Patent Publication Number: US-2021172563-A1

Title: Hollow ball mount system and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a hollow ball mount for articulating an article about a centroid. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Two of the most important characteristics of tripod equipment are weight and stiffness. Photographers often travel or hike and low-weight gear is essential for remaining agile, reducing fatigue, and preventing injuries. However, the end goal is to create clear, sharp images and weight savings cannot compromise the rigidity of the tripod system. The gear must stay strong and dampen vibration to retain the clarity of photos especially in adverse condition with long exposures. 
     Consequently, there is a need for a lightweight ball mounting system without compromising rigidity or stabilization of the camera article. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a hollow ball mount system and method for reducing weight while not compromising structural integrity. Secondly, the hollow ball mount system allows for cost saving at the time of manufacturing with reductions in material costs. 
     Another object of the present invention is to allow the user the ability to carry multiple hollow ball mounts configured to interface with different articles for mounting, while not incurring large amounts of extra weight. 
     In order to do so, a hollow ball mount system is provided having a hollow spherical structure. The hollow spherical structure further having an internal volume, an external surface, and an outer wall. A stem is adjoined to the hollow spherical structure, the stem having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the stem extends outward and substantially normal to the external surface. An interfacing surface is positioned upon the distal end of the stem. The interfacing surface is configured for mounting and securing articles, such as camera equipment, sporting equipment, and lighting. In further embodiments, the interfacing surface includes an attachment member and/or an adapter to substantially match the size and shape of the articles to be adjoined to the hollow ball mount. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present disclosure so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures. 
       The novel features of the disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the disclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an exemplary front view of one embodiment of the hollow ball mount system joined to an exemplary tripod and an exemplary camera article. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exemplary perspective view of one embodiment of the hollow ball mount system. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary front view of one embodiment of the hollow ball mount system. 
         FIG. 4  shows an exemplary front view of one embodiment of the hollow ball mount system. 
         FIG. 5  shows an exemplary side view of one embodiment of the hollow ball mount system and parting line  6 - 6 . 
         FIG. 6  shows an exemplary cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the hollow ball mount system, taken along parting line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  shows an exemplary cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the hollow ball mount system, taken along parting line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  shows an exemplary exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the hollow ball mount system joined to an exemplary camera article. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a hollow ball mount system  100  is shown. The hollow ball mount system  100  enabling a user to save weight while not compromising structural integrity of the hollow ball mount system  100 . Advantageously, the hollow ball mount system  100  enabling a user custom configuration to match articles of different sizes and manufacturers by interchanging different embodiments of the hollow ball mount system  100 . For example, a user may carry two embodiments of the hollow ball mount system  100 , one configured for use with binoculars and one configured for use with the camera article  110 , all while retaining and carrying the same or less weight as one traditional camera ball mount made of a solid material. The hollow ball mount system  100  comprises a hollow spherical structure  101  enabling a user to articulate a mount  105  and/or a camera article  110  about a tripod member  115 . It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the conception as well as the disclosed methods and structures herein may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying, securing, or designing other structures outside of the camera industry articles shown in  FIG. 1  for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Further, it should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures outside the camera industry do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, the present invention may be used with different sporting equipment, without limitation, such as optics, firearms, or lighting systems. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-8 , the hollow spherical structure  101  is shown. In one embodiment, the hollow spherical structure  101  includes a first external surface  155 . The hollow spherical structure  101  further comprising an outer wall  135  and an internal volume  140 . The outer wall  135  may be manufactured at a varying thickness or a constant thickness of any dimension. Next, a stem  120  is adjoined to the hollow spherical structure  101 . The joining of the hollow spherical structure  101  and the stem  120  can be carried out by any process of a production set. For example, at least one process of the production set, without limitation, may consist of CNC machining, casting, additive manufacturing, molding, forging, forming, bending, shearing, and pressing. The stem  120  includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the stem  120  is configured to distance the mount  105  from the hollow spherical structure  101  for free rotation during movement of the camera article  110  during operation. In some embodiments, the stem  120  further comprises a top interfacing surface  130  aligned about a plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction  160 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . In other embodiments, the top interfacing surface  130  may be flat, curved, concave, or convex to match the size and shape of various articles being adjoin thereto. 
     In some embodiments, the top interfacing surface  130  of the hollow ball mount system  100  further comprises an attachment member  132  and/or an adapter  125 . The attachment member  132  aiding in adjoining the hollow ball mount system  100  to the mount  105  and/or the camera article  110 . In embodiments having one or more adapters  125  positioned upon the top interfacing surface  130 , the one or more adapters  125  aid in the correct orientation during assembly. In embodiments of the hollow ball mount system  100  having the attachment member  132 , the attachment member  132  may be chosen from at least one member of an attachment set consisting of: a magnet, a clip, a heat-shrink material flange, a press-fit, a chemical weld, a slide-fit, a clamp, a spring, a fastener, an elastic member, a threaded opening, and an adhesive. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the adapter  125  is configured to substantially match and conform to a portion of a commercially available camera article  110 . In some embodiments, The adapter  125  comprises a male adapter portion  125   a  and a female adapter portion  125   b  configured to substantially align and match during assembly. In other embodiments, the adapter  125  is configured to receive a camera article  110  of a number of different manufacturers, such that the hollow ball mount system  100  may be used with the number of different manufacturers. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the mount  105  and/or the adapter  125  include a connection pattern configured to match commercially available camera mounts. By way of non-limiting example, the commercially available mounts  105  and/or camera articles  110  may be articles made by LVG®, Really Right Stuff®, Benro®, Manfrotto®, and the like. The various embodiments of hollow ball mount system  100  are configured to be easily swapped out entirely when needed for use with the different brands. It should be understood that other adapters  125  having additional connection patterns configured to match with connection patterns of additional brands may be provided without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Advantageously, the arrangement and construction of materials described above allow for weight reduction in the hollow ball mount system  100  without compromising the rigidity of the tripod member  115 . During use, in the art of photography, the system must stay rigid and dampen vibration to retain clarity during photography shoots, especially in adverse environmental conditions when long exposures are required. Also, as traveling and carrying equipment is necessary, light weight components are ideal. 
     Common mounting plates typically comprise a square or rectangular member with biasing member adjoined to the perimeter edge of the mounting plate  106 , such as an angled edge or dovetail mount. Exemplary mounting plates may further comprise quick-releases, fasteners, threaded ports, slots, linear guide systems, textured surfaced, clamps, and other assessor members. In some embodiments, the top interfacing surface  130  may further comprise the attachment member  132  embodied as a threaded aperture designed to receive a fastener that is first passed through the mount  105  and/or the mounting plate  106 . Next the fastener is tightened to temporarily secure the mount  105  and/or the mounting plate  106  to the stem  120  of the hollow ball mount system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the top interfacing surface  130  may further comprise biasing members being at least one a member of a connection set consisting of: a slot, a rail, a joint, a magnet, an elastic member, a snap-fit, a clamp, a clip, and a fastener. In other embodiments, the rail and the joint of the connection set are chosen from, by way of non-limiting example, a rail set consisting of: a dovetail rail, a tongue and groove joint, a linear guide rail, a dado joint, and a dovetail joint. 
     In some embodiments, it may be desirable that the hollow ball mount system  100  includes at least one member of an identification set consisting of: an alphanumeric identification, the user&#39;s name, a symbolic shape, a company brand, a numeric identification number, a QR code, a barcode, an RFID tag, or any combination thereof. For example, the first external surface  155  may include a numeric identification number that conveys the diameter of the hollow spherical structure  101 . In some embodiments, the first external surface  155  of the hollow spherical structure  101 , the internal surface  142  of the first protrusion, and/or the second external surface  141  of the stem  120  further comprises an external texture. The external texture further includes at least one member of a texture set consisting of: indentations, extrusions, knurling, a rough surface, and bumps. 
     A method for the production of the hollow ball mount system  100  is also described herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a hollow ball mount system  100  comprises steps as follows. First, creating a first half spherical structure and creating a second half spherical structure by at least one process of the production set. Next, adjoining the first half spherical structure to the second half spherical structure to create a hollow spherical structure  101  by at least one joining process of a joining set, without limitation, consisting of: welding, brazing, soldering, sintering, adhesive bonding, fastening, and press fitting. Next, during manufacturing, adjoining of the stem  120  to the hollow spherical structure  101  at an angle substantially normal to the hollow spherical structure  101 . This is carried out through at least one process of the joining set to form the hollow ball mount system  100 . In some embodiments, the method may also include the step of configuring a shape of the stem  120  to interface with a predetermined shape of a commercially available adapter, article, or camera article  110 . 
     Smooth and consistent movement of a camera article adjoined to the tripod member  115  is critical in capturing the desired image or carrying out a desired function of an article upon the tripod member  115 . In this case, the method may further comprise a step of finishing an external surface of the hollow ball mount system  100  to a desired state by at least one process of a finishing set. The finishing set, without limitation, consisting of electroplating, anodizing, buffing, powder coating, painting, immersion plating, cladding, hardening, electropolishing, electroless plating galvanizing, vapor deposition, blasting, sanding, tumbling, peening, knurling, grinding, glazing, blanching, or any combination thereof. 
     In other embodiments, the hollow ball mount system  100  may further comprise a structural member  145  within the internal volume  140 . The structural member being at least one member of a structure set, without limitation, consisting of: a lattice structure, a first material, a patterned structure, a liquid or any combination thereof. For example, the structural member may be a solid rubber core within the hollow spherical structure  101 . In other embodiments, during manufacturing, the internal volume  140  may be interconnected by a lattice structure to provide further rigidity. No limitation is placed on the patterned structure or the lattice structure that may be constructed within the internal volume  140 . 
     In reference to  FIGS. 1-8 , the present invention may include the following elements:
         a hollow ball mount system  100     a hollow spherical structure  101     a mount  105     a mounting plate  106     a camera article  110     a tripod member  115     a stem  120     an adapter  125     a male adapter portion  125   a      a female adapter portion  125   b      a top interfacing surface  130     an attachment member  132     an outer wall  135     an internal volume  140     a second external surface  141     an internal surface  142     a structural member  145     a first external surface  155     a first direction  160         

     As used in this application, the term “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.” 
     As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. 
     As used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein. 
     All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent application publications, and non-patent literature documents or other source material, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference). 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Any reference to “or” herein is intended to encompass “and/or” unless otherwise stated. 
     As used herein, the term “about” refers to an amount that is near the stated amount by about 0%, 5%, or 10%, including increments therein. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specified function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6. In particular, any use of “step of” in the claims is not intended to invoke the provision of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6. 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.