US4735389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable camera and instrument support and positioning system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-11-26
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Granted: 1988-04-05
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Expires: 2006-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A modular support system is provided herein. It includes one, but preferably at least two, elongated bars, each having a longitudinally extending slot traversing substantially the entire length thereof except at the ends thereof. A clamping member is provided for engagement with the elongated bar and preferably for use when at least two elongated bars are used, for clamping two such elongated bars together at any desired angle, e.g. at 180° to each other. The clamping member comprises a pair of complementary, essentially U-shaped members, with the space between the arms of the "U" being substantially the same as the width of the elongated bar, a central longitudinal ridge between the arms of the "U", adapted to enter the slot in the elongated bar, and preferably also a pair of pins mounted, preferably removably, on at least one ridge and adapted to enter cooperating aperture e.g. in the flat base of the "U", and means for providing secure, e.g., threaded, engagement of the two U-shaped members through the ridges thereof. An annular member, which is provided with at least one longitudinally extending slot in an arm thereof, is used for detachable securement at any desired location to an elongated bar. This provides a useful, simple, versatile, support system for a camera, for lights or for other equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip F. Graham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:30
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/42; F16M11/02; F16M11/18; F16M11/20; F16M11/24; F16M13/00; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/02; F16M2200/021; F16M2200/024; F16M2200/025; F16M2200/028; F16M2200/06; F16M2200/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A modular support system comprising: (a) an elongated bar, having a longitudinally extending slot traversing substantially the entire length thereof, except at its ends; (b) a clamping member securable to said elongated bar, said clamping member comprising a pair of complementary, essentially U-shaped components, with the space between the arms of the "U" being substantially the same as the width of said elongated bar, a central ridge between the arms of the "U" and adapted to enter the slot in the elongated bar, and means for providing secure engagement of the two "U"-shaped members through the ridges thereof; and (c) an angular member provided with at least one longitudinally extending slot in an arm thereof, for detachable securement at any desired location of the elongated bar; whereby a camera may be supported and extended into its desired position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A modular support system comprising: (a) an elongated bar, having a longitudinally extending slot traversing substantially the entire length thereof, except at its ends; (b) a clamping member securable to said elongated bar, said clamping member comprising a pair of complementary, essentially U-shaped components, with the space between the arms of the "U" being substantially the same as the width of said elongated bar, a central ridge between the arms of the "U" and adapted to enter the slot in the elongated bar, and means for providing secure engagement of the two "U"-shaped members through the ridges thereof; and (c) an angular member provided with at least one longitudinally extending slot in an arm thereof, for detachable securement at any desired location of the elongated bar; whereby a camera may be supported and extended into its desired position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The modular support member of claim 1 wherein said clamping member includes a pair of pins, at least one being secured to at least one said ridge, and cooperating apertures in the clamp for engagment with said pins to prevent relative rotation between said complementary clamping components.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The angular support member of claim 2 wherein said pins and said apertures are on or in said ridges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The angular support member of claim 2 wherein only the pins are on said ridges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The angular support member of claim 2 wherein only the apertures are in said ridges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The angular support member of claim 1 wherein the secure engagement of said complementary components is by a threaded engagement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The angular support member of claim 1 wherein said angular member includes at least two arms, and wherein each arm is provided with a longitudinally extending slot therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
130 words
A modular support system comprising: (a) at least two elongated bars, each having a longitudinally extending slot traversing substantially the entire length thereof except at its ends; (b) a clamping member for clamping two such elongated bars together, said clamping member comprising a pair of complementary, essentially U-shaped clamping components, with the space between the arms of the "U" being substantially the same as the width of the elongated bar, a central longitudinal ridge between the arms of the "U", adapted to enter the slot in the elongated bar, and means for providing secure engagement of the two U-shaped clamping components; and (c) an angular member, provided with at least one longitudinally extending slot in an arm thereof, for detachable securement at any desired location of said inter-connected elongated bars.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
A modular support system comprising: (a) at least two elongated bars, each having a longitudinally extending slot traversing substantially the entire length thereof except at its ends; (b) a clamping member for clamping two such elongated bars together, said clamping member comprising a pair of complementary, essentially U-shaped clamping components, with the space between the arms of the "U" being substantially the same as the width of the elongated bar, a central longitudinal ridge between the arms of the "U", adapted to enter the slot in the elongated bar, and means for providing secure engagement of the two U-shaped clamping components; and (c) an angular member, provided with at least one longitudinally extending slot in an arm thereof, for detachable securement at any desired location of said inter-connected elongated bars.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The modular support system of claim 8 wherein said clamping member includes a pair of pins, at least one secured to at least one said ridge, and cooperating apertures in the clamp for engagement with said pins to prevent relative rotation between said complementary clamping components.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The modular support member of claim 9 wherein said pins are temporarily but firmly and easily removably associated with said ridge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The angular support member of claim 9 wherein said pins and said apertures are on or in said ridges.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The angular support member of claim 9 wherein only the pins are on said ridges.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The angular support member of claim 9 wherein only the apertures are in said ridges.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The angular support member of claim 8 wherein the secure engagement of said complementary components is by a threaded engagement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The angular support member of claim 8 wherein said angular member includes at least two arms, and wherein each arm is provided with a longitudinally extending slot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The modular support system of claim 14 wherein said threaded engagement means comprises a bolt threaded through the top and ridge of one said U-shaped member and provided with a central knob at the outer end thereof, adapted to engage a tapped aperture in the opposite ridge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The modular support system of claim 8 wherein two said elongated bars are secured at about 180° to each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The modular support system of claim 8 wherein two said elongated bars are secured at about 90° to each other.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The modular support system of claim 17 including at least one additional elongated bar secured thereto.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The modular support system of claim 1 wherein said angular member includes a foot spike attached thereto, thereby to provide anchoring at the base of the support.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The modular support of claim 1 wherein said angular member is a right angled bracket.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The modular support system of claim 1 wherein said angular member is a member having two arms twisted with respect to each other.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The modular support system of claim 1 wherein said angular member is a member having two arms twisted with respect to each other at about 90° thereto.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The modular support system of claim 1 wherein said angular member includes three arms disposed at angular orientations thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The modular support system of claim 1 wherein said angular member includes three arms disposed at angular orientations thereto said angular orientation being 120° between each arm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The modular support system of claim 1 wherein said angular member includes a castor attached thereto, thereby to provide controlled mobility thereto.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The modular support system of claim 1 wherein said angular member includes a castor attached thereto in the form of a wheel rotatably mounted on an axle, thereby to provide controlled mobility thereto.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The modular support system of claim 1 wherein said angular member includes a castor attached thereto in the form of a cylinder rotatably mounted on an axle, thereby to provide controlled mobility thereto.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The modular support system of claim 1 wherein said angular member includes a castor attached thereto in the form of a Sheppard castor, thereby to provide controlled mobility thereto.
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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) | 1991-04-05 | 1991-10-05 | 1992-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-05 | 1995-10-05 | 1996-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-05 | 1999-10-05 | 2000-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |