Camera device and holder arrangement comprising a holder arrangement for a camera

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a camera apparatus and a holder arrangement comprising a holder arrangement for a camera head. The camera apparatus comprises a camera head (100), a camera holder ring (108) and a camera holder base (120). The camera head has an imaging unit and an interaction portion having a constant cross section. The camera holder ring has an inner surface configured to fit onto the interaction portion of the camera head, and the camera holder base has a receiving aperture sized to receive the camera holder ring fitted onto the interaction portion of the camera head and to grip an outer surface of the holder ring. The receiving aperture has a tightening function such that its size can be reduced in order to fix the camera holder ring and the camera head relative to the camera holder base, and thereby fix the orientation of the camera head relative to the camera holder base. The camera holder ring is configured to be movable along the length of the interaction portion until the tightening function of the receiving aperture is actuated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a camera device, and more particularly to a bracket configuration for a camera in a camera device. Background Technology

[0002] Dashboard camera systems, as well as other camera systems deployed to monitor events involving the main vehicle, are becoming increasingly popular. This type of in-vehicle camera is typically mounted on the inside of the windshield (or other transparent surface, such as side or rear windows) to be protected from environmental influences while still allowing a view of the vehicle's external surroundings.

[0003] The camera should be installed in a way that does not (to any significant extent) obstruct the driver's view, so it is usually mounted somewhere along the edge of the windshield, for example, in the area behind the rearview mirror or along the lateral edge of the windshield on the front passenger side.

[0004] The vehicle-mounted camera will have to be properly oriented to obtain the desired field of view, and once properly oriented, it will have to be locked in place so that its orientation does not change as the vehicle moves.

[0005] A common way to solve this problem is with a ball-and-socket mount, which includes a bracket for the ball (or socket) that is attached to the windshield by means of a vacuum clamp (suction cup) or adhesive, and in which the camera is attached to the bracket by means of the socket (or ball).

[0006] US 2021 / 368074 discloses an improved version of this type of ball-and-socket mount, wherein the camera housing itself includes a spherical structure that mates with holes in a mount that can be attached to the windshield. The spherical structure can be integrally formed with the camera housing or formed as a separate component fixed to the housing by means of fasteners or adhesives. The advantage of this improved version disclosed in this document is that the spherical structure can be formed at a location associated with the camera's imaging unit, allowing the distance between the imaging unit and the intended visual target to remain constant.

[0007] WO2022 / 046883 discloses a ball joint for attaching an accessory to a support. The ball joint includes a ring, a cup-shaped member, and a ball head, wherein the ring is configured to receive the ball head, and the ball head is configured to be attached to one of the accessory and the support via a mounting interface.

[0008] FR2906780 discloses an electronic device for dynamically controlling the stability of a motor vehicle. The device includes a support and a housing, each having an attachment point, and the attachment points are connected together by a cage in which a ball of a ball joint is arranged. The cage is integral with one of the attachment points, while the ball joint is integral with the other attachment point. An adjustable positioning member includes a clamping member surrounding the cage of the ball joint for locking the housing in a fixed position relative to the support.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a bracket configuration that is an improvement over the prior art, particularly addressing the problem of glare caused by reflections in the windshield, which is mitigated in the references by an additional component (anti-reflective shield). Summary of the Invention

[0010] This invention aims to eliminate or mitigate some problems in the prior art by providing a camera device. The camera device includes a camera, a camera bracket ring, and a camera bracket base. The camera has an imaging unit and an interacting portion having a defined, preferably constant or substantially constant cross-section, wherein the imaging unit may form part of the interacting portion. The camera bracket ring has an inner surface configured to fit onto the interacting portion of the camera, and the camera bracket base has a receiving aperture sized to receive the camera bracket ring fitted onto the interacting portion of the camera and to grip the outer surface of the bracket ring. Furthermore, the receiving aperture has a tightening function that allows its size to be reduced to fix the camera bracket ring and camera relative to the camera bracket base, thereby fixing the orientation of the camera relative to the camera bracket base. The camera device is characterized in that the camera bracket ring is configured to be movable along the length of the interacting portion until the tightening function of the receiving aperture is actuated.

[0011] The interaction between the interacting parts and the support ring allows the camera to translate in the axial direction, which in turn avoids glare. Furthermore, this invention provides a universal solution applicable to surfaces with varying degrees of inclination, as both orientation and axial position can be changed during installation.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the outer surface of the camera bracket ring is arched in the axial direction, and the receiving aperture has an arched inner surface configured to receive the arched outer surface of the camera bracket ring. Other shapes are not impossible, but the arched surface will ensure better contact when the camera with the bracket ring mounted is tilted in the receiving aperture. As will be disclosed below, a spherical surface may be the optimal shape, but deviations from this optimal shape are still possible, especially if the properties of the material used for the component are adapted (softer materials will be more tolerant of shape).

[0013] In any embodiment, the camera bracket ring has an annular shape with an axial slit, such that the camera bracket ring has a first end and a second end that intersect at a portion of its circumference. Regardless of the shape of the camera bracket ring, the axial slit allows for greater flexibility in the bracket ring. This is true for any material used to make the ring, thus allowing for the use of more rigid materials while still allowing the bracket ring to be fitted onto the camera and compressed to hold it securely in place. The inner surface of the ring can have a shape different from a circle, depending on the shape of the interacting portion. The slit can widen when the bracket ring is positioned on the interacting portion (i.e., the ring can be opened), and a small slit can still exist when the bracket ring is engaged with the interacting portion to allow for a further slight reduction in size during tightening.

[0014] In an embodiment related to the previous embodiment, the first end and the second end intersect in an interlocking manner, wherein a portion of the first end overlaps a portion of the second end in the circumferential direction. Allowing the two free ends to intersect at the slit can facilitate the deflection of the support ring from a ring shape to a spiral shape. Ends with physical interlocking will prevent this from occurring.

[0015] In a further improvement to this embodiment, the overlapping portion of the first and second ends has a length exceeding the length required when the bracket ring is positioned on the interacting portion of the camera. This overlapping portion with these characteristics ensures that the ends do not shift during any part of the assembly process. This simplifies every step of the assembly process.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the camera has a guiding device extending along a portion of the length of the interacting portion, and the support ring has a guiding member configured to interact with the guiding device to hold the support ring on the interacting portion. This guiding facilitates assembly of the device and also orients the camera in the assembled position. The guiding device can hold the camera assembly in the assembled position even before the receiving aperture is tightened. This will be helpful during the assembly process, especially when the device is positioned in a hard-to-reach location. This feature will also allow the camera with the support ring disposed thereon to be pushed with a certain force to engage with the receiving aperture; for example, it can essentially snap into place without disengaging, which simplifies assembly.

[0017] One way to provide this is that the guide device is a groove or ridge, and the guide member is a protrusion or recess on the radially inner surface of the support ring.

[0018] Components (primarily the support ring and support base) can be made of materials selected from the group consisting of polymers and metals or combinations thereof, such as plastics like thermoplastics or hardened plastics, or reinforced polymers. The list of materials is not exhaustive, and different materials may have different advantages. The device as a whole should be dimensionally stable; however, the precise selection of materials is left to those skilled in the art who made this application.

[0019] If the inherent properties of the material do not provide sufficient grip, or if increased grip is required, the outer surface of the support ring may have a textured surface or be coated to increase the grip between the support ring and the receiving orifice. This can be used not only to enhance the grip between the support ring and the receiving orifice, but also because this is where the forces attempting to deorbit the device are likely to be greatest (or where the interaction surface is smallest).

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the outer surface of the support ring has the shape of a symmetrical spherical segment, i.e., the outer surface of the support ring follows the shape of a spherical segment truncated along a great circle as its centerline, while the inner surface of the support ring has a substantially constant diameter except for the guide members disposed thereon or any thereof. This embodiment is considered to provide the optimal shape because the outer surface will be perfectly symmetrical, thus allowing for effortless orientation and rotation within the receiving orifice. "Symmetrical spherical segment" should be defined as "a segment having a spherical surface." Clearly, within the physical constraints of the component, using a symmetrical spherical segment shape will ensure constant contact between the support ring (of the same shape) and the receiving orifice. Therefore, the dimensions of the support ring and the receiving orifice will be based on possible desired directional offsets.

[0021] Preferably, in one or more embodiments, the support base has two functional portions. A first portion includes a receiving aperture, and a second portion formed at an angle to the first portion includes an inclined attachment surface. The attachment surface can be used to apply, for example, double-sided tape or the like. Similar to the case of the support ring, the support base can be made of a material comprising a group consisting of polymers and metals or combinations thereof, such as plastics such as thermoplastics or hardened plastics, or reinforced polymers. Fastening points for cable guides and / or cable strain relief elements can be arranged on or within the second portion of the support base.

[0022] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a bracket configuration for a camera as described above or below, the bracket configuration comprising a bracket ring and a bracket base. The bracket ring and bracket base can be provided as a set of components, wherein the internal shape of the bracket ring can be adapted to the external shape of the camera. In this way, by means of adjusting the internal shape of a component (i.e., the bracket ring) that is simple in terms of cost and manufacturing, the same bracket base can be used to accommodate several different cameras. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 An example of a camera that can be used in a camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0024] Figure 2A An example of a support ring that can be used in a support configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0025] Figure 2B It is to clarify Figure 2A A schematic diagram of the geometric characteristics of the support ring.

[0026] Figure 3 Example Figure 1 The camera has a bracket ring as shown in Figure 2.

[0027] Figure 4 An example of a support base according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0028] Figure 5 An example of an arrangement in a support base according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 Configuration components.

[0029] Figure 6 A camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated, which is arranged on the sloping windshield of a vehicle.

[0030] Figure 7 Shown in a slightly displaced orientation arrangement Figure 6 The camera device.

[0031] Figure 8 An embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 7 The directional arrangement, but shifted in the axial direction. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The camera device.

[0032] Figures 9 to 11 A camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown installed in various situations. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a single camera 100. Camera 100 includes an imaging unit, which in this embodiment is provided with imaging optics 102 for imaging the scene onto an imaging sensor (invisible). Figure 1The image processing capability is provided in a conventional manner by a hardware or software solution (only the front lens is visible in the image), and can be the image processing capability of a conventional camera, where the encoded image stream is provided by the camera; however, it can also be more basic, in which case some or all of the unprocessed image stream is transmitted to another location for processing. In the case of the product depicted, the latter is true, and the stream is transmitted to the central processing unit via cable; however, this limitation is irrelevant for the purposes of this invention.

[0034] The camera includes an interaction portion 104 having a substantially constant cross-section (e.g., the interaction portion 104 is cylindrical with a circular or elliptical cross-section, or the interaction portion 104 is a cuboid prism, a polygonal prism, etc.), in which a guide groove 106 can be arranged. Depending on the material used for the support ring, it can absorb some variation in the cross-section along the axial length of the interaction portion, although greater constancy is better. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the interaction portion 104 is cylindrical with a circular cross-section, which is considered the simplest shape. The interaction portion can be embodied in the camera body, i.e., part of the camera that includes an image sensor and other electronic components such as image processing hardware and communication hardware. The interaction portion can also be any other part of the camera, as long as it satisfies the physical properties of its shape. The imaging unit and the interaction portion do not necessarily consist of two or more distinguishable components; one example is this embodiment, where a portion of the imaging unit (image sensor) is located inside the camera housing, the outer surface of the camera housing provides the interaction portion, and only the optical component unit extends from the camera housing. The camera will always include an image sensor, and therefore an imaging unit, but the lens can be provided separately and is replaceable. In other embodiments, a fixed lens system is used, and in this case, the imaging unit will also include the optical component unit.

[0035] Figure 2A Example of a support ring 108. It is a ring structure with a radially inner surface 110 that matches the surface of the interacting portion 104 of the camera and a circularly arched radially outer surface 112. The circularly arched outer surface 112 substantially follows an arch shape in the axial direction and has a substantially constant circumference for each axial position. For smooth operation, the outer surface is the outer surface of a symmetrical spherical segment, such as... Figure 2B As shown. In Figure 2B The meaning of the "symmetrical spherical segment" 202 is explained, and how it constitutes a symmetrical band around the great circle 204 of the sphere 200, making it uniform in every direction. This is a beneficial feature that can be adjusted in every direction. However, less desirable shapes are also possible.

[0036] The cylindrical inner surface 110 of the bracket ring 108 is sized to be directly or indirectly fitted onto the interacting portion 104 of the camera 100; essentially, it surrounds a portion of the interacting portion 104 of the camera 100. In this embodiment, the bracket ring 108 is not a continuous ring structure, but is formed as a single piece, although the two ends 114, 116 of the band forming the ring are not attached to each other. However, they can loosely interlock to help maintain the ring shape. This is in Figure 2A The simplified finger joint 118 is illustrated in the figure, which helps to maintain the shape of the support ring (so that the ends do not shift).

[0037] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the support ring is formed as a single piece in a continuous annular shape without any slits (having any inner cross-section that matches the cross-section of the interacting portion). In this embodiment, the support ring will be made of one material or a combination of materials that will allow the support ring to fit onto the interacting portion 104 and transmit the clamping force of the support base 120 (to be described), meaning the support ring will have a certain degree of elasticity. However, it must also have sufficient rigidity to remain in the grip provided by the support base in order to maintain its designated orientation. A suitable material is a polymer, such as rubber, but many alternative materials are available.

[0038] In terms of simplicity and usability, the disclosed embodiments of the support ring are considered some of the best embodiments. More complex solutions can also be implemented, such as versions with hinge functionality or including multiple interlocking components.

[0039] Back Figure 2A In one embodiment, when the bracket ring 108 is fitted onto the interaction portion 104 of the camera 100, the bracket ring will expand slightly and preferably temporarily hold its position by friction and its inherent elasticity.

[0040] exist Figure 3 In the image, the bracket ring 108 is shown as being arranged on the camera 100.

[0041] Figure 4 Example: A support base 120 in which rings are arranged.

[0042] The bracket base has a receiving aperture 122, which is sized to receive the bracket ring 108 (and camera 100) when in a relaxed state. It also has a tightening function provided by a slit 124 and a screw 126, such that the diameter or circumference of the receiving aperture 122 can be reduced by using the tightening function (i.e., by tightening the screw 126 and reducing the slit 124). The inner surface of the receiving aperture 122 has an arched or spherical curvature that matches the outer surface of the bracket ring 108.

[0043] Tightening of the receiving orifice can be achieved in several different ways, one being a screw as used in this embodiment, another including other types of screws, or a manually actuated tightening mechanism, such as an eccentric actuator known in the art.

[0044] Regardless of the tightening method, the resulting pressure will cause the bracket ring 108 to contract and press against the camera 100 through its inner surface. As the device is further tightened, the receiving aperture will press against the bracket base 120, thereby locking the bracket ring 108 and the camera 100. In this way, the orientation and directional position of the camera 100 will be fixed.

[0045] The bracket base 120 also includes an inclined surface 136 configured to be directly or indirectly attached to the windshield (or other structure) to allow a camera to be positioned so that it can observe a desired area. The angle of the inclined surface 136 relative to the portion of the bracket base 120 including the receiving aperture 122 can vary for different bracket bases and depends substantially on the tilt angle of the windshield relative to the desired imaging direction.

[0046] Finally, Figure 5 middle, Figure 3 The configuration components are shown for their arrangement in Figure 4 The bracket base has an inclined surface that is adapted to be directly or indirectly attached to the windshield (or, in this respect, to another surface of the vehicle, such as the side windows, the rear window, or any of the surfaces near these windows).

[0047] Compared to existing technological solutions, the benefits of this solution can be seen in the following aspects: Figures 6-8 To illustrate. These figures are schematic and illustrate a camera 100 arranged on a windshield 132 using a bracket ring 108 and a bracket base 120 according to any embodiment.

[0048] from Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is clear from the comparison that Figure 6 camera location and Figure 7 The orientation of camera 100, due to its position, will not only alter the desired orientation but also, due to the tilted nature of the surface (or more precisely, the surface normal is not parallel to the normal of the receiving aperture), change the distance between camera 100 and the windshield (i.e., the surface to which the camera is attached or the surface through which the camera observes the environment). This change in distance may increase the risk of glare or other interfering reflections reaching the camera sensor. Generally, closer to the windshield is better, as this reduces the area of ​​the windshield available for reflecting glare into the camera and increases the likelihood that any remaining glare or reflections will sufficiently defocus without interfering with imaging.

[0049] Using this invention, a single person can adjust the orientation of the camera arranged in the bracket base, then adjust the axial position of the camera relative to the camera, then tighten the receiving opening and lock all components in place, such as... Figure 8 The example shows the final position of the camera, with... Figure 7 Orientation and Figure 6 The distance from the windshield.

[0050] Figures 9-11 Another advantageous aspect of the embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. Figure 9 The camera is shown positioned horizontally toward the tilted windshield 132, a common orientation when using a camera. Figure 10 The same arrangement is shown, but on a windshield 132' with a different tilt angle, and it is clear that the same setup would result in an unfavorable orientation of the camera because the camera would be tilted upwards. Figure 11 Examples of how to improve upon the invention by utilizing some features of the invention Figure 10 In this case, firstly, the camera can be easily oriented horizontally, and secondly, it can be axially shifted to a desired position close to the windshield 132' (or any axial position that seems advantageous for the situation at hand).

[0051] Figure 1 and Figure 2A Another feature that can be used in embodiments of the invention is illustrated here: the camera may be provided with a guide groove, as already mentioned (guide groove 106), which extends axially along the interacting portion of the camera. Furthermore, the bracket ring 108 may be provided with protrusions 128 on its inner surface that fit into the guide groove 106. In this way, the bracket ring 108 will be more securely attached to the camera 100. The inherent structural elasticity of the bracket ring 108 will retain the protrusions 128 in the guide groove 106, and the radial extension of the guide groove 106 will prevent the bracket ring 108 from unintentionally slipping off the camera.

[0052] Another effect is that, due to the thickness of the material or the components arranged therein, the camera 100 may be particularly sensitive in certain areas. The appropriate axial extension of the guide groove 106 (which may be continuous or discontinuous) helps to properly position the ring, i.e., prevent the support ring 108 from being positioned in certain areas. Besides structural issues, there may also be areas of the camera 100 that should be avoided due to adverse effects on heat dissipation or the like. In such cases, the extension of the guide groove 106 will also ensure that these areas are avoided, and the pressure from the support ring 108 of the support base 120 will not adversely affect the camera 100.

[0053] In alternative embodiments, these guiding members can be provided by other structural features without departing from the spirit of the invention. The slots / protrusions can be inverted, such that the slots exist on the support ring, and vice versa. Structural blocks can be provided instead of having the extension of the slots define the travel of the ring on the interacting portion. The interacting portion can have circumferential ridges defining the travel of the support ring, and the support ring can interact only with these circumferential ridges using its edges, without providing any additional interacting members. In short, once the desire to achieve the desired effect has been established, it becomes clear that there are many ways to obtain the effect.

[0054] The support ring 108 may have a decorative groove 130 (see Figure 3 If assistance is needed during the correct positioning of the camera in the bracket base, the decorative groove 130 serves to convey the location of the guide groove 160 to the user. Similarly, for further assistance, the bracket base may have physical markings in, for example, a vertical position (in the installed state), such that alignment of the physical markings and the decorative groove ensures the specific position of the camera. These guide aids may be formed as tactile elements, so that they are both visually and tactilely observable and located on both sides of the elements (bracket ring and bracket base) for observation and / or sensation from both sides.

[0055] For fault protection operation, the radial extension of the protrusion 128 can be sized such that if the protrusion 128 is not in the guide groove 106, the bracket ring 108 will not be assembled into the receiving orifice.

[0056] Another feature of the support ring 108 is that its lateral edge 138 can be sized to prevent the support ring 108 from slipping out of its engagement with the receiving aperture, while still allowing a sufficiently large range of orientation. Figure 5 The most easily understood aspect is this: If the camera is oriented outside its intended position in one or another direction, more and more of the bracket rings will be exposed outside the receiving aperture. At any given point, too many bracket rings may be outside the receiving aperture, which will hinder gripping. However, with proper sizing, the interacting parts themselves will engage the edge of the receiving aperture, preventing further changes in orientation and detachment. The thinner the bracket rings, the smaller the directional spacing.

[0057] In any of the described embodiments, the camera may have a cylindrical shape or at least a constant cross-section along the portion intended to interact with the bracket ring. The longer this portion, the greater the possible adjustment range. A product suitable for the device of the present invention is the AXIS F2115-R zoom sensor, which has a circular cross-section. However, square cross-sections with or without rounded corners are not uncommon in this product portion; in such cases, the inner surface of the bracket ring 108 would have a mating cross-section, while the outer surface would be as previously described. An advantage of this device is that the relatively simple component in terms of production and usability (the bracket ring 108) is the only component that needs to be customized for the same device to work with cameras of different shapes. This simplifies usability and storage. As previously stated, the cross-section of the interacting portion does not need to be completely constant.

[0058] The bracket base may also include fastening points 134 for, for example, cable ties (or corresponding components), which can be used to secure a cable (or cables) carrying signals and power from or to the camera. A connector (or connectors) for such a cable is typically positioned on the back of the camera, i.e., the end opposite the optics; therefore, a suitable location for the fastening point is the free end of the bracket base on the side facing away from the inclined surface 136. Once installed, the cable ties will act as cable guides and strain relief components, protecting the more delicate connectors from excessive loads. In this embodiment, the fastening point 134 is simply a groove bridged in the middle and integrally formed with the bracket base, allowing the cable ties to be secured to the bracket base in a simple manner.

[0059] The material used for the bracket assembly can be a polymer, such as a plastic, like thermoplastics or thermosets, both of which are commonly used in various brackets. If additional strength is required, the polymer can be reinforced with fibers or metal. For further strength, components of the bracket assembly can be made of metal, such as aluminum. To enhance the grip between the bracket ring and adjacent components (camera and bracket base), components of the bracket assembly can be made of a softer polymer and / or have surfaces for enhanced grip, such as textured surfaces or coatings. The screw 126 will be made of metal or polymer in a conventional manner, and the mating thread can be directly disposed in the bracket base 120. In a simpler embodiment, only a hole may be provided, or even no hole may be provided, and the screw can be a self-tapping screw. In a more complex embodiment, a nut (not visible) is molded into the bracket base 120 or inserted via a slit (not visible) to engage with the screw to tighten the receiving orifice 122. The latter may be more complex, given the small size of the product, but it may be less prone to thread failure and, if such failure occurs, may be easier to repair.

[0060] It will be understood that those skilled in the art can modify the embodiments described above in various ways while still utilizing the advantages of the invention as illustrated in the above embodiments. For example, only one shape of the interacting portion is shown, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is applicable to cameras having cross-sectional shapes other than circular. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the illustrated embodiments but should be defined only by the appended claims. Furthermore, as those skilled in the art will understand, the illustrated embodiments can be combined.

Claims

1. A camera device, comprising a camera, a camera bracket ring, and a camera bracket base, wherein... The camera has an imaging unit and an interaction portion with a defined cross-section. The camera bracket ring has an inner surface configured to fit onto the interacting portion of the camera. The camera bracket base has a receiving aperture sized to receive the camera bracket ring mounted on the interacting portion of the camera and to grip the outer surface of the bracket ring. The receiving orifice has a tightening function, allowing its size to be reduced so as to fix the camera bracket ring and the camera relative to the camera bracket base, and thereby fix the orientation of the camera relative to the camera bracket base. The camera bracket ring is configured to move along the length of the interacting portion until the tightening function of the receiving aperture is activated.

2. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the camera bracket ring is arched in the axial direction, and wherein the receiving aperture also has an arched inner surface in the axial direction, the arched inner surface being configured to receive the arched outer surface of the camera bracket ring.

3. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the camera bracket ring has an annular shape with an axial slit, such that the camera bracket ring has a first end and a second end that intersect at a portion of its circumference.

4. The camera device according to claim 3, wherein the first end and the second end intersect in an interlocking manner, wherein a portion of the first end overlaps a portion of the second end in the circumferential direction.

5. The camera device of claim 4, wherein the overlapping portion of the first end and the second end has a length exceeding the length required when the bracket ring is arranged on the interacting portion of the camera.

6. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the camera has a guiding device extending along a portion of the length of the interacting portion, and wherein the support ring has a guiding member configured to interact with the guiding device to retain the support ring on the interacting portion.

7. The camera device of claim 6, wherein the guiding device is a groove or ridge, and wherein the guiding member is a protrusion or recess on the radially inner surface of the support ring.

8. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the material for the bracket ring is selected from the group consisting of polymers and metals or combinations thereof, wherein the polymers are such as plastics such as thermoplastics or hardened plastics, or reinforced polymers.

9. The camera device of claim 8, wherein the outer surface of the bracket ring has a textured surface or coating to increase grip between the bracket ring and the receiving aperture.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the support ring has the shape of a symmetrical spherical segment, and wherein the inner surface of the support ring has a substantially constant cross-section except for those disposed thereon or any of the guide members thereof.

11. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the bracket base has two functional portions: a first portion including the receiving aperture and a second portion formed at an angle to the first portion and including an inclined attachment surface, wherein the bracket base is made of a material from the group consisting of polymers and metals or combinations thereof, the polymer being such as a plastic such as a thermoplastic or hardened plastic, or a reinforced polymer.

12. The camera device of claim 11, wherein the second portion has a fastening point for a cable guide or a cable strain relief member.

Images