US4569579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual-positional camera mounting apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-12-27
•
Granted: 1986-02-11
•
Expires: 2003-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for mounting a camera to a supporting structure, such as an automobile window, and permitting instantaneous reorientation of the camera's photographic frame between horizontal and vertical formats. A camera is attached to a mounting arm which is pivotally interposed between two frame members. The frame members are fixed in parallel spaced relation by a spacer therebetween, the spacer also serving to limit rotation of the mounting arm to a 90-degree arc. The camera is attached to the mounting arm in such a location with respect to the pivot point of the mounting arm so as to impart a movement to the mounting arm which urges the mounting arm against the spacer at either extremity of the arc. The frame members and the spacer define two recessed channels to closely receive the mounting arm at either extremity of the arc and stabilize the mounting arm and camera. The frame members and spacer also define a third recessed channel at the bottom of the apparatus suitable to receive the upper edge of an automobile window. Clamping screws threaded through one of the frame members clamp the apparatus securely to the automobile window. The apparatus is provided with a spirit level to ensure proper photographic attitude.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Kangas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M13/00; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/16; F16M11/20; F16M11/2007; F16M11/2021; F16M11/2028; F16M13/02; F16M13/022; G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/56; G03B17/561; G03B17/563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for angularly reorienting the photographic frame of a camera with respect to its photographic subject comprising: (a) a support frame; (b) a mounting arm; (c) pivot means cooperating between said support frame and said mounting arm for permitting said mounting arm to freely rotate with respect to said support frame; (d) said support frame including first and second stop means for cooperating with said mounting arm to limit rotation of said mounting arm between first and second limits, respectively, of a preselected arc; and (e) said mounting arm including mounting means for attaching said camera to said mounting arm in such a position with respect to said pivot means so that gravitational force urges said mounting arm against said first stop means at said first limit of said preselected arc and against said second stop means at said second limit of said preselected arc, said mounting arm cooperating with said first and second stops as means for angularly reorienting said photographic frame of said camera with respect to said photographic subject.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for angularly reorienting the photographic frame of a camera with respect to its photographic subject comprising: (a) a support frame; (b) a mounting arm; (c) pivot means cooperating between said support frame and said mounting arm for permitting said mounting arm to freely rotate with respect to said support frame; (d) said support frame including first and second stop means for cooperating with said mounting arm to limit rotation of said mounting arm between first and second limits, respectively, of a preselected arc; and (e) said mounting arm including mounting means for attaching said camera to said mounting arm in such a position with respect to said pivot means so that gravitational force urges said mounting arm against said first stop means at said first limit of said preselected arc and against said second stop means at said second limit of said preselected arc, said mounting arm cooperating with said first and second stops as means for angularly reorienting said photographic frame of said camera with respect to said photographic subject.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support frame includes stabilizing means for preventing movement of said mounting arm with respect to said support frame except for rotation of said mounting arm about said pivot means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support frame comprises first and second plate members arranged in parallel-spaced relation to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a portion of said mounting arm is rotatably interposed between said first and second plate members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further including spacing means for maintaining said first and second plate members in parallel-spaced relation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said spacing means are interposed between said first and second plate members, said spacing means and said first and second plate members together defining first and second channel means for closely receiving a portion of said mounting arm between said first and second plate members when said mounting arm is respectively at each extremity of the preselected arc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said spacing means and said first and second plate members together define third channel means for receiving a portion of a supporting structure between said first and second plate members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The appartus of claim 6 wherein said spacing means includes said stop means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a portion of a supporting structure is received between said first and second plate members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including clamping means for releasably clamping said support frame to a supporting structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said clamping means includes means adapted to clamp said support frame to the edge of a generally planar supporting structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said clamping means includes third channel means for receiving the edge of said generally planar supporting structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said clamping means includes cushioning means to prevent scarring or marking of said supporting structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including leveling means for determining whether said support frame is level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-10 | 1989-08-12 | 1990-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-08-12 | 1994-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-10 | 1997-08-12 | 1998-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |