U.S. patent application number 14/264030 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-21 for camera carrying device with locking mechanism.
The applicant listed for this patent is Andrew Chamberlayne. Invention is credited to Andrew Chamberlayne.
Application Number | 20140231482 14/264030 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51350456 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140231482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chamberlayne; Andrew |
August 21, 2014 |
CAMERA CARRYING DEVICE WITH LOCKING MECHANISM
Abstract
A device for rotatably mounting a camera on a person comprises a
bag having a plurality of straps and a female connector integrated
into one of the straps. The female connector has a U-shaped slot
defined by a curved pocket and a pair of opposed channels which
extend from the pocket. There is a male connector which has a plate
and threaded member extending from the plate for engaging a
threaded female tripod receiver of a camera. The plate is slidably
received by the U-shaped slot of the female connector and the plate
is freely rotatable within the U-shaped slot of the female
connector. The plate has a first rotatable position within the
pocket of the female connector in which the male connector is
secured to the female connector, and a second rotatable position
within the pocket of the female connector in which the male
connector is releasable from the female connector.
Inventors: |
Chamberlayne; Andrew; (North
Vancouver, CA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chamberlayne; Andrew |
North Vancouver |
|
CA |
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|
Family ID: |
51350456 |
Appl. No.: |
14/264030 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13657804 |
Oct 22, 2012 |
8708583 |
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14264030 |
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13160395 |
Jun 14, 2011 |
8292521 |
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13657804 |
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|
12202922 |
Sep 2, 2008 |
7980771 |
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13160395 |
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12026016 |
Feb 5, 2008 |
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12202922 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/623 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20130101; A45F
2003/001 20130101; A45F 2003/148 20130101; F16M 13/04 20130101;
G03B 17/563 20130101; A45F 2200/0533 20130101; F16M 11/105
20130101; A45F 2005/026 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101; F16M 11/041
20130101; G03B 17/561 20130101; G03B 17/566 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/623 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/38 20060101
A45C011/38 |
Claims
1. A device for rotatably mounting a camera on a person, the camera
having a threaded female tripod receiver, and the device
comprising: a female connector having a U-shaped slot defined by a
curved pocket and a pair of opposed channels which extend from the
pocket; a male connector having a plate and threaded member
extending from the plate for engaging the threaded female tripod
receiver of the camera, the plate being slidably received by the
U-shaped slot of the female connector and the plate being freely
rotatable within the U-shaped slot of the female connector; and a
strap assembly connected to the female connector, the strap
assembly being for mounting the device to a person, wherein the
plate has a first rotatable position within the pocket of the
female connector in which the male connector is secured to the
female connector, and a second rotatable position within the pocket
of the female connector in which the male connector is releasable
from the female connector.
2. A device for rotatably mounting a camera on a person, the camera
having a threaded tripod receiver, the device comprising: a bag
having a plurality of straps; a female connector integrated into
one of the straps a female connector having a U-shaped slot defined
by a curved pocket and a pair of opposed channels which extend from
the pocket; and a male connector having a plate and threaded member
extending from the plate for engaging a threaded female tripod
receiver of the camera, the plate being slidably received by the
U-shaped slot of the female connector and the plate being rotatable
within the U-shaped slot of the female connector, wherein the plate
has a first rotatable position within the pocket of the female
connector in which the male connector is secured to the female
connector, and a second rotatable position within the pocket of the
female connector in which the male connector is releasable from the
female connector.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the bag is backpack and
the strap and the strap is a shoulder strap.
4. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the female connector is
positioned on the person at chest level.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/657,804 which was filed on Oct. 22, 2012
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,521 filed on
Jun. 14, 2011 which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,771
filed on Sep. 2, 2008 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/026,016 filed on Feb. 5, 2008 and
now abandoned. The full disclosures of the aforementioned are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and priority to the same is
claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a camera carrying device
and, in particular, to a device for rotatably mounting a camera on
a person.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Camera carrying devices are well known, the simplest being a
strap, secured to a camera, which allows a person to carry the
camera around their neck or shoulder. However, the strap allows the
camera to swing freely about the person. The camera may therefore
become damaged upon impact with the person or another object. The
strap may also become entangled with either the camera, the person,
or another object and consequently interfere with the person's
ability to take a picture. To overcome the above-mentioned
shortcomings numerous body-mounted camera cases have been
developed. Carrying a camera disposed within a body-mounted camera
case removes the need to have a strap secured to the camera.
However, body-mounted camera cases are also limiting. The time
required to remove the camera from within the case may prevent a
person from taking a desired picture, particularly, in situations
where the scene is fluid.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,749 to Oliva discloses a multi-purpose
holster apparatus that may be used to carry a camera, and which
offers an alternative to traditional camera straps and cases. The
holster apparatus disclosed by Oliva comprises a frame (20) that is
received on a belt or a waistband. A sleeve (24) is integrally
formed with and protrudes from the frame (20). The sleeve (24) is
designed for releasable engagement with an interlocking plate (36).
The interlocking plate (36) supports threaded bolt (31) which is
designed to fit into a threaded female tripod receiver of a camera.
Accordingly, the holster apparatus disclosed by Oliva may be used
to carry a camera on the waist. However, it is awkward for a person
to carry a larger camera, similar to the type used by a
professional photographer, on their waist. Furthermore, it is
difficult for a person to operate certain features of a camera
since the camera is neither rotatable nor at chest level.
[0007] There is therefore a need for an improved camera carrying
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] There is provided a device for rotatably mounting a camera
on a person. The device comprises a female connector and a male
connector. The female connector has a U-shaped slot defined by a
curved pocket and a pair of opposed channels which extend from the
pocket. The male connector has a plate and threaded member
extending from the plate. The threaded member is for engaging a
threaded female tripod receiver of the camera extending from the
plate. The plate is slidably received by the U-shaped slot of the
female connector and the plate is freely rotatable within the
U-shaped slot of the female connector. A strap assembly is
connected to the female connector. The strap assembly is for
mounting the device to a person. The plate has a first rotatable
position within the pocket of the female connector in which the
male connector is secured to the female connector, and a second
rotatable position within the pocket of the female connector in
which the male connector is releasable from the female
connector.
[0009] There is also provided a device for rotatably mounting a
camera on a person. The device comprises a bag having a plurality
of straps and a female connector integrated into one of the straps.
The female connector has a U-shaped slot defined by a curved pocket
and a pair of opposed channels which extend from the pocket. There
is a male connector which has a plate and threaded member extending
from the plate for engaging a threaded female tripod receiver of a
camera. The plate is slidably received by the U-shaped slot of the
female connector and the plate is freely rotatable within the
U-shaped slot of the female connector. The plate has a first
rotatable position within the pocket of the female connector in
which the male connector is secured to the female connector, and a
second rotatable position within the pocket of the female connector
in which the male connector is releasable from the female
connector.
[0010] The U-shaped slot of the female connector may have a bulb
shaped opening defined by a circular aperture in the pocket and an
elongate space between the opposed channels. The male connector may
have a circular plate and a truncated substantially cylindrical
body concentrically mounted on the plate. The plate may be slidably
received by the U-shaped slot of the female connector. The plate
may be freely rotatable within the pocket of the U-shaped slot of
the female connector when the substantially cylindrical body
extends through the circular aperture in the pocket of the U-shaped
slot. The female connector may be defined by a plate and a U-shaped
protrusion. The U-shaped protrusion being integral with and
protruding from the plate. The male connector may include a second
plate and the truncated substantially cylindrical body may be
disposed between the plates. The bag may be a backpack and the
strap and the strap may be a shoulder strap. The female connector
may be positioned on the person at chest level.
[0011] The devices disclosed herein provide the advantage of
allowing a person to comfortably carry an easily retrievable camera
at chest level on their torso. The device also provides the
advantage of allowing a person to operate various features of the
camera while carrying the camera in a hands-free manner. For
example, the device allows for the changing of telescopic lens and
the viewing of a rear screen of a digital camera.
[0012] Furthermore, the device is provided with a locking mechanism
which prevents the carried camera from becoming accidentally
decoupled from the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention will be more readily understood from the
following description of the embodiments thereof given, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view showing a camera rotatably
mounted on a person, by a device according to an embodiment of the
invention, wherein the camera is in a first position;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view showing a camera rotatably
mounted on a person wherein the camera is in an intermediate
position;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view showing a camera rotatably
mounted on a person wherein the camera is in a second position;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front perspective showing view a device used to
rotatably mount a camera on a person wherein the device is secured
to the person by a strap assembly;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing a device used to
rotatably mount a camera on a person wherein the device is
integrated into a backpack strap;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a female connector of
the device of FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the female connector of
FIG. 6;
[0021] FIG. 8 is an elevation, cross-sectional view taken down line
A-A of FIG. 7;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a male connector of the
device of FIG. 4;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the male connector of
FIG. 8;
[0024] FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing the female connector of
FIG. 6 and the male connector of FIG. 9;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a perspective, partially in section, view showing
the female connector of FIG. 6 and the male connector of FIG.
9;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of
the female connector of the device of FIG. 4;
[0027] FIG. 14 is an elevation, cross-sectional view taken down
line B-B of FIG. 13;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
male connector of the device of FIG. 4;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the male connector of
FIG. 15;
[0030] FIG. 17 is an exploded view showing the female connector of
FIG. 13 and the male connector of the FIG. 15;
[0031] FIG. 18 is a perspective, partially in section, view showing
the female connector of FIG. 13 and the male connector of the FIG.
15 in a releasable position;
[0032] FIG. 19 is a perspective, partially in section, view showing
the female connector of FIG. 13 and the male connector of the FIG.
15 in a locked position;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a perspective view, partially in section, showing
the male connector of FIG. 9 engaged with a threaded female tripod
receiver of a camera;
[0034] FIG. 21 is a side perspective view showing a camera
rotatably mounted on a person wherein the camera is covered by a
tarp;
[0035] FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of another device used
to rotatably mount a camera to a person;
[0036] FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the device of FIG.
22;
[0037] FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of the device of FIG. 22
secured to a backpack strap;
[0038] FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of yet another device
which is sewn into a backpack and used to rotatably mount a camera
to a person; and
[0039] FIG. 26 is a side perspective view showing a camera
rotatably mounted on a person using the device of FIG. 25.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Referring to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 1 to 3, a
person 10 is shown wearing a device 12 with a camera 14 rotatably
secured thereon. FIG. 1 shows the camera 14 in a first position. In
the first position, the camera 14 faces downwardly, allowing the
person 10 to view digital photographs, or video, on a screen 16
disposed on a back of the camera 14. FIG. 3 shows the camera 14 in
a second position. In the second position, the camera 14 faces
upwardly, allowing the person 10 to change a lens 17 disposed on a
front of the camera 14. The second position is particularly useful
for professional photographers who are often required to change
lenses. FIG. 2 shows the camera 14 in an intermediate position as
it is freely rotated between the first and second positions. It
will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the terms
"downwardly" and "upwardly" are used solely in relation to the
position of the camera 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 respectively.
It will further be understood by a person skilled in the art that
although the device 12 disclosed herein is particularly useful for
carrying a digital camera, other forms of equipment may be carried
using the device 12.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 4, the person 10 is shown wearing the
device 12 without the camera 14 secured thereto. The device 12
comprises a first connecting means, in the form of a female
connector 18, which is mounted on the person's chest. In this
example, the female connector 18 is disposed within a fabric jacket
20 although this is not a requirement. The female connector 18 and
the fabric jacket 20 are mounted on the person 10 using a strap
assembly 22. The strap assembly 22 comprises securing and adjusting
means for securing and adjusting straps 24, 26, 28, and 29 about
the person. In this example, the securing and adjusting means
comprise buckles 30 and 31 and tension straps 32 and 34. However,
any suitable form of fastener may be used. Means for allowing
additional equipment to be connected to the device 12, for example
a tension strap 36 as shown in FIG. 4, may also be provided on
either the fabric jacket 20 or any one of the straps 24, 26, 28,
and 29. FIG. 21 shows a tarp 13 attached to the fabric jacket 20.
The tarp 13 may be used to cover the camera 14 to protect it from
rain, snow, or other elements.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the device 12 may alternatively be
secured to a backpack strap 62. The device 12 may be integrated
into the backpack strap 62 during the manufacturing of the backpack
(not shown) or the device 12 may be secured to and released from
the backpack strap 62 as an independent accessory. The device 12
may also be secured to a secondary strap 63 of the backpack. This
helps ensure that the device is maintained in a desired position as
the person 10 moves.
[0043] The female connector 18, which is shown in greater detail in
FIGS. 6 to 8, includes a plate 38 and a hollow U-shaped protrusion
40. The U-shaped protrusion is integrally formed with and protrudes
from the plate 38. In this example, the plate 38 is generally
rectangular and has apertures 19, 21, 23, and 25 near each corner
thereof. The apertures 19, 21, 23, and 25 provide means to connect
the female connector 18 to the fabric jacket 20. Alternatively, in
another embodiment, the apertures 19, 21, 23, and 25 may be used to
connect the female connector 18 directly to the strap assembly
22.
[0044] As best shown in FIG. 6, the plate 38 and the U-shaped
protrusion 40 define a generally curved pocket 42 and a pair of
opposed channels 44 and 46 which extend from the pocket 42. The
pocket 42 and the channels 44 and 46 define a U-shaped receptacle,
or U-shaped slot 49, which may slidably receive a plate through an
opening 47 disposed between the channels 44 and 46. There is a lip
43 at a mouth 45 of the pocket 42.
[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a second connecting means
of the device 12, in the form male connecter 48, is shown in
greater detail. The male connector 48 includes a pair of circular
plates 50 and 52 which are spaced-apart by a cylindrical body 54.
The cylindrical body 54 has a smaller diameter than the plates 50
and 52, and defines an annular recess 56 between the plates 50 and
52. In this example, the plates 50 and 52 differ in diameter
although this is not a requirement. A threaded member 58 extends
outwardly from the male connector 48. The threaded member 58 is
designed to engage a threaded female tripod receiver 15 of the
camera 14 as best shown in FIG. 20. The plates 50 and 52 may also
be grooved (not shown) along their circumferences to assist a
person in gripping the male connector 48 when screwing the threaded
member 58 into the female tripod receiver 15 of the camera 14.
[0046] As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the U-shape of the slot 49
of the female connector 18 and the generally annular shape of the
male connector 48 allow the male connector 48 to be rotatably
received by the female connector 18. Referring to FIG. 11, in
particular, a first one of the plates 52 of the male connector 48
is slidably received by the U-shaped slot 49 of the female
connector 18. Said first one of the plates 52 is received though
the opening 47 between the channels 44 and 46 as indicated by
broken lines 100 and 102. As best shown in FIG. 12, when said first
one of the plates 52 of the male connector 48 is received by the
U-shaped slot 49 of the female connector 18, the cylindrical block
54 of the male connector 48 rests on the lip 43 of the pocket 42,
which is shown in FIG. 6, of the female connector 18. The annular
recess 56 of the male connector 18 engages the lip 43 of the pocket
42 of the female connector 18. Accordingly, the plates 50 and 52 of
male connector 40 are on opposite sides of the U-shaped slot 49 of
the female connector 18. This prevents accidental decoupling of the
male connector 48 and the female connector 18 while still allowing
the male connector 48 to rotated bi-directionally relative to the
female connector 18 as indicated generally by arrows 104 and
106.
[0047] In operation, the threaded member 58 of the male connector
48 is engaged with the threaded female tripod receiver 15 of the
camera 14 as shown in FIG. 20. The male connector 48 can then be
coupled, as described above, to the female connector 18 which is
mounted on the person 10 by the strap assembly 22 as shown in FIG.
3. This allows the person 10 to carry the camera 14 in a hands-free
manner, at chest level, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The camera 14 can
be rapidly and easily removed from the device 12 because the male
connector 48 is simply slidably received by the female connector
18. Furthermore, because the male connector 48 is rotatably coupled
to the female connector 18, the carried camera 14 can be rotated
between the first position shown in FIG. 1 and the second position
shown in FIG. 3. This provides the advantage of allowing the person
10 to view digital photographs, or video, on the camera screen 16
disposed on the carried camera 14 and change the lens 18 of the
carried camera 14.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14 another embodiment of the
female connector 18.1 is shown. In FIGS. 13 and 14 like parts have
been given like reference numerals as in FIGS. 7 and 8 with the
additional numerical designation ".1". The U-shaped protrusion 40.1
of the female connector 18.1 has a bulb shaped opening defined by
an elongate portion 64 and circular portion 66. FIGS. 15 and 16
show an embodiment of the male connector 48.1 which is used with
the female connector 18.1 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In FIGS. 15 and
16 like parts have been given like reference numerals as in FIGS. 9
and 10 with the additional numerical designation ".1". A truncated
cylindrical body 67 of the male connector 48.1 has a pair of
opposite flat edges 68 and 69. Only a first one the flats edge 68
is shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 with both flat edges 68 and 69 being
shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. In FIGS. 17 to 19 like parts have been
given like reference numerals as in FIGS. 11 and 12 with the
additional numerical designation ".1".
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 17, the male connector 48.1 is only
received by the female connector 18.1 in a particular circumstance.
In particular, the flat edges 68 and 69 of the truncated
cylindrical body 67 of the male connector 48.1 must be aligned with
the elongate portion 64 of the bulb shaped opening in the U-shaped
protrusion 40.1 of the female connector 18.1, i.e with channels
44.1 and 46.1. Otherwise the cross-extent of the body truncated
cylindrical body 67 of the male connector 48.1 will be too wide to
pass through the elongate portion 64 of the bulb shaped opening in
the U-shaped protrusion 40.1 of the female connector 18.1.
[0050] Once the male connector 48.1 has been received by the female
connector 18.1, as shown in FIG. 18, the male connector 48.1 may be
rotated as indicated by either arrow 104.1 or 106.1. The flat edges
68 and 69 of the truncated cylindrical body 67 of the male
connector 48.1 are brought out of alignment with the elongate
portion 64 of the bulb shaped opening in the U-shaped protrusion
40.1 of the female connector 18.1. This is shown in FIG. 19. In
this position the male connector 48.1 is locked in place and cannot
be decoupled from the female connector 18.1. To release the male
connector 48.1 from the female connector 18.1, the male connector
48.1 is rotated as indicated by either arrows 104.1 or 106.1 to
bring the flat edges 68 and 69 of the truncated cylindrical body 67
of the male connector 48.1 back into alignment with the elongate
portion 64 of the bulb shaped opening in the U-shaped protrusion
40.1 of the female connector 18.1. This is shown in FIG. 18. This
locking mechanism prevents the carried camera 14 from becoming
accidentally decoupled from the device 12.
[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 22 and 23, another embodiment of a
device 200 used to rotatably mount camera to a person is shown. The
device 200 includes a body 202 on which a first connecting means,
in the form of a female connector 204, is disposed. The female
connector 204 is substantially similar to the female connector 18.1
shown in FIGS. 17 to 19. There are lateral flaps 206 and 208 on
opposite sides of the body 202. The lateral flaps 206 and 208 are
foldable along respective lines of weakness 210 and 212. This
allows the device 200 to hug a strap, for example, a backpack strap
214 as shown in FIG. 24. The device 200 is thereby mounted to a
person 216 at chest level which allows a camera (not shown)
provided with a male connector as shown in FIG. 20 to be rotatably
mounted to the person 216.
[0052] Referring back to FIGS. 22 and 23, there are fasteners 218
and 220 on the lateral flaps 206 and 208. The fasteners 218 and 220
allow the flaps 206 and 208 to be releasably secured to one another
and allow the device to hug the strap 214 as shown in FIG. 24. In
this example, the fasteners 218 and 220 in the form of hook and
loop fastener strips sold under the trademark VELCRO.RTM. but other
types of fasteners may be used in other examples. The device 200 is
also provided with a friction pad 222 on a rear of the body 202.
The friction pad 222 in this example is a VELCRO.RTM. hook strip
and functions to prevent the device 200 from slipping or sliding
along the backpack strap 214. There are also support straps 224 and
226 on the back of the device 200. The backpack strap 214 may be
weaved with the support straps 224 and 226 to further secure the
device to the backpack strap 214. There are rings 228 and 230
connected to the body of the device. As shown in FIG. 24 for one of
the rings 228, a clip 232 on a tether 234 may engage the ring 228
to tether the device 200 and thereby further secure the device to
the person. The device 200 is for device for rotatably mounting a
camera on a person carrying a bag.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 25 and 26, a person 310 is shown
wearing a bag or pack which, in this example, is a backpack 312.
The backpack 312 generally includes a pair of shoulder straps 314
and 316 coupled to a pouch 318. There is a first connecting means,
in the form of a female connector 320, sewn or otherwise integrated
into one of the shoulder straps 314 as best shown in FIG. 25. The
female connector 320 is substantially similar to the female
connector 18.1 shown in FIGS. 17 to 19. However, the female
connector 320 may alternatively be similar to the female connector
shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The female connector allows a camera 322
to be rotatably mounted on the person 310 provided the camera 322
is provide with a corresponding male connector as shown for the
camera in FIG. 20. The female connector may be positioned at chest
level on the person 310.
[0054] It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that
although in this example the male connector is secured to the
camera and the female connector is mounted on the person's chest
that in other examples a male connector may be secured to the
camera and a female connector may be mounted on the person's chest.
Alternatively, any suitable means to rotatably mount the camera may
be used. For example, in another embodiment, the plates of the male
connector may be rotatably connected to each other allowing for a
squared plate to be received by the female connector while still
allowing for rotation of the mounted camera.
[0055] It will further be understood by someone skilled in the art
that many of the details provided above are by way of example only
and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is
to be determined with reference to the following claims.
[0056] It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that
many of the details provided above are by way of example only, and
are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be
determined with reference to the following claims.
* * * * *