount is molded as a unitary piece with the frame. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of one embodiment of a device ( 102 ) according to the present invention, which surrounds a smart phone ( 104 , iPhone as shown). The device comprises a camera mount ( 106 ) attached to a proximal frame ( 108 ), and a distal frame ( 110 ). Camera mount  106  typically includes three prong-like protrusions ( 112 ), each including a through-hole ( 114 ). The camera mount  106  is typically molded as a single piece with proximal frame  108 , although in certain cases it may be detachable. Proximal frame  108  further comprises a front ( 116 ), a back ( 118 ) and two sides ( 120 ). Front side  116  includes an edge ( 122 ) that wraps around smart phone  104 , covering a small portion of the smart phone&#39;s face. Edge  122  is typically less than 7 mm in width and oftentimes less than 6 mm or 5 mm in width. 
         [0026]    Proximal frame  108  is made to connect with distal frame  110  such that a single seam ( 124 ) appears around the outside portion of the device. The connection may be of any suitable type known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Distal frame  110  comprises a front ( 126 ), a back ( 128 ) and two sides ( 130 ). Front side  126  includes an edge ( 132 ) that wraps around smart phone  104 , covering a small portion of the smart phone&#39;s face. Edge  132  is typically less than 7 mm in width and oftentimes less than 6 mm or 5 mm in width, but is of the same width as edge  122 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a back ( 112 ) of one embodiment of a device ( 102 ) according to the present invention, which surrounds a smart phone ( 104 , not shown). Camera mount  106 , including protrusions  112  and through-holes  114 , is attached to proximal frame  108 , which is connected to distal frame  110 . Proximal frame  108  optionally includes a cutout portion for a camera lens ( 134 ) and connects to distal frame  110 , as noted above. Single seam  124  appears between proximal frame  108  and distal frame  110 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of one embodiment of the device  102  surrounding smartphone  104 . The figure shows an optional cut-out ( 134 ) from the bottom of distal frame  110 . Through cut-out  134  is shown the charging receptacle ( 136 ) for the smart phone. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of one embodiment of the device  102  surrounding smartphone  104 . The figure shows camera mount  106 , including protrusions  112 . Optional cut-out  138  is shown from the top of proximal frame  108 . Through cut-out  138  is shown the on/off button ( 142 ) for the smart phone. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of camera ( 146 ) attached to mount  106  of device  102  by passage of a pin into through-holes  114  of protrusions  112 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  shows a front view of a second embodiment of a device ( 602 ) according to the present invention, which surrounds a smart phone ( 604 , iPhone as shown). The device comprises a camera mount ( 606 ) attached to a unitary frame ( 608 ). Camera mount  606  typically includes three prong-like protrusions ( 610 ), each including a through-hole ( 612 ). The camera mount  606  is typically molded as a single piece with frame  608 , although in certain cases it may be detachable. Frame  608  further comprises a front ( 614 ), a back ( 616 ) and two sides ( 618 ). Front side  614  includes an edge ( 620 ) that wraps around smart phone  604 , covering a small portion of the smart phone&#39;s face. Edge  620  is typically less than 7 mm in width and oftentimes less than 6 mm or 5 mm in width. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  shows a back ( 616 ) of the second embodiment of device  602 , which surrounds a smart phone ( 604 , not shown). Camera mount  606 , including protrusions  610  and through-holes  612 , is attached to frame  608 . Frame  608  optionally includes a cutout portion for a camera lens ( 622 ). 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  shows a bottom view of the second embodiment of the device  602  surrounding smartphone  604 . The figure shows an optional cut-out ( 624 ) from the bottom of frame  608 . Through cut-out  624  is shown the charging receptacle ( 626 ) for the smart phone. 
         [0034]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of the second embodiment of the device  602  surrounding smartphone  604 . The figure shows camera mount  606 , including protrusions  610 . Optional cut-out  628  is shown from the top of frame  608 . Through cut-out  628  is shown the on/off button ( 632 ) for the smart phone. 
         [0035]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of camera ( 636 ) attached to mount  606  of device  602  by passage of a pin into through-holes  612  of protrusions  610 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of a third embodiment of a device ( 1102 ) according to the present invention, which surrounds a smart phone ( 1104 , iPhone as shown). The device comprises a camera mount ( 1106 ) attached to a frame ( 1108 ). Camera mount  1106  typically includes three prong-like protrusions ( 1110 ), each including a through-hole ( 1112 ). The camera mount  1106  is typically molded as a single piece with frame  1108 , although in certain cases it may be detachable. Frame  1108  further comprises at least one handle ( 1114 ), a front ( 1116 ), a back ( 1118 ) and two sides ( 1120 ). At least one handle  1114  may be of any suitable configuration. As shown it is molded in a single piece along with frame  1108 . Front side  1116  includes an edge ( 1122 ) that wraps around smart phone  1104 , covering a small portion of the smart phone&#39;s face. Edge  1122  is typically less than 7 mm in width and oftentimes less than 6 mm or 5 mm in width. 
         [0037]      FIG. 12  shows a back  1118  of the third embodiment of device  1102 , which surrounds smart phone  1104  (not shown). Camera mount  1106 , including protrusions  1110  and through-holes  1112 , is connected to frame  1108 , as well as handles  1114 . Frame  1108  optionally includes a cutout portion for camera lens ( 1124 ). 
         [0038]      FIG. 13  shows a bottom view of the third embodiment of the device  1102  surrounding smartphone  1104 . The figure shows at least one handle  1114  and an optional cut-out ( 1126 ) from the bottom of frame  1108 . Through cut-out  1126  is shown the charging receptacle ( 1128 ) for the smart phone. 
         [0039]      FIG. 14  shows a top view of the third embodiment of the device  1102  surrounding smartphone  1104 . The figure shows camera mount  1106 , including protrusions  1110 . Optional cut-out  1130  is shown from the top of frame  1108 . Through cut-out  1130  is shown the on/off button ( 1134 ) for the smart phone. 
         [0040]      FIG. 15  shows a front view of camera ( 1138 ) attached to mount  1106  of device  1102  by passage of a pin into through-holes  1112  of protrusions  1110 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 16  shows a back view of device  102 , surrounding smart phone  104  (not shown), where a support member ( 1602 ) has been added along the back of the device. The support member strengthens the device to augment the ability of the device to retain its shape after a camera is attached to the device. It is typically made of a relatively strong material, such as metal, that is usually less than 10 mm in width. Oftentimes, it is less than 9 mm, 8 mm, 6 mm or 5 mm in width. 
         [0042]    In certain aspects, the device of the present invention completely surrounds the smart phone.  FIG. 17  is such a device related to the one shown in  FIG. 1 , where side  1702  extends from edges  122  to  132 .  FIG. 18  is such a device related to the one shown in  FIG. 6 , where side  1802  extends from and to edges  620 .  FIG. 19  is such a device related to the one shown in FIG.  11 , where side  1902  extends from and to edges  1122 . The side of the various figures—e.g.,  1702 ,  1802 ,  1902 —may be transparent or opaque. 
         [0043]    In one case, the device according to the present invention is made of, or substantially made of, polycarbonate or polyurethane. In another case, the device according to the present invention is made of, or substantially made of, rubber or wood. Any suitable method may be used for construction of the device.