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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video camera and, in particular, to the
improvement of an operation section of a video camera for outputting a
start/stop instruction for photographing.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional video camera, the start/stop of photographing is carried
out by operating a photographing button disposed in a side grip in the
side portion of a main body of the camera. In such photographing button,
there is mainly employed a double action system in which the start and
stop are instructed alternately every button operation.
On the other hand, in the field of an 8 mm cinecamera, the start and stop
of photographing in executed by operating a photographing button arranged
in an upper-grip disposed in the lower portion of a main body of the
cinecamera. In this kind of photographing button, there is mainly employed
a single action system in which, while the photographing button is being
depressed, photographing is performed and, if a finger depressing the
photographing button is released, the photographing is stopped.
The above-mentioned double action type of photographing button is suitable
for a long time photographing. However, in this type of photographing
button, there are possibilities that, if an operator forgets to push down
the button, then the earth may be photographed and that, if the
photographing button is depressed in error, then the operator can fail to
take an important scene.
On the other hand, the single action type of photographing button has an
advantage in that it can prevent failures such as the earth photographing
and the like because, if the finger is released from the button, the
photographing is stopped. However, this type of photographing button is
not suitable for a long time photographing. Also, in the single action
type of photographing button, while the operator is holding the grip of
the video camera and is moving the video camera, or when the video camera
is moved from a photographing position to a position where the camera is
to be hung, there is a possibility that the button can be depressed in
error instantaneously. In this case, however, even if the photographing
button is depressed in error, the photographing can be stopped at once due
to its single action system, thereby preventing the failure to photograph
the earth for a long time. But, in this type of photographing button,
there remains a problem that a short cut is photographed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims at eliminating the drawbacks found in the
above-mentioned conventional video camera.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a video camera
which has advantages of both of the double action type of photographing
button and the single action type of photographing button, can prevent
confused operations of the photographing button and can improve the
stability in holding.
It is another object of the invention to provide a video camera in which
photographing can be started only when a single action type of
photographing button is depressed, and, after the photographing is
started, even if an operator's finger becomes loose, the photographing
cannot be interrupted.
In order to attain the above objects, according to the present invention, a
video camera is provided which has a first photographing button disposed
in a main body of the video camera for instructing alternately the start
and stop of the photographing each time it is operated. The video camera
includes an under grip disposed removably in the bottom portion of the
camera main body, and a second photographing button disposed in the under
grip for instructing the start of the photographing only while the it is
in operation. Further, means are provided responsive to the mounting of
the under grip of the main body of the video camera or to electrical
connection of the second photographing button with the main body of the
video camera.
According to an aspect of the invention, an under grip can be mounted to
the bottom portion of a main body of a video camera and the use of such
grip system can improve a stability in holding the video camera and also
can eliminate the fear of movement of the hands in taking a picture. Also,
since on the side of the video camera main body there is provided a first
photographing button of a double action type and in the under grip there
is provided a second photographing button of a single action type, the
first and second photographing buttons can be used in its proper way
according to photographing conditins (for example, photographing while the
video camera is placed on a tripod and photographing while the video
camera is held by the hands). Also, when the under grip is mounted, the
second photographing button in the under grip is used preferentially and
the photographing by use of the first photographing button on side of the
video camera main body is prohibited, thereby preventing the confused
operation of the photographing buttons.
Also, according to another aspect of the invention, in a video camera which
is provided with a photographing button used to instruct the start of
photographing only during the button operation, after the photographing is
started by means of operation of the photographing button, the
photographing start instruction can be maintained with a weaker button
operation force than the button operation force at the time of start of
the photographing.
In other words, according to the invention, there is provided a
photographing button of a single action type which is adapted to instruct
the start of the photographing only during the button operation. This
photographing button is constructed such that the photographing can be
started only when the button is operated intentionally, that is, it is
operated with a predetermined button operation force. Due to this, the
photographing will never be started even if the photographing button is
depressed in error instantaneously. Also, one the photographing is
started, the start instruction of the photographing can be maintained with
a weaker operation force than the button operation force at the time of
start of the photographing, so that there is eliminated the possibility
that the photographing may be interrupted even if the operator's finger
gets loose due to the long photographing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The exact nature of this invention, as well as other objects and advantages
thereof, will be readily apparent from consideration of the following
specification relating to the accompanying drawings, in which like
reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the
firgures thereof and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a video camera according
to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the video camera shown in FIG. 1, when
viewed from behind;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a photographing start/stop control part of a
main body of the video camera;
FIGS. 4 and 5 are respectively schematic views of main portions of another
embodiments of a video camera according to the invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of main portions of a video camera according to
the invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a photographing start/stop
control part according to the invention;
FIGS. 8(A) to (D) are respectively timing charts used to explain the
start/stop control part shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a photographing
start/stop control part according to the invention;
FIG. 10 is a flow chart used to explain the contents to be processed by a
microcomputer shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of main portions of a further embodiment of a
video camera according to the invention;
FIG. 12 is a side view of a video camera according to the invention, which
is provided with a grip having a tripod function;
FIG. 13 is a side view of the grip having a tripod function shown in FIG.
12, when it is used;
FIG. 14 is a section view, in part, of the above-mentioned tripod
containing grip, which is used to explain an angular locking mechanism;
FIG. 15 is a side section view of the tripod containing grip shown in FIG.
12, when it is used;
FIG. 16 is a plan view of the above tripod containing grip, when it is
used;
FIG. 17 is a side view of another embodiment of a tripod containing grip
according to the invention, when the grip is used;
FIG. 18 is a side view of the above embodiment in FIG. 17, when the tripod
is used;
FIG. 19 is a plan view of the above embodiment in FIG. 17, when the tripod
is used; and,
FIG. 20 is a secton view of the structure of a mount portion in which a
tripod containing grip can be mounted in an arbitrary direction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Detailed description will hereunder be given of the preferred embodiments
of a video camera according to the present invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
In FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of a video
camera according to the invention, in which a main body 10 of the video
camera and an under grip 30 are disconnected from each other. Also, in
FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the main body 10 of the video
camera shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from behind.
This video camera is a camera containing VTR (a VTR and a camera are
incorporated in one) and, as shown in FIG. 2, on the side portion of the
video camera main body 10 there is provided a side grip 12. In the side
grip 12, there is arranged a photographing button 14 of a double action
type, whereby the photographing start and stop can be repeated alternately
each time the photographing button 14 is depressed. In other words, once
the photographing button 14 is depressed, even if an operator lets the
finger go off from the button, the photographing will continue without
interruption and after then, if the photographing button 14 is depressed
again, then the photographing is stopped.
In fact, there occurs a period in which no instruction from the
photographing button 14 can be accepted due to a joint taking or due to an
operation up to stable tape running and, for this reason, accurately, when
the photographing button 14 is depressed in a stand-by state or during
photographing with the non-accepting period excluded, an operation to move
over to a photographing state or to the stand-by state can be initiated.
Also, in FIGS. 1 and 2, numeral 16 designates a taking lens; 18 an
electronic view finder; 20 a cassette holder; 22 a grip band; and, 24 a
battery.
The under grip 30 can be mounted removably to the bottom portion of the
video camera main body 10 by means of a mount screw 32 and a projection
34. That is, in order to mount the under grip 30 to the bottom portion of
the video camera main body 10, the mount screw 32 is positioned at a
tapped hole, which is formed in the bottom portion of the video camera
main body 10 for mounting a tripod, the projection 34 is inserted into a
recessed portion (not shown) formed in the bottom portion of the video
camera main body 10, and then the mount screw 32 is turned and is thereby
brought into threaded engagement with the tapped hole for mounting a
tripod.
Also, in the under grip 30, there are provided a photographing button 36 of
a trigger type, and a cord 38 with a plug 38A for inputting the button
operation of the photographing button 36 into the video camera main body
10. And, the plug 38A is inserted into a jack 26 provided on the side grip
12. The photographing button 36, which can be electrically connected with
the video camera main body 10 by means of the jack 26, is a photographing
button of a single action type. That is, only while the photographing
button 36 is being depressed, the photographing can be executed and, if
the finger is taken off, then the photographing is stopped. Also, if the
plug 38A of the under grip 30 is inserted into a jack 26 of the video
camera main body 10, then the photographing button 14 of the video camera
main body 10 becomes inoperable and only the photographing button 36 of
the under grip 30 can be used.
In FIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram of a photographing start/stop
control part of a video camera according to the present invention. When
the video camera main body is not connected electrically with the under
grip, the start/stop control part 28 disposed within the video camera main
body 10 outputs from its output terminal 28A a signal for instructing the
start and stop of photographing each time the photographing button 14 is
operated.
On the other hand, if the video camera main body is electrically connected
with the under grip, then the electrical connection is detected by
detection means (not shown) and, in accordance with the detection output
of the detection means, a contact 28B, which allows the photographing
button 14 to be operated when closed, is opened. As a result of this, the
start of photographing by the phtotographing button 14 is prohibited. And,
the photographing by the photographing button 36 of the under grip 30
becomes possible, so that the start/stop control part 28 is able to output
the instruction for start of photographing only while the photographing
button 36 is being depressed.
According to the video camera constructed in the above-mentioned manner,
for example, when the photographing is executed with the video camera set
on a tripod, the video camera main body 10 is fixed onto the tripod and
then the double action type of photographing button 14 in the video camera
main body 10 is operated, whereby a long photographing can be carried out.
Of course, if the under grip 30 is not mounted, similarly as in a
conventional video camera, the video camera can be held by use of the side
grip 12 for photographing.
On the other hand, when the photographing is carried out with the video
camera held by the hands, the under grip 30 is mounted to the video camera
main body 10 and then the photographing button 14 in the under grip 30 is
operated to thereby perform the photographing. Since the photographing
button 14 is a single action type, there is eliminated the possibility of
the earth being taken due to the wrong operation of the button. Also, when
compared with the side grip, the under grip is improved in stability,
there is eliminated the possibility of unintentional movement of the hands
in taking a picture, and the under grip is more suitable for the
above-mentioned hand-held photographing. In addition, due to the fact that
the photographing button 14 is a trigger type button, the photographing
can be performed in a sense to pull the "trigger" by use of the
forefinger, so that an actually photographing feeling can be provided.
By the way, although in the above-mentioned embodiment the plug is inserted
into the jack separately from the mounting of the under grip, the
invention is not always limited to this, but the invention can also be
contracted such that a connector provided on the side of the video camera
main body is automatically connected with a connector provided on the side
of the under grip simultaneously when the under grip is mounted to the
video camera main body.
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic view of main portions
of a second embodiment of a video camera according to the invention.
In this figure, in the bottom portion of a video camera main body 40, there
are provided a photographing switch 42 of a single action type and a grip
mounting detection switch 44.
On the other hand, in an under grip 50 which can be mounted to the bottom
portion of the video camera main body 40 by means a mount screw 56, there
are arranged a photographing button 52 of a trigger type which is used to
actuate the photographing switch 42, and a projection 54 which is used to
push against the grip mounting detection switch 44.
In this structure, as shown in FIG. 4, if the under grip 50 is mounted to
the bottom portion of the video camera main body 40, then the grip
mounting detection switch 44 is depressed by the projection 54 in the
under grip 50. When depressed, the grip mounting detection switch 44 acts
to prohibit the start of the photographing by a photographing button (not
shown) of a double action type provided on the side of the camera main
body 40.
Also, when the under grip 50 is mounted to the bottom portion of the video
camera main body 40, then the photographing switch 42 can be operated by
the photographing button 52 and, in this state, if the photographing
button 52 is pushed against the energizing force of a spring 58, then the
photographing switch 42 turns on. In this state, if the finger is taken
off from the photographing button 52, then the photographing button 52 is
pulled back by the spring 58 to thereby turn off the photographing switch
42.
Referring next to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic view of main portions
of a third embodiment of a video camera according to the invention. In
this firgure, parts used in common with the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are
given the same designations and the description thereof is omitted here.
Referring to a difference between the second and third embodiments, while
in the second embodiment the photographing button on the side of the video
camera main body is made inoperable by use of the grip mounting detection
switch 44, in the third embodiment the photographing button 64 on the side
of the camera main body is locked mechanically in connection with the
mounting of the under grip to thereby make it impossible for the
photographing button 64 to be operated.
In other words, according to the third embodiment of the invention, in a
video camera main body 60, there are provided a double action type of
photographing switch 62 and a photographing button 64 for actuating the
switch 62, and in this photographing button 64 there is provided a claw
portion 64A for locking. On the other hand, in the upper portion of an
under grip 70 to be mounted to the bottom portion of the video camera main
body 60, there is arranged a lock member 72 for engagement with the
above-mentioned locking claw portion 64A.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, if the under grip 70 is mounted to the
bottom portion of the video camera main body 60 while the photographing
button 64 is returned to its original position by a spring 66, then the
claw portion 64A of the photographing button 64 and the lock member 72 of
the under grip 70 are brought into engagement with each other to thereby
lock the photographing button 64.
According to the video camera constructed in the above-mentioned manner,
there can be provided both advantages of a double action of and a single
action of photographing buttons, and also, since the single action type of
photographing button provided in the under grip is used preferentially
when the under grip is mounted to the camera main body, there can be
eliminated the possibility of the photographing button being operated in a
confused manner. Further, by using the under grip in the hand-held
photographing, the holding stability of the video camera can be improved,
and there can be eliminated the possibility that the operator's hands may
be unintentionally moved in taking a picture, so that an excellent video
photographing can be realized.
Next, description will be given of a structure in which, when the start of
photographing is instructed by the photographing button 36 once, the
instruction for the start of photographing can be maintained with a weaker
button operation force than the button operation force at the time of
start of photographing.
In FIG. 6, there is shown a schematic view of main portions of a video
camera according to the invention and, in particular, there is shown an
under grip 80 which is mounted to the bottom portion of a video camera
main body 10 by means of a mount screw 32. As shown in this figure, there
is provided a photographing button 81 which has a button operation portion
81A. The button operation portion 81A is disposed on a plate spring 82, so
that the button 81 can be operated by a finger when the under grip 80 is
gripped by hands. Also, substantially in the central portion of the plate
spring 82, there is disposed a plate spring 83 which is used to turn
on/off a switch SW1. On the other hand, within the under grip, there are
fixedly disposed the switch SW1 and a switch SW2 such that they are
opposed to the leading ends 83A and 82A of the above-mentioned plate
springs 83 and 82, respectively.
In the above-mentioned structure, in operation, if the button operation
portion 81A of the photographing button 81 is depressed from its state
shown in FIG. 6, then at first the switch SW1 is turned on by the leading
end 83A of the plate spring 83 and after then, if the button operation
portion 81A is depressed further, then the switch SW2 is turned on by the
leading end 82A of the plate spring 82. Also, while the switches SW1 and
SW2 are both on, if the finger is taken off from the button operation
portion 81A, then the button operation 81A is returned to its original
position by means of the plate spring 82, with the result that the switch
SW1 is firstly turned off and the switch SW2 is next turned off. In other
words, the switch SW1 can be turned on even if the button operation
portion 81A is pushed with a weak operation force, but, in order to turn
on the switch SW2, the button operation portion 81A must be pushed with a
strong force (or, the button operation portion 81A must be pushed deeply).
Next, description will be given below of a start/stop control part which
generates the start/stop instructions for photographing by means of the
on/off operations of the above-mentioned switches SW1 and SW2.
In FIG. 7, there is shown a block diagram of an embodiment of a start/stop
control part according to the invention, which comprises switches SW1,
SW2, a flipflop 84, a microcomputer 85 and the like. As shown in this
figure, if the input and output signals of the flipflop 84 are designated
by S.sub.A, S.sub.B, S.sub.C, and S.sub.D, respectively, then the signal
S.sub.A goes to a low (L) level when the switch SW1 is off, and the signal
S.sub.A goes to a high (H) level when the switch S.sub.A is on. In
contrast with this, when the switch SW2 is off, then the signal S.sub.B
goes to the H level, and when the switch SW2 is on, then the signal
S.sub.B goes to the L level.
Accordingly, the relationsips between the ons and offs of the switches SW1,
SW2 and the signals S.sub.A through S.sub.D can be shown in the following
table (Table 1).
TABLE 1
______________________________________
SW1 SW2 S.sub.A
S.sub.B S.sub.C
S.sub.D
______________________________________
(1) OFF OFF L H H L
(2) ON OFF H H H L
(3) ON ON H L L H
(4) ON OFF H H L H
(5) OFF OFF L H H L
______________________________________
Also, the timing chart of the signals S.sub.A through S.sub.D in Table 1
can be shown as in FIGS. 8(A) to 8(D). In other words, in Table 1 and FIG.
8, (1) shows a state in which the button operation portion 81A of the
photographing button 81 is not depressed; (2) shows a state in which the
button operation portion 81A is pushed half or partly from the state of
(1) and only the switch SW1 is on; (3) shows a state in which the button
operation portion 81A is pushed fully deeply and the switches SW1 and SW2
are both on; (4) shows a state in which the button operation portion 81A
is returned half and only the switch SW1 is on; and, (5) shows a state in
which the finger is taken completely off from the button operation portion
81A, that is, it is similar to the state of (1).
As can be understood clearly from Table 1 and FIG. 8(D), the signal S.sub.D
rises into the H level under the condition that the switch SW2 turns on
and the signal S.sub.B goes to the L level and after then it falls into
the L level under the condition that both of the switches SW1 and SW2 turn
off, the signal S.sub.A goes to the L level, and the signal S.sub.B goes
to the H level.
When the output signal S.sub.D of the flipflop 84 is in the L level, then a
transistor T.sub.r turns off and the microcomputer 85 instructs the stop
of photographing, and, on the other hand, when the signal S.sub.D is in
the level, then the transistor T.sub.r turns on and the microcomputer 85
instructs the start of photographing.
In this manner, if the button operation portion 81A of the photographing
button 81 is depressed fully deeply to thereby turn on the switch SW2,
then the photographing start instruction is issued and, after then, even
if the button operation force of the button operation portion 81A is
reduced to thereby turn off the switch SW2, then the photographing state
can be maintained. And, if the finger is taken off from the button
operation portion 81A to thereby turn off the switch SW1 as well, then the
photographing stop instruction is given.
Further, the flipflop 84, microcomputer 85 and the like are contained in
the under grip 80 and power is supplied from the side of the video camera
main body 10. In addition, the microcomputer 85, responsive to the
electrical connection of the video camera main body 10 with the under grip
80, also outputs a signal to prohibit the operation of the photographing
button provided on the side of the video camera main body 10.
In FIG. 9, there is shown a block diagram of another embodiment of a
start/stop control part according to the invention, in which, when the
switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on, then a signal of an H level is output
to a microcomputer 86. And, the microcomputer 86, as in the
above-mentioned embodiment, responsive to the on/off operations of the
switches SW1 and SW2, executes a predetermined processing to thereby
generate the start/stop instructions for photographing.
Next, description will be given below of the contents of the processings to
be performed by the microcomputer 86 with reference to a flow chart shown
in FIG. 10.
In this figure, at first, it is checked whether the switch SW1 is on or not
(Step 100). If the switch SW1 is off, then a photographing stop
instruction is given (Step 110) and also a flag F, which is used to show
whether photographing is under way or not, is set to 0 (Step 120). If the
flag F is 1, then it is indicated that the photographing is under way,
while, if the flag F is 0, then it is indicated that the photographing is
stopped.
Now, if the switch SW1 is on, then the program advances to Step 130, in
which wherther the flag F is 1 or not is checked. If the flag F is 0
(indicating the stopping of photographing), then the program moves to Step
140, in which whether the switch SW2 is on or not is checked. If the
switch SW2 is off, then, similarly as in the above-mentioned case, the
program moves back its initial state through Steps 110 and 120. On the
other hand, if the switch SW2 is on, then a photographing start
instruction is given (Step 150) and also the flag F is set to 1 (Step
160).
After then, when the switch SW1 turns on and also the flag F is 1
(indicating that the photographing is under way), then the program
advances from Step 130 to Step 150, in which the photographing is
continued whether the switch SW2 is on or off.
And, if the finger is taken off from the button operation portion 81A of
the photographing button 81 to thereby turn off the switch SW1, then the
program advances again to Step 110, in which the stop of the photographing
is instructed.
In either of the above-mentioned embodiments, the instructions for
start/stop of photographing are given hysteresis in an electrical manner
in accordance with the on/off operations of the switches SW1, SW2.
However, the invention is not always limited to this, but, alternatively,
hysteresis may be offered to the photographing start/stop instructions by
mechanical means.
Now, referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a schematic view of main portions
of a further embodiment of a video camera in accordance with the present
invention. In this figure, a button operation portion 91A of a
photographing button 91 is disposed in an under grip 90 such that it is
free to rotate about a support shaft 92, and, between the button operation
portion 91A and the under grip 90, there are interposed a spring 93 for
return and a damper 94. In this figure, numeral 95 designates a stopper
which is used to restrict the clockwise rotational movement of the button
operation portion 91A. Also, the damper 94 is adapted such that it is
effective only when the button operation portion 91A is rotated in a
counter-clockwise direction.
On the other hand, in the bottom portion of the video camera main body 10,
there is disposed a photographing start/stop switch 96 of a single action
type in such a manner that it is opposed to a pressure portion 97 of the
button operation portion 91A.
In the above-mentioned structure, if the button operation portion 91A of
the photographing button 91 is pushed with a strong force against the
spring 93 and damper 94, then the pressure portion 97 of the button
operation portion 91A causes a switch to turn on, whereby a photographing
start instruction is given. Also, after the photographing start is
instructed once, the operator has only to continue to push the button
operation portion 91A against the energizing force of the spring 93.
Therefore, by decreasing the spring constant of the spring 93, it is
possible to prevent the fatigue of the finger even if the photographing is
executed for a long time. Also, if the finger is taken off from the button
operation portion 91A to thereby make the damper 94 inoperable, then the
button operation portion 91A is returned at once by the spring 93 to its
original position (a position shown in FIG. 11) to thereby turn the switch
96 off, so that the photographing stop instruction is given.
According to the above-mentioned structure, in particular, while the video
camera is being moved with the under grip 90 being held by the hand, if
the button operation portion 91A of the photographing button 91 is pushed
in error in an instant, then the above-mentioned damper 94 is put into
operation to thereby prevent the rotational movement of the button
operation portion 91A (start of photographing).
Although in the present embodiment description has been given of the video
camera in which the under grip 90 is mounted to the bottom portion of the
video camera main body 10, this is not always limitative, but the present
invention can also apply to a video camera which has a side grip only.
That is, the invention can apply to any video camera, provided that it is
provided with a photographing button of a single action type.
Also, according to the above-mentioned video camera, the photographing
button of a single action type is constructed such that the photographing
can be started only when the photographing button is operated
intentionally, that is, only when the button is operated with a
predetermined button operation force, so that a short cut will never be
taken even if the photographing button is instantaneously pushed in error.
And, when the photographing is started once, the photographing start
instruction can be maintained with a weaker button operation force than
the button operation force at the time of start of the photographing, so
that the photographing will never be interrupted even if the finger
becomes loose during a long time photographing.
Next, description will be given below of another embodiment of an under
grip which is provided in the above-mentioned video camera according to
the present invention.
In FIG. 12, there is shown a side view of a video camera according to the
invention. In this video camera, there is arranged an under grip (which is
referred to as a tripod containing grip herein after) 200 having a tripod
function. In this figure, the parts thereof used in common with the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are given the same designations and the
description thereof is omitted here.
As shown in FIG. 13, the tripod containing grip 200 is constructed such
that it can be removably mounted to the bottom portion of the
above-mentioned video camera 10 by means of a tripod screw 232 and a
positioning pin 233. In other words, in order to mount the tripod
containing grip 200 to the bottom portion of the video camera 10, the
tripod screw 232 is positioned in a tapped hole formed in the bottom
portion of the video camera 10 for mounting of a tripod, the positioning
pin 233 is inserted into a recessed portion (not shown) formed in the
bottom portion of the video camera 10 for prevention of rotation, and then
the tripod screw 232 is turned and is thereby brought into threaded
engagement with the tripod mounting tapped hole.
The tripod containing grip 200 is mainly composed of a grip base portion
230 which is fixed to the bottom portion of the video camera, a grip main
body 240 which is actually held by the operator's hands, and a pair of leg
portions 250, 250 which serve as right and left leg portions when the
tripod containing grip 200 is used as a tripod.
In the grip base portion 230, in addition to the above-mentioned tripod
screw 232 and positioning pin 233 there are provided an angular lock
mechanism 236 for the grip main body 240 which can be freely rotated via
support shaft 234, and a photographing button mechanism 238.
The angular lock mechanism 236, as shown in FIG. 14, comprises a slide
member 236B operable together with a lock removing knob 236A (shown in
FIG. 13), a spring 236C for returning the slide member 236B, a lever 236D,
a claw portion 236E, a spring 236F for energizing the claw portion 236E in
the projecting direction thereof, and a recessed portion 242A and a
saw-tooth-like portion 242B respectively provided on the side of the grip
main body 240 and engageable with the above-mentioned claw portion 236E.
In the above-mentioned structure, if the lock removing knob 236A is moved
in the right direction in FIG. 14 to thereby move the slide member 236B in
the direction of a shown arrow against the energizing force of the spring
236C, then one end of the lever 236D is pushed by the slide member 236B to
thereby rotate the lever 236D in the clockwise direction, with the result
that the other end of the lever 236D pushes up the claw portion 236E
against the energizing force of the spring 236F. Due to this, the
engagement between the claw portion 236E and the saw-tooth-like portion
242B is removed to thereby release the locking of the grip main body 240,
so that the grip main body 240 can be rotated.
And, after the grip main body 240 is rotated to a desired angle, if the
finger is taken off from the lock removing knob 236A, then the slide
member 236B is returned to its original position by the spring 236C and
also the claw portion 236E is projected out by the spring 236F and is
brought into engagement with the saw-tooth-like portion 242B, with the
result that the angle of the grip main body 240 can be fixed.
When the claw portion 236E is in engagement with the recessed portion 242
of the grip main body 240, the grip main body 240, as shown in FIG. 14, is
set an angle suitable for use of the grip (an angle inclined 30.degree.
from the vertical direction toward the front of the camera). Also, when
the claw portion 236E is in engagement with the saw-tooth-like portion
242B of the grip main body 240, the grip main body 240, as will be
discussed later, is used as part of a tripod, and the camera angle when
the tripod is fixed is set in accordance with positions in which the claw
portion 236E is in mesh with the saw-tooth-like portion 242B.
On the other hand, the photographing button mechanism 238 comprises a
button operation portion 238A, a spring 238B for returning the button
operation portion 238A, an actuation member 238C which is fixed to the
button operation portion 238A, a lever 238D which can be rotated by the
actuation member 238C, a click spring 238E which is used to operate the
lever 238D in a click way, and a REC start switch 238F which can be turned
on/off by the lever 238D.
In the above-mentioned structure, if the button operation portion 238A is
pushed in beyond a predetermined blind zone, then the lever 238D is
rotated in a counter-clockwise direction by the actuation member 238C and
thus the REC start switch 238F is pressed by the other end of the lever
238 to thereby turn on. By the way, the REC start switch 238F is
electrically connected through a connector (not shown) with the camera
main body.
On the other hand, if the finger is taken off from the button operation
portion 238A, then the button operation portion 238A and actuation spring
238B are returned to their respective original positions by the spring
238B, with the result that the lever 238D is rotated in a clockwise
direction to thereby turn off the REC start switch 238F.
Now, as described before, the grip main body 240 is arranged such that it
can be freely rotated through the support shaft 234 with respect to the
grip base portion 230, and also, as shown in FIG. 15, has a storage
portion 244 which can store parts of a pair of right and left leg portions
250, 250 in a slidable way. Here, numeral 246 designates a spring which is
used to fix the leg portions 250, 250 stored in the storage portion 244.
On the other hand, the leg portions 250, 250, as shown in FIG. 15, are
arranged such that they are free to slide between a position shown by a
solid line in which they are pulled out from the rear portion of the grip
main body 240 and a position shown by a two-dot chained line in which they
are stored in part within the storage portion 244 of the grip main body
240. Also, the pair of right and left leg portions 250, 250 are supported
by a shaft 250A rotatably with respect to each other and between the two
leg portions there is interposed a return spring 252 which is used to
energize the leg portions 250, 250 in the opening directions thereof (see
FIG. 16). Therefore, if the leg portions 250, 250 are pulled out a given
amount from the rear portion of the grip main body 240, then, as shown in
FIG. 16, the paired right and left leg portions 250, 250 are opened right
and left symmetrically by the return spring 252. Here, the angle of
opening of the pair of right and left leg portions is 30.degree..
In other words, according to the tripod containing grip constructed in the
above-mentioned manner, when the tripod containing grip is changed from
the state thereof in which the grip can be used as a hand grip to the
state thereof in which the grip can be used as a tripod, as shown in FIGS.
12 and 13, at first, the grip main body 240 is inclined toward the front
portion of the video camera and after then the pair of right and left leg
portions 250, 250 are pulled out from behind the grip main body 240. The
two legs 250, 250 pulled out are then opened right and left symmetrically
by a given angle by the return spring 252. In this manner, the camera can
be supported at three points, that is, at the grip main body 240, and the
pair of right and left leg portions 250, 250.
Referring now to FIGS. 17 to 19, there is shown another embodiment of a
tripod containing grip according to the invention. In particular, in FIG.
17, there is shown a side view of the tripod containing grip when it is
used as a grip, and in FIGS. 18 and 19, there are shown a side view and a
plan view of the tripod containing grip when it is used as a tripod.
Here, since this tripod containing grip is different from the
before-described tripod containing grip only in shape, the parts thereof
respectively having the same mechanisms with the former embodiment are
given the same designations, and the detailed description thereof is
omitted here.
This tripod containing grip is different from the previously-mentioned
tripod containing grip mainly in that, as shown in FIG. 17, part of the
leg portion 250 forms a portion of the grip, and that, as shown in FIG.
19, when pulling out the pair of right and left leg portions 250, 250,
they are pulled out as facing upward without changing the angle thereof
into downward on the way.
Here, although the tripod containing grip according to this embodiment can
be removably mounted to the bottom portion of the video camera, the
invention is not always limited to this, but, alternatively, the tripod
containing grip may be fixed integrally to the bottom portion of the video
camera. Also, the angular lock mechanism and photographing button
mechanism are not always limited to this embodiment, but other various
kinds of such mechanisms may also be employed.
Now, when the above-mentioned tripod containing grip 200 is used as a
tripod, it may be mounted to the bottom portion of the video camera main
body 10 with the front and rear portions thereof being reversed or in an
arbitray direction in order that it can be stabilied as a tripod. On the
other hand, if the positioning pin 233 for preventing the rotational
movement is omitted, when the tripod containing grip is used as an under
grip, there is the possibility that the video camera may be rotated and
thus it may be unstable.
Therefore, the rotation preventive positioning pin may be conveniently
arranged such that it is free to appear and retreat. That is, when the
positioning pin is situated at the other positions of the video camera
bottom portion than the recessed portion thereof, the positioning pin can
be retreated so that the tripod containing grip can be mounted to the
video camera main body in an arbitrary direction with respect to the
camera main body.
In FIG. 20, there is shown a section view of the structure of a mounting
portion which makes it possible for the tripod containing grip to be
mounted to the bottom portion of the video camera main body in an
arbitrary direction. The mounting portion is mainly composed of a tripod
screw 260, a positioning pin 262 and a coil spring 264.
The tripod screw 260 has a disc-shaped knob 260A fixed thereto and, by
rotating the knob 260A, the tripod screw 260 can be rotated. Also, the
positioning pin 262 is interposed between a plate 266 to be abutted
against the bottom portion of the video camera main body and another plate
268 located below the plate 266 in such a manner that it can be moved
freely in a vertical direction in FIG. 20, and at the same time the
positioning pin 262 is energized by the coil spring 264 in a direction (in
an upward direction in FIG. 20) in which the pin is projected.
When the tripod containing grip is mounted as an under grip to the bottom
portion of the video camera main body by means of the above-mentioned
mounting portion, the tripod screw 260 is situated at the tripod-mounting
tapped hole formed in the bottom portion of the video camera main body,
the positioning pin 262 is inserted into the recessed portion formed in
the video camera main body bottom portion for prevention of the rotational
movement, and the tripod screw 260 is turned using the knob 260A thereof
to thereby bring it into threaded engagement with the tripod-mounting
tapped screw.
On the other hand, when the tripod containing grip is mounted as a tripod
to the bottom portion of the video camera main body, the mounting of the
grip is not always limited to the above-mentioned mounting way in which,
as described above, the positioning pin 262 is inserted into the rotation
preventive recessed portion, but other mounting ways may also be employed.
For example, the tripod containing grip can be mounted with the front and
rear portions being reversed, or in an arbitray direction. Preferably, the
tripod containing grip is mounted in a direction in which it can be best
stabilized as a tripod. In this case, the positioning pin 262 is abutted
against the bottom portion of the video camera main body and is caused | | |
