Patent Application
20130170823
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of mounting electronic devices and more particularly to system that promotes carrying, accessing, using and stowing an electronic device while participating in physical activities such as surfing, cycling, skiing, kayaking and the like.
2. Description of the Problem
The need arises to secure specific electronic devices to one's person or to a helmet or other piece of clothing or equipment to facilitate carrying, accessing, using and stowing of such an electronic device that records images, video and sound.
The present disclosure relates to electronic devices of a particular structure, and to a method and apparatus for engaging such devices with the user's person, clothing, equipment or vehicle. The apparatus comprises a bracket that engages with the electronic device and a cover that provides protection to the electronic device and a camera lens augmentation element. Additional elements provide engagement between flat or cylindrical surfaces. The apparatus facilitates convenient carry, access and secure attachment of an electronic device during participation in a physical activity.
The present embodiment promotes carrying, accessing, using and stowing an electronic device while participating in physical activities such as surfing, cycling, skiing, kayaking and so forth. Various straps and elastic materials have been employed in attempts to secure cameras, video and/or sound recording equipment during use. Digital electronic devices provide increasing quality photographs and video with increasingly smaller envelopes.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of securing an electronics device to one's person, or equipment such as helmet, ski poles, handle bars or the like, allowing the user to employ the electronic device while leaving hands free, when taking part in activities.
It is another primary object to provide an apparatus that engages securely with the electronics device and further engages with the body and with equipment.
The present invention relates to electronic devices of a particular structure, and to a method and apparatus for engaging such devices with the user's person, clothing, equipment or vehicle. The electronics device illustrated can be a hand-held phone, camera, video camera, recorder, player, memory storage device with internet/cell-phone connectivity. Although many styles and shapes are available for such devices, the method used to engage with such a device and the apparatus employed to further engage with a user's body or equipment is disclosed. A bracket made of a durable semi-rigid material such as polymers, composites or metal, provides flexible tabs that partially surround the electronics device and has features that engage with straps, screws, plastic tie straps, magnets or other fastening hardware. A cover comprising a protective shell that mates with both the electronics device and the bracket includes an additional lens that mates with the camera lens included in the electronics device. The additional lens may include optical augmentation features such as a wide angle view, telephoto, telescopic or other features associated with camera lenses.
As understood by one skilled in the art, the formal principles the present disclosure are not restricted to a specific electronics device, and may apply to any electronics device of similar structure. For the purpose of clarity a given example compact electronics device is shown and described.
These and other non-limiting features or characteristics of the present disclosure will be further described below.
The following is a brief description of the drawings, which are presented for the purposes of illustrating the disclosure set forth herein and not for the purposes of limiting the same.
Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures.
A more complete understanding of the components, processes, and apparatuses disclosed herein can be obtained by reference to the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to demonstrate the present disclosure and are not intended to show relative sizes and dimensions or to limit the scope of the disclosed embodiment(s).
Although specific terms are used in the following description, these terms are intended to refer only to particular structures in the drawings and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like function.
The term “about” when used with a quantity includes the stated value and also has the meaning dictated by the context. For example, it includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity. When used in the context of a range, the term “about” should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the range “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.”
A clamping means of the present embodiment employs mechanical interference to securely engage an electronic device of a particular shape. The same mechanical interference may be employed to engage electronic devices of varying shapes. One example is illustrated, the principle may be employed with similar electronic devices as one skilled in the art will understand.
In one configuration of the embodiment, a clamping means is engaged with the back and a portion of the sides of an electronic device, a cover is engaged with the front and remaining portion of the sides of said electronic device. Once the electronic device is engaged with the clamping means, the clamping means may be further engaged with such hardware as is common to engage with equipment or a vehicle such as a bicycle or motorcycle. In another configuration of the embodiment, a clamping means is engaged with an electronic device and further engaged with a strap or belt to fasten the electronic device to the user's body, clothing or gear such as a helmet.
The electronics device engages with a clamping device 110. The clamping device is shown in detail in
Referring to
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The spacer 190 further comprises grooves 194 and holes 192. Grooves 194 are arranged radially about the spacer 190 and engage with a protrusion 127 in the clamp 110. Holes 192 are spaced radially and align with holes 127 in the clamp 110. The radial arrangement of the grooves 194 allow the spacer 190 to be rotated and affixed in a number of positions such that the clamp and its attached electronics device may be rotated to a desired orientation. Holes 127 allow for cords or plastic ties or the like to be passed through the clamp and spacer and engaged about a cylindrical portion of a piece of equipment.
Referring to
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The present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the present disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
