 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND
1. FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an operator held support for cameras, more
specifically, to a shoulder-hand support for small video cameras.
2. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
The design trend of hand cameras is toward smaller, lightweight models.
During the past decade designers have made great progress toward reducing
the size and weight of cameras. The success in size reduction is
especially noticeable in the field of video camcorders. Currently, many
models of the new camcorders can be held in the palm of the hand. This
small size, being convenient and easy to carry has captured a large share
of the video camera market, especially among amateurs. However, they are
noted for one widely recognized problem. It is difficult to hold the small
camcorders steady during use. Therefore they produce images which appear
shaky and annoying when viewed on television. Most small models are
designed to be held by one hand in front of, and slightly to the side of
the users face on a line in front of the right shoulder. The hand is
supported only by the user's vertical forearm. This method of operation
results in a nervous, high frequency movement of the hand and camera,
which produces the shaky images.
In the past, inventors have created a number of devices designed to steady
or stabilize cameras during hand held use. Most were designed for still
cameras which are normally held in front of the users face, thus many do
not provide proper eye to eyepiece alignment when used with video cameras
and held in front of the shoulder. Also, most are relatively large,
complex and require significant manipulation because of numerous
adjustments and associated locking devices. They are at least several
magnitudes of size larger than the current compact video cameras and are
therefore incompatible.
In essence, the design of these stabilizers may be adequate for many camera
styles, but they are unsatisfactory for today's "Miracles you can put in
your pocket". Small video camera designs have simply out paced available
stabilizers. It is inconsistent to expect a user to purchase a pocket
sized video camera primarily because of its handy, small size, then be
content with a stabilizing device two to five times that size, and one
which requires considerable manipulation.
Previously patented camera supports include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,327,986 to
Carter (1982), 4,687,309 to Breslau (1987), and 4,943,820 to Larock
(1990). These are body mounted or harnessed with straps. They are large,
bulky, inconvenient and cumbersome to prepare for use; or if worn
continuously for ready use, are uncomfortable; do not possess a neat and
uniform appearance, and leave the camera unprotected, thus, subject to
damage.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,437,753 to Dunn (1984), 4,727,390 to Brown (1988),
4,963,904 to Lee (1990), and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 302,561 to Goins (1989)
are relatively complex, unhandy supporting devices which include a number
of arms and locking knobs requiring significant manipulation to use and
are expensive to manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,966 to Knaudt (1985) is very complex, with numerous
parts and locking mechanisms making it expensive to manufacture. It is
designed specifically for a still camera, and it incorporates a built-in
camera shutter release and film wind mechanism. It is unsuitable for a
video camera.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,660 to Rudolf (1985) incorporates a bipod support which
centers on the user's chest, thus making eye-to-eyepiece alignment
difficult for use with most compact camcorders which are designed to be
held on a line in front of the right shoulder and forward of the face.
Also, it requires manually manipulating a locking screw to secure the
supporting member in any position.
U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 270,734 to Emerson (1983), U.S. Pat. No. Des. 290,709
to Hedrick (1987), U.S. Pat. No. Des. 302,171 to Assel and West (1989),
and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 309,907 to Herb (1990) are straight, non-collapsing
styles, therefore bulky and difficult to carry, and none provide a means
to adjust the shoulder support elevation, whereby the user can better
align his eye with the camera viewfinder.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 276,620 to Hanke (1984) is only partly collapsible,
therefore relatively large for current camcorders. Its size does not allow
attachment to a camera while carried in a small protective bag; therefore,
the camera is exposed to damage. It does not provide a shoulder support
elevation adjustment for comfortable eye-to-eyepiece alignment.
In summary, most prior art is for still cameras and therefore designed to
be held in front of the users face, rather than to the side, or it is
large, bulky and cumbersome, and requires considerable manipulation. None
provide a satisfactory combination of small, compact, convenient, handy,
and low cost features suitable for use with the current compact video
cameras. None yield a stabilizer which requires minimum manipulation, and
which possesses the neat and uniform appearance necessary to be compatible
with the new breed of camcorders.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Conversely, the invention described herein includes a number of
advantageous features including small, compact size, simple design, and
automatically retained shoulder support which requires little
manipulation. These features when combined yield a highly mobile and
convenient camera stabilizer which is compatible with the new compact
video cameras. It is small enough to enable the user to conveniently carry
a camera with its attached stabilizer safely in a small camera bag. Then,
at a moments notice, quickly remove the camera, and with a flip of the
wrist, extend the shoulder support member for instant and steady use. The
operator can even incorporate the use of both hands for maximum stability.
Specifically the objects and advantages of this invention are:
(a) To provide a video camera shoulder support stabilizer which is small,
compact and easy to carry rather than cumbersome and bulky. Compactness is
achieved by folding and stowing the support member within the camera
mounting body;
(b) to provide a video camera stabilizer which is simple and includes
automatic features; therefore, it can be quickly prepared for use because
it requires little manipulation, instead of one difficult and slow to use,
requiring significant manipulation of folding supports with many locking
screws and knobs;
(c) to provide a video camera stabilizer which is convenient, comfortable
and handy to use for the reduction of shaky images;
(d) to provide a video camera stabilizer which includes facilities to
enable the operator to use both hands for greater stability;
(e) to provide a video camera stabilizer which is small and possesses a
neat and uniform appearance, making it compatible with the new breed of
compact video camcorders;
(f) to provide a video camera stabilizer which even with its many features
is still small enough to remain attached to a camera while carried in a
small protective bag;
(g) to provide a video camera stabilizer which can be manufactured
inexpensively.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from
consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The purpose of this invention is to provide a shoulder based camera
stabilizer which will noticeably reduce the high frequency, annoying and
shaky images produced when operating a small hand held video camera or
camcorder. To be compatible with this new breed of hand sized cameras, a
stabilizer must be small, compact, lightweight, convenient to carry and
quickly prepared for use, thus requiring little manipulation.
These objects are accomplished in the preferred embodiment of this
invention by a camera mounting body which attaches to and fits directly
beneath a camcorder and a shoulder support member designed to retract
within the mounting body for maximum compactness. The stabilizer includes
a self-executing retentive mechanism utilizing a leaf spring and a cam
which automatically and securely holds the support arm in either the
extended or retracted position. This self-acting retentive feature
relieves the operator from fumbling with locking screws or other devices
common in other collapsible stabilizers. The camera mounting body includes
finger grips on each side to facilitate the use of the operator's second
hand to further steady the camera. Further, the stabilizer includes an
adjustment screw to raise or lower the elevation of the extended shoulder
support for better eye-to-eyepiece alignment.
With the support arm retracted, the entire stabilizer merely adds
approximately one inch to the height of a camera. Thus making it very
compatible with the new breed of small compact camcorders. The entire
assembly possesses a neat and uniform appearance. It can remain mounted on
a camcorder even while carried in a small protective camera bag.
Specifically, the major elements of the preferred embodiment of this
invention are:
A support arm which can be extended to rest on the users shoulder or
pivoted to nestle within its housing mounted beneath a camera;
a camera mounting body small enough to fit directly beneath a camcorder and
designed to house the support arm;
a camera mounting body which also includes finger grips on each side
whereby the operator can use his second hand to further steady the camera;
a self-executing retentive mechanism utilizing a leaf spring and a cam
which automatically secures the shoulder support arm while in the folded
or extended position thereby relieving the operator of fumbling with
locking devices;
an adjusting screw which facilitates raising or lowering the elevation of
the shoulder support arm while in the extended position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of this
shoulder supported camera stabilizer. The support arm is in the extended
position.
FIG. 2 shows the left side view of the same stabilizer.
FIG. 3 shows a top view of the same stabilizer. It illustrates the plane of
the sectional view in FIG. 6.
FIG. 4 shows the left side view of the shoulder support arm member of the
stabilizer.
FIG. 5 shows a right side view of the shoulder stabilizer with the shoulder
support arm member folded and stowed within the channel of the camera
mounting body.
FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the shoulder
stabilizer. It illustrates (a) the interior of the channel shaped body,
(b) the leaf spring and its relationship to the rounded end on the
shoulder support arm which acts as a cam, and (c) the adjustment screw
which raises or lowers the elevation of the shoulder support arm. The
sectional view is taken along section line 6--6 as shown in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, it can be seen the main features of the
preferred embodiment of this invention comprise a camera mounting body 1
and a shoulder support arm 2. Other major elements, shown in the section
view FIG. 6 are nestled within the under side of the channel of camera
mounting body 1. These are leaf spring 3 and the rounded pivotal end of
shoulder support arm 2 which functions as the leaf spring activating cam.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 this invention includes camera mounting
body 1 with a channel on its underside. The purpose of this channel is to
house, or stow, other elements of the invention of maximum compactness.
The camera mounting body 1 is capable of being fastened to a camera by a
screw 15 through a slot 10 in the top of the mounting. The camera is
cushioned on mounting 1 by pad 13. Slot 10 provides for positioning the
camera forwardly or readwardly on the mounting for more comfortable use by
the operator.
Near the front of camera mounting body 1 and located on both sides are
apertures 8 and 9 which form finger grips 11 and 12. These are shown in
FIGS. 1,2,5 and 6. Finger grips 11 and 12 enable the user to further
steady the camera by bracing the mounting with his second hand (the hand
not used in operating the camera). One finger grip 11 or 12 is provided on
each side of the camera mounting to facilitate use by a left or
right-handed user. The front end of the camera mounting body 1 is curved
downward in order that finger grips, 11 and 12 may also be curved
downward. This downward curve results in a slight angle of the gripping
surfaces, thereby providing a more comfortable grip for the user.
FIG. 4, shoulder arm 2 is shown. Shoulder rest pad 14 is located at one end
of support arm 2. The opposite end is rounded. This rounded end functions
as a spring activating cam when support arm 2 is pivoted into the channel
of camera mounting body 1 or pivotally extended to rest on the users
shoulder to stabilize the camera during use. Support arm 2 pivots on a
rivet type shaft 4 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. The shoulder arm 2 is
shown extended and ready for use in FIGS. 1 and 2, while in FIG. 5 it is
shown folded and stowed within the channel of camera mounting body 1. FIG.
3 is the top view of the invention. It indicates the location and
direction of the sectional view 6--6 shown in FIG. 6.
As can be seen in the sectional view FIG. 6, a shaped leaf spring 3 is
mounted within the channel on the underside of the camera mounting body 1.
The forward end of leaf spring 3 is fastened to camera mounting body 1 by
use of rivet 6.
The purpose of leaf spring 3 is to hold shoulder arm 2 in position. When
support arm 2 is folded into camera mounting body 1 or extended rearwardly
for use, its rounded pivotal end, functioning as a cam, activates leaf
spring 3. Tension of leaf spring 3 pushes against the "cam", thereby
holding shoulder support arm 2 firmly and securely in either the stowed or
extended position.
FIG. 5, shows aperture 9 and finger grip 12 located on the right camera
mounting body 1.
FIGS. 1 and 6 shows an elevation adjustment screw 5 which is also used as a
stop for shoulder support arm 2 when in the extended position. Turning
screw 5 in or out adjusts the elevation of shoulder support arm 2. This
feature provides more comfortable eye-to-eyepiece alignment for the user.
OPERATING THE INVENTION
To use this camera stabilizer, the operator attaches the camera to the
camera mounting body 1. Then shoulder support arm 2 is pivoted to the
rearward position. The support arm 2 is rested on the user's shoulder. The
user positions one hand to operate the camera. The other hand is position
on one of the finger grips 11 or 12 provided on the side of the camera
mounting body 1. Accordingly, by using both hands to grasp the camera and
the mounting, the user can apply a downward pressure on the support arm 2
where it engages the shoulder. For maximum steadiness, the user should
also draw the elbows firmly toward the body and rib cage. Using this
method of operation, this stabilizer will noticeably reduce the nervous,
high frequency shanking of the camera and result in more satisfactory
photography.
RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
The above description contains many specifics; however, these should not be
construed as limiting the scope of the invention. The description merely
provides an illustration of a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention. In other embodiments for example, the support arm may take on
sereral different forms, such as one bent from flat bar stock or a rod.
The rearward extension of the support arm may be accomplished by other
means such as using a slide mechansim rather than a pivoting mechanism. If
a slide mechanism were chosen, the shape of the support arm housing may be
modified. A box or other shape rather than a channel may be used.
The invention as shown in the accompanying drawings was designed primarily
for use with small video camcorders. According, during use, the long axis
of the camera mounting body is parallel to the users line of sight. In
other embodiments, the long axis of the mounting body could be made
perpendicular to the users line of sight to better facilitate use with
other types of cameras. The sides of the camera mounting body could be
extended, or the body could be L or T shaped to provide a more suitable
mounting surface. Also, it should be recognized that other sighting
devices or instruments may be used with this stabilizer.
The self-executing retentive spring mechanism which firmly positions the
support arm might take other forms. The spring could be mounted to the
side of the channel wall, also, it may utilize a different form of spring.
If a leaf spring were mounted on the wall of the channel, the activating
device might simply be a dimple or ridge on the side of the support arm.
In other modifications, the support arm might be pivoted on a screw,
rather than a rivet.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the
appended claims, rather than by the examples presented here.
* * * * *
|
|
 |
|
 |
Description |
|
