VISOR

Abstract

A visor is disclosed. The visor includes an upper portion, a left side portion extending downwardly from a left side of the upper portion, a right side portion extending downwardly from a right side of the upper portion, and a camera mount configured to secure a camera to the visor. The camera mount is connected to an underside of the upper portion to prevent damage of a camera secured therein.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a visor, and more particularly to a visor having an integrated camera mount and/or lights.

In the past, cameras were primarily used for photography, home movies, or to film television shows and movies. However, with the advent of digital and computer technologies, cameras have become a mainstay in society. Today, cameras have become a standard feature on cell phones and computers for use in social media and to allow users to record their daily activity, if so desired.

One area where cameras are being utilized to their fullest is in sports. Television networks are now using multiple cameras positioned around a sporting venue, cameras on wires to traverse a field, and cameras on helmets, racecars, motorcycles, etc. to provide viewers with different angles of view and a more realistic experience.

One such sport where these cameras are being utilized is in sports such as motocross or sports contained within the X-Games format. These cameras are typically mounted on top of a helmet to provide a television viewer with a view similar to what the athlete sees; however, because they are mounted on top of the helmet, they are subject to breakage.

Another sport where cameras are increasingly used is NASCAR. The television networks put cameras inside the racecars as well as on top of the racecars to provide a viewer at home with views that were previously impossible. In addition, race teams are now utilizing cameras to improve performance. For example, one area where race teams can improve performance is by decreasing the time it takes to make a pit-stop. As a result, teams have started to use video to capture the pit-stop and determine where improvements can be made.

Unfortunately, until recently, cameras were too big to carry on a team member, and filming from a distance did not provide the necessary views for proper feedback. Today, the cameras have become smaller, but there is still the problem of carrying the camera in a place where it does not interfere with the team members' job. Like the sports contained in the X-Games format, cameras on top of helmets provide television viewers with an up-close view of how a pit-crew operates, but those cameras can also cause problems by simply catching an air hose during a fast pit stop.

Accordingly, there is a need for a camera mount that is integrated into a user's gear and that does not interfere with the user's activity.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other shortcomings of the prior art are addressed by the present invention, which provides a visor, integral with or attached to a helmet, with an integrated camera mount.

According to an aspect of the invention, a visor includes an upper portion; a left side portion extending downwardly from a left side of the upper portion; a right side portion extending downwardly from a right side of the upper portion; and a camera mount configured to secure a camera to the visor. The camera mount is connected to an underside of the upper portion to prevent breakage of a camera secured therein.

According to another aspect of the invention, a visor includes a camera mount connected to an underside of an upper portion of the visor. The camera mount includes a cavity configured to receive and secure a camera therein to prevent damage to the camera.

According to another aspect of the invention, a visor includes a left side portion extending downwardly from a left side of an upper portion and a right side portion extending downwardly from a right side of the upper portion. The visor further includes a camera mount connected to an underside of the upper portion between the left and right side portions. The camera mount includes a cavity therein configured to receive and secure a camera therein to protect the camera from breakage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a visor according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the visor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the visor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the visor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the visor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a right side elevation of the visor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a left side elevation of the visor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a visor according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of the visor of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation of the visor of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the visor of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the visor of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a right side elevation of the visor of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 is a left side elevation of the visor of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a visor according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a front elevation of the visor of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a rear elevation of the visor of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top view of the visor of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the visor of FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is a right side elevation of the visor of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 21 is a left side elevation of the visor of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, an exemplary visor constructed according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 and shown generally at reference numeral 10. As shown, the visor 10 is adapted for attachment to an existing support structure or head gear such as a helmet; however, it should be appreciated that the visor 10 may be attached to or integrally formed with any suitable support structure where a visor would be used, such as the aforementioned helmet or a baseball cap.

The visor 10 includes an upper portion 11, a left side portion 12 extending downwardly from a left side of the upper portion 11, and a right side portion 13 extending downwardly from the right side of the upper portion 11. The left and right side portions 12, 13 each include at least one slot 14 and 16, respectively, for receiving a fastener therethrough to secure the visor 10 to a helmet.

A camera mount 20 is connected to an underside 21 of the upper portion 11. The camera mount 20 is designed to receive and secure a camera therein such that the camera is positioned below the upper portion 11 of the visor 10; thereby, removing the camera from interference with the user's activity and protecting it from accidental breakage. As shown, the camera mount 20 includes a cavity 22 defined by a cage 23 that receives the camera and protects it from damage.

The cage 23 further defines a lens aperture 24 to allow a lens of a camera to view therethrough so that the lens of the camera is not blocked by the visor 10 or cage 23. Support 26 interconnects two rear tabs 27 and 28 of the visor 10 with an underside of the cage 23 to provide a rigid structure.

Referring to FIGS. 8-14, a visor according to an embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral 100. Like visor 10, visor 100 includes an upper portion 111, a left side portion 112, a right side portion 113, slots 114 and 116, a camera mount 120 mounted to an underside 121 of the upper portion 111 having a cavity 122 defined by a cage 123 which also defines a lens aperture 124, and a support 126 secured to tabs 127 and 128 and an underside of the camera mount 120 (FIG. 12) or under light bar 130 (FIG. 10) to provide a rigid structure.

Unlike visor 10, visor 100 further includes a light bar 130 powered by a battery pack (not shown). It should be appreciated that the battery pack may be mounted within the structure of the visor 100, secured to the helmet, or secured within the user's clothing. The light bar 130 is secured between the left and right portions 112, 113 beneath the upper portion 111 and includes a plurality of lights 131 to provide a user with illumination in low visibility situations so that the user or the user's helper does not have to hold an unwieldy flash light or other illumination device; thereby, allowing the user to use both hands freely. The lights 131 not only provide a user with illumination, but also provide additional illumination for the camera so that the camera can capture high quality video. As shown, the lights 131 are light emitting diodes (LEDs); however, it should be appreciated that other suitable light sources may be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-21, a visor according to an embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral 200. Like visors 10 and 100, visor 200 includes an upper portion 211, a left side portion 212, a right side portion 213, slots 214 and 216, and a support 226 secured to tabs 227 and 228 and an underside of a light bar 230 to provide a rigid structure.

Like visor 100, visor 200 includes the light bar 230 having a plurality of lights 231 secured between the left and right portions 212, 213 beneath the upper portion 211 to provide illumination to a user and a camera positioned in the cavity 222 of the camera mount 220. Additionally, like visor 100, the visor 200 may also include a camera mount (not shown) mounted to an underside 221 of the upper portion 211.

Unlike the visor 100, visor 200 includes left and right extensions 232 and 233, respectively. As shown, the left extension 232 extends downwardly from left side portion 212 and the right extension 233 extends downwardly from the right side portion 213. Both extensions 232 and 233 encapsulate a plurality of lights 234 and 236, respectively, to create left and right side light bars that provide a user with additional illumination. As shown, the lights 234 and 236 are light emitting diodes (LEDs); however, it should be appreciated that other suitable light sources may be used.

The foregoing has described a visor. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A visor, comprising:

(a) an upper portion;

(b) a left side portion extending downwardly from a left side of the upper portion;

(c) a right side portion extending downwardly from a right side of the upper portion; and

(d) a camera mount configured to secure a camera to the visor, the camera mount being connected to an underside of the upper portion to prevent damage of a camera secured therein.

2. The visor according to claim 1, wherein the camera mount includes a cavity defined by a cage to receive the camera therein, the cage being configured to secure and protect the camera in the cavity.

3. The visor according to claim 1, wherein the camera mount includes a lens aperture to permit a lens of the camera to view therethrough.

4. The visor according to claim 1, further including a light bar secured between the left and right side portions to provide a user with illumination in low visibility conditions.

5. The visor according to claim 4, wherein the light bar is positioned below the camera mount to provide illumination for the camera.

6. The visor according to claim 1, wherein the left and right side portions each include a cavity configured to encapsulate a plurality of lights therein to provide a user with illumination in low light conditions.

7. A visor comprising a camera mount connected to an underside of an upper portion of the visor, the camera mount including a cavity configured to receive and secure a camera therein to prevent damage.

8. The visor according to claim 7, wherein the visor is configured to be connected to a user's head gear.

9. The visor according to claim 7, wherein the camera mount is in the form of a cage, the cage defining a lens aperture to permit a lens of a camera to view therethrough.

10. The visor according to claim 7, further including:

(a) a left side portion extending downwardly from a left side of the upper portion; and

(b) a right side portion extending downwardly from a right side of the upper portion.

11. The visor according to claim 7, further including a light bar positioned below the camera mount to provide a user with illumination in low light conditions.

12. The visor according to claim 11, wherein the light bar includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

13. The visor according to claim 10, wherein the left and right side portions each include a cavity configured to encapsulate a plurality of light emitting diodes therein, the light emitting diodes being configured to provide illumination in low light conditions.

14. A visor, comprising:

(a) a left side portion extending downwardly from a left side of an upper portion and a right side portion extending downwardly from a right side of the upper portion; and

(b) a camera mount connected to an underside of the upper portion between the left and right side portions, the camera mount having a cavity therein configured to receive and secure a camera therein to protect the camera from damage.

15. The visor according to claim 14, wherein the camera mount includes a lens aperture to permit a lens of the camera to view therethrough.

16. The visor according to claim 14, further including a light bar extending between the left and right side portions below the camera mount.

17. The visor according to claim 16, wherein the light bar includes a plurality of light emitting diodes to provide illumination in low light conditions.

18. The visor according to claim 16, wherein the light bar is connected to a bottom of the camera mount.

19. The visor according to claim 14, wherein the visor is configured to be connected to a user's head gear.