Retractable Camera Mount Fingers for Secure Mounting and Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera mounting systems lack flexibility and ease of use, as they often require complex adjustments and do not accommodate the need for both secure mounting and compact storage.

Innovation Solution

A camera mount system featuring two movable finger members that can extend and collapse, allowing for easy insertion into external support mounts and compact storage within the camera body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the camera mount uses fixed rigid fingers, then the mounting security is improved, but the device complexity and storage compactness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidmount structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The finger members are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to transition between extended and collapsed states. This dynamic structure enables the mount to adapt between providing secure mounting support and reducing overall complexity when not in use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mount structure is divided into separate movable finger members that can independently adjust their positions. This segmentation allows each finger to be controlled separately, providing flexibility in achieving both secure mounting and compact storage states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the finger members are extended for mounting, then the mounting functionality is improved, but the device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoidcamera mount volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The finger members are designed to collapse toward the camera body when not in use, effectively nesting the mounting structure within the overall device volume. This allows the mount to provide full mounting functionality when extended while minimizing volume increase when collapsed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the mount structure is simplified for easy operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mounting reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemount attachment easeVSAvoidmounting security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The finger members are designed with spring biasing that enables them to automatically return to their extended mounting position when released. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems while maintaining reliable mounting security through the inherent mechanical design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4365476B1Camera and camera mount
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 GOPRO INC
  • EP4365476B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4365476B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP4365476B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

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.