WO2013023277A1

WO2013023277A1 - Mounting device for camera

Info

Publication number: WO2013023277A1
Application number: PCT/CA2012/000758
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oleg IZVEKOV
Original assignee: IZVEKOVA, Olga
Priority date: 2011-08-15
Filing date: 2012-08-13
Publication date: 2013-02-21

Abstract

Camera mounting apparatus comprises a bracket mechanism for supporting and mounting a camera and base for supporting the bracket mechanism for pivotal movement of the bracket mechanism about a first pivot axis. The base has a support part for mounting the base on a support stand and a second part that includes a pivot shaft defining the first pivot axis. The bracket mechanism is pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft. An elongate spring device has opposite first and second spring ends and a central longitudinal axis, which extends through the first axis when the bracket means is in a neutral position. The first spring end is pivotally connected to the bracket mechanism and the second spring end is connected to the second part for pivoting about another axis parallel to the first axis. The spring device can provide a balancing torque to offset torque from the weight of the camera.

Description

MOUNTING DEVICE FOR CAMERA FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for pivotally mounting equipment such as a camera and, in particular, to camera mounting apparatus capable of providing a balancing force to offset torque from the weight of the camera equipment.

A variety of mounting brackets and platforms are known for mounting cameras and similar equipment on a firm camera support such as that provided by a tripod or monopod. However, known camera mounts have various limitations and disadvantages. In some cases, when the camera and lens (such as a telephoto lens) are tilted, it is necessary to support the weight of the camera and the lens which can be considerable. In some situations, the mounting bracket or platform can be hard to tilt, particularly if the friction mechanism in the bracket has been tightened in order to help support the weight of a camera and the lens. In the case of some brackets or platforms, it is impossible to pivot the camera lens to a full vertical position where the lens points upwardly or to a position where the lens is pointed at the ground or floor.

One known form of camera mounting bracket has a relatively large, bent support arm. In this known mount, a horizontal tilting axis goes through the center of gravity of the lens/camera combination. Because the center of gravity remains at this location, tilting the camera/lens combination does not create any torque about the horizontal axis. The mounting bracket is adjustable for accommodating lenses with different weights and diameters. However, a major difficulty with this known mounting bracket is that the user cannot bring a large lens to a vertical position since either the lens or the camera will first contact the lower section of the mounting bracket. In the case of a relatively small lens on the camera, if the user pivots the lens to the vertical position, it is impossible to look through the view finder because its access can be blocked by the mounting bracket. Also in this known mounting bracket, the horizontal tilting axis extends through the center of gravity. The result of this arrangement is that the support structure is long, heavy, and capable of flexing. Because of this, use of this mounting bracket can lead to a blurred picture. Recent US Patent No. 7,588,378 dated September 15, 2009, teaches a camera-support head having a stator and a rotor that is mounted so that it can be rotated about an inclined axis relative to the stator. This known head has a compensation device for compensating a load torque that occurs during the inclination, this device having an energy accumulator which exerts a restoring torque on the rotor during the inclination. The accumulator has a plurality of disc torsion springs each with an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner rings are mounted on a shaft and locked in place while the outer rings are coupled individually to the stator.

Earlier US Patent No. 4,447,033 issued May 8, 1984, describes a support for a television or movie camera which allows the camera to be tilted upwardly and downwardly with the weight of torque offered by the camera being counterbalanced by means of a series of accumulators or spring elements placed between the rotatable support for the camera and the stator portion of this support. By selective engagement of various combinations of the accumulators, different weights of cameras are said to be accommodated.

The apparatus for pivotaily mounting a camera according to the present invention employs an elongate spring device and a bracket device for supporting and mounting the camera. A lower end of the spring device is pivotaily connected to a cylindrical shaft section of a base support on which the bracket device can be pivoted. The spring device is able to provide a balancing torque to offset torque from the weight of a tilted camera and lens. This improved camera mounting apparatus can be manufactured at a reasonable cost and is simple to use on a tripod or a monopod.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a camera mounting apparatus comprises a bracket mechanism for supporting and mounting a camera, this mechanism including a bracket member and a fastening device for connecting a camera to the bracket member. The apparatus also includes a base mechanism for supporting the bracket mechanism for pivotal movement of the bracket mechanism about a first pivot axis. The base mechanism has a first support part for mounting the base mechanism on a vertically extending support stand and a second part that includes a pivot shaft defining the first pivot axis. The bracket mechanism is pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft. The apparatus also has an elongate spring device having opposite first and second spring ends and a central longitudinal axis which extends through the first pivot axis when the bracket mechanism is in a neutral position. The first spring end is pivotally connected to the bracket

mechanism and the second spring end is connected to the second part for pivoting about another pivot axis substantially parallel to the first pivot axis. During use of this camera mounting apparatus with the camera mounted thereon, the spring device can provide a balancing torque to offset torque from the weight of the camera when the bracket mechanism has been pivoted from the neutral position to another position at which the central longitudinal axis of the spring device is spaced from the first pivot axis. The balancing force depends on a spring force provided by the spring device and the perpendicular distance between the first pivot axis and the another pivot axis.

In an exemplary embodiment of the camera mounting apparatus, the first support part includes a further pivot shaft member for pivotally connecting the base mechanism to the support stand and a cylindrical passage into which the further pivot shaft member extends so as to be pivotal in the passage. The further pivot shaft member has a central axis defining a further pivot axis which extends substantially vertically during normal use of the camera mounting apparatus on the support stand.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a camera mounting apparatus for use on a camera stand includes a platform member for supporting and mounting a camera, this platform member having a fastening mechanism for connecting the camera to the platform member. There is also a shaft device including a first pivot shaft defining a first pivot axis that extends substantially horizontally during use of the camera mounting apparatus. The platform member is pivotally mounted on the first pivot shaft. The shaft device includes a hollow section forming a shaft-receiving passage having a central axis which is perpendicular to the first pivot axis. One side of the hollow section is joined to an inner end of the first pivot shaft. The apparatus further comprises a second pivot shaft member extending into the shaft receiving passage and pivotal therein. This second shaft member has a lower end section connectible to the camera support. An elongate spring device has opposite first and second spring ends and a central longitudinal axis which extends through the first pivot axis when the platform member is in a neutral position. The first spring end is pivotally connected to the platform member and the second spring end is pivotally connected to the shaft device at or near an outer end of the first pivot shaft. During use of this camera mounting apparatus with the camera mounted on the platform member, the spring device can provide a balancing torque to offset torque from the weight of the camera when the bracket member has been pivoted from the neutral position to another position at which the central longitudinal axis of the spring device is spaced from the first pivot axis.

In an exemplary version of this mounting apparatus, the spring device is a preloaded compression gas spring including a gas cylinder, which is closed at one end thereof, and a piston and rod combination slidable in the gas cylinder and extending from the other end of the gas cylinder.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a camera mounting apparatus for use in a camera support stand includes a platform member having a mounting surface for a camera and a mechanism for mounting this platform member for pivoting about a substantially horizontal first axis for tilting of the platform member to either side of a neutral position in which the mounting surface is horizontal. The mounting mechanism is adapted for mounting on top of the camera support stand. An elongate spring device has opposite first and second ends and a central longitudinal axis which extends through the first axis when the platform is in the neutral position. The first end is pivotally connected to the platform member and the second end is pivotally connected to a side of the mounting mechanism. During use of this camera mounting apparatus with the camera mounted on the mounting surface, the spring device can provide a balancing torque to offset torque from the weight of the camera when the platform member has been pivoted from the neutral position to another position at which the central longitudinal axis of the spring device is spaced from the first axis. In one exemplary embodiment of the mounting apparatus, the bracket device includes a support arm which extends upwardly from the camera support surface when the bracket device is in the neutral upright position.

These and other aspects of the present camera mounting apparatus will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings provided herewith.

So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will more readily understand how to make and use the subject invention, exemplary embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a schematic elevation showing a mounting apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted on a tripod with a camera having a large lens attached to the mounting apparatus and components of the mounting apparatus being shown in a vertical cross-section;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a monopod attached to the bottom of another embodiment of the camera mounting apparatus;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary version of the mounting apparatus, this view being taken from above and from the side on which the elongate spring device is mounted, some details being omitted for ease of illustration;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a camera with a large lens mounted on a further exemplary version of the camera mounting apparatus, the view being taken from above and from a rear side of the camera;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the camera mounting apparatus shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial vertical cross-section of the camera mounting apparatus of Figure 4 mounted on top of a tripod;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional detail view of the tilting mechanism taken along the line VII-VII of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional detail view of the camera panning mechanism taken along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional detail view of the torque adjusting mechanism taken along the line IX-IX of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view similar to Figure 6 of another exemplary embodiment of camera mounting apparatus mounted on a monopod;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional elevation of another embodiment of the camera mounting apparatus, this view being taken along the centre axis of the cylindrical shaft of the base support;

Figure 12 is a right side view of the mounting apparatus of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII of Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 11;

Figure 15 is a schematic elevation of the mounting apparatus with a relatively small camera including a lens mounted thereto, the mounting apparatus being shown in an upright position;

Figure 16 is a schematic illustration similar to Figure 15 but showing the camera with lens pivoted 30° downwardly;

Figure 17 is another schematic illustration similar to Figure 15 but showing the camera with lens pivoted 60° downwardly;

Figure 18 is a detail view of a portion of Figure 17 showing the region where the piston rod of the spring device connects to an adjustable block of a base support;

Figure 19 is a schematic elevation similar to Figure 15 but showing a larger camera and telephoto lens attached to the mounting apparatus;

Figure 20 is a schematic elevation similar to Figure 17 but showing the camera with lens tilted 30° downwardly;

Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 19 but showing the camera with lens tilted 60° downwardly;

Figure 22 is a detail view of a portion of Figure 21 showing the region where the piston rod of the spring device connects to the adjustable block; Figure 23 is a side view similar to Figure 19 but showing the camera with a large lens tilted 90 degrees to face the ground;

Figure 24 is a detail view of a portion of Figure 23 showing the region where the piston rod connects to the adjustable block;

Figure 25 is an elevation view, partly in cross-section, of a further

embodiment of the mounting apparatus for a camera which is shown schematically mounted thereon;

Figure 26 is a schematic elevation view of yet another embodiment of the mounting apparatus employing a coil spring and showing a large camera and lens mounted thereon in a horizontal position; and

Figure 27 is a schematic elevation view similar to Figure 25 but illustrating an additional embodiment of the mounting apparatus, this embodiment employing a coil extension spring.

An apparatus for pivotally mounting equipment such as a camera is indicated generally at 10 in Figures 1 and 3. In Figure 1, a camera lens 12 is shown schematically and it will be understood that attached to one end of this lens is a camera which can be a regular, known digital camera 13 (see Figure 4). The camera and lens combination are mounted rigidly to a bracket device 14 which is part of the mounting apparatus so that the lens/camera center of gravity is directly over horizontal axis A. The bracket device has a support surface 16 on which the camera/lens combination is mounted, this surface usually extending horizontally when the mounting apparatus is in a vertical or upright position. Shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a standard C-clamp 21 which is mounted by a screw 23 to the support surface 16. Attached to the lens 12 is a standard lens plate 25 which is adjustably mounted in the C-clamp. The mounting apparatus further includes a base support 18 for mounting the bracket device for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis indicated at A. The bracket device 14 has a first passage 20 having a central axis which is coaxial with this first pivot axis. This passage 20 is formed in a cylindrical lower section 21 of the bracket device. This exterior of the lower section 21 is shown in Figure 3. Thus the cylindrical first passage defines the first pivot axis A. Also provided on the bracket device is an attaching device (not shown in Figure 3) for connecting the camera and lens combination to the support surface 16. The base support of Figure 1 includes a first part 22 which forms a second passage 24 having a central axis indicated at V. This central axis defines a second pivot axis which extends vertically when the first part 22 is in its upright position. The base support also has a second part 26 which forms a first cylindrical shaft which is pivotal in the first passage 20 about the first pivot axis A. The second part also has a radial extension indicated generally at 30 and located at an outer end of the shaft. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, this radial extension is a separate part detachably connected to the shaft by means of bolts or flat head machine screws 32.

In order to allow the bracket device 14 to pivot freely about the horizontal axis A two bearings 34 can be mounted at opposite ends of the first passage 20. These can be standard ball or roller bearing units with inner rings mounted on the shaft of the base support and outer rings mounted on the cylindrical wall of the passage 20. There are also two ball or roller bearing units 36 mounted in the second passage 24 and extending around the axis V. A second shaft member 38 is pivotally connected to the base support 18 by means of these bearings. The shaft member 38 extends into the second passage 24 and it is connectable at a lower end thereof to a main camera supporting apparatus, for example the illustrated tripod 40. The tripod is a known device and is commonly used to support cameras. The tripod has three legs 42 that extend downwardly from a support platform 44. The lower end of the shaft member 38 can be formed with a radially extending end flange 46 if desired or necessary to support the shaft member. A suitable threaded stud 47 is provided at the centre of the platform 44 to thread into the bottom end of the shaft member 38 in order to connect same to the platform.

Figure 2 illustrates the use of a mounting apparatus according to the present disclosure on a monopod 50 which can be of standard construction. The monopod has a single leg 52 which allows the monopod to pivot freely about a general vertical axis. At the top of the leg is a support platform 54. Because the monopod can pivot about its central axis, there is no need for the mounting apparatus 10', only a portion of which is shown, to have a shaft member 38 mounted on top of the monopod. Instead, the base support 18' has a horizontal connecting plate 56 which can be integrally connected to the second part 26, which forms a cylindrical shaft. The connecting plate can have a central threaded hole at 58 to receive a central stud for mounting the plate on the platform 54.

Another component of the mounting apparatus 10, 10' is an elongate spring device indicated generally at 60, this spring device providing a balancing torque to offset torque from the weight of the camera/lens combination when the bracket device has been pivoted from a neutral upright position (shown in Figure 1) to another position at which a central longitudinal axis of the spring device does not pass through the first pivot axis A or A'. The term "neutral position" in the context of the present application refers generally to the position where the center of gravity of the lens/camera combination is over the horizontal first axis A. The central longitudinal axis of the spring device is indicated at X in Figures 1 and 3. The spring device 60 has an upper spring end at 62 and a lower spring end at 64. The upper spring end 62 is pivotally connected to the bracket device 14 by means of an upper pivot pin 66 while the lower spring end is connected to the radial extension 30 for pivotal movement about a third pivot axis C substantially parallel to the first pivot axis A. As explained further hereinafter, the balancing torque provided by the elongate spring device depends to some extent on the

perpendicular distance between the first and third pivot axes. The spring device 60 illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 is a pre-loaded compression gas spring having a gas cylinder 68 containing a piston (not shown) to which is attached a piston rod 70.

The bracket device 14 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment includes an upwardly extending support arm 72 having a top end section in which the pivot pin 66 is mounted. In the camera mount of Figure 3, the bracket device includes a short connecting section 15 that is rigidly attached to the support arm 72. The pivot pin can be provided with a threaded end section at 74 which engages threads formed in the hole of the support arm. Also, if desired, the pivot pin can have a reduced diameter outer end section at 76 which reduces torque caused by friction between the upper spring end and the pivot pin. The bottom end of the piston rod 70 is connected to an adjustable connecting member 80 which can also be formed with a reduced outer end section at 82. The exemplary piston rod 70 illustrated in Figure 3 has a spherical end connector 84. The end section 82 can be connected to the end connector by means of threads.

The centre of gravity of the camera/lens combination is indicated in Figure 1 at 90. When the mounting apparatus 10 or 10' is in the illustrated upright position, the vertical line Z extending through the centre of gravity intersects the horizontal axis A. Because of this, with the bracket or platform device 16 in its fully vertical position, the weight of the lens and camera does not create any torque around the axis A and the camera and lens are easy to hold and manoeuvre, for example around the vertical central axis of the tripod and the shaft member 38. In addition, it will be noted that in the fully vertical position, the axis A extends through the central axis of the vertically extending piston rod 70 so that the spring device does not create any torque about the axis A. The point at which the axis A extends through the piston rod is indicated at H.

Shown in Figure 3 is a horizontally extending handle 71 that is used in this embodiment to regulate or adjust the distance D indicated in Figure 1. The end section 73 of the handle is attached to the end of a screw 100 (see below) in order to allow the screw to be turned easily by hand. Also shown in Figure 3 is a front cover plate 31 forming the front of the radial extension 30 and connected to a main section 33 by eight screws 224' whose heads are located in suitable edge recesses.

Figures 4 to 9 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a camera mounting apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention. This exemplary

embodiment is indicated generally by reference 166. In this embodiment, a number of components and parts are the same as or similar to those already described in connection with the embodiment of Figure 1 and the same reference numbers are used for these similar components or parts. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a camera 13 mounted on a large camera lens 12. This combination will sometimes be referred to herein as the "camera". The camera and lens combination are supported as shown by means of a generally L-shaped leg 166 which can be mounted on a rectangular lens plate 25 whose two longitudinal edges forming V- grooves 168. The plate 25 is adjustably mounted in the standard C-clamp 21. As clearly illustrated in Figure 6, the C-clamp is detachably connected by means of one or more screws to the bracket or platform mechanism 172. Connected to one side of the C-clamp is a first adjustment knob 174 which has a threaded screw section 176 that extends into a threaded hole in one side of the C-clamp. An adjustable clamp member 178 has a hole through which the screw section 178 extends. This clamp member has a V-shaped upper edge section which engages into the adjacent V-groove of the lens plate 25. It will be understood that the knob 174 can be loosened or tightened in order to clamp or release the clamp member 178. In this way, the lens plate can be adjusted by sliding it to a position where the center of gravity of the lens/camera is directly over the first axis A and, when in the required position, the plate is held firmly to the C-clamp.

The apparatus 166 has a second adjustment knob 180 attached to a screw section 182. The screw section 182 is threaded into the base support or base mechanism which in this embodiment is identified by reference 184. The inner end of the screw section 182 engages a pan brake pad 186 which extends through an arc of 180° as shown in Figure 8. The pad can be held in place by means of a set screw or pin 188 that extends through a hole in the base. The inner arc of the brake pad engages a hollow pivot shaft 190. This brake pad can be made of Teflon (TM) or nylon. As in the embodiment of Figure 1, two sets of bearings 36 are arranged between the pivot shaft 190 and the base member 184 so that the base member is free to pivot about a vertical axis defined by the pivot shaft. In this version of the pivot shaft arrangement, the pivot shaft is detachably connected to a circular base plate 192 by means of bolts 194. The base plate is then connected to the camera stand, that is the tripod 40, by means of a threaded stud 47. The two bearing units 36 can be held in place by means of snap rings 196 that mount in grooves in the base 184.

There is a third adjustment knob 200 that is connected to elongate, horizontal shaft 202 that extends through a side opening in the base 184. This shaft has a threaded end section 204 that extends through a threaded hole in the base. The end of the shaft engages a pivoting lever 206. The lever 206 is mounted on a horizontal pin 208 mounted in holes formed in hollow pivot shaft 210 (see Figure 7). The bottom section of the lever is located in a bottom slot 212 formed in the pivot shaft. A semi-circular tilt brake pad 215 made of Teflon (TM) or nylon extends about one side of the shaft 210 and it is held in place by a short screw 216 that is threaded into the side of the shaft. It will be understood that by adjustment of the knob 200, the user can move the lever 206 and thereby apply pressure to or release pressure from the tilt brake pad. In this way, the camera and lens mounted on the mounting apparatus can be held in the desired position about the horizontal axis defined by the pivot shaft 210. Again, as in the embodiment of Figure 1, two bearing units 34 pivotally mount the platform mechanism 172 on the pivot shaft 210.

As in the embodiment of Figure 1, there is a radial extension member 30 mounted at the outer end of the pivot shaft 210 and extending along the length of this extension is an adjustment screw 100 having a head at the top end of the extension.

Figure 9 illustrates a cross-section of the radial extension, the adjustment screw 100 and the adjustable connecting member 80. In this embodiment of the radial extension, there is a detachable, elongate rear plate 220 which can be attached to a slotted front section 222 by means of at least four bolts 224 (only two being shown) whose heads fit into recesses formed in the rear plate. The adjustable connecting member 80 is connected by means of a ball joint to a lower spring end 64.

An optional feature of the embodiment of Figure 6 is a locking mechanism indicated generally at 226. This mechanism includes a manually adjustable knob 227 located on the bottom side of the platform mechanism 172 and connected to a sliding, horizontal lock pin 228 having a reduced end section 229. A horizontal passage is formed in a bottom section of the platform mechanism to snugly accommodate the lock pin 228 and a pre-drilled hole is formed in the rear plate 220 to selectively accommodate the reduced end of the pin. This reduced end can be moved in or out of the hole in the rear plate by means of the knob 226 which can be tightened to hold the pin in the desired position. This locking mechanism 226 provides a means for locking the platform mechanism in the upright or neutral position shown in Figure 6 and can be used to prevent horizontal tilting, e.g. when the camera and lens are moved while attached to the tripod.

Some further details of the exemplary embodiment of the camera mounting apparatus shown in Figure 6 are illustrated in the exploded view of Figure 5. In particular, the front or outer surface of the rear plate 220 is illustrated in Figure 5 and it will be seen that it has a bottom section which is relatively narrow with two vertical side edges at 240. Above these side edges are circular arc shaped wings 242 which are sufficiently large that the rear plate effectively covers the adjacent open end 244 of the platform mechanism. Also shown in Figure 5 are a series of bolt or screw holes 250 which are formed in two vertical lines in the rear plate. Cap screws not shown extend through these holes to mount the front section 222 on the rear plate. Of course, before this mounting step occurs, the connecting member is placed within the central groove or recess formed in the front section and two flat head screws are inserted through holes 211 for subsequent use.

The radial extension 30 and the rear plate 220 are attached to pivot shaft 210 by the above mentioned two flat head screws (not shown) that extend rearwardly through the two tapering holes 211. A hole 213 is provided in the extension 30 to allow passage of a turning tool such as an Allan key, and thus enable tightening of the upper flat head screw.

The camera mounting apparatus indicated generally by reference 230 and shown in Figure 10 has many features in common with the camera mounting apparatus 166. However, the apparatus 230 is constructed for mounting on a monopod 50 having a single leg which can be readily rotated for panning of the camera. Only those features which differ in their construction as compared to features shown in Figure 6 and described above will now be described. This camera mounting apparatus has a base mechanism 232 that includes an angle-shaped base member 234 having the horizontal connecting plate 56. The plate 56 is connected by threaded fastener 58 to the top plate of the monopod. In many standard monopods, the fastener 58 is an integral part of the monopod. Again, a hollow pivot shaft 210 is connected by means of a connecting flange 236 and suitable bolts 238 to a vertical side of the base member 234. The threaded shaft 204 connected to the knob 200 extends through a threaded hole in the upright leg of the member 234.

Figures 15 to 24 illustrate how the distance d, D affects the balancing moment provided by the present mounting apparatus 10. Figures 15 to 18 illustrate a relatively small camera/lens combination 92 mounted on the apparatus 10 while Figures 19 to 24 illustrate a relatively large camera/lens combination 94 mounted on the apparatus 10. In both of Figures 15 and 19, the mounting apparatus 10 is shown in the upright or vertical position and, as indicated, in this position the mounting apparatus provides no balancing torque to counteract or offset the torque around the pivot axis A from the weight of the camera/lens combination. Figures 16 and 20 show the camera/lens combination 92, 94 tilted at a 30° angle to the horizontal plane. In this position, the spring device 60 does provide some balancing torque to offset the torque created by the weight

(gravitational force) of the camera/lens combination 92, 94. Because of this balancing torque, the camera and lens are still easy to hold and manoeuvre in order to take good photographs.

In Figure 17 and 21, each of the camera/lens combinations 92, 94 has been tilted to a relatively large 60° angle to the horizontal plane. In this position, the centre of gravity 90 of the camera/lens combination is disposed at a greater horizontal distance from the pivot axis located at A. In this position, the mounting apparatus 10 provides a greater balancing torque to offset the larger torque from the weight of the camera/lens combination.

Figures 18, 22 and 24 are detail views which illustrate how the spring device 60 is adjusted to accommodate camera/lens combinations of different sizes and weights. In particular, the exemplary mounting apparatus 10 is provided with the aforementioned adjustable connecting member 80 to which the outer end of the piston rod 70 is pivotally connected. The connecting member 80 is slidably mounted in an elongate recess formed in the radial extension 30. With the spring device 60 arranged in a vertical position (see Figures 15 and 19), the position of the connecting member 80 can be adjusted upwardly or downwardly by means of a screw 100. As illustrated, this screw has a screw head 101 that engages a top end wall of the extension 30. The bottom section of the screw is not threaded and extends through a bottom end wall of the extension and the bottom end of the screw can be formed with a slot or recess engageable by a tool such as a

screwdriver in order to rotate the screw. Rotation of the screw in one direction or the other will cause the connecting member 80 to move closer to or further away from the pivot axis A. In other words, the distance from the centre point 102 to the axis A is adjustable and can be a relatively short distance d as shown in Figure 18 or a substantially larger distance D shown in Figure 22. The adjustment of this screw can be done easily and requires only a short period of time. It will be understood that for a relatively large camera/lens combination 94, the distance from the pivot point 102 to the pivot axis A is made larger, creating a greater balancing torque when the camera/lens combination is tilted. The distance between the pivot point 102 and the axis A is made smaller for the small camera/lens combination 92 so the balancing torque will not be as great. As illustrated in Figure 3, it is possible to attach one end of the screw 100 to a handle allowing it to be turned manually without the use of a tool. It will be appreciated that it is also possible to turn the screw 100 so that the pivot point 102 is aligned with the pivot axis A and, in this case, no balancing torque whatever is provided by the spring device 60, which may be desirable for some camera uses.

To explain the operating principle of the present mounting apparatus further, once a user begins to tilt the camera/lens combination, the centre line X of the spring device 60 (which corresponds to the vector of spring force) is moved away from the horizontal pivot axis A. This distance is indicated at Y in Figure 18. It is the combination of this distance and the spring force that provides a suitable balancing torque to offset the torque from the weight of the camera/lens

combination. In the case of a larger camera/lens combination, the distance Y shown in Figure 22 is larger due to the fact that the connecting member 80 is further from the axis A. The combination of the greater distance Y and the spring force provide a greater balancing torque to offset the greater torque created by the large weight of the camera/lens combination.

Figures 11 to 14 illustrate schematically a simpler mounting apparatus indicated generally by reference 120. Except for the differences noted hereinafter, this apparatus 120 is similar in its construction to the mounting apparatus 10.

Again, the mounting apparatus 120 is pivotal about a vertical axis V by means of the shaft member 38 which can be mounted to the top of a tripod. However, in the mounting apparatus 120, there is no radial extension 30 containing an adjustable screw 100. A connecting member 122 extends outwardly from a radial extension 120 which can be integrally formed on the second part 26 of the base support 18. Alternatively, the radial extension 120 can be formed by a separate member (not shown) detachably connected to the end of the shaft formed by the second part 26.

One way in which a user can adjust the balancing torque of the mounting apparatus 120 is to change the spring device 60 to one providing either a greater or smaller balancing force over substantially the same length.

Figures 25 to 27 illustrate alternate ways in which the mounting apparatus of the invention can be constructed. In the mounting apparatus 130, the construction of the apparatus is similar to that illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 except for the differences noted hereinafter. In particular, the mounting apparatus 130 as illustrated is designed for mounting on a monopod 50 by means of the horizontal connecting plate 56 having a threaded central attachment hole at 58. The base support 18' has a second part 26, which forms a cylindrical shaft to which is detachably connected radial extension 30. A screw 100 is mounted in this radial extension but in this embodiment the head of the screw is located at the bottom end wall of the extension and a slot 132 can be provided at the top end of the screw for turning same. The primary difference in the mounting apparatus 130 is the position of the spring device 135, which is arranged 180° to the position of the spring device 60 shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the gas cylinder 136 has its closed end pivotally connected to a lower pivot pin 66' which is connected to a downwardly extending support arm 72', that is an integral part of the bracket device or platform. A piston rod 70' extends upwardly from the gas cylinder to a connecting member 80', the position of which is adjustable. It will thus be appreciated that the main body of the spring device 135 is positioned below the horizontal pivot axis A and the upper pivot point 140 is located above this pivot axis A.

Figure 26 illustrates another embodiment of a mounting apparatus

constructed in accordance with the invention. This mounting apparatus 150 can be constructed in a manner similar to the mounting apparatus 10 except for the differences noted hereinafter. Figure 26 shows a relatively large camera/lens combination mounted on a bracket device 152. This bracket device is formed with a horizontally extending support arm 154 to which a spring device 60 is pivotally connected. In this embodiment, the spring device is turned 90° relative to its position in the mounting apparatus of Figure 1. The closed end of the gas cylinder of the spring device is pivotally connected at 156, while the piston rod 70 is pivotally connected at its outer end to an adjustable connecting member 80' movable in radial extension 30'. In the position shown in Figure 26, the spring device 60 exerts no balancing torque on the camera/lens combination since the centre of gravity of this combination is located directly over the horizontal pivot axis at A. However, once the camera/lens combination is tilted away from the

horizontal plane, the mounting apparatus 150 will exert a balancing torque to offset the torque from the weight of the camera/lens combination.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the present art, it is possible to construct the mounting apparatus described herein so that the pivot point where the bracket arm connects to the spring (for example the pivot at 156 in Figure 26) is at any angle in a vertical plane around the horizontal pivot axis A.

Figure 27 illustrates a further mounting apparatus 160 which is similar in its construction and operation to the mounting apparatus 10 of Figure 1, except for the differences noted hereinafter. The primary difference in this embodiment is that the compression gas spring 60 is replaced by an extension coil spring 162, which is pivotally connected at its upper and lower ends. The upper end of the spring is connected to an upper pivot pin 66 which is attached to an upper end section of a support arm 72. The bottom end of the spring is attached to a connecting member 80' which is adjustably mounted in the radial extension 30. The screw 100 in this radial extension is oriented in the same manner as the screw in the embodiment of Figure 25. The distance D can be adjusted by turning the head of screw 100 with an appropriate tool.

It will be appreciated that one advantage of the mounting apparatus disclosed herein is that the camera/lens combination can be tilted a full +/-90⁰ about the horizontal pivot axis A. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of the mounting apparatus, the lens can be pointed straight up or the lens can be pivoted forwardly so that it is pointed straight down as illustrated in Figure 23. Moreover this is possible while still allowing access to the camera viewfinder at any given angle. Another advantage of the present mounting apparatus is that the greater the tilting angle of the camera/lens combination, the greater the counter-balancing torque produced by the spring device and this makes the camera and lens quite easy to manipulate and manoeuvre. The exemplary camera mounting apparatus described herein provides both of these advantages, that is +/- 90° tilting and counterbalancing at any given angle greater than 0 degrees.

A preferred material for many of the major components of the present camera mounting apparatus is magnesium but other possible materials are aluminum, stainless steel, and regular steel. The disadvantage of either form of steel is its weight.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in various exemplary embodiments, e.g. embodiments having particular utility in camera mounting applications, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details shown herein, since it will be understood that the various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the disclosed mounting apparatus and its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the scope of the present invention. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art would readily adapt the present disclosure for various other applications without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Camera mounting apparatus comprising: bracket means for supporting and mounting a camera, said bracket means including a bracket member and a fastening device for connecting a camera to the bracket member;

base means for supporting said bracket means for pivotal movement of said bracket means about a first pivot axis, said base means having a first support part for mounting said base means on a vertically extending support stand and a second part that includes a pivot shaft defining said first pivot axis, said bracket means being pivotally mounted on said pivot shaft; and

an elongate spring device having opposite first and second spring ends and a central longitudinal axis, which extends through said first pivot axis when said bracket means is in a neutral position, the first spring end being pivotally connected to said bracket means and said second spring end being connected to said second part for pivoting about another pivot axis substantially parallel to said first pivot axis,

wherein, during use of the camera mounting apparatus with the camera mounted thereon, said spring device can provide a balancing torque to offset torque from the weight of said camera when said bracket means has been pivoted from said neutral position to another position at which the central longitudinal axis of the spring device is spaced from the first pivot axis, said balancing force depending on a spring force provided by the spring device and a perpendicular distance between the first pivot axis and said another pivot axis.

2. Camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first support part includes a further pivot shaft member for pivotally connecting said base means to said support stand and a cylindrical passage into which said further pivot shaft member extends so as to be pivotal in the passage, said further pivot shaft member having a central axis defining a further pivot axis which extends substantially vertically during normal use of the camera mounting apparatus on said support stand.

3. Camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said spring device is a preloaded compression gas spring.

4. Camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bracket

member has a cylindrical passage formed therein and having a central axis coaxial with said first pivot axis and wherein said pivot shaft is pivotally mounted in said cylindrical passage.

5. Camera mounting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said second part of the base means includes a radial extension located at an outer end of the pivot shaft and said second spring end is pivotally connected to said radial extension.

6. Camera mounting apparatus according to any one of claim 1 to 5 wherein said bracket means has a support surface for mounting the camera and a support arm which extends upwardly from said support surface when said bracket means is in said neutral position and the camera mounting apparatus is mounted on said support stand and in position for use.

7. Camera mounting apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said radial

extension is formed with an elongate recess and has slidably mounted therein an adjustable connecting member to which said second spring end is pivotally connected and a screw member extending along the length of said recess and through said adjustable connecting member, threads on said screw member engaging a threaded passage formed in the connecting member whereby turning of said screw member can adjust the position of the connecting member and thus the position of said another pivot axis.

8. Camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said spring device is an elongate coil spring.

9. Camera mounting apparatus according to claim 4 including bearing

mechanisms mounted in said cylindrical passage to enhance pivotal movement of said pivot shaft.

10. Camera mounting apparatus according to claim 2 including bearing

mechanisms mounted in said cylindrical passage of the first support part to enhance pivotal movement of said further pivot shaft member.

11. Camera mounting apparatus for use on a camera stand, said apparatus

comprising:

a platform member for supporting and mounting a camera, said platform member having a fastening mechanism for connecting the camera to the platform member;

a shaft device including a first pivot shaft defining a first pivot axis that extends substantially horizontally during use of the camera mounting apparatus, said platform member being pivotally mounted on the first pivot shaft, said shaft device including a hollow section forming a shaft-receiving passage having a central axis which is perpendicular to said first pivot axis, one side of said hollow section being joined to an inner end of the first pivot shaft;

a second pivot shaft member extending into said shaft-receiving passage and pivotal therein and having a lower end section connectable to said camera support; and

an elongate spring device having opposite first and second spring ends and a central longitudinal axis which extends through said first pivot axis when said platform member is in a neutral position, the first spring end being pivotally connected to said platform member and said second spring end being pivotally connected to said shaft device at or near an outer end of the first pivot shaft, wherein, during use of the camera mounting apparatus with the camera mounted on said platform member, said spring device can provide a balancing torque to offset torque from the weight of said camera when said bracket member has been pivoted from said neutral position to another position at which said central longitudinal axis of the spring device is spaced from the first pivot axis.

12. Camera mounting apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said spring

device is a preloaded compression gas spring including a gas cylinder, which is closed at one end thereof, and a piston and rod combination slidable in said gas cylinder and extending from the other end of the gas cylinder.

13. Camera mounting apparatus according to claim 11 or 12 wherein said shaft device includes an elongate connecting member connected to said outer end of the first pivot shaft and extending transversely of the first pivot axis, said connecting member having an elongate slot formed therein and a sliding connector adjustably mounted in said slot, said second spring end being pivotally connected to the sliding connector.

14. Camera mounting apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13

wherein said platform member has a cylindrical passageway formed therein for receiving the first pivot shaft and bearings are mounted in said cylindrical passageway for pivotally supporting the first pivot shaft.

15. Camera mounting apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14

wherein said platform member includes an elongate support arm and a support surface on which said camera can be mounted, said support arm extends perpendicular to said support surface, and the first spring end is pivotally connected to an end section of the support arm spaced away from said support surface.

16. Camera mounting apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 15

including brake pad means for selectively preventing said platform member from pivoting on the first pivot shaft.

17. Camera mounting apparatus for use on a camera support stand, said apparatus comprising : a platform member having a mounting surface for a camera;

means for mounting said platform member for pivoting about a substantially horizontal first axis for tilting of the platform member to either side of a neutral position in which said mounting surface is horizontal, said mounting means being adapted for mounting on top of said camera support stand; and

elongate spring means having opposite first and second ends and a central longitudinal axis which extends through said first axis when said platform is in said neutral position, the first end being pivotally connected to said platform member and the second end being pivotally connected to a side of said mounting means,

wherein, during use of the camera mounting apparatus with the camera mounted on said mounting surface, said spring means can provide a balancing torque to offset torque from the weight of said camera when said platform member has been pivoted from said neutral position to another position at which said central longitudinal axis of the spring means is spaced from the first axis.

18. Camera mounting apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said spring

means is a preloaded compression gas spring.

19. Camera mounting apparatus according to claim 16 or 17 wherein said

mounting means includes a first pivot shaft having a central axis defining said first axis and a hollow section forming a cylindrical passage having a central axis perpendicular to the first axis, said platform member being pivotally mounted on said first pivot shaft; and wherein said mounting apparatus also includes a second pivot shaft member which is adapted for mounting in a vertical position on the camera support stand, said second pivot shaft member being pivotally received in said cylindrical passage of the hollow section.

20. Camera mounting apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein said platform member has a support arm which extends perpendicularly to said mounting surface, said first end being pivotally connected to an outer end section of the support arm.