Patent Publication Number: US-8985879-B2

Title: Camera stabilization and support apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many hunters utilize cameras, specifically trail cameras, to track their prey. For example, a hunter can set up multiple areas with strategically positioned food, scent, or other attractants, to attract prey. In order to monitor the multiple areas, a hunter will use trail cameras or the like. Typically, a trail camera is positioned in or on a tree, and secured thereto, in order to position the lens of the camera in the direction of the attractant. However, in many situations, attaining the correct positioning of the lens of the camera can be difficult, and thus, suitable positioning of the camera is not possible, resulting in impaired viewing capability. For example, there may not be a tree positioned at a particular angle needed for the lens of the trail camera, once secured thereto, to be directed towards the attractant. Moreover, most trees have an uneven surface, and thus a trail camera secured to the uneven surface may not be stable, and thus may be susceptible to movement through the movement of the tree due to the wind or other environmental factors. Additionally, a camera secured to an uneven surface of the tree may be difficult to position, and thus, the lens may not capture the attractant, or worse, the prey attracted to the area. 
     Cameras such as trail cameras come in a variety of sizes, and are generally rectangular in shape. Such cameras may be secured to the tree through a variety of attachments, such as a strap which is sized to wrap around the tree and secure the camera thereto. Examples of typical trail cameras include the Game Spy (Moultrie Feeders, Alabaster, Ala., USA); Truth® Cam (Primos Hunting, Flora, Miss., USA); Ambush and Attack Series (Cutteback Digital, Green Bay, Wis., USA); or the like. 
     In light of these limitations of typical trail cameras, a new apparatus is needed to increase the utility of these cameras. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, the present invention concerns an apparatus and method of using such an apparatus to support and stabilize a trail camera against a stationary structure. For example, the trail camera may be positioned against a stationary structure such as a tree, or specifically a tree trunk or between the tree trunk and a branch. The apparatus may allow a user to stabilize and position the camera, relative to the tree, to take more accurate images, direct the lens of the camera towards a specific direction, or the like. The present invention may also allow for more secured and stabilized positioning of the trail camera against a tree having an uneven surface. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus including a main body having at least front, top, bottom, left and right surfaces forming a wedge shape, the top and bottom surfaces including a concave back edge adapted to engage a stationary structure, and the front surface including a surface texture adapted to engage the camera. The main body may be adapted for positioning between a stationary structure and a camera, specifically for example a trail camera. The stationary structure may be a tree trunk or branch such that the concave back edges may be positioned on the tree trunk or branch. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus for stabilizing a camera, the apparatus including a first main body having at least front, top, bottom, left and right surfaces forming a wedge shape, the top and bottom surfaces including a concave back edge adapted to engage a stationary structure, the front surface including a surface texture adapted to engage the camera; and a second main body having at least front, top, bottom, left and right surfaces forming a wedge shape, the top and bottom surfaces including a concave back edge adapted to engage a stationary structure, the front surface including a surface texture adapted to engage the camera, wherein the first body includes at least one tab on at least one of the right and left surfaces and the second body includes at least one slot on at least one of the right and left surfaces wherein the at least one tab is shaped to engage the at least one slot. Further, the first main body may stack on top of the second main body, and the first and second main bodies, once stacked, may form a wedge shape. Additionally, the top, left and right surfaces of each of the first and second main bodies include a stepped surface. The camera in this embodiment may be a trail camera. 
     In a further embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus for stabilizing a trail camera, the apparatus including a first stackable body having at least front, top, bottom, left and right surfaces forming a wedge shape, the top and bottom surfaces including a concave back edge adapted to engage a stationary structure, the front surface including a surface texture adapted to engage the trail camera, and at least one tab on at least one of the right and left surfaces; and a second stackable body having at least front, top, bottom, left and right surfaces forming a wedge shape, the top and bottom surfaces including a concave back edge adapted to engage a stationary structure, the front surface including a surface texture adapted to engage the trail camera, and at least one slot on at least one of the right and left surfaces, wherein the at least one tab is shaped to engage the at least one slot. The top, left and right surfaces of each of the first and second main bodies may include a stepped surface, and the first and second bodies, once stacked, may together form a wedge shape. The stationary structure may be a tree, such as a tree trunk or branch. 
     In yet another embodiment, the present invention includes a kit including a plurality of stackable bodies. Each stackable body may include at least front, top, bottom, left and right surfaces forming a wedge shape, the top and bottom surfaces including a concave back edge adapted to engage a stationary structure, the front surface including a surface texture adapted to engage a camera, such as a trail camera. The stationary structure may be a tree, such as a tree trunk or branch. Further, the kit may include stackable bodies each having the same angle of inclination or, alternatively, may have varying angles of inclination. Each stackable body may also include at least one tab on at least one of the right and left surfaces and/or at least one slot on at least one of the right and left surfaces wherein the at least one tab of one stackable body is shaped to engage the at least one slot of another stackable body. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention includes a method of stabilizing a camera against a stationary structure including the steps of positioning the camera adjacent to the stationary structure; positioning a first stackable body having at least front, top, bottom, left and right surfaces forming a wedge shape, such that the top and bottom surfaces engage the stationary structure and the front surface engages the camera; and adjusting the first stackable body and camera to stabilize the camera against the stationary structure. Further, the top and bottom surfaces may both include a concave back edge, wherein the concave back edges engage the stationary structure having a substantially convex surface. The stationary structure may be a tree and the camera is a trail camera, wherein the substantially convex surface of the tree is a trunk or branch of the tree. The front surface of the stackable body includes a surface texture to increase friction between the front surface and the camera. Additionally, the first stackable body may include at least one tab on at least one of the right and left surfaces. 
     Thus, continuing with this embodiment, the method may further include the additional step of positioning a second stackable body adjacent to the first stackable body, the second stackable body having at least front, top, bottom, left and right surfaces forming a wedge shape, wherein the second stackable body includes at least one slot on at least one of the right and left surfaces. The first and second stackable bodies may be positioned relative to one another such that the at least one tab of the first stackable body engages the at least one slot of the second stackable body. In this configuration, the top and bottom surfaces of the second stackable body include a concave back edge, wherein the concave back edges engage the stationary structure having a substantially convex surface, and the front surface of the first stackable body engages the camera. Additionally, the step of adjusting may further include adjusting the stacked first and second bodies and the camera to stabilize the camera against the stationary structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-6  illustrate various views of one embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7-12  illustrate various views of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates one embodiment of a method of use of the apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates another embodiment of a method of use of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 . This embodiment includes a main body  10  having at least front  11 , top  12 , bottom  13 , left  14  and right  15  surfaces forming generally a wedge shape which, as illustrated, has a height which decreases along the length of the front surface  11  from the top surface  12  towards the bottom surface  13 . The underside of the main body  10  is preferably generally hollow, as illustrated for example in  FIG. 6 , to allow for stacking of multiple such bodies, discussed below, though the main body  10  may alternatively be solid, e.g., may further include a back surface. 
     The top surface  12  and bottom surface  13  may each include a back edge  22 ,  23 , respectively, which is shaped to accommodate a stationary structure  50  (see  FIGS. 13 and 14 , for example). For example, as illustrated, the back edges  22 ,  23  may be generally concave along at least a portion of the back edges to accommodate the trunk or branch of a tree  50  (as in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the front surface  11  may be adapted to contact a portion of a camera  60  (see  FIGS. 13 and 14 , for example), such that the front surface  11  contacts the camera  60  while the back edges,  22 ,  23  of the top and bottom surfaces  12 ,  13 , contact the stationary structure  50  (e.g., the tree trunk or branch). Camera  60  may specifically be a trail camera, as discussed above. Further, the front surface may include a surface texture  31  thereon to increase the friction between this surface of the main body  10  and the trail camera  60  to enable better engagement between the main body  10  to the camera. The texture may include physical structures such as grooves, areas of elevation, protrusions or the like. Alternatively, the texture may be a layer of rubber or like material suitable to enhance the friction between the main body  10  and the trail camera. 
     Continuing with this embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , the top, right and left surfaces  12 ,  14 ,  15  may include a step  17 A,  17 B,  17 C, respectively, forming a stepped surface around the sides of the main body  10 . While this stepped surface is preferable, other such surfaces may also be used, such as a curved surface, a linear surface, or the like. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  and  6 , the main body  10  may include at least one slot  40  and/or at least one tab  41 . For example, as illustrated, both a slot  40  and a tab  41  are positioned on the left and right surfaces  14 ,  15  of the main body. Specifically, the slot  40  is positioned above the tab  41 , such that the slot is positioned on an upper step  18  while the tab is positioned on a lower step  19  of the left and right sides. Moreover, while each slot  40  may pass through the entire thickness of both the left and right surfaces, as illustrated, each tab may be positioned on the underside of both the left and right surfaces. Of course, other slot and tab configurations are also envisioned, such that a wedge may include only one slot, or only one tab, or only one slot and tab, or two slots and two tabs (as illustrated), or more than two slots and more than two tabs. Alternatively, the slot may only pass through a portion of the thickness of the surface on which it is located. Also, as a further example, at least one slot and/or at least one tab may be positioned on other of the surfaces of the main body  10 , such as the top surface  12 . Similarly, the positioning of the tab  41  may be in a location other than on the underside of the right and/or left surfaces. 
     Both the stepped surface  17 A-C and the slot  40  and tab  41  structures may provide for the engagement of a main body  10  to at least another main body. One embodiment of this stacked configuration is illustrated in  FIGS. 7-12 . As illustrated, the stacked configuration of the first main body and a second main body  110  also forms a wedge shape coincident with the wedge shape of each of the main bodies individually. The second main body  110  may have substantially the same shape and design characteristics as the first main body, such that, for example, the stepped surfaces of both main bodies are coincident with one another. In this embodiment, the first main body  10  is stacked on top of the second main body  110 , such that the upper step  118  of the second main body  110  fits within a lower step  19  of the first main body  10  since generally the lower step  19 ,  119  has a larger perimeter than the upper step  18 ,  118 . 
     Upon fitting the two main bodies together, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 12 , the at least one slot  140  of the second main body  110  may engage an at least one tab  41  of the first main body  10 , as the slot is shaped to engage the tab. This engagement may serve to removably secure the first and second main bodies to one another. As discussed above, the slot and/or tab may be positioned in a location on the main body other than as illustrated, though the positioning of the slot and tab must ensure proper alignment of a slot of one main body to a tab of another main body. While only two main bodies are illustrated, it is envisioned that more than two main bodies may be removably secured to one another, specifically if each main body includes both at least one slot and at least one tab, as in this embodiment, such that each main body may removably engage to adjacent main bodies above and below. 
     Such stacking of the main bodies allows for added height of the wedge shape. For example, a single main body may provide a wedge shape having an about 10 degree angle of inclination, which is the measure of the incline from the bottom surface  12  to the top surface  13  along the front surface  11 . If an angle of inclination of about 20 degrees is desired, two such main bodies may be stacked on one another. And if about 30 degrees of angle is required, a third main body may be removably secured to the other two main bodies. These inclination angles are merely exemplary, as the wedges may be available in any degree of angle, such as 2.5 degrees, 5 degrees, 15 degrees, 25 degrees, or the like. Moreover, of course, the actual angles of each main body, as well as the determination by the user of the particular angle needed, may have to account for overlap of adjacent main bodies which may decrease the resulting angle of multiple main bodies stacked atop one another. Such ability to adjust the angle of the wedge shape may be useful to accurately and more securely position the camera adjacent the stationary structure, particularly if, for example, a larger relative angle, between the camera and stationary structure, is required. 
     In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the present invention includes a method of stabilizing a camera  60 , specifically a trail camera  60 , against a stationary structure  50 . The method includes a user positioning the trail camera adjacent to the stationary structure and positioning a first stackable body  10  such that the top and bottom surfaces  12 ,  13  engage the stationary structure and the front surface  11  engages the camera. The user then adjusts the first stackable body and camera to stabilize the camera against the stationary structure. As discussed above, the top and bottom surface edges may have a concave back edge  22 ,  23 , as illustrated, such that the concave back edges engage the stationary structure, such as a tree trunk or tree limb, having a substantially convex surface. The front surface  11  may include a surface texture to increase friction between the front surface and the camera. Finally, for additional securement of the camera, particularly where, as illustrated, there is no branch supporting the underside of the camera, a strap (not shown) or the like may be wrapped around the stationary structure to secure the camera, and body  10 , to the stationary structure. 
     In this method, the main body  10  and trail camera  60  may be positioned adjacent the stationary structure  50  simultaneously. Alternatively, the camera may be positioned adjacent to, and contacting, the stationary structure first to determine the necessary angle of inclination to correctly position the camera relative to the stationary structure. Upon determining the necessary angle of inclination, the user may select at least one main body  10  to achieve the correct angle of inclination. For example, the user may take at least one test photograph (or video or the like) to determine whether the camera is positioned properly, and may make hand adjustments as necessary until the proper positioning is achieved. Then, the user may select the proper main body, or main bodies, to maintain the camera in this proper position. Optionally, prior to placing the main body or bodies between the camera and the stationary structure, a strap (not shown) or the like may be used to secure the camera to the stationary structure, though the strap should have sufficient slack to allow for placement of the main body or bodies between the camera and the stationary structure. 
     Regardless of the order in which the at least one stackable body and camera are positioned, the method may include the additional step of positioning a second stackable body  110  adjacent to the first stackable body, wherein the first stackable body includes at least one tab  41  on at least one of the right and left surfaces  14 ,  15  and the second stackable body  110  includes at least one slot  140  on at least one of the right and left surfaces  114 ,  115 . Further, the first and second stackable bodies are positioned relative to one another such that the at least one tab  41  of the first stackable body engages the at least one slot  140  of the second stackable body. In this arrangement, the top and bottom surfaces  112 ,  113  of the second stackable body include concave back edges  122 ,  123 , such that the concave back edges of the second stackable body engage the stationary structure having a substantially convex surface, and the front surface  11  of the first stackable body engages the camera. Finally, the step of adjusting this arrangement further includes adjusting the stacked first and second bodies and the camera to stabilize the camera against the stationary structure. For ease of use, the stackable bodies may first be connected prior to placement between the camera and stationary structure. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention includes a kit including a plurality of stackable bodies  10 . The stackable bodies may have a wedge shape, as discussed above, and the kit may include stackable bodies each having the same angle of inclination or, alternatively, may have varying angles of inclination. For example, each of the plurality of stackable bodies may have the same general angle of inclination, such as 2.5 degrees, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 25 degrees, or the like. Alternatively, for example, at least one stackable body may have an angle of inclination of about 2.5 degrees, while at least one other stackable body may have an angle of about 5 degrees, while at least another may have an angle of about 10 degrees, and the like. Any such combinations are envisioned such that multiple angles of inclination can be achieved by a user implementing a single stackable body or combining at least two of the stackable bodies of the kit. 
     The kit may also optionally include a camera  60 , specifically a trail camera  60 , though the camera may be sold separately and subsequently combined with the plurality of stackable bodies by the user. 
     In yet another embodiment, the main body  10 , or main bodies  10 ,  110 , may be an integral structure with the camera  60 , specifically a trail camera  60 . For example, the main body  10  may be monolithic with the trail camera, and may further have an adjustable angle of inclination such that, during use, a user can position the camera against the stationary structure and adjust the angle of the monolithic main body  10  portion to achieve the desired positioning of the camera. Alternatively, the main body or bodies may be separate structures from the camera itself (as illustrated), though at least one of the main bodies may include an attachment structure, on the front surface  11 , for example, to fixedly secure the main body to the camera. For example, a clip, adhesive, tab and slot (where one of the tab or slot is positioned on the camera), or other locking feature may be adapted to secure the main body  10 ,  110  to the camera  60 . 
     While the above embodiments have been illustrated for use with a camera, and specifically a trail camera, capable of taking photographs and/or videos, devices other than cameras may also be used with the wedge-shaped main body of the present invention, including but not limited to sensors, gps devices, other hunting, tracking and outdoors devices, and the like. 
     Moreover, while the above discussion has focused on the use of the main body  10  with a trail camera specifically for use in hunting, it is envisioned that the wedge-shaped main body  10  may also be used in other situations other than hunting, and may further be used with cameras and like equipment in activities other than hunting where a particular angle of inclination of the lens of the camera relative to a stationary structure would be beneficial. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.