U.S. patent number 10,996,547 [Application Number 16/136,485] was granted by the patent office on 2021-05-04 for electronic device mount.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Arlo Technologies, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Arlo Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Christopher Vincent Fonzo, Beau Oyler, John Kui Yan Ramones, Dayne Nathaniel Tanner.
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United States Patent |
10,996,547 |
Ramones , et al. |
May 4, 2021 |
Electronic device mount
Abstract
A directionally adjustable magnetic mounting system is disclosed
for use with a small electronic device such as a wireless camera.
The mounting system includes a camera mount having a mounting
surface configured to selectively and alternatively magnetically
engage any one of a plurality of mount engaging locations on the
electronic device in an angular orientation that is variable
relative to a longitudinal centerline of the camera mount. Also
disclosed is a method of using the mounting system.
Inventors: |
Ramones; John Kui Yan (San
Ramon, CA), Fonzo; Christopher Vincent (Carlsbad, CA),
Oyler; Beau (Walnut Creek, CA), Tanner; Dayne Nathaniel
(Concord, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Arlo Technologies, Inc. |
Carlsbad |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Arlo Technologies, Inc.
(Carlsbad, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005530091 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/136,485 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20200096842 A1 |
Mar 26, 2020 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B
17/561 (20130101); F16M 11/041 (20130101); F16M
2200/024 (20130101); F16M 11/126 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G03B
17/56 (20210101); F16M 11/04 (20060101); F16M
11/12 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;396/428 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: LaBalle; Clayton E.
Assistant Examiner: Chang; Fang-Chi
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Boyle Fredrickson, SC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A directionally adjustable mounted electronic device,
comprising: an electronic device having a housing having a
plurality of mount engaging locations disposed on an outer surface
thereof, the mount engaging locations being spaced from one
another; a mount having: a curved mounting surface disposed at a
first end portion of the mount, a magnet having a surface generally
tangential to the curved mounting surface, and a mounting fixture
configured for attachment to a support at an opposing second end
portion of the mount; and the mounting surface of the mount being
configured to selectively and alternatively magnetically engage any
one of the plurality of the mount engaging locations on the housing
to securely retain the housing on the mount in an angular
orientation that is variable relative to a longitudinal centerline
of the mount.
2. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
1, wherein, when the mounting surface of the mount engages a
selected one of the mount engaging locations on the housing, the
orientation of the housing is angularly variable bidirectionally
orthogonally relative to a latitudinal centerline and a vertical
centerline.
3. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
2, wherein, when the mounting surface of the mount engages a
selected one of the mount engaging locations on the housing, the
orientation of the housing is variable through an angular range of
motion in first and second mutually orthogonal directions of at
least 30 degrees in both directions.
4. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
3, wherein, when the curved mounting surface of the mount engages a
selected one of the mount engaging locations on the housing, the
orientation of the housing is variable 1) unidirectionally in the
first direction through an angle of at least 30 degrees and 2)
bidirectionally in the second direction through an angle of at
least 60 degrees.
5. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
4, wherein an orientation of the mounting fixture configured for
attachment to the support at the opposing second end portion of the
mount is variable between a first orientation and a second
orientation that is approximately perpendicular to the first
orientation, when the mounting surface of the mount engages a
selected one of the mount engaging locations on the housing.
6. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
5, wherein the mount is rotated approximately 180 degrees about a
longitudinal axis and 90 degrees about a latitudinal axis when the
mounting fixture is oriented in the second orientation, relative to
the first orientation.
7. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
4, further comprising a cord retention cavity in the mounting
fixture.
8. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
1, wherein the mount engaging locations include first and second
mount locations located at upper and lower corners of the housing,
respectively.
9. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
1, wherein the mounting surface at the first end of the mount is
generally concave.
10. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
1, wherein a first portion of the mounting surface is curved about
two generally perpendicular axes.
11. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
10, wherein a second portion of the mounting surface is curved
about one centerline.
12. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
1, wherein a portion of each of the mount engaging locations of the
housing is curved and configured to mate with a portion of the
curved mounting surface.
13. The directionally adjustable mounted electronic device of claim
1, wherein a portion of each of the mount engaging locations on the
housing is convex.
14. A directionally adjustable mounted camera system, comprising: a
camera having a camera housing, the camera housing having a
longitudinal centerline, a front surface, and an opposing rear
surface, the rear surface having a plurality of mutually spaced
curved mount engaging locations; a camera lens disposed within the
front surface of the camera housing; a camera mount having a curved
mounting surface disposed at the first end of the camera mount and
a releasably affixed mounting fixture configured for attachment to
a support at an opposing second end of the camera mount, wherein
the curved mounting surface at the first end of the mount is an
irregular curved concave mounting surface; the curved mounting
surface of the camera mount being configured to selectively and
alternatively magnetically engage any one of a plurality of the
mount engaging locations on the camera housing to securely retain
the camera on the mount in an angular orientation that is variable
both laterally and vertically relative to a longitudinal centerline
of the camera mount through a range of at least 30 degrees.
15. The directionally adjustable mounted camera system of claim 14,
wherein, when the curved mounting surface of the camera mount
engages a selected one of the mount engaging locations on the
camera housing, the camera is positionally adjustable 1) vertically
unidirectionally relative to the longitudinal centerline of the
camera mount by at least 30 degrees in order to alter a tilt angle
of the camera and 2) laterally bidirectionally relative to the
longitudinal centerline of the camera mount by at least 30 degrees
in order to alter a pan angle of the camera.
16. The directionally adjustable mounted camera system of claim 14,
wherein a portion of each of the curved mount engaging locations of
the camera housing is convex and configured to mate with a portion
of the irregular concave mounting surface.
17. A method of adjusting the position of a camera relative to a
mount fixture affixed to a support surface, the mount fixture being
provided on a second end portion of a camera mount having a curved
mounting surface disposed at a first end portion thereof, the
camera mount having a magnet with a surface generally tangential to
the curved mounting surface, the camera having a camera housing
having a plurality of spaced mount engaging locations disposed on
an outer surface thereof, the method comprising: magnetically
engaging a first of the mount engaging locations on the camera
housing with the mounting surface of the camera mount with
sufficient force to retain the camera in an orientation in which a
longitudinal centerline of the camera extends at a first angle
relative a longitudinal centerline of the camera mount;
repositioning the camera such that the first mount engaging
location on the camera housing magnetically engages the mounting
surface of the camera mount with sufficient force to retain the
camera in an orientation in which the longitudinal centerline of
the camera extends at second angle relative the longitudinal
centerline of the camera mount; then repositioning the camera such
that a second mount engaging location on the camera housing
magnetically engages the mounting surface of the camera mount with
sufficient force to retain the camera in an orientation in which
the longitudinal centerline of the camera extends at a third angle
relative the longitudinal centerline of the camera mount.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a magnetic mounting apparatus
for an electronic device, and more particularly, relates to a
magnetic mounting device that can be anchored in multiple
orientations for magnetically supporting a directionally adjustable
electronic device such as a camera. The invention additionally
relates to a method of using the same.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
As the market for small electronic devices has continued to expand,
the availability and accessibility of cameras has similarly
experienced growth. The camera industry has experienced significant
expansion as a result of the improvement of digital photography,
and the introduction of high-quality digital image sensors into a
growing field of small electronic devices, such as webcams,
wireless network compatible cameras, handheld camcorders, action
cameras, etc. These various cameras have become increasingly
commonplace, largely driven by their flexibility and general ease
of use.
For example, wireless network compatible cameras often are used for
a variety of purposes including home security, business security,
child monitoring, pet monitoring, etc. Additionally, many of these
cameras offer beneficial features such as night vision through the
use of infrared LEDs, high definition widescreen video, digital
zoom, motion detection, audio alerts, etc.
Despite the many various uses for these small electronic devices,
such as wireless network compatible cameras, one common need is the
ability to mount the device in a desired location. That is to say,
in remote monitoring systems of various types, including those that
employ small cameras, it is a general need and desire to mount the
camera to a support surface. For example, in the context of an
exterior security system, there is a need to mount one or more
cameras around the perimeter of a building or property in order to
permit monitoring of the building's or property's perimeter.
However, despite the need to mount a small camera in a desired
location and position, there remains a need and desire to allow for
adjustments to the mounting positions of the camera. For example,
when a small camera is employed in the context of an exterior
security system, it is often desirable to be able to adjust the
camera's angular orientation side-to-side ("panning"), and/or up
and down ("tilting") so that it is directed or "aimed" at a
specific area of interest, such as a window or doorway. This
directional adjustability can be particularly beneficial in the
context of small cameras that are installed directly by the end
user, and not a security system professional, and that may require
various positional adjustments in order to obtain the desired
camera field of view. Thus, there is need and desire to provide a
camera mount that allows for ease of directional adjustability.
Typical adjustable mounts for small cameras include a clamp that
holds the camera in place and that can be loosened to adjust the
camera's angular orientation and then retightened. A common type of
mount includes a ball and joint style bracket that is bolted or
otherwise affixed to the camera. In order to lock a camera having
this style of mounting device in a desired orientation, a
frictional clamp that engages the ball when the camera is in the
desired angular orientation must first be disengaged or loosened.
Then, once the camera is placed in the desired position, it must be
held there while the frictional clamp reengages and tightens around
the ball. Tightening the clamp of such a mechanism may
unintentionally move the camera such that the angular orientation
of the camera may be skewed from its desired orientation, requiring
re-adjustment. Additionally, repositioning of the camera often
necessitates the use of two hands and is a time-consuming process,
requiring the mounting lock to be released, the camera to be
repositioned, and the mounting clamp to be reengaged in
sequence.
Furthermore, often a wireless camera is equipped with a single
mount attachment point, such as a threaded socket for receiving a
bolt-on mount or an inwardly curved surface for receiving and
engaging a partially spherical magnetic mount. The presence of a
single mount attachment point often limits the possible locations
in which the mount may be anchored to a support surface while still
achieving a desired camera field of view. Moreover, the presence of
a single mount attachment point on a wireless camera or similar
small electronic device may prohibit the mount from being secured
in the desired location for the sake of maintaining the device's
field of view. That is to say, for example, a wireless camera may
not be configured for ceiling or table top mounting due to the
location of its single mount attachment point.
In light of the foregoing, an electronic device, such as a camera,
having mount that exhibits magnetic based secure camera position
retention and an ease of camera angular position adjustability is
desired.
Also, a mount that exhibits both multiple anchoring orientations
relative to a camera housing and multiple engagement locations
located on a camera housing is desired.
Also, a method that exhibits both secure electronic device position
retention and an ease of electronic device angular position
adjustability is also desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One or more of the above-identified needs are met by a
directionally adjustable magnetic mounting device for small
electronic device, such as a camera including a housing having
multiple mount engaging locations. The electronic device has a
housing having a plurality of mount engaging locations disposed on
an outer surface thereof, the mount engaging locations being spaced
from one another. A mount for the device has a mounting surface
disposed at a first end portion of the mount and a mounting fixture
configured for attachment to a support at an opposing second end
portion of the mount. The mounting surface of the mount is
configured to selectively and alternatively magnetically engage any
one of the plurality of the mount engaging locations on the housing
to securely retain the housing on the mount in an angular
orientation that is variable relative to a longitudinal centerline
of the mount.
The angular orientation of the housing may be variable
bidirectionally orthogonally relative to a latitudinal centerline
and a vertical centerline. For example, if the longitudinal
centerline extends vertically, the housing may be variable both
horizontally (laterally) and vertically. In the case of a camera,
this variability permits adjustment of both pan and tilt angles of
the camera.
When the curved mounting surface of the mount engages a selected
one of the mount engaging locations on the housing, the electronic
device may have an angular range of motion in first and second
mutually orthogonal directions of at least 30 degrees in both
directions. This angle may exceed 45 degrees and may even be 50
degrees or more. In one configuration, the angle is unidirectional
in a first direction such as vertically and bidirectional in a
second direction, such as horizontally (laterally).
The mount engaging locations may be located at upper and lower
ends, respectively, of a rear surface of the housing.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is
provided of adjusting the position of a camera relative to a mount
fixture affixed to a support surface. The mount fixture is provided
on a second end portion of a camera mount having a mounting surface
disposed at a first end portion thereof. The camera has a camera
housing having a plurality of spaced mount engaging locations
disposed on an outer surface thereof. The method includes the
magnetically engaging a first of the mount engaging locations on
the camera housing with the mounting surface of the camera mount
with sufficient force to retain the camera in an orientation in
which a longitudinal centerline of the camera extends at a first
angle relative a longitudinal centerline of the camera mount. A The
method additionally includes repositioning the camera such that the
first mount engaging location on the camera housing magnetically
engages the mounting surface of the camera mount with sufficient
force to retain the camera in an orientation in which the
longitudinal centerline of the camera extends at second angle
relative the longitudinal centerline of the camera mount. The
method still additionally includes repositioning the camera such
that a second mount engaging location on the camera housing
magnetically engages the mounting surface of the camera mount with
sufficient force to retain the camera in an orientation in which
the longitudinal centerline of the camera extends at a third angle
relative the longitudinal centerline of the camera mount.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed
description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood,
however, that the detailed description and accompanying drawings,
while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention,
are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many
changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the
present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and
the invention includes all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals
represent like parts throughout, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an electronic device mount
constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded front isometric view of the mount device of
FIG. 1 shown along a longitudinal axis of the mount;
FIG. 3 is a partial exploded front isometric view of a camera, the
mount device of FIG. 1 retaining a cable in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention, and a support surface for
engaging the mount.
FIG. 4 is a partial side elevation cross-sectional view of the
mount device of FIG. 1, showing the mount engaging a camera;
FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of the mount device of FIG. 1,
showing the mount engaging a camera;
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the mount device of FIG. 1,
showing the mount engaging a camera in a first angular orientation
thereof relative to the mounting device;
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the camera and mount of FIG. 6,
showing the camera in a second angular orientation thereof relative
to the mounting device;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the mount device of FIG. 1, showing
the mount engaging a camera in the first angular orientation
thereof relative to the mounting device;
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the camera and mount of FIG. 8,
showing the camera in a third angular orientation thereof relative
to the mounting device;
FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the mount device of FIG. 1,
showing the mount engaging a camera in the first angular
orientation thereof relative to the mounting device with the
mounting device engaging the camera in a second location;
FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the mount device of FIG. 1,
showing the mount engaging a camera in yet angular orientation
thereof relative to the mounting device with the mounting device
engaging the camera in the second location while the mounting
device has been rotated to engage a support surface located above
the camera, such as a ceiling;
FIG. 12 is a front isometric view of an electronic device mount
constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
present invention including a depression in the mounting surface;
and,
FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the mount device of FIG. 12
showing the mount engaging the camera in still another angular
orientation thereof relative to the mounting device with the
mounting device engaging the camera at the first location while the
mounting device has been rotated to engage a support surface
located below the camera, such as a tabletop.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A wide variety of electronic devices could be used with a mounting
device in accordance with the invention as defined by the claims.
Hence, while the preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described with reference to mounting a battery-powered camera for
use with a wireless monitoring network, it should be understood
that the invention is in no way so limited and other electronic
device, such as wired cameras, and others may be used with a
mounting device in accordance with the invention as defined by the
claims.
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a directionally adjustable mounting
device 10, i.e., mount, constructed in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. Referring briefly to FIGS. 3
and 5-10, the mount 10 is configured to support an electronic
device, such as a camera 12 in a manner that permits the camera 12
to be securely retained in a desired angular orientation relative
to a support surface 14 to which the mount 10 is secured. The mount
10 may attached to the camera 12 at multiple mounting locations on
the camera 10, as shown by FIGS. 6 and 10, respectively.
Additionally, for each of these discrete mounting locations, the
mount 10 may be secured to the support surface 14 in various
orientations. That is to say that in one representative orientation
the mount 10 may be secured to a support surface 14 that is
positioned behind or rearwardly of the camera 12, as shown in FIGS.
3-6. Alternatively, while the mount 10 is still attached to the
cameras 12 at the same mounting location, the mount 10 may be
rotated 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis 55 and 90 degrees
about its latitudinal axis 33, thereby allowing the mount 10 to be
positioned such that it can be secured to a support surface 14,
such as a table top, that is positioned generally below or
underneath the bottom of the camera 12. Such an alternative
orientation is shown in FIG. 13 and described in further detail
below. Similarly, the mount 10 may be rotated to allow for mounting
to a support surface 14 positioned generally above the top of the
camera 12, such as a ceiling, as shown in FIG. 11. It should also
be understood that the support surface 14 need not be limited to a
generally vertical or generally horizontal surface, and that the
mount 10 of the present invention is well suited for attachment to
a support surface 14 of any angular orientation.
Furthermore, in addition to these multiple mounting locations and
multiple mounting orientations, the mount 10 further permits the
camera 12 to be angularly repositioned (panned and/or tilted) to a
different angular orientation and to be retained in the new
position via a magnetic force formed by a magnet disposed within
the mount 10 acting upon a ferromagnetic material disposed within
the camera 12 as will be described in further detail below.
Accordingly, the simultaneous combination of plural mounting
locations along the outer surface of the camera 12, and variable
mounting orientations of the camera 12 on mount 10 affords panning
of the camera 12 and tilting of the camera 12 in a manner that
provides a mounted camera 12 with expanded available field of view
options relative to the fixed support surface 14.
While FIGS. 3 through 10 show the mount engaging a camera 12, it
should be understood that the present invention is not limited to
forming a mounting engagement with the depicted camera 12, which is
shown by way of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment that is
representative of a small electronic device configured to engage
the mount 10. That is to say that the mount 10 in accordance with
the present invention is not limited to retaining an electrical
device of any particular form but is rather a mount 10 that is
configured to magnetically affix a small electronic device that
includes a ferromagnetic housing, which is configured to
magnetically engage the magnetic mount 10. Alternative examples of
small electronic devices that may engage the mount 10 may include
motion sensors, lights, speakers, etc.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the mount 10 includes a housing 16
and a mounting fixture 18, which is configured to engage the
housing 16. The housing 16 of mount 10 includes a body 20 having a
first end 22, a second end 24, and a sidewall 26 extending between
the first end 22 and the second end 24. As shown in FIG. 1, in one
embodiment the sidewall 26 is substantially frustoconical with the
circumference of the first end 22 being less than the circumference
of the second end 24. A curved mounting surface 28, which is
configured to engage an outer surface of the camera 12 is generally
located at the first end 22 of the body 20, and may include a
surface covering 30, such as a thermoplastic, silicon or rubberized
material, having a relatively high coefficient of friction of
approximately between 0.3 and 0.6. The surface coving 30 may be
generally smooth, or alternatively as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
surface covering 30 may be textured, and include a plurality of
forwardly extending protrusions 35. The protrusions 35 may be
generally resilient and configured to deflect when the engaging
camera 12 is repositioned, i.e., tiling and/or panning of the
camera 12. As will be described in further detail below, and is
shown in FIG. 4, the mounting surface 28 is recessed or generally
concave relative to the first end 22. More particularly, the
mounting surface 28 is generally curvilinear, and may include a
variable curvature over the area of the mounting surface 28. As
shown in FIGS. 1-3, a first portion 32 of the mounting surface 28,
which is positioned at the bottom half of the mounting surface 28
is generally curved in two directions, namely about a vertical axis
31 and a latitudinal axis 33. The second portion 34 of the mounting
surface 28, which is positioned at the top half of the mounting
surface 28 and above the first portion 32, is generally curved in
one direction, namely about a vertical axis 31. As shown in FIG. 4,
at vertical cross-section of the mounting surface 28 the first
portion 32 of the mounting surface 28 may have an average angle of
incline that is relatively greater than the average angle of
incline of the second portion 34 of the mounting surface 28. That
is to say, that the first portion 32 may have a greater degree of
curvature than the second portion 34 of the mounting surface 28. In
this configuration, the mounting surface 28 is well adapted to
engage a similarly-shaped surface of the housing of a camera 12 or
another small electronic device.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 16 of mount 10 further
includes a base 36 that is removably affixed at the second end 24
of the body 20. The base 36 includes a front surface 38, an
opposing rear surface 40, and a sidewall 42 extending between the
front surface 38 and the rear surface 40. Fasteners 44 affix the
base 36 to the body 20, such that base 36 is securely flush mounted
within the body 20 at the second end 24 by extending the fasteners
44 through fastener apertures 46 located within the base 36 and
engaging the body 20 as is shown in FIG. 4. However, other
fastening means are considered well within the scope of the present
invention. When the base 36 is affixed to the body 20 to form the
enclosed housing 16 of the mount 10 a first cavity 48 is formed
that is defined by the surrounding body 20 and base 36. A magnet 50
is located within the cavity 48 and affixed to the front surface 38
of the base 36 via adhesive 52. As is described below, the magnet
50 is configured and oriented to generate a magnetic field that
attracts a ferromagnetic portion of the camera 12 towards the
mounting surface 28 of the mount 10, and securely retains the
camera 12 in a desired location and angular orientation relative to
the mount 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the front surface 38 of the base 36 further
includes an angled seat 54 located within a series of
circumferentially disposed retaining tabs 56. The seat 54 is
configured to adhesive affix the magnet 50 within the angled seat
54 and surround the perimeter of the magnet 50 with the retaining
tabs 56. As is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the
seat 54 is angled such that when the magnet 50 is retained within
the seat 54 a front surface 58 of the magnet 50 lies in a plane
that is generally tangential to the curvature of the mounting
surface 28 at an approximate midpoint of the mounting surface 28.
That is to say that the magnet 50 is positioned such that a
location on the front surface 5$ of the magnet contacts or nearly
contacts the interior side of the mounting surface 28 at a location
approximately equal to a center of the mounting surface 28. In one
embodiment of the present invention the angle of the seat 54 is
approximately 45 to 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis 55
of the mount 10, and more preferable approximately 75 to 85 degrees
relative to a longitudinal axis 55 of the mount 10.
Still referring to FIG. 2, in addition to the seat 54, the base 36
further includes a series of slots 60 that extend from the second
surface 40 to the first surface 38 of the base 36. The slots 60 are
configured to mate in a twist-lock configuration with a
corresponding series of protrusions 62 extending from the mounting
fixture 18. As will be described in further detail below, in one
embodiment, the housing 16, of which the base 36 forms a rear
surface, is placed over the mounting fixture 18 that has been
affixed to a mounting surface 14, such that the protrusions 62
slide into the slots 60. The housing 16 is then rotated
approximately 45 degrees in a twist-lock fashion such that the
protrusions 62 are set within the slots 60 to secure the housing 16
to the mounting fixture 18. It should be further understood that
while FIG. 2 depicts three protrusions 62 and three slots 60, the
present invention is not so limited and alternative numbers of
protrusions 62 and slots 60 are well within the scope of the
present invention.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 4, the mounting fixture 18 will be
described in further detail. The mounting fixture 18 includes a
disc 64 having a mounting post 66 extending forwardly from a front
surface 68 of the disc 64 along the longitudinal axis 55 and a
cover 70 extending rearwardly from a rear surface 72 of the disc
64. A mounting ring 74 is located approximately at the center of
the front surface 68 of the disc 64 and is configured to engage the
mounting post 66. Specifically, one or more orientation grooves 76
are axially disposed within the mounting ring 74 at intervals that
are configured to mate with corresponding splines (not shown)
within the mounting post 66. In this fashion the interior of the
mounting post 66 forms a socket for receiving the mounting ring 74.
Securely mating the splines with the grooves 76 requires that the
mounting post 66 be in the proper axial rotation. When the mounting
post 66 is properly oriented to engage the mounting ring 74, the
protrusions 62, which extend radially from the opposing end of the
mounting post 66, are properly oriented to correspondingly form a
twist-lock engagement with the housing 16 in the desired angular
orientation. That is to say that the mating splines and grooves 76
are angularly positioned about a longitudinal axis 55 of the mount
10 to specify the relative angular position of the protrusions 62
and their mating slots 60, when the mount 10 is fully assembled. As
shown in FIGS. 2-4, proper orientation of the mounting fixture 18
and housing 16 may result in the asymmetrical curvature of the
mounting surface 28 being oriented to receive the camera 12 in a
generally upright neutral position. As used herein, the term
neutral position of the camera 12 is defined by a longitudinal axis
65 of the camera 12 being positioned generally parallel to the
longitudinal axis 55 of the mount 10. Once the mounting post 66 has
properly engaged the mounting ring 74, a threaded fastener 78
extends from the rear surface 72 of the disc 64 and into the
mounting post 66, such that the disc 64 and mounting post 66 are
affixed to one another at the front surface 68 of the disc 64.
The opposing rear surface 72 of the disc 64 is configured to
receive the cover 70 when the mounting fixture 18 is affixed to a
support surface 14. The cover 70 includes a wall 80 and an annular
ridge 82 extending forwardly from a perimeter of the wall 80
towards the front of the mount 10. The wall 80 of the cover 70 is
configured to contact the support surface 14 when the mount 10 is
affixed to the support surface 14, as shown in FIG. 3. The
circumference of the annular ridge 82 of the cover 70 is generally
greater than that of the disc 64, and approximately equal to the
circumference of the second end 24 of the housing 20, such that
when the mount 10 is assembled the annular ridge 82 abuts the
second end 24 of the housing 20 and the disc 64 is fully contained
within a second cavity 84 defined between the base 36 and the rear
wall 70.
While the present invention is well suited for use with a wireless
electronic device, in one embodiment of the present invention, as
shown in FIG. 3, the camera 12 may include a wire or cord 85, such
as a power supply cord and/or a data transmission cord. In such an
embodiment, a portion of the cord 84 may be retained within the
assembled mounting fixture 18 to prevent theft of the cord or
alternatively to prevent the cord from inadvertently disconnecting
from the camera 12. Alternatively, the cord 85 may function as a
tether for the camera 12 with or without providing power and/or
data transmission.
As shown in FIG. 3, assembly of the mounting fixture 18 includes
placing the disc 64 within the cover 70 and then passing fasteners
86 through a first set of apertures 88 in the disc 64, through an
overlapping second set of apertures 90 in cover 70, and into the
support surface 14. The fasteners 86 extend rearwardly from the
wall 80 of the cover, generally parallel to the longitudinal axis
55 of the mount 10, and into the support surface 14. In this
configuration, where the rear side 72 of the disc 64 is positioned
adjacent the cover 70, an annular channel 92 is formed within the
second channel 84 and between the outer perimeter of the disc 64
and annular ridge 82 of the cover 80. A first void 94 and a second
void 96 within annular ridge 82 provide access openings in the
annular ridge 82 through which a portion of the cord 84 may pass
into and out of the channel 92 in the second cavity 84
respectively. During assembly and installation of the mounting
fixture 18, a selected length of the cord 85 is placed between the
disc 64 and cover 70, with a portion of the cord 85 passing through
the first and second voids 94, 96. The disc 64 is rotated until its
apertures 88 overlap the apertures 90 of the cover. Fasteners 86
are then passed through the overlapping apertures 88, 90 and
anchored into the support surface 14. To ensure that the mount 10
is properly oriented relative to the support surface 14, an
indicium 98, such as a directional arrow, may be located on the
front side 68 of the cover 64 to indicate the proper annular
position of the mounting fixture 18 while it is being fastened to
the support surface 14. By way of a non-limiting example, the
indicia 98 as shown in FIG. 2 is an arrow identifying the top of
the mount 10, which is to be positioned in an upwardly pointed
direction when the mounting fixture 18 is affixed to the support
surface 14.
Turning now to FIGS. 4 through 10, and initially FIG. 5, a mounted
camera system 110 is shown in which a battery-powered wireless
camera 12, is received within the mounting surface 28 at the first
end 22 of the mount body 20. The housing 112 of the camera 12
includes a top surface 114, bottom surface 116, a rear surface 118,
a front surface 120 and opposing first and second side surfaces
122, 12. The lens 128 of the camera 12 is disposed within the front
surface 120 of the camera, while the mount 10 is configured to
engage and secure the housing 112 of the camera 12 generally from
the opposing rear surface 118.
Referring now to the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the
rear surface 118 of the camera housing 112 is shown in further
detail while being received within the mounting surface 28 at the
first end 22 of the mount body 20. The rear surface 118 includes a
generally planar portion 130 that is positioned generally about the
longitudinal axis 65 of the camera 12, and approximately
equidistance from the top surface 114 and bottom surface 116. A
bottom or first curved portion 132 of the rear surface 118 is
positioned generally between the planer portion 130 and the bottom
surface 116 of the housing 112, while an opposing top or second
curved portion 134 of the rear surface 118 is positioned generally
between the planer portion 130 and the top surface 114 of the
housing 112. Both curved portions 132 and 134 form mount engaging
locations in this exemplary embodiment, it being understood that
other mount engaging locations, located for example at side edges
of the housing 112, could be provided instead of or in additional
to these mount engaging locations. As shown in FIGS. 4 through 10,
the first and second curved portions 132, 134 have an arc angle of
approximately 90 degrees in both a longitudinal and latitudinal
plane, such that the first and second curved portions form a
rounded bullnose transition between the planer portion 130 of the
rear surface 118 and the top and bottom surfaces 114, 116
respectively. That is to say that the first and second curved
portions 132, 134 are each generally quarter-spherical.
Still referring to FIG. 4, in which the mount 10 is shown engaging
the rear surface 118 adjacent the bottom surface 116 of the camera
housing 112, the first curved portion 132 of the rear surface 118
is shown engaging the mounting surface 28 at the first portion 32,
which exhibits a substantially similar curvature as the first
curved portion 132. Simultaneously, the generally planer portion
130 of the rear surface 118 of the camera housing 112 is shown
engaging the mounting surface 28 at the second portion 34, which is
similarly substantially linear in cross-section such that it is
well suited to contact the generally planer portion 130 of the rear
surface 118. The relative orientation of the camera 12 and the
mount 10 as shown in FIGS. 4-6, 8 and 10 is identified as a neutral
orientation, in which the longitudinal axis 55 of the mount 10 is
parallel to the longitudinal axis 65 of the camera 12, and the lens
128 in the front surface 120 of the camera housing 112 is generally
positioned at a zero annular angle relative to the longitudinal
axis 55 of the mount 10.
Still referring to FIG. 4, and as discussed above, the camera 12 is
retained in contact with the mount 10 via the magnetic force formed
by the magnet 50 disposed within the mount 10 acting upon a
ferromagnetic material disposed within the housing 112 of the
camera 12. More specifically, the housing 112 of the camera further
includes a first ferromagnetic body 136 positioned adjacent the
first curved portion 132 and a second ferromagnetic body 138
positioned adjacent the second curved portions 134. The
ferromagnetic bodies 136, 138 may be metal or metal alloy plates
that are curved to lie within the respective first and second
curved portions 132, 134 of the rear surface 118 of the housing
112, as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the ferromagnetic bodies
136, 138 may each be formed of multiple discrete metallic portions
disposed over the area of the first and second curved portions 132,
134, which in combination function as ferromagnetic bodies 136,
138, respectively.
During use, magnetic interaction between the magnet 50 and the
ferromagnetic bodies 136, 138 permits the camera 12 to be angularly
repositioned (panned and/or tilted) to a different angular
orientation and to be retained in the new position as will be
described in further detail below.
Beginning with FIGS. 5 and 6, the mounted camera system 110 is
shown with the camera 12 mounted to a first mounting location on
the camera housing 112, namely with the mounting surface 28
engaging the bottom or first curved portion 132 of the rear surface
118 of the camera housing 112. While in this mounting location, the
mount 10 is shown in a first orientation, namely wherein the
fasteners 86 extend rearwardly and parallel to the longitudinal
axis 65 of the camera 12 such that they affix to a support surface
14 positioned behind the camera 12, as was shown in FIG. 3. As
shown in FIG. 12, in an alternative orientation, the mount 10 may
be rotated 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis 55 and 90
degrees about its latitudinal axis 33 to engage a horizontal
support surface 14, such as a table top, while still attaching to
the camera 12 at the first mounting location, i.e., the bottom or
first curved portion 132 of the rear surface 118 of the camera
housing 112. Furthermore, in FIGS. 5 and 6 the camera 12 is shown
in the neutral position, which is to say that the longitudinal axis
65 of the camera 12 is positioned generally colinearly with the
longitudinal axis 55 of the mount 10. In the neutral position, the
camera lens 128 is directed along the longitudinal axis 55 of the
mount 10, such that the camera 12 exhibits zero degrees of pan or
tilt relative to the longitudinal axis 55 of the mount 10.
The mating surfaces 28 and 132 or 134 are shaped such that the
camera system 110 can accommodate a tilting range or angle 140 of
at least 30 degrees unidirectionally from the neutral position.
That direction is downwardly in the case of the lower mount
engaging location 132 and upwardly in the case of the upper mount
engaging s surface 134. That angle could exceed 45 degrees, and it
could even approach or exceed 50 degrees. This tilting can be
appreciated by comparing FIG. 6 to FIG. 7.
Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the cameras system 110 is shown in a
top plan view. Beginning with FIG. 8, the mounted camera system 110
is again shown with the camera 12 mounted at the first mounting
location on the camera housing 112, namely with the mounting
surface 28 engaging the bottom or first curved portion 132 of the
rear surface 118 of the camera housing 112. The mount 10 is also
similarly shown in the first orientation, namely wherein the
fasteners 86 extend rearwardly and parallel to the longitudinal
axis 65 of the camera 12 such that they affix to a support surface
14 positioned behind the camera 12, as was shown in FIG. 3.
Furthermore, in FIGS. 5 and 6 the camera 12 is shown in the neutral
position, which is to say that the longitudinal axis 65 of the
camera 12 is positioned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis
55 of the mount 10, as was previously shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, with
the camera lens 128 is directed along the longitudinal axis 55 of
the mount 10. In contrast, referring now to FIG. 9, the camera
system 110 is shown in which the camera 12 has been panned, i.e.,
rotated to the side, while remaining mounted at the first mounting
location on the camera housing 112, i.e., the first curved portion
132, and the mount 10 remains in the first mounting orientation as
was previously described. The mating surfaces 28 and 132 or 134 are
shape such that the camera system 110 can accommodate a panning
range or angle 142 of at least 30 degrees on either side (i.e.,
bidirectionally) of the longitudinal centerline of the mount 10.
That angle could exceed 45 degrees and could even approach or
exceed 50 degrees, approximately between 0 degrees and 50 degrees
from the natural position that was shown in FIG. 9. Referring now
to FIG. 10, the camera system 110 is shown in an alternative
configuration, in which the camera 12 is mounted at the second or
upper mounting location on the camera housing 112, namely with the
mounting surface 28 engaging the top or second curved portion 134
of the rear surface 118 of the camera housing 112. In mounting the
camera system 110 at the second mounting location, while
maintaining the camera system 110 in the first orientation, namely
wherein the fasteners 86 extend rearwardly and parallel to the
longitudinal axis 65 of the camera 12 such that they affix to a
support surface 14 positioned behind the camera 12, the mount 10
has been rotated approximately 180 degrees along its longitudinal
axis 55 as compared to the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 5-8.
In an alternative orientation shown in FIG. 11 and described in
further detail below, the mount 10 may be rotated 180 degrees about
its longitudinal axis 55 and 90 degrees about its latitudinal axis
33 to engage a generally horizontal support surface positioned
above the top 114 of the camera housing 112, such as a ceiling,
while still attaching to the camera 12 at the second mounting
location, i.e., the top or second curved portion 134 of the rear
surface 118 of the camera housing 112. While again shown with the
camera 12 in the neutral position in FIG. 10, it should further be
understood that the camera 12 is configured to accommodate a both a
tilting and panning range of approximately between 0 degrees and 50
degrees from the natural position, as was previously described with
the mount 10 in the first mounting position.
FIGS. 3-10, as described above, show the mounting of the camera
system 110 in various mounting configurations including both the
first curved portion 132 and the second curved portion 134, and at
various pan and/or tilt angles therein. However, FIGS. 3-10 are all
consistent in that they show the fasteners 86 of the mount 10
extending generally rearwardly of the camera 12, such that they
affix to a support surface 14 positioned behind the camera 12,
e.g., as a wall. However, as was briefly described above, the mount
10 may also be rotated such that it may be affixed to a ceiling, as
shown in FIG. 1, or a tabletop, as shown in FIG. 13. These
alternative mounting orientations will now be described in further
detail.
Referring initially to FIG. 11, the camera system 110 is shown in
an alternative orientation in which the camera 12 is mounted at the
second or upper mounting location on the camera housing 112, namely
with the mounting surface 28 engaging the top or second curved
portion 134 of the rear surface 118 of the camera housing 112. As
compared to the mount orientation shown in FIG. 10 in which the
fasteners 86 are shown as extending rearwardly of the camera 12
such that they affix to a support surface 14 positioned behind the
camera 12, in FIG. 11, the fasteners 86 are shown as extending
upwardly above the camera 12 such that they affix to a horizontal
support surface 14, such as a ceiling, positioned above camera 12.
In mounting the camera system 110 at the second mounting location
while maintaining the camera system 110 in this second orientation,
the mount 10 has been rotated approximately 180 degrees along its
longitudinal axis 55 and 90 degrees about its latitudinal axis 33
as compared to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 10. As a
result of this rotation, the first or relatively short side 27 of
the sidewall 26 of the mount body 20 which extends from the second
portion 34 of the mounting surface 28 to the second end 24 of the
body 20, is generally positioned in a forward-facing position that
is nearest to the front surface 120 of the camera 12. The opposing
second side 29 of the sidewall of the mount body 20 which extends
from the first portion 32 of the mounting surface 28 to the second
end 24 of the body 20, is generally positioned in a rearwardly
facing position that is nearest to the rear surface 118 of the
camera 12.
As was previously discussed, the mating surfaces 28 and 134 are
shaped such that the camera system 110 can accommodate a tilting
range or angle 140 of at least 30 degrees unidirectionally from the
neutral position. With the mount 10 of the camera system 110 in the
second mounting orientation, i.e., a ceiling attachment, the
neutral position is defined as that the longitudinal axis 65 of the
camera 12 is positioned generally perpendicular with the
longitudinal axis 55 of the mount 10. The resultant tiling angle
140 from this neutral position is in a downward direction as shown
in FIG. 11. That angle could exceed 45 degrees and could even
approach or exceed 50 degrees.
Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13, an alternative embodiment of the
mount 150 is shown, in which like numbers correspond to like
features of previously described mount 10. Notably, mount 150
includes a depression 152 disposed within the second portion 34 of
the mounting surface 28, which is positioned at the top half of the
mounting surface 28 and above the first portion 32. The depression
152 extends rearwardly from the mounting surface 28 towards to
opposing second end 24 of the housing 16 of the mount 150. As will
be described in further detail below, and is shown in FIG. 13, the
depression 152 is shaped to accommodate a corresponding bulbous
projection 154 at the bottom surface 116 of the wireless camera 12
when the mounted camera system 110 is oriented to be affixed to a
tabletop. Additionally, a chase or void 156 is located along the
second end 24 of the housing 16 of the mount 150. This is in
contrast to the configuration of the mount 10 of the first
embodiment, which has two voids 94, 96 positioned within the cover
80 of the mounting fixture 18. As shown in FIG. 12 both the
depression 152 and the void 156 are generally symmetrically located
about the first side 27 of the side wall 26 of the mount body 20.
However, it is understood that the void 156 may be positioned at
any location about the second end 24 of the housing 16 or
alternatively, may be disposed within the mounting fixture 18 as
described in the preceding embodiment of mount 10.
Referring now to FIG. 13, the camera system 110 is shown in an
alternative configuration, in which the camera 12 is mounted to the
mount 150 at the first or lower mounting location on the camera
housing 112, namely with the mounting surface 28 engaging the
bottom or first curved portion 132 of the rear surface 118 of the
camera housing 112. As compared to the mount orientation shown in
FIGS. 4-9 in which the fasteners 86 extend rearwardly of the camera
12 such that they affix to a support surface 14 positioned behind
the camera 12, in FIG. 13 the fasteners 86 extend downwardly below
the camera 12 such that they affix to a horizontal support surface
14, such as a tabletop, positioned below camera 12. In mounting the
camera system 110 at the first mounting location, while maintaining
the camera system 110 in this third orientation, namely with the
fasteners 86 extending downwardly, the mount 150 has been rotated
approximately 180 degrees along its longitudinal axis 55 and 90
degrees about its latitudinal axis 33 as compared to the
configuration illustrated in FIGS. 4-9. As a result of this
rotation, the first side 27 of the sidewall 26 of the mount body 20
is nearest to the front surface 120 of the camera 12. The opposing
second side 29 of the sidewall of the mount body 20 is generally
positioned in a rearwardly facing position that is nearest to the
rear surface 118 of the camera 12.
The camera 12 of FIG. 13 is shown in the neutral position for the
third mounting orientation, i.e., a tabletop attachment, in which
the longitudinal axis 65 of the camera 12 is positioned generally
perpendicular with the longitudinal axis 55 of the mount 150. In
this neutral position, the depression 152 of the mount 150 is shown
mating with the corresponding bulbous projection 154 at the bottom
surface 116 of the wireless camera 12. However, it should be
understood that the mating surfaces 28 and 132 are shaped such that
the camera system 110 can accommodate a tilting range or angle 140
of at least 30 degrees unidirectionally from this neutral position.
With the mount 10 of the camera system 110 in the third mounting
orientation, i.e., a tabletop attachment, the resultant tiling
angle 140 from this neutral position is in an upward direction.
That angle could exceed 45 degrees and could even approach or
exceed 50 degrees.
In use, the camera 12 is first positioned in a desired orientation
by engaging a selected mount engaging location 132 or 134 on the
camera 12 with the mounting surface 28 of the mount 10 with the
camera extending at desired pan and/or tilt angles within the
ranges described above The camera 12 may be repositioned by first
fully removing the camera 12 from the mount 10, e.g., overcoming
the magnetic force exerted by the magnet 50 on the ferromagnetic
camera housing 112, and then replacing the camera housing 112 into
the mounting surface 28 of the mount 10 at the desired repositioned
orientation, thereby panning and/or tilting the camera 12 to
achieve the desired camera field of view. Alternatively, the camera
12 may be slidably repositioned within the mount 10, without
complete physical separation of the camera 12 from the mounting
surface 28, also by exerting a force on the camera housing 112
sufficient to overcome the magnetic force of the magnet 50 and
ferromagnetic camera housing 112. In either application the
magnetic force of the magnet 50 exerted on the camera housing 112
is approximately between 2 kgf to 3 kgf, and more typically
approximately a magnitude of 2.3 kgf. Accordingly, an opposing
force sufficient to overcome the magnetic force must be applied by
a user on the camera 12 if the camera housing 112 is to be fully
disengaged from the mount 10. Alternatively, the force required to
rotate the cameras housing 112 when it is seated against the
mounting surface 28, i.e., without first disengaging the camera
housing 112 from the mounting surface 28 must be of sufficient
magnitude to the frictional force between the mounting surface 28
and the rear surface 118 of the housing 112. In one embodiment of
the present invention, the force required to rotate the camera may
have a magnitude of approximately 0.6 kgf to 1 kgf, and more
typically approximately a magnitude of 0.8 kgf, when the force is
applied to the camera housing 112.
After the cameras 12 has been adequately positioned, the magnetic
force exerted on the cameras housing 112 and the resultant
frictional force at the mounting surface 28 is sufficient to
maintain the cameras 12 in its repositioned orientation.
If desired, the field of view can be further altered by removing
the camera 12 from the mount and engaging the other mount engaging
location 134 or 132 with the mounting surface 28, again positioning
the camera 12 relative to the longitudinal centerline of the mount
10 to obtain the desired pan and/or tilt angles. The angular
orientation of the camera 12 relative to the mount can thereafter
be varied to once again adjust the pan and/or tilt angles.
It is contemplated that an alternative embodiment may incorporate
any of the features of the previous embodiment described above.
Many other changes and modifications could be made to the invention
without departing from the spirit thereof.
* * * * *