Quick release camera mount
AssigneeSyrp Limited
InventorsChristopher THOMSON, Samuel BLOK, James ALLEN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quick release mount system having a mounting plate with opposed sides, each includes latching surfaces, adapted to be received into a base member having a socket. The mounting system further includes at least one movable latching member for engaging with the latching surface of the mounting plate to prevent separation of the mounting plate from the socket. The mounting system also includes a locking mechanism for clamping said mounting plate within the socket, by pushing the mounting plate in a direction perpendicular to the base, and against the at least one latching member.
Claims41
A quick release mount system comprising:
- a mounting plate having opposed sides, each including latching surfaces,
- a base having a socket for receiving said mounting plate, and at least one movable latching member for engaging with a said latching surface of said mounting plate to prevent separation of said mounting plate from said socket, and wherein
- said mounting system further comprises a locking mechanism for clamping said mounting plate within said socket, said locking mechanism operating to push said mounting plate in a direction perpendicular to said base against said at least one latching member.
A quick release mount system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said base having a socket for receiving said mounting plate includes at least one movable latching member for engaging with each latching surface on opposed sides of said mounting plate.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein there are a plurality of movable latching members for engaging with said latching surface.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said movable latching members are each located within a slot in a sidewall of said base, and are constrained to move only along a path with a single degree of translational freedom.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein said path is oriented obliquely with respect to a floor of said socket.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein said path is oriented obliquely with respect to their floor at:
- a) between approximately 30° and approximately 60°, or
- b) approximately 45°.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said latching members are:
- a) ball bearings,
- b) substantially cylindrical rollers, or
- c) a combination of ball bearings and cylindrical rollers.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein said latching members are free to rotate.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said latching members are biased into a latching position, such that said latching members protrude at least partially into said socket.
A quick release mount system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said opposed sides of said mounting plate include oblique latching surfaces such that a base of said mounting plate is wider than a top of said mounting plate.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein a release mechanism is provided for disengaging at least all the latching members along one side of said socket, from said latching surfaces of said mounting plate.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein said release mechanism translates said latching members in a straight linear path.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said locking mechanism comprises:
- a locking plate located in a floor of said socket, and including on an underside thereof a plurality of locking plate ball tracks defining a helical path,
- a locking ring located under said locking plate, and including on an upper side thereof a plurality of locking ring ball tracks defining helical paths to complement said locking plate ball tracks, and
- a plurality of ball bearings, each located within corresponding locking plate and locking ring ball tracks, and
- wherein rotation of said locking ring with respect to said locking plate causes the ball bearings to separate the locking ring from the locking plate to thereby clamp said mounting plate between said locking plate and said latching members.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein there are between 3 and 6 corresponding sets of ball bearings and ball tracks.
A quick release mounting system that receives a mounting plate supported on a base, and prevented from release by at least one movable latching member engaging a latching surface of said mounting plate, wherein said mount further operates a locking mode by clamping said camera plate against at least one latching member by urging said camera plate away from said base.
A quick release mounting system that receives a mounting plate supported on a base defining a socket, and includes at least one latching member that in a latching condition:
- a) engages a latching surface of said mounting plate, and
- b) is constrained for translation along a single first direction only, and wherein
- said at least one latching member when in an unlatching condition, is not constrained to translate only along said first direction.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein there are a plurality of movable latching members for engaging with said latching surface.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein said path is oriented obliquely with respect to a plane of said mounting plate.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein said path is oriented obliquely with respect to said plane:
- a) between approximately 30° and approximately 60°, or
- b) approximately 45°.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein said latching members are free to rotate.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein said latching members are no longer constrained for translation along said single first direction when said latching actuator is in an unlatching position.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein said latching actuator is biased into said latching position.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein when in said latching condition, said mounting plate is free to rotate with respect to said base.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein when said latching actuator is in and unlatched position, said latching members are able to move radially outwards and disengage from said latching surfaces of said mounting plate.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein said locking mode is actuated by a locking system comprising:
- a locking plate located in a floor of said socket, and including on an underside thereof a plurality of locking plate ball tracks defining a helical path,
- a locking ring located under said locking plate, and including on an upper side thereof a plurality of locking ring ball tracks defining helical paths to complement said locking plate ball tracks, and
- a plurality of ball bearings, each located within corresponding locking plate and locking ring ball tracks, and
- wherein rotation of said locking ring with respect to said locking plate causes the ball bearings to separate the locking ring from the locking plate to thereby clamp said mounting plate between said locking plate and said latching members.
A quick release mounting system as claimed in the previous claim, wherein there are between 3 and 6 corresponding sets of ball bearings and ball tracks.
A quick release mounting system comprising:
- a mounting plate including at least one latching surface,
- a base having a socket for receiving said mounting plate, and at least one movable latching member for engaging with a said latching surface of said mounting plate to prevent separation of said mounting plate from said socket, and wherein
- said mounting system further comprises a locking mechanism for clamping said mounting plate within said socket, said locking mechanism operating to push said mounting plate in a direction perpendicular to said base against said at least one latching member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.