Camera mount

{
  "publication_number": "US10036936B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Camera mount",
  "abstract": "A camera mount for supporting a camera unit has a base portion having a first surface, which includes an elongate concave surface feature extending across at least part of the first surface and defining a first axis. Engagement means including a first plurality of protrusions which extend out of, are spaced apart across part of, the first surface, each of the protrusions extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis, and substantially parallel to at least one other of the protrusions. Each of the protrusions defines an aperture therethrough, the apertures being substantially aligned along a second axis, the second axis being substantially parallel to the first axis.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A portable camera mount for supporting a camera unit, the camera mount comprising: a base portion having a first surface, which includes an elongate concave surface feature extending in an elongated direction across at least part of the first surface and defining a first axis in the elongated direction; engagement means including a first plurality of protrusions which extend out of, and are spaced apart across part of, the first surface, each of the protrusions extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis, and substantially parallel to at least one other of the protrusions, wherein each of the protrusions defines an aperture therethrough, the apertures being substantially aligned along a second axis, the second axis being substantially parallel to the first axis.",
    "2. A camera mount according to claim 1, wherein the concave surface extends across the first surface from a first protrusion to an edge of the first surface.",
    "3. A camera mount according to claim 2, wherein the concave surface extends across the first surface from a first edge of the first surface to a second opposing edge of the first surface.",
    "4. A camera mount according to claim 1, wherein the apertures of each protrusion are aligned with one another.",
    "5. A camera mount according to claim 1, wherein the apertures in each protrusion are equal in size.",
    "6. A camera, mount according to claim 1, wherein the interior surface of at least one, aperture is threaded.",
    "7. A camera mount according to claim 1, wherein the apertures in each protrusion are dimensioned to receive a fastening pin therethrough.",
    "8. A camera mount according to claim 5, further comprising a fastening pin.",
    "9. A camera mount according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the fastening pin is threaded for engagement with an interior threaded surface of at least one aperture.",
    "10. A camera mount according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the fastening pin extends away from the protrusions in a direction parallel to the first axis and spaced from the elongate concave surface.",
    "11. A camera assembly comprising a camera mount according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a camera unit comprising a base portion having a base surface, and engagement means including a second plurality of protrusions which extend out of, and are spaced apart across part of, the base surface, each of the protrusions extending away from the base portion, each protrusion being substantially parallel to at least one other of the protrusions, each of the protrusions defining an aperture therethrough, the apertures being substantially aligned along a third axis; and a fastening pin; wherein, the first and second plurality of protrusions are inter-engagable with one another to bring the respective apertures into alignment along a common axis and wherein the fastening pin is receivable through at least two of the aligned apertures.",
    "12. A camera assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the fastening pin is threaded for engagement with an interior threaded surface of at least one aperture.",
    "13. A camera assembly according to claim 11, wherein the fastening pin extends away from the protrusions in a direction parallel to the first axis and spaced from the elongate concave surface.",
    "14. A camera assembly according to claim 11, wherein the camera unit defines a cavity for receiving at least a portion of a camera therein."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a camera mount for supporting a camera assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to a camera mount having a reduced profile.\n\nIt is common to mount a camera on a stand when taking photographs or video footage, in order to steady the camera and therefore capture better clarity of images. Further, it is common to mount a camera, such as an action camera, on the body of a user, their clothing or their equipment in order to record video footage in a hands-free manner during an activity. This is achieved using a camera mount that is attached to a user's person or equipment, to which a camera unit is then attached. For example, the mount may be adhesively engaged with the helmet of a mountain biker and the camera unit then releasably engaged with the mount when the user wishes to capture video footage during the mountain biking activity. As it is important that the camera unit, often housed in a protective water-resistant/water-proof case, is easily attached to and released from the camera mount. In addition, the connection between the camera mount and the camera unit ideally allows the position of the camera unit to be adjusted once engaged with the mount, in order that the camera can be correctly oriented to capture the desired video footage.\n\nThere are various mounting mechanisms that are employed in order to achieve this, including the use of one or more fastening pins that are passed through apertures in inter-linking protrusions provided on the mount and corresponding camera unit (camera/camera case), respectively.",
  "cpc": [
    "G03B 17/561",
    "F16M 11/04",
    "F16M 11/041",
    "F16M 11/06",
    "F16M 11/10",
    "F16M 13/02",
    "F16M 2200/022",
    "G03B 17/56"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16M 11/06",
    "F16M 13/02",
    "G03B 17/56"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Oclu LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Firas Kittaneh",
    "Hugo Martin",
    "Robert William Moore"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-03-29",
  "publication_date": "2018-07-31",
  "grant_date": "2018-07-31",
  "priority_date": "2016-01-05",
  "application_number": "US-201615084306-A",
  "family_id": "55406729",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
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}