CN218378406U

CN218378406U - Mountable clamping device

Info

Publication number: CN218378406U
Application number: CN202221725798.2U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 法鲁赫·拉扎·里兹维
Original assignee: Razer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Razer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-05
Filing date: 2022-07-05
Publication date: 2023-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-05
Also published as: DE202022103649U1; TWM637061U; AU2021103873A4

Abstract

A mountable clamp-on device comprising: a first plate member having a hinge joint and a connecting element for coupling with an article; a second plate member having a hinge joint; an adjustable length rod extending through the hinge joint to pivotally hold the first and second plate members together, the adjustable length rod comprising first and second elongated components, wherein opposing ends of the first and second elongated components are engaged via threaded engagement so as to change a length of the adjustable length rod; and an elastic washer member interposed between a portion of the first elongated component and the hinge joint of the first or second plate member so as to vary a resistance against pivotal movement between the first and second plate members as a length of the adjustable length rod changes.

Description

Mountable clamping device

Technical Field

Various embodiments relate generally to a mountable clip-on device. In particular, various embodiments relate generally to a mountable clamp-type device, such as a mounting clamp for mounting an article or an article having an integral mounting clamp. For example, the article may include peripheral devices such as cameras, microphones, lighting devices, speakers, and the like.

Background

Traditionally, mounting fixtures for items such as peripheral devices including cameras, microphones, lighting devices, speakers, etc. have lockable or torque hinges. The mounting clip may be a separate component from the article or may be integrally formed with the article. The mounting clip with lockable hinge can be freely pivoted when unlocked and can be locked in place when desired. However, mounting clips with lockable hinges can be cumbersome to use because the lockable hinges must be unlocked and locked each time the mounting clip is opened or closed. On the other hand, a mounting clip with a torque hinge can be used without having to unlock and lock each time the mounting clip is opened or closed. However, over time, the mounting clips with torque hinges may become loose due to wear, and the mounting clips with torque hinges may deteriorate to a state where the mounting clips can no longer hold or stay in a desired position.

Accordingly, there is a need for a more efficient and reliable mounting clip for an article.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to various embodiments, a mountable clip-on device is provided. The device includes a first plate member having at least one hinge knuckle (hinge) along a proximal edge of the first plate member, and a connecting element for coupling an item to the first plate member. The device further includes a second plate member having at least one hinge knuckle along an edge of the second plate member. The device further includes an adjustable length rod extending through the at least one hinge joint of the first plate member and the at least one hinge joint of the second plate member to hold the first plate member and the second plate member together in a pivotable manner relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the adjustable length rod. The adjustable length rod includes a first elongated member having a first retaining head at a first longitudinal end of the first elongated member and a second elongated member having a second retaining head at a first longitudinal end of the second elongated member. The second longitudinal end of the first elongated member and the second longitudinal end of the second elongated member are engaged with each other via a threaded engagement in a manner enabling a change in the length of the adjustable length rod. The device further includes a resilient washer member sandwiched between a portion of the first elongated member of the adjustable length rod and the at least one articulation joint of the first plate member or the at least one articulation joint of the second plate member to vary the resistance to pivotal movement between the first plate member and the second plate member in a manner that varies with the length of the adjustable length rod.

Drawings

In the drawings, like reference numerals generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

fig. 1A illustrates a mountable clip-on device in an open configuration, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 1B illustrates the mountable clamp-type device of FIG. 1A with the articulating joint disassembled, in accordance with various embodiments;

fig. 1C illustrates the mountable, clamp-type device of fig. 1A in a closed configuration, in accordance with various embodiments;

fig. 1D shows a side view of the mountable clamp-type device of fig. 1C in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 1E illustrates a cross-sectional view at one of the hinged joints of the mountable clamp-type device of FIG. 1A, in accordance with various embodiments;

2A-2C illustrate the mountable clip-on device of FIGS. 1A-1E mounted to a monitor and an article (e.g., a camera) tilted at various angles, according to various embodiments;

3A-3C illustrate the mountable clip-on device of FIGS. 1A-1E attached to a stand and an item (e.g., a camera) tilted at various angles, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates the mountable clamp-type device of FIGS. 1A-1E with different retaining heads for the articulation joint, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates the mountable clamp-type device of FIGS. 1A-1E with another different retention head for the articulation joint, in accordance with various embodiments;

fig. 6A illustrates a mountable clamp-type device in an open configuration, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 6B illustrates the mountable clamp-type device of FIG. 6A with the articulating joint disassembled, in accordance with various embodiments;

fig. 6C illustrates another view of the mountable clip-on device of fig. 6A, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 6D illustrates the mountable clamp-type device of FIG. 1A with the ball joint disassembled, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 6E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mountable clamp-type device of FIG. 6A, in accordance with various embodiments;

fig. 7A illustrates a mountable clamp-type device in a closed configuration, in accordance with various embodiments;

fig. 7B illustrates the mountable clip-on device of fig. 7A with the hinge joint disassembled, in accordance with various embodiments; and

fig. 7C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mountable clamp-type device of fig. 7A, in accordance with various embodiments.

Detailed Description

The embodiments described below in the context of the apparatus are similarly valid for the respective methods, and vice versa. Further, it will be understood that the embodiments described below may be combined, e.g., part of one embodiment may be combined with part of another embodiment.

It is to be understood that the terms "at 8230," "above," "at 8230," "above 8230," "top," "bottom," "side," "back," "left," "right," "front," "lateral," "side," "up," "down," and the like, when used in the following description, are used for convenience and to aid in the understanding of relative positions or orientations, and are not intended to limit the orientation of any device and structure or any portion thereof. In addition, the singular terms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, the word "or" is intended to include "and" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Various embodiments are generally directed to a mountable clip-on device. According to various embodiments, the mountable clip-on device may be a mounting clip for mounting an article or an article with an integral or built-in mounting clip. According to various embodiments, the article may include a peripheral device including, but not limited to, a camera, a microphone, a lighting device, a speaker, a controller, a reader, a projector, a holder, or other suitable electronic device or accessory. According to various embodiments, the mounting fixture may comprise at least one first member (e.g., a first plate) and at least one second member (e.g., a second plate), which may pivot relative to each other between a closed configuration and an open configuration in a clamshell manner. Thus, in the closed configuration, the first and second members may be proximate to one another so as to contact or touch one another. In another aspect, in the open configuration, the first and second members may be pivoted away from each other about the hinge joint such that the first and second members may be angularly positioned relative to each other about the hinge joint.

According to various embodiments, the hinged joint of the mounting clamp may be configured to hold the first and second members in a desired angular position via friction in a manner that prevents or provides resistance against pivotal movement between the first and second members. Further, the articulated joint of the mounting clamp may be configured to be adjustable to vary the amount of friction or drag, such that for angular positions, the amount of drag or friction used to resist pivotal movement or hold (or stop) the first and second members in place may be varied. In other words, at a single angular position, the articulated joint of the mounting clamp may be adjusted to change the amount of resistance or friction that resists pivotal movement or holds the first and second members in place at the single angular position.

Fig. 1A illustrates a mountable clip-on device 100 in an open configuration, in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 1B shows the mountable, clamp-type device 100 of fig. 1A, with the hinged

joints

140, 160 being tea rests, in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 1C illustrates the mountable clip-on device 100 of fig. 1A in a closed configuration, in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 1D illustrates a side view of the mountable clip-on device 100 of fig. 1C, in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 1E shows a cross-sectional view at the articulation joint 160 of the mountable clamp-type device 100 in fig. 1A, in accordance with various embodiments. According to various embodiments, mountable clip-on device 100 may comprise an article having an integral mounting clip 110 or a built-in mounting clip 110. According to various other embodiments, the mountable clip-on device 100 may include a mounting clip 110 for mounting an article. As shown, the item may be a peripheral device including, but not limited to, a camera, microphone, lighting device, speaker, controller, reader, projector, holder, or other suitable electronic device or accessory. For illustrative purposes, the item is shown in the figures as a camera 102 as an example. Thus, when the article is a camera 102, the mountable clip-on device 100 may be the camera 102 with an integral mounting clip 110 or a built-in mounting clip 110, or the mountable clip-on device 100 may be a stand-alone mounting clip 110 for mounting the camera 102 (i.e., the camera 102 and stand-alone mounting clip 110 may be two separate pieces that are detachably attached to one another, and the stand-alone mounting clip 110 may be considered as the mountable clip-on device 100 as such).

According to various embodiments, whether the mountable clip-on device 100 is an article with an integral/built-in mounting clip 110 or is simply a mounting clip 110 for an article, the mountable clip-on device 100 may include a first plate member 120 and a second plate member 130, the first plate member 120 and the second plate member 130 being pivotably coupled together to be pivotable relative to each other about an articulated joint 140. According to various embodiments, each of the first plate member 120 and the second plate member 130 can be a thin structure or sheet material or a panel or a plate or a slab.

According to various embodiments, the first plate member 120 may include at least one hinge knuckle 122 along a proximal edge 124 (or first edge) of the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, the proximal edge 124 of the first plate member 120 may be the edge of the first plate member 120 that is proximal to the articulation joint 140. According to various embodiments, the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 may be a ring or node or a coiled or cylindrical tube or an extension with a hollow circular hole disposed along the proximal edge 124 of the first plate member 120 for forming part of the articulation joint 140.

According to various embodiments, the first plate member 120 may include a connection element 170 for coupling an item (e.g., the camera 102 as shown) to the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, the connecting element 170 may be configured to integrally engage or couple or connect the article and the first plate member 120 together in a manner that cannot be easily disassembled. According to various embodiments, the connecting element 170 may also be configured to releasably engage or couple or connect the article and the first plate member 120 together in a manner that can be disengaged.

According to various embodiments, the second plate member 130 may include at least one hinge knuckle 132 along an edge 134 (or proximal edge or first edge) of the second plate member 130. According to various embodiments, the edge 134 of the second plate member 130 may be an edge of the second plate member 130 located in the vicinity of the hinge joint 140. According to various embodiments, the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130 may be a ring or node or a crimped or cylindrical tube or an extension with a hollow circular hole disposed along the edge 134 of the second plate member 130 for forming a part of the hinge joint 140.

According to various embodiments, the mountable clamp-type device 100 may include an adjustable length rod 150. According to various embodiments, the adjustable length bar 150 may extend loosely through the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130 to hold the first plate member 120 and the second plate member 130 together in a pivotable manner relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the adjustable length bar 150. Accordingly, the adjustable length bar 150, the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120, and the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130 may form the hinge joint 140 such that the first plate member 120 and the second plate member 130 may pivot relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the adjustable length bar 150. Thus, the at least one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130 may be arranged in an alternating manner and interlocked with the adjustable length rod 150 therethrough to form the articulation joint 140.

According to various embodiments, the adjustable length bar 150 may include a first elongated member 152 and a second elongated member 156. According to various embodiments, the first and second

elongated members

152, 156 may be axially interconnected to one another such that the first and second

elongated members

152, 156 may be extended or retracted relative to one another so as to be able to change the length of the adjustable length rod 150.

According to various embodiments, the first elongated member 152 may comprise a first retaining head 151 at a first longitudinal end of the first elongated member 152. Thus, the first retaining head 151 may be longitudinally positioned toward an end or tip of the first elongated member 152. According to various embodiments, the first retaining head 151 may be the largest diameter portion of the first elongated member 152. According to various embodiments, the second elongated member 156 may include a second retaining head 155 at a first longitudinal end of the second elongated member 156. Thus, the second retaining head 155 may be longitudinally positioned toward an end or tip of the second elongated member 156. According to various embodiments, the second retaining head 155 may be the largest diameter portion of the second elongated member 156. According to various embodiments, the first and/or second retaining heads 151, 155 may include, but are not limited to, a slotted head (see, e.g., fig. 1A-1D), or a circular head knurled along a circumference (see, e.g., fig. 4), or a hexagonal head (see, e.g., fig. 5), or any other suitable head configuration, whereby the head is provided with gripping elements suitable for manual gripping or for gripping via a tool. Further, the head may be made of plastic or metal.

According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 153 of the first elongate member 152 and the second longitudinal end 157 of the second elongate member 156 may be engaged with each other in a manner such that the first elongate member 152 and the second elongate member 156 may be extended or retracted relative to each other. According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 153 of the first elongated member 152 may be directed toward an end or tip opposite the first retaining head 151 of the first elongated member 152. According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 157 of the second elongated member 156 may be toward an end or tip opposite the second retaining head 155 of the second elongated member 156. According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 153 of the first elongated member 152 and the second longitudinal end 157 of the second elongated member 156 may be engaged with each other via a threaded engagement in a manner that is extendable or retractable relative to each other to change the length of the adjustable length rod 150.

According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 153 of the first elongate member 152 can include internal threads and the second longitudinal end 157 of the second elongate member 156 can include external threads. Thus, the second longitudinal end 157 of the second elongated member 156 may be threaded into the second longitudinal end 153 of the first elongated member 152 or unthreaded from the second longitudinal end 153 of the first elongated member 152 to change the length of the adjustable length stem 150. According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 153 of the first elongate member 152 can include internal threads and the second longitudinal end 157 of the second elongate member 156 can include external threads. Thus, the second longitudinal end 157 of the second elongated member 156 may be threaded into the second longitudinal end 153 of the first elongated member 152 or unthreaded from the second longitudinal end 153 of the first elongated member 152 to change the length of the adjustable length stem 150. According to various embodiments, the first elongated member 152 may include, but is not limited to, a barrel nut (see, e.g., fig. 1B) or a socket nut or socket nut (see, e.g., fig. 7B) or other similar internally threaded member, and the second elongated member 156 may include, but is not limited to, a screw or shoulder screw or bolt or other similar externally threaded component. According to various embodiments (e.g., embodiments not shown and vice versa), the first elongate member and the second elongate member may be exchanged or transposed or interchanged such that the first elongate member may include, but is not limited to, a screw or shoulder screw or bolt or other similar externally threaded assembly and the second elongate member may include, but is not limited to, a barrel nut or sleeve nut or socket nut or other similar internally threaded assembly. As shown in fig. 1B as an example embodiment, the first elongated member 152 may be a long barrel nut or a long barrel nut and the second elongated member 156 may be a short screw or a short shoulder screw.

According to various embodiments, the mountable clip-on device 100 may include a resilient washer member 180. According to various embodiments, the resilient washer member 180 may include, but is not limited to, a spring washer or a shoulder washer. In fig. 1B, the resilient washer member 180 is shown as a spring washer. According to various embodiments, the spring washer may include, but is not limited to, a wave washer, a curved washer, a tapered washer, a dome washer, or a split washer. According to various embodiments, a shoulder washer (see, e.g., fig. 7B) may include a sleeve portion and a flange portion at an end of the sleeve portion. According to various embodiments, the resilient washer member 180 may be sandwiched between a portion of the first elongated component 152 of the adjustable length stem 150 and the at least one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130.

According to various embodiments, the portion of the first elongated component 152 abutting the resilient washer member 180 to sandwich the resilient washer member 180 may be the first retaining head 151 of the first elongated component 152. Thus, the underside of the first retaining head 151 of the first elongated component 152 (or a portion of the first elongated component 152) may abut the resilient washer member 180, and the remaining elongated portion of the first elongated component 152 of the adjustable length stem 150 (e.g., a shaft or handle or elongated body) may extend through the resilient spring member 180.

According to various embodiments, the first retaining head 151 of the first elongated member 152 may be adjacent to the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130 depending on the configuration of the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130 when forming the articulation joint 140 and the number of hinge joints in each of the first plate member 120 and the second plate member 130.

Thus, when the adjustable length rod 150 extends through the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130, with the first retaining head 151 (i.e., a portion) of the first elongated component 152 of the adjustable length rod 150 positioned adjacent to (in the example shown in fig. 1A and 1B) the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130, the first elongated component 152 of the adjustable length rod 150 may pass through the resilient washer member 180 into the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130, such that the first retaining head 151 of the first elongated component 152 may abut a first side of the resilient washer member 180 and a second side of the resilient washer member 180 may abut the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130. According to various embodiments, the second side of the resilient washer member 180 may abut a constriction element (or shoulder or step) within the through hole of the at least one hinge knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130. Thus, the resilient washer member 180 may be located directly between the first retaining head 151 (i.e., a portion) of the first elongated member 152 and the at least one hinge knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130 (e.g., a contracting element within the at least one hinge knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130) such that the remaining portion of the first elongated member 152 may be inserted through the resilient washer member 180 and into (or through) the at least one hinge knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130.

Similarly, (in an embodiment not shown and vice versa) when the adjustable length bar 150 extends through the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130, with the first retaining head 151 (i.e., a portion) of the first elongated component 152 of the adjustable length bar 150 positioned adjacent to the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120, the first elongated component 152 of the adjustable length bar 150 may pass through the resilient washer member 180 into the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 such that the first retaining head 151 of the first elongated component 152 may abut a first side of the resilient washer member 180 and a second side of the resilient washer member 180 may abut the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, the second side of the resilient washer member 180 may abut a constriction element (or shoulder or step) within the through-hole of the at least one hinge knuckle 122. Thus, the resilient washer member 180 may be directly between the first retaining head 151 (i.e., a portion) of the first elongated component 152 and the at least one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120 (e.g., a contracting element within the at least one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120) such that the remaining portion of the first elongated component 152 may be inserted through the resilient washer member 180 and into (or through) the at least one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120.

According to various embodiments, by changing the length of the adjustable length bar 150, the compression of the elastic washer member 180 along the axial direction of the adjustable length bar 150 may be changed to change the tightness between the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120, the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130, the elastic washer member 180, the portion of the first elongated member 152 (e.g., the first retaining head 151), and/or the second retaining head 155 of the second elongated member 156 along the axial direction of the adjustable length bar 150, with the elastic washer member 180 sandwiched between the portion of the first elongated member 152 (e.g., the first retaining head 151) of the adjustable length bar 150 and the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130, such that the amount of friction or resistance against pivotal movement between the first plate member 120 and the second plate member 130 about the hinge joint 140 is changed. Thus, the compression of the resilient washer member 180 may be varied by adjusting the length of the adjustable length rod 150 for varying the tightness of the articulation joint 140 along the axial direction of the adjustable length rod 150, thereby varying the amount of resistance or friction to resist pivotal movement or hold (or stop) the first and

second plate members

120, 130 in place.

According to various embodiments, mountable clamp-type device 100 may include secondary resilient washer member 182. According to various embodiments, the secondary resilient washer member 182 may include, but is not limited to, a spring washer or a shoulder washer. In fig. 1B, the secondary resilient washer member 182 is shown as a spring washer. According to various embodiments, the spring washer may include, but is not limited to, a wave washer, a curved washer, a tapered washer, a dome washer, or a split washer. According to various embodiments, a shoulder washer (see, e.g., fig. 7B) may include a sleeve portion and a flange portion at an end of the sleeve portion. According to various embodiments, the secondary resilient washer member 182 may abut the second retaining head 155 of the second elongated component 156 of the adjustable length stem 150 and the remaining elongated portion (e.g., shaft or shank or elongated body) of the second elongated component 156 extends through the secondary resilient washer member 182. According to various embodiments, the secondary resilient washer member 182 may be interposed between the second retaining head 155 (i.e., part) of the second elongated component 156 of the adjustable length bar 150 and the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130 in a manner similar to the resilient washer member 180 previously described. For example, the secondary resilient washer member 182 may be sandwiched between the bottom side of the second retaining head 155 of the second elongated component 156 of the adjustable length bar 150 and a corresponding contracting element within the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130. According to various embodiments, the second retaining head 155 of the second elongated member 156 may be adjacent to the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130 depending on the configuration of the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130 when forming the hinge joint 140 and the number of hinge joints of the first plate member 120 and the second plate member 130.

According to various embodiments, the at least one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120 may protrude from a surface 126 of the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, the surface 126 may be one of two opposing broad surfaces of the first plate member 120 spanning the thickness of the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, in the closed configuration, the second plate member 130 may be proximate to the surface 126 of the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, in the closed configuration, the second plate member 130 may be proximate to the first plate member 120 such that the second plate member 130 may contact or touch the surface 126 of the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, the second plate member 130 may pivot away from the surface 126 of the first plate member 120 about the hinge joint 140 in the open configuration. In the open configuration, the first plate member 120 and the second plate member 130 may be angularly positioned relative to each other to form an angle therebetween. According to various embodiments, the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 may protrude perpendicularly from a surface 126 of the first plate member 120.

According to various embodiments, the at least one hinge knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130 may extend from an edge 134 of the second plate member 130 in a planar direction of the second plate member 130. Therefore, the second plate member 130 can be kept flat. Thus, when the second plate member 130 is coupled to the first plate member 120 with the at least one hinge knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130 joined to the at least one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120 to form the hinge joint 140, the second plate member 130 may be proximate to the surface 126 of the first plate member 120 in the closed configuration.

According to various embodiments, the first plate member 120 may include a lip 128 extending in a direction away from the surface 126 of the first plate member 120. Thus, the lip 128 may protrude from the same side of the first plate member 120 as the at least one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120. Thus, the lip 128 and the second plate member 130 may be located on the same side of the first plate member 120, i.e., on the side of the surface 126 of the first plate member 120.

According to various embodiments, the second plate member 130 may comprise an attachment element 138 for attaching the mountable clip-on device 100 to a support. According to various embodiments, the attachment elements 138 of the second plate member 130 may include, but are not limited to, threads, or a snap-fit connector, or a clamp connector, or a twist-lock connector, or a latch. According to various embodiments, the bracket may comprise a corresponding attachment element for engaging with the attachment element 138 of the second plate member 130, such that the mountable clip-on device 100 may be attached to the bracket.

According to various embodiments, the mountable clip-on device 100 may include an article, for example, as illustrated in the figures in the form of a camera 102. According to various embodiments, an article (e.g., camera 102) may be coupled to the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, the article (e.g., camera 102) may be such that the article and the first plate member 120 may be pivotally coupled relative to each other to the first plate member 120 via the articulation joint 160. According to various embodiments, an article (e.g., camera 102) may include at least one hinge joint 162 along an edge 164 of the article (e.g., camera 102) to form a portion of the articulation joint 160. According to various embodiments, the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102) may be a loop or node or a coiled or cylindrical tube or an extension with a hollow circular hole disposed along an edge 164 of the article (e.g., camera 102).

According to various embodiments, the connecting element 170 of the first plate member 120 may include at least one secondary hinge knuckle 172 along a distal edge 174 of the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, the distal edge 174 of the first plate member 120 may be opposite the proximal edge 124 of the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, the distal edge 174 of the first plate member 120 may be the edge of the first plate member 120 that is distal to the hinge joint 140 between the first plate member 120 and the second plate member 130. According to various embodiments, the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 may be a ring or node or a coiled or cylindrical tube or an extension with a hollow circular hole disposed along the distal edge 174 of the first plate member 120 to form part of the articulation joint 160.

According to various embodiments, the mountable clip-on device 100 may include a secondary adjustable length rod 190. According to various embodiments, the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190 may extend loosely through the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102) to hold the first plate member 120 and the article (e.g., camera 102) together in a pivotable manner relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190. Thus, the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190, the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120, and the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102) may form a hinged joint 160 such that the first plate member 120 and the article (e.g., camera 102) may pivot relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190. Thus, the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102) may be arranged in an alternating manner and interlocked with the secondary adjustable length rod 150 passing therethrough to form the articulation joint 160.

According to various embodiments, the auxiliary adjustable length stem 190 may include a first auxiliary elongated member 192 and a second auxiliary elongated member 196. According to various embodiments, the first auxiliary elongated member 192 and the second auxiliary elongated member 196 may be axially connected to each other such that the first auxiliary elongated member 192 and the second auxiliary elongated member 196 may be extended or retracted relative to each other so as to be able to change the length of the auxiliary adjustable length rod 190.

According to various embodiments, the first auxiliary elongate member 192 can include a first auxiliary retaining head 191 at a first longitudinal end of the first auxiliary elongate member 192. Thus, the first auxiliary retaining head 191 may be longitudinally positioned toward an end or tip of the first auxiliary elongate member 192. According to various embodiments, the first auxiliary retaining head 191 may be the largest diameter portion of the first auxiliary elongate member 192. According to various embodiments, the second auxiliary elongated member 196 may comprise a second auxiliary retaining head 195 at a first longitudinal end of the second auxiliary elongated member 196. Thus, the second auxiliary retaining head 195 may be longitudinally positioned toward an end or tip of the second auxiliary elongated member 196. According to various embodiments, the second auxiliary retaining head 195 may be the largest diameter portion of the second auxiliary elongate member 196. According to various embodiments, the first and/or second auxiliary retaining heads 191, 195 may include, but are not limited to, a slotted head (see, e.g., fig. 1A-1D), or a circular head knurled along a circumference (see, e.g., fig. 4), or a hexagonal head (see, e.g., fig. 5), or any other suitable head configuration whereby the head is provided with a gripping assembly suitable for manual gripping or for gripping via a tool.

According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 193 of the first auxiliary elongated member 192 and the second longitudinal end 197 of the second auxiliary elongated member 196 may be engaged with each other such that the first auxiliary elongated member 192 and the second auxiliary elongated member 196 may be extended or retracted relative to each other. According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 193 of the first auxiliary elongated member 192 can be toward an end or terminus opposite the first auxiliary retaining head 191 of the first auxiliary elongated member 192. According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 197 of the second auxiliary elongated member 196 may be toward an end or tip opposite the second auxiliary retaining head 195 of the second auxiliary elongated member 196. According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 193 of the first auxiliary elongated member 192 and the second longitudinal end 197 of the second auxiliary elongated member 196 may be engaged with each other via a threaded engagement so as to be extendable or retractable relative to each other to change the length of the auxiliary adjustable length rod 190.

According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 193 of the first auxiliary elongate member 192 can include internal threads and the second longitudinal end 197 of the second auxiliary elongate member 196 can include external threads. Accordingly, the second longitudinal end 197 of the second auxiliary elongated member 196 may be threaded into the second longitudinal end 193 of the first auxiliary elongated member 192 or threaded out of the second longitudinal end 193 of the first auxiliary elongated member 192 to change the length of the auxiliary adjustable length rod 190. According to various embodiments, the second longitudinal end 193 of the first auxiliary elongate member 192 can include internal threads and the second longitudinal end 197 of the second auxiliary elongate member 196 can include external threads. Accordingly, the second longitudinal end 197 of the second auxiliary elongated member 196 may be threaded into the second longitudinal end 193 of the first auxiliary elongated member 192 or threaded out of the second longitudinal end 193 of the first auxiliary elongated member 192 to change the length of the auxiliary adjustable length rod 190. According to various embodiments, the first auxiliary elongate member 192 may include, but is not limited to, a barrel nut (see, e.g., fig. 1B and 1E) or a sleeve nut or socket nut (see, e.g., fig. 7B) or other similar internally threaded member, and the second auxiliary elongate member 196 may include, but is not limited to, a screw or shoulder screw or bolt or other similar externally threaded component. According to various embodiments (e.g., embodiments not shown and vice versa), the first and second auxiliary elongate members can be exchanged or transposed or interchanged such that the first auxiliary elongate member can include, but is not limited to, a screw or a shoulder screw or a bolt or other similar externally threaded member, and the second auxiliary elongate member can include, but is not limited to, a barrel nut or a sleeve nut or a socket nut or other similar internally threaded member. As in the example embodiment shown in fig. 1B and 1E, the first auxiliary elongated member 192 may be a long barrel nut or a long barrel nut and the second auxiliary elongated member 196 may be a short screw or a short shoulder screw.

According to various embodiments, the mountable clamp-type device 100 may include a secondary resilient washer member 184. According to various embodiments, the secondary resilient washer member 184 may include, but is not limited to, a spring washer or a shoulder washer. In fig. 1B, the secondary resilient washer member 184 is shown as a spring washer. According to various embodiments, the spring washer may include, but is not limited to, a wave washer, a bent washer, a tapered washer, a dome washer, or a split washer. According to various embodiments, a shoulder washer (see, e.g., fig. 7B) may include a sleeve portion and a flange portion at an end of the sleeve portion. According to various embodiments, the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 may be sandwiched between a portion of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 of the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190 and the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102).

According to various embodiments, the portion of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 of the auxiliary adjustable length rod 190 that abuts the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 to grip the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 may be a first auxiliary retaining head 191 of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 of the auxiliary adjustable length rod 190. Thus, the underside of the first auxiliary retaining head 191 of the first auxiliary elongate member 192 (or a portion of the first auxiliary elongate member 192) may abut the auxiliary resilient washer member 184, and the remaining elongate portion (e.g., the shaft or shank or elongate body) of the first auxiliary elongate member 152 of the auxiliary adjustable length stem 150 may extend through the auxiliary resilient washer member 184.

According to various embodiments, the first auxiliary retaining head 191 of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 may be adjacent to the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge joint 162 of the item (e.g., camera 102) depending on the configuration of the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge joint 162 of the item (e.g., camera 102) when the hinge joint 160 is formed, and the number of hinge joints in each of the first plate member 120 and the item (e.g., camera 102). Thus, with the first auxiliary retaining head 191 (i.e., a portion) of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 of the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190 positioned adjacent to the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120, when the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190 extends through the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge joint 162 of the item (e.g., camera 102), the first auxiliary elongated component 192 of the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190 may pass through the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 into the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 such that the first auxiliary retaining head 191 of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 may abut a first side of the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 and the second side of the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 may abut the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, a second side of the secondary resilient washer member 184 may abut a constriction element 172a (or shoulder or step) within the through-hole of the at least one secondary hinge knuckle 172 of the first plate member 120. Thus, the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 may be directly between the first auxiliary retaining head 191 (i.e., a portion) of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 and the at least one secondary hinge knuckle 172 of the first plate member 120 (e.g., a contracting element within the at least one secondary hinge knuckle 172 of the first plate member 120) such that the remaining portion of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 may be inserted through the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 and into (or through) the at least one secondary hinge knuckle 172 of the first plate member 120.

Similarly, (in embodiments that are not shown and vice versa) when the auxiliary adjustable length stem 190 extends through the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102), with the first auxiliary retaining head 191 (i.e., portion) of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 of the auxiliary adjustable length stem 190 positioned adjacent to the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102), the first auxiliary elongated component 192 of the auxiliary adjustable length stem 190 may pass through the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 into the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102) such that the first auxiliary retaining head 191 of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 may abut a first side of the auxiliary resilient washer member and the second side of the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 may abut the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102). According to various embodiments, a second side of the auxiliary resilient gasket member 184 may abut a constriction element (or shoulder or step) within the through-hole of the at least one hinge knuckle 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102). Thus, the auxiliary elastic washer member 184 may be directly between the first auxiliary retaining head 191 (i.e., portion) of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 and the at least one hinge knuckle 162 of the item (e.g., a contracting element within the at least one hinge knuckle 162 of the camera 102) such that the remaining portion of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 may be inserted through the auxiliary elastic washer member 184 and into (or through) the at least one hinge knuckle 162 of the item (e.g., the camera 102).

According to various embodiments, by varying the length of the auxiliary adjustable length rod 190, the compression (or tight retention force) of the auxiliary elastic washer member 184 along the axial direction of the auxiliary adjustable length rod 190 may be varied to vary the tightness between the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120, the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102), the auxiliary elastic washer member 184, the portion (e.g., first auxiliary retention head 191) of the first auxiliary elongated member 192, and/or the second auxiliary retention head 195 of the second auxiliary elongated member 196 along the axial direction of the auxiliary adjustable length rod 190, with the auxiliary elastic washer member 184 sandwiched between the portion (e.g., first auxiliary retention head 191) of the first auxiliary adjustable length rod 192 and the at least one secondary hinge joint 192 of the first plate member 120 or the article (e.g., camera 102) of the at least one hinge joint 192 or the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102), such that the amount of friction or resistance against pivotal movement between the first plate member 120 and the article (e.g., camera 102) may be varied. Thus, the compression of the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 may be varied by adjusting the length of the auxiliary adjustable length rod 190 for varying the tightness of the hinge joint 160 along the axial direction of the auxiliary adjustable length rod 190, thereby varying the amount of resistance or friction to resist pivotal movement or hold (or stop) the first plate member 120 and the article (e.g., camera 102) in place.

According to various embodiments, the mountable clip-on device 100 may include a secondary resilient washer member 186. According to various embodiments, the secondary resilient washer member 186 may include, but is not limited to, a spring washer or a shoulder washer. In fig. 1B, the secondary resilient washer member 186 is shown as a spring washer. According to various embodiments, the spring washer may include, but is not limited to, a wave washer, a curved washer, a tapered washer, a dome washer, or a split washer. According to various embodiments, a shoulder washer (see, e.g., fig. 7B) may include a sleeve portion and a flange portion at an end of the sleeve portion. According to various embodiments, the secondary auxiliary resilient washer member 186 may abut a second auxiliary retaining head 195 of a second auxiliary elongated component 196 of the auxiliary adjustable length stem 190 and the remaining elongated portion (e.g., shaft or shank or elongated body) of the second auxiliary elongated component 196 extends through the secondary auxiliary resilient washer member 186. According to various embodiments, the secondary auxiliary elastic washer member 186 is interposed between the second auxiliary retaining head 195 (or portion) of the second auxiliary elongated component 196 of the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190 and the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102) in a similar manner as the auxiliary elastic washer member 184 previously described. For example, the secondary auxiliary elastic member 186 may be sandwiched between an underside of a second auxiliary retaining head 195 of a second auxiliary elongated component 196 of the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190 and a corresponding contracting element within the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102). According to various embodiments, the second auxiliary retaining head 195 of the second auxiliary elongated component 196 may be adjacent to the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102) depending on the configuration of the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 and the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102) when the hinge joint 160 is formed and the number of hinge joints in each of the first plate member 120 and the article (e.g., camera 102).

Referring to fig. 1A and 1B, according to an embodiment, the first plate member 120 may include one hinge joint 122 along a proximal edge 124 of the first plate member 120, and the second plate member 130 may include two spaced apart hinge joints 132 along an edge 134 of the second plate member 130. According to various embodiments, the articulation joint 140 may be formed by arranging the first plate member 120 and the second plate member 130 such that one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 may be between two spaced apart hinge joints 132 of the second plate member 130. Thus, one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120 may be aligned and placed between two spaced apart hinge knuckles 132 of the second plate member 130.

Further, to complete the articulation joint 140, the adjustable length rod 150 may extend through one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 and two spaced apart hinge joints 132 of the second plate member 130 with the resilient washer member 180 interposed between the first retaining head 151 (i.e., a portion) of the first elongated component 152 of the adjustable length rod 150 and a first one of the two spaced apart hinge joints 132 of the second plate member 130. Thus, the resilient washer member 180 may be located on the outer side of the contracting element of the first of the two spaced apart hinge knuckles 132 of the second plate member 130 opposite to its inner side, in abutment with one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120. Thus, the resilient washer member 180 may be directly between the outer side of the contracting element of the first of the two spaced apart hinge knuckles 132 of the second plate member 130 and the bottom side of the first retaining head 151 of the first elongated component 152, whereby the remainder of the first elongated component 152 may pass through the resilient washer member 180 and into the first of the two spaced apart hinge knuckles 132 of the second plate member 130.

Further, embodiments may include a secondary elastomeric washer member 182. The secondary resilient washer member 182 may be sandwiched between the second retaining head 155 of the second elongated component 156 of the adjustable length stem 150 and the second of the two spaced apart hinge knuckles 132 of the second plate member 130. Thus, the secondary resilient washer member 182 may be located on the outer side of the contracting element of the second of the two spaced apart hinge knuckles 132 of the second plate member 130 opposite to its inner side, in abutment with one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120. Thus, the secondary resilient washer member 182 may be directly between the outer side of the contracting element of the second of the two spaced apart hinge knuckles 132 of the second plate member 130 and the bottom side of the second retaining head 155 of the second elongated component 156, whereby the remainder of the second elongated component 156 may pass through the secondary resilient washer member 182 and into the second of the two spaced apart hinge knuckles 132 of the second plate member 130.

According to an embodiment, the first plate member 120 may include two spaced apart secondary hinge knuckles 172 along a distal edge 174 of the first plate member 120, and the article (e.g., camera 102) may include one hinge knuckle 162 along the edge 164 of the article (e.g., camera 102). According to various embodiments, the articulation joint 160 may be formed by arranging the first plate member 120 and the article (e.g., camera 102) such that one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102) may be between two spaced apart secondary hinge joints 172 of the first plate member 120. Thus, one hinge joint 162 of an article (e.g., camera 102) may be aligned and placed between two spaced apart secondary hinge joints 172 of the first plate member 120.

Further, to complete the articulation joint 160, the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190 may extend through both the two spaced apart secondary hinge joints 172 of the first plate member 120 and one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., the camera 102), with the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 sandwiched between the first auxiliary retaining head 191 (i.e., a portion) of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 of the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190 and the first of the two spaced apart secondary hinge joints 172 of the first plate member 120. Thus, the secondary resilient washer member 184 can abut one hinge knuckle 162 of an article (e.g., camera 102) on an outer side of the contracting element of the first of the two spaced apart secondary hinge knuckles 172 of the first plate member 120 opposite its inner side. Thus, the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 may be directly between the outboard side of the contracting element of the first of the two spaced apart secondary hinge knuckles 172 of the first plate member 120 and the underside of the first auxiliary retaining head 191 of the first auxiliary elongated component 192, whereby the remainder of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 may pass through the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 and into the first of the two spaced apart secondary hinge knuckles 172 of the first plate member 120.

Further, embodiments may include a secondary resilient washer member 186. The secondary auxiliary resilient washer member 186 may be sandwiched between a second auxiliary retaining head 195 (i.e., a portion) of a second auxiliary elongated member 196 of the auxiliary adjustable length bar 190 and a second one of the contracting elements of the two spaced apart secondary hinge knuckles 172 of the first plate member 120. Thus, the secondary auxiliary resilient washer member 186 can abut one hinge knuckle 162 of an article (e.g., camera 102) on an outer side of the contracting element of the second of the two spaced apart secondary hinge knuckles 172 of the first plate member 120 opposite its inner side. Thus, the secondary auxiliary resilient washer member 186 may be directly between the outside of the contracting element of the second of the two spaced apart secondary hinge knuckles 172 of the first plate member 120 and the bottom side of the second auxiliary retaining head 195 of the second auxiliary elongated component 196, whereby the remaining portion of the second auxiliary elongated component 196 may pass through the secondary auxiliary resilient washer member 186 and into the second of the two spaced apart secondary hinge knuckles 172 of the first plate member 120.

Fig. 2A-2C illustrate the mountable clip-on device 100 of fig. 1A-1E mounted to a monitor 104 and an article (e.g., camera 102) tilted at various angles, according to various embodiments. As shown, when the first and

second plate members

120, 130 are in an open configuration and held at a desired angular position by the hinge joint 140, the mountable clip-on device 100 may be fixedly mounted to the monitor 104 such that an item (e.g., the camera 102) may pivot relative to the first plate member 120 about the hinge joint 160.

Fig. 3A-3C illustrate the mountable clip-on device 100 of fig. 1A-1E attached to a stand 106 and an article (e.g., camera 102) tilted at various angles, according to various embodiments. As shown, the mountable clip-on device 100 may be attached to the bracket 106 with the second plate member 130 fitted to the bracket such that an item (e.g., the camera 102) may pivot relative to the first plate member 120 about the hinged joint 160 when the first and

second plate members

120, 130 are in a closed configuration and held in place by the hinged joint 140.

Fig. 6A illustrates a mountable clip-on device 600 in an open configuration, in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 6B illustrates the mountable clip-on device 600 of fig. 6A with the hinge joint 140 disassembled, in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 6C illustrates another view of the mountable clip-on device 600 of fig. 6A, in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 6D illustrates the mountable clip-on device 100 of fig. 1A with the ball joint 661 between the item (e.g., the camera 102) and the first plate member 120 disassembled, in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 6E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mountable clip-on device 600 of fig. 6A, in accordance with various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the mountable clamp-type device 600 in fig. 6A-6E differs from the mountable clamp-type device 100 in fig. 1A-1E in that in the mountable clamp-type device 600 in fig. 6A-6E, an item (e.g., a camera 102) may be coupled to the first plate member 120 via a ball joint 661 rather than the articulation joint 160 of the mountable clamp-type device 100 in fig. 1A-1E. Other aspects of the mountable clamp device 600 in fig. 6A-6E may be the same as or similar to aspects of the mountable clamp device 100 in fig. 1A-1E, according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, the article (e.g., camera 102) may be coupled to the first plate member 120 via a ball joint 661 to allow free rotation in two planes at the same time while preventing translation in any direction. According to various embodiments, an article (e.g., camera 102) may include an attachment portion 663 along an edge 665 of the article (e.g., camera 102) for attachment to a ball stud 667. According to various embodiments, the connection element 170 of the first plate member 120 may be a ball socket 672 at the first plate member 120. According to various embodiments, the ball seat 672 may be an open-top dome-shaped socket. According to various embodiments, the ball stud 667 can be coupled to a rotational element 669 (such as a ball or hemisphere). According to various embodiments, the assembled ball stud 667 and swivel element 669 may be fitted to the ball seat 672 of the first plate member 120 from below the first plate member 120 such that the swivel element 669 is disposed in the ball seat 672 with the ball stud 667 extending through (or inserted through) the opening of the ball seat 672 of the first plate member 120. Thus, the attachment portion 663 of an article (e.g., camera 102) may be attached to the free end of the ball stud 667 protruding from the ball seat 672 of the first plate member 120. Thus, the rotating element 669 and an article (e.g., the camera 102) may be on two opposing sides of the ball seat 672 of the first plate member 120, while being connected by the ball stud 667. Thus, the ball joint 661 can be formed by the rotational element 669 of the first plate member 120, the ball stud 667, and the ball seat 672.

Fig. 7A illustrates a mountable clamp-type device 700 in a closed configuration, in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 7B illustrates the mountable clip-on device 700 of fig. 7A with the hinge joints 140, 160 disassembled, in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 7C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mountable clamp-type device 700 of fig. 7A, in accordance with various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, the mountable clip-type device 700 in fig. 7A-7C differs from the mountable clip-type device 100 in fig. 1A-1E in that, as shown in fig. 7B, each of the resilient washer member 180, the secondary resilient washer member 182, the secondary resilient washer member 184, and the secondary resilient washer member 186 is shown as a

shoulder washer

780, 782, 784, 786. Each of the

shoulder washers

780, 782, 784, 786 may include a sleeve portion and a flange portion at an end of the sleeve portion. According to various embodiments, the

shoulder washers

780, 782, 784, 786 may be made of an elastomeric material and may act as plugs.

According to various embodiments, the mountable clamp-type device 700 in fig. 7A-7C further differs from the mountable clamp-type device 100 in fig. 1A-1E in that, as shown in fig. 7B, the first elongated member 152 may be a short socket nut 752 and the second elongated member 156 may be a long screw 756. Similarly, according to various embodiments, mountable clamp-type device 700 in fig. 7A-7C also differs from mountable clamp-type device 100 of fig. 1A-1E in that first auxiliary elongate member 192 can be a short socket nut 792 and second auxiliary elongate member 196 can be a long screw 796, as shown in fig. 7B and 7C. Other aspects of the mountable clamp device 700 in fig. 7A-7C may be the same as or similar to aspects of the mountable clamp device 100 in fig. 1A-1E, according to various embodiments.

Additionally, according to various embodiments, the portion of the first elongated member 152 (e.g., the short socket nut 752) of the adjustable length bar 150 that abuts the resilient washer member 180 (e.g., the shoulder washer 780) to grip the resilient washer member 180 (e.g., the shoulder washer 780)) may be the second longitudinal end 153 of the first elongated member 152 (e.g., the short socket nut 752). Thus, the second longitudinal end 153 (i.e., portion) of the first elongated component 152 (e.g., the short socket nut 752) can abut the resilient washer member 180 (e.g., the shoulder washer 780) such that an end surface of the second longitudinal end 153 (i.e., portion) of the first elongated component 152 (e.g., the short socket nut 752) can abut a first side of the resilient washer member 180 (e.g., the shoulder washer 780) and a second side of the resilient washer member 180 (e.g., the shoulder washer 780) can abut a corresponding contracting element within the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130. For example, the flange portion of the shoulder washer 780 may be sandwiched between the second longitudinal end 153 (i.e., a portion) of the first elongated member 152 (e.g., the short socket nut 752) and a corresponding contracting element within the at least one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130, and the sleeve portion of the shoulder washer 780 may be inserted into (or through) the at least one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120 or the at least one hinge knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130. According to various embodiments, the sleeve portion of the shoulder washer 780 may extend from the at least one hinge knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120 into the adjacent knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130 or from the at least one hinge knuckle 132 of the second plate member 130 into the adjacent knuckle 122 of the first plate member 120. Thus, the sleeve portion of the shoulder washer 780 may extend between two adjacent knuckles of the first and

second plate members

120 and 780, respectively. According to various embodiments, the sleeve portion of the shoulder washer 780 may fit tightly (within the at least one hinge joint 122 of the first plate member 120 and/or the at least one hinge joint 132 of the second plate member 130) to provide friction when the adjustable length bar 150 may hold the shoulder washer 780 in place. Similarly, the sleeve portion of the shoulder washer 782 may similarly extend between two adjacent knuckles of the first and second plate members, respectively.

According to various embodiments, the portion of the first auxiliary elongated member 192 (e.g., short socket nut 792) of the auxiliary adjustable length stem 190 that abuts the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 (e.g., shoulder washer 784) to grip the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 (e.g., shoulder washer 784) may be the second longitudinal end 193 (i.e., portion) of the first auxiliary elongated member 192 (e.g., short socket nut 792). Thus, the second longitudinal end 193 (i.e., a portion) of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 (e.g., the short socket nut 792) can abut the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 (e.g., the shoulder washer 784) such that an end surface of the second longitudinal end 193 (i.e., a portion) of the first auxiliary elongated component 192 (e.g., the short socket nut 792) can abut a first side of the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 (e.g., the shoulder washer 784) and a second side of the auxiliary resilient washer member 184 (e.g., the shoulder washer 784) can abut the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 or a corresponding retraction element 172a within the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., the camera 102). For example, the flange portion of the shoulder washer 784 may be sandwiched between (i.e., partially) the second longitudinal end 193 of the first auxiliary elongate member 192 (e.g., the short socket nut 792) and the corresponding retraction element 172a within the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 (e.g., see fig. 7C) or the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102), and the sleeve portion of the shoulder washer 784 may be inserted into (or through) the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 (e.g., see fig. 7C) or the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102). According to various embodiments, the sleeve portion of the shoulder washer 784 may extend from the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 into the adjacent joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102), or from the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102) into the adjacent secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120. Thus, the sleeve portion of the shoulder washer 784 may extend between two adjacent joints of the first plate member 120 and the article (e.g., camera 102), respectively. According to various embodiments, the sleeve portion of the shoulder washer 784 may fit tightly (within the at least one secondary hinge joint 172 of the first plate member 120 and/or the at least one hinge joint 162 of the article (e.g., camera 102)) to provide friction as the adjustable length rod 190 may hold the shoulder washer 784 in place. Similarly, the sleeve portion of the shoulder washer 786 may extend in a similar manner between two adjacent joints of the first plate member 120 and the article (e.g., camera 102), respectively.

The following examples relate to various embodiments.

Example 1 is a mountable clamp-on device, comprising:

a first plate member having at least one hinge joint along a proximal edge of the first plate member and a connecting element for coupling an item to the first plate member;

a second plate member having at least one hinge knuckle along an edge of the second plate member;

an adjustable length rod extending through the at least one hinge joint of the first plate member and the at least one hinge joint of the second plate member to pivotally hold the first plate member and the second plate member together relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the adjustable length rod, wherein the adjustable length rod comprises:

a first elongated member having a first retaining head at a first longitudinal end of the first elongated member; and

a second elongated member having a second retention head at a first longitudinal end of the second elongated member;

wherein the second longitudinal end of the first elongated member and the second longitudinal end of the second elongated member are engaged with each other via a threaded engagement in a manner that enables the length of the adjustable length rod to be changed; and

a resilient washer member interposed between a portion of the first elongated component of the adjustable length rod and the at least one hinge joint of the first plate member or the at least one hinge joint of the second plate member in a manner that changes a resistance to pivotal movement between the first plate member and the second plate member as the length of the adjustable length rod changes.

In example 2, the subject matter of example 1 can optionally include the second longitudinal end of the first elongate member having internal threads and the second longitudinal end of the second elongate member having external threads, or the second longitudinal end of the first elongate member can include external threads and the second longitudinal end of the second elongate member can include internal threads.

In example 3, the subject matter of examples 1 or 2 can optionally include a secondary resilient washer member abutting the second retaining head of the second elongated component of the adjustable length stem, and the second elongated component extending through the secondary resilient washer member.

In example 4, the subject matter of any of examples 1-3 can optionally include the first plate member having one hinge joint along the proximal edge of the first plate member and the second plate member having two spaced apart hinge joints along the edge of the second plate member, wherein the first plate member and the second plate member can be arranged with the one hinge joint of the first plate member between the two spaced apart hinge joints of the second plate member, wherein the adjustable-length rod can extend through the one hinge joint of the first plate member and the two spaced apart hinge joints of the second plate member, wherein the resilient washer member is sandwiched between the portion of the first elongated component of the adjustable-length rod and a first one of the two spaced apart hinge joints of the second plate member. Preferably, said portion of said first elongated member of said adjustable length rod may be a first retaining head of said first elongated member or said second longitudinal portion of said first elongated member.

In example 5, the subject matter of example 4 in combination with example 3 can optionally include that the secondary resilient washer member can be sandwiched between the second retaining head of the second elongated component of the adjustable length stem and a second one of the two spaced apart hinge joints of the second plate member.

In example 6, the subject matter of any of examples 1-5 can optionally include the article coupled to the first plate member, the article having at least one hinge joint along an edge of the article;

wherein the connecting element of the first plate member may comprise at least one secondary hinge knuckle along a distal edge of the first plate member, the distal edge being opposite the proximal edge of the first plate member;

wherein a secondary adjustable length rod is extendable through the at least one secondary hinge joint of the first plate member and the at least one hinge joint of the article to hold the first plate member and the article together pivotably relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the secondary adjustable length rod,

wherein the auxiliary adjustable length rod may comprise:

a first auxiliary elongate member having a first auxiliary retaining head at a first longitudinal end of the first auxiliary elongate member; and

a second auxiliary elongate member having a second auxiliary retaining head at a first longitudinal end thereof;

wherein the second longitudinal end of the first auxiliary elongated member and the second longitudinal end of the second auxiliary elongated member are engaged with each other via a threaded engagement in a manner that enables the length of the auxiliary adjustable length rod to be changed; and

wherein an auxiliary resilient washer member is interposed between a portion of the first auxiliary elongate component of the auxiliary adjustable length bar and the at least one secondary hinge joint of the first plate member or the at least one hinge joint of the article in a manner that varies a resistance to pivotal movement between the first plate member and the article as the length of the auxiliary adjustable length bar changes.

In example 7, the subject matter of example 6 can optionally include that the second longitudinal end of the first auxiliary elongate member can include internal threads and the second longitudinal end of the second auxiliary elongate member can include external threads, or the second longitudinal end of the first auxiliary elongate member can include external threads and the second longitudinal end of the second auxiliary elongate member can include internal threads.

In example 8, the subject matter of examples 6 or 7 can optionally include a secondary resilient washer member abutting the second secondary retaining head of the second secondary elongate component of the secondary adjustable length stem and through which the second secondary elongate component extends.

In example 9, the subject matter of any of examples 6 to 8 can optionally include the first plate member having two spaced-apart secondary hinge joints along the distal edge and the article having one hinge joint along the edge, wherein the first plate member and the article are configured to have the one hinge joint of the article between the two spaced-apart secondary hinge joints of the first plate member, wherein the auxiliary adjustable length rod extends through the one hinge joint of the article and the two spaced-apart hinge joints of the first plate member, wherein the auxiliary resilient washer member is sandwiched between the portion of the first auxiliary elongate component of the auxiliary adjustable length rod and a first one of the two spaced-apart secondary hinge joints of the first plate member. Preferably, said portion of said first auxiliary elongated member of said auxiliary adjustable length bar may be a first auxiliary retaining head of said first auxiliary elongated member or said second longitudinal end of said first auxiliary elongated member.

In example 10, the subject matter of example 9 in combination with example 8 can optionally include that the secondary auxiliary resilient washer member can be sandwiched between the second auxiliary retaining head of the second auxiliary elongated component of the auxiliary adjustable length bar and a second one of the two spaced apart secondary hinge joints of the first plate member.

Various embodiments have provided a mountable clip-on device that is easy to use, reliable, and efficient. In particular, it has the advantage of a torque hinge, whereby the opening and closing of the mounting clamp does not require active locking and unlocking, and has the further advantage that the resistance at the hinge can be adjusted as desired. Thus, even if there is wear and tear at the hinge, the resistance can be adjusted to be able to prevent the pivoting movement or to remain at the desired angular position.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a particular embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications and variations in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein

Reference numerals

100, 600, 700: mountable clamping device

102: camera with camera module

104: monitor (CN)

106: support frame

110: mounting fixture

120: first plate member

122, 132, 162: hinge joint

124: proximal edge

126: surface of

128: lip part

130: second plate member

134, 164, 665: edge of a container

138: attachment element

140, 160: articulated joint

150: length-adjustable rod

151: first holding head

152: a first elongated member

153, 157, 193, 197: second longitudinal end

155: second holding head

156: a second elongated member

170: connecting element

172: secondary hinge joint

172a: contracting element

174: distal edge

180: elastic washer component

182: secondary elastic washer member

184: auxiliary elastic washer member

186: secondary auxiliary elastic washer member

190: auxiliary length adjustable rod

191: first auxiliary holding head

192: a first auxiliary elongated member

195: second auxiliary holding head

196: a second auxiliary elongated member

661: ball joint

663: attachment part

667: ball stud

669: rotating element

672: ball seat

752, 792: short socket nut

756, 796: long screw

780, 782, 784, 786: a shoulder washer.

Claims

1. A mountable clamp-on device, comprising:

a second elongated member having a second retaining head at a first longitudinal end of the second elongated member;

2. The mountable clamp arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein either the second longitudinal end of the first elongate member comprises internal threads and the second longitudinal end of the second elongate member comprises external threads, or the second longitudinal end of the first elongate member comprises external threads and the second longitudinal end of the second elongate member comprises internal threads.

3. The mountable clip-on device of claim 1, further comprising a secondary resilient washer member abutting the second retaining head of the second elongated member of the adjustable length stem and through which the second elongated member extends.

4. The mountable clamp type device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first plate member has one hinge joint along the proximal edge of the first plate member and the second plate member has two spaced apart hinge joints along the edge of the second plate member, wherein the first plate member and the second plate member are arranged with the one hinge joint of the first plate member between the two spaced apart hinge joints of the second plate member, wherein the adjustable length rod extends through the one hinge joint of the first plate member and the two spaced apart hinge joints of the second plate member, and the resilient washer member is sandwiched between the portion of the first elongated component of the adjustable length rod and a first one of the two spaced apart hinge joints of the second plate member.

5. The mountable clamp arrangement as recited in claim 4, further comprising a secondary resilient washer member abutting the second retaining head of the second elongated component of the adjustable length pole and through which the second elongated component extends, wherein the secondary resilient washer member is sandwiched between the second retaining head of the second elongated component of the adjustable length pole and a second of the two spaced apart hinge joints of the second plate member.

6. The mountable clip-on apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the item coupled to the first plate member, the item having at least one hinge knuckle along an edge of the item,

wherein the connecting element of the first plate member comprises at least one secondary hinge knuckle along a distal edge of the first plate member, the distal edge being opposite the proximal edge of the first plate member,

wherein a secondary adjustable length rod extends through the at least one secondary hinge joint of the first plate member and the at least one hinge joint of the article to retain the first plate member and the article together in a pivotable manner relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the secondary adjustable length rod, wherein the secondary adjustable length rod comprises:

a second auxiliary elongated member having a second auxiliary retaining head at a first longitudinal end thereof,

wherein the second longitudinal end of the first auxiliary elongated member and the second longitudinal end of the second auxiliary elongated member are engaged with each other via a threaded engagement in a manner enabling a change in the length of the rod of the auxiliary adjustable length, and

wherein an auxiliary resilient washer member is interposed between a portion of the first auxiliary elongate component of the auxiliary adjustable length rod and the at least one secondary hinge joint of the first plate member or the at least one hinge joint of the article in a manner that varies a resistance to pivotal movement between the first plate member and the article as the length of the auxiliary adjustable length rod changes.

7. The mountable grip type apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second longitudinal end of the first auxiliary elongate member comprises an internal thread and the second longitudinal end of the second auxiliary elongate member comprises an external thread, or the second longitudinal end of the first auxiliary elongate member comprises an external thread and the second longitudinal end of the second auxiliary elongate member comprises an internal thread.

8. The mountable clamp arrangement of claim 6, further comprising a secondary resilient washer member abutting the second secondary retaining head of the second secondary elongate component of the secondary adjustable length stem and the second secondary elongate component extending through the secondary resilient washer member.

9. The mountable clamp arrangement of claim 6 wherein said first plate member has two spaced apart secondary hinge knuckles along said distal edge and said article has one hinge knuckle along said edge, wherein said first plate member and said article are arranged with said one hinge knuckle of said article between said two spaced apart secondary hinge knuckles of said first plate member, wherein said auxiliary adjustable length rod extends through said one hinge knuckle of said article and said two spaced apart hinge knuckles of said first plate member, and said auxiliary resilient washer member is sandwiched between said portion of said first auxiliary elongated component of said auxiliary adjustable length rod and a first one of said two spaced apart secondary hinge knuckles of said first plate member.

10. The mountable clamp-on device of claim 9, further comprising a secondary resilient washer member abutting the second secondary retaining head of the second secondary elongated member of the secondary adjustable length pole and extending therethrough, wherein the secondary resilient washer member is sandwiched between the second secondary retaining head of the second secondary elongated member of the secondary adjustable length pole and a second of the two spaced apart secondary hinge joints of the first plate member.