AU2003244042A1 - Instant-release camera support platform for camera support and stabilizing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: INSTANT-RELEASE CAMERA SUPPORT PLATFORM FOR CAMERA SUPPORT AND STABILIZING APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: This invention relates to support apparatus and to support and stabilizing apparatus for motion picture cameras, and in particular relates to a camera mounting platform for use with such apparatus.

In the United States of America in the 1970s, Garrett W. Brown designed the first of what was to become the STEADICAM (Trade Mark) range of motion picture and video camera support and stabilization apparatus. US-A-4,017,168 to Brown discloses a brace worn by a camera operator, to which is pivotally attached a pair of interconnected spring-loaded arms, the other end of which is connected to a handle adapted to be gripped by the operator, and on which a hand-held motion picture or video camera could be mounted.

Hand-held cameras became popular in motion picture production in the 1960s, lending an atmosphere of reality to productions, as the camera was freed from conventional supports such as camera dollies. However, what was gained in authenticity was often lost in picture clarity and stability, as the hand-held camera was inherently unable to be held in a stable orientation as it followed the action. The apparatus of US-A-4,017,168 was capable of producing high quality results, even when the camera operator walked or ran with the camera, because of the attendant increase in stability, particularly in stabilizing quick angular deviations along the axes of pan, tilt and roll, which previously could not be adequately controlled.

Garrett Brown's early rig, generally in accordance with US-A-4,017,168, was first used in feature film production on the late Hal Ashby's "Bound for Glory" in 1975.

Brown has described how as a camera operator, using his rig on the set of that motion picture, he started off up in the air on a crane platform. Then, he 'got off and "walked" with the actor David Carradine 'across the huge camp and most of the way back, dodging kids and crowds and tent-ropes and vehicles'.

The "Bound For Glory" sequence was well received. Brown's rig was able to follow the action, while supporting the camera in a manner in which the operator's motion was not transferred to it. The "Bound For Glory" footage did not suffer from the usual hand-held image instability, but it was not until the Garrett Brown rig was used in the production of the motion picture "Rocky" (released in 1976), that the use of 3 STEADICAM-type camera supports became a regular feature of motion picture production.

Since the 1970s, there has been almost constant development of STEADICAM-type apparatus. Core concerns have been the ability to support and stabilize heavier equipment, to cater for a range of equipment weights, and to provide an isodynamic capability. An improved camera mounting platform, known as the "Donkey Box" was described in the "Steadicam Letter" (Volume 3, Number 4, August 1992), and a further development of that platform was described in US-A-5,737,657, which was granted on 7 April 1998.

US-A-5,737,657 contains a useful discussion of prior art in the area of camera support and stabilization apparatus, and describes and claims an adjustable camera support platform, with a quick-release mechanism. However, there is a need for an improved camera support platform which will enable an operator to release a camera more quickly.

It is an object of this invention to provide a camera support platform for camera support apparatus and/or for camera support and stabilizing apparatus, which platform is an improvement over the prior art.

The invention provides an adjustable platform for camera support apparatus and/or for camera support and stabilizing apparatus, said adjustable platform being for the releasable attachment of a camera mounting plate to which a camera is adapted to be attached, characterized in that means are provided to clamp said mounting plate between two components of said platform for quick releasable attachment and release of said camera mounting plate.

Embodiments of the invention, which may be preferred, will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a modified prior art STEADICAM-type arm supported by a vest on the torso of a camera operator; 4 Fig, 2 is a perspective view of a modified prior art camera support; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a modified prior art adjustable platform for supporting a camera; Fig. 4 is a perspective view from above of a second embodiment of an adjustable platform in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the adjustable platform of Fig. 4, with an actuating lever in the open position; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the adjustable platform of Figs. 4 and Fig 7 is an underneath view of the adjustable platform of Figs. 4, 5 and 6; Fig. 8 is front elevation of the adjustable platform of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, with a camera mounting plate coming into engagement with the platform; Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a camera mounting plate engaged with the adjustable platform of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7; Fig. 10 is an exploded view of the lever and dovetail wedge arrangement of the adjustable platform of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7; Fig. 11 is an exploded view of the dovetail wedge and striking pin arrangement of the adjustable platform of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7; Fig. 12 is a partial top plan view of part of the adjustable platform of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a mounting platform according to the present invention, which is adapted to be mounted on an industry standard tripod fluid head; Fig. 14 is an enlarged exploded view of another embodiment of the dovetail wedge shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7; and Fig. 15 is an underneath plan view of another embodiment of the locking pin and dovetail wedge of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Before commencing a detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention, some aspects require clarification. Complete camera support and stabilizing apparatus is shown in the previously-mentioned prior art, such as US-A- 4,017,168, US-A-5,360,196 and US-A-5,737,657.

Figs. 1 to 3 are adapted from Figs. 1 to 3 respectively of the aforementioned US-A- 5,737,657.

Turning firstly to Fig. 1, a camera operator 12 (only part of whose torso is shown) is wearing a vest 14, to which is attached an arm 10 of camera support and stabilizing apparatus of the type discussed in detail earlier in this specification.

The arm 10 consists of a first arm element 16 and a second arm element 18, which arm elements 16, 18 are substantially similar in structure and operation. The first arm element 16 may be considered an "upper arm" arm element, from the position on the arm 24 of the operator 12 it is closest to during use, and in the same context arm element 18 may be considered to be a "forearm" arm element. A fixed support block is in use located on, or secured to, vest 14, to which fixed support block 20 the arm 10 may be attached. At the outer end of forearm arm element 18 is located a camera support bracket 22 having a post 26.

Fig. 2 is a modified version of Fig. 2 of US-A-5,737,657. It shows a camera support 28, which includes a tube 30, a three-axis gimbal 32, a video monitor 34, a battery pack 36, an electronics package 38, a junction box 40 and clamp ring 42. The threeaxis gimbal 32 is adapted to be fixedly coupled to the post 26 of the arm 10 (Fig. 1).

The clamp ring 42 is for docking the equipment on a docking bracket (not shown) when it is not in use.

Fig. 3 is a modified version of Fig. 3 of US-A-5,737,657, and is in effect an enlargement of the top portion of the support 28 of Fig. 2, showing an adjustable platform 44. The adjustable platform 44 is intended, in use, to secure and release the mounting plate (not shown) of a camera (not shown). The adjustable platform 44 has a first stage 46, a second stage 48 and a third stage 50. The platform 44 has a longitudinal fine adjustment knob mechanism 52 and a lateral fine adjustment knob mechanism 53.

The longitudinal fine adjustment mechanism 52 couples with worm drive thread 54, which couples the second stage 48 to the first stage 46 so that the second stage 48 bi-directionally moves longitudinally relative to the first stage 46. The lateral adjustment means 53 couples the third stage 50 to the first stage 46 so that the third stage 50 bi-directionally moves laterally relative to the first stage 46. Second stage 48 has a first side wall 56 which has a generally upright surface, and a second side wall 58 which has an inwardly and downwardly bevelled surface.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 show one embodiment of an adjustable platform 60 according to the present invention. Adjustable platform 60, in general terms, is intended to perform the same function as adjustable platform 44 of Fig. 3. The lever 114 is shown in a first (camera engage) position in Figs. 4, 6 and 7, and in a second (camera release) position in Fig. Adjustable platform 60 includes a bed or base 62, with a first side wall 64 and a second side wall 66. First side wall 64 is shown as having an upright surface, and second side wall 66 is shown as being inwardly and downwardly bevelled. First side wall 64 is strictly unnecessary, it being just for use in locking equipment.

A bearing and worm drive mount element 68 is part of first stage 46 (not shown, but similar to that of Fig. 3) and protrudes upwards into a cavity in bed 62, for longitudinal movement relative to the bed 62. Mount element 68 is adapted to move longitudinally on shafts 70, 72, which are preferably formed from hardened stainless steel. Bushes or bearings 74, 76 are attached to mounting element 68, and facilitate movement respectively along shafts 70, 72 respectively. Preferably, the bushes or bearings 74, 76 are preferably bushes or bearings which have no moving parts, such 7 as SIMPLICITY (Trade Mark) (see the URL www.simplicitybearinq.com) selflubricating bearings, aluminium bearings with a PTFE-coated bore, ceramic bushes or sintered bushes having a 22% porosity on saturation. Such preferred bearings or bushes 74, 76 are maintenance free, in that such environmental factors as dust, extreme heat or extreme cold, tropical weather, salt water and humidity will not affect their operation.

Longitudinal adjustment of mounting element 68 with respect to bed 62 is carried out using a fine manual adjustment means, the core of which is a threaded rod 78 which is located in a threaded bore 80 (not shown), to be described hereinafter. Rod 78 is preferably formed from stainless steel. Rotation of rod 78 will cause mounting element 68 to move longitudinally, or along an X axis, the direction of movement being dependent upon the direction of rotational movement of rod 78, and will move a camera fore or aft.

Adjustment knobs 82, 84 are provided on either side of adjustable platform 60. A first elongated adjustment knob 82 is coupled to rod 78 by a universal joint or the like 86.

In Fig. 5 the universal joint 86 is shown as a portion of spring connecting the shaft associated with knob 82 to rod 78, although any form of coupling which will transfer rotational movement from knob 82 to rod 78, such as that shown for universal joint or the like 88, may be used. A second elongated adjustment knob 84 is coupled to rod 78 by a universal joint or the like 88. In Fig. 5 the universal joint 88 is shown as constituted by meshing teeth on the respective ends of knob 84 and rod 78.

However, any form of coupling which will transfer rotational movement from knob 82 to rod 78, such as that shown for universal joint or the like 86, may be used.

Preferably, knobs 82, 84 and universal joints formed from springs (such as joint 86), are formed from stainless steel.

The provision of two knobs, 82, 84, enables a camera operator to longitudinally position mounting element 68 in relation to bed 62 to be adjusted from either side of platform Lateral adjustment of mounting plate 68, along an axis Y, with respect to a base member 104, is effected by rotational adjustment means 93, which comprises an 8 elongated member 95 having knobs 92, 94 at the ends thereof, for fine manual adjustment from either side of the platform 60. The elongated member 95 is preferably formed from stainless steel. The central portion of the elongated member of means 93 is threaded, for co-operation with an internally threaded portion 122 of base member 104, to be described in more detail hereinafter.

First stage 46 (Fig. 7) has two shafts 100, 102 oriented on the Y axis, on which shafts 100, 102 the base member 104 is mounted for movement along the Y axis. Shafts 100, 102 are preferably formed from hardened stainless steel. Bearings or bushes 118, 120, preferably of the type mentioned earlier in this specification, are located inside base member 104 to facilitate that lateral movement.

Camera mounting plate engaging means 98 comprises a spring-loaded striking pin 108, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. A dovetail recess 110 extends from side wall 64, in which recess is located a dovetail wedge 112, which is adapted to move within the recess 110 between a camera engage position and a camera release position. A lever 114 operates with a camming action (which will be described hereinafter in relation to Figs. 10 and 11) to move wedge 112 in recess 110, in that a cam 128 on cam pin 146 (Fig. 10) co-operates with an oval aperture 130 to move dovetail wedge 112 when lever 114 is moved between the Fig. position and the position shown in Fig. 9. A locking pin 116 is used to lock wedge 112 in the camera engage position, and must be disengaged before the camera (not shown) is released.

Fig. 8 shows the adjustable mounting platform 60 of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, with a camera mounting plate 124 in the process of being engaged therewith. The dovetail wedge 112 is shown in a retracted position. Clearly shown in broken lines is the inwardly and downwardly extending leading wall 126 of wedge 112.

In Fig. 9, the camera mounting plate 124 is shown engaged with the adjustable mounting platform 60. Lever 114 has been moved to the camera engage position, its camming action urging dovetail wedge 112 along dovetail recess 110 to in the direction of side wall 66, to engage a side wall of camera mounting plate 124, to secure mounting plate 124 to mounting platform 60. In this position, pin 116 is 9 pushed into a recess 132 (Figs. 10 and 11) in the side of wedge 112 to secure the wedge in position, and the mounting plate 124 in place on mounting platform Fig. 10 shows elements of the mechanism for securing a camera mounting plate 124 (Fig. 9) to an adjustable support platform 60 (Fig. Previously-described lever 114 is shown, with a handle portion 134 and a bifurcated end portion 136 including spaced elements 138, 140 with associated apertures 142, 144. Cam support column 146 is adapted to be located on end 136, within apertures 142, 144, and held therein by spring pin 148. Cam 128 is carried on cam support column 146, extends through aperture 160 (Fig. 12) in dovetail recess 110 (Fig. and, through bearing 150, engages oval aperture 130 in dovetail wedge 112.

Fig. 11 shows dovetail wedge 112, and in particular shows a recess 152 located partially in the underside of wedge 112 and partially in the leading face 126 thereof.

Recess 152 is adapted to engage striking pin 108, in particular the head 154 thereof.

In operation, the shaft 156 of striking pin 108 is located in a recess 158 (Fig. 12) in dovetail recess 110, and is urged upwards by a spring (not shown) into engagement with recess 152.

The operation of the adjustable mounting platform 60 is as follows. In the camera release position shown in Fig. 5, striking pin 108 protrudes beyond side wall 64 under the influence of the spring (not shown). When a side wall of camera mounting plate 124 (attached to or for attachment to a camera (not shown)) contacts pin 108 as the plate 124 is being located on adjustable platform 60, it pushes the head 154 of pin 108 down against the pressure of the spring, the head 154 drops out of recess 152, and dovetail wedge 112 moves under the influence of a spring (not shown) and surrounding cam support column 146, to engage a side wall of mounting plate 124.

Lever 114 will then be urged by the spring force to move from the Fig. 5 position to the position shown in Fig. 4, to confirm the engagement of dovetail wedge 112 with the side wall of mounting plate 124, wedging plate 124 between surface 126 of wedge 112 and side wall 66. Locking pin 116 is then pushed into recess 132 in dovetail wedge 112 to lock the dovetail wedge in position, so that inadvertent movement of lever 114 will not release the mounting plate 124. For coarse adjustment longitudinally, locking pin 116 is pulled outwardly and lever 114 is partially pulled back. The camera (not shown) may then slide fore and aft relative to the platform In the Fig. 9 position, longitudinal and lateral adjustment may be effected as described earlier in this specification. For an instant release of camera mounting plate 124, locking pin 116 is pulled outwardly, lever 114 moved to the Fig. 5 position, and dovetail wedge 112 will retract from mounting plate 124, releasing camera mounting plate 124.

Fig. 13 shows what may be termed an accessory or second unit 162, for connection to an industry standard tripod fluid head, to permit the quick transfer of a camera (not shown) between a tripod (not shown) and STEADICAM-type equipment as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In practice, the unit 162 is screwed to the top of a tripod. Three threaded apertures 164, 166, 168, which extend through the body of unit 162, are provided for that purpose. Each aperture preferably has a 9.525mm diameter thread. The tripod accessory unit 162 is similar to the camera support platform of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, but is much more simple in design. It has a top surface 170, a first side wall 64 (which is not essential) and a second side wall 66. The unit also has a dovetail wedge recess 110, in which a dovetail wedge 112 is adapted for movement, actuated by a lever 114, operating cam 128 and aperture 130, as in the camera support platform 60 of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7. Thus, a camera support plate such as 124 (Fig. 9) may be engaged with and disengaged from tripod accessory unit 162 in the same manner as described for platform A camera operator may speedily remove a camera (including a camera mounting plate such as 124 (Fig. from a tripod fitted with a unit 162 and on to a STEADICAM-type rig fitted with a camera support platform such as that shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, in moments. Such an operation may, of course, be performed in reverse.

The unit 162 is not provided with fine longitudinal and lateral adjustment means as described hereinbefore in relation to camera support platform 60. However, there is coarse fore and aft adjustment possible, by pulling lever 114 back and sliding the camera (attached to a mounting plate such as 124 (Fig. back and forth on surface 170. It should be noted that in practice, at all times the camera is attached to a camera mounting plate such as 124.

The tripod accessory 162 is preferably formed from a solid block of stainless steel, which is non-corrosive.

Fig. 14 shows an embodiment of dovetail wedge 112, in which a portion of compressible material 172 is located between a main body portion 174 of the wedge 112, and a leading body portion 176. Main body portion 174 consists of two elements 182, 183. Apertures 178 in portion 172 and 180 in portion 174 (and (not shown) in portion 176) facilitate the securement of the three components, portions 172 and 176, and elements 182, 183, together. The portion 172 of compressible material caters for the differing dimensions of various manufacturers' acts to absorb forces exerted between cam 128 (Fig. 10) and a second side wall (such as 66 in Figs. 4 and 13) of a platform 60 or tripod accessory 162.

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of dovetail wedge 112, in which the interior of recess 132 is stepped as shown by reference numeral 192, such that interior surface portions 184, 186, 188, 190 on the side of the recess 132 nearest the leading edge 126 of wedge 112 are located different distances from that edge 126. Such an arrangement permits locking pin 116 to be located in a number of alternative positions in recess 132, thus locking face 126 in different lateral positions. In this way, a platform 60 or tripod accessory 162 may also assist in catering for the slightly different dimensions of camera mounting plates such as 124.

It can be seen that this invention provides an improved adjustable mounting platform for camera support and stabilising apparatus. Apart from the materials already described in this specification for some features of the invention, it is preferred to use titanium for structural elements of the platform 60, including the chassis or frame (or sub-frames) of the platform. One alternative material which may be used instead of titanium or another metal is carbon fibre material. It follows that when the preferred materials are used, the platform 60 will be lightweight but strong, will be rigid, will be 12 maintenance free, and will not be affected by adverse environments. There will be no need for lubrication. Accordingly, the platform will lend itself to use in all conditions likely to be encountered in motion picture production.

The entire contents of the specification (description and drawings) of Australian provisional patent application no. 2002951146, filed on 2 September 2002, are hereby incorporated into this specification.

The claims form part of the disclosure of this specification.

Claims (19)

1. An adjustable platform for camera support apparatus and/or for camera support and stabilizing apparatus, said adjustable platform being for the releasable attachment of a camera mounting plate to which a camera is adapted to be attached, characterized in that means are provided to clamp said mounting plate between two components of said platform for quick releasable attachment and release of said camera mounting plate.

2. An adjustable platform according to claim 1, characterized in that one of said two components is a side wall of said platform.

3. An adjustable platform according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the other of said two components is a movable clamping means adapted to be moved towards said one of said two elements to effect said clamping.

4. An adjustable platform according to claim 3, characterized in that said clamping means is adapted to enable an initial hands-free connection between said camera mounting plate and said platform.

An adjustable platform according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that said clamping means includes a first element which is adapted, in the absence of a camera support plate on said platform, to retain in a disengaged position a second element, said second element being able in an engaged position to engage part of said camera mounting plate, said first element being contactable by said camera mounting plate or a part thereof and to release said second element as a result of said contact, to enable said second element to move to an engaged position.

6. An adjustable platform according to claim 5, characterized in that said first element is normally urged by a force such as a spring force into a first position in which it retains said second element in a disengaged position.

7. An adjustable platform according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that said second element is normally urged by a force such as a spring force, into said engaged position.

8. An adjustable platform according to claim 5, claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that said second element is also adapted to be moved from a disengaged position to an engaged position by a lever carrying cam means, said cam means co-operating with said second element to move said second element.

9. An adjustable platform according to claim 8, characterized in that said cam means is a cam pin, and co-operates with an oval recess in said second element.

An adjustable platform according to claim 9, characterized in that said cam pin has a generally circular cross-section.

11. An adjustable platform according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that said second element is a dovetail wedge adapted for limited movement in a dovetail recess in part of said platform.

12. An adjustable platform according to claim 11, characterized in that said wedge has an inwardly and downwardly extending surface which is adapted to engage with said part of said camera mounting plate.

13. An adjustable platform according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that said side wall has an inwardly and downwardly extending surface adapted to contact another part of said camera mounting plate.

14. An adjustable platform according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said wedge is formed from a first body portion and a second body portion, with a portion of compressible material located between said first body portion and said second body portion.

An adjustable platform according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that a locking pin arrangement is used to lock said wedge in said engaged position, said locking pin arrangement including a locking pin and a recess in said wedge, said locking pin being adapted to co-operate with said recess.

16. An adjustable platform according to claim 15, characterized in that said recess has at least part of its interior stepped, so that said locking pin may be used to lock said wedge in place in a number of positions, depending on with which part of said stepped interior said locking pin co-operates.

17. An adjustable platform according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said platform is adapted to be used with camera support and stabilizing apparatus such as STEADICAM-type apparatus.

18. An adjustable platform according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said platform is adapted to be used with camera support apparatus such as a tripod, for example an industry standard fluid head tripod.

19. An adjustable platform according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said means may exclude said first element. An adjustable platform for camera support apparatus and/or for camera support and stabilizing apparatus, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 2 September 2003 JOHN CHRISTIANSEN Member, Fed6ration Internationale des Conseils en Propri6te Industrielle (International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys) Patent Attorney for the Applicant: RIG ENGINEERING PTY. LTD.