Adjustable Camera Mount With Friction Locking for Tool-Free Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable camera mounts require the use of two hands and tools for angular adjustments, making it difficult for end-users to securely position and reposition small cameras, especially in exterior security systems where directional adjustability is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A directionally adjustable mounting device featuring a base with a radially expandable bearing holder and a rotatable bearing, combined with a housing that engages a ramp to provide frictional locking and easy angular adjustment of the camera, allowing for secure retention and easy repositioning without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded fasteners are used to secure the camera, then secure camera position retention is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates as hand tools and two hands are required for adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional threaded fastener mechanical system with a friction-based clamp mechanism. The clamp applies radial pressure to the camera housing through a simple lever arm and spring system, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners and hand tools while maintaining secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting through a lever arm that the user simply presses against the camera housing. The spring provides continuous radial pressure to maintain friction-based retention, allowing one-handed operation without tools while ensuring secure camera positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the mounting device allows easy angular adjustments, then ease of operation improves, but secure camera position retention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device transitions from a static threaded fastener system to a dynamic friction-based clamp system. The clamp can be quickly engaged and disengaged, allowing easy angular adjustments while maintaining secure retention through adjustable radial pressure applied by the spring mechanism.
3Reliability
If hand tools are required for mounting adjustments, then secure camera position retention is achieved, but device complexity increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for hand tools by replacing threaded fasteners with a tool-free clamp mechanism. The spring-loaded clamp with lever arm provides secure retention through friction alone, allowing rapid installation and adjustment without screws, wrenches, or other tools, thereby significantly improving productivity.
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
Enables secure camera positioning and easy angular adjustments with one hand, allowing users to direct cameras effectively without the need for tools, enhancing usability and flexibility in security applications.
Implementation Method 1
the housing is rotatably movable into contact with the ramp to bias the bearing holder into frictional engagement with the bearing at the socket and inhibit angular repositioning of the bearing and the attachment device
Data Source
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AI summary
An angularly adjustable mounting device is disclosed for use with a small electronic device such as a wireless camera. Also disclosed is a method of using the mounting device. The mounting device has an attachment device extending from a rotatable bearing. The bearing is angularly rotatable with a socket formed by an expandable bearing holder that may include spaced apart arms extending outwardly from a mounting plate. Rotation of an outer housing around the arms engages an inclined ramp thereby deflecting the arms inwardly and into frictional contact bearing to inhibit movement of the camera relative to a base. The outer housing is configured to rotate in an opposing direction to allow the electronic device to be repositioned.