Patent Application
20140061414
The present disclosure relates to a mounting apparatus, and more particularly to a mounting apparatus for an optical device.
Conventional mounting assemblies for optical devices such as photographic cameras and video recorders include many brackets that are connected to each other. These brackets, when connected to each other and mounted with the optical device, provide one or more degrees of freedom of movement to the optical device. However, the numerous brackets used to construct the mounting assembly may result in a bulky and complex construction. Further, the brackets involved in the mounting assembly move relative to each other thereby requiring a large space to operate. Thus, use of such mounting assemblies may be limited to a space devoid of intervening articles or objects.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,440,027 relates to a camera mounting assembly for mounting a camera to a support structure. The mounting assembly includes a first bracket, a second bracket, and a third bracket. The first bracket is fixable to the camera body. The second bracket engages the first bracket and is rotatable about a first axis. The third bracket engages the second bracket and is rotatable about a second axis. The third bracket is securable to the support structure and is rotatable about a third axis. The first, second and third axes are substantially mutually perpendicular.
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a mounting apparatus for an optical device. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket member, a support member, and a mounting adapter. The bracket member is configured to be connected to a surface. The support member includes a pair of ends. The first end is releasably connected to the bracket member. The mounting adapter is swiveably connected to a second end of the support member.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a mounting apparatus for an optical device. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket member, a support member, and a mounting plate. The bracket member is configured to be connected to a surface. The support member includes a top portion releasably connected to the bracket member. The mounting plate extends from a bottom portion of the support member.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
The present disclosure relates to a mounting apparatus for an optical device.
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In an other embodiment of the mounting apparatus 400 shown in
As disclosed above, in an embodiment, the bracket member 104 may be configured to be releasably connected to the surface 110 by bolting. As can be seen from
Mounting assemblies for optical devices 102 are provided in vehicles to monitor the vehicle operator and other elements present in the field of view of the optical device 102. Typically, these mounting assemblies include brackets that are connected to each other. These brackets, when connected to each other and mounted with the optical device 102, provide one or more degrees of freedom of movement to the optical device 102. However, the numerous brackets used to construct the mounting assembly may result in a bulky and complex construction. Further, the brackets involved in the mounting assembly move relative to each other thereby requiring a large space to operate. Thus, use of such mounting assemblies may be limited to a space devoid of intervening articles or objects.
The mounting apparatus 100 disclosed herein is easy to assembly and operate. Firstly, the bracket member 104 of the mounting apparatus 100 may be connected to a surface 110 by welding or bolting. With regards to use of the mounting apparatus 100 in a vehicle, the mounting apparatus 100 may be welded to a cab of the vehicle or any other structure in the vehicle. The welding process may be of a type commonly known in the art such as thermal inert gas (TIG) welding, or metal inert gas (MIG) welding process. Secondly, the support member 106 may be releasably connected to the bracket member 104 by bolting. Hence, the support member 106 may be quickly disconnected from the bracket member 104 upon un-bolting of the bolts. Thirdly, the base 122 of the mounting adapter 108 may be swiveably connected to the plate 116 at the opening 118 by a threaded fastener 128, for example, a bolt. Further, the base 122 may be swiveably connected to the plate 116 at the arcuate cut out 120 by the threaded pin 124 and the nut 130. Fourthly, threaded fasteners 138 at the threaded openings 136 of the tabs 132 may be tightened to grip the optical device 102 between the tabs 132.
A user may choose to position the optical device 102 at a desired position. Once positioned, the user may fix the optical device 102 at the desired position until any adjustments are required. During operation of the mounting apparatus 100, the various components of the mounting apparatus 100 and the optical device 102 may remain static hence requiring a definite amount of space. This fixed arrangement of the mounting apparatus 100 with the optical device 102 during operation requires lesser space. Hence, the mounting apparatus 100 may be convenient to use in cramped spaces such as cabs of vehicles.
Further, a remote station may wirelessly receive data in the form of photographs or video footage from the optical device 102 that may help to monitor activities associated with the operator or the vehicle. Thus, positioning of the optical device 102 within the cab of heavy vehicles such as skid steer loaders, compact loaders, or excavators may ensure smooth operation of the machine via instructions or feedback passed on from the remote station.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machine, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.
