The present invention relates to a monopod apparatus for magnetically supporting and mounting an electronic device that is inserted into the ground for the purpose of hands-free photography, videography, and streaming.
Sports athletes practice to improve performance persistently. Particularly, golf is recognized as one of the most difficult and competitive sports. While there are many well-known methods and practices, the integration of technology and biomechanical data has become more prevalent in the sports industry to assist athletes in improving performance. Some methods include training with professionals and training alone with self-teaching tutorials. Working with professional trainers or instructors can be costly and practicing alone lacks the in-depth analysis to critical improvement observations. There is an inherent need to record, monitor, and analyze a player's performance, such as a golf swing, for improved results.
This invention is specifically for documenting golf swings. During training and practice, digital documentation is essential to reviewing and analyzing for progressive improvement. Electronic devices such as digital cameras, phones, iPads, GoPro, and many other portable digital devices are often positioned at specific angles and orientations to optimize the field view.
There are many self-standing tripods and mounting apparatuses for documenting on an electronic device well known in the market. However, tripods and mounting apparatuses can be large, heavy, unstable in the wind, and cumbersome to travel around with. In other cases, the mounting apparatuses are flimsy and difficult to attach and detach the digital device onto the mounting apparatus. The electronic device is often secured to the mounting apparatus with a clamp mechanism or a threaded fastener. Such attachment mechanisms require a plurality of parts and multiple steps in the assembly process.
The magnetic monopod apparatus is directed to resolve and improve the problems of existing mounting apparatuses. The apparatus provides hands-free viewing access to the electronic device so a user is able to review recordings of a sports motion to analyze and improve a play. The apparatus facilitates the easy securing of an electronic device to the ground inserted monopod with one hand with a magnet. Furthermore, a swiveling mechanism is provided to allow a 90-degree angular rotation adjustment of the electronic device, a range from a recording angle substantially parallel to the ground surface to a substantially vertical orientation with the axis of rotation at the center of a swivel ball, while supported to the monopod apparatus. As digital content has become readily available, golfers and other athletes are able view their electronic device at a preferred angle whether they are streaming their favorite sports play or viewing data outputted by a golf simulator. The invention has a cradle free design that permits safe and easy one-handed device use.
The present invention improves and resolves the aforementioned challenges by providing an athlete with a lightweight, ergonomic monopod apparatus that is easily assembled and ready to use for documenting sports motion, that is specifically but not limited to a golf swing. The present invention provides a hollow rod designed for ground insertion with a magnetic component to facilitate the attachment of an electronic device having a ferrous material attached. The electronic device includes and is not limited to a digital camera, smartphone, tablet computer, or GoPro. The electronic device is securely fastened to the monopod by the magnetic attachment that is easily repositioned with a single hand.
An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic mounting monopod apparatus for an electronic device for the purpose of filming sports motion, filming personal content, and hands-free video and music streaming comprising: a hollow rod comprising a TPE grip top portion, ground insertion base, and threaded protrusion upper end; an adjustable magnetic mounting assembly, comprising a silicone sleeve covered magnet coupled to a swivel ball head, wherein the swivel ball head comprises an adjustable 90 degree swivel; a ferrous metal plate with an adhesive layer provided to attach to the electronic device; the swivel ball head supported within a swivel socket having a threaded hole for a twist locking mechanism.
The advantages of the present invention are: (1) magnetic monopod apparatus is designed for ground insertion and the support rod is inserted directly into the ground for a stable support and hands-free function; (2) the magnetic monopod device inserted into the ground provides a stable support when it is windy, preventing the swaying and knock down of alternative supports that rest on the surface of the ground; (3) the magnetic attachment mechanism allows any electronic device having a ferrous magnetic plate or material to easily mount and dismount to the magnet; (4) the magnetic attachment mechanism allows the user to easily adjust the orientation of the electronic device from portrait to landscape orientation and to attach and detach with one hand; (5) the magnetic monopod apparatus allows users to film sports motion, personal content, and view content on the electronic device without anyone's assistance; (6) the magnetic monopod apparatus comprising a top head is constructed to adjust the orientation of the electronic device along the range of 360-degrees by adjusting a swivel socket; (7) the magnetic monopod apparatus having the hollow support rod is constructed with material that is 10× stronger than steel and 5× lighter. The magnetic monopod apparatus is easy-to-use, lightweight, portable, and convenient.
Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description, and appended claims.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention.
As shown in
The rotational adjustment mechanism 600 rotates the position of the electronic device at various angles. The angles of rotation of the electronic device are further illustrated in
In accordance to
As the threaded protrusion 602 from the swivel ball 603 extends and rests within the notch of the swivel socket 605, the cylindrical threaded base plate 601 having a threaded opening is screwed onto the threaded protrusion 602 and is assembled together as shown in
As shown in
The electronic device 500 as shown in the figures is a smart phone. The magnetic monopod apparatus is able to be used with alternative electronic devices such as but not limited to a phone, tablet computer, camera, GoPro, or the like.
In accordance to this embodiment, the monopod support rod 700 is a single extruded hollow rod with the gripping top portion 701. The monopod support rod 700 may also be provided as a height adjustable support rod to further enhance and assist in the positioning and orientation of the electronic device 500 field of view.
While the magnetic monopod apparatus may be used to record and document various activities, the scope of this invention focuses specifically on recording golf swings and putts for analysis to improve an athlete's performance.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to one embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
It is worth noting that while specific figures are used, and particular examples have been illustrated, these are non-limiting examples. In certain contexts, two or more elements may be combined, an element may be split into two or more elements, or certain elements may be re-ordered or re-organized as appropriate, as the explicit illustrated examples are used only for descriptive purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
Thus, although illustrative example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be understood that this description is not limiting and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.