Accessory mount for smartphones, tablets, iPads, and cameras

{
  "publication_number": "US10178209B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Accessory mount for smartphones, tablets, iPads, and cameras",
  "abstract": "A mounting device to support and secure a mobile device incorporating a high pixel count camera, comprised of a first rod secured to a support plate, with the first rod connected to a ball and socket joint for rotating the mounting device into at least a 90° configuration, the ball and socket joint connected to a second rod interposed between the ball and socket joint and a pivot mechanism comprising a pivot dial facilitating pivoting around a vertical axis, and terminating in a vice clamp opposed to the support plate, with a third rod interposed between the pivot mechanism and the vice clamp. A removable mount receives a mobile device having an integrated high pixel count camera and camera lens, the removable mount securing the mobile device so as to leave the camera lens unobstructed.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A mounting device to support and secure a mobile device incorporating a high pixel count camera, comprising: a mounting device comprised of a first rod secured to a support plate, with the first rod connected to a ball and socket joint constructed to rotate the mounting device into at least a 90° configuration, the ball and socket joint connected to a second rod interposed between the ball and socket joint and a pivot mechanism comprising a pivot dial facilitating pivoting around a vertical axis, and terminating in a vice clamp opposed to the support plate, with a third rod interposed between the pivot mechanism and the vice clamp; a locking lever that operates a magnetized twist lock, which locks the pivot dial in place such that everything below the pivot dial remains stationary; and a removable mount to receive a mobile device having an integrated high pixel count camera and camera lens, the removable mount securing the mobile device so as to leave the camera lens unobstructed.",
    "2. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein the second rod further comprises a telescoping inner rod.",
    "3. The mounting device of claim 2, wherein the second rod further comprises a telescoping inner rod housing a telescoping brace rod constructed to brace the mounting device when the ball and socket joint is rotated from a 0° vertical configuration, the telescoping brace rod rotating outward for use.",
    "4. The mounting device of claim 3, wherein the telescoping brace rod further comprises: a pivot joint at a first end proximate to the ball and socket joint secured to the interior of telescoping inner rod, and a rubber tip at a second end; and said rubber tip fitting into at least one slot in the second rod to brace the mounting device when in a 90° configuration.",
    "5. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein the ball and socket joint facilitates a 90° configuration of the mounting device.",
    "6. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising: a hinge joint on the third rod interposed between pivot mechanism and the vice clamp; and wherein said hinge joint facilitates rotating the mounting device up to 90° and further comprises a hinge stop.",
    "7. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein the ball and socket joint further comprises a spring-loaded ball bearing and dimple constructed to align the mounting device in a 90° configuration.",
    "8. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein the third rod interior is configured to accommodate a hinge joint located at a distal end of the telescoping inner rod when in a retracted configuration, wherein the telescoping inner rod in an extended configuration can extend outward from the second rod to rotate on then exposed said hinge joint to configure the mounting device in a 90° configuration.",
    "9. The mounting device of claim 8, wherein the telescoping brace rod fits into the telescoping inner rod in a retracted configuration, with the hinge joint fitting inside the telescoping inner rod.",
    "10. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein said removable mount comprises a flat surface at least partially covered by a hook portion of a hook-and-loop fastener; and a felt-covered shelf bottom constructed to support said mobile device."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Not applicable\n\nThe present invention relates to the field of mounting devices, more particularly to a mounting device for supporting a smartphone, tablet, iPad, or camera.\n\nIncreasingly, smartphones and similar mobile devices have supplemented and often times entirely replaced conventional cameras. The optic ability of these conventional camera replacements continue to improve. However, even as the quality of the digital images captured by these mobile devices has approached and in certain aspects even surpassed cameras, the accessories and ancillary equipment (e.g., tripods, mounts, supports, etc.) available to camera photography continues to far outstrip comparable equipment for mobile devices.\n\nVarious mounting/support devices are available for cameras to facilitate copy work, flat, or 3D photography. One cannot find similar devices for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to support these uses.\n\nBased on the foregoing, there is a need in the art a mounting and support system, which will facilitate a variety of photographic activities to include copy work, flat, or 3D photography using mobile devices.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04M 1/04",
    "F16M 11/14",
    "F16M 11/18",
    "F16M 11/2021",
    "F16M 11/2064",
    "F16M 13/00",
    "F16M 13/022",
    "F16M 2200/024",
    "G03B 17/561",
    "H04N 23/54",
    "H04N 5/2253"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16M 11/14",
    "F16M 11/20",
    "F16M 13/02",
    "G03B 17/56",
    "H04M 1/00",
    "H04M 1/04",
    "H04N 5/225"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Andrew Hesse"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-11-29",
  "publication_date": "2019-01-08",
  "grant_date": "2019-01-08",
  "priority_date": "2017-11-29",
  "application_number": "US-201715826249-A",
  "family_id": "64815754",
  "cited_by_count": 40,
  "citations": [
    "US6672788B2",
    "US7631842B2",
    "US7551225B2",
    "US20150094156A1",
    "US20150358044A1"
  ]
}