Patent ID: 7090416

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 is pivotally attached 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 roll member, 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 counter balance weight, said roll member is operational to help maintain the camera positional orientation level in relation to arbitrary pivotal roll movement of said frame, resulting from a selectively positioned center of mass of said roll member, camera, extension arm, and counterbalance weight combined, 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, said dampener is a piston and cylinder type utilizing a restriction orifice to control the flow of a fluid from said piston and cylinder to control a movement of said piston in relation to said cylinder, wherein said control of movement between said piston in relation to said cylinder results in a control of relative arbitrary pivotal roll movement of said frame to said roll member.