Abstract:
A mounting apparatus for releasably securing a device to an auxiliary structure includes a first plate and a second plate formed to engage the first plate. The first plate includes one or more features that allow attachment of the device to the first plate, and a first lateral edge extending at least partially between a front edge and a rear edge of the first plate. The second plate includes a second lateral edge extending at least partially between a front edge and a rear edge of the second plate and formed to engage the first lateral edge of the first plate, a first stopper disposed along the front edge of the second plate, and a second stopper disposed along the rear edge of the second plate. The first plate is configured to be engaged with the second plate in a frontal position and in a rearward position.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to releasable support mounts, such as quick release plates used for securing cameras or other devices to auxiliary structures and releasing cameras or other devices from auxiliary structures, and related methods. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Cameras and other video equipment devices (e.g., video recorders and sound recorders) may be attached to various auxiliary structures (e.g., tripods, shoulder rigs, bridge plates, base plates, dollies, sliders, stabilizers, dovetails, and other accessory components) for photographing and filming. Securing a camera or another device to an auxiliary structure or removing the camera or other device from the auxiliary structure using conventional mounting systems may be relatively time consuming in fast pace photography and filming environments. Such an installation or removal of the camera or other device may also be cumbersome due to the extent of movement required for the installation or removal or due to the arrangement of other accessories within the vicinity of the camera or other device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one aspect, a mounting apparatus for releasably securing a device to an auxiliary structure includes a first plate and a second plate formed to engage the first plate. The first plate includes one or more features that allow attachment of the device to the first plate, and a first lateral edge extending at least partially between a front edge and a rear edge of the first plate. The second plate includes a second lateral edge extending at least partially between a front edge and a rear edge of the second plate and formed to engage the first lateral edge of the first plate, a first stopper disposed along the front edge of the second plate, and a second stopper disposed along the rear edge of the second plate. The first plate is configured to be engaged with the second plate in a frontal position, for allowing an end of the first lateral edge to be aligned with an end of the second lateral edge and for allowing the frontal stopper to prevent frontal movement of the first plate relative to the second plate. The first plate is configured to be engaged with the second plate in a rearward position, for allowing the rearward stopper to prevent rearward movement of the first plate relative to the second plate. 
         [0004]    In another aspect, a mounting apparatus for releasably securing a device to an auxiliary structure includes a first plate means for attaching the device to the mounting apparatus and a second plate means for engaging the first plate means. The first plate means includes a first lateral means extending at least partially between a frontal portion and a rearward portion of the first plate means. The second plate means includes a second lateral means for engaging the first lateral means of the first plate means, the second lateral means extending at least partially between a frontal portion and a rearward portion of the second plate means, a first stopper means disposed along the frontal portion of the second plate means, and a second stopper means disposed along the rearward portion of the second plate means. The first plate means is configured to be engaged with the second plate means in a frontal position, for allowing an end of the first lateral means to be aligned with an end of the second lateral means and for allowing the frontal stopper means to prevent frontal movement of the first plate means relative to the second plate means. The first plate means is configured to be engaged with the second plate means in a rearward position, for allowing the rearward stopper means to prevent rearward movement of the first plate means relative to the second plate means 
         [0005]    In another aspect, a method of removing a device from an auxiliary structure includes unlocking a first plate from a second plate, the first plate attached to the device and including a first lateral edge, the second plate coupled to the auxiliary structure and including a second lateral edge, and moving a first stopper from a first position that prevents movement of the first plate relative to the second plate, to a second position that allows movement of the first plate relative to the second plate. The method further includes moving the first plate relative to the second plate such that an end of the first lateral edge becomes misaligned from an end of the second lateral edge, and lifting the first plate from the second plate such that the device, attached to the first plate, is decoupled from the auxiliary structure, coupled to the second plate. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the one or more features include holes and recesses. 
         [0007]    In certain embodiments, the first lateral edge includes a first set of teeth and a first set of depressions, and the second lateral edge includes a second set of teeth and a second set of depressions. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, in the frontal position, the first set of teeth of the first lateral edge are engaged with respective teeth of the second set of teeth of the second lateral edge, and in the rearward position, the first set of teeth of the first lateral edge are aligned with respective depressions of the second set of depressions of the second lateral edge. 
         [0009]    In certain embodiments, the frontal stopper is a pin. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the rearward stopper is a ridge. 
         [0011]    In certain embodiments, the first plate further includes a locking mechanism configured to secure the first plate to the second plate in the frontal position. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the locking mechanism is a thumb screw. 
         [0013]    In certain embodiments, the second plate further includes a pin configured to prevent rearward movement of the first plate relative to the second plate when the first plate is engaged with the second plate in the frontal position. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the pin is a spring-loaded pin. 
         [0015]    In certain embodiments, the first plate further includes a frontal groove formed to engage the frontal stopper of the second plate. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the first plate further includes a rearward groove formed to engage the rearward stopper of the second plate. 
         [0017]    In certain embodiments, the first and second lateral edges are formed as toothed edges that together form a quick-release mechanism. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the first plate is securable to a dovetail structure. 
         [0019]    In certain embodiments, the dovetail structure is an Arnold &amp; Richter Cine Technik (ARRI) style dovetail structure. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus further includes a third plate that is attachable to the second plate, the third plate including one or more features that allow the third plate to be attached to the auxiliary structure. 
         [0021]    In certain embodiments, the device is a camera, a video recorder, or a sound recorder. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the auxiliary structure is a tripod, a shoulder rig, a bridge plate, a base plate, a dolly, a slider, or a stabilizer. 
         [0023]    In certain embodiments, the first lateral means includes a first set of teeth and a first set of depressions, and the second lateral means includes a second set of teeth and a second set of depressions. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, in the frontal position, the first set of teeth of the first lateral means are engaged with respective teeth of the second set of teeth of the second lateral means, and in the rearward position, the first set of teeth of the first lateral means are aligned with respective depressions of the second set of depressions of the second lateral means. 
         [0025]    In certain embodiments, the first plate means further includes a locking means configured to secure the first plate means to the second plate means in the frontal position. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the first and second lateral means are formed as toothed edges that together form a quick-release mechanism. 
         [0027]    In certain embodiments, unlocking the first plate from the second plate includes rotating a locking mechanism. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, rotating the locking mechanism includes orienting the locking mechanism parallel to the first plate. 
         [0029]    In certain embodiments, the locking mechanism is a thumb screw. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the first stopper is a pin, and moving the first stopper from the first position to the second position includes depressing the first stopper or pulling the first stopper. 
         [0031]    In certain embodiments, the pin is a spring-loaded pin. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the first stopper is disposed along the second plate. 
         [0033]    In certain embodiments, the first lateral edge includes a first set of teeth and a first set of depressions, the second lateral edge includes a second set of teeth and a second set of depressions, and moving the first plate relative to the second plate includes sliding the first plate along the second plate until the first set of teeth of the first lateral edge become respectively aligned with the second set of depressions of the second lateral edge. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the first plate further includes a groove, and the second plate further includes a second stopper formed to engage the groove, wherein moving the first plate relative to the second plate includes sliding the first plate along the second plate until the groove abuts the second stopper. 
         [0035]    In certain embodiments, the second stopper is a ridge. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the first and second lateral edges are formed as toothed edges that together form a quick-release mechanism. 
         [0037]    In certain embodiments, the device is a camera, a video recorder, or a sound recorder. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, moving the first plate relative to the second plate includes decoupling a camera from a matte box. 
         [0039]    In certain embodiments, the auxiliary structure is a tripod, a shoulder rig, a bridge plate, a base plate, a dolly, a slider, or a stabilizer. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the first plate is securable to a dovetail structure. 
         [0041]    In certain embodiments, the dovetail structure is an Arnold &amp; Richter Cine Technik (ARRI) style dovetail structure. 
         [0042]    Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification may be configured to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the release plate may be easily and quickly secured (e.g., releasably attached) to the support base in order to secure the camera or other device (e.g., while attached to the release plate) to the auxiliary structure. The release plate may further be easily and quickly detached (e.g., released) from the auxiliary structure in such a manner that the camera or other device does not contact or damage other accessory components within the vicinity of the camera or other device while being detached. 
         [0044]    In certain embodiments, the toothed edges of the release plate are formed to easily and quickly engage complementary features of the support base. For example, the teeth of the toothed edges have sloped (e.g., downwardly angled) profiles that allow the teeth to engage toothed edges of the support base. Similarly, each of the lateral toothed edges of the receiving plate includes three teeth formed to engage the teeth of the release plate. The teeth of the lateral edges have sloped (e.g., upwardly angled) profiles that allow the teeth to easily and quickly engage the teeth of the release plate. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, the releasable support mount allows a camera or other device attached to the release plate to be easily and quickly removed from an auxiliary structure (e.g., to which the support base is attached) and with less travel (e.g., translational movement of about 15 mm) as compared to conventional mounting systems. 
         [0046]    In certain embodiments, the release plate may be secured to a component or device other than the support base of the releasable support mount. For example, the release plate may be attached to a tripod plate, shoulder rig, dolly, slider, stabilizer, or another device that include an Arnold &amp; Richter Cine Technik (ARRI) style dovetail structure. Furthermore, the receiving plate may be attached to a component or device other than the base plate or to a different release plate. For example, the receiving plate may be attached to a tripod, bridge plate, base plate, dolly, slider, stabilizer, or other mounting system. 
         [0047]    One of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and is intended to cover the embodiments described in this specification as well as other embodiments that are within the spirit and scope of the specification, the drawings, and the claims set forth below. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0048]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a releasable support mount. 
           [0049]      FIG. 2  is perspective view of a release plate of the releasable support mount of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0050]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bottom of the release plate of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 4  is side perspective view of a support base of the releasable support mount of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0052]      FIG. 5  is rear perspective view of the support base of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0053]      FIG. 6  is bottom perspective view of the release plate of  FIG. 2  as secured to a receiving plate of the support base of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0054]      FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate a method of removing the release plate of  FIG. 2  from the support base of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
       [0055]    Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0056]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a releasable support mount  100  (e.g., a quick-release system) that can be used for securing cameras or other devices (e.g., video recorders and sound recorders) to or releasing cameras or other devices from auxiliary structures (e.g., tripods, shoulder rigs, bridge plates, base plates, dollies, sliders, stabilizers, and dovetails). The releasable support mount  100  includes a support base  101  that may be attached to an auxiliary structure and a release plate  104  that may be attached to a camera or another device. The release plate  104  may be easily and quickly secured (e.g., releasably attached) to the support base  101  in order to secure the camera or other device (e.g., while attached to the release plate  104 ) to the auxiliary structure. The release plate  104  may further be easily and quickly detached (e.g., released) from the auxiliary structure in such a manner that the camera or other device does not contact or damage other accessory components within the vicinity of the camera or other device while being detached. 
         [0057]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the release plate  104  as attached to a portion of the support base  101  of the releasable support mount  100 . The release plate  104  includes a top surface  106 , a front edge  110 , a rear edge  112 , and two lateral edges  114 . A protrusion  116  extends along the front edge  110  of the release plate  104  and defines three holes  118  positioned along the top surface  106  of the release plate  104 . The holes  118  are sized to receive screws or other fasteners for attaching accessories to the release plate  104 . Two flanges  120  extend along respective lateral edges  114  of the release plate  104 . Each flange  120  defines two threaded holes  122  and three threaded holes  124  that are positioned alternately adjacent each other along the lateral edge  114  of the flange  120 . The threaded holes  122 ,  124  are sized and positioned to receive screws or other fasteners for attaching accessory components (e.g., camera cage parts or adjustable liquid crystal display (LCD) arms) to the release plate  104 . 
         [0058]    The release plate  104  further defines a single-slotted hole  126  and a double-slotted hole  128  disposed along the top surface  106  of the release plate  104 . The holes  126 ,  128  are sized to accommodate fasteners (e.g., screws  108 ) and positioned to align with complimentary features (e.g., holes, fasteners, and locating pins) disposed along the surface of the camera or other device that may be attached to the release plate  104 . For example, the screws  108  can be used to secure the release plate  104  to a camera or another device. The release plate  104  further defines a recess  130  (e.g., a circular recess) disposed along the top surface  106  and positioned between the holes  126 ,  128 . The recess  130  is sized to accept a fastener or locating pin that may extend from the surface of the release plate  104  into the camera or other device. The release plate  104  further defines six elongate recesses  132  positioned along the front edge  110 , eight elongate recesses  134  positioned along the rear edge  112 , and two circular recesses  136  that extend from respective outer elongate recesses  132 . The recesses  132 ,  134 ,  136  are sized, shaped, and positioned to engage complimentary features (e.g., camera ventilation system features and camera body contours) disposed along the surface of the camera or other device that can be attached to the release plate  104 . The release plate  104  includes a locking mechanism  138  that is disposed along the left lateral edge  114  near the rear edge  112  of the release plate  104 . The locking mechanism  138  may be rotated to secure the release plate  104  to the support base  101  or to release the release plate  104  from the support base  101 , as will be discussed in more detail below. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the locking mechanism  138  is formed as a thumb screw. However, in some embodiments, a release plate may include a different type of locking mechanism (e.g., a lever or other locking mechanism). Furthermore, in some embodiments, a release plate may include a locking mechanism (such as a thumb screw or another type of locking mechanism) that is located at a position different from that of the locking mechanism  138  of the release plate  104 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bottom of the release plate  104 . The release plate  104  includes a bottom surface  140  and defines three circular recesses  102  that extend from the bottom surface  140  along the protrusion  116 . The recesses  102  respectively surround the holes  118 . The release plate  104  further defines two elongate recesses  142 ,  144  that extend from the bottom surface  140  and surround the slotted holes  126 ,  128 , respectively. The recesses  102 ,  142 ,  144  are sized, shaped, and positioned to accommodate screws or other fasteners that may be disposed within the holes  118 ,  126 ,  128 , respectively, to secure the camera or other device to the release plate  104 . The release plate  104  further defines two generally rectangular shaped recesses  146  that extend from the bottom surface  140  and are disposed along opposing sides of the double-slotted hole  128 . The release plate  104  further defines a generally polygonal shaped recess  148  and a generally rectangular shaped recess  150  that extend from the bottom surface  140  and that are disposed along opposing sides of the single-slotted hole  126 . The recesses  146 ,  148 ,  150  may be sized to reduce the weight of the release plate  104 . In some embodiments, a release plate may include recesses that have shapes and sizes different from the recesses  146 ,  148 ,  150  of the release plate  104 . 
         [0060]    The release plate  104  further defines peripheral grooves  152 ,  154  that extend from the bottom surface  140  of the release plate  104 . The groove  152  is an elongate groove that is disposed along the rear edge  112  of the release plate  104 , and the groove  154  is a generally triangular shaped groove that is disposed along the front edge  110  of the release plate  104 . The release plate  104  includes two toothed edges  156  (e.g., serrated or notched edges) that extend respectively along bottom sides of the flanges  120 . Each toothed edge  156  includes three teeth  158  and two depressions  160  positioned alternately adjacent each other. The grooves  152 ,  154  and the toothed edges  156  are formed to easily and quickly engage complementary features of the support base  101 . For example, the teeth  158  of the toothed edges  156  have sloped (e.g., downwardly angled) profiles that allow the teeth  158  to engage toothed edges of the support base  101 , as will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0061]    In the example releasable support mount  100 , the release plate  104  may have a length (e.g., as measured between the front and rear edges  110 ,  112 ) of about 7.5 cm and a width (e.g., as measured between the lateral edges  114  of the flanges  120 ) of about 0.5 cm. The release plate  104  may have a thickness (e.g., as measured between the top and bottom surfaces  106 ,  140 ) of about 1.2 cm. The flanges  120  of the release plate  104  may have a width (e.g., as measured between an outermost portion of a lateral edge  114  of the flange  120  and an innermost portion of the lateral edge  114 ) of about 0.5 cm. The elongate groove  152  of the release plate  104  may have a length of about 2.8 cm, a width of about 0.7 cm, and a depth of about 0.4 cm. The protrusion  116  of the release plate  104  may have a length of about 3.8 cm and a width of about 1.2 cm. The teeth  158  and the depressions  160  of the toothed edges  156  of the release plate  104  may have lengths of about 1.5 cm. In some embodiments, the release plate  104  may weigh about 0.2 lb. In a general embodiment, a releasable support mount may include a release plate that has features (e.g., edges, flanges, grooves, recesses, holes, protrusions, teeth, depressions, etc.) of dimensions, shape, number, position, and/or arrangement different from those of the release plate  104 . 
         [0062]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are side and rear perspective views, respectively, of the support base  101 . The support base  101  may be used to balance the camera or other device secured to the releasable support system  100  and may provide a structure for mounting accessory components a camera system. The support base  101  includes a base plate  103  that may be attached to an auxiliary structure (e.g., a tripod, shoulder rig, dovetail plate, bridge plate, dolly, slider, or stabilizer) and a receiving plate  105  that may be engaged with the release plate  104 . The receiving plate  105  includes a top surface  107 , a bottom surface  137 , a front edge  109 , a rear edge  111 , and two lateral edges  113 . The lateral edges  113  are toothed edges (e.g., serrated or notched edges) that are formed to engage the toothed edges  156  of the release plate  104 . Accordingly, each of the lateral edges  113  of the receiving plate  105  includes three teeth  115  formed to engage the teeth  158  of the release plate  104  and two depressions  117  positioned alternately adjacent the teeth  115 . The teeth  115  of the edges  113  have sloped (e.g., upwardly angled) profiles that allow the teeth  115  to easily and quickly engage the teeth  158  of the release plate  104 . 
         [0063]    The receiving plate  105  includes an elongate ridge  119  disposed along the rear edge  111  that is formed to engage the elongate groove  152  of the release plate  104 . The receiving plate  105  further includes a pin  121  (e.g., a spring-loaded pin) that is formed and positioned to prevent movement of the release plate  104  towards the rear edge  111  of the receiving plate  105 , as will be discussed in more detail below. The receiving plate  105  further includes two stepped recesses  123  and two elongate recesses  125  that extend from the top surface  107 . The stepped recesses  123  have a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional shape and are positioned near the rear edge  111  of the receiving plate  105 . The elongate recesses  125  are positioned along a central region of the receiving plate  105 . The recesses  123 ,  125  may be sized to reduce the weight of the receiving plate  105 . The receiving plate  105  defines ten stepped openings  127  formed to receive fastener inserts (e.g., fastener inserts  129 ), two stepped openings  131  formed to receive fastener inserts, two through holes  133 , and two through holes  135 . The through holes  133 ,  135  are positioned along a centerline of the receiving plate  105 . 
         [0064]    The receiving plate  105  further includes a stopping pin  139  located along the front edge  109  that is sized to fit within the peripheral groove  154  of the release plate  104  for preventing movement of the release plate  104  towards the front edge  109  of the receiving plate  105 , as will be discussed in more detail below. The size and position of the stopping pin  139  may also aid in securing the release plate  104  to the receiving plate  105  such that movement of the release plate  104  relative to the receiving plate  105  is minimized. The receiving plate  105  further includes two through holes  141  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) located along the rear edge  111  of the receiving plate  105  that are sized to accept screws or other fasteners for coupling rods, baseplates, or other accessories to the support base  101 . The receiving plate  105  further includes a mount  143  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) that is attached to the base plate  103 . 
         [0065]    In the example releasable support mount  100 , the receiving plate  105  of the support base  101  may have a length (e.g., as measured between the front and rear edges  109 ,  111 ) of about 9.1 cm and a width (e.g., as measured between the teeth  115  of opposing lateral edges  113 ) of about 6.8 cm. The receiving plate  105  may have a thickness (e.g., as measured between the top and bottom surfaces  107 ,  137 ) of about 1.0 cm. The elongate ridge  119  of the receiving plate  105  may have a length of about 2.7 cm, a width of about 0.8 cm, and a height of about 0.4 cm. The teeth  115  and the depressions  117  of the lateral edges  113  of the receiving plate  105  may have lengths of about 1.5 cm. In some embodiments, the receiving plate  105  may weigh about 0.2 lb. In a general embodiment, a releasable support mount may include a receiving plate that has features (e.g., edges, grooves, recesses, holes, protrusions, teeth, depressions, etc.) of dimensions, shape, number, position, and/or arrangement different from those of the receiving plate  105 . 
         [0066]    Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the base plate  103  includes a top surface  145 , a bottom surface  147  (shown in  FIG. 4 ), a front edge  149 , a rear edge  151 , and two lateral edges  153 . The base plate  103  forms an interior region  173  that is defined by the top surface  145 , the rear edge  151 , and an interior floor  175  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) disposed along an opposing side of the bottom surface  147 . The base plate  103  further includes an extension piece  155  that extends from the rear edge  151  of the base plate. The extension piece  155  provides a structure to which the mount  143  of the receiving plate  105  can be attached. The extension piece  155  defines two openings  179  (one opening  179  shown in  FIG. 4 ) located along respective sides of the extension piece  155 . The openings  179  are sized to allow passage of fasteners for attaching the base plate  103  to an auxiliary structure. 
         [0067]    The base plate  103  further includes two through holes  157  that extend from the front edge  149  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) to the rear edge  151  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) along respective lateral edges  153  of the base plate  103 . The through holes  157  are sized to allow passage of rods (e.g., 15 mm iris support rods) for securing the support base  101  to an auxiliary structure. The base plate  103  further includes two threaded holes  159  that extend from a central region of the front edge  149  to the interior region  173  of the base plate  103 . The holes  159  are sized and positioned to allow attachment of components (e.g., rosette brackets, handle bars, and additional rod supports) to the support base  101 . The base plate  103  further includes two flanges  161  that extend along respective lateral edges  153  of the base plate  103 . Each flange  161  extends from the top surface  145  to the bottom surface  147  of the base plate  103  along a wall that defines respective through holes  157 . 
         [0068]    The base plate  103  includes the locking mechanism  138  and two fasteners  163  (e.g., screws, shown in  FIG. 4 ) positioned along and extending into each flange  161 . The fasteners  138  may be rotated to secure the base plate  103  to an auxiliary structure or to release the base plate  103  from the auxiliary structure. For example, the locking mechanisms  138  extending through the flanges  161  may engage support rods (e.g., 15 mm iris support rods). The base plate  103  further includes two through holes  165  and a through hole  167  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) located along each lateral edge  153  and positioned between two through holes  165 . The through holes  165 ,  167  are sized and positioned to engage complimentary features (e.g., screws) of auxiliary components (e.g., camera cage parts or adjustable LCD arms) that may be coupled to the support base  101 . 
         [0069]    The base plate  103  further includes two interior projections  169  that extend along respective lateral edges  153  within the interior region  173  of the base plate  103  and that each defines three through holes  171 . The base plate  103  further includes an elongate member  177  that extends between the interior projections  169  along the floor  175  of the interior region  173  and that defines a through hole  183 . The floor  175  of the interior region  173  defines a slotted hole  181  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). The holes  171 ,  179 ,  183  are sized to allow passage of components (e.g., screw fasteners) of an auxiliary device that may be coupled to the support base  101 . The floor  175  of the interior region  173  and the extension piece  155  define additional openings (not shown) that allow passage of such components for attaching the support base  101  to an auxiliary structure. 
         [0070]    In the example releasable support mount  100 , the base plate  103  of the support base  101  may have a length (e.g., as measured between the front edge  149  and a rear edge of the extension piece  155 ) of about 9.3 cm and a width (e.g., as measured between the lateral edges  153 ) of about 8.3 cm. The base plate  103  may have a height (e.g., as measured between the top and bottom surfaces  145 ,  147 ) of about 2.8 cm. The extension piece  155  and the floor  175  of the base plate  103  may have a thickness of about 0.2 cm to about 0.5 cm (e.g., 0.5 cm). The through holes  157  may have a diameter of about 1.5 cm, and the threaded holes  159  may have a diameter of about 0.6 cm. In some embodiments, the base plate  103  may weigh about 0.2 lb. In a general embodiment, a releasable support mount may include a base plate that has features (e.g., edges, flanges, grooves, recesses, holes, protrusions, etc.) of dimensions, shape, number, position, and/or arrangement different from those of the base plate  103 . 
         [0071]    Various components of the releasable support mount  100  (e.g., the release plate  104 , the base plate  103 , and the receiving plate  105 ) may be made of one or more materials including aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and zinc. The components of the releasable support mount  100  may be coated with one or more materials including an anodized material, a hard anodized material, paint, and nickel plating. In some implementations, the components of the releasable support mount  100  may be manufactured via one or more processes including computer numerical control (CNC) machining and casting. 
         [0072]      FIG. 6  is bottom perspective view of the release plate  104  as secured to the receiving plate  105  of the support base  101 . The camera or other device (not shown) may be secured to the release plate  104  via one or more fasteners (e.g., the screws  108  shown in  FIG. 2 ). The release plate  104  (e.g., with the camera or device attached to it) may be attached (e.g., releasably secured) to the receiving plate  105  of the support base  101 . For example, the elongate groove  152  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) along the rear edge  112  of the release plate  104  may be aligned with the elongate ridge  119  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) along the rear edge  111  of the receiving plate  105 . In such a position, the teeth  158  along the toothed edges  156  of the release plate  104  are approximately aligned with the depressions  117  along the lateral toothed edges  113  of the receiving plate  105 . The release plate  104  may then be moved towards the receiving plate  105  such that the release plate  104  depresses the pin  121  and the teeth  158  of the release plate  104  are engaged with the depressions  117  of the receiving plate  105 . The release plate  104  can then be slid over the receiving plate  105  towards the front edge  109  of the receiving plate  105  such that the teeth  158  along the toothed edges  156  of the release plate  104  engage the teeth  115  along the lateral toothed edges  113  of the receiving plate  105 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0073]    The release plate  104  may be slid towards the front edge  109  of the receiving plate  105  by about 12 mm to about 15 mm (e.g., 15 mm) until the peripheral groove  154  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the release plate  104  abuts the stopping pin  139  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) of the receiving plate  105 . Following such an abutment, the release plate  104  no longer covers the pin  121 , and the pin  121  moves upward through the receiving plate  105  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Such movement of the pin  121  may be accompanied by an audible sound (e.g., a click or a popping sound). The release plate  104  may be secured to the receiving plate  105  in a forward position by locking the locking mechanism  138  (e.g., by rotating the end of the locking mechanism  138  towards the front edge  110  until the locking mechanism  138  is oriented approximately parallel to the top surface  106  and the end of the locking mechanism  138  points toward the front edge  110  of the release plate  104 ). 
         [0074]      FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate a method of removing the release plate  104  from the support base  101  of the releasable support mount  100 . Referring particularly to  FIG. 7A  and with the release plate  104  secured to the receiving plate  105  in a forward and locked position, the locking mechanism  138  may be unlocked by rotating the locking mechanism  138  approximately 180 degrees such that the end of the locking mechanism  138  points toward the rear edge  112  of the release plate  104 . The pin  121  may then be pushed downward from above the release plate  104  or pulled downward from below the release plate  104  to allow rearward movement of the release plate  104 . Referring particularly to  FIG. 7B , the release plate  104  may then be slid towards the rear edge  111  of the receiving plate  105  by about 12 mm to about 15 mm (e.g., 15 mm) until the elongate groove  152  of the release plate  104  abuts the elongate ridge  119  of the receiving plate  105 . For example, when a camera is attached to the release plate  104  of the releasable support mount  100 , sliding the release plate  104  towards the rear edge  111  of the receiving plate  105  may include decoupling the camera from a matte box. Referring particularly to  FIG. 7C , the release plate  104  (e.g., with the camera or other device attached to the release plate  104 ) may then be removed (e.g., released and/or lifted) from the receiving plate  105  of the support base  101 . 
         [0075]    According to the method illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7C , the toothed (e.g., serrated or notched) edges  113 ,  156  of the receiving plate  105  and the release plate  104 , respectively, allow a camera or other device attached to the release plate  104  to be easily and quickly removed (e.g., decoupled or released) from an auxiliary structure (e.g., to which the support base  101  is attached) and with less travel (e.g., rearward translational movement of about 15 mm) as compared to conventional mounting systems. For example, typical translational movements of conventional mounting systems may be more than 50 mm (e.g., 80 mm), which may require rearranging components located along a front or rear edge of a camera in order to remove the camera from the auxiliary structure without the camera contacting or damaging such components and time delays associated with such rearrangements. In contrast, the receiving plate  105  and the release plate  104  of the releasable support mount  100  allows a camera to be removed from the auxiliary structure with minimal or reduced translation movement and therefore without having to rearrange such components located near the camera in order to avoid contacting or otherwise damaging the components. Such rearward movement of the camera allows a lens of the camera to be unplugged (e.g., decoupled or released) from a matte box without additional adjustment of other nearby accessories. Accordingly, the camera can be slid about 15 mm in a rearward direction and lifted directly upwards for removal. 
         [0076]    In some implementations, the release plate  104  may be secured to a component or device other than the support base  101  of the releasable support mount  100 . For example, the release plate  104  may be attached to a tripod plate, shoulder rig, dolly, slider, stabilizer, or other devices that include an Arnold &amp; Richter Cine Technik (ARRI) style dovetail structure. Furthermore, the receiving plate  105  may be attached to a component or device other than the base plate  103  or to a release plate that is different from the release plate  104 . For example, the receiving plate  105  may be attached to a tripod, bridge plate, base plate, dolly, slider, stabilizer, or other mounting system. 
         [0077]    A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. For example, any of the features (e.g., edges, flanges, grooves, recesses, holes, protrusions, teeth, depressions, etc.) of the release plate  104 , the base plate  103 , or the receiving plate  105  may dimensions, shapes, numbers, positions, and/or arrangements different from those of the release plate  104 , the base plate  103 , and the receiving plate  105 .