U.S. patent application number 14/976134 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-14 for slide-able mount for an image device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rhino Camera Gear, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Rhino Camera Gear, LLC. Invention is credited to Kyle Hart.
Application Number | 20160103386 14/976134 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50635540 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160103386 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hart; Kyle |
April 14, 2016 |
SLIDE-ABLE MOUNT FOR AN IMAGE DEVICE
Abstract
A camera slider system that supports a camera for longitudinal
sliding. The camera sliding system comprises a pair of longitudinal
rail members and a carriage system. The rail members are spaced at
a substantially constant distance apart. The carriage system
further comprises of a base plate upon which a camera mounting
plate is fixed, along with a pair of wheel support assemblies. Each
wheel support assembly engages the corresponding rail member to
support longitudinal movement. Each wheel assembly further
comprises of three rollers, wherein two rollers engage the interior
surface of the corresponding rail member, and one roller engages
the exterior surface of the same rail member. The arrangement of
rollers is coplanar with the plane of the rail members. The
exterior roller of each wheel assembly is adjustable relative to
the corresponding rail member to accommodate any flaw in the rail
profile.
Inventors: |
Hart; Kyle; (Puyallup,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rhino Camera Gear, LLC |
Puyallup |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Rhino Camera Gear, LLC
Puyallup
WA
|
Family ID: |
50635540 |
Appl. No.: |
14/976134 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13974311 |
Aug 23, 2013 |
8721199 |
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14976134 |
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13947220 |
Jul 22, 2013 |
8858098 |
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13974311 |
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29457283 |
Jun 7, 2013 |
D748640 |
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13947220 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/122.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/16 20130101;
F16M 11/38 20130101; F16M 11/242 20130101; F16M 11/425 20130101;
G03B 17/561 20130101; F16M 11/045 20130101; F16M 2200/027 20130101;
F16M 11/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G03B 17/56 20060101
G03B017/56; F16M 11/16 20060101 F16M011/16; F16M 11/38 20060101
F16M011/38; F16M 11/04 20060101 F16M011/04; F16M 11/24 20060101
F16M011/24 |
Claims
1.-16. (canceled)
17. A camera slider for supporting a camera for longitudinal
movement, comprising: a track assembly, the track assembly
including at least a first rail member and a second rail member,
the first rail member and the second rail member oriented
longitudinally; a carriage assembly, the carriage assembly
configured for longitudinal movement along the track assembly and
including at least: a camera mounting plate configured for
receiving a removably couplable camera; a first roller disposed
adjacent to the first rail member, the first roller coupled with a
first underside portion of the carriage assembly via a first roller
fastener defining a center axis through the first roller, the first
roller laterally coplanar with a plane through the first and second
rail members; and a second roller disposed adjacent to the second
rail member, the second roller coupled with a second underside
portion of the carriage assembly via a second roller fastener
defining a center axis through the second roller, the second roller
laterally coplanar with a plane through the first and second rail
members; an endplate disposed at each end of the track assembly and
configured for spacing the first rail member and the second rail
member at a substantially constant distance apart, the endplate
including at least two endplate holes, each of the two endplate
holes configured for receiving a rail member of the track assembly;
and four legs, wherein a leg is disposed towards each side of an
endplate, each leg including at least a ball at a base of the
leg.
18. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein each of the four legs is
removably couplable with an endplate.
19. The camera slider of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of
each of the four legs is threaded, and wherein at least a portion
of an endplate is configured for threadably receiving a threaded
portion of a leg.
20. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein a leg is independently
adjustable in at least two places.
21. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein a height of a leg is
threadably adjustable.
22. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein a threaded fastener
couples a leg with an endplate.
23. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein a threaded fastener is
disposed through at least a portion of a leg for coupling the leg
with an endplate.
24. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein the ball at a base of
the leg is spherical.
25. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein a leg includes at least
a threaded channel disposed at a foot of the leg, the threaded
channel configured for receiving a threaded stem of a threaded ball
joint assembly.
26. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein the first roller and the
second roller are laterally coplanar with the plane through the
first and second rail members and with each other.
27. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein a top surface of an
endplate is defined by a cavity portion.
28. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein an endplate has an
extended-U profile.
29. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein a top surface of the
endplate is substantially flat in the middle with a raised profile
at ends of the top surface of the endplate, the raised profile for
accommodating the first rail member and the second rail member.
30. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein the first and second
roller fasteners are configured for receiving a hexagonal tool for
tightening.
31. The camera slider of claim 17, including at least a third
roller and a fourth roller, wherein the first, second, third, and
fourth rollers are disposed between the first rail member and the
second rail member.
32. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein an endplate includes at
least one threaded hole configured for removably coupling at least
one threadably-removable camera accessories with the camera
slider.
33. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein an endplate includes at
least one threaded channel disposed through the endplate in a
longitudinal direction and at least one threaded channel disposed
through the endplate in a direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction.
34. The camera slider of claim 17, wherein an endplate includes at
least one threaded channel disposed through the endplate in a
longitudinal direction and at least two threaded channels disposed
through the endplate in a direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction.
35. The camera slider of claim 17, further comprising at least one
rubber bumper fixedly disposed between the carriage assembly and an
endplate.
36. A camera slider for supporting a camera for longitudinal
movement, comprising: a track assembly, the track assembly
including at least a first rail member and a second rail member,
the first rail member and the second rail member oriented
longitudinally; a carriage assembly, the carriage assembly
configured for longitudinal movement along the track assembly and
including at least: a camera mounting plate configured for
receiving a removably couplable camera; a first roller disposed
adjacent to the first rail member, the first roller coupled with a
first underside portion of the carriage assembly via a first roller
fastener defining a center axis through the first roller and
configured for receiving a hexagonal tool for tightening, the first
roller laterally coplanar with a plane through the first and second
rail members; a second roller disposed adjacent to the second rail
member, the second roller coupled with a second underside portion
of the carriage assembly via a second roller fastener defining a
center axis through the second roller and configured for receiving
a hexagonal tool for tightening, the second roller laterally
coplanar with a plane through the first and second rail members; a
third roller disposed adjacent to the first rail member, the first
roller coupled with a third underside portion of the carriage
assembly via a third roller fastener defining a center axis through
the third roller and configured for receiving a hexagonal tool for
tightening, the third roller laterally coplanar with a plane
through the first and second rail members; and a fourth roller
disposed adjacent to the second rail member, the fourth roller
coupled with a fourth underside portion of the carriage assembly
via a fourth roller fastener defining a center axis through the
fourth roller and configured for receiving a hexagonal tool for
tightening, the fourth roller laterally coplanar with a plane
through the first and second rail members, wherein the first,
second, third, and fourth rollers are disposed between the first
rail member and the second rail member; an endplate disposed at
each end of the track assembly and configured for spacing the first
rail member and the second rail member at a substantially constant
distance apart, the endplate including at least two endplate holes,
each of the two endplate holes configured for receiving a rail
member of the track assembly, wherein a top surface of the endplate
is substantially flat in the middle with a raised profile at ends
of the top surface of the endplate, the raised profile for
accommodating the first rail member and the second rail member,
wherein an endplate includes at least one threaded channel disposed
through the endplate in a longitudinal direction and at least two
threaded channels disposed through the endplate in a direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; four legs, two legs
threadably removably coupled with each endplate, wherein a leg is
disposed towards each side of an endplate, each leg including at
least a ball at a base of the leg, wherein a height of a leg is
threadably adjustable; and at least one rubber bumper fixedly
disposed between the carriage assembly and an endplate.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority from design patent
application Ser. No. 29/457,283 filed Jun. 7, 2013. The foregoing
application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as
if fully set forth herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a camera slider system
comprising a carriage system arranged to support a camera device
thereon for movement along a pair of longitudinal rail members.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a camera slider
system in which the carriage system further comprises of a
plurality of adjustable track rollers that allow the carriage
system to operate smoothly over a flaw in a rail member
profile.
SUMMARY
[0003] This invention relates generally to moveable camera slider
systems, and more particularly, to a camera slider system for low
profile camera mountings that enables longitudinal and/or rolling
movement. The present invention comprises of a pair of longitudinal
rail members, which are spaced at a substantially constant distance
apart, and a carriage system. The carriage system further comprises
of a camera mounting plate upon which a camera is mounted; and, a
pair of wheel support assemblies, which support the carriage system
on the rail members. Each wheel support assembly further comprises
of three track rollers, which engage the adjacent corresponding
rail member. The three track rollers are disposed in a triangular
planar arrangement, coplanar with the two rail members wherein two
track rollers engage the interior surface of a corresponding rail
member and the third track roller engages the exterior surface of
the same rail member. The exterior track rollers are laterally
adjustable relative to each corresponding rail member so as to
accommodate any flaw in the rail member profile.
[0004] In addition to the forgoing, various other system
embodiments are set forth and described in the teachings such as
the text (e.g. claims, drawings, and/or the detailed description)
and/or drawings of the present disclosure.
[0005] The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,
simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail;
consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way
limiting. Other aspects, embodiments, features and advantages of
the device and/or other subject matter described herein will become
apparent in the teachings set forth herein.
BACKGROUND
[0006] When filming with a video camera it is common to provide a
mounting system to support the camera body. Dolly and track systems
allow camera operators to perform swift movements of the camera
when filming moving objects and to avoid the shakiness that is
inherent in moving a handheld camera. Known dolly constructions
however are generally quite large and expensive.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,891,888 by Wood discloses an example of a
Camera Sliding System for mounting a camera on elongated support
members. The camera-mount however, is complex in configuration and
lacks a means of adjusting the lateral position of the carriage
track rollers relative to the rail members. The ability to adjust
the track roller is advantageous when a flaw in the rail member
profile is present and would inhibit the smooth movement of the
carriage system over the rail members. Previous inventions have
imposed strict manufacturing tolerances on the rail members to
limit the possibility of inherent flaws. However, strict
manufacturing tolerances lead to higher manufacturing costs, thus
limiting the product's commercial appeal.
[0008] More recently, another example of a camera mounting system
is the Ginirigs G8 Slider, which can be found at www ginirigs.com.
The G8 Slider also has a carriage system mounted on elongated rail
members, however the planar arrangement of the rollers does not
allow of any lateral adjustment of the rollers to account for a
flaw in the rail member profile. As a result, to guarantee smooth
movement of the carriage system, the Ginirigs G8 Slider rail
members also requires strict manufacturing tolerances to limit the
possibility of inherent flaws.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail
below with the following drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a Slide-able Mount for an
image device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a left end side view thereof, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a right end side view thereof, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the carriage system for the
Slide-able Mount, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an isometric exploded view of the carriage system,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the carriage system, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the carriage system, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a left end side view of the carriage system, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a left side view of the carriage system, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] This invention relates generally to moveable slider systems
for camera devices, and more particularly, to slider systems
mounted on track assemblies. Specific details of certain
embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following
description and in FIGS. 1-9 to provide a thorough understanding of
such embodiments. The present invention may have additional
embodiments, may be practiced without one or more of the details
described for any particular described embodiment, or may have any
detail described for one particular embodiment practiced with any
other detail described for another embodiment.
[0020] The present invention provides a carriage system and track
assembly configured to enable low profile camera mountings. The
carriage system is configured to receive a camera device on a
mounting plate, 4, and is moveable in the longitudinal direction
along the track assembly. The track assembly comprises of a first
and second rail member, 2. The first and second rail members, 2,
are further mounted onto four pivot legs, 8, positioned at each of
the four corners of the track assembly. The pivot legs, 8, allow an
operator to adjust the plane of the track assembly, wherein the
plane is defined by the first and second rail members, 2. The pivot
legs, 8, are attached to the track assembly through an adjoining
endplate, 3, and are independently adjustable in two places to
allow for rotational and translational movement.
[0021] The first and second rail members, 2, are spaced at a
substantially constant distance apart. The rail members, 2, are
rigid rails, or rods, which extend in the longitudinal direction.
In the present embodiment, the two rail members, 2, are typically
straight in the longitudinal direction and have a circular cross
section. In the present embodiment, the rail members are fabricated
using an aluminum alloy. In another embodiment, the rail members
may retain some curvature in the longitudinal direction. In yet
another embodiment, the rail members may be formed using stainless
steel or other stronger materials when used with heavier camera
equipment. In yet another embodiment, the rail members may comprise
of carbon fiber material.
[0022] In the present embodiment, to reduce the cost of
manufacture, the rail members may be formed without adhering to
strict manufacturing tolerances of 0.050-in or less. The ease in
manufacturing tolerance is allowed by the inclusion of an
adjustable track roller 7 in each wheel assembly of the carriage
system. The adjustable track roller, 7, allows for lateral
adjustment of the wheel assembly relative to each corresponding
rail member, 2, so as to accommodate any flaw in the rail member
profile such as a rail member, 2, exceeding the manufacturing
tolerance of 0.050-in.
[0023] In another embodiment, the adjustable track roller may allow
for lateral adjustment of the wheel assembly to accommodate a flaw
in the rail member profile that exceeds a manufacturing tolerance
other than 0.050-in.
[0024] In its most basic embodiment, the camera slider system
comprises of a carriage system upon which a camera is mounted. The
carriage system is designed to facilitate the sliding movement of
the camera along the rail members, 2. The carriage system comprises
of a machined base plate, 1, wherein each of the following is
installed: a camera mounting plate 4, a first and second
wheel-support assembly, and a first and second brake leg assembly,
10. In the present embodiment, the baseplate, 1, is machined from a
single piece of aluminum. The baseplate, 1, further comprises of a
plurality of openings designed to reduce the weight of the
assembly.
[0025] In the present embodiment, the camera mounting plate, 4 is
substantially flat to suit a fluid head camera. In another
embodiment, the camera mounting plate may be substantially
spherical to accommodate a 75 mm bowl.
[0026] In its most basic embodiment, the carriage system comprises
of a first and second wheel support assembly that engage the
corresponding first and second rail members, 2. Each wheel support
assembly supports the carriage system on a corresponding rail
member, 2, by the use of three track rollers, 7, 11, 12. In the
present embodiment, the three track rollers 7, 11, 12, are
configured in a triangular planar arrangement. Two track rollers,
11, 12, engage the interior surface of each corresponding rail
member, 2, and one track-roller, 7, engages the exterior surface of
the same rail member, 2. The arrangement of the three track
rollers, 7, 11, 12, is coplanar with the plane of the rail members,
2. This configuration means that the entire camera slider system
remains relatively compact.
[0027] In the present embodiment of each wheel support assembly,
the two track rollers, 11, 12, which engage the interior surface of
the rail members, 2, are fixed to the underside of the carriage
system baseplate, 1, by means of a threaded fastener that is
disposed through each track roller, 11, 12. Internal threads are
machined into the underside of the baseplate, 1, to receive each of
the two track roller fasteners, 16. The internal threads are
required to ensure the top surface of the baseplate, 1, is flush to
receive the camera mounting plate, 4. This arrangement ensures the
carriage system remains relatively compact.
[0028] In the present embodiment of each wheel support assembly,
the track roller 7 that engages the exterior surface of each
corresponding rail member, 2, may be laterally displaced relative
to each rail member, 2, to accommodate an inherent flaw in the rail
member profile. This exterior track roller, 7, identified as the
"adjustable track roller" hereafter, is installed onto the carriage
system baseplate, 1, by a knurled thumbwheel, 5, which is disposed
through an elongated mounting hole in the carriage system
baseplate, 1. The elongated dimension of the hole is oriented in
the lateral direction towards the corresponding rail member, 2,
thus facilitating the lateral displacement of the adjustable track
roller, 7. Tightening and loosening the knurled thumbwheel, 5, acts
to increase and decrease the friction force between the adjustable
track roller 7 and baseplate 1, respectively. An increase in
friction force locks the lateral position of adjustable track
roller 7 in place. An advantage of the present invention is that
the adjustable track roller, 7, can be displaced laterally away
from a flawed rail member, allowing the carriage system to move
uninhibited across a flaw in a rail member profile. In addition, by
moving the adjustable track roller 7 away from or towards each
corresponding rail member, 2, an operator can control the speed at
which the carriage system moves along the rail members. In the
present embodiment, each wheel support assembly further comprises
of a setscrew, 6, operable to laterally move the adjustable track
roller, 7, towards the corresponding rail member, 2. Internal
threads are machined into the carriage system baseplate, 1, to
receive the setscrews, 6. The setscrew, 6, is positioned to
interface with the centerline of the knurled thumbwheel shaft 5.
The setscrew, 6, provides an additional means of moving the
adjustable track roller, 7, towards the corresponding rail member,
2.
[0029] In the present embodiment, the carriage assembly further
comprises of a first and second brake leg, 10, which is designed to
impede the longitudinal movement of the carriage system along the
rail members, 2. The brake legs, 10, are laterally disposed on the
carriage system adjacent to each rail member, 2. Each brake leg,
10, is designed to impede the longitudinal movement of the carriage
system by generating a friction force between the brake leg surface
and the mating rail member surface. The interior surface of the
brake leg, 10, is geometrically contoured to match the exterior
surface of the corresponding rail member, 2. In the present
invention, the interior surface of the brake leg is circular. The
brake leg, 10, is operable by tightening or loosening a levered
thumbwheel, 15, which secures the brake leg, 10, to the carriage
system base plate, 1. Tightening the levered thumbwheel, 15, will
act to move the brake leg, 10, laterally towards the corresponding
rail member, 2. Once the brake leg, 10, contacts the corresponding
rail member, 2, the friction between the brake leg, 10, and rail
member surfaces acts to impede longitudinal movement of the
carriage system. Loosening the levered thumbwheel, 15, will have
the opposite effect, whereby the brake leg, 10, will move away from
the rail member, 2, allowing the carriage system to move unimpeded
along the rail members, 2.
[0030] In the present embodiment, the camera slider system
comprises of two end plates, 3, which each connect to the common
ends of the rail members, 2. The length of the end plates, 3,
substantially determines the lateral spacing between the rail
members, 2. Each end plate, 3, has a plurality of 3/8-inch and
1/4-inch threaded holes to accommodate mounting of additional
camera accessories, such as tripods. In addition, in order to
receive the pivot legs, 8, the endplates, 3, and the rail members,
2, are drilled and tapped through the longitudinal axis of the rail
members, 2.
[0031] In the present embodiment, the camera slider system further
comprises of four pivot legs, 8, which are attached by a hinge
coupling to the rail member endplates, 3. The pivot legs 8 are
coupled to the endplates 3 at the endplate holes tapped through the
longitudinal axis of the rail members, 2. As such, the pivot legs,
8, are designed to rotate about the longitudinal axis of each
corresponding rail member, 2, which has the advantage of making the
mounting assembly more compact when folded for storage. This design
also reduces the cost of manufacture since the number of threaded
fasteners to install the pivot legs 8 and endplates 3, is
halved.
[0032] The four pivot legs 8 are independently adjustable in two
places, namely at the pivot leg 8 and endplate 3 hinge coupling,
and at the feet of each pivot leg. Major rotational adjustments can
be made at the hinge coupling through a winged thumbwheel, 13. In
the present embodiment, the pivot leg surface that mates with the
rail member endplate incorporates a face gear pattern that is
machined radially about the hinge-coupling axis. The endplate 3
incorporates a mating face gear pattern, machined radially about
the same hinge-coupling axis. A sufficient mesh of the two gear
patterns is designed to provide sufficient rotational fixity to
support to the pivot leg in its prescribed rotational position.
Rotational fixity of the pivot leg can be established by tightening
the winged thumbwheel 13, which is disposed through hinge coupling
axis between each pivot leg 8 and rail member endplate, 3.
Tightening the winged thumbwheel 13 will act to clamp the pivot leg
8 against the rail member endplate 3 increasing the engagement of
mating gear patterns.
[0033] Minor translational adjustments can also be made at the feet
of the pivot legs 8 through a threaded ball joint assembly. In the
present embodiment, a rubber ball 9 is threaded into the base of
each pivot leg 8. Each rubber ball 9 incorporates a threaded stem
that mates with an internal thread machined into the tip of each
pivot leg. Increasing or decreasing the number of exposed threads
between the pivot leg and rubber ball 9 acts to adjust the pivot
leg 8 translational height.
[0034] In the present embodiment, at least one rubber bumper ring
14 is installed over each rail member 2 and is abutted against a
rail member endplate 3. The rubber bumper ring 14 is required to
cushion any contact between the carriage system and the rail member
endplate 3 in cases where the carriage system brake is not set. In
the present embodiment, one rubber bumper ring 14 is installed on
diagonally opposite ends of the rail members 2 so as to cushion any
carriage system contact with the rail member endplates 3 in both
directions. In another embodiment, rubber bumper rings 14 may be
installed at both ends of each rail member 2.
[0035] While preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention
have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited
by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments.
Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference
to the claims that follow.
* * * * *