Abstract:
The handheld telescopic dynamic rotation monopod is an essential tool for photography and videography enthusiasts, comprised of an easy to use control member positioned in the handle, whose rotation will engender a corresponding horizontal rotation from a camera mount positioned at the opposite end of the handle. A lockable vertical rotation of said camera mount is achieved by means of an input and output section, one able to pivot relative to the other due to guide pins restrictedly able to move within guide tracks and studs to restrictedly move within elongated channels.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/055,653, filed on Sep. 26, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention relates to videography and photography, and more specifically, to a monopod providing a control system for the vertical and horizontal rotation of a camera. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Telescoping camera mounts have been around since the 1800&#39;s. These mounts started as large tripods, but as cameras became smaller, they migrated to smaller lighter hand held versions that simply extend the length of your arm. The missing functionality all of these mounts shared was the inability to change the rotational angle of the camera on the fly from the opposite end of a telescoping pole, while still maintaining the ability to telescope. 
     This invention allows users to control the angle of a digital video or audio recording device at the end of a telescoping pole in real time from a control mechanism on the handle. While still allowing for the pole to be collapsed for easy transportation. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a further aspect, this document discloses a dynamic rotating monopod comprising:
         a. a handle comprised of:
           i. a directional control member to pivotally control a camera; and,   ii. a right angle gear drive assembly;   
           b. a pole connected to the handle further comprised of a drive shaft to transfer motion from the directional control member to the camera; and,   c. a rotating camera mount connected to the pole to pivot the camera, the rotating camera mount further comprised of an input section and an output section;   wherein the input section is operatively connected to the drive shaft and the output section is connected to the camera; and       

     wherein actuating the directional control member correspondingly pivots the camera. 
     In one aspect, the present device provides a dynamic rotating monopod comprising a handle further comprised of a directional control member to pivotally control a camera; a pole connected to the handle further comprised of a drive shaft to transfer motion from the directional control member to the camera; and, a rotating camera mount connected to the pole and operatively connected to the drive shaft to pivot the camera, wherein actuating the directional control member correspondingly pivots the camera. 
     In another aspect, the present device provides a camera mount for securing a camera, comprising an output section to pivot a camera, further comprised of at least two elongated channels; and, at least two guide pins to allow for the pivoting of the output section; and, an input section for receiving an input shaft, further comprised of at least two guide tracks to receive the at least two guide pins; and, at least two studs to penetrate the at least two elongated channels, wherein the at least two guide pins restrictedly move along the at least two guide tracks and the at least two studs restrictedly move along the at least two elongated channels to (control the movement) (allow for 180-degree movement) of the output section relative to the input section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to an embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 1B  is a top cross-sectional view of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to an embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded perspective view of a handle end of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to an embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 2B  is side cross-sectional view of a handle end of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to an embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a telescopic pole of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to an embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 3B  a side cross-sectional view of a telescopic pole of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to an embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of a double U-joint of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to an embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 4B  is a top cross-sectional view of a double U-joint of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to an embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 5B  is a side cross-sectional view of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective exploded view of a handle of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 6B  is a side, half cross-sectional view of a handle of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of a camera mount rotated at a 90-degree angle of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 7B  is a side cross-sectional view of a camera mount rotated at a 90-degree angle of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 7C  is side view of a camera mount rotated at a 180-degree angle of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 7D  is a side cross-sectional view of a camera mount rotated at a 180-degree angle of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 7E  is a perspective view of a hinge joint of a camera mount of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 7F  is another perspective view of a hinge joint of a camera mount of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 7G  is a perspective view of a camera mount rotated at a 90-degree angle of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 7H  is a perspective view of a camera mount rotated at a 180-degree angle of a telescopic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 8A  is a side view of a double U-joint rotated at a 90-degree angle of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; 
         FIG. 8B  is a top view of a double U-joint rotated at a 190-degree angle of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device; and, 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a camera mount of a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod according to another embodiment of the present device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein in the specification, “Non-rotational configuration” refers to a telescoping member with a body structure such that the member segments that make up the telescoping member are unable to rotate independently from the group, but the telescoping member itself can rotate as a one-piece unit. The use of the word non-rotational in this fashion is well known in the art. 
     As used herein in the specification, “Pole segment” refers to a single section of tube that with the addition of more pole segments would make up a telescoping pole. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 5A and 5B , a telescopic dynamic rotation monopod  10  is shown, generally comprised of a universal rotating camera mount  101 , positioned at an opposite end of a hand held telescoping pole  102 . The monopod  10  is further comprised of a directional control member  201  positioned on a handle  103 , which is connected to a non-rotational telescoping member  106  by means of a miter gear set  203 . In this embodiment, the directional control member  201  is in the form of a circle but could be in other forms. The non-rotational telescopic member  106  is mounted inside the telescoping pole  102 , said telescoping pole  102  having a larger diameter in order to fit said telescopic member  106  within it, and which connects to the universal rotating camera mount  101 . The camera mount  101  is able to transfer the rotational force from the inner telescoping member  106  to the media device (not shown). The static angle of the camera mount  101  can be adjusted by loosening the thumb nuts  416  and rotating an output section  403  of the camera mount  101  from 90 to −90 degrees with respect to an input section  405 , the specific functioning thereof which will be further explained below. The monopod  10  is further comprised of an end cap  205 , which has a threaded over molded insert well known in the art, for attaching various accessories such as tripods, counter weights, zero buoyancy floats, sports equipment mounts and extension poles. A set of collars locks  104  are positioned along the telescopic pole  102  in order to adjust the length of said pole  102 . A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that the length of the outer telescoping pole  102  can be adjusted and fixed to a set length by tightening said collar locks  104 . A worker skilled in the relevant art would further appreciate that the outer telescoping pole  102  is the main telescope, and joins the handle  103  to the universal rotating camera mount  101 . The outer telescoping pole  102  can consist of two or more pole segments each sized to fit one inside the other and each one fitted with a telescoping collar lock  104 . The telescoping collar lock  104  allow the telescoping pole  102  to be sized to any desired length within the limitations of the design then locked in place. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 6A and 6B  the handle  103  is shown in greater detail, comprised of a directional control wheel  201 , which transfers its rotational force into a right angle gear drive assembly  500 , said right angle gear drive assembly  500  being comprised of a miter gear set  203  and a stabilized drive shaft  502 . The head of the stabilized drive shaft  502  is constructed and arranged to fit inside and with a set screw (not shown), fastened to the non-rotational inner telescoping member  106  which runs up the center of the larger diameter outer telescoping pole  102 . The stabilized drive shaft  502  can be locked in place by tightening a tension thumb wheel  224 , screwed into the bottom of right angle gear drive assembly  500 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D  the smaller non-rotational telescoping member  106  is suspended in the center of the telescoping pole  102  by its attachment to the input shaft  412  of the camera mount  101  and to the stabilized driveshaft  502  of the right angle gear drive assembly  500 . The outer telescoping pole  102  is the main telescope and it joins the handle  103  which contains the directional control  201  to the camera mount  101 . The smaller inside non-rotational telescoping member  106  works as a drive train to transfer the rotational force from a directional control  201  located on the handle  103  side to a universal rotating camera mount  101  on the opposing side. A worker skilled in the relevant art would appreciate that in another embodiment, the outer telescoping pole  102  may have collar locks  104  to allow the pole  102  to be locked at static lengths. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B , the directional control wheel  201  is mounted on the handle  103  end of the telescoping pole  102 . It allows the user to manipulate a control wheel  201  with their thumb or finger and have that mechanical action initiate the rotation of the inner telescoping member  106  with respect to the outer telescoping pole  102 . The control wheel  201  is fixed to a miter gear set  203  and mounted at the handle  103  of the outer telescoping pole  102 . Said control wheel  201  transfers the rotational force from the user&#39;s finger or thumb to an inner telescoping member  106  mounted by way of the stabilized drive shaft  502  located in the right angle gear drive assembly  500  inside the telescoping member  102 . The inner telescoping member  106  has a non-rotational configuration that allows it to only rotate as a single unit while still maintaining its telescopic properties and the ability to rotate independently with respect to the larger diameter outer telescoping pole  102 . The largest diameter of the inner telescoping member  106  segment is optimally at least 4 mm smaller than the inside diameter of the smallest outer telescoping pole  102  segment. This sizing consideration will allow the inner telescoping member  106  to easily slide inside the outer telescoping pole  102  when it is configured to its minimal length. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4A, 4B, 7E, 7F, 7G, 7H, 8A and 8B  the universal rotating camera mount  101  is generally comprised of an input section  405  and an output section  403 . The input and output sections  405 ,  403  join to make up a hinge joint  1011 . The hinge joint  1011  allows easy angle adjustment of the output section  403  with respect to the input section  405  and can be locked in a fixed positioned by tightening thumb nuts  416  one to the other, initiating sufficient clamping force between input section  405  and output section  403  to firmly hold the desired angle. The input section  405  of the universal rotating camera mount  101  has an input shaft  412  that at one end connects to a double U-joint  404  and at the other end connects to the inner telescoping member  106  by a set screw (not shown). The input shaft  412  is kept stable and aligned by a parallel bearing set  406 . The output section  403  of the universal rotating camera mount  101  has an output shaft  401  with threaded camera mount  101  and tension plate  402  for attaching any media device (not shown) equipped with industry standards. The output shaft  401  is kept stable and aligned by a parallel bearing set  420 . A double U-joint  404  creates the link between the input shaft  412  and output shaft  401 . The double U-joint  404  can transfer rotation at a 90-degree angle or straight, 180-degree angle. This double universal joint  404  configuration allows rotational force to be transfer from the inner telescoping member  106  to a camera (not shown) at any fixed angle of the hinge joint  1011  position between +90 and −90 degrees. In another embodiment, the double U-joint  404  would be replaced with an alternate form of flexible drive shaft such flexible drive shafts, spring linkage, flex couple shafts, or other similar parts known in the art. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 7G, 7H, 8A, 8B and 9 , the camera mount  101  is able to resize depending on the relative positioning of the output and input section  403 ,  405  to ensure the smooth flow of said output and input section  403 ,  405 . Further, the double U-joint  404  must be kept in proper alignment with respect to the selected static angle of the hinge joint  1011  of the camera mount  101 . When the camera mount  101  is in the 90-degree angle position the height of the output section  403  must be slightly higher to accommodate for the two 135-degree (V) angles in the 90-degree (W) double U-joint  4041 , compared to a single 90-degree angle from the hinge joint  1011  of the camera mount  101 . In the 180-degree straight position  4042  as shown specifically in  FIG. 7C , the camera mount  101  must necessarily resize to be shorter, since the straight position  4042  of the two joints in the double U-joint  404  has no effect on the height (Y) offset. In other words, at least two studs  414  of the input section  405  will be positioned at the highest point within at least two elongated channels  4031  of the output section  403 . The self-adjusting length of the camera mount  101  due to the relative movement of the output section  403  solves the issue of the height (Z) in  4041  being greater than the height of (X) in  4042  because of the previously mentioned two 135 degree (V) angles that make up the 90-degree double U-joint  4041 . In an ideal right angle with a single angle (X) of  4042  would be the height since it is half of (Y). As explained above, the at least two elongated channels  4031  are used to give the output section  403  a specific range of motion to adjust for the required height adjustment of the camera mount  101  with respect to static angle. Threaded studs  414  protruding outwardly from the input section  405  and terminating into the thumb nuts  416  also penetrate the elongated channels  4031  of the output section  403  and are therefore limited to movement within the boundary defined by said elongated channels  4031 . To achieve the correct height adjustment of the camera mount  101 , a guide pin  4032  on the inside of output section  403  rides inside a U-shaped guide track  4051  further comprised of a specific curve to ensure proper resize at each angle. As the camera mount  101  is adjusted from −90 to +90, the guide pin  4032  secured along the path defined by the guide track  4051  moves the output section  403  in and out accordingly and within the boundaries of the elongated channel  4031 . 
     A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that in yet another embodiment of the present device, said device could be operated in saltwater and scuba diving conditions. For this alternative embodiment all metal parts are made of 316 marine grade stainless steel and grade-2 titanium, due to the high corrosion resistant properties they have. In another embodiment of this device, the mechanism for controlling the position of the mount is electronic. A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that an XY servo system would be used to manipulate the camera or video recording device when the servo system would receive instructions sent from a user control positioned on the handle. Further to this embodiment is the ability to control the angle of the mount from a Smart Phone, Tablet, Personal Computer or other computer system remotely.