Patent Abstract:
An automatically rotating camera flash bracket. The present bracket comprises two arms, one L-shaped and one straight. The bracket connects to a camera on one end and a flash on the other end. The two arms are joined together with a hinge that is connected to a motor. The motor is controlled by a microprocessor that adjusts the angle between the two arms depending on the orientation of the camera, which is determined by an orientation sensor. Both the motor and the microprocessor are powered by a power source.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/102,613 filed on Jan. 13, 2015. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to camera flash brackets. More specifically, the present invention relates to camera flash brackets that rotate automatically depending on the orientation that the bracket is held at by a user. 
         [0003]    Photography has long used the help of flash units to compensate for low ambient lighting. While many modern cameras include a small built-in flash unit, there are numerous advantages to using an external flash. External flash units offer many times more power than a built-in unit, resulting not only in more useable light, but faster recharge times between flashes. Additionally, because external flash units do not rely on the camera battery, they can extend the length of time a camera can be used on each battery charge. Another advantage in using an external flash unit is the reduction of unwanted results when using a flash that is positioned particularly close to a camera lens. A source of light that is relatively close to the lens can result in particularly harsh lighting, as well as a significant increase in the likelihood of creating a “red eye” effect from light bouncing off the inner eye. Using a source of light that is placed farther away from the lens significantly decreases these unwanted effects. 
         [0004]    These external units do not come without some obstacles. A significant drawback to using an external flash unit is when the camera is rotated to take a picture in a portrait (vertical) orientation. Because the flash connection point, known as a hot shoe, is conventionally placed on top of the camera when it is held in the landscape (horizontal) position, a flash connected in the portrait orientation will illuminate the subject from the side, casting uneven and often undesired shadows. 
         [0005]    In order to address this issue, there exists in the prior art brackets that are designed to position a flash at multiple angles, allowing the flash head to consistently be placed directly above the lens in both the portrait and landscape orientations. While this provides a viable solution, it can be tiresome and time consuming to rotate the bracket for a photographer who switches camera orientation often. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of camera flash brackets now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a camera flash bracket wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user by automatically adjusting the position of the flash based on the orientation of the camera. The present bracket comprises two arms, one L-shaped and one straight. The bracket connects to a camera on one end and a flash on the other end. The two arms are joined together with a hinge that is connected to a motor. The motor is controlled by a microprocessor that adjusts the angle between the two arms depending on the orientation of the camera, which is determined by an orientation sensor. Both the motor and the microprocessor are powered by a power source. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the automatically rotating camera flash bracket. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the automatically rotating camera flash bracket wherein the second arm is rotated relative to the first arm. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the automatically rotating camera flash bracket. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the automatically rotating camera flash bracket. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic diagram of part of the automatically rotating camera flash bracket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the automatically rotating camera flash bracket. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. As used herein, “microprocessor” refers to (i) logic implemented as computer instructions and/or data within one or more computer processes and/or (ii) logic implemented in electronic circuitry. 
         [0014]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , there are shown perspective views of an embodiment of the automatically rotating camera flash bracket. The automatically rotating flash bracket  10  comprises a first arm  12  that is L-shaped and a second arm  13  that is straight. The two arms are pivotally connected by a hinge  20 . The first arm  12  is configured to securely connect to a camera  19  and the second arm  13  is configured to securely connect to a flash unit  18 . For example, in one embodiment of the bracket  10  there is a threaded shank on one end of the first arm  12  that is configured to engage a complementary threaded recess on a camera  15  and a recess on one end of the second arm  13  configured to engage a mount of a flash unit  16 . 
         [0015]    The second arm  13  is configured to pivot around the hinge  20  in a 180 degree arc, allowing the bracket to assume a C-like shape in a first position and a Z-like shape in a second position. The first arm  12  and second arm  13  are configured with dimensions that allow the center of the camera lens to be substantially aligned with the center of the flash unit in both the horizontal and the vertical position, such that the light emitted from the flash unit is centered above the lens. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  an exploded view of an embodiment of the automatically rotating camera flash bracket is shown. The hinge  20  is disposed on the first arm  12  and pivotally connected to the second arm  13 . The hinge  20  is controlled by a motor  25  that is operably connected to a power supply  26  and a microprocessor  24 . In one embodiment of the invention, the power supply  26  can be a rechargeable lithium ion battery. In another embodiment of the invention, the power supply  26  can be a battery pack that accepts standard alkaline or nickel-metal hydride battery that can be mounted on the side of the bracket  10 . 
         [0017]    The microprocessor  24  is operably connected to an orientation sensor  22 . In one embodiment of the invention, the orientation sensor  22  is a gyroscope. In another embodiment of the invention, the orientation sensor  22  is an accelerometer. So long as a horizontal orientation is detected by the orientation sensor  22 , the arms extend in the same direction. When the orientation sensor  22  detects that the camera and bracket  10  have been rotated to a vertical orientation, a signal is relayed from the orientation sensor  22  to the microprocessor  24 , which in turn signals the motor  25  to rotate the second arm  13  180 degrees. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment of the bracket  10 , the motor  25  is operably connected to the second arm  13 , such that when activated, the motor applies a torque to the second arm  13 , which then pivots around the hinge  20 . In another embodiment of the invention, the motor  25  is operably connected to hinge  20 , the hinge  20  being securely and non-pivotally connected to the second arm  13 . The motor applies torque to the hinge  20 , rotating both the hinge  20  and the second arm  13  180 degrees. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the automatically rotating camera flash bracket. There is a manual switch  30  disposed on the first arm  12 . The manual switch  30  is configured to control a locking mechanism, allowing a user to override the orientation sensor  22  and motor  25  and rotate the second arm  13  manually. In one embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism comprises a locking ring  28  and a locking pin  31 . The locking ring  28  is disposed on the hinge  20  and comprises a ring with a number of apertures surrounding the external edge. The manual switch  30  is connected the locking pin  31 , such that when the manual switch  30  is not depressed, the locking pin  31  prevents the locking ring  28  from rotating. The locking pin  31  is held in place with a secure slot  29 . When the manual switch is depressed, the locking pin  31  retracts, allowing the locking ring  28  and the second arm  13 , along with the flash unit, to rotate. In an additional embodiment of the automatically rotating flash bracket  10 , there is a torsion spring  21  disposed on the hinge  20 . The torsion spring  21  is configured to apply a rotational force to the second arm to counterbalance the weight of a flash unit, allowing the motor  25  to more easily rotate the second arm  13 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the automatically rotating camera flash bracket. The microprocessor  42  and motor  44  and operably connected to the power source  43 . The microprocessor  42  is operably connected to the orientation sensor  41 . When a shift of orientation is detected, a signal is relayed from the orientation sensor  41  to the microprocessor  42 , which sends a signal to activate the motor  44  to rotate the hinge  45 . Alternatively, the motor can be configured to rotate the second arm. 
         [0021]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0022]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6