Patent Publication Number: US-2017370522-A1

Title: Garment Mount System

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S] 
     This application is claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “GARMENT MOUNTING SYSTEM,” Ser. No. 62/354,884, filed Jun. 27, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     This invention relates to a mounting system for an accessory on a garment. More particularly, the invention relates to a mounting system for a body-worn camera on a garment. 
     State of the Art 
     Police and fire departments are routinely relying on the use of accessories, such as, for example, body cameras, in day to day operations. The body cameras may be very expensive. Accordingly, what is needed is a garment mounting system wherein the accessory, such as a body-worn camera, becomes securely mounted on the garment and cannot easily fall off, be stolen and/or dropped. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed invention relates to a mounting system for an accessory, such as a body camera, on a garment. 
     Disclosed is a garment mounting system for mounting an accessory on a garment comprising: a garment attachment means and an accessory attachment means. 
     Also disclosed is a method of using a garment mounting system for mounting an accessory on a garment, comprising the steps of: attaching a clip to the garment, wherein the clip comprises a plurality of magnets on a bottom surface; and, attaching the bottom surface of the clip to a metal back surface of an accessory. 
     Also disclosed is a method of using a garment mounting system for mounting an accessory on a garment comprising the steps of: attaching a garment mount to the garment, wherein the garment mount comprises an enlarged, open ended slot; attaching an accessory mount to an accessory, wherein the accessory mount comprises an enlarged button having a plurality of serrations on a top surface; and, coupling said accessory mount to said garment mount, wherein said enlarged, open ended slot receives said enlarged button. 
     In an embodiment, the garment mounting system may be used for any garment, including but not limited to a fire jacket, police uniform shirt, and a police tactical vest. 
     In an embodiment, the garment mounting system as described herein may be used to mount any conventional accessory on a garment, such as, for example, a body-worn camera. The garment mount clips to, or encloses a portion of a layer of the garment. The accessory, such as a body worn camera, becomes a part of the garment and therefore cannot be dropped, stolen and/or fall off. 
     The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following more particular description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of a garment mount in a first embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a rear view of a garment mount in a first embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of a garment mount fastened to a piece of fabric. 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of an accessory mount in a first embodiment according to the invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of an accessory mount in a first embodiment according to the invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of an accessory mount on a body-worn camera in a first embodiment according to the invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a front view of an accessory mount, in a first embodiment, coupled to a body camera according to the invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows a side view of a garment mount in a second embodiment according to the invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a rear view of an accessory mount in a second embodiment according to the invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows a side view of a garment mount on a body camera in a second embodiment according to the invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows a front view of a garment mount in a first embodiment coupled to a garment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a front view of a camera mounted to a garment according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows a front vie of a camera mounted to a garment according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a garment mounting system for an accessory, such as a body camera. 
     In one embodiment, the garment mount attaches to the garment in a manner similar to a clothing security sensor. The garment mount may be placed on a garment using special prongs that are designed to avoid damaging the garment. The garment mount is also designed to be difficult to remove without the proper tool, or without damaging the garment. The garment mount may be removed or detached, for example, using a powerful magnet, a key, and/or a combination of both. The garment mount may be two pieces and may include a pin that inserts through the garment and then is secured to the garment by means of a plastic back attached to the pin. 
     In a second embodiment, the garment mount attaches to the garment in a manner similar to a clip, such as an alligator clip. The garment mount may be clipped on the garment. Magnets on the bottom surface of the clip attach to a metal plate mounted on the accessory. 
     The garment mount can be reused and applied to a variety of garments. The garment mount may be any desired shape and/or size for use on a variety of garments. 
       FIG. 1  shows circular garment mount  10  having an enlarged, open ended slot  12  with serrations  14  and a plurality of magnets  16 .  FIG. 2  shows the rear of garment mount  10 . In an embodiment, garment mount  10  includes a pin (not shown) protruding from the rear of garment mount  10  approximately perpendicular to the rear surface of garment mount  10 , and is secured to a layer of clothing by pushing the pin through the layer of clothing such that it protrudes through the layer of clothing, and securing the protruding portion of the pin by means of a plastic back that attaches to the protruding pin.  FIG. 3  generally illustrates a side-view of a garment mount  10  that has been secured to a piece of clothing by means of such a protruding pin and plastic back. 
       FIG. 4  shows a front view of an accessory mount in a first embodiment according to the invention. The accessory mount is configured to be attached to a variety of accessories. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , body worn camera  60  is coupled via coupling means  62  to enlarged button  50  of an accessory mount. Top surface  54  of button  50  includes a plurality of serrations  56  and stem head  52 . Enlarged button  50  of the accessory mount and open-ended slot  12  of garment mount  10  are configured such that garment mount  10  receives and removably secures button  50 , thereby securely coupling body worn camera  60  to a garment. 
       FIG. 7  shows a front view of an accessory mount of  FIG. 4 , in which the accessory mount is coupled to a body camera according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 8 to 10  show alligator clip garment mount  80  having serrations  82  and a spring pivot  84  which clips on a garment. The bottom surface of alligator clip garment mount  80  has a plurality of magnets  86  which magnetically attach to the back metal surface of camera  90 , securing the camera to the garment mount  80 , and any clothing to which garment mount  80  is secured. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 to 13 , garment mount  10  is coupled to fire jacket  100 . Body worn cameras in two sizes,  102  and  104 , are coupled to fire jacket  100  via garment mount  10 . 
     The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above.