Mount for supporting a camera and a mirrored optic

Abstract

A mount for supporting a camera having a lens with a first optical axis includes a plate configured for attachment to the camera. The first optical axis passes through the plate. A platform through which light may pass has first and second sides, the second side being opposite the first side. The first side of the platform is spaced from the plate and positioned such that the first optical axis passes therethrough. A support rod has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The first end is attached to the second side of the platform such that the longitudinal axis and first optical axis are generally aligned. An optic having a reflective surface and a second optical axis is attached to the second end of the support rod such that the reflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axis is aligned with the first optical axis.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A mount for supporting a camera having a lens, the lens having a first optical axis, the mount comprising: 
 a plate configured for attachment to the camera such that the first optical axis passes through the plate;    a platform through which light may pass, the platform having first and second sides, the second side being opposite the first side, the first side of the platform being spaced from the plate and positioned such that the first optical axis passes therethrough;    a support rod having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis, the first end being attached to the second side of the platform such that the longitudinal axis and first optical axis are generally aligned; and    an optic having a reflective surface and a second optical axis, the optic being attached to the second end of the support rod such that the reflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axis is aligned with the first optical axis.    
     
     
         2 . The mount of  claim 1  wherein the platform is optically clear.  
     
     
         3 . The mount of  claim 1  further including at least one support post extending between the plate and the first side of the platform to support the platform with respect to the plate.  
     
     
         4 . The mount of  claim 1  wherein the support rod is dimensioned to allow the lens to see at least a majority of the reflective surface when a camera is attached to the plate.  
     
     
         5 . The mount of  claim 1  wherein the plate is attached to the camera using an attachment nut.  
     
     
         6 . The mount of  claim 1  wherein the second end of the support rod passes through the reflective surface of the optic and attaches to an inner surface of the optic.  
     
     
         7 . The mount of  claim 1  wherein the optic is generally parabolic in shape.  
     
     
         8 . The mount of  claim 1  wherein the plate is adjustably mounted to the camera to permit the plate to move with respect to the camera with at least two degrees of freedom.  
     
     
         9 . A mount for supporting a camera having a lens, the lens having a first optical axis, the mount comprising: 
 a platform through which light may pass, the platform having first and second sides, the second side being opposite the first side, the first side of the platform being spaced from the camera such that the first optical axis passes therethrough;    a support rod having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis, the first end being attached to the second side of the platform such that the longitudinal axis and first optical axis are generally aligned; and    an optic have a reflective surface and a second optical axis, the optic being attached to the second end of the support rod such that the reflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axis is aligned with the first optical axis.    
     
     
         10 . The mount of  claim 9  wherein the platform is optically clear.  
     
     
         11 . The mount of  claim 9  wherein the support rod is dimensioned to allow the lens to see at least a majority of the reflective surface when a camera is attached to the platform.  
     
     
         12 . The mount of  claim 9  wherein the optic is generally parabolic in shape.  
     
     
         13 . A mount for supporting a camera having a lens, the optic having a first optical axis, the mount comprising: 
 a lower bracket configured for attachment to the camera, such that the first optical axis passes through the lower bracket;    an upper bracket spaced from the lower bracket and positioned such that the first optical axis passes therethrough, the upper bracket having a bottom side; and    an optic having a reflective surface and a second optical axis, the optic being attached to the bottom side of the upper bracket, such that the reflective surface faces the lens and the second optical axis is aligned with the first optical axis.    
     
     
         14 . The mount of  claim 13  further including at least one support leg extending between the lower bracket and the upper bracket to support the upper bracket with respect to the lower bracket.  
     
     
         15 . The mount of  claim 13  wherein the lower bracket is attached to the camera using screws.  
     
     
         16 . The mount of  claim 13  wherein a base portion of the optic attaches to the bottom side of the upper bracket.  
     
     
         17 . The mount of  claim 13  wherein the optic is generally parabolic in shape.  
     
     
         18 . The mount of  claim 13  wherein the lower bracket is adjustably mounted to the camera to permit the plate to move with respect to the camera with at least two degrees of freedom.  
     
     
         19 . The mount of  claim 13  wherein the at least one support leg is dimensioned to allow the lens to see at least a majority of the reflective surface when a camera is attached to the lower bracket.