US20100287684A1

US20100287684A1 - Universal camera mount for baseball cap

Info

Publication number: US20100287684A1
Application number: US12/464,961
Authority: US
Inventors: Randy Peterson; Richard Monocchi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-13
Filing date: 2009-05-13
Publication date: 2010-11-18

Abstract

The present invention is a cap with a standard camera or camcorder mounting system. In some embodiments the cap includes a washer, nut and 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt or screw. In some other embodiments the ¼″ diameter, 20 threads per inch bolt or screw is integrated into the brim of the cap. That is the material of the brim, preferable a plastic, is constructed with the screw so that the brim and screw are one piece.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally pertains to camera mounting systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a camera mounting system for mounting a camera on the brim of a hat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is particularly applicable to camera and camcorder mounting systems and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention has broader applications and may also be adapted for use as platform for lighting, other photographic accessories, and the like.
There have been attempts to produce camera and baseball cap combinations, but they have been largely unsuccessful in that they usually require attachment to other components not on or in the cap. Additionally these other attempts use cameras or video cameras that can only be practically used with the cap.
Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new and improved cap and camcorder which would overcome the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a cap with a standard camera or camcorder mounting system. In some embodiments the cap includes a washer, nut and 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt or screw. In some other embodiments the ¼″ diameter, 20 threads per inch bolt or screw is integrated into the brim of the cap. That is the material of the brim, preferable a plastic, is constructed with the screw so that the brim and screw are one piece.
In other preferred embodiments the cap includes a tripod head attached to the brim with the previously described screw or bolt for attaching a camera or camcorder. The head could be a ball and socket type head, a pan-tilt type head, or the like.
Any small camera, camcorder or the like could be attached to the ¼″ diameter, 20 threads per inch bolt or screw. However, preferably a digital camcorder which records video to solid state memory cards is used with the cap.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a cap with a universal camera mounting system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cap with a universal camcorder mounting system.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cap with a ball and socket head and universal camera mounting system.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a cap with a pan-tilt head and universal camera mounting system.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cap with a camcorder mounted on the brim by means of a universal mounting system.
In one embodiment the invention is a baseball type cap comprising: a brim located on frontal area of said baseball type cap, a 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt, wherein said bolt is fixed to said brim to allow mounting of a camera to said brim. In another embodiment the camera is a video camera. In yet another embodiment the camera is camcorder. In still another embodiment the camera is a digital camera. In yet still another embodiment the camera is a digital camcorder.
In another embodiment the invention is a hat comprising: a brim located on frontal area of said hat, a 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt, wherein said bolt is fixed to said brim to allow mounting of a camera to said brim. In yet another embodiment the hat is a baseball type cap. In still another embodiment the camera is a video camera. In yet still another embodiment the camera is camcorder. In another embodiment the camera is a digital camera. In another embodiment the camera is a digital camcorder.
In yet another embodiment the invention is a baseball type cap comprising: a brim located on frontal area of said baseball type cap, a 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt, a camcorder, wherein said camcorder is fixed to said brim by said bolt.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention; and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a mounting bolt assembly.

FIG. 3 which is a general perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a general perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a general perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a general perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.
Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIG. 1 which is a general perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. The baseball cap 10 with mounting bolt 12 on brim 14 is shown. Mounting bolt 12 could be integrated into brim 14 of baseball cap 10 or could be constructed of separated parts. It should be understood that integrating mounting bolt 12 in brim 14 could be accomplished by constructing the brim core of one piece of material with mounting bolt 12 being a part of the this single piece of material. The material used in constructing brim 14 and mounting bolt 12 could be any suitable metal, plastic, polymer, composite, or the like. If the mounting bolt 12 is integrated into brim 14 it is preferable that a plastic or polymer is used to construct this one piece brim core. Preferably, brim 14 is covered with fabric or the like, while mounting bolt 12 is exposed for easy and secure attachment.
Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which is an exploded view of one embodiment of a mounting bolt assembly. Mounting bolt 12 is inserted into washer 16 then through brim 14 (not shown) and nut 18 is used to secure mounting bolt 12, washer 16 and brim 14 together. Wherein, mounting bolt 12 can be used for attaching a camera, camcorder or the like to the brim 14 for use.
Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which is a general perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. Baseball cap 10 is shown with camcorder 22 mounted on brim 14 by means of mounting bolt 12 (not shown).
Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which is a general perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. Baseball cap 10 is shown with ball and socket type head 24 secured to brim 14 and camcorder 22 is mounted on ball and socket type head 24 by means of mounting bolt 12 (not shown). This embodiment enables a user to change the orientation of the mounted camcorder or camera. For example the user may want a more downward view if the user is recording lake fishing, or the user could desire a more straight forward view if the user is recording hunting activities. There are other circumstances such as bow hunting where it may be desirable to tilt the camcorder to the side and rotate it laterally so that the camcorder can capture the travel of the hunter's arrow. The ball and socket type head 24 could be secured to brim by any suitable means know in the art including but not limited to fasteners, rivets, screws, bolts, or integration into the brim core.
Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which is a general perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention. Baseball cap 10 is shown with pan-tilt type head 26 secured to brim 14 and camcorder 22 is mounted on pan-tilt type head 26 by means of mounting bolt 12 (not shown). This embodiment enables a user to change the orientation of the mounted camcorder or camera. For example the user may want a more downward view if the user is recording lake fishing, or the user could desire a more straight forward view if the user is recording hunting activities. There are other circumstances such as bow hunting where it may be desirable to tilt the camcorder to the side and rotate it laterally so that the camcorder can capture the travel of the hunter's arrow. The pan-tilt type head 26 could be secured to brim by any suitable means know in the art including but not limited to fasteners, rivets, screws, bolts, or integration into the brim core.
Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which is a general perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. Baseball cap 10 is shown with ball and socket type head 24 secured to brim 14 and camcorder 22 is mounted on ball and socket type head 24 by means of mounting bolt 12 (not shown). This embodiment enables a user 30 to view the rear portion of the camcorder which could have a viewfinder or more preferably a view screen, therefore allowing for greater ease of use. The ball and socket type head 24 could be secured to brim by any suitable means know in the art including but not limited to fasteners, rivets, screws, bolts, or integration into the brim core.
While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A baseball type cap comprising:

a brim located on frontal area of said baseball type cap,

a 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt,

wherein said bolt is fixed to said brim to allow mounting of a camera to said brim.

2. The baseball type cap of claim 1, wherein said camera is a video camera.

3. The baseball type cap of claim 1, wherein said camera is camcorder.

4. The baseball type cap of claim 1, wherein said camera is a digital camera.

5. The baseball type cap of claim 1, wherein said camera is a digital camcorder.

6. A hat comprising:

a brim located on frontal area of said hat,

a 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt,

7. The hat of claim 6, wherein said hat is a baseball type cap.

8. The hat of claim 6, wherein said camera is a video camera.

9. The hat of claim 6, wherein said camera is camcorder.

10. The hat of claim 6, wherein said camera is a digital camera.

11. The hat of claim 6, wherein said camera is a digital camcorder.

12. A baseball type cap comprising:

a brim located on frontal area of said baseball type cap,

a 0.25 inch diameter 20 thread count per inch bolt,

a camcorder,

wherein said camcorder is fixed to said brim by said bolt.