Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to supports and, more particularly to support brackets that can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Capturing video images in wooded areas is not easy. Lighting conditions are tricky. Ticks and other insects are abundant. The presence of brush makes movement difficult. Uneven ground offers little support for camera tripods. In response to the last problem, devices for securing video cameras to trees have been proposed. 
         [0003]    The proposed camera mounting devices are flimsy. They are also difficult to use since they cannot be easily adjusted to support a video camera in a level manner. Also, the proposed devices lack the ability to pan the camera so as to follow moving targets. When the camera is improperly leveled and moved, it often captures skewed and unusable images. 
         [0004]    Getting camera equipment into wooded areas often requires carrying. If an area designated for videographic work is a long way from a trailhead, camera equipment might be toted in a backpack for hours or even days. Camera supports, therefore, must be compact in size and lightweight in construction, yet nothing of this sort is commercially available. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In light of the problems associated with the known video camera mounting devices, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a camera support that is lightweight and compact in size. My support can be easily carried in a backpack or in hand. After use, the support can be stowed in an out-of-the-way place like a desk drawer, tool box, or vehicle trunk. 
         [0006]    It is another object of my invention to provide a camera support of the type described that permits a video camera to be easily secured to an object, such as a tree or the ground. Once secured by the support, a camera can be easily moved to any desired orientation. The support permits the camera to be simultaneously yawed from left to right, pitched up and down, and rolled over. Thus, the camera support is infinitely adjustable over a large range of movement. Once a desired camera position is reached, the support can be locked in place to retain the camera in the desired position. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the invention to provide a camera support of the type described that will accommodate different makes and models of cameras. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a camera support that requires minimal training, and no additional tools, for deployment in the field. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved features and arrangements thereof in a camera support for the purposes described which is inexpensive to manufacture, and fully dependable in use. 
         [0010]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of my invention will become readily apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the camera support illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    My invention can be more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a camera support in accordance with the present invention shown secured to a tree trunk in an extended state and supporting a video camera. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the camera support of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed state and without a mounting bracket. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the outer end of the support showing its camera mount. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the inner end of the camera support and its mounting bracket. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the inner end of the camera support and an alternate mounting bracket. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view showing the relative positions of the elements shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the top portion of a camera support having an alternate boom. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the bottom portion of a camera support having an alternate boom. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the accompanying drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 , a camera support in accordance with the present invention is shown at  10 . Support  10  includes a mounting bracket  12  for releasable securement to a tree trunk  14 . The inner end of a boom  16  is releasably fastened to bracket  12 . The outer end of boom  16  carries a camera mount  18  to which a video camera  20  is releasably fastened. 
         [0022]    Mounting bracket  12  is T-shaped having a screw  22  and a handle  24  that is affixed at its midpoint to the rearward end of screw  22  for applying torque. As shown, screw  22  is a cylindrical rod incised with one or more helical or advancing spiral threads. Also, screw  22  is tapered and pointed at its forward end for the easy penetration of tree trunk  14 . Handle  24  is a plain, cylindrical rod having a length that is substantially the same as that of screw  22 . Screw  22  is driven into tree trunk  14  by placing its pointed end against tree trunk  14  and, then, turning it by twisting handle  24 . With handle  24  being vertically oriented, boom  16  can be readily attached to it. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows an alternate mounting bracket  26  for securing camera support  10  tree trunk  14  or a similar thing. Mounting bracket  26  has a base portion  28  through which a tree-encircling belt  30  is extended. Mounting bracket  26  can be secured to tree trunk  14  at any height without damaging tree trunk  14 . 
         [0024]    Base portion  28  has a rectangular base plate  32  having a rigid tab  34  affixed to both the top and the front thereof. Tab  34  extends downwardly toward the bottom of base plate  32  and forms a narrow slot  36  between itself and base plate  32  for receiving belt  30 . Beneath tab  34 , a threaded bore  38  is provided in the bottom of base plate  32 . A tubular sleeve  40  is affixed to the front of base plate  32  to reinforce base plate  32  adjacent bore  38  and to elongate bore  38 . An L-shaped, mounting pin  42  is affixed to the front of base plate  32  between tab  34  and sleeve  40 . Pin  42  has a horizontal member  44  that projects forwardly from base plate  32  beyond tab  34  and a vertical member  46  that projects upwardly from the free end of horizontal member  44 . A collar  48  is affixed to the vertical member  46  and serves as a stop for the inner end of boom  16 . A thumbscrew  50  is threadably engaged with bore  38 . 
         [0025]    Belt  30  is a strip of webbing with a ratchet-type winder (not shown) affixed to one of its ends. Belt  30  is sized for easy extension through slot  36  and has a length sufficient to extend around tree trunk  14 . By ratcheting the winder, the free end of belt  30  is reeled in to pull tight against tree trunk  14 . Releasing the ratchet mechanism of the winder frees belt  30  and bracket  26  from tree trunk  14 . 
         [0026]    Boom  16  has four arms  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  that are pivotally connected together. Arms  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  move in such a manner that camera mount  18  can be yawed from side to side, pitched up and down and rolled, much like an airplane in flight. Thus, a user of support  10  is afforded substantial freedom in the positioning of camera  20  on mount  18  while making a movie. 
         [0027]    First arm  52  includes a first bar  60  having an inner end and an outer end and a socket member  62  affixed to the inner end so as to provide first arm  52  with an L-shaped profile. Socket member  62  extends downwardly from first bar  60  and is open at its bottom so as to receive one end of handle  24  therein. A threaded bore  64  penetrates socket member  62  and threadably receives a thumbscrew  66 . When tightened, thumbscrew  66  clamps the end of handle  24  in socket member  62  thereby preventing first arm  52  from pivoting on handle  24 . Loosening thumbscrew  66 , however, permits a pivoting movement akin to the yaw of an airplane. Remote from socket member  62 , a vertical bore  68  extends through the outer end of first bar  60  and receives therein a first bolt  70  which threadably carries a first, wing nut  72 . 
         [0028]    Second arm  54  is substantially the same length as first arm  52  and is carried by first arm  52 . Second arm  54  includes a second bar  74  having an outer end and an inner end. A horizontal bore  76  passes through the outer end of second bar  54  and receives therein a second bolt  78  which threadably carries a second, wing nut  80 . Additionally, a vertical bore  82  passes through the inner end of second bar  74  and is adapted for registration with vertical bore  68 . Bolt  70  extends through vertical bore  82  so as to releasably fasten second arm  54  to first arm  52 . Tightening wing nut  72  on bolt  70  locks bars  60  and  74  together. Loosening wing nut  72 , on the other hand, permits bars  60  and  74  to pivot about a vertical axis defined by bolt  70 . This pivoting action serves to yaw camera mount  18  and camera  20  carried thereby. A washer  84  positioned on first bolt  70  between bars  60  and  74  prevent bars  60  and  74  from binding when pivoted relative to one another. 
         [0029]    Third arm  56  measures about one-sixth the length of first arm  52  and is carried by second arm  54 . Third arm  56  includes a third bar  86  having an outer end and an inner end. A vertical bore  88  passes through the outer end of third bar  86  and receives therein a third bolt  90  which threadably carries a third, wing nut  92 . Also, a horizontal bore  94  passes through the inner end of third bar  86  and is adapted for registration with horizontal bore  76 . Second bolt  78  extends through horizontal bore  94  so as to releasably fasten third arm  56  to second arm  54 . Tightening wing nut  80  on second bolt  78  locks bars  74  and  86  together, and loosening wing nut  80 , allows bars  74  and  86  to pivot about a horizontal axis defined by second bolt  78 . This pivoting action serves to pitch camera mount  18 , and camera  20  carried thereby, up and down. A washer  96  positioned on second bolt  78  between bars  74  and  86  prevent bars  74  and  86  from binding when pivoted relative to one another. 
         [0030]    Fourth arm  58  is about one-half as long as first arm  52  and includes a fourth bar  98  having both an outer end and an inner end. Camera mount  18  is affixed to the outer end of fourth bar  98 . A vertical bore  100  passes through the inner end of fourth bar  98  and is adapted for registration with vertical bore  88  in third bar  86 . Third bolt  90  extends through vertical bore  100  so as to releasably fasten fourth arm  58  to third arm  56 . Tightening wing nut  92  on third bolt  90  locks bars  86  and  98  together, and loosening wing nut  92 , allows bars  86  and  98  to pivot about a horizontal axis defined by third bolt  90 . This pivoting action serves to roll camera mount  18  and camera  20 . A washer  102  positioned on third bolt  90  between bars  86  and  98  prevent bars  86  and  98  from binding when pivoted relative to one another. 
         [0031]    For user comfort, a gauntlet  104  is affixed to fourth bar  98  adjacent bolt  90 . Gauntlet  104  is a ring that extends around bar  98  and serves as a rest for the hand of a user which is expected to manipulate boom  16  by grasping bar  98  above gauntlet  104  and applying pushing and pulling forces to position camera  20  at a desired orientation. Gauntlet  104  also prevents the hand of a user from inadvertently turning wing nut  92 . 
         [0032]    Camera mount  18  comprises a flat plate  106  that is affixed atop fourth arm  58 . Plate  106  is provided with a transverse slot  108  remote from fourth arm  58  through which a thumbscrew  110  passes upwardly. Thumbscrew  110  is turned into an internally threaded socket (not shown) provided in the bottom of camera  20  to releasably secure camera  20  to mount  18 . To dampen vibrations and ensure a firm grip of mount  18  upon camera  20 , a resilient, foam rubber pad  112  is affixed to the top of plate  106 . 
         [0033]    Video camera  20  is attached by mount  18  to the outer, free end of boom  16 . Camera  20  is digital in type and conventional in construction. Camera  20  has a lens  114  for gathering light and a microphone  116  for capturing sound. Light passing through lens  114  contacts an imager (not shown) that converts the incident light into an electronic video signal which is delivered to a recorder (not shown) for storage and subsequent playback. Microphone  116  is an acoustic-to-electric transducer that converts sound into an electronic signal that is delivered to the recorder for simultaneous playback with the video signal. Camera  20 , of course, can be any light-gathering, optical instrument 
         [0034]    The use of camera support  10  is straightforward. First, mounting bracket  12  is placed at a suitable height adjacent tree trunk  14  and fastened thereto by turning screw  22  with handle  24 . Then, socket member  62  is positioned atop one end of handle  24  and fixed there by tightening thumbscrew  66 . (Alternately, mounting bracket  26  is fastened to tree trunk  14  at a convenient height by means of belt  30  and socket member  62  is positioned on vertical member  46  of mounting pin  42 . Afterward, thumbscrew  66  is tightened to snugly grip vertical member  46 .) Now, camera  20  is attached to mount  18  by tightening thumbscrew  110  inserted into camera  20 . Once camera  20  is energized, arms  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  can be moved about to easily, comfortably and stably point camera  20  in any direction for recording video or still images and audio. Only a few minutes are required to set up support  10 . 
         [0035]    While carried by support  10 , camera  20  can be turned in any orientation. It can be yawed from side to side, pitched up and down and rolled simply by manipulating boom  16  while grasping fourth arm  58  above gauntlet  104 . If the user desires to fix the position of camera  20  on boom  16 , he need merely tighten wing nuts  72 ,  80  and  92  to lock the positions of arms  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  relative to one another. Loosening wing nuts  72 ,  80  and  92 , of course, permits  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  to move with a desired amount of freedom. 
         [0036]    Taking down support  10  requires less time than setting it up. First, camera  20  is disconnected from mount  18  by loosening thumbscrew  110 . Then, support  10  is removed from tree trunk  14  by reversing the steps outlined in the previous paragraph. After arms  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  are folded upon one another, support  10  can be transported and stored in a compact state. Support  10  is ready for immediate reuse. 
         [0037]    An alternate camera support  410  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Support  410  is substantially identical to support  10  except that mounting brackets  12  and  26  used therewith are replaced by a boom arm  310  having integral mounting features described hereinbelow. These mounting features permit support  410  to be freestanding. 
         [0038]    Support  410  includes a boom  416  that supports a camera mount  418  at its free end. Boom  416  has five arms  310 ,  452 ,  454 ,  456 , and  458  that are pivotally connected together and permit camera mount  418  to be yawed from side to side, pitched up and down and rolled. A user of support  410 , like support  10 , is afforded substantial freedom in the positioning of camera  420  on mount  418 . 
         [0039]    Auxiliary arm  310  has an auxiliary bar  312  with an inner end and an outer end. A crossbar  314  is affixed at its midpoint to the inner end of auxiliary bar  312 . The outer ends of two, ground-penetrating spikes  316  are affixed to crossbar  314  in a spaced apart relationship and provide auxiliary arm  312  with a configuration of a fork with spikes  316  serving as tines and bar  312  acting like a handle. Remote from crossbar  314 , a horizontal bore  318  extends through the outer end of auxiliary bar  312  and receives therein an auxiliary bolt  320  which threadably carries an auxiliary, wing nut  322 . 
         [0040]    First arm  452  is substantially the same length as auxiliary arm  310  and is carried by auxiliary arm  310 . First arm  310  includes a first bar  460  having an inner end and an outer end. A vertical bore  468  extends through the outer end of first bar  460  and receives therein a first bolt  470  which threadably carries a first, wing nut  472 . A horizontal bore  476  passes through the inner end of first bar  460  and is adapted for registration with horizontal bore  318  in auxiliary bar  312 . Bolt  320  extends through horizontal bore  476  so as to releasably fasten first arm  452  to auxiliary arm  310 . Tightening wing nut  322  on bolt  320  locks bars  312  and  460  together. Loosening nut  322 , however, permits bars  312  and  460  to pivot about a vertical axis defined by bolt  320 . This pivoting action serves to pitch up and down camera mount  418  and camera  420  carried thereby. A washer  324  positioned on first bolt  320  between bars  312  and  460  prevents bars  312  and  460  from binding when pivoted relative to one another. 
         [0041]    Second arm  454  is substantially the same length as first arm  452  and is carried by first arm  452 . Second arm  454  includes a second bar  474  having an outer end and an inner end. A horizontal bore  476  passes through the outer end of second bar  474  and receives therein a second bolt  478  which threadably carries a second, wing nut  480 . Additionally, a vertical bore  482  passes through the inner end of second bar  474  and is adapted for registration with vertical bore  468  in first bar  460 . Bolt  470  extends through vertical bore  482  so as to releasably fasten second arm  454  to first arm  452 . Tightening wing nut  472  on bolt  470  locks bars  460  and  474  together. Loosening wing nut  472 , however, permits bars  460  and  474  to pivot about a vertical axis defined by bolt  470 . This pivoting action serves to yaw camera mount  418  and camera  420  carried thereby. A washer  484  positioned on first bolt  470  between bars  460  and  474  prevent bars  460  and  474  from binding when pivoted relative to one another. 
         [0042]    Third arm  456  measures about one-sixth the length of first arm  452  and is carried by second arm  454 . Third arm  456  includes a third bar  486  having an outer end and an inner end. A vertical bore  488  passes through the outer end of third bar  486  and receives therein a third bolt  490  which threadably carries a third, wing nut  492 . Also, a horizontal bore  494  passes through the inner end of third bar  486  and is adapted for registration with horizontal bore  476  in second bar  474 . Second bolt  478  extends through horizontal bore  494  so as to releasably fasten third arm  456  to second arm  454 . Tightening wing nut  480  on second bolt  478  locks bars  474  and  486  together, and loosening wing nut  480 , allows bars  474  and  486  to pivot about a horizontal axis defined by second bolt  478 . This pivoting action serves to pitch camera mount  418 , and camera  420  carried thereby, up and down. A washer  496  positioned on second bolt  478  between bars  474  and  486  prevent bars  474  and  486  from binding when pivoted relative to one another. 
         [0043]    Fourth arm  458  has a length that is about one half that of first arm  452  and includes a fourth bar  498  having both an outer end and an inner end. Camera mount  418  is affixed to the outer end of fourth bar  498 . A vertical bore  500  passes through the inner end of fourth bar  498  and is adapted for registration with vertical bore  488  in third bar  486 . Third bolt  490  extends through horizontal bore  500  so as to releasably fasten fourth arm  458  to third arm  456 . Tightening wing nut  492  on third bolt  490  locks bars  486  and  498  together, and loosening wing nut  492 , allows bars  486  and  498  to pivot about a horizontal axis defined by third bolt  490 . This pivoting action serves to roll camera mount  418  and camera  420 . A washer  502  positioned on third bolt  490  between bars  486  and  498  prevents bars  486  and  490  from binding when pivoted relative to one another. 
         [0044]    The use of camera support  410  is straightforward. First, auxiliary arm  310  is positioned at a desired spot on the ground and spikes  316  are driven into the earth by stepping on crossbar  314 . Next, arms  452 ,  454 ,  456  and  458  are sequentially elevated above auxiliary arm  310  and secured in place by tightening wing nuts  322 ,  472 ,  480  and  492 . Then, camera  420  is attached to mount  418 . Once camera  420  is energized, arms  452 ,  454 ,  456  and  458  are moved about to easily, comfortably and stably point camera  420  in any direction for recording video or still images and audio. Only a few minutes are required to set up support  410 . 
         [0045]    While carried by support  410 , camera  420  can be turned in any orientation. It can be yawed from side to side, pitched up and down and rolled simply by manipulating boom  416  while grasping fourth arm  458 . If the user desires to fix the position of camera  420  on boom  416 , he need merely tighten wing nuts  322 ,  472 ,  480  and  492  to lock the positions of arms  452 ,  454 ,  456  and  458 . Loosening wing nuts  322 ,  472 ,  480  and  492  permits arms  452 ,  454 ,  456  and  458  to move with a desired amount of freedom. 
         [0046]    Taking down support  410  requires minimal time. First, camera  420  is disconnected from mount  418 . Then, support  410  is disengaged from the ground by reversing the steps outlined in the previous paragraph. After arms  310 ,  452 ,  454 ,  456  and  458  are folded upon one another, support  410  can be transported and stored in a compact state. Support  410  is ready for immediate reuse. 
         [0047]    While camera supports  10  and  410  have been described with a high degree of particularity, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the field that modifications can be made to them. For example, the lengths and numbers of the arms forming booms  16  and  416  can be varied as a matter of design choice. Making arms  56  and  58  longer, however, might be make support  10  cumbersome to use since pitching and rolling movements of camera  20  must take place within a comfortable range of heights within the reach of a user. Also, the various orientations of the bores and bolts that permit the pitching, yawing and rolling movements of mounting plates  18  and  418  can also be varied in accordance with the needs of a user. Of course, any number of spikes  316  can be used to attach support  410  to the ground with greater numbers offering greater stability and fewer numbers providing lightness. Therefore, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited merely to camera supports  10  and  410 , but encompasses any and all camera supports within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: g