Abstract:
A system for carrying a mobile device such as a camera includes: a cap with a shank; a module rotatably mounted on the shank; and a strap connection fixture on the rotatable module. A single-point swivel connection can thus be provided that provides a secure mounting and convenient use of the device without tangling the carrying straps for the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent document claims benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. provisional Pat. App. No. 61/402,476, filed Aug. 31, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Mobile devices such as cameras, video capture systems, media players, and portable computers can be expensive and delicate. Accordingly, a common question for mobile devices is how to safely, flexibly, quickly, securely, and reliably carry and use such devices. For example, a traditional Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera may include loops or hoist rings at the top left and right portions of the camera, so that a strap can be attached to the camera. By using these hoist rings and a strap, a user is able to safely carry and use a camera. Integrating traditional hoist rings into a mobile device generally adds to the cost, weight, and overall size of the device and may impede user access to the device. In particular, the locations of these standard mounting points and hoist rings are far from optimal. Often, because of the high strap mounts and the position of the strap, access to the device is cumbersome, which may result in user frustration. Accordingly, the user may avoid using a camera strap because the strap tangles or interferes with use of the camera or because attachment of the strap provides poor weight distribution, making the camera uncomfortable to carry. Current mobility and mounting solutions have also failed to produce an ideal solution that addresses dynamic load issues and the risk of an expensive object working freely of its mount and potentially being damaged. U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,242 to Brewer describes one solution for a connector mount for camera straps that uses an additional strap connection to a tripod nut at the bottom of a camera, but the overall mounting system of Brewer may be even more cumbersome than simply attaching the straps to the traditional mounting points near the top corners of the camera. Improvements in the mounting and carrying systems for mobile devices are still being sought. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a mounting system capable of hoisting and carrying loads and increasing the usability, life, value, and user experience of a portable device can be provided using a single-point, swivel connector with a rotatable strap connection fixture. 
         [0004]    In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an access point at a tripod socket of a camera can be provided for straps, harnesses, and other attachments. The access point may include a module that floats and rotates independently from the other parts of the system. A load of the camera can be distributed along the bulk, through a mounting point, to a strap, harness, or other carrying system. Straps and harnesses can be worn and handled in many different positions that may be selected or adjusted for the comfort of the user. 
         [0005]    Particular embodiments of the invention can provide a simple unobtrusive mounting solution for attaching carrying apparatuses such as straps and harnesses in a manner that does not impede access, usage, or wear-ability of a portable device. For a camera, a mounting system on a tripod socket is most often located at the base of the camera, which lowers the center of gravity and moment of inertia. This can reduce strain on the upper portions of the body by centering the weight lower, and can improve handling by centralizing the carrying apparatuses to a single central location thus improving hand positioning, accessibility, and stability. The ability of the strap connector to swivel or rotate further provides another axis of rotation for easy positioning of the camera. 
         [0006]    One specific embodiment of the invention is a system that includes: a cap with a shank; a module rotatably mounted on the shank; and a strap connection fixture on the rotatable module. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1A  shows an exploded view of a swivel connector in accordance with embodiments of the invention employing a one-piece cap and modular bearing. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1B  shows an exploded view of a swivel connector in accordance with embodiments of the invention employing a one-piece cap and a module body with a built-in bearing. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a swivel connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention employing a two-piece cap. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of a swivel connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of a module body for a swivel connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention employing a U-loop strap connector. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a cap bolt for a swivel connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention providing a handle integrated into the cap bolt. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  shows a camera and strap system in accordance with embodiments of the invention employing a swivel connector installed in a tripod socket of the camera. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Use of the same reference symbols in different figures indicates similar or identical items. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1A  shows an exploded view of a swivel connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The swivel connector includes a flush top cap  1  and a rotatable module body  2 . Cap  1  has a top  5  of varying thickness but generally provides flush or low profile shape for a compact configuration. The outside perimeter or circumference of top  5  can be roughened, textured, knurled, knobbed, or slotted to provide a firm grip for hand-tightening when assembling the swivel connector or affixing the swivel connector to a portable device. An elongated shank  10  runs perpendicular to top  5  having a smooth surface  20  near top  5  and a threaded portion  15 . Cap  1  further includes a flange  25  that protrudes below top  5  and is shaped to butt against a bearing  4  embedded into a module body  2 . Bearing  4  may be a ball bearing or similar structure having a central portion that remains fixed relative to cap  1  and an outer portion that remains fixed relative to rotatable module body  2 . Bearing  4  can be selected to provide different resistance levels to rotation of the outer portion relative to the inner portion with the resistance being selected according to the application of the swivel connector. Different resistances can be achieved, for example, through sizing, use of different material, or use of different lubrications in bearing  4 . Module body  2  contains an inset shoulder  60  to accommodate bearing  4  and dissipate force from the low friction surface. A similar inset shoulder  60  is located at the bottom of module body  2  to accommodate a protruding flange  26  of a load plate  3 , which may rest against the inner portion of bearing  4  when the swivel connector is fully assembled. Module body  2  has an inner diameter  55 , which accommodates bearing  4 , and an outer diameter  50  to which different types of strap connection features can be attached as described further below. 
         [0016]    Load plate  3  with protruding flange  26  has perpendicularly opposing threads  27  running centrally. When the device is assembled, load plate  3  is secured to shank  10  and compresses against the bottom of the bearing  4  thereby creating an independently suspended and rotatable module body  2  that is able to rotate freely without contacting either flush top cap  1  or load plate  3 . The length of the shank  10  is greater than the combined length of module body  2  and load plate  3 , which allows for threads for cap  1  to protrude past the bottom of load plate  3  in the assembled swivel connector. The protruding threads can be used to mount the swivel connector on various access points and mounting holes or sockets of different devices and objects. A material softer than the material load plate  3 , such as a textured rubber washer (not shown), can be used between the bottom of load plate  3  and the fastened object to dampen dynamic energy and prevent vibrations, which might otherwise loosen the threaded connection with the fastened object. Module body  2  embedded with bearing  4  stays secure and avoids loosening because of the rotational freedom of module body  2  relative to the fastened object, the top cap  1 , and load plate  3 , which are all attached together. As a result, the fastened object can rotate securely around module body  2 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 1B  shows an exploded view of a swivel connector in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention having components substantially as described above with reference to  FIG. 1A . The embodiment of  FIG. 1B  differs from the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  in that module body  2  in  FIG. 1B  has an integrated or built-in bearing  4 . For example, module body  2  can form that outer portion of the bearing thus reducing the number of loose components. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded partial cutout view of an alternate embodiment of the unassembled device. When compared to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the embodiment of  FIG. 2  replaces top cap  1  with a threaded bolt  6  having a socket cap  30  that is flush fit to a slotted top cap  7 . As shown in the cutout of  FIG. 2 , slotted cap  7  has a shallow shoulder surface  45  at the bottom of a slot having a diameter  40  greater than the diameter of the head of the threaded bolt  6 . The embodiment of  FIG. 2  also replaces low-friction bearing  4  of  FIG. 1A  with a bearing having a protruding inner flange  28  on the top side of module body  2  and contacting slotted cap  7  when the swivel connector is fully assembled. A similar protrusion from inner flange  28  can be added to the bottom of the bearing in module body  2 , which then can replace the protruding flange  26  of load plate  3 . 
         [0019]    Module body  2  in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  has a strap connection fixture in the form of a pair of arms that are integrated into module body  2  and extend from opposite sides of module body  2 . Each arm has a slot  65  through which a strap can be threaded in order to connect a strap to rotatable module body  2 . Module body  2  can be adapted to provide other configurations for a strap connection fixture. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  also illustrates a feature in which load plate  3  contains tool ports  70  into which a tool such as a pin spanner wrench can be fit when tightening load plate  3  onto the shank of bolt  6 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of another alternate embodiment of a swivel connector. The embodiment of  FIG. 3  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 2  except the socket cap threaded bolt  6  and the slotted top cap  7  are replaced by a one-piece top cap  1 . Unlike the top cap  1  of  FIG. 1A , top cap  1  of  FIG. 3  does not have a protruding flange  25 . Top cap  1  in  FIG. 3  does not need a protruding flange because module body  2  has a built-in flange  28  that rests against top cap  1  and provides separation between top cap  1  and the rotating portion of module body  2 . As in  FIG. 2 , module body  2  of  FIG. 3  includes a strap connection fixture in the form of two arms with mounting points  65  that can be used to attach straps or other hardware. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of a strap connection fixture for rotatable module body  2 . In  FIG. 4 , the strap connection fixture includes a loop  11 , e.g., a U-loop, that is secured to module body  2  by the means of pins  61 , which allow loop  11  to pivot or swivel freely from module body  2 . Loop  11  can be a mounting point for various attachments such as carabiners, clips, and hooks. Moreover, loop  11  can have additional mounting points  65   b  that can be used to attach straps or other hardware. The space inside loop  11  can be used effectively as a guide for slings or glide straps where a webbing material passes through. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of top cap  1  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The top cap  1  in  FIG. 5  has handle  80  that is secured to the top of top cap  1  by the means of two pins  81  located on opposite sides of top cap  1 . Handle  5  can thus swivel up to be used as a handle to rotate the assembled swivel connector into an object mounting hole to secure the swivel connector to an object such as a camera. 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example of an assembled swivel connector attached to a standard tripod socket of a camera  90 . Ends of a camera strap are attached to mounting points  65  of module body  2 . Top cap  1  and load plate  3  are fastened to camera  90 , while module body  2  rotates freely and independently from camera  90 . As a result, the camera strap is less likely to get tangled during use or transportation of camera  90 . In addition, since the camera straps are now connected to the bottom of the camera, the user can access all of the camera features, displays, and controls on top of the camera without interference from the camera strap while using the camera to shoot pictures. Camera as shown can be carried in an upside-down manner, which may provide quicker camera access, better portability, and enhanced protection of the lens and controls of the camera from the elements. 
         [0025]    Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, the description is only an example of the invention&#39;s application and should not be taken as a limitation. In particular, although specific embodiments of the invention are primarily described for use with a camera, other embodiments can be similarly used with other portable devices. Various other adaptations and combinations of features of the embodiments disclosed are within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.