CAMERA MOUNT AND REFLECTOR SYSTEM

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a handheld camera mount and reflector system. The reflector system includes a collapsible rod member having a collapsible reflector attached at one end of the rod. A handle is connected at the other end of the rod. A camera mount is attached to the rod between the reflector and the handle. The surface of the reflector can be adapted to adjust reflectivity, diffusion and color spectrum.

Claims

1. A handheld camera mount system comprising: a rod member having a proximal end and a distal end; a handle attached to the rod member adjacent the proximal end; a camera mount attached to the rod member between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the camera mount is configured to receive and releasably retain a camera; and a reflector member attached to the rod member adjacent to the distal end.

2. The handheld camera mount system of claim 1, wherein the reflector member comprises a proximal side, a distal side and a reflective coating on the proximal side of the reflector member.

3. The handheld camera mount system of claim 1, wherein the reflector member is configured to have a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

4. The handheld camera mount system of claim 1, wherein the reflector member comprises a collapsible rib structure wherein the rib structure supports a flexible cover.

5. The handheld camera mount system of claim 4, wherein the flexible cover has a proximal side, a distal side and a reflective coating on the proximal side of the flexible cover.

6. The handheld camera mount system of claim 3, wherein the rod member comprises at least two telescoping sections and is configured to have a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration.

7. The handheld camera mount system of claim 6, wherein the reflector member is configured to allow it to be in the expanded configuration when the rod member is in the extended configuration and the reflector member is configured to allow it to be in the collapsed configuration when the rod member is in the retracted configuration.

8. The handheld camera mount system of claim 1, further comprising a remote triggering system configured to provide radio communication with the camera.

9. The handheld camera mount system of claim 8, wherein the triggering system comprises a switch, a battery, a processor and a transmitter.

10. The handheld camera mount system of claim 8, wherein the remote triggering system is incorporated into the handle.

11. The handheld camera mount system of claim 8, wherein the remote triggering system is incorporated into a stand-alone housing.

12. A handheld camera mount system comprising: a telescoping rod having a proximal end and a distal end; a handle attached to the telescoping rod adjacent the proximal end; a camera mount attached to the telescoping rod, wherein the camera mount is configured to receive and releasably retain a camera; and a reflector member connected to the telescoping rod.

13. The handheld camera mount system of claim 12, wherein the reflector member comprises a proximal side, a distal side and a reflective coating on the proximal side of the reflector member.

14. The handheld camera mount system of claim 12, wherein the reflector member comprises a collapsible rib structure supporting a flexible cover and is configured to have an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration.

15. The handheld camera mount system of claim 12, wherein the flexible cover has a proximal side, a distal side and a reflective coating on the proximal side of the flexible cover.

16. The handheld camera mount system of claim 12, wherein the reflector member is connected to the telescoping rod adjacent the distal end.

17. The handheld camera mount system of claim 12, wherein the camera mount is attached to the telescoping rod between the proximal end and the reflector member.

18. The handheld camera mount system of claim 14, wherein the reflector member comprises a reflector rod connected to the collapsing rib structure and a connector connecting the reflector rod to the telescoping rod.

19. The handheld camera mount system of claim 18, wherein the connector connects to the telescoping rod between the camera mount and the proximal end.

20. The handheld camera mount system of claim 12, wherein the reflector member comprises a collapsible interconnected slat structure supporting a flexible cover and is configured to have an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration.

21. The handheld camera mount system of claim 12, wherein the reflector member comprises a diffuser cover that diffuses light impinging the distal side of the diffusing cover.

22. The handheld camera mount system of claim 12, wherein the reflector member comprises a diffuser cover that that is adapted to control the amount of light that passes through the diffuser cover.

23. The handheld camera mount system of claim 12, wherein the reflector member comprises a diffuser cover that that is adapted to control the color spectrum of light that passes through the diffuser cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a camera mount and reflector system of the present invention showing the system in the expanded configuration.

[0019] FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate one embodiment of a camera mount and reflector system of the present invention in the collapsed, extended and expanded configurations, respectively.

[0020] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate one embodiment of a camera mount of the camera mount and reflector system of the present invention in the disconnected and connected configurations, respectively.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a pan and tilt swivel connection of a camera mount of the camera mount and reflector system of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative connector of a camera mount of the camera mount and reflector system of the present invention.

[0023] FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate an alternative embodiment of the reflector of the camera mount and reflector system of the present invention in the collapsed, partially expanded and substantially expanded configurations, respectively.

[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a camera mount and reflector system of the present invention showing the system in the fully expanded configuration.

[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates the detachable reflector portion of the camera mount and reflector system of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In the following paragraphs, implementations of the present disclosure will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the illustrated components are not necessarily drawn proportionately to one another. Throughout this description, the implementations and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present disclosure. As used herein, the “present disclosure” refers to any one of the embodiments of the disclosure described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various aspects of the disclosure throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced aspects.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the handheld camera mount and reflector system 10 of the present invention. Reflector system 10 includes a rod member 12 which has a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. Rod member 12 could be a solid or fixed length rod, but it is preferably a collapsible rod. In some preferred embodiments rod member 12 is hollow. In other preferred embodiments rod member 12 includes two or more nested or telescoping sections 12a, 12b. In this manner rod member 12 can have a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration such that the overall length of the rod member 12 is minimized when in the collapsed configuration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the telescoping rod member 12 could be replaced with other known collapsible structures known in the art without departing from the present invention.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment a handle 18 is attached to the rod member adjacent the proximal end 14 of the rod member 12. Handle 18 is configured to facilitate a user being able to grip and maintain control of the reflector system 10. Handle 18 can include other complimentary systems like a trigger system or a pairing/syncing system. These aspects will be discussed further below.

[0029] Preferably a camera mount 20 is attached to rod member 12 between the proximal end 14 and the distal end 16. It is preferable that camera mount 20 is located as far from the proximal end 14 as possible without interfering with placement and functionality of other structures and components. The camera mount 20 can be fixedly or removably attached to rod member 12 and will be described in more detail below.

[0030] Also attached to rod member 12 adjacent to distal end 16 is a reflector 22 having a proximal side 24 and a distal side 26. In the preferred embodiment, reflector 22 is umbrella-like with ribs 28 to provide structure and a flexible cover 30. Preferably, reflector 22 is configured to be collapsible and has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. Preferably the structure and collapsing functionality are like those known to and used by those the skilled in the art for umbrellas. In the preferred embodiment the surface 32 of the proximal side 24 of reflector 22 is reflective to visible light. To achieve this reflectiveness the flexible cover 30 itself can have a reflective surface 32. In some embodiments cover 30 could be a reflective, flexible plastic film like aluminized plastic or biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film with a metallic coating. Alternatively, a reflective coating 34 can be applied to the surface of cover 30. In the preferred embodiment the cover 30 is made of cloth material having one or more reflective coatings 34 applied to the proximal side 24. Preferably the reflective coating 34 is flexible to allow the reflector 22 to collapse into its collapsed configuration. In some embodiments cover 30 is adapted to reflect light is some portions of the visible spectrum and not others. In this manner the color of the light being reflected can be adjusted.

[0031] In other embodiments the flexible cover of the reflector is adapted to diffuse light coming from the side of the reflector facing away from the camera mount and handle. In such embodiments the flexible cover allows only some of the light to pass through, the remainder is reflected back or absorbed. In some embodiments a diffuser cover can allow between 10% and 90%. In preferred embodiments between 15% and 40% of light is allowed to pass through. In some embodiments materials can be selected to allow a predetermined color spectrum to pass through or be emphasized so that both the amount of light and the color of light passing through can be adjusted and controlled. In some embodiments the diffuser cover could be a reflective, flexible plastic film like aluminized plastic or biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film with a metallic coating. Alternatively, a reflective coating can be applied to the surface of a diffuser cover. In the preferred embodiment the diffuser cover is made of cloth material having one or more reflective coatings applied to the distal side of the diffuser cover.

[0032] FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate one embodiment of a camera mount and reflector system of the present invention in the collapsed, extended and expanded configurations, respectively. In FIG. 2a, reflector system 10 is shown in its fully collapsed configuration with rod 12 in its collapsed configuration and reflector 22 in its collapsed configuration. In FIG. 2b, reflector system 10 is shown with rod 12 in its extended configuration and reflector 22 in its collapsed configuration. In FIG. 2c, reflector system 10 is shown in its fully expanded configuration with rod 12 in its extended configuration and reflector 22 in its expanded configuration.

[0033] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate one embodiment of a camera mount of the camera mount and reflector system of the present invention in the disconnected and connected configurations, respectively. In FIG. 3a a removable camera mount 38 is shown which could be part of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3b shows mount 38 attached to rod 12 of the present invention. Mount 38 includes a camera receiver 40 for releaseably retaining a camera, smartphone, etc. Camera receivers are well known to those skilled in the art. Receiver 40 can be box-like and made of plastic or rubber into which the camera or smartphone is inserted. Box-like receiver 40 can include retaining tabs 42 to retain the camera or smartphone. Receiver 40 could also be of a type that includes elastic loops that can retain corners of the camera or smart phone (not shown). In some embodiments receiver 40 is a screw-in camera mounting like those commonly used on camera tripods (not shown). In some embodiments mount 38 includes a swivel 44 and a connector sleeve 46. Sleeve 46 can include a slot 48 to allow sleeve 48 to be clipped onto rod 12. To prevent the sleeve 46 from sliding or twisting on rod 12, an anti-slip coating or material (not shown) can be included on the interior surface of sleeve 46. Sleeve 46 could also be fixedly attached to rod 12 using an adhesive, by bonding or welding.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a pan and tilt swivel 50 of camera mount 20. Swivel 50 preferably includes a panning swivel 52 and a tilting swivel 54. Panning swivel 52 allows the receiver to rotate about axis 56 and tilting swivel 54 allows receiver 40 to rotate around axis 58. Axis 58 is preferably perpendicular to axis 56.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative connector for a camera mount 20 of the camera mount and reflector system 10. Connector 60 includes a slot 62 allowing connector 60 to be clipped onto rod 12. Connector 60 also includes a pair of compression tabs 63 where one tab 63 is connected to connector 60 on each side of slot 62. Connector 60 is compressed onto rod 12 by at least one and preferably two compressing fasteners 64a and 64b. Fasteners 64 can be screws, bolts or other similar connectors known in the art.

[0036] FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate an alternative embodiment of the reflector in a collapsed, partially expanded and substantially expanded configurations, respectively. FIG. 6a shows reflector 70 in a collapsed configuration. FIG. 6b shows reflector 70 in a partially expanded configuration and FIG. 6c shows reflector 70 in a substantially expanded configuration. Reflector 70 includes a number of ribs or slats 72 which are connected to and pivot around a hub 74. Hub 74 is configured to be attached to the distal end of rod 12. As can be seen in FIGS. 6b and 6c, each slat 72 is connected to the next slat 72 by flexible material 76 such that it can be expanded like a paper fan into a complete circular disk reflector 70. When reflector 70 is connected to rod 12 reflector 70 has a proximal side 78 facing rod 12 and handle 18.

[0037] In the preferred embodiment surface 80 of proximal side 78 of reflector 70 is reflective to visible light. To achieve this reflectiveness slats 72 and flexible material 76 preferably have a reflective surface 80 comprising a reflective coating 82 made of materials like reflective paint or flexible plastic film, aluminized plastic or biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. In the preferred embodiment one or more reflective coatings 82 are applied to proximal side 78. Preferably reflective coating 82 is flexible to allow the reflector 22 to collapse into its collapsed configuration.

[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a camera mount and reflector system 110 of the present invention showing the system in the expanded configuration. Reflector system 110 includes a rod member 112 which has a proximal end 114 and a distal end 116. Rod member 112 could be a solid or fixed length rod, but it is preferably a collapsible rod. In some preferred embodiments rod member 112 is hollow. In other preferred embodiments rod member 112 includes two or more nested or telescoping sections 112a, 112b. In this manner rod member 12 can have a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration such that the overall length of the rod member 12 is minimized when in the collapsed configuration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the telescoping rod member 12 could be replaced with other known collapsible structures known in the art without departing from the present invention.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment a handle 118 is attached to the rod member adjacent the proximal end 114 of the rod member 112. Handle 118 is configured to facilitate a user being able to grip and maintain control of the reflector system 110. Handle 118 can include other complimentary systems like a trigger system or a pairing/syncing system. These aspects will be discussed further below.

[0040] Preferably a camera mount 120 is attached to rod member 112 between the proximal end 114 and the distal end 116. It is preferable that camera mount 120 is located as far from the proximal end 114 as possible without interfering with placement and functionality of other structures and components. The camera mount 120 can be fixedly or removably attached to rod member 112 and will be described in more detail below.

[0041] Reflector system further includes a reflector member 135 which includes a reflector rod 136 having a proximal end 138 and a distal end 140. Attached to reflector rod 136 adjacent to distal end 140 is a reflector 122 having a proximal side 124 and a distal side 216. In the preferred embodiment, reflector 122 is umbrella-like with ribs 128 to provide structure and a flexible cover 30. Preferably, reflector 122 is configured to be collapsible and has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. Preferably the structure and collapsing functionality are like those known to and used by those the skilled in the art for umbrellas. In the preferred embodiment the surface 132 of the proximal side 124 of reflector 122 is reflective to visible light. To achieve this reflectiveness the flexible cover 130 itself can have a reflective surface 132. In some embodiments cover 130 could be a reflective, flexible plastic film like aluminized plastic or biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film with a metallic coating. Alternatively, a reflective coating 134 can be applied to the surface of cover 130. In the preferred embodiment the cover 130 is made of cloth material having one or more reflective coatings 134 applied to the proximal side 124. Preferably the reflective coating 134 is flexible to allow the reflector 122 to collapse into its collapsed configuration.

[0042] Attached to proximal end 138 of reflector rod 136 is one or more connectors, preferably two connectors 142a, 142b. Connectors 142 releasably connect reflector rod 136 to rod member 112. Preferably connectors 142 are fixedly attached to reflector rod 136 and each includes a longitudinal slot 144 to receive and releasably retain rod 112 and are generally configured to receive and releasably grip onto rod 112. Reflector rod 136, reflector 122 and connectors 142 are parts of reflector member 135.

[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates the detachable reflector member 135 of the camera mount and reflector system of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. Reflector member 135 is shown relative to rod 112 and camera mount 120 which are shown in phantom.

[0044] As noted above reflector systems 10 and 110 preferably include a triggering system used to direct the camera to take and store an image. Remote triggering systems are known in the art and are used in connection with cameras. In some embodiments the trigger system is incorporated in the handle of reflector system 10 and 110. In other embodiments the triggering system is incorporated into a stand-alone remote device housing. In either case the triggering system includes a button switch, a battery, a processor, and an RF transmitter. Preferably the transmitter is part of a transceiver capable of Bluetooth communication. To trigger the camera to take an image, the user presses the button which communicates with and sends a signal to the processor. The processor sends instruction to the transmitter to send an instruction to the camera to trigger the camera to take an image. In some embodiments the handle or the remote device housing includes a pairing or syncing button as is used to pair or sync devices for radio communication like used with systems using Bluetooth communications. In some embodiments the pairing/syncing system can include a battery, a processor, and an RF transmitter. In preferred embodiments the trigger system and the pairing/syncing system will share components like a battery, processor and/or transmitter,

[0045] Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.