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US5281988A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Universal remote control device for cameras

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-11-23
•
Granted: 1994-01-25
•
Expires: 2012-11-23
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Abstract

Abstract A wireless remote controlled, adjustable and programmable freestanding mount and shutter release assembly for various styles of cameras. An enclosure body with adjustable legs houses a microcomputer which directs an electrically controlled piston which delivers its shutter releasing energy through a docked cable release. A collapsible bracket can be optionally secured to the enclosure to align a plunger assembly over a camera's shutter release button. A prominent visual display reveals the status of the control system.

Inventors

  • 👤 Stanley D. Martin

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 06:50
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/38

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 148 words
A freestanding adjustable mount and shutter release means for a plurality of styles of a camera comprising: a generally rectangular shaped enclosure, housing an electrically controlled piston and means for receiving and interpreting wireless control data for said piston, with a capability of adjustably mounting a camera and means for linking the camera's shutter release system to said piston; a plurality of adjustable support legs slidably secured to said enclosure; a presettable means for automatically controlling time delay, time lapse and repetitiveness of said control data; means for mounting to said enclosure a camera of a style with included standard tripod mounting means; means for mounting to said enclosure a camera of a style without said tripod mounting means; means for mounting said enclosure to a tripod; a transmitter with means to provide said wireless control data; and means for prominently displaying the status of said control data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 148 words
A freestanding adjustable mount and shutter release means for a plurality of styles of a camera comprising: a generally rectangular shaped enclosure, housing an electrically controlled piston and means for receiving and interpreting wireless control data for said piston, with a capability of adjustably mounting a camera and means for linking the camera's shutter release system to said piston; a plurality of adjustable support legs slidably secured to said enclosure; a presettable means for automatically controlling time delay, time lapse and repetitiveness of said control data; means for mounting to said enclosure a camera of a style with included standard tripod mounting means; means for mounting to said enclosure a camera of a style without said tripod mounting means; means for mounting said enclosure to a tripod; a transmitter with means to provide said wireless control data; and means for prominently displaying the status of said control data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 33 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 1 wherein said control data is adapted to be linked to electrically controlled shutter release means on a camera equipped with said electrically controlled shutter release means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 2 wherein said piston is adapted to be linked to mechanically controlled shutter release means on a camera equipped with said mechanically controlled shutter release means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 3 wherein said control data is directed by an electronic microcomputer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 4 wherein said control data is adapted to be selectively connected to an event controlled actuating switch removed from said adjustable mount.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 30 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 5 wherein said adjustable mount is of sufficient light weight and of sufficient small size to be portable in a photographer's accessory carrying case.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 37 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 6 wherein said control data is selectively configured to control said piston with a preset program and able to achieve said control of said piston without intervention by a human operator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 279 words
A freestanding adjustable mount and shutter release means for a camera comprising: a generally rectangular shaped enclosure, housing an electrically controlled piston and means for receiving and interpreting wireless control data for said piston, with a capability of adjustably mounting a camera on said mount; an adjustable and fragmentable bracket assembly removably secured to said enclosure capable of being aligned over a camera secured to said enclosure; an adjustable plunger assembly, removably secured to said bracket assembly, adapted to be aligned over a camera's shutter release button; a cable release removably docked to said enclosure with said cable release aligned with said piston to allow said piston to propel said cable release's core, removably docked to said plunger assembly, to effect an extension of said plunger assembly to contact and thereby activate a shutter release of a camera aligned with said plunger; a plurality of latching straps which can selectively be attached to a plurality of latching strips adhered to said enclosure and looped over a camera to secure the camera to said enclosure; compartments in said enclosure to removably receive and store components of said bracket assembly when said bracket assembly is fragmented and not in use with said enclosure; said compartments in said enclosure to removably receive and store said plunger assembly and said latching straps when not in use with said enclosure; a presettable means for automatically controlling time delay, time lapse and repetitiveness of said control data; means for mounting to said enclosure a camera of a style with includes standard tripod mounting means; a transmitter with means to provide said wireless control data; and means for prominently displaying the status of said control data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 279 words
A freestanding adjustable mount and shutter release means for a camera comprising: a generally rectangular shaped enclosure, housing an electrically controlled piston and means for receiving and interpreting wireless control data for said piston, with a capability of adjustably mounting a camera on said mount; an adjustable and fragmentable bracket assembly removably secured to said enclosure capable of being aligned over a camera secured to said enclosure; an adjustable plunger assembly, removably secured to said bracket assembly, adapted to be aligned over a camera's shutter release button; a cable release removably docked to said enclosure with said cable release aligned with said piston to allow said piston to propel said cable release's core, removably docked to said plunger assembly, to effect an extension of said plunger assembly to contact and thereby activate a shutter release of a camera aligned with said plunger; a plurality of latching straps which can selectively be attached to a plurality of latching strips adhered to said enclosure and looped over a camera to secure the camera to said enclosure; compartments in said enclosure to removably receive and store components of said bracket assembly when said bracket assembly is fragmented and not in use with said enclosure; said compartments in said enclosure to removably receive and store said plunger assembly and said latching straps when not in use with said enclosure; a presettable means for automatically controlling time delay, time lapse and repetitiveness of said control data; means for mounting to said enclosure a camera of a style with includes standard tripod mounting means; a transmitter with means to provide said wireless control data; and means for prominently displaying the status of said control data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 42 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 8 wherein said cable release is docked to said enclosure and aligned with said piston and also adapted to be docked directly to a shutter release button of a camera designed to receive a cable release.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 20 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 8 wherein said mount is adapted to accept a camera of 110 style format.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 19 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 8 wherein said mount is adapted to accept a camera of disposable type.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 21 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 9 wherein said mount is adapted to accept a camera of 35 mm style format.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 29 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 9 wherein said means for displaying said status of said control data comprises a liquid crystal display and a light emitting diode display.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 37 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 9 wherein said control data is selectively configured to control said piston with a preset program and able to achieve said control of said piston without intervention by a human operator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 21 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 14 wherein said control data and said preset program are directed by an electronic microcomputer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 38 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 14 wherein an error detection and correction protocol is incorporated into said preset program to effect control of said piston if said piston is caused to be impeded in an unexpected manner.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 39 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 16 wherein said cable release is docked to said enclosure and also adapted to be docked to a camera designed to receive a cable release with the camera not mounted on said mount.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 37 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 17 wherein said enclosure is selectively secured to a plurality of structures by looping said latching straps about said structure and latching said straps to said latching strips on said enclosure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 25 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 18 wherein said enclosure is adapted to be secured to a leg of a tripod with said latching straps.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 28 words
The adjustable mount according to claim 19 wherein said control data is adapted to be selectively connected to an event controlled actuating switch removed from said adjustable mount.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4801959A Cited
US5089836A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-01-24 1997-07-26 1998-01-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-01-24 2001-07-26 2002-01-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-01-24 2005-07-26 2006-01-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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