Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0276126A1 Fountain (43) Pub
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US 20150276126A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0276126A1 Fountain (43) Pub. Date: Oct. 1, 2015 (54) ACTIVE HEADWEAR FOR DETACHABLY Publication Classification MOUNTING AN MAGING DEVICE (51) Int. Cl. (71) Applicant: Thomas Lee Fountain, Woodland Hills, FI6M I3/04 (2006.01) CA (US) HO)4N 5/77 (2006.01) H04N 5/225 (2006.01) (72) Inventor: Thomas Lee Fountain, Woodland Hills, (52) U.S. Cl. CA (US) CPC ............. FI6M 13/04 (2013.01); H04N 5/2253 (2013.01); H04N5/2252 (2013.01); H04N 5/77 (21) Appl. No.: 14/545,337 (2013.01) (22) Filed: Apr. 22, 2015 (57) ABSTRACT Disclosed is a mounting system and method for securing an Related U.S. Application Data imaging device to active headgear. In one embodiment, the (63) Continuation of application No. 13/987.215, filed on mounting system includes a headwear frame to which can be Ju1 10, 2013, now Pat. No. 9,077.877. attached ahead strap to form a diving mask. A digital camera s s sw s ora video recorder can be secured to an attachment base in the (60) Provisional application No. 61/670,692, filed on Jul. mounting system to allow use thereof in a hands-free operat 12, 2012. ing mode. Patent Application Publication Oct. 1, 2015 Sheet 3 of 7 US 2015/0276126 A1 Patent Application Publication Oct. 1, 2015 Sheet 4 of 7 US 2015/0276126 A1 Patent Application Publication Oct. 1, 2015 Sheet 5 of 7 US 2015/0276126 A1 F.G. 9 Patent Application Publication Oct. 1, 2015 Sheet 6 of 7 US 2015/0276126 A1 Fig. 10 Patent Application Publication Oct. 1, 2015 Sheet 7 of 7 US 2015/0276126 A1 Fig.11 US 2015/0276.126 A1 Oct. 1, 2015 ACTIVE HEADWEAR FOR DETACHABLY 0008. The additional features and advantages of the dis MOUNTING AN MAGING DEVICE closed invention are set forth in the detailed description which follows, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED the description or recognized by practicing the invention as APPLICATION described, together with the claims and appended drawings. 0001. The present Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/670,692, entitled BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS “Eyewear with Provision for Detachably Mounting an Imag 0009 FIG. 1 is an example of active headwear, in accor ing Device.” filed Jul. 12, 2012, incorporated herein by ref dance with the present state of the art; erence in its entirety. 0010 FIG. 2 is an isometric diagrammatical illustration of a headwear frame from an active headwear apparatus, in FIELD OF THE INVENTION accordance with the present invention; 0011 FIG.3 is an isometric diagrammatical illustration of 0002 The present invention relates to a system and the headwear frame of FIG.2 mated with an attachment base method for securing an imaging device to active headwear. to form a mounting assembly: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 0012 FIG. 4 is another isometric diagrammatical illustra tion of the mounting assembly of FIG. 3; 0003 Commercially-available headwear, such as a diving 0013 FIG. 5 is a front view of the attachment base of FIG. mask 10 shown in FIG. 1, does not include provisions for 3: integrating cameras. The diving mask 10 includes an eye 0014 FIG. 6 is a rear view of the attachment base of FIG. frame 12 and an attachment strap 14. The eye frame 12 serves 3: to retain lenses 16, 18, but are otherwise featureless and have no provision for the attachment of an accessory. 0015 FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the attachment base of 0004 Recent attempts to provide for cameras or other FIG.3: imaging devices within, or on, goggles or masks have had 0016 FIG. 8 is another isometric view of the attachment limited Success. In such headwear, the cameras are usually base of FIG. 3; and attached to the frame of the goggle or mask, either in a frontal 0017 FIG. 9 is a front view of the headwear frame and configuration, or on the temples. But cameras are not readily attachment base of FIG. 3 with an imaging device attached to attached to such goggle or mask frames. Moreover, when the the attachment base. active headwear is a fashionable item whose designs are 0018 FIG. 10 is an isometric diagrammatical illustration important, there are Substantial design tradeoffs involved of a front view of an integrated headwear frame and attach with providing or attaching cameras or other imaging ment base with an imaging device attached to the attachment devices. For example, published U.S. Patent Application base. 2008/01921 14“Wearable Waterproof Camera” of Pearson et (0019 FIG. 11 is a rear view of the integrated headwear al., discloses the placement of a camera inside a compart frame and attachment base of FIG. 10 with an imaging device ment, where the compartment unit Snaps on or attaches to attached to the attachment base. head-adapted gear Such as eye-protective head-gear of Vari ous proportions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 0005. There remains a need for an improved active head 0020 Active headwear refers to eyeglasses, goggles, wear system having a mount adapter for detachably mounting masks, or other objects worn over the eyes. an imaging device, such as a digital camera or video recorder, 0021 “Imaging device' refers to a digital camera, a video so as to allow the wearer full and free use of his or her hands, recording device, a portable projector, and the like. while Supporting the imaging device for operation when 0022 "Fastener” refers to mechanical components that desired. fasten, join, connect, secure, hold, or clamp parts together. Fasteners include, but are not limited to, screws, nuts and BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION bolts, rivets, Snap-fits, and the like. 0006. In one aspect of the present invention, a mounting 0023 “Mounting includes, but is not limited to, joining, assembly, Suitable for securing an imaging device to the head connecting, fastening, linking, coupling, or associating two of a user comprises: a headwear frame configured for place parts together. ment over the face of the user, the headwear frame having a 0024 "Configure' includes the designing, arranging, set first mounting rim disposed at a first side of the headwear ting up, or shaping with a view to specific applications or frame and a second mounting rim disposed at a second side of USS. the headwear frame; and an attachment base, the attachment 0025. The present invention relates generally to a mount base including at least two engagement tabs configured to ing system for attaching an imaging device to active headwear mate with a camera mount, the attachment base further (e.g., diving mask). In one embodiment, the mounting system including a first clamp configured to mate with the first includes a headwear frame to which can be attached a head mounting rim and a second clamp configured to mate with the strap to form a diving mask. A digital camera or a video second mounting rim. recorder can be secured to an attachment base in the mounting 0007. In another aspect of the present invention a mount system to allow use thereof in a hands-free operating mode. ing assembly, Suitable for securing an imaging device to the 0026 FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a headwear frame head of a user comprises: an attachment base integrated with 20 suitable for attachment to a wearer's head using a head a headwear frame configured for placement over the face of strap or a headband (not shown). The headwear frame 20 the user, the attachment base including at least two engage includes a right lens frame 22 attached to a left lens frame 24 ment tabs configured to mate with a camera mount. by a nosepiece 26. The right lens frame 22 may include a right US 2015/0276.126 A1 Oct. 1, 2015 mounting rim 32 with a through hole 34 having a pre-speci through hole 48 and the through hole 38, and thus retain the fied diameter. Similarly, the left lens frame 24 may include a left clamp 46 on the left mounting rim 36. left mounting rim 36 with a through hole 38. The right lens 0032. As shown in FIG. 9, the headwear frame 20 may frame 22 and the left lens frame 24 may be sized and shaped provide for installation of a right lens 82, a left lens 84, and the to accommodate a set of commercially-available lenses or attachment of a strap (not shown) to produce a diving mask inserts, including prescription lenses. 80, for example. The attachment base 40 can be secured to the 0027. The headwear frame 20 is adapted to support and diving mask 80 by (1) aligning the right clamp 42 with the removably retain an attachment base 40, as shown in FIGS. 3 right mounting rim 32, (2) aligning the left clamp 46 with the and 4. The attachment base 40 is sized and configured to left mounting rim 36, (3) securing a first base fastener 92 in Support and removably retain an imaging device (shown in the right clamp 42, and (4) securing a second base fastener 92 FIG. 9), such as a digital camera or a video recorder. The in the left clamp 46. attachment base 40 may be removably secured to the head 0033. An imaging device 90 may be secured to the attach wear frame 20 by a first fastener 28 passing through the ment base 40, where the imaging device 90 includes a camera attachment base 40 and the right mounting rim 32, and a mount 94 configured to mate with the engagement tabs 52 and second fastener 28 passing through the attachment base 40 the retainer engagement tab 54.