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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of stabilized
equipment supports, and more particularly, to an apparatus for supporting
light-weight cameras or other equipment which may be orientation- and/or
stability-sensitive so that such equipment is isolated from such unwanted
motions.
So-called "hand-held" cameras have been in existence virtually since the
beginning of photography. Whether for still pictures or for motion
pictures, by virtue of the artistic needs of such media, every model of
camera which was light enough to be lifted has at some time been "held" by
a human operator. The inherent instability of such equipment immediately
becomes a corresponding factor.
For example, in connection with still photography, slow emulsions or
reduced lighting often tends to require relatively long exposure times for
the films being used. Any motion of the camera, particularly angular
motion, therefore tends to produce a blurring of the image. However, it is
axiomatic that the human operator is constantly subject to some degree of
uncontrollable motion. What is more, these motions tend to increase and
are even less controlled if the salient parts of the operator's anatomy
are operating under load, through an exerted force. This, of course,
applies to the hands and arms of an operator which are holding and/or
supporting such camera equipment. These problems are multiplied when
motion pictures are involved, since the operator may now need to walk and
at times even run with the camera to obtain the necessary images.
By virtue of their construction, cameras are compact, relatively dense
objects, with relatively little rotational inertia. What is more, such
cameras traditionally have a center of gravity which is located within the
camera, at a position which is inaccessible to the operator. As a result,
holding such a mass by its outer surfaces means that most motions of the
operator will tend to exert considerable leverage in directions
effectively tangential to the camera's center of gravity, and will
therefore result in an angular motion of the camera, around the axis which
passes through the camera's lens. This kind of motion (whether in "pan",
"tilt" and/or "roll") is quite disturbing to both still photography and
motion picture photography. While it is true that within the limits of
human strength, the operator's hands and arms can often dampen out such
spatial motions (up/down, side-to-side, in/out), it is again axiomatic
that they cannot simultaneously apply the delicate "touch" (contact) which
is generally needed to effectively orient the camera in the course of its
operation.
The history of photography is replete with attempts to solve these
problems. One rather early approach to this may be found in U.S. Pat. No.
2,007,215 (Remey), which teaches a counterbalanced and isolated support
for a portable motion picture camera which generally takes the form a
needle extending from a handle for the camera, received in a cup
associated with the camera's body. This "needle-in-cup" configuration
served to provide a degree of isolation between the camera and the
operator, but suffered from a variety of disadvantages. For example, the
disclosed arrangement lacked an effective means of orientation, and
employed burdensome counterweights, combining to require the unit to be
held at an awkward distance from the operator's body. What is more, the
unit could not be panned relative to the operator, and was difficult to
trim into balance.
Still other approaches to the problem involved devices having
gyro-controlled prisms and/or mirrors that could operate to alter the
optical path for the light entering the lens of the camera in order to
compensate for vibrations of the unit. While these devices were somewhat
effective for certain high-frequency vibrations, they were relatively
ineffective for motions along the roll axis (around the axis passing
through the lens). What is more, they added weight to the overall unit and
tended to introduce motions of their own if their operational limits
(parameters) were overstepped.
Yet another approach to camera stabilization involved the use of various
camera pods, shoulder mounts and braces which were developed in an attempt
to secure the camera's mounting (position) to the operator's body, so that
only the motions of the body's trunk would effect the shot then in
progress. However, the resulting motions were only somewhat reduced since
such measures tended to produce motions of a slightly longer period, and
therefore proved to be only partly effective since constant movement
remained an ever present factor in connection with a human operator. Thus,
unacceptable angular motion nevertheless tended to prevail, even when the
operator was standing still, and became even more of a factor when the
operator attempted to walk or run with the unit.
It was in this environment that the devices described in my U.S. Pat. No.
Re. 32,213 (Brown), and later U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,028 (Brown et al) were
developed. The devices described in these patents generally approach the
problem of camera stabilization by providing a spring-loaded equipoising
arm for supporting a gimbal-mounted expanded camera system. The disclosed
unit serves to isolate the camera from both angular and spatial motions
and has proved to be quite effective in allowing the camera operator to
produce exceedingly stable images in a variety of different situations.
Indeed, the unit serves to allow an ambulatory camera operator to produce
a moving shot equivalent to those previously made by camera "dollies"
running on a track, the previously recognized method for capturing such
sequences. As a consequence of this, such devices have become standard
tools in the motion picture and video industries, operating to satisfy a
variety of divergent needs in such industries.
However, such devices were primarily designed to support relatively large
film and video cameras, exhibiting significant weights. Even the lightest
of cameras contemplated for use in connection with such systems were on
the order of 20 pounds, and it is presently not uncommon for complete
systems (including the stabilized mounting, camera, and supporting
equipment) to exceed 90 pounds as operating requirements become more
varied and complex. Interestingly, it was discovered that as the weight of
the unit increased, the stability of the resulting image also tended to
increase (presumably resulting from the use of a more inert unit). It was
therefore believed that the lighter the camera, the less useful would be
such a stabilization device.
Indeed, special steps were taken in U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,439 (Brown) to
develop a more sophisticated version of the expanded, gimbal-supported
camera system having a configuration which was adjustable to respond to
the various operational requirements of the ever-increasingly
sophisticated uses for such equipment. Nevertheless, the total weight of
the resulting unit was approximately 17 pounds (without the camera), and
it was found that even this light-weight unit could not be used to
effectively support a camera lighter than itself.
It was at this point in time that another aspect of camera technology
evolved; the portable (consumer-operated) video camera. A variety of
formats for this product were initially developed, with continued efforts
towards miniaturization and simplification due to the unit's
consumer-oriented market. Initial attempts at developing an independent,
fully self-sufficient consumer video camera (i.e., "CamCorder") involved
the so-called "full-sized" CamCorders, self-contained camera and recording
units designed to fit on the shoulder of the operator, with a viewfinder
mounted forward and to the side of the resulting unit. These "full-sized"
CamCorders tend to weigh an average of 5.5 pounds in their more recent
implementations. From this there followed the development of the so-called
"compact" CamCorders, which are rapidly capturing a significant portion of
the consumer market. These "compact" CamCorders generally operate either
in the VHS-C or 8 mm video formats, and are comprised of self-contained
camera and recording units which are generally on the order of 2.6 pounds
in weight. Due to their small size, such cameras are generally supported
entirely by the hand (or hands) of the operator, rather than being placed
over the operator's shoulder, being held in front of the face with the
viewfinder (generally top-mounted) in close contact with the operator's
eye.
By virtue of their appeal to the general consumer, a large number of video
"CamCorders" have been sold. Each of these units is of course subject to
the instability inherent in the human operator, as previously described in
connection with the larger, commercial units. However, in addition to the
traditional instability of a hand-held camera, these units are being
operated by amateur photographers, still further complicating matters.
This is particularly so in connection with the relatively small "compact"
CamCorders, which are entirely hand-held, as distinguished from the
"full-sized" CamCorders which at least benefit from the support of the
operator's shoulder. In any event, the common result is an unstable and
often unacceptable video image. This is particularly so when the operator
departs from a stationary position, and attempts ambulatory operation of
the unit. The unfortunate result of this is a video camera which, by
virtue of its size, is particularly portable, but which is unable to
achieve its full potential because of its inherent instability.
Thus, the ultimate goal is for the amateur operator to be able to use the
full potential of the portable video cameras which have recently been
developed, to follow his children, to walk with friends, or to amble
through interesting locales, while producing images that are smooth and
free of the degradation in apparent resolution which is caused by
vibration of the unit, and of the troublesome effects of slower, low
frequency oscillations. Improvements to the video cameras themselves have
aided in achieving this goal. For example, most of these video cameras now
routinely operate at extremely low light levels (often less than 5 lux),
and incorporate devices that automatically control focus, iris and color
balance. Resulting from such simplification, most of the problems faced by
the professional motion picture producer are essentially absent from these
consumer oriented counterparts, inherently facilitating the camera
operator's task. In essence, the only major problem which remained to be
solved involved the stability of the camera in the course of these
operations.
Efforts have been made to respond to this problem, primarily by providing
miniature versions of many of the traditional camera supports which have
been used in connection with the larger, commercial camera equipment used
by the professional. Miniaturized shoulder mounts, braces and monopods,
and even variations on the optically stabilized approach which operate to
orient the lens and video receptor (CCD chip), have been attempted.
However, these devices have failed to do any more than alleviate the
problem of instability, and all tend to perpetuate the respective
peculiarities and problems associated with their full-sized counterparts.
This trend toward the miniaturization of camera stabilizing equipment led
me to consider a miniaturization of the camera support disclosed in my
earlier U.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 32,213; 4,208,028; and 4,474,439. However, this
too proved to be less than satisfactory in implementation.
First, there is the impracticality of such an approach. The average weight
of a consumer video camera (between 3 and 6 pounds) can generally be
adequately supported by an operator for a reasonable duration. Of course,
this will vary according to the strength of the operator and the duration
of the "shooting period". However, since the average operator is well able
to adequately support the camera for an acceptable (and useful) period of
time, it is unlikely that all but the most ardent user of the apparatus
would find the need, or even be willing to pay for or indeed wear the
elaborate equipoising arm and suit of such a system.
Second, as previously indicated, video cameras weighing 3 to 6 pounds tend
to develop an insufficient counterbalancing weight, and are therefore
inappropriately combined with even the smallest available version of such
equipment. Further reducing the size of such equipment would only tend to
produce a device which is nevertheless cumbersome, and noticeably less
stable than the professional version of the unit because of the
insufficient inertia which would be available to oppose the forces applied
to the unit by the operator. In essence, this can be summarized by
considering that while it would be possible to reduce the size of the
support apparatus, it is impossible to correspondingly reduce the size of
the operator's hands, resulting in excessive forces being applied to the
"orienting" portions of the floating camera support.
Another simplification of such an apparatus which has been attempted by
another practitioner in the art is to delete the equipoising arm in favor
of a handle attached directly to the gimbal yoke of the camera support
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,439. However, this
generally results in less stability for the overall unit than was
originally intended, and still requires two hands for operation of the
unit in a non-ergonomic offset position which tends to cause undue strain
on the user's wrists and inordinate forces on the extended arm of the
user. This is still further complicated by the significant size and
excessive weight of the resulting unit, so that the ultimate results
achievable by such a unit would by and large be considered unacceptable.
Thus, these various approaches failed to provide an apparatus which was
fully and satisfactorily operative in effectively eliminating the problems
of instability encountered in connection with operation of the
ever-improving portable camera equipment which has been developed, and it
therefore remained to develop a stabilized equipment support which was
particularly well suited to the special requirements of light-weight,
hand-held camera equipment, particularly consumer-oriented video cameras
and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a
stabilized support for isolating equipment from unwanted motions resulting
from the operation of such equipment.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a stabilized
equipment support which can be hand-held by the operator.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a stabilized
support for light-weight camera equipment or the like.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a stabilized
camera support which is sufficiently simple in construction and use to
facilitate the efforts of even amateur operators, at a reasonable cost to
the user.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a stabilized
camera support which is ergonomically suited to its operator, permitting
maximized efficiency of the operator in terms of the forces which are
applied to the unit, and the resulting torques which are produced.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a stabilized
camera support which facilitates supporting the weight of the camera
equipment which is being used, to allow an extended use of such equipment
even in connection with relatively heavy units.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a stabilized
camera support, primarily for use in connection with light-weight camera
equipment, which is both simple to use, and well adapted to a variety of
applications.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a stabilized
camera support, primarily for use in connection with light-weight camera
equipment, which permits an independent "hand-held" use of the camera, yet
which is adaptable to "on-the-shoulder" operations.
These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present
invention by providing a stabilized support which is both small and
light-weight in construction, and which receives the equipment with which
it is used upon an expanded support network which complements the
supported equipment in a manner which alters the position of its center of
gravity so that the resulting unit can be effectively supported at its
center of gravity using a novel handle assembly.
The present invention primarily relates to the field of camera-stabilizing
support equipment, particularly equipment which is useful in connection
with consumer-oriented camera equipment. The term "camera" is intended to
mean any image recording device which is intended to be directed in a
specific fashion to capture an image, or sequence of images, either in the
same or different direction. The camera may exhibit a "field of view"
which is the angular size and shape of the aperture through which it
operates, or may be aimed in a simple linear fashion, operating with
respect to a given "point". However, it is to be understood that use of
the term "camera" is not intended to restrict the types of devices other
than cameras (i.e., "equipment") which may be employed in accordance with
the present invention, but only to indicate the general characteristics of
a device requiring isolation from at least a part of the spectrum of
unintentional motions which can be induced in the course of its operation,
either by a human operator (i.e., hand-held) or in connection with a
mechanical operating system (i.e., a stabilized mounting).
Similarly, the term "view finding device" or "viewfinder" refers to any of
a number of devices which may be used by the operator to ascertain the
direction in which the equipment is directed at any given point in the
course of its operation, or the field of view which is being addressed,
preferably without the need for the eye of the operator to be in contact
with the device. This may include any of a number of TV monitors, heads-up
displays, projections, or laser indicators, as well as the simpler and
more traditional optical sighting devices (i.e., gun sights).
The equipment support is generally comprised of a platform for receiving
the equipment (camera), and which is counterbalanced by a view finding
device and a battery or batteries for operating the equipment.
Appropriately configured struts are preferably used to interconnect the
platform and the view finding device, and to provide support for the
system's battery or batteries. The platform further preferably
incorporates an adjustment mechanism (e.g., an "x-y" table) for permitting
relative adjustment between the equipment receiving platform and the
handle which supports the assembly, to achieve an appropriate balance of
the resulting unit. This adjustment mechanism includes a fitting for
receiving the handle which supports the platform at a position which
intersects with the center of gravity of the equipment and the supporting
system which receives it, to achieve an appropriate static balance of the
resulting unit about each of three perpendicular axes.
The supporting handle preferably takes the form of a two-part (i.e.,
"interrupted") handle which is generally comprised of a major portion
which can be engaged for overall support and transport of the unit, and a
minor portion which includes a generally cylindrical control surface which
is accessible by the hand (preferably the thumb and index finger) to
achieve controlled orientation of the equipment support, which are
separated by an appropriate device for providing mutual isolation between
the two portions of this compound handle. Preferably, the isolation device
which separates the two distinct portions of the handle is a gimbal or
other device which provides angular isolation about three generally
perpendicular axes, while being virtually frictionless as well as freely
pivotable and rotatable to permit proper control of the equipment and its
support. Thus, the handle not only operates to receive forces for both
support and transport of the equipment, but also to appropriately orient
the device, by functioning to provide mutual isolation between the
supported equipment and the angular influence of the forces which are
applied to the handle. A novel, miniature gimbal is provided to separate
the two sections of the handle in its preferred embodiment.
The handle for the equipment support therefore provides all of the
functions which are necessary to appropriately operate (support,
transport, orient) the equipment which it supports. The major portion of
the handle is capable of being strongly grasped by the hand of the user,
serving to support the entire mass of the unit and to transport the mass
in space, or of being mechanically mounted for isolated support, as
desired. The minor portion of the handle defines a control surface which
permits limited access by the thumb and index finger, at a position just
below the supported equipment, to orient the equipment as desired. The
result is an appropriately balanced structure, poised on a gimbal and
appropriately adjusted to facilitate operation of the unit by its user. To
this end, the unit is preferably adjusted so that it is level and slightly
bottom heavy, with a slow pendular period which is relatively unaffected
by rapid changes in spatial movement of the overall unit.
As a result, the supported equipment can be carried and aimed by the
operator, using only one hand if desired, without being significantly
affected by the operator,s unwanted bodily movements. In connection with a
camera, this permits the operator of the unit to perform stabilized
"static" shots, as well as to facilitate ambulatory use of the unit by the
operator, permitting use of the unit while walking or running, or even
while climbing stairs. In addition to facilitating "floating" operation of
the camera, the unit is additionally foldable into a convenient shoulder
mount to facilitate certain kinds of non-ambulatory telephoto shooting.
For further detail regarding a preferred embodiment stabilized equipment
support in accordance with the present invention, reference is made to the
detailed description which is provided below, taken in conjunction with
the following illustrations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stabilized equipment support of the
present invention, shown in connection with a video camera.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the stabilized camera support of FIG.
1.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are end views of the stabilized camera support of FIG. 1,
taken from the front and rear of the unit, respectively.
FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the stabilized camera support of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an exploded, isometric view of the platform and handle of the
stabilized camera support of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged, elevational view of the structures illustrated in
FIG. 6, with portions broken away to reveal the gimbal which separates the
handle sections and a mechanism for adjusting the balance of the resulting
unit.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of upper portions of the handle for the
stabilized camera support, further illustrating the balance-adjusting
mechanism.
FIG. 9 is a partial, elevational view of the platform and handle of the
stabilized camera support, showing an alternative embodiment gimbal
configuration.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged isometric view of the view finding device of the
stabilized camera support of FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the stabilized camera support, shown
folded in a position adapted for operation of the unit "on-the-shoulder".
FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of alternative embodiment stabilized
camera supports produced in accordance with the present invention.
In the several views provided, like reference numerals denote similar
structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 generally illustrates a stabilized support 1 for use in connection
with a camera 2 which, in the embodiment illustrated, corresponds to a
"compact" video camera ("CamCorder") of the type which is conventionally
available to the consumer. As previously indicated, it will be understood
that the camera 2 has been selected only for purposes of illustration, and
that any of a number of camera configurations other than that shown in the
drawings, as well as other types of "equipment" to be supported, may be
used with the stabilized support 1 which is illustrated.
The stabilized camera support 1 includes a platform 3 for receiving the
camera 2, and for receiving the novel handle 5 which will be described
more fully below. A first strut 6 extends from forward portions 7 of the
platform 3 to a mounting 8 for receiving a view finding device 10. As with
the camera 2, it is to be understood that the view finding device 10 which
is shown in the drawings has been selected only for purposes of
illustration, and that any of a number of available view finding devices
may be used in connection with the stabilized camera support 1 of the
present invention. Further extending from the mounting 8 is a second strut
11, which extends to a holder 12 for receiving one or more batteries 13
for providing the power needed to operate the camera 2.
These basic components of the stabilized camera support 1 will be discussed
more fully below. However, it is to be noted here that the various
components of the stabilized support 1 have been carefully located to
provide an expanded, balanced camera-equipment-receiving structure having
a mass (including all structures) which is disposed along at least two
perpendicular axes (either as a plurality of discrete components or as a
single longitudinally disposed mass) in a fashion which increases the
rotational inertia of the unit, and which provides access to its center of
gravity, to permit an adjustment of the relationship between the handle 5
of the stabilized camera support 1 and the center of gravity of the
resulting unit, and thus provide a stabilized mounting for isolating the
camera 2 from the broad spectrum of unwanted high-to-low-frequency angular
motions which may be encountered. This is accomplished irrespective of the
particular mass or masses which are to comprise the stabilized camera
support 1, as well as the configuration for the camera 2 and the view
finding device 10, in a light and rigid interconnecting structure which
permits access to the center of gravity of the resulting unit to achieve
the desired stabilizing effect.
Referring generally to FIGS. 2 to 4, and with particular reference to FIGS.
5 and 6, the platform 3 is generally comprised of an equipment receiving
surface 14 and an adjustment mechanism 15 for establishing the appropriate
relationship between the platform 3 and the handle 5 as will be described
more fully below. The surface 14 is generally planar and adapted to
receive the base 16 of the camera 2, and is preferably provided with a
friction producing surface (e.g., roughened or fabric coated) to reduce
the potential for movement of the camera 2 upon the surface 14 during use
of the apparatus. A strap 17 extends from mounting brackets 18 formed in
opposing side edges 19 of the platform 3, and is adapted to extend over
the camera 2 to securely retain the camera 2 to the surface 14 of the
platform 3. This results in an easily and quickly produced, yet secure
mounting for the camera 2. As will become apparent from the description
which follows, the adjustment mechanism 15 operates to readily accommodate
variations in camera type, as well as variations in placement of the
camera 2 upon the surface 14 of the platform 3, thus avoiding the need for
a particularly careful placement of the camera 2 and simplifying use of
the stabilized camera support 1.
The adjustment mechanism 15 generally takes the form of an x-y table 20
disposed beneath the platform 13. To this end, a table 21 is provided with
bearings 22 for receiving a pair of rods 23 extending laterally between a
pair of sliding blocks 24, providing for lateral movement of the x-y table
20. The sliding blocks 24, and accordingly the table 21, are further
received upon a pair of rods 25 which extend between fixed mountings 26
formed in and extending from the platform 3, providing for longitudinal
movement of the x-y table 20.
One of the laterally extending rods 23a is threaded, and operates in
combination with a knurled adjustment screw 28 to permit adjustment of the
lateral positioning of the x-y table 20, and accordingly, lateral
adjustment of the handle 5 as will be described more fully below. One of
the longitudinally extending rods 25a is similarly threaded and operates
in combination with a knurled adjustment screw 29 to permit adjustment of
the longitudinal positioning of the x-y table 20, and accordingly,
longitudinal adjustment of the handle 5 as will be described more fully
below. It will be understood that the pitch of the threads on the rods
23a, 25a will be sufficiently fine so that the adjustments, once set, will
not unintentionally change in the course of using the apparatus.
The table 21 is further provided with a threaded bushing 35 for receiving
the handle 5 of the stabilized camera support 1 by means of a series of
threads 36 associated with a terminating end 37 of the handle 5. Rotation
of the threaded end 37 within the bushing 35 therefore operates to provide
a third degree of adjustment, in addition to the adjustments afforded by
the x-y table 20, permitting full adjustment of the stabilized camera
support 1 along three mutually perpendicular axes.
As previously indicated, stabilization of the camera support 1 is
accomplished by adjustment of the unit to appropriately position its
center of gravity for stabilized operation. This center of gravity is
established, outside of the camera 2, by the expanded, balanced
arrangement of the various components comprising the camera support 1; in
particular, the platform 3 and camera 2, the view finding device 10, and
the battery holder 12. Adjustment of the handle 5 with respect to this
center of gravity is accomplished by varying the longitudinal and lateral
placements of the x-y table 20, and the extension of the handle 5 within
the bushing 35, as will be described more fully below.
The handle 5 is generally comprised of two discrete, isolated handle
portions. One portion of the handle 5 is constituted by the threaded end
37 which is received by the bushing 35 of the x-y table 20, and includes a
control surface 40 which is adapted to be grasped by the operator,
preferably using the thumb and index finger, for use in orienting the
stabilized camera support 1 as will be described more fully below. The
other portion of the handle 5 is constituted by a grip 41 having notches
42 for receiving the remaining fingers of the operator's hand, to provide
primary support for the stabilized camera support 1.
Any of a variety of devices may be used to connect the grip 41 and the end
37 of the handle 5, provided the selected mechanism is capable of
isolating angular movements. The device selected for illustration in the
drawings is a gimbal 45, as is preferred in accordance with the present
invention, although other types of isolating mechanisms (e.g., ball and
socket arrangements) can also be used for this purpose. As is best
illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings, the gimbal 45 is configured to
provide angular isolation in three mutually perpendicular directions, and
is specially configured to be sufficiently small to fit between the grip
41 and end 37 of the handle 35 so as to poise the "head" of the
stabilized camera support 1 upon a gimbal which is sufficiently small to
avoid interference with the use of the device by the operator. Thus, the
gimbal 45 is sufficiently small to fit within the confines of the end 37
of the handle 5, in essence developing what can be considered to be a
split or interrupted handle comprised of the handle portions 37, 41 and
the gimbal 45.
This "interrupted handle" operates in accordance with the present invention
to effectively separate the functions of lifting and orienting the
stabilized camera support 1 and camera 2, even when held by only a single
hand. The unit is easily supported by grasping the lower section or grip
41 of the handle 5 with the middle, ring and little fingers of the hand,
providing adequate support for the unit, and facilitating transport of the
assembly. The notches 42 of the grip 41 operate to assist in support of
the unit, as well as to properly position the hand of the operator upon
the handle 5 in relation to the remainder of the unit. To be noted is that
this lower section remains in angular isolation from the upper end 37 of
the handle 5, so that the supported equipment remains virtually isolated
from unwanted angular movements of the operator in the course of these
support functions.
The end 37 of the handle 5 incorporates a relatively small, yet
conveniently placed control surface 40 which can be lightly grasped by the
thumb and index finger of the same hand (or of the other hand if desired),
and preferably surrounds approximately the upper 50% of the gimbal 45, in
annular fashion. This operates to avoid interference between the gimbal 45
and the remainder of the handle 5, as well as with the hands of the
operator, and develops a limited (minimal) control surface which can be
lightly grasped to orient the stabilized camera support 1, and accordingly
the camera 2, in the course of its operation. This minimal control surface
40 need only be grasped intermittently, as needed to orient the camera 2
and the stabilized camera support 1 which receives it, and need not be
grasped at all times. Thus, a minimal control surface is provided which
assures that contact between the thumb and index finger of the operator's
hand and the control surface 40 is limited (i.e., minimally oriented) to
prevent conveying undesired movements to the unit in the course of these
guiding functions. A tongue 46 additionally extends from forward portions
of the end 37 of the handle 5, to provide an additional control surface
for directing the stabilized camera support 1, if necessary, and to
provide additional versatility in achieving appropriate interaction
between the hand of the operator and the handle 5 of the stabilized
support 1, as will be discussed more fully below.
As previously indicated, an important aspect of the stabilized camera
support 1 of the present invention is the ability to adjust the location
of the handle 5 with respect to the center of gravity for the unit, which
is made accessible by the expanded, balanced arrangement of the stabilized
camera support 1 (and the camera 2). This adjustment is generally
accomplished using the x-y table 20 and the threaded extension of the end
37 of the handle 5 within the bushing 35, which combine to provide a
three-axis vernier calibration of the relative spatial position of the
handle 5 and the remaining portions of the stabilized camera support 1 in
order to permit fine control over the balanced attitude and degree of
bottom-heaviness (the vertical axis perpendicular to tilt and roll) of the
resulting mass. To this end, three adjustments are provided.
Transverse adjustment of the x-y table 20, which is accomplished by
rotation of the knurled adjustment screw 28, and longitudinal adjustment
of the x-y table 20, which is accomplished by rotation of the knurled
adjustment screw 29, is performed to in essence align the center of
gravity of the assembled unit with the longitudinal axis of the end 37 of
the handle 5, and accordingly, the control surface 40. This establishes a
level, balanced placement of the camera 2 upon the stabilized camera
support 1, as is preferred. To be noted is that this adjustment will
assist in accommodating both variations in the configuration of the camera
2, as well as variations in the camera's placement upon the platform 3 of
the stabilized camera support 1, as previously discussed.
Proper adjustment of the x-y table 20 will therefore place the center of
gravity of the assembled unit along the axis (z-axis) defined by the end
37 of the handle 5 of the unit (and the control surface 40). It then
remains to adjust the position of this center of gravity along the length
of the handle 5, by adjusting the threaded engagement between the end 37
of the handle 5 and the bushing 35 of the x-y table 20. This adjustment is
preferably accomplished to place the center of the gimbal 45 approximately
1/16 of an inch above the center of gravity, so that the resulting unit is
slightly bottom-heavy (tending to slowly return to a stabilized, normal
orientation). This, combined with the close positioning of the control
surface 40 of the handle 5 (and the gimbal 45) to the underside of the
platform 3, has been found to be particularly important in assuring a
controlled operation of the stabilized camera support 1, and in reducing
the overall size of the device.
An exemplary procedure for trimming the stabilized camera support 1, making
use of the above-described x-y table 20 and its threaded connection
(bushing 35) for the handle 5, will now be described. The unit is first
deployed to assume the expanded balanced arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-5,
including mounting of the camera 2 and the batteries 13, 64, as
appropriate. The assembled unit is then held by the grip 41, to determine
which way it hangs (lens up or down, batteries up or down, unit to either
side). In the event that the camera 2 hangs upside down, a discrete weight
or weights can be placed on the battery holder 12 (or elsewhere, if
preferred, such as on the camera 2) to ensure that the camera 2 is bottom
heavy, and hangs right side up. If the lens tends to point up or down, or
the camera leans to either side, the camera 2 can be shifted upon the
platform 3 to assume a generally upright orientation. The strap 17 should
then be tightened to maintain this initial positioning.
The adjustment screws 28, 29 are then turned for a vernier adjustment of
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