Adjustable Camera Flash Mounting Bracket for Independent Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera flash mounts often introduce undesirable side shadows when the camera is rotated, as they typically require loosening and re-tightening of mounting screws to maintain flash orientation, limiting flexibility and usability.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable camera flash mounting bracket with a movable flash mounting base featuring a curved armature and internal guide elements with incremental fixation points, allowing independent flash positioning without altering the camera's orientation, using a combination of guide surfaces and pressure gripping contact to maintain the flash's desired position relative to the subject.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the camera is rotated to change orientation, then the photograph can capture different subject perspectives, but the flash unit rotates with the camera causing undesirable side shadows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera orientation flexibilityVSAvoidside shadows in photograph

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device is divided into separate functional components: a camera mounting portion and a flash mounting portion, connected through a rotatable coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows independent orientation control of the flash relative to the camera, enabling the flash to maintain its position while the camera rotates to different orientations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces rotational freedom in a third dimension by allowing the flash mounting base to rotate independently from the camera orientation. This dimensional independence enables the flash to remain in the optimal position above the subject while the camera rotates horizontally, preventing side shadows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If existing mounting devices are used to maintain flash orientation during camera rotation, then side shadows are avoided, but the devices require loosening and re-tightening of mounting screws to change camera orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside shadows preventionVSAvoidcamera orientation adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device transitions from a static, fixed-orientation system to a dynamic system with independent rotational degrees of freedom. The flash mounting base can rotate independently without loosening screws, providing continuous adjustability and maintaining flash orientation automatically as the camera moves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The decoupled mounting mechanism allows the flash position to self-adjust and maintain optimal orientation relative to the subject automatically, without requiring manual intervention to loosen or tighten mounting screws when changing camera orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the flash unit is physically attached to the camera, then the setup is simple, but the flash orientation changes with camera rotation causing side shadows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting structureVSAvoidside shadows

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediary coupling mechanism is introduced between the camera and flash unit, consisting of a rotatable flash mounting base. This intermediary component acts as a mediator that decouples the rotational motion of the camera from the flash orientation, allowing the flash to maintain its position while the camera rotates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed flash mount is used, then the flash position is stable, but the camera rotation causes the flash to move to an undesirable position relative to the subject

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflash position stabilityVSAvoidflash positioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the stability of a fixed mount with the flexibility of independent rotation by combining a secure camera mounting portion with a freely rotatable flash mounting base. This allows the flash to maintain a stable position relative to the subject while adapting to different camera orientations through independent rotational movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8774618B1Adjustable camera flash mounting device

Publication Date: 2014.07.08 MUZILA MICHAEL

AI summary

An adjustable camera flash mounting bracket device for rapid camera flash repositioning in relation to a camera attachment platform in selective orientation. The camera flash mounting bracket device includes a camera receiving base with a curved spaced upstanding camera flash mounting platform assembly having a complimentary curved flash engagement configuration. Multiple rotatable guide members are secured within the curved flash engagement portion and are received within complimentary grooves in the flash mounting base. Retainment force applied by spring urged guide members permits for selective rotation within the curved flash mounting base to be grippingly retained therewithin at user select position orientation in relation to the fixed camera mount.