Hands free video camera system

A self-contained hands free video recording system conducive for use by individuals who wish to videotape without using their hands to support the video recording system. The camera (4) is supported by a rigid plastic "Z" (3) member or helmet and is designed to direct the focal point of the camera's (4) lens in the same direction as the user's sight, allowing the camera (4) to track and view the same images as the user is seeing with his or her eyes. The protective case case, worn around the waist of the user suppported by a waist band (belt) (13), is designed to separate the recording unit, microphone and the regulated power supply (7) and to protect the recording unit (8) and regulated power supply (7) from damage.

FIELD OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to hands free video camera systems, specifically 
such systems as used by sports enthusiasts and physically active 
individuals during their activities. 
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
Portable video camera systems are known in the art; however, these systems 
suffer from various limitations which do not make them desirable for use 
by sports enthusiasts and people involved in highly active endeavors. 
Existing self-contained video recording systems, such as camcorders, 
require that the users hold the device with at least one hand. Existing 
video cameras, that operate separate from an attached video recording 
device, either require the user to hold the camera with at least one hand 
or require the user to attach the device to their body in such a fashion 
that the user has limited control of the specific image that is recorded 
by a directional recording device. In addition, such devices limit the 
user's freedom of movement by weight and its cumbersomeness. Video 
cameras, such as the "helmet-cam" used in sporting events such as the 
"World Football League," transmit a video signal to a stationary and 
detached recording device. Through my research and to my knowledge, there 
are no existing self-contained recording devices which allows complete 
freedom of movement while accurately tracking the line of sight of the 
user. 
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
The invention is a hands free video recording system, which is free from 
the ordinary requirement of being supported by the hands of the user, 
which operates as an independent unit, and which does not limit the 
freedom of movement of the user. The invention is comprised of a video 
camera, a microphone, a recording unit, a regulated power supply, a 
protective case and a support for the camera on the user's body. 
The camera support is designed to direct the focal point of the camera lens 
in the same direction as the user's line of sight, allowing the camera to 
track and view the same images as the user is seeing with his or her eyes. 
The regulated power supply is designed to ensure that the camera, the 
recording unit and the microphone all receive appropriate voltages for 
operation. 
The protective case, made of a rigid material, surrounded by padding and a 
flexible outer covering, is designed to separate the recording unit and 
the power supply and to protect the recording unit and the regulated power 
supply from damage.

Referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 1, the headband assembly, 
consists of the following. A headband, 1, is a flexible band (fabric or 
neoprene) with velcro strips attached to each band. The elastic sleeve, 2, 
is attached to the headband which holds the camera. The "Z" angle, 3, is a 
rigid strip (plastic) with slots. The "Z" angle is slipped onto the 
headband; first, from one end of headband-through the elastic sleeve-and 
then through the second end of the headband. The camera, 4, is mounted on 
the headband and held in place via the elastic sleeve. A cable is 
connected from the camera to the other components in the system (FIG. 4A). 
With the "Z" Angle, 3, and camera, 4, installed in the headband, 1 the 
headband is then placed on the user's head. The velcro strips are attached 
to hold the headband, 1, in place. The arrangement is positioned so that 
the camera, 4, has the same field of view as that of the user. The camera, 
4, will then follow the motion of the user's head. The "Z" Angle, 3, and 
the elastic sleeve, 2, maintain the proper alignment of the camera. 
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 2A, the view of major components, the Hands 
Free Video Camera consists of several components all integrated into a 
complete system. The camera, 4, is mounted onto the headband. The 
rechargeable battery, 5, can be removed, replaced and/or recharged, and 
reinstalled with ease. The regulated power supply, 6, maintains and 
distributes power to the system and provides precision voltage at all 
times. The wiring interconnecting box, 7, houses all of the wiring from 
the various components in the system and are all interconnected at the 
interconnecting box (motherboard). The VCR, 8, performs all typical 
functions of the VCR (i.e. record, stop, play, etc.) The remote control 
unit, 9, provides the user of the system complete control of all 
operations desired power (on-off-which starts camera and VCR, record, 
play, fast forward, and rewind). 
The camera, 4, rechargeable battery, 5, VCR, 8, remote control unit, 9, are 
all interconnected to the wiring interconnecting box, 7. This integration 
provides capability to manage the system via the remote control unit, 9. 
Referring to FIG. 3A-3D, the protective case is designed to be a multiuse 
container. The protective case is worn by the user and contains the 
components while the system is in use, or is used to contain all the 
components of the system when used as a carrying case. The protective case 
is comprised of the following elements. The top of the protective case, 
10. The side pouch, 21-used to house the remote control. The front of the 
protective case, the adjustable belt, 13, and buckle, 14, adjustable to 
fit the wearer is held in place by the plastic snap-in buckle. The pocket, 
15, located on the back of the bag is used to store the camera, 4, and 
camera cable when the system is not in use. The pocket flap, 16, made of a 
rigid material, is used to enclose the pocket, 15. The zipper, 17, is used 
to completely encase the contents of the protective case. 
Referring to FIG. 4A, the system assembly, this drawing is a view of the 
components as they fit into the protective case. FIG. 4 is a view of the 
headband assembly as previously discussed in FIG. 1. FIG 4A consists of 
the rechargeable battery, 5, the wiring interconnecting box, 6, the 
regulated power supply, 7, the VCR, 8, the remote control unit, 9, the 
side of protective case, 11, the top of protective case, 13, the bottom of 
protective case, 20, the zipper, 17, the protective metal tray, 18. The 
metal tray, 18, encloses the VCR on three sides-back, left, and right 
sides). The protective metal panel, 19, is placed inside a sewn 
compartment in the front of the protective case and protects the 
components in the protective case from damage. 
Note: 
Plastic foam is set inside the protective metal tray, 18, for protective 
and insulation purposes. 
BEST MODE/DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In the preferred embodiment, the video camera would be a cylindrical 
commercially available lightweight video camera, not more than six ounces, 
the recording unit would be a videocassette recorder, and the power supply 
would be composed of a rechargeable battery and a voltage regulator which 
would ensure that the video camera and the recording unit each receive the 
appropriate voltages. The protective case would contain the recording unit 
and the power supply, each in a separate padded compartment, and the case 
would be supported on the user's body by a waist band. The video camera 
would be supported on the head of the user by a head band and a rigid "Z" 
shaped member which directs the video camera's focal point in the 
direction of the user's primary field of vision. Alternatively, the camera 
would be mounted on a helmet. A cable electrically connects the video 
camera to the members in the protective case, where the cable provides 
sufficient slack to allow the user to move freely.