Patent ID: 7241060

Claim:
A self leveling camera support apparatus for helping isolate a camera from a rolling axis motion of a support structure, comprising: (a) a frame having a longitudinal axis, said frame including a first end that is adapted to attach to a support structure and a second end that forms a pivotal connection having a pivotal roll axis; (b) a roll member adapted to attach to the camera, said roll member including a pivotal attachment to said pivotal connection by a pivotal shaft, being operational to pivot about said pivotal roll axis, said roll member also includes an extension arm having a longitudinal axis, said extension arm including a proximal end portion that is adjacent to said pivotal attachment, said extension arm longitudinal axis being positioned approximately perpendicular to said pivotal roll axis, said extension arm also including a distal end portion that is adjacent to a camera mount, said roll member is operational to help maintain the camera positional orientation level in relation to arbitary pivotal roll movement of said frame, resulting from a selectively positioned center of mass of said roll member, camera, and extension arm, combined, with said center of mass being positioned between said pivotal roll axis and said frame first end, wherein said frame longitudinal axis and said extension arm longitudinal axis form a parallel to angular relationship; and c) a dampener that is positioned adjacent to both said frame and said roll member, wherein said dampener includes a friction disc and a spring element, wherein control of relative movement between said friction disc, said spring, and said frame is operational to help control relative arbitrary pivotal roll movement of said frame to said roll member.