U.S. patent application number 11/951322 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for hands free camera carrier.
Invention is credited to Charles E. Robinson.
Application Number | 20080173681 11/951322 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39640256 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080173681 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robinson; Charles E. |
July 24, 2008 |
Hands Free Camera Carrier
Abstract
A hands free camera carrier includes a shoulder harness, a
camera platform with an upper platform rotatably attached to a
lower platform, and a coupler that attaches the shoulder harness to
the camera platform.
Inventors: |
Robinson; Charles E.;
(Kansas City, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KEVIN J. MCNEELY, ESQ.
5335 WISCONSON AVENUE, NW, SUITE 440
WASHINGTON
DC
20015
US
|
Family ID: |
39640256 |
Appl. No.: |
11/951322 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60868568 |
Dec 5, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/257 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 13/00 20130101;
F16M 11/2092 20130101; A45F 3/14 20130101; F16M 11/2021 20130101;
F16M 13/04 20130101; F16M 11/28 20130101; F16M 11/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/257 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/14 20060101
A45F003/14 |
Claims
1. A hands free camera carrier, comprising: a shoulder harness; a
camera platform with an upper platform rotatably attached to a
lower platform; and a coupler that attaches the shoulder harness to
the camera platform.
2. The camera carrier of claim 1, wherein the shoulder harness
further comprises: a first and a second U-shaped shoulder support;
and an upper and lower front cross bar and an upper and lower rear
cross bar, each cross bar attached between the first and second
shoulder support.
3. The camera carrier of claim 1, wherein the camera platform
comprises: a lower platform; an upper platform rotatably attached
to the lower platform.
4. The camera carrier of claim 3, wherein the camera platform
further comprises a hinge that rotateably attaches the upper
platform to the lower platform.
5. The camera carrier of claim 3, wherein the camera platform
further comprises a camera mount attached to the upper platform to
attach a camera to the camera platform.
6. The camera carrier of claim 5, wherein the camera mount
comprises a quick release mechanism to attach a camera to the
camera platform.
7. The camera carrier of claim 1, wherein the coupler comprises a
turnbuckle.
8. The camera carrier of claim 1, further comprising: a set of
adjustable belts to fix the shoulder harness to the torso of a
user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This utility patent application claims priority to U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. Nos. 60/868,568 filed on Dec.
5, 2006 and U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 11/859,717
filed on Sep. 21, 2007, which are incorporated by reference
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to video camera support devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The consumer electronics industry has brought the ability to
record sound motion pictures into the financial reach of many
consumers. The video camera, which records both sound and images on
economical cassettes or other magnetic media, has reduced
substantially cost of audiovisual filming by eliminating, in large
part, the need for expensive acetate film and film processing. As
video cameras have become more available and lighter in weight,
many individuals have sought ways to make them easier to carry and
use.
[0004] Because the user needs to hold the video camera steady while
performing other tasks, special shoulder mounts have been developed
to position the camera and reduce the photographer's fatigue.
Previous designs do not have the requisite stability for true
hands-free operation, coupled with a further ability to support the
weight of the camera over a substantial length of time.
[0005] There is a need for camera support which is adjustable for a
large range of body sizes, positions the camera with the viewfinder
in close relationship to the photographer's eye, provides prolonged
weight-bearing capability, frees the photographer's hands for other
tasks during use, and yields a stable platform for producing
satisfactory audiovisual works in either film or magnetic media
such as videocassette format.
SUMMARY
[0006] These and other objectives have largely been met by the
camera harness of the present invention. The camera harness hereof
is stable, properly positions a consumer-sized camera with the
eyepiece in proximity to the photographer, is adjustable for a
range of body sizes, is stable in use, permits substantially
hands-free operation, and in addition is lightweight and
comfortable to wear.
[0007] In one general aspect, a camera harness includes a camera
platform, an upper support bracket, a pair of upper arms rotateably
attached between the camera platform and the upper support bracket,
a lower support bracket and a lower arm rotateably attached between
the camera platform and the lower support bracket.
[0008] Embodiments may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the lower and upper arms may be telescoping
arms having adjustable lengths. In addition, a first set of
adjustable straps may be attached to the upper support bracket. The
first set of adjustable straps can be configured to be looped
around a user's shoulders.
[0009] As another feature, a second adjustable strap is attached to
the lower support bracket. The second adjustable strap is
configured to be worn around the waste of a user.
[0010] A pair of swivel hinges that provide 360 degrees of rotation
may attach the camera platform to the upper arms. Another pair of
hinges may attach the upper arms to the upper bracket. A swivel
hinge may also attach the camera platform to the lower arm and
another hinge attaches the lower arm to the lower bracket.
[0011] In another general aspect, a hands free camera carrier
includes a shoulder harness, a camera platform with an upper
platform rotatably attached to a lower platform, and a coupler that
attaches the shoulder harness to the camera platform. Embodiments
may include one or more of the above or following features.
[0012] For example, the shoulder harness may have a first and a
second U-shaped shoulder support and an upper and lower front cross
bar and an upper and lower rear cross bar, each cross bar attached
between the first and second shoulder support.
[0013] The camera platform may include a lower platform and an
upper platform rotatably attached to the lower platform. The camera
platform may have a hinge that rotateably attaches the upper
platform to the lower platform. The camera platform may also have a
camera mount attached to the upper platform to attach a camera to
the camera platform. In addition, the camera mount may have a quick
release mechanism to attach a camera to the camera platform.
[0014] As another feature the coupler may include a turnbuckle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera harness.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera harness worn by a
user.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows an adjustable camera platform.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a hands free camera
carrier.
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a camera platform for the hands free camera
carrier.
[0020] FIG. 6 shows a camera operator in a prone position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, the camera harness includes a platform
10 that is supported by a pair of upper arms 12 and a lower arm 14.
The upper arms 12 are attached to an upper bracket 16 and the lower
arm 14 is attached to a lower bracket 18. The upper arms 12 and
lower arm 14 have telescoping segments so that their length can be
adjusted.
[0022] A first pair of straps 20 and strap connectors 22 are
attached to the upper bracket 16. A second set of straps 24, 26 are
attached to the lower bracket. As shown in FIG. 2, the first pair
of straps 20, 22 are configured to be looped around the shoulders
of the user. The second pair of straps 24, 26 wraps around the
waste of the user.
[0023] The lower arm 14 attaches to the camera platform by a swivel
hinge 28 that allows 360 degrees of motion of the platform 10
relative to the lower arm 14. A hinge 30 attaches the other end of
the lower arm 14 to the lower bracket 18. Hinges 32, 34 are also
used to attached the upper arms to the platform 10 and the upper
bracket 16.
[0024] The camera platform 10 attached to a camera adjustment
mechanism 40 that allows adjustment of the camera relative to the
platform 10. A lever 42 projects from the mechanism to provide a
vertical adjustment of the camera while a tension knob 44 provides
a horizontal adjustment. An upper telescoping tube 46 has a knob 48
that allows adjustment of the height of the camera relative to the
platform 10. A camera mounting device 50 projects from the top of
the adjustment mechanism 40.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a hands-free camera carrier 10
to support a camera, such as a video camera 412. The hands-free
camera carrier 10 includes a shoulder harness 418, a camera
platform 420, and a coupler 422 which connects the camera platform
420 to the shoulder harness for hands-free operation. The shoulder
harness 418 includes a first shoulder support 424 and a second
shoulder support 426 interconnected in spaced-apart, parallel
relationship by a front securement or cross bars and rear
securement or cross bars which are explained in more detail
below.
[0026] Both the first shoulder support 424 and second shoulder
support 426 are configured in an inverted U-shape in the
orientation of typical use. First shoulder support 424 presents a
back region 432 configured to engage the back of the camera
operator 416, a front region 434 configured to engage the chest of
the camera operator, and an intermediate connecting section 436
adapted to rest on the shoulder of the camera operator.
[0027] Second shoulder support 426 is similarly configured,
presenting a back region 438 configured to engage the back of the
camera operator 416, a front region configured to engage the chest
of the camera operator, and an intermediate section adapted to rest
on the other shoulder of the camera operator. Each of the shoulder
supports 424 and 426 and other members are covered with padding of
foam rubber, quilted material, or other fabric or synthetic
resin.
[0028] The shoulder supports 424 and 426 are positioned in
substantially parallel, vertical orientation by a pair of upper and
lower front cross bars and upper and lower rear cross bars 440,
442. An upper belt 460 and a lower belt 470 are provided for
assisting and maintaining the hands-free camera carrier 410 in
position on the shoulders 414 of the camera operator 416 during
use. Upper belt 460 and lower belt 470 are connected to the back
region 432 of the first and second shoulder 424, 426. The belts
460, 470 pass beneath the arms of the camera operator 416 to
thereby operatively interconnect the front region to the back
region of each of the first and second shoulder supports 424, 426.
Belts 460, 470 which are made of nylon webbing and are attached by
clasps 472, 474 for releasing the harness.
[0029] Camera platform 420 attaches to a turnbuckle 494 which is
pivotably connected to first hinge bracket 496 attached to front
region 434 beneath hinge 490, and to second hinge bracket 498
attached to the underside of the camera platform 420.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, the camera platform 420 includes a
lower platform 450 and an upper platform 452. The lower and upper
platform 450, 452 are attached by a hinge 454 allowing the upper
platform 452 to rotate upward relative to the lower platform 450. A
camera mount 456 with a quick release is attached to the upper
platform 452. The quick release is configured to rapidly mount and
remove the camera.
[0031] In use, the camera operator 416 places the hands-free camera
carrier on his or her shoulders with his neck located between first
shoulder support 424 and second shoulder support 426. The belts are
then secured. The camera is then mounted to the camera mount
456.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, the camera operator can tilt the upper
platform to raise the camera to a horizontal position in order to
film even if he or she is lying in a prone position. So, for
example, even if the camera operator is taking cover in a war zone
or while covering a police emergency, the camera may still be
operated. With the camera properly positioned, the camera operator
may begin filming. If desired, the camera may be locked in the
filming mode, whereby the camera operator's hands may be freed from
the necessity of holding the camera until filming is to be
discontinued. This substantially reduces fatigue on the camera
operator, as the weight of the camera remains borne entirely by the
camera operator's shoulders 414 rather than his or her arms.
* * * * *