Abstract:
A mechanical camera bracket for mounting different accessories to the camera is disclosed that ensures a positive lock through the central hub from which extend a first arm and a second arm, allowing for accessories to be attached and detached without having to remove the entire bracket. The central hub has a clamping knob and defining a common axis about which the first arm and second arm rotate. A first bushing and second bushing are rotatable about the common axis in tandem with the first arm and second arm. The first bushing and second bushing each have a first ramp coupled to a tint pressure cup in a first ball head camera mount and a second pressure cup in a second ball head camera mount. The clamping knob is configured to move the ramps along the common axis, thus urging, the pressure cups against the ball beads.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/153,286, entitled “A mechanical arm to attach to a camera tor mounting different accessories to the camera,” which was filed on Apr. 27, 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to camera mounts. More specifically, the present invention relates to an omnidirectional bracket for mounting to and positioning camera and camera accessories for improved efficiency when unlocking, repositioning replacing and re-locking various accessories to the camera. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    Apparatus for stabilizing cameras are known in the art, from conventional tripods and monopods, to more recent technologies including clamp-pods, and camera mounts having articulating arms. Stabilization apparatus affix to cameras using head mounts. A popular head mount, due to its onmidirectional aiming ability, is the ball head mount, which uses a ball and socket type joint for orientation and control. A user typically sets up a tripod or similar stabilizer, affixes the ball head mount to a camera and attaches the mount to the tripod. 
         [0006]    For motion picture and commercial filming, more advance stabilization apparatus may be used, including a ball head mount all to an armature that is fastened to another structure. For example, a ball head mount may be attached to a “super clamp” (a clamp capable of affixing to a variety of structures, either having a spring loaded jaw, or having a threaded closure for attachment). Also known are fixation systems where the camera mount is separated from a clamp by an arm or multiple articulating arms. 
         [0007]    Apparatus currently known in the art have several drawbacks. First, connections between the arms separating the camera mount and clamp may degrade over time, allowing the camera arm to become stripped, and slip when engaged. In particular, center locking mechanisms often are insufficiently resilient to securely hold cameras and accessories. Second, locking mechanisms currently in the art have locked ends that require users to laboriously unscrew a mount attached to a camera or accessory for removal and replacement. And such apparatus often have free-standing parts (e.g., nuts, washers, etc.) that can be easily accidentally lost during replacement. 
         [0008]    For these reasons there is a need for a camera and accessory positioning tool that allows virtually omnidirectional positioning of a camera relative to an accessory or stabilized object, that avoids slipping and stripping of the camera arm. There is also a need for a multi-arm camera stabilization system that provides a more sturdy and robust center locking mechanism with no free standing parts that can be accidentally lost through use error. There is also a need for a camera stabilization arm that adds quick release functionality thereby allowing easy attachment and removal of accessories. Additionally, there is a need for a camera stabilizer with an articulating arm that allows accessories to be attached and detached without having to remove the entire arm. 
         [0009]    These and other objects of the present invention are more fully discussed in the following specification, illustrations and claims. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    An omnidirectional camera and accessory bracket for mounting and fixing a camera relative to a support includes a first arm having a first ball head camera mount. The first arm is coupled to a central hub having a clamping knob and defining a common axis about which the first arm rotates. The central hub also has a first bushing rotatable about the common axis in tandem with the first arm. The first bushing has a first ramp coupled to a first pressure cup under a first ball head in the first ball, head camera mount. The clamping knob is configured to move the first ramp along the common axis, thus urging the first pressure cup against the first ball head. 
         [0011]    The bracket also has a second arm having a second ball head camera mount, with the second arm also coupled to the central hub. A second bushing is rotatable about the common axis in tandem with the second arm. The second bushing comprises a second ramp coupled to a second pressure cup under a second ball head in the second ball head camera mount. The clamping knob is additionally configured to move the first ramp and the second ramp along the common axis, urging the first pressure cup against the first ball head and urging the second pressure cup against the second ball head, thereby affixing the camera and the support in a predetermined position. 
         [0012]    Preferably the bracket also includes first teeth and second teeth in a facing arrangement, wherein the first teeth and the second teeth are configured to engage each other when the clamping knob is rotated. Also preferably, an upper force rod in the first arm biases the first pressure cup against the first ball head, and a rod lock is biased to lock the upper force rod against the first ball head. A lower force rod in the first arm is biased against the first bushing. In such a configuration, the clamping knob is configured to move the first bushing, driving the first ramp against a lower force rod, the lower force rod engaging an upper force rod that in turn urges the first pressure cup against the first ball head, locking it in position in the first ball head camera mount. 
         [0013]    The apparatus may also by characterized as an omnidirectional camera and accessory bracket for mounting and fixing a camera relative to a support, the bracket having a central hub with a clamping knob, the central hub defining a common axis about which a first arm and a second arm rotate. The first arm has a first ball head camera mount and the second arm has a second ball head camera mount, with the central hub further including a first bushing coupled to the first arm and a second bushing coupled to the second arm, the first bushing having a first ramp and the second bushing having a second ramp. 
         [0014]    The first ramp is coupled to a first pressure cup under a first ball head in the first ball head camera mount and the second ramp coupled to a second pressure cup under a second ball head in the second ball head camera mount, and the clamping knob is configured to urge the first pressure cup against the first ball head and the second pressure cup against the second ball head when the clamping knob is rotated, thus locking the first ball head and the second ball head in position and locking the first arm against the second arm. 
         [0015]    Characterized thusly, the bracket includes first teeth and second teeth in a facing arrangement, wherein the first teeth and the second teeth are configured to engage each other when the clamping knob is rotated. The bracket also includes an upper force rod in the first arm biasing the first pressure cup against the first ball head, and a rod lock biased to lock the upper force rod against the first ball head. A lower force rod in the first arm is biased against the first bushing. The clamping knob is configured to move the first bushing, driving the first ramp against a lower force rod, the lower force rod engaging an upper force rod that urges the first pressure cup against the first ball head, locking it in position in the first ball head camera mount. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an omnidirectional bracket for cameras affixed to a camera and a support; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the bracket; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a first socket head of the bracket; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a section view of a first bushing of the bracket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided n the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to he accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the bracket  10  is shown connecting a camera  12  to a support  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, a rail mount style support  14  is shown. The bracket  10  comprises principally a first arm  16  and a substantially similar second arm  18 , the first arm  16  and the second arm  18  joined at a hub  20 . The hub  20  enables the first arm  16  and the second arm  18  to rotate relative to each other about as common axis  22 . Opposite the hub  20 , the first arm  16  has a first ball head camera mount  24  to which the support  14  is affixed in the illustrated example, and the second arm  18  has a substantially similar second ball head camera mount  26  to which the camera  12  is affixed. The central hub  20 , first ball head camera mount  24  and second ball head camera mount  26  can be locked in place to fasten the camera  12  in a position relative to the support  14  and in virtually any position preferred by a user. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the first arm  16  has a first hub bore  28  and the second arm. has a second hub bore  30 . Making up the central hub  20  ( FIG. 1 ), a first bushing  32  is seated in the first hub bore  28  and a second bushing  34  is seated in the second hub bore  30 . The first bushing  32  comprises a first ramp  36  and the second bushing  34  comprises a second ramp  38 . In the first arm  16 , the first ramp  36  anchors a lower force rod  96  in a position holding the first bushing  32  in the first hub bore  28 . The second ramp  38  in the second bushing  34  holds it in the second hub bore  30  in as similar manner. A threaded rod  40  engages a threaded bore  42  on the first bushing  32 , thereby locking the threaded rod  40  to the first bushing  32 . The second bushing  34  includes an unthreaded bore  44  through which the threaded rod  40  travels, allowing the second bushing  34  to rotate freely around the threaded rod  40 . A clamping knob  46  having a thrust bearing  48  and a clamping nut  50  engage the threaded rod  40  for tightening and loosening the central hub  20 . 
         [0023]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the first ball head camera mount  24  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a first taper lock  52  that engages the first arm  16 . The first taper lock  52  has a threaded portion  54  for securely engaging the first arm  16  and a taper portion  56  for engaging a first socket head  58 . The threaded portion  54  may be secured in the first arm  16  using set screws  55 . A first ball head  60  includes a neck portion  62  terminating in a tapped mounting plate  64  and ball head set screw  66 . The ball head set screw  66  is preferably a standard size complimentary to standard mounts (not shown) on the camera  12  and the support  14 . 
         [0024]    The first socket head  58  includes a primary opening  68  and a secondary opening  70 . The primary opening  68  is preferably beveled to accommodate the curvature of the first ball head  60 , and is sized to retain the first ball head  60  therein. While the primary opening  68  retains the first ball head  60  within the first socket head  58 , it is large enough to allow the neck  62 , tapped mounting plate  64  and ball head set screw  64  to move within its confines. The secondary opening  70  is sized to allow the first ball head  60  to pass out of the first socket head  58 , thereby allowing the first ball head  60  (and any associated attached camera  12  or support  14 ) to be removed from the bracket  10 . 
         [0025]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the first all head  60  is held against the primary opening  68  by a first pressure cup  72  that urges the first ball head  60  against the primary opening  68 . The first pressure cup  72  is secured to an upper force rod  74  by a screw  76 , and the upper force rod  74  extends through the first taper lock  52 . The first pressure cup  72  and upper farce rod  74  are biased to a raised position by an upper spring  78 . The upper force rod  74  includes a notch  80  around its circumference corresponding in size to a rod lock  82  that locks the upper force rod  74  (and first pressure cup  72 ) in a raised position. The rod lock  82  preferably comprises an upper half  84  and a lower half  86  secured by hex screws  88 . The upper half  84  and lower half  86  secure together around the upper three rod  74 , allowing it to travel through the rod lock  82 . The rod lock  82  is housed in the first arm  16  in a rod lock bore  90  and a compression spring  92  biases the rod lock  82 , such that when it aligns with the notch  80 , the rod lock  82  moves into the notch  80  locking the upper force rod  74  and the first pressure cup  72  in a raised position against the first ball head  60  preventing it from disengaging the first socket head  58 . 
         [0026]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , a lower force rod  94  engages the upper force rod  74 . The lower three rod  94  includes a narrow portion  96  for accommodating a lower spring  98  and a rounded terminal end  100 . The lower spring  98  biases the terminal end  100  toward the first ramp  36  using pins  102  in the first arm  16 . Having the lower force rod  94  resiliently engage the first bushing  32  preserves the first bushing  32  in the first hub bore  28 , even when the clamping knob  46  is rotated to loosen the bracket  10 . The second arm  18  and second ball head camera mount  26  ( FIG. 1 ) preferably have substantially the same features (i.e., a second ball head  102 , second socket head  104 , second pressure cup  106 , etc.) as the first arm  16 . When the first arm  16  and second arm  18  are locked together, first teeth  108  on the first arm  16  engage second teeth  110  on the second arm  18 , thereby locking the first arm  16  and the second arm  18  in position relative to each other around the common axis  22 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an isometric view of the first socket head  58  shows the primary opening  68  and the secondary opening  70 , which are preferably conjoined such that the neck can move down into the secondary opening  70  when the first ball head  60  is pressed against the primary opening  68 , thereby allowing additional movement of the camera  12  or support  14 . When the clamping knob  46  is rotated to loosen the bracket  10 , this arrangement also allows the first ball head  60  to slide sideways from the first socket head  58  without rotating the first ball head relative to the first socket head  58 , making the first ball head  60  easier to remove from the first socket head  58 . The first socket head  58  also includes a socket head taper  112 , complimentary to the taper portion  56  of the first taper lock  52 . which holds the first socket head  58  securely in position on the first arm  16  when the first ball head  60  is pressed against the primary opening  68  under pressure. The second socket head  104  preferably has substantially the same features as the first socket head  58 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cut-away view of the first bushing  32  is shown. In this view the threaded bore  42  is shown extending through the first bushing  32 , and the first ramp  36  extending, inward at an angle. When the threaded rod  40  is locked in the threaded bore  42  and the clamping knob  46  rotated, the first bushing  32  is urged laterally through the first hub bore  28 . The first ramp  36  is preferably angled such that when the first bushing  32  moves laterally, the first ramp  36  urges the terminal end  100  upward without binding the lower force rod  94  in the first arm  16 . The second bushing  34  preferably has substantially the same structure, except that it has an unthreaded bore  44 . 
         [0029]    In order to promote resilient yet smooth operation of the bracket, a heavy duty grade thread locking compound (not shown) is preferably used on the screw  76  to lock it securely in the upper farce rod  74 , also on the ball head set screw  66  to lock it in the tapped mounting plate  64 , on the threaded rod  40  to lock it in the threaded bore  42 , and on the clamping nut to lock it inside the clamping knob  46 . A medium grade thread locking compound (not shown) is preferably used on the hex screws  88  and set screws  55  since these may occasionally require disassembly. For proper lubrication, a grease (not shown) appropriate for metal parts, for example a molybdenum disulfide-based grease may be applied to the taper portion  56 , the upper force rod  74  adjacent the notch  80 , the lower force rod  94  including on the narrow portion, the compression spring  92  and lower half  86  of the rod lock  82 , the threaded rod  40 , thrust bearing  48 , and on the first ramp  36  and second ramp  38  of the first bushing  32  and second bushing  34 , respectively. 
         [0030]    The structure and components of the bracket  10  having been shown and described, its method of operation will now he discussed. 
         [0031]    The bracket  10  may be initially encountered in a fully closed position. To install the camera  12  and support  14  thereon, a user rotates the clamping knob  46  in a loosening direction. As the clamping knob  46  rotates, the clamping nut  50  rotates with it, driving the clamping nut  50  along the threaded rod  40 . The thrust bearing  48  reduces friction and impingement of the clamping knob  46  as it rotates relative to the second bushing  34 . As the damping nut  50  rotates toward disengaging the threaded rod  40 , the first bushing  32  and the second bushing  34  are able to separate, driven apart by pressure from the lower force rod  94  against the first ramp  36  of the first bushing  32 . A similar action occurs on the second bushing  34  and second ramp  38 . 
         [0032]    Although the lower force rod  94  moves when the bracket  10  is loosened, the upper force rod  74  is locked in place by the rod lock  82 , thereby maintaining the first pressure cup  72  in a raised position against the first ball head  60 . As the first bushing  36  moves laterally in the first hub bore  28 , the terminal end  100  moves down the first ramp  36 , allowing the lower force rod  94  to move inside the first arm  16  toward the central hub  20 , driven in that direction by the lower spring  98 . As the lower force rod  94  moves toward the central hub  20 , mom is created for the upper force rod  74  to move down as well. Although the rod lock  82  initially holds the upper force rod  74  in position, by pressing on the upper half  84 , a user can urge the rod lock  82  into the rod lock bore  90 , overcoming the action of the compression spring  92 . By pressing the rod lock  82  into the rod lock bore  90 , the rod lock  82  clears the notch  80  on the upper force rod  74 , and the upper force rod  74  is able to move downward. 
         [0033]    In the first ball head camera mount  24 , the upper spring  78  biases the upper force rod  74  and first pressure cup  72  in a raised position, even with the rod lock  82  not engaged, so a user must press in the rod lock  82  to disengages the upper force rod  74 , and at the same time, use downward pressure on the first ball head  60  to drive the first pressure cup  72  and upper force rod  74  downward. To aid in this process, the first socket head  58  may be urged downward by the user as well. With the first pressure cup  72  able to move up and down, and pressing the first ball head  60  downward (optionally with the aid of the first socket head  58 ), the first ball head  60  is brought into a position clearing the secondary opening  70  and thus the user can remove the first ball head  60  from the bracket  10 . The second ball head  102  may be removed from the second ball head camera mount  26  using a substantially similar action. 
         [0034]    With the first ball head  60  and second ball head  102  removed, they may he attached to a camera  12  and a support  14  according to preference, in the case of the first ball head  60 , by screwing the ball head set screw  66  into the camera  12  or support  14  until it reaches the tapped mounting plate  64 . A similar action affixes the second ball head  102  to the camera  12  or support  14 . With the first ball head  60  affixed to a camera  12  or support  14 , the first ball head  60  can be inserted back into the first socket head  58  by depressing the rod lock  82  and pushing the first ball head  60  through the secondary opening  70  until it seats on the first pressure cup  72 . The spring action of the upper force rod  74  will raise it and the rod lock  82 , when released, will hold the upper force rod  74  in a locked position. Substantially the same action may be taken with regard to the second ball head camera mount  26  with similar results. 
         [0035]    With the camera  12  and support  14  mounted on the bracket  10 , the clamping knob  46  is rotated to tighten the clamping nut  50  on the threaded rod  40 . As the clamping nut  50  travels along the threaded rod  40 , it urges the first bushing  32  and the second bushing  34  together. The terminal end  100  is driven up the first ramp  36 , and a similar action occurs on the second ramp  38 . As the terminal end  100  travels up the ramp, the lower force rod  94  is driven upward, and engages the upper force rod  74 . As this occurs the camera  12  and support  14  are still loose enough to be resiliently set to a preferred position. Also as this occurs, the first teeth  108  approach the second teeth  110 . The first arm  16  ideally should be positioned relative to the second arm  18  before the first teeth  108  and second teeth  110  full engage each other. Ultimately the clamping knob is fully tightened, which secures the first teeth  108  and second teeth  110  together, and causes the lower force rod  94  and upper force rod  74  to drive the first pressure cup  72  forcefully against the first ball head  60 , locking it against the first socket head  58 . The first socket head is prevented from moving away from the first arm  16  due to the upper socket head taper  112  engaging the taper portion  56  of the first taper lock  52 . In a fully tightened position, the bracket  10  resiliently holds the camera  12  in position relative to the support  14 . 
         [0036]    Frequently, a user will wish to change the position of the camera  12  relative to the support  14  without disengaging them from the bracket  10 . This can be easily done by simply partially loosening the clamping knob  46  and clamping nut  50 . As the clamping knob  46  is rotated, the clamping nut  50  moves along the threaded rod  40 , allowing the first bushing  32  and second bushing  34  to separate. The terminal end  100  moves along the first ramp  36 , allowing the lower force rod  94  and the upper force rod  74  to reduce pressure on the first ball head  60 . The first ball head  60  can then be rotated in the first socket head  58 , but cannot escape the first socket head due to the rod lock  82  engaging the notch  80  on the upper force rod  74 . In the loosened position, the first teeth  108  and second teeth  110  are also preferably separated at least sufficiently for the first arm  16  to be rotated relative to the second arm  18 . Once the camera  12  and support  14  are in the preferred new position, the clamping, knob  46  is tightened once again, bringing the first teeth  108  and second teeth  110  together, and forcing the first pressure cup  72  against the first ball head  60  (and a similar action on the second ball head  102 ) to lock the camera  12  and support  14  in the new position. 
         [0037]    Once a user is finished with the bracket  10  the clamping knob  46  can be loosened, the first ball head  60  and second ball head  102  removed, the camera  12  and support  14  disengaged therefrom, and the first ball head  60  and second ball head  102  reinserted into the bracket  10 , the first arm  16  and second arm  18  preferably rotated to adjoin each other to save space, and the bracket  10  stored for future use. 
         [0038]    The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.