BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the description of the preferred embodiments and the following figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a back view of a device mount of one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2, is a top view of the device mount of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the device mount of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the mounting of the device mount of FIG. I to a bow of one embodiment of the present invention.
In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method of attaching a device such as a video camera, a range finder, a game caller or other device to a structure such as a weapon. In particular, in some embodiments a device mount that is threadably connected to a recess in a structure is used. The device is in turn mounted to an engaging surface of the device mount. In one embodiment, the device is coupled to the engaging surfaces via thumb screw.
Referring to FIG. 1, a back view of a device mount 100 of one embodiment is provided. This view illustrates a neck portion 102 of the device mount 100 and the end of a threaded attaching portion 104. Also illustrated is a securing tightening nut 105. FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the device mount 100. As illustrated, the device mount 100 includes a support plate 106. The support plate (or support portion) 106 has a plurality of mounting apertures 108 that extend there through. The mounting apertures 108 allow a device to be coupled to the support plate 106. Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is a center of weight axis 103. In one embodiment, the weight of the device mount 100 is generally equally distributed on each side of the center of weight axis 103. The equal weight distribution along the axis 103 helps maintain the center of weight balance of a bow when the device mount 100 is coupled to a counterweight insert (or bore) of the bow. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the support plate 106 is generally in a rectangular shape to accommodate devices that have a generally rectangular shade. However, other shapes can be used to accommodate other shapes of devices. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to a support plate 106 that is generally rectangular in shape. FIG. 2 also illustrates that the neck portion 102 is tapered in towards the threaded attaching portion 104. This tapering allows for added clearance of items attached to the structure or even portions of the structure when the device mount 100 is attached to the structure.
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the device mount 100. This view also illustrates that the support plate 106 has a relatively flat engaging surface 300 that is designed to support a device coupled to the device mount 100. As illustrated, in one embodiment, the neck portion 102 has a thickness that is thicker than the thickness of the support plate 106. The thickness of the neck portion 102 is dependant on the size of the threaded attaching portion 104. That is, the neck portion thickness is selected to provide enough support for the threaded attaching portion 104. In one embodiment, the thickness of the support plate 106 is dependant on the size of a standard thumb screw that is passed through one of the plurality of mounting apertures 108 to mount a device to the device mount 100. In one embodiment, the thickness of the support plate is between 0.300 to 0.320 inches.
FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of the device mount 100 being attached to a bow 400 in one embodiment. As illustrated, the treaded attaching portion 104 is adapted to engage an internally threaded bore 402 in the bow 400. In one embodiment, the internally threaded bore 402 is a counterweight bar insert 402. It is understood, however, that the device mount 100 can be attached to any threaded bore on any type of weapon or any other type of structure. Once the threaded attaching portion 104 is threadably engaged with the internally threaded bore 402, the nut is tightened against a surface of the bow about the bore 402 to secure the device mount 102 in a static position in relation to the bow 400. FIG. 4, also illustrates, a device 408 being mounted to the device mount 102. As illustrated, a threaded attaching device 406 such as a thumb screw 406 is positioned through one of the plurality of mounting apertures 108 and threadably engaged to an internally threaded bore 410 in the device 408. The plurality of mounting apertures 108 allow for the placement of different kinds and different brands of devices 408 to be coupled to the same device mount 100. That is, even if the devices have threaded bores in different locations, the device mount 100 of the present invention will work by simply choosing the mounting aperture 108 that places the device in the desired location in relation to the device mount 100. Hence, in some embodiments, a universal device mount 100 is provided. Moreover, the plurality of mounting apertures 108 also allows for the adjustment in placement of the device 408 on the support plate 106 to align the weight distribution of the device 408 and the device mount 100 along a center of weight axis of the bow 400 when coupled to the counterweight bar threaded insert 402. Hence, by doing this, the balance of the bow to the right or left in relation to the user while in use will not be affected.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Patent Application
20080001057
