Patent Grant
9442349
The present invention relates generally to a self-centering mechanism, a clamping device to retain an electronic device, and means for their integration in the form of an adapter. In particular, the present invention is directed to a self-centering mechanism and a clamping device to retain an electronic device, which each by its construction and assembly provides for significant advantages over other approaches currently available. Furthermore, the present invention is also directed to the means to integrate a self-centering mechanism with a clamping device to retain an electronic device, whereby the overall device is an adapter.
Self-centering of circular, cylindrical, square or any object with at least one symmetrical cross-section is a useful feature when aligning any object to a device with an alignment axis. Self-centering mechanisms are advantageous in numerous applications, such as but not limited to, optics mounts, tool holders, work holders, adapters, or the like. Self-centering mechanisms are constructed with a functional range of diameters or sizes, such that objects within that range are self-centered related to the alignment axis, while objects outside the range are not guaranteed to be aligned. Almost all approaches for self-centering utilize a large structure, such that the outer dimensions of the mechanism are much larger than the maximum sized self-centered object. One common type of mechanism utilizes various means and geometries to extend multiple arms or holders from a large external ring portion towards the object (U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,647). These larger mechanisms can be biased to also act as a clamp or have a locking portion, whereby one or more arms or extenders must be pushed outwards and then released. More common approaches use two opposing V-shaped holders that move against each other in a linear track, which requires the device to be very large to allow for the linear travel needed for the V-shaped holders so that they can fit a range of differently sized objects (U.S. Pat. No. 8,550,413). There are also self-centering mechanisms that try to allow for a more compact design but either utilize very complex geometries that are difficult to scale or add additional contact points (U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,168), require a large number of linkages (U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,489) to achieve self-centering motion of the mechanism or are for only a specific object or extremely narrow size range of objects. Furthermore, most of the self-centering mechanisms lack an easy and intuitive means to actuate the self-centering clamp, especially with a low hand force required compared to the amount of clamping force applied.
Notwithstanding all the known methodologies and construction for a self-centering mechanism however, it is believed that still further advancements in the art are achievable. In particular, it is desirable to construct a self-centering device that is both compact, scalable to meet requirements and contact points required, easily actuated by the user and with minimal parts. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a construction and methodology of a self-centering mechanism, that overcomes the foregoing deficiencies in the prior art as well as achieves the aforementioned and below mentioned objects and advantages.
Regarding a clamping device for an electronic device, there are numerous prior art examples of devices and methods to retain an electronic device. Yet, many clamping devices for electronic devices are specific to the device, and cannot account for various differences in the electronic device, such as when the electronic device is within a case of various geometries. There are several approaches that retain an electronic device over a range of sizes, but each method has deficiencies in ease of use, compact size, repeated usage and integration with other devices for mounting or alignment applications. The most common is a two-sided linear style clamp, typically with a rack and pinion mechanism or a captive nut with threaded rods. In the case of the rack and pinion style mechanism, the user must hold their phone in the area between the two clamps and then push the mechanism from both sides until tight around their phone. As this is a discrete adjustment method, depending on the outer dimensions of the electronic device, the electronic device may be over-tight in the clamp or somewhat loose. Upon removal from such a device, the user once again has to pull the mechanism from one or more sides outwards to release their phone. This method is awkward for the user, typically requires two hands and can inconsistently clamp the electronic devices within the specified size range. The captive nut with threaded rod approach is a continuous adjustment, however requires the device to be quite large for the travel required of the linear track within where the two clamping portions move and the user to make a manual adjustment each time the device is loading and unloaded. A second approach involves a tacky or sticky member wherein the electronic device is held due to adhesion. The tacky or sticky member can be made from a selection of materials; however, the adhesion properties of these materials have a limited lifetime, or must be refreshed with water or another material. The adhesive nature also makes the device attract dust and dirt, and requires a lot of user maintenance. The third approach is utilizing an X-shaped grip to hold the electronic device (U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,161). The X-shaped clamp remedies some of the previous prior art deficiencies, however, such a device still has several disadvantages. In terms of the use, such an approach could be difficult for the user to clamp their phone as it requires pulling apart two biased opposing arms. Also, it's centralized and thick mechanism does not allow for easy integration with some other devices, for example, but not limited to, a large optical element connected to the camera of the electronic device. Furthermore, this approach does not lend itself to an easy or integrated means of alignment. For example, if the device needed to be aligned to another device or mechanism, this device would have to include additional mechanisms to make an adjustment to the alignment in at least two directions, thereby making the final device overcomplicated and bulky.
Therefore, it is desirable to construct a clamping device for an electronic device or an electronic device within a case, for a large range of sizes, which is compact in size, easily actuated by the user, designed for repeated usage, and allows for integration with other devices for mounting or alignment applications. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a construction and methodology of a novel clamping device for an electronic device, that overcomes the foregoing deficiencies in the prior art as well as achieves the aforementioned and below mentioned objects and advantages.
The aforementioned self-centering mechanism and clamping device for an electronic device can also be integrated into a single adapter device. Limited prior art examples exist for such a self-centering adapter device for an electronic device. A few prior art references utilize self-centering mechanisms, such as a collet-style adapter or a common radially biased three arm mechanism, which can retain and self-center a range of differently sized objects but can only do so over an extended range, nor provides means to combine with a range of differently sized electronic devices. The second prior art example demonstrates an adapter device, but each individual portion utilizes existing prior art means with the aforementioned deficiencies. Namely, the self-centering mechanism uses two V-shaped clamps, and the clamping device for the electronic device uses a two-sided linear clamp with a captive nut and threaded rods. The obvious combination of known devices provides for an adapter, but does not overcome any of the known disadvantages with each individual device. The second prior art reference also does not include any bias means, such that all clamping must be done manually and are time-consuming as a result. No prior art exists for a compact and portable optical adapter which integrates a novel self-centering mechanism and clamping device for an electronic device.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a construction and methodology of a self-centering adapter for an electronic device, and an optical adapter in particular, that overcomes the foregoing perceived deficiencies as well as achieves the aforementioned and below mentioned objects and advantages.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved self-centering mechanism for an object.
It is a particular object of the present invention to provide an improved self-centering mechanism which is biased so as to releasably engage with a range of differently sized and shaped objects.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a clamping device for retaining an electronic device.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved clamping device for retaining a wide range of differently sized and shaped electronic devices.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved self-centering mechanism and a clamping device for electronic device which are more intuitive and easy to use compared to prior art.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide integration of the aforementioned self-centering mechanism and clamping device in the form of an adapter.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved method of a self-centering mechanism, and a clamping device for retaining an electronic device.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts and sequence of steps which will be exemplified in the construction, illustration and description hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
In a preferred embodiment, a self-centering mechanism to retain an object is presented, wherein the self-centering mechanism comprises: a main body having an alignment axis and at least two pivot axes, a first arm rotatable about the first pivot axis, and having at least one tangential member and at least one end, a second arm rotatable about the second pivot axis, and having at least one tangential member and at least one end, a first tangential member, such that the first tangential member moves in a tangential manner with the tangential member of the first arm, a second tangential member, such that the second tangential member moves in a tangential manner with the tangential member of the second arm, and a third arm having at least one end, said third arm being coupled to or integral with said first tangential member, wherein the geometry of the tangential members of the first and second arm and first and second tangential members, are such that the ends of at least the first, second and third arm move in a self-centering manner.
Additionally presented is a clamping device for individually retaining at least one of an electronic device and an electronic device in a case, having at least a first, second and third side, wherein the clamping device comprises: a main body having a first surface, a first axis and a pivot axis, a first holder member being rotatable about the pivot axis and having a first end, a bias member preferentially rotating the first end of the first holder towards the first axis, a second holder member having a first surface, such that when the electronic device is held in the retained state, the third side is in at least partial contact with the first surface of the main body, the first end of the first holder portion is in at least partial contact with the first side of the electronic device, the first surface of the second holder portion is in at least partial contact with the second side of the electronic device, and the electronic device is retained due to the clamping force of the bias member that occurs between the first end of the first holder and the first surface of the second holder portion.
In a particular embodiment, a self-centering adapter for retaining an optical device or object to an electronic device or an electronic device in a case having at least a first, second and third side and an optical axis, wherein the self-centering adapter comprises: a main body having an alignment axis, at least three pivot axes, and a first surface, a first arm rotatable about the first pivot axis, and having at least one tangential member and at least one end, a second arm rotatable about the second pivot axis, and having at least one tangential member and at least one end, a first tangential member, such that the first tangential member moves in a tangential manner with the tangential member of the first arm, a second tangential member, such that the second tangential member moves in a tangential manner with the tangential member of the second arm, a third arm having at least one end, said third arm being mechanically connected to or a part of said first tangential member, a first holder member being rotatable about the third pivot axis and having a first end, a bias member preferentially rotating the first end of the first holder towards the alignment axis, a second holder member having a first surface, such that when the electronic device is held in the retained state, the third surface is in at least partial contact with the first surface of the main body, the first end of the first holder portion is in contact with the first side of the electronic device, the first surface of the second holder portion is in contact with the second side of the electronic device, and the electronic device is retained due to the clamping force of the bias member that occurs between the first end of the first holder and the first surface of the second holder portion, wherein the geometry of the tangential members of the first and second arm, and first and second tangential members, are selected such that the ends of at least the first, second and third arm releasably engage with an optical device in a self-centering manner, such that when the electronic device is held in the retained and aligned state so that the optical axis of the electronic device is aligned to the alignment axis of the main body, the electronic device can releasably engage with an optical device or object in a self-centering manner relative to the optical axis of the electronic device.
A self-centering method to retain an object is presented, wherein the self-centering mechanism comprises: a main body having an alignment axis and at least two pivot axes, a first arm rotatable about the first pivot axis, and having at least one surface and at least one end, a second arm rotatable about the second pivot axis, and having at least one surface and at least one end, a first tangential member, having at least one surface, said surface of the first tangential member being in tangential contact with the said surface of the first member, a second tangential member, having at least one surface, said surface of the second tangential member being in tangential contact with the said surface of the second member, a third arm having at least one end, said third arm being mechanically connected to or a part of said first tangential member, and at least one bias member, and wherein the bias member preferentially rotates at least one end of a member towards the central axis, wherein the shapes of the surfaces of the first and second arm, and first and second tangential members, are selected such that the ends of at least the first, second and third arm releasably engage with an object in a self-centering manner, wherein the method compromises the steps of: pressing the first and second arms in conjunction, such that pressing both arms, causes the ends of at least the first, second and third arms to move away from the alignment axis in a self-centering manner, inserting the object into the self-centering mechanism, releasing both the first and second arms, such that the ends of at least the first, second and third arms to move towards the alignment axis in a self-centering manner, and then releasably engage with the object in a self-centering manner.
Lastly, a clamping method for retaining an electronic device or an electronic device in a case is presented, wherein the method utilizes a clamping device for individually retaining at least one of an electronic device and an electronic device in a case having at least a first, second and third side, wherein the clamping device comprises: a main body having a first surface, a first axis and a pivot axis, a first holder member being rotatable about the pivot axis and having a first end, a bias member preferentially rotating the first end of the first holder towards the first axis, a second holder member having a first surface, such that when the electronic device is held in the retained state, the third surface is in at least partial contact with the first surface of the main body, the first end of the holder portion is in contact with the first side of the electronic device, the first surface of the second holder portion is in contact with the second side of the electronic device, and the electronic device is retained due to the clamping force of the bias member that occurs between the first end of the first holder and the first surface of the second holder portion, wherein the method compromises the steps of: retracting the first holder portion away from the first axis of the main body, placing the third surface of the electronic device in at least partial contact with the first surface of the main body, and releasing the first holder portion such that it can move towards the first axis of the main body.
Like reference numerals in the various Figures illustrate like parts, but not every part in every figure is so identified.
As set forth in the Background Section above, and as will be appreciated below, the present invention is primarily directed to a self-centering mechanism, a clamping device retaining an electronic device and means of their integration through the form of an adapter device. It will be made clear from the below description of the construction of each device, that each device is unique and not obvious in view of existing prior art.
The first preferred embodiment of the self-centering mechanism depicted in
The first embodiment of the self-centering mechanism demonstrates one example of the geometry of each tangential member that was designed such that the ends of the first, second and third arm move in a self-centering manner about the alignment axis 11 (shown out of the plane in
The first preferred embodiment of the self-centering mechanism also demonstrates the novel construction of the self-centering adapter, which inherently is designed for easy user actuation. By simple extension of the first and second arms, the user can apply pressure placed onto opposing sections of the first and second arm 14, 17. There can also be cut-out shapes, contours or elastomeric coatings or members placed on the arms to allow for more ergonomic and intuitive use. The pressing of opposing arms is a natural gripping motion, and is convenient for the user. Furthermore, due to the bias member 29 that preferentially rotates the ends of the arms towards the alignment axis, upon user release of the arms; the object is releasably retained in a self-centering manner. In this example, the single compression spring supplies a linear force which is translated to the ends of the first, second and third anus, which provides a strong clamping force that retains the object. The self-centering mechanism is easily actuated by user and allows for the quickest on-off compared to any prior art. There are no screws to adjust until tighten and then loosen, or several levers to pull then lock, then unlock etc. The user simply pushes the two arms together, places over the object, then releases. In typical use, this process can take merely a second or two. It can be highly repeatable in accuracy in the placement and usage of the presented self-centering mechanism. Also, a long lever arm can be used, such that the user presses the arms together allows for significant leverage. This means that even with a very strong bias member with a large bias force, the user does not need to provide equal or near equal force to actuate the device, but instead a small fraction of the force. Prior art examples with bias members do not always allow for low human force with a large force bias member, and typically are very hard to open and actuate by the user, which makes usage more frustrating and time-consuming.
The second preferred embodiment of the self-centering mechanism
The third preferred embodiment of the self-centering mechanism
Additional embodiment of the self-centering mechanisms are shown in
The alignment axis of the self-centering mechanism can be placed at true center or intentionally offset due to the weight of the objects or devices connected to the self-centering mechanism. In such cases, there may be a weight that biases the self-centering mechanism towards a specific direction, such as the weight of an extremely heavy object. In this case, if a known range of weights are known at the time of the design, the self-centering mechanism can be designed to account for this, by offsetting the alignment axis such that the heavy objects or devices do not result in an off-centered object, but instead still properly retain the object in a self-centered manner.
The first preferred embodiment of the clamping device for an electronic device 40 is depicted in
A third preferred embodiment of the clamping device
A fourth preferred embodiment of the clamping device
The self-centering mechanism and the clamping device for retaining an electronic device, can be integrated in the form of an adapter device as shown in
The adapter device can be used for several applications, but most notably as an optical adapter for electronic devices, such as but not limited to phones or tablets, specifically those having a camera or illumination means. In this application, the main body can include a cut-out or window such that light can pass between the electronic device and the optic. Due to the compact size of each individual device, and their inherent construction that allow for easy integration with other devices, the resulting adapter can be compact in size with a reduction in parts from the combined number of parts from each device. Such an adapter device for connecting an electronic device having a camera or illumination means to a range of optical devices, including but not limited to spotting scopes (
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
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