Fold-Out Camera Mount Fingers for Secure Portable Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera mounting systems lack flexibility and ease of use, as they often require complex configurations and do not allow for seamless transitions between extended and collapsed states, affecting the camera's portability and compatibility with various support mounts.

Innovation Solution

A camera mount design featuring two rotatable finger members with opposed planar surfaces and apertures, which can extend and collapse to fit into parallel slots of a support mount, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, and are retained magnetically or frictionally in their respective positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rigid mounting systems are used, then the camera is securely attached to the support mount, but the device complexity increases and portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidmounting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate finger members that can independently move between extended and collapsed states. Each finger member is a discrete component that can be selectively deployed, allowing the mounting system to adapt its complexity based on usage requirements while maintaining secure attachment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The finger members are designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, transitioning between extended (for secure mounting) and collapsed (for portability) states. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its structural configuration based on operational requirements, reducing overall device complexity when mounting is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the finger members are always extended for secure mounting, then compatibility with support mounts is improved, but portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with support mountsVSAvoidcamera body length

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

When the finger members are collapsed, they are received within recesses formed in the camera body, creating a nested configuration. This nesting approach minimizes the overall length and footprint of the camera when mounting capabilities are not needed, while maintaining full mounting functionality when the finger members are extended.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If complex configurations are required for mounting, then secure attachment is achieved, but ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidmounting process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The finger members are designed with self-aligning features including guide surfaces and complementary geometries that automatically guide the mounting process. When the camera is brought near the support mount, the finger members naturally align and engage with the mounting slots without requiring precise manual positioning or complex configuration steps by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Magnetic retention mechanisms replace complex mechanical locking systems. The magnetic forces automatically hold the finger members in their extended mounting position without requiring screws, clips, or other intricate mechanical fastening mechanisms, significantly simplifying the mounting operation while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the camera's portability by simplifying the mounting process, enabling smooth transitions between extended and collapsed states, and ensuring secure attachment to various support mounts, improving user convenience and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

retained magnetically or frictionally in their respective positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

retained magnetically or frictionally in their respective positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11662651B2Camera and camera mount

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 GOPRO INC

AI summary

An electronic device includes a body, electronic components contained in the body, and two finger members. The two finger members movable relative to the body between an extended state and a collapsed state. In the extended state, the two finger members extend outward from the body for receipt by a mount of an external support. In the collapsed state, the two finger members are collapsed toward the body. In the extended state, the two finger members may extend parallel with each other for receipt in parallel slots of the mount of the external support.