Camera gimbal mount system

Abstract

A gimbal mount system is configured to a couple to a gimbal coupled to and securing a camera. The gimbal mount system includes a handle, a power source, a user interface, a mounting interface, a communication interface, and a communication bus. The mounting interface is located within an end of the gimbal mount system and includes an opening configured to receive a reciprocal mounting protrusion of the gimbal. A locking mechanism removably couples the gimbal to the gimbal mount system. The communication interface is located within the mounting interface and is configured to couple to a reciprocal communication interface of the gimbal. The communication bus is coupled to the power source, user interface, and communication interface and is configured to provide power from the power source to the gimbal. The communication bus may provide instructions to the gimbal based on user input received via the user interface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 910 or padding structures 910 to ensure a secure fit between the mounting protrusion 106 and the mounting interface 104. Each detented ramp 902 is structured such that the ramp ramps up to a plateau 906 that comprises a dimple 908 within in the plateau. At a lower portion of each detented ramp 902 is an opening 908 that is configured to align with the ribs 812 of the locking collar 802 when the mounting protrusion 106 has been inserted into the mounting interface 106. In this position, the gimbal 102 and the gimbal mount system 100 are in the unlocked configuration, wherein the mounting protrusion 106 is reciprocally mating with the mounting interface 106, but the gimbal is not secured to the gimbal mount system.

To secure the gimbal 102 to the gimbal mount system 100, a user rotates the locking collar 802 by 45 degrees from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration. As noted above, the degree of rotation may vary in other embodiments. As the locking collar 802 is rotated, the plurality of ribs 812 slide up respective detented ramps 902 until each rib 812 (and specifically, the rounded detent feature 814 of each rib) mates with a respective dimple 906 such that the rounded detent feature is inserted into and abuts a surface of the reciprocal dimple. To uncouple the gimbal 102 from the gimbal mount system 100, the locking collar 802 is rotated in the opposite direction, the plurality of rounded detented features 814 are displaced from the respective dimples 906, and the locking collar transitions to the unlocked configuration, allowing the gimbal to be removed from the gimbal mount system. This configuration of the locking mechanism allows a user to quickly secure the gimbal 102 to the gimbal mount system 100 without the use of a tool set.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an adapter 1000 for coupling the gimbal mount system 100 to various mount components within a camera mount ecosystem, according to one example embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the gimbal 102 and the gimbal mount system 100 have been mounted to an extension arm 1002 via the adapter 1000. In the embodiments of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the adapter 1000 includes a shaft collar 1004 that is substantially ring-shaped and is configured to securely enclose a structure of the gimbal 102. The adapter 1000 includes an integrated hinge 1006 and lever 1008. When the lever 1008 is in an unlocked position, a user can slide the adapter 1000 onto a shaft of a gimbal 102. Once the adapter 1000 has been positioned on the shaft of the gimbal 102, the user rotates the lever 1008 to the locked position, causing the shaft collar 1004 to exert compressive forces onto the shaft of the gimbal and securing the adapter to the gimbal. In some embodiments, the adapter 1000 has a plurality of protrusions 1010 protruding outward from an exterior surface of the ring that are configured to couple to a reciprocal mount component. In the embodiment of FIG. 10B, each protrusion 1010 comprises a hole 1012 at the distal end of the protrusion. The protrusions 1010 on the adapter 1000 can interlock with a plurality of protrusions of a reciprocal mount such that the holes of each set of protrusions are aligned along an axis and such that a screw or pin can be inserted into the aligned holes, rotatably securing the adapter to the reciprocal mount component. The adapter beneficially enables the gimbal mount system to couple to existing camera mounts, such as pole mounts, head/chest/wrist mounts, bike/surfboard/car tripods, rotating tables, or any other suitable mount. It should be noted that although the adapter 1000 of FIGS. 10A and 10B is configured to couple to the gimbal 102 itself, in other embodiments, the adapter can be configured to securely enclose a portion of the gimbal mount system 100, which in turn is configured to couple to the gimbal. The configuration of adapter 1000 is designed to be easy-to-use and easy-to-remove and does not require the use of a tool set.

FIG. 11 illustrates the gimbal mount system 100 coupled to an extension arm 1100 that couples the gimbal 102, according to one example embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 11, a first end of the extension arm 1100 mates with the mounting interface 104 of the gimbal mount system 100 while a second end of the extension arm mates with the mounting protrusion 106 of the gimbal 102. Each respective end of the extension arm 1100 may be structured to reciprocally mate with the mounting interface 104 and the mounting protrusion 106. It should be noted that the gimbal mount system 100 can couple to any component configured to secure to the gimbal 102 using the locking mechanism described above with regards to FIGS. 8-9. Such components preferably include a communication/power bus thereby enabling the components to communicatively couple the gimbal mount system 100 to the gimbal 102.

Additional Configuration Considerations

Throughout this specification, some embodiments have used the expression “coupled” along with its derivatives. The term “coupled” as used herein is not necessarily limited to two or more elements being in direct physical or electrical contact. Rather, the term “coupled” may also encompass two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other, or are structured to provide a thermal conduction path between the elements.

Likewise, as used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skilled in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs for camera gimbal mount systems as disclosed from the principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gimbal mount system configured to couple to a gimbal, the gimbal configured to secure a camera, the gimbal mount system comprising:

a handle;

a power source located within the handle;

a display located on an outer surface of the handle;

a mounting interface located within an end of the handle, the mounting interface securely coupling the gimbal to the gimbal mount system;

a communication interface located within the handle and configured to couple to a reciprocal communication interface of the gimbal and of the camera; and

a communication bus coupled to the power source, the display, and the communication interface, the communication bus configured to provide power from the power source to the gimbal and to the camera and configured to provide one or more instructions based on a user input received via the display to the gimbal and to the camera.

2. The gimbal mount system of claim 1, further comprising:

a kickstand configured to extend from the handle.

3. The gimbal mount system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second communication interface located within the handle, the second communication interface communicatively coupled to the communication bus and configured to couple to one or more of an external power source and an external computing system.

4. The gimbal mount system of claim 1, wherein the one or more instructions comprises one or more of:

powering the gimbal on and off, controlling a camera shutter, selecting a camera mode or a gimbal mode, tagging a moment of interest within media captured by the camera, and controlling a pitch or yaw of the gimbal.

5. The gimbal mount system of claim 1, further comprising:

an adapter configured to couple to the gimbal mount system, the adapter configured to couple with a reciprocal mount component, thereby coupling the gimbal mount system to the reciprocal mount component.

6. The gimbal mount system of claim 1, wherein the mounting interface comprises:

a recess extending into the handle;

the recess comprises a diameter and extends from an opening proximate the end at a depth.

7. The gimbal mount system of claim 1, wherein the gimbal mount system is removably coupled to both the gimbal and the camera securely coupled together as a single device.

8. A system, comprising:

a gimbal mount system comprising a handle, a power source within the handle, a display located on an outer surface of the handle, and a mounting interface located within a distal end of the handle; and

a camera system configured to removably couple to the gimbal mount system via the mounting interface, the camera system comprising a gimbal securely coupled to a camera.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the mounting interface comprises an opening for receiving a reciprocal mounting protrusion of the gimbal and a recess comprising a first diameter and extending.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the reciprocal mounting protrusion comprises:

a protrusion of substantially the first diameter and a first length,

wherein the reciprocal mounting protrusion is configured for insertion into the mounting interface such that the protrusion is inserted into the recess.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the reciprocal mounting protrusion comprises padding structures to securely fit the reciprocal mounting protrusion within the mounting interface.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the gimbal mount system further comprises a locking collar located at the distal end of the body, the locking collar comprising an opening substantially aligned with the opening of the mounting interface such that the gimbal is securely coupled to the gimbal mount system.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the gimbal is configured to provide information across the communication interface to the gimbal mount system thereby enabling the camera to identify moments of interest within captured media, the information including patterns of motion data measured during the capture of media.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the information comprises patterns of motion data measured during the capture of media.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the outer surface is a front side of the handle, the display comprising any of a LED display, a LCD display, a monitor, and any combination thereof.

16. The system of claim 8, wherein the gimbal mount system further comprising a user interface located on the outer surface of the handle.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein a communication interface is located within the gimbal mount system and is configured to couple to a reciprocal communication interface of the camera system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the communication interface comprises a suspension system that allows the communication interface to flexibly pivot in one or more directions.

19. A gimbal mount system configured to couple to a gimbal that is adapted to secure a camera, the gimbal mount system comprising:

a handle comprising:

a power source;

a communication interface configured to communicate with the gimbal and the camera; and

a mounting interface configured to connect the handle to the gimbal, wherein the mounting interface comprises:

a recess that receives a portion of the gimbal; and

ribs within the recess that are configured to mate with the portion of the gimbal; and

the gimbal comprising:

a protrusion that directly connects the gimbal to the handle;

alignment features extending along an exterior of the protrusion that assist in guiding the protrusion into the recess to form a connection;

padding material or padding structures within the alignment features to provide a secure fit between the protrusion and the alignment features; and

a communication bus coupled to the power source, a display, and the communication interface, the communication bus configured to provide power from the power source to the gimbal and to the camera and configured to provide one or more instructions based on a user input received via the display to the gimbal and to the camera;

wherein the one or more instructions comprises one or more of:

powering the gimbal on and off, controlling a camera shutter, selecting a camera mode, selecting a gimbal mode, tagging a moment of interest within media captured by the camera, controlling a pitch of the gimbal, or controlling a yaw of the gimbal.

20. The gimbal mount system of claim 19, wherein the ribs comprise a rounded detent that is configured to fit within the portion of the gimbal.

21. The gimbal mount system of claim 20, wherein the recess extends into an end of the handle, and wherein the recess comprises:

a diameter and

a depth that extends from an opening proximate the end.

22. The gimbal mount system of claim 19, further comprising:

a second communication interface, the second communication interface communicatively coupled to the communication bus and configured to couple to at least one of an external power source or an external computing system.

23. The gimbal mount system of claim 19, further comprising:

a kickstand configured to extend from the handle.

24. The gimbal mount system of claim 19, further comprising:

an adapter configured to couple to both the gimbal mount system and a reciprocal mount component thereby coupling the gimbal mount system to the reciprocal mount component.

25. A system, comprising:

a gimbal mount system comprising:

a handle, and

a mounting interface located within the handle;

a camera system comprising:

a gimbal integrated with a camera, the camera system configured to couple to the gimbal mount system via the mounting interface; and

an adapter connected to the gimbal, wherein the adapter comprises:

an opening extending around a portion of the gimbal; and

protrusions extending from the adapter that are configured to interlock with protrusions of a reciprocal mount.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the mounting interface includes an opening for receiving a protrusion of the gimbal, and wherein the protrusion extends into a recess of the mounting interface to form a connection between the handle and the gimbal.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the gimbal mount system further comprises: a locking mechanism including another opening substantially aligned with the opening of the mounting interface such that the gimbal is securely coupled to the gimbal mount system.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the adapter further comprises:

an integrated hinge, and

a lever movably connected to the integrated hinge so that the lever is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein the gimbal mount system further comprises:

a power source within the handle;

a display located on an outer surface of the handle; and

a communication interface located within the handle that is configured to communicate with the camera system.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the display is an LED display, an LCD display, a monitor, or any combination thereof.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the gimbal mount system further comprises:

a communication bus coupled to the power source, the display, and the communication interface, the communication bus configured to provide power from the power source to the camera system.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein the gimbal is configured to provide information across the communication interface to the gimbal mount system thereby enabling the camera to identify moments of interest within captured media, and

wherein the information includes patterns of motion data that are measured during capture of the captured media.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the information includes patterns of motion data measured during capture of the captured media.

34. The system of claim 25, wherein the gimbal mount system further comprises:

a kickstand configured to extend from the handle.

35. The system of claim 28, wherein the adapter extends around a shaft of the gimbal, and wherein the lever when in the locked position exerts compressive forces on the shaft of the gimbal.

36. A system, comprising:

an imaging device;

a gimbal secured to the imaging device, the gimbal comprising:

a protrusion; and

detented ramps located on the protrusion and extending up to a plateau; and

a handle comprising:

a mounting interface secured to the gimbal, wherein the mounting interface comprises:

a recess that directly receives the protrusion of the gimbal so that the recess is configured to mechanically mate with protrusion of the gimbal; and

ribs located within the recess that are configured to align with and extend into the detented ramps so that the handle and the gimbal are connected when the rib extends over a detent on the detented ramps; and

buttons electrically connected to the gimbal and the imaging device so that the gimbal and/or the imaging device are controllable via the buttons on the handle.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the plateau includes a dimple.