Patent ID: 12259645

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific components, assembly procedures or method elements disclosed herein. Many additional components, assembly procedures and/or method elements known in the art consistent with the intended camera sight systems will become apparent for use with particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, measurement, concentration, material, quantity, method element, step, and/or the like as is known in the art for such camera sight systems, and implementing components and methods, consistent with the intended operation and methods.

Referring toFIG.1, a rear perspective view of a camera sight system is illustrated. Referring toFIG.6, a rear view of the camera sight system ofFIG.1is illustrated. Referring toFIG.8, a bottom view of the camera sight system ofFIG.1is illustrated. As used herein, terms of direction and orientation are understood in relation to the orientation of the camera sight system2ofFIG.1. More specifically, “rear” refers to the back4of the camera6through which a photographer may look through a viewfinder8, “front” refers to the end10of the camera opposite the rear, “top” refers to the upper surface12of the camera when the camera is situated in an upright orientation, as is illustrated byFIG.1, “bottom” refers to the base14of the camera opposite the top, “vertical” refers to a line or plane between the top of the camera directly over the bottom of the camera, and “lateral” means side-to-side of the camera sight system when viewed from the rear with the camera in an upright position. Accordingly, even if the camera sight system2is rotated, it is understood that the terms of orientation defined herein still apply (i.e. if the camera sight system is rotated, the base of the camera is still the side of the camera opposite the top when the camera is situated in an upright orientation as is illustrated byFIG.1).

The camera sight system2includes a camera6, a red dot bracket16, and a red dot sight18. The camera sight system may also include an L-bracket20and a mount block22.

The camera sight system may include any type of camera inasmuch as the camera sight system facilitate the acquisition tracking of a photography subject. In various implementations, the camera may be a digital camera. In particular implementations, the camera6may be mirrorless camera.

The camera may include long focal length lenses23. In such implementations, the camera6may include a lens focal length of, by nonlimiting example, 400 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, or 800 mm. In implementations where focal length lenses are used, the field of view through the viewfinder8of the camera6may be limited. For example, in implementations where the lens focal length is 400 mm, the vertical field of view may be 3.42 degrees and the horizontal field of view may be 5.14 degrees. In implementations where the lens focal length is 500 mm, the vertical field of view may be 2.74 degrees and the horizontal field of view may be 4.11 degrees. In implementations where the lens focal length is 600 mm, the vertical field of view may be 2.28 degrees and the horizontal field of view may be 3.43 degrees. In implementations where the lens focal length is 800 mm, the vertical field of view may be 1.71 degrees and the horizontal field of view may be 2.57 degrees. The limited field of view may make it difficult to acquire fast-moving or distant photography subjects through the viewfinder8of the camera6.

In various implantations, the camera sight system to may include a teleconverter. In such of implementations, the focal length of the lens may be extended further, resulting in an even smaller vertical and horizontal field of view.

In various implementations, the camera sight system to includes an L-bracket20. Referring toFIG.8, the L-bracket includes a side portion24configured to directly couple to a side of the camera6and a base portion26configured to directly coupled to the base14of the camera. In various implementations, the side portion24may be configured to directly couple to the left side of the camera6. In other implementations, the side portion24may be configured to directly coupled to the right of the camera6.

Referring back toFIGS.1and6, the side portion24of the L-bracket20may include a first groove28within a first side32of the of the L-bracket and a second groove30within a second side34of the L-bracket opposing the first side (which second side and second groove are illustrated inFIG.7). As illustrated byFIG.1, the first side32of the L-bracket20faces the rear of the camera sight system2and the second side34of the L-bracket faces the front of the camera sight system. The first groove28of the L-bracket20may extend across an entire longest length of first side32. In other implementations, the first groove28may only extend across a portion of the longest length of the first side32. Similarly, the second groove30of the L-bracket20may extend across an entire longest length of second side34. In other implementations, the second groove30may only extend across a portion of the longest length of the second side34.

Still referring toFIGS.1,6, and8, the camera sight system2includes a red dot bracket16. The red dot bracket may be coupled to the camera through the L-bracket. In other implementations, the red dot bracket may be coupled directly to camera and the camera sight system may not include an L-bracket. The red dot bracket16is configured to hold a red dot sight18. While implementations of the camera sight system2disclosed herein primarily discuss a red dot bracket that holds a red dot sight, it is understood that the red dot bracket disclosed herein may hold other sights, such as, by non-limiting example, an open sight or a laser.

Referring toFIG.2, an exploded view of a red dot bracket is illustrated. The red dot bracket36ofFIG.2may be utilized in place of any other red dot bracket of any camera sight system disclosed herein.

The red dot bracket may be made from, by non-limiting example, a metallic material (such as aluminum), a plastic, a composite (such as carbon fiber), or any other sufficiently rigid material. In various implementations, the red dot bracket may be made from a lightweight material, such as carbon fiber, to minimize the amount of weight added to the camera.

The red dot bracket36includes a clamp38coupled to a platform40. The clamp38may be coupled to the platform40through a bridge42. In other implementations, the clamp38may be directly coupled to the platform40.

In various implementations, the clamp is configured to directly couple to an L-bracket of a camera sight system. In particular implementations, the clamp may be configured to clamp within a first groove and a second groove of a side portion of an L-bracket. In various implementations, the clamp may be configured to clamp at a variety of heights along the L-bracket. In such implementations, the height of the red dot bracket, and in turn, the height of the red dot sight configured to rest upon the red dot bracket, may be adjusted until the height of the red dot sight is equal to a height of the view finder of the camera.

Referring toFIG.3, a perspective view of a portion of the red dot bracket is illustrated. As illustrated byFIGS.2-3, the clamp38includes a body44. In various implementations, a plane may exist in a largest perimeter of the body44. The plane may be aligned within a vertical plane when the clamp is attached to the L-bracket. In various implementations, the body44includes an opening46formed through the largest side surface of the body. In such implementations, the opening46may reduce the weight of the red dot bracket.

The body includes a fixed jaw48. In particular implementations, the fixed jaw is a projection52having a sharp edge54formed by an angled recess50formed within the projection52. The fixed jaw48may be configured to fit within a second groove of an L-bracket. The fixed jaw48may also be configured to attach outside of a groove, or to a flat surface such as a side of an L-bracket not having a groove. While the fixed jaw48is illustrated as having the sharp edge54, in other implementations, the fixed jaw48may not include the sharp edge.

In various implementations, the body44includes an adjustment opening56. The adjustment opening may be threaded. The adjustment opening may extend entirely through from the other edge of the body to an inner sidewall of the opening46within the body. In other implementations, the adjustment opening56may be blind. In implementations of clamps having an adjustment opening56, the adjustment opening is configured to receive a screw or a threaded rod configured to tighten or loosen the clamp.

In various implementations, the body44of the clamp38may include a first channel58formed within a first surface60of the body. The first surface60is opposite a second surface62configured to directly couple to an L-bracket. The body includes a third surface64between the first surface and the second surface and a fourth surface66opposite the third surface. In various implementations, the body may include a second channel68in the third surface64. In various implementations, the body may include third channel70in the fourth surface66. WhileFIGS.2-3illustrate the body44as including three channels, in other implementations, the body may include any of the first channel58, the second channel68, the third channel70, or any combination thereof. In still other implementations, the body may include a fourth channel formed in the second surface62.

In various implementations, the body44of the clamp38may include one or more spring openings72adjacent to the adjustment opening56. In particular implementations, the one or more spring openings72may include two openings. The one or more spring openings72are blind. The clamp may include one or more springs received by the one or more spring openings72in the body44of the clamp38. The one or more springs bias the body44of the clamp38against the clamp end74. In such implementations, the clamp is constantly biased towards an open position. Accordingly, if the screw or knob controlling the tightness of the clamp is loosened, then the springs automatically push the clamp into an open position.

The clamp38includes a clamp end74. Referring toFIG.4, a perspective view of a clamp end of a red dot bracket is illustrated. The clamp end74is moveably coupled to the body44of the clamp38. As illustrated byFIGS.2and4, the clamp end74includes a moveable jaw76. The moveable jaw76is a projection78having a sharp edge80formed by an angled recess82formed within the projection78. The moveable jaw76may be configured to fit within a first groove of an L-bracket. The moveable jaw76may also be configured to attach outside of a groove, or to a flat surface such as a side of an L-bracket not having a groove. While the moveable jaw76is illustrated as having the sharp edge80, in other implementations, the moveable jaw76may not include the sharp edge. The moveable jaw76may be configured to extend over the body44when the clamp end74is directly coupled to and flush against the body44.

In various implementations, the clamp end74may include a first projection84configured to fit within the first channel58of the body44. In various implementations, the clamp end74may include a second projection86configured to fit within the second channel68of the body44. In various implementations, the clamp end74may include a third projection88configured to fit within the third channel70of the body44. The number of projections extending from the clamp end74may correspond to the number of channels formed within the body. Thus, whileFIGS.2and4illustrate the clamp end74as having three projections, in other implementations, the clamp end may include any of the first projection84, the second projection86, the third projection88, a fourth projection configured to couple within a fourth channel, or any combination thereof.

In implementations having the projections coupled within the channels, movement of the clamp end relative to the body may be controlled and guided by the projections sliding within the channels. In implementations having the second projection86slidably coupled within the second channel68and/or the third projection88slidably coupled within the third channel70, buckling of the clamp may be prevented when the jaws of the clamp tighten down upon, for example, an L-bracket. Buckling is prevented because the projections lie flush with the sidewalls of the channel. When the clamp tries to buckle, buckling is prevented through the projections engaging with the sidewalls of the channel. When the jaws of the clamp tighten, the clamp may experience a natural tendency to buckle which could result in the second surface62of the body44not sitting flush against the L-bracket. In such implementations, if the body44of the clamp were to not sit flush, it may affect the orientation of the platform, and in turn, the orientation of the red dot sight coupled on the platform. Accordingly, the second projection86slidably coupled within the second channel68and/or the third projection88slidably coupled within the third channel70may ensure that the red dot sight is pointed straight forward (parallel to the direction the viewfinder is pointed).

In other implementations, rather than having channels exposed on an outer surface of the body with projections of the clamp end configured to slide within the channels, the body may include openings (similar to the one or more spring openings72) and the clamp end may include projections configured to slide within the openings. In such implementations, the orientation of the red dot bracket may remain in a desired position as the clamp may be prevented from buckling due to the openings and projections extending within the openings.

Still referring toFIGS.2and4, the clamp end74includes an adjustment opening90. The adjustment opening90, though not illustrated as such, may be threaded. The adjustment opening90is configured to align with the adjustment opening56of the body44and is also configured to receive the same screw or threaded rod configured to be received by the adjustment opening56within the body44and configured to tighten or loosen the clamp.

Referring toFIGS.1and6, a head of a screw92is illustrated. The screw92extends through the adjustment openings of the clamp and secures the clamp to the L-bracket. While the head of the screw92is illustrated as directly couple to an outermost surface of the red dot bracket, in other implementations the screw may be reversed and the head of the screw may be configured to directly couple to an inner wall of the opening formed within the body. In such implementations, the adjustment opening of the clamp end may be blind or may extend entirely through the clamp end. In implementations having a screw head, the user may require a screwdriver or wrench to tighten or loosen the clamp.

Referring toFIG.9, a side view of a camera sight system is illustrated. Any of the implementations disclosed herein having a clamp may include a knob used to tighten and loosen the clamp. In various implementations, the screw or threaded rod configured to tighten and loosen the clamp may include a knob94through which a user may tighten or loosen the clamp by hand, and in turn, remove or attach the red dot bracket96to the L-bracket98. In particular implementations, and referring back toFIG.2, the adjustment opening56in the body44may be blind. In such implementations, the threaded rod may be non-rotatably fixed in the adjustment opening and may also extend through the adjustment opening90of the clamp end74. In such implementations, the adjustment opening90may not be threaded and may be sufficiently larger than the threaded rod to allow the clamp end74to slide along the threaded rod without having to rotate along the threads of the threaded rod. The threaded rod may include a head. A knob may be coupled between the head and the clamp end. The knob may include a threaded opening that threads onto the threaded rod. In such implementations, the knob may move along the threaded rod by rotating. If rotated in one direction, the knob may push down against the clamp end74and tighten the clamp. If rotated the other way, the knob may move away from the clamp end74and loosen the clamp. The head of the threaded rod may prevent the knob from being removed off of the rod (and in turn, prevents the clamp end from fully separating from the remainder of the red dot bracket).

Referring back toFIG.4, in various implementations, the clamp end74may include one or more spring openings100adjacent to the adjustment opening90. In particular implementations, the one or more spring openings100may include two openings. The one or more spring openings100are be blind, as illustrated byFIG.4. The one or more spring openings100are configured to each receive a spring that is also received by a corresponding spring opening in the body44of the clamp38.

While the implementations disclosed herein primarily describes a red dot bracket configured to couple to a camera through the attachment portion that includes a clamp, in other implementations the red dot bracket may include an attachment portion having a different attachment mechanism through which the red docket bracket may attach to either an L-bracket or a camera. By non-limiting example, the attachment mechanism may include a threaded rod configured to screw the red dot bracket to either an L-bracket or directly to a camera, a magnet, or any other type of attachment mechanism.

Referring back toFIGS.2and4, the red dot bracket includes a platform40configured to hold a red dot sight. In various implementations, and as illustrated byFIG.2, the platform40lies orthogonal to the clamp38. More specifically, a plane drawn through a largest perimeter of the platform40lies orthogonal to a plane drawn through a largest perimeter of the clamp38.

In various implementations, the platform include a first elongated opening102and a second elongated opening104. The elongated openings may elongate in a lateral direction, or in a direction perpendicular to a direction the camera is pointed when the red dot bracket is attached to a camera. In various implementations, a mount block is configured to attach to the red dot bracket through the first elongated opening102and the second elongated opening104. Because the openings are elongated, the mount block may be configured to attach at different points laterally along the platform. In turn, the red dot sight may be configured to move closer to the camera or further from the camera when the red dot bracket36is coupled to a camera. WhileFIGS.2and4illustrate two elongated openings, in other implementations the platform may include a single elongated opening.

In other implementations, rather than having two elongated openings the platform may include two rows of openings with each row having a plurality of openings. In particular implementations each row includes four openings, while in other implementations each row may include less than or more than four openings. The two rows of openings may also allow a mount block to attach at different points, or through different openings, laterally along the platform. In turn, the red dot sight may be configured to move closer to the camera or further from the camera when the red dot bracket is coupled to a camera. In still other implementations, the platform may include only a single row of openings.

Still referring toFIGS.2and4, in various implementations the platform40includes a first rail106and a second rail108. In such implementations, the platform includes a recess110between the two rails. In various implementations, the recess110may be configured to receive a mount block (or a portion thereof). In various implementations, the mount block may sit within the recess tight enough that the mount block is unable to rotate within the recess due to the first rail and the second rail. In such implementations, the rails may ensure that the mount block is aligned in a direction that will result in the red dot sight pointing in a direction parallel to the direction the camera is pointing.

In various implementations, the camera sight system includes a mount block. The mount block may be considered part of the red dot bracket or separate from the red dot bracket. Referring toFIG.5, a perspective view of a mount block is illustrated. The mount block112is configured to sit on a platform of a red dot bracket and hold a red dot sight. In various implementations, the red dot bracket may include one or more threaded openings114. The threaded openings may be configured to receive a screw or threaded rod used to secure the mount block to the platform. Referring toFIG.8, a first screw116and a second screw118are illustrated extending through two elongated openings of a platform. These screws extend into threaded openings within a mount block and secure the mount block at a particular location on the platform. In implementations where the platform includes only a single elongated opening or a single row of openings, the mount block may include only a single threaded opening.

WhileFIG.8illustrates the screws as each having a screw head which would require a screw driver or wrench to be used to tighten and loosen the screws (and in turn tighten and loosen the mount block's attachment to the platform), in other implementations the screws or threaded rods may include a knob to allow a user to tighten or loosen the attachment of the mount block by hand.

Referring back toFIG.2, in various implementations the mount block may include a base120having a width less than a widest width of the mount block. In such implementations, the base120may be configured to fit within a recess between two rails of a platform. In other implementations, the entire mount block may fit within the recess or the entire mount block may include a width less than a width of the recess.

The mount block may include a red dot sight attachment mechanism coupled to an upper surface122of the mount block opposite the base120. In particular implementations, and as illustrated byFIG.7, the attachment mechanism may include a picatinny rail124. In other implementations, the mount block may include other red dot sight attachment mechanisms.

WhileFIG.5illustrates a particular shape and design of a mount block, in other implementations the mount block may include different shapes and designs, including the shape and design of the mount block illustrated byFIG.7.

While the mount blocks disclosed herein are configured to laterally move along the platform, in other implementations the mount block may be configured to fix to a single location on the platform. In such implementations, the red dot sight may have a fixed lateral position. In other implementations, the red dot sight may be configured to attach to the mount block in various lateral positions, thus allowing for lateral movement of the red dot sight even though the mount block is fixed to a single location along the platform. In still other implementations, the red dot sight may be configured to fix only to a single position relative to the platform, but the platform may be configured to laterally move relative to the clamp, thus allowing from lateral movement of the red dot sight once it is attached to a camera.

The implementations of camera sight systems and red dot brackets disclosed herein allow a red dot sight to attach to a side of a camera in a manner that is sturdy. The implementations disclosed herein minimize the risk of the red dot sight moving from the intended direction it is pointed or from unintentionally becoming unattached from the camera. Because the red dot bracket may adjust vertically relative to the camera, and because the red dot sight is configured to move laterally along the red dot bracket, the red dot sight may be aligned with a photographer's first eye while the viewfinder of the camera is simultaneously aligned with the photographer's second eye when the camera is in an upright position. Accordingly, a lateral width between the viewfinder and the red dot sight may be adjusted to equal a width between a photographer's eyes. This allows for a photographer to use both eyes when acquiring a subject without having to move their eyes between the viewfinder and the red dot sight. The red dot sight attached to the red dot bracket may allow the photographer to acquire the subject quickly and not lose the subject as easily, including subjects that are moving fast or erratically, as is often the case when photographing wildlife. The implementations disclosed herein may be particularly helpful for cameras including long focal length lenses and having autofocus capabilities. In such implementations, the subject can be very difficult to acquire through the viewfinder. Indeed, if the focus is not set to focus at the depth of the subject, it may not even be possible to view the subject through the viewfinder. In such implementations, the photographer may use the red dot sight to acquire the subject and take the photo, at which point the autofocus feature may focus the lens on the subject.

In places where the description above refers to particular implementations of camera sight systems and implementing components, sub-components, methods and sub-methods, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations, implementing components, sub-components, methods and sub-methods may be applied to other camera sight systems.