US4474439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera support
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-01-26
•
Granted: 1984-10-02
•
Expires: 2002-01-26
Abstract
Abstract The camera support includes an upright tubular body to which a gimbal and a plurality of auxiliary pieces of camera equipment such as a video monitor, an electronics package, a battery or a recorder can be vertically adjustably mounted in an expanded balanced arrangement. Some of these components are also circularly adjustable about the vertical body in response to various clearance requirements and the necessities of certain types of shooting. Certain components can be mounted to the tubular body in an inverted position to facilitate "low mode" operation in which the camera body is the lowest component of the camera equipment, and is adapted to be dependent from the camera mounting plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Garrett W. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:38
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M13/00; F16M13/04; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/04; F16M11/06; F16M11/08; F16M11/10; F16M11/20; F16M11/2007; F16M11/2021; F16M11/2028; F16M11/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In a mobile camera support system for securing a plurality of camera components during use, including a first component means and a second component means, an elongated support body having a camera body mounted near one end, and a gimbal means for attaching the support body to a carrying system, the improvement which comprises: means for attaching said first component means and said second component means to the support body; wherein said attachment means are capable of separate axial movement along the support body, and separate rotative movement about the support body; and wherein said first component means and said second component means are pivotally associated with said attachment means for separate rotation in azimuth with respect to said support body independently of each other and independently of the camera body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a mobile camera support system for securing a plurality of camera components during use, including a first component means and a second component means, an elongated support body having a camera body mounted near one end, and a gimbal means for attaching the support body to a carrying system, the improvement which comprises: means for attaching said first component means and said second component means to the support body; wherein said attachment means are capable of separate axial movement along the support body, and separate rotative movement about the support body; and wherein said first component means and said second component means are pivotally associated with said attachment means for separate rotation in azimuth with respect to said support body independently of each other and independently of the camera body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The camera support system of claim 1 wherein the first adjustable means comprises a video monitor bracket having at least one mounting ring, the mounting ring being provided with locking construction to releasably secure the video monitor bracket to the tubular body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The camera support system of claim 1 and a rotatable interconnection between the video monitor and the first adjustable means whereby the monitor may be located in an infinite number of positions relative to the camera mount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The camera support system of claim 1 and a pivotal interconnection between the video monitor and the first adjustable means whereby the monitor may be located in an infinite number of positions relative to the camera mount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The camera support system of claim 1 wherein the first adjustable means comprises at least one arm, the arm being offset from the axis of the body to space the video monitor away from the body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera support system of claim 1 wherein the second adjustable means comprises a second arm and length adjusting means to vary the length of the second arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The camera support system of claim 1 and scale means on the body to measure the rotative orientation of at least one of the components relative to its immediate means of support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The camera support system of claim 1 and third adjustable means to secure the electronics package to the body in spaced relationship from the camera mount, the third adjustable means being adapted to permit rotative adjustment of the electronics package relative to the body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The camera support system of claim 8 wherein the electronics package is cylindrical and is coaxially secured to the body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The camera support system of claim 8 wherein the third adjustable means comprises a threaded or bayonet connector and a threaded or bayonet socket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The camera support system of claim 8 wherein the third adjustable means comprises a central bore, the bore being of size to receive a portion of the tubular body therein whereby the electronics package may be longitudinally and rotatively adjusted on the tubular body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera support system of claim 8 wherein the second adjustable means comprises a second arm, the second arm interconnecting a camera equipment component to the electronics package.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The camera support system of claim 12 wherein the said camera equipment component is the battery.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The camera support system of claim 12 wherein the second arm includes a pivotal interconnection, the pivotal interconnection being provided with a locking clamp whereby the said camera equipment component can be secured in infinite pivoted positions relative to electronics package.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera support system of claim 8 and a connecting means adapted to interconnect the first adjustable means and the third adjustable means in fixed relative rotative position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
The camera support system of claim 15 wherein the connecting means comprises a floating clamp surrounding the first tubular body intermediate the said first and third adjustable means and adapted to clamp together a protruding boss from each of said adjustable means so that the first tubular body can be rotated freely relative to the said interconnected first and third adjustable means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The camera support system of claim 8 wherein the third adjustable means is adapted to permit both axial and rotative adjustment of the electronics package relative to the body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The camera support system of claim 1 wherein the second adjustable means interconnects a camera equipment component and the tubular body, the second adjustable means being provided with a clamp to secure the camera equipment component in an infinite number of rotated and axially adjusted position relative to the body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The camera support system of claim 18 and means to pivot the camera equipment component relative to the body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The camera support system of claim 1 wherein the gimbal means comprises a guiding flange to define a hand operating area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The camera support system of claim 20 and second handle removably affixed to the gimbal means connection to the carrying system to facilitate steadying and positioning the said carrying system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
The camera support system of claim 1 and a second tubular body secured to the first tubular body in angular relation thereto, the second tubular body comprising a clamp secured about the first tubular body, the clamp being adapted to permit axial and rotative movement of the second tubular body relative to the first tubular body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The camera support system of claim 22 wherein the electronics package comprises an internal bore, the electronics package receiving a portion of the second tubular body within the said bore.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The camera support system of claim 23 wherein the electronics package further comprises at least one clamp, the clamp securing the electronics package to the second tubular body in angular relationship to the axis of the first tubular body.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The camera support system of claim 22 wherein the second adjustable means is connected to the second tubular body and adapted to permit axial and rotative adjustment of the other camera equipment component relative to the second tubular body.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The camera support system of claim 25 wherein the second adjustable means comprises the electronics package.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The camera support system of claim 26 wherein the second adjustable means comprises the battery.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The camera support system of claim 1 wherein said first component means and said second component means are each independently pivotable about respective axis radially displaced from said elongated support body and transverse thereto.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera support system of claim 28 wherein said first component means is further pivotable about an axis radially spaced from said elongated support body but parallel thereto.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The camera system of claim 29 wherein the first component is rotatably connected to the elongated support body.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The camera system of claim 30 wherein the first component is rotatable in a horizontal plane about the elongated support body.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
61 words
The camera system of claim 29 wherein the first component means is longitudinally adjustable relative to elongated support to a position closer or further remote to the camera body, said means is pivotable in a vertical plane to facelitate better viewing during camera tilt of all degrees, and said means is circularly adjustable in a horizontal plane about the longitudinal member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The camera system of claim 1 wherein the first component means is a viewfinder means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The camera system of claim 33 wherein the viewfinder means is an electronic viewfinder means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The camera system of claim 34 wherein the viewfinder means is a TV monitor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera support system of claim 1 wherein said axis about which said second component means is pivotable is located off-center with respect to said second component means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The camera system of claim 36 wherein the first and second component means are rotatable through a ninety degree arc in an offset and opposite relationship with respect to the camera body.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The camera system of claim 1 wherein the second component means is a battery means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The camera system of claim 1 which comprises an additional component means, an electronic package means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The camera system of claim 1 wherein the first component is a viewfinder means and the second component is a battery means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
The camera system of claim 40 wherein the camera body is positioned closest to the ground as compared with the first component means, which is positioned further away from the ground than the camera body.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The camera system of claim 1 wherein the first component is a viewfinder means, the second component is a battery means, and an additional component means is an electronic package means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The camera system of claim 42 wherein the electronic package is in a laterally adjustable position.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
The camera system of claim 42 wherein the electronic package is securable to the elongated support means in a laterally adjustable position with respect to said body.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera system of claim 42 wherein the electronic package is securable to the elongated support means in a position upwardly and downwardly adjustable on the elongated body.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
The camera support of claim 42 wherein the electronics package includes a central bore of size to overfit and slide upon the upright body, the electronics package being rotatably and longitudinally adjustable relative to the upright body.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-02 | 1988-04-02 | 1988-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-02 | 1992-04-02 | 1992-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-02 | 1996-04-02 | 1996-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |