Camera gimbal mount system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-RE49761-E
Application number	US-202117199739-A
Country	US
Kind code	E1
Filing date	Mar 12, 2021
Priority date	Dec 31, 2015
Publication date	Dec 19, 2023
Grant date	Dec 19, 2023

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

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 th

Assignees

• Gopro Inc

Inventors

• Casarez Theresa Loney
• Muhlenkamp Iv John George
• Yui Stephen
• Harrison Ryan

Classifications

• G03B17/561 Primary

  Support related camera accessories · CPC title

• A45F5/10

  Handles for carrying purposes · CPC title

• F16M11/123

  the axis of rotation intersecting in a single point, e.g. by using gimbals · CPC title

• F16M11/16

  Details concerning attachment of head-supporting legs, with or without actuation of locking members thereof · CPC title

• F16M11/18

  with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand · CPC title