WO1998020273A1

WO1998020273A1 - Device for supporting an optical apparatus in its position of use

Info

Publication number: WO1998020273A1
Application number: PCT/CH1997/000422
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald G Schneller
Original assignee: Schneller, Ronald, G.
Priority date: 1996-11-06
Filing date: 1997-11-06
Publication date: 1998-05-14
Also published as: AU4860197A

Abstract

A device (2) for supporting an optical apparatus in its position of use on the body of a person (1) has in this example a shoulder support (3a), a main support (4) and a handle. The shoulder support is in any case detachably joined at one end to the main support (4) and provided with a antislipping soft padding (9) to confortably retain the shoulder support on the shoulder and prevent it from slipping. The shoulder support is either substantially semicircular or has another anatomically suitable concave shape. The main support (4) extends upwards and is then bent in a particular manner, forming a mounting plate (7) on which an optical apparatus can be detachably mounted or to which a mounting device can be secured. By swivelling sideways, the mounting plate allows an optimal adaptation to the eye. In addition, in the position of use of the device, in which the device extends horizontally in the longitudinal direction, along an axis perpendicular to the person's body, the device does not contact any parts of the person's face (1) in a disturbing manner.

Description

READY-TO-USE DEVICE

OPTICAL DEVICE HOLDER

The invention relates to a device for ready-to-use mounting of an optical device on the body of a person. Examples of such devices are recording devices such as photographic cameras, film cameras, video cameras, telescopes or the like.

A problem with e.g. Motion picture cameras, especially heavy motion picture cameras, is that a shake-free picture can no longer be guaranteed with long-term use. The blurring is further intensified when zooming in.

The invention is therefore based on the object of designing a device of this type such that a video camera can also be kept safely and relatively free of tremors over a long period of time, that there are extensive adjustment options and adaptation options for the person using the camera, and that a space-saving, non-use position can be achieved by disassembling.

Conventional devices for supporting the camera on the body are mainly limited to pressing against the shoulder like a rifle butt (eg "Hartwein" Germany No. 2401080). Other existing devices are supported against the chest; another device consists of a long one Pipe for hanging over the shoulder of a person, in the vertical longitudinal direction of the body, connected to a support part for supporting against the abdomen at approximately the belt line, and a linkage which extends laterally in front of the body of the person using the camera in the longitudinal direction of the body , with a specific holder to carry the camera (eg "Rauscher" Germany No. 2248379).

Although the "rifle butt principle" ensures a certain immobilization for a short time, the image is blurred over a long period of time because a lot of muscular strength has to be used to push the butt against the shoulder; the arms of the user hang free and unsupported, cramping, which in turn causes tremors. The problem is of course even more serious with heavy optical devices. In addition, many piston constructions are made compact by the fact that the shoulder part can be pushed into the front part, but this type of construction often only allows a reduction by about 1/3 of the original size.

Devices with abdominal supports that have a vertical hanging part over the shoulder appear to be rather complicated and time-consuming to adjust, quite bulky to carry, and relatively heavy because the whole weight hangs on the shoulder. Experience has also shown that various abdominal and breast-supported tripods are negatively influenced by the body's inhalation and exhalation movements.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that a device for holding optical devices is that the one end is essentially semicircularly curved or otherwise anatomically concave, with a non-slip, soft padding on the underside, to ensure a favorable over the Shoulder resting and a slip-proof grip around the shoulder. The device then leads upwards through an angle and is releasably fastened to the main support part. The main support part then continues upwards and is subsequently bent in such a way that a base plate is formed on which optical devices can be releasably attached. An advantage of this angled form of the device is that in the use position, which runs in a horizontal longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the body, no disturbing contact with certain parts of the face (e.g. chin or cheek) is caused. The device can continue downstream of the base plate in a pistol-like grip; but it can just as well end after the base plate, with either no handle or a handle being attached to another location.

The weight of the optical device is distributed over the shoulder support and possibly the handle; this turns gravity from a disadvantage to an advantage in that pressure on the shoulder and the handle is all the more becomes heavier, the heavier the optical device is, and from it the calmer recording images can be generated, even over a long period of time, without fatigue.

It would also be advantageous to have one or more slits (e) in the device, through which a strap is pulled and fastened to itself and then attached to certain parts of the body (for example the hand) or connected to certain parts of the clothing (for example the belt), for additional stabilization of the device and the optical device.

An additional benefit of this device is that it can be broken down into two roughly equal parts. This facilitates supply e.g. in a pocket, which also makes transportation easier. Another great advantage of this division into two parts is that, in the position of use, the height of the base plate can be individually adjusted so that the viewfinder of the optical device lies directly in front of the eye. Of course, it is also possible, depending on the need, to construct this device in a version that cannot be dismantled.

The example of the device shown in Figures 1-3 is constructed from flat metal parts; however, it is also conceivable to manufacture this device from cast metal, metal pipes, and other metal profiles, or likewise from plastic or wood.

In the drawing, the object of the invention is shown in one embodiment. Show it:

1 shows a device for holding an optical device on a person, in a position of non-use, FIG. 2 shows the device in FIG. 1 from a perspective on a larger scale (optical

3, the device in FIG. 1 in a side view in cross section (optical device and mounting device not shown), FIG. 4 an example of a connection system in perspective, FIG. 5 an example of a ball joint mounting device on the base plate in the

Cross-section, Fig. 6 shows an example of a quick coupling mounting device on the base plate in

Cross section, Fig. 7 shows another possibility of a handle, Fig. 8 shows an example of the spreading legs provided with rubber feet in the

Use position (front view, handle scales not shown), Fig. 9 shows an example of the support legs in the non-use position in cross section and Fig. 10 shows another possibility of the shoulder support part.

According to the example drawn in FIG. 1, a person 1 uses a device 2 which essentially comprises a shoulder support part 3a, a main support part 4 and a handle 5a. The shoulder support part 3a is detachably connected to the main support part 4. The main support part 4 runs upwards and is then angled in a certain way that the optical device 6, in this variant a video camera, can be releasably attached to the base plate 7 with a low center of gravity.

As can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 2 & 3, the shoulder support part 3 a is essentially semicircular, and it extends over the shoulder of the person 1 in such a way that the free end of the rear part 8 lies in the region of the shoulder blade and is slightly bent outwards, to prevent pressure points against the body. The underside of the shoulder support part 3a is provided with a non-slip, soft padding 9 (e.g. foam rubber) which is attached from the free end of the rear part at 8 to the sharp upward angle at 10.

Additional stabilization of the device 2 is achieved in that this device has one or more slot (s) through which a strap is pulled and fastened to itself, which can then be attached around certain parts of the body or connected to certain parts of the clothing. Fig. 1 shows a clear example in which the device is connected via slot 11 by means of a belt 12 to the belt 13 of the person 1.

2 & 3 also show that the front end 14 of the shoulder support part 3a is angled sharply upwards at 10, and is releasably attached to the rearmost part 15 of the main support part 4 by a connection system. Fig. 4 is an example of such a connection system in which two pins 16 and 17 are perpendicular to the surface of the front End piece 14 of the shoulder support part 3a are fastened, and can slide up and down together through the slot 18 in the rearmost part 15 of the main support part 4, for expedient adjustment in order to fix the viewfinder in the direct eye line of the person 1. These sliding end pieces 14 and 15 are connected to one another by a screw 19 being guided through a hole 20 in part 14 and then through the slot 18 in part 15 and then being releasably screwed down with the nut 21.

From Fig. 3 it can further be seen how the main support part 4 of 15 leads upwards and is then bent in such a way that between 22 and 23 a base plate 7 is produced for mounting an optical device, preferably by means of a mounting device, the Base plate 7 is arranged in a horizontal position to person 1. It would also be conceivable, but unfavorable because of the lack of sideways movement for eye adjustment, that the optical device is directly releasably attached to the base plate 7.

2 shows how a longitudinal slot 24 advantageously runs in the base plate 7, which begins immediately after the bend 22 of the base plate 7 and ends immediately before the bend 23 of the base plate 7. From Fig. 5 & 6 it can be seen how the mounting screw 25 is used for the releasable attachment of a mounting device to the base plate 7, which can be freely moved back and forth within the longitudinal slot 24 before attachment by the distance between the person's eye 1 and the viewfinder of the optical device.

5 & 6 also show how the mounting screw 25 has a threaded part 26 and a head part 27. The threaded part 26 of the mounting screw 25 has a minimally smaller diameter than the width of the longitudinal slot 24, so that the mounting screw 25 can be freely moved in the longitudinal direction within the longitudinal slot 24 before tightening. The surface of the head part 27 of the mounting screw 25 can be mechanically roughened (for example knurled) so that it is possible to turn the mounting screw 25 with the fingers. The mounting screw 25 can advantageously be made with a slot 28 or in some other way so that the mounting screw 25 can also be tightened with mechanical aids (eg screwdriver, coin, open-ended wrench or hexagon key). A washer 29, which has an inner diameter of approximately the diameter of the threaded part 26 of the mounting screw 25, but a smaller than the diameter of the Has head part 27 of the mounting screw 25 is inserted between the head part 27 and the base plate 7. The washer 29 can be rigid or flexible and is made of material whose friction factor is smaller than that of the base plate 7 and the mounting screw 25 with which it comes into contact, so that the mounting device on the base plate 7 can be tightened more.

5 shows how the mounting device, in this example a ball-and-socket mounting device, can be attached to the base plate 7 by means of two mounting screws 25 and washers 29. This ball joint mounting device contains a video mounting plate 30 which has a centered hole which is minimally larger than the thread diameter of the video mounting screw 31. When the video mounting screw 31 is fixed by means of adjusting screw 32 against the ball 33, the optical device is moved downwards continuously on the video mounting screw 31 until it touches the video mounting plate 30, and from there on together with the video mounting plate 30, until it stops on the surface of the point 34.

The video mounting screw 31 is either made together with the ball 33 from a single part or, as in this example, screwed into the ball 33. The ball 33 has a minimally smaller diameter than the chamber 35, in which it can rotate freely, so that the free movement of the video mounting screw 31 and the video mounting plate 30 within the possible angle up to the releasable fixation by means of the adjusting screw 32, and thereby the stepless Adjustment of the angle of the optical device, which is attached to the video mounting plate 30, is guaranteed.

This adjustment screw 32 has a thread diameter that is smaller than the width of the longitudinal slot 24 of the base plate 7, but the same size as the thread of the centered hole in the locking disk 36. This locking disk 36, which is fixed by two pins 37, delimits the chamber 35 at the bottom, which prevents the ball 33 from falling out of the chamber 35, and at the same time serves as a holder for the adjustment screw 32.

6 shows how another assembly device, in this example a quick coupling, by means of an assembly screw 25 and a washer 29 can be attached. The video mounting plate 38 of the quick coupling is attached to the optical device by means of a video mounting screw 39, and is releasably fastened to the base part 40 of the quick coupling by means of a sliding bolt 41 based on the groove-and-rail principle. The end part 42 of the slide bar 41 is pressed in against the resistance of the spring 43 by means of pin 44, which is fastened to the underside of the slide bar 41. Only when the slide bar 41 is fully pushed in, is there a relationship between a milled part of the slide bar 41 and the chamber 45 of the base part 40, which together results in a certain opening slot shape that corresponds exactly to the shape of the coupling part 46 of the video mounting plate 38 and thus in chamber 45 fits. When the end part 42 is released, the slide bolt 41 returns to the original non-use position under the pressure of spring 43 by means of pin 44, and thereby releasably wedges the coupling part 46 with the base part 40.

The quick coupling was designed in such a way that instead of the video mounting plate 30 of the ball joint mounting device, it can also be screwed directly onto the video mounting screw 31 of the ball joint mounting device in order to ensure the optimum angle adjustment of the optical device and the effortless separation of the optical device from the device 2.

In order to attach a video camera more securely and stably to each of the video mounting plates 30 and 38 of the mounting devices, it is advantageous to provide these devices with a so-called video pin 47. This video pin 47 consists of a threaded part 48 for attachment to the video mounting plate 30 and 38 of the mounting devices and a smaller, rounded pin 49. The length and the diameter of the pin 49 correspond to the size of a standard video input on the underside of a video camera.

5 & 6 also shows how a synthetic or non-synthetic elastic material 50 (e.g. rubber or cork) is attached to the top of the video mounting plates 30 and 38 of the mounting devices, so that the housing of the optical device is protected and thus the optical Device can be attached as closely as possible to the mounting device. From Fig. 2 & 3 it can be seen how a handle 5 a, which helps support the optical device, continues from the base plate 7. It is advantageous if this handle 5a runs at an angle downwards from 23. The device 2 could, however, just as well end at 23, either without a handle, or with a handle which is attached to another location of the device 2. FIG. 7 shows an example of such a handle 5b, which is integrated into the mounting screw 25. The handle scales 51 on the handle 5a and 5b can be made of synthetic or non-synthetic material (eg wood, cork or rubber). Of course, it is also conceivable to attach a handle cover instead of handle scales around handle 5 a and 5 b, made of the same material as mentioned for the handle scales.

From Fig. 8 it can be seen how the support legs 53 provided with rubber feet 52, which ensure non-slip stability, are spread apart in the use position, as a result of which the device stands securely upright and is therefore also outstandingly suitable as a table tripod. From Fig. 3 it can be seen, as in this example on the handle 5a by means of a fastening screw 54 through a longitudinal slot 55 contained in the support legs 53, the width of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the fastening screw 54 to ensure a free sliding movement of the support legs 53 to Stop at the rubber feet 52 opposite end of the longitudinal slot 55 are attached.

From Fig. 8 it can be seen how the support legs 53 provided with rubber feet 52 in the use position have a locking plate 56, which slides by means of springs 57 on the fastening screws 54, the diameter of which is smaller than the holes 58 of the locking plate 56, downward pressure on the support legs 53 exercises that, when the support legs 53 are spread, a protruding part 59 of the locking plate 56 wedges between the support legs 53 spread as far as the stop, and thus prevents the support legs 53 from collapsing. FIG. 9 shows how, in the substantially hidden non-use position of the support legs 53, their falling out is prevented by the rubbing stain between the protruding part 59 of the locking plate 56, which is under spring pressure, and the support legs 53.

It can also be seen how the support legs 53 in the non-use position in a leg support, in this case integrated in the milled upper part of the handle scales 51, in the are essentially hidden. If a soft grip cover is used, it is also conceivable, between the hidden support legs 53 and the handle cover, a leg bearing, for example made of bent sheet metal, which allows the free movement of the support legs 53 in and out, and the soft rubber against damage from the sharp edges of the Protect legs 53 to attach.

10 shows a further variant of the shoulder support part, which is cast in an anatomically concave manner or machined to ensure that it lies comfortably over the shoulder. The underside of this shoulder support part 3b, like shoulder support part 3a, is provided with a non-slip, soft padding 9 (e.g. foam rubber) in order to ensure that the shoulder can be gripped securely. Furthermore, the shoulder support part 3b can have an integrated loudspeaker system which essentially connects a mono or stereo loudspeaker 60 to a mono or stereo jack plug 62 via an electronic cable 61. The mono or stereo jack plug 62 fits into the headphone jack of the video camera and thus enables the person 1 to listen to the sound directly when recording or playing back a recording in the viewfinder.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A device for ready-to-use mounting of a motion picture camera, camera or optical devices on the body of the user (1), characterized in that a shoulder support part which is essentially semicircularly curved (3a) or otherwise anatomically concave (3b) is made on the latter Underside has a non-slip, soft padding (9) attached, and at the end part (14) is releasably connected to the main support part (4), which is angled in a certain way that on the one hand a base plate (7) for the releasable installation of a optical device with a low center of gravity arises, and on the other hand no disturbing contact with certain parts of the face of the person (1) are caused in the horizontal longitudinal direction, perpendicular to the body axis of use of the device. (Fig. 1)

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection system for fast disassembly of the device and for height adjustment in the use position on one end piece (14) contains two pins (16) and (17) attached at right angles to the surface of the end piece (14), which can slide up and down together through the slot (18) in the rearmost part (15) of the main support part (4), as well as a screw (19) which passes through a hole (20) in part (14) and then through the slot (18 ) is guided in part (15) and screwed tightly with the nut (21).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a longitudinal slot (25) begins in the vicinity of one end of the base plate (7), which extends in the longitudinal direction against the opposite end of the base plate (7).

4. Device according to claim 1 and 3, characterized in that a mounting device for the releasable attachment of an optical device (6) on the base plate (7) is fixed.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the mounting device contains a ball joint which consists of a ball (33), which can be freely rotated in a chamber (35), and can be releasably fixed by means of an adjustment screw (32) , and a video mounting screw (31), which is integrated in the ball or connected to it, and at the opposite end contains the video mounting plate (30) attached, to which the optical device is mounted.

6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the mounting device is a quick coupling which connects a video mounting plate (38) with a base part (40) by means of a sliding latch (41) based on the groove-and-rail principle so that the end part (42) of the sliding bar (41) against the resistance of the spring (43) on a pin (44), which is located on the underside of the sliding bar, must be pushed all the way in to establish a ratio between a milled part of the sliding bar (41) and the chamber (45) of the base part (40), which together results in a certain opening slot shape which corresponds exactly to the shape of the coupling part (46) of the video mounting plate (38) and thus fits into the chamber (45) of the base part (40), and thus when the end part (42) is released, the slide bolt (41) returns to the original non-use position under pressure from the spring (43), and thereby the coupling part (46) again Wedge detachably with the base part (40).

7. The device according to claim 4, 5 and 6, characterized in that the quick coupling instead of the video mounting plate (30) of the ball joint mounting device is attached directly to the video mounting screw (31) of the ball joint mounting device.

8. The device according to claim 1, 4, 5 and 6, characterized in that the mounting device on the base plate (7) by means of one or more mounting screw (s) (25) is attached, wherein the mounting screw (25) is a threaded part (26) has a diameter which is minimally smaller than the width of the longitudinal slot (24), so that the mounting screw (s) (25) is freely movable in the longitudinal direction within the longitudinal slot (24) before tightening, and a head part (27) with a slot (28) or is otherwise manufactured so that the tightening of the mounting screw (25) with a screwdriver, a coin, your fingers, or any other tool.

9. The device according to claim 5 and 6, characterized in that for a more secure and stable attachment of a video camera to the video mounting plates (30) and (38) a so-called video pin (47) is provided, which consists of a threaded part (48) for attachment to the Video mounting plate (30) and (38) of the mounting devices, as well as a reduced rounded pin (49), the length and diameter of which corresponds to the size of a standard video input on the underside of the video camera.

10. The device according to claim 5 and 6, characterized in that a layer of synthetic or non-synthetic elastic material (50) on the top of the video mounting plates (30) and (38) is attached.

11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a handle (5a) in the connection to the base plate (7) leads downwards.

12. The device according to claim 1 and 1 1, characterized in that a handle (5b) is attached to another location of the device.

13. The device according to claim 11 and 12, characterized in that the handle (5) is equipped either with handle scales (51) or another coating (63) made of synthetic or non-synthetic material.

H. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that this device can stand upright by means of one or more support leg (s) (53), and is therefore also outstandingly suitable as a table tripod.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that two with rubber feet (52) provided support legs (53) on the handle (5a) by means of fastening screw (54) through a longitudinal slot (55) contained in the support legs (53), the width of which is insignificantly greater is than the diameter of the mounting screw (54) to ensure a free sliding movement of the support legs (53) up to the stop on the rubber feet (52) opposite end of the longitudinal slot (55) are attached and spread in the use position, and in the non-use position are essentially hidden in the handle (5a) .

16. The device according to claim 14 and 15, characterized in that a locking plate (56) is made so that it exerts pressure on the support legs (53) on the one hand by means of springs (57), whereby a protruding part (59) of the locking plate (56 ) in the position of use wedges between the support legs (53) spread as far as possible, and on the other hand, under spring pressure due to the rubbing of the locking plate (56) against the support legs (53) in the essentially hidden non-use position, preventing them from falling out.

17. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more slots (11) are present in the device, through which a strap (12) is pulled and fastened to itself, which is then attached around certain parts of the body or with certain parts of clothing connected is.

18. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that this device contains a loudspeaker system (60).