Spring Clamp Camera Mount With Flexible Neck Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera mount systems often have inefficient mechanisms for securing and releasing the camera, and they do not allow for easy adjustment of the camera's angle, which complicates user experience, especially in outdoor and sports environments where secure and flexible mounting is necessary.

Innovation Solution

A spring clamp mount system with pivotally coupled arms and a ratcheted strap mechanism that securely attaches to an apparatus, allowing for adjustable angle positioning and easy attachment/detachment, combined with a flexible neck for further angle flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional camera mount mechanism is used, then the camera can be secured to the mount, but the mechanism for securing and releasing is difficult and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidsecuring and releasing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring clamp automatically engages with the apparatus when the handles are released, using spring force to clamp the jaws onto the apparatus without requiring manual tightening or complex locking mechanisms. The system serves itself by utilizing the natural spring expansion force to maintain secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional complex mechanical fastening systems (screws, bolts, multiple levers) with a simplified spring-loaded clamp mechanism where two handles control the opening and closing of jaws through a spring joint, significantly reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-angle camera mount is used, then the structure is simple, but the camera cannot be positioned at desired angles for photography

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera angle adjustmentVSAvoidmount structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mount structure transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one by incorporating a flexible neck that can be bent and positioned at various angles. The flexible neck allows the camera to be oriented in different directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a secure clamp mechanism is used, then the camera is firmly attached, but the attachment and detachment process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirm attachmentVSAvoidattachment and detachment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The spring clamp mount system provides a secure and efficient way to attach cameras to various apparatuses while allowing for adjustable angles, enhancing user experience by simplifying the mounting process and enabling flexible camera positioning.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second arms are pivotally coupled to each other at a spring joint by a pin or a screw. The spring joint is configured to force the first and second jaws into the closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a ratcheted strap mechanism that securely attaches to an apparatus, allowing for adjustable angle positioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8857775B1Camera mount with spring clamp

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 GOPRO INC

AI summary

A camera system is configured to detachably couple to a camera mount, which in turn can be attached to an apparatus. The camera mount is a spring clamp including two arms, each include a handle component and a jaw component. The spring clamp can be attached to an apparatus when the two jaw components are closed around the apparatus. A strap is adjustably coupled to the spring clamp and is tightened around the apparatus to further secure the apparatus. In some cases, a flexible neck is fastened to the camera mount, and the camera system is detachably coupled to the flexible neck. This allows a mounted camera system to be situated at any desired angle for taking photographs.