Handheld camera support assembly including harness with support assembly

A handheld camera support assembly includes a support assembly coupled to a harness, with the harness secured around the torso and shoulders of an operator during use. The support assembly includes an arm receiving pocket that is pivotally coupled to a torso panel with the arm receiving pocket configured for receiving an arm of the operator. A camera assist mount is coupled to the arm receiving pocket to provide a mounting or positioning point for a handheld camera during use by the operator.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject invention is directed to a harness with a support assembly, and in particular to a handheld camera support assembly including a harness with a support assembly.

BACKGROUND

Operators of handheld cameras, such as television cameras, experience fatigue during long shoots due to the weight of the camera. Further, due to the bulky nature of the camera, it is sometimes difficult for the operator to perform other tasks easily, such as get a drink of water or communicate with another person over long distances with a radio or the like. The present disclosure addresses some of the issues that operators experience.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, a handheld camera support assembly for use by an operator is provided that includes a harness for being secured around a torso and shoulders of the operator and a support assembly mounted to the harness. The support assembly has a torso panel, an arm receiving pocket pivotally coupled to the torso panel, and an adjust mechanism coupled to the torso panel and the arm receiving pocket to pivot the arm receiving pocket relative to the torso panel between a plurality of operating positions.

A method of utilizing the handheld camera support assembly of the exemplary embodiment is also described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject invention is directed to a handheld camera support assembly50that includes a harness60and a support assembly150(sometimes alternatively referred to as an arm support assembly or elbow support assembly) that is coupled to the harness60during use by an operator of a handheld camera250. In particular, during use, a handheld camera250is held by the operator with one of the operator's arms positioned within and supported by the support assembly150when the camera250is being operated by the operator and is placed upon the operator's shoulder (seeFIG. 1A), and in certain cases wherein the camera250is also supported by and coupled to the support assembly150for use in low angle shots or when simply storing the camera250between uses (seeFIG. 1B), as will be described further below.

For illustrative purposes, the operator in the representative Figures is represented by a mannequin40as provided inFIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3 and 5Bwhich includes a torso42, a shoulder region44having right and left shoulders45,47, a front side46corresponding to an abdomen and chest region of the operator, and a rear side48corresponding to the back of the operator.

As also shown inFIGS. 2-4, the harness60includes a support belt70, that is secured around the mannequin40, and as illustrated around the torso42of the mannequin40. The harness60also includes an upper harness portion100coupled to the support belt70separately along portions of the support belt70along the front side46and rear side48of the mannequin,40, with the upper harness portion100extending along its length over each of the right and left shoulders45,47. The handheld camera support assembly50also includes, in certain embodiments, an adjustable strap300coupled at one end311to the harness60and at another end313to the support assembly150.

Referring now toFIGS. 2-4, the support belt70includes a torso belt72having a length1extending between a first end74and a second end76, with the length1being sufficiently long to exceed the circumference of the torso42of the operator such that the torso belt72can be coupled around the torso42of the operator. In certain embodiments, the torso belt72may be formed from a flexible plastic webbing material such as the material commonly used in seat belts for automobiles or the like. In particular, the torso belt72may be made of flexible polymer material such as polyester woven from about 300 warp strands and one weft strand. In other embodiments, the torso belt72may be made of any other flexible polymeric material commonly used in harnesses and having sufficient tensile strength for its intended purpose.

The support belt70includes a side release buckle78having a female frame portion80coupled to the first end74of the torso belt72and a male prong portion82coupled to the second end76of the torso belt72. The support belt70also includes a pair of webbing slide locks84coupled respectively to the first end74and second end76of the torso belt72that allows the length of the support belt70to be adjusted around the torso42of the operator.

The support belt70may also include additional components that are used secure the torso belt72to the upper harness portion100. In particular, in certain embodiments, the support belt70includes one or more fixed rigid rings86inserted within a fabric portion87, with the fabric portion87either secured to or integrally formed with the torso belt72. In addition, the support belt70may include one or more slidable rigid rings88that are secured within a looped fabric portion89, with the torso belt72extending through the respective openings in the looped fabric portion89. Still further, the support belt70may include a centrally located fixed rigid ring94inserted within a fabric portion95, with the fabric portion95either secured to or integrally formed with the torso belt72. A looped strap96includes a looped portion97secured to the rigid ring94and a loose end portion98extending from the looped portion97.

The support belt70may also include additional components coupled to the torso belt72that provided value added benefits to the operator. In certain embodiments, a looped radio pouch bag90and/or a looped water bottle pouch bag92may be included, with the torso belt72extending through a respective opening in the looped bags90,92. Still further, a support pad99, such as a foamed fabric support pad99, may be coupled to an inner portion of the length1of support belt70.

The upper harness portion100incudes a central back support pad102and a pair of shoulder pad portions104extending from the central back support pad102. Still further, the central back support pad102may include a centrally located slot portion106that accepts the loose end portion98of the looped strap96therethrough, with a webbing slide lock101used to secure the loose end portion98and thus adjustably secures the central back support pad102to the support belt70, and in particular to the torso belt72, with the length of the loose end portion98of the looped strap96configured to be adjusted to adjust the distance between central back support pad102and the support belt70, and in particular to the torso belt72, as desired by the operator.

In certain embodiments, the central back support pad102includes a pouch103which can be used to store items such as a water bottle, communication equipment such as a walkie talkie, and/or certain handheld camera equipment or the like. In certain embodiments, a hydration bladder, such as a camelback, with a reservoir and a hose (not shown) can be introduced within the pouch, with the hose accessible by the operator to provide hydration during use.

The upper harness portion100also includes a pair of adjustable straps110coupled to and extending from a respective one of the shoulder pad portions104. Each of the adjustable straps110includes a first loose portion114fixedly coupled to respective one of the shoulder pad portions104and looped through a central post portion of a webbing slide lock112and a second looped portion115looped around the central post portion of the webbing slide lock112, with the opposite end of the second looped portion115also looped through and secured to a ring structure118.

An additional front mounting looped strap124is also separately looped through and secured to the ring structure118. Each additional front mounting looped strap124includes a side release buckle126having a female frame portion128coupled to the first end132and a male prong portion130coupled to a second end134.

The upper harness portion100also includes a pair of sternum straps140,141. A first sternum strap140includes a female frame portion146of a side release buckle142, while the second sternum strap141includes a male prong portion144of the side release buckle.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 5-11, the support assembly150includes a torso panel152pivotally to an arm receiving pocket154utilizing a pair of pivot pins or pivot screws (shownFIG. 5-11as pivot screws156). The collinear length of the pivot pins156define an axis A, also referred to as a pivot axis A. An expander assembly158is also pivotally coupled to and between the torso panel152and the arm receiving pocket154. Accordingly, the support assembly150the torso panel152to be pivoted about the pivot axis A in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction (the counterclockwise direction as illustrated inFIG. 7may alternatively be referred to as a first rotational direction R1, while the clockwise direction as illustrated inFIG. 7may alternatively be referred to as a second rotational direction R2) between a plurality of operating positions as will be explained further below.

The torso panel152includes a body portion153having an inner surface155and an opposing outer surface157and a pivot portion159extending from the body portion153. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 5-11, the pivot portion159includes a pair of spaced apart flanges160extending transverse from the outer surface157of opposing lateral ends of the body portion153. In certain embodiments, the body portion153is generally flat, and thus may be referred to as a generally flat body portion153. In alternative embodiments, the body portion153may be curved to resemble the curvature of the torso more closely42of the operator. Each one of the pair of flanges160includes a slot region164having a length and width sufficient to receive a portion of the support belt70, and in particular a portion of the torso belt72, therethrough (seeFIG. 5B), with the flat body portion153being between the torso42of the operator and the support belt70(seeFIG. 5B) when the handheld camera support assembly50is in use by the operator and wherein the harness60is secured to the operator. Each of the pair of flanges160also includes a respective opening165through which the pivot pins156are inserted. The outer surface157of the torso panel152includes a pair of spaced apart semi-circular ring structures170A,170B coupled or otherwise mounted thereto that provide the pivotal connection point for the expander assembly158relative to the torso panel152.

The arm receiving pocket154is generally an L-shaped panel so as to comfortably receive the arm of an operator. The arm receiving pocket154includes an arm resting portion180that is preferably curved and extending transverse to and away from the outer surface157of the torso panel152. A first end186of the arm resting portion180positioned adjacent to the outer surface157of the torso panel152includes a pair of spaced apart outer flange portions182, with the width of the outer surface of the spaced apart flange portions182being slightly less that the distance between the inner surface of the respective flanges160. The spaced apart outer flange portions182each include an opening184for receipt of the pivot pin or pivot screw156to pivotally couple the torso panel152to the arm receiving pocket154so that the arm receiving pocket154can pivot around the torso panel152along the pivot axis A. The arm resting portion180preferably includes a concavely shaped upper surface187between the outer flange portions182and an opposing lower surface189shaped to maintain a generally equal thickness between the upper and lower surface187,189. The lower surface189includes a pair of spaced apart semi-circular ring structures180A,180B coupled or otherwise mounted thereto that provide the pivotal connection point for the expander assembly158to the arm receiving pocket154. Still further, the lower surface189also includes a pair of spaced apart semi-cylinders192A,192B coupled or otherwise mounted thereto that provide the sliding connection point for the pronged end portions212A,212B of a camera assist mount210.

The camera assist mount210includes a u-shaped transverse section214connecting the pronged end portions212A,212B that serves as a mounting or support point for a handheld camera250being used by the operator. The camera assist mount210is slidable relative to the arm receiving pocket154between a stored position (seeFIGS. 1A, 5-10 and 12) and a mount assist position (seeFIG. 1B). In the stored position, the pronged end portions212A,212B are slid further within the pair of spaced apart semi-cylinders192A,192B generally towards the torso panel152(shown by arrow S1inFIG. 7), while in the mount assist position the pronged end portions212A,212B are slid in the opposite direction (shown by arrow S2inFIG. 7) within the pair of spaced apart semi-cylinders192A,192B in a direction away from the torso panel152.

The arm receiving pocket154also includes an arm guide portion200that extends transverse to curved arm resting portion180. The arm guide portion200is a panel portion having an outward side surface202and an opposing inward side surface204. In the stored position, the u-shaped transverse section214is brought into closest proximity to the outward side surface202of the arm guide portion200, while in the mount assist position the u-shaped transverse section214is moved outwardly away from the outward side surface202of the arm guide portion200, thereby increasing the distance between the u-shaped transverse section214and the outward side surface202of the arm guide portion200to allow the handheld camera250to be hung onto the u-shaped transverse section214with the opening254within the handle252of the hand held camera250positioned around the u-shaped transverse section214(see FIG.1B), and thereby be supported by the u-shaped transverse section214, to store the handheld camera250or to allow the operator to operate the camera250for low-angle filming.

The expander assembly158includes a first ball shaped end220that is pivotally secured between and pivotal relative to the spaced apart semi-circular ring structures170A,170B and an opposing second ball shaped end222secured between and pivotal relative to the spaced apart semi-circular ring structures180A,180B. A first threaded tubular portion224extends from the first ball shaped end220, while a second threaded tubular portion226extends from the second ball shaped end222.

A handle228having a threaded interior portion is threadingly coupled to the threads of each of the respective threaded tubular portions224,226opposite their respective ends220,222and is capable of rotating in a first rotational direction or second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction around an axis B defined by the colinear lengths of the threaded tubular portions224,226. As illustrated, the axis B is different than pivot axis A, and in the embodiments described herein the pivot axis A runs transverse to axis B. The rotation of the handle228in a first rotational direction about axis B causes first threaded tubular portion224to move in a direction away from the second threaded tubular portion226, thereby increasing the distance between the respective ends220,222, while the rotation of the handle228in the second rotational direction about axis B opposite the first rotational direction causes first tubular portion224to move in a direction towards the second tubular portion226, thereby decreasing the distance between the respective ends220,222.

To accommodate increase or decrease in distance between the respective ends220,222resulting from the rotation of the handle228, the arm receiving pocket154pivots around the pivot axis A relative to the torso panel152. In particular, the rotation of the handle228in the first rotational direction about the axis B, which results in the increase of distance between respective ends220,222of the threaded tubular portions224,226, is accompanied by a pivoting of the arm receiving pocket154relative to axis A relative to the torso panel152in the first rotational direction R1(seeFIG. 7), which results in the arm receiving pocket154being moved relative to the torso panel152from a first operating position to a second operating position. Conversely, the rotation of the handle228in the second rotational direction about axis B, opposite the first rotational direction which results in the decrease in the distance between the respective ends220,222of the threaded tubular portions224,226, is accompanied by a pivoting of the arm receiving pocket154relative to axis A relative to the torso panel152in rotational direction R2(seeFIG. 7) opposite the rotational direction R1, which results in the arm receiving pocket154being moved relative to the torso panel152from the first operating position to a third operating position. Accordingly, the rotation of the handle228in either the first or second rotational direction about the axis B is accompanied by a pivoting of the arm receiving pocket154relative to axis A relative to the torso panel152between a plurality of operating positions, which allows the operator therefore to adjust the assembly50to a desired one of the plurality of operating positions that is comfortable for the operator and provides the desired support of the arm of the operator for filming.

To utilize the assembly50as intended, it is first necessary to couple the support assembly150to the support belt70. This is accomplished by threading the support belt70/torso belt72through each of the slot regions164(seeFIG. 5B) such that the foamed fabric support pad96, such that the inner portion of the length l of support belt70/torso belt72is adjacent to the outer surface157of the torso panel152. If included, the coupling is also such that the foamed fabric support pad96is adjacent to the inner surface155of the torso panel157.

Next, the support belt70/torso belt72is positioned around the torso42of the operator such that the foamed fabric support pad96(when utilized) is positioned between the torso42and the torso panel157. If the foamed fabric support pad96is not present, then the torso belt72is positioned such that the torso42is adjacent to the torso panel157.

Next, the male prong portion82is inserted within the female frame portion80, and the length of the support belt70is shortened by pulling the support belt70through each of the webbing slide locks84to tighten the support belt70against the torso42. In addition, the pair of shoulder pad portions104of the upper harness portion100are each respectively looped over the right and left shoulders45,47of the shoulder region44and the front mounting looped straps124are looped through the respective rigid ring87A of the fixed rigid rings86. The male prong portion130is inserted within the respective female frame portion128of the respective front mounting looped strap124, and the first loose portion114of the respective pair of adjustable straps110are tightened. Finally, the male prong portion144of the first sternum strap140is inserted within the female frame portion146of the second sternum strap141to complete the coupling process.

Once coupled, the operator may pick up the handheld camera250and position the camera in a manner such that the operator's arm, and in particular the operator's elbow, is placed onto the arm receiving pocket154with the bend in the elbow located at the intersection between the concavely shaped upper surface187of the curved arm resting portion180and the forearm-side surface204of the arm guide portion200. A portion of the handheld camera250may be secured or otherwise positioned onto the prong shaped tubular sections212A,221B of the camera assist mount210between the u-shaped transverse section214and the outward side surface202.

To adjust the comfort and support level of the operator holding the handheld camera250on the shoulder as inFIG. 1A(with the camera assist mount210in the stored position) or storing or utilizing the camera250while supported on the u-shaped transverse section214as inFIG. 1Bwith the camera assist mount210in the mount assist position, the present invention allows adjustment of the relative angle of the arm receiving pocket154relative to the torso panel152by pivoting arm receiving pocket154relative to the torso panel152about axis A between the plurality of operating positions by rotating the handle228of the adjust mechanism in the first rotational direction or second rotational direction about the axis B, thereby increasing or decreasing the distance between the respective ends220,222of the threaded tubular portions224,226as noted above.

Still further, the distance between the u-shaped transverse section214and the outward side surface202can be decreased or increased by applying force to the pronged end portions212A,212B, typically via pulling or pushing of the pronged end portions212A,212B in a direction towards (see arrow S1inFIG. 7) or away (see arrow S2inFIG. 7) from the torso panel152, such that pronged end portions212A,212B are moved further into, or further out of, their respective spaced apart semi-cylinders192A,192B via an axial movement defined along the length of the semi-cylinders192A,192B between the stored position (seeFIG. 1A), when supporting the handheld camera250is not required, and the mount assist position (seeFIG. 1B) where supporting the handheld camera250while storing the camera250or while filming low level shots is desired.

In certain further embodiments, as best shown inFIGS. 1-4, an additional adjustable strap assembly300is coupled between the upper harness portion100and the support assembly150that aids in supporting the support assembly150when the handheld camera support assembly50is being worn by the operator. More in particular, when the operator is operating a camera250and has placed their arm within the support assembly150and has placed the handheld camera250onto the u-shaped transverse section214for storage or for low angle filming as inFIG. 1B, the additional adjustable strap300functions to maintain the position of the support assembly150relative to the torso42of the operator40such that the arm receiving pocket204is generally maintained in a horizontal relationship to the ground and generally parallel with a horizontal plane running through the shoulders45,47of the operator40.

The adjustable strap assembly300includes a strap301, a carabiner302,304coupled at each respective end313,311of the strap301, and a ladder lock306coupled to the strap301between the caribiners302,304to adjust the length of the strap301. The upper carabiner302connects to a D ring attached to either shoulder pad portions104which runs down to link within an opening310defined within the arm guide portion200of the arm receiving pocket154(opening310is shown best inFIGS. 5A and 5B).

Referring now toFIGS. 11 and 12, in a still further embodiment of the present invention, an arm support pad400is included which is positioned onto, and in certain cases is reversibly mounted to, the arm receiving pocket154. The arm support pad400provides a cushion layer between the operator's arm/elbow and the arm receiving pocket154when the operator40is utilizing the handheld camera support assembly50.

The arm support pad400is generally L-shaped with a first leg402positioned onto the arm resting portion180of the arm receiving pocket154and with a second leg404positioned adjacent to the inward side surface204of the arm guide portion200. According, the second leg404extends transverse from the first leg402. In certain embodiment, the second leg404may be reversibly mounted to the inward side surface204, such as through the use of a hook and loop fastener system.

In certain embodiments, the arm support pad400includes an inner cushioning material408that is introduced within a durable and flexible cover410. In certain embodiments, the inner cushioning material408is in the form of an elastomeric material such as a polymer foam. Still further, in certain embodiments, the cover includes a zipper412or other reversible fastener that allows access to remove and replace the inner cushioning material408as desired.

In certain embodiments, the first leg402is curved so as to form a pocket420that comfortably receives the operator's arm or elbow when coupled to the arm receiving pocket154. Alternatively, and due to the malleability of the arm support pad400, the curvature that is formed to define the pocket420may be the result of the first leg402of the arm support pad400conforming in shape to the curved arm rest portion180.

The handheld camera support assembly50in accordance with any of the embodiments of the present invention thus provides a solution for reducing fatigue during long shoots due to the weight of the handheld camera250. In particular, the handheld camera support assembly50provide support for an operator's arm when holding the handheld camera250on the shoulder during certain types of filming (seeFIG. 1A) and also provides support for the operator's arm when holding the handheld camera250in a low angle position in other types of filming (seeFIG. 1B). The handheld camera support assembly50also allows the handheld camera250to be supported in a stored position when not filming (also shown inFIG. 1B), thereby reducing the necessity to separately store and set down/pick up the camera250between shoots.

In conjunction therewith, the handheld camera support assembly50in accordance with any of the embodiments of the present invention also provides additional functionality features within the support assembly150that allows the operator to perform other tasks easily, such as get a drink of water or communicate with another person over long distances with a radio or the like without being required to set down the camera250and pick up the camera250and correspondingly delay filming.

Various additional alterations and changes beyond those already mentioned herein can be made to the above-described embodiments. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described embodiments may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. It will be further appreciated that the terms “include,” “includes,” and “including” have the same meaning as the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising.”