Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a single-pole stand, known in the art as unipods or as monopods, used to support optical equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stand, as such, adapted to receive and support a video camera and further having motion absorbing elements to stabilize the camera to eliminate jumping and jiggle of the recorded picture. 
     2. Background Discussion 
     Professional and amateur photographers, alike, have been plagued with the problem of maintaining stability of the camera while taking photographs. Advancements in technology have ushered forth sophisticated video cameras, auto-focussing and auto-control cameras, and the like. With such technological advances, cameras and camera equipment has become increasingly sophisticated. 
     The video camera operator, in particular, faces challenges pertaining to the recording of real-time images. Herein, unintentional movements during filming ranging from muscle twitches to breathing result in low quality images. Unsteadiness in a recorded picture is a problem that has been addressed in the prior art in various ways. 
     The patent to Embra (U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,785) discloses a mount for use with cameras in locations with excessive vibrations such as helicopters. Embra solves this problem by providing a vibration-damping mount having resilient means between the support tube and frame, as well as a piston arrangement, to thereby inhibit downward movements, thus absorbing vertical vibration. The patent to Richards (U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,549) discloses a vertically adjustable floor support stand, having adjustable tripod legs, for attachment to a conventional camera uni-pod. Richards aims to address compactibility and convenience by having easily foldable legs which are automatically extendable to operative spread configurations. Richards does not address the problem of isolating the camera from external movements. 
     Acker, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,859) provides a camera support and stabilizing device for isolating operator movements from the camera. A pivoting joint is employed between a handle and the camera to allow free tilting of the camera without free rotation of the camera. Further balancing means are included with the provision of struts that allow for improved roll stability. Acker primarly addresses rotational and lateral movements which may be compensated for amateur photographers by floating the center of gravity of the assembly atop a pivot point. However, counterbalance issues are not addressed with Acker, as it lacks the teaching of vertical weight distribution as with the present invention. 
     O&#39;Farrill, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,306) discloses a support foot for a monopod for still and video camera use. This patent provides a flat base which attaches to the lower end of a monopod forming a foot, providing for a still or video camera mounted on the upper end of the pod. The support foot is pivotally attached and offers a flat platform extending toward the photographer. However, the focus of this patented invention is the primary use of the foot, as O&#39;Farrill discloses that the placement of the user&#39;s foot on to the surface of the support foot is enough to provide substantial stabilization. This patent teaches away from using hands to hold the camera steady. 
     The patent to Lewis (U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,160) discloses a permanently affixed platform for isolating a camera from angular motions of a supporting structure, such as a building or vehicle. Angular adjustment arms are employed to steer the device such that angular movements are progressively accommodated for. Lewis provides a complicated system, replete with circuitry for isolating angular motions of the supporting structure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for stabilizing recorded images by eliminating camera movement and overcoming the shortcomings presented in the prior art. While the above devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a mono pod device capable of absorbing shock and providing counter balance, and further having an aiming arm with a remote control. In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of devices for stable mounting of optical equipment now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved device for mounting such equipment in a less complicated manner. 
     As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in great detail, is to provide a new and improved device for mounting camera equipment which has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for an improved device which can be used to reduce jumping and jiggle in a recorded picture via a hand held unipod. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need as described below. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a less complicated monopod camera support device. 
     It is also on object of the present invention to provide a monopod which is hand-held and has remote control with a panning handle. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a monopod camera support with a handle that is spring-loaded to absorb unintentional movements made by the operator. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a monopod camera support with a counterbalance assembly that accommodates for inclines or uneven surfaces and stays level during recording. 
    
    
     Thus, the more important features of the invention have been outlined, rather broadly, in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     Features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, in the figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the monopod camera mounting device; 
     FIG. 2 is a partially exploded and out away side elevational view of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the counter balance assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the counter balance assembly of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 5A shows a weight in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 shows the present invention in use. 
    
    
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be outlined as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of this invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Herein is disclosed a monopod camera mounting device, generally indicated by  10 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, camera  100  is attached to the monopod  10  via a threaded mounting stud  51 . The threaded mounting stud  51  is located on a proximal end of a camera mounting leg  50 . The camera mounting leg  50  has both a proximal end and a distal end, and provides connection to the top end of supporting pod leg  30  (described below). The threaded mounting stud  51  mates with internal threads of a camera mounting slot  101  provided on a camera  100 . Mounting in this threading manner may provide additional height of plus and/or minus a few inches as the camera  100  threads up and down the stud  51 . However, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other means of mounting the camera or optical equipment may be employed. 
     The monopod  10  is designed to extend and contract in length as well as provide rotational and angular movement. A series of telescoping junctions  30 A and  30 B, where sections of the supporting pod leg  30  meet, provide the height variations for the device. These junctions also facilitate compactibility and ease of transporting. As two telescoping junctions are disclosed, it is evident that more or fewer sections may be used without departing form the scope of the invention. The camera mounting leg  50  has a distal end which provides mobile coupling to facilitate angular and rotational movement (described below). 
     The monopod  10  is equipped with a panning handle  52 , extending from the camera mounting leg  50 , which allows 360 degree rotation in the left and right longitudinal plane. The handle  52  has handgrip  53  for aiding in accurate panning movement. Panning handle  52  may extend from the mounting leg  50 , as illustrated, or it may be adapted to be slidably attached along the vertical axis of the monopod  10  by way of a spring loaded clamp. The means of attachment to the monopod  10  may vary in kind and location without departing form the scope of the invention. 
     A remote controller  54  may be affixed to the handle  52 , near the handgrip  53 , for remote operation of the camera device  100  via operation panel  55 . The remote controller  54  may be affixed permanently or removably, eg., by a hook-and-loop (Velcro®) type strap mounting. The remote control  54  has a control panel  55  and is electronically connected to the camera  100  via cord  56  at the control port  102 . 
     The distal end of camera mounting leg  50  is connected to a swivel leg  42  which provides the panning action of the handle  52 . A bolt assembly comprised of threaded bolt  45 , bolt cap  43 , wing nut  44  and washers  46 A and  46 B provide the connection to the swivel leg  42 . Swivel leg  42  has an upper end having a shaft  45 A provided therein to receive a threaded bolt  45 . Supporting pod leg  30  has a swivel shaft  47  formed in its upper end. This shaft  47  facilitates coupling to the mounting leg  50  via swivel leg  42 . The lower end of the swivel leg  42  is smaller in diameter to allow for key-and-notch snug fitting within the swivel shaft  47 . Located at the lower end of the swivel leg  42  are key notches  49  formed thereon. These notches  49  are mated to a keyhole channel  48 , to thereby provide swivel motion. The panning motion of the mounting leg  50  can be ceased at any time during recording by actuating set screw  41 . Set screw  41  is threadingly received within screw shaft  41 A formed in the swivel leg  42 . The set crew  41  is adjusted within the shaft  41 A to allow friction contact with the swivel leg  42  to thereby cease movement of the leg  42 . 
     To achieve angular movement for tilt motion of the camera  100 , the distal end of the camera mount  50  is configured to threadably receive bolt  45 , which in conjunction threads through swivel leg  42 . The bolt  45  may be tightened or loosened, via adjustments to the wing nut  44  to subsequently allow for free range angular motion or a more restricted movement. The nut  44  may also be tightened to fix the camera at a desired angle during recording. 
     The pod leg  30  has gripping section  40  for clasping by an operator  200  (as shown in FIG. 6) during image recording. One of the novel features of this invention is the apparent ‘floating camera’ affect provided by a combination of counter balancing of the mounted weight(s) and shock absorption of motion. These functions in combination with full range panning motion and free range angular movement produce an ultimate floating camera recording effect. 
     Upper spring support member  34  and lower spring support member  32  are attached to pod leg  30  for absorbing vertical shock of movement by the operator  200  (FIG.  6 ). A series of springs  36  are supported by the upper and lower members. As in FIG. 2, the springs  36 A-C may be coil springs. The spring series could be other types such as elastic spring columns  37 , as shown in FIG.  3 . Also, in lieu of a spring series, an elastic sock may be used to absorb vertical motion. In a preferred embodiment, the spring series consist of four columns of springs, however the number and type of springs employed may vary as long as the function is met, while not departing from the scope of the invention. 
     One or both of the spring support members may be slidably attached to said pod leg  30 . As shown in FIG. 2, the lower member  32  is permanently affixed to the pod leg  30  while the upper member  34  is slidably attached thereto. In this instance, the upper member  34  may have a set screw  38 , which keeps the upper member  34  stationary when torque is applied thereto. 
     Located at the bottom of the pod leg  30  is the counter weight assembly. As best illustrated in FIGS. 4-5A, the assembly has a base  20  formed of a suitable rigid material such as metals, alloys, wood or the like. The base  20  may be rigidly affixed to pod leg  30  or it may be removably attached via a hindge or wing nut or any suitable means; however the means of attachment may vary as long as the function is met without departing from the scope of the invention. The base  20  has slots  25  formed therein to receive removable weights  24 . The weights are used to offset the weight of the optical equipment at the uppermost part of the monopod  10 . This includes the camera  100  as well as any incidentals such as cords or peripheral equipment. The weights  24  may be formed in a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG.  5 A. Such as shape is advantageous in that is has a higher mass per volume. 
     Base  20  is shown in a rectangular shape, however the base may take on other shapes, Likewise other shapes outside of a trapezoid may be used to form the weights  24 . The base  20  has friction-enhancing contacts  26  to aid in maintaining placement on a surface. These contacts may be elastomeric, rubberized, or any suitable friction enducing material, discs affixed to the base  20 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates an operator  200  employing the use of monopod camera mount  10 . One hand is used to grip the pod leg  30  at the grip section  40 . When the monopod  10  is in use on uneven terrain, such as steps, illustrated herein, the camera  100  may experience minimal jostling as the counterweight assembly and spring assembly facilitate steady image recording during movement along steps  80 . 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The specification is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     Accordingly, the scope of the float cam should be determined not by the embodiments described and illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Technology Category: 3