U.S. patent application number 09/778385 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-03 for video camera support device.
Invention is credited to Backs, Jochen, Brooks, John, Hamerton-Kelly, Paul, Prather, Vance A., Tsang, Sammy Cheuksang.
Application Number | 20020001469 09/778385 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26817411 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020001469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prather, Vance A. ; et
al. |
January 3, 2002 |
Video camera support device
Abstract
PATENT Embodiments of the present invention provide a simple,
versatile support frame for supporting a camera on different
objects and surfaces in various dispositions. The support frame
allows different adjustments to be quickly and easily made to
position the camera as desired. In one embodiment, a device for
supporting a camera comprises a neck configured to connect with the
camera. A body has a body axis and is rotatably connected with the
neck to pivot relative to the neck around a neck pivot axis which
is generally perpendicular to the body axis. A left arm is
rotatably connected with the body to pivot relative to the body
around a left pivot axis. The left pivot axis is nonparallel to the
neck pivot axis. A right arm is rotatably connected with the body
to pivot relative to the body around a right pivot axis. The right
pivot axis is nonparallel to the neck pivot axis. The left arm and
right arm may be pivotable relative to the body independently of
one another.
Inventors: |
Prather, Vance A.; (Fremont,
CA) ; Brooks, John; (Larkspur, CA) ; Tsang,
Sammy Cheuksang; (Alameda, CA) ; Hamerton-Kelly,
Paul; (Berkeley, CA) ; Backs, Jochen; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Family ID: |
26817411 |
Appl. No.: |
09/778385 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09778385 |
Feb 6, 2001 |
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29127147 |
Jul 31, 2000 |
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D446538 |
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29127147 |
Jul 31, 2000 |
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29119498 |
Mar 1, 2000 |
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D440244 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
396/419 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 13/022 20130101;
G06F 1/1605 20130101; F16M 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
396/419 |
International
Class: |
G03B 017/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for supporting a camera, the device comprising: a neck
configured to connect with the camera; a body having a body axis
and being rotatably connected with the neck to pivot relative to
the neck around a neck pivot axis which is generally perpendicular
to the body axis; a left arm rotatably connected with the body to
pivot relative to the body around a left pivot axis, the left pivot
axis being nonparallel to the neck pivot axis; and a right arm
rotatably connected with the body to pivot relative to the body
around a right pivot axis, the right pivot axis being nonparallel
to the neck pivot axis.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the left pivot axis is nonparallel
to the right pivot axis.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the right pivot axis is generally
perpendicular to the body axis.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the left pivot axis is generally
perpendicular to the body axis.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the left pivot axis is spaced from
the neck pivot axis by a left pivot angle and the right pivot axis
is spaced from the neck pivot axis by a right pivot angle which is
opposite from the left pivot angle.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein the right pivot angle and the left
pivot angle are substantially equal in magnitude.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein the right pivot angle and the left
pivot angle are about 20.degree.-70.degree. in magnitude.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the left arm and right arm are
movable relative to the body between a collapsed position and an
extended position, the left and right arms being disposed adjacent
the body in the collapsed position, the left and right arms being
angularly spaced from the body axis of the body in the extended
position.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein the body and the left and right
arms are configured to contact a planar surface at three spaced
contact locations, respectively, in the extended position to
support the camera on the planar surface.
10. The device of claim 8 wherein the body and the left and right
arms are configured to straddle an edge in the extended position to
support the camera on the edge, the body being disposed on one side
of the edge and the left and right arms being disposed on another
side of the edge opposite from the body.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the left and right arms each
include a hooked distal end.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein the left arm and the right arm
are pivotable relative to the body independently of one
another.
13. A device for supporting a camera, the device comprising: a neck
configured to connect with the camera; a body having a body
midplane and being rotatably connected with the neck to pivot
relative to the neck around a neck pivot axis which is generally
perpendicular to the body midplane; a left arm rotatably connected
with the body to pivot relative to the body; and a right arm
rotatably connected with the body to pivot relative to the body,
the left arm and the right arm being independently movable to pivot
separately relatively to the body.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein the left arm is pivotable
relative to the body around a left pivot axis nonparallel to the
neck pivot axis, and the right arm is pivotable relative to the
body around a right pivot axis nonparallel to the neck pivot
axis.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein the left pivot axis and the
right pivot axis lie on a common plane which is generally
perpendicular to the body midplane.
16. The device of claim 15 wherein the left pivot axis is spaced
from the neck pivot axis by a left pivot angle and the right pivot
axis is spaced from the neck pivot axis by a right pivot angle.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein the left pivot angle and the
right pivot angle are substantially equal in magnitude and are
spaced from the neck pivot axis in opposite directions.
18. A device for supporting a camera, the device comprising: a body
being configured to support the camera; a left arm rotatably
connected with the body to pivot relative to the body around a left
pivot axis; and a right arm rotatably connected with the body to
pivot relative to the body around a right pivot axis, the right
pivot axis being nonparallel to the left pivot axis, wherein the
left arm and right arm are movable relative to the body between a
collapsed position and an extended position, the left and right
arms being disposed adjacent to the body in the collapsed position,
the left and right arms being angularly spaced from the body axis
of the body in the extended position, wherein the body and the left
and right arms are configured to contact a planar surface at three
spaced contact locations, respectively, in the extended position to
support the camera on the planar surface in a first disposition,
and wherein the body and the left and right arms are configured to
straddle an edge in the extended position to support the camera on
the edge in a second disposition, the body being disposed on one
side of the edge and the left and right arms being disposed on
another side of the edge opposite from the body.
19. The device of claim 18 further comprising a neck configured to
connect with the camera, wherein the body is rotatably connected
with the neck to pivot relative to the neck around a neck pivot
axis which is nonparallel to the left pivot axis and the right
pivot axis.
20. The device of claim 19 wherein the neck pivot axis is generally
perpendicular to a midplane of the body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser.No. 29,127,147, filed Jul. 31, 2000, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
29,119,498, filed Mar. 1, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to devices for supporting a
camera such as a video camera or a CCD (charge coupled device)
camera.
[0003] Video cameras for computers have become increasingly common.
For a CRT monitor having a sufficiently wide, generally planar
surface on the top, a camera may be placed on the top surface using
a flat support, a tripod structure, or the like. For a laptop
computer, the display screen is relatively thin so that
conventional structures typically do not provide stable support of
the camera on the laptop screen and do not allow adequate
adjustments to be made to position the camera easily and
quickly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide a simple,
versatile support frame for supporting a camera on different
objects and surfaces in various dispositions. The support frame
allows different adjustments to be quickly and easily made to
position the camera as desired.
[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
device for supporting a camera comprises a neck configured to
connect with the camera. A body has a body axis and is rotatably
connected with the neck to pivot relative to the neck around a neck
pivot axis which is generally perpendicular to the body axis. A
left arm is rotatably connected with the body to pivot relative to
the body around a left pivot axis. The left pivot axis is
nonparallel to the neck pivot axis. A right arm is rotatably
connected with the body to pivot relative to the body around a
right pivot axis. The right pivot axis is nonparallel to the neck
pivot axis.
[0006] In some embodiments, the left pivot axis is nonparallel to
the right pivot axis. Both the right and left pivot axes may be
generally perpendicular to the body axis. The left pivot axis is
spaced from the neck pivot axis by a left pivot angle and the right
pivot axis is spaced from the neck pivot axis by a right pivot
angle which is opposite from the left pivot angle. The right pivot
angle and the left pivot angle are substantially equal in
magnitude, which may be about 20.degree.-70. The left arm and right
arm are movable relative to the body between a collapsed position
and an extended position. The left and right arms are disposed
adjacent the body in the collapsed position, and are angularly
spaced from the body axis of the body in the extended position. The
left and right arms each may include a hooked distal end. The left
arm and the right arm are pivotable relative to the body
independently of one another.
[0007] In one disposition, the body and the left and right arms are
configured to contact a planar surface at three spaced contact
locations, respectively, in the extended position to support the
camera on the planar surface. In another disposition, the body and
the left and right arms are configured to straddle an edge in the
extended position to support the camera on the edge. The body is
disposed on one side of the edge and the left and right arms being
disposed on another side of the edge opposite from the body.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a device
for supporting a camera comprises a neck configured to connect with
the camera, and a body having a body midplane and being rotatably
connected with the neck to pivot relative to the neck around a neck
pivot axis which is generally perpendicular to the body midplane. A
left arm is rotatably connected with the body to pivot relative to
the body. A right arm is rotatably connected with the body to pivot
relative to the body. The left arm and the right arm are
independently movable to pivot separately relative to the body.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a device
for supporting a camera comprises a body being configured to
support the camera. A left arm is rotatably connected with the body
to pivot relative to the body around a left pivot axis. A right arm
is rotatably connected with the body to pivot relative to the body
around a right pivot axis. The right pivot axis is nonparallel to
the left pivot axis. The left arm and right arm are movable
relative to the body between a collapsed position and an extended
position. The left and right arms are disposed adjacent to the body
in the collapsed position. The left and right arms are angularly
spaced from the body axis of the body in the extended position. The
body and the left and right arms are configured to contact a planar
surface at three spaced contact locations, respectively, in the
extended position to support the camera on the planar surface in a
first disposition. The body and the left and right arms are
configured to straddle an edge in the extended position to support
the camera on the edge in a second disposition, with the body being
disposed on one side of the edge and the left and right arms being
disposed on another side of the edge opposite from the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video camera support
device in a folded position in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the support device of FIG. 1
in an extended position;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the support device of FIG.
2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the support device of
FIG. 2;
[0014] FIGS. 5A and 5B are side elevational views of the support
device of FIG. 2 illustrating different dispositions of supporting
the camera;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the support device of
FIG. 2; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the support device of FIG.
2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the camera 10 is connected to a neck
12 which is rotatably coupled to a body 14 to pivot up and down
about a neck pivot axis 16 extending across the shoulders 18 of the
body 14. The camera 10 pivots via the neck 12 in an up and down
manner as indicated by arrows 13 (FIG. 2). In FIGS. 2-7, the neck
12 and body 14 are generally aligned in an upright position. The
body 14 can be folded around the neck 12 as shown in the folded
position of FIG. 1. The neck 12 typically is detachably connected
to the camera 10, for instance, by a press fit, a threaded
connection, or the like. In one specific embodiment, the connection
between the camera 10 and the neck 12 is fixed. In another
embodiment, the connection allows rotation of the camera 10 with
respect to the neck 12 along arrows 17 to produce side-to-side
movement of the camera 10 (FIG. 2). The body 14 is a longitudinal
body having an axis 19. In the upright position as shown in FIG. 2,
the neck 12 is generally aligned with the body axis 19, so that the
side-to-side rotation 17 is around the body axis 19. The neck pivot
axis 16 is generally perpendicular to the body axis 19. As best
seen in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7, the neck pivot axis 16 may be
perpendicular to the midplane MP of the body 14 on which the body
axis 19 lies.
[0018] A pair of arms 20, 20' are rotatably connected to the
shoulders 18 to swing away from the body 14 from the collapsed or
retracted position illustrated in FIG. 1. FIGS. 2-7 show the arms
20, 20' in the extended or open position, while FIG. 1 shows the
arms disposed adjacent the body 14 in the retracted position. The
support frame is typically symmetrical with respect to the midplane
MP, although the arms 20, 20' may be positioned differently
relative to the midplane MP. The arms 20, 20' are each connected to
the shoulders 18 at an angle and rotate independently of one
another. The right arm 20 rotates around a right pivot axis 26, and
the left arm 20' rotates around a left pivot axis 24 as shown in
FIG. 2. The distance between the arms 20, 20' increases as the arms
20, 20' swing outward away from the body 14. The left pivot axis 24
is spaced from the neck pivot axis 16 by a left pivot angle 25. The
left pivot axis 26 is spaced from the neck pivot axis 16 by a right
pivot angle 27 which is opposite from the left pivot angle 25. The
left pivot angle 25 may be equal in magnitude to the right pivot
angle 27, which is typically about 20.degree.-70.degree., but may
be smaller or larger as desired. In one specific embodiment, the
left pivot axis 24 and right pivot axis 26 are generally
perpendicular to the body axis 19. In that case, the left pivot
axis 24 and right pivot axis 26 may lie on a common plane CP which
is perpendicular to the midplane MP of the body 14 (FIGS. 4 and 6).
The neck pivot axis 16 may also lie on the same plane CP, but is
spaced slightly below the plane in the specific embodiment shown.
In other embodiments, the left pivot axis 24 and right pivot axis
26 are not perpendicular to the body axis 19. In one specific
embodiment, the arms 20, 20' are configured to be angularly
displaceable from the body 14 by less than about 80.degree., but
the angle of displacement may be larger or smaller in other
embodiments.
[0019] The use of the body axis 19 is a convenient reference for
defining the relative positions of the other components of the
support frame relative to the body 14. In alternative embodiments,
the body 14 may have other shapes for which a body axis is not
readily ascertainable and may need to be arbitrarily defined. Thus,
the invention is not limited to a longitudinal body or the like
with an obvious axis.
[0020] The arms 20, 20' are generally longitudinal members. In the
specific embodiment shown, the arms 20, 20' have hooked distal
portions 28, 28' terminating at distal ends 29, 29'. The hooked
distal portions 28, 28' desirably are oriented so that the distal
end ends 29, 29' are pointed toward the body 14. The arms 20, 20'
may be approximately equal in length to the body 14 so that in the
collapsed position, the distal ends 29, 29' of the arms 20, 20' are
disposed adjacent the distal end 21 of the body 14.
[0021] A separate cover in the form of a visor 30 is rotatably
coupled to the camera 10 to protect the lens 32 as shown in FIG. 1.
During operation, the visor 30 is swung behind the camera 10 to
expose the lens 32, as seen in FIGS. 2-7. The visor 30 is not
coupled with and forms no part of the support frame for the camera
10. A cable 50 extends from the back of the camera 10 as best seen
in FIGS. 5A and 5B.
[0022] The support frame can be used to support the camera 10 in
different dispositions. For example, in a first disposition FIG. 5A
shows the distal end 21 of the body 14 and the distal ends 29, 29'
of the extended or open arms 20, 20' disposed on a surface 60,
which may be planar, to support the camera 10 over the surface 60.
The body 14 and arms 20, 20' form a tripod-like structure. In a
second disposition as seen in FIG. 5B, the support frame straddles
an edge 70 to support the camera 10 on the edge 70 of an object 72,
which may be, for example, the edge of the display of a laptop
computer. The body 14 is disposed on the back side of the object 72
facing the back surface 74, while the arms 20, 20' are disposed on
the front side of the object 72 facing the front surface 76. The
distal ends 29, 29' of the arms 20, 20' may contact the front
surface 76. The position of the support frame on the object 72 may
change. For example, FIG. 5B shows another position of the object
72' in broken lines, in which the distal end 21 of the body 14
contacts the back surface 74' and the hooked portions 28, 28' of
the arms 20, 20' engage the edge 70'. Different positions of the
support frame may be achieved by adjusting the arms 20, 20' and
varying the positions relative to the object or surface on which to
place the body 14 and arms 20, 20'.
[0023] The above-described arrangements of apparatus and methods
are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this
invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined in the claims. For example, the shapes and sizes of the
body, neck, and arms may be changed. The scope of the invention
should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above
description, but instead should be determined with reference to the
appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
* * * * *