CA2288554A1 - Camera support harness - Google Patents

Abstract

A camera support harness which may be worn by a cameraman especially during shooting of action scenes, the camera support harness being made of a one piece shell having a front portion and a back portion, the back portion being shaped to engage a lower back region of said cameraman, and the front portion having two opposed anterior flaps, the front portion being configured and disposed to engage a lower abdomen region and a hip area of the cameraman, the harness also including belt and buckles for closing the two opposed anterior flaps towards each other, and effecting a tight wrapping of the shell around the lower abdomen region of the cameraman, the harness also having an anchor plate affixed to the back portion of the shell, and a support arm releasably attached to the anchor plate, the support arm extending outwardly and laterally from the shell, and curving forwardly adjacent the front portion. The harness further comprising a plurality of straps connecting the back portion and said front portion, the straps being disposed to drape over a shoulder of said cameraman when said camera support harness is worn by said cameraman. The shell and the support arm being are configured and disposed such that the weight of said load supported on said support arm is transferred to the anchor plate, and then to the back portion of the shell such that the weight of the load is carried by the lower back and hips of the cameraman when the camera support harness is worn by the cameraman.

Description

CAMERA SUPPORT HARNESS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
S
The present invention relates to a camera support harness which is to be worn by a camera operator and which may be used for motion picture or television camera work.
In particular, the present invention relates to a camera support harness for transferring the weight of a camera to the harness through a support arm, which support arm is anchored to the harness at the lower lumbar region of the harness, therefore transmitting the weight of the camera to the lower back and hips of the cameraman. This attachment and weight transfer to the lower back and hips of the camera may allow the operator (i.e. cameraman) to carry the camera for long periods of time without the operator becoming unduly fatigued and in particular, may reduce or eliminate mid and upper back strain on the operator by transfernng the weight of a camera to an operator's strongest body part, namely the hips and pelvic area.
Harnesses and other camera supports apparatus are known in the art, for example U.S.4,158,488 to Gottschalk et al., U.S. 4,158,490 to Gottschalk et al., U.S. 4,298,149 to Gottschalk et al., U.S.
4,976,387 to Spianti, U.S. 5,360,196 to DiGiulio et al., U.S. 5,435,514 to DiGiulio et al, U.S.
5,462,216 Buswell, U.S. 5,598,963 to Buswell. In addition, other types of support for use in conjunction with sporting equipments are also known, namely U.S. 4,802,612 to Anderson and U.S. 5,738,256 to Goff. However the above quoted prior art disclose harnesses or other support apparatus which transfer the weight of a camera (or sporting item) to the front of a cameraman or user (i.e. to his chest or stomach). Supports and harnesses which utilize this front loading manner of attaching a camera (or other load) to the a harness, have a tremendous disadvantage in that the weight of the camera ( or other heavy object to be carried) is ultimately transferred to the body of the operator at or near the front of his body, causing the operator to bend over forward. As may be understood, this weight transfer may cause an operator to become tired quickly, and may eventually cause the operator to experience back strain, back pain and potential back injury, especially to the upper and mid back regions, as the back (i.e.
muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc...) strain against the weight of the camera to be supported. In particular, the use of modern filming techniques, which employ a combination of heavy equipment and require the operator to be very mobile, agile and on his feet for long periods of time, make the use of front mounted support vests impractical and difficult to use. This may be particularly true for cameramen who involved in filming action movies, and/or scenes, which may require them to follow the action on foot while climbing and jumping over obstacles, all the while carrying heavy equipment.
Therefore it would be advantageous to provide a support harness for supporting the weight of heavy equipment, such as film equipment, wherein the weight of the equipment is transferred to the back of the harness, and then subsequently transferred to the operator, such that his lower back, his hips; and his pelvic area carry the weight of the operator.
It would be further advantageous to provide a support harness wherein the transfer point at which the weight of the equipment is transferred to the harness is located on the harness such that the operator wearing the harness is not made to bend forwardly under the load.
It would be further advantageous to provide a support harness wherein the distance from the weight transfer point to the spinal column of the operator is reduced to a minimum.
It would be further advantageous to provide an equipment support harness comprising a one piece vest having a back portion and a front portion, wherein the weight of the equipment is transferred to the back portion adjacent to the bottom of the back portion, and wherein the vest then transfers the weight of the camera onto the operator's lower back, hips and pelvic area.
It would be further advantageous to provide an equipment support harness which is of simple construction and easy to use, therefore enabling an operator to install his harness without the assistance of someone else.
It would be further advantageous to provide an equipment support harness which is of simple construction, and which does not include bulky and heavy exterior frame work for transferring the load of the equipment to the harness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
'The present invention in accordance with a general aspect, provides for a:
camera support harness suitable to be wom by a cameraman comprising a shell, said shell comprising a front portion in a back portion, said back portion being configured and disposed to engage a back region of said cameraman, said front portion being configured and disposed to engage a front region and a hip area of said cameraman, means for effecting a tight wrapping of said shell around a lower trunk area of the cameraman a support arm affixed to said back portion, said support arm extending outwardly from said shell, said support arm comprising a fixation point along its length for releasably supporting a load thereon, said shell and said support arm being configured and disposed such that the weight of said load supported on said support arm is transferred to the back portion of the shell such that the weight of the load is transferred to the lower back and hips of the cameraman.
In accordance with a .further aspect of the present invention, there is provided for a:
camera support harness suitable to be worn by a cameraman comprising a one piece shell, said shell comprising a front portion and a back portion, said back portion being configured and disposed to engage a lower back region of said cameraman, said front portion comprising two opposed anterior flaps, said front portion being configured and disposed to engage a lower abdomen region and a hip area of said cameraman, attachment means for closing said two opposed anterior flaps towards each other, and effecting a tight wrapping of said shell around the lower abdomen region of the cameraman an anchor plate affixed to the back portion of said shell, a support arm releasably attached to said anchor plate, said support arm extending outwardly and laterally from said shell, and curving forwardly adjacent said front portion, said support arrn comprising a fixation point along its length for releasably supporting a load thereon, said camera support harness further comprising a strap connecting said back portion and said -front portion, said strap being disposed to drape over a shoulder of said cameraman when said camera support harness is worn by said cameraman said shell and said support arm being configured and disposed such that the weight of said load supported on said support arm is transferred to the anchor plate, and then to the back portion of the shell such that the weight of the load is carned by the lower back and hips of the cameraman when the camera support harness is worn by the cameraman.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided for an:
apparatus for transfernng the weight of a load to the hips and lower back of an operator, said apparatus comprising a one piece shell configured and disposed to fit over and around the lower trunk and hips of said operator, said shell comprising attachments means to effect a cinching of said shell around the the lower trunk and hips of said operator, said shell comprising a support arm for supporting said load thereon, said support arm being affixed to said shell at an anchor point on said shell such that the anchor point is disposed behind the spinal column of the operator when said apparatus is worn by said operator, said shell and said support arm being configure and disposed so as to effect the transfer of said load to the lower back and the hip area of the operator.
In accordance with a general aspect of the present invention, there is provided for a support harness configured and disposed so as to act as a load transfer interface of improved design: The improved equipment support harness is designed to transfer the weight of a camera, (such as video camera, film camera, Steady camTM, or any other filin equipments such as lights, sound equipment, etc..., or for that matter any other heavy equipment, whether sports equipment, construction equipment, etc...), to the operator, in the most ergonomically efficient manner possible, in order to minimize unnecessary loads on the operator. As may be understood, a human being's ability to carry large or heavy loads, particularly for long periods of time, and when further combined with fast movement, is relatively limited. Further, the weight transfer of the heavy load to the operator, if effected improperly, may result in the operator becoming tired too quickly, may reduce his efficiency andJor his mobility, and further may potentially result in repetitive strain injury. In particular, improper weight transfer to the operator, for example, if the transfer is effected to the front (i.e. chest or stomach) of the user may result in injury to the back and neck of the user. As may be understood, the back muscles of a human being are meant to keep a human upright, and not meant to counteract or carry heavy loads which have a tendency to make a human being bend forward.
Therefore, in order to overcome the above mentioned shortcomings, the present invention provides for a camera support harness wherein the weight of the equipment, i.e. camera, may be transferred to the lower back; hips and pelvic area of an operator, which are generally a human being's strongest body parts. The load may then be transferred to the legs of the operator. This arrangement may therefore eliminate or reduce as much as possible, any load acting on the operator which may tend to make him bend forwardly, and may in particular reduce or eliminate forward reaching, bending moments which must be supported by the operator either by his shoulders, or by his upper, mid and lower back.
The weight transfer of, for example, a camera onto a harness and then onto the body of an operator follows well known physical and engineering principles. Thus any load to be carned by an operator, in particular vertical loads that act (i.e. along an axis) away from the body of the operator, will tend to create a bending moment about the axis of an operator's spinal column.
A bending moment is a force which may tend to cause bending or twisting of the obj ect to which it is applied. This bending moment created by the load is a force which must be counteracted by the operator, namely in that the muscular-skeletal system of the operator must counteract this bending moment. Thus as may be understood, the weight of the load, i.e. a camera, may cause two forces which must be carried by the operator, namely a vertical force acting downwardly which must be countered by the operator by a vertical force acting upwardly, and a bending moment. In a harness where the load is applied to the front of the harness, i.e. to the chest or abdomen of the operator, the bending moment thus applied has a tendency to want to bend, i.e.
to force the operator forwardly, i.e. to flex his spinal column forward. This force must be countered by the operator, namely by him straining to keep upright. Visually, the situation is similar to a load which is to be carried by a cantilever beam. Generally speaking, a bending moment force is a function of two variables, namely the weight of the object to be carried, and the length of the moment arm, which moment arm is the right-angle distance from the load to be carried, to the point about which the bending moment acts, i.e. rotates. In the case of an operator carrying a camera, the point about which the load act, i.e. rotates, is the spinal column. Thus in order to minimize this bending moment force that the body of the operator must support and counteract, either the load to be supported is to be reduced, or the moment arm is to be shortened.
As the load to be carried, i.e. the weight of the camera or other equipment, may not readily be reduced, it is therefore desirable to reduce the length of the moment arm.
This may be accomplished by locating the point at which the load is transferred to the harness to be as close as possible to the spinal column.
In order to reduce the length of the moment arm, the shape of the human body may be used advantageously. As the spinal column is located within the body cavity at a point closer to the back than to the front of a person, it may be readily understood that locating the point at which the load is to be transferred to the back of the harness or vest may normally reduce the length of the moment arm. This may therefore cause the point at which the weight of the camera is transferred to the harness to be as close as possible to the axis of the spinal column. Thus for example, if a harness comprises a camera attachment point on the front of the harness, i.e. on the chest or stomach of an operator, the length of the bending moment arm may, for example, be 30 centimeters, i.e. the right angle distance between the attachment point on the front of the harness to the axis of the spinal column. However, if the anchor point is disposed on the back of the harness, i.e. closer to or adjacent the spinal column of the operator, the bending arm is reduced, and may, for example, only be 10 centimeters, or 1/3 the bending moment arm of a front supported harness. Since, for a given load, there is a direct relation between the bending moment and the length of the bending moment arm, a con esponding reduction in the bending moment will accompany any reduction in the legth of the bending moment arm. In the above example, as a consequence of the shorter bending moment arm, the operator may require 1/3 the effort otherwise required to keep himself in a straight or upright position. This difference may constitute a radical improvement in the serviceability of the harness, and theoretically may allow the operator to wear the harness three times longer before requiring a break or pause.
The expression 'means for effecting the tight wrapping of such shell' may be understood to comprise any desired or required cinching means, (i.e. a means of providing a tight grip) such as for example one or more belt and buckle combination affixed to the outside of the shell which, when the belt is pulled, may cause an overlap in part of the shell such that the circumference of the shell is reduced thus causing the shell to firmly impinge and firmly and tightly wrap around the operator. This tight wrapping (i.e. cinching) engagement of the shell on the hips and lower back of the operator may effect the weight transfer of the load i.e. for example the camera load, from the shell onto the body of the operator.
In accordance with the present invention, the expression non-articulated support arm is understood to mean that the support arm is not hinged, pinned or in any other way free to rotate, slide, turn while the operator is wearing the camera support harness. However this does not mean that the attachment of the support arm to the anchor plate, if any, may not be modified so as to allow different sizes and shapes of the operator or to allow for different types of equipment to be carried thereon. For example, the support arm may be provided with a number of different attachment positions such that for example in its first attachment position, it is attached to the anchor plate such that the anchor arm is disposed close to the side of the camera support harness.
Alternatively, the support arm may be anchored at a second position, wherein said support arm is disposed spaced apart from the side of the support harness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a prior art harness having a front mounted camera support;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the camera support harness in accordance with the present invention showing the camera support harness without any attachment means for illustration purposes only;
FIG. 3 is a back elevation view of the camera support harness;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a camera support harness in accordance with present invention as worn by a camera operator;
FIG. S is a side elevation view of the camera support harness being worn by a camera operator;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
With reference to figure 1, there is illustrated a harness or a vest which typically exemplifies the harness or vest of the prior art. There is illustrated a harness 1 in use, wherein a camera operator 3 is wearing a vest 5 draped over and around him. Vest S comprises two elements 6 and 8 which are held together by an attachment structure 4. Vest 5 comprises an attachment point 7 at which point a camera, or a camera support arm or any other equipment, may be attached for weight transfer to vest S and eventually to operator 3. Axis 9 illustrates the approximate location of the spinal column of the operator, which is the point about which the camera load 11 will rotate. It is understood that the spinal column of a human being is not as straight as illustrated in FIG. 1, however axis 9 illustrates an approximate location of the pivoting point about which load 11 may act on. In accordance with well known and well understood physical principles, a cantilever like load 11 causes a bending moment about a point of rotation 15. A bending moment force is calculated by multiplying load 11 of the camera acting on axis,12 by moment arm 10. Moment arm 10 is the straight line i.e. right angle distance between axis 9 and axis 12 at which load 11 acts. Thus, camera load 11, transferred to a harness or vest configured with a front loaded anchor point as illustrated in FIG. 1 will cause a bending moment which will tend to cause operator 3 to bend over forwardly in the direction of motion arrow 13. This force will require operator 3 to act, i.e. to push back against load 13 in the direction of motion arrow 14.
Therefore, in order to minimize bending moment 13 one of two things may be attempted. The first is to reduce the weight of the camera and therefore reduce load 11.
However, this may be a constraint that may not be varied. However for a given mass camera, bending moment 13 may be substantially reduced by reducing moment arm 10. This may be accomplished by causing the fixation points 7 of the camera to be closer to the stomach of the operator, which has its limitations, or alternatively the fixation points 7 of the camera may be disposed on the back of the vest. Since the spinal column of a human being is closer to the back than to the front of a person; this new configuration may accordingly reduce moment arm 10, and consequently reduce fending moment 13. Therefore this mechanical advantage which results from a different configuration and disposition of the attachment point in accordance with the present invention, may therefore result in a drastically reduced effort, exemplified by motion arrow 14, which the operator has to exert.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a camera support harness 20 in accordance with a general aspect of the present invention. Camera support harness 20 comprises a vest 21, which vest 21 comprises a back portion 23 and a front portion 24, which front portion 24 is made up of two components 25 and 27. As illustrated in FIG. 2, vest 21 does not show any straps or buckling means, which may be required to properly and firmly strap the vest 21 to the operator (not shown), this omission is for illustration purposes only. Vest 21 is shaped substantially as a shell, i.e. a thin walled shell, which may be configured, fabricated or moulded to fit tightly and snugly around the body of an operator. A shell is understood to mean an exterior structure, or exterior case or outside covering, and may also mean a casing without an interior substance. Shell may also understood to mean a hull. The back portion 23 and the front portion 24 of vest 21 may each be anatomically shaped in such a way that they are adapted to fit closely i.e.
snugly to the front and rear part of the body and firmly surround the latter, in order to allow the most efficient load transfer from vest 21 to the operator. Further, vest 21 may be custom made for each operator.
Vest 21 comprises an annular like opening 29 configured and disposed to allow therein the abdomen, chest or trunk (i.e. lower trunk) of a cameraman. In order for a cameraman to fit the harness 20 over his body, he may simply pull apart front portions 25 and 27 and back himself into the vest 21. Front portions 25 and 27 may then close themselves around his mid-drift (i.e.
lower abdomen, upper thighs). As may be understood, the back portion 23 of vest 21 may rest firmly against the back of the operator while the front portions 25 and 27 wrap around, and snugly fit over the hips and lower abdomen of the wearer. Vest 21 may be fabricated with any known, desired or required material, or combination of materials. For example, vest 21 may comprise leather interior and exterior surfaces, and may further comprise padding therebetween.
In addition, fiberglass reinforcement and metal reinforcement may be added for stiffness. Any other material may be used, such as Nylon T"', Kevlar T"", etc...
As illustrated in FIG. 2, camera support harness 20 in addition to comprising a vest 21 further comprises a support arm 31 which as shown, projects from the back portion 23 of vest 21. As may be further seen in FIG. 3, 4 and S, support arm 31 may be curved such that it may substantially follow the exterior contour of vest 21 and terminate at a point substantially level with the side 37 of vest 21. Further, support arm 31 terminates with an attachment 33 which may be configured and disposed to attach thereon either a camera, camera arm or any other equipment as required or desired. Further, attachment 33 may also include screws, pins, levers and other mechanisms to properly effect the attachment thereon of any equipment, and such mechanisms may also serve to level and adjust the position of the equipment. As shown in FIG. 2, support arm 31 comprises a square or rectangular shaped structure which is shown to be of a fixed length.
The support arm 31 may be fixed (i.e. permanently fixed) to the back portion 23 of vest 21 such that said support arm 31 may not be moved or adjusted. However, it is understood that support arm 31 may alternatively be configured so as to have any required or desired shape, and may further be fitted with means to adjust said support arm 31, i.e. for example, move it forwardly, laterally or up and down, in order to allow for different applications, or in order to allow for different sized operators to use the camera support harness 20. Further, as required or desired, support arm 31 may also be configured on the left hand side of the support harness 20 for example, in order to allow a left handed camera operator to use the camera support harness 20.
Finally, in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a camera support harness 20 may comprise more than one support arm 31 i.e. may comprise a support arm on each side of the vest, or may comprise two or more support arms on a one side of the vest, insofar that each support arm may be configured and disposed so as to transfer its load, directly or indirectly to the lower back portion 23 of vest 21.
As further illustrated in FIG. 2, vest 21 comprises indentations 35 and 39 (not shown) which are formed adjacent the lower edge 36 and 38 of front portions 25 and 27 to allow the upward movement of the operator's leg while the camera support harness 20 is used during an action shot. Further, upper edges 32 and 34 of front portions 25 and 27 may be configured and disposed so as to substantially wrap around the front portion of an operator such that the lower abdomen i.e. around the belt buckle area is covered. However, it is to be understood that the exact configuration of vest 21 and of front portions 25 and 27 and their respective upper edges 32 and -34 and lower edges 36 and 38 may vary in accordance with the size and shape of the operator, and further may be modified to suit any particular application. It is understood that the exact configuration of vest 21 may not be of critical importance as long as the weight transfer of the camera is effected to camera support harness 20 at the lower back portion of vest 21, for transfer to the operator at his lower back, hips and pelvic area.
FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the camera support harness 20 showing vest 21 and support arm 31 projecting laterally and outwardly on the right hand side thereof. Further, vest 21 is shown comprising an anchor plate 39 which anchor plate may be firmly affixed to back portion 23 of vest 21. Anchor plate 39 may be firmly affixed to vest 21 such that it is visible, i.e. such that it shows on the outside of back portion 23 or may conversely be embedded inside back portion 23 of vest 21 such that it may not show or at least may not completely show there through. As illustrated in Figure 3, anchor plate 39 comprises a metal plate which may be perforated with a series of pre-drilled holes 41 therein. As may be further seen, support arm 31 may also comprises a series of perforated holes 43 therein, which may be configured and disposed to match the hole pattern 41 of the anchor plate 39. Therefore, support arm 31 may be releasably affixed to anchor plate 39 at a variety of locations, therefore allowing the wearer of the camera support harness 20 to adj ust the location of the support arm 31 in accordance with his needs, size, or other requirements. For example, support arm could be disposed lower down along anchor plate 39, or alternatively further up along anchor plate 39. Further, support arm 31 may be disposed such that it project fiuther outwardly away from side portion 37 of the vest 21. The use of tap screws and other such screwing mechanisms may allow for the support arm 31 to be moved and adjusted to a different position rather quickly, and such adjustment may even be performed while the wearer is wearing support harness 20.
Anchor plate 39 may be firmly affixed to back portion 23 of vest 21 in any number of ways. For example, anchor plate my be sewed into the interior lining or material and/or sewed to the exterior covering of the vest 21. The use of rivets, or other structural attachment components common to the clothing industry may also be used. In addition, if harness 20 comprises fiberglass, or other types of reinforcements, whether internal or external, anchor plate 39 may also be affixed to this reinforcement. It is understood that the configuration and disposition of anchor plate 39 may be such that it may transfer the weight of the camera to the vest 21, such that .the vest 21 may then transfer the weight to the operator.
Although illustrated in FIG. 3 as being substantially disposed in the center of back portion 23, anchor plate 39 may be disposed substantially anywhere on back portion 23.
Further, although only one anchor plate is shown in FIG. 3, it is understood that two or more anchor plates may be used instead of single anchor plate 39. In accordance with further embodiment of the present invention, anchor plate 39 may be disposed at a location other than centrally disposed along back portion 23. For example, anchor plate 39 may be disposed substantially to right as illustrated in FIG. 3, and for example may be anchored to side of portion 37 of vest 21.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, vest 21 comprises a back portion 23 which may extend from substantially the buttocks area of an operator (not shown) up to (close to) his shoulders.
However it may be understood that the back portion 23 of vest 21 may not be as long as illustrated in FIG. 3; and may for example only cover substantially the lower lumbar portion of the operator. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the support arm 31 may extend from the back portion 23 of vest 21 outwardly towards the right of the wearer and may also curve forwardly.
However, support arm 31 may not curve forwardly at all.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the camera support harness 20 being worn by a camera operator S0. As shown, the front portion 24 comprising components 25 and 27 are all shown to be wrapped around the front lower abdomen S 1 of operator 50. Further, components 25 and 27 are shown to be bucked together by straps 45 and buckles 47. As shown, straps 45 and buckle 47 are shown to be standard belt and buckle type attachment means, but it is understood that any other alternative attachment means may be used, in addition to, or instead of the belt and buckle shown. An example of an alternative embodiment may be, for example, a quick release attachment means such as for example, a strap comprising VelcroT"'.

As further illustrated in FIG. 4, camera support harness 20 may comprise over-the-shoulder straps 53 which may be attached to section 25 and 27 of the front portion 24 and to the back portion 23 (not shown) of vest 21. Straps 53 may be of a fixed length, or may include belt buckles and other attachment means such that their length may be modified.
Further, they may fie removably attached to the vest 21. It is understood that snaps 53 may provide the camera support harness 20 with additional support and rigidity.
FIG. S is a side elevation view of a camera support harness 20 as worn by an operator 50. As may be seen, camera support harness 20 comprises a vest 21 which vest 21 comprises a back portion 23 and a front portion 24 which comprises two components 25 and 27 (not shown).
Lower edge 36 of vest 21 is shown as coming to rest on the hips 59 and upper buttocks 57 of operator 50. As may be understood, this area of the body, known as the pelvis may be the widest part of a person's body (save for his shoulders), and may therefore be the best suited for supporting loads. As may further be seen, back portion 23 extends from the upper buttocks 57 to the shoulders 58 and portion 25 wraps around the side and the front of the upper hips 59 of the operator 50. Straps 45 and buckles 47 (not shown) may securely and snugly fit vest 21 about the lower trunk 51 of the operator 50.
Camera support harness 20 further comprises a camera support arm 31 which is anchored to anchor plate 39. Anchor plate 39 is fixed to back portion 23 adjacent lower edge 36 of back portion 23. Axis 52 represents the approximate location of spinal column of the operator 50 and represents the point about which any bending moments caused by the load of the camera acting on the support arm 31 may act. The bending moment arm is represented by distance 56, and as may be seen from a comparison with Figure 1, distance 56 is significantly smaller than distance 10; meaning that for a similar camera load, the force that an operator will have to exert is proportionally smaller with the back mounted harness.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, vest 21 of the camera support harness 20 may comprise a one pipe shell. Thus as may be understood, the one piece shell may comprise a substantially tube- like structure, wherein said tube-like structure it is truncated at a more or less 90° angle on the bottom thereof, and truncated at an angle at the top portion thereof.

Thus in accordance with this embodiment, there may not be a break along a longitudinal surface, meaning that front portion 24 may not be divided into two components 25 and 27. Thus in accordance with this particular embodiment, an operator would have to slip his body through one or the other of the opposed openings 29 in the shell, slide the shell to its required position along -his hips 59 and lower back 57, and then cinch the shell with an appropriate cinching mechanism such that the shell may firmly and tightly wrap itself around his lower trunk, i.e. lower abdomen and hip area.
It is understood that a 'rigid' shell may mean a shell that is stiff, namely that is able to support loads, yet at the same time may flexible, i.e. may be able to fit to and conform itself to the shape of a cameraman.

Claims (8)

1. A camera support harness suitable to be worn by a cameraman comprising a shell, said shell comprising a front portion in a back portion, said back portion being configured and disposed to engage a back region of said cameraman, said front portion being configured and disposed to engage a front region and a hip area of said cameraman, means for effecting a tight wrapping of said shell around a lower trunk area of the cameraman a support arm affixed to said back portion, said support arm extending outwardly from said shell, said support arm comprising a fixation point along its length for releasably supporting a load thereon, said shell and said support arm being configured and disposed such that the weight of said load supported on said support arm is transferred to the back portion of the shell such that the weight of the load is transferred to the lower back and hips of the cameraman.

2. The camera support harness of claim 1 wherein said shell is a one piece shell.

3. The camera support harness of claim 1 wherein said support arm is a non articulated support arm.

4. The camera support harness of claim 1 wherein said support arm is releasably affixed to said back portion.

5. The camera support harness of claim 1 wherein said shell is a rigid shell.

6. A camera support harness suitable to be worn by a cameraman comprising a one piece shell, said shell comprising a front portion and a back portion, said back portion being configured and disposed to engage a lower back region of said cameraman, said front portion comprising two opposed anterior flaps, said front portion being configured and disposed to engage a lower abdomen region and a hip area of said cameraman, attachment means for closing said two opposed anterior flaps towards each other, and effecting a tight wrapping of said shell around the lower abdomen region of the cameraman an anchor plate affixed to the back portion of said shell, a support arm releasably attached to said anchor plate, said support arm extending outwardly and laterally from said shell, and curving forwardly adjacent said front portion, said support arm comprising a fixation point along its length for releasably supporting a load thereon, said camera support harness further comprising a strap connecting said back portion and said front portion, said strap being disposed to drape over a shoulder of said cameraman when said camera support harness is worn by said cameraman said shell and said support arm being configured and disposed such that the weight of said load supported on said support arm is transferred to the anchor plate, and then to the back portion of the shell such that the weight of the load is carried by the lower back and hips of the cameraman when the camera support harness is worn by the cameraman.

7. The camera support harness of claim 6 wherein said support arm is an adjustable support arm, wherein the length and configuration thereof may be adjusted while the harness is worn by the cameraman.

8. An apparatus for transfering the weight of a load to the hips and lower back of an operator, said apparatus comprising a one piece shell configured and disposed to fit over and around the lower trunk and hips of said operator, said shell comprising attachments means to effect a cinching of said shell around the the lower trunk and hips of said operator, said shell comprising a support arm for supporting said load thereon, said support arm being affixed to said shell at an anchor point on said shell such that the anchor point is disposed behind the spinal column of the operator when said apparatus is worn by said operator, said shell and said support arm being configured and disposed so as to effect the transfer of said load to the lower back and the hip area of the operator.