Pivoting Camera Mount Arms for Wider Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capture device mounts restrict maneuverability and visibility by maintaining the device in close proximity to the user, often resulting in rigidity and visibility of the mount in captured images/video.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible and expandable mounting system with pivotable arms and lockable cam fasteners, allowing for versatile positioning and secure attachment of image capture devices, including a ball-and-socket joint and a hard stop to prevent over-extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the image capture device is maintained in close physical proximity to the user, then the mount provides stable support, but the maneuverability and field-of-view are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system employs a reconfigurable arm structure with multiple pivotable segments that can dynamically adjust between extended and collapsed configurations. This allows the separation distance to be variable rather than fixed, enabling the user to extend the arm for improved maneuverability and field-of-view, or collapse it for compact storage and portability.
2Ease of operation
If the separation between user and image capture device is increased, then maneuverability and field-of-view are improved, but the mount becomes rigid and visible in captured images/video
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system utilizes a nested arm configuration where the second and third arms can be positioned within or alongside the first arm when collapsed. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall profile and visual footprint of the mount when not in use, reducing its visibility in captured images and video while maintaining the capability for extended configurations when maneuverability is needed.
3Device complexity
If the mount is made reconfigurable to reduce presence in images, then visibility is reduced, but the structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into multiple discrete arm segments (first arm, second arm, third arm) connected by pivotable joints. Each segment can be independently positioned and locked, allowing the structure to maintain stability in extended configurations through distributed support points, while also enabling collapse into a compact form for reduced visibility. The segmentation allows both structural integrity and configurability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system utilizes lockable cam fasteners that can be moved between unlocked and locked positions to change the structural parameters. When locked, the fasteners secure the pivotable connections to maintain structural stability in extended configurations. When unlocked, the arms can be repositioned or collapsed. This parameter change mechanism enables transition between stable operational states and compact storage states.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting system for an image capture device that includes three pivotably connected arms is disclosed. The first arm includes a first fastener that is lockable and unlockable to allow for connection and disconnection of the image capture device, and a second fastener that is lockable and unlockable to regulate the position of the image capture device relative to the first arm. The mounting system further includes a third fastener that is lockable and unlockable to regulate the relative positioning between the first arm and the second arm, and a fourth fastener that is lockable and unlockable to regulate the relative positioning between the second arm and the third arm. Whereas the first fastener is removable, each of the second, third, and fourth fasteners is captive to (nonremovable from) the mounting system.