초록 ▼

A camera mount apparatus is disclosed that allows toolless rotation with integrated detent and locking features. The apparatus has the ability to rotate a camera and lens predetermined increments. In the preferred embodiment, the camera and lens are constrained together, and rotate about the optical

A camera mount apparatus is disclosed that allows toolless rotation with integrated detent and locking features. The apparatus has the ability to rotate a camera and lens predetermined increments. In the preferred embodiment, the camera and lens are constrained together, and rotate about the optical axis. One portion of the apparatus remains fixed while another portion rotates and slides, allowing the camera and light to be rotated in a controlled fashion. The apparatus has a hand retractable pin that locks rotational movement and that is released manually to allow rotation adjustment The apparatus has spring plungers that mate to spherical indented features to provide a function to allow a positive feel when the desired angular position is achieved during rotation. The apparatus has bearing surfaces that allow rotation and provide contact of bearing material on rotational sliding faces to metal contact.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A rotationally adjustable camera mount apparatus (5) having a ring assembly (7) concentrically surrounding an optical axis (14) of a camera (12), the ring assembly (7) comprising: a first ring (20) having a first aperture (41) and a mount (32) for attaching the camera (12);a second ring (18), rot

1. A rotationally adjustable camera mount apparatus (5) having a ring assembly (7) concentrically surrounding an optical axis (14) of a camera (12), the ring assembly (7) comprising: a first ring (20) having a first aperture (41) and a mount (32) for attaching the camera (12);a second ring (18), rotationally fixed to the first ring (20), having a first notch (37) aligned with the first aperture;a third ring (16), configured to concentrically fit about the second ring (18), having a second notch (35), wherein the first notch (37) and the second notch (35), when aligned, form a recess (39) aligned with the first aperture (41), and at least one depression (19);a fourth ring (30) rotationally fixed to the first and second ring (20, 18);at least one bearing (22, 23, 24, 25) between the first and third rings (20, 16) and the third and fourth rings (16, 30); anda lock assembly (9), fixed to the first ring (20), having a retractable pin (34) aligned with the first aperture (41) and at least one plunger pin (21) adapted to contact the at least one depression (19),wherein, the camera (12), when attached to the first ring (20), is rotatable about the optical axis (14) and wherein the rotation of the camera (12) relative to the third ring (16) is locked when the first notch (37) and the second notch (35) are aligned and the retractable pin (34) is inserted into the recess (39). 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ring assembly comprises two pairs of depressions (19) and plunger pins (21), wherein each pair is positioned on either side of the second notch (35). 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the third ring (16) comprises a plurality of pairs of depressions (19) and a plurality of notches (35), wherein the camera (12) is rotatable in a number of increments equal to the number of notches (35) in the third ring (16). 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the number of notches (35) in the third ring (16) is 4 and the camera (12) is rotatable in 90° increments. 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the number of notches (35) in the third ring (16) is 3 and the camera (12) is rotatable in 120° increments. 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the number of notches (35) in the third ring (16) is 6 and the camera (12) is rotatable in 60° increments. 7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the number of notches (35) in the third ring (16) is 8 and the camera (12) is rotatable in 45° increments. 8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the number of notches (35) in the third ring (16) is 12 and the camera (12) is rotatable in 30° increments. 9. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a light bracket (28) having a light (52) directed to the field of view of the camera (12). 10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a mounting bracket (17) for attaching the apparatus to a surface. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least two of the first, second, and fourth rings (20, 18, 30) are constructed from a single piece of material. 12. A rotationally adjustable camera mount apparatus comprising: a rotational member (7) comprising an upper portion (20) having a first aperture (41) and an inner portion (18) having a first notch (37) aligned with the at least one aperture (41);a bracket member (17) attached to a surface, said bracket member (17) including a ring (16) having an upper surface with at least one depression (19), wherein the inner portion (18) of said rotational member (7) is adapted to concentrically fit within said ring (16), and the interior of said ring includes a second notch (35), wherein the first notch (37) and the second notch (35), when aligned, form a circular recess (39) aligned with said first aperture (41) of the upper portion (20); anda lock assembly (9) having a retractable pin (34) and at least one plunger pin (21), the lock assembly (9) fixed to the upper portion (20) of the rotational member (7), wherein the retractable pin (34) is aligned with the first aperture (41),wherein in a first condition when the first notch (37) of the inner portion (18) and the second notch (35) are aligned, the retractable pin (34) is inserted into the recess (39) and the at least one plunger pin (21) is inserted into the at least one depression (19) such that said rotational member (7) is locked relative to the bracket member (17), and in a second condition when the first notch (37) and the second notch (35) are not aligned, the rotational member (7) is allowed to rotate relative to the bracket member (17).