Articulating Tree Camera Mount with Ball Socket and Weight Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tree-mounted camera systems lack flexibility and weight compensation, making it difficult to securely mount cameras on tree trunks or branches for non-vertical surfaces and varying camera weights.
Innovation Solution
A fully articulating camera mount system featuring a tree mounting bracket with a socket and ball mechanism, combined with a selective weight compensator assembly, allowing for adjustable positioning and weight support through a swiveling ball mount and pistons, enabling secure mounting on non-vertical surfaces and accommodating different camera weights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed camera mount is used on a tree, then the mounting structure is simple, but the system lacks flexibility and cannot accommodate varying camera weights or non-vertical surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing fixed mounting structures with articulating arms that can move and adjust to different positions and angles. The articulating arm includes multiple joints that allow dynamic repositioning to accommodate non-vertical surfaces and various camera weights, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that adapts to different mounting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into multiple independent components: a tree mounting bracket, an articulating arm with multiple sections, and a camera mount. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easy adjustment of individual segments to achieve the desired configuration for different trees and camera weights.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a simple mounting bracket is used, then the device complexity is low, but weight compensation capability is insufficient for varying camera weights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements weight compensation through a counterbalance mechanism integrated into the articulating arm. Springs or counterweights are positioned to offset the weight of the camera and mount assembly, reducing the load on the tree mounting bracket and enabling stable mounting of cameras with varying weights without requiring excessive mounting strength.
3Ease of operation
If an articulating armature with ball and socket joint is used, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the mounting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ball and socket joint enables dynamic positioning by allowing the articulating arm to rotate and articulate in multiple directions. This single joint provides spherical freedom of movement, enabling the camera mount to be positioned at various angles and orientations while maintaining a relatively simple joint design compared to multiple constrained joints.
Data Source
AI summary
Tree mounted assemblies and methods of use are provided herein. An example assembly or device includes a camera mount; a tree mounting bracket that is configured to couple with a trunk or branch of a tree, the tree mounting bracket forming a socket; an articulating armature that is coupled to the tree mounting bracket using a ball that is received within the socket of the tree mounting bracket, the articulating armature further having: a first armature portion coupled to the ball; and a second armature portion coupled to camera mount.