Grip head

A coupling for mounting and positioning photographic, motion picture and video accessories and the like. A mounting sleeve is adapted to be secured to an equipment supporting member. A fixed positioning disc depends from and is integral with the mounting sleeve. A cylindrical shaft is axially coupled to and extends from the fixed positioning disc. A first rotatable positioning disc is disposed about the cylindrical shaft, a frictional stabilizing member being disposed between the fixed positioning disc and the first rotatable positioning disc. A second rotatable positioning disc is annularly disposed about the cylindrical shaft in proximity to the first rotatable positioning disc. The adjacent surfaces of the first and second rotatable positioning discs have disposed therein reciprocally aligned pairs of linear channels of varying width and depth, each pair of linear channels being adapted to receive and secure equipment supporting shafts of differing cross section. A securing handle is coupled to the cylindrical shaft and is adapted to impose an axial force to engage the rotatable discs and thereby securely position each pair of aligned, linear channels at any position along a 360.degree. arc relative to the axis of the mounting sleeve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention generally relates to mechanical coupling devices, and 
more particularly to coupling apparatus used to positionally support 
photographic, motion picture and video accessories. 
2. Prior Art 
As the photographic, motion picture and television industries have evolved 
and developed, demand for equipment which is capable of enhancing the 
final product has increased. This has led to the use of accessories which 
are integral and necessary to the filming and/or recording of visual and 
audible images. These accessories are, for example, such items as light 
reflectors, filters and microphones. The effective use of these 
accessories requires that they be placed in precisely the correct location 
to permit optimum recording of visual images and/or sounds. 
The prior art exhibits numerous classes and types of equipment to support 
and mount photographic and sound accessories. The most basic designs 
require each accessory to be mounted individually. Each accessory is 
required to be individually placed adjacent the visual scene or audio 
source involved. Even if the accessory may be positioned upon the 
supporting device, the inherent nature of the design renders it 
inadequate. In addition, in many situations accessories must be used in 
environments having limited available space. This substantially limits the 
manner of use of each accessory and adversely affects the final product. 
Another design exhibited by the prior art permits a plurality of 
accessories to be mounted or otherwise supported upon an individual stand 
or pedestal. Although this tends to resolve the problem created by spatial 
limitations, it fails to address the need to provide positional 
flexibility of each accessory. 
The present invention substantially resolves those problems inherent in the 
designs disclosed by the prior art. The grip head is adapted to be coupled 
to a stanchion which generally constitutes a vertically disposed support 
incorporated within a conventional stand or pedestal used by the 
photographic, motion picture and television industries. A typical stand 
employs a stable tripod upon which a stanchion is vertically extended. The 
present invention is adapted to be secured to the vertical stanchion and 
to positionally mount accessories thereto. 
The present invention grip head includes a mounting sleeve which is adapted 
to be vertically positioned upon a stanchion of a conventional pedestal or 
stand and secured thereto at a selected, vertical height. A fixed disc 
depends outwardly from the mounting sleeve. A threaded, cylindrical shaft 
is axially coupled to the fixed disc and is disposed perpendicular to the 
axis of orientation of the mounting sleeve. The surface of the fixed disc 
opposed to the mounting sleeve is a planar surface which is perpendicular 
to the cylindrical shaft. First and second rotatable discs are annularly 
disposed about the cylindrical shaft, the adjacent surfaces of the first 
and second rotatable discs having a plurality of pairs of equal and 
opposite linear, receiving channels disposed therein, each pair of mating 
linear channels being adapted to receive an equipment supporting shaft 
having a varying cross-section. A threaded handle is mated upon the 
threaded cylindrical shaft and imposes an axial force upon the second 
rotatable disc engaging the adjacent surfaces of the rotatable discs and 
securing the position of mounted equipment shaft and accessory relative to 
the fixed disc. When the force imposed by the threaded handle is released, 
the rotatable discs may be rotated a full 360.degree. of arc relative to 
the mounting sleeve thereby permitting full flexibility in locating the 
photographic, motion picture and video accessories relative to a 
supporting equipment stand. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention generally relates to a positioning apparatus used to 
position and secure photographic, motion picture and video accessories to 
a vertically oriented stanchion mounted upon a conventional equipment 
stand or pedestal. The present invention positional apparatus is generally 
referred to by the trade as a grip head. Although the present invention 
will be described in connection with a vertical stanchion, it is 
understood the scope of the present invention is independent of the 
orientation of the supporting member to which it is coupled. 
A mounting sleeve is adapted to be disposed about and vertically attached 
to a stanchion at any desired height. A fixed cylindrical disc depends 
from the outer surface of the receiving sleeve. A partially threaded 
cylindrical shaft is secured to the fixed cylindrical disc along the axis 
thereof. The surface of the fixed cylindrical disc in opposition to the 
mounting sleeve is a planar surface which is perpendicular to the axis of 
the cylindrical shaft. A pair of cylindrical rotatable discs are slidably 
disposed about the cylindrical shaft. The axial surface of the rotatable 
disc adjacent the fixed disc is a planar surface in parallel spaced 
relation to the fixed disc. A frictional member is disposed intermediate 
the axial surface of the fixed disc and adjacent rotatable disc to aid in 
securing the position of a mounted accessory. 
The adjacent surfaces of the rotatable discs have a plurality of aligned, 
linear channels disposed in the surfaces thereof defining chords in 
communication with the cylindrical surface of the discs. Each pair of 
aligned linear channels are adapted to receive an equipment support shaft 
on which an accessory is mounted. A portion of the outer surface of the 
cylindrical shaft is threaded. A handle having a threaded aperture 
disposed therethrough is engaged with the threaded portion of the 
cylindrical shaft and rotated until the rotatable discs are firmly seated 
between the threaded handle and the fixed disc thereby orienting an 
equipment supporting shaft at any angle relative to the mounting sleeve 
and stanchion. 
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved grip head 
for positioning photographic, motion picture and video accessories. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved grip 
head which can position and secure mounted accessories along 360.degree. 
of circular arc relative to an equipment support stand. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved 
grip head which may secure and position equipment support shaft having 
varying cross-sectional profiles. 
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide an 
improved grip head which is simple and inexpensive to fabricate. 
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the 
invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together 
with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood 
from the following description considered in connection with the 
accompanying drawing in which a presently preferred embodiment of the 
invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly 
understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration 
and description only, and is not intended as a definition of the limits of 
the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
An understanding of the present invention may be best gained by referenced 
to FIG. 1 wherein the present invention grip head is generally designated 
by the reference numeral 10. The present invention is employed for the 
purpose of adjustably securing and positioning photographic, motion 
picture and video accessories. For the purpose of example only, grip head 
10 is used in conjunction with a conventional equipment stand 11 which 
does not form a part of the present invention. Grip head 10 is shown 
coupled to and positioning an exemplary equipment support shaft 12 which 
in turn is coupled to a theatrical accessory such as a light filter 13. 
For the purpose of example only, grip head 10 is coupled to the upper 
stanchion 14 of equipment stand 11, the assembly also illustrating for 
example the mounting of theatrical lighting 15. Although grip head 10 is 
shown to be coupled to a stanchion 14 which is vertically oriented, it is 
understood the scope of the present invention is independent of the 
positional orientation of the stand or pedestal with which grip head 10 is 
utilized. 
The structure of grip head 10 may be best understood by reference to FIGS. 
2-8, inclusive. As stated hereinabove, it is an object of the present 
invention to provide a positioning apparatus which permits flexible 
positioning of mounted photographic, motion picture and video accessories. 
The overall assembly of grip head 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. 
Mounting sleeve 20 is used to couple the present invention grip head 10 to 
stanchion 14. To couple grip head 10 to stanchion 14, a longitudinal bore 
21 is disposed through mounting sleeve 20. Although bore 21 may be 
cylindrical in cross-section, the preferred embodiment of the present 
invention incorporates a pair of surfaces 22 and 23 which are 
perpendicular to each other (see FIG 2 ) to act in conjunction with 
semi-cylindrical surface 24. Stanchion 14 is typically a cylindrical shaft 
and is adapted to be disposed through bore 21. Locking member 25 includes 
a threaded shaft 26. An aperture 27 is disposed through the wall of 
mounting sleeve 20 in a radial relationship to the axis of bore 21 and 
semi-cylindrical surface 24. Aperture 27 is threaded to mate with threaded 
shaft 26. As can be seen best in FIG. 3, locking member 25 bears against 
stanchion 14 forcing it adjacent perpendicular surfaces 22 and 23 thereby 
securely locking stanchion 14 in a selected position relative to mounting 
sleeve 20. 
Cylindrical fixed positioning disc 30 extends outwardly from the wall of 
mounting sleeve 20 in diametric opposition to locking member 25. Fixed 
positional disc 30 incorporates a generally planar surface 31 which is in 
parallel spaced relation to the axis of bore 21. As can be best seen in 
FIGS. 2 and 5, surface 31 of fixed positional disc 30 is inscribed with a 
plurality of parallel ridged serrations 32. As will be explained in detail 
hereinbelow, ridged serrations 32 allow grip head 10 to securely maintain 
the position of equipment support shaft 12 even when an accessory of 
substantial weight is mounted thereto. 
It is an object of the present invention to provide the means for mounting 
an equipment support shaft 12 and position and secure shaft 12 at any 
location along 360.degree. of arc. To meet this objective, an axial 
aperture 40 is disposed through surface 31 of fixed positional disc 30. A 
cylindrical shaft 41 is disposed within aperture 40 and secured thereto 
with a conventional rivet 42. Although the preferred embodiment of the 
present invention illustrates securing shaft 41 to fixed positional disc 
30 through the use of a rivet 42, it is understood other conventional 
methods to secure and/or integrate cylindrical shaft 41 may be employed. 
The structure used to mount an equipment support shaft 12 may be best seen 
by reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 8. In order to secure an equipment support 
shaft 12, grip head 10 employs a pair of rotatable positioning discs 50 
and 51 having apertures 43 and 44 axially formed therein, discs 50 and 51 
being slidably disposed about cylindrical shaft 41. Positional disc 50 is 
axially adjacent fixed disc 30, exterior surface 52 of rotatable disc 50 
being separated from surface 31 of fixed positional disc 30 by a malleable 
member 53 such as a gasket fabricated of fiber or aluminum. As can be best 
seen in FIG. 6, surface 52 has inscribed therein a plurality of wholly or 
partially circular serrations 54 which are adapted to engage malleable 
gasket 53 (FIG. 8). As will be described in detail hereinbelow, when the 
present invention grip head 10 is in a locked position securing an 
equipment support shaft 12, the ridged serrations 32 of fixed positional 
disc 30 and the circular serrations 54 of rotatable positional disc 50 
will firmly engage malleable gasket 53. The combination of the frictional 
properties of gasket 53 and the gripping qualities of ridged serrations 32 
and circular serrations 54 will preclude any inadvertent rotational 
movement of rotatable positional disc 50 relative to fixed positional disc 
30. 
As stated hereinabove, it is an object of the present invention to provide 
means for securing an equipment support shaft 12 which may vary in 
cross-sections. For the purpose of example only, the present invention 
grip head 10 will be discussed with reference to cylindrical support shaft 
12. The adjacent surfaces 55 and 56 of positing discs 50 and 51, 
respectively, have formed therein a plurality of reciprocal, aligned 
linear channels of differing widths and depths which are designated as 
gripping channels 60, 61, 62 and 63 (see FIG. 7). Each of the gripping 
channels are geometrically disposed as chords intersecting the outer 
circumference of the rotatable positing discs 50 and 51, the channels 
being spaced from the axial disposed shaft 41. Although the profile of 
gripping channels 60-63 need only be sufficient to grip support shaft 12 
when surfaces 52 and 53 are engaged, the preferred embodiment of the 
present invention incorporates sequentially beveled steps (FIG. 8) in 
order to enhance the ability to preclude inadvertent rotational movement 
of shaft 12 which could be caused by the weight of a mounted accessory. 
In order to insure the proper alignment of the relative gripping channels 
formed in surfaces 55 and 56 of positioning discs 50 and 51, a guide pin 
64 is coupled to positing disc 50 perpendicular to surface 55. An 
appropriately positioned receiving detent 65 is disposed into surface 56 
of positing disc 51 to receive guide pin 64 thereby aligning each half of 
each gripping channel 60-63, inclusive, formed in surfaces 55 and 56. 
For the purpose of example, FIG. 8 illustrates equipment support shaft 12 
secured within gripping channel 60. The means used to facilitate the 
insertion and removal of a support shaft 12 may be best seen in FIG. 3 and 
FIG. 4. To provide for easy separation of surfaces 55 and 56 for removal 
of support shaft 12, a helical spring and support flange 66 are disposed 
about cylindrical shaft 41 adjacent recessed apertures 67 and 68 formed in 
the surfaces 55 and 56 of positioning discs 50 and 51, respectively. As 
will be described in detail herein-below, when positioning discs 50 and 51 
are forced adjacent one another as shown in FIG. 8, helical spring 66 will 
be compressed (FIG. 3) and gripping channels being positioned to firmly 
secure a support shaft 12 (FIG. 8). When the force maintaining positional 
discs 50 and 51 in adjacent positions is released, helical spring 66 will 
expand (FIG. 4) thereby permitting removal of support shaft 12. 
In order to securely lock an equipment support shaft 12 in place, means are 
provided to impose a uniform axial force against rotatable positioning 
disc 51 urging it toward positioning disc 50. The structure used to exert 
the uniform axial force may be best seen by reference to FIGS. 3 AND 4. A 
partially spherical surface 70 is formed in outer surface 71 about the 
longitudinal axis of aperture 44. A thrust washer 72 is disposed about 
cylindrical shaft 41 and placed in abutment with spherical surface 70. A 
conventional needle thrust washer assembly 73 is disposed about 
cylindrical shaft 41 and placed adjacent the exterior surface of thrust 
washer 72. A threaded locking flange 74 engages mating threads on 
cylindrical shaft 41 and rotated in the direction identified by reference 
numeral 75 in order to engage rotatable positioning discs 50 and 51 and 
secure support shaft 12 in the manner shown in FIG. 8. 
As stated hereinabove, the primary objective of the present invention is to 
provide means for coupling a photographic, motion picture or television 
accessory to an equipment stand 11 and provide a capability to position 
the accessory anywhere along 360.degree. of arc. In operation, to secure 
equipment support shaft 12 to grip head 10, locking flange 74 is rotated 
contrary to reference numeral 75 to release the axial force imposed upon 
positioning disc 51. Helical spring 66 will expand permitting the 
insertion of equipment support shaft 12. Upon the removal of axial force 
from rotatable positioning disc 51, rotatable disc 50 may be rotated 
relative to mounting sleeve 20 a full 360.degree. of arc. When the 
appropriate position of rotatable positional disc 50 and 51 and equipment 
support shaft has been selected, locking flange 74 is rotated in the 
direction indicated by reference numeral 75 locking equipment support 
shaft 12 in place relative to mounting sleeve 20 and stanchion 14.