GB2437361A

GB2437361A - Camera support device

Info

Publication number: GB2437361A
Application number: GB0607609A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Danny Natovich
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-18
Filing date: 2006-04-18
Publication date: 2007-10-24
Also published as: GB0607609D0

Abstract

A camera support device comprises a base plate 1 and two arms 3, 4 which are rotatably connected to the base plate. Alternatively the device may comprise three arms 2, 3, 4. The arms may swivel and collapse; they may comprise two parts which are rotatably connected together. The device may be used with a video camera to achieve a variety of shooting positions (e.g. shoulder supported, hand held by grips or hip supported). The device may be lighter and smaller than a tripod.

Description

MuliCamer&snpp The present invention relates to a universal,

multi-purpose support device for photographic apparatus, and more particularly to such a device for supporting a video camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various means may be used for holding a video camera for recording purposes.

A user may hold the camera in his/her hands or may use a ground tripod. Each of these methods has its advantages and drawbacks. Between these extremes, there are the body mounted camera supports, The devices are attached to the camera specifically for that purpose. The camera I supports are widely used with professional and consumer Video_camera devices.

The body mounted camera support facilitates holding and stabilizing the camera, even for prolonged time periods, It stabilizes and balances the camera to achieve improved control and stability over a camera held directly by a user's hands and supported by its arms. The camera support is lighter than a tripod and of smaller dimensions, thus it is easier to carry by its user.

A problem with presently used camera support devices is their suitability for a specific task and shooting position. (e.g. Low angle, High angle, stable shoots or shooting while walking.) For each method of holding the camera, usually different device is required. (e.g. Shoulder support, hand held by grips, or hip supported.) At present, a user has to carry two cases, one for the camera and another for the camera support device. This is inconvenient and involves carrying a heavier load by the user. Moreover, the camera has to be ready for instant use, whereas in this case it may take time to take the support device out of its case and attach to the camera, etc.

SUMMARy OF THE INVENTION

The present new camera Support device has two or three adjustable holding arms and two or three grips for providing various ways for holding a video camera. The camera may be held with one hand or both hands, with or without a shoulder brace support, and with or without the aid of a hip, chest or abdominal support pod.

The device can be easily attached and separated to and from the camera. Moreover, in its folded/closed state, the device takes just a small space, so it may remain attached to the camera, to be stored in the camera case.

Thus, just one case is required for both camera and support device.

Furthermore, fast shooting set up is possible, wherein the camera with support device attached to it is taken from its case for instant use.

The device is preferably made with a controlled measure of friction in the joints of the adjustable arms, to allow fast and easy adjustment of the orientation and length of the arms, without cumbersome fixing means.

Thus, the user only has to move the arms into the desired orientation using a reasonable measure of force; the arms will remain in that orientation.

I The structure of the adjustable arms allow the device to be easily balanced and adapted to users of various sizes, both male and female. This includes, for example, the distance between the arms (to be adjusted to about the shoulder width) and the distance between the arms holding location and the shoulder.

Furthermore, it allows adjusting the position of the camera center weight, and allows moving the camera back and forth for adaptation to eyepiece or built in monitor viewing.

The universal, multi-purpose canlera support device, may be held by user's arms alone, supported by the arms and shoulder, or may be placed on the ground or another surface, to be used like a ground or tabletop tripod.

Benefits of the new device include, among others: a. Reducing arm and br wrist fatigue.

b. Shock-absorbed walking shots.

c. Very stable fixed shots, even with telescopic lens.

d. Room for remote controls on the grips.

e. Folding to a small size.

f. Various shooting positions in one device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 illustrates the structure and operation of the universal, multi-purpose camera support device in its shoulder brace state.

Eig2 details the parts comprising the camera support device.

Ei&..a details the support device with a camera mounted thereon, in the stabilized positioning configuration.

Eig.4 details the support device with camera mounted thereon, in a Self-standing configuration.

Fig5. details the support device in its folded state, attached to a video camera, ready for storage in a standard camera case.

Eig illustrates Shooting Positions

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates the structure and operation of the universal, multi-purpose camera support device. The device includes two or three swiveling, collapsible arms 2, 3, 4, which are attached to a base plate 1 by means of rotary joints 12, 13, 14 respectively.

Arm 2 is optional. When used with arms 3 and 4 only, the users right hand is holding the camera body by the cameras incorporated handgrip.

The base plate I is attached to the camera or to a standard camera quick release assembly by means of an industry standard 1/4" camera screw.

The joints 12, 13, 14 are so devised as to allow the arms 2, 3, 4 to rotate about the axes of rotation 124, 134, 144 respectively. Preferably, the axes of rotation 124, 134 and 144 are in a generally normal orientation with respect to the plane of the base plate 1.

Moreover, the arms 2, 3, 4 each has an additional rotary joint 24, 34, 44 for rotating its outer part and handle 25, 35, 45 (grips) about an axis of rotation 244, 344, 444, respectively. These axes of rotation are in an orientation generally parallel to the plane of base plate 1.

I Optionally, there is enough space on the grips 25, 35, 45 for attaching remote control devices.

A preferred embodiment uses pressure pre-adjusted joints on arms and grips: the joints 12, 13, 14, as well as the joints 24, 34 and 44, have a controlled predefined amount of friction, to aliow the arms 2, 3, 4 and the grips 25, 35,45 to rotate about the corresponding axes of rotation when the user applies a reasonable force to do so.

Alter being set in the desired orientation, the arms remain in that state due to the friction therein.

Preferably, arm 4 also has an extending shoulder brace means 46, which can swivel about its axis 454.

The brace means 46 may also extend along the axis 454, to adapt to a user's size and for ease of use. Preferably, joint 44 also has locking means 446, such as a locking lever as illustrated.

For storing, the arm 46 can be folded to a parallel position to arm 45 along axis 464. Joint 64 also have a controlled predefined amount of friction.

The base plate 1 may also include a standard camera attaching means 18 for attaching to a video camera, and attaching means 16 for an elastic or fixed, hip chest or abdominal support means.

FIG. 2 details an exploded view of the device, with the parts comprising the camera support device: the arms 2, 3, 4 attach to the base plate 1, the handles 25, 35, 45 attach to the arms 2, 3, 4 respectively, and the shoulder brace 46 attaches to the handle 45.

FIG. 3 details the support device with camera 5 mounted thereon, in the stabilized positioning configuration.

In this configuration, the user holds the device by handle 46, or handles 46 and 45 together with handle 35 The handle 25 may be collapsed, so as not to interfere with camera handling.

FIG. 4 details the support device with camera mounted thereon, in a self-standing configuration.

The handles 25, 35, 45 lay on the ground or another surface, in a Structure akin a tripod.

FIG. 5 details the support device in its folded state, with camera 5 attached, ready for storage in a standard camera case, the arms and handles are folded to take a minimal space, with shoulder brace 46 preferably pointing side or upward, so it will be located next to the camera 5.

Fig.á illustrates various Shooting Positions using the device of the present invention.

The camera support device may take many shapes to allow various methods of holding the camera. Various configurations of the device may be used, as needed, by rotating the grips 25 45 and 35 and arms 2,3,4 for example: 1.* stabilized walkiiw positigpi Grips 25+45 are used pointing up. Camera is kept in low center of gravity.

The human body ability of compensating and balancing the hands position against the swings and sways of the body when walking, is used here to stabilize the camera.

Viewing by the LCD Monitor 2EieveLand above, the heLposjtj Grips 25+45 are used pointing down Viewing by the Eye Piece or LCD monitor 3Altyjhe head with shoulder support Grips 25 +35 pointing down are used for holding Grip B with the shoulder brace are leaning on the shoulder.

Viewing by the LCD Monitor.

4EyeieyeLw/ shoulder brace Grips 25+35 pointing down are used for holding Grip 45 with the shoulder brace pointing back are leaning on the shoulder.

The bent shoulder brace is holding the back or neck Viewing by the LCD Monitor.

5. Eye level position wjtl1 s"nngrt nod attached.

Grips 25 +45 are used pointing down Support pod is attached to the rig and the hip holster Viewing by the Eye Piece or LCD monitor EyeJye1wLsupyojit pod and shulderbra Grips 25+35 pointing down are used for holding Support pod is attached to the rig and a hip holster.

Grip 45 with the shoulder brace pointing back are leaning on the shoulder.

2ngsitin Any position with shoulder brace 46 leaning on the leg or the chair-sitting surface.

&LQwinod Single hand operation, camera in low center of gravity.

Arm 4 is extended and Grip 45 is pointing up (25+35 Collapsed) Camera is held by grip 46 below knee level and can be raised to waist level Viewing by the LCD Monitor 9SanJing By the three grips pointing down on the ground or table height.

Camera, leveling and tilt; are adjustable It will be recognized that the foregoing is but one example of an apparatus and method within the scope of the present invention, and that various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon

reading the disclosure set forth hereinbefore.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A universal, multi-purpose camera support device comprising a base plate and three swiveling, collapsible holding arms, wherein each of the holding arms is rotatably connected to the base plate.

2. The camera support device according to claim 1, comprising a base plate and two swiveling collapsible holding arms.

3. The camera support device according to claim 1, wherein the axes of rotation of the holding arms about the base plate are in a generally normal orientation with respect to the plane of the base plate.

4. The camera support device according to claim 1, further including pressure pre-adjusted joints or any manual standard locking between the arms and the base plate, and between the grips and the arms having a controlled predefined amount of friction 5. The camera support device according to claim 1, wherein each of the holding arms is made of two parts, rotatably connected therebetween.

6. The camera support device according to claim 4, wherein the axes of rotation between the two parts of each holding arms are in a generally parallel orientation with respect to the plane of the base plate.

7. The camera support device according to claim 4, further including pressure pre-adjusted joints or any manual standard locking between the two parts of the holding arms.

8. The camera support device according to claim 1, further including extending shoulder brace means.

9. The camera support device according to claim 1, further including attaching means for elastic otfixed hip, chest or abdominal support means.

10. The camera support device accordingtoclaim 1, wherein the arms further include means for allowing them to be folde&Ioapproximately thsize.of&sjaJ1dMcLhandheld yi1eo.

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