U.S. patent application number 17/526758 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-28 for scope phone mount.
The applicant listed for this patent is David Simmons, Thayne Simmons, Val Simmons. Invention is credited to David Simmons, Thayne Simmons, Val Simmons.
Application Number | 20220239806 17/526758 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220239806 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Simmons; Val ; et
al. |
July 28, 2022 |
SCOPE PHONE MOUNT
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a housing
detachably couplable to a sighting device. The housing has a first
opening and a second opening defining a viewing axis, and a sight
shade disposed adjacent the first opening. The second opening is
configured to engage an end of the sighting device. The viewing
axis of the housing is coaxial with a viewing axis of the sighting
device. The housing also includes at least one elongated member
coupled with the housing and extending away from the second opening
in a direction that is parallel with the viewing axis. The housing
also includes a coupling device that is slidably coupled with the
at least one elongated member, and configured to couple the at
least one elongated member to the sighting device.
Inventors: |
Simmons; Val; (Providence,
UT) ; Simmons; David; (Hyrum, UT) ; Simmons;
Thayne; (Providence, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Simmons; Val
Simmons; David
Simmons; Thayne |
Providence
Hyrum
Providence |
UT
UT
UT |
US
US
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/526758 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15233714 |
Aug 10, 2016 |
11178315 |
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17526758 |
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62203224 |
Aug 10, 2015 |
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International
Class: |
H04N 5/225 20060101
H04N005/225; G02B 23/04 20060101 G02B023/04; F41C 27/00 20060101
F41C027/00; G03B 13/08 20060101 G03B013/08; G03B 17/56 20060101
G03B017/56; G02B 15/12 20060101 G02B015/12; F41J 5/10 20060101
F41J005/10; F41G 11/00 20060101 F41G011/00; H04N 7/18 20060101
H04N007/18 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a housing detachably couplable to a
sighting device, the housing having a first opening and a second
opening defining a viewing axis, where the housing further
comprises a sight shade disposed adjacent the first opening, where
the second opening is configured to engage an end of the sighting
device, and where the viewing axis of the housing is coaxial with a
viewing axis of the sighting device; at least one elongated member
coupled with the housing and extending away from the second opening
in a direction that is parallel with the viewing axis; and a
coupling device that is slidably coupled with the at least one
elongated member, and configured to couple the at least one
elongated member to the sighting device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, where the housing further comprises a
channel protruding from a side of the housing and a beam-splitting
apparatus configured to reflect a portion of a light beam through
the channel.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a mounting plate
configured to engage a visual recording device and position a lens
of the visual recording device adjacent an end of the channel such
that the lens receives the reflected portion of the light beam.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, where the mounting plate further
comprises an image stabilizing bar.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a sunshade coupled
to the mounting plate.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, where the sunshade further comprises a
mirror mounted to a surface of the sunshade, where the surface is
disposed toward a screen of the visual recording device.
7. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising at least one
adjustment bar configured to move along at least one axis in X and
Y relative to the mounting plate.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, where the at least one adjustment bar
comprises four adjustment bars.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, where at least one of the at least one
adjustment bar comprises a rotatable stop located distal from the
mounting plate, where the rotatable stop rotates to allow the
visual recording device to disengage from the mounting plate.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, where the at least one adjustment bar
comprises a micro adjusting screw, where the micro adjusting screw
adjusts the position of the at least one adjustment bar along at
least one axis in X and Y relative to the mounting plate.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, where the coupling device slides
along the at least one elongated member to adjust a distance
between the housing and the sighting device.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, where the at least one elongated
member comprises a pair of elongated members, and the coupling
device slidably engages each of the pair of elongated members.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, where the coupling device further
comprises a substantially circular surface for engaging an outer
surface of the sighting device.
14. A system comprising: a sighting device; and a housing
detachably couplable to the sighting device, the housing having a
first opening and a second opening defining a viewing axis, where
the housing further comprises a sight shade disposed adjacent the
first opening, where the second opening is configured to engage an
end of the sighting device, and where the viewing axis of the
housing is coaxial with a viewing axis of the sighting device; at
least one elongated member coupled with the housing and extending
away from the second opening in a direction that is parallel with
the viewing axis; and a coupling device that is slidably coupled
with the at least one elongated member, and configured to couple
the at least one elongated member to the sighting device.
15. The system of claim 14, where the housing further comprises a
channel protruding from a side of the housing and a beam-splitting
apparatus configured to reflect a portion of a light beam through
the channel.
16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a mounting plate
configured to engage a visual recording device and position a lens
of the visual recording device adjacent an end of the channel such
that the lens receives the reflected portion of the light beam.
17. The system of claim 16, where the visual recording device
comprises at least one of a phone, a photography camera, a video
camera, and an action camera.
18. The system of claim of claim 14, where the coupling device
slides along the at least one elongated member to adjust a distance
between the housing and the sighting device.
19. The system of claim 18, where the at least one elongated member
comprises a pair of elongated members, and the coupling device
slidably engages each of the pair of elongated members.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, where the coupling device further
comprises a substantially circular surface for engaging an outer
surface of the sighting device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of and claims
priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/233,714 entitled
"SCOPE PHONE MOUNT" and filed on Aug. 10, 2016 for Val Simmons,
which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/203,224 entitled "Scope Phone Mount" and filed on Aug. 10, 2015
for Val Simmons, both of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to sighting devices and more
particularly relates to a phone mount for a scope.
BACKGROUND
[0003] People are increasingly using their cellular phones to take
pictures and videos. People using scopes, such as scopes mounted to
a gun, binoculars, a telescope, or the like, may want to take
pictures or video of what they see while using these scopes.
Unfortunately, simultaneously aligning the phone's camera lens with
the scope and using the scope to see a target may be difficult.
SUMMARY
[0004] An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a
housing detachably couplable to an end of a sighting device. The
housing may include a channel protruding from a side of the
housing. The apparatus may include a one-way mirror disposed inside
the housing. The one-way mirror may be positioned to allow an image
from the sighting device to pass through the one-way mirror and
reflect the image from the sighting device through the channel. The
apparatus may include a mounting plate coupled to the housing. The
mounting plate may include one or more adjustment bars engageable
with a visual recording device.
[0005] In one embodiment, the housing may include a clamp
detachably couplable to the end of the sighting device. The housing
may include one or more tracks slidably engageable with a portion
of the clamp. The housing may slide along the one or more tracks to
adjust a distance from the sighting device.
[0006] In one embodiment, the mounting plate may include an image
stabilizing bar. The image stabilizing bar may include a hook that
may detachably engage with the sighting device and rotatably couple
to the mounting plate.
[0007] In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a sunshade
coupled to the mounting plate. In some embodiments, the sunshade
may include a mirror mounted to a surface of the sunshade. The
surface may be disposed toward a screen of the visual recording
device.
[0008] In one embodiment, the one or more adjustment bars may move
along an axis in X or Y relative to the mounting plate. In some
embodiments, the one or more adjustment bars may include four
adjustment bars. In one embodiment, one or more of the adjustment
bars may include a rotatable stop. The rotatable stop may be
located distal from the mounting plate. The rotatable stop may
rotate to allow the visual recording device to disengage from the
mounting device.
[0009] In one embodiment, the one or more adjustment bars may
include a micro adjusting screw. The micro adjusting screw may
adjust the position of the at least one adjustment bar in an axis
of X or Y. In some embodiments, the one-way mirror may be disposed
inside the housing at a 45-degree angle from an end of the housing.
In one embodiment, the one or more adjustment bars may adjust to
fit the visual recording device next to the mounting plate and
align a camera lens of the visual recording device with the
channel.
[0010] A system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may
include a sighting device. In one embodiment, the system may
include an apparatus. The apparatus may include a housing
detachably couplable to an end of a sighting device. The housing
may include a channel protruding from a side of the housing. In one
embodiment, the apparatus may include a one-way mirror disposed
inside the housing. The one-way mirror may be positioned to allow
an image from the sighting device to pass through the one-way
mirror and reflect the image from the sighting device through the
channel. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a mounting
plate coupled to the housing. The mounting plate may include one or
more adjustment bars engageable with a visual recording device.
[0011] In one embodiment, the visual recording device may include a
phone; a photography camera, a video camera, or an action camera.
In some embodiments, the housing may include a clamp detachably
couplable to the end of the sighting device. The housing may
include one or more tracks slidably engageable with a portion of
the clamp. The housing may slide along the one or more tracks to
adjust a distance from the sighting device.
[0012] In some embodiments, the mounting plate may include an image
stabilizing bar. The image stabilizing bar may include a hook that
may be detachably engageable with the sighting device and rotatably
couple to the mounting plate. In one embodiment, the apparatus may
include a sunshade coupled to the mounting plate. In one
embodiment, the one or more adjustment bars may move along an axis
in X or Y relative to the mounting plate.
[0013] A method is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method may
include providing a sighting device. In one embodiment, the method
may include providing an apparatus that may include a housing, a
one-way mirror disposed inside the housing, and a mounting plate.
The housing may include a channel and the one-way mirror may allow
an image viewed by the sighting device to pass through the one-way
mirror and reflect the image from the sighting device through the
channel. In some embodiments, the method may include mounting the
housing of the apparatus to the sighting device. In one embodiment,
the method may include providing a visual recording device. In one
embodiment, the method may include mounting the visual recording
device to the mounting plate. In some embodiments, the method may
include aligning a lens of the visual recording device with the
channel of the housing.
[0014] In one embodiment, the mounting plate may include one or
more adjustment bars. Aligning the lens of the visual recording
device with the channel of the housing may include adjusting at
least one adjustment bar of the mounting plate in relation to the
mounting plate.
[0015] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include an image
stabilizing bar rotatably coupled to the mounting plate. The image
stabilizing bar may include a hook. In one embodiment, mounting the
apparatus to the sighting device may include detachably coupling
the hook of the image stabilizing bar to the sighting device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In order that the advantages of the invention will be
readily understood, a more particular description of the invention
briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments
of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be
limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of
a system for a phone scope mount;
[0018] FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of
an apparatus for a phone scope mount;
[0019] FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating another
embodiment of an apparatus for a phone scope mount;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an
embodiment of an apparatus for a phone scope mount;
[0021] FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of
a system for a phone scope mount;
[0022] FIG. 4B is a side view illustrating another embodiment of a
system for a phone scope mount;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cutaway top view illustrating an additional
embodiment of a system for phone scope mount;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an additional
embodiment of an apparatus for a phone scope mount;
[0025] FIG. 7A is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of
a phone scope mount; and
[0026] FIG. 7B is a perspective view illustrating a further
embodiment of a phone scope mount.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
"an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus,
appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment,"
and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not
necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or
more but not all embodiments" unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms "including," "comprising," "having," and variations
thereof mean "including but not limited to" unless expressly
specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply
that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually
inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a,"
"an," and "the" also refer to "one or more" unless expressly
specified otherwise.
[0028] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description,
numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of
mechanical structures, electrical devices, hardware modules,
hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough
understanding of embodiments of the invention. Certain embodiments
of the present disclosure may be provided as one or more methods.
The methods may include providing one or more components of the
apparatuses or systems. The methods may include using one or more
components of the apparatuses or systems. One skilled in the
relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be
practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with
other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other
instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not
shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the
invention.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting one embodiment of a
system 100 for a phone mount for a scope. The system 100 may
include a weapon 102. Although the weapon 102 depicted in FIG. 1 is
a rifle, it should not be understood that the weapon 102 is limited
to a rifle. The weapon 102 may include a gun, a bow, a crossbow, or
the like.
[0030] In one embodiment, the system 100 may include a sighting
device 104. Although the sighting device 104 depicted in FIG. 1 is
a gun scope, it should not be understood that the sighting device
104 is limited to a gun scope. The sighting device 104 may include
one or more eyepieces and/or barrels of binoculars, a telescope, a
camera lens, or another magnification or sighting device. In one
embodiment, the sighting device 104 may include a first end 106. In
a further embodiment, the first end 106 may include an aperture
that a user looks through to use the sighting device 104. In one
embodiment, the first end 106 may include a channel that connects
the first end 106 to a second end 108 of the sighting device 104 or
another part of the sighting device 104.
[0031] In one embodiment, the sighting device 104 may also include
a second end 108. The second end 108 may include an aperture that
faces a target and receives the image of the target. In a further
embodiment, the second end 108 may include a channel that connects
the second end 108 to the first end 106 of the sighting device 104
or to another part of the sighting device 104.
[0032] In one embodiment, the system 100 may include a phone scope
mount 110. In a further embodiment, the phone scope mount 110 may
include an apparatus that mounts to the sighting device 104.
Although the phone scope mount 110 may mount to the first end 106
of the sighting device 104, as depicted in FIG. 1, it should not be
understood that the phone scope mount 110 is limited to mounting to
the first end 106 of the sighting device 104. The phone scope mount
110 may mount to the first end 106 of the sighting device 104, the
second end 108, or another area of the sighting device 104.
[0033] In one embodiment, the phone scope mount 110 may mount
visual recording device to the side of the sighting device 104. In
some embodiments, the visual recording device may include a phone.
In a further embodiment, the phone scope mount 110 may not be
limited to mounting a phone to the side of the sighting device 104.
A visual recording device may include a phone, a photography
camera, a video recording camera, a web camera, an action camera,
or another type of device capable of receiving optical input.
[0034] In certain embodiments, the phone scope mount 110 may be
disposed to the side of the sighting device 104, above the sighting
device 104, below the sighting device, or the like. For example, in
one embodiment, the sighting device 104 may include a gun scope.
The gun scope may mount to the weapon 102. The weapon 102 may
include a gun. The gun may include one or more accessories mounted
to the gun near the gun scope. The phone scope mount 110 may need
to be disposed above the gun scope to avoid the accessories.
[0035] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views depicting embodiments
of an apparatus 200 for a phone scope mount. In one embodiment, the
apparatus 200 may include a housing 202 mountable to the first end
106 of the sighting device 104. In a further embodiment, the
housing 202 may include a channel that mounts to the first end 106
of the sighting device 104. In one embodiment, the housing 202 may
include a first end that faces a user and a second end that mounts
to the first end 106 of the sighting device 104. In one embodiment,
the first end of the housing 202 may include eyepiece that faces
the user and allows the user to look through the housing 202, the
first end 106 of the sighting device 104, and the second end 108
toward a target.
[0036] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include a channel
204 protruding from a side of the housing 202. Although FIGS. 2A
and 2B depict the channel 204 as protruding from the left side of
the housing 202, it should not be understood that the channel 204
is limited to protruding from the left side of the housing 202. The
channel 204 may protrude from a side of the housing 202 in a
variety of ways. For example, in some embodiments, the channel 204
may protrude from the right side of the housing 202, the left side
of the housing 202, the top of the housing 202, the bottom of the
housing 202, or another side of the housing 202. Furthermore, in
one embodiment, the channel 204 may include a channel of a width or
diameter sufficient to allow a camera lens of a phone to receive an
image from the housing 202.
[0037] In one embodiment, the channel 204 may include an adjustable
length. The length of the channel 204 may adjust in a variety of
ways. For example, in one embodiment, the channel 204 may include
one or more channel spacers. In a further embodiment, the one or
more channel spacers may include one or more additional channels
that may connect to an end of the channel 204 and lengthen the
channel 204. In another embodiment, the channel 204 may include a
collapsible extender. In one embodiment, the collapsible extender
may include one or more channels that may house inside the channel
204. In a further embodiment, the one or more channels of the
collapsible channels may exit the channel 204 and lengthen the
channel 204. The adjustable length may allow a user to couple the
apparatus 200 to a sighting device 104 and avoid one or more
protrusions on or near the sighting device 104 (such as the one or
more gun accessories described above). One of skill in the art will
recognize other ways that the channel 204 may include an adjustable
length.
[0038] In one embodiment, the channel 204 may include an adjustable
length to allow different cameras to focus on a desired object. A
channel 204 of a fixed length may not allow a camera to focus on a
desired object. For example, in one embodiment, the desired object
that a camera should focus on may include a one-way mirror disposed
inside the housing 202 (described in described below). In one
embodiment, for example, the length from the end of the channel 204
to the one-way mirror may be 2 inches (approximately 5 cm).
However, a user's visual recording device may not be able to focus
on an object 2 inches away. A channel 204 that includes an
adjustable length may lengthen to a length sufficient to allow a
visual recording device to focus on the one-way mirror.
[0039] In one embodiment, the channel 204 may include an adjustable
width. The width of the channel 204 may adjust in a variety of
ways. For example, in one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include
multiple channels 204, each channel 204 having a different width.
In a further embodiment, the multiple channels 204 may attach to
and detach from the housing 202 or the mounting plate 206
(discussed below). In another embodiment, the channel 204 may
include one or more rings that may fit over an end of the channel
204 and reduce the width of the opening of the end of the channel
204. For example, in one embodiment, the channel 204 may include
one or more rings that fit over an end of the channel 204, each
ring reducing the width of the end of the channel 204 by a
different amount. In another embodiment, for example, a first ring
of the one or more rings may fit over the end of the channel 204
and the other rings may fit inside the first ring. In a further
embodiment, the channel 204 may include an aperture. In one
embodiment, a user may adjust the aperture (for example, by
twisting an end of the channel 204) to reduce or enlarge the width
of an end of the channel 204. One of skill in the art will
recognize other ways that the channel 204 may include an adjustable
width.
[0040] In one embodiment, the channel 204 may include an adjustable
width to allow different camera lens to look through the channel
204. For example, in one embodiment, a user may mount a phone to
the apparatus 200. In a further embodiment, the phone's camera lens
may have a width of 0.5 inches (approximately 1.3 cm). The channel
204 may adjust its width to approximately 0.5 inches. Later, the
user may dismount the phone and mount a camera to the apparatus
200. The camera's lens may have a width of 3 inches (approximately
7.6 cm). The user may adjust the width of the channel 204 to
approximately 3 inches to accommodate the width of the camera's
lens. Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, the user
may adjust the width of the channel 204 to a size larger or smaller
than the width of the lens that looks through the channel 204.
[0041] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include a mounting
plate 206. The mounting plate 206 may be disposed to a side of the
sighting device 104. In one embodiment, the mounting plate 206 may
mount to a side of the housing 202. For example, the mounting plate
206 may couple to the channel 204. The mounting plate 206 may
couple to another portion of the housing. In one embodiment, the
mounting plate 206 may couple to the sighting device 104. In one
embodiment, the mounting plate 206 may include one or more
adjustment bars adjustable along one or more axes in X or Y in
relation to the surface of the mounting plate 206. In a further
embodiment, the adjustment bars may adjust for a size or a
placement of a lens of a visual recording device.
[0042] In one embodiment, the mounting plate 206 may include a
substantially flat surface. A surface of a visual recording device
may engage with the substantially flat surface and the flat surface
may assist in preventing the visual recording device from moving
around or slipping. The surface may include groove pattern. The
groove pattern may include one or more grooves disposed on the flat
surface to prevent an object engaged with the surface from
slipping. In one embodiment, the surface may include a place for a
logo, decal, or the like. In one embodiment, the mounting plate 206
may include a variety of shapes. The type, size, or shape of
sighting device 104 or visual recording device may influence the
shape of the mounting plate 206.
[0043] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include a lower
adjustment bar 208. The lower adjustment bar 208 may include one or
more bars that include a groove running through a central portion
of the bar. The lower adjustment bar 208 may connect to a lower
adjustment stop 210. The lower adjustment bar 208, in some
embodiments, may connect to the mounting plate 206 through a lower
adjustment connector 212. The lower adjustment connector 212 may
couple the lower adjustment bar 208 to the mounting plate 206. In
one embodiment, the lower adjustment bar 208 may vertically adjust
in relation to the mounting plate 206. In one embodiment, as
depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the mounting plate 206 may include two
lower adjustment bars 208 that couple to one lower adjustment stop
210.
[0044] In one embodiment, the lower adjustment bar 208 may include
the lower adjustment stop 210. In a further embodiment, the lower
adjustment stop 210 may protrude away from the lower adjustment bar
208 at an angle. For example, in one embodiment, the lower
adjustment stop 210 may include a piece with one or more lips or
grooves. In some embodiments, the one or more lips or grooves may
face up (toward the mounting plate 206) and receive a visual
recording device and hold the visual recording device to the
mounting plate 206, preventing the visual recording device from
moving in relation to the mounting plate 206.
[0045] In one embodiment, the lower adjustment connector 212 may
couple the lower adjustment bar 208 to the mounting plate 206. The
lower adjustment connector 212, in one embodiment, may partially
disengage from the lower adjustment bar 208 to allow the lower
adjustment bar 208 to move up or down in relation to the mounting
plate 206. In one embodiment, the lower adjustment connector 212
may include a screw and a nut. The screw may penetrate an aperture
in the mounting plate 206 and extend toward the backside of the
mounting plate 206. The backside of the mounting plate 206 may
include the side of the mounting plate 206 that faces the sighting
device 104. The screw may include a head sized and shaped to
prevent the screw from completely penetrating the mounting plate
206. The screw may penetrate the groove disposed in the central
portion of the lower adjustment bar 208 and the nut may couple to
the screw and engage with the lower adjustment bar 208. The nut
engaging with the lower adjustment bar 208 may hold the lower
adjustment bar 208 in place in relation to the mounting plate. The
nut may include a patterned edge to assist a user in gripping the
nut. The lower adjustment connector 212 may include a washer
disposed between the mounting plate 206 and the nut. The washer may
help couple the lower adjust bar 208 to the nut. In a further
embodiment, the lower adjustment bar 208 and lower adjustment stop
210 may adjust for different shapes or sizes of visual recording
devices and different locations of lenses on visual recording
devices by moving up and down in relation to the mounting plate
206.
[0046] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include an upper
adjustment bar 214. The upper adjustment bar 214, in a further
embodiment, may connect to an upper adjustment stop 216. In one
embodiment, the upper adjustment bar 214 may connect to the
mounting plate 206 through an upper adjustment connector 218. In a
further embodiment, the upper adjustment bar 214 may vertically
adjust in relation to the mounting plate 206.
[0047] In one embodiment, the upper adjustment bar 214 may include
the upper adjustment stop 216. In a further embodiment, the upper
adjustment stop 216 may protrude away from the upper adjustment bar
214 at an angle. For example, in one embodiment, the upper
adjustment stop 216 may include a piece with one or more lips or
grooves. In a further embodiment, the one or more lips or grooves
may face down (toward the mounting plate 206) and receive a visual
recording device, holding the visual recording device to the
mounting plate 206 and preventing the visual recording device from
moving in relation to the mounting plate 206. In one embodiment,
the upper adjustment connector 218 may mount the upper adjustment
bar 214 to the mounting plate 206. The upper adjustment connector
218, in some embodiments, may partially disengage from the upper
adjustment bar 214 to allow the upper adjustment bar 214 to move up
or down in relation to the mounting plate 206. In a further
embodiment, the upper adjustment bar 214 and upper adjustment stop
216 may adjust for different sizes or shapes of visual recording
devices and different locations of a lenses on the visual recording
devices by moving up and down in relation to the mounting plate
206. The upper adjustment connector may include a screw and nut
assembly as described above.
[0048] In one embodiment, the upper adjustment bar 214 may include
a micro adjuster 218A. The micro adjuster 218A may include a screw
that penetrates downward through the upper adjustment bar 208 or
the mounting plate 206. For example, the upper adjustment connector
218 may include a screw with a threaded aperture inside the shaft
of the screw. The screw of the micro adjuster 218A may penetrate
the threaded aperture. The micro adjuster 218A may include a
turning cap disposed on an upper portion of the upper adjustment
bar 214. Turning the turning cap may cause the screw to turn, which
may adjust the upper adjustment bar 214 in a vertical movement.
Although FIG. 2A depicts only the upper adjustment bar 214 as
including a micro adjuster 218A, the lower adjustment bar 208, a
horizontal adjustment bar 220, or the secondary horizontal bar 260
may include a micro adjuster 218A.
[0049] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include a
horizontal adjustment bar 220. In some embodiments, the horizontal
adjustment bar 220 may connect to a horizontal adjustment stop 222.
In a further embodiment, the horizontal adjustment bar 220 may
connect to the mounting plate 206 through a horizontal adjustment
connector 224. The horizontal adjustment bar 220, in one
embodiment, may adjust horizontally in relation to the mounting
plate 206. In a further embodiment, the horizontal adjustment bar
220 may include the horizontal adjustment stop 222. The horizontal
adjustment stop 222, in some embodiments, may protrude away from
the horizontal adjustment bar 220 at an angle. For example, in one
embodiment, the horizontal adjustment stop 222 may include a piece
with one or more lips or grooves. In a further embodiment, the one
or more lips or grooves may face toward the mounting plate 206 and
receive a visual recording device, holding the visual recording
device to the mounting plate 206, and preventing the visual
recording device from moving in relation to the mounting plate 206.
In one embodiment, the horizontal adjustment connector 224 may
mount the horizontal adjustment bar 220 to the mounting plate 206.
In a further embodiment, the horizontal adjustment connector 224
may partially disengage from the horizontal adjustment bar 220 to
allow the horizontal adjustment bar 220 to move side to side in
relation to the mounting plate 206. In one embodiment, the
horizontal adjustment bar 220 and horizontal adjustment stop 222
may adjust for different shapes or sizes of visual recording
devices and different locations of lenses on visual recording
devices by moving up and down in relation to the mounting plate
206. The horizontal adjustment connector 224 may include a screw
and nut assembly as described above.
[0050] In one embodiment, the horizontal adjustment bar 220 may
include one or more screws. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 2A
and 2B, the horizontal adjustment bar 220 may include two screws.
Multiple screws may provide added stability to the sighting device
104. The added stability may include stability in response to
recoil from the sighting device 104. For example, the sighting
device 104 may include a gun scope mounted to a gun and shooting
the gun may cause recoil.
[0051] In another embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include a
second horizontal adjustment bar. In one embodiment, the second
horizontal adjustment bar may connect to a second horizontal stop.
In a further embodiment, the second horizontal stop may include one
or more lips or grooves that face toward the mounting plate 206.
The second horizontal bar, in some embodiments, may connect to the
mounting plate 206 through a second horizontal connector. In one
embodiment, the second horizontal bar may move side to side in
relation to the mounting plate 206 to adjust for different sizes or
shapes of visual recording devices and different locations of
lenses on visual recording devices. In one embodiment, the second
horizontal bar may include the secondary horizontal bar 260
described below.
[0052] In one embodiment, the lower adjustment bar 208, the upper
adjustment bar 214, and the horizontal adjustment bar 220
(collectively, "the adjustment bars") may each include a stop
extender. Each stop extender, in one embodiment, may extend a
connected adjustment bar 208, 214, 220 away from the mounting plate
206 at an angle substantially perpendicular to the connected
adjustment bar 208, 214, 220. For example, in one embodiment, each
stop extender may extend a connected adjustment bar 208, 214, 220
away from the central adjust mount 206 and away from the housing
202 at a perpendicular angle to the connected adjustment bar 208,
214, 220. In a further embodiment, the stop extenders may allow
visual recording devices of different sizes or shapes to mount to
the size of the housing 202.
[0053] In one embodiment, the lower, upper, and horizontal
adjustment stops 210, 216, and 222 (collectively, "the adjustment
stops") may detach from the adjustment bars 208, 214, 220. In a
further embodiment, the adjustment stops 210, 216, 222, may detach
from the adjustment bars 208, 214, 220 to allow different
adjustment stops 210, 216, 222 to attach to the adjustment bars
208, 214, 220. In some embodiments, the various adjustment stops
210, 216, 222 may include adjustment stops 210, 216, 222 of
different shapes and sizes. For example, in one embodiment, one
lower adjustment stop 210 may include a rounded groove and another
lower adjustment stop 210 may include an angular groove. In another
embodiment, the adjustment stops 210, 216, 222 may include stops
that change shape. One of skill in the art will recognize other
forms the adjustment stops 210, 216, 222 may include to engage and
hold different devices to the side of the sighting device 104.
[0054] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include one or more
levels mounted to the housing 202 or to the mounting plate 206. In
a further embodiment, the one or more levels may assist a user in
mounting the cases 202 to the first end 106 of the sighting device
104 in a desired orientation. For example, in one embodiment, the
one or more levels may assist the user in orienting the housing 202
such that channel 204 extends horizontally from the housing 202 as
depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In another embodiment, the one or more
levels may assist a user in orienting the housing 202 such that the
channel 204 extends vertically from the housing 202. One of skill
in the art will recognize other ways that the one or more levels
may assist a user in orienting the housing 202 into a desired
position on the first end 106 of the sighting device 104.
[0055] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include a clamp
230. The clamp 230 may mount to the sighting device 104. For
example, the clamp 230 may include an adjustable ring that may
adjust in diameter to adapt to a size of a sighting device 104. The
clamp 230 may include one or more sizing rings 232. A sizing ring
232 may be disposed on an interior surface of the clamp 230. A
sizing ring 232 may include one or more apertures to allow a
fastener 236 to penetrate the aperture and hold the sizing ring 232
in place.
[0056] In one embodiment, the clamp 230 may include a clamp
fastener 234. The clamp fastener 234 may penetrate an aperture
disposed on the clamp 230. Tightening the clamp fastener 234 may
reduce the diameter of the clamp 230 and cause the clamp 230 to
grip to the sighting device 104.
[0057] In one embodiment, the clamp 230 may include one or more
fasteners 236. A fastener 236 may penetrate an aperture disposed on
an edge of the clamp 230. The fastener 236 may include a washer
disposed around a shaft of the fastener 236. As described above,
the fastener may penetrate an aperture of a sizing ring 232
disposed on the interior surface of the clamp 230.
[0058] In one embodiment, the housing 202 may include one or more
sliding tracks 238. A sliding track 238 may include a longitudinal
piece of material disposed on an exterior surface of the housing
202. The piece of material may include a groove that travels a
portion of the length of the sliding track 238. The groove may
include an open end disposed away from housing 202. The sliding
track 238 may couple to the housing 202 via a fastener 240. In one
embodiment, the groove of the sliding track 238 may be sized to fit
around the shaft of the fastener 236. The clamp 230 may slide into
the sliding track 238 via the one or more fasteners 236. The washer
of the fastener 236 may engage with the sliding track 238 and may
couple the housing 202 to the clamp 230. In one embodiment, one or
more sliding tracks 238 may be disposed on the clamp 230 and one or
more fasteners 236 may be disposed on the housing 202.
[0059] In one embodiment, the housing 202 sliding in and out of the
sliding track 238 may allow a user to quickly remove one or more
portions of the apparatus 200, such as the housing 202 and the
mounting plate 206 with the attached adjustment bars 208, 214, 220,
from the sighting device 104. The housing 202 sliding in and out of
the sliding track 238 may allow the user to adjust the distance
between the housing 202 and the sighting device. Adjusting the
distance may include adjusting the focus of the housing or a visual
recording device, such as a phone, attached to the apparatus
200.
[0060] As depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in one embodiment, the one
or more sliding tracks 238 and fasteners 240 may be disposed on the
housing 202 and the one or more fasteners 236 may be disposed on
the clamp 230. In one embodiment, the one or more sliding tracks
238 and fasteners 240 may be disposed on the clamp 230 and the one
or more fasteners 236 may be disposed on the housing 202.
[0061] In one embodiment, the housing 202 may include a sight shade
242. The sight shade 242 may include a piece of material that
surrounds at least a portion of the viewing end of the housing 202.
The sight shade 242 may prevent light from entering the interior of
the housing 202 and may prevent glare or interference from
interfering with the user's view. The sight shade 242 may block
prevent light around the viewing end of the housing 202 to be
reflected off the mirror disposed inside the housing 202 (discussed
below) and enter the recording device mounted to the mounting plate
206.
[0062] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include an image
stabilizing bar 250. In one embodiment, the image stabilizing bar
250 may be disposed on the horizontal adjustment bar 220. In one
embodiment, the image stabilizing bar 250 may be disposed on a
portion of the mounting plate 206. The image stabilizing bar 250
may include a coupling bar 252. The coupling bar 252 may couple the
image stabilizing bar 250 to the horizontal adjustment bar 220. The
coupling bar 252 may include one or more apertures that the
horizontal adjustment bar 220 may penetrate. The coupling bar 252
may include a length to extend the image stabilizing bar 250 toward
the sighting device 104.
[0063] In one embodiment, the image stabilizing bar 250 may include
a sight bar 254. The sight bar 254 may detachably couple to the
sighting device 104. The sight bar 254 may engage with the sighting
device 104 and may provide stability to the recording device
disposed on the mounting place 206.
[0064] In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 2B, the sight bar 254
may include a hook. The hook may be sized or shaped to detachably
couple to a portion of the sighting device 104. In one embodiment,
the sight bar 254 may include a different coupling mechanism. For
example, the sight bar 254 may include a clamp, a clasp, or the
like. In one embodiment, the sight bar 254 may include a groove.
The groove may be disposed on the sight bar 254 distal from the
coupling mechanism. The groove may allow the user to adjust the
length of the image stabilizing bar 250.
[0065] In some embodiments, the image stabilizing bar may include a
fastener 256. The fastener 256 may couple the sight bar 254 with
the coupling bar 252. In one embodiment, tightening the fastener
256 may fix the position of the sight bar 254 relative to the
coupling bar 252. In some embodiments, the fastener 256 may include
a connector similar to the connectors 212, 218, 224 described
above.
[0066] In one embodiment, the mounting plate 206 may include a
secondary adjustment bar 260. The secondary adjustment bar 260 may
be disposed horizontally on the mounting plate 206 distal from the
horizontal adjustment bar 220 as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The
secondary adjustment bar 260 may include a screw. The secondary
adjustment bar 260 may include a rotatable stop 262. The rotatable
stop 262 may be disposed on the secondary adjustment bar 260 distal
from the mounting plate 206. In one embodiment, the rotatable stop
262 may rotate around an axis. The rotatable stop 262 may rotate
away from the housing 202 and may be disposed at a length away from
the housing. In response to rotating away from the housing 202, the
rotatable stop 262 may engage with an edge of a recording device,
such as a phone, mounted to the mounting plate 206. The rotatable
stop 262 may prevent the recording device from sliding away from
the mounting plate 260. The user may rotate the rotatable stop 262
to quickly slide the visual recording device toward or away from
the mounting plate 206.
[0067] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include one or more
adjustment bar grooves. The adjustment bar grooves may include one
or more grooves that receive an adjustment bar 208, 214, 220, or
260. The one or more grooves may be disposed on the backside or
front side of the mounting plate 206. An adjustment bar 208, 214,
220, 260 may fit within an adjustment bar groove and substantially
fit within the mounting plate 206. In one embodiment, an adjustment
bar groove may run along the entire width or length of the mounting
plate 206 or may run part of the width or length of the mounting
plate 206. In one embodiment, an adjustment bar groove may include
a width substantially the same as a corresponding adjustment bar
208, 214, 220, 260. In a further embodiment, an adjustment bar
groove may include a width wider than the width of the
corresponding adjustment bar 208, 214, 220, 260. In one embodiment,
a width wider than the corresponding adjustment bar 208, 214, 220,
260 may allow a user to adjust the corresponding adjustment bar
208, 214, 220, 260 side-to-side and allow the corresponding
adjustment stop 210, 216, 222, 262 to engage with a larger
selection of visual recording devices.
[0068] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include a shade
270. The shade 270 may include a piece of material disposed around
the visual recording device while the visual recording device is
mounted to the mounting plate 206. The shade 270 may shade the
visual recording device from a light source, such as the sun, so
that the user may view a screen of the visual recording device. A
light source may make viewing the screen difficult because of glare
or the like on the screen. In one embodiment, a fastener 272 may
fasten the shade 270 to the apparatus 200. For example, as depicted
in FIG. 2B, the fastener 272 may be disposed on the upper
adjustment bar 214.
[0069] FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating one embodiment of an
apparatus 300 for a phone scope mount. In one embodiment, the
apparatus 300 may include a housing 202 mountable to a first end
106 of a sighting device 104, a channel 204 coupled to a side of
the housing 202, a mounting plate 206 mounted to a side of the
housing 202, the adjustment bars 208, 214, 220, and 260, the
adjustment stops 210, 216, 222, and 262, and lower, upper, and
horizontal adjustment connectors 212, 218, 224, 264 (collectively,
"the adjustment connectors"), as described in relation to FIGS.
2A-B.
[0070] The apparatus 300, in some embodiments, may include a
one-way mirror 302. In one embodiment, the one-way mirror 302 may
mount inside the housing 202 between a first end of the housing 202
and the second end 108 of a sighting device 104. In a further
embodiment, the one-way mirror 302 may allow an image from the
second end of the scope 104 to pass through the one-way mirror 302
toward the first end of the housing 202. In one embodiment, a user
may look through the first end of the housing 202 and view the
image that passes through the one-way mirror 302. In a further
embodiment, the one-way mirror 302 may reflect the image from the
second end 108 of the sighting device 104 through the channel 204.
In one embodiment, the reflected image may pass through the channel
204 and into the lens of a visual recording device.
[0071] The one-way mirror 302 may include a piece of glass or other
transparent material. The glass may be coated with a layer of
reflective material. The layer may include a thin layer of
aluminum. The coating may reflect a portion of the light of the
image into the channel 204 and may allow a portion of the light of
the image to pass through the coating to the user's eye. One of
skill in the art may appreciate other embodiments of a one-way
mirror.
[0072] The one-way mirror 302 may mount inside the housing 202 in a
variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment, the housing 202
may include a housing insert 304. The housing insert 304 may be
shaped or sized to insert inside the housing 202. The housing
insert 304 may include one or more slots 306. The slots 306 may
receive the one-way mirror 302 and hold it in place inside the
housing 202 and housing insert 304. The housing insert 304 may
include an aperture disposed in a side of the housing insert 304
that may align with the channel 204 of the housing 202. In some
embodiments, the one-way mirror 302 may include a mirror shaped to
fit inside the housing 202. In one embodiment, the one-way mirror
302 may mount inside the housing 202 and prevent a user from
looking through the first end 106 of the sighting device 104
without looking through the one-way mirror 302. In another
embodiment, the one-way mirror 302 may block part of the first end
106 of the sighting device 104 from direct view of the user and
allow a user to see part of the first end 106 of the sighting
device 104 without looking through the one-way mirror 302.
[0073] In one embodiment, the one-way mirror 302 may mount inside
the housing 202 at an angle to the housing 202. For example, in one
embodiment, the one-way mirror 302 may mount inside the housing 202
at a 45-degree angle from the side of the housing 202. In another
embodiment, the one-way mirror 302 may mount at an acute or obtuse
angle from the side of the housing 202. In one embodiment, the
angle at which the one-way mirror 302 is disposed inside the
housing 202 may determine the angle at which the channel 204
protrudes from the side of the housing 202. For example, in one
embodiment, the one-way mirror 302 may mount inside the housing 202
at a 45-degree angle and the channel 204 may protrude
perpendicularly from the side of the housing 202. In another
embodiment, the one-way mirror 302 may mount inside the housing 202
at an acute angle to the side of the housing 202 and the channel
204 may protrude at an angle from the case such that the one-way
mirror 302 reflects the image through the channel 204.
[0074] In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 may include a lens
308. The lens 308 may be disposed on an end of the housing insert
304. The lens 308 may be disposed at the end of the housing insert
304 that faces a user looking through the viewing end of the
housing 202. The lens 308 may prevent dust, debris, or the like
from entering the housing 202 and/or contacting the one-way mirror
302.
[0075] In one embodiment, the housing insert 304 may include one or
more track fastener apertures 310. The housing 202 may include one
or more track fastener apertures 312. The tracker fasteners 310 of
the housing insert 304 and the track fasteners of the housing 202
may align in response to the housing insert 304 being in an
inserted state inside the housing 202. The one or more fasteners
240 may be inserted into the track fastener apertures 310, 312. The
track fastener apertures 310, 312 may include threaded apertures to
receive the fasteners 240. In one embodiment, the fasteners 240 may
hold the housing insert 304 inside the housing 202. Removing the
fasteners 240 may allow a user to remove the housing insert 304
from the housing 202, which may allow the user to remove the on-way
mirror 302 from the slot 306.
[0076] FIG. 4A is a perspective view depicting one embodiment of a
system 400 for a phone scope mount. In one embodiment, the system
400 may include a housing 202 mounted to a first end 106 of a
sighting device 104 and a channel 204 mounted to a side of the
housing 202. In a further embodiment, a mounting plate 206 may be
mounted to the housing 202. The mounting plate 206, in some
embodiments, may include the adjustment bars 208, 214, 220, 260,
the adjustment stops 210, 216, 222, 262, and the adjustment
connectors 212, 218, 224, 264 as described above in relation to
FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIG. 3. The housing 202 may mount to the first
end 106 of the sighting device 104 in variety of ways. For example,
in one embodiment, the housing 202 may slide over the first end 106
of the sighting device 104. Additionally or alternatively, in one
embodiment, the housing 202 may include a clamp 230 as described
above in relation to FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIG. 3.
[0077] In a further embodiment, the clamp 230 may fasten the
housing 202 to the first end 106 of the sighting device 104. With
the housing 202 mounted to a first end 106 of a sighting device
104, in some embodiments, the system 400 may be in a position to
receive and hold a visual recording device, as depicted in FIG.
4B.
[0078] FIG. 4B is side view depicting one embodiment of a system
400 for a phone scope mount. In one embodiment, the system 400 may
include a housing 202 mounted to a first end 106 of a sighting
device 104 and a channel 204 mounted to a side of the housing 202,
as discussed above in relation to FIG. 4A. In one embodiment, a
visual recording device 402 may selectively mount to the side of
the housing 202 using the adjustment stops 210, 216, 222, 262. The
visual recording device 402 may include one of several devices
described above. As depicted in FIG. 4B, the visual recording
device 402 may include a phone. The visual recording device 402 may
include a lens 404. The lens 402 may be disposed on a surface of
the visual recording device 402 disposed toward the channel 204. In
a further embodiment, the adjustment stops 210, 216, 222, 262 may
hold the visual recording device 402 close to the mounting plate
206 without the visual recording device 402 contacting the plate of
the mounting plate 206. Many phones are protected by phone cases
that surround the phone. In some embodiments, in response to the
adjustment stops 210, 216, 222, and 262 holding the phone 402 close
to the mounting plate 206 without the phone touching the plate of
the mounting plate 206, a user may use the system 400 without
having to remove the phone's 402 phone case.
[0079] In another embodiment, the adjustment stops 210, 216, 222,
262 may mount a camera to the side of the housing 202 using the
stop extenders of the adjustment bars 208, 214, 220, 260. In a
further embodiment, the stop extenders may extend away from the
housing 202 and the mounting plate 206 at an angle perpendicular to
the adjustment bars 208, 214, 220, 260. In one embodiment, the stop
extenders may adjust the adjustment stops 210, 126, 222, 262 to
engage and hold the camera.
[0080] As depicted in FIG. 4B, a user may adjust the positions of
the adjustment bars 208, 214, 220, 260 in the X or Y directions
relative to the mounting plate 206. Adjusting the positions of the
adjustment bars 208, 214, 220, 260 may align the lens of the visual
recording device 402 with the channel 204. In the aligned position,
the visual recording device 402 may be in a position to receive
images from the sighting device 104 and recording the images.
[0081] FIG. 5 is a cutaway top view depicting one embodiment of an
apparatus 500 for a phone scope mount. In one embodiment, the
apparatus 500 may include a housing 202, a clamp 230 mounting the
housing 202 to a first end 106 of a sighting device 104, a channel
204, a mounting plate 206, the adjustment bars 208, 214, 220, 260
the adjustment stops 210, 216, 222, 262 and a one-way mirror 302
mounted inside the housing 202, as described above. In one
embodiment, a visual recording device 402 may mount to the side of
the mounting plate 206. The adjustment bars 208, 214, 220 and
adjustment stops 210, 216, 222 may mount the visual recording
device 402 to the side of the mounting plate 206. In a further
embodiment, the visual recording device 402 may include a lens 404.
The lens 404, in some embodiments, may be disposed on the surface
of the visual recording device 402 disposed toward the channel 204.
In one embodiment, the adjustment bars 208, 214, 220, 260 may
adjust vertically and horizontally as described above in FIGS. 2A,
2B, 3, and 4 to align the camera lens 404 with the channel 204, as
depicted in FIG. 5.
[0082] In one embodiment, a user may look through a first end of
the housing 202. In a further embodiment, the one-way mirror 302
may mount inside the housing 202 between a first end of the housing
202 and the second end 108 of a sighting device 104. As depicted in
FIG. 5, the dotted lines may represent the image received through
the sighting device 104. In one embodiment, the one-way mirror 302
may allow the user to look through a first end of the housing 202,
through the one-way mirror 302, and through the second end of the
scope 104, and see a target located distal from the second end 108
of the sighting device 104. In one embodiment, the one-way mirror
302 may reflect the image of the target and allow the lens 404 to
receive the image through the channel 204 and see the same target
as the user. In this manner, in some embodiments, the lens 404 of
the visual recording device 402 and the user may see the same
target simultaneously through the sighting device 104 without the
visual recording device 402 blocking the view of the sighting
device 104 from the user. As depicted in FIG. 5, in some
embodiments, the visual recording device 402 may include a device
disposed in a parallel position to the sighting device 104.
[0083] In one embodiment, the lens 404 of the visual recording
device 402 may receive an image through the channel 204 and may
record the image. For example, in one embodiment, the visual
recording device 402 may take a picture or record a video of one or
more images that the lens 404 may receive. In a further embodiment,
taking a picture or activating/deactivating video recording on the
phone 402 may include the user pressing a button on the visual
recording device 402 or touching a touchscreen of the visual
recording device 402. In another embodiment, the visual recording
device 402 may connect to an external interface and taking a
picture or activating/deactivating video recording may include the
user interacting with the external interface.
[0084] In some embodiments, the external interface may mount to the
apparatus 500, for example, on the housing 202. For example, in one
embodiment, the external interface may include a remote with a
button and pressing the button may include the phone 402 taking a
picture or activating/deactivating video recording. In one
embodiment, the external interface connecting to the visual
recording device 402 may include a wireless connection, such as
BLUETOOTH, near field communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, or another
wireless connection. In some embodiments, the external interface
connecting to the visual recording device 402 may include a cable
connecting the visual recording device 402 to a remote. In one
embodiment, the cable may connect to the phone through a universal
serial bus (USB) port or some other external port. One of skill in
the art will recognize other ways that an external interface may
connect with a visual recording device 402.
[0085] FIG. 6 is a perspective view depicting one embodiment of an
apparatus 600 for a phone scope mount. In one embodiment, the
apparatus 600 may include the housing 202 and channel 204 as
described above. In one embodiment, the apparatus 600 may include
one or more view rings 602, 604, and 606. In some embodiments, the
one or more view rings 602, 604, 606 may mount to a first end of
the housing 202. The one or more view rings 602, 604, 606, in a
further embodiment, may adjust the size of an eyepiece of the first
end of the housing 202. In one embodiment, the one or more view
rings 602, 604, 606 may prevent a portion of light from entering
the first end of the housing 202.
[0086] The one or more view rings 602, 604, 606 may mount to a
first end of the housing 202 in a variety of ways. For example, in
one embodiment, the outer most view ring 602 may include a flange
connected to the circumference of the outer most view ring 602. In
a further embodiment, the flange may mount over the circumference
of the first end of the housing 202 and adjust the size of the
eyepiece of the first end of the housing 202. In one embodiment, an
inner view ring 604 may include a ring of a diameter such that the
inner view 604 ring fits inside the outer most view ring 602,
further adjusting the size of the eyepiece of the first end of the
housing 202.
[0087] In one embodiment, the one or more view rings 602, 604, 606
may include a flexible material. In another embodiment, the one or
more view rings 602, 604, 606 may include a rigid material. In one
embodiment, the one or more view rings 602, 604, 606 may each
include a flange that extends towards a user, further preventing a
portion of light from entering the first end of the housing
202.
[0088] Although FIG. 6 depicts the apparatus 600 including three
view rings 602, 604, and 606, it should not be understood that the
apparatus 600 is limited to this embodiment. In one embodiment, the
apparatus 600 may include a single view ring 602. In another
embodiment, the apparatus may include two or more view rings 602,
604, 606. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the view rings 602,
604, and 606 may include rings of varying width. One of skill in
the art will recognize other ways in which the one or more view
rings 602. 604, 606 may mount to a first end of the housing 202 and
prevent a portion of light from entering the first end of the
housing 202.
[0089] FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views showing various
embodiments of an apparatus 700 for a phone scope mount. In one
embodiment, the apparatus 700 may include a housing 202 and a
channel 204 as described above. In a further embodiment, the
apparatus 700 may include a sized holder. In one embodiment, the
sized holder may include a back plate 702. In one embodiment, the
sized holder may include one or more edge protrusions 704. In one
embodiment, the sized holder may include one or more edge grips
706.
[0090] In one embodiment, one or more components of the sized
holder may be sized for a specific type of phone. For example, in
one embodiment, the phone holder may be sized to hold an
APPLE-brand phone, such as an IPHONE. In another embodiment, the
sized holder may be sized to hold a SAMSUNG-brand phone. In one
embodiment, the sized holder may be sized for a specific type of
photography camera, video recording camera, web camera, or another
type of device capable of receiving optical input.
[0091] In one embodiment, the sized holder may include a back plate
702. In one embodiment, the back plate 702 may mount to an end of
the channel 204. In a further embodiment, the back plate 702 may
include an aperture connected to an end of the channel 204. In one
embodiment, the location of the aperture connected to the channel
204 may be based, at least in part, by the type of phone, camera,
or the like the sized holder is sized for. In one further
embodiment, the back plate 702 may be sized for a specific type of
phone, camera, or the like. In a further embodiment, the shape of
the back plate 702 may be based, at least in part, on the specific
type of phone, camera, or the like.
[0092] In one embodiment, the back plate 702 may be detachable from
the housing 202, the channel 204, or the like. In a further
embodiment, a user may detach the back plate 702 and attach a
different back plate 702. In one embodiment, the different back
plate 702 may be sized for a different type of phone, camera, or
the like. In some embodiments, the back plate 702 may attach to the
housing 202, channel 204, or the like in various ways. For example,
in one embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B, one or more
screws may couple the back plate 702 to housing 202, channel 204,
or the like. One of skill in the art will recognize ways in which
the back plate 702 may attach to the housing 202, channel 204, or
the like.
[0093] In one embodiment, the sized holder may include one or more
edge protrusions 704. In a further embodiment, the one or more edge
protrusions 704 may mount to an edge of the back plate 702. In one
embodiment, the one or more edge protrusions 704 may protrude away
from the back plate in a toward where a phone, camera, or the like
may mount, as depicted in FIG. 7A. In a further embodiment, the one
or more edge protrusions 704 may protrude at an angle from the back
plate. For example, in one embodiment, the one or more edge
protrusions 704 may protrude substantially perpendicular from the
back plate. 702. The one or more edge protrusions, in some
embodiments, may prevent a phone from sliding, moving, or the like
while the phone is mounted to the sized holder.
[0094] In one embodiment, the sized holder may include one or more
edge grips 706. In a further embodiment, the one or more edge grips
706, in one embodiment, may extend from one or more edges of the
back plate 702, one or more edge protrusions 704, or the like. In
one embodiment, the one or more edge grips 706 may each include a
flange. In a further embodiment, the flange of each edge grip 706
may aid in gripping a phone, camera, or the like. In one
embodiment, the one or more edge grips 706 may be disposed on
various portions of the back plate 702, edge protrusions 704, or
the like. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in one
embodiment, the one or more edge grips may be disposed on one or
more corners of the back plate 702 or one or more edges of the back
plate 702.
[0095] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
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