# US 10,479,288 B2 · Releasable vehicular camera mount > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,288 B2 - Document ID: US10479288B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/669,628 - Filed: 2017-08-04 - Published: 2018-02-08 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-05 - Assignees: MotoCrane, LLC - Applicants: MotoCrane, LLC - Inventors: Zachary C. Nelson; Scott A. Tovsen; Daniel Price; Joseph Cox; Justin Squire; Yann Talhouarne - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479288B2 ## CPC - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - F16M 11/123: {the axis of rotation intersecting in a single point, e.g. by using gimbals} - F16M 11/16: Details concerning attachment of head-supporting legs, with or without actuation of locking members thereof - F16M 11/18: with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand - F16M 11/2014: {around a vertical axis (F16M11/2035 takes precedence)} - F16M 11/2078: {with ball-joint (ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06)} - F16M 11/2092: {comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage} - F16M 11/24: changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, {e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each other}(F16M11/42 takes precedence) - F16M 11/32: Undercarriages for supports with three or more telescoping legs - F16M 13/022: {repositionable} - G03B 17/561: {Support related camera accessories} - B60R 2011/004: {outside the vehicle} - B60R 2011/0056: {using suction cups} - B60R 2011/0084: {with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position} - B60R 2011/0085: {with adjustment by rotation in their operational position} - B60R 2011/0092: {with motorization} - F16M 2200/024: by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections - F16M 2200/063: Parallelogram arms - F16M 2200/08: Foot or support base - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract Apparatus and associated methods relate to a camera mount system (CMS) releasably mountable to vehicle surfaces via a plurality of leg members, each leg member extending radially from a hub to support an articulating wrist member with a distal suction attachment. In an illustrative example, the articulating wrist may adjust vertically to permit secure sealing of the suction attachment to a local vehicle roof surface. Each of the articulating wrists may couple to a corresponding distal end of one of the leg members via, for example, a ball joint. The wrist angle relative to the leg member may be releasably locked by hand operation of a locking control that, for example, also locks the angle of the wrist relative to the suction attachment. Some systems may advantageously be quickly, releasably and securely mounted from non-planar and/or irregularly shaped vehicle surfaces, for example, roofs, roll cages, hulls, doors, hoods, and bodies. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicular mounting apparatus comprising: a central support hub comprising: a central base; and, a turntable supported by the central base and configured for unlimited rotation with respect to the central frame, the turntable comprising: a first tower socket adapted to releasably couple to a central boom, wherein the first tower socket comprises a drive member adapted to impart rotation to the central boom; and, a second tower socket adapted to releasably couple to the central boom, wherein the second tower socket comprises an electrical coupler adapted to provide electrical power and signals to the central boom; a plurality of support members configured to couple at a proximal end to the central base, and configured to radially extend from the central base in a common plane, each of the support members comprising: a support leg configured to pivotably couple at a proximal end to the central base; a support ankle configured to pivotably couple at a proximal end to a distal end of the support leg; and, a foot configured to pivotably couple at a proximal end to a distal end of the support ankle, the foot adapted to releasably couple to a surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicular mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support leg is configured to selectively articulate away from and towards the central base in a telescoping fashion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicular mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central base further comprises a plurality of hip clamps, which are configured to couple a respective one of the plurality of support members to the central base. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicular mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support ankle comprises a toolless locking member configured to selectively lock the support leg and foot in a fixed position relative to the support ankle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vehicular mounting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the toolless locking member comprises: a hand knob fixed to a threaded rod; a threaded ram configured to threadedbly receive the threaded rod; a first pin configured to selectively lock the support leg in a fixed position relative to the support ankle; and, a second pin configured to selectively lock the foot in a fixed position relative to the support ankle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicular mounting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the movement of the threaded rod into the support ankle results in downward movement of the threaded ram, which forces the first and second pins away from each other toward a locking position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicular mounting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the threaded ram is substantially wedge-shaped. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicular mounting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hook-and-strap attachment members adapted to releasably couple the support member to a surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicular mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the foot comprises a suction cup adapted to releasably couple the foot to the surface. ### Claim 10 A vehicular mounting apparatus comprising: a central support hub comprising: a central base; and, a turntable supported by the central base and configured for unlimited rotation with respect to the central frame, wherein the turntable comprises: a first tower socket adapted to releasably couple to a central boom, wherein the first tower socket comprises a drive member adapted to impart rotation to the central boom; and, a second tower socket adapted to releasably couple to the central boom, wherein the second tower socket comprises an electrical coupler adapted to provide electrical power and signals to the central boom; a plurality of support members configured to couple at a proximal end to the central base, and configured to radially extend from the central base in a common plane, each of the support members comprising: a support leg configured to pivotably couple at a proximal end to the central base; a support ankle configured to pivotably couple at a proximal end to a distal end of the support leg; and, a foot configured to pivotably couple at a proximal end to a distal end of the support ankle, the foot adapted to releasably couple to a surface, wherein the support ankle comprises: means for selectively locking the support leg and foot in a fixed position relative to the support ankle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicular mounting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the foot comprises a suction cup adapted to releasably couple the foot to the surface.