Patent Application
20100313461
The present disclosure relates generally to weapons used for hunting. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an electronic device mount system for weapons.
It is known to attach various electronic devices, such as range finders and video cameras, to weapons. Range finders allow a game hunter to calculate distance to a target and/or bullet drop while video cameras allow a hunter to record a hunt. An electronic device is often attached to a mounting bracket or rail, which is adapted to mount the electronic device to a weapon without impeding use of the weapon.
An embodiment of the present disclosure is an apparatus for mounting a device on a weapon. The apparatus includes a device support, a weapon mount coupled to the device support, and a removable, stabilizing, elastic strap. The device support has a first side, a second side, and a support surface extending between the first and second sides. The elastic strap has a first end coupled to the first side of the device support, a body extending up and over the device, and a second end coupled to the second side of the device support, wherein the elastic strap secures the device to the device support.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a rectangular device support having a support surface defined by a front, a rear, a right side, and a left side. Right and left slots extend into first right and left sides, respectively. The stabilizing strap has a first end for insertion into the right slot, a body extending up and over the device, and a second end for insertion into the left slot. Also, a weapon mount is coupled to device support.
An electronic device mounting system can be used to attach electronic devices, such as rangefinders and video cameras, to weapons. In general, the mounting system includes a support portion for resiliently supporting the electronic device and a mounting portion for attaching the support portion and attached electronic device to a weapon. The support portion is universal in that it can be used with a number of interchangeable mounting portions. Each mounting portion is adapted for securing the support portion to a particular type of weapon or weapon accessory. For example, the mounting portion can comprise a bow adaptor, a barrel mount, or a scope mount. Details of the electronic device mounting system are described below with reference to specific, non-limiting embodiments.
Video camera 12 is attached to support portion 18, which is attached to mounting portion 20, which secures video camera 12 and support portion 18 to scope 14 on crossbow 16. More specifically, video camera 12 is attached to a top surface of carriage 24, which is resiliently mounted in tray 22. A first end of strap 26 is removably attached to a first side of carriage 24 and a second, opposite end of strap 26 is removably attached to a second, opposite side of carriage 26. A central portion of strap located between the first and second ends extends around and secures video camera 12 to carriage 24. L-shaped bracket 28 attaches tray 22 to scope mount 30. L-shaped bracket 28 has a first end forming first connection 32 with a rear end of tray 22 and a second end forming second connection 34 with scope mount 30. Scope mount 30 has a first end surrounding scope 14, which is mounted on crossbow 16, and a second end forming second connection 34 with L-shaped bracket 28. Thus, device mounting system 10 can be used to secure video camera 12 (or another electronic device) to crossbow 16 (or another weapon) for use during game hunting.
Video camera 12 is supported by support portion 18, which is mounted to scope 14 on crossbow 16 by mounting portion 20. L-shaped bracket 28 attached tray 22 to scope mount 30 so that an eyepiece or viewing screen of video camera 12 is located at approximately the same level as eyepiece of scope 14. Video camera 12 is an example of an electronic device suitable for mounting to a weapon, although a still camera, range finder, or any other electronic device is equally possible. Similarly,
Scope mount 30 has a scope mount ring at a first end for surrounding scope 14. Scope mount 30 has a female connector at a second end for receiving a male connector located at an upper end of L-shaped bracket 28. Together, the female connector of scope mount 30 and the male connector of L-shaped 28 bracket mate to form second connection 34 and secure scope mount 30 to L-shaped bracket 28. Similarly, L-shaped bracket 28 has a female connector at a lower end for receiving a male connector protruding from a rear wall of tray 22. Together, the female connector of L-shaped bracket 28 and the male connector of tray 22 mate to form first connection 32 and secure L-shaped bracket 28 to tray 22. In the depicted embodiment, male and female mating components are T-shaped, although the invention is not so limited and other mating components are contemplated. Screw 38A is located inside of tray 22 and extends upwardly through an aperture in a platform of carriage 24 into a mounting hole in video camera 12. Screw 38B extends upwardly into first connection 32 to secure the mating attachment between tray 22 and L-shaped bracket 28. Screw 38C extends downwardly into second connection 34 to secure the attachment between L-shaped bracket 28 and scope mount 30. Carriage 24 is resiliently coupled to tray 22 by damping system 40, which is described in further detail below with reference to
Tray 22 is generally rectangular in shape and can comprise plastic. Top 42, bottom 44, front wall 46 and rear wall 48 form a rectangular frame around central opening 50, which extends through an approximate center of tray 22. Circular rod holes 52A, 52B extend through rear wall 48 and are sized to receive rods 74A, 74B. Substantially parallel with rod holes 52A, 52B are rod recesses 54A, 54B, which extend into an inside surface of front wall 46. Rod recesses 54, 54B are also sized to receive rods 74A, 74B. Male connector 56 protrudes from an outside surface of rear wall 48 in between rod holes 52A, 52B. In the depicted embodiment, connector 56 is an upside-down T-shaped male connector for attaching tray 22 to L-shaped bracket 28, although other types of mating connector components are equally possible. Although not visible in
Platform 57 is also generally rectangular or square in shape and an entirety of carriage 24 can comprise plastic. A thickness of platform 57 is defined by top 58 and bottom 60 while and a width of platform is defined by first side 62 and second side 64. Front leg 66A and rear leg 67A extend downwardly from first side 62 and form a right angle with bottom 60. Not visible in
In the depicted embodiment, rods 74A, 74B comprise metal and are cylindrical in shape. Rods 74A, 74B have a length substantially similar to a length of tray 22 and a circumference slightly less than rod holes 52A, 52B, as well as rod recesses 54A, 54B. Springs 76A, 76B, 77A, 77B are slighter larger than rods 74A, 74B so that springs 76A, 77A can surround rod 74A and springs 76B, 77B can surround rod 76B. More specifically, rod 74A is inserted through rod hole 52A and through sleeves 69A and 68B on first side 62 of carriage 24 so that a first end of rod 74A rests in rod recess 54A and a second end of rod 74A rests in rod hole 52A. Spring 76A surrounds rod 74A and is located between front sleeve 68A of carriage 24 and front wall 46 of tray 22. Spring 77A also surrounds rod 74A, but is located between rear sleeve 69A of carriage 24 and rear wall 48 of tray 22. Similarly, rod 74B is inserted through rod hole 52B and through sleeves 68B, 69B on second side 64 of carriage 24 so that a first end of rod 74B rests in rod recess 54B and a second end of rod 74B rests in rod hole 52B. Spring 76B surrounds rod 74B and is located between front sleeve 68B and front wall 46 of tray 22. Spring 77B also surrounds rod 74B, but is located between rear sleeve 69B and rear wall 48 of tray 22. So constructed, damping system 40 resiliently couples carriage 24 with tray 22. Carriage 24 rides rods 74A, 74B between front and rear walls 46, 48 of tray 22. Front springs 76A, 76B absorb impact between carriage 24 and front wall 46 while rear springs 77A, 77B absorb impact between carriage 24 and rear wall 48 of tray 22. Thus, rods 74A, 74B provide a predictable course of movement for carriage 24 and springs 76A, 76B, 77A, 77B absorb shock during weapon recoil and the like.
In the depicted embodiment, L-shaped bracket 28 comprises metal. Vertical plate 78 and horizontal plate 80 form an approximately right or 90 degree angle. Male connector 82 is configured for coupling with a female connector to form a connection (such as second connection 34 with scope mount 30 shown in
Bottom and top semi-circles 90, 92 can be joined around a scope (such as scope 14 in
Instead of using scope mount 30 to attach an electronic device to a scope, barrel mount 104 can be used to attach an electronic device directly to a barrel of a firearm. Left and right halves 106, 108 are joined around the barrel of a firearm so that pins 110 are received into pin holes 112. A small space may extend between tops of left and right halves 106, 108, but a nearly complete cylindrical clamp is formed around the barrel. Female connector 116 is intended to mate with a male connector (such as male connector 82 of L-shaped bracket) and form a connection. Threaded hole 116 is intended to receive a threaded screw for securing the connection formed. Use of barrel mount 104 with electronic device mounting system 10 is described further below.
L-shaped bracket 28 is located below barrel mount 104 so that male connector 82 couples with female connector 114. Screw 38D extends down through threaded hole 116 and into threaded bore 86 to secure the connection between L-shaped bracket 28 and barrel mount 104. Left and right sides 106, 108 of barrel mount 104 substantially surround the barrel of firearm 118 so that L-shaped bracket 28 depends downwardly along a right side of firearm 118 and carriage 24, tray 22, and video camera 12 are located below firearm 118. So assembled, video camera 12 is capable of capturing the barrel and the target in a single image while being securely and resiliently mounted on firearm 118 with electronic device mounting system 10.
Bow adaptor 120 has female connector 124 at a first, forward end, threaded bore 126 at a second, rearward end, and elongated body 128 extending between female connector 124 and threaded bore 126. Body 128 is T-shaped toward female connector 124 and cone-shaped toward threaded bore 126. Extending upwardly into a bottom surface of body 128 near female connector 124 is threaded hole 130. Screw 132 has threads on both ends and washer 34 is threaded onto threaded screw 132. Female connector 124 is configured to directly receive male connector 56 protruding from tray 22 thereby forming a connection between mounting portion 18 and bow adaptor 120. Threaded screw 38E extends upwardly through threaded hole 130 and into a threaded aperture on a bottom of male connector 56 to secure the connection between bow adaptor 120 and tray 22. Washer 134 is threaded onto an approximate center of screw 132. A first end of screw 132 engages threads in threaded bore 126 and a second end of screw 132 engages threads in threaded aperture 136 of bow 122, so that washer 134 is located between bow adapter 120 and bow 122. So assembled, bow adaptor 120 mounts support portion 18 and video camera 12 out in front of bow 122 so that electronic device mounting system 10 acts as a stabilizing bar providing stabilization to bow 122.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
